Memory Band Donations for 2007

We just sent in the donation that we compiled by selling the memory bands honoring Melinda that Becky designed and ordered. We still have a few left over that we weren't able to sell, but all told, we were able to send $390 to Komen for a Cure in honor of Melinda Marie Evans. We have to find a cure. We have some other ideas for fundraising for 2008, but we are still working our the details. For now you get a hint - Pink Tag Sale.

Merry Christmas 2007!

We woke up this morning and had a leisurely breakfast while we opened presents. The boys were excited to see that Santa had brought them something they had asked for. Aaron got a Larry Boy car with Larry Boy and Alfred action figures. Alex got Mario and Donkey Kong plush toys. We were all blessed with lots of presents from our family and friends.
While we received and appreciated many great gifts, the boys were particularly excited about 2 of them. They found out that Grammy and Grandpa Hardage would be taking us to Walt Disney World in Florida for Spring Break. We've been wanting to take the kids for a while but we hadn't been able to coordinate time off and the financing for the trip. Plus we think Aaron is now old enough to enjoy the parks and keep up with the pace of the vacation. Secondly we got the family a Nintendo Wii which has a unique controller that responds to its position in space which allows for some fun moves. You can swing the controller like a bat to hit baseballs for example, or use a bowling motion to throw spares and strikes. Alex though he might be getting a handheld videogame, but was thrilled to see that we had gotten a Wii.
Becky decided that we would honor Jesus's birthday with a Happy Birthday cake for Christmas dinner dessert. A couple of weeks before, Alex asked if we could honor Melinda with it also, since she was in heaven with Jesus. We couldn't say no. We found a cake covered in chocolate frosting and "1000" chocolate chips to honor Melinda's love of chocolate. We smiled as we talk about about what we loved about her. It was sad but nice. We miss her.

We hope your Christmas was filled with love and good cheer. Merry Christmas!

Posing in a Winter Wonderland

It was very nice for Santa to pause his present delivery preparations the day before Christmas to pose with the boys. They did a great job this year in matching sweaters.

They found Santa at the Children's Winter Wonderland that we go to every year. I couldn't go because of work, but Becky was able to take them with Grammy & Grandpa Hardage. That strap across Alex's chest is holding the case for his birthday camera. He's been taking a lot of pictures and video since getting it. Tonight we're going to Nagoya for dinner which is a Japanese hibachi style restaurant where they cook the food on a big griddle at your table. Should be a fun Christmas Eve.

Four Rudolphs

The hand tracing reindeer antlers were such a big hit, theat we all got to wear a pair. A little red face paint on the nose allowed these three to blend in with Aaron's stuffed Rudolph friend. I know it is hard to tell them apart, so I'll help. The real Rudolph is front and center.

Just a Swingin'

Alex and Aaron got to spend the first Friday of their winter break at one of their friends' houses. This family has 5 kids with kids both Aaron & Alex's ages. While Aaron got to attend a birthday party there in the morning (and check out the 5 Munchkin swing), Alex got to spend the afternoon there for a holiday craft party.

They made several crafts and Alex tried them all. One of his favorites was a set of reindeer antlers made from tracings of his hands. I want to add that I am in awe of a parent that will host TWO kid parties in one day in her home. I doubt we'll ever be that ambitious, but we were inspired.

Pulled Out at School

Alex's baby teeth don't stand a chance. This one he pulled out at school and kept going. The school nurse wrapped it up so that he could show us and present it to the tooth fairy. It's hard to believe that I used to spend hours convincing him that his early baby teeth were loose enough for me to pull.

Aaron's Winter Concert

This year's Preschool Winter Concert was a big treat. Aaron had been practicing in class and did a great job. His P-3 class sand several songs with their teacher, Mrs. Meinecke, by themselves. Then they joined the 4 & 5 year olds for another couple of songs. The older kids finished out the concert, and we had a nice reception in their classroom that Becky helped plan as Class Mom.

Those Garlands Look Good Enough To Eat

To decorate the tree this year, Becky continued the tradition of stringing popcorn and cranberries on thread. This year Alex was old enough to help with the stringing with his own needle and thread and did very well. Aaron helped by handing a piece of popcorn to whichever one of them needed it next. Of course, if they weren't quite ready for the next piece he was holding, he ate it.

Alex's Winter Concert

Today we got to attend the Lower School Winter Concert which had a very nautical theme. The Primary classes had been studying the ocean this past semester and the music reflected it. Alex and his classes got to dress up like fish and act out one of the songs, "Swimmy", onstage. The older students took turns playing Christmas bells between acts and when they took the stage they sang a medley of songs about China because of the School's international focus and adoption of Mandarin as the additional non-Western language that they're teaching the older students. The Lower School Choir finished with a holiday medley. Alex really gave it his all this this time and it was fun to see him have this much fun, especially with his favorite song, "Nautical Bash". Splish, splash, splish, splash...

My First Cherry Pie

Aaron wanted a maraschino cherry pie. I found this out after he turned his nose up at my bing cherry pie that I made to honor his request for a "cherry pie". Easiest pie ever. Store-bought crusts, canned cherry pie filling. Dump, top with the other crust, poke some holes, and bake. Oh well, more for Becky and I. Becky thought it was a little tart. Oh well, more for me. It was a little tart, but it is perfect a la mode - or like my dad likes it, with ice cream on it.

Last COSI Visit Ever

This was a bittersweet day. We've enjoyed coming out the local science museum, COSI, for years, from even before Alex was born. It has cemented its place in our lives with the enjoyment our children have gotten out of it.
We came again today, for probably the last time. They needed Toledo area voters to approve a levy measure in the November election to raise the funds to keep it afloat. But the levy measure failed and unless a last minute savior swoops in, they will be closing their doors at the end of the year.
We didn't do everything there was to do here. Just our favorite things. We took lots of pictures and made a few more memories. We hope that something happens to save COSI, but if not, it place in our lives will pop like this bubble was. Not the biggest loss this year, by far. IT seems lately that the only constant thing in our lives is change.

Happy 8th Birthday Alex!!!

Today our firstborn became an 8 year-old. He opened a few presents after breakfast, including this stringless electric guitar from Nana & Papa Evans. He loves rocking out with it. It even has a teaching mode that walks him through 8 progressively harder rock songs.
He had never been to the new Glass Pavilion at the Toledo Museum of Art, so today we took a self-guided tour. One of the large display areas was full of glass jewelry which Becky and her mom loved looking at for inspiration. We sat in a heavily air-conditioned audience and watched a glass blowing demonstration, where the artist made a colored vase in front of our eyes.
He got to blow out a huge 8 on his ice cream cake and open a few more presents after lunch. We played with some of his presents and let his brother catch a little nap.
Alex got to pick the restaurant for dinner and he chose the Elephant Bar at the local mall where we celebrated Becky's birthday. The boys had a great time and got to take home the chimp goggles that came with the kids menus. Aaron is holding Podo, his new puppy that he got to open on his brother's birthday (to keep him out of his brother's presents).

Happy 8th Birthday, Alex! We're so proud of the kid you are becoming.

Happy Thanksgiving 2007

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. We stayed at home this year and were joined by Becky's mom, Susan. Becky and Susan weren't feeling well, so I whipped up Thanksgiving dinner. For years we've kept the turkey cooking simple by reheating a precooked smoked turkey. To that I added garlic mashed potatoes, homemade rolls, corn, green beans, and pumpkin pie. Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Assembly

The day before Thanksgiving break is always a fun one at the school. Becky helped with festivities in both classrooms. Aaron's class made "Stone Soup" like in the classic children's story. Each child brought in an ingredient and they all helped make a yummy vegetable soup. While Aaron loved making it, he was not alone in not wanting to try it. Alex's class participated in a Primary-wide Thanksgiving Feast. They helped make and ate corn muffins, pop corn, "gobblegood stew", and cookies.


Afterward, before dismissal, all the school gathered in the Resource Center for a tradition of singing Thanksgiving songs. Becky got to participate with her two favorite kiddos.

Three Blue Ribbons

Alex has been working hard on the swim team at the gym, learning the freestyle stroke, the backstroke, the breast stroke, and the butterfly stroke. Since this was Alex's first time on swim team he got to compete in Division 1. He won blue ribbons for coming in 1st place in his division in 100 yard freestyle, 50 yard breast stroke, and the 50 yard butterfly and got a certificate for most improved swimmer. He was very proud and wants to continue in swim team, even though he know it means he'll be moving up a division.

Wolf Badge Requirement 2e: Outdoor Flag Ceremony

For Alex's Wolf badge, he needed to learn about an outdoor flag ceremony. Becky got the grounds crew at the school to gather with the Pack around the school flag. They reviewed the rules for maintaining a flag outdoors and for raising and lowering the flag. The grounds crew said they were intimidated at the thought of teaching the Cub Scouts all the rules. But in the end, they said they were glad they did it because they learned something too.

School Pictures 2007

October Blog Posts

Finishing 3 Halloween blog posts closed out October. I am now blogging in the current month. Let's see if I can stay caught up. Catch up on October's posts here.

Pumpkin Sausage Chili

I adapted this one from One Dish Vegetarian Meals by Robin Robertson. Obviously I added the sausage to make it closer to what we think of as chili. I think it also would be good with leftover cooked chicken. I made 2 batches with one baking pumpkin. Seeding, peeling, and chopping the pumpkin meat was difficult but worth it. I improved my technique after giving my hand a blister the first time I made it. Pumpkin is full of nutrients and anti-oxidants, so it was great to find a dinner recipe that didn't involve pie. The orange pumpkin and black beans make this a lovely Halloween meal. You may have to hunt a little for the chipotles in adobo sauce - they'll be in a small can in the Mexican section of your store if you can find it. You can substitute a diced jalapeno chile and 1/8 tsp of cayenne if you can't find it - or omit it if you want to turn down the heat.

1 lb sage sausage
1 large onion, chopped
1 tsp minced garlic (or 2-3 garlic cloves, minced)
1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, minced (if you shred it trying to mince it - close enough)
1/2 baking pumpkin, seeded, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch chunks
1 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes
1 10 oz can of Ro*Tel (diced tomatoes and chiles)
1 cup of apple cider (or apple juice)
1 cup of water (or chicken broth)
4 Tbs chili powder
1 tsp salt
2 15 oz cans of black beans, rinsed and drained

Brown the sausage, then add the oil (omit if there's plenty from the sausage in the pan) and soften the onions, garlic, and chipotle for 8-10 minutes on medium heat. Add everything else except the beans and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Add the beans and simmer another 15 minutes and serve hot.

Homemade Wheat Bread

I baked a loaf of my own wheat bread after being inspired by a blog post on the topic at the Simple Dollar blog. It took a little bit of time, but was pretty simple. I did have to run to the store for yeast and a 50/50 white/wheat flour. It was delicious with apple butter. I can't wait to make toast in the morning.

1 packet active dry yeast
1 cup of warm water
1/4 cup of milk
5 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
5 tsp butter
3 cups (or so) of 50/50 wheat/white flour (or make your own mix with 1.5 cups of each)

Mix the yeast, a tsp of the sugar and a 1/4 cup of the water in a large bowl to proof the yeast. If it bubbles and gets foamy, you've "proven" the yeast is alive and active. Mix the rest of the water and sugar, as well as the milk, salt, and melted butter together in the bowl. Stir in 2 cups of the flour until there is no dry flour in the bowl. Then add 1/4 cup of flour at a time until the dough is slightly sticky and pulls away from the bowl edge. Sprinkle flour onto your kneading surface and knead the dough for 10 minutes (flatten it, fold it up, flatten it again, repeat). Roll it into a ball and place it in the bowl. Set it somewhere warm (on/in/near an oven set on LOW). Cover it with a towel and walk away for an hour. Come back and punch the dough down. Turn the dough onto your floured work surface. Press it out into a rectangle 1 "bread pan" wide by 1.5 "bread pans" long. Roll it up lengthwise and tuck the ends toward the seams. Spray your bread pan with non-stick spray (I use the kind with flour in the spray). Plop your dough roll in the bread pan seams down and let it rise covered with the towel in the warm spot for ANOTHER hour. Use this time to clean up your mess. Turn the oven up to 400 and pop it in there for 30-35 minutes, until golden brown. Let it cool completely on a cooling rack before slicing.