fun, fun , fun

Though our internet connection is still slow, I thought some pictures and an update were due. Here's the latest on the fun-front.

play day with the Loeffelholz pair

running in the backyard: Piper (our dog), Kara, Sadie, Eli and Nate

watching Elmo and his ducks on Daddy's iPhone

a (somewhat) impromptu visit from the Hagers

Sadie, with Nicole & little Georgia Hanvey ("GiGi" as Sadie calls her)

Jeremy, Sadie's new favorite person...REALLY
(She followed him around and wanted him to read her books)

devouring & delighting in Italian stuffed shells
(courtesy of our awesome meal-swap)

more backyard explorations

Sadie kept saying "Out! Out!"
wanting to explore the other side of our fence

our newest obsession: coloring
still coloring...

Like the tortoise

..our internet connection is s-l-o-w and therefore, my motivation to upload multiple pictures is LOW. Here are some snapshots of Sadie, at play.

loving baby Finley

and Daddy's toddler toys, circa 1978

laughing at Poppa

Snowy Day

East Texas got some snow last week! Here's how our house looked:

Growing up, I only saw snow once that I remember, and no one knew what to do. Snow was so rare! I love that Sadie gets to see and play in it now.

(She did NOT enjoy her mittens)

The frosty weather was a fun change. Since, we have gone back to semi-warm, then rainy, then cool, and now almost bitter (for Texas) It was 25 degrees last night!

Holiday highlights

We are back! After eleven days in San Antonio and Austin, then back to Tyler for a few days and back out again for a super-fun wedding (more on that later), I can now give you the highlights of the holidays, in a parade of picture.
Please note: This is a LONG post.

BEFORE Christmas
We examined a special box from Colorado...thanks, Easterhaus family!

Sadie opened her own gift, Mommy's, then Daddy's


enjoying a snack of holiday goodies

Mimi & Poppa came to visit

we played and opened gifts


quick family snapshot at their hotel

a family photo before the Pine Cove Christmas party

Breakfast with Santa (Sorry we missed this!)

Christmas EVE

one little present to open (The Night Before Christmas); Playing with Uncle George

ready for church & Christmas Eve service

Christmas DAY

Two days, AWAY
my parents watched Sadie while Jason & I had two full days alone together! We visited with friends, had several dates, slept in late and just relaxed.


After a delicious seafood dinner at Ostra, downtown San Antonio

NEW YEAR'S DAY (but in the evening) = Bamps turns 80!

Kenady, Sadie's official babysitter for the evening


Family photo, take 1

Aunt Gaylynn, Aunt Sarah & Rachel; George & Kensie; Jason & Sadie

the adorable Howell girls (we're cousins, somehow)

and FOOD of course

Family brunch, the next morning

more food: quiche, sausage cheese squares, peach bars, fruit,
chocolate chip as well as pumpkin muffins, cheesy potatoes

What a wonderful, long, relaxing, family-filled holiday season!

More food

Yes, another recipe. We are foodies in my family, especially for sweets. This one is my absolute favorite breakfast food (and Christmas morning memory) that my mom made every year, for as long as I can remember. Two versions, both delicious.

(The Original - Sugar Puffs)

Ingredients: Crescent rolls, cinnamon, sugar, butter, large size marshmallows, muffin pan

1. Preheat the oven according to package.
2. Lightly grease the inside of each section of a muffin pan.
3. Melt one stick of butter (yes, all of it) in the microwave.
4. Unroll crescent rolls on cool surface. Sprinkle with cinnamon & sugar.
5. Dip one large marshmallow into the warm butter, then again into cinnamon sugar mixture.
6. Roll marshmallow into crescent roll triangle, making sure it is fully encased inside the dough.
7. Place into muffin pan. Use leftover butter to "paint: and sprinkle each top with sugar. Repeat until all sections are full.
8. Bake as directed for approximately 10 minutes, or until lightly browned. (Note: Watch these, they will puff up).
9. Bon appetit!
   

(The Addition - Pinwheels)

Ingredients: Crescent rolls, cinnamon, sugar, butter, 13x9 pan.
*These can be made the night before and warmed as you open gifts or stocking goodies.

1. Lightly grease the pan.
2. Melt half a stick of butter.
3. Unroll crescent rolls on cool surface.
4. "Paint" each with butter.
5. Sprinkle with cinnamon & sugar.
6. Roll each triangle into a small pinwheels, and place into 13x9.
7. Bake according to package.
8. Enjoy!

And you MUST serve these with good quality bacon. The savory/salty is perfect with these sweet treats, and it's tradition. (Thinking of you, Meaghan.)

Family Feasts

As in many families, food is a BIG DEAL, especially during the holiday season. Though there are no pictures yet (I'm waiting until we get back and have a speedy internet connection) I wanted to share a yummy recipe that is soooo easy and tasty. We have made (and eaten) these homemade crackers since I was a little girl. Enjoy!

CHEESE NUT WAFERS (I make them without the nuts)

1 pound Old English cheese, grated (or very Sharp cheddar)

1 pound softened butter (yeah, that's right)

2 scant tsp. salt ("scant" =just a bit; this is an OLD recipe)

Dash of cayenne pepper

* 1 cup finely chopped pecans (optional)

1) Beat together butter and cheese until light & fluffy.

2) Stir in flour, salt & cayenne to tashe. Add pecans.

3) Shape mixture into long rolls, approximately 1 1/2 inches in diameter.

Wrap each in wax paper.

4) Chill or freeze.

5) Slice in 1/4 inch thick coins. Bake on lightly greased cookie sheet at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes, or until brown.

6)Remove from cookie sheet while hot - cool on rack.

7) Enjoy with your favorite dip or alone as a snack!

Catch up

It has been a MONTH since our last post. Here's what been going on: Visit to San Antonio and Austin, Thanksgiving at home here in Tyler, Pine Cove hiring week, Big G (my dad) coming to visit, Sadie and I both coming down with colds, then sinus infections (yuck!), Jason gone to a conference in North Carolina, and some play time in between...here are some pictures to catch you up: