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About Me
My name is Tami and I live in central Illinois with my husband, Larry and three children, Caleb (5), Camden (3) and Emma Grace (10 months). I hope you'll enjoy reading about my life as a wife/mother and about our family's adventures.
Fun on the 4th
Our family had a great 4th of July.
(This was the best picture I got of all three kids. Emma always tries to crawl to the camera, so I had the boys hold her back)
Our morning was spent just hanging around the house. In the afternoon we went to a cookout at my cousin’s house. Caleb and Camden spent most of our time their on the trampoline. Camden liked it the most when no one else was on it, but they both had fun. There was also the annual food fight with jello (which we did not participate in) and a dunk tank.
When we got home, we made homemade ice cream and did some fireworks (the grocery store kind). The boys have fun doing the pop-its. Caleb and daddy spent quite a bit of time outside with this activity. After the ice cream and fireworks, we down to the park to grab a good spot to watch our town fireworks. We always go a little early, so that the kids can run around.
Once the fireworks started, Camden was planted in my lap crying that he wanted to go home. Caleb and Emma enjoyed them more than Camden. Emma clapped whenever the sky was lit up and Caleb had the biggest smile on his face the entire time watching them.
All in all a good day.
Tags: 4th of July, fireworks, cookout
Happy Father’s Day
We had a great Father’s Day weekend.
On Friday, Caleb and Camden came home from preschool with their Father’s Day gifts for daddy. They had made cards with a “My Dad is #1″ pin on them. They were so cute and so proud to give their gifts to their daddy.
On Saturday, we had a family reunion for my husband’s side of the family. It was a great time to see family that we don’t see often enough. The kids played in the pool and sprinkler all day and came home with a little sunburn. Camden was so busy playing in the water, that he even skipped lunch.
On Sunday, we gave daddy his Father’s Day gift and cards. We got him an iPod Touch this year, that he is quite proud of already. He has been wanting one for quite awhile and we decided to splurge on him this year.
Camden, Daddy and Caleb
Daddy with baby Emma
Tags: Father’s Day, iPod Touch, family reunion
Happy Birthday Caleb!
I can hardly believe that you are 5 today. You were born on a Saturday and so I have been reliving the day you were born in detail. What sweet memories.
Some of your favorite things are superheroes, Star Wars, playing with cars, reading books, quesadillas, popcorn and hot chocolate, family movie night, your little brother Camden and your baby sister Emma.
You are such a snuggle bug. Since you were a few weeks old you have sucked on your two middle fingers while playing with my hair. The two always go together. It is your comfort. You are starting to do this less and it makes me sad. It is our special time together.
You are just finishing up your second year of preschool and love it. You have a great time learning and playing with all of your friends.
Today on your birthday we are having a small family birthday party and then going to Famous Dave’s for dinner.
Happy 5th Birthday, Caleb!
Caleb as a newborn
Caleb eating at Cold Stone Creamery
Tags: Happy 5th Birthday
Happy Birthday Camden!
It just seems like yesterday that you were born. And, now you are my big 3 year old who can hardly wait to start preschool like his big brother.
Some of your favorite things are trains (especially Thomas and Percy), coloring, drawing, puzzles, peanut butter and jelly, reading books, your big brother Caleb and your baby sister Emma, being mommy’s big helper and McDonald’s.
You are such a happy child, always with a huge smile on your face. You are also very free with your affection, never letting anyone leave the house without a kiss AND a hug.
Today on your birthday, we are having pancakes (at your request), opening your birthday gifts and then we will surprise you with a visit to Coldstone Creamery for ice cream after.
Happy 3rd Birthday, my Camden!
Camden as a newborn
Camden, daddy and Caleb
Tags: Happy 3rd Birthday
Easter Celebrations
Our family had a great Easter weekend. We tried to emphasize for the kids that Easter is a celebration of the resurrection of Christ, mixed in with a few family favorite Easter activities.
On Friday, we had a few friends over to color eggs. This is the first time we have done this in a couple of years and the kids had a great time.
We hid the Easter baskets for the boys and then they went to find them. They were very excited about the little toys to play with. They also got one egg filled with M&M’s.
At church, there was a children’s choir this year and so Caleb sang on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday.
I had planned on doing the Resurrection Eggs this year with the kids, but time got away from us. It will be something that we incorporate next year, along with a couple of other ideas I found that I thing my children will enjoy.
Tags: Easter, Easter baskets, coloring eggs
Favorite Ingredients Friday - Crunchy Pea Salad & Easter Surprise Cake
- 1 (10 ounces) package frozen peas, thawed
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 cup cauliflower florets
- 1/4 cup diced green onion
- 1 cup chopped cashews
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 - 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1/2 cup bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled
Combine peas, celery, cauliflower, onions, cashews, sour cream and dressing in a bowl. Mix well. Chill until ready to serve. Right before serving, add the bacon.
Easter Surprise Cake
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 4 eggs
- 1 small can mandarin oranges, with juice
Place all ingredients in a bowl and beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour into a greased and floured pan. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes. Do not overcook. Let cool.
Topping
- 1 large can crushed pineapple, with juice
- 1 package instant vanilla pudding
- 1 tub (8 ounces) whipped topping
Mix thoroughly with spoon and cover cake. Refrigerate.
Head on over to Overwhelmed With Joy for more FIF - Easter Edition recipes.
Tags: recipes, Crunchy Pea Salad, Easter Surprise Cake
Favorite Ingredient Fridays - Dark Chocolate Caramel Fondue
- 1 cup light cream
- 6 tablespoons dulce de leche syrup or caramel ice cream topping
- 9 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
In a small saucepan, combine the cream, dulce de leche syrup (if using the caramel ice cream topping, add more cream) and chocolate and cook over low heat, stirring until smooth, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a fondue pot and keep warm.
Things to Dip in the Fondue:
- marshmallows
- strawberries
- kiwi fruit, sliced
- dried pears
- pretzel rods
- pound cake, cubed
- shortbread fingers
Head on over to Overwhelmed With Joy to see more FIF Valentine’s Day Chocolate Edition II recipes.
Tags: recipes, fondue, Dark Chocolate Caramel Fondue
Wordless Wednesday - Sweet Kids
Tags: children, Christmas, Wordless Wednesday
New Years Eve Snow and Sledding
On New Year’s Eve, this is what was happening outside.
The boys getting ready to go…..
sledding.
Tags: children, snow, sledding, New Years Eve
Our Christmas Day
Our family had a great Christmas.
Christmas Eve was spent attending the Christmas Eve service at church and then the annual trek to go look at Christmas lights before heading home for bed (the kids, not the adults). My husband and I stayed up awhile longer to watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (we do this every year).
Earlier in the day Caleb and Camden decorated cookies for Santa.
Caleb…
Camden…
Our Christmas tree with all the gifts. We scaled down a lot on the gifts this year for the kids. We are trying to instill in them about the real reason for Christmas, the birth of Jesus.
Caleb Christmas morning. He really enjoyed his new Leapster and is getting quite good at it already.
Camden Christmas morning. Camden got a new ‘puter…a Leapfrog Clickstart.
Emma getting a nap before the next round of festivities.
Tags: Christmas morning, kids
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Miscellaneous
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