Making a Gingerbread House

Monday night Angela, Connor, Grandma Jamison and I all made a gingerbread house. It was for a school contest. There were three levels we could have entered into. The top level required a fancy house plus photo documentation and an essay to enter. The next level was a peoples choice level and the last level was every ones name got entered into a random drawing. We decided to do the last level. We bought a pre-made house and just got to have the fun decorating it. Connor and Grandma and Grandpa Jamison played in the water at the sink and Connor at the candies. I ended up working the pastry bag as the frosting was a little hard to get out for Angela. She had a lot of fun spreading the frosting all around and decorating it with the candies. I do not know that I would make this a yearly tradition, but it was fun for us to do.

Thanksgiving #3

Yesterday we finished our Thanksgiving run. The kids and I had dinner with Brian's family. There were 14 of us there and it got a little crazy. I think the kids might have out numbered the adults. Well not quite, but some of the nieces and nephews were there without their parents and it kept the rest of us running to keep up with every thing. The food was really good (including the green bean casserole, since we hadn't had any yet). Once everyone had left, I know I felt a little bit worn out. I was a long but enjoyable afternoon.

Thanksgiving #2

We completed Thanksgiving #2 and it was very yummy and fun. The kids and I went to my Mom's mothers house and there were 21 people there (we were missing four). We spent a lot of time out around the campfire drinking and visiting. The house was a little small and cramped, but it was perfect. There was lots of yummy food although; after most of dinner was gone I realized there was no Green Bean Casserole. That's okay, I will make some soon. It was weird at dessert time. There were seven pies, but no custard pies. Brian and his family really like them and I have started making them on a semi-regular basis, so it seemed weird not to see any. Not that I was too worried, I am more of a huckleberry or pumpkin lover at the holidays. The kids each got their own individual mini pumpkin pie, smothered in whipped cream. They got to run around outside, feed the horses and play in the barn. I think they had a really good time.

Awesome Travels

Yesterday, I was awake for almost 20 hours. Most of which was spent traveling (in one way or another). To most that would not constitute "Awesome Travels," but for us it did. We made it to the airport in Madison on time and okay, only forgetting the little stroller to help in the airports. Once on the plane (at 6:30 AM Central Time) we ended up stuck inside waiting for about 2 1/2 hours to leave (due to one delay or another). That could have been horrible, but the kids were awesome. I think they may have been half asleep still. Due to that delay, we missed our next flight. Therefore, having about a 3 hour layover until the next available one. Again, could have been bad, but the kids were great. We rode the airport tram a couple of times, played at the kids play area, ate lunch and watched part of a movie. On our second flight Connor napped for a good portion of it and then the three of us spent the rest of the flight helping another mom, who was traveling with her two kids, take care of and entertain them. We had a quick layover there and we were onto our last flight. From each flight our planes kept getting smaller and smaller. Our last one was not quite a propeller plane, but pretty close. The kids had another great flight and were happy to be done, once we got into Spokane (at 5:30 PM Pacific Time). Finally we were at the last activity before dinner and bed, picking up our luggage. Unfortunately that did not happen. Do to some unforeseen airtime travel the bags did not end up with us. Therefore we got some loaner car seats and the clothes on our back until hopefully this afternoon. But, like Mom and I said it wasn't that bad because the man there was very helpful, kind and considerate, which made it all bearable. Overall, we had a wonderful trip and travels.

Thanksgiving (YUM)

Today we had a very yummy Thanksgiving. The kids and I will be gone on the day of Thanksgiving and so we decided to do an early one with Brian. We had a turkey (breast), mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, broccoli casserole, potato rolls, chocolate cream pie, pecan pie and an eggnog custard pie. I can not believe that we were able to make all of that in this camper and still eat at a decent time. I believe all of us gained a few pounds. The sad thing is the kids and I will be going through two more Thanksgiving dinners in the next week. I think I am a glutton for punishment, either that or for more exercise on the treadmill.

Cascade 'Mountain' Ski Resort

We live on top of one of the 'mountains' of Wisconsin. We are right next to Cascade Mountain Ski Resort. Actually we are just above the ski hill. Our elevation at the campground is 1320 feet. Downtown Spokane is at 1890'. The summit of Mt. Spokane is at 5889' and its lodge is at 4200'. That should give you a little perspective of how big the ski hill is. They have some black diamond runs, which makes Brian and I laugh. We said that some of our family members that are avid skiers would fly down them like the bunny hills. We have had a few days where there was snow in the area, but nothing has stuck. The ski hill on the other hand, does have snow. They have been working hard over the past week and a half making snow. It looks pretty funny to see one (now two) runs white with snow and then the rest are green still. We wonder if they are trying to get it, so that they can open for the Thanksgiving Holiday. Angela has been very excited for it to open because she would like to take lessons and learn to ski. We are going to look into it when we get back from Washington.

Connor is a Nudist

Well it finally happened, Connor realized he could take his own jammies off. I came home from water aerobics tonight and went to kiss the kids goodnight. I went into their room and found him in just his diaper. So I grabbed his jammies and put him back into them. A few minutes later when Angela came out to go to the bathroom she said he was naked again. The little bugger. He just laughs and thinks it is funny and to be honest, I think it is too.