The Hoot and Holler

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Answered Prayer

Remember what I told you Ethan prayed for yesterday...

God answered Ethan's prayer and we are home with a snow day today. I know all you Midwesterners think that is hilarious- since our grass is barely covered!

Monday, January 19, 2009

For Christmas instead of unwrapping gifts we "bought" things for our "new" house. The main room we transformed was the family room. We LOVE the transformation (even if our stockings were empty!). Painted the fireplace, the bookshelves, all the trim, and the walls. Hung new light fixtures. Received new furniture (thanks John and Ellen). Here is a before and after. Also included, at no additional cost. Three cute bed- bugs.

The day we moved in.

At our Christmas Party. Thanks for the photo - op Anna and Elisabeth.

This morning.

Bed - bug number one spent the morning praying for snow and

then playing pirates with a buddy.

Bed bug number two woke up on the wrong side of the crib today... if you know what I mean.

Bed bug number three was playful and happy all morning but cried when our friends had to leave. She was thinking..."Don't leave me here with this lady!".

Monday, January 12, 2009

Ice Luminaries

A new tradition my mom started (for Christmas) this year was making ice luminaries. At first I was hesitant because I thought it seemed too hard- but actually it was easy and really beautiful. Here are four my mom made for Christmas Eve. Below are directions.

Lighting up my parents front porch. Not a great photo- but I wanted you to see it in the dark.

Up close and personal. My mom added holly and berries to hers for a holiday effect - but you could add anything or just make them solid. Yes, as you can now see the luminary itself is made of ice.

They melted quick on Christmas Eve because it was really warm- but other really cold nights - they barely thawed and we were able to use them twice.

Here are directions for how to make your own (and I mean they are EASY and CHEAP- the main ingredient being water!)

http://www.theheartofnewengland.com/LifeinNewEngland-Ice-Luminaries.html

On the website the use buckets as the "mold", but my mom used an orange juice container for the large mold and a half and half container for the small mold. Way to recycle, mom!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

A Birthday Weekend

John turned 30 this week! Yes, it's true.

If owning a mini- van doesn't make you feel old - turned the big 3-0 sure will!

I surprised him with a kid - free weekend. He thought we were going to my parents for the weekend- but when he got home he realized only the kids went out of town. He was very surprised - stunned almost. My parents took the kids to their house for the weekend and we had a QUIET (boy we were surprised how quiet) weekend at home. Thanks, Mom and Dad for such an awesome gift! Of course Ethan would never let John celebrate without him - so the first pics are of Ethan singing and blowing out the candles (well helping). The next shots are of John's "surprise" party on Saturday night. Happy Birthday, OLD MAN!

Anna, Aaron, Dave and Amy

Some of John's closest friends. He doesn't get to see these guys very often - so he was really glad they were able to come.

Corn Hole Tournament in the Back Yard. (Yes - it is really fun).

Friends pretending to have a good time.

More friends pretending.

John's choice of meat.

I (sneakily) asked John what his favorite thing to grill was- and much to my chagrin he said kabobs. I love how they taste - but they are too much work to make for 30 people!! Next time we will stick to something you just throw on the grill!

(They were a big hit though)