Friday, December 31, 2010

A Culinary Catastophe

It is Mikayla's birthday today.  We gathered to celebrate yesterday, and I volunteered to make cake.  Mikayla wanted a vanilla cake, I didn't have a cake mix, so I decided to make a cake from scratch.  I made adjustments for high altitude, prepped my cake pans, and had a vision of a swirly-frosted, lily (Mikayla's favorite flowers) decorated cake.

Then it all went to hell.  When I tried to remove the cake from the pans to cool, they stuck to the bottom.  I got one layer out alright, but the other broke in half as it came out of the pan.  I felt like I could still recover by sort of piecing it back together with frosting, and left both halves cooling on the counter before frosting.

Shortly before I needed to frost, Brandt needed my assistance in the bathroom (we are really working on the potty training this week), and Blythe was left to her own devices downstairs.  She pulled a chair over to the counter and ate several large chucks of cake, from the better of the two halves.  This is what I ended up with to frost.

The right side looks fine, but that is the round that was broken in half.
The one on the left has been Blythe damaged.

It went from bad to worse.  The frosting was a nightmare.  The cake was super crumbly, erosive even.  It just kept disintegrating as I tried to get it put together.  



All hope of having a beautiful cake for Mikayla was lost.  I even called the local grocery store to see if they had one I could pick up.  Kent thought I should just take what I had, even if it looked ridiculous, because we could all do with a laugh and it would make a much better story.  So this is what I presented to Mikayla as her birthday cake.

 
Half demolished cake, before any had even been eaten.
Looks awful, bit it tasted alright.
On the plus side, I'll probably never be asked to bring the cake again.

The Jumpolene

The Tanners gave us a super cool Jumpolene for Christmas.  It is an large (for indoor use) inflatable trampoline with sides.  We got it out and blew it up the other day when it was particularly cold and snowy out.  Impossible to drive the truck (which Brandt has taken to calling "my green vehicle") so the children jumped instead.

Look at how much fun!

Kent was watching the children downstairs while I was upstairs making dinner.  He was sitting on the stairs reading a book he got for Christmas when I came downstairs to get something out of the freezer.  I found the children jumping stark naked (unlike the above picture).  They had taken off all their clothes and Kent was somehow completely oblivious to their state of undress.  I have a picture of naked jumping, but as with the first post of this blog, I didn't want to add anything inappropriate.  Seems pretty exciting to me to feel the breeze blowing through one's hair and across one's naked bum.

Christmas Day

We had such a lovely Christmas.  Santa found us, we got to be with family, and the children were infectiously excited.  For Blythe, this is certainly the first year she has cared or even known what was going on.  And while Brandt has been trying to work it all out in his mind, he early on figured out about the presents and has eagerly anticipated Christmas morning.  As I look back on the Christmases of my youth, I think the anticipation might have been better in many cases than the actual day.

The children didn't wake too early, but as soon as Brandt was up, he bolted downstairs to see what Santa had brought.  Whenever he was asked what he wanted, Brandt said, "I want a dump truck," and I am happy to report, Santa came through.  Here is what Brandt found.

A John Deere Gator Dump Truck.

He was super excited.  
He is saying, "Look Dad!"

It even has a gas tank.

Although Blythe was happy to see the truck, she said,
"Where my purple car?"
Santa didn't come through for her.

The fact that we only got one car was something of a problem.  Blythe has had a list of what she wants as well.  Each time she was asked she has said, "I want a purple car, a purse, a clock, a fan, and two lipsticks."  The purple car was a car like the one above, only girlie purple.  How does one get out of this sort of jam?  I told her that Santa had called and told me he wanted to give the children a car, but that there was a strict one-car-per-family rule.  The car we received has two seats, one for each child, and they would have to share, otherwise, Santa would want it back.  Blythe seemed reasonably resigned and I assured her she would get a turn to drive, just like Brandt. 

There were lots of other packages to unwrap.  As Blythe would open a package, she would say, "I got a box!"  Inside one she did find a purse, a clock (on a ribbon so she can wear it around her neck), a fan, and two lipsticks (really Chapstick which she proceeded to eat).  She also got a stroller for her baby, Fancy Nancy type dress-up clothes, including two pairs of shoes, and a new Fancy Nancy book.  

 
All decked out in her finery.  Blythe is holding the new purse and the fan is on the floor.

Brandt got a couple of books, a puzzle, and an accordion from Uncle David Davies.  Some might think that an accordion would be a horrible present, but Brandt loves it.  He has played it regularly since Christmas.  


Look at that playing. 
He's a natural.

After each package was opened, Brandt would seize the gift and stack it in his dump truck.  When he ran out of room, he drove down the hallway a bit and unloaded, then backed up for another load.  When there were no more packages under the tree, we tried to put a bit of order to the chaos.  Brandt was willing to help pick up all the wrapping paper and take it away to be disposed of.  Anything to drive that dump truck.

Surprisingly, the walls came out none the worse for Brandt's driving.

And speaking of driving, as soon as all the packages were open, we all bundled up and went out for a drive.  With Blythe riding shot-gun, Brandt cruised up and down the street, drove in circles around me and Kent, and drove into snow banks.  He did not want to get off, even as we tempted him with more presents at Grandma and Grandpa D's house.  It must feel so freeing and grown up to be in control.

 
Chasing Kent and me.

  
Brandt looks absolutely gleeful!

Kent, hailing the children who are driving up the hill away from us.
You can't tell from the picture, but both of them are looking back at us and laughing and laughing.
While Brandt is a good driver, Blythe is not.  
She had a turn but just drove into the snow.  
Three times.

We did eventually manage to corral the children and head over to my parent's for Christmas breakfast.  Just as we are with the Barri each Christmas Eve, we are with the DeMars on Christmas morning for a heavenly breakfast and present opening.  We had scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage, fruit, juice, and a selection of delicious Christmas breads.  So good.  With the excitement of more packages to open and being with cousins, the children ate little, even though it was all so tempting.

Blythe, Griffin, Brandt, and Crew    Ava, Makenna, Luke, and Blake

While present unwrapping at our house had been a bit wild, it was absolutely pandemonium at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  Eight children were ripping open presents, throwing paper, and stepping on each other and the goods.  Brandt and Blythe both wanted us to put things together for them, and I was trying to insure that nothing got lost.  Brandt got a super cool crane, some art supplies, and a Leapfrog texting game, and Blythe got a highchair and diaper bag for her baby and a small "vintage" record player, just like one I had when I was a child.  
The crane.  
It extends, it lifts, it even plays a cool crane song.
"Caterpillar power!"

I received a very thoughtful gift.  My Aunt Darlene made each granddaughter and granddaughter-in-law of Grandma Hare a lovely bracelet of beads taken from Grandma Hare's jewelry.  It is bright and colorful, and a wonderful reminder of Grandma.  I treasure it now and will for years to come when she is no longer with us.  

We spent the afternoon playing and visiting with other grandparents.  We went to see Grandma Dawn and Poppa Scott, and Grandpa George and Grandma Merlynn came to see us.  We feel so blessed to live close to family and friends, and to enjoy a ridiculous bounty.  We are rich in so many ways, especially in knowing of the divinity of Jesus Christ and being members of his church.  We have all that we need and much, much more, we are healthy, and our lives are full and interesting.  I am grateful to have a little family to love and cherish, and a bigger family to love and be loved by as well.  We did indeed have a very, merry Christmas.

The children rolling around on the floor.  
Hard to tell if they are fighting or playing.

A merry, happy Christmas family.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Christmas Eve

We had such a lovely weekend.  All my Christmas memories revolve around family, and once again, we were blessed to be with those we most love.  On Christmas Eve, we gathered with all the Barri for food and fun.  We shared a delicious meal.  I made gratin (French cheesy potatoes rich with Gruyere) a la my dear French friend Agnes and then I tried really hard not to eat half a pan myself.  I love them!  The children hardly ate anything which is typical when we are together with cousins because playing is so much funner than eating.

We also did a white elephant gift exchange.  As always, there were very funny gifts including but not limited to a bejeweled lizard, a Richard Simmons Broadway themed workout video, and a jar of canned meatloaf (my contribution).  The best, however, was a coin purse made from a toad.  Well, the front portion of the toad anyway.  It was leatherized, but complete with eyes, sharpish toenails, and its tongue.  I wish I had taken a picture of it because words cannot adequately explain how strange and creepy it was.

Brandt and Blythe were very funny about their selections.  Blythe had a very hard time waiting patiently.  She kept saying to me, "Mom, is it my turn now?"  I sent her over to sit with Cousin Aaron so her turn would come quicker.  She opened a black tie which she then insisted I put on her immediately.  She danced around the circle, charming us all with her bubbly happiness.

See the bubbly happiness?

Brandt sat next to me waiting very patiently for his turn.  He closely scrutinized each present and would lean over and tell me which one he wanted.  First he wanted a large box with polka dot paper.  A cousin chose that one and unwrapped a parenting book.  Brandt said to me, "I don't want that."  He had his eye on another package, and then Grandma Merlynn chose it.  She unwrapped a cow cookie jar and again Brandt said, "I don't want that."  When his turn finally came, he very happily unwrapped a dinosaur.  

When it was my turn, I unwrapped a toy horse complete with bridle, brush, and saddle.  Blythe loved it.  "Mom, I have your horse?" she asked in her sweetest voice.  Not long after, a niece, Becca (freshman in college) came over and wanted to take my horse.  In the spirit of the game, if Blythe had not been involved, I would have given it up, but under the circumstances, I shamed her into letting me keep it by saying, "You aren't seriously considering taking this horse from my two-year old daughter, are you?"

Becca ended up with a rusted set of vice grips found as a road treasure.  I "won" them last year and contributed them to this year's pile.  Becca tried to convince Blythe to make a trade, a fun tool for the horse.  Blythe handed her the horse and took the vice grips.  She tried to grab the carpet with the tool, and when she was unable to manipulate them as easily as she hoped, she handed them back to Becca, grabbed her horse, and danced away.  She's no dummy.

Our parents' ward hosts a Christmas Eve devotional which we attend each year.  It is usually about thirty minutes, the Christmas story is read, there is congregational singing interspersed with special musical numbers, and I always come away feeling the true spirit of Christmas.  This year was a struggle.  The children were wound up, no one sat in front of us so they were up and over the bench, Blythe was conducting in the aisle and singing when no one else was, and then there was shrieking and tantrum throwing and the whole thing went on for almost an hour which was way too long.  The children and I made it through about 23 minutes before I was done and took them both out.  So much for the Christmas spirit. 

In truth, however, it was wonderful to be with family, to laugh and share and watch the little people interact.  It was barely controlled chaos, but Brandt and Blythe both came away talking about their cousins and being teased by Uncle Lee, and having seen Cousin Eric play Santa.  Brandt knew it was him right away.  Although he didn't know Eric's name, he said to me, "That's not Santa.  That's the guy with the red hair and the red beard."  Blythe was willing to sit on his lap though.  All in all it was just a delightful afternoon/evening spent in the company of loves ones.

"Santa" Erik and Blythe

Caroling, Caroling Now We Go

I love to go caroling.  Each year since we have lived in our current home we have hosted a caroling party.  We invite some of our neighbors and carol to other neighbors, I make sweet rolls, and we have hot chocolate. It has become a fun tradition, one which several people look forward to.  Simon Tanner, nine years old, asked me early this month when we were going.  It is such a good time even a nine-year old boy likes it!

This year there were 17 of us caroling.  Our across the street neighbors brought a group of six high school students who we don't know, but they sang well.  We were well received.  One neighbor we sang to said, "I thought carolers were a thing of the past," and another said, "I was wondering if you would be coming this year." Although the holiday season can get busy, I am glad that we made time to sing.  The rolls turned out beautifully too.  I ate three--two orange and one cinnamon.

Most of us.
Simon is in the Santa hat, singing and ringing bells.  
So, so festive!

Here is our neighbor Tom.
Brandt and Blythe would stand on the porch of each house and conduct those of us singing.
Too, too fun!

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Pie Making

 Each year at Christmas time, I join my mother in pie making.  We like to make and give apple pies to loved ones as a Christmas treat.  We freeze the pies so that the recipient can bake the pie when they are ready to eat it.  I consider this a two-way treat.  First, it isn't a goodie that must be consumed quickly; it can be saved for some weeks in the freezer and baked later, after all the Christmas snacking/munching/over-eating, or immediately if it must be consumed quickly (who can let apple pie sit around anyway?).  The second great thing is that by having the recipient bake it, their house gets filled with the wonderful cinnamon-y smell of baked apple pie.

When my mom and I work together, our pie making is very speedy.  One of us will make crusts while the other will cut and peel apples.  This year I was entrusted with the crust, the trickier portion of the project.  Getting the crust rolled out and into the pie tin requires a delicate touch.  Working together, Mom and I made six pies in a hour, all for her to give away.  I had thought I didn't need any pies this year.

Much to my chagrin, on Wednesday (the 22nd) I decided I wanted to give pie to my in-laws (Kent's parents and siblings).  My mom was unavailable, so I enlisted expert help from Brandt.  Using the Cuisinart, we made the pie dough and shredded apples, with Brandt doing most of the "operating" of the equipment.  He did all the apples while I rolled out pie dough, and while we certainly are not as fast a team as me and Mom, I was grateful (truly) for his assistance.  Blythe helped too, but she mostly just licked sugar and flour off her fingers.

 

Friday, December 24, 2010

A New Look For Winter

How is this for a fashion statement?
For the record, I only put on the hat.  
I think Blythe's knees are going to get cold.

A Cousin Christmas Party

On Wednesday, all the DeMartini cousins gathered for a very fun Christmas party.  Here are some of the highlights.

We decorated cookies.  The children very loosely define what constitutes a "Christmas" cookie, so we had Christmas owls, Christmas bunnies, and my favorite, the Christmas bat.

Me with excellent helpers Ava, Blythe, Blake and Crew cutting out cookies.

Decorating.  
I am helping Blythe so the sprinkles to cookie ratio doesn't get ridiculous.

Here is Brandt's green bat with chocolate sprinkles.  
Very Christmas-y.

Blythe is practicing the "eat-as-you-decorate" principle.
She has an angel and holly, both frosted brown, and something unidentifiable (but still tasty) frosted yellow.

After decorating cookies, we had a little story time/singing time.  We sang several songs while playing jingle bells and sticks, and then I read the children Santa Duck.  All of the children played and sang with me, and most of them listened to the story.  The singing must have been a hit because Crew asked me later if we could sing more songs.

Using the jingle bells to sing Jingle Bells.

Everybody sang except Brandt, who conducted.
He always conducts.

Makenna, Ava, Griffin, and Crew intently listening to Santa Duck.

Story time was followed by an exciting game of Christmas Bingo.  
Hooray for M&Ms!  

Crew and Blythe.  
Blythe didn't wait for all the pictures to be called; she just filled in all the squares and eat the extra M&Ms.

Brandt looking to fill in another space.  
That's me beside him.

Blake was the first one to get a legitimate blackout.

An unplanned (at least by me) part of the activity, organized by Brandt, was the removal of all the couch cushions which were then stacked on top of the coffee table and then climbed and leapt off of.  It didn't last long as Grandma Sue was not thrilled with this part of the party.

Look at that impish smile!

Each week at story time at the library, there is a puppet show.  Grandma Sue has nativity puppets made out of wooden spoons, so while I read the Christmas story from Luke and Matthew, the children did a puppet show for us.  The appearance of various characters did not always coincide with the text being read, but it didn't really matter.  The children were delighted to be putting on a show for the adults.

At the beginning, as we prepared for the show.

And at the end.  The in between parts were fairly silly, which is difficult to convey in a photograph.
Take my word for it though.

We had a great time and feel so fortunate to live close to all of Brandt and Blythe's DeMartini cousins, and most of their Barrus cousins too.  We love to be with them.

A Real Snowstorm

A couple of weeks ago, just before Thanksgiving, there was much hoopla surrounding a storm that was supposed to arrive and dump feet of snow.  It was big news.  Then nothing.  Provo did not get a flurry.  It was the storm that wasn't.

Turns out the weather people were a month early.  On Tuesday, we woke to serious and beautiful snowfall.    Inches had fallen at our house and we wondered if we would make it out of our driveway.  We did, but just barely.  Here is the view from the front porch.


Monday, December 20, 2010

Once There Was a Snowman

Snow on the ground this morning.  
We walked across the street to go sledding, and when we were done, Brandt said,
"I want to build a snowman."
The snow was the perfect consistency, so we rolled balls in our front yard.
No one can sing about this guy, 
"Once there was a snowman--tall, tall, tall."
Ours is short.
And he has a hump.  
You can't see it in this picture, but looking out the kitchen window, the hump is glaringly obvious.
I am calling him Igor.
Lest you think I am a lackadaisical mother, when we started out sledding, both children had on hats and gloves.
They took them off and would not put them back on.  
They ended up wet and cold, but happy with our snow-guy creation.


Saturday, December 18, 2010

A Cold

I asked Brandt if he wanted to go to music school today.
He said, "No, I have a cold.  Achoo."
The "achoo" was not a real sneeze.  
It was delivered completely dead pan.
When I said, "Brandt, you crack me up,"
He said, "I crack me up too."

Friday, December 17, 2010

Sledding

Finally!
We had enough snow to go sledding.
We hiked a nearby hill several times, with Brandt and Blythe sledding together.
We all went down one time and ended up wiping out with Brandt getting lots of snow in his face.
We had lots of fun and came home to have hot cocoa.
On the sled ready to fly.

With a face-full of snow.

Blythe took this picture of me.

Blythe, perched in a tree

All snugged up in their snow gear

Brandt in a tree