Knitting 101 and Red Robin

My sister showed Emma how to crochet a simple chain and Emma has loved creating all sorts of chains. Just recently she was bugging me to learn how to knit. I bought these looms to make hats a couple of years ago. So I showed her how to make a hat and now this is what she does all the time. She takes it in the car and does it while she watches TV. It's nice because she's occupied and she's having a blast. She's showing her very first hat.

Red Robin

We got to go out to dinner at Red Robin with my sisters tonight. Thanks so much to Mom and Dad Erickson for watching our kids. It was nice to get out.

Baby Allie

We went to Tri-Cities for the blessing of my brother Kent's baby - Allie Marie. It was so cute when Emma asked to hold her. She didn't want to give Allie back. We reassured her that soon she'd have all the baby time she wanted.

Grandma's new dog

There's a new dog at Grandma Erickson's house - Tally. The kids really like her most of the time. It's just when she gets excited and jumps on them that they get startled.

and there was plenty...

We were out of milk and eggs this morning so that left pancakes for breakfast. I knew we were low on mix, but decided it would be enough for the kids because it had to be. And sure enough there was just enough for each kid to have a pancake and even one for me. Just like the story in the Bible where the poor woman's meal did not run out (1 Kings 17:12-14 KJV).

Stompin' it Up!

Paul was drawn outside to our huge mud puddle. He had a blast tromping and splashing around.

ProjectsLast summer Jason made these awesome bookshelves for Emma and Paul's rooms with his brother over in Selah. Jason's brother Wade has started his own furniture business and makes quality pieces. He made us some really nice shelves that we just recently hung up - I'll post a picture here soon with a link to his blog. I have absolutely loved the bookshelves. They match the beds and will also match the night stands and dressers that are to come (maybe this summer?!). I'm looking for some baskets to put on the lower shelves. I have an idea for Jason to make me some using bead board. Then they'll be sturdy, they'll match the bead board theme we have going, and we'll be able to paint them whatever color we want and not pay $40 a piece.

The canvas squares are also a recent project that I finished yesterday. Although, as I post this I realize that I'm going to have to redo the middle one so that the trains are all going the same direction. Darn it! Paul has been bugging me for some time to put some vinyl up on his wall. He and Benjamin are so excited. As am I; they were fun to make.

Meet the Neighbors Follow up
So we went back to one of the two neighbors that we missed yesterday this evening. It turned out to be so much fun. We met our neighbor two doors down and she had the most welcoming and loving spirit and personality. I just wanted to give her a great big hug even though I haven't ever met her before. She invited us in and had us sit down for a little chat - yes, we had all four of our little children with us. They were well behaved though. She said that we were welcome to come back in the summer and use their pool. We were all happier as we walked away from their door.

Meeting the Neighbors

As part of my goal for Keeping Christmas all year I want to give something each month. One thing that is easy to give is baked deliciousness from the kitchen. I got this new banana bread recipe from my mom - which is excellent! by the way - and decided to share it with our neighbors. So we made up three plates to deliver them to the three houses to our right. We've seen the neighbors and spoke here and there, but I thought that would be another good part of keeping Christmas - to reach out to others, to get to know our neighbors. The kids had a lot of fun carrying plates for me. Unfortunately two of the three weren't home so we get to go back tomorrow.

I strongly suggest you try this recipe. We love banana bread and usually stick to the tried and true recipe from my mom's ward cook book. I think this one has passed the test though.

Look at that crispy, sugary goodness on top-yum!

Banana Bread

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs
1 cup smashed bananas (2-3 bananas)
1 1/2 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
Mini chocolate chips


Add ingredients and mix well
pour into loaf pans
sprinkle with 1/4 cup sugar
Bake @ 350 for approximately 40 min
Bake time varies so watch closely towards the end

We found Annie!

So Paul got these two box cars for Christmas. They are Thomas' box cars, Annie and Clarabel. Paul loves them almost as much as Thomas himself. One day we lost Clarabel. The day we found Clarabel, we lost Annie. Today we found Annie! It was bed time and Emma decided to look in one place just before lights out. I didn't really think she'd come back with anything, but look who's here again! Now we just need to find his Hiro of the Railways. Gotta love Thomas!

sWeEt InDUlgeNCe

These are one of my absolute favorite indulgences. Just look at that box. I don't really think I need to say anything more. Except there's this recipe for Nutty bar cheesecake on the back of the box that I want to try. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Guest Chef

Jason made dinner tonight before he went to work. We all took a nap and I didn't wake up with a lot of energy. It was nice not to have to make dinner.

Special Delivery

I was getting the kids ready for bed and Jason walks in with this memo board and cute little bag. He was on duty so I couldn't imagine where it had come from. It came from the wife of one of the deputies that he works with. My exact words - "How nice!" Just to know she was thinking of me enough to make this and send it along for me made my night. Don't the colors just make you smile?!