Saturday, February 13, 2010

Super-Special-Totally-Impromptu Sleepover


We love new babies, and because Samuel has five brothers and sisters, all grown, it seems like someone is always expecting.  

A fun tradition we began years ago with his brother Joe and his family is to take each others kids when labor sets in.  

It's a blessing to have someone there for you when you need it most, and the kids so look forward to that super-special-totally-impromptu sleepover that could happen at any moment!


As much as I love the tradition, 
this momma is perfectly content with her brood of five, 
and won't need to make anymore last-minute drop-offs on our way to the hospital...

at least I hope!

The kids feel jipped for sure, but they can rest easy!
  
With the birth of Noah Edwin Elmer, their newest cousin, 
Jacob and Luke made it over later in the week for a sleepover with lot's of scrabbling around 
while their mom and dad settled in with their new baby.

  

A favorite destination:

The Park!

  

Luke couldn't keep his eyes off the playground!

  

Dad holding on to Gabriel, who soon will be running around with the rest of the bunch!

  

Is there really only two adults for all these kids?!?


My favorite part of the day was seeing Gabriel react to the swings. 

He loves it when Samuel tosses him into the air, so I thought for sure he'd get a great kick out of the swings.

  

Not so!  

He made a crazy nervous gurgling sound the whole time and was so relieved when I ended the ride!

  

For the rest, the swings were a breeze!
And so was our time with Jacob and Luke.
They are so much fun to have around, and Samuel, Owen, and Gabriel
thoroughly enjoyed having two more boys in the house
to shift the balance of power to 5-4.

Now that they're gone, things are back to normal, 
and the girls and I are once again enjoying the majority!

 

Where There Are Scotchmallows...There Is Love!

Love is in the air!

There are...
  

...valentines to be made...

  

 ...and decadent cookies to bake!

  

 There are faces to smear with pink nail polish...wait...

What?!?

  

 There are pounds and pounds of candy being consumed...
perhaps none more delicious than fifteen-yes, count them, 
fifteen beautiful, beautiful Scotchmallows!


  

I just may cry! 



 Yes, you know you hit a home run...

  

 We dined casually at Plutos and all I have to say is, 
"Where have you been all my life?"
This salad was HUGE and every bite was scrumptious!


Heart garlands are hung, courtesy of...Samuel!

  

The table is set... 

  

...and there are smiles... 

  

...all...

  

...around!

  

 Three-cheese pizzas are baked...
in the shape of-what else?

Hearts!



  And yet, sadly...

  

All good things must come to an end!

Boo!
 

Friday, February 5, 2010

Nine Years And Counting...


Happy Anniversary!

On February 9th, 2010 Samuel and I will celebrate nine years of marriage.  Like all couples we have experienced ups and, yes, even downs, but we are stronger for it and I am just as in love now as I was all those years ago!

If you know us well, 
you will not be surprised that our mini-getaway to the wine country, 
the Napa Valley,
centered around-what else?

Food! 

  

Our first stop was the Oxbow Public Market, the "go-to" spot to pick up fantastic gourmet items like these beauties from Kara's Cupcakes.  

  

 We opted for Organic Three Twins Ice Cream, because if it's organic it's fat-free, right?  Well, several extra fat grams is still cheaper than their $3,333.33 sundae, which is totally worth it if you call ahead for the cellist to perform!  Ha!

  

After some sightseeing and shopping we hit our new favorite restaurant, Neela's!  It's Indian cuisine, which is completely new to me, and I absolutely fell in love with it!

  

 The next day we headed north to St. Helena, California to visit the Culinary Institute of America (C.I.A.), where we had reservations for a cooking demo.

  

 I was in hog heaven and loved every minute of this experience!

  

 We learned how to make Italian Spinach & Ricotta Tortellini Soup with Meatballs.

  The highlight was seeing fresh pasta being made and seeing it stretch from a tiny ball of dough to strands and strands of long, thin, beautiful pasta.

  

You'll have to take my word for it, this soup was delish!  
I'll be sure and post the recipe on my food blog soon!

 

The views from the C.I.A. are stunning, or maybe I'm just biased because of the lovely "scenery"!

  

A moment I'm not proud of:
Plucking a "souvenir", a gorgeous lemon from the garden!

  

At the Greystone Restaurant we sat at the bar and watched the countless dishes being prepared at lightening speed by the talented chefs!

  

We had the good fortune of arriving as they debuted a stunning dessert sampler complete with a Lemon Curd Tart, Vanilla Panna Cotta, Vanilla Bean Ice Cream in an Almond Lace Cone, a Dried Fruit Tart, and...


...a decadent Chocolate Mousse covered in Dark Chocolate Ganache with an edible gold leaf!

  

 As you can imagine...

  

...we loved every bite!

  

 To round out the afternoon we stopped at the Castello de Amarosa, a stunning 13th century castle boasting, of all things, a torture chamber!


Be forewarned, the tours are pricey! 
 We opted to tour the open area on the first level instead.

  

Before heading home, we stopped at one final destination: 

They have the most amazing deli and fine foods shop.  After sampling freshly made dark chocolate, artichoke & lemon cream cheese, and honey-dijon dip, we opted for the fresh tomato, basil, and mozzarella pannini, gnocchi in a velvety tomato sauce, and an assortment of olives, fresh mozzarella, and sun-dried tomatoes.

It was heaven on a plate, and the company was 4-star as well.  

I love my sweetheart, and it wasn't quite nine years ago that we picniced at this same winery.  We were newlyweds then, and I was 7 months pregnant with Isabella.  So much has changed, and yet so much has stayed the same.

I love you sweetheart!

Friday, January 29, 2010

The Fort

 
What to do on a Friday afternoon?
  
 How about create a fort AROUND baby Gabriel!

That's what our creative daughters did on this lazy-no-homework afternoon. They were never more happy than to care for their "baby" in their play house.  Poor Gabriel didn't know what to make of it all, but being the incredibly easy-going child that he is, he took it in stride and just laid quietly until I rescued him!


Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Cupcakes...




  
...are the best!

So says Owen, who was postively delighted to show me that he could eat a whole cupcake in one bite!  

Now that's something to write home about!

Monday, January 25, 2010

4 Year Old + Clothes + Independence = What Not to Wear Outfits!

 
 Look at that smile!  
She is so PLEASED with herself!
  
 Four shirts layered over each other!
Count them!
There's four!
  
This is my favorite!  
And yes, we actually went to the store like this.

I have a question...
Can you nominate four-year olds for the show
We could definitely use a $5000.00 Visa Gift Card...