There goes my pie...

I should've taken a picture. I made a beautiful blueberry pie. It baked to perfection (or at least it looked good). I took it out of the oven on the cookie sheet I placed it on in the oven. As I took it out of the oven chanting-'please don't slip, please don't slip', you can guess what happened next. As I stood over the splattered blueberries and syrupy juice all over my tile all I could think was-'is that going to stain my grout?' But, never fear! I made another one. The end.

(Disclaimer for the lame post: I was starting to become a little embarassed of the glowing boobies on the previous post. teehee )

Blueberry Pie recipe (from my Grandma Hall)

4 cups of blueberries (I used fresh ones)
1 cup sugar
3 tbsp. cornstarch
2 tbsp. flour
1 tbsp. butter
1 tbsp. lemon juice
Pillsbury refrigerated pie crust (not adventurous enough to make my own crust)

Combine first four ingredients. Line pie dish with first crust. Put berries mixture in crust. Sprinkle lemon juice and crumble butter on top. Put crust on top. Bake @ 425 deg for 10 min. Then change oven to 375 deg. and bake for 45-55 min. Don't drop it when taking it out of the oven. :)

HAPPY VALENTIMES

Happy Valentimes! part 2

I got online and caught a quick glimpse of an article listing the ten worst gifts to give your sweetheart on Valentine's Day (or VD as a friend of mine calls it). Yes, I admit, I wouldn't want to receive a glow bra like the one shown above or a "li'l minx stripper pole" (it's spring loaded!) or a four course meal at White Castle (don't forget you need a reservation for the Cupid's Crave Kit!). But as I was pondering these gifts, I thought of my own top ten worst Valentine's gifts. (Let's hope Matt doesn't come home with one of these...):

10. Scooby Doo Chia pet - Who needs roses when you can grow something out of scooby's head? c c c come on! Were the creators of this for real?
9. 9 inch ball point "Cutie" pen - when Kenzie pulled it out of her backpack I thought it was a flash light-no! it's a pen! She even used it to sign ZsaZsa and Pop's valentine card. How handy! Good for a five year old.
8. any resin knick knack from the dollar tree - if you've been to any white elephant exchange, you know where I'm going with this...(babies on a couch? are you kidding me?)
7. a giant talking plush rose ("You're the love of my life", "My life wouldn't be the same without you", etc. and etc.)
6. the talking "perfect" man doll - (see #7)
5. Cupid poop -you know, snowman poop (marshmallows), reindeer poop (Milk Duds), Cupid poop (red hots) duh!
4. a cooking apron that says - 'Matt and Kim-cookin' up love since 1997'

3.Butt Face towel - nothing says love like a Butt Face towel
2. Candy bra/candy g-string - just like the candy necklace! Eating that will never be the same.

1. a lovely picture of me....

That's hot!

Fun in the Sun

What a beautiful day we had yesterday! We ventured over to a park in my parents' neighborhood that was recently renovated. Ethan got a new sand toy (thanks Aunt Susie!) so we brought a few sand toys and the kids went to town. Ethan played with his dump truck and Kenzie got to work on digging a hole to China. I had my camera with me and took a few pictures of the kids playing because I don't have enough pictures of them (teehee). My grandparents are coming on Tuesday to escape the horrible snow they've gotten in the past week and to see Baby Livi. They are certainly coming down to better weather! Let's hope it stays this way...

Li'l Lovey

I am so in love with my little niece, Livi! She is so precious, and I'm really sad that I can't see her more often. The last time I saw her was at Christmas time, and she has changed a lot since then. Her face has filled out and she has little Michelin rolls on her legs. So cute! She is such an angel.

Aren't they too young to shave?

My aunt gave Ethan a gift certificate to this really cool toy store in Minnesota called Creative Kidstuff. So I ordered a bathtub shaving kit. The kids so much fun shaving in the tub tonight! Ethan loved lathering up his face with the "shaving cream". Most of it ended up in his ear and on his chest, but he didn't care. Mackenzie was all set to shave her face, but I told her that girls shave their legs so she shaved hers four or five times. She also helped Ethan shave his face. What a blast! Along with this kit he got a Gears, Gears, Gears building set which they loved too. Thanks Aunt Pat!

I love seeing Mackenzie run into the room wearing her tutu and crown. But when she tries on my boots it really makes me smile! My little peanut has turned into a boot scootin' ballerina-so cute!

Ethan, the greaser

I attended a meeting tonight at church and we got to talking about the upcoming St. Andrews church picnic. Since our church is celebrating it's 50th anniversary this year we are trying to incorporate this in all of our events. So, our picnic is going to be an old fashioned one, checkered table cloths and all. Someone had suggested having a "chase the greased pig" game, and we all laughed. I couldn't resist-I offered to grease Ethan up and let people run around and chase him. Surely he'd give everyone else a run for their money because he certainly gives me one!

The T-Birds and the Pink Ladies

Our church is celebrating it's 50th anniversary this year, so to kick off the celebration we had a 50's sockhop! It was a super great time, and we had fun dressing the part. Everyone loved Ethan's "squiggy" hair and Mackenzie's pink lady jacket. Sorry about the quality of the pictures! My camera is not cooperating these days, but you get the idea....

Not too short, ok?

How do you say 'not too short' in espanol? I took Ethan for his 15 minute torture session that we got for the bargain price of $10. (He got a hair cut from a woman named Dorka who no speaka bery good english.) I said 'too short-no good'. She say, 'ok'. This is the result of that interaction.....




I'm not sure if I want to call him Curious George or write messages on his forehead with a dry erase marker. Oh well, it's just hair. I think we can have fun with his little Caesar cut if we have the right "product". (Any styling product suggestions???)

Some of Ethan's favorite sayings these days are:

"Give me a hug furball!"
"What is that called?" (said while he is tapping the end of his nose)
"I promise I won't _______." (this is usually after he's done something naughty)
"Hi! I'm Ethan. This is my mommy, and this is my sister Mackenzie." (when meeting someone new at the park)
"I'm not a monkey. I'm Ethan Matthew Cates." (this usually happens when we're with Pops.)

Happy Birthday boys!

Better late than never...here are some pictures of our time at the greatest show on earth and beyond.

Pressing on into another year....
I think Ethan was over the pictures at this point.
Happy Birthday boys!


Ethan's latin roots were showing as he and Abby danced to the music.

The Last Two Weeks

I can't believe that this is my first post of the new year! I have lots to write about but haven't quite found the time or the energy to actually do it. Well, we rang in the New Ear (as Ethan called it) with our good friends Amy and Chris Ross and their three boys. We enjoyed sitting back and watching the boys and Kenzie run circles around us.

A few days later, I celebrated my thirty somethingth birthday. (I'm 33, but when I was thinking about how old I was turning, I really didn't believe myself-all I could think was 'where did 32 go?' No, seriously, where did last year go???) I took the kids to see Happy Feet, and then my mom and dad came over to watch the kids while Matt and I went to Macaroni Grill for dinner. We couldn't end there, so we went to Cold Stone and had a really yummy creation! (This is one reason why I'd like to officially change my birthday to a different month. I can't start any diet full force when there is a birthday to celebrate properly!) The celebration continued through the weekend, and it ended with a birthday cake and more ice cream.

A week later, we celebrated Ethan's third birthday. We can't believe that he's already three. I can't believe that I survived the terrible two's, but I have a feeling that I might have the therrible threes (oh crap! I'm sensing a not-so-good pattern here!) We have some very dear friends (the Hunters and the Rosses) that will be moving this summer. If you remember, Ethan, Levi (Hunter), and James(Ross) were all born the same week, and we have enjoyed celebrating their birthdays together the last three years. So for one last hoorah, we decided to go to the circus! There were 13 of us, and we all had a blast. After the show we enjoyed some Latin music by the water where they sang to Etan, Levee, and Yames. It was a great day yet very tiring too! We celebrated with the family on Sunday and Ethan was a little hesitant about me cutting into his race track cake, but he quickly changed his mind when he realized that there was sugar involved. (He's all about the cake!)

I found out the next day (Sunday) that my very best friend's (LeeAnn) sister had died on Saturday night while she was on her way home from church. Her name was Lonnie. Her children were in the car with her, and miraculously, they walked away with a few scrapes and bruises. I quickly made my reservations and flew to Atlanta to be with LeeAnn and her family. It was a very emotionally draining trip, but for LeeAnn, I would do anything. Lonnie was a believer in Christ, and we know that she is celebrating in heaven where there is no more pain, sadness, and tears. It is comforting for the family to rest in that truth, but her loss was so sudden and tragic. So pray for them as they grieve in the coming months. I came home to my awesome, loving hubby who didn't blink an eye when I said that I had to go. Although I was exhausted on Friday, I was so thankful to be able to hug my babies and tell them I love them. Many thanks to my mom and my friends who helped Matt care for the kids while I was gone. I was amazed at the outpouring of love that I saw from LeeAnn's and Cheryl and Lonnie's churches, and I was equally amazed at how quickly my friends and family would lay down their lives for me.

So far this year, I've seen lots of love...may it continue throughout 2007. (I'm getting mushy in my old age.)

New Year's Resolutions 2007

I'm really tired of looking at my last stupid post, so I thought I'd better write something new. I was thinking (not for very long) about my New Year's resolutions for 2007. Last year I had a friend who said that new year's resolutions were silly. Why do people find the need to come up with these ideas at the beginning of a new year? I disagree! At the beginning of '06 I really needed a renewal. It was an overwhelming feeling. Now, did I keep my resolutions? not entirely But making them made me feel better. teehee For example, I wanted to walk every morning (from 7 to 7:45 to be exact). Did I do it? No, but I did walk downstairs to get my tired butt some coffee. And I walked up and down the stairs probably 4 more times getting the kids ready for the morning. But I did start going to the aerobics class they offer at church. (Watching me do hip hop aerobics is pretty funny, but I think I'm stronger than I've been in a long time!) Another resolution was that I wanted to learn how to sew. Did I learn? No. Anyone want to volunteer to teach me? I wanted to read three classics, and I only read one but I did start going to the Book Club at church and have read some amazing books. Journaling was one resolution that I did accomplish. Wow! 2006 was a banner year. There were a few others that I won't list, but I can add all those that I didn't accomplish to 07's list. I think I just need to tweak them a little and I'll get there... maybe. I do look at this new year with some apprehension. We will see lots of changes this year with close friends moving away(to Vienna and Virginia) and Mackenzie starting kindegarten(to homeschool or not to homeschool) and Ethan starting nursery school(God help his teacher) and me going to work at his school (oh! you're Ethan's mommy!) and Matt getting a new job(in SoFla or beyond). My prayer for 2007 is that we would be still and know where God is leading us.

Spike and Twisted Braid

Before

Alright. I feel I must come clean. While I was in the Home Depot today, my dad filled my kids in
on my "other side". My alter ego. My deep dark past. What is it, you ask? Give me a break! Does this look like a girl with a dark past? The answer is no. But my dad felt the need to let Kenzie and Ethan think their mom was in an all girl rock band called Twisted Braid. I played bass guitar. My nickname was Spike and I wore leather pants and black lipstick. So on our way home from dropping off my dad, we were listening to one of my U2 cds and Mackenzie asks me, "Mommy, are they singing about you?" What in the world did my dad tell them? Maybe he should be writing on my blog because he's obviously the creative one.

After

O Baby

My niece is absolutely adorable! I think I might have gotten pregnant just looking at her. Me and the kids took a day trip up to see them yesterday. It was the first day we got to see her and love on her since she got out of the hospital. She reminded me so much of Mackenzie when she was that small. She's like a newborn but half the size. So cute! As soon as we walked in the door Kristen went in and got her. She sat Mackenzie on the couch and she got to hold Olivia until I got really anxious and wanted to hold her more! Ethan really could've cared less. All he wanted to do was....pose for pictures on Uncle Mike's ATV! (and play with all the baby toys) Uncle Mike convinced me to let them go on a little ride on the all terrain vehicle. *He went really slow on the dirt lot next door. It was just like a pony ride, except it was yellow and black, had 4 wheels and could go 50 mph. We stayed until the late afternoon and headed out. We'll be back up there for Christmas, and my mom, Mackenzie and I will have to fight over who will hold her the longest. There's no question in my mind that it's going to be me. If you're not first you're last.

HO HO HO/OYE OYE OYE

We took a trip to the Aventura Mall yesterday and saw Santa. The last time I took the kids to see Santa Ethan wouldn't go near him. When I finally convinced him that it was okay, he cried every time he looked at Santa because his face would get buried in his big white REAL beard. Although Ethan was a little hesitant he got up in his lap along with Mackenzie and they told him what they wanted. Being a cheapo, I asked if I could take a picture with my own camera ($14 for a picture with an old man? no way!). They said I could if I stood behind the fence. So I did and the pictures turned out decent. Thankfully, Santa didn't need to take a fan break nor did he snap at the kids for jumping on him. We made it just in time because just after us a BIG group of Head Start kids came and we quickly made our way out to look at all the other beautiful decorations. They have this unbelievable model train village, and Ethan was speechless. (Those of you who know Ethan well know that doesn't happen very often.) Our trip to Aventura always ends with a visit to Zsa Zsa because she works in the medical offices across the street. All in all, our day was a good one. Why oye oye oye? Matt says that's what a latino Santa would say.

Ethan's Diary - December 11, 2006

Why? Why do they make me eat this nasty concoction? Tortilla, chicken, and cheese!? That is so disgusting, but mommy says it's so good. She is so wrong! They've caught onto my trick. I really thought I had them fooled. When I tell them I have to barf they tell me I don't. Even when I gag they don't flinch. What is this world coming to when a boy like myself has to eat a meal like this? It is an outrage!

Girl's Night Out

Mackenzie and I had a chance to go see my cousin Emily perform in The Nutcracker this afternoon. It was held at the Jackie Gleason Theatre in Miami Beach, so we made the trek there and had a wonderful time! My cousin has performed in The Nutcracker a dozen or more times through her ballet studio, and she is an awesome ballerina. It amazes me to watch her dance on her toes. She really wanted Mackenzie to join her studio. Kenzie got a big kick out of watching the little ones up on the stage. She thought the prima ballerina was beautiful. Her first experience with the ballet was a successful one. I think I can get her to go to another one, although she may have to fight with her daddy to get a seat. (He likes the music, ok?)

Mackenzie and Emily after the show. This is Bella Dancerella come to life!
Mackenzie, Emily, and Jessica (She loved being with the ballerinas!)

A Weekend with Mickey

Here are some pictures from our weekend with Mickey!

Friday:

The Wilderness Lodge had gorgeous, very rustic holiday decorations. Another family was kind enough to take our picture while we were in the lobby. Notice Ethan's "backpack". It was his leash. We got some interesting looks that night at the park. But it worked! Here we were on our way to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. That afternoon we had some time to kill so we went in the heated pool. There was a neat waterslide that Mackenzie loved, and she met a little girl her age named Rachel. They played alot, and Ethan tried to catch the mallard ducks that swam in the pool with us.

What an unbelievable fireworks display! This was a special one that they do only for the Very Merry Christmas party. I have never been very fond of fireworks because of the noise, but these were beautiful. Disney knows how to throw a Christmas party! Not only was there a cool fireworks display, but they made it snow on Main Street, they gave away REALLY good cookies and hot cocoa, and there was a great Christmas parade (which we missed because we were so excited about not waiting AT ALL to get on rides!) We rode the haunted mansion, small world, space mt., the race cars, pirates of the caribbean, mickey's philharmonic, peter pan and the teacups. The kids loved all of them (except space mt. which was a mommy and daddy ride.)

Surprisingly, Ethan was the one who was scared of the noisy fireworks. (Like Mother like son.)So I gave him my Santa hat to put over his ears and it worked for him! He watched them and even was brave enough to lift it off his ears.

Saturday:

The Wilderness Lodge was gorgeous! It is modeled after a lodge from the Pacific Northwest. Lots of big logs (it's really like a big Lincoln Log model!), totem poles, and Indian motifs. There was even a geyser that went off every hour on the hour. Absolutely beautiful! I wanted to live there, but all good things must come to an end. :( We ended the evening with a sleigh ride through the woods. Our Clydesdale horse, Fritz, took us for a moonlit ride, and it was a nice time.
We didn't spend a whole lot of time at the Magic Kingdom because they were filming part of the Christmas Parade with Regis and Kelly. It was kind of madhouse. But we did get a picture in front of the castle before we left. Not bad! We went back that evening for a couple of hours before the park closed and got to ride on some more rides. Bye bye Mickey!

Sunday:

We got to see lots of characters at our breakfast at the Grand Floridian Resort. Alice in Wonderland, Pooh Bear, Tigger, and the Mad Hatter.
I chose the Grand Floridian to have breakfast at because I knew the Christmas decorations would be unbelievable. This is the tree in the middle of the lobby-huge as you can see! I took a picture of Mackenzie next to an ornament that was as big as her!
Another big attraction at the Grand Floridian at Christmas time is the gi-normous gingerbread house that is really made of gingerbread and all the decorations are edible. They sell sweets out of the house as well. It was really pretty.

We were a pretty quiet bunch on the way home. I love the Christmas season with all the fun holiday happenings, but it doesn't seem like anything will be able to top the weekend we had. It was a great time!

Gary and the Wedding Crashers

Ethan loved licking the frosting off all of his cookies!
The kids helped decorate the Christmas tree Friday afternoon.
The next Tiger Woods?
We crashed a wedding to look at this beautiful Christmas

lights display at a local park.

We enjoyed decorating cookies with Grandma and Great Grandma

Rosie on Thanksgiving morning.

Kenzie's pet snake, Gary

It's still November, so I'm not too late posting my Thanksgiving trip pictures! This week has been a crazy one filled with nothing much. Getting unpacked from one trip to turn around and get packed for another one hasn't been a barrel of fun, but we are packing for DISNEY WORLD! Yay!! So I won't complain anymore. tee hee We had a lovely time in Tallahassee with Matt's family. The kids had a blast playing outside. They were outside from sun up to sun down. Mackenzie found a temporary pet snake that she affectionately named Gary, and Ethan ran around in circles trying to catch butterflies. Friday night we went to a local city park where they have a beautiful Christmas lights display every year. There was a wedding reception in progress, but we went in anyway. We really weren't conspicuous with two loud children screaming at the lights and a 90 year, wheelchair-bound grandma followed by 4 adults. No, I don't think anyone noticed us. Just so you know, we did let Gary go back home. *No animals were harmed in the filming of this project.*