Chocolate Waffles

This recipe is straight out of the Rural Route #5 Box 113 cookbook that my mother-in-law created for her boys. It is full of delicious recipes that are family favorites. These waffles won't disappoint!

Chocolate Waffles

1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 t. salt
2 eggs
1/2 c. oil
1 t. vanilla
2 t. baking powder
1 c. sugar
3/4 c. milk
4 T. cocoa

Mix dry ingredients, add liquids & mix, bake in waffle maker. ENJOY!!

Me and My Pink Bear

I have been cleaning out and organizing ALL the pictures we have on our computer (which is a lot). Looking at all the pictures of my Lydia Grace brought a tear to my eye. Remembering what it is like to hold a newborn baby, cuddling with them in the rocker, and their sweet smell. She has grown so much in 27 months! However, when I look back at pictures I see that beautiful smile and her amazing eyes. AND that personality...what a blessing! AND I also realized that she was pretty darn cute even with NO hair or teeth!!

Newborn

one month
two months

three months

four months

five months

six months

seven months

eight months

nine months

10 months

11 months

AND it looks like I forgot to take a 12 month picture...gosh, what was I think! Love you sis :)

Are You Ready For Some Football?

I am a huge sports fan so I of course am super excited for the Super Bowl tonight! I really don't have a "favorite" NFL team...but I of course have some teams I like better than others :) The two teams playing tonight I both really like but...I think I have decided to cheer for the Saints. Even though I really like Peyton Manning and the Colts.

Happy Birthday Big Sis

Happy Birthday Gretchen! We hope you have a great day. Miss Lydia sends her aunt a big hug and kiss :)

I'm a BIG girl!

2010 has been full of HUGE changes at our house. Along with potty training we wanted to move Lydia to a big bed and move the nursery to our guest room. After our trip to Tulsa we decided to go ahead and "just do it". Lydia had been climbing out of her crib and nap time had been a disaster so my thoughts were could it get any worse?!?! I was thankful we didn't have to take the crib apart and just had to slide it across the hallway. It was kinda sad. It dawned on me that Lydia is not a baby anymore and we are moving on to a new chapter of our lives.

Lydia's nursery

Lots of memories of my precious little girl

Lydia is already making sure baby Emma has a spot to sleep. She often calls this bed Uncle Kye's. AND gosh, I really needed to dust that bookshelf...
Daddy putting together the bed rails.

This is Lydia's BIG girl room. I need to find or make a bed skirt then I think it will be complete! Lydia LOVES it!! AND yes, my two year old is sleeping in a queen size bed. When we got married we had two queen size beds and then we bought a king. I thought what the hay we might has well use what we have :)

I am happy with the way it turned out...and making the move has been a breeze. She has never gotten out on her own (I should probably knock on wood). My only complaint is that it seems to take her so much longer to fall asleep. Today after KDI was the first time that I would say we were on our regular schedule.

Potty Time

Exactly one month ago we started potty training at our house! This was about our third attempt. For one reason or another we just gave up in past tries. This time we were determined that this would be the time it worked. I really wasn't interested in buying diapers for two little ones.

In past attempts I would say that she was toilet trained but would never tell us when she had to go. The liquid waste seemed to happen right away but, the solid waste took about two weeks to accomplish. AND that just seemed to happen overnight....it was like something just clicked. I am proud to say we have had great luck and are wearing panties all day long except for nap time and nighttime. I am hoping to lose the pull-ups at nap time soon. She has woke up dry 4 out of the last 5 days!

Lydia's princess potty ring

The pile of panties...what a challenge picking out what pair to wear. I have started only letting her pick from about 3..because it was taking 20 minutes to decide on which pair...mercy!
AND yes, there was bribing involved.

Kane wouldn't let me take a picture of her on the potty...in his words...would you like someone to take a picture of you on the toilet! Such a good point...but, I am not as cute as she is :)

Lydia we are sooooo proud of you! We love you lots..

Mommy & Daddy

Snow Sledding?!?!?

Yesterday Kane parents came over with a special little something to use on the snow before it all melted away. Lydia loved playing on in snow the past weekend..but had never ridden on a sled. We were waiting patiently when they pulled up and she of course was excited to see them and Frost their yellow lab. She has yet to meet a four legged friend she didn't like :)

We put the sled down and she really wasn't that interested...she finally decided to set on it and try it out. Well, that lasted all of about 15 seconds and she was "all done" with that. She was more interested in following Frost and walking around in the snow.

The sled sets empty :(

Chasing Frost down to the tall grass

Finally, she decides to give the sled one more try...this time it lasted about 30 seconds and she actually went on a "ride" I have no doubt that in years to come she will grow to LOVE doing this :)

Thanks Grandma Connie for the pull!
Thanks for the great afternoon Grandma, Papa, and Frost