They thought it would be fun to put 30 candles on the cake, it nearly set the house on fire.

Everyone is just hanging out at my birthday party, it was lots of fun.

The party was lots of fun, look at all the beautiful women that were there.

We had a party celebrating my 30th birthday last night, it was lots of fun.  

Jack is enjoying his new Star Wars toys he bought with his allowance. It is so exciting to be able to get what you want with your own money, especially when your five.

Ben is feeling much better after a long week and a half of being sick. He is finally getting back to normal after having a really bad virus. I'm ready for summer!

Well it's been a while since I last posted, but we were trying to get over the holidays and all the sickness. The kids have been sick, I've been sick, we're tired. I'm ready for summer, I've had ,my winter fun and am ready for the sun to be out and health restored.

This is what Christmas felt like, going from one place to the next!

Making homemade noodles with Nona and Aunt Laura!

Christmas morning what fun!!

Fininshing up the Christmas cookies.

Making Christmas cookies for Santa!

Ben was a little confused by the season change. He was ready to mow the snow!!

We finally got some snow, Ben wasn't real sure about it at first.

The kids were enjoying the snow day!!

Jack

Jack
Originally uploaded by llear.

During our Christmas photo taking, my sister-n-law got this shot of Jack. This is far better than any picture he has ever taken. I can't wait to get prints of this one.

Maddison, Jack and Ben

Maddison, Jack and Ben
Originally uploaded by llear.

We took pictures for our Christmas cards last week. I'm not gonna give it away before you get your Christmas card from me, but this is not the best one.

Ben has a big boy bed now!! Another milestone met...

Ben and I enjoyed the wagon ride to get the tree!

Andrew's cutting down the tree!!!

We took a wagon ride to cut down our Christmas tree yesterday! The kids really enjoyed it despite their excited faces.

Is this kid gonna break some hearts or what?

I'm Thankful For...

I'm Thankful For...

I'm Thankful For....

Maddison is working hard in the the leaves.

The kids were raking leaves, this weekend.

Ben is helping rake the leaves!

Ben didn't really think it was that much fun to lay down in the big pile that we made, but he really liked throwing them.

Ben was having some fun in the leaves today!

Time for T.V.

Has anyone else noticed that T.V. has gotten awful. It used to be that we had a show that we liked to watch every night, not that I'm saying that's a good thing, but at least we had options. This week has been a particularly bad week, because even the shows we do watch were stupid. The West Wing was silly, who cares about a live debate between two not real candidates. Although, I have to admit, Andrew had to remind me during one of the candidates ranting that it wasn't real. Hey what can I say they had some good points. The CSI's are getting a little too, watch me I'm the star, who cares about plot. Really the only good show on right now is Grey's Anatomy, which I look forward to all week long. Maybe the reason blogging has become so popular is because there's nothing on T.V. worth wasting our time, but scroll through some blog roll and you can find some really great pieces to read or even look at. Some of my favorite blogs are the one's that are strictly photography.

Recipe of the Month

This is one of my favorites from The Pampered Chef recipes. It is great this time of year and not your traditional chili.

Quick Black Bean Chili
1 C chopped onion
1 C coarsely chopped red bell pepper
2 Tbsp. finely chopped jalapeno pepper
2 Tbsp. snipped cilantro
1 tsp. vegetable oil
2 garlic cloves pressed
2 cans (15 1/2 oz. each) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (16 oz.) fat-free refried beans
1 can (14 1/2 oz.) vegetable broth
1 Tbsp. lime juice
1 tsp. ground cumin
Queso fresco (optional)

1. Chop onion, bell pepper and jalapeno pepper. Snip Cilantro. Set aside.
2. Heat oil in sauce pan over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, jalapeno and garlic; cook and stir 3 minutes. Add black beans, refried beans, broth, lime juice and cumin; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered, 10 minutes.
3. Remove from heat; stir cilantro into chili. Ladle chili into bowls and sprinkle with cheese.

These guys were ready for candy!

Isn't the little Fireman cute?!

It was a regular zoo on Halloween!

Scenes from the Halloween wagon ride!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!! Andrew and the kids carving pumpkins last night.

Carving pumpkins!! Here they are lit up!!

Here is all the pumpkins we did, Maddison did the Jack-o-Landtern all by herself and Jack did the lite brite one on the end. I did the other two with a little help from everyone.

We carved pumpkins last night, here is some of our handy work.

My son Benjamin

Jack having some fun on the swing!

The best picture I've ever taken of me!!

Fall

leaf
Originally uploaded by llear.

I love fall, can it be this way all year long. Give me a few really good snows in the winter so my kids can play, but after that I would like fall all year. I love the smells, the sounds, really it's just a great time of year isn't it?

Ben did not think it was cool that the baby was getting all the attention. I tried to let him hold her and he pushed her away. 

Ella had so much fun playing on her tummy, I think she even smiled for me. 

I got to watch my best friends baby girl today, it was so much fun, like having a little girl of my own.