2010 in pictures

At the beginning of a new year (and decade in this instance), it is always great to look back at the year and see how things have changed and what has happened in such a fast-flying time.  Last year I did the same and it was such a huge, eventful year: http://beeshoneypot.blogspot.com/2009/12/2009-in-pictures.html

Let's take a look at what 2010 held for our family...

We began the year with a very happy, chunky 6 month old!

And were enjoying our days at home in Bement.

Kate was learning how to stand on her own.

I was still home full-time and we spent our days going on walks and playing.

At 8 months old, Kate cut her very first tooth.

In April I celebrated my 26th birthday.

And Kate celebrated her first Easter.

We made a huge decision to move back to our hometown and at the end of April bought a new house.

Kate was soon pulling up on her own.

And learning how to crawl.

In May our family welcomed my niece, Kiera. 

In June we spent a lot of time going to parks.

And going to the pool.

July came and we celebrated our first 4th of July as a family of three.

Then came Kate's first birthday... our big girl had been in our lives a full year.  I could hardly believe it.

We celebrated the day by going to a water park and out to dinner.  She had a ball.

We had a Ladybug theme for her birthday party and it was tons of fun!

The next day we learned that she had Roseola.  Poor kiddo.  But she was still in good spirits!

Summer was a blast!

Then oh so quickly, it was fall.

And in late September we learned that there was going to be a new addition to our family. 

Our little Kate was going to be a big sister!

October arrived before we knew it and we celebrated Halloween.

Kate was a happy little elephant.

Well... mostly happy. :)

Then came Thanksgiving...

And before we knew it, it was Christmas.  Kate was SO excited and had so much fun!!!

We got a lot of snow already and were able to play in it a few times.

Overall the year has been crazy, fun, and gone by way too fast.

We're looking forward to next year.

And all that 2011 will bring!

Happy New Year and best wishes for a fun, fantastic, and fabulous 2011!!

A Halloween surprise for you...

Meet the newest resident of my ute.  :)  I am 10 weeks pregnant today and my due date is May 29th, 2011.

And a picture of Kate in her Halloween costume:

Ok, I disappeared

And essentially failed the blog challenge...

but it's not my fault!  We have no internet!

I do what I can.

Kate can talk.  She can imitate words.  She's a smart cookie.  Her latest favorite is to learn animal (and some other) noises.  These are the ones she can make:

Bear:  RAAARRRR
Dog:  Woof woof
Wheat:  Shhh Shhh (it's in one of her books, lol)
Monkey:  Ah ah ah!
Pig:  (snort snort through the nose)
Wolf:  ooohhhh
Sheep:  baa baa

She can also correctly point to the following body parts when asked:  nose, hair, ear, foot, belly, tongue (the last one she just sticks out at you). 

:)  I love my smartie pants.

I might have a hard time keeping up...

We finally moved and don't get our internet for a couple more weeks.

Yay new house!

Boo no internet!

September 11

There's not much I can say about this day that others haven't yet said.  This was the first world event that gave me pause and truly impacted my life.  I was a junior in high school and home alone while my family was in Florida.  I remember going home after a day of watching it all unfold in my classes, sitting on the family room floor with my tv on and crying.  I was scared for my family who was supposed to fly home that day... scared for the families that had been directly impacted... scared for the country's safety as a whole... and scared for myself and what this all meant for my future.

While September 11th will always be a sad, tragic day for our country, it also serves as a reminder to be thankful for every day that we are given and it resurrects in all of us a pride for our country.

We will never forget.

I will eat you up I love you so!

Disclaimer:  We were getting out of the car... hence the unbuckled chest clip. :)

Sometimes working with kids is extra hard

Like when one of them whips another one in the face repeatedly with his naptime blanket.  And when I go to take it away he screams, yanks at the blanket, and then kicks me.

Good thing I've had a lot of practice in the patience department...

Make this... eat this

Rocky Road Pie

1 (18.25 ounce) box Betty Crocker Super Moist chocolate fudge cake mix

2/3 cup water

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 eggs

1 3/4 cups chilled whipping cream

2/3 cup miniature marshmallows

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

 

Chocolate Glaze

1 tablespoon whipping cream

1 teaspoon butter or margarine

1 ounce coarsely chopped semisweet chocolate

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and dust a 9−inch pie plate with sugar.

 

Reserve 1 2/3 cups lightly packed dry cake mix. Beat remaining cake mix, water, oil and eggs  on low speed, scraping bowl constantly, for 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed, scraping bowl frequently, for 2 minutes. Spread in pie plate. Bake until cake springs back when touched lightly in center, 30 to 35 minutes; cool completely.

 

Beat whipping cream and reserved dry cake mix until stiff. Fold in marshmallows and chocolate chips. Pile on top of cooled cake.

 

Prepare Chocolate Glaze. Heat whipping cream, butter or margarine and chocolate over medium heat, stirring frequently, until chocolate is melted and smooth. Immediately drizzle over top. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.

Enjoy!