Update: Kute Kids 'Kaus ... Of Course: Families

With thanks to Grumpa for grabbing these off social media, so I can collect them and share all at once:

The Twins:

Kelli says: "DQ* for supper, What was I thinking!"

 *Dairy Queen

I share a lot about Grumpa and Grandmary, but the twins had a special trip in mid-March to see their relatives on the other side of the family tree --their maternal grandpa and great-grandma.

Here's the story in Kelli's own words:

I took the kids to visit my Dad ... The emotions of the day are just now coming to the surface. For those of you who don't know, my dad has Parkinson's disease. He is now in a nursing home as he can no longer be home alone. It was so sweet to see my little boy jump right in his lap and snuggle and give kisses to Papa. My kids have never known him any other way, so they just love him exactly as he is. I was tired, frustrated and just plain worn out from the trip with two grumpy toddlers and Drew, then I took the time to look at the pictures I had taken. Worth every minute to see these!

 Great Grandma Mangum and Sarah

The Idaho Krew:

Christina had this to say: "Exploring today for our Sunday walk. We saw geese, all different kinds of fish, and a turtle."

 Thank goodness for social media and digital photos. It's amazing to see them all growing up before our eyes.

Retroblogging: Random AuntieCrafts

The weather is finally making New England look like a scene out of Currier and Ives.

Which reminds me, when I was out in Logan, Utah in December hanging with the Great-Aunties, Aunt Shirley dragged out an album with some of her choice correspondence. Upon flipping through the book, what did I spy, but a letter from a youthful me. The letter was dated in the 1970s, but both Mom and I agree. Based on the handwriting and the subject matter, it must have been the early 1980s. No matter. Just look at that. Isn't this cute?

To be truthful, I'm about 150% sure this is not an original work. I think it was a black & white drawing that I enhanced before I sent it off in the mail.

Remember when we would just draw and be free and not constricted by self doubt? When we could be content to just color and draw, and sketch and paint, and trace and scribble -- just for fun?

Remember when we'd BEG to go out and play in the snow? When we'd BEG to go out and make snowballs, snow forts, snow angels, and snowmen - excuse me snow PEOPLE? When we'd have to be coaxed inside when our faces where bright red, our noses streaming (let's be honest here), when we couldn't feel our fingers or toes - and we'd have cocoa to warm up?

I think that song from Frozen needs a new set of lyrics.

 Do you want to drink a snowman?

These cuties were created by Kelli for Christmas 2013 - out of old baby food jars. 

I wonder if it's too late to order about 15 for pickup this Thursday?

Kelli?

Happy Birthday to the Twins!

 How has it been a year already since Dos Bebes arrived ... little miraculous peanuts barely an armful?

I don't know what was in that baby food formula (Miracle Grow?) because they are so chock full of personality 

and like five times the size they were when they arrived.

Happy Birthday little ones. 

Hope you get lots of presents today and get all the cake your little hands can get 

a hold of and as stuffed as your faces can get.

I anticipate you'll need to slip into your birthday suits to be hosed down.

 Sarah and Cannon in their

 Birthday suits!

 NO impishness there at ALL! NONE.

All photos care of the family and the grandparents.

6 weeks and counting until I get to squeeze all kinds of little cheeks.

Time Flies: The Twins Grew Up!

Look at what a difference about 10 months makes! 

 Happy Birth Week Nov. 2012

Cannon and Sarah: Professional Glamor Baby Shotz (TM)

Happy Thanksgiving 2012!

No one could stay up to check on Santa.

January 2013: Stare down: Sarah wins!

FEED US! We're hungry!

We solemnly swear we are up to no good! They learned from the Weasleys.

Duckface and "Cheese!"

Look at us, we're fancy!

Unimpressed twins are unimpressed!

Look at Cannon's drooooooooool!

Sarah does not like tummy time.

Webble wobble twins

Making a break for it on Labor Day.

Yep. They are standing.

 Ah yes, the obligatory baby butt shots. Had to. 

Luckily, there is NO traffic to this site.

Also, to note, for the record: Cannon's super resemblance to Drew at those ages.

Sarah is her OWN distinct little personality, for sure.

Thanks to my parents, sibs, family Facebook accounts, and e-mail for the majority of these pictures. 

I haven't shot anything of them, or SNUGGLED, since January. 

They won't want to snuggle so much in December.

Sad Auntie is sad.

When is my flight again? December 20-what?

Recipes from Kelli: Ham & Broccoli Ring

One of the things I wanted to do on the family vacation was document some of the family holiday recipes. This Ham & Broccoli ring is one of the dishes that is often made by Kelli for Easter, Christmas, or other major holidays when I've been visiting over the years.

Although it was on my list, Kelli had NO idea that I wanted to capture it for the blog when she planned for our big family Christmas dinner. She was quite fore-bearing as I snapped away while she chopped and stirred.

 

Ham & Broccoli Ring

Serving Size: 8 (or more)

1 tablespoon softened margarine

2 tablespoons finely chopped onion

1 tablespoon prepared mustard (yellow)

6 oz. shredded Swiss cheese

1 cup diced (or ground) ham (or turkey ham)

1 10 oz. package frozen, chopped broccoli

1 package of 8 refrigerated crescent rolls

1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cook broccoli per package instructions. Drain well in colander.

In bowl, mix margarine, chopped onion and mustard.

Add Swiss cheese, ham and broccoli. 

On cookie sheet or pizza pan, place crescent rolls in wreath pattern with points out. *

Spoon filling mixture onto wreath of dough. 

Fold ends up over top. 

Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. [Eat leftovers from bowl.]

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. As ring cools, remove any liquid from wreath center.

Cut into 8 portions and serve.

*Could actually use 3 rings of dough if you don’t want it to be so full.