First Christmas in Albuquerque

It has been nice to have a chilly Christmas this year. In AZ it felt strange to drink hot cocoa when the temp reaches a balmy 70 degrees. So, we've enjoyed wearing warm socks, hats, and jackets. It's by no means frigid here but, still, cool enough to feel like winter. And, we had a sprinkle of snow to prove it.

Here is Anna - poised and ready to gobble her sugar cookie. Mmm.

Parker & his masterpiece. It's only a winner cookie if it has all 6 types of sprinkles on there.

Grant takes time out from being a shepard to hold the manger baby. So sweet. I think it's the only moment he was still during the entire nativity reenactment.

Merry Christmas to you all!!!

Operation: Recap

Since I've been neglecting my blogging duties, I've decided to catch everyone up! But, first you must zoom back to the month of June. That was our trip to Oklahoma & Texas. Brad's sister Jen (seen below with the boys) lives in Tulsa and we had a wonderful time visiting their family. The kids especially all loved being together.

Mmmm Smores. (Anyone tried smores with Nutella? It's dang good.)

Enjoying the spraypad

After some good times in Tulsa, we headed back to Dallas and then down to San Antonio. It was so great to visit with my family with whom I get to see all too rarely. Just love those guys.

Titi giving Anna a lesson in glamour!

Titi's middle name is Ann so Anna is lucky to share a name with such a wonderful, beautiful person.

Grandma J turned 90 this year. She is so incredible!!!

That's concludes this portion of Operation: Recap.

Next Blog: Discovering Albuquerque.

Are you SO excited????

The Big 3

Grant is now 3! We celebrated with a family dinner at Barro's Pizza and Mom's Famous Cupcakes. Not so famous really, but yummy still the same.

Grant was telling everyone about his birthday and when we announced we'd be celebrating it on Saturday he was confused because April hadn't come yet and he was expecting "her." I guess he thought April was a person....

Here's his big gift and pushing Brad out of the way for him to go on his own. Very independent little guy! Happy Birthday Grant! Oh, and Brad too. Poor Dad gets the shaft now that he basically shares his birthday with Grant. Happy Birthday to you too!!!

After a couple of failed attempts on the bike, Grant opted for his good old stand-by trike.

See ya later SUCKAS!

ALBUQUERQUE

Well, I finally learned how to spell Albuquerque. And, if you haven't heard from me already, you know that is only because we are moving there!!! Yes, lots of changes in the Glenn Household. Brad got a job there and is driving there on TUESDAY. Yes, day after tomorrow, Tuesday.

It has all happened so fast and we feel very fortunate for Brad to have found a job in the construction industry at this time of economic hardship. It's a good job and we are excited to learn about what ABQ and the surrounding areas have to offer. I distinctly remember thinking that I never wanted to live in Arizona or in New Mexico and now I will be living in both! Never say never I guess!

Well, I'll be here in AZ for a little longer until we sell the house or rent it. Or until I go insane without having Brad around.

Be sure to stop in and say hi if you are ever headed through there or near there!

My Baby's Got Blue Eyes

Last night I took Grant to the doctor because I thought he was getting pink eye. Here is how the conversation ensued.

Grant: "I don't want pink eye. I don't like pink. I want my blue eyes."
Mom: "Let's go to the doctor and see if he can get all the pink out."
So, we leave.
As we approach the door outside the office,
Grant asks me: "Is this where they have my blue eyes?"
Following the nurse back to the room.,
Grant asks the nurse: "Do you know where my blue eyes are?"
Doctor coming into the examining room,
Grant asks: "Do you have my blue eyes?"

We got some medicine and Grant's eyes are back to just blue and no pink. A very pretty blue I might add.

Mechanical Engineer?

My current prediction for Parker's future career was verified when he made this teeter-totter contraption in the backyard the other night. I thought it was pretty clever! Not safe at all but not much more dangerous than the one I played with at my kindergarten playground years ago.

Boy, Oh Boy!

If you live on our street, chances are there is a boy (probably atleast 2) in your family. This is a photo of the gang you will usually see out playing all together during the sunny winter months.

This is the group of moms you will usually see out with the boys. We are usually yelling (oops, I mean gently reproaching) these boys to stay clear of cars while on their bikes and trikes.

Thanks to Erin who hosted us all at her house this morning for a Valentine Breakfast. So yummy, so cute and she did it all with a 6 week old baby. She's amazing.

when life gives you lemons...

These are fabuloso and ONLY 161 CALORIES PER SERVING!!!

LEMON CUSTARD CAKES

Unsalted butter, at room temp, for custard cups

3 Large eggs, separated

1/2 c sugar

2 Tbsp flour

2-3 tsp grated lemon zest (from 1 lemon)

1/4 C fresh lemon juice

1 C milk

1/4 tsp salt

Confectioners sugar for dusting

1. Preheat oven to 350. Boil a pot of water. Butter six 6-oz. custard cups, and place them in roasting pan or baking dish lined with a kitchen towel.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and granulated sugar until the mixture is light; whisk in the flour. Gradually whisk in the lemon zest and juice, then whisk in the milk.
3. With an electric mixer, beat the egg whites and salt until soft peaks form. Add to the lemon mixture; gently fold in with a whisk (the batter will be thin.)
4. Divide the batter among the prepared cups. Place the pan in the oven, and fill with boiling water to reach halfway up the sides of the cups. Bake until the puddings are puffed and lightly browned, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature, dusted with confectioners sugar.

**If you do not have custard cups, bake in 8" square baking dish for 30-35 minutes.

WWF SMACKDOWN

Lately, despite my efforts to play soothing music or turn the lights down, the boys start to wind up after their baths. It has been invariably degenerating into a wrestling tournament. This is how it usually begins, with the 2 sizing up their competition.

Parker takes down Grant with a hold of some kind. (not a wrestler here) Parker has an edge on Grant but with a few years, I don't think that will be the case any longer.



Even Anna gets in on the action.

All that is missing from this post is the inevitable tears that cap off the competition....

Team Swiffer

Parker wanted to earn some money so I told him I would pay him a quarter to swiffer the tile. From another room, I heard the swiffer buzzing and when I came to check things out I find that he's enlisted Grant in this project. I'm not sure if Grant is going to want a cut of the earnings but I'm wondering if they may have found a new competitive sport. By the way, this little red car has been the best investment for a 2 year old boy.

7 Years: A Few Scratches But No Itch

This weekend we went on a little get-away for our 7th anniversary. Uncle Phil and Aunt Heather stayed with the kids while we went to dinner, stayed overnight, hiked Camelback in the morning, AND went to a movie! This is a view from the top of Camelback.

We were a little unprepared for the ruggedness of the trail. We had to get creative with how to keep our hands free so we could maneuver down the rocks. I'm not going to lie - I took a few spills and got a little cut up. I recommend a backpack or Camelback to anyone making the hike!

Seven Years Happier!

SHE WAS BORN TO STROLL!

Anna's Grandma Lyn bought her this stroller and baby for her 1st birthday. It has really motivated her to start walking. I'm not sure whether to be thankful for that or not. No doubt, she loves it though.

100% Female. True to form, this little girl LOVES chocolate, brownies, cookies, and anything else carbohydrate. We totally understand eachother.

This is NOT my New Year's Resolution!

My cute, cute friend Allison helped me get my blog on yesterday. I'm not exactly sure what I am going to say here on this blog but rest assured that it will be juicy. I'm not sure how consistent I'll be but perhaps it will motivate me to treasure these times. Thanks Allison!

The Glenn Family