2 Museums, 1 Great Day

When it's cold outside and you've been cooped up inside for what seems like months, you'll do just about anything for some entertainment! Not knowing what we'd find, we took the hour long trek into Hartford to explore two small kid's museums...and ended up having a wonderful time! The Children's museum was chuck full of exploration and reptiles, while the Kid City museum had gorgeous artwork and life-like murals! The two were just right for a cold winter day.

New England Winter

Like an Energizer Battery, a New England winter just keeps going, and going and going....

A Hyatt Family Gathering

We were fortunate enough to be able to get all of the Hyatt siblings and their children together for a visit shortly after Christmas. We are always so appreciative to Dan's sister Diane for hosting all 14 of us, especially since she is centrally located. This year Diane's husband Brian went all out with the entertainment by creating the Hyatt Family Carnival Games! He organized a weekend of egg races, darts, Nerf battles, take 2 (aka Bananagrams), foose ball and sling shots!! It all culminated on our last evening with a mini fireworks display, award ceremony and bonfire!!

It was wonderful to see everyone, especially the kids who all grow and change so fast. Many thanks to Brian and Diane for hosting and for all the hard work that went into the Carnival Games...I think I speak for the whole family when I say it was a weekend full of special memories.

8 Grandchildren all in a row

The 3rd Generation

Award ceremony for the Hyatt Family Carnival Games

Carnival Awards

A little bit wrestling, a little bit snuggling

Wii Sing...popular for those singing, not so much for those listening.

Emily was quite electrifying!

Megan Branches Out

A few months back, I took Megan's girl scout troop to a Self Defense class at a Martial Arts studio. As I expected, it was full of "yes, sirs", bows and high kicks...What I didn't expect was how much Megan would enjoy it!

After alot of begging and pleading, Grammy came to the rescue and paid for her to take lessons near our home. It's been two months now and she has already earned her orange belt and thoroughly loves it.

Blessed

Each year at Christmas we work hard to remind ourselves just how lucky we are. This year especially, in light of the economy, and eventhough Dan was one of thousands to lose his job just days before Christmas, we were reminded yet again, just how truly blessed we are...We're all healthy and happy and we have a beautiful home and many excesses and are lucky enough to live in America...We take none of it for granted because we are truly thankful.

Thank you Santa!!!

Katie's Rose Petal Cottage set

Katie and her dad enjoy the Elmo Live doll

Megan shows off her first cell phone

Lauren gets her own IPOD and docking station

Lauren's 6th Birthday

Our middle child celebrated her 6th birthday on 12/16...this amazing daughter of ours is so independent, smart, optomistic, beautiful and strong. So much so, that I often stare at her with wonder and awe.

Highlights of this special day: decorating cupcakes for school, Barbie cruise ship, Santa cake and her very own video camera!!

Happy birthday sweet Lauren!!

Nebraska Chocolate Balls

Made only once a year, Nebraska Chocolate Balls are one of my many fond holiday memories from childhood. Each year my aunt, mom and I would bake dozens of different types of cookies to box up and give as gifts to friends and family. Of all the cookies, these were the most labor intensive (reason enough for why they were only made once a year), but they are oh so yummy!!

Recipe:

1 lb Powdered Sugar

2 Cups Chunky Peanut Butter

1 Stick Margarine

3 1/2 Cups Rice Krispies

Mix all ingredients thoroughly with fingers and roll into walnut sized balls. Chill overnight.

In a double boiler, melt a 12 oz. package of chocolate chips, along with a small amount of cooking wax to ensure hardening and glossy finish to the chocolate. Dip each ball into the chocolate mixture and then drop onto a cookie sheet to cool and harden.