What's Been Happening?

March has been a busy month, but I managed to get a little scrapbooking done. In January Jim's parents celebrated their 65th anniversary. Jim, his brother, and sisters threw a surprise party for them. I am working on a special scrapbook for them to commemorate the day. The following are two of the pages I have done so far. Hope to finish it by Easter.

The paper and embellishments are from a kit that a friend of mine designed. She opened her own online digi-scrapbooking shop called Truman Studio.
Emme is growing in leaps and bounds and has discovered how much fun it is to tweak noses! She was fascinated by her Pap's nose.
Last week I helped Becky make DC Cupcake's famous frosting to decorate cupcakes for her friend's bridal shower. This is what happened when I turned the mixer on too high with a bowl filled with confectioner's sugar! We were covered in powdered sugar and so was the kitchen! It was a mess! I now have a very clean kitchen!
It's hard to believe as I look out my kitchen window and see snow falling - yes, it is snowing - that just two weeks ago it was warm enough to be outside in short sleeves! Will spring ever come?
I have also been trying some new recipes. This dish - Cheesburger Macaroni - was a featured recipe on Kevin and Amanda's blog ( linked on the left of this page). I modified it somewhat to reduce the fat and added some Tastefully Simple Southwest seasoning to the cheese sauce. I used Mrs. Leeper's gluten-free macaroni. It was delicious! To Aidan and Ryan: "I froze a batch, so when you come for Easter break, you can try it!"
Jim celebrated his 60th birthday this month and DID NOT want a party. I surprised him anyway. Barry. Becky, Emme, Annisa, Sasha, Clara, and Dixon gathered for dinner and cupcakes!
Jim was truly surprised and no, he did not eat all those cupcakes! He shared!
In addition to the handmade cards from the grandkids and a creative story via comic book style graphics from Ryan and Aidan, he got a book about his Philadelphia Eagles (he's a loyal fan) and a new GPS system.
On March 10, I took two bus loads of students to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. After our tour, we had a private session with Holocaust survivor, Nesse Godin. She survived the Einsatzgruppen (SS mobile killing squad), several concentration camps, and a death march when she was just a teenager. My students loved her.
March would not be complete without our traditional St. Patrick's Day celebration. We headed out to TGI Fridays decked out in our St. Patty's gear! Even Emme was ready to PARTY!
Mom-Mom joined us and as always, we had a great time with our family octogenarian. She sure doesn't look her age, does she? She doesn't act it either.
We all know about Becky's Oreo addiction - it's not pretty! Like mother, like daughter - Emme pretended to be watching the table across from us while at the same time, swiping her mom's Oreo ice cream dessert! You go Emme!
Our book club also met this month and read Room by Emma Donoghue. It was a lively discussion and we had quite a feast of food! Can't believe March is coming to a close and April is right around the corner . . . let's hope spring arrives soon!

DESTINATION IMAGINATION!

Last weekend we spent the day at Destination ImagiNation to see Aidan's team compete in a regional competition. This is Aidan's team (3rd & 4th graders) before they were ready to present their challenge. Destination ImagiNation provides educational programs that foster creativity, teamwork, and problem solving skills.

Their team, the Leonardtown Dragons, had to complete their challenge in less than twenty minutes from the time they unpacked their "creation" to tear down.
These two pictures show the boys unpacking and assembling their "Movinator" and the girls were "selling" the product, which was a challenge requirement.
The girls wrote a great jingle and sales pitch and performed it with wonderful enthusiasm!The challenge was to create something that would move objects from the top of a cardboard tower and place them in the kiddie pool below and then transport two objects from the kiddie pool to the top of the tower. The kids competed against eleven other teams and were the only team that had a mirror and magnet on the "Movinator."
After the presentation, they had to answer questions posed by one of the judges.
We anxiously waited until the awards ceremony and were thrilled when the Dragons were announced in second place (first was a group of 5th graders!) and told that they would compete at States at the University of Maryland in Baltimore on April 7th!
We were so proud of the kids and their team managers, Courtney and Kelly! They spent hours with these kids and the kicker is, they could not help them at all! They could only provide the challenge and the kids had to solve the challenge on their own. Amazing!

DINNER WITH KARL ROVE!

This week my son-in-law Cory and I had a "date night!" Yes, that's right - we went on a date for a dinner featuring "The Architect" Karl Rove. I even got flowers! Cory and I are both news junkies and history buffs, so it was natural for us to want to hear a historic figure of the Bush administration.

While everyone was enjoying their meal, Mr. Rove went table to table to meet with each of the 500 attendees. He was warm, funny, and so gracious as everyone wanted to talk with him and get their picture taken.
I was impressed as he mesmerized the crowd with a rousing speech and never once used a note or teleprompter! His vast knowledge of economics, foreign diplomacy, and domestic issues was in evidence throughout his speech.
So touching were the stories about his relationship with our troops.
Everyone who attended the dinner received an autographed copy of his book. I am anxious to read it. He has overcome quite a challenging early life and I enjoy reading about how people face obstacles and break down barriers.

At the end of the evening, Cory and I decided to make "date night" an annual event!

The Face of Jayce!

This is a favorite picture of mine for so many reasons. Just moments before this picture was taken I was changing Jayce's diaper when all of a sudden, he peed all over me, the floor, and himself! I quickly stripped him down, gave him a bath, and wrapped him in a big fluffy towel. He looks so proud of himself!

What contentment! Babies always look so angelic and peaceful!
Big brother Aidan is so relaxed with his little brother. Jayce is a lucky little boy!
When Jayce was born his dad said he let out a lusty cry. He definitely has a set of lungs! Look at the little wrinkled "chicken legs!" For a tiny guy he has BIG hands!

Ryan is such a sweetie and loves to snuggle with Jayce.

There is nothing like a mother's love. This is one special little boy with a mom who loves him very much.

We love you Jayce! Welcome to our zany family!

Welcome NEW GRANDSON!

Welcome Jayce Ethan Andersen, my eighth grandchild! Jayce was born at 6:30 pm on February 1, 2011 and weighed six pounds twelve ounces. He is a little peanut!

Adam is a proud dad!

Jayce is so lucky to have two wonderful brothers and sister. They were so excited to hold him! Kari and Ryan were certain he was a boy, but Aidan was sure he would have another sister. As soon as they saw Jayce, they were thrilled!
I have been so blessed to be with my daughters on their delivery days and to hold the newest wee one in the family so soon after the arrival. These are moments I will always treasure.
Big brother Aidan couldn't be more proud of little Jayce.

Ryan loves babies and Jayce is no exception.

Karianna looks like she is holding a doll. Check out the tongue!

And the yawn . . .

So peaceful!

Yesterday Jayce came home and Ryan was the first to welcome him!

Children are truly blessings from God!

SNOW! BOOKS! FRIENDS!

Last Tuesday night, we braved a snowstorm to make it to our first book club meeting of the New Year! Four of us piled into a 4-wheel drive vehicle, driven by Tara, to make the trek to Jennie's house. It was a beautiful wintry night with the snow falling.

The seven die-hard book lovers gathered for a group shot before diving into the food that was inspired by the book, The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. It is a modern gothic novel set in England.
Tara brought an amazing venison stew. On this cold winter's night it tasted especially delicious and warmed our tummies!
A variety of wine, cheese, grapes, as well as cranberry scones made by Annisa were yummy! The recipe for the scones was by the Barefoot Contessa.
Yours truly made a Victorian trifle. I love this dessert and was glad I had an excuse to make it. I used lowfat ingredients and fresh fruit to make it healthy!
We had several tempting desserts like moist date-nut bread by Meghan, homemade (from scratch!) gingerbread, and a pumpkin cheescake roll by Becky. Such taste treats!
After sampling thus wonderful array of taste treats, we had a rousing discussion of The Thirteenth Tale. I would share our discussion, but I wouldn't want to ruin the book for those of you who might want to read it, which I highly recommend it! Next month our book is The Double Bind by Chris Bohjalian. Can't wait!

A NEW DAY, A NEW YEAR, A NEW LIFE !

WOW! Another year, another decade begins. Last year I made eight resolutions for the New Year. If you follow my blog, you probably know that I achieved some and fell short on others. Here are the results:

1. Keep a list of books read. I did that and shared some of them along the way. The grand total was 45 books in 52 weeks. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be The Help by Kathryn Stockett.

2. Lose twenty-five pounds. I lost eighteen!

3. Upgrade the upstairs. We spent several months painting two rooms and the hallway, having hardwood floors installed, and reorganizing. I am really pleased with the results.

4. Plan a 20th wedding anniversary getaway for me and Jim in 2011. Have some ideas, but no definite plans. Any suggestions?!?!

5. Photography Fun - I was hoping to take a photography class this year, but that didn't happen. What did happen? My daughters got me a Sony Nex3 camera which I am having a blast learning how to use.

6. Write. The only extra writing I did this year was blogging.

7. Trip to the Big Apple. I was hoping to spend several days in one of my favorite cities, but that wasn't possible. However, I did win free tickets to Lombardi and one of my friends and I took the train to NYC for the day, saw the show, and shopped!

8. Raise $7000.00 for JDRF. We raised close to $5000.00.

WELCOME 2011!!!!

A New Day! A New Year! A New Life!

I am excited about 2011 for so many reasons. Last year we welcomed our 7th grandchild, Emme, into our growing family. We will soon be welcoming #8! Stay tuned for the news! Each new day is so special because all I have to do is think about my daughters and their families and I smile! We are so blessed.

I am also excited to establish new goals for the new year. Here are a few:

1. Continue logging what I read and aim for 52 books in 52 weeks! I just finished Laura Hillenbrand's Unbroken. I highly recommend it! I just started The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.

2. Lose the remaining seven pounds and 5 - 8 more.

3. Raise $6000.00 for JDRF.

4. Complete Project 52. Project 52 is taking a photo a week and scrapping a layout using that photo. I actually scrapped my first layout for this project yesterday!

5. Take a photography class. Haven't given up on this goal!

6. Travel - we have our annual family vacation planned for Virginia Beach and I will be going to Minneapolis to be the "nanny" for baby Andersen while his/her Mom attends the Tastefully Simple Convention. However, I still want to get back to New York City!

My motto is "Carpe Diem," Seize the Day! That's what I intend to do each new day of this great new year! I wish everyone a fabulous 2011 filled with joy!