16 Dec

Holiday preparations

Posted by Rebecca in Ava, Family, Olivia.

Our holiday preparations started Thanksgiving weekend–given the crazy amount of travel we’ve planned for this month, we had to get an early start. And yet, somehow, the month is already more than half over!

We arrived back from Nebraska the Sunday after Thanksgiving weekend, opened the door and threw our luggage, then headed out to cut a Christmas tree from a nearby farm. It was windy, but warm–perfect for a hayrack ride. (It was not perfect for hauling a giant tree back on the top of your SUV, but we made it, despite 45 mph wind gusts.)

I selected a tree in record time–after all, 17 loads of laundry awaited me at home.

The following weekend, Doug and Karyl came down. We spent Saturday morning at the Old Fashioned Christmas Parade, where we paid for the warm weather from the previous weekend. Fortunately (?) my car battery died on Mass Street the night before, securing us a fantastic spot to watch the parade with friends.

Olivia–not one for serious winter wear–kept saying, “Mom, my eyeballs are cold.”

We kept warm with coffee and hot cocoa. Every five minutes, Bryan would say, “Wow, I wish we could turn on the car and enjoy the heat!”

The big girls didn’t seem to mind the cold.

Once the Pilot was back up and running, Bryan and I went to the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City while Doug and Karyl stayed with the girls. We had a great time watching the Big 12 Championship, though admittedly, it would have been better with a Nebraska win. We spent Sunday being grateful for grandparents and making a big dent in our Christmas shopping.

Last weekend, we attempted to make our way up to Nebraska to celebrate birthdays with Wyatt and Grampa Great. However, 45 minutes outside of Omaha, Olivia threw up. Between the blizzard and the desire to spare our families exposure to a stomach bug, we turned around and drove three and a half hours home, without seeing anyone. Bryan–in good humor–promptly proclaimed it “the worst trip to Nebraska EVER.”

We recovered at home, playing Candy Land and finishing Christmas shopping. While it wasn’t the weekend we had planned, we did appreciate a quiet day at home together.

I just returned from a three-day trip to Madison (with an extra night at the KC airport hotel due to an ice storm yesterday). It was fabulous to see Alisa, Melissa, Lori and Liana–the spa and the snow were pretty awesome, too.

So, while December has been a blur so far, we’re having a great time. We’re looking forward to the coming two weeks and all the gatherings they will bring. Hope the holidays are off to a good start where you are, too.

13 Dec

75 years of greatness

Posted by Rebecca in Family.

Grampa Great is celebrating his 75th birthday today. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing him for all of my 32 years, from the time I was certain he could repair my broken balloon at age three, to the time he fixed my oven to save one of my first Thanksgivings. From Elmwood, Nebraska to Little Birch Lake, I can always say, “Yes, Grampa, we are indeed having fun now.”

Thanks for all you do, Grampa Great!

 

8 Dec

Ava and Olivia Fix

Posted by Rebecca in Ava, Olivia.

Doug took this gorgeous photo this summer (and, he just supplied me with a very large print, too!).

6 Dec

Apple Phyllo Crisp

Posted by Rebecca in In the kitchen.

I adapted this recipe for Pear and Apple Phyllo Crisp to make what is essentially butter, pastry and just enough fruit to move leftovers squarely into the “breakfast” category.

I brushed about seven or eight layers of phyllo with melted butter, sprinkled it lightly with sugar and cinnamon and added a thinly sliced apples to the top. Incredibly easy, very casual, and great with cinnamon ice cream.

Especially in the morning.

3 Dec

The details

Posted by Rebecca in In the kitchen, Olivia.

One more party post…thanks again to everyone who made it such a fabulous day for Olivia!

Here are a few of the details of the party, starting with the cake table.

Bryan’s awesome bloody marys (with props to Ina Garten, too):

Mom’s angel food cake, just like her grandma and my paternal grandma used to make for birthdays:

Number three cookies, a tradition my grandma started for me and my cousins, made complete with sugared ladybugs from Madison (thanks, Liana!!):

I used a Wilton ladybug cake pan and added an additional layer underneath. I felt like the star tip was cheating (I had originally planned a fondant cake), but then Bryan called me the Seurat of cake decorating and I felt much better.

Even the presents (and some gifts!) carried the theme forward.

We served quiche and sausage, and Karyl brought a gorgeous fresh fruit platter.

The birthday girl was indeed pleased…

 

1 Dec

Party pics

Posted by Rebecca in Ava, Bryan, Family, Olivia, Rebecca.

One of the benefits of holding birthday parties in Nebraska—especially over Thanksgiving weekend—is that most of our family members are able to attend. Here are a few shots of those who helped Olivia celebrate.

Bryan and his dad, Doug:

Gramma Great, our generous hostess:

And our gracious host, Grampa Great:

My mother-in-law Karyl and sister-in-law Jess:

My sister-in-law—the newly-minted Dr. Capp—as well as my nieces, Sylvia and Hazel, and Ava.

Hazel seemed to be quite fond of Ava—and Ava was DEFINITELY fond of Hazel.

Hazel’s twin, Eliza:

Aunt Katie joined via teleconference from Boston:

Mom had a chat with her, too:

Here’s my stepdad Dave. (Happy birthday to you, Dave!)

And here’s a self portrait of the proud parents:

And some of our littlest guests, including Wyatt, who’s about to turn three as well:

And Leo, showing off the treat bags:

And my newest niece, Sylvia, who is a month old today. Isn’t she gorgeous?

Thanks to everyone who helped us celebrate! More party pics coming soon.

 

29 Nov

Olivia’s third birthday

Posted by Rebecca in Family, Olivia.

We celebrated Olivia’s third birthday while back in Nebraska for Thanksgiving. She had been quite excited, asking everyone she saw (including me and Bryan), “Do you want to come to my ladybug birthday party?” for the better part of the past month.

As a result, she had a full house. The party was hosted by the ever-generous Grandparents Great, and all of Olivia’s grandparents, cousins and their parents were there.

My mom even made Liv a little ladybug costume for the big day.

More soon!

24 Nov

Olivia fix

Posted by Rebecca in Blog business, Olivia.

I had to dig out the number three cookie cutter in preparation for Olivia’s birthday this weekend. I’m not entirely sure how the past few years managed to go by quite so fast.

I’m taking a bit of a blog break, but we’ll be back after the holiday weekend. Happy Thanksgiving!

22 Nov

One last Boston post

Posted by Rebecca in Ava, Family, Olivia.

One of my favorite parts of the trip was an afternoon in the Public Gardens.

Shortly after we left the gardens, we headed into Beacon Hill for gelato. Olivia, who was short a nap and long on energy, ran head first into someone on the street. I apologized as I pulled her out the way, just as Katie whispered, “Hey, that was Denis Leary!”

Tom immediately recalled that he was in town to host Comics Come Home, while I posted Liv’s brush with fame on Facebook. At some point, he must have circled back, because we found ourselves waiting at a stoplight with him. I am sure he was completely impressed with the giant tantrum Olivia was executing at that moment.

After taking the train back to Medford, we drove to Cambridge to watch the Huskers take on KU. We joined what must have been the entire Boston chapter of the UNL alumni association at a small pub. I can’t recall the last time I had so much fun cheering for the Huskers.

We had a great trip, thanks to Katie and Tom. We can’t wait to go back!

19 Nov

Ava Fix

Posted by Rebecca in Ava.

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