Elle Has Mastered the Gingerbread House

Elle likes to spend an afternoon building a gingerbread house each year.  I think she nailed it this year!

Hair day!

Elle’s Final Birthday Sign Pic

I don't think they do these sign birthdays in high school.  Elle was reluctant to let me get a pic this year but she did it!  14 years old in her final year at Oak View!

McDonald's Grandma McFlurry Review

We had a chance to try the Grandma McFlurry at McDonalds recently.  It didn't look nearly as nice as the picture in a small paper cup.  The consensus was you would be better off (taste and financially) with a caramel sundae.

The advertisement's photo far exceeds reality.

Gator Bullseye!

The moved Bullseye from the Target by UF that shut down to the only other Target in town.  I still convinced Elle to sit for a pic!

Elle and a rat!

Sausage Rigatoni!

Steph and Jack were away for the week-end so Elle and I got to play in the kitchen!  She first made brownies (barely visible on the counter in the pic) and then we made our favorite dish that Steph makes - Sausage Rigatoni.  We even found the particular Classico sauce that we could no longer find during the Covid years!  The recipe is below.

Ingredients (Serves 6-8)

1 lb. of rigatoni pasta

1 lb. Italian sausage

2 cloves of minced garlic 

1 jar (24 ounces) Classica Marina with Plum Tomatoes & Olive Oil (pic above)

1/4 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese

1 pkg. (8 ounce) of Philadelphia Cream Cheese (cubed)

Several fresh basil leaves (torn or chopped to garnish)

Start heating the large pot of water to boil the pasta.

Brown the sausage in a large skillet.  Drain any excess grease (usually there isn't much so draining isn't needed)  Add minced garlic and place on low.  Add the sauce and continue to cook on low.

When the pasta water is boiling, add the pasta and begin cooking per directions.  Usually 11-12 minutes.   Add the cubed cream cheese to your sauce and stir regularly until it has melted and blended.  Turn heat up if necessary.

Drain the pasta when cooked to liking and add to pasta sauce.  Stir until blended and ready to serve.

Add parmesan cheese and basil to liking.

Pete Excited for a Pup Cup!

Elle and I took Petey to Starbucks for a "pup cup" or a "puppacino".  He didn't mess around and licked it up quickly!

Go Big Red!

Elle is loving her (and my) Nebraska gear.  I bought the hat out of necessity when I visited Bill for his 50th birthday party.  We went to the Husker-Wisconsin game and it was cold!!!

In Progress Pyramid

Progress on the pyramid project!

School Pyramid Project!

Elle had to build a pyramid for a project at school.  It needed to open up so you could see on the inside as well.

Elle Turns 12!

Elle turned 12 and finally got a real party.

Publix has upped their game when it comes to cakes!

Puff still shows up in his birthday outfit!

The girls got to do a set of challenges as a team that included:

Challenge #1:  Go into the backyard around the edge of the yard.   Petey will be released into the middle.  You will have 1 minute to touch Petey.  

Challenge #2:  Each of you have to make a basketball shot!

Challenge #3:  Grab a phone.  Take group selfies in front of 2 houses decorated for Christmas

Challenge #4:  You have 3 minutes to find the sour patch, puppy tree in the reservoir pond across from our house.  Each girl should grab one of each return home.

A Girl and Her Dog

Elle Turns 11!

Elle wasn't feeling great so we had to postpone her party…but cake was still made. An Oreo cake featuring a crumbled cookie center!  Puff, the elf, broke out his birthday attire as well.

Merry Christmas!

Looking forward to a mask free holiday this year!

Western Day!

Elle rocked Western Day at school thanks to all her horse gear.  The downside of the horse riding is all the "horse dirt" that gets into our cars.

Handstand!

Elle has been practicing her handstands and back bends!  She's getting better and better at them all.

Ready for Christmas!

I was a little late in getting the Christmas morning posts up this year!  Excitement levels still run high around 7am on December 25!

Horses Require More Than Just Rides!

Elle’s NY Presentation!

Elle presented on NY recently at school and did a great job.  They teach all kids to name the 50 states in less than a minute.