Allie's Birthday

My big girl just turned 5! I seriously can't get over how much she has grown...almost over night! She is such a bright spot in our family. She's always so happy and helpful. She is reading and writing so good. She was cuddled up next to me while I was reading Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South, and she was sounding out the words to herself and getting them right! She's amazing...but every mom thinks that about their kids:) We love our sweet Alllie! As a side note, there were girl's at her party, but they were too shy to get in the picture...gotta' love those secure boys:)

A Day out of our sick house

The thing about us, is that we can't stay cooped up for long...we are NOT a lay-around-watch-TV-all-day-kind-of-family. After we started feeling a little better after our flu episode, we went to Bluff which is our favorite place to go in the spring. The weather was perfect, and we went on a little hike...well, a Jack-version of a "little hike":) Our girls are such troopers. Allie can hike better than Tyler's scouts! We had a great time, we seriously live in an awesome place.

Happy Birthday to me

I just celebrated my 27th Birthday last week! We all had the flu, so it wasn't much fun, but my dear Tyler took the role of house-wife since he had spring break off from work. He made this delicious citrus pound cake...holy cow it was good! The month of March always brings sickness to our house, so it's kind of a blessing and a curse that Spring Break falls in March. Oh well, make the best of it- cause that's life!

Citrus Pound Cake
1 C. Butter softened
2 1/4 C. sugar
zest of 2 lemons
zest of 1 orange
6 eggs
3 C. self-rising flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 C. sour cream
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp orange extract
juice of 1 lemon
powdered sugar (in a shaker)

Gradually add sugar and zests to butter until fluffy. Add eggs gradually, beating thoroughly after each. Sift dry ingredients. Add to batter alternately with sour cream, beat until smooth. Add extracts and lemon juice. Prepare bundt cake pan with cooking spray and coat with sugar. Bake @ 325 for 1 hour. Dust with powdered sugar and drizzle with Citrus dessert syrup. Top with Whipped Cream! YUM!

Citrus Dessert Syrup
Juice and zest of 1 orange
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
1 C. sugar
1/2 C. water

In medium saucepan, combine all ingredients. Heat until sugar dissolves. (This would be good over icecream too)

Happy Birthday Bria!

Bria turned 3 on Valentine's Day and we had quite the party. Celia, Bria's nursery leader helped me throw a bash for her. She was feeling pretty loved. Bria is the most shy of all the girls, and only warms up to people who love her A LOT! Thank goodness there is a lot of love for her around. She is a special girl and we love her.

The food!

My beautiful, braziliam friend Celia helped me make food for Bria's birthday! We had Brigaderos (really yummy chocolate candy thingys made from sweetened condensed milk) and Braziliam pot pie, Pinkalicious cupcakes, little chicken stuffed fried things called coxinos (I don't know how to spell that:) and a fabulously decorated cream cake encased in jello! Holy cow it was amazing! It was a three day process, and then she threw in these cute balloons made into flowers! What a party...

Family Christmas

Christmas

My sisters
My Dad
My Brothers

Allie's Frosty

We havn't had very much snow this year, in fact it's raining right now, but we made the most of it when it did come. It was kind of muddy snow, and Bria looked at it and said "Frosty went poopy" :) Had to laugh at that one...

Daddy!

Tyler was trying to get a few things done around the house...with a little help. I couldn't stop laughing at this...it is so nice for him to get a taste of what my day is like.

Hoggard Kiddos pics

Love the lollis...Nice idea Staci! I love shooting these fun scenes, I'm not so good with the traditional stuff.

Hoggard's Family Pics

Thanks Hoggards for giving me the opportunity to do these. You were great!

Washington

I had such a great time in Washington with my Aunt and Uncle, two of my favorite people in the whole world! Tyler had some meetings in Seattle, so I took the opportunity to fly out and see my family. Thanks to my sis-in-law, I only took Cloe. She was kind of beastly on the flight in and out, but it was worth the trip. My grandpa and I got to hang out, and it was a cherished memory for me. Thanks Tammy and Jimmy for the wonderful visit! I love you guys!