My Handsome Scouts

February was National Boy Scout Month, so the boys wore their uniforms to church this past Sunday. I have to admit, even though I was a cub scout leader for a little while I'm clueless when it comes to the whole scouting program. In preparing for Sunday I found 6 badges that needed sewn on Ryan's uniform which had probably been missing for months. He has the wrong troop number on his shirt, because it's Cody's old one and THANKFULLY Casey offered to sew Cody's merit badges on his sash or they would have come out looking a little crooked and not so pretty. At least, they have good leaders and enjoy the scouting program. Hopefully mom can catch up soon.



Cody has just submitted his papers to be approved for his Eagle Scout project.



And Ryan just earned his Bear. So proud of these Handsome Scouts!

Quail Eggs

Quoting Andrew Zimmern of Bizzare food Ryan said, "If it looks good eat it" as he ate his 4th quail egg of the morning.



Every year Casey teaches a class called, Birds In Our Lives. For a part of the class he gathers quail eggs to marinate into different flavors.



Ryan loves to be a part of the preparation process in watching Casey boil, peel, and flavor the eggs. And there is always a few left over for a Saturday morning breakfast.





Ryan thinks of them as bizarre because of their small size in comparison to chicken eggs, but actually they are a delicacy in many countries, including western Europe and North America. In Japanese cuisine, they are sometimes used raw or cooked as tamago in sushi and often found in bento(a single-portion takeout or home-packed meal common in Japanese cuisine) lunches.

They are similar in taste to chicken eggs with the yoke being a bit more creamy, and
if anyone wants a sample there are plenty left for trying....

Sick at Home

Ry as been at home sick for the last two days. It's sometimes hard to know if Ryan is really sick, or if he just wants to stay home because Cody did the day before. Yesterday he did lay on the couch most of the day and looked a little pale, so it was believable. But today he has managed to gobble down a bowl of cereal, 2 oranges, 1 pancake, a grilled cheese, applesauce, and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich(to which he replied...maybe I should've ordered toast)---all before noon!

I think tomorrow he will be back in school.

Kisses for Mom

I'm not sure if it is because he is the last child or if it is just his personality, but Ryan is not afraid/ashamed to show his love and affection to his mother in public. When the other children started school that was the end of the hugs, kisses and holding hands with mom, but when I dropped Ry off at his circle drive in front of the school this morning he said, "love you mom." And then, as he's walking in and I am driving off he motions a kiss to me, waves and watches me drive away. Such a sweetheart, and I LOVE IT!

Christmas

I'm having a bit of a Christmas hangover in the fact that I thoroughly enjoyed sleeping in(not having to wake up to the sounds of an alarm clock) over the break. Having to re-train myself to get up early again has been painful.



We had a wonderful time shopping, making gingerbread houses, playing at Pump It Up, a picnic at the park, shopping, cooking, a trip into Madison, shopping, Hot-n-Fresh Krispy Kremes(Thanks Andy & Janelle), playing games, shopping, visiting with friends and family, afternoon runs, and just spending time together.



I was a little lazy in taking pictures, because I was just enjoying the time. I already miss it and am looking forward to next year when we don't have to be anywhere or do anything. We can just relax and do whatever it is we feel like doing together. It was perfect!



We wish you all a very Healthy & Happy New Year!

Brotherly Love

Well...most of the time anyway.




p.s. - Thanks to Lindsey for the cute picture.

Christmas Pics

It's always a fun time posing for our Christmas letter photo. This year the 1st session ended abruptly in multiple wardrobe changes(Kaitlyn), hair fixes(Kaitlyn), and tears(poor Ry).



The second go around was a little more productive. Although, the lighting wasn't nearly as good. Oh well, you get what you get and you don't pitch a fit...and this is what we got -



Merry Christmas 2011!