Let's Boogie!

Fourth of July, we went to Cambria for the weekend with our friends the Fosters.  The boys had a great time boogie boarding in Cayucas.  The first day, they all shared one boogie board, and must of stayed in the freezing water for 2 1/2 hours!

Ethan quickly had enough of the cold, and decided to relax in the sun...Dawson, on the other hand, hates the sand, so hung out on his beach towel the whole time.

The next day, they begged to go back...and rent wetsuits...and more boogie boards!  We left Dawson and Daddy with sunburned shins...and headed back to the beach. 

Since it was the 4th of July, there were a ton of people, but they also had a great sand castle contest.

So amazing!!

We ended the night here, to watch fireworks over the water.  Such a fun time!!

St. Paddy's Day at the Briners!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Ok, so I am always up for an excuse for a fun day, and since I am 50% Irish, I decided to embrace my inner Irish lassie. :)

Breakfast was yummy, green pancakes

(nothing like a little artificial coloring to start the day off!)

For lunch, Colton made 4 leaf clover PB & J's

St. Paddy's Dinner ...at the "special" table. :)

Irish Stew & Irish Soda Bread - yum!

(Thanks Michelene for the recipe!)

Rainbow Fruit Salad
(Thanks Jacinda for the great idea!)


And Rainbow cake for dessert!

(The cake didn't come out as cute as Jacinda's, I think I tried to rush cook it, and didn't wait for it to cool...so it's not as pretty as I planned...but all in all, the boys loved it....so that's all that mattered! :) )

Snow much fun at Shaver!

Zac's Happy 2009 Lego artwork!

To ring in the new year, the Karlson's invited us up to the cabin in Shaver. We had a great time with the Briner's, Carey's, and Karlsons....and kids! The boys had the most fun playing in the snow! I'm really more of a beach girl....and other than falling 5 minutes after I got there, and having Colton slide in front of a moving car....it was fun! ;)

Peter & Dawson

The boys all got new sleds from Auntie April and Uncle Cliff, and they were so excited to break them in! Ethan followed the boys...and slid down any hill they did!

Dawson however, liked hanging out in the warm car. :) (I think he's a beach bum like mom)

The boys also rebuilt a snowman that Auntie Sara had done the week before....although, after they were done with it....it didn't look quite like the "Martha Stewart" one she had...Sorry Sara...leave it to my boys to give the snowman a mohawk!!

Happy New Year Everybody!!!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas was a lot of fun this year! All of the boys were into it this year. I wish I could capture those twinkles, sparkles, and excitement of a child. It truely is a gift!

This year, Eric made a point that I hadn't taken Ethan since he was a baby, and Dawson...well ever...to go see Santa. So, while he had the older boys, I hit the mall 2 days before Christmas. The boys were great, even though it was an hour long wait!

They were really excited...until we got up to Santa.

(At least they weren't crying! :) )

Christmas Eve...everybody got to open jammies...even Mom & Dad!

Christmas Morning

Santa Brought....

Colton - Bow & Arrow with Camo Attire

Zac - Lego Indiana Jones set

Ethan - Geo Trax Airplane set

Dawson - Radio Flier My 1st Scooter & Helmet

Christmas at Grama and Grampa Briner's

Big Wheels for the little boys!

As much fun as the holidays are....I'm glad they're only once a year!!! ;)

Yummy!!!

Every year I look forward to baking for the holidays! My favorite recipe is Rocky Road!! It's super easy, and super yummy!!! Here's how:

Johnna's Rocky Road

Ingredients:

*1/2 stick of butter

*1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk

*12 oz. chocolate chips

*1 jar of dry roasted peanuts

*1 bag of mini marshmallows

Melt butter on low until fully melted. Add in condensed milk, and then the chocolate chips until melted. Turn off heat, and add peanuts. Mix thoroughly. Then add marshmallows, and mix again. Spread in a buttered 9 x 13 pan, and chill. Cut into small squares, and serve!

Merry Christmas!!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree...how lovely are your branches

Every year I envision a beautifully decorated tree, full of ribbons and bows, matching ornaments...but, that is not the tree of the Briners. :) The boys are always so excited to decorate the tree! They love going through the ornaments, and remembering them. This year Ethan loved being able to hang them on his own.

This year Eric did also get me a small flocked tree, that I decorated in blue and silver. It was really fun "foofing" it up...but there is nothing like our family tree!