Happy New Year

Another fun New Year's Eve at the Rainforest Café. The kids
danced the night away... until 8pm. For all of the
pictures, look on the right side under "Our Photos" for
"2010 Winter". Happy New Year!

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Breakfast with Friends

This morning we hosted our annual Christmas breakfast for
our friends and their kids. It was a beautiful December
day - sunny and mild. Adelina's favorite part of the day
was when Allyson helped the kids perform the Gingerbread
man. It was adorable - wish I had it on video. Isabelle's
favorite part of the day was the punch in the Christmas tree
dispenser - ha ha! I think it was amazing that we were able
to wrap up the day with time outside on the trampoline - in
December! WOW! I think this officially wraps up the
Marinello Christmas series of events - now on to New Year's
Eve! For all of the pictures, look on the right side under
"Our Photos" for "2010 Winter".

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Merry Christmas

For all of the Christmas Day pictures, look on the right
side under "Our Photos" for "2010 Winter".

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Dear Adelina, Isabelle, Joseph & Jack

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Twas the night before Christmas...

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.

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Christmas Eve with Grandpa

Let the Christmas fun begin! Today marks the beginning of
the most fun 4 Christmas Days ever. It started with a
Christmas visit from Grandpa and lots of presents. The
girls got Crayola stuff and new robes. Joseph got this
year's Hess car/truck and loved it! He saw Joe install the
batteries with a screwdriver and thought it was the key for
the car - so now he walks around with the car and a
screwdriver to make it go. Too cute! For all of the
pictures, look on the right side under "Our Photos" for
"2009 Winter". Merry Christmas Eve!

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Kindergarten Christmas Sing-A-Long

St. Cecelia's hosted a Kindergarten Christmas Sing-A-Long
today. Classic songs like Jingle Bells, Santa Clause is
coming to town, etc. I love that you can actually say
Christmas in school at St. Cecelia's :)

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Isn't this the cutest snowman ever?

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Let it Snow!

It's the Sunday before Christmas and we didn't do any
wrapping or shopping. We didn't cook, bake, or set the
dining room table. We basically played in the snow all day!
In the morning it took 3 snow blowers to clear two
driveways - do not ask :) The kids and Johana built an
adorable snowman. After lunch we hit CHS for some small
hill sledding. Fantastic day.

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Walking in a (Nightime) Winter Wonderland

What a beautiful night! The snow started later than we
expected and the kids could not go to bed without playing in
some snow. The girls were great - gear on and ready to
play. We realized we didn't have snow boots or gloves for
Joseph, but we made due with dino rainboots and pink
mittens - he'll forgive us. Jack stayed inside nice and
warm with Aunt Geneen. This was Johana's first time really
playing in the snow, and she dove right in by making a snow
angel! No snow pants, no coat - just a vest and jeans -
BRRRRR!!!!!!!!!! For all of the pictures, look on the right
side under "Our Photos" for "2009 Fall".

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Similiar but Different

This is one of my most favorite pictures of Joseph ever (lower picture). He was 2 months and a smidge old. After posting the pics of Jack earlier today it reminded me of this pic of Joseph. So here they are together. Ironically, Jack is also now 2 months and a smidge and both pics were taken with the baby balancing on my knee sitting at my desk chair - ha ha! The boys are similar but definitely different :)

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Do you know who this baby is?

That's a trick question. Yes, of course it is Jack. But
out of no where today he started laughing and smiling at me.
That is very age appropriate but it caught me by surprise!
Coo Coo Giggle Giggle :)

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Dear Santa...

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Santa came early

Santa came to Miss Jenn's house early this year and tonight
we exchanged. Isabelle's face sums up the whole night.
Again, Miss Jenn was WAY too generous! Happy early
Christmas!

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Crockpot Chocolate Nut Clusters

I had a few random Internet "friends" leave comments or ping
me about the Chocolate Nut Cluster recipe that I made with
Adelina and Isabelle. It is a Crockpot recipe - super easy
and very delicious. I found the recipe a few years ago and
slightly modified but not sure where original came from.
They are really great. I actually won a cookie swap with
this recipe tonight so it's a big hit. Enjoy!

Crockpot Chocolate Nut Clusters

Ingredients

3 (16-ounce) jars lightly salted roasted peanuts (do not use
unsalted)
8-ounces German Baker's Chocolate
8-ounces Unsweetened Baker's Chocolate (chocolate not
powdered cocoa)
12-ounces semi-sweet chocolate
12-ounces milk chocolate chips
1 tablespoon vanilla
Non-Pareils or finely ground nuts

Directions

Use a LARGE Crockpot. Spray the inside of your crock with
cooking spray.

Layer all ingredients in your Crockpot - chocolates,
peanuts, then vanilla.

Cover and cook on low for 3 hours, or high for about 1.5.
NOTE: The chips on the top will not look completely melted
but that is OK, they will be fine.

Lay out wax paper on counter top or kitchen table.

After time is complete, turn off the Crockpot and stir very
well until all coated and combined.

Create bite-sized clusters using a small ice-cream scoop
with the squeeze handle or just use two spoons. NOTE: I
use the Oxo Good Grips Small Cookie Scoop - this is the
perfect size for these and general cookie making :)

Top with Non-Pareils or finely ground nuts and then let cool
at least 3-4 hours. I like to leave them overnight and
package the next morning.

PS - if you need it, here is the scoop I have from Bed Bath:

Oxo Good Grips Small Cookie Scoop
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=102818

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Basement Facelift In progress

After moving, a renovation, and too many floods to count
this is what our basement looked like. But check back
soon - total organization took place and it looks amazing
now!!! Stay tuned!

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Tonight we SHALL swap cookies

... or chocolate nut clusters :) The girls had a ball
making my chocolate nut clusters for the swap tonight.
Isabelle says she didn't steal any to eat while I wasn't
looking but the chocolate on her face tells me otherwise :)

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Baking Holiday Cheer

Decorated cookies tonight with Matthew and Morgan. J5 even
participated - icing and all!!! Kids had a blast although
not sure how many you'd want to eat :) Most were totally
covered in candy and icing - they looked "extra" pretty. My
girls asked if they could bring some to Mrs. Lucas so we
just baked and delivered our holiday cheer for today.

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