Sidney turns 3!!!!

My nephew Sidney turned 3 on Sunday (the 24th).  He lives in WA state so I don't get to see him very often at all. It makes me so sad that all this time is passing and he just keeps changing and growing so much, like all these little kids do! This year for his birthday my sister told me that he is obsessed with Jake the Pirate so we sent him some Jake goodies for his big day, and I guess they were a hit!  I love this video of him on his new Jake scooter. I just hope that next year we will all be together to celebrate.  We love you Sidney!!!!

Taking a ride on his new Jake scooter.

Modeling his new Jake birthday pajamas!

Merry Christmas...

New recipes made this weekend:

Garlic Feta Hummus

Garlic Feta salad dressing

Greek Chicken

Chocolate Dipped Pretzels

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Great holiday weekend....walked to the creek this morning with family and let Oscar run wild. Miles was in the sled and not a fan of the snow or cold. Cinnamon rolls one morning, blueberry pancakes the next. It was a perfect snowy white Christmas with my little family. These are the moments I never want to end. Miles opened his 2 presents from Santa and a handful of presents from my family on Christmas Eve. He has gotten really good at opening presents and letting out a big "wooooow" after he gets it open...then tosses the present aside to tackle the next.

He also enjoyed his time with Auntie Kay Kay jumping off the ottoman in our living room and entertaining her with all of his new toys.

Mora Visits

Last weekend my sister Mora flew in from Olympia to spend a little time with her big sister. Our Mom was here as well, fixing up the old house in Saint Paul before the renters moved in. We worked our butts off cleaning and preparing for their arrival. The house looks great and the people seemed very excited to move in. I should have taken some pictures! Oscar was happy to have his Auntie visit, and of course his best friends Edgar and Millie, and let's not forget Grandma Mindy too!

Edgar, Millie, & Oscar

The dogs tend to get exhausted after spending the day together. Looks like someone got kicked out of his bed.

First Family Portrait

That's right, this is the first ever Croarkin family portrait. It only took 28 years to get my entire family at the same place, at the same time, with a camera in front of their faces.
And then there was one more, with Tim. Being he is now legally related to us, we felt he should be included in another first family portrait. I mean, who knows how many more years it will take for an opportunity like this to happen again, so we had to get it done then and there.