Cinco de Mayo Celebration!

It's the 5th of May again! I always love to celebrate this holiday! This year between having the trip to Kansas, going to camp this weekend, it being on a Sunday and a bridal shower this afternoon,  I threw a little something together quickly! I didn't take many pictures but we all had a good time!

My Mom supplied Sombreros!

We brought out the bouncy house for the kids :)

Mackenna and her sombrero hairclip.

A few of our party guests....



The boys are use to the Cinco de Mayo photoshoot by now!!

Easter

Last weekend we enjoyed a trip down to MA to spend Easter morning with my sister Laura,her family and Nonni. We enjoyed a relaxing Saturday night with Laura making an wonderful dinner and waiting for the Easter Bunny to arrive!

It's not Easter without the bunny cake!!



Woke up to find the Easter Bunny had come!

As soon as Jack discovered candy in his basket he hid behind Pete in hopes we wouldn't see him so he could eat it, LOL! Well, it's Easter he got chocolate at 7:30am!

We did a quick egg hunt inside then a bit later when outside to find more!

They had fun!

with Nonni.....

The best pic I could get of the two of them together!

dying Easter eggs!

Lola & me :)

A family pic before we head back to Maine.

After we left Laura's we headed back home and over to Grammy & Grampy's for another egg hunt!

We ended the day with the annual Easter meal at Ken's!

We all really enjoyed Easter this year!

New Years Eve

Finally getting around to posting about New Years Eve! It was a fun, low key night for us. This year Pete made us an AMAZING dinner!

Our dinner right after Pete browned it...ready to go in the oven!

Since Pete and I had to drive to the Cape the day before Christmas Eve, we exchanged our gifts with Ben, Bethany and Mackenna on New Years. The boys were very excited to see an excavtor they can sit on in their sandbox!

Mackenna opening her present!

Katelyn & Cynthia arrived to join us for the evening and the silliness came natural :)

Starting our first course, French Onion Soup!

Everyone LOVED dinner!

Main course, seriously it was such a good meal!

After dinner, Nonni, Poppi, Grammy & Grampy stopped by for a couple hours to join us!

It was touch and go a few times but we actually made it to midnight!!!

 

Happy 2013!! I feel amazing blessed with a wonderful husband & sons. A fabulous support system of family and friends. It is going to be a positive year for us!

Kicking off the Christmas Season

We had a wonderfully busy weekend to kick off the Christmas season for us! I just LOVE this time of year! The boys have been really into it and I think it's great that they already love Christmas time:)

We started off Saturday morning going to Breakfast with Santa at The Festival of Trees. We have gone the last few years and this year we were joined by the Sullivan's and Brown's.

 A tree made out of books by the Walker Library. I loved it!

 Peter, Jack & Cayla watching the trains.

 Jack with his bestie Owen.

 Jack's a big fan of Owen's Dad, Eric, as well!

After having fun at the Festival of Trees, we went to Holiday at Hadlock put on by the Portland Sea Dogs. So glad my sister in law Cynthia pulled it together. Jenny, Craig & Cameron came down also! We all had a blast!

 

They had a station where you could make smores!

Listening to the band, they all danced throughout the event!

Santa and his elf arrived!

They has a room set up where you could decorate a baseball that had been used by the Seadogs.

with Slugger!

On Sunday morning, We went for the 5th year to Staples Tree Farm to cut down our Christmas Tree. When we pulled in and saw Santa, Peter asked if we were at the North Pole!

 

Getting a candy cane from Santa!

Peter was excited to cut down the tree!

Everyone found a tree!

Peter and Jack "helping" Daddy :)

The 2011 group ;)

Citrus Turkey Brine

I have made my own brine for the last few years now. We will always brine our turkeys. I believe many of you know Pete and I have a love for the Pioneer Women :) So when I was going to make a turkey this year, I decided to try her brine. Glad we did!

Pioneer Woman Brine
Ingredients

• 3 cups Apple Juice Or Apple Cider
• 2 gallons Cold Water
• 4 Tablespoons Fresh Rosemary Leaves
• 5 cloves Garlic, Minced
• 1-1/2 cup Kosher Salt
• 2 cups Brown Sugar
• 3 Tablespoons Peppercorns
• 5 whole Bay Leaves
• Peel Of Three Large Oranges

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large pot(a very large pot). Stir
    until salt and sugar dissolve. Bring to a boil, then turn off heat and cover.
2. Allow to cool completely(this will take a few hours), then pour into a large brining bag or bucket. 
    Place uncooked turkey in brine solution, then refrigerate for 16 to 24 hours. Since it's cold enough 
    in Maine, we usually just place it outside to save space in the fridge.
3. When ready to roast turkey, remove turkey from brine. Submerge turkey in a pot on in a clean sink
    with fresh cold water. Allow to sit in clean water for 15 minutes to remove excess salt from the
    outside. Discard brine. Remove turkey from water, pat dry, and cook according to your normal
    roasting method.