Thursday, December 24, 2009

It's Christmas 2009!!


I am really excited about Christmas this year!  Although, last Christmas we had Jordan (our 1st grandbaby) , she was only 4 weeks old.  This year, even if she doesn't know what is going on, it is just so much more fun with her!  From the day we put up the tree and she pointed at it as if to say..."Nana, Why do you have a tree in your house?" ... to watching her open her presents... it is just pure JOY!!  Her little eyes light up and just melt your heart!

Jordan ~ 13 months













                

Jason and Jordan


Krista and Dillon


Peepaw and Jordan




Jordan Lilah Koder
All this Christmas stuff just wears a girl out!!


Jordan


Jared, Jordan, Jason


Peepaw and Jordan

I don't think that my family will ever really know how much that I love them!!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Jordan's Birthday Party


Jordan and her friend Brianna at Jordan's first birthday party.



Uncle Jared cooking burgers at Jordan's birthday party, Jordan with all of her presents.


Jordan opening presents (left), Aunt Shannon, Aunt Linda, and Lauren


Happy Birthday!!  Cake time....Jordan had 4 cakes to choose from!!

Jordan Turns "1"









Jordan Turns "1" 

We had a birthday party for you at Nana and Peepaw's house.  There was LOTS of people at the party for you,  Nana and Peepaw's house was FULL of people who love you bunches!!   Peepaw and Nana, Daddy and Mommy, Uncle Jared and Aunt Shannon, Aunt Krista, Mamaw Bivens, Aunt Linda and Uncle Philip, Lauren, Aunt Cindy and Uncle Art, Uncle Romie, your cousins, Chris, Victroria, Papas, Ian, and a bunch of your friends from the daycare that you go to and your mommy works at.  You got lots of new outfits and a bunch of new toys to play with! 

Here are the things that you are doing now!!

  • You are saying these words...Dada, Mama, Bye Bye, Uh Oh, and Peepaw says that you say Nana!!
  • You walk several steps on your own
  • You like toys that you can push around and walk behind
  • You like to eat: mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, chicken, green beans
  • You love to play with Gracie (the dog)
  • Your best friend is Brianna at the daycare
  • Your like to scream with Aunt Krista
  • You stare at Dillon and Uncle Romie
  • Your favorite thing is to dance to music

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

New York ~ November 2, 2009


Top of the Rock ~ Rockefller Center New York City

This was a beautiful view of Central Park.  You could see everything, from the 70th floor roof, a 360 degree view of New York City.  Just beautiful!


New York City Marathon~ Brooklyn 2009



Brass Monkey ~ New York City


Blenda Mom and Linda in New York City


Times Square ~ Manhatten



Times Square

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Jessica's Wedding ~ New York Oct 30 - Nov 2, 2009

On November 1, 2009 my niece got married, this is the Wedding Cake that I made and Jessica's neighbor and I decorated.  It was a red velvet cake, as requested by Mike.   It was decorated with fresh Hydrangeas and Baby  Blue Love Birds.  The bouquet was created by me (Blenda), and Lauren (Jessica's Sister- in-Law).

This is Linda's (my sisters) reaction to Jessica.  She is so happy for Jessica!!  She looks a little proud huh?


Philip and Linda (Jessica's mom and dad), ready to go to dinner at Dressler's.  This is the same restaurant that Jessica and Mike met at on their first date....On right Mom, me (Blenda) and Linda, in limo off to dinner.



Jessica and I and Linda and Philip at Dresslers.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Our Family's Thanksgiving Traditions

Here are a couple of our family's Thanksgiving traditions...along with all of the other traditional foods, these are some favorites.  You can view all of my recipes at http://www.blendalovestocook.blogspot.com/



Green Bean Bundles

These are SO yummy! Everyone always wants the recipe!! :)

Ingredients:

2 or 3 cans of whole green beans **
Bacon slices (cut in 1/2 - 1/3rd)
6T of butter
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1 tsp of garlic powder
1 t salt & pepper

Wrap a handful of green beans around a half a slice of bacon. Secured with a toothpick if the bacon is to short ...That makes one bundle - keep going for as many bundles as you would like to have.

Melt the butter and stir in one cup of brown sugar (more or less depending on how sweet you would like it). Add a teaspoon of garlic salt and slat and pepper to taste

Bake 350 until the bacon is done

** About 4 cups, (also the whole green beans look fancier, but the cut ones work fine too!)




Stuffing Balls

Turkey giblets
8 tablespoon butter
4 ea celery tops
20 sl bread
16 oz pepperidge farm stuffing
2 cup chicken stock
2 each onions, chopped
2 cup chicken stock

Boil giblets, butter, and celery tops until done. Toast breads, then break toast into small pieces. Add Pepperidge Farm stuffing to toast.

Cook chopped onions in stock. When tender, add to bread mix. If dressing is too dry, add chicken stock for additional moisture.

Preheat oven to 350. Form into serving-size balls and place in buttered baking dish. Spoon additional broth over balls. Bake 1 hour or until brown.

This dressing is moist and is very easy to serve. If I have too much for Thanksgiving I freeze uncooked balls and use them at Christmas which helps speed up dinner that busy day.



Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Jordan's 1st Halloween!


Jordan ~ this is your 1st Halloween and Nana had to miss it!  Peepaw took these pictures of you for me.  I had to go to New York with Aunt Linda and your Great Grandma to go to Jessica's wedding.  I hated that I had to miss this first Halloween for you ...I bought you this little "Lady Bug" outfit for you to wear...You look so CUTE!!


Aww...how cute are you!!

Looks like you were comfortable, you went right to playing! I think you wore this to the daycare that day.

I am not real sure why you are crying here....I will have to check this out!!  Can't have my baby crying...was you missing Nana?

Monday, October 26, 2009

Fall Festival at Wildwood Park



Fall Festival at Wildwood Park October 25, 2009.  Jordan with Peepaw Bill, he was holding her so I could get a picture of her standing up, all she wanted to do was sit down and crawl to me!


I love this little dress, it is reversible, and has a turkey on the other side and is brown/white baby gingham!  It is almost to small, I hope she can still wear this on Thanksgiving!!





Not cooperating to much here!  Couldn't get a smile for the life of me!!



Jordan ~ 11 months ~ Fall 2009

Jordan 11 MONTHS!













Jordan Lilah Koder 11 months....these pictures were taken in the Crouse's front yard....she is just too cute!!



She loved the grass....wasn't sure what to do with it, but loved it!
Look at her little hand in the pic at the right!!



Ms. Edye decorates so wonderful...her house is like a perfect place to take pictures...had friends ask WHERE DID YOU GET THOSE MADE??