We had such a great Easter; an Easter church reception, church service, and the annual Weinard Easter Party. It was A LOT of fun and we had two very tired children at the end of the day.  I can't wait to see the annual picture that Chad and Ashley take of the party goers.
I think that Halleigh is in sugar shock today.

One funny story from the day: When we woke Halleigh up to get ready for church we were telling her that it was Easter and that we had a surprise for her in the dining room (her Easter basket). She wasn't really excited, so Miles asked her, "Halleigh do you know about what we celebrate for Easter?" She immediately brighten and said, "Yes, Jesus... hold on let me get my bible." She quickly turned to the Easter story in her Jesus Storybook Bible and I read her the Easter story. She sat there quietly and after she said, "Jesus is alive again," in the most matter of fact voice she has.  Then we went to see the Easter basket... Miles and I turned to each other and laughed; we must be doing something right! She was more excited about the Easter story in the bible than the surprise waiting for her in the other room.

 

Today was epiphany... at least at the Travis household. Today the Wise men arrived, never mind that they came from Hallmark, not the far east and never mind that epiphany was really last week, better late than never.  Their arrival also marked the completion of my nativity scene. YAY!

 

Continuing that tradition from last year, I would like to highlight some of my favorite Christmas gifts. Obviously, we are enjoying Miles' favorite present... the Wii.

I got a GPS for my car this year. We went to pick-up a new baby gate from craigslist today, and all I had to do was punch in the address, and away we went. I didn't print out directions or anything. It was great! and green!

Then we wanted to find another store and we typed that in and away we went to the next location.  Not one map had to be pulled out. Man, this new fangled technology is great.

 

I am serious people, it is an addiction. We rented Super Mario Galaxy and we are hooked.

In other news, Miles has to go back to work tonorrow, and we are all sad about that, we have had a very fun filled Christmas "break."

We had an AWESOME dinner tonight with our great friends, Chad, Ashley, Jack, and Louisa. Watching our kids play together is a joy that I hope continues for years to come.

I am calling UNC tomorrow about Beau's face... it is driving me crazy.  He woke up from his nap and was covered in blood. He aparently had been scratching in his sleep and got blood everywhere. I hope it comes out of his sheet in the wash.

Halleigh is swimming in Christmas presents, I don't know where we are going to put them all... but we sure have had fun playing with all the new toys!

Ben got home safely, he called and made it home in record time. I miss him already!

Kona is enjoying her one christmas present from Aunt Katie... TREATS!

What am I going to do tomorrow when I am all alone with these kids again? I can't remember what to do!!!

Dora guitar brought to you by Mama H. Totally rad tunes brought to you by HJ.

I am not planning on going to sleep tonight, I have a HUGE pile of presents to wrap and lots of fun to have today, so... wrapping will have to wait.

Recently, my friend, Kristy was telling me that her mom reads our blogs and has a few questions for me, but is too intimidated to leave a comment, since I don't actually know her.

Mrs. Kent, leave all the comments you want, we might as well know each other!  Besides, there are only a few people who read this blog, so I need all the comments I can get! :)

So one of the questions that needed answering was my Granny's recipe for Mint-Chocolate Pillows... here it is.

Blend together: 1 cup unsalted butter (or 1/2 cup butter and 1/2 cup shortening) and 3/4 c sugar

Beat in until creamy: 1 egg and 2 teaspoons of vanilla

Then add: 2 1/2 cups flour and 1/2/teaspoon salt

Press half the dough through a saw tooth plate on a cookie press or roll and cut into 2 inch strips. Place on ungreased baking sheet. Place pieces of chocolate cany bars (Andes Mints are my fav.) about 1/2 inch apart on the dough strips.

The following is what the strip of dough should look like with the chocolate in place.

 

Using second half of the dough, press another strip of dough over the candy and bake at 375 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

When it comes out of the oven it will look kind of like this with the chocolate melting out the ends.

 

While warm, cut into pieces so that each cookie has one piece of chocolate in it.

 

 

They are best if you let them cool completely before eating... I hope you enjoy them, they are my favorite!