Monticello

The first day of our trip we met Big C's Dad and family at Carter's Mountain Apple Orchard. This was the first time we've been apple picking since we lived in NY. There just aren't any orchards close to us. It is one of the things we miss most about fall in NY. We had a lot of fun picking apples, but it didn't feel like fall. It was in the 80's and very warm. Here are some pictures!

Then it was off to the hotel for some swimming and cable TV before hitting the sack. The next day we made it to Monticello. When I say we loved our visit to Monticello, that is an understatement! We had such an amazing time. It is one of the most beautiful places that we have visited. Seeing the history come alive in the boys eyes was the highlight of the trip for me.


Unfortunately, you are not allowed to take pictures in the house because that was our favorite part. When the tour guide showed us some maps and elk horns that were brought back by Lewis and Clark, C1's jaw dropped. He was so excited!

The little building was located in the middle of the garden's and Thomas Jefferson would go there just to read looking over the mountains.

The gardens were AMAZING!

They have a discovery room there for kids with replica's of the many things that Thomas Jefferson invented.

In the afternoon we went on a plantation tour. C2 and I were fascinated by that, but I guess J wasn't that interested!

At the conclusion of the trip we went to the gift shop of course. When the boys purchased their trinkets they were given $2 as change. They were very excited about that as you can see!

Thomas Jefferson was an amazing man on so many levels. I can't begin to go into all that he did and all that he loved here, but if you ever get a chance to go to Monticello or read up on his life and his passions, DO IT!

My New Kitchen Gadget!

I love kitchen gadgets, especially ones that allow me to make cool things for my boys! I have a great friend who is a Pampered Chef consultant and I recently order the cut and seal. I ordered it because everytime my kids pass the freezer section at the grocery store they beg for one of those Smucker Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches, you know the ones I mean, they are like $6.50 a box!!! I always say NO! for two reasons, 1 - they are too expensive and 2 - the list of ingredients is about two inches long.

Sooooooo....I buy this gadget and get to work.

First I made a round loaf of 100% whole wheat bread and began to slice it into layers.. (I didn't think to take pictures until after I already started cutting).

Next I placed a tablespoon each of peanut butter and jelly in the what I thought would be the center of each sandwich.

Then I used the cut and seal to cut the circle shape and seal each sandwich. Finally, I placed them in a freezer bag.

This weekend we did some traveling, (more about that in my next post) and in the morning I took out four sandwiches and by lunch they were thawed and my boys devoured them! They were a hit!

Happy Kids and Happy Mama!

Green Drink

What is green drink? Simple...a combination of fruits, veggies, and greens. For us it has become that random. But, many people have asked me how I make green drink. When I first started I followed this basic recipe:

1 cup green grapes
1 orange, peeled
1/2 Bartlett pear
1 banana, fresh or frozen
1 cup kale or spinach
1/2 cup water
2 cups ice cubes

Slowly, I began to just add what we had and wing it. It never has come out bad. I throw whole apples, carrots, pineapples, etc. in there. I have also added coconut milk, YUM! Our family does not choose to add any diary, but you could.

Here is a picture of a random green drink.

Before:

After:

A few tips:

1. Harris Teeter sells locally grown Kale for 99 cents a lb.

2. The only green my boys haven't liked is mustard greens...they said it was too spicy! We have used Kale, spinach, romaine, etc.

3. If your family is weary of a "green" drink, the first recipe will be decidedly green, you can always all frozen blueberries and make it purple.

4. Make sure you add a good amount of frozen fruit or ice, but it tastes best cold.

We would have green drink everyday if we could afford it, it has kept us healthy for over a year. We hardly get sick and if we do I will serve this several times a day until they are better, which usually happens very quickly. We always try to serve it up on Sunday mornings and Coop mornings before the boys interact with classes if other kids if you know what I mean, to prevent sickness.

Random Happenings!

We started our homeschool coop a few weeks ago. This is a picture of us on the first day! We always have a wonderful time! It is the highlight of our week!

Mimi asked the boys to build her a Lego Schoolhouse for a display table she was creating for church. It was a big task, bigger than we thought, but they did a great job! Check it out!

Crazy J!

C2 doing his literature reading while standing on a soccer ball!

J sleeping with his baby doll!

Last, but not least, J reading Better Homes and Gardens while potty training!

Have a good one!

Our trip to NY/NJ!

We went to NY and NJ a few weeks ago for the wedding!

On our way to visit mom and dad we always stop and see Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Paulette! This is a very big deal for the kids, they LOVE it there! We arrived around 9 and were greeted wit Aunt P's meatballs and pasta! The boys loved it! After a little chatting, we hit the sack and the boys enjoyed a big breakfast of bacon and eggs, a favorite. We spend the morning talking, playing games and in Uncle Jimmy's office (he has lots of cool things in there!) Since we arrived so late, we didn't think to bring in the camera, so we don't have any pictures of our time there...ugh...


Then it was on to the wedding! This ended up being a night out for Big C and I! Our sweet friends kept all four of the boys overnight! We had a wonderful time. Here are some pictures from the wedding!

Big C set up the camera on top of the TV in the hotel so we could get a picture of ourselves!

This is a picture of my little brother and I! Doesn't he look handsome! He was the best man.

Nothing like a wedding for family pictures! This is a shot of my parents and my brother and I. Mom looked great!

Group shot!


One day while we were there we met our good friends T and K and went to Lake Taghkanic. I went there a lot as a kid, but never appreciated how beautiful it really is. Though it was very cold, we all had a great time catching up and playing.

More group shots!

Another day mom bought us all tickets to the Dutchess County Fair. The kids went on tons of rides, ate tons of junk, and had tons of fun! My camera had a fuzzy lense so I didn't get lots of good pictures of the rides.

I love this picture, my brother, his son, and L outside the fun house!

Before we left we stopped at the home of Robert Livingston. We learned about him last year and this year. He worked with Thomas Jefferson on the Declaration of Independence and he worked with Robert Fulton on the Steamboat. The steamboat actually launched in the Hudson River on the property of this house. Again...amazing that I grew up here and never really appreciated the history.

Back of the house! Just beautiful!

View of the Hudson from the front of the house!



On our way home from every NY trip we stop to see Uncle Rey in NJ. He always takes such good care of us. He has a wonderful pool and a great backyard. The boys swam and had burgers on the grill and ice cream cake. We love visiting Uncle Rey!

I love this shot of L!

Big C!

Uncle Rey!

We had a great trip!