I Am So Glad That I Live In The USA Because...

Africa is too hot and dangerous. I don't want to live in South America because there are huge unstoppable ants that if you were so unfortunate as to fall down during a swarm, I assure you, your fate is sealed. I don't want to live in Australia because it's too perilous. I am so glad I live in the USA.

Written by Dwight Hein

I Am Thankful For

Gravity
Smart People
Mom and Dad
Brothers, Sisters and Cousins
Food, Shelter, Drink and Warmth
Fun Toys, Nice Clothes, Clean Skin
Freedom, A Good Education, A Big House and Friends

by Dwight Hein

AJ-ism

"Please pass the potato sauce." (AJ said as he pointed to the gravy at our Thanksgiving dinner)

Thanksgiving Day

 The Thanksgiving table is set.

 Gabe was a huge help keeping the little ones entertained before dinner.

 AJ is ready to eat.

 Cheers to Gregg on his birthday!

 Grace looking lovely.

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Birthday to Gregg!

The Servant of Two Masters

Grace (playing Beatrice) on the left with her good friend Emily (playing Clarice) on the right.

Beatrice, disguised as her dead brother.

Beatrice revealing her true self.

Happy Birthday Gregg

Curried Cauliflower

Please don't knock cauliflower until you try this dish. It is so good. Try it and you'll agree!

Curried Cauliflower (presented whole, cut like a cake)



Wash and trim one head cauliflower; leave head and core intact.
Steam till tender-crisp.


Heat oven to 400°.


While cauliflower cooks, mix ¼ cup mayonnaise and 1 tablespoon curry power till smooth. (Guessing. I don’t measure; better to make too much and use any leftover for something else.)


Drain cauliflower, and place in an oven-proof baking dish (8" round, 8x8 square, or similar) that has been sprayed. (Pam)


Cover the cauliflower with the curry-mayo mixture, like frosting a cake.


Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese all over the mayo till coated. Place in oven and watch carefully – 5 minutes or so, till bubbly and golden.


Cut 1" wedges almost through, but attached enough at the bottom to keep the head shape.


Serve immediately in the baking dish. Tongs will hold the wedge and pull it free to serve.

Cosette's Birthday

 Cosette informed me that she doesn't care for cake. So, we made white chocolate chip cookies to serve as the cupcake and put chocolate peanut butter cup ice cream on top with whipped cream and sprinkles.

 Birthday Menu: Homemade Olive Pizza. Garlic Bread, Corn and Strawberries

 Blowing out the candles... Happy Birthday Cosette!

Gingerbread Martinis

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, shake together:

1-1/2 oz. Vanilla-flavored Vodka
1-1/2 oz. hazelnut liqueur
1 Tablespoon butterscotch schnapps (I highly recommend putting this schnapps in hot chocolate too!)

Strain into an 8 ounce glass filled with ice; add 4 ounces ginger beer and a splash of dark rum.
Makes 1 drink.

Happy 7th Birthday Cosette

 The day you were born was a beautiful snowy morning. We thank God for you each and every day.

 Cosette Elizabeth Hein

 Dwight and Cosette on her birthday. They've been best friends ever since.

We love you so much Cosette!

Star Wars

Dwight and Cosette love Star Wars. I think it's hereditary. Lots of uncles and cousins on both sides of our families think Star Wars is pretty cool. So, tonight when Dwight and Cosette were watching an episode of Star Wars-The Clone Wars, Cosette became very upset. Apparently there was discussion on that particular episode about ending the war and coming to a peaceful solution. Then I heard...

Cosette: What? What's the point of peace? If there isn't a war anymore than what's the point of the show? It wouldn't be called Star Wars, just Star.

Dwight-isms...

While snuggling with me on my bed, I asked Dwight to go downstairs and check on Cosette and AJ for me. Dwight replied, "I'm a parasite. I can't leave my host."

Should I be offended? ;)

Let It Snow

 AJ could not wait to play in the snow today. It's all he talked about last night and this morning.

 Snow Angel or taking a nap. Either way, he's a happy camper.
 Shovelling the yard. We're training him early. Someday, he'll shovel our sidewalk.
Snow!

Cosette the Pilgrim

Cosette and her first grade class invited the Indians over for a Thanksgiving Feast.

 AJ wearing his fine Indian vest was so excited to eat with the Pilgrims I thought he would never sit still long enough for a picture.

 AJ's preschool teacher is the Indian in the middle. Her name is Miss Rosanne. (On a side note, she is one fabulous preschool teacher.We love her.) The lovely centerpieces-Teepees that the first graders made out of tortilla shells. Very Nice...

Our Pilgrim. Thank you Mimi for making yet another awesome costume.

Cosette's Thanksgiving Feast

The Scene: Cosette's Bedroom

Cosette (desperately trying to distract AJ and get him out of her bedroom so he doesn't ruin her carefully prepared Thanksgiving Feast she is making)

Cosette: Why don't you go and hunt for deer all around the house, upstairs and downstairs? And then bring the deer back to me,ok? Go ahead, go hunting. Here's your gun. (Insert very loud and obnoxious pop gun here!)

( AJ goes hunting for 10 seconds and comes right back.)
AJ: Here you go Cosette. Some deer for you.

Cosette: Oh, I need more deer than that. Just throw those in a pile and get out of here. Make sure you go hunting for at least 10 minutes this time.

AJ: Umm...Where's your pink teddy bear?

Cosette: You're not hunting my pink teddy bear, AJ. Just deer, ok?

AJ: I'm not going to hunt and kill the pink teddy bear, I just want to peel the skin off of it.

Cosette: No, AJ!

AJ: Ok, I'll just go hunting for other teddy bears and dinosaurs. (Pop gun going off all over the house.)

And... scene.

Cosette's New Do

AJ 's Art Work

DeAnn & Gregg

Hein Halloween 2010

 My 3 little pumpkins. :)

 AJ had a good time designing his Jack-O-Lantern face for his pumpkin.

 Cupcake decorating...

 Dwight's Jack-O-Lantern

 Jack-O-Lantern Pizza for supper (Thanks Papa Murphys!)

 Cosette and AJ decorated the cupcakes for me.

A Princess, a Police Officer and a Firefighter...

AJ said...

"Mom, Dwight just gave me another FingerButterCup (aka Butterfinger). My hands are messy now so I need your Handtizer." (aka Hand Sanitizer). I love 4 year old language.