Savanna's got moves!

This is the BEST!!! I was watching this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haHXgFU7qNI when Savanna came over and started dancing then she wanted to do it again so I ran for the camera.



This is now her favorite song... She dances every time it comes on.

Sorry it's been so long!

I can't believe we are half way through Feb already! We have been so busy.

Savanna is learning so fast... Her favorite story right now is Hello Baby by Mem Fox. She loves it so much she now reads it with me!

Christmas trip to Merced

What a busy week!


Savanna playing the piano at great grandma's house


Opening presents at great grandma's house


Jacob loves holding baby Kaydence!


Opening presents at great grandma's house


Jacob with baby Kaydence again... every chance he gets :)


Jumping with the cousins!


Savanna wanted to wear mommy's boots!


Ready to get home!

Santa Pictures

Kaci and I took all 5 kids to the mall to take pictures with Santa! What a trip that was.

She met us at Grandma Recies house to get the kids ready...
Savanna loves to hold baby Kaydence! She feels like such a big girl.


Jacob looked so big... not at all like my little baby. He's my little man!


Analise and Lilly looked so pretty all dressed up


Savanna loves to play with the stuffed animals at grandma's house...


and dance with Aunt Kaci!


Dinner @ Panda Express a few games at the arcade...

We lost Lilliana!



End Result
A beautiful bunch of happy kids...



and Santa was glad we were done too!!!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Chad showed us the wonderful experience of cutting down our own Christmas tree. The kids had a great time running around in the trees. Jacob even helped Daddy cut the tree!






Last night we got about 3 inches of snow at the house that actually stuck around until morning. Savanna played until her hands were red and I forced her back in the house to warm up... Jacob on the other hand wouldn't even set food outside.




Our First Snowman!

The kids are doing so great at gymnastics! I was so happy that Daddy and Uncle Noah could be there to see them! Their wonderful & very patient coach Andie is in the background also.


Savanna has great balance she walks the beam like a pro


Jacob is so strong, he holds himself up while Uncle Noah helps him touch his toes


Jacob would rather be in the foam pit!


They love to dance!!!


Savanna wanted to share her ice cream with Papa

Pumpkin Cheesecake

I made this for Thanksgiving this year as a special treat for Noah! Combining his 2 favorite desserts Pumpkin Pie and Cheesecake. It was so good he wanted it for breakfast the next morning! We also made an extra one for him to take home. It was such a big hit I wanted to share it.

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Cook Time: 2 hr 45 min

Level: Intermediate

Yield: 12 servings

Times:

Prep 10 min
Inactive Prep 9 hr
Cook 2 hr 45 min
Total:11 hr 55 min

Ingredients

12 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 3/4 cups sugar
Salt
2 pounds cream cheese at room temperature
1/4 cup sour cream
1 15-ounce can pure pumpkin
6 large eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Toppers
2 cups sweetened whipped cream
1/3 cup toasted pecans, roughly chopped

Directions

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Brush a 10-inch springform pan with some of the butter. Stir the remaining butter with the crumbs, 1/4 cup of the sugar and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Press the crumb mixture into the bottom and up the sides of the pan, packing it tightly and evenly. Bake until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool on a rack, then wrap the outside of the springform pan with foil and place in a roasting pan.
• Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Meanwhile, beat the cream cheese with a mixer until smooth. Add the remaining 2 1/2 cups sugar and beat until just light, scraping down the sides of the bowl and beaters as needed. Beat in the sour cream, then add the pumpkin, eggs, vanilla, 1 teaspoon salt and the spices and beat until just combined. Pour into the cooled crust. Gently place the roasting pan in the oven (don't pull the rack out) and pour the boiling water into the roasting pan until it comes about halfway up the side of the springform pan. Bake until the outside of the cheesecake sets but the center is still loose, about 1 hour 45 minutes. Turn off the oven and open the door briefly to let out some heat. Leave the cheesecake in the oven for 1 more hour, then carefully remove from the roasting pan and cool on a rack. Run a knife around the edges, cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight. Bring the cheesecake to room temperature 30 minutes before serving. Unlock and remove the springform ring.
  
• To finish, place a dollop of the whipped cream on each slice and sprinkle with the toasted pecans.

Recipe courtesy Food Network Magazine
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/almost-famous-pumpkin-cheesecake-recipe2/index.html

Savanna's first bike

Savanna helped daddy put the training wheels on her new bike!



Daddy showed her how to pedal and steer...



She's still working on the pedals


She had a great time with her new bike!

Jacob's first Mohawk

Uncle Noah is so proud!

AYSL under 12 CHAMPIONS!

The Atwater Victory team played a great championship game this morning against McSwain Lusitano's. The final score was 4-2 in favor of Victory. Congratulations Noah!!! We love you!

Our champion!!!