One day I WILL sit down to read my Nikon D3000 camera manual in its entirety (believe it or not, I read my serger machine manual, hehe!) and sound like a photographer, but in the meantime, I’ve just been playing around with the settings while I take the shots. Anyway, I took the following pictures in sequence (and at my daughter’s expense!). I love the  lighting and the glow it gives off…my little cranky angel!

We’re a gadget family as you probably noticed here and here. Lately though we’ve been partial to everything Apple – iPhone, iTouch, iPad, Macbooks…. maybe an Apple TV soon?! Hint hint hubby!

After I got over the “wow it’s my shiny new phone that I can check my email, Facebook and Twitter on” phase I discovered the apps. (It’s a little embarrassing to admit but even though I’m in the IT industry the iPhone 4 is my first smartphone!) The commercials were right- there is an app for that! Of course some apps are better then others but it’s essentially endless for adults and kids.

Here are some of my kiddo’s favorites, whom at 2 years old is a pro at navigating the iPhone/iPad and YouTube to find games and videos.

Flashcards by INKids

She loves: the Bodies cards because the audio when you click on the person (they giggle, laugh, cry etc)

I love: There are tons of categories like alphabet, numbers, animals, shapes and more. That the word is said, but that you can also turn it off so you can ask them what it is. That it also has Spanish and since we go to Mexico quite often we all can learn! You can lock the app so they can’t leave it and erase some of your apps (not that I know right?! ha!) There’s also a few games like spelling and word match.

The iPhone app is free, the iPad app is $3.99 (HD and includes French/Spanish)

Peekaboo Barn

She loves: Not knowing what animal is going to be behind the door and making animal sounds.

I love: How she imitates the animal noises. So adorable!!

The app for iPhone and iPod Touch is $1.99 but there’s a lite version you can try. We’re actually using the lite version because she just loves the rooster and it’s easier to “find” it with only a few animals, but I do plan on purchasing it once she gets over the rooster phase.

Forrest Friends

She loves: Watching the animals fly when you press the keys on the keyboard. Playing hide and seek with the animals (the friends section) and coloring.

I love: That it introduces her to music and animals. That we animal noises together! She presses the key and then we go, “hoo hoo” or “oo oo ee ee.” There is also a story mode, but we haven’t made it past the first few pages. She just loves the keyboard. There are also a few coloring pages that keep her occupied for quite awhile.

The app is for iPad only. Best part- is it’s free!

Since Wednesday of last week, posting has been sporadic and  we have been in go go go mode. Why? I’ve got family in town! It has been a lot of fun catching up, hanging out and showing them around but oh so tiring as well. Not to mention the copious amount of food we’ve inhaled. I think I’ve eaten enough to hibernate for the winter!

We’re still go go going into this week so I just wanted to pop in to say hi and share a few photos since my blogging schedule is going to be off again.

So without further ado, here’s what we’ve been up to… (ohh I made a rhyme!)

From top to bottom, left to right: The beach – The races. Ok not really but doesn’t it look like Little Peanut is dressed for it? – feeding ducks that never came to shore. I think the army of kids scared em off – family picnic. That’s my little nephew showing the corn whose the boss!

I love this time of year - everyone’s into the holiday spirit, and even with how busy things can get, it’s fun to be part of the hustle and bustle. But what I enjoy the most is a reason to eat whatever I want without feeling super guilty about it…it is after all the holidays, right?

Food makes the holidays more festive, and I’d like to share some of my favorites (recipes courtesy of some Food Network hosts and other well known folks you may know!). This would be my ultimate holiday feast:

Spinach artichoke dip – this is a super quick and easy dip to start any holiday party. Who can say no to a recipe that takes only 5 minutes?!

Spiced pita chips – I’m actually making this on Saturday for a little get together at the house. Will go great with the dip.

Bay and lemon brined turkey – I made this for Thanksgiving for the past four years and have not been disappointed yet! The only thing I changed this year was adding apple cider to the brine. I really do think it made it even more flavorful!

Green bean casserole – I introduced this to my husband’s family a couple of years ago and it’s one dish that they’ve requested year after year! You can’t have turkey without your green bean casserole

Pumpkin cheesecake – Although I’ve never actually made this incredibly delicious cheesecake, my sister has (she even made it for me on the day my son was born!). This has got to be #1 on my list of holiday desserts. Maybe I’ll attempt to make it next year…

Balsamic chocolate truffles – I made these as gifts last year to give to friends and neighbors…they were a big hit!

This past weekend, Cathy and I attended the Fran and Andy Show – it was a concert held by two of the four members of the Scottish band TRAVIS. It was an awesome show that chronicled select songs that they recorded from the very beginning until now. They’re one of our favorite bands, and we have been to a total of four of their concerts…and met the band members afterwards each time.

It’s so hard to pick a favorite song, but I’d have to say “My Eyes” off their Boy With No Name record is way on top because it reminds me of my little boy. Other favs include “Sing”, “Closer”, “Slideshow”, “20″, “Writing to Reach You”.

My little sister introduced me to TRAVIS several years ago. I had heard a couple of their songs before, but they’re not mainstream so rarely would you hear them on the radio. Their genre is alternative/indie rock and they have a pretty unique and pleasing sound…but I’m biased!

Anyway, last week’s concert took me back down memory lane to the other concerts we attended:

@ First Avenue in Minneapolis – July 22, 2007

Our first TRAVIS concert…they were promoting their record “The Boy With No Name”:

@ The Moore in Seattle – November 17, 2007

 Still on a high from our first concert, Cathy, my sister and I decided to see them in Seattle:

@ The Fine Line – April 17, 2009

Our first TRAVIS concert after the kids were born; they were promoting their “Ode to J. Smith” record:

They’re working on another album so hopefully we won’t have to wait too long until they’re on tour again!

TRAVIS: Fran Healy (lead singer), Dougie Payne (bass guitar), Andy Dunlop (lead guitar), Neil Primrose (drums)

Tried & true recipes!

Before Cathy and I had kids, we had dinner and movie nights pretty frequently. The husbands really enjoyed it too because it was our opportunity to try something new and be creative with our dishes, whether the recipe came from one of our trusted cookbooks or from an episode of “Everyday Italian” or “Barefoot Contessa” that we watched earlier in the week.

Of course, Cathy and I did all the planning, first figuring out who would host that week. The host would prepare the meal and the other couple would bring wine or dessert which usually fit the theme for the night (i.e. Asian, American, Italian, Mexican, etc.). We even had movie themes…comedy, Johnny Depp, horror, action, and so on. We had our share of bad movie picks, but the evening was fun, nonetheless, sharing a good meal with good company.

Our dinner get-togethers (pre-baby!)

We haven’t had a dinner/movie night in a while, but with the kids being a little older and sleeping better at night, I think it would be fun to start them up again…my cookbooks will be happy to see me, and it has been a while since I’ve had a date with Johnny Depp!