2025 Summer Vacation - Wrapping up Michigan - 2025/07/20

Let's wrap up this summer Michigan trip with all the rest of the things we did that weren't part of the birthday celebrations. 

We joined the Federle's at Buffalo Wild Wings for their Bottomless Apps deal. 

Winter Park Library - First ever America250 Book Tasting - 2026/02/26

A Book Tasting? Am I reading that right? We've done plenty of taste tests, and even did our first ever movie tasting before for Home Alone this past winter. But a book tasting? Theresa and I had talked about it with the kids, trying to think of what books might be good source material. Harry Potter, Ranger's Apprentice (stews, breads, and coffee), or Willy Wonka even. But we'd never gone all the way through to pulling it off. 

And before we could do it, someone else did it for us! The Winter Park Library had its first ever Book Tasting event on February 26th, 2026! 

2025 Summer Travels - Surprise 50th Birthday Party for Tyler! 2025/07/12

We've already had two small celebrations for Tyler's 50th birthday, but here's the big reason we're here. Months ago, Aubrey wanted to do a big surprise party for her dad's 50th birthday, and this weekend is the big celebration! 

2025 Summer Vacation - Traveling to Michigan for Tyler's birthday, plus lots of Chuck E Cheese - 2025/07/10

Time to continue our summer of travel. We're leaving Chicago and headed to Michigan! 

2025 Summer Vacation - Travel to Chicago and Six Flags Great America - 2025/07/09

Continuing on with our 2025 Summer travels, time to move on to the next place. 

Happy Valentines Day Weekend! - Gram and Pop Pop visit, Presidential Classic, Cat Cafe - 2026/02/14

Happy Valentines Day weekend! It's an especially fun one because we've got visitors! Gram and Pop Pop have flown down from Colorado to hang out with us all weekend! They got in early enough to see both Ian and Alli at gymnastics practice, and were impressed by their improvements since they last saw them. 

2025 Holiday Challenge - Homemade Hot Chocolate, Marshmallows, and Whipped Cream

Since 2014, I've challenged myself to make something creative and unique that I've never done before every holiday season. 

It started when my Disney friend Ariel shared Disneyland's recipe for Gingerbread Cookies, and I thought to myself "I've never made homemade gingerbread. I should try it!" Since then, I've been making different treats every holiday season that I've never attempted before! Things like Homemade Candy Canes (2015), Fudge (2016), Peppermint Marshmallows (2017), Figgy Pudding (2018), Eggnog (2019), A Holiday Yule Log (2020), English Toffee (2021), and Pepperidge Farm Cookies (2022). In 2023, I branched out and instead of making something to eat, I made something to wear. With some help from my mother, I learned how to sew a Santa Hat (2023), so I made a few for me and even more for the rest of the family. Last year, I made those tasty Peppermint Butter Mints (2024) that melt in your mouth, which were pretty delicious. 

This year, I was thinking to myself about tasty holiday beverages. I've already done homemade Eggnog, which is the classic Christmas drink. But there's another one that I think I could do, along with all the things that go into it. Hot Chocolate! 

Plus homemade marshmallows and whipped cream! It's going to be delicious!