Martian Death Flu

As I am typing this, Alex is in the next room coughing, Carl is coughing laying next to me and I just got done coughing. "The Martian Death Flu" has come to live with us and I just wish it would go away! Alex has been sick since LAST Thursday. Yes, that would be 12 days now! He got a cold from one of his many sources and it turned into a sinus infection and bronchitis.  So now he is on antibiotics. Carl went to the doctor today for what we thought was strep for all the pain it has been causing him. But, it turns out that it is just that same nasty cold, and his sore throat is from all the draining. (sorry, not a nice visual) So, now he is on a nasal spray. Jacob woke up the other morning with a nasty cough, but the cold must have decided he wasn't worth it and left thim that day. I have been hacking in the morning and evening, but my in between times are reletively cough-free which is a blessing because I get to take care of all the sickos! Here is to hoping this cold leaves soon and never comes back!

Trey's Got Talent!

Trey and his friend participated in a telent show shortly before Christmas. As this is my catching up time since we were so lame, I figured I would start back at the beginning and work our way down.

We were all very proud of Trey and the great job he did! Way to go Trey!

 Notice all the cheerleaders behind them, such studs!

Student of the Month

Jacob was nominated by his teacher for Student of the Month! Let me tell you, he has been vying for this honor since he was born, and his day finally came. When we went to basketball practice on the 2nd, Carl noticed that Jacob was nominated. His teacher had not let us or him know since she was waiting for it to be announced over the PA in the morning. So Jacob got a huge suprise and let everyone know how thrilled he was by screaming up and down the hall and dragging all his friends out of practice to see and scream with glee some more. Congratulations Jacob!!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Seems our family may not be in the minority as much as we thought. The radio station did a survey this morning trying to see how terrible snow really is. Seems that over 40% of local Michiganders thought that over 20 inches would be awesome! We at the Bellanger home agree. We felt totally overlooked when that snow storm went right over us and on to Washington. But, today seems to be our lucky day for the most part. Winter Storm warning is in effect for our area and we could see as much as a foot by tomorrow mid-morning! Hooray!!! In honor of this occasion, here are some wintry photos we have taken so far in our measly rationing of winter snow.

2010 at the Bellangers

Ok, so we have been super lame bloggers...again! Computer went kaput and we got busy.

We did have some fun though, and I do plan on downloading all the photos of it. Here is a general "how's life been" for us just to get caught up.

Carl- Depot, Depot, Depot
Chris- School, School, School
Jake- Scouts, Basketball, School
Alex- Wii, PS2, School

Yes, lame is what you call that! But, we have a goal for 2010 to be a more interesting and fun family. So, bookmark this if you haven't already. There will be many photo's to upload and new experiences to share with all our family and friends!!

A thought, by Alex

Not too long ago we were having FHE (Family Home Evening for all you non-Mormons) and were talking about the perilous times we live in. Carl, who was conducting, thought that he should clarify.

"Who knows what perilous means," asked Carl.

"I do," calls out Alex excitedly

"Ok Alex, what?"

"It means you don't have any pears!"

Get it?

Pear-less? Perilous?

Yeah, took me half a second too! Carl got it right away though and couldn't stop laughing.  Gotta love kids!

Cook-a-Doodle-Doo!

Last night the boys and I decided to put together a dessert that they had read about in the story "Cook-a-Doodle-Doo". In it, the great-grandson of the Little Red Hen decides he is tired of chicken feed and wants to cook some real food. He finds great-grandma's recipe book and together with his friends makes the most magnificent Strawberry Shortcake. It is a super cute book, with a great story and lots of cooking facts added in, but best of all was the recipe it included so that you could make you very own strawberry shortcake. So that is what we did!

Here is the book

After they helped me make the shortcake, Alex got to add the whipped cream.

Jacob was the strawberry man

Another layer of shortcake, and then more whipped cream. Yum!

Here comes Jacob with more strawberries

At last it was finished, hooray!

Our two chefs with their creation. After we finished making it, the four of us all sat down to read the story together. They we all got to taste our creation and boy was it good!

So, I highly reccomend the book, but in case you can't get it, I decided to include the recipe for all of you to try for yourselves. Enjoy!

Great-Granny's Magnificent Strawberry Shortcake

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
1 egg, beaten
2/3 cup milk
3-4 cups strawberries, washed and sliced
1 cup whipping cream, whipped

Preheat oven to 450 degrees farenheit. Sift flour, then sift together again with dry ingredients. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add egg and milk, stiffing by hand just enough to moisten.  Spread dough in greased 8 X 1 1/2-inch round pan, building up edges slightly.  Bake for 15-18 minutes. Remove cake from pan; cool on rack 5 minutes. Split in two layers; lift top off carefully. Alternate layers of cake, whipped cream and strawberries, ending with strawberries on top.