Thanksgiving, Wilde Style

We had a great day! We started with a family jog (the boys rode their bikes) which totally messed up Emilee's naps for the whole day, unfortunately. So, we had a cranky baby. But, we still had a great day, including much food, much pie, and ending with some Wii at the Horners. The kids had a great day. I had each child choose one dish to help with. Aidan made the deviled eggs. Ethan cooked the turkey, and Chandler made the chocolate pie crust and threw the potatoes into the pot as I chopped them. I think it helped them feel involved with the process and enjoy the meal a bit more. It was a fun Thanksgiving and we have much to be thankful for! Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Turkey for you, Turkey for me

I totally forgot to put Emilee in the turkey costume today (it's like I have four children or something!), so we'll just have to reminisce about when Chandler fit in the roaster pan. He was a cute little turkey!

Chocolate Mousse Pie Recipe

Here it is, by popular demand. . .

Oreo Pie Crust

2/3 of an oreo package, blended to crumbs (literally in the blender)

1/4 cup butter, melted

mix the two, press into a pie crust, bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Done! (and Yum, Yum!)

And yes, Dina - way better than store bought

Chocolate Mousse Pie

Combine in a saucepan, over low heat:
1/4 cup plus 2T water
1/4 cup plus 2T sugar

When Sugar is dissolved add:
4 oz semi sweet baking chocolate

When Chocolate is melted, stir a little into:
3 beaten egg yolks
Put back into the pot, bring to a gentle boil, boil two minutes more. Let cool to luke warm.

Beat
3 egg whites and 1/4 tea. cream of Tartar to soft peaks

Slowly add:
3 T. sugar

Beat to stiff peaks.
Fold chocolate and egg whites together.

Whip:
3/4 Cups heavy cream
Fold into chocolate.

Put into crust of choice. I prefer a homemade oreo crust. Refrigerate 6+ hours for best results.

Enjoy!!!

Note: If you're a wuss about eating raw eggs (love you Laura!!!), you can use the pre-pasturized ones :)

Now head over to KEREN's blog and leave her a comment begging for the custard pie recipe (and voting for your favorite baby name) and maybe she'll share for us all! Have yourself a chocolate bake off and then enjoy your chocolate coma!

Chocolate Pie

This could be a long story. . .

This morning I got the news that Ethan was expecting Chocolate Mousse pie for Thanksgiving. I wasn't planning on making one because Keren is bringing her super chocolate custard pie (equally divine!) and I think it's an awesome replacement. But then Ethan gave me that "But mom, it's Thanksgiving!" look and I'm headed to Freddy's today to buy the ingredients. You see, he comes by this very naturally. . . I am after all the infamous "whipped cream snob" of the Wilde bunch.

Long ago. . .

When Gordon and I were engaged we headed to Alaska for Thanksgiving so I could meet his family before the wedding. We headed out to Big Lake for a HUGE thanksgiving feast at Grandpa's giant cabin in the woods. It was so fun! So many kids, cousins, aunts, uncles, etc. Having grown up with essentially zero cousins (I never knew ANY, even though there are a couple I believe) we had VERY small holidays. Just the seven of us. Grandma, Grandpa, Mom, Dad, and the three kids. So, we had fancy meals! China, crystal goblets, fancy homemade pies (pumpkin, pecan, and ALWAYS chocolate mousse - and always with fresh whipped cream - my mom's favorite), the works. It was lovely!

At Grandpa's house in the woods, it was very different. Wonderfully different! There were like 35 people there! It was snowy outside! We all ate on paper plates with plastic silverware sitting on the floor around the fire or Christmas tree. It was wonderful, and I loved it! So many cousins I suddenly had!

After dinner Gordon asked me what kind of pie I wanted. He offered the same as I was accustomed to! Pumpkin, pecan, and chocolate mousse! Of course, I'm a chocoholic, so I said chocolate! But, when he brought it to me, it was not chocolate mousse. It was chocolate pudding, with cool whip on top. (if I had 30 grandchildren that wanted chocolate pie, I'd probably do the same thing, by the way!!!) Later, I told Gordon that someday I would make him a real chocolate mousse pie, with real whipped cream, and as the word spread I was forever known after that as the "whipped cream snob." I relish in that title. So be it. I am!

And since then I have introduced the Wilde kids to the joys of real whipped cream and true chocolate mousse. For years as a rebuttal Keren would always bring a "chocolate pudding pie" just like grandma Claudia's. And the first couple of years it got eaten by Joseph and Spencer and Keren. But in the past few years, it seems that I have converted even them! Last year Keren tried a new chocolate custard pie recipe and it was DIVINE! We loved it, and maybe even more than chocolate mousse! So when she offered to bring it again this year, I was all over it. Simplify. . . it's my new thing.

But, when Ethan explained that he's just GOT to have Chocolate Mousse pie (it wouldn't be Thanksgiving with out it!), I guess I can kind of relate. He comes by it naturally. . .

So I'm off to Freddy's. . .

Monday Night Football

Emilee is our little snuggle bug in the evenings after the boys go to bed. I thought she and Gordon looked so cozy the other night watching football on our "big screen.

9 Months Old

It's hard for me to beleive Emilee has been out of my tummy now for as long as she was in! That's always a funny milestone for me. And it's amazing how much faster the later 9 months go by than the first. She sure is our sweet little pretty kitty. The last few days Gordon and I have been saying that she's almost like having a kitten around. She's so content, but sometimes comes over for some loving and petting and snuggle, and then she's off to explore again on her own. I sure love my little kitten!

News Flash!!!

Extra Extra! Read all about it!
Eye witnesses report that Emilee Jane Wilde, the first daughter in the Gordon Wilde family, was seen yesterday doing big girl things. . .

Crawling on her knees (not her tummy)

And sitting up unassisted!!!

These were both first time accomplishments for the youngest little Wilde, and her brothers were beaming with pride at the new skills. When asked for a comment on how it felt to be such a big girl, Emilee said, "Aaaaahhhhooosh."

We couldn't agree more. . .

Is it Emilee?

Nope! It's my mom. I think they could pass for twins as infants. . ., especially in those black and whites. I think I know what my little Emilee is going to look like when she grows up! What do you think?

Little Buddies

This week we are watching our little friend Jonah in the mornings. Yesterday he arrived in this Lightening McQueen outfit, one that we happen to have as well. (thank you Costco!) Aidan has in the past refused to wear this to school, because it is "like pajamas." Anyway, he had his clothes changed pretty quickly and they were so cute waiting for the bus together I had to take a picture. They are cute little friends!

This is a pretty funny picture of Aidan, but you get the idea!

the Perfect Ending

Gordon started a little tradition a few months ago. Every Sunday night, as the weekend is ending, instead of just putting the kids to bed with a hug he stays and has a "chat." At first I kept thinking, "let those boys sleep for heavens sake!" But now it has become a little tradition and Aidan looks forward all day to "chat time." He always reminds us and makes sure we won't forget it's the special night.

Now I think it's awesome. Who doesn't need a little more time to talk with their kids?

The perfect ending to the week. . .

Feeling Creative

Today I was feeling creative, and I had a problem that needed solving. (yea!) Three weeks or so ago I purchased a running stroller off Craigslist, and I'm loving that I can get some exercise with my kids in tow. (Ethan and Aidan sometimes come for the run too, on their bikes - we're quite a parade!)

Then it got cold! Emilee got a new coat, and that solved part of the problem. She was warm on the top half. But the bottom half was a bigger problem for both babies. Emilee kept her blanket on most of the time, but Chandler was forever knocking his off, and dragging it on the ground. Then I had to stop, tuck it back in. . . over, and over, and over. So today I made this. . .

A deluxe, custom fit, fully lined with cozy fleece stroller boot!

They were very warm and cozy the whole ride, no knocking off, no coming undone! It was fantastic! And the best part was it cost me less than $10, plus a little time. Gordon is just sure I should go into business. :) The fluffy lining I chose made quite a mess in the bonus room. . . it almost rivaled the "blue fuzz disaster of '06." But that's a story for another time.

It's a. . .

And not because the sun is actually shining here. It''s actually pretty cloudy! But because this little bottom has been dry and clean for 4 days straight now. Captain Underpants has also been seen taking himself to the bathroom without being asked, and following through! I feel we're finally over the hump! Hurray! Down to one in diapers!

If you're confused by this. . . and thought he was done a while ago, we had a MAJOR relapse after a stomach bug. I think I never mentioned that here. After a month of NEVER making it to the toilet to poop, I caved, and put him back in diapers. . .

Keren's shower

Here are some images from Keren's baby shower. I could never have pulled it off this nicely without the help of my fabulous mother, who helped with the kids, the food, and the cleaning. We had lots of fun getting ready, and I am pretty sure Keren had a great time too! We served a pumpkin/cream cheese roll, a delicious chocolate cake, fruit, ginger cookies, and some yummy chocolates. Mmmm. . . . one of the many reasons I am hitting the gym a little harder this week!

Bowling

Today the kids were out of school and we really needed some fun. But it was raining! The bowling alley was just what we needed. It was empty for the most part, and everyone had a great time. The little guys (Chandler and Carolyn) did great with the bowling ramp, and the big boys were so helpful loading it with balls for us. We'll definitely be back!

Grammy

So I've been absent from the blog (I'm sure that's obvious). . . and the reason is because I've been having to much fun with my mom! We were incredibly busy while she was here, potty training Chandler (thanks, Mom!) planning and having Keren's shower, making yarn octopus with the boys, and just having fun on the side. We had a wonderful visit and we can't wait for her to come back again soon! We miss you Grammy!

More photos to follow soon. . .