Getting a Clue

Before getting into today's post, I have to copy part of Vicky's comment from yesterday here... because I found it HILARIOUS and I want to make sure none of you missed it. I swear it made me laugh  multiple times yesterday when it would pop into my head:

Out of the blue the other day in the car Nolan says "Mom, do you think Sara knew Riley had issues like getting riled up when visitors come and that's why she named him Riley? Like you named me Nolan and you have to say NO to me all the time!" HA!

Now if that didn't crack you up, there's something seriously wrong with your funny bone.

Ok, now onto today's post...

On the Monday before Christmas my brother Steve and his family were coming to visit on their way home for the holiday, and the funny thing about my pup is that he senses when change is coming. I kid you not, he sat like this in front of the window for a good part of the day just waiting for them to arrive. I kept trying to tell him they left a little late, but he didn't seem to mind keeping a lookout.

I was so excited to see them and also thrilled because that was the morning I discovered my fantabulous new camera waiting for me outside my door. I spent a great part of the day playing with the controls and settings and getting ready for the cute little people to arrive so I could bombard them with kisses and opportunities to pose.

It was shortly before they arrived that I heard the news my Aunt Judy had passed away... and in the confusion of that news, them arriving and phone calls from my sisters, I had set down the camera and forgot all about the fact that I had messed with the settings.

And switched it to manual focus.

Oops.

So, I spent a great part of the evening snapping photos of the kids opening presents and hanging out (thinking I'd have a ton of good material for a blog post), and Steve played with the camera and did the same. And because the auto focus wasn't set they were some of the worst pictures I've ever taken in my life. Blurry doesn't even begin to cover it. So my conclusion is that new camera + grief + cute kids = blurry shots.

There were a few lucky ones that randomly worked, so here's the story of our night in three photos or less...

This, people, is a volcano cake. And if you've never had it... you are so missing out. It cooks in the microwave for 8 minutes in a Pampered Chef rice cooker, and is the most delicious, moist and decadent cake I've ever had.

And the kids like it just a little bit. Partly because they like to help mix it and crack the eggs, and partly because we don't worry about manners at Aunt Sara's house. Cake just tastes better when you put it in the center of the table and dig in. I have to admit I took this at the beginning of the feast and only about 1/3 of the cake was left when we were through with it.

And because Cooper was falling asleep on the couch by the time they left, I think he now understands the meaning of a sugar crash.

Coops made me this fantastic ornament:

And Avery made me this lovely pencil holder/vase:
[both taken later with auto focus on so it doesn't
count in my three photos or less declaration :)] 

And last but not least, we played a rousing game of Clue... which I hadn't played since I was little. A very expressive Miss Avery very thoroughly explained the rules, which may have taken longer than the game itself, but was just as entertaining. I just can't tell you how much I love that little family and how glad I am that my house is directly on their way back home... because those faces are ones that I really can't get enough of. Getting to see them is a holiday in and of itself.

Oh, and as for how the game went? I'm not saying who won or anything, but I'll give you a Clue ... it might have been me. :)