Get Comfortable.....

His fathers son. Its in his blood. Jacob took to riding like breathing.
One minute he was having daddy's help, the next he was flying down the
road by himself

Everyone's favorite gift. Madison got her Ipod Touch, Gracie got
her Heelys, Jacob his motorcycle, Ty was happy with it all.

Gracies Christmas program.

Madison playing her viola at a Christmas concert.

Decorating the tree.

A visit with Michael.

So how to cover a month of not posting. Well like everyone else after Thanksgiving was crazy.. We did the yearly hunt for the tree. Started at some really neat tree farms where you search for your tree, chop it down then take it home. We just could not find the perfect one, so we headed to Lowes and found a good one there. We spent a lot of time at Madison's practices. We have basketball twice a week, volleyball twice a week and Grace has soccer one time a week. So a lot of the time we are busy with that and of course we had class parties and Christmas programs. In between the daily stuff, we tried to do some Christmas shopping. Unfortunatley we were rushing the last two days to get everything done. We tried to do a version of the Peck Christmas Eve. We had fun doing a program and rice pudding. Everyone had a piece of pecan in their pudding, so we are all hoping for a Great 2009. We spent a quite Christmas at home. We woke up to Santa being very generous. We were a little disappointed not to have a White Christmas. Zach stated "We're in the coldest place on earth, how can we not have snow?" Now its 64 degrees outside. I wish it would stay like this. Yesterday my family came over and we opened presents and had dinner with them. The kids had fun playing with their cousins and I had fun with my family. Well I guess I could go on and on, but I'll stop and try and stay on top of posting. Hope everyone had a Wonderful Christmas. We miss everyone and Hope you have a safe and exciting New Year.

Happy Thanksgiving....

Happy Thanksgiving!! I can't believe it is already here. Thanksgiving in Ohio seems a little off, being away from everyone we love. We are happy to be able to go to my Mom & Dad's and spend time with them. We will have a great time, but will be thinking of you all and missing you. We are so Thankful to have such a loving family and friends. We know no matter were we are we always have your love and support with us. Miss you all, Happy Thanksgiving. Love Zach,Kathy and Kids.

Pumpkin Cheesecake...

I made this pumpkin cheesecake to try it before bringing it for Thanksgiving. It was really good. It of course taste just like pumpkin pie,but it has a really light,smooth texture.I did not make the sour cream topping. I might try it on a small piece to see how it taste.I just topped it with whipcream and pecans.Ty helped himself this morning to a piece. Nothing is safe on the lower shelves of the fridge.

Pumpkin Cheesecake with Bourbon Sour Cream Topping

Crust:
3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, melted and cooled

In a bowl combine the cracker crumbs, the pecans, and the sugars, stir in the butter, and press the mixture into the bottom and 1/2 inch up the side of a buttered 9-inch springform pan. Chill the crust for 1 hour.

Filling:
1 1/2 C. solid pack pumpkin
3 large eggs
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 C. firmly packed light brown sugar
24 oz. cream cheese, cut into bits and softened
1/2 C. granulated sugar
2 T. heavy cream
1 T. cornstarch
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 T. bourbon liqueur or bourbon if desired

In a bowl whisk together pumpkin, egg, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt and brown sugar.

In a large bowl with an electric mixer cream together cream cheese and granulated sugar. Beat in cream, cornstarch, vanilla extract, bourbon liqueur and pumpkin mixture; beat until smooth. Pour the filling into the crust, bake the cheesecake in the middle of a preheated 350° F. oven for 50 to 55 minutes, or until the center is just set. Let cheesecake cool in the pan on a rack for 5 minutes.

Topping:
2 C. sour cream
2 T. granulated sugar
1 T. bourbon liqueur or bourbon, or to taste
16 pecan halves (for garnish)

In a bowl whisk together sour cream, sugar and bourbon liqueur. Spread the sour cream mixture over the top of the cheesecake and bake the cheesecake for 5 minutes more. Let the cheesecake cool in the pan on a rack and chill it, covered, overnight. Remove the side of the pan and garnish the top of the cheesecake with the pecans.

Don't read if you have not seen the movie..

I found this review on Yahoo and agreed with almost all of it. Thought #38 was pretty funny.
Madison really wants to see it. Maybe after a few dozen times of seeing the movie it will start to grow on me. One can always hope.

1. The movie was uninformative enough to keep non-readers thoroughly confused.
2. The lines were cute in the book, but corny and forced in the movie.
3. The movie is hardly ever in Bella's perspective, so we are emotionally unattached.
4. Because of that attachment, it's impossible to understand the sudden friendship, hatred, and obsession.
5. The acting was... lets face it... horrendous.
6. The facial expressions used were nearly comical when they were to be dramatic
7. The main characters were monotone.
8. While the good, emotional, and overall better actors were lost in the background.
9. The audience was lost on weather to believe dramatic moments were SUPPOSED to be funny or not.
10. You never find out about the character's pasts.
11. Because of that, non-readers are left off confused about characters.
12. Bella can't seem to handle the concept of "happy" or "upset"
13. The only emotions she was good at were "monotone" "seizure" and "screaming in agony"
14. Many major scenes were cut out to help shorten the film.
15. And even with that, they felt the need to expand the prom scene too much.
16. And add in the hideous "spider-monkey" scene
16.... and not even touch the subject of why Bella was pissed at Edward in the beginning. (The "Why didn't you just let the van crush me" scene)
17. Movies are expensive.
18. The "spider-monkey" scene
19. The special effects were only good for one scene.
20. Edward climbed up the trees like a squirrel on crack.
21. The movements that were supposed to symbolize the vampires moving quickly looked fake.
20. Slow motion was abused to DEATH in this movie.
21. Overacting
22. Stupid, pointless scenes that made people laugh instead of feel drama (the part where Edward is passing Billy and they stare like each others heads are on fire)
23. The emotions in the face are meant for 5 year-old's who can't read emotions without having them thrown into their face like an emotional brick.
24. The camera angles are awkward and choppy.
25. The camera seems to zoom in on their faces to the point where you can't tell what they're doing at all.
26. Bella and Edward's relationship was reduced to that of bare acquaintances.
27. ... and then the audience was somehow supposed to believe that they were friends at some point. ("Bella, we shouldn't be friends")
28. ... and then somehow switch to them being madly in love without any indicators of that ever happening ("I don't have the strength to leave you alone anymore")
30. The meadow scene in general was a complete disaster. What once was the favorite part of the book for many teenage girls was reduced to Edward jumping around awkwardly and Bella saying random lines that were so forced it was funny.
31. Bella blinks WAY TOO MUCH. I'm not even being OCD about it. I had several people mention it after the premiere about how much they hated the fact that Bella had fluttering eyelids throughout the whole movie.
32. Bella was very awkward in the beginning.
33. And then the whole movie seemed to become awkward by the end.
34. Bella and Edward looked more like a couple that their parents were forcing them on a play-date together.
33. Edward's face had so much caked-on makeup it was disgusting and there are brief scenes where you can see makeup lines.
34. Edward's lips change from normal to looking like he had eaten a cherry popsicle.
35. Edward had on a hideous amount of eye-liner.
36. Bella's hospital scene where she was "bandaged, bruised, etc..." was reduced to nothing more than her lying in a bed with a small piece of tubing on her nose.
37. Carlisle looked as if his face was 40% plastic, 10% body oil, and 40% Botox.
38. Jasper looked like a scared transvestite with Barbie-doll hair.
39. All of the admired characters that had decent acting skills were shoved into the background.
40. It seemed as if they were supposed to include the eyes being a big impact, but it was hard to ever tell the difference between when they were red or gold. They mostly just looked black.
41. In the book, it was slightly adorable and slightly creepy that Edward watched Bella as she slept. In the movie, it was beyond creepy.
42. It went from "I know you're a vampire." straight to "Look! I'm more sparkly than a drag queen!"
43. The lines were awkward, even for the audience.
44. Aka "Hold on tight spider-monkey"
45. A Broadway show is less obvious with their harnesses and wires to keep people flying. This movie was so obvious with the "climbing-up-a-tree" scene.
46. The action scenes seemed to be the only scenes where there was good acting.
47. When Edward suggests he should leave Bella (at the end) her eyes blink so much it makes me think of strobe lights, and her limbs start twitching like she's having a seizure.
48. The music seemed to be forced and misplaced at inopportune moments.
49. Accents were too hard to drop and there were moments where Edward was suddenly British.
50. It seemed to be more of a giant spoof on the book rather than a tasteful representation.

Just got back from Twilight....

My loving husband took me to see Twilight. Won't say what I thought since I know some haven't seen it yet. It was snowing like crazy on the way to the theater which is about 25 miles away. Thought about turning around, but decided we should at least go to Sams to get some stuff. We left Sams the snow had stopped and the sun was shinning so we went to the show. Ty slept through the whole thing and Jacob watched the whole movie, except for a few scenes were we covered his eyes. Cant wait to hear what everyone thinks. Happy Twilighting

I Am Rosalie...

So I saw this on Klint & Mary-Jo's blog and of course had to do it. Wasn't to upset being Rosalie. Not sure if its totally accurate, but I'll happily go with it. Let me know who you are..

Jacob Lands Ralph Lauren Modeling Contract...

Picture Perfect

While we were in NY. Heather took some amazing pictures of our family. The kids were troopers. It was so cold and windy, but everyone tolerated mom and her wants. Especially Heather (Thanks again). I think they turned out wonderful and I just wanted to share some of them with you.

New York State Of Mind...

Peck Dance Party...

We just got back from visiting with Michael,Heather and family.. We had such a Great time. We were able to stay in the cottage Heathers parents own on Lake Erie. It was so beautiful there.
The kids had a blast. Jacob & Logan are so fun to watch. They have an endless amount of energy. The girls loved Lauren, she is a real sweetie. We all wanted to love on Lincoln. He is such a cutie. He is always smiling and Happy. Heather was so wonderful and took a lot of pictures of the family. She made the best waffles ever. Tasted like a Cinna-Bun waffle. YUM-YUM. Michael was able to come down on Friday after work. Michael looked really good. We are excited for him that he is so close to being done with this crazy schedule. It has been a huge sacrifice for Michael and Heather being away from each other so much. They are really an amazing couple. Thanks you guys for a Great Weekend we had a Blast!!!!

Madison's Week..

Where to start with Madison. She tried out for the Wooster City volleyball team and made it. We were so excited, She has taken some classes and has really caught on quickly. We can't wait to go to her first game. Madison was in the paper for helping organize the rummage sale were the $950.00 they made along with other funds raised went to buy Wii's for seniors. Madison and her class made scarecrows to give to The Wooster Care Center. Madison and her friend Emily went to the center and passes out all 61 scarecrows to the residents. It was really sweet to see her interact with them. She has such a Sweet Spirit about her. Once she overcame her fear of being there. She was off and running. For Halloween with protest from Mom she dressed up as Tony Romo. I tried to find a Giants jersey, but even if I would have been successful she would not have worn it. She is a True Dallas Cowboys fan.. Wonder were she gets that from? Madison is growing up so fast. If I am lucky enough to keep half of the sweetness she has inside of her right now when she is a teenage I will count myself LUCKY....

Gracie's Week..

Grace had a exciting week. She was elected Student of the Month for the 2nd graders. She was nominated for being Trustworthy. A honorable title to be known for. She went to Sunrise retirement center with her class and played bingo with them for a few hours. I think this is something we will try to continue to do as a family. Like always she is my easy going child. Always willing to help and always there when I need her. Gracie and Madison have made a paper chain counting down the days till Christmas. I really do not need to know how many days till Christmas. I am still trying to help finish the Halloween candy. I am lucky to have such a sweet and loving girl.

Jacob's Week..

Jacob had a full week. He started riding the bus to school. Which he was excited about, but mom was a bit leary. He was able to dress up for his school Halloween party. He was the coolest Ironman there. He could not wait for Halloween. Every day it was the same question. Is it Halloween yet?? I was not looking foward to Jacob full of sugar. He wears me out on a normal day. He is the energizer bunny of little boys. I love his enthusiam and the way he tries to bribe me into letting him do stuff. Wonder were he got that from?

Ty's week

Like always Ty is always doing something. He loved having Grandma & Grandpa here. He enjoyed all the candy he got from Trick-or-Treating. Did not like having to put on a costume though. He got a new jeep, so his favorite thing this week is having someone drive him around until the battery runs out. Which sometimes doesn't take as long as I would like. Ty is one adorable and demanding child. So that's why when he is trying my patience I have to think to myself he will be out of this stage soon. Then I will be missing those demanding days..

A Wonderful Visit.

We were so excited to have Darrell & Dyann come to visit.. After a long road trip they arrived on Saturday evening. The kids had no idea they were coming so they were ecstatic when they realized we were following Grandma & Grandpa to the house. Madison was crying saying "This is the best day ever". We spent time sightseeing. Dyann was able to go on a field trip with Jacob and I to the pumpkin patch. We were able to have my mom & dad over for dinner. Some more sight seeing. Went to Christmas Park to see the black squirrel's. Had Darrell's Wonderful Sunday roast. Then the dreaded day. They had to leave. Like most departures it was very sad, and had a few revisits after we remembered things they left. We were just trying to stall them from leaving. The house seems empty without them. So PLEASE come back and visit soon. This time fly...

Yeah Grandma & Grandpa Are Here...

Spending some fun time with Grandma & Grandpa

Ty in a Box...

We found a new discovery in the woods behind the house.

This very large tree fell in the last storm leaving it completely uprooted

Lazy Day..

This was a fun lazy day.. We were in the backyard raking and playing in the leaves.