Happy New Year to all! What a wonderful 3 months it has been for our family! Who would have ever guessed that i would be so lucky.

Congrats, Whitney and Brian! Ainsley will be a terrific big sister.

Party hearty tonight !

we love you

Kathy

GUESS WHAT!

Hello Family! And Merry Christmas! I guess we're still 4 minutes away from the official start of Christmas Day, but we all live in different time zones so it'll hit us all eventually, right? Just wanted to let you all know that we had a fabulous Hauptmann Christmas Eve where we opened presents, and put Ainsley in her new "Big Sister" shirt!! That's right, we're expecting again! :) I'm 7 weeks counting cycle-wise, but we go to the Doc next week to make sure all's well. It is so exciting and strange to be back in this place again, everything feels about right, if a little more intense than last time. I'm already getting so excited over the nursery planning, name dreaming, and speculating over the sex. We will see, only time will tell! Ok, love you all, and I hope your Christmases are all so amazing! And when's our next big reunion??? XOXOXO

*Whit*

Sniff, sniff

I am loving reading all these loving and wonderful posts! Megan - hurry and join the family and the fun! I felt that same way when everyone was in TX except us. Loved the pic of the DC Christmas, too. Our cookies are done, pork chops are marinating, potatoes are baking and Ash is cutting up broccoli and Dan is trying to get everyone to do it his way! Situation NORMAL! Ah, he's a good egg . . .

The Calm Before the Storm

Well Christmas will be here at the house tomorrow, Christmas Eve. The presents are already overflowing from underneath the tree. I will be at work tomorrow while others will be finishing up last minute shopping and wrapping. The family will go to church, and then we will all sit around the tree and open presents. I will meet them back at the house when church is over and work is done. Tomorrow will be chaotic and will not go according to plan, and I'm sure someones feelings will get hurt. The cold front will blow in tonight and take the temperature from 75 degrees to 40, with the possibility of a wintery mix. So tomorrow, the weather will feel like Christmas and lets hope that in everyone's heart, it feels like Christmas as well. For me, Christmas is not about the presents you receive, but the ability to make someones wish come true, the warmth of being with family and sharing the occasion together. I wish all of you were here as well to share with us. There is a peace that comes with Christmas and may it be in everyone's hearts!! Love to you all!!

Merry Christmas!

Hi Fam! Ditto what Mom said -- we love you guys so much and can't wait to see you again soon! I'm still in DC wondering why I didn't book an earlier flight home, but I've told Mom, Dad, Jules and Kate that they aren't allowed to have fun until I get in tomorrow night! ....right guys? right?.... :) Let's post pictures on here of each family's Christmas morning! If I recall, we all enjoy stockings so hope everyone gets a winning lottery ticket!

Merry Christmas

Hi Everyone,

The Kindelans wish everyone the merriest Christmas ever. We look forward to all being together one Christmas soon!

We feel so lucky and blessed to have been "found" by such wonderful, caring family!!

Who will be the first to venture to Florida, land of sun and fun? Everyone is welcome!

Enjoy all your loved ones and know that you are all loved by us!

Kathy, Kevin, Julie, Katie, and Megan

The Best Christmas Cookies EVER

So here is the amazing Christmas cookie recipe from the files of the Icenogle Family and now to be published for the benefit of the Kindelans. Have we mentioned that we love you guys?!?

Alma Joslin's Rolled Christmas Cookies
4 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups Crisco
1/2 cup sour milk*
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 cups sugar

Mix flour, baking soda, salt and sugar. Cut Crisco into dry ingredients until as fine as cornmeal. Combine milk, eggs and vanilla. Add dry ingredients to the liquid, beating until smooth. Cover with waxed paper and chill several hours.

Roll dough thin and cut with Christmas cookie cutters. Bake at 425 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Let cool, frost and enjoy.

Personal note: I like them a little thicker than "thin"

*to make sour milk: add 1 tsp. vinegar to 1/2 cup of milk and let sit for 30 minutes.

Am going to the kitchen now to make the dough and tomorrow we can bake them! Hugs to everyone; wish we could be together this Christmas and always.

Snow, snow, snow...

So I think you all jinxed us with all the talk of the White Christmas movie...we're snowed under here in DC! It was fun this weekend but will be a pain now, especially if we don't get out for our flights home to FL. I'm supposed to fly out late Tuesday and Meg on Thursday and I'm already nervous...ugh. Keep your fingers crossed. In the meantime, here are some pics of the fun that was blizzard '09. The top pic at left is the view from our condo at about 1pm yesterday. The other three are from Mike's condo in Arlington, VA and then Mike and Meg digging out her car. Enjoy CA, TX and FL people!!!

White Christmas

I think we all need to video skype each other and watch White Christmas at the same time! I think it would be much more enjoyable with all of us together.

So fun to read these. It feels like we're all together again, well, no, not really, wishful thinking...but it's pretty close! Can't believe the weekend is over already. Ashley, your Friday night prediction was pretty good - I was babysitting but did read about 3 days worth of newspapers so you had that part right - such an exciting life I lead, ha! I was going to take a big long nap today and/or get to bed early but neither happened and I blame you all for keeping me distracted with your posts...hehe. We had snow, snow and snow yesterday. I'll get with it one day like Whitney and take and post pics but I'm not quite there yet. Our snow wasn't nearly as pretty as the Texas ladies' - it was the "ugly snow" as Oprah would say...just became mushy on the streets. Meg's condo has floor-to-ceiling windows so it was fun to watch it fall though. I should have stayed nice and warm in my pj's and done just that, but, I had a plan and am stubborn and so decided to go to Michael's etc in the snow. Mistake. Stupid. It was cold and wet and I was tired of it before I got down the street. Then Michael's was so disappointing - the one I went to was not nice and didn't have anything I wanted, boo. So Christmas decorations aren't anything great this year...but I did get garland for the staircase so that lights up the condo at least. Oh, and I ended up getting that at Target anyways - even though we live ACROSS THE STREET from one, I got it instead from a store I had to drive 20 min in the snow to get to. Obviously like to torture myself! Today I went to my first cookie swap of the season - I'm in Junior League here (it's young people, I promise!) so it was a group I know from there - I took some hot-chocolate cinnamon spiced cookies from a Food Network recipe. They looked okay but I should have made Mom's famous Snickers cookies that are the best and easiest ever - store-bought sugar cookie dough, mix in some flour, shape around mini Snickers, roll in red or green sugar, bake and voila - YUM. I'm still waiting to book my flight home for Christmas until I know more about my work schedule but hopefully I'll be able to go home a few days ahead - I love being there before to get ready, bake etc. Mom and Dad got the tree and decorations this weekend though so they're ahead of the game. I have almost all my shopping done too, I think, even for mom and dad who are the hardest. people. ever. to shop for! Meg would be the easiest - she likes every gadget, any bag, every pampering anything and books. Done! And I bought a lot online this year so less packing for me - yeah! Okay, that's my rambling for now. So glad you're getting my cards. I meant every word - we LOVED Texas and love all of you!

One more thing . . .

Whitney, I saw the perfect item to add to your holiday decor at Michael's. It was a Rudolf red nose with a battery and I think it would be perfect for that big deer hanging over your fireplace! I dare ya!

So Sweet!

I just read through all the recent posts and let me tell you - what a great start to my day. Tea yesterday was great; that hotel is gorgeous. If Ashley sees it, she will immediately switch from wanting to be married at the Four Seasons to the Grand Del Mar. Of course, as I told her for the Four Seasons, we could only invite 40 of her closest friends. Hmmmm, now that would be the ICENOGLE CLAN! And, what fun that would be.

Dan is out to breakfast with Nancy's husband, Scott - search for their breakfast blog: Bubba and Barnacle Butt's Breakfast Blog - in their desperate search for the best breakfast joint where the hash browns, coffee and eggs Benedict are perfect and they never have to go anywhere else again. Nancy and I are trying to determine our names for that blog because she doesn't want to be referred to as "Mrs. Barnacle Butt." I believe I have come to terms with being Mrs. Bubba.

Natalie, if I had the extreme misfortune to be in the hospital on Christmas Day, I would love to have a sweet, confident, capable RN like you to appear at my bedside. Years ago a friend who knew both Sue and me was having a difficult delivery and there was a shift change and Sue appeared at her side. Marcy said it was like an "angel appeared" to help her. Keep smiling!

And, guess what! I got a sweet letter from Katie, too!!! Yeah, we don't hike up the hill to check the mail very often so just read it last night. Thanks, Katie; you made my day.

Love to all . . . keep that California Dreaming thing alive!

Thinking of you..

Yesterday Carrie and I receieved the best letter from Katie (thanks katie!!) and so at dinner last night we of course were discussing all of the cousins. We tried to imagine what everyone was doing (on Friday night) and here is the list we came up with.

Whitney and Brian would be hanging out with Josh and Natalie. Most likely playing with Ainsley and telling jokes while the girls gossiped.

Zack and Vanessa would be drinking wine and cuddling on the couch while catching up on their days and DVR.

Megan would be out on a date with Mike.

Katie would be reading Newsweekly cuddled in blankets.

And Julie would be out being wined and dined by Larry.

Well I am off to sleep since I only slept for four hours last night. Have a wonderful Sunday!

Marshmallow World

Hi! Just wanted y'all to see the glorious SNOW! :) I took Ainsley out in it for a few minutes, and she didn't know what to do. There were four boys waiting for the bus on our corner, so of course they were having snowball fights. Of course Ainsley just watched them the whole time and tried to walk around a bit. Poor thing kept falling though, that jacket is a bit big and she was stiff in it. :) Ain't she the cutest?? Haha. Ok, love you all!!

*Whit*

Finally...

After pacing around the house looking for something to do to entertain me, an idear (yes, idear) popped into this purtty little head of mine! It said, "Sit down and register for the family blog!" So after sorting through over 200 emails, I found the golden ticket and fuddled my way through the sign-on process. And viola! (as in the french ta-da, not the string instrument) Here I am! I have been missing all of you and reading this thing frequently looking for any little updates. I hope everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving! I had 3. If I never see another turkey and all the trimmings until next year, thats ok with me. But that holiday has come and gone and now is the time for all the Christmas hysteria-aaaaa! Im-just-hyperventalating-thinking-about-all-the-gifts-and-shopping-and-lights-and-songs-and-cookies-and-Santa (Iknow him!)-and snow-and-gingerbread lattes-and-tinsel-and-magic! Oh wait, I'm working that day. Guess I'll just have to be the little elf at the hospital, spreading the Christmas cheer. I'll be singing carols while wiping butts. Wow, did I really just say that? Ok, I think I need to stop blogging until my internal sensor coemes back. BIG LOVE TO ALL!

Hi all, I feel like the lurker, I don't have much time on the computer much less to write anything! I feel like I am the sister no one hears from and that donesn't mean I don't think of ya'll! I am looking forward to a lfe where I am not so busy on my feet but don't know when that will be or who's life that is! Awoke at 5:10 this am and laid in bed thinking and designing quilting in my head, I fear that will be the most quilting done today! Christmas is calling and shopping is to be done and the weather is right cold for it. Quilting in January is my motto! I will be reading your posts everyone so keep us informed and will make an effort to write. City sidewalks, busy sidewalks dressed in holiday gold while the shoppers rush home with their treasures!

Kindelan Love

Just logged in to read the "And Then There Were 4" blog and it warmed my heart to see everyone's posts. I'm in bliss with my new family members. It is, however, putting a dent in my sewing and poor Dan's mom does not have her Christmas remote control holder thingy. I have hopes for making it this weekend. Am going to Christmas tea with my besties Joyce and Nancy. Have known them both for over 30 years and we do love going to tea. Think of us tomorrow at 2:45 p.m at the Grand Del Mar . . .

Wish I was still at the beach!

Hi everyone!

I'm *trying* to get back in the swing of things at work, but I'm still wishing I was back at the beach. I'm hoping someone in this family wins the lottery and buys a place on the beach so we can all just hang there all the time! :) This whole work thing is for the birds!

Just booked a plane flight home for Christmas and it was expensive! It can't be much more to fly to California, which is a trip we need to plan ASAP!

Miss you guys!

Megan

Hello

Hello Everyone!

I am way to busy to write a real post, but I will update after Monday when things calm down a bit. I just wanted to say I miss and love you all and reallllly wish we were getting together for Christmas this year :(

Enjoy your week!

~Ash

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!

Love, Julie

Glad to have been found

Hi family! Tonight on ABC there was a sneak peak of their next show about finding families. It is about finding lost siblings, etc. who were given up for adoption, sound familiar? I watched some of it while checking Facebook and ignoring my homework. It just reminded me how blessed we all are to have found each other! I am so thankful for that this year. It is wonderful to have the Kindelan’s in the family and it is equally wonderful how well we all get along and how close we are all becoming! We really are all one big happy family. LOL. I wish we were all spending Thanksgiving together, but know that I am thankful for each one of you and our Denton weekend together.

Hola!

Hi! I sure hope I am doing this right, I'm so new at this! :) Just wanted to say hello and I miss you all! I'm sitting with the glow of our Christmas tree to my left, hubby stretched out in his recliner to the right, and precious Baby A sleeping in her crib. She had a tough time today, learning that almost everything fun is a "no". Poor girl, she just kept going after the Christmas tree and everything else illegal! Other than that we are doing great and just doing the same stuff. Excited for a short week and Thanksgiving! I'm in charge of the green bean casserole (personal fave) and a cherry pie. The cherry pie is almost as amazing as the Neon Kroger Christmas Cookies, only because it's already prepared crust and filling that I dump into the pie pan and claim it as talent! :) Ok, hugs and kisses to all! Goodnight!

There were never such devoted sisters . . .

So, if we hadn't found Kathy, and she hadn't been looking for family pictures, then the oxygen tank wouldn't have fallen and broken her toe and she wouldn't be stuck on the couch this weekend while all the Kindelan clan is partying in DC! But, I'm glad we did. Everyone call Kathy this weekend (use her home number, Kevin has her cell charger in their suitcase that flew to DC) so she won't be too lonely.

Hello! Wow does it suck to be back to reality and away from all of you. I came home to papers, projects, exams, studying, meetings, and work. Plus a million different social events, most of which I will not be able to attend. I'm trying to find motivation and so far going home to decorate for Christmas next weekend has been my main focus. On Saturday I have my big sorority event called Pearl Premiere. I am considered a "baby pearl" and our event is dinner and dancing and I find out who my big is. I am very excited, but also somewhat concerned about when I will find the time to do all of my work. It will all happen I just have to keep breathing right? I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and do something fun for me! I am leaving you with my favorite picture of Chris and I even though it is an old one. xoxox Ashley

Favorite Salad

Here is the molded Jello salad that was mandatory for holidays in the Icenogle house and is called "Favorite Salad." The Tilton clan isn't too fond of it, must be an "Icenogle" kind of thing. Give it a try! (Mom, Sue, Vanessa - please advise if I don't have this recipe correct!)

1 small pkg lime Jello
2/3 cup evaporated milk (or small can)
1 can crushed pineapple (10.5 oz.)
3/4 brick Philadelphia cream cheese
nuts (optional)

Drain pineapple and reserve juice. Heat juice to boiling, add lime jello powder and mix. Add milk, stir in pineapple and nuts. Pour into Jello mold and chill. Happy holidays!

Mom's Post

My mom posted a comment under my posting that probably should have been by itself. Read away!

Larry and I just arrived in DC on a rainy and cloudy day. We were caught in the FAA computer glitch and sat on the runway for about 2 hours. Oh well!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Just got back from the mall and we've been Christmas shopping! A few sales, saw Nana's red couch at Penney's, bought a few chocolate turkeys for turkey day and some surprises that can't be in print yet. It wasn't crowded and I didn't have those dreadful thoughts of "if I don't get something NOW, I'll have to shoot myself!" Well, that might be a bit dramatic, but you get the idea. And now, dear bleaders, good night!

I miss everyone!

We need to start planning our next family get-together pronto! I love this blog idea and am so happy Carrie set it up for us (thanks Carrie!). Our weekend 'o fun in Denton was the absolute best! I still can't believe this happened -- so surreal and so amazing all at once!

I will have Mike do a "guest post" soon, but for now, here is a picture of him so you all can see what he looks like:) Someone at work took this photo so I have it here on my work computer (if you're wondering why I went with the "at a work meeting and clapping" shot!).

And..I'm ready for Turkey Day and a week off work to lounge at the beach! And, let's be honest, I'm craving turkey, mashed potatoes and my favorite, homemade mac 'n cheese, already!!

Love and miss everyone!

Megan

I'm in...

Hello bleaders, it's me, Katie! This is so cool - (I feel very Carrie Bradshaw). Thanks Carrie for setting us up and connecting us all again. The week back has been hard, so many great memories makes me want to be back in Texas with all of you! I can't type much now b/c this work thing is in the way, blah. I'm on the search for pie recipes for Thanksgiving dinner with dad's side of the family this weekend - any recommendations? Old Icenogle recipes? They probably don't top our Kroger's-neon-colored Christmas cookies, but, really, what can? Love to you all!

How Exciting

Carrie - thanks so much for getting us going with our family blog! It was so great to meet all of you this past weekend. We really appreciated your hospitality and love. The story amazes me and everyone I tell.

Attached are some pictures of Larry and a picture of our boat.

Hey Family!

This is going to be a great blog! I am reading Julie and Julia (thanks Carrie) and Julie calls her blog readers bleaders! So, let's hope we all become very good bleaders. Lots of love to you all and a big shout out to Carrie for setting us up! Let's party some more (privately) with this blog! Love, Jan

And so we begin the next chapter of the Icenogles…

Wow, the first post… lots of pressure! Today at work everyone asked me how our “new-union” went. They were all so excited to hear. They even decorated my desk with Texas print outs! They also followed me on Facebook and read about how the weekend was going. They are so sweet. I even put our family picture from Rudy’s as my desktop wallpaper at work today. My coworkers find our story amazing, and it really is, isn’t it? There is a new TV show starting soon all about finding long lost family, I’m sure it will make me cry now that I can relate! Mom and Aunt Sue – you probably want to steer clear of that show. LOL.
It was wonderful to spend the weekend together! We need to get together soon. I feel so blessed to have each of you in my life and think it is such a miracle we’ve been brought together and that this weekend was so comfortable. It was as if we’ve always been together. Definitely a weekend I will never forget.