Let is Snow, Let it Snow, Let it SNOW!!

Our little snow angel...isn't she a cutie. This is now the 3rd time it has snowed. The first 2 times it snowed about an inch and half, then completely melted away, then snowed again about the same. This time it has snowed all day and has not stopped and we are creeping up to about 5 inches of snow. No worries though...we made a run to the store to make sure we had plenty of food and goodies and things to do inside. So bring it on! This was the best picture I could take of the snowflakes. My brothers and I used to catch them to see all the different designs when we lived in Idaho, so I thought I would try to capture them in a picture this time. Aren't they pretty. (and to think that a bunch of who's in who-ville live on those!) This is my snowboarding chick!Chloe and the neighbor girls made "crystal" the snow-woman.You better run...or he'll throw this at you. He's a pro snowball maker....even with gloves on!

Sarah

You'll want to make this!

So for as long as I can remember my mom has always made this ridiculously delicious candy ever Christmas. (sometimes a little early) Trust me, your gonna love this stuff, and not be able to stop eating it. Which for some may detour you from even making it, but do yourself a favor this year...MAKE IT!! You won't regret it!

Old Fashioned Almond Bark

1 cup of butter (NO margarine, use the real thing folks)
1 1/4 cups of sugar
2 tbs white corn syrup
2 tbs of water
1 cup slivered almonds (toasted for about 5 minutes at 350....don't be like me and burn them the first time then instead of making a second batch you have to use the rest of your almonds in the first batch)
1 pkg of MILK chocolate chips

In a heavy saucepan combine butter, sugar, corn syrup and water. Heat, stirring constantly until mixture boils. Boil to brittle stage (300 on your candy thermometer) Remove from the heat. Stir in almonds. Pour into a lightly buttered 15x10x1 pan. (or something close to that measurement. You want to make sure it is at least that tall on the sides, and not any bigger in height and width) Sprinkle choc. chips over the brittle while it's still hot, and let them stand until they become shiny. Spread with a spatula , then set the pan outside where its 20 degrees to cool for about 5 minutes. Or for those of you in the warmer states...pop it in the freezer for about an hour. (love you all!!) Once its cool and the chocolate has hardened break it into bite size pieces. Please whatever you do NOT sit down and eat it all at once. Enjoy! Merry Christmas to everyone!

Sarah

It's Here!

Snow that is!! Its so beautiful, and I have missed it so much! Church was canceled today so the kids had a load of fun playing in the snow. Then the neighborhood kids came out with there sleds and pulled them around. They were screaming and laughing and just having a ball. The temperature has dropped dramatically here in the last few days, and is currently 22 degrees with a wind chill at almost 0. Lets just say I'm glad I have my nice warm fire place to sit by! We'll see how the rest of the week goes with our 2 wheel drive vehicles and yet another cold front perhaps bringing a FOOT of snow ! YEAH! I love winter!Isn't the house pretty with snow!! I just love it!
I love to watch the snow fall, its so peaceful. I'm not sure how they rigged this, it doesn't seem fair. They got pulled all over the place, and for obvious reasons couldn't return the favor. I love the one of Evan with the stick. He was pretending -S- was a reindeer he later said. (they just watched The Santa Clause :)) Later we headed to town for a few things and a craft to do indoors. The kids had a load of fun putting together a gingerbread house. Even Damon helped!!
I think the best part of our weekend besides the snow, and having a family day indoors, was the fact that we got "blessed" with our Christmas tree! Saturday was the day we were going to get our Christmas tree, but instead our awesome neighbors across the street GAVE us a beautiful noble fir! They had gotten it wanting to bless someone, and there youngest daughter suggested us! After returning home from a cookie party and expecting to head right back out to go get a tree, Damon took me and the kids to the garage to "show" me something. Low and behold was a tree already in the tree stand and ready to be decorated! What a cool thing! It was so neat that they thought of us, and it truly was a blessing! We spent the rest of the day decorating and "re-arranging" the ornaments. Isn't it pretty!

Sarah

Just for Kicks and Giggles.........

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Hanging up the Christmas lights

So this last weekend we spent the day "decorating." The kids and I did the inside, and Damon did the outside. IE: the Christmas lights. Here he is freaking me out!! I'm so afraid of heights that I get freaked out when others are up high in places.

And if that wasn't enough.....he took the kids out on the ROOF!!

The goofy kids.....

The finished product!I thought this pic was fun....we live in the M & M house....

Sarah

A Very Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving! We sure did! The kids went up a day earlier than Damon and I, so we had Tuesday night and all day Wednesday to ourselves. We headed to Vancouver, WA Wednesday night to hang out with all of the family. My brother and his wife Auntie Coco came over and spent the night also, so in the morning we could all have breakfast together. Afterwards we headed to Seattle to spend the holiday with more family and friends. Although it was a bit of drive the holiday was still was a lot of fun. From lots of food, to jokes and laughs, and amazing views the holiday was a success!Here's the kids playing with all of Mormor and Papas toys. Most of which were toys that coco and brit brat used. He said he was taking a picture of me taking a picture of him. Silly kid! Papa sleeping "before" the Turkey!Cutting the turkey...YUM!!All of us sitting down for the delicious dinner!And this is how weird my family is............Chloe was quite proud that she finished all her Thanksgiving dinner...we were just surprised!and Coco...........well, she's special.............:)The amazing view from the deck off of mormor and papas house.at night........well, the sun was going down at least

Sarah

Thanksgiving wish.....

I found this while wandering other blogs and thought it was something I would totally say. So here it is...my Thanksgiving wish to all of you...

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey be plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have never a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!

I hope all you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and may the Lord bless you and keep you on this day.

Sarah

Sweet Pumpkin Dip

This just might end up being a have to make for Thanksgiving day. Its the yummiest holiday dip you will ever try!
All you will need:
4 cups powdered sugar
2 (8oz each) packages cream cheese, softened
2 cans (15 oz each) organic pumpkin pie filling
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger

1. Mix powdered sugar, cream cheese, pumpkin pie filling, cinnamon and ginger in bowl with mixer until smooth.
2. Refrigerate until serving time.
3. Serve with ginger snaps, vanilla wafers or graham crackers

My opinion is its best with the thin ginger snaps from Costco, and I actually half the recipe because the whole recipe makes 4 cups of the dip!

Sarah

Child Labor.......

I have to say that its really fun to have Nana and Papa owning an Ice Cream store. The kids get spoiled by being able to pick out whatever Ice-cream they want whenever we go there. (Mom and Dad don't mind one bit, being that we love Cappuccino Blast! with caramel) Although sometimes Nana and Papa make them earn it by putting them to work. I'm not sure how I would feel if I walked into the store and was asked "How can I help you?" by someone who couldn't see over the counter. I would be looking around wondering where in the world that voice came from, only to find a little munchkin on the other side wondering if they could climb in a dipping cabinet and scoop out some ice-cream for me. So needless to say, they put them to work doing the hard jobs.....like taste testing, and attracting more customers by doing little dances while in uniform.

I just couldn't help taking pics of some of the yummy toppings...pardon me while I play with my camera........

These would be the ONLY spoons that you can eat Baskin Robbins Ice-cream with.....trust me, it just makes the already delicious ice-cream taste even better!

Sarah