BOOOOOOOO!

Ok, update on Dave's Lasik Contest. 

He did not win.  We were expecting him to win with the other, um.... videos in his category. 

BUT no big deal.  He will get it sooner rather than later :)

Thank you to those that voted for him.

OUR Thanksgiving

Last year we had Thanksgiving at Al and Diann's house.  It was very nice and A LOT of work for them.  This year they were going to one of Diann's kids' house.  SO.... Dave and I decided to host it with Karalee and Sean and their boys and Abuela. 

(Dave had to come in to help me take the turkey out of the oven to check the temperature.  

Every time he would say, "I cannot believe how big this thing is!" 

That is the biggest pan I have and the bird was touching the ends of the pan and literally hanging out off the pan!)

I was VERY nervous about making a nice dinner for all of us.  We all have things that we love to eat for thanksgiving and I did not want to disappoint.  I made a menu plan and went with it.  It included turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, sweet potatoes, corn bread stuffing, Karen's raspberry jello, cranberries and rolls.  I did most of the cooking the day before. 

Karalee's friend, Spencer Stokes, brought us a turkey that was SO big.  This turkey was bigger than Milli!  It was THIRTY-TWO POUNDS.  I could not believe its size when I saw it.  My fear of making a lovely thanksgiving feast became worse than before.  I researched and researched how to cook such a giant bird and NOWHERE did I find cooking times for a 32lb turkey.  However, I knew it was going to have to cook for a long time.  I woke up at 3am and put the turkey on a low 275 and cooked it like that for TEN HOURS, yes TEN HOURS! Then I uncovered it and cooked it for an additional 2.5hours on 375.  It was juicy and SO pretty.  I gave it lots of TLC.  I massaged it with 4 cubes of butter, thyme, rosemary, basil and parsley.  I also spread the butter under the birds skin.  It was so fragrant....mmmmm! 

 (You MUST try the Corn Bread Stuffing by THE Pioneer Woman, its delicious!)

When our guests arrived we finished the last few things and got to eating.  We only ate 1/4 of ONE breast!  Needless to say we will be eating turkey for a very long time.

(The adult table.  Leah was invited to be part of it since the kid table only seats four :))

 (The kid table) 

 

We had such a great time with the Skamnes Family!  We chit chatted, played sequence, chit chatted some more, laughed (A LOT), ate some pie and it was fantastic! The kids played so nicely together and I was sad to see them go. 

T-Day 2010 was a wonderful success... a little stressful, but successful!

Uboldi "Thanksgiving"

Marcos and Maria hosted our Uboldi Thanksgiving.  It was wonderful!  Maria made cute little eatable pilgrim hats, I had several :), super cute and super tasty.  The kids wore Native American "hats" and later put a little play of some sort for us.  The kids played very good for the most part and the adults just chit chatted and ate peacefully (while the kids played).  

Marcos read a story about the first Thanksgiving, it was nice.  Then we filled a "thankful tree" with the things we were thankful for.  The kids all said they were thankful for each other.  It was very sweet.  It was a late night, but worth the very tired kids.

As we left I felt and overwhelming sense of love my the family that I belong to.  I love the holidays for that reason alone.

Thank you Marcos and Maria for the lovely evening!

Friends

This picture was taken while at Leah's family b-day dinner.  I showed it to Milli and asked her, "Who's that?"  With a big smile she said, in her cute voice, "They Friendsssss!"

This child loves her mom and her mom loves her :)  It was the sweetest thing ever!!!

FRIENDS.FOR.EVER

(I hope that is the case :))

Cold weather, Warm Dinner

Chicken and Corn Soup

Click HERE for recipe

Chipotle Chicken Tortilla Soup

Click HERE for recipe

I just purchased a new recipe book at Costco.  I love it!  Every recipe is done with in 30 mins.  plus it give you ideas on how to make it into a meal, by adding a salad or a quesadilla for the above soups.  We have loved them both.  Both very easy.  With the cooler temperatures a nice warm soup for dinner is welcomed by most :)  Leah loved both of these soups as well.  She has become a great eater.  Mylo and Milli didn't love the "green" soup.  But, I feel a renewed desire to cook for my family again... Dave's prayers answered :)

ZZZZZZZZ....

Milli has been up since THREE this morning.  She just barely fell asleep, thank goodness!

She has been battling a cold of some sort since she got her flu shot last week, but I think it is not related anymore.  She has been coughing SO much that she also threw up a few minutes ago.  She has got to be wiped out!

But in a more positive note, she has been 100% successful with her potty training today!  YAY Milli!!!

I am a Child of God

Picture found @ Desertebook.com

 

We have FHE on Sunday night, most of the time, because the week just gets too crazy.  Last night I was really touched by our opening song, "I am a Child of God".  I have sang this song more times than I can count.  This is my "comfort" song,  I sing it when I am scared at night (I am afraid of the dark, always have been and always will be).

 Last night, this song meant something different for some reason.  It reminded me of my worth.  I AM a Child of God!  He sent me here.  He gave me an earthly home with parents, friends and a little family of my own who are kind and loving to me.  He does lead me and guide me and walks beside me, sometimes, when life is hard he even carries me! 

I felt His loving arms around me as we sang that song and as we prayed and read our scriptures.  The love I feel from my Father in Heaven is marvelous!

When I was in YW and we would repeate the Young Women theme, I felt of my Heavenly Fathers love too.  I am a daughter of my Heaven Father, who LOVES me and I love Him!

I am SO grateful for the church that I belong to and for the joy and guidance that it brings me!  I AM a Child of God.  He loves me!