More fun in the Snow

Sledding Fun

More Christmas 2008

The Hadfields brought us yummy Christmas treats and also had the kids play some Christmas songs and their recitals pieces for us. I used to teach them piano. It was lots of fun to hear them play again. Sam and Jake are getting really good.
Little Buddy Carson

Ah....Jared and Stephen doing the dishes!!!

Jared doing the Sunday dishes as always.....NOT!

We made white chocolate popcorn. Better known as Danielle's Popcorn that Dana always brought us from Vegas.

Christmas 2008

The Festivities began on Dec 19th when Stephen & Cammie arrived from Alaska
David, Emma, Carson & Logan

Eric enjoying bowling on the new TV

The kids watch Thomas the train race

Abbey in her new Christmas Dress

Christmas Eve ( On Dec 22nd) ???

The Grandkids opening Gifts
Our Family Nativity

More Family fun

Mary, Joseph & Baby Jesus

Samuel the Lamanite

More Frosty

Amber & Ashlyn enjoying a sleigh ride
Fun in the snow at Grandma T's

Grandma & Kylie

Frosty & Friends....he was huge

Frosty the Snowman

Frosty & Friends

It snowed a ton on Dec. 22, 2008 and the kids made this huge snowman

Christmas Treats

I tried Shannon's Orange Rolls....they were yummy!
I tried something new this year,
Peppermint Bark & Dipped Pretzel Rods

I love Williams & Sonoma's Peppermint Bark but it is so expensive so I search the web and found a recipe. I was nervous making it because I have never worked with dipping chocolate before. After finally figuring out how to keep the layers together...it worked out! And it tastes delicious! I found the cute tins at Walgreens.

This is the year for lst's! I dipped pretzel rods in carmel, chocolate and then drizzled white chocolate over them. Summer was my helper! She got to be the expert at the drizzle as well as the carmel layer. Thanks for your help Summer! I had lots of fun. I hope you did as well.

Pretzels in the drizzel stage

It's Beginning To Look Like Christmas

Years ago I started collecting Nativity Sets. These are some of my favorites!

The trees in the living room. Hmmm....I wonder what's in the boxes???

My favorite part...the mantle with all the Christmas Socks.
I am missing all those little children who will not be home this year for Christmas!
Oh well....next year, everyone should be home!

Yummy Website

Today I tried doing some holiday baking. I tried Shannon's Orange Rolls, Peppermint Bark, and later on I'm going to attempt dipping pretzel rods. I was talking to Shannon about her rolls and she shared this website with me. You might want to take a peek. I think it's fantastik. Cool ideas and great tips! www.ourbestbites.com

More Thanksgiving Photos...

Jared & Carson
Cameron & Zane

Zane enjoying Aunt Shannon's homemade rolls!

Bradley & Tanner

Again! oops- silly me uploading the same picture :)

More Thanksgiving Photos

Sydnee, Emma & Eric
Sydnee, Emma, Eric, Liz & Scott

Mom and her Cranberry Fluff & Me

Scott & Mom

Mike carving the ham

Thanksgiving in Idaho-2008

The Turkey Bowl
Scott & Jared

Jared, Zane, Tanner & Scott

We went to Zane's school class for his "Seasonal Poem!"

Michelle, Eric, Liz & David

Zane, reciting his "Seasonal Poem"!

We went to mom's for Thanksgiving this year. Nope, not the short 2 mile ride to 75 East, but a 6 hour drive to Meridian, Idaho. Eric, Liz, David and Abigayle rode with us, and Jared, Summer, Emma and Carson went in their own car. Mike and I stayed at Michelle's, Eric and his family stayed with Grandma, and Jared stayed at Scott's.

We had a great time. Snickles Sanwiches on Wednesday, Turkey and all the fixings on Thursday, and tons of left-overs the rest of the time. We played lots of games, the boys enjoyed on the "turkey bowl", I remained the reigning champ of bowling on the "Wii"! We went shopping on black Friday, and also went to the movie and saw "Twilight".

Here are a few pictures of the festivities. Thanks Idaho for your great hospitality! We had a great time.

Milestones...

Many of you know that on October 17, 2008 I had my right hip replaced. For the past 3 or 4 years I haven't been able to tie my right shoe, put my sock on, ride a bike, go up the stairs alternating feet, etc. etc. etc. I also limped when I walked and my leg hurt all the time.

After several visits to my regular doctor, chiropracter, & physical therapist, I finally went to an orthopedic surgeon. He recommended total hip replacement. So I did it. I have been amazed at my recovery. I used the walker for two weeks, then the cane for a week, and now I have been back at they gym for 3 weeks and doing machines I was never able to before surgery.

I actually tied my shoe last Thursday but today I did it without stretching out. WOW! I still have a hard time bringing my knee up to my chest but it is getting closer. I have to concentrate on going up stairs alternating feet or I do it the old way out of habit. I glide now when I walk. I can ride the exercise bikes at the gym. Before surgery I couldn't bring the pedal all the way around, my hip simple locked up because of the bone spurs.

I feel so blessed to be able to do such simple tasks. I'm working on deep knee bends. They hurt! It's been years since my body has moved is such ways, but each day I get better. I owe it all to my trainer at Gold's Gym. He encourage me to seek out the orthopedic surgeon. I started working with him last March. After regular sessions (3 times a week), we were getting no where with my right leg. No matter how hard we tried, it simply wouldn't bend or move certain ways. However, today it does! Thanks to Dr. Richard Jackson and my trainer Clint Friel.

So as I count my many blessings, today I'm thankful for being able to tie my shoe!