I created a Slide Show! Check it out!

Lunch with the Larnders!

On Saturday afternoon, my best gal and her husband were in Abbotsford for a quick visit. Chris and I were very honoured that Gary and Sonya made time to meet us at Earl's for lunch. It was a great time to catch up with dear friends! Us girls forgot to take a picture of our meal, but I did remember to take a quick pic of our delish dessert. Afterwards, we went to play a quick round of mini golf at Castle Fun Park, where Gary won by a landslide. A great afternoon was had by all!




 

Trick or Treatin' Time!

Every Hallowe'en is pretty much the same in our house. I start by taking pictures of the kids, this year they didn't turn out though. Our first stop is to go up to my parents' and the kids try to trick them, if possible, and grab their stash my mom has prepared for them. Then it's off to Uncle Scott and Auntie Krystie's to grab some more free candy. When we get home, all the dads in the neighbourhood take the kids out while the moms stay at home and hand out candy. This year was a bit different because Christopher went around with his friends. I'm not sure how many more years he'll be going since it was an effort for him to just put on a crazy wig. I insisted that if people were going through the effort to buy him candy, he had to put out some sort of effort too!



This picture is at my parents'. I thought it turned out cool because my dad was posing and making funny faces behind the kids, and just when I snapped the picture he stood up. The effect makes it look like there is a ghost in between the kids!


The first thing the kids did when they got home from school was really check out what was in their bags. They insist that I not put all their candy together...they want their own bag to look through every day. Once we get near the bottom of the bags in a week or two, I'll put everything together. Kenton obviously is delighted to find one of his favourites in this picture!

 

Pumpkin Carving Time!

The kids just finished carving their pumpkins. This year they did everything themselves...cleaned out the yucky parts and all the carving. This included handling a sharp knife. They did a great job! Now we're all busy munching on the yummy seeds I just roasted, and looking at the snow falling! Crazy!





 

Pumpkin Patch!

Yesterday we went on our annual excursion to the pumpkin patch. It was the perfect day to go...beautifully sunny and warm! Unfortunately, it appeared that everyone in the Fraser Valley, and beyond, thought so too. It was so crowded and we had to wait for over half an hour in line to pay for our pumpkins! But we all had fun anyways!

Kenton loves his animals!

Heidi and her pumpkin....



Christopher on the hayride....


Christmas Card worthy perhaps?

 

Happy 60th Birthday Jim!

Last night, Chris and I hosted our first big shin-dig! It was a surprise birthday party for my father-in-law's 60th birthday. We got him good! He didn't suspect a thing! The food was really incredible. My mother-in-law is a fabulous cook and party organizer. The two of us worked all day at preparing for the big moment. It was well worth the effort!





Now that I know I can host a party...and a good party....I'll be on the lookout for any upcoming special events! 

I Am Thankful!!

I am thankful....

for the wife who says it's hot dogs tonight because she is home with me, and not out with someone else.

for the husband who is on the sofa being a couch potato, because he is home with me and not out at the bars.

for the teenager who is complaining about doing dishes because that means she is at home, not on the streets.

for the taxes that I pay because it means that I am employed.

for the mess to clean after a party because it means that I have been surrounded by friends.

for the clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat.

for the mountains of laundry that I have because it means that I have clothes to wear.

for my shadow that watches me work because it means I am out in the sunshine.

for a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing because it means that I have a home.

for all the complaining I hear about the government because it means that we have freedom of speech.

for the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means that I am able to walk and have transportation.

for the many emails (and blogs) I read because it means that I am loved!

Just wanted to share this popular poem with everyone and wish you all a very Happy, Blessed Thanksgiving!
 

Dinner at Grandpa and Grandma's!

Last night, my grandparents invited all the married grandchildren over for dinner. Grandma made the works...turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and even home made chicken noodle soup! It was absolutely delicious! It was so great to get together and remember funny stories from when we were little and to see all of us with children of our own now.

Grandpa and Grandma with all of their great-grandchildren.....

Thank you so much grandpa and grandma, for all the special things you do for us!

 

Card Night!

On the last Saturday of every month, Chris's family gets together to play Rummoli and Sequence. We eat, drink and be merry! Even the kids get in on the action! We took a break during the summer, so we started up again this weekend. Fun times were had by all!


 

New Purchase!

Okay, those of you who know me well, know that I absolutely love purses! This is a purse I bought a few weeks ago already, but have not used yet. I bought it because it will fit my camera, and I thought the colours would be a nice change from just the standard black. Although black is always a classic. I guess if I decide I want something similar in black, I'll just have to go shopping again! Let me know what you all think!

 

Blog This!

Well, I started thinking this afternoon, that if I have nothing in particular to blog about, I may as well post some old pics....you know...embarrassing pics from my teenage years, pics of my kids and family...yada, yada, yada. This will also give me a chance to use our scanner and other neat stuff. As you can see...I decided to start with the "embarrassing pics from my teenage years" category.
One day, many moons ago...Sonya, Barb and I decided to have a photo shoot. We dressed in a bunch of different outfits and here is just one to prove it! For some reason, I can't find all the others, but as soon as I do, I'll share a few more with you. ;) Let me know what you think!
One, two, three....SEND.....I can't believe I'm doing this!


 

Infrequent Blogging

Hey there! Okay...I again have not been updating my blog faithfully. Not for lack of exciting things to blog about. I had the ultimate...let me assure you...ultimate thing to blog about last week, but decided against it because it would have given away exactly where I live and I wasn't sure if I should give that away, due to security reasons. Then my mom and I went away for a mother/daughter weekend to Birch Bay, where they have a trailer. We went to Bellingham and did some shopping, went out for dinner....very nice weekend, but due to the before-mentioned event, my husband took the camera to work with him to show all the guys. Now I'm just waiting to see if something exciting happens this weekend and I can capture it all on camera, like a good little blogger. :)

Recipes...by Request

Almond Puff

1/2 c. marg
1 c. flour
2Tbsp. water
Cut marg. in to flour, then add water. Mix with fork. Form in to ball. Divide in half. On ungreased cookie sheet, pat each half in to a 12x3" strip- 3 inches apart.

!/2 c. marg
1 c. water
1 tsp. almond extract
1 c. flour
3 eggs
In saucepan, bring marg. and water to a rolling boil. Remove from heat. Add flour and extract. Stir vigorously over low heat until ball forms. Remove from heat and beat in eggs all at once until smooth. Divide at once and spread evenly over strips, covering completely.
Bake at 350* for an hour, until top is crisp and brown. Cool and frost with glaze. Sprinkle with toasted almonds.

Glaze

1 1/2 c. icing sugar
2 Tbsp. marg.
1 tsp. almond extract
1-2 Tbsp. warm water
Mix until smooth


Taco Salad

1 lb. ground beef, cooked...mixed with...
1 pkg. taco seasoning
1 large head of lettuce, shredded
1 lb. grated cheddar
1 finely diced onion
1 green pepper
1 tin mexican kidney beans
2 medium tomatoes
1 pkg. 8 oz. plain taco chips
1 small bottle catalina dressing
Mix it all together and enjoy!

Yummy Food!

I couldn't resist showing you my contribution to the potluck BBQ! This is my famous almond puff dessert and also my taco salad. It was the perfect occasion for both, since they make too much for just my family to eat.



 

Block Party!

I'm back! I know....I've missed all the prime blogger occasions the last few weeks...our last camping trip of the season, the first day of school, and on it goes. I've gone back to day shifts now that the kids are in school, and last week all of our after school activities, like dance and soccer, started up. But now I'm into the swing of things and should be able to devote more time to my blog!
Yesterday, we had our annual block party. Every year in September, everyone in our cul-de-sac gets together for a giant BBQ. We even all chip in and rent a bouncy castle for the kids! So much fun!
Things are just getting started here...

The kids are waiting for their turn in the bouncy castle...


The men chucked the football around...this is my man making an awesome catch! ;)

 

Ellison Park Camping Trip

So, this weekend the fam went camping to Ellison Provincial Park. We went with the Larnder crew and fun was had by all. Here's Sonya and Gary celebrating their 14th anniversary!

Posing for the camera...

The kids hanging out on the beach...I thought this picture was pretty typical...the girls are posing for the camera, and the boys are fighting over a bag of chips! :)

Hope this is something we can make an annual event!

Well, here I am...with nothing in particular to write about and no exciting pictures to share...but alas, my audience of about two people is requesting I update my blog for her entertainment...so I must oblige! On Monday, my cousin came over for lunch and to watch a movie, "The Family Stone". I guess if I were a more experienced blogger, I would have taken a picture of the delicious chicken wraps I made. Then on Tuesday, I went to the movies to see "You, Me and Dupree" with Sonya. Again, I guess I could have taken a pic of me and my best gal outside of the theatre. I'm inspired right now by a movie quote..."Quick, get the camera....learn from me!!" Other than that, I've just been working and getting ready for another camping trip this weekend. Nothing too exciting here...oh wait...I guess last night there was a tiny bit of excitement when I discovered that Kenton's crickets had been escaping all evening. I had just bought 8 crickets earlier in the afternoon and went in to his room a few hours later to see a tiny cricket head poking through the lid of the container. When I opened up the lid, I discovered there were only 4 crickets left! We found two under the bed, one in the bathroom and one in my bedroom. Whew!
Well, I guess that's should appease my audience member for a few days. ;) See y'all soon!