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!

Sneak Preview!

Today, Heidi and I took a drive out to the airport. Talk about good timing...the Snowbirds were flying while we were there. We had our own private show! I've always loved watching the planes fly and am still in awe of how much skill it takes to do what they do. The sound the jets make when they fly by still sends shivers up my spine. Hopefully, the weather will clear up and we'll take in some of the show this weekend. I've heard it might be the last year for the Airshow.

Not sure which plane this is, but Heidi was impressed by it's size, so I took this pic for her!

Camping at Chilliwack Lake

This weekend we went camping to Chilliwack Lake. I've lived in the Fraser Valley my entire life, and had never been before. The lake was absolutely gorgeous! It was extremely cold, but we all went for a dip anyway.

The kids kept busy riding bikes, going to the park and feeding the squirrels and blue jays. By the end of the weekend, the little critters were eating right out of our hands!

We had a great weekend with great friends, good food and lots of relaxation!

Changes

Ahhh....finally! I've been trying to decide what I wanted to do about my blog all week. I wanted a change, but was searching for something unique. As you can see, I finally just went with the crowd and went to the site that was easiest. :) I do like having some colour and patterns to look at. I never really liked my blog name either, so we'll see how this one goes.
We're taking off for the weekend, so I guess when I get back I'll see what everyone thinks and I'll have some pics to publish! See ya....everyone have a great long weekend!

Yummy!

Yesterday seemed like such the perfect day to make a batch of rollkuchen. I've only made it once before, and this time they turned out much better. I learned a few things and know that next time they will be perfect! This is Sonya's recipe, which I absolutely love.
Coincidentally, my parents invited us kids up to their house for rollkuchen for dinner last night! My mom's were crispy and mine were softer. Both delicious!
After dinner we had cake and coffee to celebrate my brother's 19th birthday. I forgot my camera though! :( Oh well, there's always next time! :)

What a Cutie!

I've had the pleasure of seeing my little niece, Peyton, twice this week. Besides my own children, she is the most precious little one in my life. My husband teases me that I have more pictures of her in my house than my own children...not true...yet. :) I thought I'd share her most recent picture with all of you. She just turned six months old a few days ago. What a cutie!

Coffee Night!

Last night, a bunch of gals from Blog Land, went out for coffee to ABC. It was a nice night out. For me, this meant the chance to take a picture of my food. I am proud that this is the first picture of food that I will be publishing on my blog. I now truly feel like I'm part of the gang.
Enjoy!