Black Friday Done Right

For once, I think I got Black Friday right! Instead of waking up way too early, freezing and spending my money on stupid materialist garbage...I skipped the shopping and spent the whole day with family. My sister, Tammy, and family went with us to the Peaks Ice Arena and the kids ice skated to their heart's content.

After a painful experience a couple years back, I've chosen to sit on the sidelines and watch the fun instead of joining in. Even though I'm sure Tammy would have liked to skate, she sat on the sidelines with me (under the heater....ahhhhh) and we caught up on life. It was nice to sit and chat.

Ahnalisse, Rachel, Morgan, Kelsey and Carli

Skylar, Ahnalisse and Jake

Tammy & Wendy

We spent the rest of the day watching movies, eating, chatting, eating and eating. Did I mention eating? (Now it's time for starvation for a week to get back down to my starting weight.)

Thanksgiving Feast

Our Thanksgiving was fabulous this year. My sister, Tammy, and her family were able to come up from St. George and we celebrated with a huge feast at my sweet in-laws, Carol and Lynn's, home. Joe's sister, Feather, and her family also made it here from Kentucky and we enjoyed the good company and delicious food.

Thanks Carol and Lynn for being so hospitable to my family and for all you do.

I am thankful for my life, my family, a warm home, food, clothing, our cars and jobs. I am truly blessed.

The Most Wonderful Night

Yes folks, it's that time again. Our favorite night of the year....Pie Night! Joe's Uncle Shirl and Aunt Toni were gracious enough to invite us back for pie night and it was just as delicious and enjoyable as ever. This year I brought along a posse (Sister Tammy and family) and we all ate to our hearts delight!

The menu included Chocolate Peanut Butter, Almond Heart, Buttermilk-Lemon, Old-Fashioned Creame, Caramel Cream Apple Crunch, Hawaiian-Delight, Apple Raisin, Pecan, Sawdust Pie, Dessert Pizza, Weird Pie, Caramel Apple Cheesecake, Lemon Meringue, Fruit Tart, Maple Walnut, Pumpkin Pie, Rhubarb Pie, Cranberry Apple, Cherry, Blueberry, Apple Pie, Andies Pie, Black Forrest Cheesecake, Red Velvet Cheesecake, Mince Meat, Chocolate Cream, Banana Cream, Eggnog, Reeses Ice Cream, Cherry Cheesecake, Blueberry Cheesecake, Coconut Cream, Lemon Cream Cheese, Mint Chocolate Chip, Lemon Tart, Pecan Cherry Chocolate Cream, Frozen Pineapple, Frozen Raspberry, and Pumpkin Chiffon.

There may have been doubles of some. I think the total number of pies was 41. Incredible. They put so much work into this one night. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Thought I'd share some pics of this year's favorites....at least Wendy's favorites.

Red Velvet Cheesecake (Isn't it beautiful?)

Fruit Tart

Dessert Pizza

Frozen Raspberry Dessert

Susie's Birthday

My "bestie gal pal" Suze had a birthday!! Her b-day is on Nov. 11th, so we're already looking forward to a grand celebration on 11-11-11. Susie wanted a bathtub full of Thai Coconut Mango Sticky Rice for her birthday. Well...I'm a little too lazy in the kitchen so she had to settle for a large bowl full (plus an extra Tupperware container for later). We went out to eat at Tucanos to get our complete gorge on. Fun night with fun friends!

Love ya Suze. You are a huge blessing in my life. I love being silly and laughing my head off with you on a regular basis. You just make my life better!
This is Suze chowing on the sticky rice with her brand new hiking pack/water bottles. Pretty hot fanny pack, huh?

Wind Symphony

Being the stellar (definition: outstanding) mom I am, I forgot my camera last night for Morgan's symphony performance. She is now playing in the Wind Symphony and we are so proud of her. I can't believe how well she plays after only a year and a few months on the flute. Way to go Sis! 8th graders usually play in concert band but Morgan has worked hard and made it into the symphony. She is an outstanding young woman and I'm thrilled that I'm her mom.

Halloween

Morgan aka "Crazy Cat Lady", Joe and Wendy as SNL's
Spartan cheerleaders, Kelsey is a Hood Rat and
Jake was Darth Vader.
(Darn fog machine messed up the pic!)

This man's name will not be revealed (since he's paying
good money just for that purpose)!

Darrington's

Wendy, Jae and Susie

Joe, John and Mike

Mike and Suze had a Halloween Party this year and we had a blast! Lots of delicious food, dancing (with the funky strobe light), games and good people. We are so blessed to have awesome friends and our families to enjoy life with!!