DEAR FATHER CHRISTMAS

I have siblings in Scotland, Alaska and Idaho and I miss them.

I'd love this web cam so we can chatitee chat chat.

ROASTED SPICED POTATOES

Three words - scrumptious, delicious, yummy!


6 potatoes
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 TBSP lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, minced

Peel and slice the potatoes into wedges. Put them in a bowl and mix with the olive oil, paprika, cumin, salt and black pepper. Coat well.

Place on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes, or until done, turning once.

Meanwhile, mix the cilantro, lemon juice and garlic in a bowl. When the potatoes are baked, toss them with the cilantro mixture and serve.

NOVEMBER AND GRATITUDE

seem to go hand in hand but I want to have an attitude of gratitude year round and I am starting that resolution now and not in January.

One of my favorite quotes is: "To express gratitude is gracious and honorable; to enact gratitude is generous and noble; but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is a touch of heaven." -President Thomas S. Monson

And I loved this one I just read yesterday: "Be thankful for the setbacks because they come from the same place as the blessings." -Gabby Reece's high school Bible teacher Mr. Strickland

I have a lot to be grateful for, I know that. I try hard not to take them for granted, but I know with some of them I do - I'll be working on that.

Things I'm Grateful For
(in no particular order)

*Our humble lair
*My man clan
*My awesome family near & far
*My heritage
*Puppy love
*My eye sight
*Friends that accept me and "the season" I'm in
*A Heavenly Father that loves me
*Pure maple syrup
*My whirlwind days
*Laughter
*Belly roll laughing
*Modern medicine & medical professionals
*Double armed tight hugs
*Roaring fires
*Snow angels
*The seasons
*Positive & inspiring people
*Smiles

FOR THE PAST 15 YEARS

my father and I have had the tradition of getting together and decorating the "off limits to children due to breakables" tree.
It's a fun thing the two of us do. We listen to Trans-Siberian Orchestra and decorate the tree with my parents gorgeous ornaments.
Can you believe December is just a few days away?!
I'm really not ready. Are you?

TIME LAPSE PHOTOS

were one the agenda for Adam squared, so we went to Silver Creek Falls and got the surprise of seeing snow.It was a gorgeous and fun afternoon, despite the cold rain. Needless to say, we got drenched.

AN IMPROMTU

Biore strip party and we had a winner that beat us by a landslide. The winner starts with Adam and ends with Colton.This one was much less painful than the last impromptu party.

FULL BELLIES, LAUGHTER, LOVE

and shenanigans is what our Thanksgiving consisted of. Hope yours was awesome too!

WE SPENT

Thanksgiving morning at the park enjoying the crisp air and energetic family fun, while others were playing TurkeyBowl.Aren't these mittens the coolest? I love them!
PS - A couple family members got pooped out.

VOODOO

doughnut challenge is a must with out of town visitors. $4 for 80 seconds of fun.
The doughnuts are the size of a plate and equivalent to six full size donuts.

We had a confident group of doughnut eaters.
No one was able to beat the clock. Maybe next time?

PS - Who can resist a photo booth?

LILY LOVE

She's stolen our hearts.
Don't let this cute face fool you, she has some naughty moments. We are working on that.

WRESTLE-MANIA

has been going on at our lair.
This lone gal wishes she could be a Fiona- Sarah- Parker hybrid and kick some boy butt.

LIMBER IS A TALENT

and it's a talent I don't have, however, Erica and Laird were able to do some yoga/cirque du soleil moves with Adam.How limber are you?
PS - Isn't Erica a rockstar!!

ICE CREAM CAKE

was the wish from our birthday boy.And one of his wishes, an ice cream cake eating contest.

1st place - Adam
2nd place - Landon
3rd place - Grandpa Ivon

and luckily, none of the participants got an ice cream headache.

Ice Cream Cake

24 ice cream sandwiches
16 oz Cool Whip
14 oz sweetened condensed milk
Caramel
Toffee Bars, chopped

In a medium bowl, combine Cool Whip and sweetened condensed milk until combined.
In a 9x13, place 12 ice cream sandwiches. Spread half of whipped cream mixture on top. Place remaining 12 ice cream sandwiches on top and spread remaining whipped cream mixture. Freeze until ready to eat.
Drizzle with caramel and chopped toffee bars and serve.