The best turkey ever!

As I was preparing the turkey for Thanksgiving Mike was looking around trying to find a guide for knowing how long to cook the turkey and found this video for making the perfect turkey. We didn't have all the ingredients, but, ever since I keep thinking I need to try it. It turned out wonderful! Best turkey I have ever had...my parents and Mikes dad agree. Most tender and flavorful turkey they have ever had. If you want to watch the video and learn how for your self click here. There are two parts (one for the turkey and one for the gravy, I only did the turkey part) and you have to follow his link for the seasoned butter. It's all there on his blog. Yummmm!!

December in a nut shell

We set up the tree the day after Thanksgiving...Harrisen was so excited he grabbed his things and tucked himself in to watch the lights sparkle for a while. It didn't take long before he was sound asleep.
December was a crazy month for us... It started out with me having my flowers accepted to a boutique and having to hurry and get a bunch of them made. Thanks to all my friends who helped me get ready, I was able to have it all done. And thanks To Stephanie for helping me figure out how to display it all...and loaning me her stuff. It all went well and I actually sold quite a few flowers.

The evening of the last day of the boutique was also the night we had my families Christmas party...Which was really fun but we had to leave early because we got news that Mike's mom (Nancy) had a heart attack. We left the party, and hurried home to grab clothes and stuff for everyone and headed for St George. Since the next day was Bailee's 12th birthday we decided it would be best for us to take the whole family. We arrived late and went right to bed. In the morning the adults got up early and went in so we could see her before she went in for surgery.
The surgery went well and they had to bypass 6 of her arteries.

The kids had a good time despite the reason we were there. They all fell in love with the palm trees and the younger ones had to hug them good bye before we left (why did I leave the camera at home? It was so cute). Monday we headed for home so the kids wouldn't miss too much school. By Tuesday morning (our 16th wedding anniversary), we found out that she had a stroke sometime after we had left. It was a long hard week for all of us but thankfully she is doing much better now.


Bailee had her last big birthday party. She opted for a late night with some of her friends from school.
The younger kids enjoyed the few snow storms we had. Pretty good snowman considering the three of them built it by them selves. Good job Madison, Lynzee, and Harrisen!
All the Christmas footage was video so none on this post....sorry.
This year I made them each snuggies, and all the girls new Christmas dresses. Can't wait for family pictures.

Here is a shot of how cuddly the kids were on the long drive to Idaho. Drake (my nephew) was ordained a deacon the Sunday after Christmas so we went up there to support him.
Mike and Harrisen made a quick fishing trip with uncle Cory and Luke while they were there. Look at the size of that rainbow. Good job guys!
It was a fun and busy month for us all. Ending with some sledding on New years eve. Watch for the sledding post soon.

Thank heavens for post options...I'm kind of slow getting thinsg done around here.

Boxers

I need to post this on Harrisen's blog but it's too funny not to post here as well.

Harrisen got his first package of boxers for Christmas. I told him they were called boxers but that they were underwear. He was so excited. Later on in the evening on Christmas Harrisen and Brodey (his much older cousin) were wrestling on the floor in the living room when Harrisen pop up and says" Oh wait.... I forgot to put on my wrestling underwear!" he ran into his room and came out looking like this...
Boxers and his snow mittens...." Okay I'm ready Brodey!"



Such a silly boy!

Madison is 9

Today is Madison's birthday. I can hardly believe she is 9 already. here are some pictures I took of her.
She is such an amazing and talented girl. Sometimes quiet and shy, other times loud and giggly.
She loves to spend time with her family and friends. She loves church, and though sometimes she won't admit it she loves school too. (especially her teacher Mrs Scheller)She loves all animals but especially loves Horses, dogs and cats.
Some of her favorite things to do right now are: she likes to make earrings, Make hair flowers, Play the Wii, play outside, play with her friends (especially having late nights), read, paint her nails (when I let her)Make up songs on the piano,and pretty much anything mom is doing.
My sweet little baby girl is growing up.
Some of the things I love about Madison are:
*Her happy smile
*Her cute personality
*Her ability to make others happy
*Her cute laugh
*she is smart
*I never have to tell her to do her homework
*she makes good choices even when mom and dad are not around
*she is eager to please
*she is helpful
*she likes to cuddle
*she is eager to learn new things
*She is kind to everyone. I lOvE yOu MaDi GiRl!!!
LoVe, Mom

Madison's FHE lesson

Madison wanted to share with the family a talk she heard at a friend's baptism. She told me what she wanted to do and I told her that would make a good family home evening lesson. So here is how it went.

First she asked daddy if he would come up and help her to which he was glad to oblige. (he didn't know what was coming he he he)
the she said ...lets just say you were younger than 8 and you died...( she wipes a glob of peanut butter on his nose) when you get to heaven they will let you in only if you are clean...you are not quite clean but you have an older brother that will clean it off for you because you are so small. Then she uses a paper towel to wipe his nose off.
Okay now lets pretend you are older than 8 this time(she wipes quite a bit of peanut butter all over his face) but you are not baptised....
because you are older you have more sins but if you accept the Gospel and get baptised your brother will again be able to wipe away those sins. Paper towels are again used to clean off his face.
Okay now lets pretend that you get baptized but you make lots and lots of little mistakes....
(she then puts LOTS of peanut butter all over his face) now you have to choose if you will let the Atonement work for you and make you clean again or not.
Then she gave him a bunch of paper towels and let him go to the bathroom to get it all cleaned off.

Madison gave us a great example of how baptism and the Atonement can and should effect us in our lives. Great job Madison!
And thanks for being a good sport Dad!

Madison's Birthday party

Highlights from Madison's 9th birthday party...

Pretty easy party this year. She wanted a late night so everyone wore their jammies.
We opened presents...
We decided on "Hanna Montana The Movie" for the video and had some of my young women come teach the hoe down throw down (Thanks Shaleese and Aimee!)

The girls all had a good time and Madison is happy.

One of the best things about fall is...

jumping into a pile of leaves almost as tall as you are
and rolling around in them with the ones you love
"dog pile on Koda"
GoT HiM!!

Ahhh to be a kid again!