December 31, 2012

New Years Eve

We headed back to Utah for New Years Eve.  Always a fun party.
Some other fun things we did in Utah- but I neglected to get pictures of- Seth's basketball tournament,  Semi-formal Ball, my personal favorite- Mexi Feast with the Thompsons, and lots of great conversations, playing and partying.
Preparing the feast
Pool- Kai style
Piniata- Year of the snake



New Years is not complete without Pounce
2012 was Fantastic!  
These crazies ran down the street with only their shorts on in the icy snow.  
Here they are trying to warm up- with a dance of the crazies!
Welcome 2013!




December 25, 2012

Christmas @ The Beach

Cool Hindu temple on the way.
Kids temple
New creature- Crabobster
We spent a lovely day on the beach, some jumped in the water, we all explored and built sand castles, had races, gathered sea weed, watched sharks, dolphins and seals play in the surf- right in front of us.  It was an amazing Christmas present.
  
Love this guy

Hard to read- says Merry Christmas!
We spent our final day at Six Flags again- so much fun!
That's all folks!

December 24, 2012

Six Flags

The second day we spent at Six Flags.  We love their fast rides, and their slow rides.  This year they added the Drop of Terror to their line-up.  It was awesome- like free falling.  
 


Playing it cool!
All of the crew!

December 23, 2012

California Adventure 2012

We had such a great time in California last year that we packed up our family and headed there again this year.  Our kiddos talked the Whites into joining us and it was so great to have their company. 
After a night in Barstow, we headed to LA and spent some time at the Getty Museum.  It was amazing and the grounds were simply beautiful.  

Then we headed to the beach for our favorite time of the day there- sunset.  
It did not disappoint.


December 16, 2012

Nativity 2012

Sweetest little Mary and Joseph
Kaleb jumped right in to provide the transportation.



Shephards in awe
For they saw an angel!

Wise men
The Greatest Story Ever Told!


December 15, 2012

Pajama Posing

We celebrated Christmas a little early this year- or maybe....a lot early.  December 15th was Christmas Eve to be exact.  We were going to be in California for Christmas again this year and I really wanted a nice, relaxed, fun-filled Christmas morning in our home and that happened to be the only available time before we left on our trip.  So....... we took it!
And it was PERFECT!
Christmas Eve Jammies!

Check out those lips!


Winter Target Practice

Dad bought all the biggers some outdoor/ heavy duty jump suits.

When they came in the mail  we decided to suit up and do some target practice.
Unfortunately, we still had cold fingers- but everything else was nice and toasty!

December 14, 2012

Christmas Brunch

Every year we host a brunch for all of the ladies in my neighborhood.
It is always a blast.   
Here is the most loved recipe from this year and every year.
  One year I didn't make it and everyone missed it. Won't make that mistake again! 

Kneaders Raspberry Bread Pudding
Cream Mix
1 1/2 loaves aged, white bread ( I use one long loaf of French bread, slice it and dry it out for a few minutes in the oven.  If you don't the bread crushes together too much, and won't absorb the  cream as well.  You only need to do this step if it is fresh bread.) 
1 quart heavy cream
3 cups sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
In large bowl combine cream, sugar, egg and vanilla. Cut bread into 1 1/2″ cubes and add to cream mixture, coating bread well. Let stand 30 minutes stirring every 5 minutes to allow cream to absorb completely.
Fruit Filling
5 cups frozen raspberries
1 cup sugar  (I only used 1/4 cup)
1/2 cup apple juice (just water is fine)
Combine raspberries, sugar and apple juice, stirring until sugar is dissolved.
Layer a 9×13 dark baking dish 3/4 full with bread mixture, pour fruit filling over bread mixture, spreading evenly, top with remaining bread. Bake 40 minutes at 375 degrees. Serve warm. Top with vanilla sauce.
Vanilla Sauce- ( I always half all of these ingredients- it makes a ton.)
1 1/3 cup butter
5 tablespoons flour
3 cups heavy cream
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/3 cup sugar (I always add more sugar- 1/2 cup to half the recipe.)
Over medium heat melt butter, and add flour stir 10 minutes until it has a nutty aroma, do not brown. Add cream and sugar and boil till mixture is thick, remove from heat adding vanilla. Serve this wonderful sauce cold. (I always serve it warm)




December 09, 2012

Christmas Posing

The kiddos looked particularly cute after church today so I roped them into some pictures.
Clearly, Kai can only take so much and had us rolling with his expressions.
What???
Never a dull moment!
Darling!