Disney On Ice

Lucy won four tickets to Disney on Ice from our wonderful library. We were so excited. We chose to attend the show on New Year's Eve. It was a blast! Here are a few pix of the show...(Note: I was not the photographer). We took her buddy, Aiden with us and they were so cute together.

Buca di Beppo

My baby brother, Marcus, was in Anaheim for the NAMM Convention and brought his family for a quick couple of days at Disney. We drove down and had dinner with them at Buca di Beppo. This was our first time there and I can't believe I didn't think to take pix of the food. It was outrageous. Never order the large item...we ate on it for DAYS!
Lucy waiting to see Uncle Marcus, Aunt Lily and the kids.
Uncle Marcus, Aunt Lily and Ashlyn
SpencerSidney and Ellie
Uncle Marcus and baby Charlie.

January Beach Trip

My dearest and best missionary companion, DeAnn Hansen, came for a visit and I had promised her a trip to "our" beach before she headed home. Many of you know that the weather here in Southern California has been less than wonderful and it rained cats and dogs and even snowed a little the week she was here. BUT, the weather.com was correct and we had sunny skies and a little warmer weather on Saturday, so we headed to the beach! Yay!
It was a bit chilly, but the water was the same temperature as the air, so we got in the water and enjoyed it. It was the getting out that was BRRRRRR!
Kite Flying with Dad and playing in the seafoam

Who needs SNOW when you have SAND???

Calaveras County

We took a quick trip up north to Calaveras County, just to get out of town and enjoy a week of relaxation. Many of you many know that Mark Twain/Samuel Clemens wrote a famous short story about a jumping frog from this area. They have taken this story to heart in Angels Camp, California, as seen by the decor in our condo.





We decided to do some spelunking while in the area and ended up a Moaning Caverns. The pre-tour info was exciting and then we headed over the entrance to the cave. After taking about 10 steps into the cavern I felt like I was having a panic attack and could not breathe...this has never happened before and was very scary to me. So I backed out and set outside reading travel brochures while Lucy and Jim explored the caves without me. Who knew I was claustrophobic???





Here are some views from our balcony. It was beautiful, when it wasn't raining. It is sad that I pray all year for some rain and then the week we take vacation it rains both at home and where we have traveled too....ugh.

Trip to See Santa

Lucy's prechool had a Mommy and Me trip to the mall to see Santa and have lunch together. Here are a couple of fun pix from the occasion.

Orange Oreos and the Broncos Game

We were invited to the Bateman's home for dinner and to watch the Broncos/Steelers game on Monday Night Football. Lucy and I were in charge of making dessert to take. We decided to make Homemade Oreo Cookies. My sister (who is a huge Steelers fan) told me to be sure and make the frosting yellow...which promptly gave me the idea to make it orange for the Broncos.

The meal was delicious. We had Avocado Burgers with all the fixin's and the cookies were yummy. Unfortunately, they did not help the Broncos to pull out a win. Maybe next time I will leave the frosting white...

Here's the recipe in case you feel the need:
Homemade Oreo Cookies

2 boxes devil’s food cake mix
1-1/4 cup margarine, softened
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla

1. Mix together and put in fridge to chill to a stiff dough*.
2. Roll into small balls and put on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10-13 minutes at 350 degrees.
3. *Put dough in fridge between pans to keep it chilled.
4. Cool completely before frosting.

Filling:
8 ounces cream cheese
1/4 cup margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
3-1/2 cups powdered sugar

Mix together. Match up pairs of cookies for size. Frost and put together. Enjoy!

Field Trip to the Punkin' Patch

Today was Lucy's first field trip. We had a blast!


All kinds of punkins and squash and gourds.

Farmer John telling the kids a story

Lucy and her preschool gang

Goats at the Petting Zoo

Bunny at the Petting Zoo (Don't you love Lucy's braid bun!)

Twirling with Ryan

Swinging!

Sliding (1,000 times)

A pumpkin that looks like my butt!