Happy New Year!

Wishing everyone a HAPPY and SAFE New Year!

Tagged

In checking up on the Wheeler family it looks like Ashley has tagged me. I almost hate to answer the questions to this tag, well you'll see when you get to all of the exciting places I've lived, that my life has been somewhat BORING. Okay maybe not boring, um....what's the word???

1. 10 years ago...
I was the mother of a six year old boy and a three year old boy! Man that seems so long ago. I was working at my current job at the Rexburg Police Department. I had no idea what the next ten years had in store for me and my family. Man have I learned to appreciate things so much in the last ten years, especially the love of my family and friends, not to mention our health and very skilled doctors. I have a lot to be thankful for!!

2. 5 things on my TO DO list...

1. Go to work.
2. Referee fights at home while I am at work via phone calls. The boys are watching Harleigh today. Hope no one ends up dead.
3. Fix dinner.
4. Do dishes.
5. Straighten house and of course a few batches of laundry.

3. 5 snacks that I enjoy...

1. Diet Pepsi
2. Popcorn, Harleigh and I usually have a nightly snack.
3. Diet Pepsi
4. Reeses Peanut Butter Cups
5. Diet Pepsi

4. 5 things I would do if I were a millionaire...

1. Travel
2. Pay off debts
3. Buy a new home
4. Buy a cabin
5. Help family

5. 5 places I have lived...okay here is where it gets interesting...

1. Rexburg
2. Rexburg
3. Rexburg
4. Rexburg
5. Rexburg

6. 5 jobs that I have had...

1. Babysitting
2. Teton Drive In Theatre
3. Rexburg's City Pool - yes we did have a pool before they filled it with sand
4. Legal Secretary for Madison County Prosecutor
5. Secretary at the Rexburg Police Department

I tag anyone who would like to do this tag.

What a Merry Christmas Wii Had!

For Christmas this year we used some of Todd's spud money and bought a Wii for the kids. It has been SO much fun. We bowled, golfed, boxed, played tennis and had a lot of fun on Christmas day. Which was a good thing because it was YUCKY outside! We did brave the storm later that afternoon and went to my brother's house for Christmas dinner with my family. My Mom and Dad had gotten stuck in their driveway so Blaine had to go pick them up. The roads were terrible. The kids couldn't be away from their Wii for that long so we brought it along and the rest of the family played too. Except for Blaine he was waiting by the phone for my nephew, Michael, to call home from his mission. Once Michael called we all said a quick hello and then we left so that their family could visit with him. We headed back home to another game of bowling. Sad thing is, Harleigh has been winning every game of bowling.

It turned out to be a very nice Christmas this year and I enjoyed playing with the kids all day.

Finally Ready

The weekend before Christmas Jayce and Harleigh helped me with making candy and wrapping up gifts for neighbors, family, friends, and co-workers. Then we all bundled up, between snow storms, and delivered gifts. I started to feel like we were finally ready. Of course the boys have been doing a whole lot of this lately.
This picture was taken on the 21st, that's seven days ago and we've had several snow storms since. The pile in front of our house is MUCH, MUCH bigger now.

It's Starting to FEEL a Lot More Like Christmas

We now have snow, although I wish the blowing and drifting would go away. I also took a couple of MUCH NEEDED days off of work and cleaned my neglected house while the kids were at school and Todd was at work. I know it sounds strange but I actually LOVE to clean while no one is home and come back into a room and it is still clean!! I played Christmas music while I was home and even wrapped gifts. Okay I'm starting to FEEL a lot more in the Christmas spirit now, not that I'm completely ready for Christmas or anything but I FEEL a little more in the mood. I also let one of my elves help me with some gift wrapping. She is so excited and is constantly checking under the tree for presents.

Recipe Exchange - Week 5 And a Little More

This actually catches me up on the Recipe Exchange, well until next week. My life has been extremely busy, as I am sure all of your lives are. As a tradition we ALWAYS make sugar cookies on Christmas Eve and decorate them so that we can leave them out for Santa when he comes to visit. Of course we also leave out carrots for Santa's reindeer too, but I'm sure you all know that recipe already but just in case:

Reindeer Carrots

Go to your local grocery store
Pick up a bag of carrots, the larger, unpeeled ones are more satisfying for the reindeer
Bring them home
Open the bag
Take out one for each reindeer, peel
Leave near the plate of Santa's cookies

Another fun thing that we do is sprinkle Magic Reindeer Food on our front lawn/snow to help guide Santa on his way. I've included the poem to that. Harleigh loves to give Magic Reindeer Food to friends and classmates and it is easy. We mix oatmeal, glitter, sugar, and hay (well actually it is raffia cut to look like hay from your local craft store). We then put it into a little ziploc bag and attach this poem.

Magic Reindeer Food

On Christmas Eve
Sprinkle this food on the lawn at night;
The moon will make it sparkle bright.
When Santa’s reindeer fly and roam;
This magic food will guide them to your home.

Merry Christmas!
The Davisons

Sugar Cookies

1 Cup Margarine
1 Cup Sugar
2 Eggs
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 tsp. Baking Powder
4 Cups Sifted Flour

Cream margarine and sugar, add eggs and vanilla. Sift in flour and baking powder. Chill one half hour, roll out and cut. Bake 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

Frosting

4 ½ Cups Powdered Sugar
½ Cup Margarine
4 Tbsp. Milk
2 Tbsp. Koolaid - depending on what color you want your frosting to be

Mix and spread on sugar cookies. I sometimes add a tablespoon or two of softened cream cheese just for flavor.

Recipe Exchange - Week 4

Barbeques

1 lb. hamburger

1/2 cup ketchup

3/4 cup water

1 1/2 Tbsp. mustard

1 Tbsp. Apple Cider vinegar

1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 Tbsp. sugar

Brown hamburger then add remaining ingredients and simmer for 10-15 minutes. The longer you simmer the better the flavor. I usually four times this recipe for a couple of easy meals. For my secret ingredient I've started to add one cap of Hickory Liquid Smoke to the large batch, it really adds to the flavor.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas....

We went to our ward Christmas party on Friday night and Harleigh got to see Santa and tell him what she wanted for Christmas. After that she was anxious to put up Christmas decorations. Before she could leave me a note like she did for the Fall decorations I decided I better get busy so on Saturday we put up our Christmas tree. WHEW! It is always such a job to bring up all the decorations, decorate, and then put away the boxes and clean up. I love it once it is finished and am feeling a little more festive. I think we need a little snow though. Harleigh is SO excited for Christmas this year! She was into all of the decorations helping me put everything up. It got quiet for a minute and soon I heard "Mom, come find me!"
She'd created a fort out of the Christmas tree box and was hiding out. I must admit it gave me a few minutes to finish a few things before she was on to her next adventure. I swear she is busier than she was when she was 2 and much taller and MUCH MORE capable of getting into things.

It's Official

Yup, our insurance rates are going up! Brodie got his driver's license on Tuesday. Actually, I'm kind of looking forward to having someone to help me with running errands and a brother and sister around! BUT, I'm still a little nervous about this. Why do they have to grow up so fast?

BRENTLIE AND HER HORSE

Saturday we went to the rodeo to watch Ashlie. I had to take a picture of Brentlie with her horse. Truly, I'm not so sure that Brentlie realizes that this not a real horse. Okay, maybe she does but she treats it like a real horse. She takes it with her quite a bit.

Last week when we went to my in-laws for birthday cake Smokey and Kim were in a meeting and Brentlie headed out the door of their house to go to Grandma and Grandpa's house. Now they do live next door but it is in the country, which is a good half block in town. She knew Harleigh was coming up to Grandma's so she headed out with her cowboy hat on, pajamas, and socks with no shoes, She rode this stick horse right over to Grandma and Grandpa's carrying Harleigh's birthday present. I just had to laugh at her. Who needs to ride over with Mom and Dad when you can ride your handy horse over. She is quite the character.

Recipe Exchange - Week 3

English Toffee

1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
½ tsp.vanilla
3/4 cup nuts (almonds, pecans, or walnuts)
1 (6 oz.) package milk chocolate chips

Butter a cookie sheet and set aside. Combine and bring to boil 1 cup butter, 1 cup sugar, 1/4 tsp. salt, and ½ tsp. vanilla. Stir vigorously until sugar and butter are combined. Continue cooking until mixture is lightly brown in color and hard crack stage is reached. Pour onto cookie sheet and spread thin. Sprinkle on milk chocolate chips. Allow to melt and then spread. Sprinkle on top of melted chocolate chopped nuts. Put in refrigerator until chocolate is set.

Homemade Caramels

1 ½ cup granulated sugar
1 ½ cup brown sugar
1 ½ cup butter
1 ½ cup light corn syrup
1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk

Combine ingredients in a heavy sauce pan. Stirring constantly, bring to a boil. Cook until mixture reaches 238 degrees or forms a firm ball when added to cold water. Use as a caramel coating for candy apples or use to make wrapped caramels by pouring into a greased 9" x 13" pan and cooling overnight. Cut and wrap in waxed paper if desired.

Fun With Cousins!

My nephew, Justin, and his family were here for the Thanksgiving weekend. On Friday my sister-in-law, Rima, and I took Harleigh and Justin's girls, Brynn and Addison, to see Madagascar 2. It was actually a pretty cute movie. The girls liked it.

Afterward they played some games and had fun playing each other on Air Hockey.

Brynn is 7 and Addison is 6. Harleigh has a lot of fun with them, it is too bad that they don't live closer so the girls could see each other more often.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I hope that everyone has a good holiday!

Appreciate Every Single Thing

I was looking for some quotes on Thanksgiving and came across this short story. I thought I would share it:

Appreciation

One day a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose of showing his son how poor people live. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.

On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?"

"It was great, Dad."

"Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked.

"Oh yeah," said the son.

"So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.

The son answered: "I saw that we have one dog and they had four.

We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end.

We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.

Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.

We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.

We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.

We buy our food, but they grow theirs.

We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them."

The boy's father was speechless.

Then his son added, "Thanks, Dad, for showing me how poor we are."

Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have.

Appreciate every single thing! you have, especially your friends!

Birthday Celebrations

We have been celebrating birthdays this month. Here are some pictures of our past week. Last Sunday my Mom had us over to celebrate all of the birthdays. My sister-in-law, Tammie, has a birthday along with my niece, Maryanna, and Brodie and Harleigh. In California another niece, Cara, celebrates her birthday and then in December my nephew in California, Dallin, and sister-in-law in California, Denise, celebrate their birthdays. My poor Mom, between these birthdays and Christmas, she goes a little crazy. Here is a picture of Brodie, Tammie, Maryanna, and Harleigh. Brodie posed in order of height.
I always take a picture of the kids in front of my china cabinet, just to see how they've grown. I can't believe how much Brodie has grown. I'm going to have to find some of his old pictures to compare them to now.

Yes, his eyes are closed but it was the ONLY picture he would pose for. Seriously this "teen" stuff is so annoying at times.

Since Brodie was turning "Sweet 16" I gave him lots of ideas of things to do for his birthday, but all that he wanted was to go to:

Harleigh had a Primary practice on Saturday and afterward we went to Leo's to celebrate her birthday. We kept it simple. She invited her cousin, Brentlie, and friend, Heidi.

Afterward we came back to our house and had cake and ice cream for Harleigh.
Harleigh's birthday was actually on Sunday. Our ward's Primary program was that day so she hurried and opened her presents and we went to church. She was a little anxious to get home after church but the new presents kept her busy while I made dinner. I wanted to have a nice dinner for Brodie, he was ordained a Priest on Sunday.


Here is Harleigh posing in front of the china cabinet. Eyes open and smiling, much easier than teenagers!!

Sunday night we went up to Todd's parents to have cake and ice cream. We lit Brodie's cake and what was left of Harleigh's cake from the previous day.
Brentlie gave Harleigh a Littlest Pet Shop for her birthday. Here are Harleigh, Brentlie, and Kaydn pretending that they are Littlest Pet Shops.
Until their birthdays roll around each year I forget how busy that week becomes. Thankfully this year Thanksgiving is a little later so it was not in the mix of their birthdays. We've finished celebrating birthdays now we are ready for TURKEY!!

Recipe Exchange - Week 2

SPINACH SALAD

1 package baby spinach

1 package Romaine lettuce

1 package coleslaw

1 can honey roasted almonds, sliced

1 bunch of green onions, chopped

1 bag Craisins

1 bottle Brianna's Poppy Seed dressing, or any kind you want

Mix together, add Poppy Seed dressing just before serving. I've also added 1 can of Mandarin oranges, bacon bits, and shredded Mozzarella cheese before. This makes a large salad.

MORE BIRTHDAYS!

Happy Birthday to my niece, Cara, she turned 10. She actually shares Harleigh's birthday on November 23. Also, Happy Birthday to my niece, Maryanna, her 18th birthday is today! November is a Happy Birthday month in my family! WE ARE STILL CELEBRATING!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARLEIGH

Today Harleigh is turning 7 years old. I can't believe how fast the past 7 years have gone!

Here are 7 things about Harleigh, and what's funny is she was all about 7's in the beginning, just look at the first two things about her:

1. Harleigh was born at 1:37 p.m.
2. Harleigh weighed 7 pounds 7 ounces and was 20" long.
3. Harleigh was born on Friday, November 23, 2001, the day after Thanksgiving that year. We were thankful for our little girl.
4. Since Harleigh was also born on a Friday, all three of our children were born on Fridays.
5. She loves the color pink, her room is PINK.
6. She loves to draw and lately leaves pictures and notes around the house for everyone to cheer them up.
7. She is the youngest child. Even though they don't admit it often, her two older brothers love her A LOT! So do her Mom and Dad

7 things just isn't enough to tell all of the special things about her. We hope that you have a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY Harleigh. We love you VERY MUCH and are glad that you are a part of our family!!

Recipe Exchange - Week 1

Cheese Ball

4 packages cream cheese, softened
1 16 ounce can crushed pineapple, drained
1 package Lipton onion soup mix, dry
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 green pepper, chopped
OR
1/2 cup green onion, chopped


Mix together and roll in chopped walnuts. Makes 3 large cheese balls, 2 small cheese balls and log or platter of small individual balls. Serve with crackers. To make the snowman cheese ball:

DIVIDE mixture into 3 different-sized balls (1 small, 1 medium and 1 large). Coat with Parmesan cheese. Arrange on serving platter in a line to resemble a snowman lying down. (Largest ball should be at bottom of serving plate for base of snowman. Smallest ball should be at the top for head of snowman.) Decorate with peppercorns for the eyes and mouth. Add carrot for the nose. You could add pretzels for his arms.

Recipe Exchange

I thought that this looked like fun!! Besides who doesn't need a new recipe.

If you would like to join in the fun, follow the Recipe Exchange link on the side of my blog under "My Blog List". It will take you to Shelly Brown's blog for the information, scroll to her November 18 post.

All you have to do is post a recipe once a week. Post your favorite holiday recipes as often as you would like, but at least one recipe per week on your blog from now until New Years. If you do want to participate leave a comment on Shelly's blog so she can add you to her link list. This way those participating can check out the recipes on your blog.

HAPPY SWEET 16 BRODIE!

Tomorrow, this cute little boy is turning 16.
I can't believe that Brodie is turning 16. Some birthdays are milestone birthdays and this is one of them. He's getting his driver's license, he'll be ordained a Priest, he can date.....

As I'm typing this blog I remember my water breaking and going to the hospital, so excited and yet so nervous to have our first baby. I remember him being born in the middle of the morning and I wanted to call everyone, I only dared to wake up our parents and my brother in California, I figured he was too far away to kill me. I waited until 5:00 in the morning to start calling everyone else. I was definitely on a high!!

Here are 16 things about Brodie:

1. He was born on Friday, November 20, 1992.
2. He was born at 2:52 a.m.
3. He was 6 pounds 15 ounces.
4. He was 21 1/2 inches long.
5. His full name is Brodie B. Davison.
6. Brodie's middle initial "B" is for my maiden name Bagley.
7. Brodie needed a haircut the day he was born.
8. Brodie is the oldest child.
9. He is a great big brother.
10. He is now 6'3" and still growing.
11. He is taller than both Todd and I.
12. Brodie is a lot like his Dad.
13. Brodie is interested in the military, like his Dad.
14. Brodie is patriotic, like his Dad.
15. Brodie is a great son.
16. We are so glad that he joined our family 16 years ago.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SON! WE LOVE YOU!!!

Kissing Grandpa = Gum

My niece Brentlie LOVES gum. She always asks for gum. Grandpa and her came up with a deal if she would give him a kiss he would give her a piece of gum. This has been their deal for quite some time now.

I decided that I had to take a picture of them. Which they both thought was pretty funny.

Now Harleigh wasn't too sure about kisses for gum, but, hey, if Brentlie can do it so can she!

Veterans Program

Today Todd and I had the day off for Veterans Day. Harleigh's school was having a Veterans program to honor Veterans. She had brought home a letter a week ago inviting any Veterans to come to the program so Todd figured since he had the day off he would go for the branch of the military he was in, the Air Force.

It was really a neat program. Several Veterans were there from the VFW. They had the gym decorated. They had a couple of videos talking about Veterans Day and two of the children gave talks. We had a moment of silence at 11:11. Each of the grades sang a song about America. It was really a neat way to honor Veterans Day. The Veterans then lined up in the hallway and the kids came out and shook their hands and told them thank you.

After that they invited the Veterans to the classes to talk to the children and then to eat lunch with the children in the cafeteria. I thought it was really a neat way for their school to honor Veterans. They put a lot of time and effort into making it a nice program to honor those that have served our country.