Visitors

We had multiple visitors in November, all of which were my family! Mom and Norm made a 36 hour stop on their way home from Mexico. Unfortunately, I was not with it enough to remember to take a photo, so we'll have to do that in a few days when we are there for our Christmas celebration.

A week later, my Dad opted for an overnight stop on his way "through" town. It was wonderful to visit with him for a few hours and enjoy a nice dinner together. This is the picture Jeff remembered that we should take, since Dad's visits occur almost as frequently as Haley's comet. ; )

My Bad Aunt came for a brief visit as well... but I know she'll be back as soon as the snow melts, so I have lots of opportunities for a photo with her!

Giving Thanks

As we all tend to do this year, I have been reflecting on the blessings in my life. There are so many things that I have to be Thankful for... My wonderful, amazing husband is number one on the list. He of course is the biggest blessing bestowed upon me in all my years. I am thankful for my wonderful family, old and not so new. I live in a warm, comfortable home. I have a car to drive. I have a job to go to. I have friends who care about me, and whom I care about. I have a wonderful church family, with elders who watch carefully over our flock.

But there are things I often take for granted...

I am thankful for the use of my legs, that I can walk among the beautiful leaves of fall to spend Thanksgiving with my family.
I am thankful for the use of my arms, to give and receive the long, warm embraces of the people I love.
I am thankful for the ability to see the joy and the love in the faces of those who surround me.
I am thankful for the ability to smell the delicious meal that is cooked in honor of all the blessings we celebrate.
I am thankful for the ability to speak my Thanks to those who are blessings to me.
I am thankful for the ability to hear the laughter of the children in my life whom I love.
I am thankful for my health, physical, mental and spiritual.

I am thankful that we live in a country where we can give Thanks to God, without fear of punishment or persecution.

If you are reading this... I am thankful for you.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Welcome Audrey Lynn!

A lot of you that read this blog know about, or have even met, my wonderful friend Julie. (She was my Matron of Honor). Yesterday, she and Ethan welcomed their third daughter, Audrey Lynn, to their family. She came in at 7 lbs and 19 inches... and looks like such a sweet little girl!

If you want to see pictures, you can check out Julie's blog here:

www.whaleylife.com

I can't wait to go and meet my new friend Audrey... and of course, I can't wait to see her mama, daddy and sisters too!

It was very busy at work today...

A new favorite ~ Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Stew

As you know, winter is coming! And I thought I'd share a new favorite ONE POT meal... gotta love those! ; )

Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Stew

Mix together in your crock pot:

1 can black beans
1 can kidney beans
1 can corn (drained) or frozen works too... just eyeball it.
2 cans diced tomatoes with chilies (or plain works if you are a wimp)
1 8oz can tomato sauce
1 small onion chopped
1 packet taco seasoning

Add two chicken breasts (I smoosh them down into the stew until they are covered)

Cook on High about 4 to 5 hours (an hour longer if chicken is frozen)
or Cook on Low around 8 hours

About 30 minutes before you are ready to serve, remove chicken, shred it and put it back in.

Serves 10 moderate portions, 14 conservative portions.

Serve with tortilla chips, cheese and sour cream!

Mmmm... my tummy is growling.

Just in case you forgot what we looked like...

So, I know it's been a really long time since I've blogged. I have no excuse. Really, I've just been lazy. I don't have anything exciting to share... so I just thought I'd post this lovely picture of us at Sunriver. Aren't we cute? We had a great time again this year. We did lots of walking, a little biking, and tons of swimming at the heated indoor pool. It as actually very warm during the days... but the nights sure cooled off over there! We ate a lot, we played a lot, and we laughed a lot too. Thanks family, for such a fun week!

Here's our newest Sunriver Photo:

I'm already looking forward to next year!

Summer? What summer?

On the heals of our nieces and nephews heading back to school today, and some starting school today for the very first time (Yeah Mitchell!!!) we have spent some time reflecting on this oh so fast, very quick, can't believe it's over summer. Where did it go? Between working in the yard, hauling debris to the debris place, trips to Home Depot, a trip to Montana, having our house painted, going to the beach, having some fun and what seems like never ending house cleaning, the last few months have just zipped by. Is it seriously September? I don't buy it. Nope. I won't believe it. However, this past labor day weekend just always seems to bring a change in mind set. Summer is over. That may be leftover from my school days. But I've been out of school for a long, long time. So really it just this... We just had the LAST three day weekend until Thanksgiving!!! That is always such a long stretch. Do I really have to work five days a week until then?

NO!!! Want to know why? Because next weeks starts our annual Sunriver family trip. And I am oh so excited. We will be bike riding, walking, eating, sleeping, game playing, eating, talking, eating, napping, swimming, eating, reading, playing tennis, eating, laughing, loving and did I mention eating? I believe it will be my third trip, my second as an official family member, and I look forward to it more every year! Although, I know no one looks forward to it more than Lynn. He starts talking about next year before we've even finished this year! : ) Thanks Lynn, for sharing this wonderful vacation with us. It is as much a blessing to us as it is to you.

This photo is from the first year I went (2006). I know that because I was much skinnier then, and you can't see Addison... she's hiding in Jenny's tummy. ; ) Oh yeah, and there wasn't a ring on my left hand... although I hoped and prayed for one every night as Jeff and I went out for our evening walk. It worked out okay, I only had to wait three more months.

And one last thing... you have never, I mean never, seen so much food in one place at one time. We could get snowed in for several winters and still come out chubby on the other end! ; )

Here's to Sunriver... 7 days and counting!