Foxy Loxy

I looked out the window and what did I see?

An adorable little fox staring back at me!

 I ran as quick as I could to grab my phone. So cute! Of course we had to name it- Foxy Loxy! Thankfully Xander saw the fox before he let Lola out to go potty! When the fox hopped over the stone wall and was in the clear we let Lola out and she had a sniff fest! 

New Year's Eve 12-31-12

For the past few years we've had a few families over to hang out, eat junk and visit with on New Years Eve. So much fun! This year due to illness we were down a few families, but we still had a great time! Thankfully at our house New Years hits about 10:30pm! 

This year we added to the excitement with "Just Dance 4" Funny thing is the boys liked it just as much as the girls! You go boys!

North Conway 12-27 to 12-29-12

We decided it would be fun surprise the kids and go to North Conway, NH 

for a few days after Christmas. 

Little did we know we would drive up in a big storm-

 and drive back in another big storm! 

That's okay it's the inbetween that really counts!

 Great smile Alyssa! 

"Did you say they have treats in the lobby? Well let's GO!"

Always a fun time in North Conway!

An act of great kindness

A few months ago Paul was at his booth at a trade show.  Paul was talking to a guy from another booth and he did a favor for Roger who just so happens to do sports memoribilia. The guy asked his if he could return the favor. Paul told him that if he ever gets a signed picture of Hope Solo that would be great since it is his daughter's favorite soccer player.

In December Paul sends me this email from Roger-

I made it special

Remember….. it is my job to make you look good

You made me look good with my Son in law……  and I thank you

Merry Christmas to you and yours

 A few days later...

 we get this HUGE box in the mail. 

Inside it is a triple matted signed photo of Hope along with an inset picture of her at the olympics and a plaque inscribed to Lissy. I promptly wrapped it back up and hid it so that she could open it on Christmas morning! 

 I especially love the words of encouragement!

I couldn't believe what an amazing gift this was! Nor could I believe the kindness from Roger to go out of his way to create such an incredible gift for Alyssa.

Here it is in her "new room." She wanted it to go above her bed, but we decided on the side so that she can look at it every night as she goes to sleep and be inspired and KNOW that she CAN accomplish anything she sets her mind to! You go my Lissy girl!

Lissy's new room

You know what's super awesome about having a brother in law who paints houses for a living come out for Christmas? 

Paul and Michael getting Alyssa's room

 PAINTED (two coats)

 AND PUT BACK TOGETHER

 in ONE AFTERNOON! 

 Before- lavendar walls 

 After- asparagus green walls with a new comforter set.

And all I had to do was take pictures!!! LOVE IT!

Christmas morning chaos

The calm before the storm!

SO sad these kids are lacking in presents- NOT!

 Lola's favorite present! 

 What a HUGE box!

Just what she asked for a super soft & fuzzy bean bag!

Hope Solo signed photo (more on that on another post...)

Grandma and Uncle Mike LOVED their England photo books! YAY!

A fun present from Grandma! Can't wait to go to the beach and find treasures!

Woo hoo a new snowboard, boots and bindings!

Over and done WAY too quickly! I love the Christmas chaos... 

well at least for an hour! Then it all must go!

This year we even had a dusting of snow- so we could officially call it a white Christmas.

Christmas Morning Preview

Last Christmas 2011 we got Xander A Lego Mindstorm NXT set.  It was the best and most EVER used Christmas gift! Definitely worth the $300! He still makes several different project each week!

Fast forward to this Christmas 2012-
Here is the robot he made, programmed and designed so that his ipod would fit on top.

He designed it so that when they are waiting for the obligatory "sitting on the the stairs while mom and dad get the last minute stuff set up in the family room"... picture. 

Which they hate but, oblige me- see

He then face timed Lissy so that they could sit on the stairs and see the stash before physically entering the room-

Here is the robot just before its last turn towards the Christmas tree in the right corner. It had to go from the stairs turn left into the dining room, turn right into the kitchen go straight into the family room and turn right to capture all of the presents around the tree.
PRETTY DANG IMPRESSIVE!! 

So much in life depends on our attitude. The way we 

choose to see things and respond to others makes all 

the difference. To do the best we can and then to 

choose to be happy about our circumstances, whatever 

they may be, can bring peace and contentment."

—Thomas S. Monson

I've tried really hard this past week to instill this in my 

daily life. It truly makes a difference to TRY to see the 

the good in a situation and not just dwell on the bad! 

Gonna keep on trying...

December 14, 2012

A terrible tragedy happened today- 

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Newtown, CT

May they be blessed with peace and light in their lives.

December 19, 2012

It's that time of year...

The time when Lissy and I make chocolate butterscotch peanut clusters-

MMMMMMM!

Just a wee bit of tasting evidence...

Recipe:

• 3 parts semi sweet chocolate chips
• 1 part butterscotch chips
• a whole bunch of dry roasted peanuts
• melt over low in pan, add in peanuts until nice and lumpy
• drop by teaspoonfull onto parchment paper
• to cool put in fridge or freezer until set

I keep these in a large tupperware container in the fridge until they are given away or ALL eaten. Doesn't take very long around here!

December 15, 2012

Pie Night-

Our friends have a really fun get together every year. 

Everyone brings some sort of pie- visits, eats and then eats some more! 

Instead of the typical pie I wanted to bring something different and I decided on

 Salted caramel brownie whoopie pies (say that fast 5x) 

They were A HIT! So dang good. Except they are rich so we ended cutting them up into 4 so that all could share in the goodness! Here's the recipe if you are in the mood to make something super yummy! The brownies could have baked a bit longer... They were a bit mushy but that's what made them

 OH SO GOOD!

SALTED CARAMEL BROWNIE PIES

*Recipe by Bakers Royale

Brownie Cookie 

• 12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 eggs
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder, sifted

Salted Caramel Creme Filling 

• 1 cup butter
• 2 cups confectioner sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salted
• 1/4 cup caramel

Brownie cookies:

1. Place 7oz. of the chocolate and the butter in a saucepan over low heat and gently stir until melted and smooth. Set aside.
2. Place the eggs, sugar and vanilla in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and beat for 15 minutes or until pale and creamy. Add in flour, baking powder, melted chocolate mixture, remaining 5 oz. of chocolate and mix to combine. Set aside to to stand for 10 minutes.
3. Spoon 2 tablespoonful of the mixture, onto parchment lined bake sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 8–10 minutes or until puffed and cracked. Allow to cool completely on trays.

Caramel creme filling and assembly:

1. Place butter in a bowl and beat until creamed. Add in confectioner sugar and salt and beat until light combined. Add in caramel and beat until combined.
2. Spread a teaspoon and a half of caramel creme on underside of one brownie cookie and place a second brownie cookie bottom side down on top frosting.

December 14, 2012

The kids love it when it is Spirit week at school. The only day this missed this week was Monday which was ugly sweater day because... we forgot! Here some pictures of my mixed up/crazy hair kiddos!

Just lovely!

I love the fact that they have the desire and confidence to go to school looking like this! 

Too funny!

In case you missed tonight's sunset-

The most AMAZING thing about January is the sunsets!