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!