Food & Family

 You just can't get through Christmas without some family photos and of course, lots of good food!

We'll do the family photos first and then get to a few food pics.

Here are my mom and dad with all of their grandkids............this group hadn't been together for 6 years!

You wouldn't think it would take 6 years to get 5 kids together...........Jackson, Carter, Sarah, John, and Jacob.

And here was everyone from that generation together..............we added cousins Mackenzie and Hannah and Sarah's boyfriend, Aaron, and Jackson's girlfriend, Carmyn.

And then my generation...........David, Mike, Karen, Brenda, Jeff, Deb, Chad, Pam, Susie, and Me!

Pam, Susie, and Molly!

The Thackers!

The Bentleys!

The Mortons!

And then from Christmas at David's side.............the whole crew!

And Us again...........

And my in-laws who are 92 and 96 years old.

And now for the food.............I made so much stuff and took very few pictures.

A friend in Alaska posted a photo of mints she made and I was suddenly inspired to make some.  I got a little wild on the colors.  We took the whole batch to Bethany and they were gone the first day.

My brother-in-law, Chad has been making cutting boards and charcuterie boards.  This was the one I received for my birthday.  I love it and couldn't wait to use it.

We had been invited to a New Year's card party, but by that time I was sick, so didn't get to go.  David took the board and came home with almost nothing left on it.

I'm sure they ate it all just to see the beautiful board!

I did the entire meal for David's family on Christmas Day.  It was delicious (if I do say so myself!).  Parmesan Crusted Pork Loin with a white sauce, Seasoned Mashed Potatoes, Glazed Carrots, Spinach Salad, Orange Jello Salad, Homemade rolls, and a frozen strawberry angel food cake dessert.

Again, no leftovers came home.  After Christmas and as I was getting sick, I made some excellent homemade chicken noodle soup.  And as the cold and snow came in, I added a tortellini soup and then the baked potato soup below.  I also made my own cheddar bay biscuits like Red Lobster.  

My mom is somehow under the impression that David did all the cooking while I was sick.  NOT!  He did go to Sonic every morning and bring me a cherry slush.  

Well, that's the family and food wrap up!

Christi

Warm Springs Ranch

 

Sarah, David, and I visited Warm Springs Ranch near Boonville the night after Christmas to see the lights.  This is the breeding ranch for the Budweiser Clydesdales.  

We got to see some young horses outside in the paddocks.

And the giant lighted Clydesdale............can you see Sarah standing under it with her arms above her head?

It was a beautiful night, not too cold and fun to wander around the ranch.  After we were finished with the lights (we passed up the free beer), we headed to a Mexican restaurant for supper.

Christi

Cutest Post Ever!

 I know everyone wants to know the updates on Mabel and all the rest of the pets, so this post will be dedicated to our fur babies.

The house somehow survived 4 cats left alone for the weekend with 3 Christmas trees while we were at my parents.  Sarah's cat was with us for the week while she was home and we left Mabel inside as well.

Here are some highlights of the pet activities.............

Mabel has learned how to help bind a quilt and she's not as heavy to shift around as Esme is.

But Esme still helps.

I know this isn't an actual fur baby, but it's the quilt I finished with their help.  It's called Cat Scratch.  Mabel is definitely one of the cat hanging on by her claws.

She can still sleep about anywhere.

Mabel also became very adept at climbing trees, hiding in trees, and making the trees shake.  Fortunately she didn't weigh enough to fell a tree.

Of course, all that tree climbing is exhausting.

She's still trying to bond with her big sisters...........not sure how appreciated it really is.

Yes, Mabel has been spend lots of time inside this winter, but she still likes to go outside as well and will be an outside kitty in the spring.  The house just isn't big enough for 3 cats.

Mabel is learning to leap (small buildings in a single bound).  It's very disconcerting when she leaps from behind you all the way to your shoulder and sits on you.  I keep telling her that she is not a monkey but I fear she will be hanging from the light fixtures soon.  Spring can't come soon enough.

Christi

Another Month Since A Post!

 It's been ANOTHER whole month since I last posted.  I really meant to post during Christmas and after Christmas, but something more than Christmas was shared with me at a family gathering and I have been sick for a couple of weeks.  Really sick!  Fortunately I didn't get sick until just after Christmas.  I really didn't feel well, couldn't talk without coughing, and didn't even feel like typing.  I'm now ready for some conversation (still not talking much), so get prepared for a blast of blog posts to catch up on everything.

For this post, LET'S TALK TRACK!  I know it's cold outside, but before Christmas, we went to Carter's first INDOOR track meet of the season at Iowa State (where Jackson goes, so got to see him as well).

We picked up my parents (Mom was probably already sick then and sharing) and drove to Ames for the 2 day event.  We were planning to spend the night at Deb's, but due to the incoming ice storm got hotel rooms and just stayed in Ames.

Here is our guy........

I loved that we could just haul our comfy chairs around to the different event areas.  And I loved standing/walking on the indoor turf.  I must say that this would be a nice addition to any sewing room!  And as my bro-in-law pointed out with all those yard markings, I could just measure fabric that way!

Carter got personal records in his first 3 events and did win the heptathlon.  It was the largest overall point total he had ever achieved even though he didn't quite reach his goal.  

I did lots of video and even got covered in sand at the end of the long jump pit.

It was a long drive home on Saturday and we were glad to get there after surviving all the ice.  It did make it nice for Mom and Dad that we could drop them off at the door and pick them up so they didn't have to walk on ice as much.

So, that's the first blog update!  Stay tuned for a rapid catch up.

Christi