Turkey Day!

Look at the snow!

Mike's S'mores Cheesecake!

Cute girls having fun!

Yummy!

My lil buddy!

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We woke up to the first snow of the year on Thanksgiving. The kids were so excited! Then, we got to cooking, cooking, cooking! Hayley made a wonderful apple pie, Tehya made the pecan pie, Josh helped make the sweet potatoes, Mike made his s'mores cheesecake, I assisted the kids, and Ethan sat at the table munching on the pecans that G-ma Stick sent us for Christmas. We headed out in the falling snow and had a great meal w/ the Webster and Layer families. The kids had fun playing games the rest of the night. What a fun day! No pics of Josh, they came out blurry! He won't stop moving long enough to get a clear shot!

Stew it up!!

Need a hearty stew to warm your family's bellies this winter? Try this recipe I have been tinkering with for awhile! It is so yummy!!

Savory Pork Stew
1 T evoo
2 lbs cubed pork stew meat
Ground black pepper to taste
Garlic powder to taste
Corn starch as needed
6 red potatoes, cut in chunks
1/2 sweet onion, diced
1 can whole kernel corn, drained
3 stalks celery, chopped in chunks
1 sm bag baby carrots
Fresh garlic
1 (14oz) sliced stewed tomatoes
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 (14oz) can beef broth
1 1/4 c milk
2 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp thyme
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp coriander

Heat evoo in skillet over med heat. Sprinkle pork on all sides w/ salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Lightly coat pork in corn starch. Place pork in skillet. Cook until lightly brown, but not done. Transfer to slow cooker. Add potatoes, onion, corn, celery, and carrots.

In a bowl, mix the tomatoes, soup, and broth. Pour in slow cooker and mix well. Add spices and mix. Cover and cook on high for 6-8 hours. Add milk the last hour of cooking. Thicken up the stew w/ corn starch.

Fried eggs? Really?

So Ethan has decided that the only things he now eats are toast, PB & J, cereal, and hot dogs. I made him scrambled eggs with cheese for breakfast, and promptly got his auto response of, "I don't like that!". So I tried a new tactic and told him I would make him a "new, special" egg. So, I fried an egg up for Tehya and had her talk it up. Then, I gave Ethan one and he actually ate it! Score one point for Mom! Amazing how winning a small battle can make Mom so happy! Did I mention he likes spicy German mustard on his hot dog? But scrambled eggs are a no go! He is a puzzle I am still trying to solve!

Piano fun

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A quiet day is perfect for playing around on the piano! Let's have some fun!

Getting our swagger on

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We said goodbye to our old 2000 Mazda MPV. It had actually been a very good vehicle for us, we wish it well with it's new owner!

Our pretty new van is a Town & Country. It has tons of cool features too! The kids favorite is the 2 tvs and auto doors, Mike's favorite is the heated seats and the touch screen radio, and I am loving the back up camera and remote starter! Something for everyone! If only I could get it in the driveway! Parking in our cramped space is tight to say the least. Think I'll stick with parking her on the space in front of the house! Can't wait for the next long drive!!