TV Dinner NIght!

We found a new family favorite in our house.

TV Dinner Night!

Had I known they would be so excited about something so simple, we would have done his ages ago. The kids love picking out their own dinner, preparing it, and then sitting down to have a mini picnic in front of the television? Gosh... it really is the simple things.

We all watched "Up" together. Such a cute show. A new favorite of mine!!!

Concussion?

So I have a moral to this post.....

When you park next to a truck that has an ATV hauler attached like this.....

.... make sure when you get out of your car, you remember it is there, and don't smack right into this....

Yep... that's right. I had a complete blonde moment when I parked next to a co-workers truck. I got out of my car, in a big hurry to get into work (who is ever in a big hurry to get into work anyway), and as I turned around to head into work... SMACK! I hit the right temple on my forehead right into this big, noticeable, metal thing. OUCH!

I kicked the tires and said a few choice words, trust me, those choice words made me feel better. I was rubbing my head as I entered into work, just feeling a small goose bump. But as the day progressed it just got worse. I started to feel dizzy and sick to my stomach. My friend told me my eyes were dilating all funny. I just laughed it off.... after all, who wants to admit to something so stupid. "Hello! Open your eyes!" That is all I kept telling myself.

My mild concussion kept me home from work the next day. It took 2 days after the incident to feel like my old self again.

You can guess I am not parking anywhere close to the black truck and I am doing much better of keeping my eyes open!

Too Much Time

Now that football is over, we all have so much extra time on our hands.

All this extra time has opened our door to lots of cooking this week. Check out all the yummy stuff we cooked up!

For dinner one night we cook up this chicken chili. Perfect for kids because it isn't overly spicy and it is pretty healthy. Then we cooked up this delicious chicken with cheese stuff. Conner had a brilliant idea to mix in some noodles. It was tasty and a new favorite at our house.

We all LOVE dessert at our house. We found a new favorite blog "Cooking that Doesn't Suck." We made the delicious Banana Cake with the delightful cream cheese on top. YUM! This picture doesn't do it justice.

A fall tradition of ours is to have Carmel Night! We do it every year. The recipe is pretty simple. 2 cups of Brown Sugar mixed on the oven, in a pan, with 1 cup of Karo Syrup. Add in 1 can of Sweet and Condensed Milk. Stir, stir, and stir some more on high heat until it comes to a boil. Add one cube of butter. Stir and stir once again. Test to see if the carmel comes to a soft ball stage. That's it... there you have it.

Add the carmel to popcorn or apples. You can cook it just a tad bit longer and make little carmel squares. DELICIOUS!

Poor Conner. He is still on his no sugar adventure. He makes the best of it though. Apple on a stick (no carmel) and a bowl of popped popcorn. He says it was almost the same.... but only almost.

Brutal - New Mexico Soccer

Ok... so maybe I am used to sweet little Megan. I can't believe girls are this mean. OUCH!

This is the most popular YouTube video in my area right now. Take a look....

Champions

I cannot believe the football season has come to an end.

We sure did end on a great note though!

Garrett and Conner finished the season as Champions of their divisions!!!

Garrett's team has grown this year! I remember the very first game I wanted to pull Garrett out because he kept getting sacked. I was sure he was going to get hurt. But after hours of practicing and drills, it was wonderful to see his team come together and play their guts out!

I love this picture. Notice the poor little Caveman on the ground. Brock (#3) has just made an incredible block for Garrett. The two make quit the pair!!

The final game was a blowout. The score 16 - 0 with Garrett running in both touchdowns!!

Coach Anderson has been incredible for Garrett. He has just the right touch. Often times Garrett gets discouraged and can lose his cool. But Coach Anderson has a way of encouraging Garrett and helping him keep his head in the game.

This was a tender moment for me. Coach Anderson came up and gave Garrett a big hug. Then he said, "Garrett, I love you! You played SO hard this year. I couldn't be more proud of you."

I have watched Garrett play hard. He has put his everything in each game. Some games have been so difficult, yet he made it happen every time. As a parent, it is so great to see a coach love my son as much as I do.

Team James Lone Peak
1st and 2nd Grade
Champions

Conner's team had phenomenal season this year. They ended the season undefeated!!!

Conner made a goal for himself this year, he was bound and determined to play running back. Conner ran and trained this summer. He wanted to be fast and strong. Last year was his first year out and he play on the line. He did a great job there, but when Conner sets his mind to something, he makes it happen. He is an example to me that if you put your mind to something, and you want it bad enough, you can make it happen.

Conner played running back this year..... and he was incredible!

There is no juking for Conner.... he just runs anyone over who gets in his way. He is one strong young man.

The game got a little scary. Lehi Christensen is a great team!! There was a short time where they had the lead. Our team stepped it up and won by one touch down. The final score was 19-14!

Conner is fortunate as well to have such incredible coaches. Mike Livingston has inspired Conner to be better. Everything Conner has learned about football he has learned from these fine men. I love that Conner has such great role models and people who care enough to encourage and build confidence in him.

Lone Peak Livingston
6th Grade - Undefeated
Champions

Halloween - Part 3

Let's see if you can recognize any of these spooky faces!

Count Dracula

Lone Peak Knight

Mannequin

Scary, Mean Guy

King Crab and his Mermaid

We went to a Halloween Party on Friday night. Fun times!!

I think I finally hit the age where Halloween just isn't as much fun...laugh! I stayed home and passed out candy this year on Halloween night. I didn't even dress up for the kiddo's. Zander was pretty disappointed. Conner, Stocks, and Gar all found different groups to trick-or-treat with. Zander and I raided the street and headed home pretty early.

Niel put together a toilet. Such a memorable night!!

Halloween - part 2

Halloween for me is almost like Christmas... almost.

Since I work at the software company I knew one day I would end up being something high tech. This year we each got to pick a computer virus to dress up as. I was so excited to find a virus that allowed for the girlie dressing up. I was the "Girl with Flowers LANDesk virus." You wouldn't know who I was unless you worked at LANDesk a few years ago. But I thought I was so clever...hehe!! Lynda was the famous "I Love you Virus." She was also the one one who came up with this brilliant costume idea... which by the way won us first place for creativity! Ike is the "Ping-Pong Virus" .... sweet hair! Gary is the "Lockjaw Virus" .... he had to keep his mouth closed all day! And little Tracy was the LANDesk Anti-Virus.... a great product I sell everyday.

So much fun!!

Our management dresses up every year too. I always look forward to their creative Halloween fun-ness. Check them out! I think next year I might be the incredible hulk. That has been my favorite costume so far this year.

... more Halloween to come!