For The Love of Shoes

Sam is beginning to get herself dressed. No, not shirts, pants, dresses.....SHOES. Yes, we have an obsession with the diversity that goes on our feet. Today she chose the following to go out in the snow!!!

* She got her boot on all completely by herself. Notice it is the left boot on the right foot, typical kid!!!

Happy...

Written Friday:
So, we haven't left our home in 3 days because AJ and I have some sort of stomach virus. Let's just say that we can't wander far from home.

Hope you all are having a wonderful holiday!!!! We did at least get out and take Sam sledding yesterday......she loved it. she is a speed demon.....the faster we sent her down the hill, the more she laughed.

As of Sunday:
We are all feeling more like ourselves today, finally. We managed to get out today to run some errands, go to church, and are now watching the Broncos. We were definitely looking forward to going up to the mountains, thank to the Gurleys offering their place. However, we enjoyed quality family time no matter the location. We really did have a wonderful 5 days together and managed a little fun along the way.

Thank you to AJ for the nice times despite feeling so miserable. Thank you to Sam for being her always joyous self with lots of smiles and laughs!!!

It's such a HARD life being pulled around on a sled:)

Grandpa Cribley and the dogs had fun too!!!

Sam helped me shovel one day when it was windy and cold.
She really braved and enjoyed the cold....definitely a Colorado baby.

Menu

It's a good thing that Menu Plan Monday keeps me in line because I am not motivated this week!!!

Mon - Artichoke and pasta

Tues - Crock Pot Chicken with Black Beans & Cream Cheese

Wed - Egg, Corned Beef Hash, Peppers

Thurs - Moussaka

Fri - Enchiladas

Sat - Quinoa w/ chicken, garbanzo beans, veggies

Sun - Veggie Burgers, sweet potato fries, salad

Mon - Tuna Melts; cucumber/carrot salad

Routine

Well, I finally added something to my day that I've been meaning to do for a while and it feels WONDERFUL!!!! As soon as Sam went down for her morning nap I jumped into some workout cloths and pushed my body and mind through yoga. *My legs are a little shaky*

I've been wanting to get back to yoga and more walking/running but it is so easy to get 'too busy.' I knew, and had even discussed with friends, that all that was needed was to add it into a routine. If you get yourself into a habit then the excuses fade away. Now, I just have to really keep the routine up.....I know it makes me feel wonderful so it shouldn't be too hard, right?

Family Time

Family dinner a la Dad!!
(notice someone can't wait to have Dad's pizza)

Having Fun Making Pizza

Grandma's 60th Birthday TeaSam especially loved the Devonshire CreamBest seat in the house...

Menu for the week

It is so wonderful to have meals planned because it really takes some daily stress away. I especially love getting new ideas over at Menu Plan Mondays.

I have accomplished a lot of new adventures in the last couple of days. I baked from freshly ground wheat berries and I made my own chicken stock from the carcass. It smelled so wonderful as it simmered all night!!! It sounds especially good as I'm getting over some illness.

Sun - AJ's Deep Dish Pizza

Mon - Brown-Rice-and-Black-Bean-Casserole

Tues - Shepherd's Pie

Wed - Artichoke, leftovers

Thurs - Southwest Chili, cornbread

Fri - Dinner w/ Gurley Family!!!

Sat - Tuna Melts on homemade bread; roasted veggies

Sick day...

Thank goodness for wonderful Daddy's!!!!

AJ has spent all day taking care of Sam and Mom because I am VERY under the weather. I am disappointed because we had a friend Zane's 2nd Birthday party and friends coming over for dinner.

So, I put a chicken in the crock pot and finally got to baking. I'm looking forward to the fresh chicken broth to help get rid of this sickness in our house!!! Plus, I GROUND MY OWN WHEAT finally and made some wonderful Blueberry Muffins!! Thanks mom for giving me the grinder.

Butterfly Kisses

Dad(or Grandpa as he prefers these days) and I had a date Sunday night filled with enough memories to last the whole year through. Bob Carlyle, a musical artist who wrote and sings 'Butterfly Kisses,' presented a free concert at a church here in town. I called to get tickets a week ago but they were all gone. Well Sunday came and the weather has been extremely cold and constantly snowing. I thought just maybe some seats would open up, so I called Dad and said, "Do you want to just show up and see if we can get in?" Of course he jumped at the occasion, 'cause you see, I was one of the many who was blessed and surprised to hear "Butterfly Kisses" as a gift when my daddy walked me down the hillside to 'give me away' to AJ. The show was wonderfully performed and entertaining but the company is what warmed the night and filled my heart with love.
Love you Dad

Menu

Last night we had the Autumn Soup that I've been planning to make for a few weeks and just haven't had the correct day. Well, at 10 degrees last night it was the BEST night, and a great soup!!! It was hardy, yummy, filling, and VERY good for us with lots of veggies. I highly recommend it. I found it and many other recipes at Menu Plan Monday, check it out.

A big goal this week is to grind my own grain, and make lots of different breads with my bread mixer. Wish me luck!!

Monday - Local Chicken Feta Sausages, Acorn Squash w apples

Tuesday - AJ's Turkey Chili, homemade corn bread

Wednesday - Chicken, Mushroom, and Rice bake, Artichoke

Thursday - Leftovers

Friday - Grandma's 60th Birthday Fondue

Saturday - Dinner w/ Castaldi Family don't know where or what yet!!!

Sunday - Pasta w/ sauce from the freezer, salad, homemade bread

A Story in Pictures...

Our Thanksgiving...

Table setting for 18

Our blessed Thanksgiving Family
The O'Briens
Bill, Sandy, Aj, Kelli, Sam, Tim, Amanda
The Cribleys
Steve, Michele, Eric Jorgenson
The Gurleys
Rick, Debbie, Jud, Brie, Laina, Maddie, Adon, Moriah

Spending quality time together

Uncle Tim brought a Nurf hoop for the guys to play

Sam got to shoot a few hoops when the guys were too tired!!

Deep Fried Turkey...need I say more:)

Sushi lunch for Amanda's Birthday (Glad you came up despite getting sick!!)

Sam ate so much Cranberry sauce she had an upset tummy the next morning.

All the O'Brien's came up for the occasion, my bestest Gramsi!!
(sweater and hat courtesy of Grandma Cribley)