Christmas Cookies and Snowman Soup

A snowy Tuesday afternoon. While Samara was sleeping we decided to have Snowman's Soup with some cookies that I made. I never knew how much white chocolate could be when decorating cookies. Connor, Peyton, and Carson enjoyed every minute of it.
Snowman's Soup is so easy to make.
Per serving
1 packet of hot chocolate mix
6 oz of water
6 white chocolate chips
6 milk chocolate chips
6 marshmallows
1 candy cane
Directions: Boil Water, pour over hot chocolate mix, add white/milk chocolate chips, marshmallows and stir with a candycane.

YUMMY!!!!!!!!!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve we spent at my sister's house

Decemeber Snow Storm

Friday afternoon we started to be prepared for a winter snow storm. It is one of those things where you believe it when you see it. Well when we woke up this morning it was snowing, and it continued to snow and snow and snow. It is now almost 4:00 in the afternoon and it is still snowing. I think at this point we have almost 14-16 inches. It is not forecasted to stop until after midnight. We also have been experiencing thunder snow.

Dave created a snow hill with a bob sled run. The kids have been having so much fun. His Michigan background is coming through now. Tomorrow he has a snow fort planned.

My parents drove 24 hours and through the night to make it up here in time for Christmas. They arrived safely this morning and I look forward to seeing them soon.

Recital pictures

Holiday Season

The holiday season has arrived and while it is a little hectic around here one thing is for sure. The joy of the season will be a part of our home. We recently heard Reggie Dabbs speak and in his presentation he asked us to take the Joy Jesus brought to us and live our life with it. As we celebrate this holiday season we remember that Christ is the reason we celebrate, and the reason we can have JOY!!!

It has been a while since I have had time to update everyone on things going on in our house so the pictures that follow will be of a variety of things. And while I would like to be able to blog every moment and every detail at this time of the year with family, teaching and coaching I just don't have it in me at the end of the night. So tonight, I have some time after what has been a long day, after a long week.

Peyton here at her recital. It was a lot of fun.

NO REGRETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE MELTING POT EXPERIENCE

Wilmington, DE

At The Melting Pot, fondue truly becomes a memorable experience, especially when it is with great friends-Sheila and Meggan, where you can dip into something different - and discover all the ingredients for a unique dining experience including a relaxed atmosphere, private tables, attentive service, fine wines and signature fondue dinners.

FIRST COURSE:
Alp and Dell Cheese Fondue : A delicious combination of white wine, garlic, whole grain mustard and nutmeg, with a smooth blend of award-winning Gruyère, Raclette and Fontina cheeses.

Into it we dipped granny-smith apples, bread, and some vegetables. YUMMY!!!!!!!!!

Second Course:
California Salad a mixed baby salad greens, Roma tomatoes, walnuts and Gorgonzola cheese, with Raspberry Black Walnut Vinaigrette Dressing.

We skipped the third course-the meats to go directly to the fourth and most awaited course....

Chocolate Fondue

The Original This original recipe featured a signature milk chocolate with a swirl of crunchy peanut butter.
Dippers...
Fresh strawberries, bananas, cheesecake, Rice Krispies Treats®, marshmallows, pound
cake and brownies ...........

Meggan and I enjoying a break......


And then we were done. What an experience for our taste buds.

Bridge Run Challenge

Left to Right: Tricia Holmes, Jessica Slates, Jodi Buyyounouski, Shannon Shoch

Today I ran the Bridge Run Challenge. This was a 6.2 mile race to benefit the LARC school. LARC is a non-profit educational school that provides services for moderate to severe disabled children. These services are provided the children at no cost to the parents.

My sister and I also ran in support of our non-profit organization Family Empowerment Center(FEC). FEC is a faith based non-profit organization that provides services in the Rogers Park Community of Chicago, IL.

Today we not only ran for these organizations but for our own goals. For Tricia it was her first race longer than a 5k(3.1mi) She wanted to finish under 1:05 and did- she finished in 59 minutes. For Shannon it was her first race after recovering from a back injury-she ran with her back brace and did her best time 1:05 minutes. Her cousin Jodi had a baby in June and this was her first race since then. Her and Shannon did it together and finished a 1:05. And for me- my goal was to do it under 55 minutes and I did-54:06.

It was a rainy day, but we didn't let that get to us-We enjoyed it and embraced our accomplishments.