We drove to Texas for Christmas! Again!

We decided to make the drive to Texas again since we know own a minivan. My doctor was not happy about me going 36 weeks along. We left on a whim on Tuesday night and thru everything in the car. We weren't there very long. We came home Sunday night. Sorry if we didn't get to see our friends in Texas. There wasn't any time. We were excited while we were there we had a white Christmas. It snowed Christmas Eve and lasted a few days after. We went out in it for a minute and it was too cold. The wind was really bad. We had a great time. Here is Callie and Taylor ice skating on Christmas Eve. We went with Taylor's parents, his brother and sister Liberty, and some of their friends. Callie had fun, except for falling and her bum getting all wet. As you can see I was not out ice skating. I don't think ice skating and pregnancy mix.

Chocolate Thin Mints

Chocolate Thin Mints

2 sleeves Ritz Crackers
3 candy canes, crushed
1 bag Andes Mints baking chips (in baking section)

Microwave half of the bag of Andes mints in small microwaveable bowl for about 30 seconds, stir, then another 30 seconds. Stir until melted. Dip crackers in melted chocolate, completely coating cracker with chocolate. Remove with tongs and shake off the excess. Place on wax paper-covered baking sheets. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes after you place them on wax or parchment paper. Let completely dry or refrigerate for 30 minutes. Repeat with second half of chocolate.

These are so yummy. My friend Summer made these for a cookie exchange a couple years ago and I loved them. I made them for a cookie exchange at Callie's preschool. They are so easy.

More Field trip from Christmas farm

Christmas Tree Farm Field Trip

Today we went to a Christmas tree farm with Callie's preschool. We had a hay ride and then they learned how trees grow and the anatomy of a tree. Callie got to hold part of a tree and count to see how old it was. Hers was 12 years old. They got to feed goats and look at rabbits, chickens, turtles, and ponies. Then they each got to take a baby tree home to plant. They had fun playing on the huge hay castle and on a sleigh. It was fun and I got some cute pictures.

More family photos!

Family photos!

My friend Melissa took our pictures about a month ago and I was waiting to post them until we had our Christmas cards mailed so it was a surprise. They turned out really cute. She got some great ones of the kids. She took us to some great places in Redlands for our family photos. There are quite a few.

Scared of Santa Clause!

On Saturday night we had our Ward Christmas party. Callie kept asking if Santa Clause was going to be there because she is terrified of him. She told Taylor go up to Santa and tell him, "I want a computer" and to get her a candy cane. When he came into the cultural hall she stayed glued to her chair. Then towards the end of the line she walked over there. I guess she decided he wasn't that scary and she sat on his lap and told him what she wanted and got her a candy cane. I thought it was pretty funny. Preston wouldn't sit on Santa's lap.

My baby shower!

On Saturday my friends, Jennie, Liana, and Lindsey threw me a baby shower. It was really nice. We had yummy waffles and fruit and dip. It was nice to visit with everyone. Thanks so much for a nice shower. Here are some photos from the event.

Las Vegas

The weekend before Thanksgiving we drove out with my parents to Las Vegas. My Grandma, Aunt, Uncle, and cousins all live there from my Dad's side of the family. We had Thanksgiving with them on Saturday a little early. On Sunday we went to see Taylor's roommate from college and his wife. It was fun to catch up with him. On Monday we went to downtown Las Vegas and went to the M&M factory which we thought would be way fun. All it was, was 3 levels of expensive items and candy. They did have a 3-D movie but it wasn't working that day. We proceeded to the Coca-Cola Factory and it was about the same. They did have this thing where you could pay $7 to try 14 different kinds of coke from around the world. We didn't do it because everyone around us said how gross they were and left most of the glasses completely full. We kept walking down the strip with my parents and the kids and we had to keep our eyes straight ahead because there was pictures of undressed women all over the ground. We then decided to go back to our car and my feet were so swollen by the time we got back. Taylor found this free circus act at the Hotel Circus Circus. We got there and waited about 30 minutes and it was pretty cool of the 10 minute show we saw. We tried to make it memorable but I just felt dirty from all the filth we saw and tired from all the walking. But we did have a great time visiting with my family. It is always good to catch up.

New Moon!!

Yesterday was the midnight showing of New Moon. We went down around 2:00 and waited in line until 8:45 and then they let us in the theatre and waited some more until 12:01 p.m. The time went a little slow but not bad. We played some games,chatted with one another, and went and got some dinner. New Moon was so awesome. Jacob!! Oh man was he cute. I can't wait until June to see Eclipse. Here are some pictures of us waiting in line and in the theatre. Excuse my closed eyes in one of the pictures. In every picture someone took my eyes were closed. The movie theatre was so dark and the flash was so bright.

Our train ride to San Diego

Here are some pictures of inside the train. On the back of one of the cars it had a huge glass window to look out with stadium seating. It was really cool. Then their was a total of 3 different cars you could go on. We had a lovely lunch and the train and then everyone just visited. We stayed in a hotel in San Diego that night and had dinner and then the next day had breakfast and headed back on the train to L.A. We had a nice time.

BNSF business trip to L.A. and San Diego

Taylor and I left the kids with my mom and went on a business trip with BNSF Railroad. We drove down to Los Angeles and had a yummy breakfast at the Doubletree Hotel. We then got on a boat and took a tour of the Port of L.A. and Port of Long Beach. It was very interesting to know that all the things we buy at the store come in there and then are shipped onto trucks and then destibuted throught out the U.S. Here are some pictures of us on the boat and of our tour. We then proceeded to the Executive train cars and took a 4 hour train ride to San Diego. It was really nice.

Broccoli Cheese Soup

For dinner on Halloween night we had yummy bread bowls from Panera Bread and then we made different kinds of soup to go in them. My friend gave me this recipe. It was so good.

Broccoli Cheese Soup

4 cups peeled and cubed potatoes
1 onion, chopped (I used minced onion flakes)
2 cups sliced carrots
2 cups chopped celery
3 cups chopped broccoli
1/2 cup butter
3 tbs flour
1 lb. velveeta, cubed
1 tsp. dry mustard
1/4 tsp pepper
3 chicken boullion cubes

Boil all veggies EXCEPT broccoli in 2 cups of water for 10 minutes. Add broccoli and boil for 10 minutes. Do not drain. In saucepan, melt butter. Add flour. Add milk and cook, stirring constantly until thick(coats back of wooden spoon). Add cheese and other ingredients. Mix until smooth. Add to undrained veggies and heat together but do not boil.