Christmas Program

Jason ready to get his sing on.

Jason's class is pretty big and all of them can really perform.

Jake just wanted the candy cane.

Our singing man with the man in the red suit.

Last night Jason showed off his skills in his preschool program. It was wonderful. As you can see Santa and Mrs. Clause even came. It was a very special night. We are so proud of Jason. And as one parent said, the singing and laughing really does get you in the Christmas spirit. It was complete with one kids getting sick during the program and boy were we excited that it wasn't Jason. We are also thankful he wasn't in the line of fire. Even with the little burp in the program, IT WAS AWESOME!!!!! Merry Christmas to all of you and we look forward to sharing more pictures soon.

Just a little taste of the performance

It is beging to look a lot like Christmas!!!

The cold cold cold.... it was only -15 when I took this pic.

The boys wearing off some of the energy by jumping on the bed.

A photo with the alum-nut fam.

The snow came with a lot of cold.... I mean really cold. We have been couped up indoors with below zero temps for a week now and we are very ready for it to be above the zero mark. To fill the time we have been playing hard and laughing a lot as usual.

Decorating!!!


More tree action.

Last weekend was full of fun and excitement. Mom and dad came Saturday to visit and play Santa. Sunday Connie and Jay came and helped us get our decorate on. It was a wonderful weekend and our tree is up and we are enjoying the lights.

I hear rumors that it is supposed to warm up next week and we are keeping our fingers crossed. Jason and Jake are patiently waiting for Christmas to get here. This means that Jason only asks two or three times a day if Christmas is here yet. The patience is strong in that one. It is a great Dec.

We have been attending parties, playing, wrapping gifts, singing songs and preparing for the big day..... I really should say big days. Next week Jason has his first Christmas program. Next up is Christmas. Then there is our 7th anniversary and on to Jason's 4th birthday. All of that will be complete just in time for New Years!!!!!

As always we are cramming it all in and loving it. I do have to admit, I gave Colin his gift early. This happens every year, but this year I really couldn't wait. The boys and I got him a PS3 and he loves it. We also got him some blu ray movies and games. The kids are amazed by it and we love all of the extras. It is pretty cool.

Now I have to get back to baking...... Have a wonderful week. I will try to post pics of Jason's program next weekend. Sending a lot of smiles, well wishes, and happy thoughts out to all of you....................

Where I have been

The boys with all of the stuffed animals on Jason's bed.

Jason blowing some bubbles.

Jake in the toy box.

With Christmas approaching we have been busy. It is especially busy since I am making a lot of the gifts. My biggest project is deffinately mom and dad's gift. They know that I am making them a quilt for Christmas, but I have news... it is finished. I can't believe it is finished. There are a lot of mistakes, but it is a finished. Colin really likes it and I hope mom and dad do too.

Mom and Dad's quilt...

The weather has cooperated as well. We have been playing outside and enjoying the warm afternoons. I love it.

I hope all of you enjoy these pictures from Thanksgiving and the last few weeks. Enjoy and we will talk to you soon..............

Jen and Dave cooking cutting the Turkey.

The boys washing up for dinner.

Grandma Denise hanging out with the kids.

Colin and Dad visiting.

The sunset on our way home Thanksgiving day.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

We were able to celebrate yesterday with our families and loved it. We just didn't get to see one of Colin's brothers and our new sister-in-law and they were missed. It was wonderful to see everyone and remember everything we are so very thankful for. I just wish we could all spend more time together. The kids love playing with their cousins and making giant messes at their Aunt's and Uncle's houses. There is so much in this world to be thankful for and I plan on focusing on those things. We really missed Grandpa on this weekend of family, but he was there with us in spirit. We ate some extra pie in his memory and ate plenty of food. Jennifer, Dave, and Mom cooked up quite the feast. It was almost too good. We are still full today. I hope all of you had a great holiday. Good luck prepping for the next biggy. Enjoy!!!!!!!

Hello again

This last week has been all kinds of fun. We have been walking a lot and enjoying the weather.

Jason has had an amazing week of fun. His preschool really got into celebrating the high school football team's trip to the state championship (which they won by the way... GO BOBCATS) so he learned cheers and is now a true Bobcat fan. He even went scouting for elk with Colin and Dusty. Jason had so much fun and won't put the binoculars down.

Jake and I have had an amazing time reconnecting with friends and playing. I have been working on my quilting project and am making some progress. Jake is quite the helper too.

Colin is doing well. He has been keeping busy at work but always seems to have a project at home. The cat (which Jason calls Minnie) gave him a run for his money yesterday. It jumped from a tree onto the roof of the garage and couldn't get down. I don't know why, but cats seem to like to climb up things and get stuck. Anyway, Colin got the ladder out and saved the day. Jason and Jake were so happy.

Now we are on to another great week. We don't have anything special planned, but those are the best weeks. I love playing it by ear and enjoying each moment. Have a great week everyone and we will have more to share before you know it.

A Wonderful Halloween Weekend

Halloween weekend is always excited, but this year Colin and I had an adult weekend. It was so much fun. The kiddos went to Meeteetse with Mom and Dad while Colin and I celebrated in Thermop. Friday night we helped with the haunted house, which was so scary. I knew what was coming and was still scared. One girl got so afraid that she puked. I was just a mask and scary shirt while Colin was the Chainsaw man. It was awesome and a success.

A group of friends after the haunted house...

Saturday we went for a hike with great friends up Monument Hill and had a blast. After that we went home and prepared for the big Halloween bash. It was so much fun. Everyone was so creative with their costumes. It was a ton of fun.

Colin and I as Billy Mays and "Barb the Builder"

Sunday was Dad's birthday so we headed to Meeteetse to celebrate and pick the boys up. It was so nice to spend time with the fam and to get the boys back.

Happy Birthday Dad!!!!

It was such a great weekend. We are so lucky to be here in Thermop and to have such wonderful friends and a great family. Have a great week everyone!!!

Halloween Celebrations

This week has been the week of parties. The boys have been dressed up in their costumes since Wednesday. It started with a story time party. I made monster crackers for that one.

Story time group.... Jake was the only one crying. A true Dragonsaurous.

Jason turning Audry into a mummy.


Monster Crackers.

Thursday was the big preschool party and trick or treating at the businesses. It also included a haunted house visit (Jason didn't like it, but Jake thought it was funny). They were also in the kiddie parade down town and in the costume contest. The boys had a blast and the costumes were amazing. We even saw a headless horseman on a pony.... so cute.

Jason's preschool teachers Miss Bethany as Minnie and Miss Anna as Indie "Anna" Jones

Now they are preparing for a Haloween weekend with Grandpa, Grandma, Lane and Chance. They are very excited. Colin and I have our own costumes picked out. I will be "Barb" the Builder (a female version of Bob the Builder) and Colin will be Billy Mays... I will post pictures of this one. Have a happy Halloween!!!!!

Keeping busy

The last couple of weeks have been tough, but if we learned anything from Grandpa that is you have to LIVE life. So we are grabbing every day and living it to the fullest. Despite Jake getting very sick... croup, high fever, sinus issues and more we have been able to do a lot. On the list was insulating the garage.

Jason helping install the ceiling.

With Halloween approaching Jason's preschool went to the pumpkin patch to get some pumpkins. He had a great time.

Some of Jason's preschool class at the pumpkin patch.

There was fire prevention week and the boys really enjoyed that. Jason will teach everyone about calling 911 and how to stop drop and roll.

We had a side note with a cat. This poor thing was starving and was very vocal about it, so we moved a dog house out by the garage and started to feed it. It is still officially a stray, but for now Jason is calling her Minnie.

Last night we took on the task of carving pumpkins because this is the week of Halloween celebration. The boys have costume parties, a haunted house and a lot of candy to collect.

Sunday the 1st is Dad's b-day so happy birthday. We can't wait to see you Sunday. Have a great week everyone and enjoy the holiday. Take care and I will have more soon. To look at all of the new pictures that I have check out my link and explore.

Grandpa

A story teller and joker at heart Charles Scott was one to light up rooms when he entered. He loved airplanes, projects, dogs and spending time with family and friends. Any person that met him never forgot him. He brought laughter and smiles to so many.

I have so many stories I wish I could share, but I will cut it down to a chosen few. There were those about dirt ball fights with the neighbor children, playing hookie, and toy airplanes when he was a child. He was a man of so many talents and he loved to tell stories about all of his adventures.

After joining the Army he had to go over seas via banana boat. Not many things could get the best of grandpa, but that banana boat almost did. Boy did that boat make him sick. While in the Army he had so many adventures and there was nothing better than listening to him tell stories about them.

Now all of us that are related to him are so lucky that he met Grandma Scott. Thank goodness they had my dad and uncle Ron. He loved to take pictures and documented everything very well. He had a video camera when Dad and Ron were kids and he had so many great videos. There was one in particular of Ron and Dad sledding. He loved to show that one both forward and backward, real motion and slow motion, laughing the whole time.

Every person that met him came away with a story, a smile and a laugh. I was fortunate enough to have such a great man as grandpa. I learned so much from him. He taught me how to fish, how to check if a spark plug had a spark, and how to snipe hunt. There was this one time when he greased up my tricycle for me. As I was going down the hill, my handlebars broke off and I was so sure Grandpa sabotaged me. He gave me a hard time about that every time I saw him.

We never had a dull moment with Grandpa around. Watching the dogs dig was even exciting. There was always a joke or a prank. That is how I will remember him, happy and full of life. He lived every day to the fullest. Grandpa will live on in our hearts and through our memories.

Service will be at 2:00 Wednesday the 14th of October at the LDS church in Meeteetse. In lieu of flowers please give donations to the Park County Humane Society, Box 203, Cody, WY 82414. Thank you.

Eat On!!!!

For me cooking is just a hobby that keeps our bellies from growling. I love to put ingredients together and have them turn into something so tasty that it is hard to stop eating. I look at recipes and put my own twist on them based on my family’s taste preferences. The cold months are my favorite by far. This is when my whole house smells wonderful. When it is hot I grill, cook a little on the stove. That really makes me get creative, but the cold weather comfort foods are the best in my book. So, here we are waiting for more snow to fall and I have a meal that I can’t wait to get in the oven. Today we are having scalloped potatoes, roasted ham, asparagus, and salad. My house is going to smell amazing. Here is a recipe for scalloped potatoes that just sounded great. You can substitute garlic for onions, cream for milk or any other cheese you like, but this is what I had in my pantry. Also, if you garnish with some parsley…… BEAUTIFUL!!!! I hope everyone enjoys. Have fun and now to get cooking.

Three Cheese Scalloped Potatoes with Onions

INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons butter, divided
1 pint 1% milk
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
salt and pepper to taste
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
4 slices provolone cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease a 1 1/2 quart or larger casserole dish with butter or nonstick spray.

Layer the potato slices in the bottom of the casserole dish. Dot with some of the butter cut or pinched into small pieces. Arrange the onion slices over the potatoes, and then pour some of the milk over. Sprinkle part of the Cheddar cheese over the layer, and season with salt and pepper.

Repeat layering of potatoes, onions, cream and Cheddar cheese, then top with the slices of provolone cheese. Season again with salt and pepper.
Bake for 1/2 hour in the preheated oven, and then sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the top. This will create a semi-hard cheese crust.

Continue baking uncovered for another 30 minutes, or until potatoes is tender when tested with a fork.

Hello winter?

Lester very cold and covered in snow.

The last week has been full of fun, cold, travel and great company. We started out last week trying to get everything finished before the cold hit. Boy did it come in fast. The boys just loved it. They have been playing in snow and eating up every second of it. Last week we also had a visitor. Our friend Maggie was able to come and visit. It was lovely!!! We enjoyed the perfect cold weather meal and had a great time catching up.

Our stew and rolls for a relief from the cold.

Maggie and Glacier.... can't wait for them to visit again.

It was sad to see Maggie go, but we had a busy rest of the week. Last week was Homecoming week in Thermopolis!!! GO BOBCATS!!!!! Jason's preschool had a float in the parade on Friday and he had a blast. His teacher Miss Bethany ROCKS!!!!

The Kiddie Kollege float.

After enjoying the parade we were off to Gillette for my Uncle Mike's wedding. It was a good time had by all. We even got to try some family brew. Yes, there are people in our family (although distant to me, I feel some closeness to them) that have a brewery. I loved the beer and will be trying that again. While we were there we also got Jake a new bed. He no longer sleeps in the crib, it is a twin all of the way. (you have to go to my Picasa site to see the picture of his new quilt and his bed)

Sis and Uncle Mike!!! The newlyweds.

Yesterday Jake turned 18 months old!!! So today was his be appointment. He is right on track at 24.2 lbs and 31 in tall. His vocabulary is ahead of schedule and he is doing beautifully. Friday both boys go in for flu shots as well. That should be exciting. I hope all of you are doing well. To look at the rest of the pictures including Jakes new bed please click HERE. Take care, stay warm and I apologize I have fallen behind on my foody blogs, hopefully this week. I will leave you with a picture of the boys playing when it first started snowing.

Hello Fall !!!

The boys hanging out in the dog house that the dogs won't even go in.

Our crop.

Another angle... we are very excited.

It looks like the big freeze will be here in the next couple of days so we have started preparations. Despite the hail our pumpkin/spaghetti squash crop was wonderful. Tomorrow we will pick up all of the outdoor toys and put them in plastic bins. I sure love fall and Jason is excited to catch snow flakes on his tongue. Friday the boys will be in the homecoming parade and then we are off to my uncle's wedding. It should be an exciting rest of the week. Hope all of you enjoy the change in weather as much as we do. Take care and stay warm........

Promised Pics!!!

The boys playing in a hole Moe dug.

My new sewing machine....

Jason... How handsome.

Jake trying to take out the net with a damaged shovel.

Colin and Jason solving world problems.

Jakie fighting a fever without a shirt on.

Jason.... the "Monster"

Jakes prefered way of getting in the playhouse.

Jason watching his dad adjust his bow.

Lester... our scarecrow. Jason named him.

Jake and Jason sitting with Lester.

The smooth side of Jason's quilt post wash.

The rag side post wash.

Hello again.... I have got to get more consistant on my posts.... In fact, my blog might be going through a transformation. It might start to include some recipe ideas for the week. So, be looking for that.



The last week has been full of all kinds of fun. I planned on posting pics earlier, but decided to sew with my new machine instead. It is amazing and makes sewing even more fun.


Jakes quilt will be finished soon. It is a good thing since he will be moving up to a big boy bed in a few weeks.... WOW!! Time is going by so fast. A week from tomorrow Jake will be 18 months old. It doesn't even seem possible. He also has started to ask to sit on the toilet... he pretend potties and gets down to wash his hands... Very funny.

Jason loves preschool more than I can even describe. He he has made many friends and wishes he could go to the Kiddie Kollege every day. This Friday he gets to ride on a homecoming float. The kids are decorating their own shirts for the big day and Jason is pumped.


The weather is finally staying cool enough for us to spend most of our time outside. It kind of cuts into my sewing time, but we sure get a lot of playing in. Our walks are back on schedule and they are getting longer with the cool air. Our pumpkins are picked and ready for decorating... I will post pics of them later this week. Despite our hail issues and frost, we had a fairly successful year. I am already planning my garden for next year.... Canning has been great so far and I have started dehydrating a lot of fruit for snacks.... the boys prefer apple chips.

I hope everyone is doing well. Enjoy the pics and I will return with recipes and more stories...