fun times

So we've had a great Christmas.. we missed a really bad snow storm the day after we left NH and we have enjoyed playing with cousins and uncles and aunts and of coarse Grandma and Grandpa...

Its made us say over and over that we need to get together more often....

I have lots of pictures to upload but no computer with internet AND a card reader to do it so the suspence will just have to hold you...
We had origionally planned on leaving today or tomorrow but the above mentioned storm haulted all air travel for more than a day making everyone who got cancelled spread their travels over the next week making there NO WAY there would be even 1 empty seat on ANY plane let alone 4... so we are here until Monday.. auh shucks! NOT!!!

Anyway.. this is a fairly boring post but thats what we are up too...
ta ta

a NEW tradition

So I found this recipe for truffles here and decided it might be a fun thing to do on first day off of school.. but in true KyLeyne style I can't do anything tiny so I decided to do 3 different kinds and we'll pass them out to neighbors, friends home teaching families etc. etc. and it was really fun.. the kids got totally into it.. they also said they were really yummy but I must admit I didn't try them.. remember I'm not a chocolate, sweet kinda girl.. I will try a peanut butter one tomorrow I promise.. the kids already have grand plans for next year, they want to dip them in chocolate then put the toppings on.. they also had plenty of ideas of additional toppings we'll do next year...

these were left overs after all the nice box's for giving were filled



white chocolate truffles

Kay forming a white chocolate truffle

the Peanut butter truffles

we put chopped peanuts, coconut, powered sugar, chocolate powdered sugar, red, or green sprinkles
on the truffles then put them in a mini cupcake cup

after all the give away pkg's were done THEN the kids could sample the completed product.. rave reviews so far...





So I think we'd do this again, the kids had a good time and I actually think we made them way bigger than they were suppose to be but what ever I don't think I'd do it any smaller (we 3x the recipe linked for each flavor)...



so back to work, my washer broke AGAIN so I'm trying to figure out what I need to take to the laundromat on Christmas eve.. hopefully just Ben's work stuff!!!

ta ta

oh yea Merry Christmas to all of you!!!











Tis the Season

KayLea was Mary in this years nativity for our Ward's christmas party

it was pretty basic, Mary, Joseph and 3 wise men

yes there were 2 baby Jesus' Kay brought her own and there was already one in the manger so yea,poor planning on our part but she REALLY wanted to carry the baby so what ever!!!

KayLea was pleased as could be to be asked to be Mary this year.. she was adorable and did such a good job standing their quietly while Luke 2 was being read...
I guess Christmas is REALLY comming.. we got our trea yesterday and got it all decorated tonight... now I just have to get more into the spirit and we'll all be just fine!!!
ta ta

after company catch up

Grandma Cathy made KayLea's pretty white dress

Daddy and Kay

Lane Clan (I tried to upload a Fox clan picture but I couldn't get it to work off of facebook.. AMBER e-mail me that pic please!!)

Daddy and KayLea in their "whites"  (yes different dress than what Grandma made)

So KayLea's baptism went off with out a hitch... well that's not actually true.. the baptism it self was fantastic, the spirit was strong and KayLea was so excited and everyone enjoyed everything BUT my camera failed me.. yes the new fancy camera that I begged and pleaded and researched to get the best possible deal did NOT inform me it was with out its memory card as 20 plus pictures were being taken and not being saved... thankfully my wonderful family had cameras and I'm in the process of getting their copies of pictures they took... the issue won't happen again as I will be paranoid and always look to make sure the card is where it should be from now on but yea kida sucks!!! here are some pic's from my wonderful sister!

anyway all the family came and we had a great time just visiting and catching up, KayLea had the idea to give all the cousins a "party favor" we came up with these adorable canvas bags that we pumped up a bit with fabric and my cutting machine.. Fiona, Annie, Knight, Will, Ethan all got one (will and Ethan yours are going in the mail this week.. daddy forgot them!) and Jackson will be getting his when we see him after Christmas...

KayLea uses hers for a sunday bag and all the other cousins said that sounded like how they'd use theirs too (but they don't have to they can use them for what ever they want!)

all in all a great weekend!!!

ta ta

the newest member of the Fox Clan

Meet Julie,

KayLea gave strict instructions that when the box arrive SHE be able to open it herself

her first look

KayLea named  her Julie cute name..

I'm just glad she chose one with freckles

So KayLea's "big" birthday present this year along with getting her ears pierced was a real honest to goodness American Girl Doll.. it arrived today, we originally had the idea to take her to the Am. Girl doll STORE in Boston, BUT the day ended up getting piled up with other obligations so she opted to order it on line rather than wait until some un-forseen Saturday we could make the trek.. she got to choose the eye color, the hair color and weather it had freckles or curly or straight, long or short hair etc. etc.
she arrived and since KayLea got jilted the chance to go to the actual store she got to add one extra, getting the dolls ear pierced..
KayLea is definitely in love, she's calling her the sister she always wanted..

Thanksgiving thankfulness and other musings

So Thanksgiving is just a few days away.. I can't say it's my favorite holiday but it definitely means CHRISTMAS is right around the corner and I do love Christmas!!!

Ben who is dieting has asked that we pair down the menu and I agree sometimes we go way to overboard.. so we are doing Turkey (duh!), Christmas Potatoes (did you know My mother re-named these Christmas potatoes rather than Funeral Potatoes, she felt they are good why put such a negative spin on them.. I didn't even know they were known as Funeral Potatoes until I was an Adult) Corn, Throw up pudding (family you know what this is.. outsiders it's a lime jello dish that we kids named years and years ago and those in the know it wasn't even the Mormon side of the family with the lime jello dish ha!) stuffing, gravy.. and then for dessert I'm making a pumpkin pie (not my fav but I love my family) Dutch Apple pie (my fav) and a Low Carb Cheese cake creation I'm testing out for the big day (if it's good I'll be making it for the baptism bbq also)

We had thought that Ben might have to work a double shift and surprise he only has to work the morning shift so yippee we'll be all together for the meal.  The kids have Wednesday through the weekend off and I have to say I'm ready for some extended time off of waking up early, homework wines and any schedule what so ever..

Ben will be off Friday and sat so it will be fun for sure.. and what pre-tel do you think we'll be doing... CLEANING!!!  I have made list's of daily chores that need to be done, carpets need to be steam cleaned, bathrooms deep cleaned bedrooms de cluttered and the list goes on..

I don't plan on doing any of this on Thursday but I've told the family BRACE yourselves because after everyone is over their sugar coma its ON..

the event we are preparing for... KayLea's baptism.. well it's not actually the baptism it self it is all the wonderful family coming into town for the event..

I'm just glad we moved into a house with 2 bathrooms (the old house only had 1)...

So You might not hear from me for a bit but know I'm planning on taking lots of pictures and I will share all after the big event..

and in case you didn't know She's being baptised December 4th at 4:00 in Concord NH.. we'll be having a bbq at our house after (very simple hamburgers and hot dogs chips etc.) if your around please come!!! the more the merrier!!!

Ta Ta

i'm a sucker

I'm a total sucker for a chance to win a new camera lens.. so check this out http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/2010/11/my-top-10-thankfuls.html

scroll to the bottom to check out the review and a chance for YOU to enter.. but really do you want to enter and wreck My chances???

I guess if you have to!
ta ta

a Milestone!!!

 So today is the day before KayLea's 8th Birthday... SOOO it is the long anticipated day to get her ears pierced.  I had a primary leadership meeting early this morning so while I was away the boys got to tease her relentlessly and get her all riled up and scared out of her mind!!! so we get to the mall and she starts holding onto my hand harder and harder then we get to Clairs and as we are picking out which earring's she wants she starts getting a little teary.. I told her I wasn't going to hold her down that if she wanted her ears pierced she had to sit on her own (I would hold her hand) and get it done.. she chose pink daisy earrings (totally her!!) then sat down and then got really nervous and upset..



I thought she was going to jump a foot when the girl went to mark where the holes would be..





when the girl saw she was so upset she asked KayLea if she wanted both done at the same time and KayLea quickly said YES!!! so they were so sweet got another girl so they could be done at the same time..



with the threat of leaving the store w/out getting it done she finally straightened out her neck and it was done.. she didn't want a count down or anything she just said "OK DO IT!!"



we asked her if it hurt she said "NO" we asked her if she was happy she said "YES!"



finally a real smile!!

so it was a successful day, she is happy she did it.. tomorrow the actually birth day will be lasagna for birthday dinner and a few presents from Grandma and Mom and Dad then NEXT Saturday we will drive to Boston to the American Girl store to pick out her doll!! THEN everyone comes in for her Baptism first weekend in Dec.. say yippee for a girls birthday lasting a month!!! all kidding aside she's pretty fun to have around!!!
ta ta

I love FALL in New England!!!




This is a Dam close to my house, it has walking trails and a State Park connected to it.. today there was no wind so the Water was like Glass.. yep I'm  a lucky girl

 



This is a road I travel on quite frequently it really is a beautiful drive

 
 So today I decided to take some time from my drive home from doing a few errands to pull over push the Emergency lights and shoot a few pictures of the wonderful scenery here in NH... I didn't care that I looked foolish or the fact that I was sure the person who's house I was parked in front of would surely wonder why the heck I was parked outside their home and taking pictures.. then again maybe they get it all the time... so Autumn in NH is my FAVORITE season hands down.. Summer use to be a close second BUT this summer was WAAAYYY too hot so its not even on the map anymore..

so below is an experience I shared in my closing remarks last Sunday for our Primary Program.  I was asked to post it for 2 different friends.. it scares me a little because it seems as though this blog has taken kind of a "preachy" vibe as of late.. that is certainly not the original intent of this blog BUT the intent was so I could keep in touch with friends and family and sort of a journal etc. so I suppose when I'm feeling these things I've got to get them out!!! so here goes...



a Road much like the one we were traveling on in the story below but in full disclosure NOT the same road...



"Apple Picking"



        On an outing this past week to go apple picking with good friends, we all piled into one car, space was tight but we had gone on lots of outings together and everyone prefers to squish and visit and play (epically the mom's).. lots of chit chatting was happening and as we got off the freeway we took what we thought was a wrong turn, as we corrected ourselves we realized if we'd stayed on our original coarse we would have ended up on the same road we thought we had missed.. we laughed a bit and just figured we wasted a few minutes, oh well, Just as we had finished that thought we mom's sitting in the front seats witnessed a tree fall directly across the street blocking our way to the apple orchard at that time we pulled over to make sure ALL the children knew that we had been protected, had we not taken the few xtra moments to fix our coarse the tree could have caused a serious accident.. we went about our day..

      ON further reflection that evening, and after thanks for the day had been given in my evening prayers it occurred to me that there were more blessings we received that day but weren't so evident at the time.. 

  
    FIRST: had we taken 2 cars the likely hood of us missing the road would (or thinking we had made a mistake) have been minimal (we were chit-chatting allot) also the possibility of one of us being harmed or even separated by the fallen tree  would have been great..

SECOND:and MOST important; We as mothers wwitnessed the tree fall, we not only were spared an accident and the delay in plans BUT we were afforded the opportunity to teach our children.  Had we not actually seen with our own eyes the danger we avoided we might have missed an opportunity to TEACH...
ta ta

Finally the girl appears in the blog

drinking up her Gatorade during half time...

throwing it in like a pro!



I just couldn't resist this picture.. i will have to play/crop with it a bit in Paint shop so it doesn't look like I'm taking pic's of kids butt's!!!




she played goalie for a time.. she said "I guess I don't hate playing goalie!" so i guess that's good??

 So I promised pictures of KayLea playing soccer and I have FINALLY come through... this was not her first game but IT IS the first game that I have been able to attend.  our Saturdays consist of Me driving out to somewhere in the middle of no where to take Hunter to Football and then Ben gets KayLea to her soccer game, we have thought on a couple of occasions I could make it to the last half (or even quarter) of her games and both times the game went long due to overtime from the previous game or some other nonsense...next sat though Hunter gets to play "under the lights" which means it's an evening game  (5pm..more like a Dusk game???) so we'll all be able to see her game on sat...yea!!!
she's saying she's liking soccer more and more and she's doing really well.. so we'll see if she decides to keep up with it (we will be STRONGLY encouraging her to!!!)
so that's all for now...
ta ta

first FOOTBALL game of the season

So Hunter is #75 I honestly tried so hard to get more than 1 pic of him but it is SO HARD to get a decent picture of a lineman.. who knew... he's always "DEEP" inside others and then he's like on top of other kids and you can't tell who is who... i'll try harder to get some good "action" shots..

KayLea won't have a game for a few weeks so you'll be saved until she has HER first game... enjoy
ta ta

1st Soccer game of the season

Brad did great

He did discover High School Soccer is a bit more physical than he had anticipated..

Brad discovered he is fast enough to catch anyone he just needs a bit more confidence to be aggressive enough

I GOT IT!!!

away game day dress.. if they don't wear a dress shirt and tie they don't play

So I GOT IT... I got a picture of Brad on the 3rd day of school (ill take what I can get).. today is Brad's first soccer game which is an Away game and on away game days the boys have to wear dress shirts and ties, home games he wears his jersy.. (is this common in other places?) He is deffenately is his fathers son so he went with shorts but isn't he cute!!! I just can't believe this is my baby!!! he felt very self conscious today but I think he looks fantastic.. but i'm his mom what else can I say...
ta ta

First day of School

KayLea wearing the tunic Grandma Cathy made for her! she LOVES it!

2nd day of school w/ Rowdy the pug..

So Yesterday we sent all the kids off to their different schools, thats right folks I've got one in Elementary, one in middle and one in high school...  KayLea posed gladly for a photo Yesterday, Hunter needed a picture of his dog anyway to take to school today, so he didn't really have a choice, we took it thismorning.. 2nd day of school but o'well..  but Brad would have rather died then pose for a first day of school picture.. darn that free agency!!!
So all the kids came home with glowing reports of their schools, the prospects of making new friends and KayLea was down right exhausted (a good thing!)
so now i've got no good excuse to not have a clean house and laundry done...
i'm still in the process of getting all that needs to be done to be an "on call sub" for the school district, all my references checked out and now it's just up to the district office to call me in for the final interview and finger prints etc. according to some people  who are or have subed before is it's a hurry up and wait situation but once "im in" i'll be as busy as i want to be.. so we'll see...
and YES, you allwill notice I put a playlist.com music on my blog, i'm adding to it gradually but at least now I can just turn on my blog and crank up the volume when i'm cleaning... and it was totally FREE!! (my fav) sorry for those with slow connections I know it's a pain...
thats all for now
ta ta

school starts WEDNESDAY~~~

So school starts wednesday.. I started out last week feeling kind of "on the fence" about school starting.. here in New England summers are so short the kids barly get 8 weeks off BUT today I'm feeling VERY GOOD about it.. the kids have now begun to jump on my last nerve and we are ALL ready for school to start on Wednesday...

We got Brad's schedule worked out in the new school... he's excited but still will remind us at any chance about him not being pleased with his new high school.. he got put on the JV soccer team which we anticipated but he's happy and I think he made a VERY good impression with his running etc. etc.

On another note Hunter had his first game/scrimmage on saturday.. it was explained to us prior to the event just a short 10 offence 10 defence plays against another team much shorter than a game and we'll all be on our way... NOT... it ended up being 2 different teams that they decided to do in kind of a round robin kind of thing and they did WAAAAYYYYYY more than 10 plays each... so we ended up being there way longer than anticipated and I had a baptism to go to and it all ended up working out BUT it made for a VERY long day!!!

I think Hunter was # 75.. these were temp jersey's we get the "offical" ones with his name on the back this week Yea!

Team Huddle.. the offence coach is our Bishop, and Dad to Hunter's best friend who's team we are NOW on.. the move really is all working out!

But on the bright side of things Hunter did very well.. the team did much better than we anticipated and so overall it was a success..

thats all thats going on now... i'm sure i'll post our first day stuff soon

ta ta

Happy Birthday to ME!!!

So my WONDERFUL Husband (and the kids too) got me a new camera for my birthday AND to top it off when it arrived yesterday Ben didn't even make me wait to open it (b'day isn't actually until friday)...

so today I took KayLea out to break it in... here's what i've come up with so far.. next step EDITING with Corel paint shop... (it came with the camera YEA!)

my absolute fav of the day below..

she's a cutie if I do say so myself!!!

ta ta

I CAN MAKE BREAD!!!

So my kids spent a good 2 weeks with my parents this summer.. they had such a great time but the thing they kept talking about when they got home.... "GRANDMA MAKES THE BEST BREAD!!!" this I already knew, My mother majored in Home Economics in college (for REAL not JOKING!!), she sewed our clothes, baked bread I can't really remember her using any kind of mix or spice packets in her from scratch cooking.. she perfected pie crusts and my great grandma's rolls.. she did her best to teach my sister and I how to sew and cook.. some things stuck.. some didn't.. I own a sewing machine and I can put together a pretty good looking sofa slip cover.. tab top curtains and pillows.. I for the life of me CANT follow a pattern.. a really good friend of mine in high school convinced me to make some shorts with her.. I totally convinced her to make them backwards it was a total disaster.. she picked hers out and did it correctly I bagged them and I think my mom finished them for me.. anyway my point to all of this is... I couldn't bake bread to save my life.. I tried many many many times to no avail...so when my kids came home with glowing reports of my mother's bread making i wasn't surprised and plainly told them aren't you lucky you get to eat grandma's baking.. can't wait for next summer ya~!.. then my mother explained to me she got a brand new recipe/theory of bread making and from beginning to end it only takes ONE HOUR!!! no joke.. which is why she bakes like a mad woman and can supply her and my dad of endless amts of bread and rarely buys anymore.. she explained to me some basics.. the fact that I'd have to get some special ingredients when I was ready she'd e-mail me the recipe... she did and I did and I MADE BREAD!!!

This may not seem like such an accomplishment to all of you pioneer women out there but for ME it IS!!! I can't tell you how many times I've attempted bread, rolls etc. I had resigned myself to only be able to make bread machine bread.. that being the case what was the since in storing wheat or the like right??? well now people I will be researching wheat and flour in BULK BABY!!!

Because this was such a stretch for me I documented this morning's baking adventure with pictures.. enjoy...

the recipe.. thanks MOM!!! I had to half the recipe because my mixer won't hold 10.5 cups of flour (my mom does this too)

measured out the flour, sugar, salt and yeast (yes I put it in cups.. i was paranoid people!! also I am terrified of killing the yeast.. it's happened to me before!) then I combined it..

then added the water and liquid Lecithin my wonderful mom even sent me a bottle but it cracked in shipment so I had to buy some myself.. I found it online my mom actually found bigger bottles but I spent about 4.95 on this bottle with shipping I got 4 bottles for under $20.0o and it doesn't take very much (1.5 tablespoons for a half recipe) it is SUPER STICKY so you don't measure it out.. just a good guestimate!!!

then you mix it for one minute.. see if you need any more water or flour then go to town for 5 minutes in the mixer.. I couldn't for the life of me find my bread dough hook... i own one but it has never been used Ben thinks it might have gotten thrown out in the move (i wasn't consulted even if I never was going to use it.. I would have at least considered it) so I had to use my regular paddle.. I couldn't do it on medium once it got really stuff.. I could only do it on #2-3 or my motor made horrible awful noises..

so did it for 5 minutes then shaped them (using NO flour just pam on my hands, pans and counter) put them in the pans and let them rise for 25 minutes.. I didn't let my dough get as sticky as the recipe calls for (rooky mistake) so they didn't rise as much as I think they could have.. (picture is before the rise.. I didn't take a picture after.. too excited)..

can I tell you how excited I was when I saw this in the oven... I totally did the HAPPY DANCE>>> and whola BREAD!!!

and as proof the family ate it as quick as it came out of the oven so I guess I done good!!!

happy pioneer woman am I!!!