Merry CHRISTmas

We just wanted to wish you all a very Merry CHRISTmas. It's been fun to write to all of you and keep you up with what's going on in our lives! (like there's thousands out there reading my blog!)

We especially hope that you discover the true meaning of Christmas this year. That you take time to thank God for all His blessings in your life. We truly have many many blessings to be thankful for. It's been a year of change and challenge for us. We are excited about what God has for our future and are enjoying the path God has laid out for us!

Take time to enjoy the gift of family....
~joanne

Proud Moment....

You all thought this was going to be about my kids and some nice thing they did...nope!
This was my first attempt ever at making Peanut Brittle. I found a recipe on allrecipes.com (a wonderful site, by the way!!) yesterday. It was for a microwave brittle and I decided to try it today. It was a proud moment for me when it all worked out!!(what could be bad, sugar and more sugar!) I've never tried it because I always thought anything that needed a thermometer, would be too difficult for me! It was actually pretty easy and fast. It only took about 10 min. plus cooling time! I think I will make some more tomorrow! If I don't hurry and give it away, I will have to get a new wardrobe to ring in '08! I will have to enter this in my Christmas memory book!

The recipe-
Mix 1c. sugar & 1/2 c. corn syrup in glass 2qt. bowl on high for 4 min.
Stir in 1c. peanuts (I used dry roasted) microwave on high 3 1/2 min.
Then stir in 1t. butter & 1t. vanilla and microwave 1 1/2 min.
Stir in 1t. baking soda until light & foamy. Pour on well buttered cookie sheet, let cool, break in pieces...enjoy!

(mine didn't cover whole pan, I just spread out best I could with wooden spoon & let cool. I'm going to try and double batch tomorrow and see if it works and makes more! =)

Let me know if you try it and it works out for you!!
~joanne

Ho Ho Ho...

Santa arrived by train here last Saturday. He came to pick up all the wish lists. Trent wants a Wii and an x-box. He's not to hard to please? Troy wants a cell phone today. Friday it was a bb gun and the day before that it was a MP3 player. Sunday he wanted LL Bean Snow shoes!! He is so funny! Snow shoes?? For those of you that are still buying for little ones ....enjoy the puzzles, books, dollar store stuff.... because in the not to far future you will be trying to get a game system, TV, cellphone MP3..... We used to get our kids all this stuff...mounds of toys, now it's like one big thing. Less to trip over and clean up!! I think I will be ready come Tuesday!=) Tomorrow is wrap day!...

~joanne

Parties....

This party was last Friday night at Mangiamo! in East Grand Rapids (formerly Gibson's). We were treated to a wonderful meal with the owners and sales staff of Spencer Mfg. Steve and I both enjoyed Walleye...very delicious!! The restaurant was a mansion years and years ago so it is filled with ornate wood and trim! You can't see it here but it has a fireplace decorated for the holidays behind us. Good food and good people!

On Saturday night we enjoyed a meal with the Pastors, Deacons and all the wives at Arnies in Rockford. We had a room all to ourselves, which allowed for a lot of visiting! We had great meals (even though I never got my Chicken Pot Pie) and a fun round of a White Elephant gift exchange! We went around the first time and allowed people to pick a wrapped gift or steal an already opened gift. Let's just say there were some steals the first round! Then, when everyone had a gift we went around once more. You could at that time, keep what you had or trade. There were actually some really nice gifts~some gifts made more trades than others!! We had a lot of laughs and an very enjoyable time. We have really grown to love & respect a lot of these couples. They are our second family!

Steve will spend his last year on the board as Vice Chairman, as Tom Lutke will be Chairman.

Good Job Tyler....

We attended the Tyler's Soccer Banquet on Tuesday night. He received his Varsity Letter Award and the numbers of his graduating year! WOW.....2011!! Sounds far off till you think about Trent's year...2020!! 11 doesn't seem quite so bad! He also received a Recognition for "Most Dedicated"....great job Tyler!! We enjoyed an assortment of desserts, all you need this time of year~more sweets and calories!

After the awards were all handed out we had an indoor soccer game...parents vs. kids! We weren't to sure about the fitness of some of the adults?!!? I personally didn't play...I thought I might be more of a detriment to the parents side! Although Steve came ready to play! You play 5 against 5, 2-15 minute quarters. OK mind you, our goalie had never played soccer!! The coach, Mr. Oxford played with the parents, at least we had that going for us! First goal...our own parent, Jeff Johnson...amazing. The kids came back with a score-1 to1! End of first quarter! All parents have a slight collapse (they were actually holding up pretty good!)
Start of second quarter. A lot of running back and forth and not a lot of scoring! Diane Johnson was the only mom to play...way to go Diane! (did I tell you, the Johnson's were running for the door after the awards, when we spotted them!) We told her they would be easy on her! Now comes the exciting part....Steve scores goal #2...way to go man! Timer runs out and the parents win 2-1! They still can beat the kids! Very exciting and fun! Thanx Mr. Oxford for all your hard work and encouragement!

The tree....

Here we are with our '07 tree! We were able to cut it last Saturday at Kahler's Plantation...as they call it! Troy was actually the cutter this year(see him under the tree in pic #1) (notice the saw in pic #2)...Trent asked if he could cut next year?!? Notice the mammoth height of it. They aren't real tall but the price is right! =) We have it half decorated (lights) and Trent put on some of the ornaments like in a 4x4 space! Decorating has been a process for me this year...as Trent nicely opened the totes and spread out the ornaments on the dining room floor. It's kinda like an obstacle course in the the dining room.
It will be ready by Christmas morning...guranteed!
~joanne