Christmas 2013

 Merry Christmas kid!

Chef Derek

Derek helping to make a super yummy dinner. 

 Looks delicious!

Derek was very kind to his sister and didn't put cheese on one side.  Thank you son!

fun snow day with the neighbors, the Schmuhls

 Derek with our neighbors from across the street, the Schmuhls.  Emily, and Mary.

 Derek and Sam playing snow basketball

Some of Derek's Band Concerts for school

 These are pictures of Derek preforming in his band concerts for school

 Derek LOVES his saxophone and loves music.  He loves instrumental more than the pop music on the radio!  He loves Jazz and Classical, he also loves music from movies.

 We sure do love to hear him play.  I am so excited that he loves music, and good, uplifting, intelligent music

Fun Day in the Snow

 Here is Hannah and Derek with Koda chasing after them.  Koda was LOVING to chase after them.  It was so cold.  I don't know how Hannah did it without gloves.  She was having an amazing time though, and that always helps.

 Derek was enjoying helping out our neighborhood.  David has been teaching him how to use the four wheeler to push the snow.  He has plowed quite a few of our neighbor's drive ways, most of the sidewalks and the church parking lot, MANY times this year and even since this day has done it again.  We have been "blessed" (depending on how you look at it) with quite a bit of snow this past month.

 Wonderful happy kids

I am so glad that Derek can help and have fun being of service to our family and our neighbors!

Cuddle time with Koda

 Derek called for me as quietly as he could for me to come in to him.   This is what I found.  I love this!

 We were lucky to get these shots, Koda seems to want to move around leave whenever we want a picture with her.  She seems to be a lot like a little child in this area.

 I wanted a picture with the Christmas Tree in the background, unfortunately it messed with the lighting. 

Fun new recipes

I am so glad that my kids love my cooking and are generous in their compliments to me concerning my cooking.  It makes me feel like I am much better than I really am, that I have the courage to try new things, and most importantly, that I am loved and my efforts are appreciated.  President Hinkley said that we should reward effort more and I REALLY agree with that.  In our homes we must do this.. The home is where we learn and grow and therefor make many mistakes.  We should not be afraid or make someone afraid of making mistakes, their progress will be seriously diminished if not fully halted.  I have a extremely strong testimony of this!

Some new recipes I have tried just recently are:

1.  John Wayne Casserole
2.  Balsamic Vinegar Chicken with Fresh Tomatoes
3.  Black Bean Spinach Salsa (even Derek likes:)
4.  Chicken Marsala (I LOVE!!!!)
5.  5 Ingredient Easy White Chicken Chili
6.  Café Rio Salad (LOVE also!!!)

I will try to remember to get pictures of these as I make them.

 Here is a picture of the yummy Chicken Marsala.  And my silly daughter doing a "photo bomb"  I love you Hannah!

 I also made Sunday/Funeral/Party Potatoes to go with it.  Granted, I did not get photos like they do for actual advertisements.  I put the grease from the pancheta in the potatoes, it made them even yummier!

 This is a picture of the White Bean Chicken Chili/  This dish is actually easy and inexpensive.

 We also had refried beans, rice, salsa and chips.

 We LOVE these muffins.  This is the zucchini muffins.  This time I didn't even put any chocolate chips in and they were still great. 

I still need to improve in my cooking and how often, but I do cook a LOT more than I used to and the frequency is MUCH more also.  Basically every week, just not every night.  Like I said, for me, it is much easier and more rewarding, and lets me know that it makes a difference when my someone actually likes what I make and is even remotely appreciative.  Thank you Hannah and Derek!  I love you!!!!