AFFINITY FOR ELF CULTURE

Last night was the Arnell family Christmas Party and we were the hosts! Every year there is a new Christmas theme to celebrate so we chose our favorite Christmas movie, Elf! It was so much fun decorating, baking, cooking, organizing, and planning this party. Weston did a fabulous job hanging snowflakes all over the house.

It wasn't quite like what Buddy did to the Hobbs' house, but it was a good start! We borrowed the kids tables and chairs from my parents house and used them to sit on during dinner. It was fun to squeeze ourselves onto tiny chairs all crammed together for the feast. We ate:

and

to start.

 We had Jovie's Yuletide Punch (cranberry apple sparkling cider) as well to wash down the hors d'ouevres. Then it was on to:

Kringle Caprese salad

and Impostor Santa lasagna (beef and cheese). 

Following dinner, we gathered all around and watched the beloved show laughing and singing along with the amazing soundtrack. For dessert we had:

 (which look a bit scary, but they were tasty. I'll have to fix this one for next time)

and Candy Cane Forest which was really peppermint ice cream with hot fudge! It was a great success and everyone had a fun time. They all got to take home: 

 

 which also included a snow globe of New York City. 

I am so sad that this party has already come and gone. It was SO much fun and I want to do this whole thing over. I tried to correlate ideas from the movie into the evening to make it more 'real'. Thanks Arnell's, you simply are the best IL family anyone could ask for! I am so lucky to be apart of such an amazing and fun family! Merry Christmas!

 

and I love you sweets! Thanks for all your help...

TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY

 Last weekend was a big treat! We were lucky enough to do several fun activities with many of our friends!

THURSDAY night we went to the Mo Tab Christmas Program with our good friends Dave and Lindsey. It was so much fun to hang out with them in the freezing cold, wandering through downtown trying to find a place to eat dinner,  and listening to the beautiful music of the Christmas holiday. As you all know, the one and only David Archuleta was the special guest and he did a good job. It was the opening night and I think he was just a bit nervous because his voice was slightly shaky and he was out of breath, but he did get better as the night went on. It was fun to watch him perform, although I didn't agree with him being chosen for this concert, and see some lights at Temple Square.

I didn't get a pic with the Allen's, but we love you and thanks again for thinking of us!

FRIDAY morning my 2 sisters and I started our "popcorn" fest. It was so much fun to cook up some yummy Carmel Popcorn and chit chat about girlie things. I have been missing just hanging out with them and goofing off as sisters.  Kimberly brought the recipe (a friends' secret family recipe so I can't share...sorry) and Susan was kind enough to let us destroy her kitchen making it all. I on the other hand, didn't do much but just showed up and snapped pics, stirred the popcorn and bagged it! Overall, we made about 50 bags!  

I can officially say that I am popcorned out, but BOY it was good!

FRIDAY night was the friends' Christmas Party for Weston's crew. We were in charge this year and had such a blast. With everyone being so busy for the holidays, we couldn't get everyone together, but we did get a good group to celebrate Christmas. We first hit up the Dodo restaurant in Sugarhouse and devoured the honey glazed salmon and Toll house pie, then it was off to Jon Schmidt at Kingsbury Hall.

 

Thank you Cal and Gina, Eric and Kerstin, Mark and Sian and Jarum and Brooke! We sure do appreciate all the friendship year round and look forward to making new and great memories next year with you all. We missed the rest of you, but hopefully next time, February, we will all be together again soon!

SURVIVAL MODE...

Sweets and I have been sick with the "cold" for the past week. We keep thinking it will go away, but it slowly gets worse! Thankfully mine is not too bad this year, but my poor sweets has been through the ringer with the loss of voice for 2 days. Hopefully we will be back on our feet by this weekend!

We have been living on throat lasengaes, head cold pills (day and night), and tissues. After work we put on the sweats, grab the blankets and lounge out. I am not complaining about this, for I just love cuddling up with sweets and Tahoe by the fire watching TV.

Last night, I thought I would try the ol' remedy of Chicken noodle soup! I couldn't just open a can, so I made my own. Although I can't say for sure that I feel better today, I can however breathe out of my nose so that's an improvement. This is a simple and yet very satisfying soup for those that want the recipe:

(actually there is no recipe, i just put it together, but here is what I did and it was scrumptious) 

boil 4 chicken breasts in water until done. then cube
boil 2 quarts chicken broth with 2 celery stalks sliced, 8 carrots sliced, 1 onion diced, ( or as many veggies as you want) until tender.
add 1 or 2 (depending on your preference of thickness, i used 2) cans cream of chicken soup
cook noodles separately ( i used wide egg noodles) as package describes 
add chicken, frozen peas and corn into veggie broth and simmer 3 minutes
add noodles, salt, pepper, basil, and lemon juice (i always put lemon juice in my soup but you don't have to) for 2 minutes
Enjoy!

FEELING FONDUE?

It was that time of year again! I can't believe just how fast time flies. 

I hold a fondue/dessert party every year for my family and it just took place on Sunday. It was an amazing success (even if everyone couldn't make it), with great company and yummy treats. I just love fondue and I love the spirit of Christmas!  

Sweets and I cooked up cheese fondue with cubed ham, broccoli, carrots, french bread, apples and shrimp for dippers! It was so scrumptious!!! I have to say, this cheese fondue was SO yummy!

Then we had chocolate fondue with apples, strawberries, pineapples, bananas, donut holes and marshmallows as dippers! It truly was a D-lish meal!

The kiddies just loved the idea of dipping food! Fondue is always such a hit! We all had such a great time talking and eating around the fire and christmas tree. It was such a huge success, we finished up just about every piece of food!

You can't see it, but my shirt is probably the best Christmas shirt EVER! I'll post about it later for those that are interested in super funny Christmas movie quotes!

Along with the fondue, we had other treats set out, and they were devoured! I made these simple Oreo Brownies and they were the HIT of the party! (check out pick-palate)

Holiday Oreos dipped in brownie mix and baked in a muffin tin for 12-15 minutes.

VOILA!

Thanks family for the great support of this years Fondue/Dessert Party! We sure do appreciate all the love and kindness, and the willingness to make the trek ;)

xoxo

VIVA...LAS VEGAS!

W and I spent a few days in Vegas last week for the NFR (national finals rodeo), and it was amazing!

 YEE-HAW! 

We flew down on Wednesday with my parents and then met up with his parents for some fun. It is so wonderful that both families share common interests and get along with one another. It makes "family" trips that much more fun! 

Anyway, we were able to go to the rodeo twice and sit on the front row both times! 

WOW! 

During our short stay we walked around the shops, went to Cowboy Christmas, hit up Trader Joes, saw the strip, ate super yummy food and had a blast! This definitely is a trip that will always be remembered!

 We stayed in the new City Center on the strip at the Vdara! it was so incredible! This is only a snippet of the desserts that they had in their cafe...YUM! We ate gelato everynight and boy, was it good!

I mean, really! You would think they would all give up after getting bucked off but they don't. They get right back on the horse. Truly impressive!

 We were lucky enough to sit on the front row, but even more lucky to sit 4 people away from the aisle. After a guy, I can't remember who it was, got bucked off the saddle bronc, his horse went crazy. They have 2 members of the NFR on the dirt to help both the horse and the rider. When the horse was having one of its moments and the member couldn't get the strap undone off its flanks, the horse bolted straight for us, charging at us at a fairly good speed. Not thinking too much of this (considering the horses usually stay on the dirt), I was immediately taken by surprise when the horse tried to jump the rails and into the aisle!!!! (remember we are sitting right there) The front 2 hooves made it over but the body of the horse slammed into the rail which made him fall backwards on the dirt. At this point, I am trying to catch my breath and clean up my seat when the team members cornered the horse and were able to free the strap! I am SO glad I was not sitting any closer, but never in our lives have we seen such a thing at a rodeo!!! 

Kelli is from Utah, like a lot of the riders in the NFR, so it was so fun to cheer them on and show support. She came in 2nd Thursday night. I am pretty sure, my children will be doing all this rodeo stuff. Weston grew up riding and roping, and I grew up riding, so we think its only fitting that our kiddies grow up the same way. Hopefully one of them makes it to the NFR! That would be a dream!

Sweets and I remembering our allergy/cold/dirt-flying/poop-smelling/dust-filled front row adventure!

 Sweets looking like a stud in his Cowboy hat. Apparently this hat is specific for the tie-down/team rope! Who new they made different hats for every event.

Like father, like son! These two men just look Handsome, don't they? Kirk has taught Weston everything he knows about horses, and its ALOT! He started Weston on horses when he a baby and really supported his love for rodeo as a child. Our kiddies will have a great Grandpa in Kirk!

   

Thanks Mom and Dad! You guys are the best! We had such a great time and look forward to it next year! 

HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS...

Right down Santa Claus Lane!

Sweets and I finally got some of our Christmas decorations up and we are loving it! We picked out our 11 foot tree down the street from our home on Saturday and put it together in no time. We couldn't hardly wait to get in the door before we started putting lights on it. Thanks to Sweets and his love for manly things like ladders, he hung the lights while I did the ornaments. 

I can't wait for Christmas and the joy that it brings. 

ROXYETTES

I just love this name and am sad that they changed it to the Rockettes. This was the original name way back when, but when they became world known and a huge success, they streamlined their name down to what it is today. My sisters and mom and I went and saw them perform last night at the Maverick Center (which will always be the E center to me) and it was AMAZING! It was such a fun experience to see the talented women dance, sing and do the infamous kick line. This was my second time seeing the show, the first being in New York a couple of years ago, and I can honestly tell you that it won't be my last!

After the show we hit up crown burger for grilled cheeses, oreo shakes and sweet potato fries! It was the perfect ending to a perfect night with the girls! Thanks mom for the good times...YOU ARE THE BEST!

THANKS GIVEN...

We are so incredibly blessed with loving family, awesome friends and life growing experiences and opportunities that make us better people.  

Sweets and I can't complain about our Thanksgiving! This year we spent it it Hawaii with some family. My parents, brother and his family and us enjoyed the holidays in Maui laying on the beach making sandcastles, playing paddle ball, snorkeling, swimming, running, eating TWO thanksgiving dinners, sail boating, magic shows, shopping and sleeping! 

My super amazing Mom arranged a Thanksgiving dinner for us all at our condo. We gobbled down a lot of food and still had some turkey left for sandwiches to take to the beach. It was D-licious! 

(this picture is the actual angle of the sailboat as we soar across the sea)

Andrew took Sweets and I and my Mom on a sail boat ride. He said this boat (the America II (or something)) was the BEST sailboat. Little did we know it was a racing boat. The disclaimer said wear clothes that can possibly get wet. We read "possibly" and figured we would get a spray or two of water, but we were sadly mistaken. We got drenched!! It was super windy out at sea and the waves came crashing up and over the boat and we being the smartest people were sitting in the front and just got soaked. After the first two waves hit we said "screw it" and gave up trying to block the water and just let it come. It was however, such a fun boat and experience. I do believe Andrew is written out of my mom will after practically tossing her overboard. What a trooper...

 Hawaii has such beautiful sunsets. 

 

Sweets and I spent a lot of time reading our books. It was so relaxing to get caught on the things that we don't have time for at home. Our minds are truly replenished! 

Just a fun little pic to remember the beach and our first couple of months of marriage. 

Sweets spent the majority of his time playing the "favorite" uncle with the 3 kids. He built sandcastles, tunnels and towers in the sand, and dug holes and buried the kiddies everyday all day. Jacob is pictured with him but William seriously wouldn't do anything unless Weston did it with him. ie body surfing and going down the slides at the pool. What a great Uncle.

PS- we experienced our first EARTHQUAKE! Yes, a 4.6 earthquake hit maui just south of us and rumbled our house for about 7 seconds. It was pretty loud but totally awesome. I however couldn't sleep that night in fear of a Tsunami even after the weather reports said not to worry.