HAPPY BIRTHDAY Chris!

One of the best and most memorable Christmases I've ever had was in 1978. Our son Chris was born on December 10th weighing in at 9 pounds 10 oz. (he was 10 days late)...

There's a "10" theme going on here, so here are my Top 10 favorite things about Chris:

#10 - Those big brown eyes!

#9 - He's a friend to all-young or old or in between...

#8 - He's a hard worker, and awesome employee. High-Tech is lucky to have him!

#7 - Chris loves to quote movies-name a movie-he'll quote a line-complete with accent!

#6 - He's very helpful to his family & neighbors-he has a big heart!

#5 - Chris is determined-like when he rides his bike to Elephant Rock and doesn't give up...

#4 - He's a super supportive husband...

#3 - He's very funny and a practical joker-just ask the guys at work!

#2 He can fix ANYTHING! He could change his own bike tire at age 8!

#1 - Dad extraordinare-just ask his kids!!

Love you, Chris!

I'm T-H-A-N-K-F-U-L...

I am truly blessed! This year I'm especially thankful for:

A yummy Thanksgiving dinner at Tuscany.

A beautiful warm Home to live in.

Another grandchild on the way!

Friday Night dates...

Hugs and Kisses from my precious grandchildren!

An amazing and fun Family

The United States of America

A wonderful Life

THE PROPOSAL

November 21st Brett & Lauren got engaged!! Brett worked hard to make it a surprise, and a surprise it was! He had taken photos of objects to spell out "Will You Marry Me" and put them in frames...After an afternoon of shopping at the Park City Outlet stores with her mom and cousin, Lauren ended up at the Dakota Lodge (at The Canyons) where Brett was waiting in the restaurant (Spruce). Her mom told her they were going on a tour of the lodge so she could recommend it to her clients (she's a travel agent). Brett was supposed to be at the U of U football game with Lauren's dad and brother...When Lauren saw Brett she said "What are you doing here?" All he said was "Hi", and she started to cry!

After a wonderful dinner, a limo drove them to Lauren's house to celebrate with her family.

P.S. She said YES!! Wedding date is June 26th!

Nov. 11th - Happy B-day B!

Brett - Age 2 - He has a few more candles to blow out this year!!

P - A - R - T - Y...

Lauren's very creative cake!

Celebrating at La Caille...last birthday as a single guy!!

Happy "Howl-O-Ween"

Happy Birthday Darren!

Darren celebrated his 23rd birthday on Oct. 14th. We took him to Tucanos Brazilian Grill for dinner, then the family came over for the traditional Baskin Robbins 31 Flavors Ice cream cake. Darren is a wonderful son-he's a wealth of knowledge (especially sports trivia and stats), loves photography, likes to watch the Utah Jazz play, and is a super fun Uncle!

WE LOVE YOU D!
"Super Darren" with Grandma Colleen - Halloween 1986

Checking out his new Canon 7-D!


Hangin' with friends

PHOTO OF THE MONTH: "Maple Leaf"

This photo was taken by Brett in Mueller Park Canyon...

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

CARAMEL POPCORN:

(A Halloween tradition, along with homemade chili, pumpernickle bread and spudnuts...)

Bring to a boil: 1 cube butter, 2 1/2 cups brown sugar, and 1 cup Karo syrup. Add 1 can Eagle Brand Milk and cook to soft ball stage (240 degrees on a candy thermometer). Pour over 3 batches popcorn (1 1/2 cups unpopped), that has been put in a VERY LARGE bowl or pan. Mix well and spread on waxed paper and let cool. Store in ziplock bags.

*This is a soft, chewy caramel popcorn...

Trip to Kauai

To celebrate our 35th Anniversary, Dale & I went to Kauai. We stayed at the Marriott Waiohai Beach Club on Poipu Beach. It's a beautiful resort and we had a wonderful time.

Highlights: Helicopter ride, driving to the North Shore, seeing sea turtles up close, dinner at Dondero's at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort, and walks on the beach. Our only complaint about Kauai is all the roosters, chickens & birds. They're everywhere (even the beach) and they are NOISY!!

Halloween Surprise!!

Just a few minutes ago someone knocked on the door and handed me this box. I screamed and the delivery girl said "I guess you know what that means" (the card was in an envelope so I hadn't read the cute poem yet), I couldn't answer her because I was crying...We're so excited to be getting another grandchild. What a memorable Halloween this will be!

PuMPkiN PaTCh

Monday night we went to Pack Farms in Farmington to choose our pumpkins (soon to be jack-o-lanterns!) It was a little dark and cold, but we had a "spooktacular" time...

Zoo Fun

October 1st we took our "little monkeys" to the Zoo. It was Fall Break for Jensyn, so she didn't have school. It was super crowded and a kind of cold, but a lot of fun! My favorite animal was the new baby elephant, Zuri. Jensyn liked the bears and camel, Ashley's favorites were the rhino and the cougar, and Jacob loved the monkeys with the super long tails.

Photo of the month: "ZURI"

Recipe of the Month

Sara's Simple Salmon:

1/4 cup melted butter, 1-2 garlic cloves, minced, 1 T. Worcestershire sauce, 1 T. dry mustard, 2 T. ketchup, 3 T. soy sauce. Preheat oven to broil, move rack to second level from top. Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl. Spray broiling pan with cooking spray. Spread sauce on salmon and broil 8-12 minutes in oven. Do not turn over. Cook just until fish flakes easily with a fork.

This recipe is so EASY and delicious! A great way to use all the fish the guys caught in Alaska!!

Open your windows while broiling-it gets a little smoky...

Bonus Recipe: I made this pie for dessert on Sunday and Dale said it's the best pie I've ever made!!

Afton's Fresh Peach Pie: Pastry for 9-inch pie, baked, 5 large peaches, 1 cup sugar, 1/8 cup cornstarch, 1/2 cup water, 1 tsp. almond extract, 1/8 cup butter. Slice 3 peaches into baked pie shell (if they're really juicy, dab them with a paper towel). In a small pan, mash 2 peaches; add sugar, cornstarch, and water. Cook over medium heat to boiling point, stirring constantly. Boil 1 minute, or until thick and clear. Remove from heat and add almond extract and butter. Pour over peaches in pie shell and chill for several hours until set. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.

Happy Anniversary Dale!

Dear Dale, so much has changed over the last 35 years...but not my love for you!

Happy Anniversary!

At the Salt Lake Temple after the ceremony.

Sept. 26, 1974

Make a Smilebox invite

SWISS DAYS

Swiss Days is an annual event held in Midway, Utah every Labor Day weekend. Dale calls it "The World's Biggest Boutique"! Chris & Shannon had a Snuggle Buddies booth in Swiss Days last year and again this year. We got to tend the grandkids for the weekend while they worked at the booth. We stayed at the Zermatt Resort in Midway and had a really fun time swimming, playing cards and eating Zermatt's famous gelato-yum! We also went to the Sheepdog Competition at Soldier Hollow. Three words about Swiss Days: Crowded, crowded, crowded!!

If you've never been you should go next year and experience it for yourself (just once!)

Shan & her mom, Debbie (she sews all the blankets)!

Jensyn with her "find"... A cute cabbie hat from Cale & Co.

Jensyn, Jacob & Ashley at the Hyperdogz Show.

Chillin' at the booth...

Jacob had the best seat in the house!