I wasn't so sure..

Hubs has never had the week off between Christmas and New Years.

This year he did!

And while I was uncertain how it would all unfold (he's never had a week off ~ at least not one where NOTHING was planned).  It was WONDERFUL.

We slept in EVERY DAY
and
We did a lot of NOTHING.

Take a look:

Presents were opened and Sassy and Action received DSi's they were excited and played with them all week long.

Family and Friends were admired.

More sledding ~ Sassy and a couple friends found some waxed cardboard and decided to use that instead of sleds.  Goofballs!  Nothing like redneck sledding :)

(pay no attention to the bad cell phone pic)

Pheasant jerky was made. Lots of pheasant jerky and nope, not by me, by my hubby.

And, Hubby took the kids snow tubing ~ we had tried to go as a family  a couple days prior, but there was a 1 1/2 + hour long wait to get a tube.

We had plans to have friends over to ring in the New Year.  Unfortunately 20 mins before they were set to arrive Action threw up.  Phone calls were made and our get together was cancelled.  We spent the night relaxing as a family.  And yay,  Action felt better and there were no headaches in the morning :)

The kids received these kids as a Christmas gift and set out to create their masterpieces.

Someone just couldn't wait to dig in :) 

Hot Toddy's were made and football was watched.

Minnie, Minnie and friends were played with lots and lots!

And a new calendar was displayed

It was fabulous and I was a bit sad this morning when I was awaken by an ALARM clock.  Ugh.....

Now to get to work and put this guy away

pack up this beauty

and everything else that goes with it!

Embrace the Camera

We were out of state visiting family, and decided a morning of sledding with my Hubby, Sassy, Action, my brother, and my nephew was in order.

(my brother and little nephew)

It was a long, fast, steep hill.

 Sleds flew, people flew.

And, it was a long walk back up the hill....

Challenges were made and races ensued...

Of course, the course was surveyed first

And while we were racing, self portraits were being created:

A quick pose after walking back up the hill ~ someone must have been more tired than the other as their eyes are shut :)

And since we did a summer shadow picture ~ we had to have a winter version:

(Me, Action, Sassy and Hubby)

It was a fabulous morning and thankfully there was only one crash that drew blood ~ as my little nephew learned..

Those darn trees are HARD!

Make sure you take the time to step out from behind the camera and join in on the action!

Dog Tired

I hope you all had an amazing Christmas!

I've been busy.

Having fun, but still busy.

Lots and Lots of late nights, laughs, gifts, and glasses of wine.

We're finally home again and I'm feeling a bit like this:

No worries though, I'll sure I'll be back to my old tricks soon :)

But until then, I'll leave you with some pics of Sassy and Action...

Having waaayyyy too much fun with my laptop!

I learned something today

Smiley

can 

peel 

her 

own 

clementines!

Embrace the Camera

No make-up Breakfast for Smiley consisting of toast with Nutella on it.... Yum Yum! 

  

Today (so far) in Numbers

6 ~ time alarm went off

8 ~ degrees when I took our dog for a walk

4 ~ number of breakfasts I made

2 ~ the number of kids I put on the bus

712 ~ number of calories burned during my 1 hour spin class

2 ~ stores that I had to go to after my workout

5 ~ Christmas presents I wanted to purchase

2 ~ that I was able to purchase

1 ~ sippy cup that was thrown in a store by Miss Smiley her feisty little self (thankfully it was filled with ONLY water)

5 ~  Christmas cards delivered by the mail lady today

2 ~ piles of chips Smiley put on the table for lunch (so very helpful)

1 ~ tuna wrap eaten by me

1 ~  container of yogurt, 3 pieces of salami and 2 carrots eaten by Smiley (See those 2 piles of chips?)

1 ~ feisty, mischievous, independent 2 year old laying down for a nap

1 ~ mama who needs to get crackin' on my Christmas crossword so I can get my cards out!


What are your numbers so far today?

How to make Pasties..... and I'm not talking about.....

Those little circles that cover.............

ok anyway!!!

We're talking FOOD!

I love making these little babies ~ warm, hearty, YUMMY!

Here's what you need:

1 lb ground beef
1 onion ~ finely chopped
1 russet potato ~ finely chopped
salt and pepper, to taste
2 boxes ready made pie crust dough
1 egg, beaten

Here's what you do:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees

2.  In a medium bowl, use clean hands to mix ground beef, onion, potato, salt and pepper, then wash hands thoroughly

3.  Cut your pie rounds in half

4.  On each of the halves of dough, center a small handful of the meat mixture on one side and fold the other side of the dough over the meat ~ creating a triangle shape.

5.  Gently press along the edges to seal the pastie; trim the outside edges and place on a cookie sheet.  

** Repeat steps 3-5 for all dough and meat.

6.  Roll out any left over dough (trimmings) and using a cookie cutter, cut out fun shapes and arrange them on your pastie.  Then using a pastry brush, lightly coat the tops with beaten egg.

7.  Place in oven and bake 15 mins at 450 degrees, then reduce heat to 325 degrees and cook for 45 mins until golden brown and meat is not pink and cooked through.

We like to eat them with mustard and ketchup.
Mmmmm Mmmmm Good!!!

(Yep, those are beets on the side ~ man my kids LOVE it when I serve beets.  They most definitely don't come and sit down at the table and exclaim "uuuuhhhh GROOOOSSSSSSS!"