Friday, December 31, 2010

Goodbye 2010

2010 was definitely a lot better than 2009. We survived our first full year without Mom around. I was weepier during the holidays this year than I was last year. I think last year we were just going through the motions. And I think because Colton turned 16. And a certain situation developed that I'm still trying to grasp, and I'm sure I will eventually, but it may take me awhile.

So bring on 2011. No New Year's resolutions because I don't keep them anyway. Maybe some goals?

1. Start exercising
2. Scrapbook more
3. Learn more about my camera
4. Don't sweat the small stuff

We are chilling at the house tonight. Colton has friends coming over today. The weather is going to be nice, around 70, so they will probably be out in the woods shooting each other with airsoft rifles. Fun huh?

So from our family to yours ~ Happy New Year and here's to a fantastic 2011. Cheers!

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Nice Surprise

I've been following The Glamourous Life of a Housewife for quite some time now. She lives in Oklahoma too. She had a contest to find new appetizer recipes. I had just made Sausage Wontons for my dad's Christmas party so I thought I would submit that recipe. Dad had them at a party at school and got the recipe. And for dad to get the recipe it must have been good. I didn't even eat one because I got them ready for him to bake at his house because they are best served warm. I made them for our family Christmas Eve get together and he was right, they were good and a big hit.

So anyway, I was catching up on my Google Reader this morning and discovered she picked my recipe as one of the three she made for her family Christmas get together. It didn't win the overall contest but it was pretty cool to be picked. It's the little things y'all :)

So I thought I would share the recipe if you wanted to try them for New Year's parties. If you want to see what they look like click on the "she picked my recipe" link above.

Sausage Wontons

1 lb sausage
1 C ranch dressing
1 1/2 C cheddar cheese, grated
1 1/2 C monterey jack cheese, grated
1 package wonton wrappers

Brown sausage, drain, and place in bowl with cheeses and ranch dressing; mix. Spray the bottoms of mini muffin pan and place one wonton in the bottom of each muffin space gently pushing down so the corners of the wonton are standing straight up creating a space for the filling. Drop a small amount of filling into each opening. (There should be enough filling to fill two mini-muffin pans.) The filling may be held over or frozen to be used at a later time. Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes or until the wontons are golden brown. Serve warm.

Monday, December 27, 2010

And like that, it's over.

Another Christmas has come and gone. It comes faster and faster each year. I'm ready to take my stuff down already. Usually I hate to take it down because the house looks so bare but I'm ready this year. I guess I'm getting older and more scroogier. I think I just made a new word.

Some pictures.



Everybody had a good Christmas. I'm thankful that we are able to give our kids a good Christmas when there are so many that can't.

So this week should be relaxing. I'm not watching my nephews this week and I only know of one thing that needs to be exchanged. Colton gets to take his driver's license test this week, hopefully. Can't believe we'll have a kid driving legally, oy!

Oh, and I turned 41 yesterday. Brent took me out to eat and to the casino, my kind of day. My dad and his "special" friend came along too. It was fun.

Hope y'all had a great holiday and wishing you the best 2011.

Friday, December 24, 2010

Season's Greetings



Hope you are enjoying the holiday season. We spent this evening at my dad's house with my 2 sisters and their families. The little ones are so funny and tell you exactly what they think of certain gifts.

We usually travel on Christmas day to visit Brent's family but we are staying home and going next week so Brent can watch bowl games with his dad and brother. So tomorrow we will hang out at home for most of the day then go in later for supper with dad and some friends he invited over who didn't have family visiting. Should be fun.

Monday, December 20, 2010

16



He turned 16 today. I remember the night he was born like it was yesterday. I was in labor for 2 days with him so I guess that's something that doesn't leave your mind easily :) And after all that time, they still had to go get him.

He drives me crazy most of the time but he really is a good kid. I can't imagine our life without him. So happy birthday Colton, love ya lots!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

The Children

Another big break from not blogging. Not intentional but just have been busy. The kids last day was Friday and I'm glad. Can't believe Christmas is 6 days away. Finished up shopping, for the most part, on Friday. Brent is going this week to get a couple of things I need him to buy. We have 2 birthdays this week. Colton turns 16 tomorrow and then nephew Ben has a birthday on Wednesday.

Here are a few pictures I took of the kids for Christmas cards.








Monday, December 6, 2010

Oh yeah, Thanksgiving pictures.

Just a little bit late. Oh well. Better later than never.



Hannah and Shae. Hannah wants to be Shae when she grows up :)



Colton and Shae. Colton's friends think Shae is hot :)



Brent's Dad and Grandpa Roath.



Brent's Mom Darlene. This was her first Thanksgiving in her new kitchen. It was so nice. We snuck out later that evening and visited the casino. That's a Thanksgivingny thing to do right? Right?



Niece Ally. We just caught her testing the mashed potatoes and there may have been double dipping involved.



Zack, Larry, Brent, Becky and Grandma Roath.



This was taken Friday morning. The picture window in the living room is lovely but shades are needed during the sunrise :)

So there you have it, another Thanksgiving has come and gone. On to Christmas and our 100 birthdays that is our December.

P.S. Sorry Bryan, Traci and Abby for not getting pictures of y'all.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Brittle

This by far is the best brittle recipe I've come across and is the only recipe I use. It can be made with peanuts or chopped pecans. Brent likes the peanut brittle better but I like the pecan brittle better.

1 1/2 C raw peanuts or 1 1/2 C chopped pecans
1 C sugar
1/2 C white syrup
1/4 tsp salt
1 tbsp vanilla
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp baking soda

Combine nuts, sugar, white syrup and salt in a 2 qt microwavable bowl. Microwave 6-7minutes stirring halfway through cooking time. (I microwave for 3 minutes, stir, then 3 more minutes. I have a 950 watt microwave. When I was first made this, I burnt a couple of batches until I figure out what time worked best with my microwave.) Stir in vanilla, butter and microwave 2 minutes. Add baking soda stirring quickly. Brittle will become foamy. Pour out on greased cookie sheet. Let hardened then break into small pieces.

Enjoy!!!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Hannah & Daddy Baking Day

Well not really baking but making their famous no bake cookies. I don't know why we don't make these more often, they are so stinkin' easy to make.



You don't know how happy this makes Brent. Hannah got everything out and lined up the ingredients in the order the recipe showed. She is his "organized" child.



And we're measuring.



And we're dumping.



And voila! No bake cookies.



And she was waiting on anything to drop to the floor.

Monday, November 1, 2010

November already? Where did 2010 go?

I looked at the November calendar last night and realized Thanksgiving is only 3 1/2 weeks away *facepalm*. I need to check my baking stuff to see if they are still in date. As far as I can tell, this month will be the calm before the storm that is our December.

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Happy Halloween

Our town had trick or treating last night. Today has been lazy. Watched a little Rocky Horror and Halloween today. After lunch Brent and I played Boggle and Yahtzee with Hannah.

So Saturday everyone was spread out across the state. Colton was in Edmond, OK at the State Cross Country Meet. Brent and my Dad went to watch. They didn't do very well, I felt bad for the kids. Hannah had her last game to cheer then I dropped her off at my sister's house so she could play with her boys. So I had the afternoon home alone, yea!!!!!

We had "Halloween" at my Dad's house like always. He had a costume party to go to and he found the perfect costume.





He started growing out the beard a few weeks ago, it has been driving him crazy. I haven't talked to him today to see how the party/costume went.



Colton borrowed Luke's plastic hair and helped pass out candy.



And the rest of the crew. Luke was a Transformer, Ben a coach and Hannah was a creepy skeleton thing monster, I'm not really sure.

We had a fun Halloween. Now on to Thanksgiving :)

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Monday, October 25, 2010

A Texas Ranger Journey

I never followed baseball until I met Brent. He introduced me to his favorite team, the Texas Rangers.



This was my first Texas Rangers game circa 1991 I believe.



I can't remember who they played or even if they won.



Shelly and Bryan came along too. They were our chaperones and made sure there wasn't any pre-marital hanky panky. I can remember seeing "KKK". I whispered to Shelly "can you believe they have KKK up like that". Brent informed me it was for the strikeouts. Ooops! See, never followed baseball. I was also shocked that the fans booed one of the players everytime he came out. So I asked Brent why do they boo that guy when he comes out. His name? Steve Buuuuuueeeeeechele. Ah! Not booing. Oooops! Again, never followed baseball.



Years later Brent got to take his only son to his first ever Rangers game, circa 1998.



We got there early to walk around the stadium and to watch batting practice. Colton got a ball.



Colton was a little trooper. It was a long, hot day. He lasted until the 7th inning before falling asleep in my lap.



2003 was Hannah's first experience at a Ranger game. She was more interested in the food than the game.



We had awesome seats. Right behind their dugout.



See, close. (Bet Teixeira wishes he was still a Ranger.)

So the past 20 years I have gotten to know the Rangers and the game of baseball. We have gone to games, watch the games etc. He even took me to a game on our 10 year wedding anniversary. It was dollar hot dog night. Nothing says "I love you" like dollar hot dog night. He did, however, paid to have our names put on the board wishing us a Happy Anniversary. I have listened to Brent say year after year that this is their year. They got close a few years ago winning the AL west title for the first time ever. We were at their game the following day. I've also heard a lot of "those sons of bitches I'm not ever watching them again" too but he still came back to them.

And finally on October 22, 2010, a day my sweet husband and many of a Texas Rangers fan has been waiting for,



the Rangers won their first ever ALCS in game 6 beating the Yankees. Beating the Yankees makes it so much sweeter too for people like my sweet husband who HATES the Yankees and everything they stand for. So now on to the World Series. I might need to buy more Tums :)

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Varsity



Colton this morning getting ready to go to Regionals in Norman, OK. Brent went on the bus with the team. He didn't get to run, he was an alternate, but he got to go just in case he had to run for somebody. He didn't have to and I'm sure he isn't to upset about it because it has rained all day in Norman, OK. They are on the way home with a Regional Championship trophy. The girls placed 2nd. So we go to State next Saturday. Way to go Wildcats!!!!!

Hannah and I stayed home because of cheerleading. As we were going down our road, I got a no cheering text so we turned around, yea!!!! Comfy clothes went on and we have been enjoying a quiet, lazy, rainy day. Love days like this.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Junior High State Cross Country Meet



She ran in the pouring rain and placed 33 out of 91 girls. Girls team placed 3rd and boys team placed 2nd. Way to go Wildcats!!!