WOW! I feel a bit ashamed that I have allowed my blog to be stagnant for over a month now! How boring is that? Well I will try and be brief… (is there such a thing???).
Thanksgiving was awesome! We went to Colorado to be with my fam and it was lovely! The day after Thanksgiving the gents competed in a paintball war extravaganza! For Ad's birthday his dad sent him this Full-Head Paintball Helmet... which Russ and he decided would be even cooler covered with some serious camo-fringe! This led to the camofication of his gun barrel! I was pretty impressed! All the guys looked awesome and Russ totally dominated in his ultra swamp-man guille suit!
The kids went to the pool so my 2 sisters and I competed in Ultimate 80's Trivia! I, the youngest of all, completely dominated... well at certain points... It was mostly a group effort!
My Family + Quads + Snow + Trees = THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE HUNT! Adam and I got such a gorgeous tree which to our great pleasure kept all of its needles for the entire Christmas season! Truly a Christmas miracle!
December was a whirlwind! Things built up very fast and it was difficult to keep up with everything happening (Thank you Megan for everything! You saved my life multiple times!). We had a fun baby shower for my dear little Marci McDaniel! Complete with the most awesome of ugly baby shower games: Jeopar-baby (Adam helped with the questions… which led to an interesting game of trivia), Diaper something game (candy bars + diapers = grossly hilarious), and lastly the Bottle-drinking contest which yours truly won by a ridiculously HUGE margin… ;)
This Christmas season was certainly not dull! The week before Christmas Adam’s Mom and Glenn (step-dad) came to visit us from Georgia along with Adam’s newly married sister Angela and her husband Dustin. Poor Angela is newly preggo and wasn’t feeling well at all, but we managed to go to a family Christmas party, visit the lights at Temple Square, and have an early Christmas Eve with them before Adams Mom and Glenn left to visit Glenn’s family in Seattle.
The day Mom & Glenn left for Seattle, the rest of us (Angela, Dustin, Adam and I) drove all night (as Celine Dion once sang) to Phoenix to be with Ma & Pa Hansen for Christmas! It was a wonderful time and it is always great to get closer to Adam’s family as we don’t get to see them very often (especially my 19 yr. old bro-in-law Daniel! He is just a doll and a total crack up)! The best part was my new iPod! My hubbie is the best!!! And thanks to his little side-kick Marci Ferre, it came loaded with songs for our million-hour drive home!
We spent NEW YEARS EVE with my family which was really fun! We did the annual taste test, this year was marinara and lemon-lime soda. Just so you know SPRITE & 7 UP were not even in the top 3! The favorite lemon-lime soda was the generic Wal Mart brand “Twist-up” with second runner up “Shasta”. The best marinara sauce was Classico brand. We played BUNCO and rang in the New Year with some bubbly! Alright… it was just Martinelli’s but it was delicious! And we also had a great White Elephant (I am beginning to think though, that children should NOT be allowed at a white elephant as we had to hide half of them from their innocent eyes). I think the favorites of the night was FLAME Body Spray (with accompanying WHOPPER) and the Motion Censored “Farting Angel” tree topper… yes it really does make special noises when you pass by.
NEW YEARS DAY Adam and I went with our dear friends Nick & Kari and Nick’s brother Wes and his wife Renee and her little sister shooting! It was quite fun (a little packed) and I shot Wes’s awesome AK74. It was a lot of fun to hang out with Adam and do something that he really enjoys! The day ended with a Viennese Dinner at my parentals to celebrate their upcoming trip to Germany, Vienna, and Prague in March! SOOO JEALOUS! I have been homesick for Vienna and can’t wait to go back… one day…
I hope that everyone had a glorious Holiday Season. It’s always sad to see it go but I am getting super good vibes about 2009 (I’ll send good vibes your way for making it through this freakishly long post)!
There is much to look forward to and much to be grateful for. Love you all!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Saturday, December 13, 2008
The Christmas Carol Roll
Hello friends! This is a family tradition and a crowd favorite!
Christmas Carol Roll
DOUGH:
Soften:
1 tbsp. yeast
1/4 cup water.
Combine:
3/4 c. hot scalded milk
3 tbsp. shortening
2 tbsp. sugar
1.5 tsp salt
Stir in 1 beaten egg, and the softened yeast.
Add gradually:
2 1/2 - 3 cups flour.
Knead well (5-7 min)
Place in greased bowl, let rise in warm place until doubled in size (approx. 1 hour)
CINNAMON, SUGAR, and NUT MIXTURE:
3/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 c. chopped nuts (walnut/pecan)
FROSTING:
1 c. powdered sugar
1/4 c. milk
DIRECTIONS:
Line pizza pan with foil then grease. Roll the dough and cut into strips 6-8 inches long and 1/2 inch thick. Dip in melted butter then in the cinnamon/nut mixture. While rolling in hands (like a snake) press the cinnamon mixture into the dough. Wind into a flat coil in pan (will resemble a LARGE cinnamon roll). Cover with greased plastic wrap or foil. Let rise in a warm place until double in size. Bake at 350* for 25-30 minutes. Cool slightly and drizzle with frosting.
Some of the recipe can be prepared the night before to save work on christmas morning. Follow the above directions until the dough is complete and folded into a coil. Cover well with greased foil, freeze. In the morning unthaw for 3-4 hours till the dough has doubled in size. Bake as directed above.
Christmas Carol Roll
DOUGH:
Soften:
1 tbsp. yeast
1/4 cup water.
Combine:
3/4 c. hot scalded milk
3 tbsp. shortening
2 tbsp. sugar
1.5 tsp salt
Stir in 1 beaten egg, and the softened yeast.
Add gradually:
2 1/2 - 3 cups flour.
Knead well (5-7 min)
Place in greased bowl, let rise in warm place until doubled in size (approx. 1 hour)
CINNAMON, SUGAR, and NUT MIXTURE:
3/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 c. chopped nuts (walnut/pecan)
FROSTING:
1 c. powdered sugar
1/4 c. milk
DIRECTIONS:
Line pizza pan with foil then grease. Roll the dough and cut into strips 6-8 inches long and 1/2 inch thick. Dip in melted butter then in the cinnamon/nut mixture. While rolling in hands (like a snake) press the cinnamon mixture into the dough. Wind into a flat coil in pan (will resemble a LARGE cinnamon roll). Cover with greased plastic wrap or foil. Let rise in a warm place until double in size. Bake at 350* for 25-30 minutes. Cool slightly and drizzle with frosting.
Some of the recipe can be prepared the night before to save work on christmas morning. Follow the above directions until the dough is complete and folded into a coil. Cover well with greased foil, freeze. In the morning unthaw for 3-4 hours till the dough has doubled in size. Bake as directed above.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Awkward...
Why oh why do women that are not close friends or family have the need to divulge intimate information...
Let me explain.
Today I was speaking with a fellow employee, when she brings up the subject of kids. She has 2. She then asks me the usual question
"When are you guys going to have kids?"
Me:
Her: "We are going to start trying again."
Me: "Oh really? That is nice." (hoping she would leave it at that...but nope! She had to take it a step further...)
Her: "We are going to start trying in February".
Why dear people, do you think that people want to know WHEN your going to try? Isn't it easy enough and clear to simply say "We would like to have more kids" or even "Hopefully in a year or so we will have another babe"... Why do mere acquaintences have to take it that one step further... What am I to say in response to her comment? "Oh February, why not tonight?"
So my dear sisters, cousins, and bestest girly friends and by all means I want to know what is happening in your lives and want all the details you feel comfortable enough to share... but this was just such an awkward exchange... I just couldn't help but post it!
Let me explain.
Today I was speaking with a fellow employee, when she brings up the subject of kids. She has 2. She then asks me the usual question
"When are you guys going to have kids?"
Me:
Her: "We are going to start trying again."
Me: "Oh really? That is nice." (hoping she would leave it at that...but nope! She had to take it a step further...)
Her: "We are going to start trying in February".
Why dear people, do you think that people want to know WHEN your going to try? Isn't it easy enough and clear to simply say "We would like to have more kids" or even "Hopefully in a year or so we will have another babe"... Why do mere acquaintences have to take it that one step further... What am I to say in response to her comment? "Oh February, why not tonight?"
So my dear sisters, cousins, and bestest girly friends and by all means I want to know what is happening in your lives and want all the details you feel comfortable enough to share... but this was just such an awkward exchange... I just couldn't help but post it!
Conundrum... What do you think?
Permanent marker as eyeliner? Bad idea or innovative genius? I hate running out of my morning essentials... I look in the mirror and 'it' as in 'I' don't look complete. So I sit here. Staring at my Black Sharpie Permanent Marker wondering "Why not?"
Monday, December 1, 2008
Giving Thanks
There is much to be thankful for in my life. I thought I would name a few that have been of the most influence the past week.
I am thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ! Without the savior and his amazing sacrifice I am nothing. He is my light. My redeemer. My brother.
I am thankful for the opportunity to serve in the church as a little primary chorester. Music is my passion and I love being able to teach the gospel through song. The song I chose for November was "I Know Heavenly Father Loves Me". The words to this song always make me cry when I read them.
I am thankful to be a daughter of an amazing lineage. I have always been proud of my family and how close we all are. I have always been proud to be linked to "The Freak'n Vreekens". And echoing my sweetie Adam's sentiments at Thanksgiving dinner "I am thankful that our family enjoys each other so much". They are my best friends and are SO hillarious and SO funny! I think it's rare to find a huge family that can gather together in one place for four and five days and have no conflicts! Just lots of laughs and lots of fun!
I am thankful for a beautiful and working vehicle!!!
I am thankful for Ad, Addie, Adalaid, Adkins, Adel, Big A, ADAM!!! You love me and for that I am eternally grateful! You are an amazing example and work incredibly hard! Your sweet, funny, and have so many interests which makes it easy for you to relate to people and to be around! You will be an amazing father (NO this is not an annoucement) and I super super love you!
I am thankful for awesome friends. I have an amazing group of friends and I am thankful that we are still so close and that Adam has found close friendships with some of their husbands!
I am thankful and proud to be an American! I am thankful for the freedoms that I enjoy everyday because of this wonderful land which we live. I am thankful for all of those amazing individuals past and present that have sacrificed, died, labored, and prepared the way for our liberty and freedom.
Thanksgiving is such a special time of year, and what better holiday to fall in direct coorespondance with the celebration of our savior's birth than one that asks us to recognize His hand in all things?
Happy Holidays everyone! Much Love!
I am thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ! Without the savior and his amazing sacrifice I am nothing. He is my light. My redeemer. My brother.
I am thankful for the opportunity to serve in the church as a little primary chorester. Music is my passion and I love being able to teach the gospel through song. The song I chose for November was "I Know Heavenly Father Loves Me". The words to this song always make me cry when I read them.
I am thankful to be a daughter of an amazing lineage. I have always been proud of my family and how close we all are. I have always been proud to be linked to "The Freak'n Vreekens". And echoing my sweetie Adam's sentiments at Thanksgiving dinner "I am thankful that our family enjoys each other so much". They are my best friends and are SO hillarious and SO funny! I think it's rare to find a huge family that can gather together in one place for four and five days and have no conflicts! Just lots of laughs and lots of fun!
I am thankful for a beautiful and working vehicle!!!
I am thankful for Ad, Addie, Adalaid, Adkins, Adel, Big A, ADAM!!! You love me and for that I am eternally grateful! You are an amazing example and work incredibly hard! Your sweet, funny, and have so many interests which makes it easy for you to relate to people and to be around! You will be an amazing father (NO this is not an annoucement) and I super super love you!
I am thankful for awesome friends. I have an amazing group of friends and I am thankful that we are still so close and that Adam has found close friendships with some of their husbands!
I am thankful and proud to be an American! I am thankful for the freedoms that I enjoy everyday because of this wonderful land which we live. I am thankful for all of those amazing individuals past and present that have sacrificed, died, labored, and prepared the way for our liberty and freedom.
Thanksgiving is such a special time of year, and what better holiday to fall in direct coorespondance with the celebration of our savior's birth than one that asks us to recognize His hand in all things?
Happy Holidays everyone! Much Love!
Friday, November 21, 2008
So TIRED!
The timeline: October 23rd - November 20th
The idea: "Twilight" opening night
The perk: Marci's salon, Visions and it's counterpart Professional Design, were selling opening night tickets to Twilight for $15, companied with a free $25 waxing gift certificate and raffle for other prizes like free lazer hair removal, botox, haircuts, spray tans, permanent makeup, dinner tickets, etc...
The wait: As November 20th approaches, Cheri gets a cold, and doesn't feel as young as she once did... a midnight movie is sounding less appealing...
The saddness: Poor Shan came down with the fall sickies and couldn't join in the long awaited events.
The arrival: Show day or should I say show night, arrives! Ad and I grab snacks and dinner and meet up with Marci at Visions Salon and head over to the Jordan Commons.
The people: Holy shmolly! Talk about an estrogen convention! Adam was certainly in the minority!
The wait again: Got to the theatre, waited in line, were seated, then waited some more :)
The hype: There were tons of vendors selling everything from 'Twilight' cups which were "special" to T-Shirts.
The experience: Hillarious
The review: CHEESY and ENTERTAINING. The rest will have to wait till after Shanny has seen it.
*** I do have pictures... but it's now time to move on and I am now posting this a week and a half late... so what cha get is what cha get!!!
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