Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Back Packs, Tents, Oh My...

We got back packs, we got back packs!!!!
Addie's weighs almost more then she does;)
Grandpa, Grandma, Gabe, Ty, Addie, and Lexi with their new back packs.
Lexi and Ty had to try out their tents tonight. The other two didn't make it home before falling asleep!

Ty and Lexi peeking through Ty's peep hole in his tent.

Messner's Christmas Eve

Auntie Angie and Addie
Who's there? It's Auntie
The kiddos got new bikes from Grandpa, and Grandma (Addie got a wagon!) They were so excited to get new bikes!
Grandpa tried to let Addie have a look, and she decided to take the whole thing, Whoops
Posing for yet another Christmas photo:)

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Snow

Our driveway, is a fun obstacle to get through...















So much snow! The trees are wilting at the weight






This was last Friday, and we now have about 8 more inches of snow. My van looks like a permanent structure to our home now! With only around a foot showing on each side.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Warning: Only Eat Once A Season!!!

Seriously, you can't eat this more than a couple times a year! You will need a cardiologist for your clogged arteries. Bob swears every time he eats it, he feels his heart slow down!

But, it is ohh so goood! Perfect for cold weather days. We eat this every "Harvest Night" in October.

I thought I would post my Baked Potato Soup recipe, for those of you who have asked for it, and I have never followed through with giving it to you. This is Addie's favorite meal, and mine too.

ingredients: serves about 10 adults?
or in our case, 5 adults, and 4 kids, with a couple bowls left over!


*10 lbs of baking potatoes- baked until soft, cool, then remove skin, and chunk into pieces
*1 lb of bacon, cooked until crispy, then chopped up into bite size pieces, topping for soup
(keep about 1-2 Tbs of bacon grease to saute onions, and garlic, i like to keep the little bits of bacon left in the pan too!)
*2 medium sized onions, diced
*4 garlic cloves, diced
*1/3 stick of butter
*4 Tbs of flour
*1 or 2 Tbs of dried basil
*salt
*pepper
*4- 14 oz cans of chicken broth
*quart of half & half
*sour cream
*4 cups of cheese
*green onions, for topping soup when finished


to make:

Saute onions, and garlic, in butter, and bacon grease on medium heat, for 2-3 minutes until translucent, but not soggy. Add, flour, basil, salt, and pepper, to onions, and garlic, stir for 2 minutes. (you might have to add more flour depending on how much moisture the onions have) Then add, chicken broth. Bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes stirring occasionally. Turn heat down to medium low, and add potatoes. Do not let them boil! Once potatoes are incorporated, add the half & half, and stir. Then add, cheese, a spoonful of sour cream, and let it heat up on med. low heat.

*At this point you can add any toppings you like. My family likes the sour cream, green onions, and bacon. But, I'm sure you could come up with your own spin on it:) I add these toppings to each individual bowl, just because, I don't like soggy bacon. And if you have left overs, it will get soggy in the soup. Believe me you want left overs! It just gets better with time;)

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Say Cheese!

We were snowed into our house, so we took the opportunity to dress everyone up and take our family pictures. Some didn't turn out so well!
It was I think 20 something degrees, and the snow was blowing in our faces.
They look sooo happy don't they!

This is as good as it gets! When there are 4 little smiles to pose, they never do it at the same time.

Oh Christmas Tree

Ty & Gabriel stopped long enough to snap their picture
Running through the tree farm
Ty thinks he is so big using a saw, and helping Daddy cut down the tree!


We went to the Swift's Christmas Tree Farm, and cut down our first real tree! The kids loved it, they ran, used a hand saw, drank hot chocolate, and sat on a tractor. They were in heaven:)

Mt. St. Helens



This is what we see from out back deck! Beautiful, isn't it...Mt. St. Helens. On a clear day, you can see a perfect view of the mountain.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Welcome to our family blog!

The whole goal in creating this blog is for friends and family to be able to see our family grow, and to catch up on day to day activities! It's hard to have loved ones so far away, and soon, even farther.

Hopefully in the days to come, I can figure this thing out, and have fun pictures to share with you all!