Merry Christmas!! We miss you!!!

Favorite Christmas Picture

Ever since I saw this picture in the San Diego temple, it is one of my favorites! And it is perfect for Christmas. Its called Journey to Bethlehem by Joseph Brickey.

Until March

So Nathan's Mom, Sister Paula and my Niece Abby came to visit!! The were here about 12 days! Seriously, we went to the beach almost every day and we are all brown! Lots of fun memories! I don't think I even cooked one meal:). They toughed it out at our hot house with no AC! Girls had a great time with them and now Dallas can spell about 50 more words thanks to Abby. Dallas has a new custom made pink pad for her chin rest on her violin thanks to Kim! Paula and I adventured up to see the dolphins at the Hilton and we got to taste fresh coconut milk that the workers chopped down for us! Pretty yummy. It is great to be around family!! Sadie also is getting 2 more teeth on the bottom, poor girl. That means 4 new teeth in about a week! Did mention that we also bought a puppy about an hour before they came. Poor Roly only lasted about 3 days at our house. The little ones were not ready for her nibbling and scratching. Her owner let us give her back, but we miss that little cutie. We have been on vacation for about a month now! Back to reality I guess. But it sure has been nice. Hope everyone is having a nice December and ready for Christmas!

Roll Tide!!!

I am now posting this picture with some big Bama Pride!! whoo hoo. My bro has been wanting them to win for years--I am can't believe they are going all the way! And playing in Pasadena!! Right when we leave...figures. I am sad about USC though. Sad they had a rough ending.

But Roll Tide. I hope they win Jan 4th!

ps. Do you like my candy necklace that the girls made for me??

1st Recital

So Dallas starting taking violin lessons with a German teacher here in Kona named Ursela! She is really nice and Dallas is so excited to learn to play. She has had 3 lessons so far. But there was a recital today and she wanted Dallas to participate. So she had her play the first two lines that she learned and called it "The Pink Song" in A & D. Her teacher is the one playing the piano. It was so fun to see all the violinists! They were amazing. The first 6 lessons are just plucking, no bow yet:). Here is a little clip.

The BEST time with Nana & Grandpa!

Well, Thanksgiving break was so fun. So much fun with my parents and so glad they came out. Sad as always to see them go. We did lots of stuff that we had been wanting to do since we moved here. We saw Akaka Falls, Steam Vents at the volcano, snorkeled at Honaunau, did our free glass bottom boat ride, ate fresh mahimahi that Nathan caught, lots of trips to costco & walmart, shopped at Macy's, & we got out on a date to see The Blind Side, which I really liked too. Nathan had most of the week off and we took Dallas out of school too! Sadie learned how to walk and dance! Lots of fun memories. We are always spoiled like crazy!!! I learned how to play the games FARKLE & SKIPBO! My parents got us Christmas tree so we are ready for the holidays now! Mahalo Dad & Mom!! Here are lots of pictures!

Birthdays & My Parents are HERE!

So Dallas & Sadie both had great birthdays!! Dallas is now 5 and very happy to be 5. She had her birthday on Monday. She went to school, played with toys and then we went out to eat. Fun birthday but she had a big Fancy Nancy party yesterday. 10 little girls--three 8 year old helpers, lots of dress up, parfaits, makeup, photo-shoots, and a lifesaver friend that helped pull it off.

And then my parents flew in last night!!! It is so great to have them. Here are picts from the birthdays and I will have to upload the picts with my parents in them soon.

Brenna is now READY for her 3rd birthday in January. Although she was spoiled with gifts of her own even though it wasn't her bday.

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY SADIE!!

We are so lucky that she is in our family! Here are a few of my favorite picts that Nathan has taken of her. Nathan is on Oahu for most the day but we are going to have a birthday dinner for her tonight! I will post pictures later of her fun day!

Wings Recipe

So here is the recipe for Nathan's wings. They are so good. We had some today--pretty yummy. We have been sick for the last few weeks with Roseola & the flu. We are crossing our fingers for more luck next week. 1 week from today Sadie will be 1 and then Dallas will be 5 shortly after! Then my parents come!

Nathan’s Deep Fried Chicken Wings

2 tbsp Garlic Powder

1 ½ tbsp Cayenne Pepper

1 tbsp Paprika

½ tsp Black Pepper

1 Cup Flour

1 Cup buttermilk (1 cup milk with 1 tsp. white vinegar. Sit 5 min)

Defrost Wings (we have been buying frozen). Mix paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper & flour together in bowl. Set aside. In separate bowl mix chicken with spices (to taste) and buttermilk. Put in fridge for 2 hours to marinate.After 2 hours, take out of fridge and cover each wing in flour mixture.Deep fry 1 layer of wings at 350 degrees(about 6 wings) for 10 minutes. If still frozen, add more minutes.

Wing Sauce

2/3 cup Frank’s Hot Sauce

1/3 cup melted butter

Melt butter and mix with hot sauce.