F is for Friends

F could be for so many things like family or faith but I decided to go with friends. As I mentioned in my "C" post I was really worried about making friends when we moved here (dumb right?) and so I am extremely grateful that I have made so many wonderful friends. We were down with the stomach flu last week and I honestly had about 10 different people ask if they could bring food, or babysit or get anything we needed at the store. I find it hard to say yes to those things but just the fact that people asked and were concerned meant so much to me.

Not only am I grateful for new friends but I am grateful for old friends. Friends that I have known since I was 6 or 13, it is not often you are able to keep those friendships alive for so long especially when you live in a different state or in some cases a different country. I am so grateful to have friends that have known me for so long and love me regardless. There is nothing like sharing 20 year old memories with someone and still being able to make just as awesome new ones with our growing families!

Strawberry & Chocolate Nachos

Don't be fooled by the name! It's YUMMY!

 My friend introduced me to Our Best Bites and well I am in love! I had seen this recipe and this evening when we were at the Greene's house Jordan, Aubrey and I decided to try it out!

When I suggested it to everyone around the dinner table they were disgusted, but don't be fooled by the name!! It's not what you think!

These nachos are actually Baked Cinnamon Chips and they are delicious, with or without toppings! This is what you will need to make this delightful treat!!

Flour Tortillas 

Melted Butter

Cinnamon Sugar (If you don't have this make your own, just mix cinnamon and sugar!)

Strawberries (Or any other fruit you desire!)

Chocolate

Vegatable oil

Whipped cream

To make the Cinnamon chips:

- Place your tortillas on a cookie sheet

- Melt some butter and spread it all over the top of the tortillas 

- On top of the butter sprinkle the cinnamon sugar (more is better!)

- I set the oven to 350 and let them cook until the edges started to turn up. (If you like your chips crunchy leave them in for longer)

- With a pizza cutter, cut the tortillas into 8ths 

The fruit toppings:

We used mixed berries.

- Put your fruit in a bowl and cover it in sugar, let it sit whilst you bake the chips so they make their own kind of syrup

The Chocolate:

- Melt any kind of chocolate in the microwave. Add a drop of vegetable oil to thin it out. (This is the trick to amazing dipping chocolate!)

Put the chips on a plate, cover them in fruit, drizzle the chocolate and put some cream on top!! How easy is that?! I was so excited when we made these that I forgot to put the cream on before I took the picture!

Enjoy! And remember don't let a funny name fool you! You might just be surprised!!

11 Days Till' Home!!

In 11 days we drive to Vegas and hop on a direct flight to England for 3 weeks! It has been 3 1/2 years since I have been home and we are super excited! I can't wait for Brett to see where I grew up and meet all my family and friends!

I am so excited to...

See these people, my parents, best friends and nieces and nephews.

(Also my Grandparents and Aunt, Uncle, Brothers and Sister, my Cousin and all my other nieces and nephews).

Go to these places, London, the coastal line of Poole/Dorset, Corfe Castle and to see the rolling hills and fresh green of England!

And to eat and drink all these YUMMY treats! Cadbury's, Walkers crisps, Fanta Twist and Shloer!

(As well as Mummy's yummy Roast Dinners and some Fish & Chips!)

We can't wait and just pray Lucas survives the looong journey and jet lag! Thank goodness for Nanna and Grandad and Aunts and Uncles that will be more than willing to look after the Munchkin when we sleep! :)

Gingerbread Houses & Gavin's Birthday

Yay for finals being done, making Gingerbread houses and celebrating Gavin's Birthday! We all gathered at Jordan's house (he avoided the couples picture above) and went to work on our festive houses!
After about 10 minutes Brett gave up on any kind of decorating tool other than his fingers!! It got rather messy!

Carrie was in on the action, giving ideas, and encouragement along the way!

Jordan went full out and made a town, throughout the night it was named the Shanti Town, The Bronx and The Polygamist Colony!
The end result! Somehow ours ended up huge!
(Front)
Yay! This was my first time ever making a Gingerbread house, it turned out pretty well! Go team Steenblik! Next year will be even better!

(Back)
The leftover candy, yes we had WAY more than this to begin with!
Jordan and his masterpiece!!

I love the holiday season!