Just for Katie

So I haven't been able to figure out something interesting to blog about and my cool friend Katie suggested I put up some of my recipes.  Well, technically they really aren't mine, I usually get them from someone else.  Anyway, this is one of my favorites Katie requested that I got from my Sister in Law (but I have also seen it in one of my cookbooks).  Thinking about it makes me want some.  I urge you not to make it with any lowfat or nonfat evaporated milk.  For heaven sakes if you are going to treat yourself...just go all out.  Plus it won't turn out as good.

Hot Fudge Sauce

3/4 cup Semi-sweet chocolate chips (or milk chocolate)

1/4 cup butter

2/3 cup sugar

1 (5 oz.) can (2/3 cup) evaporated milk

In heavy saucepan melt chocolate chips and butter.  Add the sugar.  Gradually stir in the milk.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat.  Boil gently over low heat for 8 minutes, stirring frequently.  Remove from heat.  Serve warm.

I personally prefer the recipe with semi-sweet chocolate chips (I am a dark chocolate lover), but my sister-in-law says that she always gets the most compliments when she uses milk chocolate.  I never use milk chocolate chips because I think it tastes weird, just not chocolatey enough for me.

Tom...Hurry Home...Wesley needs you!

Wesley is suffering from a huge estrogen overdose!  The other morning Amberly had been dancing around my room to music in her dress up, while I got ready in the bathroom.  As soon as she shed the dress up, Wesley picked it up and brought it to me to put it on him (so this was his idea not mine).  I had to get a picture because one of Tom's greatest fears while he was gone was that I would start painting Wesley's toenails and he would turn into a girly boy.  I tried to get Wes on film dancing too, but as soon as the camera came out he stopped.  He does seem rather proud of how he looks though. Usually lately he won't even look at the camera, let alone pose so readily and proudly.  He did some pretty good twirling too.  I know all boys go through this to some extent, but I had to post this one for Tom.  Hurry home with the Testosterone,  honey!

Some Bad News.....

Well, I just received word today that I am going to have to cancel my R&R that was scheduled for the 20th of January.  BUT, the good news is that instead of coming home in January for a couple of weeks, I am now coming home in February for good!  Yep, I'm redeploying six months early!

Jane and I have known that this was a possibility for a few months, but we haven't said anything until it was official...  There were a lot of hoops to jump through and a lot of signatures from higher ups in order to make it possible.  I can't believe it's been 9 months!  I'm excited to see everyone again, especially my family!  There's going to be lots of hugs, and kisses, and squeezes, and loves, and....  hopefully, there'll be enough left over for the kids:)

I CAN'T WAIT TO BE ON AMERICAN SOIL AGAIN! WOOHOO!

Goodbye Bodens...we miss you

We sure had a fun time visiting the Bodens in Omaha.  Thanks so much to Rebekah and family for having us.  We always have a good time visiting them.  It is nice to have some family now within a days drive.  I am glad the long drive is over now though.  Here are some random pictures and some goodbye pictures from our fun trip.

Amberly chills out in front of the TV with cousins Tyler and Ryan one morning.

Reili and Meagan enjoy some computer games together.  All the kids enjoyed spending some of their time in front of the computer playing games.

One of our traditional goodbye pictures on the stairs this morning.  Wesley, Amberly, Ryan, Meagan, Reili, Jenna and Chase.

Funny faces everyone!

Evidence of a  fun New Year's Eve party with adults playing "Do you love your neighbor?".  As you can see it was somewhat brutal.  That is the largest of the bruises.

Long overdue visit

I haven't done a great job keeping in touch with my extended family since I got married and moved away from Utah.  Fortunately our trip to Omaha brought me back in touch with my cousin Seth who lives there with his wife and family.  We were trying to determine the last time we saw each other and it was probably the summer of 1995 before we both left on missions or possibly it could have been at his brothers wedding a few years later (we think).  It was so much fun to meet his wife and catch up on most things that have happened the last few years.  They have four children under 5 so they are very busy.  We went to their house for lunch and then ended up taking the kids to a little play area in the mall because it was New Years Day and nothing else was open.  The kids all really had fun playing together.  I really enjoyed my time with them and hope to be able to see them again while we live out here in the mid-west.

Seth and his wife Rachel and their newest addition, 3 month old Aaron.

Ethan and Reili climbed and wrestled a lot.  They played the most together.

Wesley and Jenna play in a boat.

Guitar Hero

Rebekah's family got Guitar Hero for Christmas so a couple of nights after the kids went to bed we took turns playing gigs and against each other.  I'm not usually one to play video games, but this one I have to admit is pretty fun.  I am not good at it at all though.

Seantelle (Dave's sister in law) and Rebekah finish a song.

Dan (Dave's brother) and I try our hand at a song while the others look on.