A New Year with the Top Ten Events of the Past Few Weeks

First, Dallin's cake balls.  They were delicious and he did them all by himself.  A man of many talents!

Second, a snap shot of our holiday baking extravaganza.  However, life happened which resulted in us not getting them out for few days causing them to be quite hard...We were told it made the milk dippers very happy because they got to soak their goodies longer.

Third, we got to go to Zoo Lights at Hogle Zoo with Darrell and Summer which was quite an adventure!  No animals, other than the ones in the indoor exhibits and the sleeping tigers which everyone crowded around because they were under the heated lamp seeing as it was quite cold that night, but there definitely were synthetic light animals, which were almost just as entertaining.  As a child, we used to go to the Denver Zoo Lights, which are AMAZING.  If you ever get a chance to go, do not let that opportunity pass!  Hogle zoo's ZooLights were pretty good, as well; not AS good, but enjoyable nonetheless.

However, the highlight of the night was the deep fried S'more's.  Yes.  They taste as fatty and delicious as they sound.  Once again, if you get the chance to try one, do not let that opportunity pass!

The lion drinking fountain, in lights

Irresistible

Darrell and Summer enjoying the ooey-gooey, messy goodness of a fried s'more

Fourth, we got to spend Christmas up in Jerome, Idaho with the Jim Green clan.  Let me just say that I love that family.  They are just plain fun.  Definitely, a Green trait!  We went up Christmas morning, played Bass Fishing Monopoly (well, Dallin played, I helped him roll bad rolls until I decided to help Kim in the "kitchen," aka watching "The Santa Claus" because she was done cooking), ate a delicious meal, then delved into my pride and joy of the week--a lemon meringue and banana cream pie.  We only got a picture of the lemon meringue, but for my first time (at least with the lemon meringue), both turned out wonderfully, if I do say so myself.  However, I do have good credentials seeing as Jim wants me to come up every month for various birthdays...with a pie.  Just don't ask Dallin how my first banana cream pie turned out about a year ago.

We thoroughly enjoyed our Christmas and are grateful that Kim and Jim allowed us to spend it with them and their family.

Heaven in a pie dish

Fifth, for New Year's Eve, we went over to Tyson and Suzi's to celebrate with games and good company.  We played Farkle, well "Spicy Farkle" (LOVE that game), Snertz, and of course their newly acquired Kinect.  Way too much competition in that game that creates energy that you did not think you had.  Needless to say, we had a blast!

Only picture from New Year's Eve, Suzi and Tyson playing volleyball...I think...

Sixth, the Baldwin clan made another quick visit as they dropped Lexi off at BYU-Idaho.  This allowed us the chance to meet her main squeeze, Matt, whom we really enjoyed visiting with, along with having daddy Baldwin make homemade asiago bagels.  They were quite yummy, but also quite the process.  Worth it, though...well, every now and then.

Almost finished with the bagels...

Mmmmm

Seventh, I got new boots!  Very exciting.

Eighth, Dallin made Mickey Mouse pancakes before we set out on our journey to the Manti Temple.  Both were amazing.  As we drove to Manti, we fell in love with the wide open spaces, fresh, clean air, lack of traffic, and just plain beauty of the land.  Well, as I was noticing the beauty, Dallin was in the driver seat saying, "Eck!" and "Oooh!" as we passed deer who did not have very lucky strolls across the highway.

The temple itself sits on the side of a mountain, absolutely gorgeous, even more breathtaking inside.  We even got to see the infamous spiral staircases.  All in all, it was a great trip.

Skill

Manti Temple

Ninth, Dallin started school today which means he is back to being busier than a worker bee.  Keeps him out of trouble.

Tenth, we just want to say thank you to everyone who kept us in their thoughts and prayers in 2011.  We felt your love and support daily and just want to sincerely say, thank you!

Enjoy Andrew Gold's vocals

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Love you all!