Family Pictures :)

When we took this picture, Jazzy was sleeping. We tried again when she woke up and they were both SUPER grumpy. So this is all we got.
Jazzy (right after she woke up), Hailey and I
The boys, Bryce, Josh, Dougie and Jack
Jazzy (still crying) and Josh
Jalenne, Hailey, Aryana, Dougie, Viv and Jack

My family fostered Jalenne for about 7 months. We were told she'd never go back to her family and would be up for adoption in 6 months. She got a new case work and put her back with her not so great grandparents. (They're the ones who dropped her off at Child Haven and put her in the system). Aryana is her sister. The mom doesn't have custody of any of her kids. The other 3 are with their dads. We miss her and we did a big Christmas for their family.

Merry Christmas Day!!

We had so much fun at home. We decided we HATE the cold. Because it's not nearly as cold there as it is here. Saturday, Hailey, Mom and I went shopping and than Sunday was just a family day. Friday was crazy with Hailey shopping, mom baking, me wrapping and the kids being crazy. We went to grandma's at 4:30 ish (we were late) and we ate. We usually have pizza and these amazing chicken wings, but this year they did El Pollo Loco chicken. I was sad. The wings are one of my favorite things about Christmas. We acted out the Nativity (our first year ever doing that) and we opened our PJ's and our presents from our cousins. Bryce and I didn't exchange, but my aunt Michele gave me this awesome Mormon Doctrine leather bound collector book. SUPER cool. Bryce and I got in bed around 12:30, only to just lay there and wait and wait to fall asleep. Never happened and Bryce went and picked Jack up at 4:00 am. Bryce was soooooo excited. We got a 32 in LCD HDTV. It's awesome! I got a few hours of sleep but we were up at again at 7 am. The twins loved their four wheelers so much they didn't want to open more presents. It was funny. Jazzy rode hers sitting on it backwards. We had our annual Christmas breakfast with the smallest attendance ever. Not even all the family showed up so I think my parents won't do that again. It was still yummy with scones and eggs and sausage and bacon and lots more. Bryce and I headed out at about 1 pm after Hailey cut his hair. She did a really good job. The drive was long but no snow so that was nice! Life is great! OH! We set up our TV last night and realized we already had a digital antenna so we can watch all the HDTV channels. It's so cool!

Dougie & Hailey
Bryce playing guitar hero. Everyone was so impressed with how good he is.
Dougie.
Jazzy being REALLY naughty. It's a good thing Santa already came. My mom only got ONE shopping cart so they fought over it all day :)
Dougie and our cousin Ben
Bryce with his morning hair (it's better than that horrific part he kept doing)
On their four wheels. Notice Jazzy is backwards.
Jack with the joke present my mom wrapped. She gave that to him last year and it didn't come in on time so she gave him a picture of it, so she decided to do it again and it happened to be the 1st present he opened. (me in the background in my cool new jammies)
Hailey helping Jazzy open her first present.
Josh trying to to have to open presents. He didn't want to get off of it.

Christmas Eve @ Grandma Broadbent's

Bryce & I at Grandma's (it's a good thing Kathy took a picture because we didn't and it's our 1st CHRISTMAS TOGETHER!!!
Vivian (our sister by love :), Jazzy, Josh & Dougie
Josh & Mom (he wouldn't put the camel costume on...it freaked him out)
Dad, holding Jazzy, Chloe, Jack and Marcus & Nicholas with Ty in front, Clay (Joseph), Anna (Mary), Bret (Donkey) and Cameron
Chloe and Jazzy the angels (Jazzy isn't an angel)
Jack a Wise Man
Another picture of Jazzy :)
Chloe, Me & Hailey singing. Silent Night. It had been awhile. I need to practice more :)

Another Recipe...I got off of someone's blog

Looks yummy!

perfect fudge}
from the kitchen of nancy allan [a work in progress]

in a large bowl:

break up: 2 large [7 oz] symphony bars
add: 12 oz package of milk chocolate chips
2 cups chopped nuts
10 oz bag of miniature marshmellows
in a heavy pan combine:
4 cups sugar
1 cube butter
1 can [12 oz] evaporated milk

cook on medium heat until mixture comes to a boil. continue to boil for 7 minutes, stirring constantly.

pour over contents of large bowl and stir until fudge is smooth. poor into a 9 x 13 inch pan that has been sprayed with a vegetable spray and let set up.

I believe....

Marci also said I was a little behind on the I believe posts....


I Believe....

in the Book of Mormon. It brings so much joy to my life and we can learn from our Heavenly Father by reading what his prophets said and what his prophets taught. It's also reassuring to know that everyone has struggles and challenges BUT the challenges can be overcome.

My Recipe

I'm not as talented as Marci at posting my recipe but this will have to do.

Modaka Brownies(Cortney’s Recipe--really Bethany's :))

2 Squares melted butter
4 eggs
1 ½ cups flour
2 cups sugar
2 tsp vanilla
½ tsp salt
½ cup cocoa

Mix dry ingredients in small bowland set aside. Mix butter, eggs & vanilla then add dry ingredients with them. Bake at 375 for 25minutes. Let cool and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Sidenote: So I found DARK chocoloate cocoa in the baking aisle. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO fabulous. My favorite!!!

Fun Idea!

So my friend Marci put this up on her blog and I thought I'd go along. Here's what you do. You post a recipe on YOUR blog and this note for all to see! If you don't have a blog and you want to share, leave it as a comment to this post. Merry Christmas all!!

I Believe

I Believe....


in Santa Claus. Because if I don't he won't bring me presents! I've been a good girl, I promise!

I believe

Sunday, December 9th

I Believe....

in family and the importance of it. If it weren't for my family I don't know where I'd be. I'd be lost and wandering in the crazy world. I'm so grateful for the support group of my family and my new family and my little individual family!

I believe

Saturday December 8th.

I Believe...

that love is the most powerful healing tool on earth. Not only can it comfort and mend a broken heart, but it can build it to believe that all things are possible. We're trying to teach the boys at the Mental Hospital that they are loved and that they can be something fabulous. Christ is LOVE.

Vegas Trip

This is the picture my mom put on our Christmas card for these kids :)
Jazzy in Byrce's OLD MAN slippers!

Thankmas

The boys in their super cool 3-D glasses. They had lots of fun tricking dad.
Pink Sweatshirts (sweaters according to Bryce) anyone??
Thugs! We look mean huh?
This is what Lu gave me for Christmas! Thanks LuAnne!!
The Family at Les's Wedding! So fun!!

I Believe

From today until Christmas I am going to post each day something that I believe in. I think this will help me think of the IMPORTANT part of Christmas. Don't get me wrong, I love the fun part but the Savior is the most important part.

I believe...

in Jesus Christ. Not only did he die that I might be saved, but he is my friend. He listens when I need him and comforts for me when I'm down. He's also there to celebrate my joys. He is my Elder Brother and I'm so grateful for all he did for me. Especially, that I may repent and be saved and return to live with him again.