What a wonderful day....

Our day began with Rob waking me up at around 7:30ish with a loud "HO HO HO, Merry Christmas", he said he'd been trying to wake me up for 1/2 an hour! LOL! I'm a HEAVY HEAVY sleeper. We went downstairs and noticed that Santa had been there...he'd eaten a bite of the cookie we'd left out for him. ;) We looked at and opened our stockings, I got a couple packs of earrings, we both got jolly ranchers, chocolate covered pretzel balls, thin mints, jelly bellys (sours & tropical), and a bananna. Then started the gift opening. Rob got the worlds 'smallest' remote controlled Helicopter from www.thinkgeek.com (if you have a person who loves gadgets and gizmos and an adult who loves 'kiddy' toys....I'd strongly suggest you visit this site) as well as a Carnivorous Plant Kit (venus fly trap), he'd been wanting both of those for quite some time. He also got a Cybook Book Reader (Digital Book Reader) from Santa, we both got one of those, they are AWESOME and actually look like a 'paperback' book on the screen. He also got an M&M's dispenser fortune teller (aka his new decision maker for work). He got an extra 2 Gig SD Memory Card for his new bookreader. He got some socks, then I got him some of his 'favorite' holiday traditions candies (lifesavers book, a pecan log). We both also got new computer keyboards as ours were both worn out. We also got a nice standing lamp for our Living Room...we are going to get another one as we like this one so well.

Rob got me a "Slanket' which is essentially a blanket with sleeves to keep me warm, yet 'functional'. It's really really cool! I am ALWAYS cold and Rob is ALWAYS making sure I am covered up. He's always so cute and 'tender' about it! He also got me a 'ped egg' as my feet are bad. I got a new electrical blanket, as mine has wires poking out of it and is no longer 'safe'. BUT I use it just about EVERY night, Rob sleeps with the window open essentially ALL YEAR ROUND! I also got some stamps for scrapbooking, a nice microplush robe, some slippers, socks, 2 really nice necklaces, 1 is a crystalish type with a cat in mother of pearl type stuff, the other is Cubic with 2 hearts intertwined as one. I also got a MUCH needed Coat, I only have a heavier type jacket, as I haven't boughten a coat since I got back from my mission in 2003. WOW has it really been that long? My new coat is AWESOME, definitely gonna keep me warm.

After we opened presents we called Rob's brother and sister and his mom. His sister Eva lives in Grantsville and told Rob she told her kids not to come because of the snow, I guess they were getting hit really hard out there. Where we used to live last year in West Jordan got 12" of snow and the power was out and roads were closed! The wind was blowing really bad out here around 20MPH and it was snowing, Rob had a bad feeling so we stayed home from Bountiful, both of us cried, we wanted our FINN & HADDY. Rob loves that! Which is saying a lot as he is NOT a fish person. We were watching Rudolph and fell asleep cuddled on the couch after that. We woke up, Rob played with his toys, we had leftover Chinese for lunch and then just surfed on our puters, and watched a couple more Christmas Shows. We watched The Christmas Card (tearjerker and VERY good show), and Chevy Chases Christmas Vacation. We spent the evening in each others arms just loving each other. Overall we've had the best Christmas yet that we've had together this year. The only thing that could have made it more perfect is if we were able to make it to Bountiful. We are planning on visiting Rob's mom and heading out to Bountiful on Sunday to deliver and get the rest of our presents.

We are truly grateful for this holiday season, and are in remembrance of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. We have an ornament that one of the people Rob home taught made for him that has Jesus picture on it, at the top of our tree. Which helps us to remember the wonderful birth and life of our Savior.

I have pictures I will try to get them posted in the next day or so.

White Christmas

Well we DEFINITELY are having a WHITE CHRISTMAS. We had a nice morning, opened presents etc, and were going to go out ot Bountiful at 11:00am for Finn & Haddy breakfast (that was Rob's determining factor as to whether or not we were going...not really) but Rob LOVES Finn & Haddy (Smoked Haddock). He is NOT a fish person either. It is snowing so bad here that the roads would be hazardous to get past the point of the mountain here. So sadly we have to postpone our Christmas morning/presents at The Sims house. We both cried about it as we really wanted to go. Finn & Haddy is one of my 'FAVORITE' Christmas traditions. Rob says if the forecast is calling for bad snow in the future we're gonna have to get our own as that's one tradition he wants to continue with our family.

Here are some pictures from our backyard...you can see how much snow there is here: It's still coming down and the wind is blowing it everywhere too. We know why the SR92 had such a disastrous storm/problem here last year the night that it took Rob 5 hours to get home from Orem to West Jordan (it normally took him 1 hr), but here in Lehi on the 'off' roads they don't exactly plow them the best. It's been an adventure trying to get up the hills and stuff. Especially in our complex, they don't 'salt' the roads so it's like trying to drive on an ice skating rink when there is snow out.

Low Carb Pancakes (Pork Rhinds)

Ewww...gross was the comment my hubby made when I told him I wanted to try them...my curiousity got the best of me and I made them tonight, they aren't half bad...actually I like them better than regular pancakes (I have to be in a 'mood' for pancakes to actually enjoy them). They puff up just like regular pancakes and to me are more 'moist' they have a nice flavor. Here's my picture:


Low-Carb Pancakes (Pork Rinds)


(1 serving) Printable Version

• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup HEAVY Cream
• 1/2 of a 3-oz bag of unflavored pork rinds
• 3 packets of Splenda (or other sugar alternative)
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 dash nutmeg

Crumble pork rinds until they resemble bread crumbs.

In a seperate bowl, beat eggs until frothy then add remaining ingredients and continue to beat until well mixed. Add pork rinds to the egg/cream mixture and set aside for 5 minutes to allow batter to thicken.

Cook on a lightly greased skillet as you would any pancake recipe. Drop batter on surface large spoonfulls. Cook until each side is lightly browned.

Serve with butter and a low-carb store bought syrup. Or for an interesting low-carb topping, mix 1 Tablespoon of sugar-free jam with 1 and 1/2 Tablespoons water and microwave for 45 seconds.


These pork rinds are surprisingly low in fat and have zero carbs. They may sound pretty crazy, but these little pancakes are fantastic! For more low-carb recipes try Mr Breakfast's Low-Carb Breakfast Index.

WHY JESUS IS BETTER THAN SANTA CLAUS

Santa lives at the North Pole ...
JESUS is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh ...
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year ...
JESUS is an ever present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies ...
JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited ...
JESUS stands at your door and knocks, and then enters your heart when invited.

You have to wait in line to see Santa ...
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap ...
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy
Or girl, what's your name?" ...
JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name. He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly ...
JESUS has a heart full of love.

All Santa can offer is HO HO HO ...
JESUS offers Health, Help and Hope.

Santa says "You better not cry" ...
JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you."

Santa's little helpers make toys ...
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle but ...
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree ...
JESUS became our gift and died on a tree.

It's obvious there is really no comparison.
We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.
We need to put Christ back in CHRISTmas,
Jesus is still the reason for the season.

Who Started Christmas?

This morning I heard a story on the radio of a woman who was out Christmas
shopping with her two children. After many hours of looking at row after row
of toys and everything else imaginable. And after hours of hearing both her
children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally
made it to the elevator with her two kids.

She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season time of
the year. Overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every housewarming,
taste all the holiday food and treats, getting that perfect gift for every
single person on our shopping list, making sure we don't forget anyone on
our card list, and the pressure of making sure we respond to everyone who
sent us a card.

Finally the elevator doors opened and there was already a crowd in the car.
She pushed her way into the car and dragged her two kids in with her and all
the bags of stuff. When the doors closed she couldn't take it anymore and
stated, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung
up and shot."

From the back of the car everyone heard a quiet calm voice respond, "Don't
worry we already crucified him." For the rest of the trip down the elevator
it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.

Don't forget this year to keep the One who started this whole Christmas
thing in your every thought, deed, purchase, and word. If we all did it,
just think of how different this whole world would be.

-- Author Unknown

Our Tree

Sprite Floats

My husband and I are 'equals' in every way....we are the only ones that can 'get each other' i.e. play practical jokes on each other. He made some "Sprite Floats' and the one on the left is the one that he brought me....the one on the right is his.



He was 'hiding' the 'real' one, yes he did make me a 'normal sized one and 'hid' it from me, till I tickled it out of him.

Baby Birds 5 weeks old

They are really changing now:
http://setarehpets.net/babiesdec1.html

So far we have:
1- Boo
2- Samantha Opaline not sure on color variety yet
3- Freddie: Jade Double Violet (Green Single Dark Factor, Double Violet Factor)
4- Casper: no sure on color yet