Thanksgiving 2008

This Thanksgiving we did something a little different. We went to Bear Lake and Stayed at two of Justin and Heidi's Condos. It was My family's turn to have us for Thanksgiving, so we went up with Justin and Heidi, Josh and Veronica, My Parents and Joey, And Chris and Jamie (and everyone's kids). We had two units, Josh Veronica and their kids had one to themselves (they had to have Beebo my mom's Parrot) and the rest of us shared the Larger Condo. We had a lot of fun it was nice to have several days to spend with everyone and we had to prepare ahead for the Thanksgiving Feast, so fixing it and cleanup was a breeze! Also since it wasn't anyone's house no one felt obligated to keep busy or entertain, we had a blast! I didn't get many pics because we were too busy relaxing and having a good time. We played a lot of games with the favorite being 'signs' if you haven't played that you're missing out! It's a lot more fun the more people you have. It was just a good week!

G-ma Holly brought stuff to make Gingerbread Houses. The little girls had just finished showering so they all look like little drowned rats!

Everyone had fun!

Sophie being silly!

Everyone worked hard on their houses and had fun eating them too! We were supposed to get a pic w/all the kids and their houses, but I don't think anyone did. I'm glad we could all get together for a great Thanksgiving! THANKS JUSTIN AND HEIDI for letting us use your time!!

Saydi's 4th Birthday

November 23, 2008. This is Saydi after she finally blew out her candles, she blows up instead of out and it took several tries (I think Daddy ended up helping). We had family come over for Cake and Ice Cream on her Birthday It was a lot of fun!

Saydi is definitely our Little Princess, and is Grandpa Russ' Princess too, he picked out this Sleeping Beauty Dress for her Birthday and it is now her favorite dress up.

Grandma Linda knew how much Saydi loves snow globes and got her this musical Cinderella one. Very Loud...but she loves it!

This is her cake I made her. She wanted My Little Pony. The lid stuck to the pink frosting so I had to do some repair work before I could finish decorating (hense the speckles) She loved it!

We took Saydi bowling at the Fun Park for her Birthday She had been wanting to go for so long and we had so much fun! She beat me in bowling and gave her Daddy a run for his money!

Dinner In a Pumpkin Recipe

I've had several people ask about my 'Dinner In a Pumpkin', so I decided to post the recipe. It is SUPER EASY & FUN!!!
You will need:

1 Medium Pumpkin

1 onion, chopped

2 TBS Oil

1-1/2-2 lbs. of ground beef

2 TBS Soy Sauce

2 TBS Brown Sugar

1 (4oz) Can sliced mushrooms (drained)

1 (10-3/4-oz) can Cream-of-chicken Soup

1-1/2 cups cooked rice

1(8oz) can sliced water chestnuts (drained)

Clean out your pumpkin, draw a face w/a sharpie, Preheat the oven to 350*.

Saute onions in oil then add meat and brown (when I cook the meat I add my regular seasonings, season salt & garlic salt). Drain your drippings from pan then add soy sauce, brown sugar, mushrooms and soup. Simmer for 10 min, stirring occasionally. Add cooked rice and water chestnuts. Spoon mixture into the cleaned pumkpin shell. Replace pumpkin top then place entire pumpkin onto a cookie sheet then into the oven. (before you preheat the oven make sure your racks are adjusted to fit your pumpkin (it's pretty heavy once its filled). Bake for 1 hour or until pumpkin meat is tender. Don't forget to scoop out some of the pumpkin for your veggie!! Super yummy!!!

Halloween 2008

This is Dinner In a Pumpkin that I make every year! So yummy!!

He's kinda wrinkled cuz I cooked him longer than usual. But that's okay it just means that the pumkin is well done.

This is my little Pumpkin and Monkey. We went to a fun trunk-or-treat at the elementary school where they had a couple of horse trailers made into a little spook alley. The girls had a blast! They also had hot chocolate and doughnuts. We went to G-ma Linda's afterwards and took our dinner in a pumpkin to eat there. It was a really nice evening, we even got to bed early! YAY!!

Saydi's 1st Day of Pre-School

Saydi was so excited to start Preschool, she actually missed 2 days of class because I decided to put her in after it had already started. She has a great teacher and enjoys it very much.
I'm not sure who had a harder time with Saydi going to school, Me or Sophie????

Elder Party for Sophie's 1st Birthday

I can finally do piggies in Sophie's hair.

We had Josh and Veronica, Heidi and their kids and my parent's up for dinner and cake.

I got this cute cake/cupcake daisy at Sam's club and we also had Pumpkin Pie.

Sophie enjoyed her cupcake

Sophie loves her Gma and Gpa Elder

Sophie had two fun parties, it is always nice to be able to spend time with our families. We had to have two parties because a Wed. wasn't doable with having my family come up during the week, and it was kinda nice to be able to visit with everyone at different times. Sometimes it gets hectic when both families are there and it's hard to divide time between the two. But it all worked out GREAT!

Sophie's 1st Birthday!!

Sophie turned 1 on Oct. 8, 2008.

Sophie got to lick the beaters after I made her cake

Messy Baby

Sophie was so excited to get a new baby stroller/walker!

We put Sophie down to take a pic and she stuck her foot right in the cake

Saydi told me that Sophie wanted a heart shaped chocolate cake w/chocolate frosting and sprinkles on top. So this is what she got.

She had to have a bath before we could open presents!

We had Sophie's Mickelson family party at Grandma Linda's house because there is no way we could fit all of Lloyd's siblings and their kids in our little house.

Kayle's Wedding in Boise

We went to Boise for my cousin Kayle's wedding. It was a long drive, but well worth it. We had so much fun! We got to stay in a super nice hotel, and the girls were so good especially for not having a bedtime or being in a familiar place. I was so impressed with Sophie, that is the best she has ever been away from home. It was nice to be able to see family that we haven't for a while and it was also great to be able to have people to send the girls with and not have a moment's worry. I love my Buchanan family they're so much fun!! I wish we could get together more often!

The girls on the way home. They both had their elbows the same way it was so cute!

Delaney and Saydi playing with the fun silver streamers

Deacon Playing with some streamers

Saydi ready for bed at our Hotel.

Sophie's little bed at the Hotel.

As we were getting ready to leave Boise Joey and Saydi were playing on the luggage cart.

Lloyd and Soph at the reception

Everyone popped these fun streamer things and blew bubbles as Kayle and Candice ran past

Saydi wearing her silver hair

Grandma Holly loves her little girls!

Me and my best bud Kyla

Josh at the Luncheon with his spoon glasses. SWEET!

Grandpa and Sophie at the Luncheon

Makenna, Saydi and Savannah dancing

Everyone doing a party snake

Grandma Holly and Saydi dancing Everyone had so much fun!

Waiting for pics at the temple
Four generation

Grandma and Soph at the temple

Saydi took this of Candice and Kayle What a beatiful couple!

Again a Saydi pic but kinda fun

Our family who went to Boise~Sophie, Lloyd, Clisty, Savannah, Holly, Saydi, Russ, Joey, Veronica, Colton, Josh.

Josh N Jamie

Josh N Granny

Savannah and Sophie at the Temple Grounds