Puppy Update

The puppies if I can still call them that are a year old now! Here is the latest photo of them. They are sleeping on two of the big rectangle(36"x44") dog pillows from Costco. Miko is around 125lbs Sumo 135lbs. He has gotten noticeably taller and longer then Miko.

Marshmallows

It's a crazy addiction making these fluffy things~ We have made a few batches, some were turned into S'mores, others Rice Krispy Treats and we even covered some in chocolate and rainbow nonpareils and gave them to Lilies class as a holiday gift. My next batch, which I am making tomorrow will go to our annual New Years Eve Celebration.

I use Alton Browns recipe because it doesn't use egg whites so that makes my life easier.

Ingredients
3 packages unflavored gelatin
1 cup ice cold water, divided
12 ounces granulated sugar, (approx1 1/2 cups)
1 cup light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
Nonstick spray
Directions
Place the gelatin into the bowl of a stand mixer along with 1/2 cup of the water. Have the whisk attachment standing by.
In a small saucepan combine the remaining 1/2 cup water, granulated sugar, corn syrup and salt. Place over medium high heat, cover and allow to cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Uncover, clip a candy thermometer onto the side of the pan and continue to cook until the mixture reaches 240 degrees F, approximately 7 to 8 minutes. Once the mixture reaches this temperature, immediately remove from the heat.
Turn the mixer on low speed and, while running, slowly pour the sugar syrup down the side of the bowl into the gelatin mixture. Once you have added all of the syrup, increase the speed to high. Continue to whip until the mixture becomes very thick and is lukewarm, approximately 12 to 15 minutes. Add the vanilla during the last minute of whipping. While the mixture is whipping prepare the pans as follows.
For regular marshmallows:
Combine the confectioners' sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl. Lightly spray a 13 by 9-inch metal baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Add the sugar and cornstarch mixture and move around to completely coat the bottom and sides of the pan. Return the remaining mixture to the bowl for later use.
When ready, pour the mixture into the prepared pan, using a lightly oiled spatula for spreading evenly into the pan. Dust the top with enough of the remaining sugar and cornstarch mixture to lightly cover. Reserve the rest for later. Allow the marshmallows to sit uncovered for at least 4 hours and up to overnight.
Turn the marshmallows out onto a cutting board and cut into 1-inch squares using a pizza wheel dusted with the confectioners' sugar mixture. Once cut, lightly dust all sides of each marshmallow with the remaining mixture, using additional if necessary. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.

Check it out!

Check out the give away going on at Kozypals Cart Covers. Ava has one and loves it! We got it with the pillow option and Ava likes using the pillow to "rest" while we shop.

Santa photo #1

Lets just say it up front this was not a good Santa photo. Lets hope the one from Lilies breakfast with Santa & Mrs Clause turns out better. Ava was not into Santa when it came time for this photo. I guess I should have prepped her a little more. The candy cane won her over in the end:) can you tell by the out stretched arm?

Lights on Parade

Lilie hung out with her friends, while Ava got the shoulder seat up high. She liked waving to everyone, checking out the lights and dancing to the music.

Wave and wiggle movie

G-ma Pattie Layover

On our way home we had a Modesto layover. We stopped and had breakfast with Grandma Pattie while she volunteered at a pancake/waffle and omelet breakfast.The girls like the hair nets so we all had to try them on.

White Cabin Trip

After Thanksgiving in Roseville we headed up to the cabin. It's about an hour from Tahoe.

We went to Tahoe for lunch and some coffee on black Friday. On the way home we had some snow. I didn't get photos of Lilie and I throwing snow balls at Josh while Ava slept but trust me we got him a few times when he got out to lock the hubs on the truck:)

We woke up to more snow the day we headed home.

Thanks goodness for Ugg boot!

Sutton Thanksgiving

We had so much fun this Thanksgiving! We went to Uncle Don's and Aunt Bonnie's house along with about 40 other grown-ups and 10 other kids. I wish I had gotten a photo of all the food Oh My Gosh the food!!

Kids playedAdults chatted & Played

Thanks Uncle Steve for the Fudge to go!!

Turkey Trot '09

Ava and Jogged the Anual Turkey Trot at Lilies school. It's a whole mile!

Lilie is ready with her friends.

We have to have our visitor stickers on. Ava got creative with her placement.

Papa Suttons Birthday

On our way home from camping/Ano Nuevo SP we stopped to celebrate Papa Sutton's birthday. Each grand kid had a chance to blow out the candles

Then they ran and played before we headed home

Ano Nuevo State Park visit

Bye camp ground We are at Ano Nuevo State Park

The girls and I pulled away after I took this photo.
We were on a mission!

A nice lady passing by took this photo for us:)

Seals

So cute when they are pups

4 miles round trip wore them out!

Camping KOA Style

We (our family and the neighbor Kennedy's) are spending the weekend in town called Pescadero at Costanoa's. It a great resort, we (Neighbor Amanda and myself) had massages last night. Today was spent enjoying the view of the coast. We stopped for breakfast at Duarte's Tavern with great locally made bread and jams. Then we headed over to the local bakery called Aracangeli Bakery. We picked up a bottle of wine some of the great bread and jam we had at breakfast and a loaf of partially-baked bread that you finish cooking at home. Yummy Artichoke Garlic Herb is the bread we are bringing home. We then took our Christmas cards photos on the beach and headed up the coast some more. Ava was worn out after photos. We did the tourist thing and walked around the Ritz in Half Moon Bay. Lilie had to hug Uncle Dan because she kept lagging behind. We stopped at Gorilla Barbeque for lunch. We found it from the tv show Diners Drive-in's and Dives. On our way back home we stopped and checked out the light house. We had a fun time! The line never went down while we were there.

Halloween!

We are keeping the seeds, this was from our neighbor. We carved our pumpkins

Lilie set up this photo:)

Our Monkey, she picked out this costume and wants to ware it every day. Off with Sissy

Ava's first and last house.

Ava and I handed out candy.

Lilie, Ava & Annemiek