IRON CHEF 2013

The verdict for the 2013 Iron Chef competition... A TIE!!! Of course both teams acted pleased, but we all know... this means war next time. To share a victory is perhaps the only thing that hurts worse than loosing. Maybe there will have to be a mid year tie breaker. Both sets of courses were top notch, and this may have even been the most competitive year yet! The theme was citrus and the food that stood out the most was honey lemon glazed chicken, bacon citrus salad, lime and lemon steak shish-kabobs, breaded shrimp, and miniature key lime pies. Thankfully I got back from clinic late and was able to judge. That means I got to eat more than those that prepared the food (sorry Shayna). The kid count is rising and kids are becoming a new obstacle to the competition. Iron Chef has become as anticipated as Thanksgiving day. Quite the tradition. Better luck next year.

2nd Annual St. George

 The annual Pre-Thanksgiving St George get together with the Gonzales' lived on this year. The trip was already too short from the beginning, but a few things made it even shorter. The most memorable of these being Marley jabbing a toothbrush through the left lateral laryngeal mucosa, barely missing her artery and nerve! So that ate up most of the first day. Luckily we had a fun time cooking Thanksgiving dinner and watching the rest of the kiddos while Sunde, Nefi, and Marley waited at the ENT and Surgeons offices. Marley was a trooper, and picked right back up playing with the kids when she got back to the house. Sadly enough, Marley had to be on liquids and puree for the rest of the trip (the sneaky little thing quietly ate a mint she found in our car while we were driving to the sand dunes).

The family pictures went well, the Thanksgiving feast was not too shabby, and the highlight was catching up after being apart for so long. Trace had a blast getting to know his cousins and continues to pray for them to this day. We look forward to seeing them in only a week, and are so glad we all took the time to meet up! 

Teepee Breakfast

When we heard the girls were going to take the teepee down for the winter we could hear it beckoning  to us to send smoke signals from it one last time... so we burnt breakfast in it. The skillet was over a raging campfire so temperatures were often uncontrollable, and it seemed like the food cooked instantly upon making contact. This indian home also inspired a series of photo shoots put on by Shayna and the "little girls". They got into the indian spirit so completely for the pictures that I wont be surprised if one of our neighbors cows gets speard and stolen by 3 lightweight redheads in the near future. The teepee take down was quick. We will look forward to more exceptionally well done pancakes and eggs next year.

Indian Photo Shoot

The TeePee got us in the mood for an Indian photo shoot.. had a great time chasing our last bit of sun with these squaws.

Halloween

Some people make Halloween more than just a creepy evening devoid of inhibition... Katie and Katherine are their names. Their costumes were daring and successful. Katie, imitating Marilyn Monroe, added a southern twang to the sultry blond; while at the same time (on the other side of the United States), Katherine stuffed to a perfectly, and overly, mature form. These women exemplify the aspect of this ridiculous holiday that we appreciate. Our little Honey bee couldn't be more darling and the planed on Lone Ranger became Spider Man after not wanting to put on any extra clothes. He stayed in his pj's and it worked out just as well.

Nelsons in MS. and The Trip Home

My family drove out in the new motor home to help us move home. We had a fun week before heading west. It was complete with a trip to Alabama, dinner at Catfish Country, and a tour of the Buffalo park in Tupelo. The Stites and the Nelsons became instant friends. The girls even whipped out their guitars. We packed up the caravan (the truck and 5th wheel followed by my dads motor home trailering our SUV) and they were gone after a quick Sunday picnic. I stayed behind to finish up my rotation. Shayna and the kids got to ride in the motor home while my dad drove. In Shayna's own words "this is the only way to drive with kids across country". Amy and Mom drove the truck pulling our home of 14 months. They are troopers! We are so thankful they were willing (and even suggested the idea) to help us move. It would not have been the same experience without the help. There was minimal drama (running out of gas and Ruby popping a seam), and they made good time. Shayna has spent her first week home unpacking and chasing the kids around. My rotation is over now and I am studying for my test. Saturday couldn't come sooner. I have 3 rotations in Utah left, 1 month back in Tennessee wrapping up, and then the Boards (Sometime in May).

alabama

arkansas

texas

oklahoma

colorado

wyoming

utah