The Great Elf Off

I've seen people "Elf" themselves in the past but never thought too much of it...until this year.I watched a few videos and new instantly that I must "Elf" my family! I had so much fun going through pictures and trying to find the perfect ones! Thank goodness my family and I are totally goofs; I was able to find three pretty awesome pictures! Enjoy!

Want to make your own, and join a linky of other people making funny videos? Link up here:

Happy Holidays from my Elf family to yours!

Family/Holiday Pictures 2010

Photos by LaRoche Photography
Please don't copy this pictures! Thanks!

Blog Make Over

As you can tell, my blog has had a little a major make over, thanks to Natalie at Hope Springs Eternal. She wanted to put her blog design skills to work and she asked if she could practice on my blog. I jumped at her offer -  that's what family is for! I am so happy with the results! She also made me a super cute blog button! Please, feel free to grab my button and stick it on your page! Of course, if you grab mine and if I don't have yours, let me know. I would love to add it to my blog button collect!! So after you get done admiring my new blog, getting use to the changes, and grabbing my button - hop on over to Natalie's blog to see her new blog design. It is also super cute!!

I Would Be Proud

My Nana, Constance "Connie" Dodd wrote two Christmas books and had them published. Faith, Hope & A Proper Tree: Remembering the Spirit of Christmas and Santa Meets Mr. Dippleman: A Christmas Story. To her, it's no big deal, just something she did. I on the other hand think it's something she should be proud of.  I never told too many people but I actually did the illustrations for Faith, Hope & A Proper Tree: Remembering the Spirit of Christmas I was in high school and didn't think much of it at the time. Today, as I sit here thinking about the books, I am proud of what I did. Not many people can say they are a published illustrator, can they. Yes, it's only one book and yes, I didn't make much from it but still, I am proud of myself and more importantly, I am proud of my Nana. She has always loved to write and finally one of her dreams came true.

Here are her two books:

and

Every Time I See It, It Gets A Little Bigger

I lost my Papa Dodd in September of 1999. Almost 11 years ago. How quickly those 11 years have went. Good and bad things have happened, memories were formed, and time has moved on. My papa, Lowell Dodd, was a professor at Doane College in Crete Nebraska. When we were back for Easter, we stopped by Doane to visit my Papa's tree that the college planted in his honor. Every time I see it, it seems so much bigger then the last. It has just started blooming, there is a slight hint of red when you look at it. It's such a pretty tree (as pretty as trees can actually be). The media department and a class room at Doane are also named after my Papa.

It's nice to be able to go see his tree in remembrance of him. I love walking under it and when it is full of leaves, I love taking one and saving it. Having that leaf with me, makes me feel like I have a little piece of him with me. This trip was a little different, this time my daughter was there. I felt as if, I was introducing Claire to my Papa. Although, I know he got to met her way before I did.  I made a promise to myself that Claire will know how great her great grandparents really were and are. Family is so important to me, no matter living or gone. I am who I am because of them!

Here are some pictures:

The plaque underneath his tree

My Papa's tree

Claire under her Great Papa's tree

Me in 2007

The Classroom named after him

Easter Vacation

My aunt's brand new home in Eagle, NE.

The back of her home.

Claire's 1st trip to a Children Museum.
 

 

For being only 8 months old, she loved it!

                            Cousin Madi came with to play!                                    

Eric learned how to drive a tractor!

On a very windy walk!

Sunset on the farm!

Look what the Easter Bunny left Claire!!

All ready for Church!

Our little family on Claire's 1st Easter!

4 generations: Nana, mom, me, & Claire.

Claire loves her new lamb!

Our family loves the game "spoons"!

Cousins - April 5th 2010

We had a fantastic time, so relaxing. Claire's first and second airplane ride was a success. She slept the whole time on both flights! Thankful we were not "one of those families" during the flight. While on vacation we did so many fun things from going to the Children Museum in Lincoln, Shopping at a great outdoor mall, Antiquing with my mom, aunt, and nana, playing ping pong, taking walks, and having some delicious food every single night!! I love my family and I feel so blessed to have them all in my life!! Can't wait to do it all again!

Recipe Sunday

This weeks recipe is one of my father-in-law's. It was one of my favorite recipes he made and then this last week, I had to give it a try myself - it was so easy and so yummy. It tasted just like his!! If you love a moist breaded chicken, this recipe is for you! Give it a try, it will be one you use over and over again!

This weeks recipe: Breaded Chicken


Here's what you need:

Skinless, boneless chicken breast
Saltine crackers
2 eggs
Buttery flavored Crisco
Garlic powered
Seasoning Salt
Chicken Broth

Here's what you do:

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Breakup the crackers and place in a bowl with garlic powder and seasoning salt. In another bowl put the two eggs. Dip the cleaned chicken breast in the egg and then roll it in the cracker crumbles. Place Crisco into a frying pan and brown the coated chicken breast on medium high. Once the chicken breast are browned, place them in a cake pan and pour chicken broth all over them and in the pan. Place in the oven for an hour.

p>