Soccer

My nephew Jake has started soccer. I'm so proud of him! These are some photos of his first soccer game. He continues to get better and better as he continues to play. I love his excitement for sports and how he hasn't event finished soccer and he's telling me about t-ball. I have a feeling I'm going to be a very busy aunt going to all his different games!

Warming up before the big game

The next set of photos shows his first goal....and the first goal of the first game!

Takes the ball away



Heading towards the goal for the shot

High-five from the coach

So proud of himself

Getting ready to kick the ball to start the next half

It's great that he gets right in the middle of the action

Finished

High-five from his dad

Love this kid!

Enjoy!

-AKL

Greener Grass

You know the saying, "The grass is always greener on the other side", well there are days I'd like to know if that's really true.

I've lived in Colorado, Colorado Springs actually, my whole life. Yes, I've been able to travel a little and see different places, but I've never lived anywhere besides Colorado Springs.

I find myself wishing I lived in Arizona when it's cold and snowy. When the weather is nice I daydream about living in a small town, having a family, watching my children play outside, and catch fireflies at night. To have a slower pace to life and to be lulled to sleep by the frogs and insects singing in the distance. I'm relaxed just thinking about my country cottage!

How different would my life be if I lived in Arizona or a small country town in the Midwest where everyone knew each other? Would the grass really be greener, or would I feel the exact way I feel now about wanting to move?

-AKL

Today I remember....

A man who loved the Lord and his church

A man who loved his family and would do anything for them

A man who worked hard so his family could have what they needed

A man who loved deeply

A man that lived life to the fullest

A man that would drop whatever he was doing to help a friend in need

A man who loved to tell stories and jokes

A man who loved to cook

A man who had high standards for himself and his family

A humble man

A man of character

A man who loved to sing at the top of his lungs and didn't care if he was off key

A man who encouraged those around him

A man who was taken from this earth way to soon in my opinion

A man I'd give anything to spend another day with

Today I remember my dad

I'll never forget this date and how it forever changed my life and who I am today

Dad, I miss you more than words can express. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about you and miss you.

I love you forever and always!

Your baby girl,
Abby

Nephews

Well it's been forever since I've posted anything! Time goes by way too fast and honestly there isn't too much exciting going on in the Leffler household!

I broke out the camera this morning because it looked to peaceful outside.

I was sitting at the kitchen table working and realized how quiet it is before the neighborhood starts to stir, the dogs start chasing each other, the birds start chirping, and Jared and I start discussing what our days hold for us. It really is blissful to just sit and enjoy quiet!

This morning there was a small dusting of snow that covered the grass and in the quietness of everything it looked picture perfect to me. I think I could have stayed in that moment for an unknown amount of time. All I needed was a good cup of coffee in hand and it would have been total perfection. However, I didn't have the cup of coffee because the noise of the Tassimo would have disrupted the stillness and caused everyone else in my house to wake up. Oh well....maybe that cup of coffee will brew later.

After taking a couple snap shots of this morning's dusting of snow I decided to see what other photos were on the camera. I had completely forgot about the pictures I took the evening we had our 3 nephews over. We had a busy night with Jake, Carter, Jaxon, Chelsey, Jamie, Jared, both dogs and both birds together. Not sure I can accurately describe the nosie level that night, but if you have kids, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about! Seriously though, it was a fun evening and the boys did great playing together. It was nice to see the three of them share, play with cars and army men, while Jared and Jamie talked electronics, of course!!, and Chelsey and I caught up on "girl" talk. Memories were made and that's what is most important.

Jake before everyone arrived

I think Jaxon might have an addiction to gushers

Oh boy, the craziness is about the begin

What a goofball

Jake makes me laugh

Smile

Jake was so good at showing Jaxon how his toys worked

A few too many gushers

It's so cute how boys just know how to make car noises and what they need to do to play with them, even at a young age

Vroom

Break time

Jaxon watches so intently

Such concentration

Sharing the motorcycle

Jaxon loved the motorcycle

Whoo hoo, Carter has arrived

Jaxon's face cracks me up

So lucky they all got along

Say cheese, Carter

Just a little noisy but so much fun

How can you not smile at that face??

Oh No! The wheel popped off, good thing Uncle Jamie was there to fix it!

Smile and Enjoy your day!

-AKL

A Quick Update

It's been a random couple of months for us at the Leffler household. Here is a quick update:

November:
We were able to watch our nephew Jaxon one night for Jordan and Micaela while they both worked. He sure is a ham when the camera comes out!

Chandler makes a nice pillow

Look at those teeth

Shy sure has come a LONG way with kiddos

Isn't he cute

Also in November we celebrated my 29th birthday and had Thanksgiving with my brother Robb and sister-in-law Sheri. Of course I don't have photos of either of those events but they were a lot of fun.....at least Thanksgiving was! I wasn't too thrilled with celebrating my 29th birthday....I shouldn't be that old!

December:

We had my family up to our house for Christmas Eve dinner. I cooked Christmas Shepherd's pie which turned out really nice.

We had Jake open his gift from us to him since we wouldn't see them Christmas morning. Jake was pretty excited when he opened his "moe-key-choke" car from Uncle Jared and Aunt Abby.

His "moe-key-choke" car...love how he said remote control

He was more than happy to move my gifts so he could drive his car

Such concentration when learning how it worked

We went over to the Leffler's house Christmas morning and enjoyed a quiet day with Rick and Karen. A little after lunch we decided to head home and do Christmas with just the two of us. It was so nice to spend time with each other and start some new Christmas traditions!

Jared took a brief nap with Shy and Chan

January:

It's been pretty low key 2011 so far. We rang in the new year together and toasted to what's to come in 2011....whatever that may be.

We are staying busy with work and enjoying spending time with both families. Shy and Chan are doing well and enjoyed the week of vacation we took between Christmas and New Years.

I'm looking forward to cooking even more meals this year and trying different things out. Keep an eye out for some delicious, and healthy, recipes coming your way.

Enjoy!

-AKL

Christmas Shepherd Pie

I'm cooking dinner for my family on Christmas Eve and I've been searching and searching for the perfect Christmas Eve dinner to prepare. I think I've gone to http://www.foodnetwork.com/ and http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/ about a million times over the past week or so! I finally came across Paula Deen's Christmas Shepherd Pie recipe and decided that was the golden ticket.

I tried the recipe out this weekend with my best friend Megan. Let me tell ya...it's so much fun cooking in the kitchen with a friend. I highly recommend you doing it at least once in your life if not more!

We got home from Christmas shopping and poor Jared was famished from not eating all day since he was looking forward to this meal.

This is a pretty quick meal to put together, however, keep in mind it does take a little over an hour to get everything ready.

You can find the recipe at http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/christmas-shepherds-pie-recipe/index.html

This isn't the greatest picture but it gives you an idea of what it looks like in a casserole dish.

I did make individual ramekins for Megan, Jared and myself and will do the same on Christmas Eve. This recipe makes a TON of food...I'll just throw that out there.

For Christmas Eve I will be making it with ground turkey instead of ground beef, I'm sure it'll be just as delicious.

If you want a good home cooked, southern feel, fills your stomach to the brim meal, then give this recipe a try.

Let me know what you think!

Enjoy!
-AKL

Zesty Spaghetti a la Puttanesca

This weekend I went out on a limb and tried Nadia G.'s (chef from Bitchin' Kitchen) recipe, Zesty Spaghetti a la Puttanesca. The reason I say I went out on a limb is because this recipe calls for anchovy fillets. I for one have never cooked with anchovies. Really...who likes fish that come in a can? Maybe I'm wrong, but it's been a turn off for me. I've watched plenty of cooking shows where they cook with anchovies, but I've stayed away from those recipes...until now!

I've been blessed with a husband that is willing to try all of my dinner creations. Well I guess I shouldn't say all because he will not try Edamame! He politely refers to Edamame as "Hairy Bean Pods". It's easy for me to read Jared when he tries something I make. It's all in his face...and when he doesn't like it he can't cover up the sour look that comes over him. I was apprehensive about this meal to be honest. When I watched Nadia cook the meal on her show it looked delicious and I wanted to give it a try, but like I said, I've never cooked with anchovies or capers. A very traditional Italian spaghetti meal but totally different than anything I've cooked before.

My guinea pigs for the night were Jared and one of my best friends, Megan. They both watched over my shoulder as I pulled the anchovy fillets out of the can and began to shred them with a fork. Not my favorite part of the meal, but it went without incident. I carefully followed Nadia's directions and all in all it was a an easy meal to throw together. It smelled amazing (no the anchovies don't make your house smell fishy) and looked delicious when it was all said and done. But wouldn't you know...I didn't take a photo! The photo above is courtesy of: Cooking Channel, Nadia G and Bitchin' Kitchen.

Now, when we sat down to eat I wouldn't let Jared or Megan try a bite before I did. Call me crazy, but I really didn't want to see either of them run to the bathroom because it didn't taste as good as it looked. I took the first bite and didn't really know how to describe it. It was a different taste to me since I'm used to your "all American drown your noodles in tomato and meat sauce and call it a day" taste. We had an interesting conversation of what flavors stuck out and the fact that you really don't taste the anchovies. It was a successful meal and one that I will certainly try again with some modifications, for Jared....i.e. chicken needs to be added to make it a "man" meal.

If you're interested in the recipe you can find it here: www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/zesty-spaghetti-a-la-puttanesca-recipe/index.html

Let me know if you try it and what you think of it!

Enjoy!
-AKL