Saturday, December 26, 2009

2009

A Year In Review
2009 was a year of new challenges for the Hargises. In January, we relocated to Langley AFB, VA and the wonderful little town of Poquoson. I am relatively certain that I did not send out change of address cards, so if you don't have our new address, shoot me an email and let me know.

February brought us semi short notice deployment for Dennis. We had been given a heads up that he was being considered for the job before we left Tucson, but nothing was really finalized until early February. He left on February 18th for a 6 month tour as the Exec to the Air Component Commander, Multi-National Force Iraq. It was definitely a different experience from his last deployment, but he was able to learn so much while there.

The girls and I spent our time apart getting to know our new community. We have been blessed to make lots of new friends and the girls settled in to their new schools pretty well, considering this was their first time changing schools. Paige jumped right back in to soccer here and had a great first season and Summer got involved in the local Daisy Scouts troop. I decided to take a hiatus from volunteering and just settle in and be Mom for a while.

The majority of our summer was spent by the pool. We took a few small day trips to the beach, the Virginia Zoo, the Norfolk Botanical Gardens, and the Virginia Aquarium. We were especially blessed to be able to spend Independence Day on one of the very battlefields where that independence was won
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August brought Dennis home with it. We were so happy to be reunited and the girls and I had so much fun showing him all the places we had discovered while he was away. There are no pictures from his homecoming, unfortunately, because I forgot the camera in the hotel. Really? How often does an international flight arrive 1 ½ hours early? We almost didn’t even make it to Baltimore in time to see him get off the plane!

September was a busy month. Paige started the 4th grade and Summer the 1st. Both girls decided to give cheerleading a try. Summer LOVED it and can’t wait for next season. Paige decided that soccer was really more her thing. Fall came to Virginia in late September. This is the first time that the girls have really seen the changing colors and all the splendor they bring with them and the first time in a long time that Dennis and I have seen them. I had forgotten how truly magical a time fall is.

And speaking of magic, September also meant a family trip to the most magical place on earth – Disney World! We spent 5 days with Mickey and his friends and brought back so many treasured memories. On the way home from Disney World we made a little side trip and got to spend a couple of days with one of our favorite families – The McClintocks!

The rest of fall passed in a whirl of Saturday morning football games, PTO meetings, college football, and great friends. Dennis got settled in to his new job with ACC Stand Eval and has made trips to the Hamptons, Moody AFB, and back to Tucson as a part of it.
I’ve talked a lot about all the wonderful things that Dennis and the girls have done over the past year and some of you may be wondering where I have been. LOL. It’s been a quiet year for me and I have been right where I want to be – up in the stands cheering on my girls, popping in to Dennis’ office with a cup of coffee on my way home from the Commissary, and just taking care of my crazy wonderful family. As Christmas time is upon us and another year is coming to an end, that is what I am most thankful for. Merry Christmas to you and yours and may God bless each and every one of you.

All our love,
Dennis, Sarah, Paige, and Summer

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Christmas Goodies

I have had lots of Facebook requests for the recipes of all my Christmas goodies I have been making. Here are a few of them. I will be adding more as I make more goodies.
White Chocolate Peppermint Bark
This isn't really a recipe. I used two packages of white chocolate bark and melted it down in the microwave according to the package directions. While that melted, I took two of the large candy canes and put them in a gallon size Ziploc bag and crushed them with a hammer. I mixed the crushed peppermint into the melted chocolate and then poured it out onto a piece of wax paper to solidify. Once it cooled I broke it into pieces. That's all there is to it!


Candied Walnuts
1 1/2 cups walnuts
1/2 cup sugar
2T butter
1/2 t. vanilla
1. Line a baking sheet with foil. Butter the foil; set baking sheet aside.
2. In a heavy skillet, combine the nuts, sugar, butter, and vanilla. Cook over medium-high heat, shaking skillet occasionally, until sugar begins to melt. Do not stir.
3. Reduce heat to low; continue cooking until sugar is golden brown, stirring occasionally. Remove skillet from heat. Pour the nut mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Cool completely. Break into clusters.


Sugar and Spice Pecans
1T egg white
2 cups pecans
1/4 cup sugar
1T pumpin pie spice
1. Heat oven to 300. Place nuts in a small bowl; pour the egg white over the nuts and stir until the nuts are coated and sticky.
2. Mix the sugar and pumpkin pie spice; sprinkle over the nuts, stirring until the sugar mixture completely coats the nuts. Spread on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes.

Christmas Tree Spritz Cookies
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 1/4 cups flour
1/2 t. salt
1 egg
1 t. vanilla
Green food coloring
Heat the oven to 400. Cream butter and sugar. Blend in remaining ingredients. Fill cookie press with the Christmas tree attachment and press the dough through onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 6-9 minutes until the dough is set, but not brown.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

I Am Thankful For ....

Today I am thankful for Dennis. I am always thankful for him every day, but today, especially, I am thankful for the old-fashioned values that we share. For instance, Christmas does not come into our house until after Thanksgiving. We don't believe in overscheduling our kids so much that they don't have time to be kids. Spending time together strengthens a family. At the sound of the Star Spangled Banner or the sight of a flag being raised or lowered, you stop what you are doing and you show your respect. 1000 little things that are so frequently dismissed that really are important. So tonight I am thankful that they are just as important to him.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

A Little Superficial, But I Am Thankful Nonetheless

Today I am thankful for my hairdresser Jonathan. I know that there are so many more significant things in my life to be thankful for, but today it's him. I walked into the salon this morning with my humidity fro'd hair out of control and in a ponytail. An hour in Jonathan's chair with his combs and razors and flatiron and I feel like a million bucks. I spend the majority of my days putting everyone else in my life first. But for that hour, I get to be number one and for that I am eternally thankful.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Moments Like These

For those of you with children, do you ever have one of those moments that make you so glad that you do. I just had one of those and I had to share. Tonight when I went in to put Paige to bed, she surprised me with this. If you can't tell what it is from the picture, it says I Love You. Thank You. spelled out in Pokemon cards. I think I might be the happiest mommy on the planet right now.

I WANT THESE!!!!

My friend Brandi back home is taking these AMAZING Norman Rockwell photos for Christmas. I so so very much wish I was closer so she could take some of us. If you are in Texas, check out her website www.texanweddings.com.


Today I Am Thankful For...

Today I am thankful for the obvious. I am thankful that we weathered last weeks storms with no major damage. I am thankful for Robert and Kelly Munns, our landlords, who were quick to jump on the damages that did occur. I am also thankful to live in the kind of community that bands together in the face of disaster. Over the weekend, everywhere you looked people were lending a helping hand to their neighbors. It is encouraging to see that the true spirit of America still exists here and that the good people of Poquoson, VA are teaching their children the value of giving back to their community and helping those in need. For that, I am especially thankful.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

I would just like to start this off by reminding everyone that I am from coastal Texas. I could read a hurricane tracking chart before I could add and subtract. I remember all to clearly what a hurricane is like. Fast forward to this week and the freak of nature they call a Nor'Easter in this part of the country. Hurricane force wind driven rain is SO much worse when it is 50 degrees outside! Fortunately, we weathered the storm with little damages, which is a lot more than I can say for a lot of people in our little town of Poquoson. The people here are tough though, and more importantly, neighborly. All over town today, people were helping each other clear debris. People with trucks were going into the hardest hit areas and doing what they could for the people that live there. I had forgotten how a small town bands together in the face of a disaster. Today I am proud to be a Move-In.
Low Tide

This is Den standing in our backyard. Note the water level.


Right Before High Tide


High Tide!




The Damages!





Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Happy Birthday Babe!







Just dropping a quick note to wish my hubby a Happy 34th Birthday. Thank you for everything you are.



Sunday, November 8, 2009

Prayers, Please

I am posting today to ask for prayer for my sweet momma. She had a minor stroke yesterday and is in the hospital. She moved out to be with me in Tucson when Dennis went to Korea and stayed after we left last Christmas. She is alone out there with no close family, so please, please, everyone lift her up in your prayers. Her name is Candi. Thank you so much in advance.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

End of the Season

Summer's cheer season ended today. She had SUCH a great time and loves loves loves being a cheerleader. She was actually a little sad that it was over. Paige's team made it into the playoffs, so she has another week or two to go. Here is a photo montage of Summer's first cheer season.


She worked so had on this all season and was so proud to show it off at the last game.



First day of practice. It was SOOO hot and sticky.





First Game - with her bestie Ashlyn and her other friends Kristen, Lauren, and Bailey.



The half-time routine. As soon as I get my video camera fixed I will post a video.

Stunting


Everybody do the Islander Beat.





3rd quarter break with her BFF's Julia and Ashlyn and her friend MacKenzie.


Look who won the Spirit Stick!!!


Homecoming



I am so glad we went ahead and bought the warmups. It was 50 degrees here!





Always a Daddy's girl.


California oranges. Texas cactus. We think your team needs a little practice....