Shoffner/Ruth Family Vacation 2012

Shoffner/Ruth Family Vacation 2012
Location:  Santa Rosa Beach, FL


I could write a lot of details, but words wouldn't do it justice.  I can't believe I don't have any pictures of Rach.  Probably because she and I were in our beach gear with our beach hair 98% of the time and refused to be photographed!  It was THE epitome of a crazy fun yet peaceful and relaxing family vacation.  I'll let the pictures tell the story...


Vacation motto
Story Circle Time
Best Cousins!!
Sweet girls
Silly girls!

Sweet sisters playing in the pool

A cool little friend we found...these guys were EVERYWHERE!

Day trip to the Naval Base in Pensacola

D got to see his Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Harper in Pensacola!!

There was plenty of yard for the kids to have a nightly football game

What a view!
My sweet Bubby...lost in thought
Daddy and his baby girl
Rea and No
We got to see THIS gorgeous sunset every night...{sigh}

The grown-up's favorite sitting spot on the balcony
The kids' favorite sitting spot on the balcony

Check out those skills!

Most. Fun. Ever.


Free like a bird
Beach Beauty...even when it's cloudy!

A boy and his Dad

Love that intense look of curiosity
Cheesiest smiles

Natural beauty was all around

D loves him some Nana

Boys being boys

Best family picture we managed to get...oh well!


Across the Oyster Lake

View from our balcony

I love me some cool details

The Only and Only "Pink Flamingo"

Such sweet memories of our 1st Annual Shoffner/Ruth Family Vacation!



Happy Thanksgiving!!

Family...

The Girls
The Boys
COUSINS!!
Matt & Dalton
My sweet Mommy and Me
My Love
Best Boys

...is EVERYTHING!  I am so thankful for mine.  Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.  Be thankful for the special people in your life, and make sure to tell them once in a while!

Yum yum!!

This is a new Shoffner family favorite.  I thought I would share it now that soup/chili season is upon us.  I hope your family enjoys it as much as mine does :) 

TURKEY BLACK BEAN CHILI





Ingredients

1 package JENNIE-O TURKEY STORE® Extra Lean Ground Turkey Breast
1 cup onion, coarsely chopped
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and minced, if desired
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram leaves
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, if desired
2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans of low sodium whole tomatoes, coursely chopped
1 (8 ounce) tomato sauce
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1/4 cup low-fat cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions:  In a large stockpot, combine extra lean ground turkey breast, onion, red bell pepper, garlic, jalapeño peppers, if desired, chili powder, cumin, coriander, oregano, marjoram, and red pepper flakes, if desired. Cook turkey mixture as specified on the package. Always cook to well-done, 165°F as measured by a meat thermometer. Add tomatoes and tomato sauce; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add beans and cilantro. Cook 10 more minutes. Top with cheese. Makes about 10 cups.
The original recipe is from the Jennie-O website.  You can find it here.  I tweaked the recipe just a little.  Instead of canned whole tomatoes, I used diced flavored with basil, garlic and oregano, and instead of one bell pepper, I used several small sweet peppers. (See Images)
I made the chili one morning before church.  It took all of 20 minutes to throw together and only used ONE pot!  Once it was cooked, I put it in the crock pot on low/warm and let it settle all day.  The longer the flavors mixed, the tastier the chili became!  It's fast, easy, delicious AND healthy.  That's MY kind of chili!!

Neighborhood Snow Party

The weatherman was RIGHT ON this time.  He said we would wake up to rain and it would change over to snow around lunch time, and that is exactly what happened.  I layed down for a nap at 11:30 and could hear the freezing rain tapping on the window.  I woke up less than an hour later and looked out my window to see the ground covered in SNOW!!  I could hear Macy saying "Brother, look outside!  It's snowing, it's snowing!!"  We spent several minutes with our noses pressed to the window watching it fall.  Then we got our warmest clothes on and headed out to play. 
 SNOWBALL FIGHT!!
Then we met some neighbors at the park and had a snow party!  We built snowmen, sledded, played football and had snowball fights.  It was great fun!
Nick and Dalton making a snowman with their buddies. 
Dalton and Ben sledding
 More sledding...

 Another snowball fight...
 Dalton showing the snowman some love..
 Me and my baby walking in a winter wonderland.