It is Great to have Good Friends! Aaron and I and the kids went to my friend Shandi's (Shandra) house on Saturday Night for Dinner. I told the kids that Shandi and I have known each other for more than twenty years. We've been friends since junior high school. We became better friends in college and have been in touch off and on since then. Having families to raise and diapers to change makes it hard to get together as often, but I will always cherish our friendship. Shandi has two beautiful girls...Sophia 3, and Gianna 1 on Christmas Eve. Aaron and Jesus seemed to get along great and we had a wonderful night. I should have taken pictures of the cupcakes she let the kids decorate but I didn't think of that until later. Aaron said that Jesus bbq'd the best steaks he'd had in a long time. Dinner was absolutely wonderful and the company was even better.
On the way home the kids were asking about how we knew each other and I of course told them and while reminiscing I thought of a time Shandi let her dad cut her hair....I'm sure Shandi remembers....we all thought she was crazy. It was one of those infomercial contraptions. I think it was called a Flowbee(not sure of spelling). It was like a vacuum that has extender hoses and you pick the length you want and then it sucks your hair in and cuts it the length of the hose. Probably wasn't so good for the hair but great for memories...Thanks for a great time Shandi and Jesus.

ROSEVILLE, CALIFORNIA HOLIDAY PARADE

and second place goes to.....A to Z.

Not bad considering we were up against over 70 other floats...some of which were designed by professional float builders and designers.

Great Job guys!!!

"TWILIGHT NIGHT"

On Friday the 21st of November the Twilight Movie came out. This is actually the first movie I have ever gone to on opening night. For book club about 2 1/2 years ago we read Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. I loved it and got lots of friends and family hooked on it. The Series is four books and The movie was highly anticipated for all of us. There were about twenty five of us who went to the movie and then out to eat after. It was so fun to have a girls night out. The movie was a bit cheesy but I liked it. They did a pretty good job at keeping the Movie True to the book...with a few minor changes. I can't wait for "New Moon" to come out.

Matt's Soccer team finished the season on November 15th. Matt really enjoyed this season. His coach was great. Matt always looked forward to practices and games. His coach said that Matt
was by far the best listener. He said that Matt always looked him in the eye when he was talking to him and that Matt really tried to do what he was asked. Unfortunately they did not win any games, but if you watch the DVD Aaron made you would think they were the best team ever. Aaron loves to make videos and this is the second year that he made copies for all the boys. It was so cute to see the boys watching the DVD and saying "That's Me," or "That's you", or "oooh, Cool". The boys watched it over and over (and so did the Parents). Great Job Aaron. Speaking of Aaron, he came away from the Laser Tag game with the most confirmed kills...he was pretty excited.

The following is absolutely the best Sweet Potato Casserole ever and I've never been a sweet potato lover (until I tried this).

Sweet Potato Casserole
(from food network kitchens)

2 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes (about 3 large), scrubbed
2 large eggs, lightly beaten with a fork
3 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 Tablespoons packed dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans
(this recipe does not call for Mini Marshmallows, but I usually use them)

Preheat the oven th 400 degrees. Put the sweet potatoes on a baking sheet covered with foil and pierce with a fork several times. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes or until tender. Set aside to cool.

Turn the oven down to 350 degrees. Scoop the sweet potato out of their skins and into a medium bowl. Discard the skins. Mash the potatoes until smooth. Add the eggs, butter, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and pepper to taste. Whisk the mixture until smooth.

Butter and 8X8 inch oven safe dish. Pour the sweet potato mixture into the pan ans sprinkle the top with the pecans. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes until a bit puffy. Serve immediately.

***Tips from Marie
1. I usually double this recipe for bigger crowds and there is usually a bit left over.
2. I usually omit the pepper.
3. I always use about 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg in place of the fresh nutmeg.
4. I use extra pecans....I cover the top with pecans (they're one of my favorite parts of the recipe) and put mini marshmallows on the top during the last 10 minutes or so.

Well, things have been crazy around the Zambrana house these last few weeks and I have lots of pictures I'd like to post, but unfortunately we had to get a different computer in the house and it is old and doesn't have the memory to save my pictures. I could go out to the office but I am too selfish of my time. The only time I'd be able to do it is when the kids are in bed and to be perfectly honest, I only have two or three nights each week when Aaron is not either working or doing church stuff. Right now I am trying to write this and It has taken me at least 40 minutes so far because I have to take minor detours to discipline and referee....I love being a mom and just have to do the best with what I have.

Last week Zoie came to me carrying a blanket and said, "Mommy, warm me up." It was so cute I couldn't help but love her....and those kind of things really help when I have to clean up after her when she decides to poop on the kitchen table, pee in one of my food storage buckets (luckily it was empty), get into my make up or color the dog with marker. It is rare day that you don't hear "Zoooooieeeeeeee" said in our house.

The other day Matt asked Aaron to Indian Wrestle him. Aaron and I both told Matt that dad could hurt him but Matt was very insistant. Finally Aaron gave in and they started the first go at it. Aaron quickly won the first match expecting Matt to give up but Matt was laughing and wanted to try again. The second time Matt farted (basically in Aaron's face due to the position you're in when you Indian Wrestle) and started to laugh...again. And then the third time Matt Farted yet again....by this time Matt was laughing so hard he couldn't even speak. Aaron pushed him out of the way and said that is it, you're doing that on purpose, we're done. All I could say was "like father, like son. We all had a good laugh.

The Zambrana Family at Bishop's Pumpkin Farm---October 2008.

On October 25th Garth and Barbara, Gwen and Chris & Krista and Paul came for Ammon's Baptism. We met them at our Favorite Pumpkin Farm---Bishop's Pumpkin Farm---In Wheatland, CA. It is about 20 minutes from our home and we go there every year. The kids had a blast spending time with their cousins. We are really blessed to have such a great family. Thanks to everyone for making this such a great day.

I went to a Prop 8 rally at the state capital on Tuesday the 28th of October. The people who attended were very diversified. It was a great experience to see so many people come together for a common goal: To Protect Marriage and Family.