Day of Miracles

Today was a day of MIRACLES! They really do happen. I know you are dying to know exactly what miracles happened today, so let me tell you!

I dread waking up on Sunday mornings. Not because it is Sunday, but because of what I have to wake up to. Each morning, I get woken up by the sounds of my 4 year old who has pressed his face up against the crack under his door to call my name in long extended sounds... MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMYYYYYYYYYYYYY! Not quite the alarm I look forward to, his voice echoes into the hall, and I have to hurry out of bed before everyone in the house is awakened by his hollering. I guess it is better than some other alarm options, but still. .. Anyway, the first thing we do when I open his door, is let him go to the bathroom, because usually MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMYYYYYYYYYYYYY is followed by, " I NEED TO GO POOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTYYYYYYYYYYY!
Then he proclaims to me that "The Sun is up!" Which is debatable because it is usually 6:00 or 6:30 and the sun has in fact NOT come up, but is just barely casting a pale color other than total blackness.

After that, we get him dressed. Why do I do it right then? Because waiting just delays a painful process of deciding what to wear. Jaxon is particularly fond of one or two shirts in his wardrobe, and it is always a challenge when I want him to wear a different one. When we get ready to change clothes, he asks me, "What are we doing?" Usually the answer is, "Going to School!" Which is generally a well received answer, and this is the answer 5 out of 7 days of course. Saturdays, I don't get him dressed right when he wakes up, but Sunday, the answer is "Going to Church!" The reaction to this response is always tears, and it is at that point that I dread the fact that it is Sunday. "But, I don't want to go to church!" is his answer. I thought I wouldn't have to hear this response until my kids were teenagers, hopefully I am getting it all in now.


I am sure he has many reasons for not liking to go to church (i.e. sitting still, being quiet, not touching neighbors etc.) however, when we are getting dressed, the current obstacle is, he has to wear a collared shirt. No matter what kind of shirt it is, polo, rugby, or button up.. if it has a collar, he thinks it is a church shirt, and if it is a school day, he doesn't want to wear a shirt with a collar. When we put on the collared shirt, he knows it is inevitable... we are going to church.

Today, however, I had a slightly different game plan. Peter and I decided it was time to wear a white dress shirt, with a tie. I know, we are brave, brave parents. We tried to make this transition in the most gentle manner, and by using just a little bit of trickery. I got him dressed, but put him off his guard by just having him put on a white t-shirt, and putting on his socks, and dress pants. The plan was to have him put on his shirt and tie at the same time as Peter. We even got them matching (sort of) ties, so they could be twins! When it was time, I gave Jaxon his dress shirt, and tie, and said... take this to DADDY! He usually responds with enthusiasm to this kind of task... and he did today too. I am not quite sure what happened after that. I could hear Peter upstairs using a very upbeat voice and saying things like "LOOK! JUST LIKE DADDY!" "COOL" and "SEE???" I figured it was going well, and it was.. Jaxon came down stairs with his daddy, and a HUGE smile on his face. The battle was WON! with little to no resistance!

MIRACLE # 1: Jaxon wore a dress shirt and tie to church!

Much to my amazement, the Miracles kept coming! Sharing time is yet ANOTHER challenging time for Jaxon. Sitting next to friends without touching them is a very difficult task. So is the task is watching the chorister involve kids in singing time without being able to participate himself. She of course is involving the kids that are being reverent, or quiet which is usually never Jaxon... thus making the process of getting through singing time even more of a challenge. Even today, she had three cups on the table and even though he reached out to try to touch them several times, he never did, and he never got out of his seat. That was AMAZING MIRACLE #2! AMAZING MIRACLE #3 followed closely behind when the chorister noticed Jaxon's good behavior, and actually rewarded him by letting him choose one of the cups! YEAH FOR JAXON! It was great to have his "good" behavior rewarded in such a large group setting. I was grateful that she noticed, and finally gave him a chance.

I never ask how Jaxon was during his Sunday School class, because I am sure he was a challenge. The first day Jaxon was a Sunbeam, I formally apologized to his teachers, and promised them that they would be blessed for being Jaxon's first ever Sunday School teachers. They laughed at me, and I am sure thought I was just kidding until after class started :) Since then, I just move as quickly as I can to pick him up from class after church, and I am careful to make Jaxon say "thank you" to his teachers before I whisk him away. Today however, it was a day of MIRACLES and MIRACLE #4 happened when we picked him up from class! His teacher looked at me and with a totally straight face said, "Jaxon was really good in class today!" I am sure a look of confusion and disbelief crossed my face, but he looked genuinely sincere, and I had no choice but to believe him! What a great day of miracles! But 4 miracles was not enough!

We came home, and Jaxon wanted a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich. This is no different from any other day, and we can get him to eat a few other things, but usually this meal will go down with the least resistance. Usually only the crust is left behind, and we normally take another 15 minutes to get him to eat at least 1/2 of the crust left behind. Today, I wasn't really paying attention, when MIRACLE #5 happened! I looked over at Jaxon's plate when he was almost finished, and I noticed something different about his plate.... it was not strewn with the fractured crusts of a dismantled peanut butter and jelly sandwich... It was entirely clean... I demanded that Peter turn around and look at Jaxon's plate, just to be sure I wasn't seeing things... so naturally since you usually can't take a picture of miracles... I took a picture of miracle #5... Jaxon's clean plate.

All in all, it was a pretty amazing day of miracles. I know many of you might think these kinds of things are run of the mill, but not for us, or Jaxon. I am grateful to see him progressing, and growing, and learning to do the right thing. For us and Jaxon this IS a miracle! I attribute it all to wearing the TIE!! :)

Recipe Links!

Unfortunately, Martha doesn't post all of her "Everyday Food" recipes on her website. That is why I have to post them sometimes. However, if they ARE on her website, I just link them on my Recipe Links to the right! Tonight I tried Lighter Chicken Pot Pie. EXCELLENT! My husband LOVES Chicken Pot Pie, and it is truly not my favorite thing. However, this was loved by ALL of us. I baked, and cubed chicken, and I used 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, and it was great. Don't forget the Lemon Juice. That is what seals the deal, and salt and pepper your chicken and veggies so that it doesn't taste bland... DELICIOUS! Don't worry about the Phyllo dough, you will be amazed at how easy it is to use. (It is in the freezer section next to the frozen desserts)

Butterscotch Banana Splits? I watched this on Everyday Food (TV Episode-PBS- Saturday morning. I have my Tivo set up to time it) Anyway, it looked SO DARN GOOD I had to try it! I did tonight, and it was just as good as I had imagined it! I am a sucker for Bananas Foster, which is a difficult dessert to find... but this was an excellent replacement. I am entertaining on Thursday night for Girls Night Out, and I will most certainly be making the Butterscotch Syrup! YUM!

Mongolian Beef (PF Changs)

This recipe is my most cooked meal. It is one of our favorite dishes at PF Changs, and I jumped at the chance to try a knock off. It is pretty darn good! So, we'll take it! Give it a try, and tell me what you think!

1 Flank Steak (cut cross wise into thin strips)
Corn Starch
1/2 Cup Soy Sauce
1/2 Cup Water
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar (dark, but I use regular)
1 Tbs. minced garlic
1/2 tsp. minced ginger
2 large green onions
Frozen Peas

Cut meat into thin strips, and coat both sides with corn starch. Set aside, and let meat soak in corn starch. Let meat rest while you make the sauce.

Make sauce by putting a small amount of oil in a sauce pan. Add garlic and ginger and saute for 10 seconds. Do not scorch garlic. Add water, soy sauce and brown sugar, and dissolve. Cook on medium heat until sauce thickens. (Don't worry, adding it to the meat will thicken it even more)
Remove from heat, and set aside.

Heat dutch oven or wok with hot oil, use as much or as little as you like. Make sure oil is hot, but not smoking. Working in batches, brown meat on both sides. It doesn't need to be cooked through. Remove from heat, and place on paper towel to drain oil. Add meat back to pan, and add sauce. Add green onions. Cook on medium heat until meat is cooked through. I add frozen peas at the end to add a veggie.

Serve over steamed rice.

Jean's Chicken Curry

This is a family favorite, and is made for almost every one's birthday as their favorite meal. It used to be Peter's favorite meal, but now, it is Jaxon's favorite meal. Either way, we love it!

1 lb. Chicken (boil covered in water for 10 minutes until done- do not overcook) Shred when cooked.
6 Tbs. Butter
6 Tbs. Flour
1 1/2 tsp. Salt
1 1/2 tsp. Sugar
1 Tbs. Lemon Juice
1 Tbs. Curry Powder
1 small Onion chopped
2 tsp. Grated Ginger Root
2 Cups Milk
1 1/2 Cups Chicken Broth


Saute Onion and Ginger in butter until onion is cooked through. Add flour, salt, sugar, and curry powder. Cook for 1 minute. Add 2 cups milk, and 1 1/2 cups chicken broth. Stir in slowly, and cook until thickened. Add shredded chicken, and 1 Tbs. Lemon Juice.

Serve over steamed white rice, and top with raisins, cubed pineapple, cashews, and coconut. (The toppings is what makes it SOOOOOOO good.)

Chicken Tenders Parmesan with Penne and Broccoli

Everyday Food came through with a quick and yummy meal that my family loved because Chicken Parmesan is one of Peter's favorite dishes. Give it a try!

2 large eggs
3/4 cup finely grated parmesan
1/2 cup plain dried breadcrumbs
1 1/2 lbs. chicken tenders
1 3/4 cups tomato sauce
4 oz. part skim mozzarella shredded (1 Cup)
8 oz. penne rigate (ridged) or other short pasta
1 package (10 oz.) frozen broccoli florets, thawed
1 Tbls. olive oil

Bring salted water to a boil. Heat broiler, with a rack set 4 inches from heat. In a medium bowl, combine 1/2 cup parmesan and breadcrumbs. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Dip tenders in egg, then in parmesan mixture; place on a rimmed baking sheet. Broil until golden brown. 2 to 4 minutes a side.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spread 1 cup tomato sauce in the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking dish. Then top with chicken, remaining 3/4 cup sauce, and finally mozzarella. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Meanwhile, cook pasta in boiling water until al dente, according to package directions, adding broccoli for final 30 seconds. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water; drain pasta and broccoli, and return to pot. Add oil and remaining 1/4 cup parmesan. Toss, gradually adding some reserved pasta water until pasta is lightly coated. Serve chicken with penne and broccoli.

Every Day Food

Since the weather has turned cooler, I have turned to the kitchen! I have some great new recipes to share. One of my favorite magazines is everyday food. They always make good use of garden veggies that are in season. I LOVE that! Especially because my very sweet neighbor who doesn't speak English very well has brought me TONS of tomatoes. I haven't had the heart to tell him that I have two tomato plants in my back yard. Oh well, I had to find something to do with them, and Everyday Food had a recipe for making your own tomato sauce! Here is the link! If you have extra tomatoes, give it a try!

http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.fc77a0dbc44dd1611e3bf410b5900aa0/?vgnextoid=41c6a5efd1f54110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&autonomy_kw=tomato%20sauce&rsc=ns2006_m5

Abby's Circus Dream

Well, it was inevitable! Abby is a STAR! Her dreams came true tonight when a circus clown came and asked me if I had a volunteer... Wow, do I ever! I think it all started when Abby was about 2. Abby would stand in front of the fireplace, and Peter would be the "announce" and say... "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, BOYS AND GIRLS, PRESENTING....ABBY!!!!" Abby would put on an elaborate "show" for us, and tonight, her "show" was a reality! Even the Circus Emcee got into the act.. just as she has always dreamed.

Abby was thrilled, and went right out on to the floor! He told me I could take as many pictures as I wanted. It wasn't until about 5 minutes into his routine that I realized I had a video feature on my camera! I took two clips, and they are great! I know it is difficult to see, but turn up the volume, and you will get the gist of it. The pictures are fun too. All in all I think she was out there for about 10-12 minutes. It was great! I didn't catch the end on video, but snapped a few shots. In the end, the clown opens the garbage can, where the bubble makers were all thrown away, and it erupts with tons of bubbles! Her skit was a great success!

I am sure you realize how thrilled Abby was by this experience! She loved it! See the video clips, and still shots below. Much love.... L

Abby's 1st Day of 1st GRADE!

Our big girl Abby had her first day of 1st grade on Thursday, Sept 6th! Her new teacher is Mrs. Parker, and Abby seems to like her a lot. She got a cute new hair cut for the big day, and we are so excited for her! Here are some pix for you to look at!

Abby's cute new cut. Her bangs are ALMOST all grown out now! Sorry about the shade!

Here is Abby running to the playground before school!

Jaxon's 4th Birthday

This INCREDIBLE MAN...

(Who has lost 40 lbs. By the way)

Did ALL THIS...

Bought all the presents, decorations, and food. As well as decorated, wrapped presents, and made the birthday dinner, and the cake.

All for THIS Birthday BOY!

He Even did THIS!

It was a great, happy birthday! Thank you to Peter for making it SOOOOOOOO great, (as I have had the stomach flu!!!) You are the best Daddy EVER! For more birthday pix, and a birthday video... see the links below!

In the Back Yarden

That is what I called it when I was a kid anyway. We did a video tour of our garden this year. It is our first garden ever, and since I had Wade March 16th, I thought I would escape it for one more year. However, I made the mistake of taking Abby with me to the nursery to buy other plants, and the woman helping us asked if Abby was going to have a garden.... to which Abby gave a resounding "YES!" How could I deny her?

It hasn't really been so bad. The prep part was definitely the worst, but it forced me to finish the back yard, so that was good. We have our garden on a hill side, something I will have to build up again next year because the run off from a very strong rain storm washed away many of our seeds... Lesson learned. Retaining wall next year.... We still ended up with a pretty great (small) garden! And it has given Abby a great sense of accomplishment.

Enjoy the video below! Oh, it cuts out just she explains that the green pepper is something we put in our food, but she can't remember the name of it. Then we look at our strawberries, which are not very plentiful because we live next to a bird/nature reserve.... not good for our strawberry growth! They love to eat them too!

Crib Notes

My sister told me my posts were too long... (she has a new baby) so, I am going to make it short for her. It has been a while since I have posted because we were,

• Out of town, in SLC
• My whole family was there
• Hillary's baby Ruby was blessed
• We went to Lagoon, and Raging Waters and did a million other things.
• Had lunch with childhood girl friends, so fun.
• It was lots of fun. (and crazy and exhausting at the same time)
• I will post pictures when I can find the CD I brought home

That is about it!! I cannot believe that we are in the middle of August. I have one last birthday to celebrate this summer, and it is Jaxon's... next week. Check back, because I am sure I will post that.

Here is my list of my guilty summer pleasures: In bullets, for my sister, of course.

• So You Think You Can Dance (I know, I know, but I have been dancing since I was 7, so, it is fun to watch)
• Harry Potter, and the Deathly Hallows
• *Twilight* By Stephenie Meyer- LDS Author, BYU Grad. (I know! Me read more than one book? It is true! It doesn't happen often, because I can't put them down, but Twilight was a fun easy read, teenybopper audience, but a romance (clean) I loved it.)
• Last but not least... Burn Notice- USA network. Funny, witty spy show. It makes me laugh, and fills a small spot in my heart when Alias when off the air. I look forward to Thursday Nights because of it!

Check back soon! I am going to photograph my garden (Don't get too excited, it is a first attempt)

To All The Guys I've Fed Before....

What a crazy week! It started Sunday with Peter's birthday, and Abby's birthday was Monday. We had party after party, and I cooked and cooked and baked! Tuesday I was up to my ears in other responsibilities, and Wednesday, we went to the lake...So, it has been a little while since my last blog. We are getting ready to head to Utah tomorrow to visit my family, so I am excited...

Today I checked my e-mail, and there was an e-mail from a friend of mine from BYU days. I cooked for him on occasion, and to my surprise, he had checked out the blog, and wanted HIS favorite recipe... POT STICKERS. Funny enough, if I had blogged everything I had cooked since my last blog, pot stickers would be one of them, as that is what my husband wanted for his birthday dinner. I didn't realize my blog could also provide wanted recipes that I had cooked for years.. but even so, I am happy to oblige. He mentioned that was about 14 years ago (sadly that is true) and the thought of them still makes his mouth water. My family has been making pot stickers much longer than that. My mom used a recipe out of a Japanese cookbook she had, and then my sister trumped her by one she found. It is still the one I use today. So, to all the guys I have fed before here is my sure fire Pot sticker Recipe!

POT STICKERS

1 lb. Ground Pork (NOT PORK SAUSAGE)-

and if you are feeling sassy, you can chop 1/2 lb. deviened raw shrimp, and combine it with 1/2 lb. ground pork, but it is usually too much trouble for me, but it is VERY good if you feel up to it.

1/4 Cup Green Onions (Chopped)
4 tsp. Ginger Root (I grate fresh, it is the ONLY way to go)
1/4 Cup Shredded Carrot (a cheese grater works great)
2 Tbs. Cooking Sherry
2 Tbs. Soy Sauce
1 tsp. Sesame Oil
1 Egg (beaten)
Won ton Wrappers (found in the produce section of most stores- next to the tofu) Round, or Square work fine.

Combine ingredients and put by spoonful into won tons. Do not overload, or you won't be able to close the won ton. Wet the edge of the won ton, and seal by pressing closed with your fingers. Fry the won ton on one side in oil in a fry pan on medium heat. You can cut down on calories by spraying the pan with Pam, instead of using oil. But if things get too "sticky" use oil. After the bottoms are browned, add 3/4 cups water, or chicken broth and cover. Reduce heat to medium low. Set the timer for 6 to 8 minutes, (until the water has cooked off for the most part) Remove lid and boil of the rest of the water.

Dipping Sauce:

1 Part soy sauce
1 tsp Ginger Root (grated)
1 Part Rice Vinegar
Green Onions

Serve over Japanese Sticky Rice (my favorite is Calrose, in the Oriental Foods dept.)

Make it SOUP! This recipe makes a enough for 5 adults, but sometimes I like to make won ton soup because it is an easy step from the pot stickers. I use chicken broth as my base, and a little bit of soy sauce. Add the won tons, and bring it to a boil. Add fresh mushrooms, and peas. (I usually just use frozen peas because it is what I have on hand) add a few of the green onions as well. If you want to get really fancy, add the BBQ pork in slices that you can find in the oriental department of the store as well.

Abby's Cheer Camp!

Abby just completed a week of Cheer Camp! (I Know, I know) It was great, and of course they did a performance today, I posted the video below... By the way, at the end of the video the look of disappointment that she gives me is because she did not do the right jump right at the end. She was pretty upset, but that look says it!

BTW: Sonic Burger was for dinner last night. We were at Grandma and Grandpa Wynia's enjoying the dock and jet skis. Of course, Friday night, is Pizza night.... Always!

Chicken Club Salad

Last night I made Chicken Club Salad. We actually wrapped in it Spinach Wraps with lettuce, but it was great! Iloved it! Here is the recipe.

6 strips Bacon
4 Chicken Breasts
1/2 Cup Light Mayonaise
1 Tbls White Wine Vinegar
1/2 Small Red Onion finely chopped.
2 Celery Stalks (Plus some leaves)
3 Plum Tomatoes
Salt and Pepper

Line a baking sheet with tin foil, and bake the bacon at 400 degrees in the oven for 10 minutes, or until the bacon starts to render its fat. After 10 minutes, slide the bacon over to one side, and place chicken breasts on the other side. Salt and Pepper the Chicken Breasts Generously. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes until bacon is browned, and chicken is cooked through.

Chop red onion finely, and slice celery stalks. Crumble the bacon after it is cooked, and cube the chicken. Let chicken and bacon cool completely. Combine all items, and serve over lettuce.

As I mentioned, I served it in Spinach Wraps with lettuce. It was great! Enjoy!

Serves 4, about 350 calorie per serving as a salad. Add calories for wrap if used.

Wade Eats Rice Cereal!

I posted a new video at the bottom of the page... It is of Wade eating rice cereal. I have tried at least 4 times to get him to eat it, but he would just refuse and get mad. He has been chowing down his bottles, and waking up early (5:30 a.m.) to eat some more. I decided today that he probably was ready to get serious about his rice cereal, and I was right! He had a hard time keeping it in his mouth, but he will get the hang of it soon.

What about new recipe night? Sorry, I cooked dinner for a lady in our ward who just had a baby, so I did a tried and true recipe quickie recipe....

Original Joes

1 lb Ground Beef
1/2 Green Bell Pepper, Chopped
1/2 Onion, Chopped
Fresh Chopped Mushrooms (to taste)

Saute until meat is browned, and add

3/4 cup Ketchup
3-4 Tbs. Worcestershire Sauce
Fresh Spinach
Fresh Chopped Tomatoes
4-5 Slices of Pastrami

Italian Seasoning, to your liking... salt and pepper. Cover, and let spinach wilt.

In the end, put grated mozzarella cheese on top and let melt. Serve on buns. It is a great meal, with lots of veggies!

What Happened?

I am sure you were all anxiously awaiting my new recipes for the rest of the week... Unfortunately, I had a request for Chicken Fajitas one night (I think a new recipe each night was wearing on my family, and they were getting worried wondering if they would EVER eat something they recognized again!) Anyway, I made Fajitas, and then Peter and I went out on Friday night to our favorite place to eat sushi!

You have to understand, as far as food chains go here.... we have none... except for Outback Steak House, TGI Fridays, Red Robin, and IHOP. So, PF Changs is exciting for us!

On Saturday we went to "WALKING WITH DINOSAURS". Pretty cool. If it comes to your town, I would highly recommend taking the family to see it.. Life size animatronic/puppet dinosaurs walk around and roar at each other while a real life Australian tells you all about the different dinosaur periods. Fantastic. So is the price for tickets, but we had nose bleed tickets, and it was still great.

New recipe week will resume next week when I start cooking again. I made Scones for Peter's Family tonight, so I will start again tomorrow! Hope you all have a good week.

FOOD!

Today was day three of my new recipe week! I have decided that I am going to try new recipes all week long. I am sharing them if I like them. Last night was Indian-Spiced Braised Chicken.. I thought it was good, but no one else really cared for it, so I will omit it from my list. But if anyone is interested, just let me know, and I will share it with you.

Night one was great! The Asian Beef Kabobs were great, and the Chinese noodles that go along with it were very tasty too. All of the recipes that I am trying are from Martha Stewart's Everyday Food. My sister lead me on to it, and I love it. Most of the recipes are healthy, and easy.. The other thing I liked about it, is that most of the recipes are "pantry friendly" meaning, you will have most if not all of the ingredients on hand. I like that about a recipe!

Anyway, tonight we had the Spinach Pesto. I added some boiled chicken breasts as well, and it was delicious! I love those kinds of dishes in the summer! If you try it out, please let me know if you liked it!

Who knows what will be on the table tomorrow night, but if I liked it, you will be sure to find out soon!

Oh, and I am going to add the nutritional information because it might be important to you. .(It is to me!) Peter and I are dieting... me to lose the baby weight, and him... just to lose it! He has lost 30 lbs already! He is doing great.. of course for me, it is much slower going, but good progress still the same.

Fettuccine with Spinach Pesto:
Makes 4 servings
511 Calories per serving
20 g. fat
17.6 g. protein
68.2 g. Carbs

Asian Beef Skewers
Makes 4 servings
821 Calories per serving
25 g. Fat
45 g. Protein
109 g. Carb

Lindsey

Ahhhhhhhh Summertime

I can't believe it is half way through!! Summer has flown by for us in a flash! School didn't get out until about the 15th June went by in a blink! We blessed Wade, and had my parents out... Abby had her Ballet recital, and I had to have my Gall Bladder out on the 14th, thanks to Wade.. wonderful what babies do to your body in general! Abby had swimming lessons every day for the first couple weeks that school was out. She has become a great swimmer, and can swim all over the swimming pool. We are still working on technique, but I no longer worry about her drowning... which is nice.

After a one week break, Jaxon started a summer school program to help him with his speech delays. He goes to school every day starting at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 12:00. That makes for a VERY busy summer, since I am the school bus driver. It is only 6 or 7 miles away, but there are a lot of traffic lights between here and there. I have started car pooling with another girl who's son is in the program. She is in my ward... so it is nice to have that help!

Peter's parents moved into a new house the last week in July, and we were busy helping them and getting ready to party at their new house for the 4th of July. It is very picturesque, and I told them that when I am there, I feel like I am on vacation. It is so serene... and the view from the master bedroom looks like something out of a movie.

They are more than willing to share though. We have parked the jet skiis there for the summer, and they have the boat they bought last year already at the dock. It is a wonderful place to be. We just got back from Vacation with them in Sun River, OR. And after we got back, she said, "You guys can come out to the house tomorrow, and sleep over night if you want to!" ( Like they haven't had enough of us... )


I cannot believe we are coming up on being in our house for one year. The time has flown by so quickly. Maybe it was being pregnant, and expecting a baby.. and trying to get the yard in, and having two kids in 1/2 day of school... but it was a crazy busy year that just flew by! Our back yard is finished, and we planted a garden this year because Abby went to the nursery with me, and the lady there asked her if she was going to have a garden. Abby of course said, YES! The lady then asked her what she was going to plant, and she went on and on about what seeds she was going to plant. It was all worth it though when she went outside today, and noticed the size of the corn stocks, and the carrots. She was so excited, and that made it all worth it.

Well, I think I have rambled on long enough. I will add a post about our trip to Sun River, and post some pictures. The next adventure? Driving to SLC to see my little sister's baby, and my sister Lori is coming out from New Jersey. I am excited to see them all, and introduce them to baby Wade!