Aunt Jolene

Doug's sister, Jolene was in town for a friends wedding, and we were able to spend some quality time with her for the first time really ever. Like the fun aunt she is, she brought squeaking lizards for the boys, dress up shoes for Soph, and a darling outfit from Gymboree for Jennie. We fondued, marble towered, cuddled and chatted about our families and the fun futures ahead of all of us, memorable all around. If you look closely, well actually you don't have to look too close to see that my Sophia looks quite a bit like her aunt Jolene, I would love my daughter to grow into an amazing and beautiful woman like her aunt. I hope she gets some sleep now that she's finally home.

Snowboarding

We were invited to our good friend Simon's birthday party this weekend. On the agenda was sledding, and we came properly equipped, but when Joe noticed that Simon had brought his old and new snowboard along, he just had to try it. The sled sat idle while Joseph attempted to master his new extreme sport. I thought he did pretty good for his first try, and only 5 years old. Not caught on video was my feeble attempt at the sport, a lame fall never has to be documented.

Reunion

President Hinkley, our dear Prophet since 1995, died last night. I only had a few moments of sadness before I realized what a great moment this must be for him. He has lived every moment of his life for his family, his faith, all the people of this earth, and his sweet wife. The news reported that he attended all of his scheduled meetings and appointments till just this past Friday, WOW! He died like I would love to, at 97, in his home, surrounded by his loving family. I've prayed for him often over the years, and for the last couple of years many of my prayers for him have been to ask for his comfort in the obvious loneliness since his wife's passing. I'm so happy that they are together again, and that he also is able to embrace his friend Jesus Christ. What an amazing man, what an amazing life, what an amazing legacy for the people of this earth.

Speedy, Mohawk, Spot, Silver and White

Dalton and Joseph received $5 gift cards from Grandma and Grandpa "C" this Christmas. They haven't really had the chance to spend them till now. I explained that spending them entirely on candy was inadvisable, and that they will appreciate them more if they buy something longer lasting. While I was perusing the 75% off Christmas stuff they noticed the fish aisle across the way and begged to head down it, I couldn't say no. We have the tank, gravel, filter, and food left over from Fish Todd (may he rest in peace). The 3 goldfish were only 12 cents each, the 2 ghost shrimp were only 26 cents each, one already died :(, and Dalton splurged on a Tiger Barb for $1.38. They had enough left over to buy themselves a Cadbury egg, and a pack of green gum (who cares what the flavor is, the wrapper is green!). They actually have some money left over and they plan to combine it, to decorate the tank further, (they both think the fish would like a cave), but that will have to wait for another day.

Picky

Doug has always loved Aunt Jemimas Butter lite syrup, and I've always liked real maple syrup. So, I've made a point to keep them both in the pantry. We ran out, and I made the mistake of taking all 4 kids to the store with me while syrup was on the list. What am I supposed to do when their parents are picky too?

Someday Over the Rainbow?

I'm pretty sure I'll never get this good, but it's worth a try. Check out Tommy Emmanuel playing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" on YouTube.

Sledding

Jace, Jake, Addie, Joseph, Dalton, Lisa, myself and then later Kimbur, Adelle, and Lilly enjoyed the fresh blanket of winter with a sledding excursion. At the beginning of this season, my boys could last 45 minutes tops. Today we were out there for over 2 hours, and I don't think all of them were finished. Dalton caught the most air. Joseph helped Adelle carry her sled up the hill. Jake had the best attitude after a crash. Jace was always looking for the newest and best slope. Addie helped in every situation (pulling sleds up, building jumps, sharing sleds). It was a great afternoon, made only greater with hot cocoa at the end.

Seven

Jennie has been consistently going down between 10pm and 11pm, and waking up around 4am. We've gotten used to the sparse four, five or six hours of continuous sleep. Well last night she went down at 9:30pm, and didn't wake till 4:30am... add it up... that's SEVEN hours of sleep! Wish I was smart enough to sleep with her :(.

Jennie's tummy time

Jennie really did roll over several times before I shot the video... just not when I shot the video. She's super cute anyway. Enjoy!

My 31st Birthday

I had a wonderful, perfect normal day. I enjoyed my girls, my book, my guitar, my cake, my roses, my institute class, my endless phone calls, e-mails, cards, and texts. All I wanted for my birthday was to feel special, and that's what I got. Just a perfect normal day.

Southwestern Fondue

This is just about the best way I could ever think of to eat raw vegetables. We get together with the Petersons and Durlings 3-4 times a year to enjoy food, company, and the development of our children's relationships. Last night we met sans kids, and it was the tastiest evening yet. Mmmmm cheese, followed by mmmmm chocolate. Unfortunately I don't have the chocolate fondue recipe, it had a hint of coconut though, and was amazing. This meal will fit into our monthly favorites.

1 pound Monterey Jack Cheese (grated)
1/2 pound Sharp Cheddar Cheese (grated)
1/4 cup Flour
2 teaspoons Chili Powder
1/2 teaspoon Cumin
12 ounces Chicken Broth
1 clove Garlic (minced)
3/4 cup Salsa Verde

Toss the cheese, flour, chili powder, and cumin till the cheese is coated. Put the cheese mixture and all the other ingredients in a heavy bottomed pot, and heat over medium till melty and delicious. Enjoy with bite sized broccoli, cauliflower, carrot ts, apples, bread and pre-cooked meatballs.

New Moon

This 2nd installment was much better than the first, and I'm fully compelled to pick up the third. Werewolves & vampires are so much more intriguing than I had imagined.

Pretty Blonde

I got her 2 years ago for my birthday, and have only fake jammed since then... till just yesterday. Joey from our ward has offered his time and talent to anyone willing to put in their time and potential talent to learn how to play guitar. My next post about the lessons should include audio... let's hope this goes well.

Goose Girl

Oh, I love being lost in a book with princesses, kingdoms, geese, and wind. It was absolutely delightful, a definite recommended read.

Maybe

Your Life Is Worth...

$887,500

Miss Sophia

If she's not getting ready to head out to her first day of school...

then she's breaking the refrigerator lock, and dumping things all over my newly cleaned floor.

Marx Siblings

Treat?

We have a FHE chart, and tonight, Jennie was in charge of the treat. "We should have something Jennie likes." Joe said. "Jennie eats mothers milk." Sophia said (she's the one who has tried to feed Jennie just about everything.) "Ice cream is dairy." Dalton said. "Maybe we should have mothers milk ice cream!" Doug said, and then continued with "that's one Iron Chef America hasn't done yet."

My great nieces

Is that what you call them when they make me a great aunt? Anyway, my nephew and his adorable wife have these darling little girls to call their own, and I just had to share them with you. Ari is 4 and Cambria is just 9 months.

The warm smell of...

home made bread. For nine years I've mentioned that I would love to have a BOSCH mixer, but that I could wait till I have the kitchen to go with it, and for nine years Doug has listened patiently to my constant repetition. I still don't have the kitchen, but he surprised me with my very own BOSCH. I don't know if it was his expensive Christmas (a new laptop) that drove him to it, or his overwhelming adoration of my home cooking (probably not), but whatever the reason, I'm in love with this machine. Since Christmas day, I've made banana bread once, cookies twice, dinner rolls thrice, and two six-loaf batches of home made bread, oh, and some home made bread crumbs with the over done pieces. I can't get enough, and it's not only the many warm baked goodies that are irresistible, it seems to have pulled a nurturing sense out of me that I didn't even know existed, similar to how I feel when I nurse a baby out of starvation, my home made, hand made bread comes straight from me into the belly of my family and connects us... binding, calming, filling definitely irresistible.

Pre-pre School

Sophia has wanted to go to school since this fall when her cool big brothers left her alone with grumpy pregnant me. Doug found out that here on campus they do day-care for little ones, and so we signed her up. She'll be there for a short 2 hours twice a week, and I think she'll love it! We're calling it her pre-pre school, and she even gets to wear a backpack. Part of being like the big boys is riding the bus, and so to the orientation, we rode the campus shuttle. As you can see, she was mesmerized.

Jennie is 3 months old

I finally have pictures to post of my little sweet pea. She is 3 months old now, and has reached all of the milestones expected of her. Out of the newborn stage for sure, she is always cooing, very alert, and no longer has her knees pulled up to her chin. She especially loves her mobile animals, I swear they have full blown conversations, super fun.

Sophia's Silent Night

Wouldn't this have been great as a Christmas blog, but as I mentioned before, the cheapo camera I got that day broke and we're having to catch up on lost cuteness. I hope you enjoy this clip.

Tongues Out

We finally got a digital camera! Thank you Bill & Charilla and George & Jennie! Here's my first try putting a photo up on the web. I actually got a cheapo camera for Christmas, but it broke the first time I used it, and Doug had to go out on Christmas Eve to get a disposable camera to quell my tears. This time I got a really good camera, and I can't wait to figure out all of it's capabilities.

Twilight

I've had Twilight on my "book I'm currently reading" spot forever, and the truth is that it took me that long to read it... not really though. I started it seven times or so, not really prioritizing my personal reading time since Jennie's birth. Then I really started it New Years Day, and finished it today with Dr. Smith (my dentist) still in my mouth. All of his assistants had read it, so they understood how I could pour through it during their drilling, spraying and sucking. Fun read, light, and my first vampire book ever. I'll probably read them all.