Annual Cheesecake Factory lunch

I turned in all my change and got $90. So off we went for our annual Christmas lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. This is our 3rd year of doing this and we really enjoy this tradition. Sadly, Chris couldn't join us this year but we had fun nonetheless.

Heidi's 7th Grade Winter Concert

I am pretty impressed with Heidi's choir teacher. Just getting those middle school boys to stand there and sing is an accomplishment. But then she actually produces a choir that sounds good as well. Grandma, aunt krista, dad, Makenzie and myself attended. Heidi looked beautiful up there. She really enjoys singing. And she's excited and nervous about trying out for Pacific Youth Choir in January. I know she'll be fine.

To Hear Her Playing Again

Our oldest used to play the piano daily, up to three hours a day.  So much so that she developed chronic tendonitis in her wrist.

But then she stopped playing, not due to the tendonitis but something else entirely.

It's been over a year since she has played but she has started again and it is a wonderful thing to hear.

She is healing. We are all healing. And it's good to hear the music again.

Annual Tree Decorating Party

The Menu:

Pioneer Woman's hot artichoke dip
Zucchini cakes with cucumber dill sauce
Fresh pineapple
Cocktail meatballs
Cranberry juice
Sprite
Costco apple pie & vanilla ice cream

Music: The Lower Lights

In attendance:

Chris
Darilyn
Marilyn
Makenzie
Emma
Heidi

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

I wanted a flocked tree this year. It's just a necessity for me about every six years. I fill it with purple and silver ornaments and strand of beads in like colors.

It's beautiful and makes me happy to look at.

All our presents will be wrapped in silver and purple this year to add to the color theme.

Can you tell that purple is my favorite color?

Do you decorate around a certain color?

An Apron I Will Wear

I've wanted an apron for a few years. Every Christmas it's on my wish list and I guess people think its too simple or think I'm too picky because I still didn't have one.

Until today.

Today I found the cutest apron at the best price. I hesitated at first in buying it. Tried it on. Oohed and awed. Then thought oh maybe I shouldn't get it. After all, it IS on my Christmas list. What if Chris or the girls already got me one. I walked away with those thoughts.

15 minutes later I was back with money in hand. I decided I better take care of that item myself. And I'm SO glad I did! I've been wearing it all day. Decorating the house. Cooking dinner. Don't have a dish towel nearby to dry my hands?

No problem.

An apron I am wearing!

007

Saw the new Bond movie last night. My favorite one so far. Which is to say a lot since there are like a hundred. I love Daniel Craig.

Amen

Because I love this girl of mine

 

Seriously, how cute is this?  Sears took this one back in the day when we all had our baby's pic done at Sears.  I love the chubby cheeks and chubby arms.  I wish I could go back in time and squeeze them.

Then there is this one.  I sent this one in for the yearbook baby ad for seniors.  Isn't she adorable? My heck, one thing has not changed at all, she is and always has been extremely photogenic.  It's a blessing, let me tell you.  Wish we all could have the gift of good pictures.  

Then there are her senior photos.  I don't have any yet.  I mean we had them taken but I don't have anything to share yet which is killing me because they are amazing.

She is growing up.

GO COUGARS!!!

I'm taking a trip called the "whirlwind weekend of college tours" trip. I took a break in these college visits to go to the BYU vs Oregon State game with Heidi. Heidi wants to be a BYU cheerleader. So she watched the stunting very intently. It was such a fun game. I'm so grateful to my sis-in-law, Melissa, who had tickets for us and drove us. What a fun time. Legends Grille was the perfect choice for lunch and Melissa knew just where to park. We walked to the stadium from the Tanner bldg and on the way saw the band marching down the street to the stadium. So cool. Heidi's friend Sidney from California met up with us and she went with us to the game as well. And then to top it off, I got to see and hug one of my closest high school friends, Sabrina. BYU lost but it was still such a fun day.

Hawaiian Meatballs

Today I am making this off of Pinterest.  Here is the link.  I'm going to change it up a bit.  I'm going to make mine with regular rice and I'm going to make it in my slow cooker.  Yep, Again!  I am loving me some slow cookin'!  Oh, and I'm going to omit the green peppers.  If I put green peppers in rice around here there would be a major protest.  I personally think it sounds yummy but I'm not eating rice nowadays so I will just leave it out. 

I'll let you know how it turns out.

Chicken & Dumplings Revisited

Found this on Pinterest. I Have a great recipe for chicken and dumplings and this is practically the same. The difference? Cornmeal dumplings!!! Doesn't that sound yummy? And....it's made in my slow cooker. Lately I've been using my slow cooker a lot. Several times a week in fact. So this recipe is perfect for my family.

http://pinterest.com/pin/115475177916868048/

Note:  Although the flavor of this was great, I did not care for the dumplings.  I will stick with my regular chicken and dumpling recipe.

Wedding Weekend

 Dinner at Claim Jumper

The Happy Groom

The Gorgeous Bride

Nana with Makenzie, Emma & Heidi

Our Family

This past weekend Chris' brother, Matt, got married.  He married a wonderful woman that we all love and it was really fun to be part of all the excitement.  We attended the sealing at the Portland Oregon Temple and then had pictures outside.  Oh, the night before was a dinner at Claim Jumper for all the family. After the sealing and pictures we went to a house that Jaleen's family had rented in SE Portland.  Wow, it was nice, right on the river.  There we had lunch and then hurried off for the two hour drive south to where the reception was going to be held.  Once there I filled 50 fall themed cellophane bags with homemade caramels and since my work was done I took a nap.  That night was the reception and then it was the two hour drive north to go back home.  Whew, a long day!  But it was worth it.  Congratulations, Matt and Jaleen!

If All Dreams Mean Something....What About This?

It was the grand opening of our French antique shop. We were in a small town in Oklahoma.  The shop was rustic, with antique windows, fireplace for heat and a small bedroom for someone to live in to keep an eye on our shop.  My co-owner?  Someone famous.  And she had just appraoched me to talk to me about going to France in June or July to do some antique shopping.  I was going through my mind what I had going on in during those months. 

The co-owner and I were inside talking to customers when a homeless kid walks in.  He has been there before asking us for money.  We offered him some work around the place and he scoffed at us and left.  He is dressed like he's from the early 1900's in brown woolen knickers and little cap.  He asks us again for help.  I am the one he asks.  My partner is having a discussion with someone over in the corner.  I offer him a bath and a meal.  He accepts this and then all of a sudden Chris is there and we are giving this kid a bath right there in the room.  It is a dirt floor and the water pools on the floor not seeping in but running in tiny rivers all over toward the door.  The kid is mad about the bath and tries to bite me but I'm quicker and don't let him.  He says he will towel dry himself.  As he grabs the towel another boy, a bit older, about 13 comes out of the bathroom stall with a towel around him.  Apparently he had a bath too!  I point out that he needs to get really dried off just like the older boy did.  So the younger boy goes into the bathroom stall and we can see from underneath that he pees all over the floor on purpose.  And because it doesn't seep in, it runs all over everywhere, reaching towards the other people.  He doesn't seem to care because he steps right into it and then comes out with his towel on.





Weird dream that I had after taking my daughter to a doctor's appointment this morning.  I slept from 9:30-noon.

I Finally Got My Purse

For my 75 pound reward I decided on a purse. I found a butterscotch leather one that I loved so I bought it and had my mom keep it in her room until I had lost the 4 more pounds I needed to lose. It has taken me forever to lose those 4 pounds. But finally, on Wednesday, I did!

I love my new purse.

It's been so hard for me to lose this weight I'm thinking an 85 pound reward may be necessary to keep my motivation up. My 100 pound reward is set...a trip to Hawaii.

My ER Trip

Two nights ago I spent the evening in the ER. Not Fun. I had this pain in my back that was excruciating.  I took a prescription muscle relaxer of my husbands and two of his pain meds as well and it didn't cut the pain.  That's when I called the big guns.  The Priesthood.  Our home teacher came over and helped Chris give me a blessing.  His young son came with him, he's probably four years-old.  After the blessing he looked me in the eyes as I was hunched over in pain and said I will feel better because his dad can make people feel better.  Such a sweet moment in a time filled with pain.  That was indeed a tender mercy from the Lord. 

We headed to the ER after it appeared that the medication was not working.  They admitted me right away thank goodness and got me hooked up to some IV pain meds.  Within a few minutes I was feeling somewhat better although the nausea from the pain was still there.  And even with the anti nausea IV medicine I was still feeling like I needed to throw up. Isn't that just the worst feeling?

They did a CAT scan and found.....nothing.  Isn't that great?  Not really.  I seriously would have been elated to find out what was causing it.  But the CAT scan showed nothing.  So I went home around 1 a.m. feeling discouraged and frustrated. 

Yesterday I felt pretty good.  Today I feel horrible.  I feel like my body got hit by a car.  I sure wish I knew what was wrong with me. 

I think I've Made It

It's Friday. Which means I've gotten through the school week and craziness....almost. The next two months look insane on paper. It's filled with sports, dance, cheer, meetings and work. I told myself last week that we would get through One. Day. At. A. Time. Our first major conflict that has occurred is an Irish dance/soccer/church one. For the next two months we will have to do our best to balance these. Missing soccer isn't an option. And because of preparing for the oreichtas missing Irish dance isn't an option although we have some flexibility on what days we go. That leaves church activities on Tuesday night the one that gets bumped. I don't like this. We are just going to have to do this One. Day. At. A. Time.

Let The Senior Year Begin

It's About....FUN.

I made a to-do list for summer.

This is what it looked like:

Have Heidi cook two weeks of meals.

Have Emma cook two weeks of meals.

Have Makenzie cook two weeks of meals.

Each girl read two books for school.

Take a family trip to Seaside.

Go on a picnic.

Two out of the six got done.

Can you guess which two?

The fun ones of course.

We went to Seaside.

&

Heidi and I had a picnic at the park.

I did take the girls to the library to get those books.

That should count for something.

Let's Go To The Seaside

  On my summer to-do list was a family trip to Seaside. We barely fit it in by going on the very last Saturday of summer. We did all sorts of fun things like ordering Deep Fried Snickers, Deep Fried Cookie Dough and a Deep Fried Twinkie.  We also had a picnic on the beach and rode the Tilt-A-Whirl.  And of course there were all the shops! Seaside is full of little shops that are fun to take a peek in.

We had not been to the beach in the summer as a family in quite awhile.  As in ALL of us. I was struck by how different it felt this time.  Our girls aren't little anymore.  They didn't want their sand buckets and shovels and only one of them ventured into the water (Heidi).  Emma kept herself busy by digging a very deep hole to see if she could reach water.  Makenzie took a nap and Heidi helped Emma with the hole and also went with Chris and I into the ocean.  There was no changing of clothes because everyone is soaked and sandy, no sand in the van or wet hair. All in all....EASIER.  But it was a stark reminder of how my girls are growing up. They are teenagers now. Excuse me while I go have a cry now.

The weather was beautiful and I really enjoyed having the sun on my face. We did a lot of walking and wore my mom out but she enjoyed herself as well and was really happy to have went.

On the way home we stopped at Camp 18 to have dinner.  We had only been there once or twice before so it was a treat to go.  My mom and sister loved it and I'm sure we will go again sometime.

I love Seaside. I think it's the combination of ocean, people, shopping and amusement park rides.  It feels like a California beach town.  But it's not!  It's an hour from my hometown!  And so I can call it mine.

My First Cook Book

Do you remember your first cook book? Summer has me thinking of mine.  A Better Homes and Gardens Junior Cook Book.  I think I spent a lot of time that summer cooking up recipes from it like "Perfect French Toast", "Jelly Muffins" and "S'mores".  Yes, there was a recipe for S'mores.  Along the way in my early adult years amidst the moving from apartment to apartment that book got lost.  A few years ago I found the same book at a Used book store.  Wahoo!  I paid for that treasure and perused the pages while familiar pictures and words looked back up at me.

While it's not my go-to cookbook any longer I do love that I have it amidst my collection.  It's familiar red and white checkered front takes me back to a time when life was simpler.  I didn't have to worry about how to pay for those groceries that made those muffins.  I could simply make them, bake them and eat them.  Slathered with loads of butter of course. 

And while we are reminiscing, does anyone remember their first recipe they made?  Mine was a recipe called Cheesy Egg Bake from the Friend magazine.  I can't believe I still remember the name of the recipe.  But I loved it and my parents told me it was delicious.  Now I know that they may have been over zealous in their praise.  But....maybe not.

Beginner to Oireachtas

Emma is going to the Oireachtas (uh-rock-tus)  It's the western regional championships.  I found this picture of her from when she was a beginner.  She is so cute in her stretch velvet dress.  And now here she is in her new solo costume.  She loves it.  At first I didn't know if I would like the bright colors but when she put it on it looked really good with her tan skin so it was a keeper.  I'm not sure how we are going to get through the next couple months.  Emma has a lot on her plate with school, Irish dance and making the JVII soccer team for her local high school.  She is going to need a lot of support but these are exciting times for her.

EFY

Allie, Elle, Emma, Roz

This summer Emma was able to attend EFY, Especially For Youth.  I'm a big supporter of EFY. I saw the development of my oldest daughter's testimony really strengthened through attending the program.  I've always felt that it's worth eating a few more boxes of mac and cheese in order to be able to send them.   Or in this case, a lot more boxes of mac n cheese!  Anyway, it's a sacrifice that is worth it as they return home pumped about the gospel and doing good for others.  I sure love this program and as a parent I'm grateful for it.

Presenting: Aloha Youth JV Cheer

Today

Today

I will get my hair done

I will get my work done

I will go to the bank

I will take my girls to the mall to try on shoes

I will go to the grocery store

I will make dinner

I will watch the olympics

That should about do it.

Can I Sell Manna?

We found out two days ago that Emma will be competing at the western regional oriechtas. So in the past 48 hours we have looked at dozens of dresses. She tried on one tonight and it was a perfect fit. Now we just have to come up with the money somehow. Not sure how it will happen. I am praying for manna from heaven at this point.

Time Flies

I have never gone this long without blogging. I am in serious shock at how time flies. 

I've been busy.

I got a new calling the first weekend in May.  I'm working with the young women ages 12-18 at church and it's got me busy.

Today I started with a three hour meeting at 9:00.  Then I went home for a short break before another one hour meeting.  Then it was stragiht to another two hour meeting.  During that last meeting my father-in-law called and left a message wanting to know if our lunch date for tomorrow was going to work out and how do they get to Beaverton from Eugene?  I couldn't answer that until I found out what time I had to have five girls to Especially For Youth tomorrow for check-in.  So I didn't return that call.  I was in teh middle of my meeting anyway.

That last church meeting ended and it's now at this point 4:00 p.m.  Our home teacher then calls and wants to know if he can come over.  He immediately comes over while I shovel some food in my mouth because i'm STARVING.  After he leaves I research what I need for EFY and then call the other four moms I need to coordinate. 

Then I figure out exactly what directions to tell my father-in-law so that they won't get lost.....like last time they came to visit.

I call them and give them directions. 

I go chat with Chris for a few minutes.

I go chat with my mom for a few minutes.

I call Heidi on the phone at her Nana's and Grandpa's house to see how she is doing.

I finish up some work that was due on FRIDAY!

It's now 8:43 p.m. and I have one more file for work to do.  Sheesh.

This is why I haven't been blogging!

But I promise to try and be better.  I really do have tons to say!

Who the Shrek are you?

I'm ready for Girls camp!

Cinnamon Breakfast Puffs

I needed something to take to a meeting where 35 hungry girls would be. This seemed perfect. The recipe is for regular muffins but I made them into bite size mini ones.

1/3 cup shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 cup milk
6 Tbsp. melted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 or more tsp. cinnamon

Cream shortening, 1/2 cup sugar and egg in bowl until light and fluffy. Add mixture of flour, baking powder, salt and milk, mixing well after each addition. Fill greased muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake at 350 for 20-25 min. Roll each hot muffin in melted butter. Coat with mixture of sugar and cinnamon. Makes 12 muffins.

April Showers Bring May Flowers

For May Day this year we did something completely different.  Typically we have a big breakfast or go out to breakfast.  This year we got all traditional and made May Day Baskets.  We all worked together to make them so it was truly a family event.  Inside we put flowers and some pastel yogurt covered pretzels and some fun flowers we made using straws, paper and Hershey Kisses.  The most difficult part was deciding who to give them to. We tried to concentrate on those that would truly be surprised by it like some of the seniors in our ward.  We delivered them all and it was a memorable evening.  I'm pretty sure we will be repeating this one.

Run, Heidi, Run

Two nights ago Heidi and I watched Forrest Gump together.  It has been pointed out to me by my oldest daughter that I don't share good movies with them.  The great movies that were, "before their time." And it's true.  And it's pretty much for selfish reasons too.  When I sit down in front of the TV, 9 times out of 10 I will turn something on that has been recorded.  I mean, that's where everything I want to watch is.  I rarely re-watch a movie.  It  has to be REALLY good for me to do that.

The other night I decided to spend some time with Heidi watching TV instead of working in my bedroom.  I saw that Forrest Gump was on and so we watched it.  Heidi loved the movie and I'm glad I could share it with her. 

The running scenes reminded me of her recent foray into track.  I had to talk her into participating but I'm glad I kept encouraging her because it ended up being a great thing for her.  She did the 100 meter, the 4x100 relay, shot put and high jump.  Surprising to us, the event she did the best at was the shot put.

She learned a lot about running, how to use good form and what types of running races she likes.  It kept her active and she even got a ribbon or two at the track meets.  I'm really proud of her for trying something new and sticking with it.

Getting ready for the 4x100 relay

Run, Heidi, Run

 High fives all around!

Best Friends

 High Jump

Shot Put

See the shot put in the air?