Pumpkins

One of Lainey's favorite spots these days:

 We did some pumpkin painting:

 And some pumpkin carving:

 Our finished Jack-O-Lanterns:

 The vampire one is exceedingly bright because Nick's phone was inside, using his flashlight app.  It works.

And here's our week in phone photos:



What's For Dinner?

I'm home sick from church today...the nasty stomach bug that my kids have had all this last week caught up with me (again!?  I thought I had already had it!).  So, here I am talking about food.  I must love you.

Monday - Cheesy Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole  - this was really quite tasty and Nick declared it a do again recipe.  I didn't have any wild rice on hand, so I used a combo of some brown and white rice I already had cooked up in the fridge and freezer.  Also, I added some milk to the cheese mixture, which thinned it out a bit. 

Tuesday - Hamburgers (had leftover meat to use up), roasted potato and sweet potato "fries"

Wednesday - German pancakes with caramely syrup, cantaloupe, I also cooked up some delicata squash that we ate as an appetizer

Thursday - Green Chili Enchilada Bake - I'm going to dub these 'lazy enchiladas', it was really easy to throw together once my chicken was cooked up.  It was yummy too.  Oh, I also added a can of chopped green chilis, which I'd do again.  We also ate spaghetti squash, guacamole, chips, and salsa.

Friday - Costco Pizza

Saturday - I had toast with a smidge of butter, how about you?

Sunday - I'm pretty sure the family will be eating smoked brisket, baked potatoes, squash, and probably rolls and other yummy things.  Me?  How about some more toast with a smidge of butter?  Oh, with some ginger ale on the side. 

Eight Years Later...

...and we are still kissin'  :)

 (And a lot skinnier too, I might add)  Sorry if that grossed you out. 

Oh, and I came across this photo, and had to share:

Never a dull moment around the in-laws.  ;)

Eight Great Things

(about being married to my Nick, in no particular order):

1.  He is an awesome cook.  We give out food to our neighbors, and I always get the credit.  But usually, I have to say, "Well, actually...Nick made them."  How lucky am I to have such a talented pie man for a husband?  Just this morning he fixed me up a mean omelet.  Lucky gal, I am.

2.  He encourages me:  body, mind, and spirit.  For me, this includes helping me eat well, exercise, and lose weight.  I appreciate him cheering me on, and he's joined with me in our efforts to take better care of our bodies.  He is so supportive of me.  He is always encouraging me to spend time and money on developing my talents, or just giving me needed breaks from the kids.  I am definitely a healthier, more stable person because of my Honey.

3.  He is a man of faith.  He is a great example to me.  He asks the Lord for guidance while he leads our family, and as we make decisions.  He is sensitive to the Spirit, and faithfully follows what he knows is in accordance with what the Lord wants for us.  He blesses me and our family with the priesthood, and teaches our children the gospel.

4.  He knows everything.  He really does.  And if, by chance, he doesn't, then he learns it.  He was fixing something around the house and I asked him, "Are you sure you know how to fix that?  Shouldn't we hire that out?"  And he is always confidant that he can fix it.  And he does.  And, he just doesn't throw things together to get a job done.  Whatever he touches always looks better after he's done with it.  He blesses our home with his talents:  gardening, wood-working, cooking, tech-geeking, and on.

5.  My family loves him.  Seriously, they'd trade me in if they could keep Nick as their own.  He jumped in from the very beginning.  I love that.  I think that my Dad was his from the very first time he brought pie.  ;)

6.  He makes me laugh.  We have our own crazy sense of humor, but he totally gets my jokes, and I totally get his. 

7.  He puts up with me, and really, that translates to "He loves me."  He listens.  He advises.  And when he doesn't know what to say, he just puts his arms around me and holds me tight (which is usually the right answer, anyway).

8. He takes his role as 'bread-winner' seriously.  I remember when things were tight (those crazy months when we had two mortgage payments) and I was asking if I should get a job to help cover things.  He very assuredly told me that he would always be the provider for our family, and that I wasn't to worry about it.  What a relief to me!  I've always wanted to be home with my kids, and he's made my dreams come true.  What's more, he sees how important it is for our kids and wants me to be right where I am (typing on the computer at 10 in the morning in my pajamas ;).

9.  Okay, I know I said this would be 'eight great things' but I couldn't leave this one out.  Ha!  Gotcha!  My Nick is a great dad.  He is patient, gentle, kind.  He wants to teach them.  He changes poopy diapers and throw-uppy sheets in the middle of the night.  And the really incredible thing is that he never complains about it.  He is very much involved in their lives.  Our kids love their Daddy.  And, there is nothing more endearing than watching the big 'ol man of your dreams snuggled up with your two-year-old, reading him a story.

Nick, life with you just keeps getting sweeter.

I love you.  

A Date

Nick and I are celebrating our 8th Anniversary this week.  Eight wonderful years.  We started the celebration on Saturday, with a date to Lagoon.

 Thanks to my sister, who watched our kids all day, and who sent us with these ponchos for the Rattlesnake Rapids. By the way, my kids had a blast on my sister's farm.  My boy got to ride on the tractor for TWO hours.  He talks about it all day, every day. 

 Nick and I had a blast.  No strollers.  No tired, whiny kids.  We skipped on over the kiddie rides.  We held hands the entire time.  We took our time where we wanted to take our time, and ran like kids to get to the best seats.  We may have snuck a few smooches, even when people were looking.  It was awesome.

Also, I came to the stark realization that I'm not as young as I used to be.  Sad, sad.  My poor head couldn't handle all the bumps, jerks, and turns.  I had to take breaks by the afternoon, and come the end of the day, I gave myself a full-on migraine.  It was awful, but thankfully only lasted for a short time while my brain settled right back where it belongs. 

The celebration isn't over yet.  Cheesecake is coming soon.

What's For Dinner?

Monday - Spaghetti with homemade sauce (got a lot of tomatoes, here, folks), sauted zucchini and summer squash, green salad, garlic toast

Tuesday - Whole wheat waffles, scrambled eggs, fruit and yogurt smoothie

Wednesday - Hawaiian Haystacks

Thursday - Fried spaghetti, spaghetti squash, green salad, garlic toast.  We think spaghetti is even better as leftovers, and especially fried in a pan with a little olive oil or butter. 

Friday - Had friends and family over.  Nick's yummy burgers (topping choice of: bacon, onion straws, guacamole, tomato, lettuce, pineapple, fried egg, cheese), chips, beans, jello salad (thanks Amy), soda (thanks Jess).

Saturday - All day date (wahoo!).  We went out to eat.

Sunday - Bean with bacon soup, cornbread.  Nick cooked.  We actually got the white beans from our mature green bean plants.  It was tasty.

Phone Dump

This may be a little overwhelming, but here are some collages of the last few months in phone photos:

First, my phone:

 That would be photos of:
*Nick's birthday
*Fall Break (to the park with a cousin and to the Gardens)
*Mud pies, playing outside, and cute kids

And now, here's Nick's phone:

How about a little game of "I Spy"?

Can you spy President Thomas S. Monson (and the First Presidency)?
Can you spy the solar eclipse?
A bench that Nick redid?
My brand new neice (that is now 8 months old)?
Two forms of ice cream?
Four giant pumpkins?
Grandpa and Ellie, both missing a front tooth? :)
Two hot dogs?

Cake and Photos

 We celebrated Nick and Lainey's birthdays together.  Nick made his traditional cherry pie, and Lainey got a little cake all to herself.

 I'm pretty sure it was one of the best cake smashes I've seen.  My girl is not timid.

 She received her Raggedy Ann from Grandma, and I took her one year photos, with the help of my sister, who was an awesome assistant.  I need her around every time I take photos.

Post-edit:  Baby girl had her one year well check this morning, and she's growing!  Lou Lou measured in at 28.25 inches (17% - was around 5% just three months ago) and 18 lbs. 9 oz (30%, also up from 5%).  Way to go, girlie!

What's For Dinner?

Monday: Crock Pot Chicken Taco Chili with cheese, chips, guacamole, and corn bread.  This was good soup.  Even my kids ate it.

Tuesday: Rock Creek Pizza (Sandy) thanks to my husband's birthday.  Best pizza in Utah.

Wednesday:  Steak, roasted potato and butternut wedges, spaghetti squash.  If you haven't tried spaghetti squash, do.  Come get one out of our basement (we have, like, 50 down there).  It is yummy, and my kids love it.  It's Ellie's favorite vegetable, she could eat one by herself.

Thursday:  A quick stop at Wendy's.  It happens.

Friday:  Brown rice topped with stir fried veggies, chicken, and teriyaki sauce.  Yum.

Saturday:  Chicken tacos, lettuce, tomato, guacamole, salsa, chips, refried beans. 

Sunday:  Dinner at mom's.  Thanks, mom!  It was delicious, as always!

One

My Lainey Mae,

I will never forget the day of your birth.  It was one of the most traumatic experiences of my life, and went nothing like I had expected.  We know that you were certainly looked after and were meant to be a part of our family at that time.  We have no doubt. 

You are very popular around these parts.  Your brother and sisters always want to play with you, toting you around, pulling you in the wagon, playing with you as if you were a baby doll, making you giggle.  You take it all in good stride and usually want to be right in the middle of what they are doing (this they don't always appreciate).  Your Dad and I love to watch you in awe.  You are learning something new every day and are just so darn cute.  It's fun to watch you as you discover this world.  Your tiny fingers delicately picking up the tiniest particle left on the carpet, or practicing standing without assistance, or discovering that you can climb on top of the picnic table.  You are certainly a wonder to behold. 

 Lainey Lou, we all love you so very much.  We are grateful to have you in our family.  Thanks for the wrinkle-nose grins that light up our home.  We can't help but smile back.  I know you love your bed, but thank you for allowing mom to snuggle you anyway.  Thanks for the slobbery kisses and raspberries.  It makes my day every single time.  Thanks for being so friendly to everyone.  Thanks for being so happy all the time.  You are great fun to be around. 

 Oh, you are so sweet.  Looking at these photos again makes me want to go scoop you out of your napping slumber and squeeze you and smooch on those cheekers.  Oh, I love you, baby girl.

Love,
Your Momma

Little Blessings

First of all, I know most of you have already seen this on facebook, but this seriously made me laugh so hard:

 I put together little books to keep the girls busy during General Conference, and Ellie thought President Henry B. Eyring needed some googly eyes.  I had laugh tears running down my face, and I couldn't keep a straight face while he was giving his address.  I don't think I'll be able to look at his face again without imagining him with big 'ol wiggly eyes.  Thanks for the good laugh, Ellie.  I needed that. 

I take my life for granted.  I get very caught up in 'things', or what we don't have, or just trying to get all the things on my to-do list done.  I'm sad to admit that I often get grumpy trying to take all that in.  I often overlook just how wonderful my life is, and how easy I have it, and how every day is a gift.

 And the little blessings I'm priviledged to be the mother of. 

 I'm trying to see the world with new eyes.  Trying to live in the moment and make sure I'm focused on the most important things.  Trying just to be happy.  There isn't much going on in my life to be grumpy about, really.

 There is so much that is beautiful in this world.  Just this morning I was driving home from taking Maren to preschool and looked up at the mountains.  I drive past them every day.  I look out my kitchen window, and there they are.  But this morning, I really saw them.  How blessed am I to be surrounded by them in their majesty?

 I hope to keep it with me, these thoughts that make me focus on the blessings I am surrounded by.  I need these reminders often, unfortunately. 

By the way, this week is one of celebration - two birthdays!  Lainey's birthday is tomorrow (um, excuse me?!), so come back for a birthday post.

What's For Dinner

Monday - Combined FHE with my brothers.  We enjoyed delicious homemade soups in Kneader's yummy sourdough bread bowls (Did you know you could buy them for about $1.30?  This is good to know!  They're so good!).  Also fruit salad, and we provided some apple crisp and ice cream.

Tuesday - Reuben sandwich for Nick and I, hot dogs for the kids.  By the way, I believe that this is a sure sign that I'm getting old.  When I was young, I'd never go for rye bread, but now rye bread with sauerkraut!?  Yep, and my favorite ice cream is Butter Pecan.  I do believe that officially makes me 'old'.  That was a total side note.  Back to dinner: chips and veggie sticks on the side.

Wednesday - Meatloaf, roasted potatoes and butternut squash, salad, peas.

Thursday - Tomato Soup (look below for the recipe - even my kids love it!), grilled cheese sandwich, canned peaches

Friday - Bean and cheese burritos with salsa, quacamole, and chips.

Tomato Soup:
1/2 c chopped onion
1/4 c butter
1/4 c flour
2 c water
6 medium tomatoes, peeled and chopped
1 1/2 tsp dried parsley (1 Tbsp fresh)
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp dried thyme (1 tsp fresh)
1 bay leaf
1/4 tsp pepper
In a large saucepan, cook onion in butter until tender.  Stir in flour to form a smooth paste.  Gradually add water, stirring until thick.  Add all other ingredients.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat.  Cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes or until tomatoes are tender. 

By the way, have you noticed I don't usually post Saturday and Sunday dinners?  That's because a lot of the time it's just something thrown together last minute, or we splurge and go out to eat.  If we do something worth bragging about, I'll let you know.  ;)

Mac N Cheese

Nick and I put up 31 pints of salsa, and 12 pints of tomatoes last weekend.  It took us 8 hours from the first set of tomatoes blanching to the last jar being lifted from the canner.  Canning is so much work, but it is so satisfying to fill the shelves with food we grew ourselves (or at least locally grown).

 Everett helped me pick the rest of our pumpkins and squash:

 By the way, it is really cool to find pumpkins in your garden.  It is not cool to find a snake in your garden.

More Everett.  He's been loving on Fuzzy Bear lately.  It's cute:

 Lainey Lou was going a little crazy with her mac' n cheese this afternoon.  Check out her hair (and those beautiful eyes!):

 Well, hello Everett boy. 

Catch ya later!