Good news

Good news!  We closed on our new house yesterday, and I got the keys TODAY.  Now I need to decide about whether or not to replace the carpet.  And how much of the home do I need to reclean.... to really make sure they did a CLEAN job?  I know.  I will have to reclean.  This is my first wiff of how big this house is compared to where we have been recently.  BUT I'm NOT complaining.  Oh, there is so much to do.  Furniture to buy....  I wish I had an interior designer degree.  Pictures to come.

And I'll try to blog more often, I promise.

Happy Valentines Day

On Thursday, I was responsible for a service project at Lauren's elementary school.   I was responsible for the project for the first graders.  It was decided back in November that the 65 first graders would decorate valentine cards for the residents at an area retirement home.  My grandma is actually living at this particular facility, so I was more than willing to organize and help out!

During the months following November, we held monthly meetings ensuring that all necessary planning was taking place.  I had to write letters to the teachers and parents explaining the service project, ask for donations, and purchase the supplies.  I then had to organize the supplies so that the six and seven year olds could quickly complete a "meaningful" Valentine in the 15 minutes allotted for the project.  I have to admit that I am SOOOOO tired of seeing Valentine hearts and pink and red paper.  

Thursday came and went!  We had a great day.  I had three groups of approx 22 kids at different times during the day.  And I definitely learned through the process.  The most important lesson that I learned was:  Do not give first graders free-reign over the glitter glue.  By the third group, the glitter glue was securely packed away in my supply bag.  They didn't even know what they were missing. 

Another important lesson that I learned, was that when explaining to the kids about what the service project was about, I should have only given them a brief explanation.  I can't decide if mentioning that the Valentines where going to older people at a retirement home was necessary.  You would definitely think so..... but.... here was an example that made me think twice.   

I actually saved this valentine for the director of the retirement home.  He loved it.

First graders are the best!  They are so honest and they "say it the way it is!"

Here are a few fun examples:

Interpretation:  "Happy Valentines Some One.  Be My Valentine.  Cutie Patutie."

Interpretation (the second line is hard to read):  "Be My Valentine.  If you were my mom or dad or Grandma or Grandpa, you would be perfect."  

Lauren and her friend Kate helped deliver the cards yesterday during lunch.  The residents seemed genuinely happy to receive the valentines.   

Guacamole

Yummy! Thanks Paul and Jordan for sharing this recipe. B made it over Christmas at the Bonds and then I made it over New Years for the Ferneys. It's a great party treat..... or just because.

1/3 cup white onions, finely chopped

5 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon coarse salt

2 pounds ripe California avocados (about 4 large)

2 to 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

3/4 cup pear, peeled and finely diced

3/4 cup seedless grapes, halved

3/4 cup pomegranate seeds

Special equipment: molcajete y tojolote (mexican mortar and pestle) or food processor

In a molcajete or food processor, grind onion, garlic, and salt into a rough paste. Gradually add the avocado, coarsely mashing it (you'll want it to be chunky). Stir in the lemon juice. Fold in the pear, grapes, and 1/2 cup of the pomegranate seeds. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds over the guacamole and serve.

Makes 8 servings.

That's a "Wrap"

Christmas and New Years are over, and boy were they busy!  We had recitals, shopping, sing-a-longs, shopping, family to visit, and shopping to do!

Lauren had her first piano recital.  We got all dressed up and drove out to her piano teacher's parents home in Sandy.  She played "Away in a Manger," with no mistakes.  Hurray!  Her piano teacher has about 12 students that are all in the beginning stage, so the recital was over before we knew it.  It was a fun night.  I remembered back to my recitals and how scared I always was to play in front of people.  I guess Lauren didn't inherit the "nervous" gene because she wasn't scared at all.  In fact, I think she loved performing.

Lauren's school also had a sing-a-long.  The parents filled the multi-purpose room to the brim to get a chance to see their kids sing familiar Christmas songs.  It was fun to hear familiar holiday tunes.... unlike last year while we were in Boston.  The school Lauren attended and the community in general where we lived was predominately Jewish.  So there were no "Away in a Manger" performances there.  This year, one of the songs the kids sang was "Up on the House Top."  Someone added a verse with "Go Utes!" in the Chorus.  Of course that entertained the parents.... there is ALWAYS a Utah vs. BYU jab even in the most unlikely places (like a first grade sing-a-long for example). 

I was also happy to attend Elle's sing-a-long at her preschool during December.  She really did such a cute job.  I rarely see the kids or parents at this preschool since the teachers pick up the kids from our cars (love it!), so it was nice to mingle with Elle's friends (the boy on the bottom left is Elle's very good friend Trenton who I hear about all the time from Elle.   Trenton's mom say they play dinosaurs together at school).  After the kids finished singing Santa came to visit. Elle loved Santa this year.... so she was overwhelmed.  

For Christmas we travelled to Rexburg to spend time with my parents.  We also got to see my brothers Mike and Scott and sister Kristen... and their families.  For Christmas Eve we had 23 family members.  It was a crowded house but fun to be able to spend the best holiday of the year at home doing the things I did growing up.  However, one not so fun thing happened.... my Mom woke up Christmas Eve with the flu.  So not only did we miss having her around, but Kristen, Mike's wife Melissa and I spent the day cooking for the night's party.  Mom is an excellent cook, so it was very intimidating knowing that we had to make her recipes.  It all turned out delicious though.  Even Kristen's version of Mom's Christmas salad tasted great (ha ha!)

But I have to mention that of all the food we cooked that day, the favorite dish was made by Brandon.  We got the BEST recipe for a guacamole dip (from his bro in San Fran... thanks Paul) and decided to mix it up on Christmas Eve for the crowd.  The best.... with pears, grapes, and pomegranate seeds and all.  Seriously.

While the cooks were cooking and the men were (I'm not sure what they were doing).... the cousins were having a great time playing together.  Lauren and Kylie are showing off their newly painted nails.  
Cute Morgan played with Elle all day.

Parker and Carson played outside making a snow fort... and Ian watched from inside.  

Christmas Eve included subs from Subway (it's a funny tradition, but its a tradition!) salads, dips, and treats.  We listened to the story of Christ's birth, played the White Elephant game, listened to a long-family tradition of "The Littlest Angel," and got ready for Santa's visit.  The kids wrote notes to Santa and left him a plate of goodies.  

Christmas morning came.  Santa found the kids even though they weren't at their usual homes.  Thank goodness!  Lauren was ecstatic over the American Girl doll she received from Santa.  She kept saying over and over how surprised that Santa gave her the doll AND all of the extra things.   The extra things included clothes, books, and hair accessories.  Man, Santa is so good! 

Many of you have seen this pic, but Elle was also happy with the dolls she received from Santa.  She got the American Girl Bitty Twins.  I love this picture Brandon took Christmas morning.

My cute family Christmas morning......

The weather in Rexburg during our stay was typical "Rexburg" winter weather.  It was COLD with A LOT of SNOW and WIND.   My Dad spent literally hours outside with the snow blower.

We made it back to Salt Lake before another storm was supposed to hit.  However, the flu made its way to me.  Fun times!

Christmas has been packed away, and the kids are back in school.  Back to the routine.

Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam

Today was a big day in Elle's three-year-old life.  She was finally promoted to Primary!  She is now a Sunbeam!  AND she is out of Nursery!  She was super excited.  

We were all able to welcome her to Primary since Brandon & I are Valiant 9 teachers and Lauren is in the CTR 7 class.  We just know she is going to thrive... no more baby toys! 

Hannah's Birthday Party

This post is by Lauren:

  

we went to Hannahs  b-day and it was a long  drive to  heber city

I  got my face painted by  soda pop the clown.   it was a bunny and I got it becuse it was cute like a bunny.   she was fun. and it was a seasons party.

 and she did some  magic  it was funny .

and  we did some activities. we got some party bags and then we went to dinner with  them and it was fun.

Nutcracker 2008

In November I decided to purchase tickets to the Nutcracker ballet. Basically because I wanted to surprise Lauren and take her on a special date with just me. B's parents came into town to watch Elle while B worked during the day. I didn't want Lauren to gloat in front of Elle (since Elle is too young to go anyway), but I found out Lauren told her. Lauren said, "Elle, mommy and me are going to the Nutcracker ballet, alone!" And Elle's reply went something like, "Lauren, you take care of yourself. It's my problem." B's mom overheard the exchange and it is so funny to think of Elle being more "adult" than Lauren. By the way, Elle had just as much fun that afternoon with her Gma and Gpa Ferney!

So Lauren and I got dressed up for the matinee performance of the ballet on Dec 6th. We had very good seats. However, the girl two seats down from us gave Lauren a little cushion to use so that she could see the stage even better. During the ballet, Lauren gave me a play by play interpretation of the ballet. I found myself "shushing" her throughout the majority. We ended buying a memento Clara holding a Nutcracker Christmas ornament and a small Nutcracker snow globe for Elle (which broke the next day.... ho hum).

After the performance, we had extra tickets to attend the Sugar Plum fairy aftershow party. We had sugar cookies, and met the main dancers from the show on the stage.

Lauren and I had so much fun together. It was definitely worth the splurge.

I Couldn't Help Myself

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Halloween

We are probably the last to post our Halloween pictures, but we have a few curious grandparents. We really had a fun week of Halloween activities.  On the Saturday before Halloween we took the girls to "Boo at the Zoo."  As our nephew Jaren said, "It was a madhouse!"  The girls had fun dressing in their costumes and seeing the REAL animals.  

The following week included class parties, carving our pumpkins, and of course trick-or treating!

(Lauren and Brandon designed the pumpkin that is a dracula cat with glasses.  Elle and I made a happy pumpkin design.)

Before trick-or-treating we visited my Grandma Leak and Aunt Margaret who live near by. Grandma Leak always has a treat for the girls, so they love visiting.  We love her so much.  (I don't know that person with the pink wig...... what was she thinking!) 

Scarecrow Festival

One of the many fun things happening around the Wasatch Valley during the month of October was the Scarecrow Festival at Thanksgiving Point.  It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon. 

 The festival was geared toward kids.... so there were a lot of jump houses.  I'm not sure what to think about that (I do, but I won't say).  The girls had so much fun.  Elle loved the jump houses but was scared to death of the slides.

There were also plenty of carnival games and face painting.....