Another Happy Halloween!

The Halloween Menu

Grandma's Homemade Macaroni & Cheese

Green Salad

Sparkling Cider (Thanks Molly & Ryan!)

 

The Trick or Treaters

The Big Kids

 

(and yes that is a real Israeli gas mask)

The Little Kids

with their aunties

I love how they're playing footsie!

The World's Cutest Ducky

I stayed home to hand out candy while everyone went trick or treating.  About 15 minutes later the doorbell rang, but there was no one there.  It happened again and I locked the door.  The third time I peeked out and up jumped John holding Leighton.  He thought he was so funny scaring me and he thought it was even funnier that I locked the door.  His Mom warned me about his love of teasing just before we got married.

Bored with Breakfast?

I love to try new recipes for dinner, but for breakfast we usually keep it simple.  Then I found these recipes for baked oatmeal on this blog.  I like oatmeal, but I always have to add fruit, milk, honey etc. to make it palatable.  Why not take it a step further and make some really delicious oatmeal for the whole family?  Everyone at my house loved both kinds.  I like it in a bowl with milk on top, but the rest of the gang preferred it plain.  Also, you can refrigerate the leftovers and warm it in the microwave another day.

Baked Blueberry and Peach Oatmeal

3 cups oats
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 egg whites
1 egg
1 ¼ cups skim milk
1/4 cup applesauce
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 15 oz can sliced peaches in water, drained and chopped
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1/3 cup chopped pecans

Directions:
1.  Preheat the oven to 350
2.  Combine oats, brown sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg whites, egg, applesauce, milk and vanilla. Add egg mixture to dry ingredients and stir until blended together. Let mixture stand for 5 minutes and then add the blueberries and peaches.
3.   Spray an 7” x 11" pyrex dish with cooking spray and pour the oatmeal mixture into the dish, spreading it evenly.  Sprinkle pecans on top. Bake uncovered at 350 for 35-40 minutes.

Pumpkin, Cranberry and Apple Baked Oatmeal

(this one bakes more quickly which is helpful when you're in a hurry!)

Ingredients:
2 c  oats
1/3 c wheat germ
1/3 c packed brown sugar
1 t cinnamon
¼ t salt
1 t baking powder

1/3 cup craisins

1/4 cup chopped dates

1 ½ c milk
½ c canned pumpkin
1 ½ T butter, melted
1 egg
1 t vanilla extract
1 medium apple, peeled and chopped
1/3 c chopped pecans

Directions:
1.    Preheat the oven to 375. Spray a 7 x 11 pyrex dish with cooking spray and set aside. (I made it in an 8 x 8 pyrex and it turned out fine.)
2.    In a large bowl, combine the oats, wheat germ, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, baking powder and craisins and dates and stir to mix. In a separate bowl, stir together the milk, pumpkin, butter, egg and vanilla. Add the wet ingredients and apples to the dry ingredients and stir until thoroughly combined.
3.    Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle the pecans over the top and bake for 20 minutes until top is golden. Slice into eight pieces and serve.

Happy Day!

Yesterday was Elder Aaron's first p-day (that's preparation day or a day off for missionaries).  On p-day he has 30 minutes to get on the computer and email us!  I was such a happy mom and I've read that email about 8 times.

The MTC (missionary training center) just started a new program for teaching Korean.  The teacher speaks only Korean to them.  They started learning Korean the first day and by the third day, they taught a lesson in Korean.  Elder Aaron feels a bit "behind" since his companion took 2 semesters of Korean at BYU and the sisters in their district either lived in Korea or studied it in college.  He wishes he could be taught the grammar formally instead of just picking it up, but I'm sure that will come with time.  There are only 6 missionaries in his district, 2 elders and 4 sisters.

He also went to the Provo temple yesterday which made him very happy.  I know he loved the opportunity to get outside on the walk there too.  He says the only time he goes outside is to get from one building to another.  That has got to be hard on my nature loving boy!

Here's your Korean lesson for the day:  Do you know how to pronounce "elder" in Korean?  According to Elder Aaron it is "Changoneem."  I think I'll stick with English.

Wild Weekend #2

Okay, maybe our weekend wasn't exactly wild, but it was very busy with some important events.  Saturday morning we had over 30 people at our house for the blessing of Leighton Anne.

She was given a beautiful blessing by her father.

Here is her cute family!

She was fortunate to have many family members there for this special day.

  She even had two great-great grandparents there!

Here she is with her father, grandma (yes that's me!), great grandpa (my dad) and great-great grandma (my mom's mom)

After the blessing and lunch, we headed to the temple for the 

sealing of Dad and Carolyn.

Here they are with my grandma and Carolyn's mom.

My dad says it is a picture with his two mother-in-laws.

Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of them at the wedding or reception, but it was a lovely day.  Here is a picture of Carolyn's bridal bouquet as proof.

Halfway

In the midst of all our missionary excitement, I didn't have a chance to note an important milestone.  I am halfway through this pregnancy.  In four months or so, our baby will arrive!  Thank goodness I am (mostly) finished with the nausea.  The baby's movements are stronger and more frequent, which helps to ease my worries.  I am still in love with cottage cheese and I never have to worry about sharing it now that Aaron is gone. 

I definitely look pregnant, but I will not be posting pictures of my belly even though my husband insists on periodic (fully clothed) photo updates.  I am not willing to risk a picture of my stomach ending up in google images.

This is it!

Today was the day I've been anticipating for over nineteen years.  Our Elder Aaron entered the Missionary Training Center and his mission has begun. He was able to visit with some family members last night and this morning he took a picture with his great grandma.  He immediately sent it to me before he headed off to the MTC with my Uncle Paul who was his companion for the morning.

Just before noon, I got a text from Aaron's phone that I knew was from my Uncle Paul.  It said, "He is in."  I was surprised at my reaction, but I immediately burst into tears.  I will miss my boy, but I know he is in the right place and I am thankful he is there.

Thanks to everyone who helped Elder Aaron on his journey to the MTC!

Our Weekend (and beyond)

Friday
Evan sang with the San Diego Mormon Choir and Orchestra. The musicians were fabulous, including the soloists on flute, banjo, cello and bagpipe.  What a show!  If you are local, I hope you'll have a chance to see them next year.  Learn more about SDMCO here.

Saturday
We did lots of laundry, shopping and packing for Aaron. That evening we had our ward fall festival.  It was a great party with chili, gourmet popcorn and lots of dessert (although I was too full to try any).  The kids had a blast with the games.  Here are Marianne's cute mini cupcakes for the cakewalk.

Sunday
We had Aaron's "not a farewell" at church.  He spoke mainly about the temple.  Since early September he has been able to work at the temple twice a week.  It has been a very sacred experience for him and he was sad to see it end.  After church, Aaron was officially set apart as a full time missionary for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Our Stake President asked us to share things we admire about Aaron.  Some of his strengths are: peacemaking, obedience, desire to do what is right and an ability to see the beauty in nature.

After the dinner requested by Aaron, we celebrated my Dad's birthday.  He claims he is only fifty-three, but I'll let you count the candles.

Everyone agreed the cake was delicious!

Here are the men of the day (Aaron and his Grandpa)

  With the two newest members of the family (Leighton and Carolyn)

Monday
Aaron got our computers in tip top shape and we had a day full of more last minute chores. We had a great time laughing and joking together.  The checker at Wal Mart even told us what a cute family we had. Then she added, "Someday you'll even have grandchildren." She was surprised when we told her we already have two.  We decided not to completely shock her by telling her we have our own baby on the way too.  John and the boys took their bikes up the mountain for a last run down.  Aaron was excited to have broken his record with a time of 4 min 27 sec.  I was just relieved he didn't break anything else. Aaron bid a final farewell to his favorite restaurant as we ate dinner at Chipotle.

Tuesday
After goodbyes to Ryan, Molly, Brianne and Leighton (and a quick stop at the barbershop!) we headed to the airport.

Roxy will really miss Aaron too!

Good byes at the airport

It will be fun to compare the height difference in two years!

We love you Aaron!

Homeade Taco Seasoning

Yesterday I posted a recipe that calls for a package of taco seasoning.  I quit buying those expensive little packages years ago when I found a better alternative.  I use my own spices and I like knowing exactly what is going in my food!

Here is the recipe adapted from a Make-A-Mix cookbook.   It makes enough to season about a pound of meat.  I don't usually measure this precisely, but it will get you started.

2 teaspoons minced dried onion
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
1/4 teaspoon  dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

Let Them Eat Casseroles

Last month Marianne picked up a cookbook that I was planning to give away.  She immediately found a couple of recipes that she wanted to try.  One of them was so-so, but my kids absolutely loved the other one.  It isn't something I would normally make since it is high in calories and low in vegetables.  However, since my family loves it, I decided I'd better record it on my blog. (Since I am still getting rid of that cookbook.)

In fact, Aaron has asked me to make it for his "last supper" at home.  If you decide to try it, please at least put out some fresh veggies or make a salad to go with it!  It is yummy.

Santa Fe Casserole Bake

1 pound lean ground beef (I used ground turkey)
1 package taco seasoning (I used spices)
2 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup flour
1 cup sour cream
1 can (7 oz) diced green chiles
1 package (11 oz) tortilla chips
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
1/2 cup sliced green onions with tops

Brown meat and drain fat.  Add taco seasoning and blend well.  In another bowl combine broth and flour.  Add to meat mixture and bring to a boil to thicken slightly.  Stir in sour cream and chiles.

In 9x13 dish place 1/2 of tortilla chips. Top with 1/2 of meat mixture, 1/2 of cheese and 1/2 of green onions.  Layer again with remaining ingredients.

Bake uncovered at 375 for 20 minutes.  Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

This quote explains why . . .

I love blogging and reading blogs.
I am not particularly interested in Facebook.
I made time yesterday for an hour long phone conversation with a friend who has moved away.
my kids loved visiting with their grandma.
listening with your whole heart is so important.
you can be very productive even if you are old, sick or bedridden.
we are admonished to keep a journal.
it is exciting to read accounts from our family history.
some talks are more interesting than others.


"To listen to a person's stories is to learn their feelings and experiences and values and habits of mind, and to learn them all at once and all together. . . [O]ur stories are what make us human, and listening to some else's stories--entering into their feelings, validating their experiences--is the highest way of acknowledging their humanity, the sweetest form of usefulness."  William Deresiewicz

With Three of My Favorite People

Here's proof that John and I are the grandparents of two gorgeous girls.

I love how Leighton is snoozing so peacefully in this one.

My Boys

They biked Iron Mountain last night.  It is a pretty rocky trail and they had to carry the bikes some of the time, but they made it the whole way.  This isn't the best picture, but it is a great memory!

I sure do love these boys!

11 Days and Counting

Our missionary will soon be headed to the MTC.  Before he leaves, John wanted to give Aaron a taste of authentic Korean food and the rest of us decided to tag along.  John did some research and decided this would be a good restaurant to try.

It didn't look like much from the outside, but it was a busy place!  We were the only non-Koreans there.  With the help of our waitress we ordered our food. Our meal came with a variety of appetizers, so we got to try lots of different things. Everything smelled delicious and we were ready to dig in.

Aaron's favorite dish was the Kim Chee soup.

Evan loved the fish pancake with a tasty dipping sauce.

Marianne liked too it until she realized there were baby squid inside.

I enjoyed the Korean barbeque and John loved it all!

Now we know that Aaron will have lots of yummy choices at the Korean restaurants in Toronto.

I think we will go back for another meal sometime, especially when I'm missing my boy!

One Year

Today marks one year since my mom died.  I wish I could say I have healed from the loss, but I haven't.  It still makes me sad that she isn't here to celebrate with us.  She never got to hold her granddaughter Brooke or her great granddaughter Leighton. She wasn't here for Ryan & Molly's sealing.  She didn't come to the temple with us when Aaron received his endowment and she won't be there for his farewell.  She loved being with her family more than anything in the world.  I know she is probably with us in spirit, but it just isn't the same. 

Tonight we went to the cemetery and decorated her grave with new silk flowers.  It was dark and rainy by the time we got everyone together.  We had to use the light from our phones to see what we were doing.  We huddled together under umbrellas trying to keep dry, but instead we kept bumping and dripping water on each other. I was pretty grouchy, but I knew Mom would think it was funny, so I laughed.
 
Next we went to In N Out for dinner.  I spent most of the time watching Brianne dip her french fries in ketchup.  She was very particular about her dipping and Aaron obliged her by creating a ketchup "machine."  He moved the cup of ketchup back and forth at her command, complete with mechanical noises.  Mom would have loved seeing Brianne so in charge and Aaron so playful.  I laughed again.

I am glad I was able to laugh with my family, but at home by myself, I cried.  I miss you Mom!

My last picture with Mom. Me, Marianne, Mom and Grandma--four generations. 

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