Christmas in Oregon

Customize a slideshow design

Hi Everyone-I'm so excited that this slideshow worked-It took me an hour! Anyway, I just wanted to share some of our pictures. We had such a fun time with Mom and Dad-except it went way too fast! The beach was fantastic-great weather, good food, a perfect beach house (except for Mom's sleeping accomodations...sorry, Mom!). Lots of good memories.

family pictures

Do I look old, or what-and that's AFTER photoshoping!
Well, it was a beautiful Fall afternoon, and I guess we can't keep those great pictures from five years ago when there were less wrinkles around, since the kids were 8, 5, 2 and not in existance. Oh well, with age comes wisdome, right?

Cabin time!

Ed with Grandma and Grandpa Thurman carrying their little trees. Eddy was a trooper. The hike wasn't too long, but it was a little steep and slippery-he did great, though he did roll down a small embankment and almost into a creek!

I just made this for Johanna today! Isn't it cute? She and Logan are performing in Monster Concert tomorrow, so I may make her a black one to wear to that-it was so easy!

Johanna in front of the old barns at the cabin-it was snowing "powdered sugar" the whole time we were there and there-it was so beautiful!

On our way to hike up and get our Christmas tree. Johanna brought her friend Hannah with us

Blake and Logan with our tree selection. Blake brought his tape measure so that we didn't get one too big for our livingroom. I think it's going to be fabulous!!


We had a wonderful time at the cabin last weekend. I can't say much for the drive-it's so long!!! However, once we arrived, that's all forgotten. We were only there one day, but we enjoyed sleeping in, a lovely hike, good food, games and movies. After church Sunday, it was time to clean up and head out already! We had to stop on the way home because after a well placed smack in the nose (I won't name the guilty brother), Eddy had a major bloody nose that just wouldn't stop! I have to admit-kind of scary-thank goodness for baby wipes-I still keep them in my car-so handy!

Halloween

Halloween on Sunday could have been a bummer, but it turned out to be pretty fun...only with less candy (probably a good thing, however, I miss all the Reeses PB cups that I usually get to snag from the kid's pumpkins-I call it...the mom tax).

Our ward had a trunk or treat and chili feed on Saturday night. We all had a great time at that, and the kids got a good amount of treats. Johanna's friends all arrived early at our house so that they could come with us. Johanna was one of the three musketeers with two other friends and another friend was Luna Lovegood.

Sunday we had a "party" at our house after dinner. We played lots of Halloween themed games and had grape juice/lime sherbet/7-up floats. We gave out the rest of our candy to the neighbors-most of it (about 350 pieces~!) went to the trunk or treaters on Saturday.

The kids all looked cute in their costumes. I had bought viking hats for Logan and Camden, but they were plastic, uncomfortable and kept falling off, so I just made some out of fleece-perfect! They stayed on and were fuzzy to boot!

Katy's recipe requests

Steak and Mushroom Stew

6 oz. diced bacon
3-4 lb. chuck roast-cut into 1 inch cubes
salt and pepper
2 small onions, diced
2 carrots, peeled and diced
2 celery stalks, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tbl. tomato paste
3/4 lb brown mushrooms
3 Tb. dijon mustard
1 1/2 cups beef broth
1/4 cup chopped parsley

Season roast chunks with salt and pepper. Brown roast, bacon and onion together for a few minutes and then add diced veggies, mushrooms and garlic and saute a few minutes more. Stir in tomato paste, broth and mustard. Transfer to a slow cooker and cook on high 3-4 hours-you can add more broth or water if you want it more soupy. Stir in parsley. Serve over sour cream mashed potatoes (or plain).

Soft Pretzles

1 1/2 cup warm water
1 1/2 tsp. dry yeast
2 Tb. brown sugar
1/4 cup shortening
1 1/2 tsp. salt
3 cups flour-part wheat if desired

Sprinkle yeast over warm water in bowl of mixer. Let stand until dissolved or foamy. Add shortening and sugar and salt. Mix in flour for about 5 minutes, until smooth and streachy. Let rise in bowl of mixer (covered) for 1/2 to 1 hour. Form into pretzle shapes. Dip into baking soda bath and place on greased pans. Cover and let rise again for 1/2 to 1 hour, until puffy.
Bake in 450 oven for 6-10 minutes (watch it). Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with kosher or other coarse salt

Baking soda bath-2 cups warm water and 2 Tb. baking soda-mix well

Another recipe we liked:

Chicken Not Pie (healthy..from Blake's running mag)

1/4 c. olive oil
2 leeks-washed and chopped (I use the white and some of the green)
1 can (2 cups) chicken broth
1/2 tsp. thyme or tarragon
2 boneless chicken breast
3 large red potatoes, chopped into cubes
2 carrots, cut into coins
1/2 lb. snow peas, trimmed
1/2 lb. asparagus, cut into 1 inch pieces (I used zuchinni instead)
2 Tb. fresh squeezed lemon juice

Saute leeks, salt and pepper to taste for five minutes in the oil. Add broth, thyme and boil one minute. Add chicken, potatoes and carrots and simmer, covered, for five minutes or until chicken is almost done. Add peas and asparagus or zuchinni and cook for 3 minutes. Remove chicken and chop-return to pan. Add lemon and serve over brown rice...delicious!

Fall activitties we are glad to be done with

Logan's soccer team after their game last Saturday

These are the cupcakes I made for my piano recital. The chocolate spiders looked really cute on them and they were gone in a minute-I didn't even get one!

Logan's soccer cake for his last game turned out really cute. I got this idea online and the kids loved it-they all crowded around us after the game exclaiming "where am I?!" It's two cake mixes, so everyone could have white or chocolate-I put one flavor on each side. So easy!

Johanna with the 10 baby gowns she sewed for her first 10 hour young women's project.

I love Fall!!!

I think that October is my favorite month. I love that the holidays are just around the corner. I love harvest time-especially since we live in an agricultural area where produce abounds. It always amazes me that food is so plentiful here-there's no excuse for anyone to go hungry. I love pumpkins and the color orange. I love crisp Fall days and cooler temperatures. I love Fall food!!!
My kids had a great time visiting a local small farm on Friday (no school). We ostensibly went there to pick grapes. The grapes were'nt great, but the hayride, baby goats (cookies and cream), trampoline and big rope swing were! I did get 11 quarts of juice.

Flirty witch? No, it's only Johanna, posing in a picture Grandma H had asked for...cute, huh?

Gluttons for Grapes!! So, eleven quarts of delicious, antitoxidant rich grape juice just wasn't enough, so we drove to Payette (an hour away) to pick some more. Grape heaven-you could smell them and they were literally dripping off the vines. We went there last year and just like then, we all had a fabulous time reveling in the wonderful grape bounty. We probably picked too much, and I will probably regret it as I get more and more tired of steaming grapes this week. It was great though.

sharing a late Summer day with Mia

Mia had a wonderful time on the trampoline with the boys-even when they got a little crazy

Our apple-tester. She tried every one to make sure there were no worms

If you can't tell, that's a lady bug just taking flight-it was sitting on Katy's finger a moment earlier.

It was a beautiful afternoon in Rexburg. Katy dropped me off at my in-laws after we had enjoyed a terrific evening stuffing ourselves at Melting Pot and watching the beautiful dancing and inventive scenery of Lion King. She and Mia ended up staying for the day. We spent a lot of time outside enjoying the apple "orchard" and trampoline.

Just recipes

Well, I was reading some recipes on blogs today and I thought....hey-what a great idea, because I love food! So here's a recipe I tried today that I got online...delicious! It can be vegan, if you like.

Split Pea Soup

1 Tb. olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 bay leaf
3 cloves garlic-pressed or chopped
2 cups dried split peas...I used yellow
1/2 cup barley (you don't have to use..I did though)
1 1/2 tsp. salt
7 1/2 cups water/broth
3 carrots, chopped
3 celery stalks, chopped
3 potatoes, diced
1/2 c. chopped parsley
1/2 tsp dried basil...or use more of fresh
1/2 tsp dried thyme...or more fresh
1/2 tsp. ground pepper

Saute onions and garlic in oil. Add peas, barley, salt and water. Boil and reduce heat to simmer. Simmer for 2 hours, then add veggies and herbs. You may have to add more water or broth. I pureed it with my neighbor's immersion blender (I gotta get one of those!).

Peanut dipping sauce (for lettuce wraps-or combine with Stir fry sauce recipe for my new fave stir fry sauce)

1/2 cup pb
1/3 cup water
2 Tb. vinegar
1/2 tsp. minced ginger
1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. minced garlic
1/2 tsp. chili oil
1 Tb. brown sugar

Combine and microwave until smooth

Stir Fry Sauce
1/4 cup water
1 tsp. cornstarch
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup vinegar
2 tsp. sesame seed
1 tsp. red pepper flakes
1 tsp. chili oil
1/2 tsp. minced ginger

Combine in saucepan and heat until thickened

Happy Birthday Johanna!

Johanna and dollys dressed in their new outfits-fantastic job, Jen!

Johanna and friends Hannah and Chantelle breakfasting at the Tea House.

13 candles on a oreo mint cheesecake...a lovely sight!
Johanna once again enjoyed her birthday. I can't believe she's 13!! We had a late night party after soccer practice Thursday. She loved the package from Aunt Jennifer with all her clever sewn doll things. She loved her gifts from grandparents and Aunt Katy too-thank you to all!

Saturday we had her "party". I took Johanna and her friends to the breakfast buffet at "Miss Tami's Tea Cottage". I have to say, it was delicious and a good thing I'd gone for a run that morning-Monte Cristo sandwich anyone? The girls all looked adorably dressed up for the occasion and enjoyed themselves immensely. They returned home to play dolls and try on the gifts Johanna received from them-lots of silly bandz and shirts-Hannah felt bad that Johanna didn't have any brand names-so she remedied that. I can't believe that I used to care so much about brand names. I couldn't give a fig now! As long as it's cute, I'll wear it. Anyway, Johanna was sad when her special day was over.

Last breathings of summer

Logan actually licking the dregs of our LAST raspberry pie........sigh.....and it was delicious.

All Ed watched was the "colorful man" who was selling the cotton candy-he was wearing tie dye wig and shirt.

Amazing! Spirit of Boise Balloon festival

We attempted to finish of the "bucket list" of things we wanted to do this summer. Friday

night we enjoyed ice-cream at "Delsa's", a cute little retro ice-cream parlour. Actually, that was plan B. We originally set off to watch a baseball game, but after arriving, found it was sold out! We exchanged our tickets for Saturday's game and went to ice-cream instead.

Saturday morning we rose at 6:00 a.m. to make it to Boise by 7 for the balloon festival. It was so worth it! It was a perfect morning-beautiful and clear-not too cold. There were 28 hot air balloons in rainbow hues and we arrived just before they were inflated. It was so inspiring to see them grow huge before our eyes and then drift up into the blue sky. An orchestral soundtrack completed the magic of it. The kids loved it...I loved it! Afterwards we took the kids to IHOP, which was VERY crowded, but we all enjoyed our "tutti-frutti-fresh and fruity" pancakes.

Blake worked the remainder of the day, and I had my usual struggle getting the kids to do their puny Saturday chores, but we enjoyed another gorgeous summer evening at the ball park. It was fun and brought to mind pictures of what summers of yesteryear were like. A funny thing-Blake spent 3.25 on special ball park peanuts which were exactly like the Hoody's I brought back from the reunion and that we still have at home!

Sisters...sisters....Oh, and lots of kids too

Kiss the pony! My wild and wacky birthday party was a hit! It all started with the (extremely flattering) ensemble that I had to wear-lovely lei, crown and tacky plastic hula skirt. It just got more fun from there, complete with pinata, loads of gifts for all the sisters, chocolate cake and ice-cream...yum! I'll admit, I did act a bit crazy, but if there's one thing good about getting older-you just start not to care what anyone thinks! You get a bit more comfy with yourself...is this a good thing?

oh, I don't know!!!! Just good stuff!

Logan's new bike..finally! He and Cam have been looking kind of funny on their old-too small bikes. Blake took Logan out last weekend and got him a new one. Logan didn't know they were going to do that-so he was quite excited. I just had to snap a pic in front of our beautiful flowers-the hummingbirds love them!

Johanna and cousin Lindsay. She's been here the last week and will stay another week. They've been having a wonderful time together and I've been acting as "cruise activity director" keeping everyone busy.

Johanna looked funny mowing our lawn last night with her tall socks, ipod, swimsuit and my shoes. She just LOVES this job.

This week

Johanna had an art class every day this week from 9-12, so we would bring a picnic lunch and go on small outings after we picked her up. We fed ducks, played in the city hall fountain, visited a chocolate shop, went to the library... it was fun!

We dressed in the spirit of the day on the 4th of July for church. We enjoyed friends for dinner and the kids had a great time watching the huge fireworks going on around our neighborhood.

My pisachio/raspberry meringue torte we had tonight-layers of airy meringue, fresh raspberries from Blake's garden, rich whipped cream , rasberry puree and delicious pasty cream. Heavenly!

Happy 10th birthday Logan!

Logan turned 10 last week. He had a great birthday party with four friends (a big improvement over last time-only 1 came!). We did a survivor party that included an obstacle course, puzzle challenge, disgusting food challenge and scavenger hunt. I made a very cute volcano cake with hard sugar candy "lava" and whip cream foam. Logan loved all the gifts and cards he got from everyone. Mostly He loved the attention. Blake and I gave him a watch and he's been timing everything ever since.

What, you don't want to try watermelon and hot sauce oatmeal?

Johanna's tiki's...they were very cute. We would have saved them, but the wind tore them up the next day-oh well, at least we have photographic evedence.

A happy birthday boy with his lava cake.

kid sports and cupcakes

These are the shark and minnow cupcakes I tried last week for my piano recital. They were pretty cute, but what a pain! I think I spent two hours putting 6 cupcakes together, and then they were top heavy. If I did it again, I'd cut the twinkies down more, and maybe they would'nt fall over. Anyway, they were a hit with the kids.

Logan enjoying his post-game picnic with his team, the Diamond Backs. He enjoyed the camraderie of the team, but says that he will never do baseball again. It's hard to enjoy something where everyone is better then you!

Johanna at the bat. Yes, under that huge helmet is Johanna. She also enjoyed playing with her team, and I think it was generally a good experience, but ditto Logan's position. She looks professional though, doesn't she?

A beautiful Spring day of soccer....

Actually, it was freezing! It was a miserable last game for Camden. I don't think he minded much. He had a great time with his team. I'd have to say that altogether, I was glad I was able to coach, but I'm sure glad it's over!

DIsneyland

Eddy finally getting to ride the teacups-he talked about "the teapot ride" the whole week before we left. I was just excited that I didn't get too dizzy on them-it was kinda fun! Ed and I had a wonderful time together going on the rides in Fantasy Land-they were just right for his age.

We had so much fun in Disneyland! It was our first time, so everything was especially exciting and new. We loved the detail that was put into everything, the fun main street and Tinkerbell flying over Sleeping Beauties castle. The lines were almost never too long, so we got to enjoy the rides without waiting all day. It wasn't too hot or crowded. As for our favorite rides-I think most of us liked California Screamin', Space Mountain, Soarin' over California, Indiana Jones, the Matterhorn...
Having Jen, Karl, Joren, Kyle and Jonathan with us was a blast! We didn't hang out all day, but we enjoyed meeting them for lunch (PB and J, everyday!) and having dinners together in our hotel.
All in all, it was a magical Diney vacation, just like it was suppossed to be. We only wished we could have stayed a little longer.

Here are Johanna and I screamin' on California Screamin'-you can see how much fun we're having.


Johanna took a liking to Minnie Mouse while we were there and got her Minnie mouse ears. We were lucky to see Minnie standing almost alone, so Johanna and I sprinted over to her to get a picture....classic !

Jennifer and I joined our two tables to make one long table for us all-we are enjoying Jen's delicious stir fry, rice and egg rolls-definately beats a hot dog at Disneyland!

How many families have this exact picture in their scrapbook??? Gotta love it though.