No Fear

I am not sure that this picture really needs a lot of commentary...just be glad that you aren't our insurance company!!

My Dining Room Makeover

We have a small space that was intended, and used for the last 3 years, as a formal dining room. The word "formal" being the deciding factor, we passed on all of our hand-me-down dining room furniture and we now have so much more room to live. We built a desk for homework and computer play. We painted a family tree. We added a rug and here is our new space.


*If you don't like your picture on our tree, or if it is missing completely (Nana and Grandpa) then please send us one that you like!! I really want the kids to feel connected to family, and knowing faces is the most important.

"KONG"

This is the garden spider that has been living on my front porch for the last 5 months. We lovingly refer to him as "Kong." I know that many of you may wonder why I haven't "disposed" of him long ago but I guess I feel like keeping him around is an educational experience for the kids. I mean, sometimes they do throw moths into his web. Plus, I don't have a shoe big enough for the disposal. I guess it's my, more eco-friendly version of my brothers' spider jars.

Thanksgiving Day Fun

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

This morning we got up super early and went, in the pouring rain, to the school to set up our annual Turkey Trot, a 1 1/2 mile fun run sponsored by the PTA. We had a fair turn out considering the conditions, the pouring rain, and Ben and the kids all participated. Michael won the race over-all in 11 minutes, in the pouring rain. Jasen came in 2nd place in his age division, in the pouring rain. Emma came in 1st place in her age division and Spencer rode on Ben's shoulders nearly the whole run, in the pouring rain. I took pictures, ran registration, handed out awards and ate donuts! Oh, did I mention that it was raining?


Later that morning, Ben and the boys went down to the school field and played a very wet and muddy game of football. They had a blast!!

We enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving feast with wonderful friends. We are so thankful for the friends and family that bless our lives.

My Unexpected House Guest

This lovely little friend was running around my house the other day. I actually thought he was a toy at first. Imagine my shriek of surprise when he made a little dash. He is between 12 and 14 inches long, and I think he is very pretty

Dana Point In November

Michael is learning to surf!

Fall Colors

Living in Southern California, without the beauty of the seasons changing, has always been a little bit of a bummer for me. However, this is the view from my family room window, every night around 6 p.m. I really can not complain to much! I feel gratitude in my heart for the beauties all around!

A Mother's Greatest Fear

Do I worry about my children and what kind of teenagers they will become? Of course, who wouldn't. I have to admit however, that I take my kids and all their goodness for granted far to often. This last Friday, Halloween night, I got a look at what the future of one of my children could hold and frankly, it was terrifying. I will never take his sweet cheeks and gentle hugs for granted again!! And every night while he sleeps I will whisper in his ear, "I am a GOOD BOY! I will ALWAYS listen to my mother." Hoping for the best is good but a little brain washing is GREAT!!

Happy Halloween

The Two Spencers

Ward Chili/Pie Cook-off

As many of you know, I have no delusions when it comes to my abilities in the kitchen. I have never really had the time or inclination to become more than proficient when it comes to food prep. Jasen, on the other hand, is becoming quite a master. He researched, found a recipe and then made a fabulous Green Chili for our ward's annual Chili/Pie Cook-off. It was so yummy and it won!! I am quite proud of him!!

Emma and I made a Pear/Maple Pie for the cook-off and it won as well.
I am a little less proud about the pie, as I stole the recipe from the Family Fun Magazine. I am glad the kids enjoy participating so much!! They are so great!! This is our pie recipe. Jasen's is "secret"! Sorry!!

Pear Maple Heaven Pie

Filling
5 ½ to 6 cups peeled ½-inch diced just ripe pears (about 8 small pears)
1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
Pinch of salt
¼ cup sugar
¼ cup maple syrup
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
½ teaspoon ground ginger

9- or 9 ½ -inch deep-dish pie crust

Topping
2/3 cup flour
½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
½ cup packed light brown sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup chopped walnuts
1/3 cup cold butter, cut into 1/4 inch pieces


Heat oven to 400 degrees. Sprinkle cornstarch over diced pears and stir well. Add remaining filling ingredients and toss gently until evenly combined. Pour into chilled pie crust. Smooth out the fruit. Place on center oven rack and bake for 45 minutes. (A piece of foil on the rack below your pie will save you lots of messy drips in the oven.)

Now make the topping. Combine the flour, oats, sugar, salt and nuts. Mix. Add the butter. Using your hands, rub the ingredients together until you have large crumbs. Refrigerate until you are ready to use it.

After 45 minutes, lower the oven temperature to 375 degrees. Remove pie from oven (watch out for drips) and carefully pour the topping crumbs in the center of the pie, then spread them evenly. Return the pie to the oven and bake until juices bubble thickly, about 15 minutes. Cool pie for at least an hour before serving.

YUMMY!!!

Happy Birthday Emma

When I was one I had just begun!


When I was two I was still brand new!


When I was three I was still hardly me!


When I was four I wasn't much more!


When I was five I was barely alive!


But now I am six and I am clever as clever, and I think I'll stay six forever and ever!

My Kitchen Makeover

The Sneeze Pee!

I have heard of this phenomenon...the sneeze pee...but until last night it was just a whispered, or alluded to, ghost to me. I actually have always prided myself on my super strong bladder...seemingly untainted by four angry pregnancies and inumerable long road trips with few stops. Last night, however, my bladder let me down and in the middle of a very violent sneeze I leaked. I was shocked and embarrased but my reaction was a frighten fit of laughter which only added to my leakage. No one in my home knew what had contributed to my apparent lapse in sanity. Infact, my little children hid behind my big children. Looking back I am sure I was a perfect picture of lunacy...hysterically laughing and then leaking and then laughing some more. Fortunately, I am cured of both the laughing and the leaking...at least until my next monster sneeze!!

Michael won the Presidency!!!

If you want to listen to Michael's surprisingly silly speech you probably need to put a temporary end to the sound track attached to my most recent slide show. Click on the little black "slide" icon in the upper left hand corner of the slide show. A little speaker will appear. Just click it once and Weezer will be silenced!!

Michael's Student Body Presidential Election Speech

Lovin' the Beach!!

Our Summer Fun!!

Chivas USA

Michael and Jasen are ball kids for the professional soccer team Chivas USA. Check you local listings and maybe you can see them work their magic!!

Which One Is Acting?

So, I ask you, which one of my children is acting in this picture? Not a single one....except maybe Spencer who wanted desperately to be walking along the railing.

Check out my Slide Show!

Tim Tam Slam

The Lewis family have blessed our lives once again...with the "Tim Tam Slam." Their unconditional love and friendship aren't all that bad either, but back to "The Slam."

First, you fill a bowl with hot chocolate. Next, you bite off both ends of a chocolate covered (and filled-ummmm, chocolate) wafer cookie. On the count of three, and with the shouts of "GO" from hundreds of munchkin voices (or just one Emma voice-they are the same) you suck hot chocolate through the wafer cookie like a straw. As soon as the hot chocolate reaches your mouth you must suck up the cookie before it dissolves...without using your hands. It is a delightful, chocolatey, messy crazy fun family game. Thanks Lewises...we look forward to playing it with you when you return from the land of camels and sand!!