Nature Walk

Makenna's preschool class went on a little (hour-long!) walk along the Lagoon Trail this afternoon. Parents and siblings were invited, so Kasidee and I tagged along. Except for it being quite warm, it was an enjoyable walk. I thought Makenna would cling to me (like she always does), but she and her new friend Molly were inseparable. So cute!

Tooth #3

Kiera's Saturday morning ritual is to wake up early (sometimes earlier than she has to for school!) - but thank goodness she's thoughtful enough to not wake anyone else up. She tiptoes around, gets a snack and watches Saturday Morning Cartoons till everyone else finally rouses. This morning the silence was shattered by her screaming, "Mama! Mama! Hurry!" Freaking out, I thought she was hurt or there was a spider or something. As I met her on the stairs, she produced her loose tooth that had fallen out. Whew. This poor tooth had been literally hanging by a thread for weeks. She had even gotten to the point of talking with her mouth clenched so the tooth wouldn't wobble around. Good thing it's finally out!

Trick!

This is Kasidee's latest trick. She tends to do it when Kiera and Makenna are doing cartwheels or ballerina twirls. Just trying to keep up, I guess!!

Happy Birthday, Johnny Appleseed!

Well, apparently today is Johnny Appleseed's birthday. He would be 234 years old if he was still alive. Kiera's school has been doing all sorts of apple activities this week to celebrate. In fact, today they'll be making applesauce. How fun. Anyway, at breakfast this morning, Kiera softly said, "Mama? Today is Johnny Appleseed's birthday. I wanted to make him a card, but I know he wouldn't get it. So I prayed to Heavenly Father that Johnny Appleseed would have a good birthday today." What sweet, simple faith and thoughtfulness! That's our Kiera!!

The Greatest Show on Earth

THE GIRLS GOT TO TRY ON CIRCUS CLOTHES!

MR. TALL MAN AND QUENTIN'S CLOWN NOSE



Last night we went to the circus! I was a little nervous and wasn't quite sure what to expect. But I figured the girls have never been, and Quentin and I hadn't been since our family reunion in Wisconsin about 10 years ago. So we figured it was time to go, and it would be neat to experience something different! Kasidee stayed with Granny at her house, and we joined Corbin, Nikki, Marina and Roman at the circus. It was fun. It was crazy and loud and overwhelming and strange, but it was fun. The girls especially loved the elephants and tigers; Quentin and I liked the motorcycles in the steel cage and the trapeze artists. All in all, it was a fun experience - perhaps one we will enjoy again in a few years!

Lucky Day!

Makenna was SOOOO excited to get the cutest little Halloween card in the mail yesterday afternoon. It was from the Rock Loft/Secret Haven where we went a couple of weeks ago. Inside it said she had won a "door prize" and that she could come in to get it. Yippee!! She was so excited, so we had to go get it right away. Pretty cool, eh?

Last (?) Pool Party

Kasidee riding in the "Swim Bag!"

For several weeks now, every time we go swimming, I figure it's the last time we'll swim till next summer (well, I know we can swim anytime at the indoor pools, but we don't go very often in the wintertime). Anyway, I think this really was the last time. Last night for Family Home Evening, our neighbors invited the whole ward over to their house for swimming, hot dogs and ice cream. Even though the air was crisp, the water was SOOOO warm. What a perfect way to spend a late summer/early fall evening!

Risotto Recipe

I guess I should have learned to post the recipe when I show a picture of what we had for dinner! I'm just never sure if anyone is interested in the recipe. Anyway, here's the recipe for the Risotto from one of my previous posts. You have to pretty much stand by the stove when cooking the risotto since you have to stir it pretty constantly, but oh - it is so worth the effort! Let me know if any of you try it!

1. Bring 6 cups of vegetable broth to a boil and keep simmering on the stove.
2. In another pot, saute 1 cup diced onion, 2 diced carrots and 3 stalks diced celery in 4 Tablespoons olive oil over medium-low heat for 4-5 minutes.
3. Add 2 cups risotto rice (arborio rice) and toss with vegetable/oil mixture.
4. Add one cup of hot broth to rice mixture. Stir constantly until liquid is absorbed.
5. Gradually stir in remaining broth, one cup at a time, cooking and stirring until liquid is absorbed before adding the next cup (total time is about 20 minutes).
6. Add 1 can corn (drained and rinsed), 1 can Great Northern beans (drained and rinsed) and 1 can sliced black olives (drained).
7. Season to taste with salt, pepper, cumin and/or garlic powder.

Bounce Bounce Bounce

Today we had a two-hour playtime at Backyard Adventures with Corbin, Nikki, Eric, Mischelle, and all of our kids (thanks, Corbin & Nikki!) We got to play on the bouncy toys, have pizza, and just goof off. It was fun. From there, we went to Ikea (I LOVE that store - it gets me in the mood to paint or decorate or something!) Then we went to Cabella's and checked out the huge aquarium - the girls loved the huge fish! From there, we were going to head to Eagle Mountain to pick up a trailer from our friends, but they called to let us know the tailer tire was flat and it would take till next week to get it fixed. So since we were out that way, we HAD to have dinner at my favorite place - Sweet Tomatoes. There are only 2 locations in Utah, and they're both pretty far from our house. So anytime we are out "that way," we make it a point to go there. Yum!

Risotto

(Sorry about the blurry photo. I need a better close-up camera)

Dinner tonight was risotto. Yum. Can you tell I've been into "comfort foods" lately? I guess that's what Fall is for. Risotto is hearty, savory and creamy. Mmmmm... I'm still stuffing my mouth with it (as I type!) - I can't get enough!

Puppy Prayer

(Warning: this got to be kind of a long story as I typed it. It will probably be boring for you to read, but I wanted to record this for posterity!!)

Makenna has been a little obsessed with some Littlest Pet Shop creatures that she acquired for her birthday. She's been particularly attached to a little puppy and likes to take it everywhere with her. On Saturday we made a quick trip to Walmart and we warned her that she probably shouldn't take her puppy in the store. We didn't know she had put it in her pocket till we saw her puppy prancing on the store shelves. Well, I bet you can guess what happened. Yep - we got to the car and Makenna said, "Oh no! My puppy!" So she and I went back in and retraced our steps (which were few), but no puppy was in sight. When we got to the car, Kiera began crying about the lost little puppy but Makenna's face was like stone. Quentin promised the girls that he would come back later and look for it. When we got home, I spied Kiera saying a sweet little prayer that Heavenly Father would be with the little puppy and comfort it and keep it safe. She also asked that we might be able to find it. This was around 2:00 and our afternoon and evening were jam-packed with things to do and places to go. Finally around 9:30 (after our ward swimming party), Quentin pulled into Walmart's parking lot and said he'd look for the puppy. While he was in the store, the girls and I offered a little prayer. I know it might seem silly - first of all, the puppy is replaceable, and second of all, this should teach Makenna a lesson, right? But Makenna simply said, "Heavenly Father, I'm sad about my puppy. Please help." How simple and sweet. When Quentin got to the car, he wordlessly started the car then quietly asked, "Well, should we go home?" The girls nodded with tears in their eyes. Then he reached in his pocket and pulled out the little puppy. Makenna's eyes were huge as she gasped and reached for the puppy. She pulled it close to her face, closed her eyes and just sobbed. Foolishly, I figured that maybe Quentin bought another puppy (isn't that what parents do to protect their children?), but no - these girls' humble prayers were answered. Quentin went in the store and began going down every aisle. Finally he decided to check the checkout line we were in. A different cashier was there, but he asked her if she had seen it. She wasn't sure, but she said she had found something earlier and turned it into customer service - not to the lost and found department, but it was put in a basket to be returned to the selling floor. It could be anywhere! But Quentin went to the customer service area and began looking through the baskets. The first one he went through, he saw the puppy toward the bottom corner! It's kind of a silly story, but I'm sure the girls will look back at this event throughout their lives and remember that Heavenly Father hears His children's prayers. Even if things don't always turn out how WE would have it, He still hears us and loves us and answers us.

Maybe...

This evening as Makenna and I were making cookies, she began eating an apple as we waited for the cookies to finish baking. She came across a few apple seeds and asked if she planted them, if they’d turn into an apple tree. I said yes, then began explaining that there are different kinds of seeds that grow different things (like watermelon seeds and apple seeds might look similar, but they each grow different things). She nodded her head then said, “So chocolate must come from M&M seeds. . . .”

Parade and Pool Party!

Saturday could have been called a ward party day. Kiera and Makenna (and me too!) were part of a Stake Children's Parade. Each of the 9 wards in our stake was assigned a country (ours was Italy) and we got dressed up and had props and walked from the Stake Center to the park, where they had popsicles, a band, and the kids all sang the Primary song "Children Holding Hands Around the World." The kids had so much fun and loved trying to spot their parents and friends lining the streets. A little while after the parade, our ward had a party at the Rec Center in Bountiful. We had dinner and had the whole pool just for our ward. The girls always like going to the Rec Center, but they especially liked being able to be with all their neighborhood friends! What a weekend!

First REAL Day of Preschool

Makenna FINALLY started her first "real" day of preschool today - meaning, without Mommy or Daddy there. The teacher said there were a few tears at first, but then she was okay. She was so excited to tell us all about her day - she picked her nametag off the wall, learned how to hoola-hoop, and best of all, she got a tootsie roll. Wow - it makes me want to go to preschool too!

Dinner

Tonight I tried a new recipe for tortilla soup. I looooved the tortilla soup my cousin Mischelle made up camping, and I wanted to see how this recipe compared. It was good, but not as good as Mischelle's. So if anyone is interested in her recipe, you can check it out - her blog is listed in the right-hand column under "Mischelle" and it's on her January 11, 2008 entry. Her recipe has chicken in it, but she made a vegetarian version for me that had vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and kidney beans instead of chicken. Yum! For dessert, I tried a super-simple recipe for "Baked Apple Slices." You just slice up some apples, toss them with a little sugar and cinnamon and microwave them (I don't know why the recipe is called BAKED Apple Slices!) till they're tender, then add a little maple syrup. Yum. It tastes like apple pie filling, which is perfect since that's the only part I like in apple pie! Here's to Fall eating!

Little Cinderella

I guess I've trained my kids well - at least the youngest one. Last night, Kasidee found a napkin and began dusting and cleaning everything in our family room, even the bricks on the fireplace. I just wonder why her older sisters complain every time it's their turn to clean!

Things That Make You Go Hmmm...

Well, I guess we (did I say WE?!) are the "proud" new owners of a 1991 Honda 4x4 Four-Wheeler. Hmmm. It all started back in May when we went to our niece's baptism up in Riverside (see my May 31st entry). Chris and Wendy have the perfect place for riding four-wheelers - they can go out their backyard and ride for miles. Plus, they all enjoy riding and all 6 of them have their own. But they let us take their four-wheelers for a spin when we were up there in May - and since then Quentin was obsessed. And when Quentin becomes obsessed, it doesn't end until he gets it. I have heard all about four-wheelers for 3 1/2 months. He's researched them a lot, finally found a good deal, and used his quarterly bonus for it. So there ya have it. He sweetly said if I had any reservations, he wouldn't get it. But how could I deprive him of something he's wanted HIS WHOLE LIFE (or at least the last 3 1/2 months)?! I'm nervous for lots of reasons, but oh well. The smile on his face was, well, priceless!

Kids Say the Darndest...

Some of you who have been to my house have probably noticed the sign in my bedroom of Kiera's quote. When she was 4, she woke up, sat up in bed, and with a huge smile, looked around and said excitedly, "Mama! I've never had this day before!" I loved that so much that I had a sign made so I could always remember it. Well, I recently (finally) added a sign for something Makenna said nearly a year ago. Several times as we walked Kiera to school, Makenna would look around, sigh, and say, "Ahhh...a yummy day!" So cute! I want to always remember the excitement and innocence my girls have for a brand-new day!

3 Little Monkeys

Tonight the girls and I went to the Rock Loft (Secret Haven) for their Halloween open house. We had planned on going with Nikki and her kids, but a traffic jam prevented them from being able to go (we missed you guys!) The employees (and a few customers) were totally decked out in their witch costumes - Kiera loved it (especially since she wants to be a witch this year), but Makenna got a little spooked and kept asking if we could go home. Anyway, I couldn't leave empty-handed, and I spotted these awesome little pumpkins. They are so neat, and I absolutely love them - they make me all fluttery inside! Pretty cool. And something even cooler - there's a new-ish store by the Rock Loft called "3 Little Monkeys." Soooo cute! They've got the cutest little toys and children's books. They're a little expensive, but they've got things you can't find everywhere - except maybe online! Anyway, it gave me a lot of ideas for Christmas, and I know we'll be back - they have a weekly storytime! Yay!

Lazy Weekend

This is how most of our pictures turn out. Quentin wanted a picture of his "4 girls," but Makenna always pouts when it comes to picture time. So here it is.


What a lazy weekend. It has felt so nice and has been a much-needed break for all of us. We've been going, going, going for so long and the next 4 weekends are pretty much booked, so it was nice to have a breather! We spent Friday night at Corbin and Nikki's (Eric and Mischelle were also there) - the girls always like to play with their cousins. Saturday morning we all slept sooooo late (9:00!) then had waffles for brunch. Later, we checked out the store Bukoos - we had never been there before. It was fun. There's a LOT of junk, but if you look hard you can find some great deals. We got some brand-new kids books that have been on my "list" for 3 bucks (regularly $17) and a few DVDs. Quentin was excited to find the Indiana Jones 3 DVD boxed set (regularly $40) for $21! Yay! After that, we visited my Grandma and Mom. Then today after church, Quentin wanted to try an experiment. He has been suffering from a nasty ear infection since Wednesday. He's been on antibiotics for a few days, but he says it still feels like a knife is stuck in his ear. Anyway, he wanted to drive up Farmington Canyon to see if the altitude would make a difference. Crazy enough, it did - up at the top, his pain lessened. But coming back down, he was in pain again. Yuck. Poor guy! Anyway, being up in the canyon made Quentin all giddy about his new obsession - getting a 4-Wheeler. I'm not sure I'm supportive of this (at least not till we have a cabin or some property to drive it on!) but once Quentin's obsessed about something, it doesn't go away. But it was a nice little drive for us - we went all the way up to the top, where we could see Davis County on one side and Morgan on the other side. And we were even so high that we could see the Great Salt Lake all the way around Antelope Island. The girls thought that was pretty neat. Toodles till next time! :0)

Mmm...Moroccan Stew - Part 2

Okay, so I've had a few requests for my Moroccan Stew recipe. Here goes: (Oh, this serves 6 but I always double it so we can eat it for a few meals). Let me know if anyone is brave enough to try it - it's SOOOO yummy!

1 cup lentils, washed
3 cups water
1 carrot, diced
1 onion, chopped
1 to 2 cups pumpkin or butternut squash
1 15-oz. can petite diced tomatoes
1 15-oz. can corn, drained
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cumin
3 garlic cloves, pressed
1/2 tsp. black pepper
3/4 tsp. ginger (dried)
1 15-oz. can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained

1. Place the lentils in a pot with 3 cups water and bring to a boil.
2. Partially cover and cook over low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Add the vegetables, spices and chickpeas; partially cover and cook 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. If the stew is too thick, add boiling water to thin.
5. May serve over rice or couscous.

First Day of Preschool (Sort Of)

Makenna's been wearing her backpack all morning, waiting for preschool. It doesn't start till the afternoon, so it was a long morning. She was SO excited! Today was just an orientation meeting - the kids got to color their snack placemats and the teacher talked to the parents. Makenna will be going to the same preschool Kiera went to (in our old neighborhood) - it is fabulous! She can't wait to go but she's also glad Mommy can come in once a month to be the parent helper. I don't know - something about preschool gets me all excited inside. Maybe someday I'll be a preschool teacher - that would be such a fun job!

Mmm...Moroccan Stew

The pic above is not very flattering (blurry, not "plated" very prettily, etc.), but I wanted to share what we had for dinner tonight: Cumin-Scented Moroccan Stew. Yum. There's nothing like cumin. It's warm, fragrant, comforting. Mmm - my favorite spice. And when cumin is paired with garbanzo beans, lentils, tomatoes, carrots, celery, onions, garlic and brown rice, well, it's almost heavenly. This cooler weather has really gotten me in the cooking mood. I've been going through my recipes, making my mouth water over Fall flavors - sweet potatoes, baked apples, pumpkin pancakes, butternut squash, stews...yum!