Kyle's Birthday

Happy Birthday, KYLE!

T Rex feet stilts.  Did you get to do this as a kid?  If not you have MISSED OUT!! (big food storage cans with twine tied to them)  I LOVED racing on these during field day at school!

Also, the boys are wearing their dinosaur masks we made.

I LOVE this one!

 Jace made the awesome, HUGE dinosaur decoration out of cardboard, paints, and an overhead projector I bought on Craigslist :)

Kyle pretending to be terrified

We had Kyle's bday party Friday, and it was dino-mite! Jace made an awesome dinosaur traced onto Cardboard, that we used for both a decoration and "Pin the tail on the T-Rex" (since we couldn't fit the big animal's tail onto our relatively tiny piece of cardboard! They had a T-Rex relay with stilts, or dinosaur feet. And Lance's game he headed, "Don't Crack the Dinosaur Egg", using a balloon that everyone had to keep in the air so that it wouldn't fall and "crack". Lance did a great job explaining the game to everyone. Cami blew out the candles the first time, for Kyle.
I made a yummy banana cake.  Here's the recipe - cuz Jared loved it and I may have to make it again someday. 'Cept the frosting. I bought Cream Cheese frosting ready made and added food coloring. So much easier and yummy enough!

What You Need

1 pkg. (2-layer size) yellow cake mix
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 3)
1 cupBREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream
3 eggs
1/4 cupoil
1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 cupbutter, softened
1 pkg. (16 oz.) powdered sugar
1 cup finely chopped PLANTERS Walnuts

HEAT oven to 350°F.
BEAT first 5 ingredients with mixer on low speed just until moistened, stopping frequently to scrape bottom and side of bowl. Beat on medium speed 2 min. Pour into greased and floured 13x9-inch pan.
BAKE 35 min. or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely.
BEAT cream cheese and butter with mixer until well blended. Gradually beat in sugar.
REMOVE cake from pan. Carefully cut cake crosswise in half using serrated knife. Place 1 cake half, top-side down, on plate; spread with some of the cream cheese frosting. Top with remaining cake half, top-side up. Spread top and sides with remaining frosting. Press nuts into sides. Keep refrigerated.

Braggin' Rights

Just a few things I'd like to keep record of :)

• Jared got awarded "Resident of the Month".  He works hard! Way to go, Dr. Martin!
• He's also going to be on the Oprah Winfrey Network sometime in October, on a Sat.  I received a phone call asking his job title.  He will be in an episode of "Sweetheart's Homecoming"  Episode 3.
• Jace scored in the top 1% in the nation on last year's MAPS tests. Way to Go, Jace! I told him not to let it go to his head. He's really becoming a teenager lately :) In a good way, of course.
• One night I played Paul Cardall's "Sacred Piano" music to help Lance fall asleep at bedtime.  When I checked on him a bit later, he told me that the music made him feel the Spirit.  I asked him how he knew it was the Spirit, and he said, "my eyes got kind of watery".  Awww!  
• Kyle is counting down the days until his 5th Birthday next month.  He is really getting excited for it.
• Jace scored in the top 1% in the nation on last year's MAPS tests. Way to Go, Jace! I told him not to let it go to his head. He's really becoming a teenager lately :) In a good way.

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

Sealed for time and all eternity in the Provo, UT Temple, 1975

Still smiling (er, laughing!) today!

  Congratulations, Mom and Dad!

Sleeping Beauty in Pink

Today when we returned home from church, Cami was asleep in her carseat, and I took her to soft, comfy bed, without even changing her out of her clothes.  I looked at her for a minute, all in pink (she picked the dress this morning), asleep, and I remembered...

 she loves this blanket (made by Nancy L.)

 ...and my angel Gramma, her great-grandmother, whom she was named after, when she held her in her arms.

 Ah!  Time is flying too fast!

 (her cheeks match the dress - it was hot out there!)

( same blanket! :)  Plus, though she has to speak up and sometimes get quite loud to be heard in this houseful of boys, her brothers still love her. :)

Ditto

...To what she said.  I was reading one of my favorite blogs just now, written by another mother that lost a child, and when she shared the things she misses and wishes could have been, I completely knew what she meant.  I wish Jace could have a buddy like Kyle and Lance have each other.  Just yesterday, Jace gave me another piece of clothing that was too small for him, and when I went to the boys' room (Lance and Kyle), realized once again, that I can't just put it in Lance's drawer, but it would go in "Evan's box" up in the closet - clothing that is right between Jace and Lance's size.  This time I said it out loud for Jace to hear.  "Wish you were here to wear these, Evan.  We miss you!"
Stephanie's writings are so inspiring.  Read on:

Thursday, July 14, 2011

What I Am Missing

by Stephanie

Sometimes my mind leaves the here and now and wanders to the dangerous land of Couldabeen. In this place I see all the things I am missing. Walking through children's clothing stores I see the adorable little girl clothes. My mind instantly misses the little baby girl I could have been dressing in those clothes. My other girls are all shopping in the big girl section now.

Milestones are particularly difficult. An inner voice whispers to my soul, she would have been 4 and saying those funny things and doing those adorable tricks. She would be starting Kindergarten next year. She would be Lauren's buddy.

I see kids her age. I watch them and feel sorrow that my little girl isn't able to learn and grow and experience all they are experiencing. I am sorry for her and for me not being able to experience these milestones of life with her.

I had such a moment the other day. But this time, in the quiet sorrow in my soul that followed the thought of pity at her missing out, there came a feeling. It was a feeling of thrilling joy and exhilaration, but not my own. It was her joy. I could sense it like you can feel the energy off of someone who is really excited about some thing. It was the same sense of joy I had from her the when she finally passed away. She was happy.

And the thought came to my mind,
"Oh, Mom, if only you could see
the things I am doing now..."

And with that my sorrow fled.
I realized I am not missing what she would have been.
If anything, I am missing all she has become.

 

http://adailyscoop.blogspot.com/2011/07/what-i-am-missing.html

Way to Go, Jared!!!

The patients in the hospital Jared works in have the opportunity to fill out comment cards about their experience there.  Here are a few of the comments that were made.


Dr. John Doe:
-“He made me laugh even though I thought my life was ruined.”
-“ He was very helpful and made sure I had a full understanding of my OB
care and my unborn baby health”.

Regarding Dr. Jane Doe-
-“ She was very friendly and helpful with the information provided”.

Regarding Dr. Martin-

-“I love Dr. Martin”.
-“ Dr. Martin is awesome.”
- “Dr. Martin spends time talking with me and explained things.”
-“ Dr. Martin is nice and talks to me and let’s me ask questions.”

Surprise!!!

W

We surprised Jace on Friday for his 11th birthday, just a few days early.  I didn't think we'd pull it off; he's so hard to fool, but look at his face!  He was so shocked, he forgot to smile!  His friends did an awesome job keeping it quiet, and all of them were able to be there!  Happy Birthday, Jace!

Casey and Becca's Visit

Jared finishing the bathroom just in time for them!  (at least part of it :)

Kyle and Casey

Maybe there should be music to escort the new toilet through the living room on a skateboard.

We went to Jace's violin concert soon after Casey and Becca arrived.

Brothers catchin' up in the backyard while Jared grills some steaks.

Grant's Farm

Dinnertime!

Kyle and Cami fascinated with Casey watermelon slices.

Mmm!!

Monday night dancing to, "Hey, Everybody, it's Family Night!"

Bowling on Xbox

Why do the kids love rearranging Casey's face so much??  I have a pic of Kyle doing the same thing at this age.

Cami enjoys pictures on Casey's camera.

We're so grateful we could have Aunt Becca and Uncle Casey come visit!!  The kids are still talking about it!

Memorial Day 2011

Thank you, Casey for the picture.  It is so sweet to see Evan's grave being taken care of back in Utah.

I took a closer look, and first, I thought it was just tons and tons more of white daisies for Evan.  Haha, just kidding :)  but then I asked Jared, "Is that snow?"
That question was answered on Facebook later when I read someone in Utah complaining about the snow in May.  I guess I would complain, too, if I knew what I could be doing if it were warmer...

Here is Lance's face when he heard about the snow in Utah today:

Meanwhile, here in St Louis, it reached 94 degrees today.  The pool down the street had an open house with lots of yummy food, including pulled pork, hamburgers, hotdogs, etc.  I didn't know about the food and had to leave Jared and the kids to walk back home and take the lazagna out of the oven.  What a relief not to have many dishes to do when we got back!

It was so nice to have Dad come today!  He worked last night and got a few hours of sleep before I woke him up to come with us!

Jace back diving

Lance walking on water

Kyle singing, "I believe I can fly!"

Super Dad!

Cami thought about it, and thought better, like her mom.  I'm a wimp for the cold water.  It gets warmer with the summer days, and I can wait for that.

Jace believing he can...

 

 Lance took this one.  Maybe I'll frame it :)

I remember playing at the beach with Evan.  And hangin' with my Gramma in California.  And being at the cabin with Jared's grandparents, who bought the cabin many years ago.  I miss them each so much, and can't wait to see them again!  Surely there are pools, diving boards, and sunshine in Heaven!

Kids' Bathroom Part 5: It's USEABLE!!!

So the goal was to have it useable by the time company arrives.  Mission accomplished!!!



Casey and Jared admiring our beautiful new vanity!



Check out the faucet!!!  Jared isn't crazy about it.  We had a discussion about functionality versus looks, and I went for looks :)  Isn't it way cute?
Backing up this story a step:  I bought a functional, stainless steel faucet a while ago, and Jared asked me if this is the faucet I really want.  I was just trying to get that shopping part done.  So I shopped around more and found this awesome bamboo one!  I figured, since I'm going with a beach theme in this bathroom, THIS IS PERFECT!  I was actually really excited about it, unlike the way I felt about the boring, functional one.  So, way to go, Jared, for sending me back to the store!!!
And, way to go, honey, for putting our bathroom back to it's functionality!!



Here's another fun fact:  Jared wasn't planning on starting this bathroom so soon after our last one was done.  He says I just started pounding away at it before he was ready.  Way to go, me and, actually more high fives to Kyle!!!  Just think how pink it would be still, if I hadn't handed the hammer over to him!!

Gyros

Ah, I miss the Utah State Fair.  We used to go every summer with Jared's family.  The food there was a big part of the fun for them.  I love the gyros we enjoyed.  I've always thought it would be fun someday to try making some.  Tonight, I did it.  With a big help from Jace.  The preparation time is estimated at 3 hrs., 45 min.  That was about right.  I don't think I'll be making this every week.  But it was good.  I found lamb meat at Sam's club.  Here's the recipe:



Tzatziki Sauce:

16 ounces plain yogurt
1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded, and finely chopped
Pinch kosher salt
4 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
5 to 6 mint leaves, finely minced

Place the yogurt in a tea towel, gather up the edges, suspend over a bowl, and drain for 2 hours in the refrigerator.
What?!  How in the world do I do that?!  So I gave Jace my paper towels filled with yogurt and asked him to figure it out.  He's a chip off the old block.  Here's what he came up with:

Place the chopped cucumber in a tea towel and squeeze to remove the liquid; discard liquid. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the drained yogurt, cucumber, salt, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, and mint.  I used two bowls:  One with mint leaves, the other with fresh dill leaves.  They were both so yummy! Serve as a sauce for gyros. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to a week.

Meat:


1 medium onion, finely chopped or shredded

2 pounds ground lamb

1 tablespoon finely minced garlic

1 tablespoon dried marjoram

1 tablespoon dried ground rosemary

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper


Here's the directions I want to try next time I make it.  But today, I just cooked on the skillet.  I used paper towels instead of the tea towels.  Them Greeks must have had a lot of tea towels!  I found my paper towels to work just as good :) 
 
Process the onion in a food processor for 10 to 15 seconds and turn out into the center of a tea towel. Gather up the ends of the towel and squeeze until almost all of the juice is removed. Discard juice.
Return the onion to the food processor and add the lamb, garlic, marjoram, rosemary, salt, and pepper and process until it is a fine paste, approximately 1 minute. Stop the processor as needed to scrape down sides of bowl.

I think I'll make this again on a day I have a LOTTA time on my hands!!

Kids' Bathroom Part Four: Plumbing Completed!

Well, at least for the vanity. Who needs plumbing in their shower anyway?  (it's only 50 yrs. old)
I picked up our shower door this morning (yay!) I cannot wait to have the final touch on our bathroom done! Then we can totally move back in! It's been since Christmas!  Lance would say, "That's totally, like, in the day."


Today I sealed the grout and Jared finished this beautiful new drain.  Previously, he moved the copper piping over so it would fit into our vanity and the drawers don't any pipes.

Voila!  Jared's plumbing work completed.  Just need to drywall over that... Oh, and put a vanity in.



... and a toilet.

Our plan is to have this bathroom useable by the time Casey and Becca get here from Utah (Jared's brother and his wife) on Tuesday.  Think it'll happen?

The kids are so excited!  Kyle wanted to know if they are bringing their horses.  I had to tell him they wouldn't fit on the plane.