Contentment on a dreary morning

The Very Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Seriously, does it get any cuter than 4-year-olds putting on a nativity play?
The Boy's preschool did a Christmas program for the residents of Country Home Retirement Center. He was a shepherd (the handsome one in the yellow bathrobe).
He makes a pretty stinkin' cute reindeer too.
I had to add this, these are the "surprised" shepherds when the angels came to tell them where to find the baby Jesus.
Happy Holidays!

During the first snowstorm

Wonder in Footy Jammies

A Preschool Education

I have the opportunity of helping out in The Boy's preschool class once a month. Last Thursday was my turn and during a discussion of the Star Spangled Banner, we came to the point of, "the twilight's last gleaming."

Teacher Lisa: "Does anyone know what the word, 'twilight,' means"?
Abby R.: (quite excitedly) "It's a big mommy's movie!"

I guess I'm not a big mommy, as I haven't seen it. Should I be worried that vampires and werewolves have made it into my son's formal education?

Halloween Weekend

The Boy was excited to wear his costume 4 days in a row for Halloween this year.
Thursday was his Preschool Parade
He had an important job which he took quite seriously. He was the police man at the end of the parade. He made sure that people did what they were supposed to and that everyone was safe.
Friday, the kids wore their costumes to story time at the library. I didn't get pictures of that, but I did get some of The Boy and some buddies playing in the leaves later that day.
Saturday was the big day to go trick-or-treating. They both had fun, even though they went during a downpour.
The Queen is a crayon, in case anyone couldn't tell.
Sunday they were able to show Boppa and Diyah their costumes for a Halloween dinner.
Happy Halloween to all!

Harvest

Our garden was quite productive this year and we've been busy...

Totals:
Peaches: 19 qts.
Tomato sauce: 19 qts.
Tomatoes: 14 qts.

Pumpkins: 7

Time to enjoy our garden through the winter!

Twice as Nice

I'm an aunt...twice! Introducing Franki and Jonni Wright, born October 24, 2010. Aren't they beautiful? Congratulations, Mike and Brandy! We are so excited for you and can't wait to meet your sweet babies!

The Dirty Dash

Last weekend held several race opportunities. The event that won out (mostly because we signed up for it about 3 months in advance) was Utah's very first mud run at Soldier Hollow, the Dirty Dash.

From their website,

		Have you ever said to yourself, “Marathons are too easy, and Triathlons are for sissies?” We haven’t either…those races are really hard. Think about it…the first person to run a marathon actually died. HE DIED!...and he probably didn’t even have fun along the way! Well let us introduce you to the new race in town…THE DIRTY DASH. This race puts all other races to shame. The Dirty Dash is where a military boot camp meets your inner five-year-old’s fantasy and subsequently converts boy to man and then…man to swine.

I ran with Mark, his sister, my sisters, and over 4,000 other runners.

All clean to start!

The race began with a muddy, sloshy climb up a ski slope, followed by a blast of freezing cold water. After the "blizzard" came hay bales, walls, tunnels, tires, and a swamp. The obstacle course ends with

the worlds largest water slide

and an enormous mud pit.

We didn't end so clean.
The Borns
The Wrights

Definitely my new favorite race. Big thanks to Kath, who suggested it, and took pictures. More thanks to Mark, Kath, Talena, and Elly for running with and putting up with me, it made it fun! It was great to be a kid again. I'm totally signing up for next year!

She's Two

The Queen is now officially two years old, and what a sweetheart!
The party happened after dinner with Grandma, Grandpa, Keira, Mo, and Josh.
Grandma made her a kitty apron. Hopefully we will have no more squabbles over aprons in the kitchen. Thanks, Grandma!Every now and then, you get the perfect present. We nailed this one.
She is one happy little queen. She wouldn't even come over for her "crink" (pink) birthday cake that she requested, so we brought it to her.Her slice of cake is over in the corner, untouched all evening.

The Queen at TWO
Favorite breakfast: "cakes" (pancakes)
Favorite food: "cheese" (macaroni and cheese)
Favorite color: "crink" (pink)
Favorite activity: used to be chasing The Boy, but as of yesterday, pushing her baby in the stroller
Favorite songs: Mr. Sun, The Wheels on the Bus and I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
Favorite TV show: Curious George
She also loves bubble baths, jammies, kitties, reading books, swinging, and playing in the sandbox.
Happy Birthday Sweetie!

Too Cute

Mark was mowing the lawn on Friday and The Queen decided to help.
She was very careful to do whatever Daddy did...
Even when he got to tricky parts and had a few fancy maneuvers, she was mimicking as best she could. It makes me smile.

First Day of Preschool!

Today was The Boy's first day of Preschool. When did he get so big?

He had so much fun today with Teacher Lisa and his buddies from Sunbeams. His favorite thing was playing with cars (no kidding?) and he is so excited to go again on Tuesday. Mommy and The Queen missed him.

Stretching Summer

School starts for The Boy next week. We got snow in the mountains last week and may get more on Labor Day. I'm not ready for Fall just yet...

...neither are these guys!

Name That Tune

There's a right way to live and be happy;
It is choosing the right every day.
I am learning the teachings of Jesus;
They will help me and show me the way.


Choose the right way
and be happy.
I must always choose the right.

-Primary Children's Songbook

The Boy has started to love Primary (it only took 6 months). We play the Primary songs on Sunday mornings before church and he often likes to sing along...

"Choose the right way
and the left way"

It only makes sense.

Come and Get 'Em...Please!

This is our harvest over the last week (minus one zucchini).

When we were buying plants for our garden we decided to experiment with some "super sweet" tomatoes, not realizing that they were cherry tomatoes. About a month ago, the wind blew all four plants down and I was bummed thinking we wouldn't get that many. Not so! They have gone bonkers! I really can't eat all of these (as I'm the ONLY one in my family who does). Please, if you will be in the general vicinity of my home this week, come and get some!

In case you don't know what you would do with cherry tomatoes, might I suggest a few delicious recipes for you to try.

Cherry Tomato Vinaigrette

Heat 1 Tbs. olive oil in a large frying pan and add 1 to 1 1/2 c. cherry tomatoes. Season with plenty of salt and ground black pepper and leave to simmer gently for 5 min. Add 1 Tbs. balsamic vinegar a pinch of sugar and 1/3 c. fresh basil, roughly chopped. Cook for an additional 1-2 min., then stir through cooked pasta (penne works well).

Lemon Orzo Salad

1 c. orzo (I found it at Target)
1 Tbs. olive oil
2 Tbs. lemon juice, divided
1/2 c. cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 c. diced dried apricots
1/3 c. crumbled feta cheese
1/3 c crushed cashews
salt and pepper to taste

Cook orzo to pkg. directions, rinse in cool water and drain. Toss with oil and 1 Tbs. lemon juice. Add remaining ingredients, toss, add 1 Tbs. lemon juice and toss.

Roasted Tomatoes with Pasta

2 c. cherry tomatoes, halved (this is a total guess, I usually just fill a cookie sheet with them)
2 sprigs rosemary
1/2 c olive oil
8 cloves garlic
1/4 c. red wine vinegar
coarse salt
pepper
1 lb. pasta cooked to pkg. directions
1/4 c. oregano, basil, thyme
1/2 c. crumbled feta

Pour half of olive oil onto cookie sheet and spread evenly. Sprinkle with garlic and rosemary. Wash and cut tomatoes in half and lay on cookie sheet (cut side down). Sprinkle with vinegar and remaining oil, salt and pepper. Put under broiler for a few minutes until pulp has softened and skin blisters (I like to take the skins off, but that's optional). Place pasta in a large bowl, toss with ingredients on the cookie sheet, herbs, and cheese.

Even if you don't take my tomatoes, these recipes are really worth a try (at least I like them).

Godfrey Family Campout 2010

The annual Godfrey Family Campout was last week. It was originally scheduled to be at a campground in the Uintas, but the rain washed it away and the only place we were able to find to accommodate my grandparent's very large family was Gray's River in Wyoming. It was beautiful.
We found out the day before we left that Mark would not be able to go with us. So I ran to the dollar store and purchased entertainment for the 5 hour drive -- just me and the kids. Huge thanks to Adam and Keira who let me follow them up so I wouldn't get lost.

After our arrival we set up and played a bit in the river (okay, so Adam played with The Queen in the river, it was too cold for anyone else -- thanks, Adam). My mom prepared some family history and told stories of our ancestors. I found out that I'm an 8th generation Mormon (on both my grandpa and grandma's side) and that I have an ancestor who crossed the Delaware with General Washington! Pretty fun stuff!

After the campfire, we bundled up and snuggled in for the night -- 35 degrees when we woke up. I made the kids snuggle in the sleeping bag with me until Lucy (my cousin's 8-year-old daughter) made a campfire -- THANKS, LUCY!

The next day rained quite a bit, but we managed to have some fun!
We were able to go on a short hike between rainstorms. Talena carried The Boy almost the entire way (could I ask for a better family? Nope, I got the best one!). My 80-year-old grandma even came...awesome!
There were plenty of ATVs. The Boy mooched a few rides, but The Queen was happy to play on them while they were quiet.
I need to thank my whole family for helping me out so much! Thanks for helping me up and back, and hauling most of my stuff. Thank you for playing with my kids, feeding my kids, taking pictures of my kids, setting up my tent, taking down my tent, and letting me sleep in yours! I couldn't have done it without you! I'll bring Mark with me next time!

Silly Aunty

He's Home!

Yesterday my little brother came home from his mission to Argentina. The day was pretty much laid back and spent with family. Happy to report he is doing well and adjusting beautifully (does ANYTHING phase him?).

Anyway, we are so proud of your service and so happy to have you back with us, Mo!