Photo Tag

Okay, so here are the rules:

1. go to the document/ my pictures site on your computer
2. go to your sixth file
3. go to your sixth picture
4. blog about it
5. tag 6 people

Jeff just cleaned out our picture file to our external hard drive to make more room, so my 6th picture is:
BYU Creamery's Chocolate Mint Brownies

I made these in the Fall after I got the recipe from the BYU Alumni Association. They are to die for. But, since that isn't all THAT interesting with no people in it, here is the 16th picture:
Corbin and Quinton on a sick day in October. Huh... we just got through another week like that- interesting. Look how little hair Quinton has... and those pants on Corbin (you can barely see), they now fit Quinton. Wow.
Anyway, I now tag:
1. Grandma TeeTee
2. Haley
3. Jen Parcell
4. Breanna Thomas
5. Danielle Web
6. Tiffany Bryant
Have fun!

Phoenix Children's Museum

Corbin's favorite channel to watch is 8, PBS kids: you know Cailou, Sesame Street, Curious George, Clifford, Sid the Science Kid, Super Why.... etc. (I don't let him watch all of those everyday, but those are his favorites). Well, the other day we saw a commercial for a FREE day at the Phoenix Children's Museum with appearances from Elmo, Grover, and Roxie the cow courtesy of Shamrock Farms. Jeff and I have been wanting to go, so we jumped at the opportunity and got there early Saturday morning. It's a good thing we did because it was a ZOO! We sampled Shamrock Farms' new Essentials milk line and made our way through the museum. It was perfect for Corbin-- he's at that age to soak it all in and have enough patience to figure out how things work and why. He loved it. We could have spent hours there had it not been so packed. Next time we'll definitely have to go when its not free to the public so we can take more time and see more things. Nonetheless, 2 hours was just enough time and all 4 of us enjoyed it. Here are a few pics:

New do...

I have a good thing going. I trade watching my niece 3 days a week for haircuts. My sister-in-law, Sarah is great at hair and she always does a good job- no matter what I ask for. Well, Friday night I was due for a cut and color and I was truly just going to get a trim and highlight as I fade back to blond for summer. As I was washing my hair Sarah randomly asked, "So do you want to chop your hair in a A-line long bob? I thought for a minute and said, "Why not?" I know my husband loves long hair on me, but I gotta try new things while I can so... I chopped my hair. What do you think?

Short and blond with long bangs? (today's picture)

Or long and brunette? (taken in December)
I like them both for different reasons, but it is kind of fun to be blond again with such a cute cut! Who knows what I'll try next. :)

The F'OSCARS 2009

One reason for our lack of posts lately is due to our participation in our ward's F'OSCARS (or fake Oscars). This is the inaugural annual event in our ward and as the Ward Executive Secretary (with mad editing and budding-photography skills) and the Laurel Advisor, Jeff and I got to participate in this big event. You're probably wondering what in the world the F'OSCARS are? Well, here is a brief run-down: The youth are broken into small "casts" and given a topic (or 2) from the For the Strength of Youth Pamphlet in which they write their own script, use their own costumes, set, and props to film a 5 minute movie. The leaders then "professionally" edit the films and they are passed to the "Academy" for review. The night of the F'OSCARS is a black-tie, red carpet affair where the youth come in their gowns and bling to receive awards in 17 different categories. It was ablast! Jeff and I spent a lot of time filming, editing, decorating, outfitting, and photographing the event. The film titles this year were:
Modest is Hottest
The Adventures of Language Man & Honesty Girl
Attack of the Evil I-Pod
Health Z-Man Style
Wednesday Night Fever
Turtle and Hare: When Animals Run
The Do's and Don'ts of Dating
Here is a small slideshow from the big night (Jeff actually took over 250 pics, so this is really just a glimpse):

Happy Valentines Day!

This was a Sweet Deal my girlfriend Natalie informed me about... it's on its way to the grandparents, and now here for your viewing pleasure:

Hope you all have a SWEET day tomorrow, whether you have an "official" Valentine or not.

Obsessions...

...Balls & Rocks
Does anyone know what it is about boys' obsessions for things like soccer balls and rocks?
Ever since he could hold both items in his hand, Corbin has been OBSESSED...
He thinks this blue shirt is his soccer uniform and he wants to wear it everyday... and asks me to take him to soccer practice. On our mild winter days he loves going outside to kick around his soccer and bouncy balls, shoot the basketball, hit the baseball... and pick up rocks.

Here's a glimpse into the mindset of a 2 year old boy:

Video to come

Quinton is sure to pick up on the same obsessions because he watches Corbin's every move like a hawk and "talks" to him in his own baby-brother language!

That mischievous face usually means we'll find some rocks in the fountain as well as a few in the pockets of his pants and jacket...

... but I stand corrected, these are not just rocks, they are "treasures Mom-- see?" (in that reverent whisper voice).

When I was a kid, I didn't mind playing with balls (I was sandwiched between 2 brothers and had a sport fanatic of a dad) and I actually played on the basketball team in Junior High, so that part makes me hopeful about Corbin, but I really cared less about rocks.... that's the boy thing that intrigues me. I guess it means he's got a great imagination... he sometimes finds "special" ones or names some of them and finds special spots for others. Now, if only we could drive it home that we only throw BALLS, not rocks!

Solar Chef...

...in training!

My wonderful mom (and dad) gifted my 2 sisters and I with the thing I wanted most for Christmas... a Solar Oven!
Not just ANY solar oven, the "SOS Sport Solar Oven".

Have you heard of this kind of technology?... it's ancient! (joke) People have cooked and baked using the sun for centuries... even before technology, gas, and fire! It's the original energy efficient form of preparing healthful food. This has been on my wish list for a few years mainly as an emergency preparedness precaution.... meaning I would get one to put in my years supply but didn't think I'd really use it much. BUT, then I attended a solar cooking class to learn more about this medium of cooking and I was SOLD! I tasted the food, learned the benefits, and saw how EASY it was and now I make 2-3 meals a week this way! In winter! The other day we enjoyed chicken stir fry:(that's frozen chunks of chicken breast with spices... I added in the veggies later and did the rice in a separate pot)
We have also had chocolate cake, shepherd's pie, camper's stew, and just last night we had tacos and corn... all from the solar oven. It's so simple, so flavorful, and the best part is you don't have to worry about it over-heating! Leave it in there as long as you want/need, it won't burn!

Here are some great facts about solar ovens:

• low cost
• energy efficient/green, uses FREE sun power (no heating the house all day and then re-cooling it, an average of $3 for every 1 degree to cool your house down)
• low temperatures produce tender, nutritious meals
• one-pot cooking
• can cook almost everything! meat, breads, dessert, soups, veggies, rice, beans, pasta, etc.
• no additional water is needed allowing natural vitamin and mineral retention
• light weight
• weather resistant (works anywhere as long as you can see your shadow, even in -40* F!)
  
• portable (take camping, boating, to the beach, BBQs)
• constructed from recycled products
• FUN TO USE! (just add food and sunshine)

And there is my sales-pitch for Sport Solar Ovens. You really should check them out. They were originally developed by solar engineers to be used in sun rich, fuel poor areas of the world (i.e.- Madagascar, Afghanistan, Africa, etc.), but have caught on for the US consumer and now are more affordable than ever! I'm in love... and I actually am more excited than ever about cooking for my family, so I know they're grateful too. So, really, I'm no chef but this solar oven sure makes me feel like one!

A Child's Prayer

You know you're doing something right as parents when...
you're 2 year old tells you he said a prayer all alone (un-prompted and unassisted) at the park!

Here's the story:
Wednesday morning, I had arranged to meet some friends at the park for a fun play date and to take advantage of our gorgeous AZ winter weather. As I was headed out the door with the diaper bag over my shoulder, three books in my hand, the baby car seat (with my 20 pound baby in it) in my other hand and my cell phone pushed up to my ear listening to my messages-- -I managed to slam my middle finger in the door. OUCH! Air-head moment. Corbin was immediately concerned and Quinton stopped babbling to stare at me as I quickly set everything down in the garage to assess my finger. It was throbbing for sure and a huge blood blister was already forming... so I threw the kids and stuff in the car (that hurt) and ran back inside for an ice pack. I couldn't cancel my play date-- 2 year olds live for action like that (and so do their moms, sad but true.)

So, with picnic lunch and 2 children and hurt mommy in the car we finally made it to the park-- 15 minutes late, but we made it and it was a ZOO! I greeted my friends and watch Corbin run off to greet his (with his soccer ball in hand). Unfortunately one girlfriend, who was on call for work, got called in so she had to leave... but we were pleasantly surprised by an old girlfriend who has since moved out of state and was back in town for a visit. We enjoyed conversation, lunch, the warmth of the sun, and watching our toddlers try to interact and play with each other.


After about and hour or so it was just me and Amanda each with our 2 kids. We gave them the 10 minute warning and they ventured off into a HUGE empty retention basin (within plain sight) nearby. Corbin had brought his soccer ball you see and he and Lexi were actually playing with it-- the right way, kicking it back and forth and running across the basin... further and further away from us. Finally their curiosity got the best of them and they were beginning to climb the hill on the opposite side of the field. It was too far for comfort so Amanda and I began calling to them to come back. Well, Lexi listened to her mother like a good little girl. Corbin-- is a 2 year old boy (with the likes of Curious George) and refused to follow Lexi or listen to me. So, yes I resorted to the only thing that works - sure fire- - - threats. I started packing up and told him I was leaving... and I put everything in the car, climbed in and sat there, watching Corbin run across the field. Sad, I know. But-- then he stopped running and sat there in the middle of the field watching the car. I got out, walked to the edge of the field and told him to hurry. He asked me to pick up his ball, but I refused (trying to teach him a lesson) so he slowly kicked it up the hill to me. When he finally made it to me his face was bright red and he eagerly reached for my water bottle. I briefly lectured him about "listening and obeying" (a hot topic at our house right now) and we got in the car and drove off.

As we passed the field Corbin started to explain--
Corbin: "Right there mommy, (pointing), that is where I said a prayer."
Me: (shocked) "A prayer? Who said it? Lexi?"
Corbin: "No. Me."
Me: "Oh. What did you say in your prayer?"
Corbin: "Heav Father, please bless me to be strong like daddy. Bless me to get to the car. Bless mommy not to leave me. Name u Zhesus Christ, Amen. Like that mommy."
Me: (nearly in tears) "Oh, that is a great prayer Corbin. Did Heavenly Father answer you?"
Corbin: "Yeah. But I'm not big like daddy yet mommy."
Me: "Well, you keep praying like that and it won't be long, buddy. I'm proud of you."

That doesn't explain why he didn't listen, but it does explain why he stopped in the middle of the field on his way back to the car. He didn't feel strong enough to do it, so he had to ask for help from above. So, after a crumby morning of roller coastered emotions... I am once again humbled... and taught by my 2 1/2 year old... and I feel like I might just be getting through to him, at least on the most important things, right? That's what we call the faith of a child... or
A CHILD'S PRAYER.
Now, if only I could be more like him and ask for help from above when I don't exactly feel strong enough...like when I slam my finger in the door!

For Sale

Yes, our house. Pass the word.

If you know of anyone who would like to buy... let us know.
Front

Side yard/backyard

Bedroom 3

Bedroom 2

Loft

Living Room

Master Bedroom

Entry (looking into kitchen)

Kitchen

Why, you ask? Well, we are at a crossroads... we have several big decisions to make including job transfers/changes, moving, career decisions, etc. and it might just take us out of state. Jeff is following his dream of working in law enforcement and has several options, or transferring out of state in his current job. We are just trying to get in a better financial position for when all these changes occur. Stay tuned....