Grandma Evelyn Young's 95th Brithday Party

I flew to Salt Lake City at 6am on Saturday for my Grandma's (mom's mom) 95th Birthday Party. The party was held in Wallsburg at an old Ward Building that now belongs to the town and is used as a Town Hall. It was great to see Grandma, my cousins, Aunts and Uncles. Grandma had nine children, six of whom are still living. She has something like 46 grandchildren (I'm one of the younger ones) and probably at least twice as many great-grandchildren and many great-great grandchildren.

Grandma loved having her family around. She had been staying with my parents in Idaho and had worried for days about getting to the party in time. We had a great turn-out, 96 family members came. Grandma said it was the best party she's ever been to! Afterwards many of us went to my Aunt Mary's house and hung out talking. We spent a lot of time remembering times long ago and telling stories. We laughed for probably 6 hours straight and ate leftover birthday cake for dinner! I eventually fell asleep on the couch (2 hours of sleep the night before + 1 on the plane). The "older crowd" (my mom's age and up) outlasted my age group and stayed up way past midnight talking and remembering lives well lived. I know this because they were rowdy and kept waking me up! They must have been having a great time because they were up at the crack of dawn starting it all up again. (I think there must have been 30 people stay over at my Aunt Mary's. The floors were covered, the 3 guest bedrooms were filled, the sofas in the three "living areas" were taken....) I've decided they know how to throw a slumber party!

Pictured TOP Photo: my sister, Mirriam and me with Grandma; MIDDLE Photo (top starting at the leftside: my cousin Donette's daughter Frankie Rae; my cousin Donette; my sister Mirriam; my mom Cheryl; my sister Katie; bottom row starting at left: my cousins Stephanie, Alyse and Carie)- these are some of the cousins that I grew up with; BOTTOM photo: Birthday girl!

Caitlin's Field Trip

The kids have about 5 field trips a year. It's a lot, I think. Caitlin's first field trip of the year was to the Peralta Adobe which is the oldest standing house in San Jose'. It's a two room house, one of the photos above is of the more "modern" room. They also had a second room thats decor was pretty primitive (beds, cradle, chairs, etc... made out of animal skins & bones; dirt floors, etc...)

The kids went through stations that had them try out games, work or activities that they did in the time of the Peralta family that lived there long ago. They made "tortillas", candles, clay bricks, etc...

Pictured: Caitlin standing in front of the Adobe house, trying out being a cowgirl, inside the house, and Caitlin at a Farmer's Market with some her friends from school.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATIE!!

I meant to post this yesterday but, wasn't feeling well all day long. But, it was Katie's 28th birthday (my youngest sister)! I hear she had a terrific time! The family had a dinner for her at Chili's. One of her favorite meals is Chicken Fried Steak and I guess they serve it. She loved having the family attend the celebration (Dad, Mom, Grandma, Josh, Aaron, Michelle, Autumn and Summer). It also sounds as if she really got some nice gifts of DVDs and a Hannah Montana and other CDs. Now that the folks live in a city there are more resources available for Katie. One of those is that Katie joined a Special Olympics Bowling Team. She loves it! Not only is she having fun but, she's bowling some strikes ladies and gentlemen. She's one to keep your eye on for the upcoming Special Olympics. Great job, Katie! We are proud of you!....... and Happy Birthday!!

I think I have finally worked out the "pet arrangements". The restraining order against the 4 legged Gilbert has been lifted. The fish is now feeling secure and safe in his new tank especially with the new "NO FISHING" sign posted. (Ha! ... Caitlin's idea!)

So, we are all happy. The fish is eating normally and really moving around. He digs his new home I think.

I have been fighting off the sinus cold. I'm hoping it will go away or I'll have to cancel my flight this weekend to Utah for my Grandma's 95th birthday party.

I just finished helping out for the Primary Carnival last weekend and now I am busy trying to prepare for the two classes I'm going to teach for our Super Saturday in October. Last week I ran all over the city and outskirts searching for needed supplies. This week (thankfully since I'm not feeling well) I am working on helping Miho put together some sign up sheets for my projects and all of the others. I get a new young woman in my Beehive class this coming Sunday. Peyton. Cute girl from a great family. That brings our class size to eight girls, I think. Amazing there were only two girls this time last year.

Update on the fish...

Well, he seems to be hanging in. He started to eat again today and to swim around a little more than normal. He never has been a big entertainer or mover, that I've noticed. Hmmm... maybe he/she is very old. (?) But, I think he's going to make it now. I will be buying him a "cat proof tank".

Sad day for "He Who Must Not Be Named"

... so the kids and I walked downstairs this morning for breakfast and Jared noticed the fish lying on the carpeted floor. He acted quickly and threw it in the tipped over fluted vase that is it's home. I was sure it was dead, but it was not. Jared was feeling very proud of his heroic act. I put the "suspect" in the laundry room for a long time out. Just until I can figure out what to do with the fish. It may seem suprising that our cat didn't enjoy himself a seafood breakfast but, our cat has always been more interested in the hunt as a game rather than a desire to eat the hunted. Gilbert is a very good spider killer. He bats his prey around with his little paws until it is lifeless. Well, that's what my "detective skills" tell me. I've caught him doing the "batting" a few times... but, mostly I just find his dead victims on the floor.

Anyhow, the fish has not been eating and it seems to be spending a lot of time completely still. I'm not sure if he's going to make it or not.

After today, I will spend my Thursday's volunteering in the kids classrooms. I'm loving Jared's teacher, but I'm not sure yet about Caitlin's. I know that she seems to "embarrass" kids a lot when they fail in someway (not turning in an assignment, forgetting something, etc....) I don't like that. I think it's really poor judgmetn and self-esteem damaging.

Hungry anyone??

Don't you just love it when you make friends with a great cook? You get to sample all sorts of yummy food and build your recipe collection (the part of your collection that you use)!

Last week at our Mom's Potluck Luncheon, my friend Karen brought this yummy dish with the chicken on the side (she's so thoughtful of me). The luncheon was on Friday and I've had 3 specific cravings for this dish since then. Enjoy!!

Thai Chicken Salad

Ingredients:
· 1 lb. cooked pasta (spaghetti is recommended)
· 1 bunch cilantro, diced small
· 1 bunch green onion, diced small
· ½ cup soy sauce
· 1 ½ T. sesame oil
· 1/8 - ¼ cup Mongolian Fire Oil
· ¼ cup vegetable oil
· 2 T. sesame seeds
· 1 cup diced, cooked chicken (optional)

Directions:
1. Mix all ingredients. (my photos have the chicken separated because I'm a vegetarian)
2. Refrigerate several hours, or overnight, to allow flavors to blend.
3. Serve cold.

(Mongolian Fire Oil is one of the special ingredients that they use at Mongolian BBQ restaurants, it gives the food that unique smoky & spicy flavor. I found it next to the soy sauce, asian food aisle at our local grocery chain.)

Another new family member...

Some families are just more blessed than others... We got a fish and our friends the Stellings got a brand new baby! One of the very sweetest women in the world and one of my very closet friends, Drady, gave birth yesterday to this little guy. Sander Curtis. He is so lucky to have such awesome parents and a big sister and brother! I'm so happy for them!

Congratulations Peter and Drady!! Couldn't be happier for y'all!!

...a new member of our family...

Caitlin's Activity Days Leader, Tanya McKibben, was giving away this betta fish and Caitlin immediately claimed it. We are not sure if it is a he or she. It used to be owned by the Dunford family before they moved to Arizona. Anyhow... when the question "Can we keep it?" was asked mom said, "ask Dad" and Dad said yes. Caitlin and Jared are happy with their new pet. Gilbert (our cat) has shown some interest but, mostly he's just acting very snobbish and unfriendly.

So our problem has been coming up with a cool fish name that is suitable for a girl or a boy. Each kid has come up with their own name, Caitlin has chosen "Betty" (since it's a Betta fish) and Jared likes the practical "Fred". Mommy suggested Seco (the Spanish word for DRY) but, the kids didn't like my humor. I suggested Freckles, since he has little spots and Jared rolled his eyes and said, "Mom, those are NOT freckles. If you wanted to name somebody Freckles you should have named me Freckles." (Ha!Ha!Ha!)

Well, I guess for now our fish will have to be "He Who Must Not Be Named" until we've come up with a suitable alternative!

Our Date Night Group

(Pictured: Jenesis, Justice, Amber and Bryce)

Two of my friends (Jalaire, Tomoko) and I have started a Date Night Group this month. I watch my own two kids plus five more one Saturday or Friday night a month then Scotty and I get a date night two nights a month (free babysitting). This saves us approximately $60 - $80 a month. It has really worked out well. The kids get along great!

Saturday was my turn to watch the kids. Our adventure began at 5:30pm. We baked Papa Murphy's pizzas (our personal favorite) for dinner, watched Night at the Museum on TV, played BINGO, popped popcorn, made rice crispy treats, watched Scooby Doo and had a lot of fun with the dress up clothes. Most of the kids invented a Super Hero and used random toys and costume pieces to outfit themselves. Amber and Jewel chose to be princesses instead. Great Saturday night fun!

(pictured: Caitlin with Jewel; Jared, and our adventures)

Just stuff...

Saw this picture today when I downloaded a few photos off my camera. I had to share. Here is our big 4th grader standing in line with her class! (The only blonde wearing the white shirt) She is the tallest girl in the 4th grade....

.... remember when she was this size?? (This is Caitlin at approx. 3 weeks old, in the NICU, probably weighing around 3 lbs. even) She caught up to her peers and then some, huh?

And a GOOD BYE to our Jeep. We turned it back in this week after a lease. We'll be replacing it with something new soon. I have to admit that both Scotty and I were sad to see it go. You hear all the time that Jeeps are fun to drive. It is very true! I can see why Jeep has a fan club. It was good to us.

Milestone for Jared

It's been about two weeks ago that Jared started to come in every morning and have us check his wiggly tooth. I think he was so used to our rejection ("Nope, it's not ready yet... maybe tomorrow.") that he was very a little shocked when after I peeked into his mouth Saturday morning I said: "It's time!"

I'm actually surprised that he didn't swallow it during the night as it was lying horizontal and unattached!! Anyways, big day for him! He's feeling very grown up and of course the cash from the tooth fairy's treasury is a BONUS! And this time the Tooth Fairy showed up the very first night!

Can you see those freckles across his nose? They are the perfect smattering of freckles. I absolutely love every one of them. He is a little less happy about them. Apparently, a little girl at school called him Freckle Face. I asked him if it bothers him and he at first said no and then changed his mind. I told him that I am a Freckle Face and his Papa Gary is a Freckle Face, he just grinned. He told me, "Yeah, but you look good in freckles!" (giggle)