Yummy Granola Recipe

I made this recipe yester, and we've been snacking on it all day. Everyone really likes it, so I'd thought I would pass it on. I got this from my mother-in-law and it's great!

Yummy Granola

4 cups quick oats/regular oats
1 cup coconut
2 cup rice crispies (about)
1 cup slivered almonds/walnuts
½ cup brown sugar (optional)
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
¼ cup oil
¼ honey
¼ to 1 cup flax seed (optional)
¼ to ½ cup wheat germ (optional)
1 cup raisins

Blend all together. Put on ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake at 300 degrees for 20-25 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, and stir again when it comes out.

We've only eaten it plain, but I know my mother-in-law really likes it with yogurt too. Hope you like it too!

Liken Series "Esther and the King"

I might've posted about this movie and the series before but here we go again. I just got an email from "Liken" and their trying to get their movies into regular retail stores, not just sold on their sites. They've been trying for almost 5 years and haven't had much success. However, Walmart just decided that they'd give it a try. Starting on March 2, they will have a handful of "Esther" movies for sale for just under $15 (which is about $5 cheaper than you can buy them on the Liken site) in nearly every Walmart across the U.S. Depending on how this movie sells, they will add more of the titles. You can go into the Walmart stores or order online at http://www.walmart.com/ip/13326085

I highly recommend this movie. My kids love it and can sing along with all the songs. It follows the scriptural story in the bible very well, even the songs. It is a musical, so there are several songs, but they do a good job teaching morals and faith in their production. It also adds a little humor, but doesn't take away from the message. Samuel has been more interested in fasting because of this movie.

I just thought that if any of you wanted to get a good family movie that is perfect for Sunday afternoons or any other day of the week, this would be a great chance. It would be nice to have more of these movies in stores!

Calista's birthday!

I know this is a late blog, but better late than never right? Calista turned 4 on January 31st. She is so excited to be in Primary this year. I'm actually glad that she's an older sunbeam because she sets a good example. She loves singing, so singing time is probably her favorite part. Although she really likes her sunbeam teacher too. She sits very attentive during singing time, and knows most of the regular primary songs already. This last Sunday the primary got to go up and sing "I love to see the temple" in sacrament meeting. I almost forgot to send Calista up there, but she was so excited to be one of the older kids! And she did a great job up there too!!

Mom helped me make the birthday cake. Aaron and I happened to be in Pendleton the night before so mom baked the cake and I got to add the icing.

Calista's sunbeam teacher stopped by the next day and gave her birthday balloons and a bunch of other little toys. She got playdough, bouncy balls, sunglasses (which she cheerfully shared with Ellen after choosing her favorite color), crayons and two little puzzle/games. She was excited and it was just yesterday that the balloon bit the dust (only because people were fighting over it).

We got Calista a pair of pants, her own sleeping bag, a new bicycle bell, and some princess games - bingo, go fish, and a puzzle. I think she was excited! Now we just need to fix her bike tires so she can ride the bike that goes with the bell!

Prego Update

"Clovis" as we call it (because it don't like to be touched) seems to be thriving in its environment. It hasn't developed much of a personality yet, but seems to be growing rapidly and establishing its territory. Next time you are around the area, stop in and we can show you how the experiment is coming along. It will be interesting to see how it all turns out. As long as it doesn't grow green hair all over it and stink the house up, I think I'll be okay with it.

By the way, you all disappointed me. I thought the last "prego" blog was pretty obvious, but apparently not. Maybe it was the picture I used.

Happy Anniversary!!

Today is our 8th anniversary! I can't believe its been 8 years already. It has been such a wonderful time filled with a lot of fun memories. I am so grateful to be married to this wonderful man. He is such a great example to those around him and his kids. I am thankful that he loves to spend time with me and especially with the kids. They love to play "the slugly ug," chess, evil lion, uno, phase 10, shooting guns, playing at the reservoir, listening to him play the guitar at bedtime, singing to the songs he plays during the day, working on projects out in the shop, cuddling on the couch, or just sitting down to read a book with their dad. He is so wonderful and I'm so glad that I get to spend eternity with him. We will be able to make so many more memories together. I love you Aaron!

Four Months Old!

I got prego sometime back between October and November. Of course I didn’t think much about it for a while, and like most things that stay in the fridge for long periods of time, it started growing extra parts. I’m not one to bring attention to things like that, and sometimes I try to even hide it by putting other things in front of it. However, there comes a time when I just can’t ignore/hide it any more, so out it comes. I bet it has a pretty good kick to it by now too. You know how much we like science projects and surprises, maybe I should just leave it there until July and see what happens then. What do you think?

Samuel's questions

The kids and I were driving home from volleyball tonight. Aaron stayed home and worked on his clutch with the neighbors. On the way home this was Samuel's conversation with me:

S: "What if dad's not home when we get there?"
M: "Then he'll be at the neighbors' working on the truck."
S: "What if he's not there?"
M: "Then he'll be home."
S: "But what if he's not home or at the neighbors?"
M: "Then I don't know where he'll be."
S: "Maybe he'll be at the store."
M: I look at the clock, its 9:30pm. "No he's probably not at the store at this time of night. Most of the stores are closed."
S: "But maybe one store is open, and dad might be at that store."
M: I gave up. "Sure...yep he might be at the store!"