Bryan gave Tytan a beautiful blessing. Tightly swaddled, Ty slept peacefully in the cultural hall after the big event.
We loved spending time with Ty and his mom and dad later that evening.
Family, Friends, and Fun
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Tytan's Blessing Day
Tytan David Cook was blessed on Sunday evening following General Conference. Uncle Craig had to leave early and wasn't able to be there for Ty's blessing, but he loves his new nephew!
Bryan gave Tytan a beautiful blessing. Tightly swaddled, Ty slept peacefully in the cultural hall after the big event.
We loved spending time with Ty and his mom and dad later that evening.
Bryan gave Tytan a beautiful blessing. Tightly swaddled, Ty slept peacefully in the cultural hall after the big event.
We loved spending time with Ty and his mom and dad later that evening.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Chef Craig
Being the expert chef of such unforgettable and complicated dishes as cheese pieces, cold cereal, orange juice and hot dogs, you can understand my excitement when I came home to find Craig at the stove preparing something in the wok.
The tantalizing aroma filled the house (it is making my mouth water just remembering it!) and my anticipation for dinner had me sneaking an early peak into the wok to see what was creating such an olfactory sensation. Let's see, there was a special kind of rice with ham, scallions, and other vegetables plus a unique sauce. As we eagerly dished out our helpings we knew we were in for a culinary delight. Craig explained that this was a common main course in Taiwan. He wouldn't divulge his recipe even after our pleading (and threatening).
As I sat down to eat I noticed that there were these two sticks where my fork should have been. They were about twelve inches long and one quarter of an inch in diameter at the thickest end tapering down to about one eighth inch. You guessed it--chop sticks. The object is to somehow hold the sticks so that you can also grab and lift the food. It is supposed to arrive at your mouth before it falls back to the plate. (Do you know how small a grain of rice is? Whoever invented this technique for eating probably died of starvation.) Craig was chowing down on the food and seemed to easily handle the sticks. Mary Lee was doing pretty well herself. I was learning first hand why the Chinese are not as tall as Americans: They almost starve to death, and by the time that they finish one meal it is time for the next, but because there is no time to earn a living they have to skimp on either the food or the work. Thus we see that the invention of the fork has enabled Western Civilization to succeed because people can eat in short enough time to have time for work (and play).
Craig is really a good cook. The food was great--one grain at a time.
The tantalizing aroma filled the house (it is making my mouth water just remembering it!) and my anticipation for dinner had me sneaking an early peak into the wok to see what was creating such an olfactory sensation. Let's see, there was a special kind of rice with ham, scallions, and other vegetables plus a unique sauce. As we eagerly dished out our helpings we knew we were in for a culinary delight. Craig explained that this was a common main course in Taiwan. He wouldn't divulge his recipe even after our pleading (and threatening).
As I sat down to eat I noticed that there were these two sticks where my fork should have been. They were about twelve inches long and one quarter of an inch in diameter at the thickest end tapering down to about one eighth inch. You guessed it--chop sticks. The object is to somehow hold the sticks so that you can also grab and lift the food. It is supposed to arrive at your mouth before it falls back to the plate. (Do you know how small a grain of rice is? Whoever invented this technique for eating probably died of starvation.) Craig was chowing down on the food and seemed to easily handle the sticks. Mary Lee was doing pretty well herself. I was learning first hand why the Chinese are not as tall as Americans: They almost starve to death, and by the time that they finish one meal it is time for the next, but because there is no time to earn a living they have to skimp on either the food or the work. Thus we see that the invention of the fork has enabled Western Civilization to succeed because people can eat in short enough time to have time for work (and play).
Craig is really a good cook. The food was great--one grain at a time.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Dad's peach pie
Dad made a peach pie last night--his favorite!
Now, it's not that I don't ever make dessert. It's just that I make it for special occasions, like birthdays, or holidays, or Father's Day. Most of the time, I think Bryer's and Nonni's biscotti serve the purpose just fine.
In fact, once when someone praised Craig for being such a great dessert maker, I overheard him explain why, "Well, Mary Lee hardly made dessert when we were growing up. She said if I wanted dessert, I'd just have to make it myself. So I did!" Just for the record, I told Craig he could have any dessert he wanted, as long as he made it himself. A great strategy, don't you think? Desserts are now his specialty!
But I guess that while I was gone last week Dad decided to take matters into his own hands. So he bought some Marie Callendar's pie crusts (ooops--was that supposed to be a secret?) and some Utah peaches. After mellowing in the fridge for a week, last night they were finally perfect.
Aaaah. The anticipation of that first bite!
Notice the made-from-scratch glaze...
...and how the sides stay firmly in place after cutting. (Note also the size of the piece.)
"So, how was it?!" I ask, camera in hand.
Okay. I guess we're done documenting for the blog. Still, I think there's a smile in there somewhere. (Any doubt where Kaitlyn gets her "look" from?)
How do I think the pie turned out? Delicious! I think I'll just let Dad make the pies from now on.
Now, it's not that I don't ever make dessert. It's just that I make it for special occasions, like birthdays, or holidays, or Father's Day. Most of the time, I think Bryer's and Nonni's biscotti serve the purpose just fine.
In fact, once when someone praised Craig for being such a great dessert maker, I overheard him explain why, "Well, Mary Lee hardly made dessert when we were growing up. She said if I wanted dessert, I'd just have to make it myself. So I did!" Just for the record, I told Craig he could have any dessert he wanted, as long as he made it himself. A great strategy, don't you think? Desserts are now his specialty!
But I guess that while I was gone last week Dad decided to take matters into his own hands. So he bought some Marie Callendar's pie crusts (ooops--was that supposed to be a secret?) and some Utah peaches. After mellowing in the fridge for a week, last night they were finally perfect.
Aaaah. The anticipation of that first bite!
Notice the made-from-scratch glaze...
...and how the sides stay firmly in place after cutting. (Note also the size of the piece.)
"So, how was it?!" I ask, camera in hand.
Okay. I guess we're done documenting for the blog. Still, I think there's a smile in there somewhere. (Any doubt where Kaitlyn gets her "look" from?)
How do I think the pie turned out? Delicious! I think I'll just let Dad make the pies from now on.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Breakfast Tea Party
Ali got up at about 6:30 (I'm guessing--I was still asleep!) and brought up the little table and chairs from downstairs, then set the table with the pink and purple tea set, even though she would have much preferred blue dishes.
Max woke up and we brought him down to join us. Mmmmmm. Hot chocolate and Trix!
Noticing the lack of healthy choices, we quickly pulled out the Teddy Grahams and High School Musical gummy figures. After all, this was Grandma's last day!
Later in the morning Max and I went out to the garden for some truly healthy food. Max loves the cherry tomatoes. He calls them "gahden!"
Kaitlyn said she wanted to show me something. She tipped her glasses and exclaimed, "Ooh la la!"
Max and Kaitlyn loved playing with the neighbor's toys.
"Okay, I'm ready to play ball!"
"I wonder where you put the gas in this thing."
Megan, Nathan, Ali, Kaitlyn and Max, it was so much fun to spend time with you! We're really looking forward to having you and the rest of the family down to Tucson for Thanksgiving.
Max, I miss hearing you say, "Tayko, Fafa!" (I'm not sure how "Grandma" became "Fafa," but Max can tell you. "There you go" and "Thank you" are both "Tayko." That's efficiency for you.)
Max woke up and we brought him down to join us. Mmmmmm. Hot chocolate and Trix!
Noticing the lack of healthy choices, we quickly pulled out the Teddy Grahams and High School Musical gummy figures. After all, this was Grandma's last day!
Later in the morning Max and I went out to the garden for some truly healthy food. Max loves the cherry tomatoes. He calls them "gahden!"
Kaitlyn said she wanted to show me something. She tipped her glasses and exclaimed, "Ooh la la!"
Max and Kaitlyn loved playing with the neighbor's toys.
"Okay, I'm ready to play ball!"
"I wonder where you put the gas in this thing."
Megan, Nathan, Ali, Kaitlyn and Max, it was so much fun to spend time with you! We're really looking forward to having you and the rest of the family down to Tucson for Thanksgiving.
Max, I miss hearing you say, "Tayko, Fafa!" (I'm not sure how "Grandma" became "Fafa," but Max can tell you. "There you go" and "Thank you" are both "Tayko." That's efficiency for you.)
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Kaitlyn's first day of preschool
This morning after our walk Kaitlyn played with Max in his room while I took a very quick shower. She was so sweet with him, even giving him his "paci" and his "buddy" (a stuffed bear that he sleeps with).
Kate was very excited about going back to preschool. I don't know if it was the anticipation of the preschool activities that she remembers from last year or the fact that she can finally wear her new school clothes! She kept asking how many minutes till her carpool would pick her up, beginning with 105 minutes. Finally the time arrived, so I took some pictures of her in her new preschool outfit.
Kait's ride was late and it was getting warm sitting outside waiting on the front steps in the sun. The next thing I knew, Kaitlyn ran inside and got her sun glasses. We found some for Max, too.
Yesterday I posted a picture of Kaitlyn and her best friend, Raeya, and so today I took a picture of Ali and her best friend, Jaden, Raeya's brother. This afternoon after school, Ali and Jaden decided to walk around the neighborhood to look for jobs they could do to earn money. They were careful to reassure me that their moms had let them do this once before, as long as they only knocked on the doors of people they knew. They cleaned the glass doors to the back patio for me for 25 cents each--and they did a great job!
I have really appreciated Ali's help this week. She is always so willing to do what I ask and so kind and helpful to Kaitlyn and Max. Kaitlyn has been a lot of fun and she has generally behaved very well. She is very socially savvy and some of the things she says are hilarious: "FYI, I'm going to do [whatever]." And Max is a charmer! He stands up after being changed so I can put his pants back on and more than once he has surprised me with a big wet kiss or a crazy, raspberry kiss! He has insisted on sitting in a regular chair rather than his booster seat, and has generally done very well at meal times, maybe because his bowl/plate is closer to his mouth :).
This evening after dinner, I rushed to get the kids loaded into the car to take Ali to gymnastics. I had printed out directions and managed to remember to take books for Kaitlyn and books and a bottle of water for Max. The books didn't last long, so we went back outside and sat in the car and Max was entertained for the rest of the 50 minutes pushing every button on the console. He spent a good half hour yesterday at the kitchen sink, turning the faucet on and off over and over, and flipping a wet paper towel around. He is so delighted when he can make something happen. On the rare occasions when he hasn't wanted to do something (like go down for his nap or for the night), I remember that Nathan said his best parenting technique is distraction. I've tried that strategy and it definitely works, but I think Nathan and Megan are a lot better at it than I am!
In fact, I have such an increased appreciation for what Megan goes through every day, especially when Nathan is out of town. As she said the first time when Max got upset shortly after I arrived, "Welcome to my life!" She is amazing and it has been so clear this week how well she and Nathan have done in raising the children. Everyone knew the routine and the rules and they were very good at following them. Bravo!
Ali and Kaitlyn and I talked about having a tea party tonight after we put Max down, but it was too late when we finally got home. (I admit to getting a bit turned around when I tried to read the directions in reverse.) So we decided to have it tomorrow morning at breakfast. When I first mentioned it, Kait was all over it, but Ali said, "No, no!" (not being a girly girl). But she soon warmed up to the idea and now it seems she's looking forward to it.
Kate was very excited about going back to preschool. I don't know if it was the anticipation of the preschool activities that she remembers from last year or the fact that she can finally wear her new school clothes! She kept asking how many minutes till her carpool would pick her up, beginning with 105 minutes. Finally the time arrived, so I took some pictures of her in her new preschool outfit.
Kait's ride was late and it was getting warm sitting outside waiting on the front steps in the sun. The next thing I knew, Kaitlyn ran inside and got her sun glasses. We found some for Max, too.
Yesterday I posted a picture of Kaitlyn and her best friend, Raeya, and so today I took a picture of Ali and her best friend, Jaden, Raeya's brother. This afternoon after school, Ali and Jaden decided to walk around the neighborhood to look for jobs they could do to earn money. They were careful to reassure me that their moms had let them do this once before, as long as they only knocked on the doors of people they knew. They cleaned the glass doors to the back patio for me for 25 cents each--and they did a great job!
I have really appreciated Ali's help this week. She is always so willing to do what I ask and so kind and helpful to Kaitlyn and Max. Kaitlyn has been a lot of fun and she has generally behaved very well. She is very socially savvy and some of the things she says are hilarious: "FYI, I'm going to do [whatever]." And Max is a charmer! He stands up after being changed so I can put his pants back on and more than once he has surprised me with a big wet kiss or a crazy, raspberry kiss! He has insisted on sitting in a regular chair rather than his booster seat, and has generally done very well at meal times, maybe because his bowl/plate is closer to his mouth :).
This evening after dinner, I rushed to get the kids loaded into the car to take Ali to gymnastics. I had printed out directions and managed to remember to take books for Kaitlyn and books and a bottle of water for Max. The books didn't last long, so we went back outside and sat in the car and Max was entertained for the rest of the 50 minutes pushing every button on the console. He spent a good half hour yesterday at the kitchen sink, turning the faucet on and off over and over, and flipping a wet paper towel around. He is so delighted when he can make something happen. On the rare occasions when he hasn't wanted to do something (like go down for his nap or for the night), I remember that Nathan said his best parenting technique is distraction. I've tried that strategy and it definitely works, but I think Nathan and Megan are a lot better at it than I am!
In fact, I have such an increased appreciation for what Megan goes through every day, especially when Nathan is out of town. As she said the first time when Max got upset shortly after I arrived, "Welcome to my life!" She is amazing and it has been so clear this week how well she and Nathan have done in raising the children. Everyone knew the routine and the rules and they were very good at following them. Bravo!
Ali and Kaitlyn and I talked about having a tea party tonight after we put Max down, but it was too late when we finally got home. (I admit to getting a bit turned around when I tried to read the directions in reverse.) So we decided to have it tomorrow morning at breakfast. When I first mentioned it, Kait was all over it, but Ali said, "No, no!" (not being a girly girl). But she soon warmed up to the idea and now it seems she's looking forward to it.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Ali loses her tooth
This morning Ali and Kaitlyn drove over to the bus stop in the Power Wheels, and I followed with Max in the stroller. After the bus came, Kait drove back and then I put her and Max in the double jogging stroller, which is surprisingly easy to push. We walked for about an hour with Amy Moore and her son Gavin, the back door neighbors. Later in the morning, at Kait's request and Amy's gracious assent, we went over to her house and the kids played for about an hour.
In the afternoon, Kait played with Raeya, her best friend. As soon as they arrived at our house, they decided they wanted popsicles, and of course Max wanted to join them. Having learned from experience, I took his shirt off and sent everyone out on the back patio. He was in heaven and soon very drippy and sticky. I got a "before" shot, but didn't have the energy for an "after"--I was too busy cleaning him up!
Ali's best friend, Jaden, who is Raeya's brother, met her when the bus dropped her off. (Jaden and Raeya are home schooled.) Ali and Jaden spent quite a while deciding what they would like to order from the new Scholastic books catalog. (Craig and Michelle, do you remember those days?! Camille, you probably do too!)
After dinner we walked up to the park, but it began to rain, so we raced home. We decided to watch the DVD of old cartoons that I had given Ali. I'm sure they dated back to when I was their age! We popped some popcorn. After a couple of cartoons, we got everyone bathed and into their PJs. Then we watched another cartoon and it was time for bed.
Ali has been working on her loose tooth for several days. Before leaving, Megan made sure the Tooth Fairy was prepared with a dollar bill. This evening Ali was finally successful in working out the tooth. Hurray! She put it in a snack bag and stuck it deep under her pillow. I adjusted the location before she went to sleep to make sure the Tooth Fairy wouldn't miss it.
In the afternoon, Kait played with Raeya, her best friend. As soon as they arrived at our house, they decided they wanted popsicles, and of course Max wanted to join them. Having learned from experience, I took his shirt off and sent everyone out on the back patio. He was in heaven and soon very drippy and sticky. I got a "before" shot, but didn't have the energy for an "after"--I was too busy cleaning him up!
Ali's best friend, Jaden, who is Raeya's brother, met her when the bus dropped her off. (Jaden and Raeya are home schooled.) Ali and Jaden spent quite a while deciding what they would like to order from the new Scholastic books catalog. (Craig and Michelle, do you remember those days?! Camille, you probably do too!)
After dinner we walked up to the park, but it began to rain, so we raced home. We decided to watch the DVD of old cartoons that I had given Ali. I'm sure they dated back to when I was their age! We popped some popcorn. After a couple of cartoons, we got everyone bathed and into their PJs. Then we watched another cartoon and it was time for bed.
Ali has been working on her loose tooth for several days. Before leaving, Megan made sure the Tooth Fairy was prepared with a dollar bill. This evening Ali was finally successful in working out the tooth. Hurray! She put it in a snack bag and stuck it deep under her pillow. I adjusted the location before she went to sleep to make sure the Tooth Fairy wouldn't miss it.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Sugar Cookies
This morning shortly before dawn, Ali slipped quietly downstairs and turned on cartoons. I asked her if she wouldn't rather sleep in, and she said, "No, I always get up at this time." So much for sleeping in on a holiday! I decided I might as well get in my workout before the others woke up. So I did 30 minutes of stairs. Megan and Nathan are really set up for stair workouts with four flights of eight stairs each.
Kaitlyn got up at about 7:15 and Max woke up shortly after 8:00 a.m. We had breakfast, then I hopped in the shower, while Ali and Kate watched Max. We played Twister, then I gave them their little gifts (more workbooks), and they worked on them for a while. Ali has really enjoyed the High School Musical "mad libs" book. We have had fun asking each other for parts of speech, then reading the crazy paragraphs we came up with!
Later in the morning we decided to watch the DVD I had brought, "The Velveteen Rabbit." So Ali, Kaitlyn, and Max settled into the oversized leather chair with a comforter and their workbooks, while I popped some popcorn. They said they were allowed to eat it in the living room if they were very careful--which they were, including Max! We all enjoyed the movie.
After the movie, Max decided to give us a little shoe fashion show. He really loves wearing other people's shoes!
I discovered that Ali and I share a love of photography. She showed me the great shots she had taken at the zoo with Nathan's and Megan's "old" camera. She took lots of shots this afternoon. (Note that Kaitlyn has updated her outfit since this morning.)
After we put Max down for his nap, Ali and Kaitlyn and I set about making sugar cookies. They did a great job! They participated at every stage of the process: measuring, dumping, mixing, rolling, pressing out shapes, frosting and decorating. They didn't even snitch without asking. Impressive! We made about five dozen soft, delicious sugar cookies. They reminded me of the ones Camille made once on Valentines Day from Barbara's recipe.
Ali and Kaitlyn took a couple plates of cookies over to the neighbors behind us, then stayed to play for a half hour or so while I cleaned up and then woke up Max (thank goodness for naps). I put him in what looked like a new designer outfit because the Carlsons (the other grandparents) had invited us over for dinner. Big mistakes: Not hiding the cookies before Max came down (they were on the counter top, but he knows how to climb up) and dressing him in that new outfit before giving him a cookie with chocolate frosting. I did have the presence of mind to send everyone outside to eat the cookies, so I preserved the clean floor, but lost out on the shirt. I quickly took it off and rinsed out the chocolate, so there was no permanent damage, but the substitute shirt wasn't nearly as stunning :).
I was very grateful that Grandma and Grandpa Carlson had invited us over for dinner, because I was pretty much done in the kitchen after nearly four hours of sugar cookie making. Dinner was delicious and I enjoyed catching up with Rick and Sheila. Our children all have such great in-laws, which isn't surprising since they chose great spouses!
Kaitlyn got up at about 7:15 and Max woke up shortly after 8:00 a.m. We had breakfast, then I hopped in the shower, while Ali and Kate watched Max. We played Twister, then I gave them their little gifts (more workbooks), and they worked on them for a while. Ali has really enjoyed the High School Musical "mad libs" book. We have had fun asking each other for parts of speech, then reading the crazy paragraphs we came up with!
Later in the morning we decided to watch the DVD I had brought, "The Velveteen Rabbit." So Ali, Kaitlyn, and Max settled into the oversized leather chair with a comforter and their workbooks, while I popped some popcorn. They said they were allowed to eat it in the living room if they were very careful--which they were, including Max! We all enjoyed the movie.
After the movie, Max decided to give us a little shoe fashion show. He really loves wearing other people's shoes!
I discovered that Ali and I share a love of photography. She showed me the great shots she had taken at the zoo with Nathan's and Megan's "old" camera. She took lots of shots this afternoon. (Note that Kaitlyn has updated her outfit since this morning.)
After we put Max down for his nap, Ali and Kaitlyn and I set about making sugar cookies. They did a great job! They participated at every stage of the process: measuring, dumping, mixing, rolling, pressing out shapes, frosting and decorating. They didn't even snitch without asking. Impressive! We made about five dozen soft, delicious sugar cookies. They reminded me of the ones Camille made once on Valentines Day from Barbara's recipe.
Ali and Kaitlyn took a couple plates of cookies over to the neighbors behind us, then stayed to play for a half hour or so while I cleaned up and then woke up Max (thank goodness for naps). I put him in what looked like a new designer outfit because the Carlsons (the other grandparents) had invited us over for dinner. Big mistakes: Not hiding the cookies before Max came down (they were on the counter top, but he knows how to climb up) and dressing him in that new outfit before giving him a cookie with chocolate frosting. I did have the presence of mind to send everyone outside to eat the cookies, so I preserved the clean floor, but lost out on the shirt. I quickly took it off and rinsed out the chocolate, so there was no permanent damage, but the substitute shirt wasn't nearly as stunning :).
I was very grateful that Grandma and Grandpa Carlson had invited us over for dinner, because I was pretty much done in the kitchen after nearly four hours of sugar cookie making. Dinner was delicious and I enjoyed catching up with Rick and Sheila. Our children all have such great in-laws, which isn't surprising since they chose great spouses!
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