Birthday Season

Three out of six of our little family's birthday's take place within two weeks of each other. The rest are spaced out pretty well. April and May are busy times for us! We have two grandma's, countless aunties, uncles and cousins, plus mine, Kelly's, and Logan's birthdays...plus Mother's Day. So here is the official Happy Birthday wish to all our family and friends who recently celebrated or soon will celebrate their big day. I'll try to list them off, but forgive me if I leave anyone out. Here goes: Etano, Michelle, Nathele, Emilie, Gary, Grandma Marcia, Little Kelly (who's not so little anymore, but was named after my Kelly and that's still how we distinguish between the two), Anson, Kekoa, Kekai, Grandma Winna, Kelly, Logan, Nickie, Trey, Jared N., Jeremy L., Dave W.,...Out. Of. Breath.

Anyway, I had a great birthday. We got together at Rochelle's house with a few friends to eat goodies and play games. Rock Band was a big hit! "Shut up, when I'm talkin' to you!" was our favorite lyric:) I was also surprised to get a really cute set of dishes that I'd been eyeing in front of my friends. They were pretty sneaky. Thanks guys! Kelly also cooked a good dinner (he smoked a turkey and had all the fixin's. So yummy!) and then we had cake and ice cream with more friends on my actual birthday.

Kelly's birthday was yesterday. I asked what he wanted for his birthday dinner and he requested Soy Sauce Chicken, rice and broccoli. Jeremy made a cake for him the night before, so he wanted chocolate chip cookies instead of another cake. Oh, how I wish I had pictures of the cake Jeremy made him...He was super tired because Bronson kept us up all night the night before with a fever, so the rest of his present was letting him go to bed by 8:00...He woke up to chocolate chip cookies to take to work.

Logan's birthday is this Sunday. It will be kind of special because eleven years earlier, she was born on my first Mother's Day. I can't believe I've been a mom for eleven years! All Logan really wants for her birthday is cash...she and Maika get to spend some time with family in Utah before the rest of us go down and she wants to save for that. She won't admit it, but is SUPER excited to see the Jonas Brothers at the Stadium of Fire with her aunties and cousins. I know I brag about Logan all the time, but I really couldn't ask for a better kid! She's a good student, athlete, sister, friend and daughter. She is also peppered with some major attitude at times, but we enjoy that too. Most of the time. She is a great help to me and I want her to know that I appreciate all that she does to help me. Whether it's chores around the house or entertaining her siblings while I try to get dinner on the table, she helps! Not always with a smile on her face, but the important part is she does it. Love you, Sis!

Happy Birthday, Everyone!

ps. I'll post pictures when I can find the cord to my camera...

Sibling Rivalry

Remember this post? This morning I found a sibling!!

It took some time

It took some time to get over the way the Jazz let me down to finally post about it. Just kidding! Even though they lost we still had a great time. Thanks for a great Christmas present, Kelly!

I ended up catching a ride in with my friend Darilyn and her friends so Kelly didn't have to come all the way home just to turn around and head back. We had fun getting ready and wearing our Jazz gear for all to see.

I met up with Kelly under the Pepsi sign, where he discreetly changed into a Jazz shirt and hat and we were on to the Rose Garden. We stocked up on nachos with extra jalapenos and a soda to share...we had awesome seats, but they were in the middle of the row and we didn't want to tick people off by having to move for Jazz fans:)

The game started off bad and got worse from there. Technicals got Jerry and Boozer kicked out of the game. The refs? Stinky! (of course that's what a Jazz fan will say!) I know this next comment will set back the feminist movement; but can women refs just stay in the WNBA? Thank you.

I had family and friends from Utah texting me throughout the game, like I had inside information as to why they were playing so crappy...The Blazers couldn't miss and the Jazz couldn't make a basket to save their lives. When that happens you lose!

Oh well, they made it to the playoffs and I just hope they start playing better. Maybe they've been saving their energy for when it really counts?

It's not always easy to be a Jazz fan, but hopefully, someday, it will be worth it!

Follow the Prophet!

Tomorrow, I'm going to do a little better in following our prophet, Thomas S. Monson. I'm a Jazz fan just like him! You too, can do a little better at following him. If you're not already a Jazz fan, stop procrastinating! Become one, today!

Kelly and I get to go to the Jazz game against the Blazers and I'm so excited! I've got all our gear laid out and ready to go! My favorite players are Williams, Okur, and Kirilenko. I hope Kirilenko gets to play tomorrow...he got injured in tonight's game.

I have to admit I'm a little nervous since the playoff standings are so close. I'm sure we'll get yelled at. A lot! My sister even gave me some Jazz boppers to bang together in case people around us aren't annoyed enough:) I'm glad I've got a big, strong husband to protect me in case things get out of hand. They better win! That's all I've gotta say about that.

Go Jazz!

Spring Break 2009

I'm finally getting around to posting about Spring Break. We had a wonderful time! Kelly's mom came to visit, along with Uncle Kalae and his girlfriend, Dani and her little boy, Tristan. Kelly treated us to ribs and tri-tip on the grill. Grandma treated us to homemade cinnamon rolls, doughnuts, and soup. I'm pretty sure I ate my weight in bread that week!

We headed out to the coast on Thursday. We had to stop at the cheese factory for ice cream and we ate clam chowder at Moe's (why is it that our trips revolve around food??). We enjoyed showing the sights off. They didn't know that those "cool rocks" were in the movie, "Goonies". I sooo wish that the beach was warm here, but the kids didn't care one bit. Bronson was up to his armpits in the waves and having a ball...I stuck my foot in the water and it cramped up! It was all fun and games until it was time to go and they realized they were freezing. Luckily we're always prepared and brought extra clothes for everyone.Friday, we drove to Mt. St. Helens and enjoyed the visitor's center and a little hike. It was a pretty cloudy day and couldn't actually see the mountain. We decided to drive further up and stopped when there were twelve-foot high walls of snow on either side of the road. I kind of felt like I was in "The Shining", luckily Jack wasn't after us...

Saturday, we had some of Kelly's old family friends that grew up on the rez with him come over for another BBQ. Some of them hadn't seen Kelly's mom in almost thirty years, so it was a sweet little reunion. Grandma also helped Maika memorize the fourth Article of Faith for Primary on Sunday. She did an awesome job, and Grandma was so patient!

Sunday came too soon and the tears started almost as soon and the kids woke up. I think that's the hardest thing about living far away from family; as soon as you get used to them being there, it's time to leave! Bronson fell in love with Grandma, and had her walking him all over the neighborhood. The girls loved hearing funny stories about their dad and aunties and uncles when they were little. They were laughing so hard, tears were running down their faces.

The trip went too quickly. Now we are ready for summer and more visits with everyone we love!

Making Cocoa Rice...

Cocoa Rice for four Cocoa-eyed kids.

My kids are sick of chores and so am I. We are trying to get the house looking presentable for Grandma tomorrow. We can't wait! The kids have all kinds of plans for when she's here. Go to Build-a-Bear, OMSI, Zoo, help make cinnamon rolls, beach, hiking. The list could go on and on. Maybe we'll get to a few things on the list, but I think they are just looking forward to spending time with her most of all.

The chores are done and the house is clean, so now I'm making Cocoa Rice for lunch. The kids requested it. We usually make it for breakfast. It's kind of like a hot, chocolate rice pudding eaten with buttered saltine crackers or buttered french bread (healthy, I know). We got the recipe from Auntie Jo and Uncle Jasen and every time we're at their house my kids expect it.

Cocoa Rice

10 cups water

1 1/2 cups rice

Bring to a boil and cook until thickened (about 20 minutes)

In a bowl combine 1 1/2 cups sugar with 3 heaping Tbls. of cocoa, set aside.

After rice mixture thickens add cocoa mixture and stir together. Add 1 can coconut milk and 1 tsp. vanilla. Eat with buttered saltine crackers or french bread. Try the leftovers cold, a yummy chocolate treat!

I guess if cocoa rice is the only reward they want for all their hard work I can oblige. If only that was all they wanted...

Adventures in Potty Training IV

Well, here I am, Volume IV of potty-training! The final volume! We're doing pretty good. He's got the peeing part down, and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel as far as pooping goes.

I love these boxer/briefs! His little buns are very pinch-able now:) After three girls I have to admit that I'm having trouble remembering to call his underwear "underwear" and not "panties". I'm sure I'll get the hang of it sooner or later. I'm happy to report that I've only deemed one pair of these as unsalvageable:)