Sunshine Chicken

Last night I attempted to make my Grandma's Sunshine Chicken for the first time.  At first, I couldn't find the recipe so I had my sister Janine email it to me.  Later, while going through various cookbooks in the kitchen I discovered a copy of Grandma's handwritten recipe card for Sunshine Chicken tucked away in one of these obscure books.  I consider this discovery one of the tender mercies that Elder Bednar talks about. 

 I loved following her handwritten notes as I measured and mixed each ingredient.  I miss her.  It has been 6 months since she return home to her Heavenly Father.  Grandma lived a full life of 99 years. 

I put the chicken in the oven then left the house to take Savannah to a class.  20 minutes later, I walked into a house that seemed from another time.  For a brief moment I was taken back to the house in Carlsbad, smelling Grandma's cooking.  It brought such a feeling of comfort—just as Grandma's cooking always did.  The next 40 minutes as I smelled the dinner I couldn't help but turn my thoughts to Grandma and all the wonderful memories I had with her.  Then my family gathered around the table and I told my children that this was a dinner that my Grandma would cook for me when I would come to visit.  Just as we had begun to enjoy the meal I heard my laptop ringing--someone was calling my iChat.  And who could it be, but Grandpa!  We opened the chat and enjoyed a few moments with him--sharing that we were enjoying a dinner of Grandma's Sunshine Chicken.  It was a perfect complement to a perfect meal.  Who knew that Grandma's Sunshine Chicken would bring so much sunshine to my soul tonight?  I love you Grandmama!  Thank you.

Halloween Night

The only change of costume is Madison.  If you remember from the Trunk or Treat she wanted to change her costume from a cat to Cinderella.  Since we didn't have a Cinderella costume in the car, she had to stick to the original plan--a cat.  Tonight she wanted to be Cinderella--like her friend Kaci :)

Trunk or Treat

Hunter the Sheriff (don't call him a cowboy, he will correct you quickly

"I'm not a cowboy, I'm a Sheriff! 

I tried telling him that a Sheriff is a cowboy but he was quick to point out that he isn't just a cowboy, he is "higher than a cowboy because he is over all the cowboys so that makes him more powerful than just a cowboy!"

Madison:  Crookshanks the Cat (from the Harry Potter books)  Right before the trunk or treat, Madison had a playdate at her friend Kaci's house.  We picked her up and began driving straight to the Trunk or Treat.  As soon as she got in the car she stated that she wanted to be Cinderella like her friend Kaci and not a cat.  We tried to explain to her that we didn't have a Cinderella costume in the car because she had always been planning on being a cat.  Tears began to flow!  It took the whole car ride to the church to convince her that being a cat was a great idea.  I believe it was Savannah's suggestion that she be a Cinderella Cat for the trunk or treat not just a Cat.

Savannah:  Hermione (a character from the Harry Potter books)  Savannah started reading the Harry Potter books this Fall.  I believe it only took her about two months to read all 7 of them.  She was hooked from the first one and was always seen with one until the 7th one was finished.  She amazes me!

Eliza was a snowflake!  She was so adorable!!!

The Halloween Costume Parade across the stage.  Hunter kept sneaking back on the stage--I stopped counting how many times I saw him with a wide grin on his face as he galloped across the stage--he thought he was being pretty sneaky.

Savannah with her two best friends.  This year Savannah wanted to go trunk or treating with out the family and with her friends.  I guess I am not cool enough anymore...it couldn't be that she was embarrassed by my costume....

Ready to go trunk or treating!

Trunk or Treating!

  (I showcased my friend Teri because she was giving out big candy bars--my kids all ready think you are the best, this was just icing on the cake)

Madison pumpkin bowling!  She won a toothbrush--brilliant idea!

Madison and her friend Adam showing each other their candy loot.

Of course.....more pictures!

Carving Pumpkins

We harvested our very own pumpkins this year. 

The only problem is that we forgot to rotate the pumpkins so two of them grew flat--here Jesse is holding up one of the pumpkins, otherwise it lays flat like the picture below with Madison.  

Here is our very own little pumpkin!

We only carved two pumpkins this year.  I wasn't feeling very well and Jesse "loves" carving pumpkins so we convinced the kids to have the girls design one and the boys the other pumpkin.  Here is what we ended up with.....5 little pumpkins really!

More pictures!

Look how much we've grown!

A Family Tradition:  

Every October we measure the kids against the door frame. We have been doing this since we moved into our house 6 years ago.  We all love seeing how much we have grown over the past year.

Here are the kids showing their first measurement on the door frame.  It's amazing to see how much they have grown!

Savannah was 2 1/2 years old when we first measured her.

Hunter was just 7 months old.

Madison was 8 months old.

Here they are getting measured this year...

Savannah 8 1/2 years old

Hunter 6 1/2 years old

Madison 3 1/2 years old

Eliza 8 months old

Of course, I don't take enough pictures....so here is a slide show of the measuring.  Even Jesse and I measure ourselves!

Miller Farm

Hunter's first grade class went on a field Trip to Miller Farm.  At Miller farm you take a hay ride through 180 acres of farmland where you can harvest potatoes, carrots, onions, beets, Indian corn, squash, pumpkins, and many other kinds of vegetables.  Hunter had a very special guest with him on his field trip....Grandma Brooke!  By the look of the pictures, they had a great time.  They came back with so many vegetables that we decided to make homemade chicken vegetable stew.  Yummy!

Here is a slideshow of the rest of the pictures.  

(Yes, Hunter is sliding down a huge hill of dirt!)

Pictures of Eliza

Eliza is now 8 months old!  I am a little late putting up these pictures since they were taken a month ago.  Enjoy!

  

"Look at me, Mom, I'm a princess!"

Yes, Madison, you are a princess!

Madison bought this princess makeup kit today with her own money and as you can tell she put the makeup on all by herself too!

Women's 3 v 3 Basketball

Monday night for Family Home Evening the whole family went out to dinner then for our entertainment they watched me attempt to play basketball.  That's right it's basketball season again!  It's been a year since I've played....I took a year off....I wonder why?  Of course for our first game we played the local girls high school state champion basketball team!!!  They had mercy on us and we ended up only by losing by 10.  It was fun but watching them move around on the court--especially all their fast breaks--made me realize once again that I am getting old.  So despite feeling old and out of breath, I had a good time!  Go team!!!

(Sorry no pictures this time :)  I am sure you can understand why)

Girl's weekend in Aspen

I love the Fall!  The Aspen trees are turning brilliant yellow and the  the weather is cool but the sun is still shining enough so you can wear short sleeves and a comfortable pair of jeans.

 This past weekend a bunch of my friends went to Aspen for a Girl's weekend away.  Hunter was very sad that I was going somewhere without him and kept asking if he could come too.  When I told him it was just for Moms he still couldn't understand why he couldn't come.  I compared it to him being invited to a sleepover and me going along with him.  He then started to laugh and didn't say anything more about wanting to come.  I guess he is surprised that I have friends too and sometimes I want to spend time with them just like he likes spending time with his friends.

Anyway, here are some pictures from my weekend.  It was a fabulous weekend!  

Highlights:

Great food!

Yummy fresh made kettle corn pop-corn!

Walking through the Aspen open Market!

Great friends!

A Gondola ride up the mountain--beautiful views!!!

Becca and Amy having a hula hoop contest!

Beautiful mountain views!

Golden colored Aspens!

7 months old!

7 months ago today, Eliza was born into this world.

Savannah was very cute and made her a card, got her a present, and sang "Happy 7 months to you..."  

Savannah, Hunter, and Madison love their baby sister so much.  It has to be one of the sweetest things to them play with her, sing to her, talk to her, and pray for her everyday.  If one of us forgets to mention Eliza in our prayers, Madison is quick to remind us we need to pray for Eliza.  And those prayers are being heard!  Eliza is doing amazingly well.  I took her downtown today for a follow-up physical development appointment downtown at the hospital.  It brought so many memories being there, especially as I walked the halls of the NICU and saw very tiny babies in the isolates/cribs.  Eliza has come so far.  After her appointment the physical

 therapist calculated her at being at a 4 month old--where she should be at anyway since she was born 3 months early!  Eliza is cooing/gooing baby talk, reaching for things, bringing everything to her mouth, and even rolling from her back to her tummy.  She is our little miracle.  We sure do love her!!!

Here are some videos I took of her tonight....