Alyssa's Birthday

My little Alyssa is officially 5 years old.  She is a sweetheart and my buddy during the afternoon while Joslynn takes her nap.  Alyssa is a helper with anything I need.  She loves little pet shops, dress ups, storytime at the library, and loves to be chased and tickled.  She has started to read simple books and is preparing to start kindergarten in the fall.  Alyssa is a precious little girl and I am sad to think about her starting school in the fall.  Since her birthday fell on President's day, all the kids were out of school.  I had to work, but Allen took them bowling at the Fun Park and they had a blast (he forgot the camera)

The day before Alyssa's birthday we went to Salt Lake to visit Allen's older brother.  We ate dinner with them and had a little treat to share with the cousins.  Alyssa wanted FROG cupcakes and Kaylynn and Ashley did a great job decorating them.  On her birthday we had some cake and icecream together.

Alyssa stated several times that she wanted a suitcase.  I finally inquired about the suitcase and learned she wanted one like her cousin, Emma.  It finally clicked that what she wanted was a Kaboodle!!  She was so excited and wants Emma to come play again and bring hers.  Grandma Larchar made her a "Qwillow, a blanket that folds into a pillow, and in her favorite color, Pink.  Josylynn thought all the gifts were for her and got mad when she couldn't open them.

The school district that we are in has a monthly class for parents to attend for three months that teaches parents what kids need to know to start school.  I have enjoyed the ideas and suggestions and have thought my other three probably weren't that ready.  Of course over the years there have been changes and I believe five year olds need to know more now than when Tyler started.  Anyway - one idea was to have them play with buttons; organize them in colors, patterns, sizes, shapes.  I grabbed an egg carton and wrote numbers for each slot and this day we worked on counting.  When Alyssa opened the present and found a bag full of buttons she was confused, but now understands. We enjoyed this little project.

YUMMY CHILI

White Chicken Chili!  It is delicious - a recipe from my sister-in-law.

2 cans white navy beans (rinsed and drained)

4 large poblano chilies or 8 anaheim chilies (roasted, peeled,cut)

1/4 cup butter

2 large onions chopped

1/3 cup flour

4 c chicken broth

3 c half and half

4c cooked and shredded chicken

1 T chili poweder

1 T hot pepper sauce

1 T gound cumin

2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 1/2 grated Monterey Jack cheese

1 c sour cream

cilantro

Melt butter in a large stock pot over med. heat.  Add onions and saute until tender, about 15 min.  Add flour and stir 5 min.  Gradually whisk in chicken broth and half and half.  Simmer gently until thickened, about 10 min.  Add reserved white beans and roasted chilies, shredded chicken and spices.  Simmer gently to blend flavors, about 20 min.  Add sour cream and most of your cheese (save some to go on top) - heat until heated through and cheese melts.  (do not boil).  Top with cilantro and cheese.

I used regular red and green peppers and sauted them with the onions and it was still good.  I did cut down on the spices, since the kids don't like hot things.  It was delicious!!



Girls Night Out!

The girls and I decided to go to a gymnastics meet at USU.  We had free tickets and we needed something fun to do.  The first 500 people received pom poms, so we got there early enough to get some.  The girls had fun with them and I ended up with several of them in my face.  USU ended up losing, but they did very well.  The girls liked watching the balance beam the most with the bars a close second.  Ashley even won a gift certificate for a night stay at Sherwood Hills.  We were sitting in section A and Big Blue was at the top.  They announced the first one to Big Blue with a gymnastics poster, chapstick and wearing blue won something.  Ashley was the first one there with all three items.  We have until May to use the gift certificate. 

Kaylynn's Baptism

It was a wonderful week-end.  Kaylynn was baptized on Saturday, February 4, 2012.  We are so proud of her decision to become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saits.  We are grateful for her sweet, happy spirit that fills our home and for her desire to follow the Savior.  Kaylynn is truely a happy girl.  Her smile lights up any room and her laughter is contagious.  She has been so excited for this day since her birthday.  Friday she was bouncing around the house with excitement of the next days events.  We love this girl and are so thankful that Heavenly Father has let her come to our home. 
The entire stake (8 wards) meet together in the chapel for the opening.  Each ward is then called individually for the baptism and then they meet alone for the confirmation.  This month there were only 4 children being bapized, so it went really smoothly.  We are in the Smithfield 16th ward and we were last.  Allen baptized Kaylynn, Dennis and Grandpa Dawes were the witnesses.  It was a beautiful day.  Dennis, Jason & Rachel, Mike & Kimberly, Dayna & Morgan McKinnon, Nathan, Natalie &Wes,Grandpa Dawes and cousins came. We missed all those family members that live to far away to come.  I wish distance wasn't the problem that it is.  I was secretly hoping Mom and Dad would surprise us again, but I know that would have been difficult.

Following the baptism, we had a luncheon at the church.  There was much more room there than at my house.  We had french dip sandwiches, salads, chips and desserts.  It was simple and tasty.  Even better I bought the roast beef at buy one package, get one free.  I guess that was a benefit of having the super bowl on the same week-end.  The kids had fun running around in the gym, and gave the adults time to visit. 

I will truely miss Jason when he moves.  It makes me sad just thinking about it.  Jason was 10 years old when I left for college.  He came to USU for several years and lived with us and I treasure those times.  It was wonderful to have him around and get to know him.  An added benefit was that he fixed a ton of stuff for us.  It got to the point if something broke, Tyler would find Jason and tell him.  He and his family will be moving to Texas this summer so my time with him is limited.  I was very grateful he and his family came for the week-end.  It was great having them.

Dennis received this tie for his birthday.  I didn't realize he wears the extra long ones.  He said it was the perfect tie for sweaters.  Dennis has a great sense of humor and was willing to display his gift.  (Don't worry, he wore it under the sweater for the meetings).  We are glad Dennis will still be around. 

Kaylynn asked Nathan to give the talk on the Holy Ghost.  He did a great job!  He shared some scriptures that described the gifts/titles the Holy Ghost has.  One was the Comforter.  He gave this blanket to Kaylynn and shared how the Holy Ghost gives us comfort just like a warm blanket.  It was really good to be reminded how important the Holy Ghost is and the gifts that we have when He is with us.  We all missed the physical presence of Grandma Dawes.  In my morning prayers I asked Heavenly Father to allow her to witness this special event in Kaylynn's life.  I know that my prayer was answered and her presence was felt by many.  Special times like that day is when I miss her most.