Family Day

It has been a while since warm weather has allowed us a full day outside. We all love being outdoors, including Ella, and thought that we would neglect some of the chores and homework we needed to get done and chose to spend time as a family doing things away from home. We started out the day by compiling our change and trading it in for cash. Then we went to a new thrift store that just opened. The kids each got to pick something and they were serving free hot dogs and hamburgers for lunch.

 

 

Chris then surprised the kids by taking the to the driving range to practice hitting golf balls. They had a lot of fun with that. I took a few pictures from the car since Ella was napping.

 

 

 

Next we headed to Richard's soccer game. He did a great job and his team won (even though they don't keep score his team had more goals). Richard worked really hard and as goalie stopped a goal or two.

 

 

 

I have been playing with the settings on my camera and love this picture of Hannah. Beautiful girl!

 

 

 After the game we went to see "Oz: The Great and Powerful". Richard didn't like it all, Chris enjoyed it, Hannah really liked it, and I loved it...so take your pick of who you want listen to. We tried to go o dinner at our favorite Chinese restaurant but Ella was not going to have if after two long days away from home. We got our food to go and came home.

 

 

While I got Ella to bed and did homework Chris played football, baseball, and "Camo" Barbie with the kids. It was a good family day.

Duckies

We had some visitors for a few days a couple of weeks ago. They came for the rain water in the slide and kept coming back for the bread we shared. It was fun to watch "Donald and Daisy" when the did come to visit.

 

Ella talking

 

This girl loves to talk. And here is the proof.

Scout Rocket Races

Instead of the pinewood derby this year our ward chose to do rocket races. Chris and Richard worked really hard on the rocket and it turned out great.

 

Hannah got in on the action by being an astronaut.

 

 

 

The parents, scouts, siblings, and leaders voted for the rocket they liked the best. Richard won people's choice!!!

Richard got to carry the state flag for the flag ceremony. He is so cute!

 

 

Dad helped him put the rocket on to preserve the track. He didn't win any races but had fun. And I think he was happiest about getting the people's choice award anyway.

Ropes course

Chris bought a 52 foot rope to make activities for the kids. They have been outside nonstop, even in the cold and snow. It is so much fun.

 

 

 

Richard's award

Richard's second grade had a program last week. I began filming but Richard did not sing a word so I stopped. But he did get an award for "Sharpening his saw" which means that he takes care of his mind and body by eating healthy, exercising, and learning outside of school. I am very proud of him getting this award. (Sorry the picture is so blurry. I forgot that I had my camera on manual focus.)

 

 

Chicken pot, chicken pot, chicken pot pie...

Chris and I had a discussion a week or two ago that he does not recall the one time I made chicken pot pie. Yesterday I decided to make one. It was really good and Chris said that it was a good one to do again. I agree!

 

I used a recipe online but took a little liberty with it and made several changes such as adding extra vegetables and making my own pie crust (well, my mother-in-law's recipe).

 

I started out by cutting 3 chicken breasts into cubes and sautéing them in a little oil. As I did that I sliced 6 medium carrots, two large stalks of celery, and 1/4 of a medium onion. I boiled the carrots and celery with frozen corn and peas in water with 2 bullion cubes just until the carrots were getting soft.  (Next time I will likely sauté the vegetables as well.)

 

In the mean time I began to sauté the onions in 1/3 cup butter. Once the onions were soft I added 1/3 cup flour. Once the flour was cooked I mixed in 2 cups of chicken broth and 3/4 cup milk. (More or less stock can be added depending on the amount of vegetables added.

 

I did not put a pie crust on the bottom to eliminate a few calories. I layered the chicken the vegetables and finally the "gravy" sauce. Then I put the crust on top, trimmed it, cut a few slots, and baked it at 425 degrees for 20-30 minutes. The inside is smokin' hot so it is wise to allow the pie to rest for about 10 minutes. Delicious!

 

Pie crust: 3 1/2 cups flour

2 tsp salt

1 tsp sugar

1 1/2 cups shortening

 

Cut these ingredients together until the mixture resembles rice. Make a hole in the center and pour in:

 

6 Tbsp ice water

1 egg (beaten)

1 Tbsp vinegar

 

Gently press this mixture together until combined. Roll out on clean and floured counter top or cutting board.



Masked baby

Ella and I were playing this afternoon. I put this on her face and couldn't stop laughing. She was so funny trying to eat it. Then it fell and hooked on her nose. I love this baby so much.

 

Four months this week

This beautiful girl will be 4 months old this week. She started eating solid foods and so far loves rice cereal and peas. She is thrilled to be eating something more than formula.

 

 

Baby girl tried sitting up in the cart this week. She though that was pretty cool and I loved watching her discover and smile.

Garden Preparations

Our terrific neighbors allowed us to borrow their tiller which was a huge help since we have such a large garden this year. Chris and the kids spent a couple of days clearing all the leaves and broken branches that insulated the soil all winter. Then we all went to work weeding, moving rocks, and helping Chris get everything ready for the tilling.

 

This is what baby does while we work outside.

These two worked hard and had fun doing so.

Here is our little corner garden with Hannah's strawberry plants, Richard's flowers (he accidentally stepped on one), and my tomato plants (I know, it's really early).

Easter Morning

Easter morning I made Easter egg pancake for the kids. They loved them and they were fun to make and surprise the kids.