Cruz's Special Day

Cruz turned eight a couple weeks ago so this past Saturday, he was able to be baptized. 

 

These two are the special men in my life!  I love them dearly.  (This picture above is personally one of my favorites.  I love what it shows.)

Cruz had his own special day since family members were going to be in town.   I've never seen him so happy and smiling.  He was baptized and confirmed out in Taylor by his dad.

He was able to choose who said the prayers, which songs were sung, who talked, and what musical numbers were played.

There were several neighbors and friends that came out too.  (Since it is about 30 minutes away, I was very impressed and grateful.)

(It was really a lot more exciting and fun than McKay lets on....)

The program went: Prayers - Aspen and Kirsten.  Jacob gave a talk on baptism and I gave one on the Holy Ghost.  We sang "I Know That My Savior Loves Me" and "I Am a Child of God."

Cruz asked his dad to give a talk on Baptism and me to give a talk on the Holy Ghost.  I tried to get him to change that last talk but he was definite on me doing it.  I based it off of this idea I found on the internet!  The kids loved it.  I handed out a traffic light signal that the little kids could follow along with and have as a reminder.

Aspen, McKay, and I played a trio of a number from Paul Cardall's "I Love To See the Temple" arrangement.  We had a day to practice and I must say it went amazingly well.  We also played some primary hymns while we waited for the "men" to dress. 

I'm very grateful that we had family members that came.  Betsy, Nate and their family made such a long drive for such a short time.  Mike & Mindy and Aimee also made it up from San Antonio even when they were dealing with sick ones at home!  I love you all!

The Grotto

While we were in Utah.....

Sunday late afternoon....

We drove up Payson Canyon and hiked up to The Grotto.  It's a little cave type setting with a waterfall.  In fact, I looked up the word "Grotto" and it means "a small picturesque cave."  We tried to get a picture of the grandkids with Grandma but it just didn't turn out they way we wanted it to.  What can you expect though.  Are pictures ever easy?  We took a couple of "group" pictures but my sister has those.

This is at the top of the falls.  Of course, Jacob always has to find a way up and stand at the top.

I tried to make friends with Korver.  It worked for a little bit.

We gave Russell and Elizabeth "Mormon" shirts and they wore them almost the entire time!  They loved hanging out and playing with the cousins.

We enjoyed looking at the fall leaves and colors up the canyons since we don't see it in Texas very much!

Catching up with old friends

While we were in Utah, my dear friend from Idaho came down to visit us with her family!  We decided to go to the zoo so the kids could walk around and (according to her husband) we could "skip, hold hands, and cry."  (Really we walked and talked.)The last time I saw her she was pregnant, but didn't know it was twins just yet.   Wow, this seems like a lot of people for just two families.

We got to meet Torri and Austin.

My kids got their "baby fix" for the day.  Although between the twins and my brother's baby, it has stirred McKay up again about having another baby.  (Not in the future!)

Katanya and Tyler used to play together all the time.....

....along with Cruz and Audrey.  Come to find out, Cruz had already kissed Audrey once a couple of years ago.

Even the dads got a turn to carry the sleeping babies.

In the 9 years I lived in Idaho, I never had a picture taken with Lindsey.  Not even with all the shopping, secret shopping, hotel nights, midnight movie premieres or any other fun we had.  So hopefully this is the first picture of still many activities we see each other for.

P.S.  My favorite is still the giraffes.

Day One: Bean Curry

Our weekly challenge:
To go a week without meat.  This was something McKay actually wanted to try so I went along with it.  I convinced Jacob to go along with me but only if I would give up soda and Icees.  I agreed and it's on!  (My kids just get to go along with it also.....)  So last night I spent way too long on Pinterest, looking up recipes.  This is why I'm not a member on Pinterest.  I'm afraid of how much I would be on there.  So tonight's dinner was BEAN CURRY.

(Also notice the new Fiestaware color, Flamingo!  Another color to add to the collection.)
It was so easy and simple, it smelled fabulous and was delicious!
Our opinionated results were:
Jacob: "Day1: Dinner was excellent. Did not even notice that the meat was missing." As he posted on facebook.
McKay:  Had seconds.
Kirsten:  Finished but wasn't too happy about it.
Cruz:  Loved it!
Katanya: Didn't want to eat it but she always is willing to try one bite.  She tried it and ate it all.  She loved it with the naan.

So here is the recipe: (I made a one and a half batch.  It was perfect for our family.  I had two servings left over.)

BEAN CURRY

(I got this recipe from melskitchencafe.com)

1 TBSP canola oil

1 onion, chopped

1 tsp freshly grated ginger

1 large tomato, chopped

1/2 tsp turmeric

pinch cayenne, or to taste

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp Garam Masala

3/4 cup half and half

1 cup vegetable stock or chicken broth

1 can black-eyed peas, lightly drained

2 TBSP chopped fresh cilantro

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add onion; saute 5 minutes or until translucent & slightly browned.  Stir in garlic & grated ginger root; stir constantly for 30 seconds.  Add tomato; cook for 2 minutes.  Stir in garlic and grated ginger root; stir constantly for 30 seconds.  Add tomato; cook for 2 minutes.  Stir in turmeric, cayenne, salt, paprika, & garam masala; stir constantly for 30 seconds.  Add half and half, stock & black-eyed peas.  Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Stir in cilantro.  Serve with rice, chapati, and / or naan.

I chopped the onion and tomato very fine and my kids didn't even know they were in there.  I also let it simmer for about 15 minutes because Jacob was running a little late.  It condensed down but it was where I wanted it to be in the end.

My little brother, Mikey

 Last week, we were in Utah for roughly 5 days and 4 nights.  Before I post about all the fun things we did, I wanted to make a post of my brother and his family. 

When I saw Mikey late Friday night, he told me that his little guy wouldn't go to anybody and just cry the whole time.  That was my challenge.  I think by the end of our trip, he was "okay" with me.  Korver is definitely a momma's boy right now.  Haley is so sweet and I enjoyed just hanging out and talking.

Mikey's a great dad.  Olivia just loves him too. 

I have always called my brother Mikey.  Especially when my first husband's name was Mike.  It was the distinction that I gave him so I could tell him apart.  Now that I don't need it, I still use it all the time.  He's a great brother and I've treasured the conversations and memories we've had.  You'll always be my "little brother" and you will always be Mikey to me.

Cruz's 8th Birthday

So...a couple weeks ago Cruz turned 8 (on September 10th to be exact.)

Lately he has loved to have the same shirts as his dad, so he requested that they both wear their Superman shirts.

He wanted Pad Thai brought to him at lunch.  Gladly, (as if I needed a reason to eat at Thai Spoon,) I brought and ate lunch with him.  I found it hilarious that he marked his leftover box when he came home with "No daddy."

He got two games for the X-Box / Wii and two lego sets. 

And his last request was my famous "Texas Sheet Cake" for his birthday cake! 

A crazy scientist named Alfred

 

Kirsten had to research a scientist and do a project on him.  Creativity played 15 points into the project.  She came up with the idea to do a song, and with a few suggestions on tunes from dad, she came up with this.  I give her 115 points for creativity!!!!

I can't wait until I'm eight!

Happy Birthday Cruz!

Cruz turns the magic "8" today.  He was such a blessing when he came into our lives. 

Being the only boy, he has brought so much joy and "new" things into our lives.

Cruz at his blessing in Utah.  My dad had asked me if we would baptize Cruz in Utah so he could see it.  I know he'll be able to see it here in Texas now.

 

He was afraid of fish when we was a baby, but he LOVES to learn about sharks now.  Before we had Cruz, Jacob and I were set on the name Crux.  (pronounced Crew).  Jacob had always wanted to keep it a secret so we had never told anybody the name.  His middle name was a given as it is passed down through the oldest boy in the family.  A couple weeks before I had him, I confided in McKay (I don't know how smart that was at the time) but I told her the name of the baby.  I immediately realized I didn't like the way Crux went with Alma and we switched back to Jacob's first choice Cruz.  I'm glad we did!  He's definitely our "Cruzamatic"!

Prosperity in Numbers

Our biannual youth temple trip to San Antonio was Saturday!  It's our biggest one yet, along with it being the biggest for the temple.  I don't know how else to say it but, "I LOVE THESE GIRLS!"

What normal kids do

After Early Morning Seminary.... (this is the hour between seminary and high school)

Poor McKay, getting up at 5am can be really rough.  Our early morning seminary actually doesn't start until 6am (she leaves at 5:40) but she makes the effort to "go dressed to learn."  I'm so proud of her!   (Thank goodness I only have to drive once a month due to the neighborhood carpool!)