Thanksgiving Fun

Thanksgiving dinner was yummy yummy yummy and the day was fun. What more can I say?

Snuggles

I love my daddy!

I am Thankful for...

Gentry
sleep
no workout schedule for Thanksgiving
Grandma and Grandpa
tree houses
beautiful fall days
the Riviera
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
my kids
a break from my kids
pumpkin pie for breakfast

the Spirit in our home
cousins that live so close

baby teeth

technology to be "close" to those far away

cozy fires

forgiveness
dancing

books

Wii

sweaters

and love I asked the kids and these are the answers I got.
Court said: family, education and holidays
Tate said: turkey, songs and "bear feet"
Peaches said: snuggle baby, my Isabel and Princesses

Happy Thanksgiving!

And as my friend Karen said,

"may your hearts be thankful and your stomachs be stretchy"

Two Wheeler

Tate is riding his two wheeler now without the training wheels.
I took the training wheels off and tried running along side of him, hanging on to the seat but he was to scared to trust me. He kept turning to look at me and make sure that I was there for him. After three of four times up and down the street he finally started trying for to actually ride. He got it really quick but noticed in our shadow that I wasn't hanging on just running along side and threw a fit. He was so mad at me and wouldn't let me help him any more.
I went in and got Gentry and ten minutes later was called back out to see Tate giving Daddy all the credit for teaching him how to ride a two wheeler.
There is no credit for the mommy.
He couldn't be prouder of himself

And I couldn't be prouder of him.
Good Job Tate!
You ROCK!
He even got the special plate for dinner.

Mishaps

Yesterday night I took some treats around to the ladies I visit teach and of course I stayed and chatted. When I did get home, this is what I found:


Luckily when she was all cleaned up, she looked like this:


So not as bad as it first seemed, but when I was scrubbing the carpet and couldn't get all the blood out I was sure thankful that I wasn't home at the time.
Gentry is just so level headed about this kind of thing.
I am not.
Enough said.

Roasted Chickens

I bought the two whole chickens from Costco. They are one of my favorite food buys. I made them yesterday and I have to say I am proud of how they turned out.



ROASTED CHICKEN

2 chickens , 4 1/2 to 5 pounds each
3 lemons and an orange
Poultry spice, parsley and oregano
1 cup Dijon mustard
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup juice from lemon and orange (don't discard lemon rinds)

Preheat oven to 425°
Make marinade: Place mustard, soy and juice in a bowl. Mix ingredients well.
Pull out the stuff in the stomach of the chicken and cut out the neck.
Stuff cavities with lemon and orange rinds and a generous amount of the herbs.
Place each chicken in its own baking dish.
Pour marinade over chicken. Add cracked pepper to the top of each chicken.
Cover with aluminum foil. Place on the lower rack of the oven.
Bake for 2 hours.

It took me only about 10 mins to get this in the oven. I also wrapped some potatoes and threw them in after about an hour of the chickens cooking.

We ate one all up and since there are two... I have an extra one. Any ideas of what to do with it? I made chicken noodle soup with two other chickens about a week ago, so I can't do that. If you have any great chicken enchilada recipes or some other idea's I would love that recipe! Thanks.

Nativity Quiet Book

I have been busy, busy, busy and loving every minute of it. It has been too long since I have had a fun project to work on. This week I have had four. My house is messier than usual, my kids have watched a little too much TV, the laundry is piled up, and I haven’t written on my blog for almost a week, but I still feel like I have gotten a lot done.
On last Saturday I was on etsy. I love that site. I found the cutest patterns for Quiet Books. Bought it, and then spent the rest of Saturday and most of Sunday working on it. I spent a few more hours work finish it up yesterday and it turned out SO cute.







I know these pictures aren't that great. I don't really know how to take pictures of items like this.
I am going to give this to my nieces one week when we are sitting in church and they seem to need something to do.
I figured out what I am making everyone for Christmas. This is HUGE! (I will talk more about this at a later post) So I also started working on my sister’s Christmas gift. But I cannot post pictures of that because it needs to be a surprise. It really has been a great week.
What holiday projects are you working on? Any idea's for future projects? Send me the link!

Elk Hunt

Gentry and Court went to Monticello to go Elk Hunting.
Gentry always grew up hunting deer with his dad and brothers, but since we have been married he has only gone back once for it. This year his dad "pulled" two tags (whatever that means) and so they planned a trip.
It was great that he could bring Court with him. Father, son, grandson bonding.
Gentry took our camera but didn't take one picture.

Piano Recital

Court and Tate had a piano recital this last week and both did great. I am so proud of them for practicing and are developing this talent.Boys with Emily (piano teacher) and friend Jacob

Tate and Court at the piano

Isabel listening and loving the music

Peaches at the recital

Prop 8

My sister wrote a blog that really got me thinking. I practically wrote a post in her comment section... if you care to read or join the conversation. Go here.

Meeting Toren

Last weekend we took a quick trip to Cedar City. Gentry’s youngest brother Brady and his wife Patrice had their baby via C-section last Tuesday weighing 7 lbs 3 oz and 19 inches long. We couldn’t stay for long but we wanted them to know how much we love them. It is such a special time having a new born and we think it is important for all to celebrate it. We did.
Mother and Baby look beautiful

Enjoying Daddy's swedish pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream

Isabel at seven months is a giant next to new born Toren

Toren Ralph Ramsay

Proud to be American

Yesterday I voted for McCain. I would have liked to have seen him win, but I happy with the outcome.
Obama is a great man who I believe will make a great president. He is the first black president. “Historic” is the word all the media uses. But I never thought that a minority president wasn’t possible so this wasn’t even an issue for me. Don’t get me wrong, it is worth noting and celebrating. I am happy to see a new face for our country. Never before had I seen people around the world celebrating for the elected president of the United States. It was moving.
I loved his speech. When he talked about those Americans he has yet to earn he says he hears your voice and he needs your help and he will be your president too. Beautiful words and a beautiful sentiment. I believe he will unify this country. He didn’t have my vote yesterday, but he has my love today. He will be my president and I am proud to be American.

Go Out and VOTE!

Today is Tuesday, November 4. Voting Day. Please, Please however you feel about the candidates, take the time today and vote. I have been doing tons of research on local candidates and am happy with the choices I have made. You not sure who to vote for? Give me a call, I would love to have my opinion counted twice. :)

p.s. Good Luck Patrice. I know today is your C-Section and we are praying all goes well, and can't wait to meet Toren.

New Goal

So here I am at the beginning of a new month, starting my favorite time of year. This year is going to be especially great because Gentry and I are headed out on a cruise the day after Thanksgiving. So just when I might be sick of the cold and wishing for either warmth or snow, I will start working on my tan in Mexico.
Today I am headed to a new workout class at 5:30. I know, I am NOT a morning person, but I did early morning seminary in high school for a year, I can do something else for me now. I HOPEFULLY will be attending this class five days a week for the next two months so that come January one of my resolutions will not be to get into better shape. I will already be there. :) So here is the schedule:
Mon. Upper Body Weights and Step
Tues. Cardio
Wed. Lower Body Weights
Thurs. Cardio
Sat. (sleep in a little) Cardio/Pump

If mornings are too much, I may resort to evenings, but I have read that morning exercise is better for you for a number of reasons.
1. It jump starts your metabolism
2. Helps you to maintain more energy throughout the day
3. It helps to regulate your appetite
4. You will have higher "quality" of sleep
5. It can even improve your mood

Who doesn't want to reap those benefits? Anyway, here I go.

Halloween

Halloween is always such a blast. As my kids get older it just gets funner. It makes me wonder if there is the same progression but in reverse once they become teenagers. I guess we will see.
We have been very busy. I was in charge of the games for Courts class party. 45 mins of activities for 9 and 10 year old kids. I was nervous I would be done and still have a half hour of stuff to get done. Luckily it was the opposite. We didn't have time to complete every game, but regardless, everyone had a good time.
This year we went to three Halloween parties. Including a family one that we go to every year. Our neighbors invite pretty much the neighborhood and everyone brings food to share. There are costume contest, donuts on a string, and kids jumping on the tramp. Everyone has such a great time and it is always good to get together as neighbors and friends. Last night was the best so far. Peach loved dancing, Tate bobbed for apples, and Court played football in his suit (yikes!)
Peaches was a purple fairy. She didn't like her wings after wearing them all day so she just went without them

When we asked Courtland what he wanted to be he couldn't decide. I made suggestion after suggestion, showed him costumes, and tried talking him into some, but he told me that they weren't really him. "What is you?" I asked. "Um, you know, like a missionary. Something like that." O.K. As Halloween got closer he decided he wanted to be a prophet. I finally gave in and got the things to make him old but after getting his makeup and hair done in the morning we talked him into just being an old man. It turned out great.

Isabel was a pumpkin. The cutest pumpkin I have ever seen.

Tate was a brave night. He totally got into it too. Tate has a fun personality, so anything he does he has a good time.
I hope everyone had as good of a season as we did. Happy Halloween!