4th Grade Science Fair Project

Court did his 4th grade science fair project Saturday and it took ALL day. Then Sunday we all worked to put his poster together. He worked hard on it and learned a lot. I was proud of all he did to be a "scientist". It really was cool. Mostly because we made ten batches of ice cream Saturday and five more Monday. Brrrr! He gave everyone a little taste of the ice cream and had fun doing it.

If your interested in being as cool a mom as me, here's what you do:

1/2 c milk

4 T sugar

1 t vanilla

and we made strawberry so we put in strawberry syrup and a little food coloring.

Double Bag this in Ziplocs. Try to get all the air out. Fill a gallon size bag just over half way full with ice and add a 1/2 c of salt. Then shake, shake, shake, for about 6 mins. Add you'll have faces looking like this:

We had lots of fun, but I am glad it is over.

How Do You Take Your Hotdog?

Tate likes his with a dill pickle, mustard and ketchup.

I like mine with sweet BBQ sauce and banana peppers.

Gentry likes his with BBQ sauce and sauerkraut.

Peaches with a pickle that she takes off and eats first.

Isabel would rather not have the hot dog. She just wants the cookie. But when the cookie is gone I get a face like this:

Yummy for my tummy!

Lets EAT!

Gentry was working all day a few Saturdays back so Emily and I took the kids for a bite out to eat. It is funny how whenever I take the kids out they don't seem to eat much just play and discover. I guess that is part of the experience, but come on! The reason why we are out is to eat. I have to ask the kids to sit down fourteen times and that we will talk about the games they want to play after they are done, and that they have to eat something not just drink, and to pay attention it is time to eat. I guess that isn't much different then when we are home. Regardless, it was fun so lets eat!

Torren's Blessing

I haven't been a great blogger this month, but I finally got to down loading my pics so I want to hit the main events.

First week in January we drove to Cedar for Torren's baby blessing. He was dressed in a baby tux with tails and looked adorable. Brady did such a great job giving the blessing. The spirit was there and it was a really sweet moment. After the blessing Patrice feed us all and we took pictures of all the Ramsay boys. This group (along with Justin) are all of the males to carry the Ramsay name from Kevin and Robin's family. at least so far.

We really had a great time. Some more than others.

BBQ Chicken Salad

Yesterdays dinner was awesome. It is close to the one they serve at California Pizza Kitchen, but better! Typing this is making my mouth water and wishing I had leftovers. I love this recipe, so I figured I would share.

BBQ CHICKEN SALAD
Chicken Breasts - I crock pot it, but you can cover and bake
BBQ Sauce
Lettuce - iceberg and red leaf
Cilantro - chopped
Green Onions - chopped
Corn - drained
Black Beans - rinsed and drained
Roma Tomatoes - chopped
Avocado - peeled and chopped
Lime
Tortilla Chips
Ranch Dressing

Cut or shred chicken. Pour BBQ sauce on chicken.
Mix all ingredients. Can break up chips or serve on side.
How ever much ranch as you want.

USA! USA!

"I am part of history," I have heard this over and over today. What kind of responsibility does that statement carry? That by being alive this day in 2009 we are special? I think it is about much more than that. I believe it is about what the inauguration posters say, "Be The Change." The choices we made yesterday need to become history, a thing of the past. Today is better, brighter, and more important than where we were. Be a part of history.

Barack Hussein Obama became the 44th President of the United States of America today. It was so fun to see the crowd, and enthusiasm. A country united.

The musical number 'Air and Simple Gifts' composed by John Williams set a mood of peace and hope like no speech ever could have. So fitting to see a French Chinese-American, Israel-American, Venezuelan-American, and an African-American musicians uniting our nation full of AMERICANS.

Some of my favorite quotes from the day were, "We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things."

"Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious, and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America -- they will be met."

"Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions -- who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short," Obama proclaimed. "For they have forgotten what this country has already done, what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose and necessity to courage."

"So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled,"

With the work just beginning, I end this post with "Yes we can!"

Stinky Pete

I have a smell. My left arm for the whole day today has smelled like dirt. A deep dark dirt that has recently been watered. Maybe a little bit of mildew.
I have washed it multiple times and put lotion on to try and get rid of it.
But even as I sit here at 11pm I can smell the dirt wafting to my nose.
Is it possible that I ate something that is coming out of my skin, kind of like garlic? But if that was the case why is it only my left arm?
After a good night's sleep and a long shower in the morning, if I still smell like dirt I am going to start making everyone around me smell it and weigh in on what I should do. If you want a sniff, meet me at Thanksgiving Point at the Dinosaur Museum tomorrow morning.

Ring, Ring... Nobodys Home!!!

Last Tuesday Gentry went to work. He spends most of the 25 minute drive to and from checking in with his guys. Around 8:30pm he called me (from someone else's phone) and told me that his phone was missing. Somehow he had lost it between his usual calling on the way to work and when it was time to leave. He did what most people do when they misplace their cell phones, call it over and over, listening for the ring. He asked around if anyone had seen it. He retraced his steps, and searched the car. NOTHING. The only thing left to do was wait a day or two, hoping someone would come across it.
Wednesday, he stewed about it. What could have happened? After all, even if it had fallen out of his pocket or he had left it on someones desk, someone would have come across it by now. Why is no one calling saying they had found it. Where could it be?
Thursday he started getting mad. Mad at himself for losing it. Mad at whoever stole it. Because if no one is turning it in, then someone must have stolen it. Mad that he has to buy a new one right now. Mad that he is missing so many calls and can't even make calls he needs to because he doesn't have there number somewhere else. And mad that his list of things to do just got another thing added to the list, "Buy New Phone".
Friday came and it was the day to bite the bullet and just get another phone. Things got busy and he never got around to it. Then around 5:30 my cell rang. I looked to see who was calling and it was Gentry. Or at least his cell. I answer it and lo and behold it is someone who works at the same building who, when leaving work, saw this cell phone in the parking lot. You read that right. He found the phone in the parking lot three days later in weather that has been below freezing everyday and night! It is working and it seems fine. No cracks, no water damage, nothing. We arrange a place for him to hide the phone somewhere in the building so Gentry can pick it up the next time he is in the office. This morning he went to work and he got his phone right where it was suppose to be. He called me and said it was a bit dirty but still had two of the three bars of battery. So there you go. A happy ending.

When did we become so attached to the cell phone? Can't hardly live without it. Now a days, most people think that not having a phone when driving is almost dangerous. What if something was to happen?!? What do you do when you are at the grocery store and you need to call your mother for that recipe to make sure you have everything? What would happen if you were gone for the day and your child got sick at school? No one would be able to get a hold of you ALL DAY! And then there is the time when you are driving for a while and start to be bored and feel a little sleepy, you need that phone so you can call a girlfriend in order to keep you awake and your mind occupied. If you do loose your phone there is the business of the lost phone numbers. So it isn't just that you are out a phone, it is like you lost your contact book too! Everyone elses cell phone number is gone also.

I think I am going to go and call someone on my cell phone. Call me back!

Body Bags

Grandma and Grandpa Smith gave all the grand kids the same thing this year. Large duffel bags on wheels. Here are the pix from youngest to oldest!

ROCKBAND

We have become a bit addicted to ROCKBAND. It is so fun for the entire family. Everyone has gotten into the act. Kevin and Robin, my Dad, Chad and Teri, friends, and every member of our family have rocked out!

I wish there was more of a selection of songs- not that a hundred is not enough of a selection, just of types of music. There is one swear word I have heard in two different song. Mostly it is all Rock music (Da?!) and the songs are not always appropriate for children. Court has picked up on how to play fast, but he is also picking up on the words. I would rather not have my nine year old singing Nirvana. I hope ROCKBAND comes out with a selection of Jonas Brothers or something like that. Until then, we will just have to not let Court be the singer of our band.

Blogging Pet Peeve

December was my worst month of posting since I started.
Yes, it was partly because it has been so busy.
The main reason is really because it has become a pet peeve of Gentry's. For some reason he doesn't like me blogging while sitting next to him. Since he has been home so much this last month... I have respected his feelings.
Now we are getting back to normal life where I am the queen of this castle and the blogging can continue. So watch out cyberspace. Here I come.