Monthly Miscellanea

We often highlight some of the stand-out events of our month, but it's the little things that happen that really make up our interesting month.

--Adam and Jamie both gave talks in Primary
--Cathy pruned trees in our backyard as she was tutored by our landlord, Sally
--Katelyn perfected her rolling over, as well as started learning to eat baby food


--Hannah and Mackenzie attended a birthday party/goodbye party for friends who were moving out of state
--we attended the Blue and Gold Banquet and Adam received his Webelos award there.
--Hannah and Mackenzie both played piano pieces at our ward's Variety show. They did a great job. Hannah had to learn some new things in her role in the play. She had to practice a dramatic death (though her character is just pretending to die)
--Adam and Jamie enjoyed playdates with friends
--Derek went to the temple with a friend going through for the first time. The next day we all went to the baptism of two of his children.
--We all had dentist appointments this month. Cathy and Adam had a visit to the Orthodontist. We've got some HSA money saved up, so we might get started on orthodontic treatment that many of us needed. We'll probably start with Hannah and Cathy (eek!)
--we watched lots of olympics in our free time

Katelyn enjoying some outdoor time

Snow, Sonora and some good ol' R&R

Derek was scheduled to teach an NCCS seminar in Sonora, CA. That town is close to the mountains on one side of Yosemite. Since the kids have been wanting to see some snow, we decided to all go with him. We had planned to stay at a hotel there, but a kind family offered their vacation home to us. It was farther up the mountain from Sonora and surrounded by beautiful trees. It was a very peaceful place to stay. What helped with the peacefulness was the absence of tv, computer and radio. All we could do was visit and play games and sit around reading. What a treat!

We arrived a day before the seminar so that Derek could take the 4 oldest children to a snow park where you rent tubes to slide down a hill. They had a blast! Unfortunately there wasn't snow where we were staying, so only those who went to the snow park got to see any. But they had fun and the little ones (and mom) got a nap.

Laurel trying on a snow outfit before the trip

The following day Derek, with Hannah, Adam and Mackenzie, went to the seminar. Hannah was training Adam and Mackenzie how to run the book table. At lunch time I and the younger ones went to meet them during the lunch break. Then we went back to the house and started packing and cleaning. We planned to drive back home that night (it was a 3 hour drive). Before we headed for home, we ate dinner at the home of the family who hosted the seminar. We were so touched by the kindness of everyone involved with the seminar and their generosity to us. It was a short, but enjoyable family trip. (we wish we would have taken some pictures! I guess we were truly relaxing!)

Mom's Morning Out

One of the "grandmothers" in our ward has started a new monthly activity for mothers. It is primarily for mothers of young children, but she invites all mothers who are interested. She chooses a book or theme each month to give an informative and inspiring lesson. She usually has handouts or other items to share that go along with the lesson. She then has a full lunch prepared for the moms (as well as for the children who are being tended by others during this time). These lunches are really yummy and the tables are decorated so beautifully for whatever holiday is happening that month. It has really been a neat experience to go to these. I have loved the little "break" it gives me and the chance to be uplifted by a message specifically for mothers. I also really enjoy the time to visit with the other moms who come.

It has also been a good experience for me to watch the example of this sister (and those who help her in the nursery and with lunch) . I love how she has chosen to serve and use her free time now that her children are grown. She remembers what it was like to be "in the trenches" and she found a way she could strengthen and show love to those who currently are in that stage of life. I have been really touched by her efforts and can see that the other mothers have been too.

"And when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." Luke 22:32
"By love serve one another." Galatians 5:13

Updates

So......................... the play is moving along nicely. We are about 10 pages from the end, and then we start running through the WHOLE thing. I am learning all my songs, and my lines. Well, trying to anyway. School is doing okay.

I recently read The Undaunted by Gerald N. Lund and LOVED it!!! It was amazing. For school I am currently reading Sherlock Holmes Mysteries. We have a book with ALL of the Sherlock Holmes adventures and novels and I am really enjoying reading it.
We have also been watching a bunch of Olympics since they started. We have seen Men's Short Track, Bobsledding(?), Ski Jumping, and Women's Mogul, possibly more. It was cool because a USA girl named Hannah Kearney won Gold! Personally I think my favorite sport is Ice Dancing!!! My favorite team is Merill Davis and Charlie White(USA), they are fab, so keep an eye out for them! I also like Men's skating. My favorite skater is Johnny Weir(USA).
That's the latest and greatest. See my Blog for more news, and pictures. I update it usually once or twice a week. Sometimes more.


Love,
Hannah

Sweet Recipe

We've been studying a nutrition and health curriculum (http://growinghealthyhomes.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66&products_id=182) and have been learning some great things about eating healthier. The curriculum has some great recipes to try (many are healthier versions of familiar favorites)

Here's one we tried for our Valentine's Party at Co-Op. It's a healthy sweet treat. It was great! Everyone who tried it loved it! It's also gluten-free. (though not good for those with nut allergies)

Almond Butter Chip Bars

1 16oz organic creamy almond butter (not "no-stir")
1 cup Blue Agave nectar sweetner (can find at Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, etc)
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1 cup organic carob chips or dark chocolate chips (we used carob)

Mix almond butter with a hand blender until creamy. Add blu agave, eggs, vanilla, baking soda and salt. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined. Mix half of the carob/dark chocolate chips into the batter. Pour batter into a well greased 9 x 13 baking dish. Top with the rest of the carob/chocolate chips. Bake at 325 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes. Once out of the oven, it will look like a puffed up souffle. Let it sit for five minutes before cutting and serving. Substitute other nut butters for unique flavors.


Let us know how you like it!

Arizona Trip--Funeral

Our month started pretty normal (as normal as possible while Cathy was recovering from illness the previous week). About mid week we got news that Derek's grandmother had passed away. It wasn't a surprise, as she had been struggling on and off for a couple of years. We had a day to decide if we would go to the funeral. In the end we decided to go. It's always nice to be with family to pay your last respects to a beloved grandparent. The children hadn't been to a funeral yet (those who had in the past were really young then), and they wanted to experience it. We were also looking forward to a few days with family.

We had the usual long drive, but it went pretty well. Katelyn struggled the most, but in general did better than expected. Even Laurel and Samantha surprised us how quiet and content they were through the long drive. (I think it was mostly due to having such great big sisters available to entertain and help them)

Once in Mesa, we had two full days of time with cousins and aunts and uncles. Plenty of visiting and playing. (some of these pictures were taken by Aunt Diane--thank you!)

Our children and their cousins enjoying Grandpa Taylor's back yard

Hannah with cousin Sarah

Jamie with cousin Sidney

Samantha with cousin Reagan

Katelyn, 4 months, with cousin Owen, 1 month

The third day there was the funeral, which was touching. I didn't know Derek's grandmother very well, so it was neat to hear her life history. It was special to see so many of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren gathered to remember her.
Since I didn't take pictures during this time, check out my sister-in-laws blog with pictures at http://dannyandbeka.blogspot.com/2010/02/grandma-mary-taylors-funeral.html

After the luncheon, the remainder of the day we relaxed and spent more time with the family. That evening we had the monthly Taylor birthday dinner with everyone and that was fun. We were also celebrating Grandma Taylor's 60th birthday! And we also spent time repacking for the drive home. It was a quick trip, but a nice change of scenery for a few days!

Some of us "sisters" having a good chat

Derek, Samantha, and Cathy enjoying the swing

Samantha had lots of smiles for us on this trip

At the birthday dinner--the line of up of February birthdays.
Cathy, Grandma Taylor, Aunt Anna, and cousin Matthew (in front of the cake)

Cathy and Katelyn