A new Scout

With Adam turning 11 this month, he left the Webelos Den in Cub Scouts and bridged over to Boy Scouts. I forgot to bring my camera to his last Cub Scout meeting, so another parent took some pictures for me. He was bridging with one other boy.

Shaking hands down a line of cub scouts to say goodbye

receiving a new scarf and slide for his new troop

Adam, a new boy scout. (we'll have to get a picture of him
in his new shirt)

Adam went on his first camp out with the new scouts and had a great time! He's enjoying being a part of the Flaming Dragons Troop. Keep up the great work Adam!

Adam's Birthday

Adam turned 11 years old this month. We sure love our favorite, one and only son. Adam is quite a guy. He's smart, he's funny, he's got a lot of great ideas. He surprises us with his many questions and "what if" thoughts. Adam is learning to be a handy man around the house. He's our Mr. Fix it when Dad isn't around (and sometimes when he is). Adam also is learning to be a great helper with the little girls. He's wanting to be a babysitter too. It is fun to be with Adam when we are visiting any office (like a doctor's or dentist's) or store with machines. He loves to check them out and find out how they work. We're so glad to have Adam in our family!

We had a nice birthday dinner to celebrate. We ate Macaroni and Cheese deluxe (his favorite dinner) and strawberry cake and ice cream. Adam received only money for his presents. He didn't know what he wanted so he decided it would be nice to have money in the bank for when he does decide.

Mackenzie and Jamie had a great time preparing a gift bag full of homemade cards, pictures, gifts and even a little bit of cash. They also made a birthday crown for him to wear.

Hi!!!

Check out my blog @ hannahlovesbooks.blogspot.com Half of the posts I do would work for this blog. So you will like my blog. Also I LOVE comments. *hint*hint* It makes my day better .

So, um, the play is over. I don't really know what to do with my life now (haha, NOT).

My current read is ..................................Jane Eyre. It's very interesting, though not very cheerful.

Guess what? Yours Truly loves babysitting! *** another hint***

Well, I am not going to let the cat out of the bag, so if you want the rest of my news you had better get on over to The Life of a Bookworm!

Ta-ta for now!

Hannah

Katelyn 6 months old

Here are some pictures of Katelyn in the last couple of weeks. Now that she's gotten comfortable crawling around, she is now pulling herself up to furniture.

Jamie feeding Katelyn

we love this sweet smile of hers!

Katelyn's first encounter with the dryer. She was mesmerized with the spinning.

Jamie's Birthday

We celebrated Jamie's 7th birthday! She has been a joy in our family. She is a girl who knows what she wants. Jamie can get very animated and excited when she tells a story and it's fun to see her blue eyes sparkle and her pretty smile shine. Jamie has been a great help with Katelyn and loves to hold her, feed her, help change her. She loves to play with her big sister Mackenzie and feels so much more grown up now that she is 7! We love you Jamie!

Jamie--7 years old

Jamie with her siblings (Mackenzie, Adam, Laurel)

Showing a new book she received as a present. She loves to read!

The Dastardly Doctor Devereaux

The week of our Stake youth play finally arrived! There were three evening performances and each one received very positive reviews. Our family attended on the 2nd night and loved the almost continuous laughing during the hour and a half performance. Grandpa and Grandma Taylor flew out to join us for this and the rest of the weekend. Cathy and Grandma went to the 3rd performance as well because we liked it so much. The youth did a great job and we were thrilled to see Hannah make her acting debut. She has shown interest in acting/theater for a number of years, but until this play, she hadn't really gotten a chance to try out her abilities. She really has some natural talent and was quite a hit.

Hannah as nurse Wendy March

Hannah with her love interest, Dr. Phil Good (Caleb Wardle)

Easter

This Easter, I got Hannah and Adam involved in the easter egg hunt. First they spent an afternoon filling the eggs with treats. Then on Saturday morning they hid them all around the back yard. They then helped Samantha and Laurel during the hunt. They all came out with plenty of eggs and had fun hunting. Later they spent time on some crafts that Grandma had brought. All of this was done around the General Conference sessions that we really enjoyed watching.

Our cute little bunny

A day with Grandpa and Grandma Taylor

We had a fun day with Grandma and Grandpa as we visited the Happy Hollow Zoo and Park in San Jose. This is a place we'd been many times before, but it had just been reopened after a two year closure for remodeling and upgrading.

We toured part of the zoo and saw a jaguar, capybara, meerkats, lemurs and macaws. Then we toured the park and the big kids favorite was the new roller coaster. It's not a big one, but good enough to have some fun! We had a great time even though the day was cold and cloudy. Here are a few pictures of the day.

Grandpa and Laurel explore a big playground structure

Samantha enjoys the bug ride, while Hannah tolerates it because
Samantha wanted her to come with her

Mackenzie and Katelyn

Hannah in front of trees full of spring blossoms

Laurel riding in a firetruck

Grandma holding Katelyn

the roller coaster ride! If you click on the picture,
you'll see Adam in the front

Laurel and Samantha walking through a maze

Hannah, Jamie and Mackenzie on the carousel

walking through the zoo area (Jamie, Mackenzie, Cathy,
Samantha, Adam, Grandpa, Laurel)

Mackenzie and Adam at the Macaw exhibit

March Madness

I know March Madness refers to the annual college basketball championship tournament (which Derek loves to watch when he can), but sometimes it refers to our life! This month went past like a whirlwind and I wasn't able to record all the interesting events of our days as we went along. However, I'll give a brief recap.

Katelyn has been the star of the show this month. As an adorable baby, she often catches our attention anyway, but this month she surprised us with her accomplishments. As a five month old she got her first two teeth, learned to sit up by herself and learned to crawl. Apparently she didn't want to waste any time, and we wonder if she'll grow up to be a great multi-tasker. Here are some pictures of her.

Katelyn crawling

Katelyn sitting up

Laurel has taken more interest in Katelyn again now that she is on the floor more. This is not necessarily a good thing, as Laurel often gets her in an uncomfortable bear hug grip. Or she sits on her. We're working on helping her to ask first if she wants to hold Katelyn. Samantha continues to love holding Katleyn as well.

Katelyn and Samantha

Laurel

Samantha was so excited when we invited her primary teachers over for dinner. She has been having a hard time going to Primary by herself lately and we hoped it would help to get to know her teachers better. We had a great evening with them.

We've been pleased with more of our children helping take care of Katelyn. When she needs a change of clothes or diaper, Mackenzie and Jamie are quick to help out. Even Adam has changed her diaper a time or two.

Jamie has been looking forward to her birthday in April. She has been adding lots of items to her wish list. Jamie has also been loosing many of her baby teeth. It is fun to see her toothless grin.
Mackenzie was thrilled to go camping this month. Derek had an overnighter planned with his Varsity Scouts, but only one boy showed up at their meeting place. So Derek called home and asked if any of the kids wanted to go camping, since he didn't want to waste the good reservations he had made. Adam, Mackenzie, Jamie and Samantha went with him and they had a great time. The camp spot was very close to a beach. They also enjoyed some great food cooked in the dutch oven.

Adam has been making visits to the BMX park again. His skill on the jumps has improved. Sometimes Mackenzie and Jamie join him.

Hannah got even busier this month with play practices. As the performance dates approached she was having 3 or 4 practices a week! She didn't mind though, she has loved all of it. She would often sing her songs and eventually Laurel and Samantha could be heard humming the tunes. Hannah also attended her girl's camp kick off and a regional youth fireside that she really enjoyed.

Cathy enjoyed going to the Relief Society birthday dinner and attending a luncheon for a friend from Santa Clara. She stays busy with Cub scouts and with a new responsibility at our homeschool co-op--teaching the younger children (6 and under). We usually have a story time and then a craft. It's not difficult to do, just takes some time to plan and prepare.

Derek was gone every Saturday in March. Two weekends were for a scout training, one for camping and one for a seminar in Oregon. He too has had some involvement with the youth play, his assignment being to assist with assembling the background and stage extension. He made a number of trips to Home Depot and even helped with the painting.

It's been a good month!

Pipe Works

During the past few weeks, we have had pipe work going on in front of our house. The San Jose Water Company was replacing pipes , so for a few days we have had no access to our driveway. They are finishing up the process now and will be done soon. Hooray!! Below are some pictures.

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