One of These Things is Not Like the Other Ones

Harrison has a perpetual tendency to accentuate the negative (in the cutest possible way.) For example, when the bishop at church asked him what he liked about school, he responded, "Nothing." If you asked if he had a fun birthday, he would be likely to respond, "Not really." He always has a sparkle in his eye and a sly smile that reveal his darling sense of humor is just a little on the negative side. So when Harrison came home from school and went to his backpack for his school picture, and said, "My picture is terrible," I was expecting to see the same charming, beautiful smile I had seen in his pictures from years past. I was speechless and laughing to tears when this is the picture he pulled out (ignore the flash from the camera):


When I had finally composed myself, I asked him what he was thinking when he had his picture taken. He said he was trying to have a nice smile. . . . Guess we need to work on that one.

Incidentally, notice the other two children in the pictures-- aren't they as darling as the grinchy one?? By the way, I can only get Dallin to wear a collared shirt on picture day. The kids know that picture day is my choice-- I will be sad when they are no longer amenable to that arrangement. By the way, do you know that Jeff wore the same shirt (not a similar shirt but the SAME shirt) for three years in a row on picture day in high school?? What am I in for???

Fall Memories

Cozy dinners (unfortunately, this one looked better than it tasted.)

Hay ride.

Corn maze.

Dallin designing his "math problem" pumpkin.

Haven's finished product.

Harrison and Maxwell - hard at work.

Micah mimicking his pumpkin face.

The finished display.

Halloween greetings.

The big night. Micah - doggy, Haven - Miss Universe, Dallin - pharoah, Harrison - Ash (Pokemon), Maxwell - Bat/Dragon (said, "Bat slash dragon,") Amber - Elena, Jeff - Zorro.

Incidentally, while Jeff took the kids trick or treating, some Spanish-speaking children approached him saying - "Look it's the real Zorro! It's really him!" Followed by lots of Spanish conversation. Jeff was flattered. He didn't shave that day on purpose. I, on the other hand, don't think I'll ever be mistaken for the "real Elena."

Do Ants Have Noses?

Today Max asked me if ants have noses. I think he's asked me this before, but today he insisted that I “look it up.” So I did-- ants smell with their antennae. “What about crabs?” (I looked it up.) Crabs smell with their antennules. “What about beetles?” According to Wikipedia, beetles smell with their antennae too. Over lunch he thought of some more-- “What about flies, I forgot to ask about them. Oh, and do they have eyes?”

Remember before the Internet, when parents could just say, “I don't know?”

Proposition 8 in Plain English

This YouTube video acknowledges the respect we feel for those who choose alternative lifestyles, and simply explains the important issues surrounding California Proposition 8. Help protect our schools, our families, and our society.

Proposition 8 in Plain English

Pumpkin Waffles with Buttermilk Syrup

We had these for dinner last night. My sister-in-law, Laura, will forever be one of my favorite people for sharing this recipe:). My suggestion: double the syrup. It's that good.

Served them with this (which Jeff made by the way):

And this:

Recipes below (except for the orange juice. It was Minute Maid. Original. Low pulp. With calcium.)

Pumpkin Waffles and Buttermilk Syrup Batter: 2 c. flour 2 Tbsp. baking powder 2 Tbsp. cinnamon 1 Tbsp. sugar ½ tsp. nutmeg ¼ tsp. salt Mix ingredients together, then add: 4 egg yolks (save whites) 1 c. pumpkin 1 Tbsp. vanilla 1 ½ c. milk ¾ c. melted margarine Then beat 4 egg whites until stiff peaks form and fold them into the batter. Cook in waffle iron. Buttermilk Syrup: 1/4 cup butter (NOT margarine) ½ c. buttermilk (or substitute 1 Tbsp. lemon juice + ½ c. milk) 1 c. sugar 1 tsp. light corn syrup Bring to a boil and take off heat. Add 1 tsp baking soda and 1 tsp vanilla. It will bubble up quite a bit, so make sure your pan is large enough. Stir until it settles. Serve warm over pumpkin waffles. Yummy!

Easy Breakfast Casserole

2 cups dry chicken stove top stuffing mix (from the canister)
2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups cubed ham (or use Bob Evans Sausage, cooked, drained well, and crumbled)
6 eggs, beaten
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

1. Preheat oven to 350F and lightly grease a 9 x 12 baking dish.
   
2. Mix all the ingredients together.
   
3. Pour into prepared baking dish.
   
4. Bake for about 45-50 minutes or until set.
   

Fine.

Today, Max and Micah were eating lunch when the phone rang. While I was the on the phone, Micah kept screaming over and over (not an uncommon occurrence and nothing to be alarmed about.) When I hung up, I went to the table and said, “Micah, what do you need?”

He said, “More quesedilla.”

“Okay,” I said in an exasperated tone (think long, drawn-out "a" sound.)

He responded, “Fine.” (think long, drawn-own "i" sound.)

Funny. That's exactly what my tone said, not “okay,” but “fine.”

Protecting Marriage

Here is a news clip from Tony Perkins-- President of the Family Research Council in Washington D.C. He talks with parents of a five year old, and parents of a seven year old in Massachusetts about the changes in public school since same-sex marriage became legal. We need to do all we can to protect our families by protecting traditional marriage.