December 24, 2009

Merry “Quiche”mas

· 1/4 pound ham

· 1/2 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed or (I use fresh)

· 1/2 (8 ounce) container sour cream

· salt and pepper to taste

· 1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crusts

· 1 tablespoon olive oil

· 1/2 onion, finely diced

· 1/4 pound fresh mushrooms, finely diced

· 1/4 pound Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

· 1/4 pound Cheddar cheese, shredded

· 2 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated

· 4 eggs

· 3/4 cup half-and-half cream

· 1-1/2 teaspoons dried parsley

  • salt and pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Place ham in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown. Drain, and set aside. Cook spinach according to package instructions. Allow to cool, then squeeze dry. (I chopped up fresh spinach and sautéed it at the end with the veggies, it seems easier, better??)

2. Heat olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Sauté onions until soft and translucent. Stir in mushrooms, and cook for 2 minutes, or until soft. Stir in ham. Remove from heat.

3. In a large bowl, combine spinach, sour cream, salt and pepper. Divide, and spread into pie crusts. Layer with ham mixture. Mix together Monterey Jack, Cheddar and Parmesan, and sprinkle over pies. Whisk together eggs, half-and-half and parsley. Season with salt and pepper, and pour over pies.

Place pies on baking sheet (it makes two), and bake on middle shelf in preheated oven for 40 minutes. The top will be puffed and golden brown. If you shake it, the middle shouldn't move. Remove from oven, and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes.

December 20, 2009

Morgan had a friend recently that dropped the bomb, so to speak, on the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy and even Santa Claus. Sooo....she cornered me one day and said,

"Mom, tell me the truth" with a very serious tone...
"is the Tooth Fairy real?" I had to tell her the truth...it was me.

Later, she tried the same thing on me about Santa, so I turned the question around on her."What's your theory on Santa?" The result's in the video. Although I know Santa is still under investigation, and her theories are still formulating, we will have fun with it while it lasts!! The real test will be Santa's lap.

It didn't help that last year we caught Santa speeding off after a Christmas party in a little beat up sedan. Not quiet the eloquent exit with Sleigh Bells and Reindeer with a robust "Ho Ho Ho" we all envision. But, at least he didn't have a cigarette hanging out of his mouth, and his suit was still intact!

December 14, 2009

Today, I read Morgan and Emma a story from the "Friend" magazine, which is put out by our church. It was about a four year old boy who gave his old toys as a gift to another little boy who's family wasn't going be able to have Christmas due to finances. Afterwards we had the idea that our family could donate some of our toys too. We had a great time, and it was nice to get this done (something we needed to do for a long time).

It seems as Christmas approaches, it is a constant battle to keep the feeling of "giving" and blessing the lives of others stronger than that of "I want, I want, I want". This little activity, was something that helped our family keep perspective and I think the girls really understood the meaning as we connected it to our own lives.

The story is in the friend magazine @ friend.lds.org Click on the "Christmas Basket" story in the 2009 Christmas issue. Have Fun!

December 09, 2009

Match Day Results

MATCH DAY was yesterday...
Can you guess where we are off
to next for fellowship???


KENTUCKY!!!!!

November 16, 2009

Yes, it is a little late...but better late than never. Halloween was fun as usual. Morgan wanted to be a Pilgrim and Emma was an Egyptian princess. They LOVE to dress up. And thanks to Nana, I hardly had to sew anything! And of course Daddy's favorite thing about Halloween is playing with knives. Carving pumpkins and digging out slime is Dad's job. I take the pictures.

We have been a bit busy lately. We were out of town for a month...more to come about that. I hope all are doing well, we will be better about posting our life. I know Nana, you especially are anxious to see pictures.

Halloween





June 28, 2009

As Dan spoke the words of Savannah's blessing, many thoughts came to my mind.  One is that I feel so blessed to have her somehow gentle and strong spirit here.  Savannah, what a wonderful addition you have already been, but the words spoken brought even more to mind and gave me a greater glimpse of what your future role will be in our home.  I know you will teach me much about graciously living.  Thank you Savannah, I am excited for our journey together, one you have I am sure been waiting a long time to start!

Savannah's Blessing Day




June 11, 2009

Heritage Girls Book Club


Morgan was invited to joint a book club for girls ages 6-12.  Today was her first day, and she LOVED it.  We are reading Kirsten from the Heritage Girls series.  In the book Kirsten gets lost, we discussed what to do when we get lost.  I was pleased and surprised when Morgan gave her answers.  She said that first she would pray and then ask a mother with children to help her.  It's always nice to know your kids do listen in between their wiggling.  Our last activity we drove to a lady named Marcie's home who creates impressive miniature doll houses.  She showed the girls how to make miniature hat boxes and perfume bottles.  The girls LOVED it and could have stayed all day.    

Miniature Perfume Bottles



These are made with beads glued together and then placed on a miniature mirror.  

Miniature Hat box


June 01, 2009

Memorial Day ended with a bang!   It was a very American day which consisted of an Air show, Swimming in a river, and losing a tooth eating watermelon.  
My little girl is growing up.    

Does the Tooth Fairy Work on Memorial Day?



May 07, 2009

I'll Take the Baby


"I'm in Charge I have the Map!"

Devil's Ice Box-Cave Entrance

Safe in Papa's Arms

I decided to stay outside the cave where I was safe!  I saw the flashlight they brought.  I heard daddy using this opportunity to replace our wimpy flashlights with a more "manly" set.  What does a "manly light" look like anyway??

Danger: You need three sources of light

My daddy really wanted to go deeper into the cave, but as you can see the girls were crying it was "too cold".  It is probably best, being the sign behind his head said we needed three sources of light per person to explore the cave.  As you can see we only had a little bitty light.  I'm glad I stayed outside with Papa!!  

"Are you sure this won't fall?"




Savannah's Lunch time

The table seemed a good place for me to nap while everybody ate.  Life is good!!

Frog Find


April 27, 2009

Crock Pot Baby

Well, if there isn't a better time to start showing them who's boss around here, it's after this silly stunt of putting me in the crock pot to take pictures.  I hope they know I am more than just a "game hen".  Don't worry, I got them good by peeing on Daddy during the photo session.  Again, it's about keeping them on their toes.  Speaking of toes, are those mine??

Sleeping Savannah

I love to sleep; I know mom is wondering how long that will last.  I even sleep well at night, but don't worry, I won't keep that up for too long.  Soon I'll have to start waking them up a bit at night just to keep them on their toes.  They say you can't spoil parents, but I don't know that I believe that theory.

Finding my Finger


I'm not sure what this is, but it sure tastes good!!

In Mommy's Arms


April 18, 2009

I'm Here!

Two weeks early!! 
7lb 13oz. 20 inches long 
April 18th, 2009 7:49 AM

SAVANNAH came just in time for Daddy to cut the umbilical chord, run out the door and take his Ophthalmology board exam.  We started at 2:49 AM with my water breaking.  We arrived at the Hospital at 5:30 AM(ish), and encountered "Nurse Ratchet".  While putting my IV, she curtly told me: "I don't trust a pregnant woman farther than I could throw this building" and promptly proceeded to let me know all the rules of "her" hospital.  Luckily, there was a shift change at 7AM. I was happy to have natural  labor as I planned, I thought I might have to have more intervention with an injured tail bone, two hernias and a sore pubic symphysis (sp?).  Thank goodness for priesthood blessings and such a supportive husband to "coach" me through labor!!  I couldn't have done it without him.  We also were so grateful to have our Doctor there for transition and pushing.  He was awesome, especially when he saw that I needed to refocus and get a hold of myself!!