Step'n Out

We've been out on the town the last few evenings...

Monday night we went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house and visited with friends. We enjoyed the star theme that permeated the building which was as impressive as Mt. Timpanogos' water theme, Provo's fire theme, Sacramento's wildlife theme and Salt Lake's vineyard theme.



We took a family hike up the glorified hill behind our home to try to learn why prophets in the ancient times spent so much time in the mountains. Everyone made the trip without complaining, causing massive shock and near heart failure to both parents.



On Wednesday, we went to the Manti pageant, or as it is now called, the Mormon Miracle Pageant. The weather was wonderful, the sky danced, and the temple looked great. As for the performance itself, I think our feelings are best described by Mg's comment halfway though the show - "Daddy, that's not how it goes in the Book of Mormon" - proving truth and falsehood is discernable to anyone who studies the scriptures. There was so much potential in the story without trying to fabricate it for showbiz. When the truth is more interesting and powerful than "based on a true story", why would one accept the latter? It was a once in a lifetime experience because we'll probably only go once.



On Thursday Melissa and I were graciously offered tickets to Andre' Rieu at the USANA outdoor amphitheater. That show was pure entertainment. The music permeated through the frustrations of the night before, relaxing and melting away annoyance.



F.Y.I. All pictures were taken by us and we reserve all rights and use of those on this blog.

Sing-a-long

When Melissa went off to a meeting I overhead in the hallway... singing to himself...

Humpty Dumpty sat on a WALL,
He was hungry, so his Mom made him the best coo-KIES
AAAANNNNNNNDDDDDDD heateuntilhewasFULLLLLLLL
AAAAANNNNDDDD it made him SOOOOO happy that he begin to runnnnnnnn
on a big Harley motorcycle.
A-wemba-way
A-wemba-way [yes, that's a song change to The Lion Sleeps tonight, not like he's following any set song]
Then he KICKED A CAR
And smacked RIGHTTTTT into it
And then he jumped right on TOP
And hit the gaaaasssss ped-DALLLL
and ran over somebody. Hur-RAY!
Off in the hell-a-copper [helicopter]
brgikggggkggkgkgggkgkgggg [machine gun noises].



The therapy bills are going to be enormous.

Family Happenings updated with pictures

I've not been able to have corn for over 8 years. Thus, the family hasn't had it, either. I had no ill effects when I accidentally got some last month so I decided to try it again... Success! The family all really enjoyed the cob-style.


A nearby town has a sweet wooden playground with learning and "discovery" tools. I took Tm and Am there and they had a blast! We're going again next week with all three.



I'm trying new recipes, again. The children got to try my "gingerbread waffles." They were scrumptious! I also found a basic wheat bread recipe that is tasty and worked fantastic for a bread bowl. Yeah!


Mg came soooo close to scoring a goal in one of her games. The next game was a challenge in the downpour. One more game this weekend and the season is over. (Post note: She again tried and tried but just missed the goal again in the final game. Her teammates gave up several goals to pass it to her. She just couldn't quite connect.)


Am has learned to open doors... and unlock them... so bed time has a little more challenge but she mostly knows when she's tired and zonks out accordingly.


I got a cute picture of Am coloring on her own the other day. She was very focused and enjoying herself.


The family enjoys frequent Lego parties in the theater.


Our trial camp out in the backyard was an adventure! Am wasn't too impressed with her sleeping conditions and actually fell off her mattress in the night onto David's face. Poor guy!
It was late when we fell asleep and the sun was up for an early awakening. Mg and Tm enjoyed watching A Bug's Life before knocking out.


One of David's old friends posted an old-school picture of David at this friend's birthday party. Mg was able to immediately identify her dad. Can you?

Where's the reset button on this thing?

When a computer or electrical device has a glitch, one often presses the reset button to correct the issue. If anyone can tell us where that button is on children that would be helpful.

Mg runs during swim lessons, kicks during dance, and dances during soccer. I think we need to hit reset.

Appointment

This week those at Church Headquarters approached David to ask him to join the Institute Curriculum Department Team as a field writer. He accepted this appointment.

Part of his work will now involve the preparation of lessons and chapters for the Church's Institute Manuals. This is an incredibly challenging/daunting endeavor. He will be expected to prepare and write effective, interesting lessons with strict doctrinal precision, brevity, simplicity, and clarity; potentially being able to influence - in a very small way - the teaching of The Church's worldwide young adult audience (since the collaborated lessons in the manuals get translated into multiple languages and distributed for teachers and students wherever institute is held). {The real challenge for him will be brevity... hee hee...} The other part of his work with the 9th graders will continue, but with a reduced teaching load.

This is not a common opportunity for S&I instructors, and we are fairly excited for the challenge it will bring to David's work. He will get to used some of his lesser-used gifts like gospel research and writing. He always enjoys an intellectual challenge, so this will be a blessing on many levels.

Father & Son Safari

It was a big hit !


Tm and Jx ready to catch bugs with Safari hats, sunglasses and bug jars in place.


Tm and David at the peak.

No bugs but two lizards were spotted and almost caught before the group returned to base camp for the Big Lizard...


Our second fondant adventure. Marshmallow fondant (MMF) is much better than the corn syrup uncooked fondant (the white parts here).


Check those gator nostrils David carved!



Somehow we missed photo ops for the gator pinata but here is some video.


And finally the gifts. David cut and carved and sanded these the night before. Their accuracy is impressive! Time to pull out David's old school army men for some tactical work.

Carrot on a stick

Mg informed us last year of her desire to learn to swim. At the time, she was struggling to ride a bike with training wheels. We told her she could get swimming lessons after she learned to ride a bike without training wheels.

We practiced and practiced with the trainers to strengthen her legs. T joined right in. At 3 1/2, he said he was ready to take the trainers off, as Mg continued struggling around the cul-de-sac.

After 3 days of practice, he was riding in circles and mastering the skill of balance.



Then came winter and the bikes were put away. Now it's Spring and the bikes are back out. T picked up where he left off and Mg had a bit more confidence and still more motivation with the not-yet-reachable swim lessons.

T approached us last week and said, "I can ride a two-wheeler. Does that mean I get swim lessons with Dad?" So that's why he was riding at 3 1/2! He can't start on his own but he's earned swimming time. Mg heard this and her confidence boosted a bit more. She had a goal to pedal 10 full rotations without support. She did it! Then she was told swim lessons come after she can go on her own (because her legs are long enough to start). With that motivation and some neighbors cheering her on, She went off...

I'm not sure she's ready to bike past the cul-de-sac but she has her circles down pretty well.



Someone else is joining the fun, too.

Good Eats

David and I enjoy the Television Show "Good Eats" on the Food Network. I love the creativity and the lessons taught. They have provided me with excellent recipes for crepes and french toast. I've also learned some tricks about pies and buttermilk. The host doesn't just give recipes but tells the why and the science of food interactions. It's great!

This week, we watched an episode on Tamales. David has recently been wanting a good tamale. So yesterday, I printed the recipe at 12:25. After covering the carpool rides, I did a quick, uncharacteristic shop-for-one-meal's-ingredients trip to the store and got to work.

2:27 PM Corn Husks, now soaked and pliable.

Corn meal dough

Chicken filling

I expected a short 20 minute break for the second round of carpool but it ended up being that plus feed-the-kids-a-quick-snack-and-get-them-to-soccer-then-get-them-home-and-more-food-because-there-is-no-way-the-tamales-will-be-ready-before-bedtime-now kind of a break.

7:17 Tamales in the steamer almost done

7:33 PM Finally time to eat:-)

7:49 PM Yum. I got a 5 star rating and it's one of his top TWO meals I've ever made him. (That may because this has some kick to it, rather than the usual spaghetti-with-tomato-sauce-garlic-and-a-bit-of-Italian-seasoning.) Now that's a keeper! A great benefit is that it makes 50-60 and there's no way we can eat that in one batch so I have a good number in the freezer for another meal or two.

Good Eats is a winner!