Snowy Day

Today we woke up to snow! The kids were so excited they didn't want to eat breakfast before they went out there to play! We built a little snowman who we named "frosty." Darrin moved the snowman to the front porch after we built him. It's now sunny, and Josh looks out the front window every 5 minutes to check and see if he's still there or if he's melted. Luckily our porch faces the north, so he'll probably be around for a little bit at least.

Safety First

Josh and Andrew just got some bicycle helmets and pads to help keep them safe. Now they think they need to fall down all the time to make sure the knee and elbow pads actually work!

January Stuff

Happy January!

January has been a cold and boring month for us. But boring is good! We've been getting back in the swing of things since Christmas: preschool, Young Womens, work, and responsibility!

The pregnancy is going really well! I'm 23 weeks and feeling the baby move all over the place. Besides the minor heartburn and normal aches and pains, I'm feeling great!!

Here's what I can be found doing in my spare time lately: reading the books by Stephenie Meyer--Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse. I'm in the middle of Eclipse right now, and I highly recommend them!! My sister-in-law gave me this shirt (which I love!)...and I guess to understand it, you'll have to read the books!

In closing here's a yummy January Recipe to warm you up!

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

2 pounds boneless beef top round steak, cut into 1-inch pieces

8 medium carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 pound small red potatoes, quartered

1/2 pound sliced fresh mushrooms

1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped

1 can (14 1/2 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 can (6 oz) tomato paste

3/4 cup beef broth

1/3 cup dry red wine or additional beef broth

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

In a large skillet, brown beef on all sides. In a 5-qt. slow cooker, combine the carrots, potatoes, mushrooms and red pepper. Pour tomatoes over the top. In a small bowl, whisk the flour, tomato paste and broth until smooth. Stir in the wine or additional broth, salt, garlic, pepper and thyme; pour into slow cooker. Top with beef. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until meat is tender.

Christmas Catch Up

Thanks to Darrin for editing and adding the last post! He's having lots of fun with his new software, and the kids love their baseball toy!

I'm now going to attempt to document our Christmas break...sorry it's taken so long!

December 25

Josh and Andrew opening their scooter.
Josh with his new fire truck.
Andrew playing in his Thomas tent from Grandpa and Grandma Morris.
We did have a "white Christmas" in Portland this year!! It snowed for awhile, but never really stuck to the ground.
10pm--Mom FINALLY gets to open and check our her new toys!
December 28

We decided to take the kids bowling! They loved it!
January 2
Darrin celebrated another birthday! I hope he had a fun day. We were able to go out kid free and grab some dinner at the Outback Steak House. And my cars are now spotless because of the shop vac he got for his birthday! You know you're getting old when....!
Thanks for all you do Darrin! We love you!!
And as a final note, Josh went to Sunbeams today!!! I did have to go with him to Primary, but once he was in his class he let me leave. Hopefully that will fade out soon. He loves his new scriptures, and loves telling Andrew that he's too little for scriptures and Primary!

Little Hancock Sluggers

A fun video of the kids playing baseball.