California, Part I

We were able to stay with my brother and his family in California.  Not only were they great host and hostess, but we were to see more family than we have been able to in a very long time.

Lee and Ashly moved to Corona, Ca from Wisconsin with perfect timing.  We were able to visit with them and do what we love best.... EAT! ;)

Yes, Lee has a crush on Mike, but then, who doesn't????

Our kids all got along famously.  It was cute for them to hug and say, "This is my cousin!"  Then the other would say, "That's my cousin too!"

Later that week, we went to the Ronald Reagan National Library.  It was very impressive.  It covered every highlight from his presidency.  I didn't remember so many events from my childhood happening while he was in office.

 Here is the oval office during his time in the White House.  It was a full size replica and then they had several interactive things for kids and lots of things for their parents too.

  
Part of the Berlin Wall.  Abby looks like she is trying to break away into East Germany!

And finally we walked through his Airforce One and limo, very cool!  You can see how much fun we had by the look on Abby's face.  There is no denying that!

In an effort to update my blog...

I have gone back to my blog several times and thought; man, what am I going to write that's interesting to my friends and family?  So the blog has stayed empty...  On my way home from an evening with close friends, I realized since April, I have felt like Alice falling down the rabbit hole.  I will do my best to update you all!

Christmas 2010

Sweet Holly Story Christmas 5x7 folded card

Shutterfly Christmas cards

View the entire collection of cards.

Jasmine with her "Raja"

A

Abby had her Halloween party in Kindergarten today.  She was THRILLED to wear her costume this morning.  Look at her face, it kinda still has that "crazy excitement" look to it! :DD  She refused to be called Abby, so all morning we referred to her as "Jasmine".  The dog couldn't be called Billy...  he had to be called "Raja".  Abby, I mean, Jasmine couldn't understand why Raja wasn't coming when she called.  Funny!

 This afternoon "Jasmine" came home with candy and she has been on a Halloween high all day.  I think this weekend is going to be fun, fun, fun!  I can't wait.  BTW, tonight is homemade chicken noodle soup and rolls.  I'm sure it's going to be yum!

"Dining? No, thank you."

 

I had such high hopes...  I was hoping to "wow" my family, but it was more like "bow-wow."  I'm not going to pretend, the Chicken Cacciatore was not great.  The creamy salmon gravy was okay, but not anything to share...  Enchiladas are always good, but it's my SIL's recipe (tried and true).  Tortellini &cheese was good, but I made WAY to much, don't we all do that with pasta?  After three days, I couldn't look at it anymore and I threw the last bit away.  

I am still looking forward to the rest of my menu, so I will update you and if it's good enough to brag, I will share the recipe...

We've been busy mateys!!!

Learning to play Hopscotch

Becoming a Pirate for school

Taking a tour of Bountiful, and learning my 3rd great grand-father's house is still standing

and locating it!  This is John Stoker's house

The house is really cute, but in SORRY shape.

We also go a new dog, Billy.

The cat is bigger, but as you can see, he gives her a run for her money!

But he definitely is a keeper,

... dare say, a perfect addition!

What's for dinner?

I have a confession to make...  for a while I wasn't a very good wife and mom (please read the whole thing before you reject my statement.)  I was over-worked, over-stressed, under-slept, and barely making it.  I had two "part-time" jobs AND this Spring/Summer I was pregnant.  When I only had one job, I was still pregnant, but very depressed and had anxiety.  My way of coping was by not doing anything besides sleeping.  Sounds delightful doesn't it?

My poor family lived on frozen dinners and burritos.  My husband did my laundry, cleaned my house, made dinner for Abby, and even entertained her.  While I... coped.

This weekend, I was determined to take another step towards the "old" me.   I had a fantastic weekend.  Mike vacuumed, mopped, and dusted (sorry ladies, he's taken!)  and I wiped down bathrooms, rotated and put away laundry, changed sheets on beds, made cookies, dinner, and we both listened to conference!  Whew... I was tired, but a good tired!

Now that my house is back to normal, I feel revitalized.  I can see where I found pride in my home.  AND, with the weather cooling down, I feel the thrill of fall.  One of the things I really love to do is cook when it gets cooler.  Fall is when "comfort" food reigns!  Here is what's for dinner at the Preas' home this month:

Tortellini & Cheese, Homemade Pizza, Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup with Cornbread, Crispy Pork Chop & Apple Salad, Slow-cooker Chicken Cacciatori, Shrimp & Artichoke Fettuccine, Chicken Poppy-seed Casserole, Stuffed Squash & Meatloaf, Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Mustard Pork Chops & Rice, Creamed Salmon Gravy over French Bread, Chicken Enchiladas, Lasagna, and Taco Salad.

YUM, I'm glad I'm back! (Mike and Abby probably are too!)