Old Photos

What about that hair style?

I love my Grandpa Metcalf. He always had on a great hat and happy smile. And isn't Jen so cute with him? I don't know what my deal was.

My mom keeps sending out these old photos of each of us. I love it.

Cool Chore Chart

We are always having to change things up around here.

So if you are ready for a new chore chart...check out this cute one here.

PS - I just got tickets to the U2 360 tour and I couldn't be more excited. I have always wanted to go to a U2 concert.

What's with the goofy hats?

That's me. Plastic underpants on my head. Who knows what I was screamin about. And do you remember those metal zippers? I hated them.

The kids think it is so funny to put this lamp shade on Quinn's head. She pulls it down over her eyes and walks around. It puts the kids in a fit of giggles. Unfortunately it ended bad. She can't see where she is going and no one stopped her until she hit a stool right on her forehead. And of course that was on the morning of her 15 month check-up. I didn't describe to the doctor who she got the nice bruise on her head.

A New Scripture Bag

Look what came in the mail today from my sister-in-law Lindsey. She made this for Elise for her scriptures. I am in love with it and so is Elise. 

Do you believe in Miracles?

You should.

You may have seen this story on the local Utah news. But you should read it from the mom's perspective and then watch this video. Kind of long but so great. Grab a couple of tissues.
http://stakerzxposed.blogspot.com/2010_02_01_archive.html



http://stakerzxposed.blogspot.com/2010/02/bronson-miracle.html

Baptism Day

Elise was SO excited to get baptized. And definitely ready. It was exactly 8 days from her 8th birthday. Each day she had a countdown on her door with an activity or simple gift to get her ready and keep her excited for Baptism Day.

It was fun to have so many friends and family at her baptism to support her in this decision. It is a decision she made on her own with a desire to do what is right and be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loves Jesus Christ and wants to follow his example each day. She really tries hard to choose the right.

Elise was baptized and confirmed by her Dad. 

She loved being a part of all the details. Especially the dress. We loved this dress at CrewCuts so we enlisted Grandma Porter (a master seamstress) to recreate it just for Elise. It turned out beautiful (of course).

Kenyon Update

I don't know if this picture does it justice. But if you have seen him hobbling around - you know. It is painful and large. Today is actually a little less swollen.

I called Huntsman Clinic first thing this morning and they had me bring him right in. Just how we wanted to spend the holiday. 4 hours at Huntsman. There was only one doctor covering all the patients at Huntsman. Nice.

His opinion is that it is probably a  little GVHD flare-up. That happens as you taper the steroids. Solution - increase the steroid dose. Not by too much right now but we'll see.

It is also common as you come off the steroids that you have inflammation problems. When you are on steroids it is suppressing inflammation and when you taper down the immune system can kick into gear.

I think that is all I know.

Valentine's Dinner

I really need a lesson on taking pictures of food. But we kicked off the morning with Pink Puffy Pancakes (aka - German Pancakes). We pretty much have puffy pancakes every Sunday morning. It is a favorite. But the pink tint to them was kind of interesting. 

Dinner was better.

Valentine's Dinner Menu

Strawberry lemonade

Creamy Raspberry Jello hearts (made with jello and pudding) - no surprise but it was Quinn's favorite

Pink Mashed Potatoes (looked like really yummy frosting)

Homemade bread with raspberry jam

Cauliflower

Pioneer Woman Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Dessert: It was going to be chocolate fondue but I decided to save that for FHE tomorrow. Our friends dropped off some yummy chocolate dipped strawberries and we have plenty of candy so that was perfect for dessert.

And we delivered Valentine's to each person's plate and read them out loud. 

Bummer part of the night - Kenyon wasn't hungry because his knee hurts so bad. And he hobbled off to bed with his crutches at 6pm. He hasn't come back out or I would take a picture. His knee is humongous. Really it is and he is miserable. Good times.

Sewing Classes!!

My sister, Kristine, is teaching sewing classes. If you or your daughter wants to learn - either of these classes would be great.

It finally happened....

Our last date night - June 16th, 2008. We went to Cheesecake Factory the Saturday before he was admitted to University of Utah Hospital for his bone marrow transplant. But a day before he had a spinal tap and it resulted in a major spinal headache. He was so miserable that he ended up ditching me and our food to go lay down in the car. So it wasn't much of a date. And since then, you can't really count my visits to the hospital as date nights even though they were without kids.

I am pretty dang sick of not getting out so I finally planned it. We went to a 5 pm showing a movie and it wasn't crowded and then we went to dinner at Bajios. Totally empty. And we had the best babysitter. I forgot how nice that is.

A Favorite Thing

Tonight for our Relief Society activity, we gathered to share some of our favorite things. It was a great way to learn things about each other and get some good ideas. I forgot that one of my FAVORITE things is my Favorites Cookbook by the Ivory Family (you can buy it at the Make-A-Wish foundation). It is a winner.

Sunday we had a little Superbowl Party. Sort of. The game was on but we aren't really big NFL fans. But the company was great and the food was GRUB!  It might be one of my favorite Sunday meals of the year.  I made Mexican Chicken Chowder from the Favorites. (Jul - post the recipe for those cookies). It is not for those trying to be healthy (but come on - is any of the food you eat a Superbowl party for the healthy?).

Mexican Chicken Corn Chowder (no picture because I stink at taking food pictures) - Thanks to Christina for introducing me to this recipe and the cookbook.
1 1/2 lbs boneless,skinless chicken cut into bite size pieces
1/2 cup chopped onions
1 clove minced garlic
3 T butter
2 chicken bouillon cubes
1 cup hot water
1 tsp cumin
2 cups half and half
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 - 14 3/4 oz can cream-style corn
1 - 4 oz can diced green chilies, undrained
1/4 tsp Tabasco sauce
1 medium tomato, chopped
fresh cilantro

In a large saucepan, brown chicken, onion and garlic in butter until chicken is no longer pink. Dissolve the bouillon in hot water. Add to pan along with cumin and bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes. Add half and half, cheese, corn, chilies, and tabasco sauce. Cook and stir over low heat until the cheese is melted. Stir in chopped tomato. Serve immediately. Garnish with cilantro. We also like to add some tortilla chips to ours.

Danger Zone

My sister Egan hooked us up with this cool 3form material. I have wanted something on this wall over my stairs for only 6 years. Problem is - it is HEAVY and the stairs make for an awkward job. Thanks to the Whites for saving us with this ladder. And thanks to Kenyon and Egan for their strength and skills - we got them up just in time for the baptism party at our house the next day.

* I forgot to mention that other dangerous part. Kenyon leaned over the railing, across the stairs to drill those holes. It pretty much caused some major stress. And it didn't help that his knees KILLING him. He is a good sport for my projects.

Don't Judge a Book By It's Cover

This is what Teague said about Quinn when someone commented on how cute she is. "Don't judge a book by it's cover. She is torture." She is darling. But....this picture shows why I do not venture out with her. We didn't even last 10 minutes in this yummy restaurant (Stoneground on 400 South). I ended up eating my salad in the car with Quinn (who ate all my chicken and carmalized grapes). Good times.