Uh Oh!

Fredrica the Fish

There was George the Giraffe, Cheddar Cheese, then Smoke Stack, and Fredrica the Fish. If your lucky enough to get selected from the toy box you will get to ride around town, go to church, be hugged, sat on, and kissed.  Today I gave Fredrica a bath in the washing machine...it was time. When she comes out I will have to sew her up because she might be receiving a bit too much love.    

 Pictured: Fredrica and Cheddar Cheese

11 Months

Help....my baby is turning into a little girl!  It's getting a lot more difficult to take her picture.  Hence the back of the head photos...it's all part of the experience. 

New things: 

When I lay on the ground she automatically comes over and sits on me like a horse and expects a ride.  She has favorite toys that she carries around all day.  George has retired and someone new has take his place (in a later post to come). She likes to come over and lay her head on me and smile. She loves to say things like : Uh Oh, Woah!, Wow, Da Da, Ma Ma, and mmmmmmm. She has two new little teeth.  She had one and the other one was coming in before I even noticed. I am loving the new options of food.  

 I love her so so much! 

She has recently discover the tampon box and the toilet paper.  I don't mind the tampons because it entertains her while I get ready in the morning...Don't judge me!  But unrolling the toilet paper is not a habit I want her to get into.  It takes forever to roll it back up into a semi normal roll! Let's just say I'm trying to teach her the difference between No and Yes.

Paul had cash on his night stand.  I turned my head for a few minutes and there were dollar bills everywhere.   She was having a really good time. .

My attempt at getting a picture of her new teeth.

Grandpa C

I'm not recording this for anyone but myself so don't feel an obligation to read it...

Now for the reason why I'm so behind.  Right before our trip to Louisiana I got a call from my sister telling me that Grandpa wasn't doing well.  I had a sense that he wouldn't come out of this one.  He's had a couple strokes before but this one took everything. I got the call that he had passed a few days later.
When I heard the news I tried to be happy that  he was no longer feeling the pain of his mortal body, but I felt crushed.  There was no emotion because I didn't know how to feel.  I didn't cry until the funeral as I watched Grandma kiss him goodbye...and then it seemed like I couldn't stop.  I couldn't stop remembering all the really great times we shared and how I was going to miss his hugs and his smile.
Before I left to Texas I went to visit Grandpa, he told me that there was a lot of missionary work to in Texas.  He then asked me if I had any pass along cards.  A few minutes later he came out of his office with a brand new stack of cards and told me to be brave.  Grandpa was always teaching me something.  I'm sad to report that I didn't hand one single card out, that stack is still sitting in my closet waiting for me to be brave.  I made a copy of Grandpa's history before I left Utah to take with me.  It made me so happy because I felt like I was taking a small piece of Grandpa with me.  I devoured every last word when I returned home. Grandpa shared the gospel his entire life.  That bravery must be somewhere inside of me because it was inside of him.  I got up from my couch after finishing his history with a new goal to hand out those pass along cards.

Grandpa,
I may be late, but I'm going to be brave!  You are still teaching me!  During the last month I have learned a lot about the type of person I want to be.  I can honestly say that I have a testimony of eternal families, and everyday I learn more about what it takes to be a member missionary.
I'm going to miss you.  Till we meet again!  I hope I make you proud.             

I stole these pictures from my sister, because I didn't have the frame of mine to grab my camera.  It's a good thing someone was thinking!

For Lisa

While Mom's house last week I was rifling through the fridge trying to find something to eat.  I pulled out a pasta salad that Mom had made the day before in one of her cooking classes.  It was so good that I couldn't stop eating it!
The missionaries came over this week and I decided to do a BBQ so I put together the meal shown below and used my Mom's pasta salad recipe.  When I called for the recipe she told me that she didn't know the amounts.  She just threw it in (typical of my mother).  So I put it together myself with only a list of ingredients.  Later in the day I noticed an update on her blog where she had so kindly posted a recipe.
So here you are.... Mom's Pasta Chicken Salad .  Be careful.  You might like it too much!

Recipe Break

I found this gem a while back.  It's been a huge hit here in our home.  I feel that it's my duty to share this for all of those out there in a food idea funk....which seems to be me most of the time


Smoked BBQ Pork Sandwiches 

Smoked BBQ Pork Sandwiches

Ingredients:

5lbs Pork Roast 

1 Tbsp Salt

2 Tbsp Liquid Smoke

Directions:

For Slow Cooker:

Make sure your pork roast is not frozen.  With a knife, cut slits into the roast with the tip. Place it into your slow cooker.  Sprinkle salt over the top of the roast.  Pour liquid smoke over the top, and cook on High for 8-10 hours.  Take out any liquid.  Shred, and then add liquid back to the meat.  

For Electric Pressure Cooker:

Place Pork Roast into electric pressure cooker. Add 1 1/2 cups water.  Sprinkle salt over the top of the roast.  Pour liquid smoke over the top.  Cook on High Pressure for 1 1/2 hours (if frozen) or 1 hour (not frozen).  Release pressure at the end of the timer.  Take out any liquid.  Shred, and then add about 1/4 cup liquid back to the meat.  

We use BBQ sauce with this but you could use a teriyaki sauce and do a stir fry if you prefer

I hope you enjoy it as much as we have!

Yum......

Beautiful Louisiana

Paul was asked to go to Louisiana for work.  When he called to tell me I was a little bummed that I was going to have to be alone for a couple days, until he told me that Audrey and I could come too.  So we headed out.  On the way there we stopped for dinner. There was a small little grill attached to a gas station,  I was a little skeptical because of the gas station part.  I ordered a guacamole burger and french fries.  I swear I have never eaten a burger that was better, and I wouldn't call myself a stranger to burgers.  It took up half my plate and I could hardly fit it in my mouth (which is saying something).  Let's just say it's a good thing that I don't live in that little town.  I have a feeling my waist line would be a lot thicker.    

Our first full night there we went to visit Paul's Mom's cousin Tom and his wife Toni.  It was so much fun to see the area where Paul's Mom grew up and meet some more of her family. They treated us so well....if there was ever "southern hospitality" I found it here.  We sat and chatted about family as we drank lemonade.  They gave us a tour of their beautiful plantation home and we had a traditional southern dinner. The food was so good I sometimes dream about it.
As we drove up to their place I was amazed by how gorgeous it was.  I was only further amazed as we walked through it. If Audrey hadn't started fussing we might have stayed there all night.  I have a feeling we will be back Tom!

Their Front Yard.....Seriously?

us and cousin Tom

Toni and Audrey

Audrey did not like her car seat on the way home. Eventually she fell asleep