Oreo Cookies/Hair Club

First Oreo Cookie -

and it appears as if it won't be his last -

licking the fingers...

finishing it off perfectly with a long sip of milk.

He's a natural.

His Excellent Teachers:

And take a close look at this one

BECAUSE....

He is now an official member of our

Family Hair Club -

well, the boy part of the fam anyway :)

 I felt left out so they took a picture of my hair too. Thanks guys.

Turkey Virgins

The Beloved and I journeyed down a new path this past Easter Sunday.

The Goal:

Cook a Turkey -Sometimes you should just stick with the basics - ex: being content devouring these wonderful homemade cinnamon rolls The Beloved made earlier in the day.
But no...
our domesticated turkey desire had to overrule.

But - "someone" forgot to thaw out the turkey. And that "someone", who let's face it - was me, decided that instead of simply cooking the turkey for a few more hours, would thaw it out in the bath tub.

In warm water.

Which we later found out causes bacteria to form.

Sweet.

I love bacteria. Especially on Easter.



Did you know that soaking a turkey in a bathtub for four hours erases the weight right off the packaging?

Neither did we.


Around two we decided that the turkey was thaw enough and I proceeded to call my little mother to get directions.
Preparedness is my middle name.
Right...
So - Question:
Do turkey farmers have a personal vendetta against all turkey eating mankind?
I believe the answer must be yes. My theory -one day, unhappy with their chosen career path, turkey farmers decided to get back at all happily employed turkey lovin' folk by leaving the
NECK, HEART, AND GIZZARD in the bird.
Now, someone very close to my heart, who birthed me - is very fond of the gizzard. But, I find this attraction to be rare... very rare.
Side note: I have not researched the specifics re: this vendetta - so no facts please. I am perfectly happy living in my "no neck, heart, and gizzard world".
Plus, sometimes innocent victims, who are completely unfamiliar with how long a turkey neck is - think they've removed everything successfully - only to find the cooked neck while carving the turkey.
Ewwww.


In the meantime, around 9 p.m. the egg coloring begins.
Gadashio managed to sip down a little vinegar and then tried to lick every egg he came into contact with.
You can see the joy on his egg coloring partners faces.

At 10:00 p.m. we pull the turkey out of the oven. (we had Mac N' Cheese @ 6 :))

We call my mom and ask if she thinks the turkey is done.

She replies in her nicest, most patient voice,

"If you have been cooking it since the last time you called me - I am sure it is done."

We knew that.

We did.

Elementary my Dear Watson.

You'd think the photo below would encourage me to forget about the turkey feast and just put my poor little children to bed.

But all of my logical senses had long since vanished.

Everybody was going to eat this Easter meal -

AND THEY WERE GOING TO LOVE IT!

The turkey ended up tasting great.

Unfortunately, although we have a family of five, only 3 out of those 5 mouths can truly eat a regular poultry portion.

So the turkey celebration will continue for the next few weeks.

Good thing we're mormon, because we need all of the casserole recipes we can get.

I am still having nightmares of cooked turkey neck.

I think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.

As for the bacteria - we haven't felt any effects yet. Maybe that's what happens when you cook a turkey for eight hoursl

Next year we are supporting these three beautiful words:

pre-cooked turkey breast.

And We're Back!

But we had so so so much fun!

The Beloved flew with The Baby

and my flight crew is pictured below -

Upon Arrival -

The Bowling/Arcade Experience:

My little parentals drove down to be part of the action -

Loooovvvve IT!

Such a serious bowler -too bad she got beat by almost everyone, including Gadashio.

Eating Mexican (YUM YUM):

In Illinois there are no, I repeat no good Mexican Restaurants. So The Beloved and I were so very excited to engorge ourselves.

Any of you delightful Mexican chefs out there should move this direction - we need you.... PLEASE!

At my sister-in-law's house:

The Beloved's two delightful sisters -

who feel more like my own.

We traveled to Utah for such a special event. The Beloved's youngest brother is leaving on his mission the end of April and we were able to attend his farewell and also accompany him to the temple.

I am not quite sure why he hasn't been translated yet... he's a remarkable young man and will be such an incredible missionary.

You'd think that with all of the celebration, and so many different photo taking opportunities, that I'd have some super beautiful pictures -

but this is what you're stuck with ladies and gentleman -

Head measurements! :)

The family thought they'd finally find out for themselves how truly big their heads are -

turns out... they're pretty comparable.

Doctors - get off our backs! :) We know the truth!

Then of course we had to measure the bellies.

All of these little grandchildren flock after their grandpa.

Maybe two year olds shouldn't sleep in the playroom.

These toys were put away before he went to bed. Hmmm...

Swimming with Papa and Buckabu:

Isn't she beautiful?!

Watch out for the Papa!

Little C and his cousin from the big CA-

Watch guard -

Afterward a trip to McDonalds:

Wheeler Farm:

Now, is this a wonder-mom or what?

Our travels went well - the boys did amazing on the plane.

Although next time we may opt to travel like this:

I Love Me Some -

Basketball!

I love everything about it.

The sounds of the squeaky sneakers scratching the floor - that smooth selfless assist to score the extra point - the swish of the net- add Dwayne Wade to the mix

and I am a goner.

From the NBA to a high school gym I am a captivated fan.

Ex - after Little C's wrestling practices we would walk by the gym and sometimes the high school team would be in the middle of a game.

Little C and I would look at one another and know that we would be a little late getting home, as we headed for a seat in the bleachers.

This season I received my own little piece of heaven when I was called to be the YW coach.

These ladies did so well - improved a ton - and earned the 3rd place spot in the tournament.

And of course after a great season - you have to have a PARTY!

We went on a video scavenger hunt - super hilarious.

The girls had to rap to a stranger, order something at the drive thru that wasn't on the menu (ex: whopper at McDonalds), convince a safe looking stranger to propose to you... and so many more.

This is my friend Terisha who was the other "responsible adult" at the party.
She is moving to Utah next week though - how rude is that? :)

Team 1 - who did really well, and probably won...

... but Team 2 was really close... plus we are doing a pyramid-
which kind of hurt my back...
and it's my blog -
so we'll call it a tie. :)

I wrote a Thank You

So, I have been overly spoiled by The Beloved once again. On Tuesday he purchased a spa package for me. Oh WHAT WHAT!!! (say what what with a happy yet tough gangster voice, got it? :)) Wednesday I got a massage - next week I get a facial and my hair done - the following week I get a pedicure.

Okay, say it with me -

WHAT WHAT!!!

Now, didn't that feel great?

But, I have my own way of expressing my love for him as well :)

The Beloved -

TOTALLY OUT:

Can you believe he can sleep through a full declaration of my love?
Here's a close up:

and honey, in case you didn't read your side -

I love you love you love you!

Thanks for my wonderful gift....

and for never writing on my body :)!