Carter-Bug is 5!

It really is hard to believe. Has five years really passed since we held that sweet little baby in our arms? To know Carter is to know an average, very active boy who is very soft-hearted and polite. Carter loves kitty-kats and is tender to all living things. As we were reminiscing last night, Carly told about the time that she, Carter and Grammie (Carol) were riding together in the car. Carter was in a rear-facing car seat so he couldn't have been too old. Carly told Carol that Carter could say Mommy, Daddy and Kankoo (thank you). Carol, a retired school teacher just smiled knowing that babies that young can't typically put two words together. Just then, Carly reached back to hand Carter a bottle when a little voice piped up with, "Kankoo."

We love you Carter! Hope your day was great! P.S. What's with the pink bandanna?

We Have a Unique Family

"Inside a snowflake, like the one on your sleeve, there happened a story you must see to believe."

You already know about Jordan's lotion-phobia and Lyndie's eyes but did you know that Kyle has this hair - a lot of hair. Last night before Andrea cut Kyle's hair she created a 'do' that is very reminiscent of Drew Lou Who, Stu Lou Who or Whobris in the movie The Grinch. What do you think?

Lyndie's Eyes

Lyndie has these beautiful brown eyes and she knows how to use them... to get her way, plead her case or just look adorable. But her favorite way is for a laugh. She has all kinds of crazy eye movements. These pictures don't even begin to do her talent justice. Can you imagine what her 'stink-eye' must look like?

Grandpa's Christmas Party

This is the not-to-be-missed event of the year. Imagine a karioke, juggling, gifting, game playing, everyone talking at once extravaganza - with pizza. It is one full-house and my guess is that it probably takes Dad and Pam 364 days to recuperate.

Jordan vs Lotion

Our grandson Jordan despises lotions, cremes and oils - actually, it's more of a phobia. The result is that his skin is always dry, flaky and itchy. Recently, the entire family pinned him down and lotioned him up. Maybe everyone should give Jordan lotion for Christmas.

Temple Square

It's just not Christmas in Utah without a visit to beautiful Temple Square. This year I went with the adorable Mia Maids from our Ward. Here are a couple of snapshots of the amazing lights.

Thanksgiving Day 2009

We enjoyed a low-key dinner and family time this year with Brandon, Nancy, Javier, Carly, Carter, Grandma Marty, Ethan and Kyle - and of course the two of us. I decided to try out a few new recipes on the family guinea pigs this year... some good... some not so good.

Hits:

Turkey with a Special Dry Rub Blend

Honey Dijon Turkey Gravy

Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Bacon & Shallots

Chocolate Macaroon Pie

Misses:

Apple Peanut Butter Pie (sorry Michael)

Praline Pumpkin Pie

After dinner we napped while some of the boys played Rock Star. Check out Carter on the drums. We love our family so much and are grateful for each one!

Canyons Retreat

This past Saturday, I used my AMEX points for a night stay at the Westgate Resort & Spa at The Canyons. It was supposed to we a girl's getaway but only Carly and I went. We planned to cram shopping, skiing, eating and a movie into 18 short hours. We did manage to get in the shopping and, of course, eating. We had dinner at the fabulous Westgate Grill - let's just say that we were breathing out the sweet smell of garlic all night long - yum.

We tried to convince Andrea that she should drive up to Park City to spend the night with us but she was too tired after a hard day's labor curling, teasing, straightening and coloring. I think if she would have known about the massive bed; the even larger garden tub; the chef-prepared food; Phase 10 playoff and the race walking through the lodge...she would have been there pronto!

Carly and I think we need to establish an annual girl's weekend right before Thanksgiving - kind of the calm before the storm. So save the date girls! Between now and then, I will be working on my race walking skills.

Cats & Cookies

Silly story but I don't want to forget it so I'm posting it here. A dear friend of mine who is a mega-successful government contractor was in town last week and stopped by to visit. I haven't seen her in over two years so as you can imagine we spent a big chunk of time getting "caught up." In the middle of some brilliant, sparkling conversation my friend says, "Is that cat supposed to have a cookie?" I was so embarrassed - there was Zoe walking around with a pumpkin chocolate chip cookie in her mouth. I didn't think that my cats jumped up on the counter to fetch food - apparently that was naive. Wished I could have caught the moment when she was actually carrying the cookie in her mouth. Bad Zoe!

Happy Birthday Michael Jon

What does 53 feel like? It feels like a lot of love and a lot of family. We celebrated Michael's birthday Sunday with homemade Cafe Rio pulled pork salads; German Chocolate cake; Wii Super Mario Tennis; some Karioke; and the showing of Ice Age 3! Whew! We also need to mention the new BYU tie - now Jim Taggart and Austin Spencer won't feel so alone at Church! It was a great evening - wish the entire family could have been with us. Happy Birthday Wonderful Man!

Halloween 2009

We celebrate Halloween with a family party that includes creepy-sounding treats, games and costumes. We always try to have the shin-dig (love that word - I'll have to look up the meaning someday) the Saturday before Halloween and this year was no exception. I have no pictures to share because Carly took them and I am waiting for her to shoot them over. Once I get them, I'll post a post-Halloween (haha) photo album!

So that leaves the real deal - Halloween. It's pretty grim around here. It's a dark area of town, no sidewalks and cheap treats (that would be us) so there's no real incentive to trick-or-treat on our street. However, we did get a visit from Carly and an unknown Power Ranger. Also once the 9 or 10 trick-or-treaters stopped by, we did head over to my friend Carolyn's mom and dad's house for some homemade donuts and hand-pressed apple cider. What a great tradition they've got going. Good memories!

2009 Soup Throw Down

The Second Annual Soup Throw Down ala Bobby Flay was held at Angie and Darin's house in October. Competition was stiff from the varied entries. Thanks to everyone for humoring me and telling me that the Hangover Soup was good. The undefeated champ of the Throw Down two years in a row is....Andrea - with her Creamy Chicken Wild Rice soup. I've posted the recipe on the side bar of this blog. Congratulations Andrea!

She always has been a great cook. I remember the time when I was working at Layton Hills Mall and Andrea called to ask me if I wanted her to make cookies (I had forgotten) for Ethan to take to his cub scout meeting - she was, like, 11 years old. Keep cookin' good lookin'!

Ta-Da! I'm Done!

Carter and I caught the Trax in Sandy and decided to have an adventure walking around Temple Square. It's always a mixed-bag of characters on Trax, but we arrived safely downtown and headed right to the reflection pond. After some photo op moments, Carter caught the eye of two Sister Missionaries. He showed them how fast he could run and when asked... said that he was going to serve a mission when he was older. We headed back to the train and our car. It was in the car, on the way to the pumpkin patch, that Carter started asking baby questions - Oh. no.

He asked if there was a lot of blood when babies are born. I hemmed and hawed but finally told him that when a baby is inside it's mom it is like living in a swimming pool with special water. As the baby grows it get too big for the swimming pool and so when it's time to be born the baby goes down a slide and out of the mommy with the swimming pool water. I glanced in the rear view mirror to see his reaction of my explanation. He looked me right in the eye and said, "Hmmm. That's it. I went through the slide and Ta-da! I'm done!"

Whew. Dodged that bullet.

Air Force Buddies

Being the wonderful "Papa" that he is, Michael planned an afternoon at the Air Force Museum for two of our grandsons. They had a wonderful time - except that Carter did not want to dress up in the astronaut costume. Michael packed a picnic lunch, spent most of Saturday chasing two scalawags and bought those lucky boys die-cast jet planes!

Sigh!

It occurred to me the other day that every time Michael gives me a hug... I sigh. There's just something about the way he gives a hug. He really hugs - not that loose-arm-pat-pat kind of hug but a real honest-to-goodness squeeze. Ahhhh! I love that man and his hugs.

One of Football's Great

Here is one of football's future upstarts! I'm talking about Jordan - a dime package, fun and gun; blitz boy. Michael and I went to cheer our Layton favorite last Saturday. End score Clearfield 18 - Layton 12. Michael and I both agree - it was the coaching (Please not another sweep?) not the players who demonstrated the grit and determination that should have won this game. The defense was awesome even though Jordan told us that this wasn't a very good game for him - he only got four tackles and he's not satisfied unless he gets five or more. Say, "I'm going to knock your block off," for the camera Jordan.

Sister's Got 'Tude

This is Sister Kinsey Bowman, missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was privileged to take Kinsey to the MTC last Wednesday. Celeste, her mom - my sister-in-law, Kinsey and I had a great time shopping before we dropped her off curbside like a cute little take-out order of something great! The people in California will love her - she is a Bowman after all.

 

Dad's Cabin

We spent this weekend on a major project at the cabin - we put 43 roof trusses in place. There were so many accidents waiting to happen yet with only a minor fall off the ladder (Michael will let us know tomorrow if he can still walk, stand and sit), no one was seriously hurt. I actually cannot believe that we accomplished this feat. Thanks go to Michael, Ethan, Kyle, Brady, Jack and of course, Dad.