The planet pluto and the power of prayer.

These funny boys make a great team!

Jan 24, 2010 (Journal entry for both Isaac & Luke--from Daddy)
A few days ago Luke came home with a poster he had made with the "8" planets (he was learning about space). When Isaac saw the poster he instantly saw a flaw and said, "They forgot Pluto. What happened to Pluto?" Mommy tried to explain to Isaac that Pluto wasn't really a planet anymore, but Isaac was distraught. "Pluto is my favorite planet. It has to still be a planet!!" A few minutes later, Mommy saw Isaac looking really sad so she asked what was wrong. "I just really miss Pluto" was Isaac's reply.
So, tonight Luke launched on a plan to get Pluto back. Just before bedtime, Luke ran downstairs and came back with 5 stick horses. He started running around the living room sticking the horses in the windows. "The horses are going to look at the windows for me and look at the stars." In his room, Luke explained the plan in more detail, "The horses will look at the stars, and they will find Pluto and then we will turn Pluto into a star!" Isaac wasn't exactly thrilled with the idea because he wanted Pluto back as a planet, not the star, but I guess Isaac thought a star was better than nothing because he suggested a way to make the plan work, "I know how to make this work - there is only one thing we can do." Isaac immediately turned over to his bed and started praying for the plan to work. When he was done Isaac announced, "There, Heavenly Father will listen. Sometimes you get what you ask for, sometimes you just learn a lesson." Luke thought it was a pretty good idea, because he also joined into the praying session to make the plan work. I left the room to tell the story to Mommy and when I came back you two were just finishing up a series of prayers. It's the most prayerful I have ever seen you to be.

I'm thinking this time around the prayers might help you learn a lesson...

(from mom)
I just have to add that Isaac was pretty distraught about this Pluto information for quite some time. He kept thinking of reasons why it was ridiculous that Pluto wasn't a planet anymore. One reason was that one of his favorite shows--zula patrol--has a pluto character...so now what is going to happen, huh? It really is a sad thing.

Another story from Isaac:
"There is this bully at my school. He is really tall. I got in line behind him at the bus and he called me a name, he said, "Hi Bob!""
(mom and dad's advice) "Just say Hi Frankie to him....he really isn't calling you a bad name, he is just being kinda silly and a tease."
Isaac said, "I have a better idea, I just won't stand by him in line anymore."

He really didn't understand our advice at all and I'm sure he thought we were crazy...talk to a bully? No way! Avoidance works much better.

We love our boys!

I'm trying to do better

...in the kitchen.

After weeks and weeks of cold cereal, toasted cheese, ramen noodles, pancakes, and pizza for dinner I'm slowing coming back to life and so is the stove.

Tried this recipe...very delish

recipe found here:

Sausage and Spinach Penne Skillet Supper

also this Marinade for Fajitas

Marinade:
¼ cup fresh lime juice (about 3-4 limes)
1/3 cup water
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 large cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons apple cider or red wine vinegar
2 easpoons soy sauce
½ teaspoons chili powder
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon liquid smoke
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon onion powder

for the entire recipe click here: Best Chicken Fajitas Ever (which looks good but since Kyle doesn't like peppers or mushrooms, I didn't follow it exactly.)

And next week I'm doing this one
(I love pasta)
recipe here:
Garlic Chicken pasta


And just in case you want the BEST recipe for Alfredo sauce I'll put that one on next time cause I'm on the wrong computer right now...tastes like olive garden's....so tasty...start salivating now!

Lip-smacking Luke

Luke you are one of a kind. You are a lip smacking kind of kid-because there always seems to be something left over on those lips of yours. You are a strike a pose kind of kid--everywhere, all the time. I love every piece of you (almost all of the time). Currently you confuse reality with make believe. Your stories have become more elaborate these past couple of weeks. You have even started to thank Heavenly Father for "things that you will turn into" in your prayers. Throughout the day you are constantly telling us what you will turn into and assuring us that you really are telling the truth and that it is NOT make believe.
This morning:
"Mom, I need to talk to you. First I will be a scientist. Then I will turn myself into a werewolf. Then I will kill the bad king with a sword because he won't have any swords. Then I will be a prince so I can marry the princess."
I'm just happy that you are okay with being a prince now. There was a time when you thought that being a princess might be more fun.My scientist Luke is always collecting "treasure". The snow has halted this a bit, but not completely...sometimes you can see find things beneath the white layer. My scientist Luke likes to wear his gloves, and glasses, and work in a scientist lab. My scientist Luke sticks his fruit snacks on the inside of the freezer door (without my knowledge) for his scientist experiment (and a tasty snack for later).
My werewolf Luke sometimes announces he might be a real live vampire too--and then shows off his extremely sharp teeth (they really are sharp--even if Isaac says he doesn't believe you, you quickly point out that daddy does). My werewolf Luke likes to chase everyone and yell at the top of his lungs--turning bright red and sweaty in the process. Thankfully I haven't seen any bites from my werewolf/vampire boy...yet.
My prince Louie is such a sweet kid and we love and appreciate everything about you! But please stop picking up Ruby--you only drop her and she doesn't appreciate it.

Christmas unleashed

First, a visit with Santa. Ruby did not trust him at all!
(click to enlarge to see her complete distrust of Mrs. Claus giving her a candy cane.)
She eventually took the candy cane after mommy showed her how delicious it was! Isaac and Luke were really into talking to Santa this year.

Next, a Christmas party in Hooper.
We played the Wii, ate good food, opened presents and some of us got a nice head scratch.

And then, the beginnings of Arizona. Family nativity song, talent show, cousins, fun and food! Isaac sang all I want for Christmas is my two front teeth with two of his cousins. Luke sang Alvin and the Chipmunks.

Night before Christmas we visited my Grandpa and Grandma Ray and looked at Temple lights with my sister and her family. Afterwards, we enjoyed a nice fire (NOT--it was a no burn day wahwaaa!) but we did enjoy my dad's telling of the Christmas story.

Christmas story and Santa set up the stockings!

Christmas morning we took the traditional picture at the bottom of the stairs and opened way too many presents. Last year I did the 3 wisemen gifts and we only gave our kids 3 presents. I LOVE giving presents and I went overboard this year. Not totally, but I realized it was too much when my kids were happy after the stocking and three gifts by their stocking. So, next year we will return to the ONE big gift from Santa (plus the stocking and book) and 2 gifts from mom and dad. Three. Perfect. They still get stuff from cousins and grandparents and each other. The boys had a blast with Cedric. He sure is a cutie pa-tootie!

Ruby's Christmas was a success because of her dolly and stroller and books.

Ahhhh...the after math. Clean up and naps. Kyle took a nap amongst about 2 dozen children running and sometimes jumping over him. I took a video of it--it was hilarious. I also forgot to add a pic of our dinner at our Christmas family talent/party...and my dad leading the music as well:) Oh, and check out our cute matching p.j.'s from Kyle's mom. So fun!

You can tell how put together I was this trip--we usually take a Sunday Christmas picture of the family. Oh well, we'll have to make sure to get one on Easter. I am 13 weeks and am starting to see my normal self come back to life--I shouldn't complain, my morning (actually mine happens at night) is NOTHING compared to some women. But still, I complain. Mostly for Kyle's benefit:) Despite feeling sick the entire trip, we still had a lot of fun with friends and family. Now just a few more posts for catch up and I will be a current blogger again.

The End.

Announcing....

and in case you missed it--

Yep, we are expecting number 4, due July 26th.

Ruby hits the year mark

Look at how much I've grown!
about 1 week old
about 2 weeks old
about 3 weeks
about 8 weeks old

3 months old

4 months old

5 months old

6 months old

7 months old

8 months old

Ruby is 9 months

Ruby is now 10 months old

11 Months old

On Ruby's real birthday (January2nd) we drove 11 hours back to Utah.
These pictures are of the night before when we went out to eat with my family to celebrate my sister's birthday and Ruby's. She got a giant cupcake! In the beginning, she just wanted to feed everyone, but when I gave her the spoon, she really started to get the feel of it. Her real party will be next Sunday in Hooper with family. The boys are really excited since they missed this one.

Happy Birthday Roo! You've made this past year so much fun. We love you!

I love seeing her next to her bear
(top left hand corner then clockwise)
1 week, 6 mo., 9 mo., 11 mo.--I still need to take one more for her one year and then I'm done with that bear!