Big n Strong

So I was putting Russ down for his nap this afternoon and he normally says "I get big and strong like Daddy if I take nap". Today he said, "Mom, I get big and strong in playroom too". I LOVED it:) He still got put down for a nap because Mom doesn't like his "big n strong" screaming towards the end of night when he doesn't get a nap - but he sure gets an A for effort today!

Fun Family Weekend!!!

We don't get many fun family weekends because Jonathan is always so busy! He must have known how much I needed one though so after a big breakfast of Whole Wheat Pancakes ( the blender kind (Our FAV)) We headed out to go on a hike. Mother Nature didn't agree that we should hike though and itstarted raining as we left the house. So we drove the pass through the mountains and ended up at the museum of northen AZ. It was so fun to see the kids eyes light up as they took in the dinosaur bones and all the ancient Indian artifacts ( keep in mind this IS the museum of Northern AZ - not too fancy and you can get through the whole thing in 30 min flat...) There was no photography allowed inside but I don't think we will ever forget it anyway. I do wish we could show you pics of it - oh well:)
Anyhow - On Sunday mornings Jonathan is usually gone before we get up to bishopric meeting but this week Bishop was out of town so we got to see him some of the morning and he came home right after church! It was wonderful! I can hardly imagine a weekend that was more needed for us all - just to get to spend so much more time together than usual- it was such a blessing!

Here are our kitties - Lily and Licorice!

Jonathan built this house for them to keep them warm all winter!

Here we are at 7 1/2 months! Getting big and really excited!

This is the gingerbread man that Emma made at Joy School! We all loved it and were so proud of the good job she did making it look like a man!

Ok - I know it is not nice but for those of you who did not see Miss Teen South Carolinas answer to why 1/5 of Americans cannot find the US on a world map... This is priceless
http://youtube.com/watch?v=qQdhMSEqhfg&mode=related&search

Will He ever answer me???

I looked out the backdoor this morning to see Emma with the saddest look on her face I had ever seen. I went to ask her what was wrong and she said, "I have said two prayers that Heavenly Father would make it not windy but he hasn't answered them!"
Ok, I wanted to cry for her sadness but I was soooo thrilled that her first response was to ask Heavenly Father in prayer for something that she needed. We had a long talk about how the wind carries the clouds that bring rain etc... then I asked her why she wanted it to not be windy. Her hair was in her face. I told her that instead of making it not windy, I could put her hair in a pony tail. I figured that would solve the problem.... "Mom, I don't want a pony tail, I want a braid. You can't do braids and I have prayed for your hand alot. He didn't answer that prayer either"
I didn't know how to respond to that. I gave her the same answer i always have - that there is a reason Heavenly Father wants Mommys hand like this - Any other ideas???? HELP!

Great visit!

Ok, so great news! At least i think so! I went to see the Dr this morning and had only gained 4 lbs the past 4 weeks! Actually I had gained six when i went in a week and a half ago for an "emergency" check up but had lost almost 2 today! It is a miracle for me - but here is the best part, the baby measures almost 2 weeks big!!!!! How awesome is that! She is strong and healthy and her hearbeat is strong! I know it seems strange but I am finally allowing myself to get really excited! I just have still been sooooo scared that something would happen to this baby too but I am in the last trimester now!!! Visits ever 2 weeks instead of 4! It is so exciting and thrilling to me - I can hardly wait to meet this precious little baby!
I will try to add a "belly picture" on here in the next few days! I am warning you - its big - even for 7 months:)

More of new cousin Abbi!

Here we are with the new baby! Hannah was kicking like crazy while I held Abbi - she sure wants to get out and play with her cousin!

Ok - so this really isn't one of Abbi. This is of the kids with Grandma Thom who came up to help Katherin and Lee adjust to being new parents!

They are all making "silly faces" :)

The county fair

We went to the county fair (this is the annual Goodman reunion weekend so we usually aren't in town). It was me and the kids first time at a fair and we had a blast! We went to animal shows, puppet shows, saw all the 4H animals, got shadow portraits done, ate a TON of food and went on a few rides. Sadly my camera ran out of batteries after two shots but we will remember this day forever!

Trying to catch some fish..... and Riding the Carousel with Dad!

Fall Food

Ok, here is another Family favorite! It is especially wonderful at this time of year when it is just starting to cool off! You are going to love it!

Fast Breadsticks
1 ½ C Warm Water
1 TBSP yeast
1 TBSP Malted milk
1 TBSP Honey
1 tsp salt
4 C Flour
Roll and cut into 16 pieces. Sprinkle w/ butter and parmesean cheese.
Bake 15 min @ 400.

Olive Garden Toscana Soup
2 ¾ cups chicken stock or broth
¼ C heavy cream
1 med russet potato
2 c chopped Kale
½ lb spicy Italian sausage links
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
¼ tsp garlic powder
Combine stock and cream in saucepan over med heat.
Slice the unpeeled potato into ¼ inch slices, quarter the slices and add to the soup.
Add the Kale.
Grill or saute the sausages. When cooled cut at an angle into slices ½-½ inch thick. Add the sausage to the soup.
Add the spices and let the soup simmer for about 2 hours - stir occasionally.
Kristi’s notes -
I prefer this as a main dish - not an appetizer so…. I use 1 ½ - 2 HUGE jars of chicken broth, 6-10 potatoes, 10 C or so of Kale, 1 lb sausage. I up the cream a bit, but not a ton - same with the spices. The sausage lets a lot of salt into the soup. I just figure if you are going to make it, make it so there will be lots of leftover and so it will be hearty!

Joy of Joys!

Emma has started JOY SCHOOL! This came as a miracle straight from heaven. We have been stressed cause she really needed some kind of "Emma time" and we can't afford preschool (hello - $140 a month for two mornings of 3 hours each - I don't think so)!
So a friend called and asked if I wanted Emma to join the joy school they were setting up. I told her I thought it would be wonderful but that I could not do it because of how sick I get. There is just no way I could guarantee being available to do it.... So she offered to let Emma just come! What an amazing blessing this is! She went for her first day today and had a blast! I was worried that she would freak out but she didn't! The teachers even said she was great and so polite!!!
Russell was really excited because he got alone time with Mom - he is going to love this! And it couldn't come at a better time! We will get 3 hours 2 times a week alone before the baby comes!
I just cannot stop going on and on about how wonderful this is for her and how grateful I am that these wonderful women would let Emma come and participate even though her Mom is unable to! What a BLESSING!