Easter Fun

This past weekend we were able to celebrate Easter as a family.  We were expecting some company.  My mom, Jason's mom, brother and nephew Zach were all coming to stay for the weekend.  When we have company we usually have Bowen sleep in Ashton's bedroom on the bunkbeds so we can put someone in Bowen's room.  I told Bowen that Grandma was coming and was going to sleep in his room so could he please go and straighten up his bedroom.  Awhile later Bowen called down to me that his room was all ready.

Needless to say we had a bit more work to do.

Everyone arrived Saturday night.  Sunday morning the boys hunted for their Easter baskets that the Easter bunny had left for them.

After we all headed to church.  Jason was the only member of our bishopric there that day so he conducted sacrament meeting and I was able to sing a vocal solo "Gethsemane" by Sally Deford.  It is such a powerful piece, I'm so glad I had the opportunity to sing it.  I saw a few wet eyes so I hope it touched those that heard it.    Then off to primary where I had sharing time.  We read scriptures about Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection and for each scripture I had an easter egg with an object in it that represented the scripture.  I think the kids really enjoyed it - they listened and had fun passing around the objects.  I love working with the primary children, they have such a special spirit and a hunger to learn the gospel.

After church we came home and Jason and the boys coloured easter eggs while I got dinner ready.  Of course, I forgot to take any pictures - but here is a picture of the finished product.

Jason's brother Tyler, his wife Jill and their little boy Dane were able to join us for dinner.  We had ham with glaze, asparagus with hollandaise sauce, scalloped potatoes, green salad, jello salad and mom's homemade buns.  I must say it was so delicious.  For dessert we had banana cream pie, and Jason had made a chocolate pie that was so good!!

Jason wanted me to show the different layers - it really was delicious, and so easy!

It was so nice to spend Easter with some of my family.  I love all the fun traditions that go with Easter, but especially for my knowledge of the sacrifice my elder brother Jesus Christ made for me.  Holidays without my Dad are so hard, and I always think of baby Kenny and Steve and so many other love ones I've lost and how because of the atonement we can all live again and I'll see them all and that brings me such comfort.  How grateful I am - I am truly blessed.  HAPPY EASTER

Yummy Crock-Pot Dinner

I'm always on the lookout for yummy crock-pot dinners.  My crock-pot is a lifesaver when I'm busy in the evenings teaching.  I made this last week and it was a hit.

BEEF STROGANOFF



1/3 cup             All purpose flour
1 tsp                 Salt
1/4 tsp              Pepper
1/2 tsp              Paprika
2 lbs.                Beef Round steak, cut into 1/2 inch thick strips

1 1/2 cups        Chopped onion
1/4 tsp              Garlic powder
14 oz.               Canned tomatoes, with juice, broken up
1/4 cup             Ketchup
2 tsp                 Beef bouillon powder
2 cups              Sliced fresh mushrooms

1 cup                Light sour cream (I admit I used regular sour cream)

Combine flour, salt, pepper and paprika in  plastic bag.  Place a few strips of steak in at a time.  Shake to coat.  Place in 3 1/2 quart slow cooker.

Mix next 7 ingredients in bowl.  Pour over steak.  Cover.  Cook on Low for 7 to 9 hours or on High for 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours.

Stir in sour cream last 30 minutes of cooking time.  Serves 6.

I served mine over egg noodles.  So yummy, and so easy!  Enjoy!!



10 Fabulous Years!!

I know this blog is horribly late but I wanted to be sure to acknowledge Jason and my tenth wedding anniversary.

Jason and I first met in June 2000 at a house party.  We barely spoke that night but ran into each other quite a bit that summer as we had mutual friends.  Our first "date" was on labour day - we went to the zoo and then to an imax movie.  I wasn't exactly sure if it was a date as he had a friend of mine call me to invite me to come up to Calgary to join him.  We went out quite a few times during the next two months.  Then Jason told me that he was moving to Calgary to start a new job at Aurum Dental and he wasn't sure if he could do the "long distance" thing.  I told him of course he could because I was up in Calgary all the time to visit my cousin Sheri - I wasn't letting him go that easily!  A few days later out of the blue my cousin Janelle's husband called me and offered me a job as his office manager at his sign company in Calgary.  I was getting tired of my current job (I'd been there 13 years), and was ready for a change, and there was also the fact that Jason was going to be in Calgary so I jumped at the chance.  Two weeks later mid November I was up in Calgary starting my new job, and Jason followed 2 weeks later.

We had lots of fun dating each other, and I knew I was falling in love and was desperately hoping that Jason was feeling the same.  New Year's Day we were hanging out at my place and I finally got the nerve to tell Jason that I loved him - I still can't believe I found the courage to say it first!  He told me he loved me too - the best day ever!  The next day we were watching a movie at my house and it was starting to get late.  Jason turned to me and said "I don't want this to end", I looked at the time and replied "well it is kind of getting late and I work tomorrow", he answered "no, I mean I don't want THIS to end .....  will you marry me?"  At first I wasn't sure he had actually meant to say it - but I of course said yes and the rest is history.

We were married 3 months later on March 24th, 2001 in the Cardston Alberta Temple.

This was our engagement picture - sorry for the quality I had to scan it.

Our wedding was beautiful.  We were so happy and so many of our family and friends were there to enjoy the day with us.  We had a family dinner in Cardston hosted by Jason's mom and then travelled to Champion for a Calling Reception.  Mom had prepared a great spread, the gym was decorated really beautifully and we had a string quartet playing music for everyone.  After we headed to Edmonton for our honeymoon.  We stayed at the Bridal Suite at the Fantasyland Hotel.



Our Bridal Party - look how tiny Cora was!

For our tenth anniversary this year we decided to be nostalgic and headed back up to Edmonton to stay for a couple of days.  We didn't stay in the Bridal Suite but got a gorgeous executive room with a jacuzzi hot tub.

It was so great for just the two of us to get away.  Mom came and stayed with the boys and we found out after we got home that she had been sick the whole time we were away.  She assured us that the boys were good, but I felt so bad that she'd been sick.

It was such a good time - I only wished it had been longer.  We relaxed, shopped, went for dinner, went to movies, soaked in the hot tub and just enjoyed each other's company.  How grateful I am that we have found each other.  I know in my heart that we were meant for each other.  Thanks hunny for the best 10 years and I look forward to what the future holds for us.

Anniversary Flowers - I love getting flowers!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!

I May Have Created a Monster!

Yesterday Jason and I took the boys to a Model Train show at the Soccer Centre.  I noticed a banner a couple of weeks ago and looked it up on line and looked like something the whole family would enjoy.  It was a lousy day outside so it was a good one to spend indoors.  I'm so mad I forgot my camera as I would have liked to have gotten some pictures.  The boys were totally into it.  There were all different kinds of exhibits with all different sizes of trains.  Some of the work done to make the backdrops were amazing.

Jason was very entriqued and I think I may have created a monster as his creative juices are already working as to what he could create.  Building the sets really appealed to him and I've always had a love of miniatures so I must admit it would be pretty fun.

The highlight of the show was a big display made entirely of lego.  It was huge and very detailed with lots of trains and a section even of downtown Calgary complete with authentic looking c-trains.

To complete our family day we took the boys to Montana's for supper.  Bowen was so hungry I don't think I've ever seen him eat so much.  He had a loaf of cornbread, a pretzel bone, his entire pizza, a few apple slices and a mini ice cream cone for dessert.  He even asked for a snack before bed at 7:30 p.m.

It was a fun day and I'm sure we will make the train show an annual outing for us.

Mystery Solved

Last week my visiting teachers had set up an appointment time to come by my house for a visit.  I was spending the morning in the living room by my big picture window reading my latest bookclub book.  The time I'd had expected them to come came and went so I just kept reading.  My friend Shelley phoned a bit later to see if I had finished the book (she needed to return it to the library) and asked if my visiting teachers had left.  I told her they never came - they visit her as well and she told me they had left her house over an hour ago.  I concluded something must have come up and didn't think about it again.

On Sunday one of my visiting teachers came over to me and asked if something had come up and if that was why I hadn't been at home on Wednesday.  I assured her I was home and had been sitting right by the front door.  She said they had knocked twice and rang the door bell.  I thought maybe they had the wrong house but she assured me they knew they had the right place.  So she set up another appointment for today.  They arrived a little late but both laughing to the point of near hysterics when they got to my door.

They told me they had pulled into the driveway of what they thought was my house.  Evelyn had BANGED on the door - thinking Vernetta had just knocked to softly last time.  When that didn't work Vernetta tried the door and it was unlocked so she opened it.  The first thing they noticed was a strong smell of smoke and thought maybe I had company, Vernetta also thought the entry looked a bit different but then started calling my name into the house.  About then Evelyn noticed the number on the door said 149 not 141.  Realizing their mistake I guess they hightailed it out of there (as quick as sweet little 80 year olds can) and drove two doors down to my house.

Vernetta had the giggles for about 20 minutes about it.  It was so funny to see her get such a kick out of it.  It was like two high school girls up to highjinks.  I love my visiting teachers - they are hilarious!

A Great Read

This month's bookclub selection was "The Forgotten Garden" by Kate Morton.

I really enjoyed this book.  It is about a little girl who is abandoned on a ship headed to Australia.  It jumps back and forth between when she was little and her search as an adult to find out where she came from as well as her granddaughter taking up the search to solve the mystery.

I wasn't able to go to bookclub this past month so I hadn't read the book.  My friend Shelley had borrowed it from the library and had liked it so encouraged me to read it before she had to return it.  Of course I procrastinated getting started so I spent Thursday morning reading to finish it.  I'm really glad I did though.  Definitely one I would recommend!  Now to do some housework that got neglected.

Bowen's Shopping

Yesterday Bowen was playing on the computer on the lego site.  Afterwards he came to me and showed me a piece of paper.

He explained to me that he wanted to get a Lego Atlantis set and he had written down how much it cost (I actually think it is the item #) and then wrote his name with an arrow so I'd remember that he wanted it.
He also heard on the radio that you can win 6 MILLION DOLLARS!  He has been bugging me for days to win that 6 million dollars for him so that he could buy the lego death star, he said with 6 million he'd even be able to get one for Ashton too.

When I told him I didn't think we could win the money he replied "well can you ask dad then if he has the money".  I wish!  He's becoming a bit money obsessed lately.  What a silly boy!

Is He There for Real?

Today as a family we enjoyed watching General Conference on TV.  Rachel, Jared and Liam were up for the weekend - which was fabulous!  We had lots of fun and ate "way" too much.  Rachel's poor little pregnant tummy could barely stand it!  Liam and the boys played together well and it is fun to see them enjoying each other. 

But back to conference.  When President Monson was speaking I asked Bowen if he knew who it was.  He replied "President Monson".  A few minutes later he came over to me and whispered in my ear "is he there for real?"  I guess with so much on TV that isn't real - he just wanted to be sure.  I assured him that he was there for real and it made me reflect on how grateful I am that he is there - for real.  I also very grateful for my knowledge that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ "are there for real" too.  My testimony is very precious to me and I acknowledge all that I have to my Heavenly Father and my elder brother Jesus Christ.  How blessed I am to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  I look forward to 6 months from now when we can hear from the prophet and apostles again.