Family Halloween Party 2010

Saturday night was our annual Family Halloween
party and as you will see, it was a doozy!
First of all, the theme was Cowboys and Indians
and boy did we ever get an Indian...Sorry again
about the order of the pictures. I struggle!



Jim and Kerry...Jim looks a little bit too happy!
Maybe he stopped by the saloon on the way over.

They each had a kleenex box strapped to their
backs with six ping pong balls in the box. The first
person to get all of the balls out wins. Let's just say
we had to cover Garrett up for this one.

The games were all from the game show site of

Minute to Win it. We put everyone into teams

and they each had to complete a set of challenges

within a minute. The team names were, The

Dirty Bunch, The tumbling tumble weeds, The

Rangers, and The Naked Sacred Cows (Allison

and Riley, who came as Indians from India...so

cute and Nicole and Garrett, who came as Seminoles)

Party games!

They had to roll a jaw breaker onto a marked

square on a racquet.

Each contestant had to hold a spaghetti noodle in

their mouth and pick up five penne pasta noodles

without touching them.

These guys are not really dead, they were

balancing an oreo on their forehead and wiggling

it down to their mouths.

Nicole and Garrett. I promise he had nude tights

on under there, but for about the first five minutes

Dad was not sure and didn't know what to do or

where to look. He came in chanting the tomahawk

chop song. Let me go on record as saying Garrett

has no shame!

Mary and Steve... Steve didn't shave his lip

for two days.

Kelli and Jake...Thank you Jake for leaving your

guns at home! And Thank you Kelli for bringing

your delicious Artichoke dip!

Michael and Sharlan...didn't even have to search

to find their costumes!

Jamie and Judy...Cutest little cowgirl at the party!

Gary and Lori...The sheriff and his girl?

Allison and Riley...The REAL INDIANS...very clever!

Pumpkins Katelyn made to greet the party-goers!

Glenn and Paula...First cowboy and cowgirl sent

to jail.

Thank you all for coming and making it such a

fun night. I laughed so hard that I could hardly

sing at church today. Sorry to say, Grandpa and

Grandma did not make it this year. Dad was a

little under the weather.We really missed them,

but we have already started thinking of next

year...so get ready!

UEA at Park City

Dinner at Baja Cantina. Spicey Ribs!!

We tried to go on a good hike, but all the trails were closed.

The weather was spectacular and the colors were

even better. We enjoyed the kids who joined us, did a

little outlet shopping, had some good laughs, sat in the sun,

and played tennis.

Fancy Allison modeling the robe that

came with our room.

My sweet skills

Hey family! How is everyone doing? Hope all is going well. I figure that I have some time now to develop some skills before school starts in January. I'll tell you about what I've been doing lately.

1. Zumba. Has anyone else tried it? Does anyone know what it is? It is the best workout in the world. They have classes at all the rec centers around here (and I'm assuming everywhere across the U.S.) It is a latino/african dance class that works your entire core. I won't go on and on, but I've been enjoying this class.

2. Walktober. At UVU in October there is a stepping competition. This year I joined, basically I have to wear a pedometer everyday and keep track of my steps and other activities, turn in the amount of steps each week and at the end of the month there is a winner! The first week I had over 90,000 steps (thanks to Zumba) and last week I had just over 75,000- not as much thanks to Fall Break. Then on Sunday I lost my pedometer so I haven't kept track all week. So... I think I'm out of the competition. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.

3. Food. I've decided to take up cooking. I've never been someone to try new meals or foods so this week I found a few new recipes that I want to try. I made Tortellini Soup last night, Nicole had the recipe posted on her blog and it looked delicious. It was delicious and it smelt even better! Inside the soup there was carrots, spinach and tomatoes. Now, I'm really not a vegetable person so all I really ate was the tortellini's and carrots. Luckily Riley (Wilson) was there and loves vegetables (thanks to his years in Russia). Then we tried to go running up at Bridal veil falls but we were too full so we ended up walking instead, which was much more enjoyable than running. Nevertheless, I have leftovers and will eat them for dinner tonight!

4. Costume making. This has taken up a large amount of my thinking time recently. This Saturday there is a party at Mom and Dad's for Halloween. Thinking up a costume and making it come to life is great. But it's a surprise what we are dressing up as... so you'll all have to wait.

5. Cleaning. So as some of you might know, there are cleaning checks once a months in BYU housing. I had the bathroom this week and I failed because the silver stuff wasn't shiny enough. I'm really not sure the people who check know that they are already disgusting and that I made them look their best. Those bathrooms are gross, just so everyone knows. I don't want to know how many people have used those things.

6. Soccer. I've never really been a fan of soccer but I joined an Intramural team with Becca and Nicole. It has actually been really fun, despite the fact that we have lost every single game, except one (the other team forfeited). And that last week was the first game we had refs there for! (The rest were forfeits)

Oh, I've got a whole list of books to read. Currently I'm working on the Bookseller of Kabul. (which is apparently pronounced kaw-bull, not cable). Here is my list of to do's:
1. Hunger Games

2. These is my words

3. Half Broke horses (I started this but then it was due at the library so I need to finish)

Oh and here is a picture of my Tortellini Soup! Looks fancy, right?

This could be OUR house

In just a few short months this could be our home. Jake and I put an offer in the other day for this home in Orem. There are not a ton of pictures, but if you'd like to see more you can click http://www.utahrealestate.com/970825. We're pretty excited! I just don't think I have the patience to wait months and months to find out if it's ours. I have to stop myself when I start thinking of paint colors and how I'll start to decorate. I guess I'll have it planned if we get it.

End of Summer....still not yet!

These are pictures of some of the things we accomplished at the house this summer.
I am really enjoying the house and the yard. I didn't take any pictures of the garden, but we have had delicious squashes, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, onions, cucumbers and we are still hoping for cantalope and watermelon. I learned a lot about the soil and water here and will hopefully improve next year. Who would have thought the soil and water could be so much different only six miles south of West Jordan. Now, all we ask is to get our trees and plants to grow!!! Bradley asked for close-ups of the new firepit.

The kids started the day at Nicole and Garrett's house for their semi-annual cousin conference breakfast. They all bring something something to add to the meal and have such a great time!

The kids got tickets to see the Saturday afternoon conference session. They said it didn't seem

like fall yet. I guess it wouldn't...it was in the high 80's. Yeah!

Serafine Girls at "The Lion King"

After many months of anticipation...we finally attended a wonderful performance of one of the cutest shows ever. The costumes, music and performances we amazing. We loved the entrance, where the animals came on stage and you see for the first time just how creative and accurately the animals are portrayed. My personal favorites were the elephants, the giraffes and the cheetah. The music brought back memories of the Disney Lion King movie which we saw and replayed for years. I believe it was Bradley's favorite for a long time and who can forget Katelyn's stuffed animals, Simba and Nala, who had magnets in their noses that kept them kissing all the time. She says she still has them up in her box and I was a little worried they might be displayed after the show! The whole night was memorable and I, as always especially enjoyed being with my "girls". Oh, by the way the Davidson girls joined us too!

Kansas

I have always wanted to go visit Kansas!! I finally had the time and the money to go. When I arrived at the airport Jane came up to me and gave me a hug, and at that point I knew it was going to be a good week. I got some good videos of the girls but I had difficulty trying to get them on this post. Sorry there are no videos so if you want to see them come see me. I am going to give a day by day account of my trip.

Thursday: We just played outside and the girls got all wet by the hose.

Friday: Jane showed me her preschool classroom and gave me a big hug. After preschool we went to the candy store. It was called the Nifty Nut House and it had every candy imaginable. Why did I choose M&Ms??? Later we watched Enchanted, which the girls loved.

Saturday: Jane had invited me to go to the Primary activity so I went along with Mandy. That afternoon we headed to the Kansas State air. It was the best car ride ever as we had fun singing and telling jokes.

We saw lots of farm animals and enjoyed some fun rides. They had everything from giant cows to baby pigs. Jane got to pet the pigs, which she enjoyed.

Jane and I went on a small sized ferris wheel. I had to admidt to Jane while we were up there that I was scared. And she told me, "Don't be scared Aunt Katelyn I will hold your hand." And she did the whole rest of the time on the ride. We enjoyed some yummy treats and Annie ate the entire frozen chocolate covered banana. She was so cute and got so messy but was a nice sister and shared with Jane.

On the way home Jane had to make a list of everything we did at the fair. She repeated the list lots of times and even one last time before she went to bed.

Sunday: We went to church which was good. Mandy made a delicious lasagna and homemade bread for dinner with a strawberry pie for dessert. Later we went on a walk to a nearby pond and had fun.

Monday: That morning, before preschool, us girls went to a little corn maze. Jane had fun being the leader while Mandy was the caboose.

Afterwards, Jane found a giant slide and decided she wanted to go down it. She got up there and was too scared to go down so Mandy went up there and came down with her.

That night Brad and Mandy went on a date while I watched the girls. I had brought some fun Halloween crafts to do with them and Jane loved them. We put the decorations up and Jane was pleased with her work. We watched a movie that night and Brad and Mandy came home a little later.

Tuesday: This was my last full day there and we decided to go to the zoo. We brought their friend Beth and had a nice time. They got to feed the fish and the sheep which they enjoyed more than the other animals. We got to see some really cool animals but had to leave when it got hot.

That afternoon Annie was down for her nap and Mandy fell asleep so I played with Jane. We had a dance party that night and quite enjoyed ourselves. I will never forget Annie shaking her little hips! We had family home evening with a short cute lesson.

Wednesday: In the morning before I left we ran a few errends and then went out to lunch. I cried when I had to leave because I became so attached to them. I just wanted to thank Brad and Mandy for such a fun week! Whenever you need a babysitter feel free to call me and I will fly right over.

for nicole & garrett....

I promised to get these recipes to you!

CROCK POT CHICKEN TACOS

2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thawed
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can corn (i use green giant shoepeg)
i pkg chicken taco seasoning mix (mccormick)
1/2 cup chicken broth (more or less depending on how thick or thin you want it, i usually always use 1/2 cup)
1 cup salsa (i use regular pace picante)

Place all ingredients in crock pot. cook on high 3-4 hours or on low 6-8. just before serving shred chicken and add:

1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
(make sure when you add sour cream the crock pot is off. it will curdle if the mixture is too hot)

SPANISH RICE

1 cup long grain white rice
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1 TB dried minced onion
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 8oz can tomato sauce
1 can (2 cups) chicken broth
1 TB butter

Put all of ingredients in a pot. bring to a rolling boil, cover, turn heat to low. let cook 25-30 minutes. take off heat and let rest 5 minutes. fluff with a fork and serve.

AVOCADO PICO DE GALLO (my favorite!)

1 cup diced tomato (about 1 large tomato)
1/4 cup diced white onion
3 TB finely chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 TB diced, seeded jalapeno
1 TB fresh lime juice
1 garlic clove, minced
1 medium avocado, diced
1/4 tsp salt

mix together. chill or serve right away.

TORTILLAS (makes 12)

3 cups flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup butter flavored shortening

combine with a pastry blender, or a fork until little pea sized balls form throughout.

Add 1 1/4 cup water.

Mix and knead until combined. I use my kitchenaid with the bread hook. Separate into 12 pieces and form into balls. On a floured surface roll each ball into a tortilla with a rolling pin. cook on hot griddle turned up to 400 degrees. cook on both sides, turning once you see bubbles appear on the surface. Keep warm by putting them between two paper towels folded over.

ENJOY! It was great to see you guys. Oh and I better give credit to those who deserve. The crock pot chicken recipe i got from my friend Sam, the rice i found somewhere..., the tortillas I grew up with so thanks mom!, and the avocado pico I got from a relief society dinner. Let me know if you have any questions! It was good to see you guys twice this summer!

End of Summer...NO WAY! Part 3

Cute Dad loves the pool at the Mountainside Resort!

Dad and I in front of the Park City time share.

Gary, Lori, Riley and Katelyn

Birthday Buddies Allison and Steve 2010. Too bad we dropped Allison's cake on our way up to the resort. She was a good sport.

Sorry guys, the pictures are out of order again, we are back to Mutual Dell.

Katelyn, Riley and Allison by our good friend Moose on Main Street!

Cute Riley

Katelyn and Allison at the Jon Schmidt concert
at the Sandy Ampitheater in July. Riley was the there too,

but I think he was taking the picture.


Parade goers.

Dad and I awaiting the Park City Fourth of July parade.

More of Allison's 20th birthday poolside at the Mountainside Resort.


Riley's first day of school--Senior year. Can you believe my baby is a senior in high school? I think this is the last time I will be taking a first day of school picture. Time flies...

Sorry we are out of order, but we are back to Starvation Resevoir. Jim and Kerry.

Dad, Me and Paula relaxing.

Drew, Nate, Caleb and Will

The three beauties! Loren, Melanie and Judy- another one of my favorite girls!

Anna is behind the waverunner.

Those are some of the highlights of Summer 2010. Sure was a filled with lots of fun and family togetherness. As usual, I missed many important photo opportunities, such as Matt and Stacy's visit and our campout at Granite Flats. Needless to say, we loved it all!