Walking

A couple of weeks ago Lily took her first steps and she's getting better and better at walking. She's even mastered eating and walking at the same time (notice the graham cracker in her hand). She enjoys her new found freedom and loves to walk up to her brothers and tackle them. She's also starting to mimic/talk and says, "Hi", "Hi Dad!", "brother", "Trapper", (our dog) and "Mama", or at least words that sound like these. One more month and she will be a year old!

Sivai is enjoying kindergarten, learning quickly and showing his true personality. Patrick went to a literacy meeting the other day with his teacher and he inquired as to how Sivai was doing. She said that if he wants to do something he will and if he doesn't want to do it he refuses. This is truly his strong will showing through.

On another note; if I am ever rich in this life my one splurge would be fresh flowers in every room of my house year round. I love flowers and plants and I pretend to have a green thumb, these are from my garden. The arrangement is a mix of phlox, verbena, and zinnias.

59-0

Saturday Patrick and I went to the BYU vs. UCLA football game in Provo. We had a great time! Not only did we leave our kids behind, thank you Stacey, we also enjoyed one of the greatest games. If you haven't heard by now BYU killed UCLA 59-0 in what was supposed to be a close game. The energy in the stadium was amazing and it's easy to see how someone could get addicted to going to live games. Patrick took a couple of pictures on his phone...not the best but it's proof we were there :).

Thanks again to Lynn and John for letting us tag along!!!

Recipe

Caramel-Pecan Sticky Rolls (from Betty Crocker)

Dough
3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose or bread flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 packages regular or quick active dry yeast (or 4 1/2 teaspoons)
1 cup very warm milk (120-130 degrees)
1/3 cup stick margarine or butter, softened
1 large egg

Caramel Sauce
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup stick margarine or butter, softened
1/4 cup dark corn syrup
1 cup pecan halves

Filling
2 tablespoons stick margarine or butter, melted (I use more)
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup granulated or packed brown sugar ( I use more)
1 teaspoon cinnamon

1. Mix 2 cups of the flour, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, and salt and yeast in large bowl. Add warm milk, 1/3 cup margarine and the egg. Beat with electric mixer on medium speed 1 minute, scraping bowl frequently. Stir in enough remaining flour to make dough easy to handle.

2. turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead about 5 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Place in greased bowl and turn greased side up. cover and let rise in warm place about 1 hour and 30 minutes or until double (mine only takes about an hour). Dough is ready if indentation remains when touched.

3. Heat 1 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup margarine to boiling in 2-quart saucepan, stirring constantly; remove from heat. Stir in corn syrup. Pour into ungreased rectangular pan, 13X9X2 inches. Sprinkle with pecan halves.

4. Punch down dough. Flatten with hands or rolling pin into rectangle, 15 X10 inches, on lightly floured surface. Spread with 2 tablespoons margarine. Sprinkle on cinnamon and sugar. Roll rectangle up tightly, beginning at 15 inch edge. Cut into 12 equal pieces and place in pan. Cover and let rise in a warm place about 30 minutes or until double. (I don't let it rise until double because they get too airy, I just let them rise until they fill the pan.)

*we don't like nuts in ours so I don't add them.

Yum

I've finally found my favorite cinnamon roll recipe. It's really easy to make and has a caramel sauce baked right in. I think we're addicted!

Leaving the scene of the crime

Kindergarten

This is the earliest picture I have of Sivai. He's a little over 3 months old in the picture.

Four years ago today I was sitting in Samoa with an 18 month old baby missing my husband and wondering if I would ever be able to go home. What a difference 4 years makes. Sivai went to his first day of Kindergarten today. Everyone asked if I had a hard time, did I cry? I didn't. I'm not a crier, but there was a few heartstrings that were pulled. He is ready to be going on to new adventures, in fact he didn't even look back when he got on the bus. I asked him if he had a fun time and he said yes. I tried to ask him some other questions but he was too busy talking about everything that went on to listen to me. He said that he ran out as fast as he could when his teacher said it was time for recess, but learned that he was supposed to wait in line at the door. Everyone was given jobs to do and today his job was making sure everyone was using good words. He also told me he didn't like the guy that was at the front of the line (I think he was just jealous). All in all I think he had a great time and is trying really hard to follow the rules and make new friends.

Austin just couldn't understand why he couldn't go to school and ride the bus, after all he is a big boy now since he's potty trained. He wanted to be a part of every moment, putting Sivai's backpack on, getting his shoes on, and waiting for the bus.

Another big milestone came about a week ago when his first tooth was lost. It had been trying to come out for weeks but since the new one didn't push it out, it came up behind it, it took a while. He put on a brave face and let Patrick pull it out. He got 4 quarters from the tooth fairy and even shared getting bubble gum at the grocery store with Austin. Now we have to work on getting the second one out.