Vegetable Alfredo Salad Recipe

I decided to add in a recipe I just made up tonight. I've been trying to think of a way to use up some salad noodles. Here's the recipe and what I did.
Vegetable Alfredo Salad
Ingredients:
3 cups Water
1/4 teaspoon Salt
2 cups Salad Noodles-little cylinder ones that are 1/4 size of macaroni
2 cups Sliced Baby Carrots
2 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
1/4 teaspoon Lemon or Lime Juice
2 cups Cut up Cucumbers (2 small cucumbers)
1 small can Sliced Olives
4 small Cut up Tomatoes
1 Packet Alfredo Sauce-prepare as directed on packet
1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese, a little more for sprinkling on top

Instructions:
In large saucepan, boil water with salt. Add noodles when boiling. While boiling, prepare vegetables for salad. Place each in small bowls. When noodles are tender, add carrots and boil for three more minutes. Drain noodles and carrots and put into a large mixing bowl. Toss with vegetable oil and lemon or lime juice. Prepare Alfredo sauce in small saucepan. Pour over noodles and carrots. Stir. Add in cucumbers, olives, tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese. Stir. Sprinkle more Parmesan cheese on top and refrigerate. It tastes really good warm too.

Library Card!

Elizabeth has been asking for a library card for such a long time. She can finally write her name quickly and legible, so she got one today. Here it is. She was so excited! Too bad she shut her eyes a little at the last second and I didn't notice until I put the pictures on the computer. She is also wearing a sticker that says "I got my library card today" and has one of her favorite books for us to read to her, "Barkeley's School for Dogs". They are chapter books about a doggy school. Kind of weird, but fun and clean. We are just starting the Junie B. Jones books too.

Sorry about the three posts in one day. I guess I needed to make up for not posting for a week and a half.......

Three or so things....

3 Joys
-Family
-Gospel
-Friends

3 Fears
-Losing someone I love
-Horrible accidents-ones that change life.
-Secular direction our World seems to be going

3 Obsessions/Collections
-Baking and eating COOKIES
-Sleeping
-Cross-stitch patterns

3 Surprising Facts
-I like beets
-I have been in a white-water rafting accident, a parasailing accident, a couple bad bike accidents, and one car accident.
-I prefer my C-Sections to the labor and then c-section I had with my first. It was so much easier for me to bounce back from.

TAG! Alissa, Lorie, Anita, Tina

Routines and Fun

We are into a regular routine now, I think. That must mean someone is about to get sick...... I hope not! I really shouldn't speak/write things like that. I think it jinxes me. (Good thing I don't believe in that!)
Actually I went to the doctor today (not the OB!) and got my throat checked out. It's been hurting most of the summer at night and early in the morning. It hurt extra the last couple of days, so I went in and found out that in addition to the canker sore on my lower lip, I have one at the back of my throat (on the uvula-hanging thing) that has made it awful to swallow, breathe deeply, eat, or pretty much anything else for the last couple of days (which doesn't mean that I've skipped those things.) I guess there's nothing I can put on it because it's so far back, so all I can do it spray with Chloraseptic spray to numb it a little until it's gone. It's nice to know it's temporary, but the whole summer my throat hurt, they think, because of post nasal drip from my allergies, so I got a new allergy medicine. I hope it cures that. It's been yucky. It doesn't really slow me down though and that side is nice.



Tonight we went to Elizabeth's school open house and toured through the school with her as our guide and had yummy Spudnut donuts and orange juice. Here's a couple of pictures of her at the school.



Elizabeth with her teacher, Ms. Thompson by Elizabeth's favorite part of the classroom-Math. I guess she gets that from Andy-not from me!

Elizabeth by her locker. The AM kindergarten have the sunshine tags and PM kindergarten have the snail ones. Kind of funny.
One of the "specials" at her school is music class. The older kids can join a marimba band to play as a group.
This is the mouse picture that Elizabeth made in her Art class. Hers is the one to the left of her head with the lines of red and blue and the tiny mouse.
Here's Olivia and Elizabeth on the Cougar head in the gym. They will both be Cougars!

Earlier this week, I finally took some pictures of Elizabeth at ballet. I also got a couple of the email addresses of the other parent's there so we can exchange pictures of all the kids. I love to get more pictures! Most other people take really good ones too. Bonus!

Guess who's kid is goofing off? Yep, Elizabeth. I did her hair this way after the bath and she slept on it. I didn't want to redo it in a bun this time because it stayed in pretty good and because this was the day of Olivia's doctor appointment at 8:45am, which is early for us to be out of the house. (I know, I shouldn't complain)

Olivia went in for her 3 year old doctor's appointment this week and is 36 1/2 inches tall and 29 pounds. She was in the 50th percentile for both. 3 1/2 inches to go until we can take the girls to Disneyland and they can go on all the rides with us! She didn't have to get any shots this time, so she was pretty excited about that.

Last Friday was our Ward's Primary Talent show. Our girls signed up to do Knock Knock jokes. I was working with them after school and they had them down. Elizabeth did hers, but Olivia didn't want to do it once she got up there.

Elizabeth's joke was:

Knock, Knock.

Who's there?

Arthur.

Arthur who?

Arthur any more cookies in the cookie jar?

Olivia's was going to be:

Knock, Knock.

Who's there?

Isabelle.

Isabelle who?

Isabelle ringing?

The joke that Elizabeth made up (on her own) a few months ago and still seems to think is funny and now Olivia says it too is:

Knock, Knock.

Who's there?

Ghost.

Ghost who?

Ghostbusters!

Saturday took us to a nephew's 4th birthday party. It was a "Super" party. He has a lot of allergies, so his mom made awesome cupcakes that looked completely store-bought. Both chocolate and vanilla and the kids even had super hero rings in theirs! Colby's Uncle, Dad, and his mom's dad dressed up as Batman villains because Colby was dressed as Batman and came to the party. It was cool. The kids got to go into the spare room that my brother made into a Bat cave for the kids to play in. They all had a great time!

Here's Colby-er-Batman blowing out the candle. He actually wore his costume and mask the whole party, even while he ate his cupcake.

Here's the Joker (AKA-Colby's other side Grandpa)! He scared the kids a little until he pulled out a bag of candy. Nothing like taking candy from a supposed stranger dressed like a villain.

Colby's Uncle Matt (on the other side) as the Riddler.
My brother, Joe, was the penguin complete with fake nose, top hat, and tux.

Here are all the superheroes in the Bat cave. Olivia was a super ballerina, I think. Elizabeth was a superman.

Here's something kinda funny. When I walk home with Olivia and Vincent after dropping Elizabeth off at school, Olivia keeps asking me if when we get home I will watch Baby Mama with her. Think she wants attention?



Tonight, after the open house, I went to a cooking class with ladies from church and the Relief Society President was telling me how she didn't know how I do all the things I do. I was like, What? You're the RS President! You had 5 kids! You volunteer at the hospital! People are always underestimating themselves. I don't do much of that. I don't flaunt (on purpose) that I do service, but I know I do a lot and I'm okay with not beating myself up about doing more. I think I'm doing pretty good. I think it's one of the most important things in the gospel. Serving others is how you serve Jesus and God and show them how blessed you are. I know I am, so I serve. I heard someone older had said that they didn't need to serve anymore and I thought, What? What about that little scripture that says ENDURE TO THE END? I think that means doing good and helping others. Important!

Skating Fun!

Tonight was a skating party for Elizabeth's Elementary School. We decided to go as a family. Vincent slept in his stroller the whole time. He only woke up as I put him back into the car. Elizabeth and Olivia slowly got the hang of skating, I think. Only practice makes them better, so I guess we'll need to go again. Andy started out with them in roller skates and him too. Our friends told us how much easier it is if we wear tennis shoes and then we are steady for the kids to learn. I liked that. Most of the parents had regular shoes on too. We left Vincent under the table by our friends and took the girls out. Olivia is pretty naturally graceful and easy to stay up, but Elizabeth is a little jerky and tries to just hang on to the side the whole time. I wouldn't let her. My friend told me that I'm making her grow up too fast, but I was thinking that the faster she learns, the less I have to walk laps with her and the more fun she'll have too. Elizabeth was pretty excited to try it out and even looked at the camera, so she could go. Also, I tried a bunch today to make her wear an outfit that matched and she just wouldn't do it. Not my fault!
Olivia was all set to go too and kept trying to go without us.
Sorry this picture of Andy with the girls is blurry. I forgot to set the camera on Party mode which makes the lighting better and catches the picture better too.

Me and Elizabeth. I guess that shirt's not too flattering. Hmm.

That capped our evening off. This morning I slept in because Vincent kept waking up last night, like every hour until 5am (which is also why I'm up now) and so I got up late and then walked Elizabeth to the school after a popcorn breakfast/lunch. Then Olivia and Vincent and I continued a block to the church to help tye quilts for Humanitarian Aid. They were almost done already because they started at 9:30am and were going to go until 3pm, but finished by 1pm. I added a couple of stitches and then one of the ladies asked if anyone wanted to go on a boat ride. We didn't have anything to do for a few hours, so we hurried home, changed into river shoes and drove over. Olivia and Vincent both got their first boat rides today. At least I don't remember Olivia ever going before.... They did very well. It was a lot of fun. Too bad I left my camera at home. After that, we stopped by Zip's and got Cheeseburgers to eat while we waited for Elizabeth (and a black raspberry shake for me, Yumm!) and gave her one too when she got out of class. We had a pretty good day.

Also, while looking online at Halloween costume pictures last weekend, I found what I want to be and our family will have a theme. The cat was let out of the bag at dinner on Sunday by Olivia, so I guess I can let the cat out a bit more. We are going as......Nintendo characters. I will be Daisy, Andy will be Luigi, Elizabeth wants to be Pink Toadette, Olivia wants to be Peach, and Vincent will be Baby Toad. Unless of course I come up with something better for characters.

Motherhood. You like me?

I've been thinking a lot about being a good mom lately and just received this quote in my email because of a friend who put one on her website last week with a link to a subscription to good quotes. Here's the address for that. I don't know how to link yet. Teach me. http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=97ca813d71189110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD&locale=0

Family Gems
Women Have a Great Influence for Good

"Too frequently, women underestimate their influence for good. Well could you follow the formula given by the Lord: 'Establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God' (D&C 88:119)."In such a house will be found happy, smiling children who have been taught, by precept and example, the truth. In a Latter-day Saint home, children are not simply tolerated, but welcomed; not commanded, but encouraged; not driven, but guided; not neglected, but loved."
Thomas S. Monson, "The Spirit of Relief Society, Ensign," May 1992, 101-102


Last night we were driving home and Elizabeth was telling us that she wished she was bigger like us. Andy told her that that's how it goes. When you are young you wish you were old and when you are older you wish you were younger. She asked if he wished he was younger and he said sometimes. Then she said, "But then you wouldn't have me". He said that was why he likes being older because he likes to have her and be a dad. She was like, "What? You like me?"
Now I was a little surprised by this because I thought she knew that we like her and then I started to think that maybe there were too many times lately that she's needed discipline and been told that she's bugging us. She also has been read to and loved too. I guess we need to do better though. We'll work on that.

Costume Ideas Anyone?

I need a good idea for our 2nd annual adult costume party this year. Anybody have any good ideas for me? I think I've used my Hawaiian girl outfit a few too many times. I'd like to make something.......
Please help me out!
This picture is of me and Elizabeth when she was almost two.

By the way, if you are in town, come to our Halloween party. It's on November 1st because Halloween is on a Friday.

Also, Andy's mom and sisters and I are having an Autumn Event to display our designs and hopefully sell a few on November 8th. If you'd like an invitation, let me know. We'd love to have you there. We're going to do a make-and-take ornament too.

Sitting up-this one is Vincent

Vincent can finally sit up! It has taken so long. He has a little buddy who was born 10 days earlier than him who sat up at 4 months and now is crawling well at 7 1/2 months (he scooted before that). Vincent is 7 months and a week and can sit up though. I'm really not trying to rush him. I just want him to be able to do more. He is reaching and grabbing toys and playing with books and rattles and rolling all over the crib. He can kick his feet when he's on his back around in a circle or down a foot or two.

This picture is of Vincent sitting at his Aunt Sara's house for her birthday party on Wednesday. He likes to watch all the kids play and did pretty good sitting up. Andy's foot is behind him for just in case. He wasn't even touching him though.

Here's something funny. A little boy came to our house today and I left Vincent in the living room (where his toys were) while his mom and I were talking in the family room and picking up. The boy came in and asked where Vincent was and said he couldn't see him where I left him. We told him that he was by the coffee table. This conversation worried us a little, so we went to check it out. Vincent was in the bathroom on the rug hanging out in his diaper. Hmm. When the boy's mom was questioning him, he said that Vincent moved himself and undressed himself. I don't think so. Pretty sure he can't go that far or undress himself. Only socks. And hats. Vincent didn't act bothered by this at all. He didn't cry or anything. Of course, that's just because he's the best baby ever, so you know, of course he'd be good. Just a little puzzling of why he was in the bathroom. I hope he wasn't going to give him a bath or something. Weird.

Here's some pictures from Thursday morning of Vincent sitting and eating toys. He loves those fish!

Have a great weekend! Let us know all about your fun adventures too!

Walkin'-no not Vincent

So, this week, since Elizabeth is going to school, we (I) have been trying to walk. Olivia likes to ride in the wagon with Vincent. Elizabeth likes to run ahead or drag behind whining that she's tired. She had school three days last week and we walked four ways. The school is about 1/2 mile away, so that's 4 miles. Pretty good, I think. We walked both ways on Monday and no ways on Tuesday. Too much going on. Tomorrow will be better for walking. I was busy watching "Baby Mama". That movie is hilarious, although in the theater, I didn't remember it being quite so dirty.....still super funny and quirky. After dinner, Madsen's came over and brought a funny little game that is from Germany. Bohnanza is the name of it. It was a little hard to keep track of all the stuff going on because of the add-ons. I think it would have been better to start with just the basic way for the first time we played it. I got second place though.



We had a pretty busy week. Last Thursday we stopped by the playground to drop off school bags for humanitarian stuff to a lady in the ward and pick up handles for more. Then we went to the library and then hurried home to eat lunch and drive Elizabeth to school. We went from there to get Olivia's three year pictures taken. She did so good. She normally won't do anything they ask, but this time, she was smiling and posing and making it really hard for me to pick just one to buy. Great.... We walked Elizabeth home from school, made dinner, and then I went to our ward's book group. We read "The House of the Seven Gables" by Nathaniel Hawthorne in an effort to read a book by a classic author. It was really hard to read because it was super descriptive and kind of hard to follow. I was really the only one who toughed through the whole book (one listened on tape, two others couldn't make it through the book and got the kid version.) We did find a few gems to use in our lives, like, "Life is made up of marble and mud". We decided that this was the deepest one. One of my friends said that she could see herself telling her kids that. I decided that I need a hat to put quotes in to tell my kids one day so people can ask where I got it and then I can say I pulled it out of a hat. I think that sounded fun. We picked "The 21 Balloons" by William Pène du Bois for our next book. It's a fun read. It's about a guy in a balloon who is trying to go around the world and lands on an island and discovers the people who set up a community there. I read it last month after we picked the other book. None of us enjoyed that one except the lady who listened to it on tape. I think it must have been better that way. Plus, she went to the place that the house is at and has pictures of it.



Friday, we went to the library for storytime and then to Elizabeth's early release Friday. Every Friday is early release so the teachers have time to work on their lesson plans. I guess Pasco's early day is Wednesday. Friday is much better than that. After school, (walked home) we hung out and made cookies until the Wiggle Like a Fish concert and then I picked up our babysitter (who was there) so I could go to our friends' birthday dance party. Andy met me there because he was in Portland Friday and got back late. One friend turned 30 and one friend's husband turned 40. It was fun, but I didn't dance. I don't dance that well. I think the late 90's dancing and the 80's dancing were totally different, like in the 80's people had moves and in the late 90's, we were all just shaking our butts. At least that's all I did, and I don't think that's so good for an all married dancing party.....I didn't want to anyway. Instead, we (the other three) played Scrabble and Apples to Apples. I stink at Scrabble and especially this night. The guy after me won because I kept setting him up (so not on purpose) and one time he got 42 points on a round when I only had 40 points up to that point in the whole game. I do better at Apples to Apples. We added a few more people to that too. It was a lot of fun!




Saturday, we had another busy day. We made a plan at the book group on Thursday to take our 30-year-old friend out to dinner on Saturday night, but then realized that it would be fast Sunday and might mess her up....so we changed it to Saturday morning for breakfast. I warned her husband about it and we all kept it a secret. We went and picked her up at 7am and took her to Denny's. Here's a picture of all of us and Vincent:

I guess this is me with all my skinny friends. Julia had the birthday. She's on the far left. Also, Heidi, Lori, Laurie, Kim, and Jessica.

After that, we split up and I went home to pick up the rest of my family to go and clean the church. Vincent and I dusted. I love easy jobs. The last few times have been cleaning windows and chalkboards. Then, we came home and I showered and Andy went to help someone move into our ward. Then, we went to a funeral for a man in our ward. He always teased the girls while he handed the programs out to them. He was missed on Sunday when he wasn't there. He did do a good job of making the kids learn to shake hands. Another lady in our ward was telling me that with her two little girls he would say, "Good morning, boys." every week. Cute. He did something different with everyone and made us feel special. The funeral was starting and Olivia started to throw a fit, so Andy took her home and told one of our friends. They took Elizabeth, Vincent, and I home. Nice. Olivia took a nap. Good. I was so tired because of all the partying, but kept busy anyway. We had our friends, the Madsen's, over for games again. They are driving back to Philadelphia this Friday. We like to play games with them a lot. I made some pizza and we played. It was pretty fun. They like to play Settlers with us and their little girl is super cute and nice. They say that she gets a little bored at her great-grandma's house. I think our house is probably just more fun because of all the toys and kids to play with. She's great here. After that, I went to bed and Andy cut Vincent's hair again.

Sunday, we slept in because our church changed to 11am instead of 9am. (Even a little sleep in is nice though). We went to church and the kids were pretty good. Vincent is always good, except when he's hungry or poopy. We got home, ate, and then I don't know what happened because I was exhausted! Andy went to choir and woke me up when it was time to go to dinner at his parents' house. We hung out there and had yummy dinner and peach cobbler for dessert and then had to run home after visiting a little while to see our pal, Nathan, and his parents. His parents were in town from Shelley, Idaho and lived in our ward a few years ago for a few months. They were leaving the next day and wanted to visit with us. That was nice. They are sweet and are planning to turn in mission papers next year. I am so tired lately. I guess you probably are too, just from reading all my marathon posts. SORRY. But not really, 'cause it's really good for me to have this little (enormous) journal all the sudden.

Monday, I planned to play tennis with Janae Madsen and my sister-in-law, Sara. I had to hurry and feed Vincent, so they both called me when they got there and wondered where I was. I was tired, since Vincent was up until 3 am! I hurried Vincent and then he was a little sad at the tennis court. They didn't last long anyway. Too sore and too much other stuff to do. (Plus, they both think I'm good or something.) I hadn't played in forever! I didn't get any serves in. Or at least not good ones. Olivia wanted to play with the play raquets, so she hit a couple to me. She's pretty graceful. She has some coordination. She even hit one I hit to her. So, after they both bailed, I fed Vincent while I watched the girls play on the toys. That lasted until lunchtime when I decided that I didn't feel like making lunch. Off to McDonald's. We went home after that and rushed out the door to school. We walked fast (with Elizabeth whining the whole way) and then I had to feed Vincent and I worked on a couple of school bags before he was crying and hungry again and it was time to walk back to the school. The girls and I cleaned in the afternoon and waited for Andy to come home. Then after dinner, we went to Costco for much needed paper supplies. Bet you can't guess which ones. Also, awesome Crasins, brown sugar (too many cookies lately), yeast, and laundry soap.

Now, for another week of fun. Maybe I can manage to update more than once a week.....We'll see.

First Days =)

Elizabeth started Ballet and Kindergarten on Wednesday. We went to ballet this morning (after forgetting all about Olivia's doctor appointment, even though on Tuesday I called Torrie to take Elizabeth to ballet. She showed up and I still didn't remember until she said doctor. Space Case, I guess. I rescheduled and apologized to Torrie for making her get up and ready early (it cut into her bon-bons by the pool time-Andy). She went home to relax or something. Maybe she had time to swim.) Elizabeth knows just what is going on with ballet, so it wasn't anything new that way, but I think she had a better time because there were only four girls in the class. Last year there were at least 12-15. The year before that there were 18-20 each week. She loves attention.

In front of her school. We'll have to copy this pose a few more times......
Elizabeth (not looking at the camera, of course) and her good friend, Elise, who did the mommy swap preschool with us. They are in the same class and they are moving back into our ward too. Yea! The girls were born only a couple of months apart. Her parent's lived in our ward when we were expecting them and they had another little girl a couple months after Olivia too. Yea for buddies!
No turning back. She didn't even look. She is so ready. She had "so much fun"!

We came home for lunch and then walked to the school for Kindergarten. Olivia "helped" me with the stroller for Vincent and walked the whole time. Elizabeth did a run a few feet and then wait for me to almost run her over with the stroller thing. Bursts of energy. I was on cruise. I hope she doesn't drive that way. We dropped her off and found some friends. I even had a few shout-outs from the playground of other kids we know calling MY name. Weird. I guess I'm popular now. Cool. Olivia and I came back home with Vincent, of course, and rested. I didn't do anything very productive today. I checked email, made a CD, and called a couple neighbors to see if they wanted sweet corn that my brother gave us yesterday from another guy who got it from a guy on a farm. It was delicious!

We walked home and rested. Olivia threw a little fit and was screaming in the bathroom by Vincent's room while he was asleep, so she took a nap and now we are doing dinner and game night. Fun stuff.

Olivia started Ballet on Tuesday. She loved it. She was twirling and dancing and had a great time. There are 9 girls in her class.

Here's Vincent hanging out during ballet. He didn't seem to care about it. He just wanted a little attention so he could smile and do his little squeal.

In the afternoon, my friend Amye came over with her husband and three kids to make banana muffins. Yum! Then we decided to do dinner together too. She went home and found a recipe to try from her sister and then came back over to make it a few hours later. We also had the Madsen's (another couple from our ward here for the summer) over and we played games after dinner. We ate the corn and the taco bake dish that Amye made. We played Settlers of Catan with the Cities and Knights, of course, and juggled seven kids in our family room. That gets a little crazy. Andy didn't win this time. Janae's husband, John, won. Sneaky. Andy probably didn't win because of all the ganging up on him by my two friends. They were "best friends forever" in the game, even though they had just met. It was really nice to play though and I have been needing to sort out the toys and meaning to do it. I did it when everyone left because Amye's oldest, Anthony, lost something off of one of his toys. I found it.

Monday was Labor Day and we went up to Andy's parent's property by Goldendale to have lunch. My parents went with us. They hadn't even been up there and, I think, had a really good time. It was Suzie's birthday. She brought her two little boys up and Uncle Roger and Aunt Carol stopped by with Eian.

Here's Suzie and Archer (look way down low) on her birthday.

We left earlier than normal because of a BBQ at some friends in Richland. We took my parent's back to our house for their car and then went to the Welling Family's house for the BBQ. It was so good. We took some beets from Roger and Carol's garden and our Wii with Guitar Hero. (I figured that even if people didn't like the beets, bringing the Wii made up for it. I do like beets though. My Dad would always boil them until they were soft, cut them up and put salt and butter on them. Yum.) Aaron Welling borrowed a projector from work to play the games outside with the screen on the side of his house. We had to wait until it was dark though, and by then, most of the other friends went home. We played for an hour or so until all the kids collapsed on blankets and were getting "freezing".

Andy with Jay Hathaway in our ward. They played a few songs. Andy really likes it.

Kim and Aaron Welling rocking out. They played after Andy and Aaron did. I think the conclusion was that Aaron is better than Andy. That's good competition. Kim did awesome too. I'm pretty sure that they "ROCKED"!

Daniel and Everett, Olivia, Gabriela, and Elizabeth, with Madeline's leg. The were hanging out. Fun times.