I can't believe she's 4!

I love this little girl! She is happy to be four but still impatient to turn 5 so she can go to school with her brother. She had a fun day playing with her new toys. Do you like the cake? This is the first non-rectangular shaped cake I have made. I think it is time for me to branch out, this was really easy and fun to do. 

I also wanted to add a picture of Ian diving next to the NO DIVING sign. He is doing great at swim lessons. 

Spring Break 2011

We took a little drive up to Oregon and Washington for our Spring Break. We haven't been back there in 7 years. I was excited to show my kids where I grew up.

A Gladstone Landmark

Oregon City Elevator. I can't believe that they
still employ somebody to push the up and down buttons
in the elevator!

Climbing the steps after riding the elevator down

The Geese at the Willamete River were
 huge and demanding

Clackamas River in Gladstone

I had my senior pictures taken around here

OMSI

On the way to Beacon Rock, a beautiful hike

At the top of Beacon Rock! The kids hiked the whole mile
 up and back. It was steep!

The kids loved the trip mostly because
they got to play with some awesome cousins

Round Lake Park

On the hike around Round Lake in Vancouver

We stopped at Multnomah Falls on the way home.
The kids are either cold or sad to leave Oregon.

Other things we saw and did that are not posted include Powell's bookstore, the Arboretum, the Portland Art Museum (incredibly psycho security guards that followed us room to room and yelled at our children), Fort Vancouver, My favorite brother's house, and probably more that I can't remember right now. 

Ian also lost his first tooth in Washington! Followed promptly by his second tooth on our arrival back home. Somebody make him stop growing up.

Best of all we were able to escape the stink of this town for a solid week!

Important Question

I have missed blogging about quite a bit in the past month. My family Christmas party, 10 yr anniversary trip to St George, Christmas, Cross Country skiing, New Years, Mike's birthday... blah blah blah. But there is something important on my mind that I need to discuss and get some opinions about. Side-ponytails. Really? Are they back in? I don't know if I should embrace the hairstyle of my youth or mock it. What is your vote?

Here is one picture from our recent excursion to the state capitol in Boise. Our kids were little nightmares for the whole trip but our hosts were kind and patient with us! Thanks guys.

What's for Dinner?

I hate it when the kids ask me that question. Because my answer is sure to result in groans and whines. They asked me last night. I wasn't about to give them the real answer (Cream of Broccoli Soup from scratch). So I made up a new name for the soup and called it Christmas Tree soup. I stretched the truth a bit and said it was potato soup which I magically turned green to be Christmas Tree Soup. Did they eat it? You better believe it. I am a little proud of myself. Hopefully I remember this trick next Christmas too.

Here's the recipe from Martha's Stewart's Everyday Living.... (I halved it for my family)

Christmas Tree Soup

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 med onion, diced

coarse salt & pepper

2 cans chicken broth

1 large head broccoli (3#), peeled, chopped

1 med baking potato, peeled and chopped

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup lemon juice

Saute the onion in oil, season with salt and pepper. Cook until soft. Add broth, broccoli, potato and 2 cups water. Bring to boil and simmer until tender. Puree soup and return to pot. Stir in cream and lemon juice, season with salt and pepper.

(my changes: for a half the recipe use 2 cups water and 2 chicken bullion cubes for the liquid and keep the full amount of cream!)