Dr. Heartthrob is in the House!

Okay, we'll Joe isn't a doctor,

but he is officially a NURSE!

CONGRATULATIONS JOSEPH! 

We couldn't be happier!

Here's my brother-in-law with his saint-of-a-wife Jessica.

This accomplishment really was a united effort,

and together they made this happen.

The heartthrob reference comes from his days as a youth when he was voted hottest guy in his stake.  Jessica was basically the only girl who DIDN'T swoon all over him, and of course, that's who he married!

Now that the party's over,

roll up those sleeves,

slap on those gloves,

and tell someone to bend over!

Love,

The Samuel Elmers

 

Milestone: Suction Cups

Don't you love it when they can finally sit up in the tub?

Yes, their older.

And they have more balance.

But it's mostly because those cheekies act as suction cups!

I love you Gabriel!

Cinnamon Spiced Spanish Rice

I love this dish, and the combination of spices, especially the cinnamon and garlic, make the house smell amazing!

Cinnamon Spiced Spanish Rice

Makes 3 cups

Ingredients

Pam Cooking Spray

1 1/2 c. white long-grained rice

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. onion powder

1 tsp. cinnamon

2 tsp. chili powder

1/4 tsp. cumin

2 c. chicken stock
1 c. water

Directions

Heat a saucepan over medium heat and spray liberally with Pam Cooking Spray.

Add the rice and all the spices and stir to combine.  Allow the rice to toast for several minutes, stirring regularly to prevent burning.

Lower the heat and slowly pour in the chicken stock and water.  

Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil.

Then lower the heat to it's lowest setting and cover for 20 minutes.

Fluff with a fork, add additional salt if desired, and...

Enjoy!

A Boy and His Dad...

This is something I cherish.

A First.

A Rite of Passage.

Tradition.

Chocolate Orange Squares

If you're a chocolate lover like me, you'll like this recipe with fresh oranges which give the chocolate a rich depth of flavor. 

Chocolate Orange Squares

Makes 24 squares

Ingredients

One Pillsbury Chocolate Fudge Family Size Brownie Mix

1/2 c. Applesauce

1/4 c. Water

2 Eggs

1 tsp. Vanilla

2 tbs. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

 2-3 tbs. Orange Zest (the zest of 1 1/2 large oranges)

3 tbs. Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice (juice of 1/2 an orange)

1 1/2 c. Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips, divided

Directions

Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9 x 13 in. glass pan with Pam and set aside.

Mix all the ingredients, except the chocolate chips, in a large mixing bowl.

Pour into the pan and spread evenly.  Sprinkle with 1/2 c. of chocolate chips, and with a rubber spatula, press gently into the mix and smooth the top layer.  All the chocolate chips should now be just below the surface.

Bake for 20 minutes, or until set.

Sprinkle the remaining chips over the top and turn off the oven and close the door for one minute to allow them to melt.

Remove the brownies from the oven, and with a rubber spatula, gently spread the melted chocolate chips into a layer of frosting.  Use a light hand, so as not to tear the top of the brownies.

Let set, cut into small squares, and...

Enjoy!

My Walk to the Library with Five Kids in Tow...

As you can imagine,

it all begain with the thought...

"It's not that far, right?"

Sigh.

It IS that far.

But, we survived,

and we had a great time too!

It all began as a result of my seeing how increasigly tiny our house was getting.  Samuel was working on a take home final and studying for yet another.  And after a particularly grueling week it all culminated with a super stressful on-line timed test in which the clock was ticking and you apparently needed TOTAL SILENCE!

Normally, Samuel is super easy-going and can function at top capacity even with three to four kids hanging from his earlobes, but the pressure was on to secure A's in both of these classes and I could see he needed some much needed
"quiet time". 

I know that term well, because I need it often too! 

Anyhow, I got the idea in my head to take the kids to the library and park. 
Not particulary adventuresome,
but what if we walked the 3+ miles instead? 

The kids were thrilled,

so we loaded up the double stroller,

said good luck to dad

(who thought I was nuts and said "good luck" to me too!), 

and we hit the road...

literally!

No hike is complete without a walking stick!

Or a romp in the meadow...

And even though there were signs of weariness, big sisters stepped in to lend a hand...

...and give words of encouragment!

After spying a huge turtle in the creek,

peering into the Oak Forest,

and catching sight of several baseball games,

we crashed under the trees!

We made it!

Time for lunch!

And how enjoyable is it to eat cheese and crackers atop the cool green grass and under the shady canopy of trees?

Bliss!

We hit the park and played in the sand...

...the water...

...and anywhere we could find some shade!

And after a romp on the swings...

...we hit the library to read abit before calling dad to...

PICK US UP!

Happy Trails...

Regrets...

I can't NOT get in on the fun when my sisters are all over it, right?

It seemed like a good idea at the time...

...but on second thought...

...don't look at me!

First Freebies

I'm officially in!

Couponing is awesome!

Yes, it's quite labor intensive.  

At least I find that to be true now.

But the rewards are so, so sweet!

{Sometimes literally so!}

Happy Smart Shopping!

The Good Quiet...

Fountains Time Again

{One: Isabella}

First the worst?  No way!

This is MY girl and I love her to pieces!

She is a big help in so many ways, no more so than to her momma.

{Two: Ava}

Loves to run, jump, and play!  

Will pause for photos and always has a winning smile.

{Three: Iris}

Never caught without a headband and a hair clip of some kind, no matter how scraggly the hair.  And no matter what, the band almost always sinks down over one eye!  Sharp, sweet pea, sharp! 

{Four: Owen}

I love you son!  

I wish I had  you're picture but somehow you eluded me!  

I'll catch you next time!

That's a promise!

{Five: Gabriel}

Stuck on the sidelines with mom, but content to watch the action from afar.  Thanks for keeping me company on the bench, son.

Yum!
You're just like your momma sweetheart!
If we're not running around,
we're EATING!

This is bliss...

I Read For Happy Meals ONLY!

So, everyone once in awhile, 

you're kids say something and 

you really get a peek into what's really going on in there.

When Ava completed her reading log for school and earned a meal at the Spagetti Factory, she was thrilled.  She patiently kept reminding me what a wonderful idea it would be to eat there, and so, after some time, we made plans to...

"go out"!

The menu comes and everyone's happy, 

except Ava soon starts to frown.

I say, 

"Ava, do you want Spaghetti & Meatballs 

or the Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce?"

{We don't do the chicken nuggets or grilled cheese options 

which I could easily make at home while standing on my head, 

blowing my nose, and

singing a sea shanty-

and for FREE, mind you!}

Ava replies,

"I don't want Spaghetti.  

I wanted a Happy Meal.  

Where's the Happy Meal?"

Well, after informing us that she reads for Happy Meals only,
a little heart-to-heart rectified the misunderstanding,
and she chose the  
MEATBALL!

Gabriel positively gobbled the noodles and french bread...

...and we enjoyed some great family time!

Yes, 

it's possible to find happiness even 

WITHOUT 

McDonald's!

So Close!

Gabriel Dodge,

Son, you are so close to crawling!

You manage to scooch all over this house,

but the actual getting up off of that belly eludes you!

Keep it up son!

You're labors, I promise, will be rewarded!

It is a joy to watch you grow!

All my love,

Mom

{Who yes, sometimes wishes she could go back to crawling!}

The Dreaded Letter...

You know, 

the one you get from the school 

that informs you that you and your family are now truants 

for being late to school one too many times?

Yes, we got one of those this year.

I felt so bad, 

and maybe, quite possibly, 

I implied to my girls that we were all going to 

JAIL 

if we didn't do better!

And so,

every morning, 

we scrambled like wild chickens 

to make it out the door on time.  

I'd like to report that we did it.  

That we learned our lesson.

And we paid our debt to society.

 But unfortunately,  

I can't!

But we did send in this nice letter of apology to the girls teachers!

Maybe they'll be some mercy extended?

"I'm a Boat!"

If there's ever want for Family Home Evening topics, look no further than any General Conference.

In Elder Holland's address, "Safety for the Soul", he bears powerful-and I mean, POWERFUL-witness of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, and of it's message which invites all to, 

“Come unto Christ, 

and be perfected in him.”

Samuel taught this principle to our kids using a favorite method of teaching in our home:

An Object Lesson!

We learned about how we're all like boats at sea, and when the waves start to crash, and the winds start to howl, where can we turn for safety?

Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Who, of course, is our safe harbor from danger.

Owen talked about this lesson for days, the boy couldn't stop saying, "I'm a boat!", and everyone was extra-excited to take a bath too.

A win-win if there ever was one!

Cilantro Cream

This cream sauce is the perfect topping for grilled meats (we love to top our fajitas with the stuff).  Or, if you fancy, use on rice, or as a dipping sauce for flat bread or pitas.  

You have to love something that works with everything!

Cilantro Cream

Makes 1 1/2 cups

Ingredients

1/2 c. light sour cream
1/2 c. plain greek yogurt
1 tsp. lemon pepper
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. chile powder
1/2 c. roughly chopped cilantro
Freshly ground black pepper

Directions
Blend until smooth and refrigerate until ready to serve. 

For a thicker sauce, refrigerate 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving.

Enjoy!

Gabriel...10 Monther

Handsomer than all get out!

Gabriel, I love you!
And I can hardly believe that in two short months you will be one!  Crawling eludes you, though you're ALMOST there, and you are a champ at eating with eight teeth!  You a delight in every possible way, and though you squirm, I still love to hold you close!

I'm excited to see you grow son...

Love,
Mom