if only you really knew

I had to take a picture of my house today.  See there is this little squirt who loves to explore in my house.  She likes to look at everything, pull everything out, make love piles for me to clean up everywhere she goes... Do you remember this stage?  Anyone???

also, a quick plug- the Patagonia outlet in sugar house is having their famous 40% off current outlet prices - the sale starts Thursday the 12th and goes through the 16th- Doors open at 10- and we love to go on Thursday at 10 - and fill the black garbage bag they give us with all kinds of deals- Especially go if you need any snow gear!  You can take it back if it doesn't work for you!

Really looking for ideas.. please help

We are leaving for Hawaii in a few days- My sister (Thank you so much Rachel and Rob) gave Tyler a very neat bag for trips, with all kinds of books, magnets, crayons, books, etc... in it.  It will keep Tyler occupied on the trip with no problems- We are also buying a movie to go on the IPOD for the trip incase he needs it- 

BUT - then we have a 10.5 month old who only wants to crawl, climb, walk with an adult, and be all over the place all the time... HOW DO YOU ENTERTAIN THAT!

I would love some ideas- Anything- I would even love to buy some toys that she can play with if there is something good out there to keep her happy for a one hour flight and then a five and a half hour flight... HELP I NEED IDEAS~

Ella Bella

We took some kid pictures today- Getting a dog to stay, sit and lay down... A 10 month old to look, not crawl away and smile... and a 3 year old to stay attentive as the parents say, stay, sit, smile, look... It was pretty crazy!

To Die For

We went skiing with Tyler yesterday, just the free tow rope at Alta.  Tyler did great, Ella didn't want to stay in the front pack as long as we wanted her too.  Anyway, we came home starving.  I just need to share the recipe with you, because it is my very most favorite thing to cook ever.  It is pretty cheap, easy, and most important, I can make a big batch and freeze it for later.  

De De's Smothered Sweet Pork Burritoes

2.5 pounds of pork - any cut - I go to costco and buy a three back of pork roast, each roast costs about 3.50-

salt, pepper, garlic to taste

tortilla shells  

2 cans of mild green chili sauce, divided

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 15 oz black beans

1 15 oz western chili beans- not chili, but beans that have some chili sauce on them

rice

Cilantro

Cheese- I use what ever but the recipe says montery jack about 1/3 lb

toppings: salsa, tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole

Preparation:

Cut pork into large cubes and place in a slow cooker with 1/3 cup water. Season with salt, pepper and garlic.  Cook High for 8 hrs or low for 4 hrs. Shred meat when done, stir in 1/2 cup green chili sauce and brown sugar.  I add the left over water back to the pork after shredded and drained to add moisture. 

Oven 350 with a 9 X13

If you warm the tortillas up they will roll easier. Put 1/2 cup green chili sauce on bottom of pan.  Then put everything on the tortilla: rice, beans mixed, pork, sprinkle with cheese, and roll.  Pour remaining sauce over and sprinkle with cheese.  Bake till warm. Covered, 25-30 minutes.  We mix the lettace, tomatoes and cilantro and drop some sour cream on top. 

YUM!

He is not my child...

I have a few pictures of Ella but first, My son again. We had Grandma, Ben and Renee over for dinner last night. (My dad was out of town) Tyler and I made a great salad for part of the dinner- Lettuce, tomatoes, celery, carrots, cheese, garbanzo beans- Make your own, put whatever you want on it.  Tyler had two helpings of salad on Sunday and today, Monday, that is what he wanted for lunch ...
Since I helped him make his salad, I ate one too. But this is what I would have rather eaten.  

- Breakfast cake, cookies, homemade fresh bread or bran muffins

I ate a salad!  I guess I am growing up!
Ella- 

Ella is walking around using what ever she can to hold herself up.  Tonight was Tyler's easel.  She did so many laps around our kitchen that she just sat down and was all tuckered out!
She loves walking

Our fun weekends

I need to take some pictures now that I have healthy kids and Darren and I are feeling pretty good too. But that is for this upcoming week..

This post will be about our weekends and spot light Tyler.  Ella will have to wait until I get some more pictures taken. 

Tyler got this jacket from his Aunt Nellie, He came down the stairs this morning and said, "I just looked in the mirror and I look pretty handsome!" (notice the collar up- His Dad helped him get dressed!)
This is Tyler getting ready for work with Dad, you can't see but the tie is bunched in his sweater and so his tummy is a big lump- It was cute

Ok, our weekends- My husband is the best!

Three weeks ago- We took a family walk/bike ride- Tyler biked a total of 4 miles - I pushed the stroller with Ella in it and Darren encouraged Tyler while on his bike too

Two weeks ago- I needed a break from sick sick kids- So Darren took Tyler up skiing- Tyler did great- and is almost ready to go on a lift, no more tow ropes!

This week- Darren and I skied on Saturday, WOW!  Heavy wet snow ( it was basically raining, kind of snowing) and lots of heavy wet powder all day.  That feeling of skiing in the back country, with no one around (we were in bounds, no avalanches, don't worry Dad) but powder and just floating down this incredible snow- That is such a wonderful high!

So next weekend we hope to take Tyler up skiing again, then the weekend after that Logan with the Grandparents, maybe some snowshoeing ... Then Hawaii for 8 days- 

I will keep you posted, add some photos, but really this post is supposed to make you want to go get out, it is so easy to stay inside, Get out, go play!

It's been a week!

This has been such a hard week- How do you do it if you have more than two kids that are sick because I didn't think I would make it with just the two I had?

Both of my children have had coughs that induce throwing up because they cough so much.  They both have had ear infections which I didn't catch until Thursday, Thanks Dad.  They both have not taken naps until Friday because they have not felt well with ear infections.  But I know if I pray for patients I have more of it- So Friday was so much better. 

This is Ella with her little cousin Grace Allen- There is one other girl cousin, Sophie, my brothers daughter.  Ella played peek a boo with Grace for quite a while. 
This is Tyler's store.  He got all the appliances out and the pots and pans.  Then he emptied the silverware drawer into each one-  You could buy anything you wanted. Lucky for me, the shop had to close because it was lunch time, and we got things put away. 
Tyler LOVES his train track from IKEA.  He builds all kinds of things with his dad.  

Oh, I forgot- I flew to VA too...

I celebrated the first night of Hanakkah while there - Safra is on the right and her kid sister and boyfriend- (Amira) 

I also caught up with my old friend Stephanie Watson- She is single- any ideas???
Safra's long long hair- her hair grows three times faster than mine
Safra's parents- We went to Jeanine's art gallery where she is the director and saw some neat art
Safra is back in Israel now- I love and miss her!  Thanks for letting me come hang out with you for 4 days!  stay safe!

December in one post

Grandpa Balls and Tyler played train 

Dad and Tyler participated in the Harston family talent show- Tyler loves to play the paino
All the Dennis and Nola Harston grandkids- (we did just finish the nativity- they dont usually dress this way!)
Tyler loved being a shephard- but he had to substitute the sheep for a white stuffed bear- which he was just fine with- and Jenny and Eric were Joseph and Mary with their new baby Grace
This is for Neti- Your right a picture says a 1,000 words- MY SON ROCKS!!! (he does have marti gra beads on too)