Conversation

I had promised a friend I'd post these pictures awhile back now. And finally got around to it. For Christmas with my nephew and niece on my side we decided to exchange gifts with a $5 limit. My fore mentioned friend suggested making Conversation Cards. As an aside, I don't think anyone on my side of the family needs help with conversation its just fun to get some different topics going. Anyway, I decided to bite on the idea and these are the results. It didn't take me long to find TONS of questions online and adapt them for kiddos if they weren't already. There are about 50 questions in each pack I think. It was a pretty cute especially with my nephew, 4 answering questions and asking them left and right. He (like most kids) is so honest! Even told us his least favorite 'class' is clean up time- that's why he asks to go to the bathroom then! LOL!

If you're interested in my list of questions I'd be happy to share them. Enjoy this easy gift idea!

Some weekend pictures- Wordless Wednesday

An Almost Retro Post: Arizona 2009

I promised awhile ago that I would post our trip pictures from this Christmas in Arizona. Well, its now March. Before I post them and the captions, a little update. We are all well and both Katie and I are growing. It has been for the most part a good start to Lent. I was able to go on an all day retreat/conference that first weekend. Confession, Eucharist and many great talks along with sitting with a dear friend for the day made the day really AWESOME. I feel so blessed that Kurt was willing to take on Katie for the day (and practically the weekend as Bible Study started that Sunday and pretty much consumed my time after returning home). He is such a gift to me again and again!!!

Ok without further ado!

Our longest family vacation yet included plenty of hiking, relaxing and fun, fun, fun. We once again hauled the kiddos around in backpacks. They're handy for hauling and napping!

Daddy models how the backpack works.

John trucking Kaylee through the desert.

One of our beautiful hikes with WATER a rarity in the desert hiking.

Time was also spent with the 10 of us in the one bedroom trailer at Monte Vista. The kiddos vied for spots in the only real bed.

The resort also provided Christmas events for families including making photo frames.

All dressed up with no place to go...

Framing it up with Kaylee!

And Trev's work of art looks pretty good, too, I might add.

Kaylee and her mom on Santa's lap at Breakfast with Santa at the park.

These next few are from our visit to the Mesa Museum of Natural History which we also visited last year if you recall but it was worth going again. The kids love it!

Kaylee and Kate checking out Bubba the turtle and his cool tongue.

The girls hanging with Gramma. Check out the kid backpacks/leashes. They really are handy for independent little ones.

Gram and Kaylee in Folsom Prison...can you hear Johnny Cash singing it?

Panning for gold- this is how we paid for the trip!

A new exihibit this visit- Be in a Western!

Check out the faces. Kaylee loves them.

Were they meant for the big screen or what?
Kate and Gram on a Mammoth Dig Puzzle.

And at the Olive Mill tour. The best olive grove in AZ! Thanks for reading. Olive you, too!

Lenten Recipes

Prompted by an email group conversation I thought I would post this here, too.

Some of our Kieler Lenten (meatless) favorites...

Shrimp and Pasta
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. butter
1 teaspoon minced garlic (more if you're a garlic person)
Thawed medium shrimp (we buy frozen and pre cooked)
1/4 c. Parmesan cheese
Pasta (cook as directed)

Thaw shrimp (enough for each person to get a serving), rinse, drain and dry. In a skillet over medium heat heat butter, oil and garlic until fragrant. Add shrimp (and veggie of choice if you're daring). Cook until warmed or seared if you like them that way. Mix with drained pasta and add Parmesan cheese while still warm. Quick and EASY! And YUM!


Fettuccine Alfredo
(courtesy of Rachael Runde)
2 tsp. vegetable oil
1 small onion finely chopped
1 large garlic clove, crushed
2 c. skim milk
1 c. chicken broth
3 tbsp. all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese
1 pkg. (16 oz) fettuccine
1 pkg. (16 oz) broccoli florets

In nonstick skillet (12 in.) heat oil over med. heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until onion is golden brown about 8 min. In bowl, with wire whisk whisk milk, broth, flour, salt and pepper until smooth. Add to onion mixture and cook, stirring until sauce has thickened and boils. Boil 1 min. Stir in Parmesan.

Meanwhile, cook pasta. After pasta has cooked 7 min (or so) add broccoli to pasta water cook approx 3-5 min longer. Drain and toss pasta broccoli and sauce together. A little more work but a tasty alternative.

Baked Ziti
(courtesy of Natalie Elskamp)
1 tbsp. olive oil
2 garlic cloves
1 (28 oz.) can of crushed tomatoes
1 (14 oz.) can of diced tomatoes
1/4 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. of fresh minced basil or 2 tsp. of dried
1 Lb. pkg. ziti or other short pasta
8 oz. of shredded mozzarella or Swiss cheese
1/4 c. Parmesan cheese

Cook pasta until firm to bite. Reserve 1/2 c. of pasta water when draining. In med skillet brown garlic in olive oil until fragrant. Stir in tomatoes. Bring to simmer. Stir in basil, sugar and salt and cook till thickened. Add sauce to pasta, use pasta water to loosen sauce as needed. In oiled 9x13 in baking dish, spread half of pasta mix, top with half of both mozz and parm cheese. Repeat with remaining halves. Bake at 350* for 20 min. or until golden brown. Let sit 5 minutes and serve. (Total time takes less than an hour!)

Rice and Bean Enchiladas
(courtesy of the Statz-Lauper family)
tortillas
refried beans
rice
enchilada sauce
shredded cheese
a can of diced tomatoes or salsa

Cook rice. Afterwards, combine all ingredients in a large frying pan and heat through. Place in tortillas and roll (taco bell style). Top with extra sauce and cheese and bake at 350* for 20-30 min.

Oh and two other mentions I can't forget!
1. Kurt's Nearly Famous Smoked Salmon (If you're interested I'll have to ask to reveal the recipe)
2. The Kieler Church Lenten Fish Fry- the best church fish fry we've found! And we make the rounds. ;-)

Happy Cooking and a Blessed Lent!

Somethings this Saturday....

Here are a few somethings for your Saturday reading and enjoyment!

Blonde Brownies

I've always appreciated these treats when others bring them to events but have never endeavored to make them myself till yesterday. Easy and YUMMY. I've been nibbling at them since dinner last night. Is it mealtime, yet?

Gram

This week we had Gram visiting till Monday! She brought special St. Valentine's Day gifts for all. Kate looks especially cute in her gift. Kate would also want me to mention, "Gramma wrap BooBoo!" A special book she'd received for Christmas that goes to bed with us.





Sledding

Our neighbor, Kristen, was over Tuesday for a snow day. Kate and I got suited up to join her. She and Kate did some sledding down our driveway. I was so grateful since I am not the steadiest and didn't want to slip on our slope.

The Olympics

Ever since I was younger and we celebrated a Family Olympics (Albertville and Lillihammer come to mind) with our own competitions (including scandalous pictures of me figure skating) I have enjoyed watching the Olympics and this year seems to be no exception. Who can nap on a Saturday afternoon when there's speed skating to be seen! Though staying awake till the torch lighting was out of the question last night. I'll be watching and cheering USA!

Lenten B.S.

That's Lenten Bible Study, folks! Its starting up again next Sunday and I'm leading the fiasco. Honestly, I'm pumped about it. I LOVE being able to teach and learn and am praying for our study to be a faithful and fun undertaking. If you're reading this from Kieler you really should sign up!

A New "Profile" Pic

Monday, I had an ob appointment and ultrasound. We didn't have one this late with Katie but the doctor had some concerns and so here are our 24 week pictures of our beautiful baby. My mom came down to assist with Kate and got to see all the action first hand (Kurt couldn't get off work at that time of day). Her comment was, "Why do all your babies have to look like Kurt?" This one even in the womb! It is pretty funny especially looking at Kurt's baby pictures how the profile is totally Snyder. I love it!



So this is the profile shot. Notice the hand by the face. The little one kept it there the whole time we were viewing. Kate used to sleep like that and that translated to sucking her thumb. I am curious if we'll have another thumb sucker. I'll have to look harder for a good profile picture of Kurt in case you don't know him well enough to see the likeness.

This shot is from the head looking down. You can again see the hand and arm and then little nose peeking out.

More soon from Mom's visit to Kieler- I have my camera back!

A Quick Takes Friday

1- Coffee
I don't know if there are many one year olds that enjoy a morning cup of coffee but mine does. I have been giving her decaf with LOTS of milk but still part of me chuckles every time she asks for it by name (without me even having a cup myself!). I am justifying it in my mind by comparing it to families of early American settlers that of course had no other beverage options and of course in other cultures this is quite common- cafe au lait etc. I guess my one year old is cultured!

2- Growing....
I was pondering with a friend this morning, how is it that one day you feel like you're 'normal' pregnancy size and the next day (today) you've obviously grown into a small cargo ship? Today, I feel big. Oh well, the baby seems fine with that and is moving A LOT. I'll have an OB appointment and ultrasound Monday. We'll see what that adds up to on the scale.

3-Our Calendar
My fav Harris SIL found this AWESOME family calendar that's magnetic and a whiteboard, too. Kate has insisted on sharing this gift with me and recently figured out (a little anyway) that it counts something. And that each activity we do on a particular day is posted there. I have been trying to refer to it especially in our count down to #4.

4-Gramma Ann
Yes, we've been counting the days till Gramma Ann comes to visit us (this Saturday). Kate is excited because Gram is going to wrap (with a library cover) her bedtime book aka BooBoo. I don't know if my mom is bringing Pops with her on this trip. But we're happy to have company nonetheless. (my camera- I think, will come home Saturday with my mom's visit. Hooray!!)

5-Birthdays and Singing
This past week has been full of birthdays and Kate is just in time since she's recently mastered Happy Birthday (along with a plethora of other tunes all of a sudden). We were able to sing Happy Birthday to our friend Gianna and to my Gramma Helen. We've also been meaning to give a belated call to our friend Tati. It sure is fun to sing together- Kate and I find that we break into song often at the kitchen table and in the car. She is so full of joy belting her little heart out! Makes me wish for a video camera.

6-Organizing
Kurt and I have been doing some organizing. He recently completed two sets of shelves for me to fill in the basement and that has come along quite a bit though there is still more to accomplish. I also found a toy box for $1.50 this morning and Kate and I have plans to move all the toys and most of the books to her room this afternoon (after she wakes up). I've still got LOTS of filing to organize (boo hiss, boo hiss) but we've started putting things together organizing our taxes. I will be happy to have a few of these projects done. Soon?!?!

7-Books
Well we've been to the library twice a week the past two weeks! And Katie and I have both had a chance to do some good reading. Here are a few of our recent favorites.
Katie's
Duck at the Door
Doctor Dan the Bandage Man
Peek-a-boo Baby
Sheep in a Jeep

Mine
The Wednesday Letters
A Mother's Rule of Life

Have a great weekend!