DC Trip...Mount Vernon and Arlington

Mount Vernon
Home of George Washington

Olivia was so happy to use her umbrella! It was a cool and rainy day but beautiful.

The grounds were lush and green with a working farm and animals.
View of Mt. Vernon from the riverboat. He decided that our nation's capitol should be on the Potomac River. He loved the Potomac and used it for fishing and transportation. Evidently, he had quite a business selling fish as well as farm produce.

The American Indian Smithsonian

I took Kirk and Zachary with me, while Mike and Grandma Earl took Olivia to get a hamburger. We had a great time looking at the exhibits but it was a short visit. Someday it would be nice to take more time there.

This is one of my favorite pictures of Arlington. It had been a rainy, cloudy day but just as we made our way out to Arlington, the sun began to shine. It was so pretty.

I also love this one of Zach below this huge tree.

We just made it for the 6:30 changing of the guard. The boys and I were hurrying to make it in time. Thankfully, we got there just as the new soldier came. It was very impressive but Zach thought it was kind of boring. Mike said Olivia really liked it though. (They made it there at 6:00, so we just missed seeing it together.)

It was nice to visit the National Cemetery right before Memorial Day. The next Sunday when we were visiting the cemeteries here, Kirk remembered our visit to Arlington and that it was just the week before that we were in DC.

Remember!

I've been thinking about a lesson from church a month or two ago and thought I would mention it mostly to help me keep trying to do this! Also, it is kind of the direction I would like to go with my blog. Everyday is a gift and full of miracles, small and large!
The lesson was about remembering the ways we are blessed everyday. Many small things happen each day and it is so easy to forget them if we don't find some way to remember. Some ladies suggested a gratitude journal but even if we don't write it down, we can share our feelings with our family and friends and especially think about our blessings during our prayers. I especially liked this qoute:
"Tonight, and tomorrow night, you might pray and ponder, asking the questions: Did God send a message that was just for me? Did I see His hand in my life or the lives of my children? I will do that. And then I will find a way to preserve that memory for the day that I, and those that I love, will need to remember how much God loves us and how much we need Him. I testify that He loves us and blesses us, more than most of us have yet recognized. I know that is true, and it brings me joy to remember Him. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen." Henry B. Eyring-October Conference 2007 http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-775-24,00.html (if you want to read the whole talk-it is really inspiring)
Now, I need to remember to finish my DC trip pictures!

DC TRIP!

We flew in on Thursday afternoon but didn't do much but check in to our hotel and get a bite to eat. (At an expensive Italian restaurant that we thought would be better and cheaper than it turned out to be, oh well. The hotel was great though.)

FRIDAY, DAY ONE-THE MANSION AND THE NATURAL SCIENCE SMITHSONIAN

OLIVIA AND THE HOPE DIAMOND

It was the highlight of the museum and the crowds were huge.

Napoleon's second wife's jewelry at the Smithsonian. There were many gems and stones in this part of the museum. There were also animal skeletons on display and a fun section with bugs and butterflies. The boy's will have more pictures off of their camera too.

"Yes, I am happy to be in DC!"

Finding our way around the city was pretty easy with the metro.

And the National Zoo...

Olivia loved the Cheetahs...we were a little worried that they might jump over the pond and eat us. They looked hungry! (Seriously, the guy in the right of this picture was scared to death when those Cheetah's came stalking down the hill.)

SATURDAY- WALKING THE NATIONAL MALL

First, we saw the Washington Monument. It is the tallest structure in DC. Wow was it tall!

World War II Memorial (above two pictures). There were quite a few veterans visiting that day, some in wheelchairs. It's a large area with a big fountain in the middle and columns with each state around the sides.

Looking down the reflecting pool to the Lincoln Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial (above three pictures). He was a giant!

The Thomas Jefferson Memorial
(we walked there from the Lincoln and FDR monuments, and then we walked even further to get to the metro again, yes we walked quite far on this day!)


Watching the "magic noodles" being made. He would take the dough and stretch it and twirl it around over and over. Finally, he stretched it chopped off the ends and Presto! noodles would appear. That was fun to watch.

Olivia (with her cheetah grin, I guess) and boys at Chinatown.

Our first view of the White House...the grand finale for Saturday! They had an "incident" so we couldn't walk all around but we were able to see it at least.

Whew! What a day. We deserved a rest that night for sure! (My feet haven't been that tired since the last time we went to Disneyland.)

Next...Sunday- George Washington's home and Arlington.

Finally...Spring is Here!

Aren't we cute with our pretty fans and dresses?
Notice Phantom's tail brushing Olivia's dress...
It looks like a fan dance as the girls bend together and Eliza gently grabs Phantom's tail.

We have so many plants blooming right now and with the warmer weather more often, it has been much more like spring. It was a long winter!

In just a few days, we are off to DC! We are all excited and Eliza is excited to go stay with the boy cousins at "Isaac's house". I hope they still like her after a few days of toddler attitude! She's pretty easy to work with most of the time and she's really not as difficult as some 3 year-olds but she can be pretty demanding. Well, as long as she gets lots of good food, she'll be pretty happy! (And so will everyone else.)

May will be memorable!

Kirk is always reading about our world...caught him reading a book on the US this time.

We have one super exciting month ahead of us! With Kirk competing at Nationals for the Geography Bee, we are taking the family to DC to see him and also a few extra days to see the sights. We've never been to our countrie's capital and are looking forward to seeing the White House, the National Mall and Mt. Vernon (George Washington's estate). Hopefully we have time for a Smithsonian museum, which there are several, and the monuments, Arlington and maybe the National Zoo. All the National sights are free, but our time is limited.

Kirk, of course, Zach and Olivia get to come too and a really excited! Eliza is too young for the National Geographic events, so she gets to stay with her beloved boy cousins. Isaac is her favorite, so every time we mention the DC trip she says "Isaac's house!". It will be a new experience for them to have a little girl at their house!

Also, me, Zach and Olivia are going to be in a play at the Scera Shell this summer. It's a wonderful community theater and Zach was in The Music Man last year there. This time it will be The King and I. They will be two of the kings children, which is a big group, and I will be one of the wives. It should be a lot of fun! We love to sing and are learning the songs right now. It's kind of a nice way to be active and musical at the same time. I just hope I don't completely embarras myself! As long as I don't have to do much dancing, I'll be fine.

Introducing...Grace!

Another Child Waits
I've watched my friends go home from here, to their families, one by one,

Yet here I stay thru all these years, Waiting for you to come.
I know that I'm not perfect, Yet they tell me that I'm bright,

I just wish that you could only look, past what is wrong, to what is right.
I've watched my friends go home from here, I dream of how that'd feel,

A pair of loving arms to hold me, Will this dream ever become real?
I know that I would be home by now, If not for fears of the unknown,

Yet I have many of my own you see, In that you're not alone.
I've watched my friends go home from here, It's happening to Meili today,

But wait! Her Mama has something for me, I take it and don't know what to say.
With trembling hands, I open the book, And peek at what's inside,

A picture of a family, "Can this be true?" I cried!
I've watched my friends go home from here, It's my turn now, it's true,

I linger at the gate for one last time, Then bravely walk on out with you.

(poem by Bev Schwab)

I think anyone who reads our blog has already heard from us about our decision to adopt again (if not, now you do!) Grace is 9 and is from the same orphanage as Eliza! She has been in foster care for about 4 years and attends grade school. We believe she had only one other chance to be adopted at age one, but her condition at that time wasn't perfect, so it fell through. Here is what they wrote about her in her file:

She has a good memory, good at reciting Tang poems and nursery rhymes. She likes singing and dancing. She is outgoing, kind and polite. She often greets people first. She obeys rules. She is always ready to help people and she gets along well with others. Sometimes she is sensitive to sharp sounds, but she has improved a lot. The developmental delay almost disappears. Her ability still needs enhancing in math. Now she attends the local primary school, she does well at school except she has problems with math. She seems to always fail at math tests. Maybe her math skills need enhancing, but not her intellect! Socially she is excellent, she is well mannered, has lots of friends and interacts appropriately with people. We even saw her doing a play for children's day, she is quite an actress! She is independent in daily life. She can eat, go to the bathroom and put on clothes on her own. She is happy to help her brothers and sisters wash their faces and hands, and help her caretaker do housework. She has good hygiene and likes dressing up. She is very adorable.

We got our I-171H this week! Grace has waited long enough for a family, like the child in the poem. Let's hope we don't have to wait much longer for our PA. It is supposed to be coming withing two weeks. We are considering taking our paperwork to Washington DC so we can save some money on authentication.

Our visit with Grandma and Grandpa

Olivia with a "schnoodle" puppy. They are so sweet and she and Eliza had a great time playing with them.

Having fun at Thanksgiving Point!

At the farm with Grandpa Albert. The goats loved us!

Kirk Wins Utah State National Geographic Bee!

"Kirk Earl, an eighth grade student at Oak Canyon, won the state-level National Geographic Bee sponsored by the National Geographic Society. Kirk was one of 100 school-level winners who qualified to participate in the state bee.

In the preliminary round, Kirk was one of 9 students who scored a perfect 8 out of 8 questions and advanced to the final round. In the final round, students are eliminated after two incorrect answers until only 2 students remain. The 2 students then compete in the championship round.

Kirk scored a perfect 3 out of 3 questions in the championship round to become the state champion! He received a $100 prize and earned an all expense paid trip to Washington D.C. to compete for a $25,000 scholarship. The National Geographic Bee national championship is May 20-21, hosted by "Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek and will be broadcast nationally on television.

If anyone deserves to win, it is Kirk. He has worked very hard over many years and answered some really challenging questions at the bee. Congratulations Kirk!"


Doug Andersen
Oak Canyon Jr. High

Zach and Eliza

Eliza loves to wear this dress-up!
Zach and Eliza after his storytelling festival

Kirk is turning 14!!!

Tuesday, March 11th is Kirk's Birthday. I can't believe he will be 14! Saturday, yesterday, he had a few friends over for a party. They had a great time eating pizza, playing games, eating more pizza, playing more Wii and then brownies with ice cream for dessert.

Things I love about Kirk...
He's an awesome big brother!
He loves his little sisters and tells them every day!
He loves to read and learn.
The world is an interesting and exciting place to him.
The way he can learn languages. (He knows a little bit of several languages plus quite a bit of Spanish and now, Chinese!)
His patience with little children, especially Eliza!
How he tries to be a good example and stand up for what is right.
That he still tells his mom she's beautiful and says "I love you!"

I'm so glad he's my son!! I love you too Kirk!

Chinese New Year Party!

Eliza in the parade
Zach and his friend Taylor

Olivia, Eliza and Abby (Taylor's sister)

Happy Valentine's Day!

I just have to write about the fun dinner we had last night. My Valentine's tradition is to make a special candlelight dinner for the whole family. This year, Kirk even made menu's for everyone and gave our "restaurant" a name- Valentino's! I thought that was so cute and clever. He also pitched in and made the salad and the drink. Olivia was a great waitress and Zach set the table and made it look beautiful. Eliza inhaled the noodles as fast as she could! I didn't have time to take pictures, what with serving up spaghetti and the chicken parmegana but I did get raves from our customers! And the payment was much better than at a restaurant, hugs covered the bill (also Kirk's idea). Grandma Earl came over and got the whole treatment! It was a fun evening for the whole family.

I love my family and it was fun to share my love with them and let them know how much they mean to me! (Usually, I write a home-made card for each person too, but I didn't remember until the last minute and didn't have time but what with all the hugging and happiness going around no one noticed!!)

Olivia and the kitties...

Olivia with Phantom

(or Phantom Menace as we sometimes call her!)

Look at my new smile!!

(She lost another one last night at the Chinese Restaurant.)

Copper in Eliza's princess chairPhantom on Olivia's new quilt with a little extra blanket thanks to Eliza. She's lucky, Copper usually gets a doll pillow too when he has a nap!

Chili recipe

This is my favorite chili recipe. Without the beans it is similar to a Cincinatti style chili, thin and ready to put over spaghetti noodles. Adding just the refried beans makes it thicker for for a chili dog or burger.

Chile

1 medium onion, diced
2 T. canola oil

2 lbs. ground buffalo

1 small can green chilies
½ small can jalapenos
4-5 garlic cloves, minced

1 can beef broth
½ t. oregano
½ t. thyme
1 t. cumin
¼ t. cinnamon
½ t. allspice
½ t. cardamom
¼ t. coriander
1 t. chipotle powder
1 T. ancho or guajillo powder
3 T. chili powder
1 t. black pepper
3 bay leaves

1 #10 can tomato juice

1 can of red/kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
Or
1 ½ cups of dried beans soaked overnight and cooked until tender

1 can of refried beans

Caramelize the onions in the oil until golden over medium heat. Add the ground meat and brown (make sure that there are browned sections on the meat) on medium high. Add the peppers and garlic. Continue sautéing until most of the liquid is gone and add the beef broth to deglaze the pan. Turn the heat to high, add the spices, and cook down the liquid for a few minutes. Add the tomato juice and beans. After the mixture comes to a boil add the refried beans to thicken.
Total time about 45 minutes.

Option:
The mixture can be added to a Crockpot any time after the pan has been deglazed and the rest of cooking continued there. As soon as the mixture comes to a boil the refried beans can be added and then kept on warm from that point. Makes great leftovers or use over a baked potato or spaghetti noodles.