Mother/Daughter Disco Night (by Heather)

The Elementary school did this and I took all three girls so Caleb and Bryant could have a boys night while we were gone. It really was a lot of fun. They had a costume contest, which we didn't participate in. For some reason I just didn't have time to put together 4 disco costumes. ;-) (But, I think maybe we'll be disco queens for Halloween to make up for it.) They had a mom's only dance, and a daughter's only dance. The music was complete with the Electric Slide, Hokey Pokey, Bunny Hop, and YMCA. A friend of mine who is pregnant was there and watched Sara a lot so I could do more with Rachel and Kaylee. We all had a blast!!! The girls are hoping they do it again next year.

There was even a disco ball, which the girls thought was really cool.

Here we are doing the Hokey Pokey.

Rachel and her friend, Josie, doing the YMCA.

Rachel and Kaylee dancing away.

Hot Dogs for dinner.

Recipe Friday

Crockpot Stroganoff

1 - 1 1/2 lbs beef stew meat
1/2 onion, diced
1 clove garlic minced
1 tsp salt
4 tsp pepper
1 lb mushrooms chopped
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 C water
1 C sour cream
Pasta

In crock pot stir together all ingredients except sour cream. Cook on low 6-8 hours. Add sour cream right before serving, cook on high and stir for 10 minutes.
Serve over pasta.

I got this from some friends of ours in California. It's super easy and very yummy!

Sara's 4-month checkup (at 5 months)

So, Sara had her checkup yesterday, and she's officially a light weight. She didn't even register in the percentiles. All of my kids have been small, but not that small. The nurse weighed her and entered in the weight and said, "Well, she's in the 0%. Does she eat?" Dr. Porter said that maybe she's just too easy going and doesn't fuss every time she's a little hungry. She usually eats 4 bottles a day. He said to try and get in 6 bottles a day and weigh her in a month. Hopefully this will do the trick. Anyway, here are her stats:

Weight 10lbs 12 oz (0%)
Height 25in (36%)
Head Circ. 16in (12%)

I love this hat on her. Isn't she cute!?!

More Loose Teeth (by Heather)

Rachel discovered yesterday that she has two loose teeth (front bottom). She lost her first tooth about six months ago and I was beginning to wonder when the next one would come. We can already see where one of the permanent teeth is about to break through the gums so I'm sure it won't be too long before they actually fall out. Needless to say, she is VERY excited!!!

Recipe Friday (on Saturday)

Philadelphia "Fruit Smoothie"
No-Bake Cheesecake

2 C Graham Cracker Crumbs
6 T butter, melted
1 C sugar, divided
4 pkg (8oz each) cream cheese, softened
1 pkg (12 oz) frozen mixed berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries), thawed, drained
1 tub (8oz) cool whip, thawed

Mix graham crumbs, butter and 1/4 C sugar; press firmly onto bottom of 13x9 pan. Refrigerate while preparing filling.
Beat cream cheese and 3/4 C sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Stir in mixed berries. Gently stir in whipped topping. Spoon over crust; cover.
Refrigerate 4 hours or until firm. Store leftover cheesecake in refrigerator.

I got this recipe off a Philadelphia cream cheese box and it's delicious! I just don't usually like the "no-bake" cheesecakes as good, but this is a definite exception.

Omniture Summit 2009 and Maroon 5

This is a long time coming, I know. I haven't posted since last year and it's almost the end of February. I've been very occupied at work since my promotion to manager. I manage one of our consulting groups now and have been very busy as we've come into 2009.

In addition to learning my responsibilities I have been preparing for our annual Omniture Summit - a conference for our clients geared toward online marketers. We give everyone a chance to network and learn about products and industry services. It's become quite a big event. This year's conference was held in the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City this past week.

If you haven't been to the Salt Palace, you should know that it takes up a full city block in Salt Lake City - an eighth of a mile - and used to be the home of the Utah Jazz before the Delta Center was built. We used all of the meeting areas and one exhibition hall down the main hallway. The pictures below were taken one of the mornings before things got going.

Each conference has meetings and keynote speakers that go from Tuesday to Thursday with skiing on Friday. After the meetings each day there are parties, after parties and other entertainment. In past years we have had keynote speakers such as Lance Armstrong, authors of famous books, and entertainment from Frank Caliendo and Flight of the Conchords.

This year we had a private concert with Maroon 5. They were great live - people that didn't care much for their music commented how great they were live and were happy they went. I took one of my cameras with and took a few pitures...

And a video of one of the songs, If I Never See Your Face Again

So now that this year's Summit is over and I'm looking to get into a better routine. Looking forward to less stress, although I will still be busy. Enjoy the pics and video.

Snow Fun (by Heather)

Bryant's getting ready to throw some snow at me. That was his favorite part of playing in the snow; getting to throw it at Mom. ;-)


Well, I haven't figured out how to put words before the pictures start, so I'll start after the first picture.
On Valentine's Day we were lucky enough to get enough snow to have some fun. (I've been hoping that we would get at least one more good snow now that I am feeling better and could last for a while.) So, after breakfast the three older kids, the neighbor girl, and I went out to play and build a snowman. Sorry, there's a ton of pictures, but I couldn't figure out which ones to leave out.

Bryant's inspecting the damage he did with his snowball.


Everyone is working hard building big snowballs for the snowman.


Kaylee's the only one that stuck with me for the entire snowman. What a trooper!!! This is a great picture of her rolling the snowball to make it bigger.


Here's our snowman. The kids named him "Frosty." Rachel and Kaylee loved having Nendalynn out there to play with them. She loved helping to put the pieces on Frosty too. Obviously, the snow didn't stick around too long. This picture was taken after the sledding and most of the snow was gone from the front yard. At least we got to play in it first.

After some hot chocolate and a quick lunch I hauled all four of our children and Nendalynn to the golf course for some serious sledding. (Caleb was busy with work stuff for Summit.) Nendalynn had never been sledding before so the girls were excited to show her the ropes. I wasn't sure if they would last too long, but we were there for at least three hours. We all had a blast!
Here are some of my favorite pictures.




By the end of it Kaylee got tired of pulling the sled up the hill and started crawling while pushing it up. In this picture it got away from her and Rachel headed down after it so she could have that one.


Sara stayed bundled up in her car seat for most of the time. She slept for about half the time. I set her under the tree at the top of the hill to help keep some of the snow and wind off, and bundled her up really good. I was especially grateful for the warm car seat blanket (thanks Granny). After she woke up we pulled her out for a little fun too. She was very intent on watching the others play.


That smile says it all. Gosh she's so cute!!! ;-)


Kaylee held Sara in this sled for a little bit while I pulled them around on the flat surface.


The kids all wanted turns sledding with me so they took turns watching Sara while I went down with each of them twice.

About the time we were finishing up it really started to snow. Check out those flakes. I love how you can see them in these pictures. It really looks like a winter wonderland.

Recipe Friday

(I'm doing this a little early because I know tomorrow is going to be crazy and I probably wouldn't get to it if I wait till tomorrow.)

This is a recipe I got from my neighbor, Melody. It's delicious!!!

Husband's Delight
1 lb ground beef
10 oz egg noodles (I've used spaghetti noodles and spiral noodles)
1 (14oz) can italian diced tomatoes (I use regular and just add some italian seasoning)
1 tsp salt
1 T sugar
8 oz sour cream
8 oz cream cheese, softened
about 1/4 onion, chopped
about 1/2 pound cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350.
Cook Pasta and drain.
Cook ground beef and onion (I also added about a tsp of chopped garlic) on medium heat. Drain. Add tomatoes with juice, salt, and sugar. Simmer for 15 minutes. Combine sour cream and cream cheese.
In a 9x13 pan layer noodles, meat mixture, and sour cream mixture. Top with sliced cheese ( I used shredded cheese instead). Cover and bake 20 min. Remove foil and cook an additional 5 minutes until cheese is melted.

(Caleb thinks it might be a little better if you mix everything together instead of layering it. That way the topping would be more evenly spread with the pasta, especially if you use shredded cheese. We'll probably try it that way the next time I make it.)

My Firstborn

Here you go moms - a different kind of survey for a change - it's all about your first born! Just copy and paste it in a new note for yourself.


1. WAS YOUR PREGNANCY PLANNED?
Yes

2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME?
Yes.

3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS?
Very happy and excited.

4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU?
Never.

5. HOW OLD WERE YOU?
21 when we found out, 22 when she was born.

6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT?
I suspected it for a couple of weeks before it was confirmed. I just remember being very hungry and tired.

7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST?
Caleb of course.

8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX?
Yes

9. DUE DATE?
Sept. 18th (I think)

10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS?
Not really. I was a little nauseas sometimes, but not too bad.

11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE?
Beef! I no longer wanted chicken, which is what I usually ate before. Instead I wanted burgers, steak, etc.

12.WHAT IRRITATED YOU?
I don't really remember being irritated. I did hate the fact that the smell of meat cooking made me nauseas.

13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX?
Female

14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING?
No.

15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY
50-ish. I did manage to lose it all and then some though.

16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER?
Yes.

17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW?
I knew.

18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY?
Nothing major. She had a cord wrapped around her so I had to lie on my side (I think it was my right side) for most of the labor.

19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH?
Utah Valley Regional Medical Center (Provo)

20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR?
We started the pitocin at 7pm, I only had to push 3 or 4 times, and she was born about 8am. So, I guess it was about 13 hours.

21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL?
Caleb.

22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH?
Caleb was in there, but he certainly wasn't watching. So, other than Dr. Porter and his team it was Tia.

23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION?
It was vaginal, not natural. There's a difference.

24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN?
I got the epidural pretty early on because the nurses scared us. We were concerned they might need to do an emergency c-section so I wanted to be all preped in case. (It was all dealing with the cord wrapped around her. Her heart rate kept dropping, but they didn't really say much too us. The nurse just looked a little nervous when she came rushing in and stuck her hand up there to rub the baby's head. In hind sight it probably wasn't such a big deal, but with it being my first delivery and how much the nurse was rushing around it kind of stressed us out.)

25. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH?
7 pounds 6 ounces (19 inches)

26. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN?
Sept 13, 2001

27. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER?
Rachel Leanne Silvey

Cute Pictures (by Heather)

Obviously it's a picture from soon after Christmas, but I thought it was great. Bryant and Dobbie, just chillin.

I walked in the living room the other day and Rachel was reading Sara a story, and Sara was totally enthralled with the book. So sweet!

Aren't they cute? I just love Sara's smile in this one.

The girls made this crown for Sara and insisted that she wear it. It didn't last very long, but they were very proud of it.

Yeah Sara!!! (by Heather)

Sara rolled over for the first time today! I had put her on her tummy and went to clean off the table. A few minutes later I heard her really crying and figured she managed to pull a toy under her again, but to my surprise she had rolled over on top of a toy. Not too comfortable. I think I'd cry too. I put her back on her tummy in hopes she would do it again, but no such luck. No matter, Great job Sara Lu!!!

Sara's 3 month pictures

We took Sara in to JC Penney for her 3 month pictures. Here are some of our favorites. The yellow quilt is the one that her Great Granny Charles made for her.

Recipe Friday

Chicken Supreme Casserole
(This is one we all really like.)

3 boneless skinless chicken breast halves, cooked and cubed
2 cans green beans drained
3 - 4 medium potatoes, cooked and cubed
1 box dry seasoned stuffing mix (chicken flavored)
desired amount of cheddar cheese (We probably use 1 1/2 to 2 Cups.)
1/2 C butter or margarine, melted
2 cans cream of mushroom soup

Pre-cook chicken and potatoes. In greased 9 x 13-in pan mix together the chicken and potatoes in bottom. Spread cheese on top, followed by the soup, then green beans. Spread stuffing mix over the beans and poured melted butter on top. Bake at 350° for 30 min.
Cooks note: I mix the stuffing according to package directions before putting it on top.

Bryant's Cardiologist Checkup

Bryant saw the cardiologist yesterday for his yearly check up. They did the ultrasound of his heart, which he had to be very still for so he was given a sucker and chose "Happy Feet" as the movie he wanted to watch. They got him all hooked up and showed him the blue gel they were going to put on him (he thought that was cool) and the "flat camera" that needed the gel to work. We were glad he's big enough to hold still and didn't have to be sedated this time. After about 30 minutes of laying there for the ultrasound we met with the cardiologist. The day before we went Bryant told me he wanted to listen to his heart so we asked the doctor and of course she let him. He was so excited about that and said it sounded "low." He got to pick three prizes when we were all done and they were all blue.

The cardiologist said his murmur looks better. She's very glad they didn't do the balloon procedure before and he shouldn't need it now. The gradient of his Aortic Stenosis decreased from 60 mm mercury to 40 mm mercury. The gradient is basically a measurement of the pressure used to push the blood through the aortic valve on his heart. It's down to the low range now so is not as big of a concern. She said that now they just watch to make sure the heart above the valve doesn't start thickening, showing it's stressed with the extra work. She said she still doesn't want him playing football as a team sport, but soccer's ok. ;-) It's great news and we were so excited to hear it. Hopefully it be more good news at his appointment next year.

Silly Kaylee (by Heather)

So two nights ago Caleb and I are getting ready for bed when we hear a loud thud followed by hysterical cries from Kaylee. We get to their room and sure enough she fell out of bed. She told Caleb she fell out of Rachel's bed and it took several minutes to get her to calm down and stop crying. Well, the next morning when I told the girls they were too big to be sharing a bed now they both looked at me like they didn't know what I was talking about. I said, "Kaylee, didn't you tell Dad you fell out of Rachel's bed last night." She started laughing like I was teasing and said I wasn't in Rachel's bed last night. I asked if she fell out of her bed. To which she responded (still giggling), No mom, I was climbing down the ladder to get my bunny. So I asked if that was how she fell. She said, "Mom, I didn't fall out of my bed." I finally realized she had no memory of it at all. It took me several more minutes to convince her that she did actually fall out of her bed, but I am glad she obviously isn't traumatized by the event.

Gum in Hair??? (posted by Heather)

Kaylee came home from church today with some tacky (the stuff you can use to hang posters, etc on the wall). She was playing with it and had stuck it on her forehead. Not a good idea in hindsight. Anyway, she came down the stairs and said, "Mom, I can't get it out." She had managed to get some of it in her hair. Thankfully it wasn't the whole wad. After a quick call to my mom for any tips we pulled out the butter and got started. After about 10 minutes we had it all out and then had to go wash the butter out of her hair. I didn't think about taking a picture until it was too late, but had to share the story. I guess we've had our first "gum" in hair experience... kind of anyway.