Little Rays of Sunshine

Today was the last day we had with our

sunbeam class.

We have just loved teaching these kids!

Every Sunday was an adventure.

Lots of funny stories and experiences came from this bunch.

We're sure going to miss them

when they move up to CTR 5 next week!

*Our Class*

Eliza

Annabel

Brooklyn

Abby

Tristan

Clark

Tavin

Robert, Ainsley, and Natalie (not pictured)

***

Recently I posted about some of the funny things these kids have said in our class. I wanted to make another list of things we did in class and memories I want to remember, so here it goes!

• For one of the lessons we played "Button Button, Whose Got the Button?". Except we forgot a button the first time so we brought a nickel instead. Turns out they LOVED that game. So we started playing it a lot more often. However, we never brought the coins after that, the kids always did. They loved playing it so a couple of them always had pennies, dimes, or other coins in case we forgot. This game was a big hit if you need any ideas for sunbeam games!
• We started bringing dum dum suckers after the first couple of months of teaching this group. We also brought play dough, which they also loved. We made the suckers and play dough part of every class.
• Clark loved making volcanoes with the white play dough. He always wanted the white.
• As Christmas time got closer they started including Santa in the prayer. :)
• The girls always asked me if they could wear my jewelry. I always told them I needed to wear it because it matched my outfit. They agreed completely ha ha.

***

We sure are going to miss our sunbeams! But we're excited to start a new year with a new bunch!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

My mom celebrated her

50th birthday

on December 17th.

{Sorry Mom, I had to write your age for my records/history. I know how you feel about that number. :)}

We were able to have a party on the 20th, since she's so dang popular on and around her birthday so you pretty much have to be penciled into her busy schedule.

That's just because so many people love you, Mom! :)

***

SUKIYAKI

It wouldn't be a birthday party for Mom

without sukiyaki. Delicious!

Dad went on his mission to Japan

so we love to make sukiyaki as a family.

Mom and I putting together the gyozas

{Some people call these little guys "pot stickers"}

Che' & Tyson putting the meat in the pans with the soy sauce



Dad putting veggies in with the meat and soy sauce


Amber & Amy filling up water glasses

The delicious food cooking away in the pan

Some of the family favorites include:

beef

red, green & orange peppers

green onions

tofu

mushrooms

cabbage

shrimp

Dishing up the goodness over white rice

This is how it goes! It's pretty much a free-for-all.

Everyone gets what they want right out of the pan.

Tyson going pro and using the chop sticks

Amy's bowl

Looks tasty!

Aaron & Britney dishing up

And we can't forget the gyoza Mom & I made!

PRESENTS

After dinner it was time to open presents from the fam.

Adam & Amy gave her the movie "Up" and I think a book.

I can't remember!

Aaron & Britney gave her a book with some super soft socks and a mug with hot cocoa.

Perfect for a night of staying in!

Dad & Mom

Amber & Che' gave her a scarf and licorice caramels.

She LOVES licorice caramels, can you tell?

Tyson & I gave her the book "The Undaunted"

***

Hope you had a great birthday, Mom! We love you!

It's a...

BOY!

We are just thrilled! Here are a few pictures of our little guy from our appointment today.

I love the 4-D pictures!

Thumb in the mouth & foot in the air - so cute!


We were so excited for this appointment today, we could hardly sleep! It was like Christmas Eve. Luckily I was able to go to lunch with Anna and Amber, which filled some of that waiting time. When we got there I sat there in the waiting room and just thought about how grateful I am to be blessed with this wonderful little baby. When the ultrasound tech called us back I was so excited I could hardly stand it!


**Some of the highlights from the appointment**
Everything looked great on the ultrasound
He is 13 oz and has a great heartbeat
My stomach measured right where it should measure
The baby was sucking his thumb in all the pictures
When Dr. Leavitt was checking the heartbeat the baby was kicking like crazy!


When the ultrasound tech let us know what we're having I was so excited! I would have been happy either way, but I just had a feeling it was a boy. Tyson and I have thought it was a boy for awhile. We're just so happy that everything is going so well with the little guy!
After the appointment we went out and bought a baby album. It was the first thing we've bought for the baby - so fun!
We're so excited for our baby boy!

The One Where I Graduated from BYU-Idaho

I graduated! It feels so good to be done. It was bitter sweet when I left BYU-Idaho for the last time. But I think more sweet than anything. :) I'm just so happy to be getting on with my life! On to babies!

Here is a look at some of my graduation events:

CONVOCATION

BYU-Idaho Hart Auditorium

December 18, 2009

Walking off the stage after receiving my diploma cover

Tyson & I
He's such a wonderful and supportive husband!

My friend Whittney & I graduated together! It was so fun!

And some of my wonderful family members came and supported me.

Amber, Tyson, Dad, Mom & I

My best friend and twin sister!

And Tyson's parents also came to support me. I'm lucky to have such awesome in-laws!

...

GRADUATION GIFTS

from Tyson & Mom

On my last day of school (Wednesday the 16th) Tyson gave me a couple of gifts.

The first was this really pretty orchid. I love it!

And the second...

Well I didn't expect this one, that's for sure!

He gave me a tiny box wrapped up in Christmas paper. When I opened it up it held the classic small and red Ingram's Jewelers box, similar to the one that held my engagement ring when Tyson proposed. When I opened it up I saw this gorgeous ring. It is a purple amethist and I love it! Thanks, Tys! I'm so spoiled!

And Mom gave me this new maternity shirt. Perfect! I've needed maternity clothes!

GRADUATION PARTY

with Tyson's family

December 19, 2009

Erika and company threw Clark & I a graduation party, since we both graduated this semester.

Angie will be graduating in the spring, which explains the cake. :)

We had so many yummy foods!

Erika made a cheese ball with crackers, cheese fondue, chicken roll-ups...Delicious!

And of course, Muddy Buddies were present! My favorite!

The grads

Me, Angie & Clark

And it wouldn't be a party without Kate & Lillie!

Julie & Angie helping Easton & Cooper dish up

***

I just want to thank all my friends and family for the wonderful support they have been! Especially Tyson, since he's really had to deal with me the last two semesters. I couldn't have done it without any of you! I love you all!!! :)

I also want to personally thank Grandma Hill for the money she gave me for graduation. That was so sweet and I really appreciate it! Also, thank you Dusin and Erika for the Cold Stone gift card! I have been craving Cold Stone so it is perfect! You guys are wonderful. :)

Bye for Now

On Thursday afternoon some friends and I had a going away party for friends

Chelsea, Rachel, and Michelle.

[The three next to Amber in the front.]

We all work together at Carino's [most of us for a while now] and now it's time for a few more to move on. It's always a sad day when we part ways. But I'm just so excited for these three and the new adventures they're about to embark on!

I just want these three to know that I love them and I'm really going to miss them!

Bye for now!

Our Version of Bowtie Festival

This post is for Megan!

A few weeks ago she posted this awesome recipe on her blog. The recipe was called Chicken Peppardelle.

But Megan changed out some of the ingredients and called it Creamy Chicken Bacon & Artichoke Pasta.

So Tyson and I decided to make it the other night. And it was SOOOO good! We just loved it.

In fact, we switched around a few things ourselves, and we also took some of Megan's changes and went with those.

By the end, we had ourselves what tasted just like

Bowtie Festival from Carino's.

If you've tried it, you know what I'm talking about! It tasted just like it. The only things we changed were things like leaving the artichokes out, and also we just cut up a fresh tomato instead of using the canned sundried tomatoes. It was so good! And now we call it Bowtie Festival, even though we used penne pasta this time. :)

***

We just wanted to let Megan and Claudy know their dish was awesome and we're so glad they shared it with us! Thanks, guys!

The Recipe:

• 10 oz. of cooked pasta of your choice [penne was great but we'll probably start using bowtie since we're calling it Bowtie Festival]
• 3 strips of bacon
• 1 can of sundried tomatoes OR half of a large tomoato, diced
• 3 cups of cooked and sliced/diced chicken [we used one large chicken breast and it was perfect - did I mention we had some good leftovers too?]
• 1 Tbsp of garlic [we used garlic power - not to be confused with garlic salt - but you can also use fresh garlic]
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes [I took Megan's advice and used Tony's Creole seasoning - it was awesome!]
• 1 c. heavy cream
• 1 c. chicken broth
• 1 can artichoke hearts [which we didn't use this time but probaby will!]
• 2 Tbsp of flour [to make the sauce a little thicker]

While the pasta was cooking I also cooked the bacon. After the bacon was done and while it was drying/cooling, I put the chicken right into the same pan to cook [after pouring out the grease]. It gave the meat an awesome flavor. When the pasta and chicken were cooked I strained the pasta and set it aside. Then I emptied the pot that the pasta was in and threw in all the ingredients [except for the pasta]. After the sauce and ingredients were hot I added the pasta. And it was so dang good! We love it!

Tyson and I both ate what we wanted till we were full. And we still had leftovers! Thanks again for the recipe, Megan!