No more internet... for now at least

We are moving tomorrow to a place just about five blocks away. I am excited because it is above ground, currently we live in a basement, but I am not excited because I don't think it has internet:( I hope we will get it eventually, but for now it was great to get to do a few blog posts right in a row and thanks for all the love! We sure love all of you guys too. Muah.

The kids

Just in case anyone wanted a picture this morning of all our cute kids:) (all three of them). And of course a funny face one. Btw, we are having a girl if I didn't already tell you. We are excited!

Graduation!

Are you adding a note or a person?

This was back at the end of April, but I am catching up on the blog:) This was such a great experience and we were so thankful to everyone who supported and helped us so we could reach this day. Thank you!!

Smoochie smoochie

Weddings and Spring

Last week was Nate and Jessica's temple wedding sealing at the Mt. Timpanogos temple. It was such a wonderful day and we felt very blessed to be able to be a part of it. Love you Nate and Jess! We are so happy for you.

Nate and Jess together forever

Smith Family outside the temple:)

Ava!

Jonah!

Ava and Jonah

All the grand kids waiting outside the temple as Nate and Jess get sealed inside:)
(Thanks again for taking all these pictures Kathleen and Jared!)

It has been awhile! Now that we have internet at home I am hoping that I will be able to update this more often:) We are doing well and still plugging away at school. I graduate in April and Daryl will graduate in December of this year. Our kids are healthy and well and so much fun. We love being their parents. I will post some recent quotes and doings from the kids. Ava to her daddy "you are the bestest boy who I love." In the morning the other day I let Ava open Jonah's door because he was awake and I heard her say, "Well sorry buddy, I can't pick you up but... I can hug you!" Ava "that is the smartest thing I ever did hear, and I heard it from myself!" The other night Ava wrapped her arm around my shoulder and said, "You're so great. You're a great mom." Ava "Mom, can we give this blanket to D.I. so someone who doesn't have a blanket can have one?" "You look marvelous Mom!" "Bless my heart!" "Look at all the beautiful stars. Thank you Heavenly Father!" To Jonah as she hands him something "Here you go son." "Jonah, you are cracking me up!" Me: "Ava can you think of anything you'd like from the store?" Ava's reply: "How about you think about taking me. You know... mother daughter date?" "Look mom! I shared with Jonah! I am a good example" To Jonah "Hey little buddy! How are you?" After I thanked Ava for teaching Jonah that wheat is for eating and planting she said "I am just practicing for when I have lots of brothers and sisters." After I apologized for some bad behavior on my part Ava told me, "It's ok mommy. You weren't really mean, just a little mean." "I'm so, so, so, so hungry. That's a lot of hungry! I need food so bad!" "Your kids are hungry mom!" Some Jonah words; Hallelujah, hi mama!, are you dadah? (where are you?), cookie, popsicle, more please, up please, hold you, (after falling down and hitting his face, pointing to his eye) eye ouch, sorry Ava, I sorry, poo-poo (patting his diaper), beep-beep (when he shuts the door), no nigh-nigh (doesn't want to go to bed), kick (as he kicks), etc. He also likes to sign a lot; sit down please, more please, dog, book, etc. His new thing is he likes to sit on the potty, hop off, grab some tp and wipe himself, then flush the toilet and wash his hands. Too bad he isn't older! Maybe I'd try to potty train him! As you can see we don't have a dull moment around here and we love it that way:)

It has been awhile

Yes it has been awhile and I guess that is because we are busy and it doesn't seem like a lot of exciting things have gone one. But here is a quick update:) Currently we are finishing up a wonderful vacation to visit my Mom and Dad in Iowa. The kids and I flew here on Monday and Daryl just got here yesterday (after we picked him up we promptly left to go to Nauvoo). We have had such a great time here with all of our family. I told Daryl I don't want to go back to Utah. Don't get me wrong, I love Utah, but I have those rolling midwest hills with the prairie grass on them in my veins. Maybe someday:) For now we will head back to Orem where Daryl is continuing to go to UVU full time and working at the Provo temple laundry. I am taking this second summer semester off to be a mom and I am loving it. Our kids amaze me and fill our lives with so much joy. Jonah is 11 months old now and getting the hang of walking. He isn't perfect at it yet, but keeps trying and is really progressing (it helped him to see his cousin Eric walking like a pro already). Jonah's favorite things to do are; look at books, walk around, "talk" to his dad on the phone, listen to music and dance with Ava, climb stairs, explore, sing, push his toy car around, eat anything and everything off the ground, laugh, smile, bounce balls, take lids off and on, clean up, etc. Ava is such a fun little girl with a sweetness and generosity we really appreciate. The other night at the dinner table she ripped her napkin in half and gave it to me, she does stuff like that all the time just because she is really thoughtful. Ava's favorite things to do are; color, paint, play outside, swing, read books, eat snacks, read her scriptures, watch "testaments", learn, play games, cook with recipes, play with her dolls, talk, laugh, be tickled, snugggle, make her brother laugh, etc. We feel so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends and know we all have a Savior who loves us:)

Cafe Rio Recipes!

Cafe Rio Style Rice
5 c. water
4 t. chicken or veg broth
4 t. garlic- minced
1/2 bunch cilantro
1 can green chiles
3/4 t. salt
1 T. butter
1/2 onion
2 1/2 c. rice

Blend cilantro, green chiles and onion together in food processor. Bring water to a boil and add all ingredients, simmer covered 30 minutes.

Cafe Rio Style Chicken
1 8 oz bottle Kraft Zestly Italian Dressing
1 T. chili powder
1 T. cumin
3 cloves garlic-minced
5 lbs chicken breast

Cook all together in a crock pot for 4 hours, shred meat and cook 1 additional hour.

Shredded Pork for Tortillas
3 lbs pork roast
1 c. dark brown sugar
1 c. Worcestershire sauce
1 t. oregano
1 t. ginger
1 t. salt
1 t. chili powder
1 t. garlic powder
2 T. minced onion

Combine all ingredients and cook 15-20 hours in a crock pot or 6 hours in 350 degree oven. Shred meat and add:

1 can red enchilada sauce
3/4 c. dark brown sugar

Cook for one more hour. Serve on tortilla or as desired.

Pico de Gallo
6-8 Roma tomatoes, diced small
1/2 white onion, finely diced
1 jalapeno, no seeds and finely diced
Garlic- to taste
Sea salt- to taste
(Optional- some chopped cilantro and lime juice may be added)

Combine all ingredients and refrigerate.

Creamy Tomatillo Ranch Dressing
1 pkg Hidden Valley Buttermilk Ranch dressing mix
2/3 c. buttermilk
2/3 c. mayonnaise
2/3 c. sour cream
2 tomatillos (remove husk, cut in quarters)
1/2 bunch cilantro
1 clove garlic, minced
Juice from 1 lime
1 jalapeno pepper (no seeds)

Combine all ingredients in blender. Blend well. Refrigerate.

Salads---layer the following:
Tortilla
Rice
Black or Pinto Beans
Chicken or Pork
Lettuce
Cheese
Pico de Gallo
Dressing
Guacamole
Sour Cream
Tortilla Strips or Chips

Good Water
5 quarts water
3 c. sugar
2 T. citric acid
1 T. lemon extract

Combine all ingredients. Float lemon and/or lime slices on top.