Cute pics with cute stories

This is Grant watching Iron Giant. During the movie, I saw Grant run up the stairs and the run down wearing this get up. He sat there shooting the screen while the military was shooting at the Iron Giant. It cracked me up.

This is Grant with his "X" poster.

Cole loves this Iron Man. It talks when you push its chest. It says, "I am Iron Man" in this really low robotic voice. When Cole pushes the button he attempts to imitate the voice with his "talking" sounds. He walks around playing with this action figure all day long.

July 4 weekend 2010

July 4th weekend this year was tons of fun and very crazy. We had my mom, sister and brother in town, plus Chad's brother, Vance and three of his kids, Brookie, Vance and Trenton. Everyone arrived on Friday, July 2. That night my mom and siblings went to the rodeo. Chad was working the night shift. On Saturday, we went to the Prescott July 4 parade. We arrived about an hour late, found perfect parking and got a spot right up front. Also, even though we were an hour late, I was bored and ready to move on before it was over. That's how long and painful this parade really is. After the parade, we found a shadey spot on the grass on the square for the kids to run around. Chad and Vance went to walk around and look at the booths. The kids played and me and my mom watched them. Shelli and Brad watched some of the boot races. We had delicious fry bread and then went home. We put kids down for naps then I went shooting with Brad and my mom. I always try to make strawberry rhubarb pie for the 4th and this year made two. I also make homemade ice cream whenever possible. Both were fantastic. The kids had a wild and crazy time. Grant, Brookie and Vance are close in age to each other. Cole ran around trying to keep up and Trenton is 10 months old. There was not one quiet moment in the house while the kids were awake. They played with water balloons, sidewalk chalk, the Jeep and anything else they could find. The weekend was so much fun and so action packed it took us all about a week to recover.

(My delicious strawberry rhubarb pie. I made another one that had a Republican elephant on it in honor of the 4th)

(Cole napping during the parade)

(The crew in the prime shadey spot they found to watch the parade)

(Shelli with Grant and Brookie - notice Grant has two sucker sticks in his mouth thanks to the candy received during the parade)

(Mom with Cole helping him eat candied almonds, a must to purchase every year at the fair on the square)

(Brookie and Grant riding his stick horse - Grant decided a couple of days before the parade that he was bringing his cowboy hat and horse to the parade to be a cowboy. We almost forgot but just before leaving he remembered - again notice two sucker sticks hanging out of his mouth, and honestly there is a possibility those are two different suckers than those in his mouth in the picture with Shelli. I have no idea how much candy he got during the parade because Chad was with him, not me.)

My mom took more pictures than I did, including some of me shooting. When I get those I will post them to complete the story.

Prescott Bluegrass Festival

On June 26, 2010, we went to the Square for the annual bluegrass festival here in Prescott. We discovered bluesgrass festivals in 2007 and have attended one or two every year since. They are a fun place to relax, listen to some music and play around with the kids. The weather for this festival could not have been more perfect. While hot in the sun, it was nice and cool in the shade. We found a great place on the lawn at the Square, set up our blanket and chairs and settled in. We had stopped at the store beforehand to buy cheese, crackers, fruit and other snacks. We also enjoyed some ice cream. Cole fell asleep in the stroller about 15 minutes after getting to the festival and woke up about 20 minutes before we left. It worked out quite well. Grant had fun taking pictures with the camera, although most of them had his finger in front of at least part of the picture. Chad took a little nap and I read a book. It was a great way to spend a Saturday.

The Studley's visit

Amy, Nicholas and Zachary Studley came to visit us for a few days from June 21 to June 23, 2010. We haven't seen each other since November but it was like we see each other every day, even the boys were up to their old tricks. The four boys were running crazy the entire time. They came with us to swimming lessons, played endlessly and didn't sleep very much. Our big outing was going to Livy Lou's and Goldwater Lake in an afternoon. We took the boys crawdad fishing but first made them endure some shopping at Livy Lou's. Amy found some cute clothes and I got her hooked. The boys had a great time in the lake. Nicholas was in up to his waist. We caught several crawdads and even briefly lost half the crawdad trap at the bottom of the lake. Thank you to the anonymous guys who showed up at just the right time with a fishing pole and hooked it for me or it would still be there.

After we got back from the lake and stuffed our kids with Taco Bell, they went crazy. They started a big, noisy wrestling/running match that lasted a good hour. It was pure insanity and so hilarious. I've never seen so many boys in a pile and making so much noise.

In the last minutes of their visit, as Amy was loading up the car, the boys pulled out the Play-doh and had a good time even in their last minutes. I love watching all four boys together. They play so well together and are nice and close in age. It's perfect.

Random

We frequently find Barry with his head in an empty cereal box and it's almost always a Captain Crunch box. He loves them.

Aunt Kitty sent the boys a Happy Summer box that had a bag of water balloons. This has become Grant's new favorite past time. We fill some up then go up to our little balcony and throw them off. He also loves to throw them at things and fill them up and just get wet. See video below of Grant throwing them off the balcony.

Our ward has a garden on land owned by some ward members. Every year the ward pitches in and gets it planted and grown and harvested. Periodically, they schedule ward FHE and any families who want to come help can come and do whatever work needs to be done. We went a few weeks ago and helped with the planting and watering. We had to carry big buckets of waters to the newly planted melon plants to saturate them. Cole and Grant were great helpers. Cole got really into his work as you can see below. Grant, who did the same job as Cole, stayed completely clean and almost totally dry.

Here is Cole on his tricycle. Whenever Grant gets on his bike to ride, Cole has to get on his trike, with his helmet on and ride. I'm not sure why he doesn't have a shirt on but it's frankly not surprising.

The boys and their friend Ava love to lift up all the couch cushions to make a fort and jump on the couch and play. They use the cushions for slides and do all sorts of other funny things. This is the boys resting for a few seconds between screaming and rough housing rounds.

List #61 and #83: Learn to make homemade pasta and sauce

I have successfully made spaghetti noodles and spaghetti sauce. Several years ago I found a complete and fully loaded pasta making kit at a garage sale for $5. It is in excellent shape and well made equipment. I finally used it a few weeks ago. I found the noodle recipe in an italian cookbook I have. I also found the sauce recipe in the same cookbook. My only addition to the sauce is red wine to taste (just keep pouring until it has the right tang for your tastebuds).

The sauce recipe:
4 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, very finely chopped
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 lb tomatoes, fresh or canned, chopped, with their juice (I use two regular size cans of tomatoes)
salt and pepper
a few leaves fresh basil or sprigs parsley
Red wine (I buy the $3 bottle from Walmart - it doesn't have to be fancy)

Sautee the onions in the heated olive oil. Stir in the garlic and tomatoes with their juice (add 3 tbsp water if using fresh tomatoes) Season with the salt, pepper and herbs. Add the wine to taste and let simmer for 20-30 minutes. When simmered sufficiently, run through a food processor or blender to puree then reheat gently and add additional seasoning as needed.

The noodle recipe is (for 3-4 servings):
2 eggs, salt
1 cup flour
The ratio is 1 egg:1/2 cup flour so just keep uping the eggs and flour for more noodles.

Step 1: pour the flour out, make a well and crack the eggs in the middle. Use a fork to beat the eggs and slowly work in the flour. After a point, start using your hands instead of the fork to form a dough.

Step 2: When you have a doug made, cut it into two balls.

Step 3: Roll each ball through the machine many, many times, making the opening smaller and smaller each time.

Step 4: Let flattened pieces of dough dry out for about 30 minutes before cutting the pasta or it will just bunch up in the machine.

Step 5: Run pieces of the flattened, dried dough through the machine to cut the noodles in whatever shape you want.

Step 6: Here is your end product. Let the noodles dry a few minutes before cooking them.It's impossible to separate and nicely lay out the noodles to dry but I found that they immediately separated when they were cooked and it wasn't a problem.

Here is the cooked product. Top with sauce and enjoy.

Seattle May 2010

From May 14 to May 18, 2010, we took a family trip to Seattle, WA to visit my dad and watch him graduate from law school at Seattle University. All four of us, along with my brother Brad, stayed in my dad's tiny and overpriced apartment. We had a great, jam packed vacation.

May 15 was graduation day for my dad. My grandma and my cousin Holly also attended the graduation. It was at Key Arena. We are pretty sure my dad was the only graduate with white hair. We are proud of him though. The ceremony itself was a bit brutal with Grant and Cole in tow but we did survive, barely. I would post a shot of my dad in cap, gown and hood but he returned it before he came outside the arena to meet us. I didn't get any shots of him hooded. You can see the back of him below with his fellow graduates.

My face in this picture shows you exactly how difficult it was to keep the children under control during the ceremony. I heard very little of the ceremony but thankfully did not miss my dad walking across the stage and being hooded.

For a brief moment, toward the end of the ceremony, we managed to get both boys to sit quietly on the steps and eat an apple. It didn't last long though.

After the graduation, we drove out to my cousing Holly's house in Redmond for a few hours. We had lunch and chatted. We have never visited her before. She has a great house, set back from the road with lots of lush, green land for the kids to run. Grant and Cole had a great time playing with Erin, Harrison and Rose.

(This is Brad relaxing in Holly's living room)

After spending a few hours at Holly's house, we headed to the Seattle Locks to watch the boats come in and see the salmon in the salmon runs.

(Grant napping on the ground at the Locks)

(The Mellen family at the Locks)

We were gearing up to head out on May 16, 2010 for Pike Place Market. I packed a backpack for the kids so I didn't have to carry a ton of junk in my bag. I put it on Grant to have him help with it and Cole lost it. He demanded a backpack of his own so I had to empty the other backpack and put it on him. He then lost it because he wanted to go and, as usual, Brad and Chad were taking forever to get ready to go.

Pike Place Market is a great place. I love it there. I love the fresh fish, the fruits and veggies, the people and the whole atmosphere. It's a crazy busy place. Grant and Cole were enthralled with the fish and learned a lot about seafood on this trip. My dad bought a delicious salmon filet that I broiled for dinner a couple of nights later. There is nothing in the world better than fresh seafood. We ate seafood almost everyday while on this trip.

(Lindsay and Grant at the entrance to Pike Place Market)

(Grant on the giant piggy bank at the entrance to the market)

(I took the boys to get some ice cream while Chad and Brad waited in line for drinks from the first Starbucks, found at Pike Place Market - Grant chose blue bubble gum ice cream. He had the bluest mouth you can imagine when he was done with that.)


(This is Cole napping while Grant was eating his ice cream. He through the hugest fit in the Market about 20 minutes before this was taken. We had to strap him in the stroller and literally let him scream himself to sleep, he was exhausted. He got a good nap out of the effort but it sure was torture for us.)

We purchased Seattle City Passes that enabled us to go to the Science Center, Space Needle, Woodland Park Zoo, the Aquarium and on a Harbor Cruise. We did it all.

From Pike Place Market we went to the Aquarium and wandered around until it was time for our Harbor Cruise. After our Harbor Cruise, we went up the Space Needle then headed home.

(Grant petting a starfish)

(Grant pretending to be a jellyfish)

(Grant and Cole snacking on the back of a whale)

(Cole as an ocotpus)

(Chad and Grant with the starfishes)

We saw some great views of the Seattle skyline and the water industries in Seattle on our Harbor Cruise. They did give a narration of what we saw while on the cruise but that was impossible to listen to with the boys.

(Papa and Grant on the cruise)

(Lindsay with Grant and Cole on the cruise)

(Cole throwing a fit on the cruise for some unknown reason)

(Lindsay and Cole on top o fthe Space Needle)

(Chad on top of the Space Needle)

(View of Space Needle from the base)

On May 17, 2010, we started the day at Snoqualmie Falls then headed back into town for the Pacific Science Center, an Imax movie and a celebration of Grant's birthday.

(Cole very unhappy that I put him in a giant dinosuar footprint)

(Grant, Papa and Brad all having fun squirting things with the giant waterguns - fun for boys of all ages)


(Snoqualmie Falls from the base)


(Papa, Grant and Cole resting after our hike to and from the falls)


(The Mellen Family at the base of the falls)


(The Mellen boys on the hike back from the falls)


(Cole and Chad hiking back from the falls)

(Grant blowing out candles from the first of three four year old birthday cakes - Papa was nice enough to purchase a cake mix, frosting, sprinkles and candles so we could celebrate with him)

(Grant opening the birthday card from Papa, with Cole's help)

On our last day in Seattle, May 18, we didn't leave until the afternoon so we had time to go to the zoo in the morning and have a final seafood feast. We wore Papa out from the previous two days of crazy sightseeing so he passed on the zoo and met us for lunch. Brad came with us to the zoo. I really like the Woodland Park Zoo. It has great animals and really cool, natural looking habitats.

(Cole and Grant on the hippo statue - the zoo actually had hippos, how cool is that?)

(The zoo had a tapir too. Grant was so excited and actually took this picture)

(Grant petting a goat in the petting zoo - it really did have everything)

(Grant on the kimodo dragon statue - it even had real dragons)

(a petting zoo goat gnawing on the rake handle - the funniest thing was that the ladies just kept talking as if it was no big deal. We also saw goats eating the plastic lawn chairs and were told that a goat had eaten the better part of a $20 bill a few days prior to our visit)

(Cole enthralled with the goats - he really liked them)

(Enjoying our final seafood feast at The Crab Pot - the dish we ordered only came with bibs, mallets and wood slabs - no plates, traditional utensils or anything)

(Our feast - it was brought out in a metal bowl and literally dumped on the table in front of us. You can see our wood slabs and that little crab fork was provided after my specific request. The feast included shrimp, mussels, crab, red potatoes, sausage, corn and clams. It was so much food, we were throwing shelled seafood and my dad and Brad to have them help us eat it all. Grant had a great time smashing shells with the mallets, although he wouldn't try any of it and didn't even touch the burger we ordered him.)

(The Mellen boys at the airport waiting for the plane to take us back to good old A-Z.)

(Cole with the remnants of his blow pop. Chad bought a bag and gave each boy a blow pop just before we headed through security at the airport to keep them occupied and distracted. On the flight to Seattle, Cole threw a fit at security when we had to collapse his stroller and bolted into one of the security offices. The blow pops really worked well.)

(Grant sipping water from his cup from The Crab Pot waiting for the plane to come)