Our Frogs

Jared awakened on Father's Day to find the following exciting gift...

Yes, you did see that right. The frogs that grew from the eggs and polywogs that we caught are what? A tenth of the size of a quarter? Crazy.

Left side: Frog. Right side: Almost Frog.
We released the ones that had fully developed into frogs yesterday so that they could get food (they need live prey and there was no way we were bringing live bugs in our home for them to catch)...or become food.

WWCR - Authored by Jared!!

There are several things I have never done:
· Eaten Kraft Mac ‘n Cheese
· Sent a Text Message
· Gone Sky Diving
· Visited Alaska and…
· Contributed to a Blog
I have no intention of ever doing some of these things (Sky Diving and eating Mac ‘n Cheese). But today, I take a long overdue step into the digital age and write our Weekly Wisconsin Cheese Review. If you know me, you may be wondering why I am taking this step. The truth – it’s better than folding laundry.
So here we go…
Tonight we decided to follow my sister-in-law’s advice and tried Gouda cheese. With a small hurdle to clear (last week we tried Blue Cheese) we have decided that Gouda is Gouda. Gouda is Gouda than blue cheese. Gouda is Gouda than the yucky bacon cheese I picked a few weeks ago (that makes KaraLynne a Gouda cheese chooser than me). The kids think the Gouda is Gouda since it has red wax to pick off and play with. And, writing about the Gouda is even Gouda than folding laundry. The only thing that could make Gouda Gouda is if Gouda was Gouda than ice-cream. Last week, after our not so Goud cheese review, I thought a Gouda idea would be to do a Weekly Wisconsin Dairy Product review instead of the cheese review. My first pick would be my new favorite ice-cream. If you ever come to Wisconsin, you will need to try Pirates Booty ice-cream. It is the 2008 Wisconsin State Fair Ice-cream Flavor Competition Winner which means… you guessed it, it was Gouda than all the other ice-cream flavors! So, if my Gouda wife were to agree, every Wednesday you would be hearing about Goud dairy treats and not just cheese. But, since I am smart, I will be a Goud husband and listen to my Goud wife and continue trying all the cheeses Wisconsin has to offer – well at least the Gouda ones, no more blue cheese for us.

Happy Birthday Mom!

I was lucky enough to be born to the best mother ever and tomorrow is her birthday. I often pray that the belief that "we learn best from example" is true...if so, there is hope for me as a mother thanks to the 30 years I have had to learn from her example. My mom has an amazing ability to love, teach, and nurture. It seems to me that the admonition to "put family first" comes easily to her as that is how she lives her life. I am eternally grateful for her and her friendship. I love and admire her:

• Beautiful singing voice and musical knowledge
• Love of reading
• Determination - One example of this is she has a desire to become very good at playing the piano. She sets difficult goals for herself and keeps up a rigorous practice routine and, by-golly, she is very, very good.
• Testimony and knowledge of the gospel
• Listening talent - She is SUCH a good and loving listener...just what a daughter needs in her mother.
• Love to play games - Thanks for the HOURS of delightful late-night game playing
• Ability to constantly support and love all around her without thought of herself
• Courage - 2 knee replacements in one year is not for the faint of heart.
• Ability to cook amazingly delicious food
• Leadership
• Writing - Man, can she put together an incredible Keynote concert or sacrament meeting program, as well as a delightful blog post.
• Willingness to go outside her comfort zone for someone she loves

That just scratches the surface. Thank you for who you are Mom. I love you!

WWCR - We went out on a limb and...

The limb broke.

Cheese of the Week: Blue Cheese

Rating from 1-10: 1

Quote of the Week: "Are you going to be sick?" (That is Jared's way of asking, "Are you about to toss your cookies?")

Since both Sara and Joan recommended Blue Cheese, we decided to give it a try. Unfortunately, I hadn't seen Cheryl's warning comment until it was too late. Here is the summary (notice one of these things is not like the others):

I think this is only the second one that Brielle has liked. Go figure!

We were wondering what the words "piquant" and "earthy" meant as we read them describing blue cheese. Now we know. It actually tasted okay until the aftertaste hit. Then it was very bitter. I know that blue cheese is an aquired taste, so I decided I needed to try more than one piece. After 3, I was done. I will have to acquire that taste another time. (Maybe someday we will be as classy as you Joan and Sara. :) ) Luckily, one of the other interns at KC loves blue cheese, so we gave it to her. We are glad someone will enjoy it!

Our Wisconsin Recipe of the Week, Stuffed Eggplant, wasn't a big hit either...very labor intensive and not very good. So I won't share that recipe with you unless you REALLY want it.

The Power of a Sticker

Is it strong enough to change a non-fruit and veggie eater into a fruit and veggie lover?

I sure hope so.

It was strong enough to get Brielle to eat a piece of apple and some grapes today.

Mini-miracle.

Tomorrow...veggies.

Will the sticker hold enough sway? We'll see.

Wish us luck.

Grandma and Grandpa Visit!

As mentioned in my previous post, we were blessed to have my parents here for a week and it was wonderful! My mom did a fabulous job of recapping the week on her blog. So, I just wanted to share a few of the highlights for me. (Sorry for the funky formatting. It had a mind of it's own tonight. From now on, I am not going to try to use the "bullet" feature.)
Seeing my children through the eyes of their Grandma and Grandpa:
Somehow it becomes so much easier to love the kids' quirks and laugh at the difficult times when Grandma and Grandpa are there loving their quirks and laughing at the mishaps of the day. It was a good reminder for me how precious my children are and I how blessed I am to get to be with them everyday.

They brought the kids candy ("nandy")necklaces. As you can see they LOVED them!

Seeing my children's love for their grandparents:
Every morning, as soon as Nathan would wake up, with groggy eyes he would look around and in a croaky voice ask, "Where Bampa go?"

Nathan loved having grandpa chase him. Even on the phone, Grandpa can make him laugh.


Brielle followed Grandma Kay around constantly (no wonder Grandma was so tired after their week here!). She always wanted to be with Grandma. Only grandma could push the stroller, read bedtime stories, feed her at dinner etc.




• Playing games with Mom, Dad and Jared after the kids were in bed each night. We had a blast talking and laughing together.




• All of the books, books, books: My kids were in heaven having two extra, very willing, readers around the house.
Seeing a side of my father I rarely see:
He was so relaxed after a few days away from the office, his calling, his schedule and list of "to-do's" that the constant weight of worry eased a bit. Three different times on Monday evening something tickled his funny bone and he laughed so hard he almost cried. He did a couple of completely hilarious things as well. I loved seeing him be able to totally relax and let go for a while.

Shopping and talking with my mom:
This is a highlight anytime I get together with her. I treasure her friendship and our conversations. It is always fun to shop and admire beautiful things together.

Exploring a new area together.
We spent the weekend in Door county, the "Cape Cod of the Midwest," and it was so much fun. I think the highlight was the traditional fish boil we attended. The experience was fun and interesting and the food was delectable.

The fish boil

The grand finale




Enjoying the food

And last, but defintely not least, feeling the love and support that my parents always give to me:
They are able to overlook my quirks and mishaps like no else and they always love me for who I am. They were so helpful, giving, and supportive in all that we did. What strength and security I always derive from them. It was sure hard to let them drive off in that "red tin can" on Tuesday evening. I miss their presence, as do Jared, Brielle and Nathan, but we are treasuring the memories that they left with us. Thanks for coming Mom and Dad. And thanks for your love and examples.

A few other pics I loved:

FHE

Nathan wanted to lead the singing too later that evening.

"See the lighthouse Nathan?"

The family at the lighthouse

Weekly Wisconsin Cheese Review - Guest Chefs

We were honored to have Mom and Dad here for this week's Wisconsin adventures! What a blast!

Cheese of the Week: Mozzarella Whips
Rating on scale of 1-10: 8

Quote of the Week: "ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!"

We went to Simon's Cheese Factory on Mom and Dad's first day here were we were able to sample several cheeses. Dad's favorite cheese was "Mozzarella Whips" which he then selected as our cheese of the week. I must say that that was the funnest cheese I have ever eaten. Plus, it was really good! It tasted like really fresh string cheese. Yum! If you want to have fun as a family, next time you are in Wisconsin, buy a pack of mozzarella whips for $4.47 and have the time of you lives!

And thank you eveyone for your cheese suggestions! We are excited to try them all. It will make it more fun knowing that you suggested them.
Wisconsin Recipes
Our guest chef, Kay Hinton, prepared both of our new Wisconsin recipes of the week: Chilies Rellenos (in honor of her mother. Grandma Gabe always ordered this at Mexican Restaraunts) and Herbed Tomato and Cheese Crostini. Yum. That sums it up best: YUM, YUM, YUM! We had last week's Cauliflower Soup with these two dishes and the soup that I loved so much paled in comparison with both of these. Thanks for your hard work mom!Fresh deliciousness!

Bubbly cheese on top

Chilies Rellenos - Mom and my favorite. Jared and Dad liked the Crostini better.

Herbed Tomato and Cheese Crostini

8 slices French bread
3 Tablespoons bottled Italian dressing
4 plum tomatoes, diced
3 Tablespoons fresh basil leaves, chopped
3 Tablespoons fresh oregano leaves, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced (our addition)
1/2 pound sharp Cheddar cheese, sliced

Brush bread slices lightly with 1/2 teaspooon each of Italian Dressing. Toast lightly under broiler (the reciped didn't call for this step, but the bread was a bit soggy without it, so I will do it next time). Mix tomatoes, basil, oregano and garlic together in bowl. Top bread slices with tomato mixture. Top with cheese slices. Broil several minutes until cheese begins to melt. Makes 4 servings.

Chilies Rellenos
3/4 lb. Monterey Jack cheese, sliced
1/2 lb. Cheddar Cheese, shredded
2 eggs
1 can chopped green roasted chilie peppers (mild)
2 Tablespoons half-and-half
1 1/2 teaspoons flour

Grease a 9-inch square pan. Beat eggs, flour, and cream. Layer 1/2 Monterrey Jack cheese, 1/2 Cheddar cheese, 1/2 chili peppers, and 1/2 egg mixture; repeat layers. Pour remaining egg mixture over top of layers and bake at 275 degrees for 1 hour. Cut into squares and serve hot. Makes 16 appetizer size servings.