2011's Big Adventure part 1

This summer our family went on an amazing adventure! We flew to Charlotte, NC and then spent 3 weeks driving up the Eastern coast!

We started in South Carolina.... to visit my sister Mayme and her 5 beautiful kiddos! We visited the really fun zoo and a very interesting Civil War museum in Columbia.

Then we headed to the Outer Banks of North Carolina for my sister April's absolutely gorgeous wedding! My dad rented a beach house for a week. It was a really amazing experience... and it is now my favorite beach vacation spot!

On our way to our next destination, we stopped in Kitty Hawk to see the Wright Brother's Museum!

Our next stop was Manassas, VA....or as us Yanks would know... Bull Run! We even got to see a Civil War reenactment and demonstration.

We stayed at a fun hotel in Manassas and then would drive into Washington DC!

After Washington DC.... we drove to Gettysburg, PA!

Part 2 to follow when I have more time!

My Darling Katie Cat

My baby is growing up. FAST. My super sweet Katie Cat turned 15 this year. She is a Freshman in High School. How can that be? I remember being a Freshman in High School! It just doesn't seem that long ago!

Katie has had a pretty amazing year. She finished the Young Women's program at church and received her Young Womans medallion. She got to visit Boston this year... twice! She made the High School cheer squad. She got her round-off-back-handspring-back-tuck back!

Katie has been so busy with school and cheer that her love - theater - has had to take a back seat. She did manage to squeeze in "Jekyll and Hyde" this year.... but that's it! This is the 1st year in 5 years she hasn't been in the big Gilbert Fine Arts production. I guess it really demonstrates her dedication to her grades! Her goal is BYU Provo..... Katie wants to be an author!

Katie was chosen to sing a solo at the choir concert this past year. She sang "For Good" from Wicked... and it was amazing! Her voice has really matured this year. I love to hear her sing. She has a different sound to her voice.... jazzy almost. I love to hear her sing "When I Die Young" and "On My Own" from Les Mis. She also sings a pretty cool version on Anything Goes by Cole Porter!

She is still studying piano as well. My kids all know that in our home... you start piano lessons at 7.... and you quit when you move out!

Katie is also pretty great in the kitchen. There are very few recipes she won't attempt. Last Sunday I was really tired so she made dinner while I took a little nap after church. She made roasted eggplant pasta... It was amazing!

I could not be more proud of Katie. She really could not be a more well rounded kid. She is such a great big sister and a great example to everyone.... especially me. I love you Katie cat!!

Rachelie Roo

Rachelie Roo... Rach... Ray-Ray.... Raybie Baby....

Or just Rachel Anne..... :)

Whichever you choose..... SHE is fun!!

Rachel is growing up into a beautiful, very happy and funny girl! She is in 8th grade this year and is having a blast at life!

She has been very busy doing theater.... This past year she has been in "Peter Pan and Wendy", "Jekyll and Hyde", "Robin Hood", "Anything Goes" and is currently in "The Scarlet Pimpernel"!

She has also recently discovered a new talent.... cross country! She LOVES it!! She stayes after school every day until 4:30 and has meets once or twice a week..... it keeps her "running"

Rachel somehow manages to keep her straight A's and is in all honors classes.... she also takes piano and is the Beehive Class President ... BUSY GIRL!

She has a lot of fun outside of school and activities too. She and her friends are frequently off on adventures, playing games, watching scary movies, making movies etc etc. Rachel definitely lives life to the fullest!!

Rachel is the tallest kiddo in our family right now... she is just barely below me..... ad I am sure will pass me up this year. The best part is we can share shoes, shirts, scarves, etc etc.... not to mention jewelry!! Although Adam is right on her heels in height.... He has already caught up to Katie....

She and Katie also have a lot of fun together... I can't wait until next week and she turns 14!! Stake dances!!!

I thoroughly enjoy Rachel..... She and I have a lot of fun hanging out and talking about her day.... We like to sneak off and get slushies.... go shopping ..... rent movies... etc etc....

She may be growing up fast but she is still my Rabie Baby!!

Starring..... Adam!

This was been a pretty fun year for Adam. This is the year we discovered he can act.... and sing.... and dance! Adam auditioned for a part in "Peter Pan and Wendy" that was performing at the big Mesa Arts Center. Our firends warned us how difficult it was to get a part with this particular theater group..... that it is very competitive.... so you can imagine our shock.... when he got the lead... as Peter Pan!

Adam went on to get parts in other productions this year as well..... he got a small role in AYT's Jekyll and Hyde, he played The Sheriff of Nottingham in "Robin Rood" and he was an FBI agent in GFAA's "Anything Goes". He even won a Marlie award as "Best Supporting Actor in a Jr. Production" for his role as the Sheriff of Nottingham.

The thing about Adam is his humor, his confidence and his quick wit. When he walks into an audition he is funny, does well with improv and has a strong, clear voice... both in his speech and in singing. The directors all love him because even during down time at rehearsals he listens and is never disruptive. If they ask him to make a change in a scene.... he does it. His memory is amazing (I think he might have a photographic memory) so memorizing lines is easy for him. He frequently just memorizes the whole script... so if someone else forgets a line... he can prompt them!

My favorite part about his success on the stage is it has made him such an amazing speaker and a leader. Earlier this year we went to Utah for the Lundgreen Family Reunion. During the family "sing-a-long" Adam got up in front of the who group (close to 200 people) and helped MC.... leading everyone in songs.... all by himself. He isn't nervous at all!

Outside of the theater Adam also loves sports. We had to take a break from sports for a bit this year because Adam suffers from migraines. Over the summer during a scan, they found a small, fluid filled cyst in his brain. NOT a good moment for a mother. However, the neurologist at Phoenix Childrens assured us that it is very common... 4 % of the population has it... it will never get bigger and never rupture. Its basically a birth defect.... that has no effect on him. Its not what causes his severe headaches.

His headaches got so bad I started to contemplate pulling out out of school. He was having such a hard time focusing..... and yet he maintained his grades.... I have no idea how. We had spent the past 3 years at doctor's offices... testing for allergies, changing foods, etc etc. Finally the neurologist prescribed him a daily migraine medicine. I really don't like it.... but it helps a lot. Instead of a bad headache every day.... he probably only gets a regular headache a couple time a week.

At home he is our lego master. Whenever he gets a set, we know he will disappear in his room and build.... until its done. He never asks for help... just figures it out on his own. And he is great to always include Eric! The 2 of them are thick as thieves at home. Its great!

I feel so blessed to have such an amazing son. He is a boy that loves sports and doing boy things... shooting guns... throwing balls..... rough housing etc etc. BUT he is also our peacemaker... he is so smart and talented.... and is such a good boy. I am really looking forward to watching him grow up.... and seeing what he accomplishes in his life!

Olivia Grace

My Livy Lou is quite something. She is a near-perfect child. Seriously! She is kind, respectful, very obedient and loving. If I don't feel well or if I am very tired.... she will ask me if I want her to brush my hair. Weekly I find notes on my pillow about what a great mom I am. She is always there with a hug and a gorgeous smile.

She is very smart and a super student. She always does her homework without being asked.... and it is always super neat. Her teachers have told me they wish they could clone her... because she is quiet and listens and does her work as perfectly as possible. A few weeks ago the kids found out one of the teachers was leaving to have a baby. She has decided to stay home and not come back. Olivia organized her whole class to make a binder full of notes to her from each student. So sweet....

She is a perfect big sister for Sophie. A few weeks ago my friend April, who I carpool with, called me to comment on Olivia. She said she just couldn't believe how patient and sweet she is with Sophie. Soph can be very hard and difficult. She doesn't want to carry her own backpack.... so Olivia frequently carries it for her without a complaint. Sophie will throw a fit about where she sits in the car.... and Olivia with kindly try to talk sense into her. If Sophie ever forgets to do part of her homework, or I forget to read her a book.... Olivia does it... without complaining and without being asked. Its not that Olivia never losses patience with Sophie... she just doesn't very often. And sharing a room with tornado Sophie is no picnic! If it wasn't for Sophie I think Olivia's room would always be"neat as a pin"!

Olivia is a beautiful child. This is my blog so I can say that! I am a proud mom! She has beautiful blonde hair that has a pretty natural wave to it... getting curlier every day. She has amazing blue eyes..... and that skin!! I would have died as a teen to have dark skin like her. She looks tan all year long! People always comment to me how pretty she is.... but the best part...

.....she is just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. :)

My Little Man Eric

Eric is my little buddy. He is my funny guy. He is silly.... and smart.... and boy does he love his brother!!

Eric is in 2nd grade this year. His teacher adores him. He is responsible and does all his work on time. BUT....at home he tells us he is the class clown! (and I am pretty sure he IS!)

Eric is 7..... He is not the biggest kid on the block.... but it doesn't slow him down much. Instead he reminds us of Dash from the Incredibles..... a lot!

People used to think he looks like Haley Joel Osment from the 6th Sense..... so we taught him to whisper, "I see dead people".... just to freak people out!!

(I actually think Eric is waaayyyy cuter!!)

ANYWAY... I digress!!

Eric loves legos. He and Adam spend hours and hours building their sets. Usually they ask for Star Wars sets. They have multiple shelves full of completed crafts, shuttles, etc.

Aside from legos he is a typical boy that loves video games and playing outside with his friends.

Being child #5 can be hard. He has been asking me to play soccer for 2 years. He is FINALLY getting to play again.... this season! We are excited to watch him again.... finally! It just hard with so many kids in so many things!! Luckily he is patient!

Eric makes me laugh. He and Sophie are quite the clowns at the dinner table. Life would be pretty boring without my 2 silly monkeys!

Favorite Holiday Recipes

My Favorite Sweet Potatoes

3 c. cooked sweet potatoes mashed

1 c sugar

1/2 tsp salt

2 eggs beaten

1/3 c butter melted

1/2 c milk

1 tsp vanilla

Combine above ingredients and spread in a greased 9 x 13 pan.

Mix together:

1/3 c butter melted

1 c brown sugar

1/3 c flour

1 c chopped pecans

Sprinkle on top and bake at 350 for 35 minutes. Enjoy!

Green Beans with Caramelized Shallots

2 lbs Haricots verts or slim green beans

1 lb medium shallots

2 Tbsp butter

2 Tbsp olive oil

1/4 tsp thyme

Cook green beans in boiling salted water until tender, approx 4 - 6 minutes. Transfer to bowl of ice water to cool, Drain well.

Cut off ends of shallots, Peel and cut shallots into quarters. Melt butter with oil in heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add shallots and saute for 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium low and saute until shallots are browned and tender, about 20 minutes. Sprinkle with thyme.

Add green beans an stir fry over medium high heat until heated through, about 6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. YUMMY!

Out of This World Mashed Potatoes

4 lbs Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and quartered

course salt

1 1/2 c milk

4 Tbsp butter

4 oz cream cheese

Place potatoes in a 5 qt pan and cover with cold water by 1 inch. Add 1 Tbsp course salt. Bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, approx 20 - 25 minutes. Drain and return potatoes to pan. Over medium heat stir potatoes until dry - about 1 minute. Remove from heat.

In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring milk and butter to a simmer; pour over potatoes. Add cream cheese; season generously with salt. Mash until smooth being careful not to over mash.

I always double this recipe!