Dear Loved Ones, 12
April 2015
This week
turned into a total surprise with both sad and happy elements. Last Sunday we
enjoyed a cozy, snowy Easter and General Conference. Sadly, we learned that my (Jamie’s)
28-year old "cousin" (our moms are best friends) Zach Gray passed away in his sleep Saturday. We began planning to attend his funeral in
Utah to end our Spring Break.
Monday was
still cold and slushy so we stayed home and did some sewing, reading, and
laundry by the fire. For FHE we caught up on Book of Mormon reading since we'd
missed that morning. We enjoyed watching a close game between Wisconsin and
Duke for the NCAA Basketball championship. Duke won, go Blue Devils.
Tuesday we
went to the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman. That night the missionaries came
and had a super yummy Middle Eastern dinner with us. Wednesday we finished laundry
and got packed for our trip to Utah. (PS: We watched "Israel: The Royal
Tour" on Netflix and learned, among other things, that Bibi Netanyahu was
once a foxy soccer star and military hero).
Friday night my kids had a sleepover with their Petersen
cousins in Lehi, Rich and I and the little boys slept at Nana's one more night.
Saturday we got up early so we could take James to play with Cousin Maeby
(Uncle Willy and Aunt Audrey showed him the time of his life—THANKS, guys!), and
then picked up the other kids to head up to the Salt Lake Temple for the
sealing of little Moxie to our friends Rob and Georgia, who have waited 20
years to become parents. It was such a beautiful experience. It was the most
gorgeous spring day! There were dozens of weddings and millions of flowers...we
loved it and we're so happy for our friends.
Saturday evening we met up with family and went to stay
over with Uncle Sam, Aunt Kristen, Owen, and Gavin in Tooele. As usual, Kristen
was the quintessential hostess. She gave us a warm welcome, delicious food,
comfy beds, cousin playtime, and good company. My girls were a little bummed
about spending their last spring break night away from their BFFs and big
cousins, so we decided on a girl date with Aunt Kristen. Rich and Sam got all
the boys to bed while we went to see Cinderella
and got ice cream treats at The Mav. It was a really sweet, comforting,
positive experience to end a rollercoaster week. Then we stayed up late talking with Kristen
and Sam for a couple of hours. I love edifying sibling visits like that.
We want to Sacrament meeting Sunday morning then headed
home to Montana, driving 10:30 am til 7pm. It was a peaceful trip, a sunny
spring day, a happy ending to our break.
Heidi's 11th birthday is coming up Wednesday and we are
so excited…we’ve got some fun surprises in store for her! Hope you all have a
beautiful, spring-like week with no allergies (yeah, right!)
Love, Rich
and Jamie and Family
PS: Middle Eastern Dinner Recipes!
Mediterranean
Kebabs
1 cup plain whole milk Greek yogurt
1 TB olive oil
2 ts curry powder
2 ts paprika
1 ts onion powder
1/8 ts cinnamon
1/2 ts crushed red pepper
2 TB lemon juice
2 ts salt
1/2 ts freshly ground black pepper
1 ts minced garlic
3 pounds of meat
(I used cubed pork loin; boneless skinless
chicken thighs and/or breasts work, too)
Large red onion cut into 1-inch squares
Combine the yogurt, olive oil, spices, lemon juice, salt,
pepper and garlic in a medium mixing bowl.
Place the meat cubes in the bowl and cover with sauce. Let
the meat marinade for at least one hour, overnight is ideal.
Thread the meat on to skewers, alternating with the red
onions squares.( I used about 6 cubes of meat on 16 wooden skewers). Place the
kebabs on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. From this point you can
either broil the kebabs on high in your oven, 7-9 minutes, then turn over and
broil another 7-9 minutes (til they start to brown)—OR—you can grill them. Just
be sure to oil your grill and cook them for about 15 minutes, turning
occasionally.
WE
SERVED WITH:
·
Spinach Salad with almonds, red onion
slivers, and Orange vinaigrette
·
Near East Brand Middle-Eastern Curry
Couscous, prepared according to package directions with a half cup of chopped
dried fruit and cashews stirred in to steam.
·
A bowl of fresh tangerines
*****
Heidi (Eagle Mask), Niles (binoculars), Addie holding Ammon, and James holding an Eagle at Museum of the Rockies 4/7 |
James Pitching 4/8 |
Niles wanted a turn to bat at James' baseball practice 4/8 |
Roadtrip! 4/9 |
My sister Jill with Ammon and Me at Zach's Funeral Lunch 4/10 |
Niles loves playing at Uncle Drew's House! "JACK AND BEN!" |
...but Rich caught this picture of them through the temple gates as we were leaving |
And here is the beautiful FOREVER family! Rob, Moxie, and Georgia Beeee |
CHURCH SELFIES with Brother Sam in Tooele 4/12 |
Two peas in a pod, these cousins. Sweetest boys ever. |
Saying goodbye after church Gavin, Owen and James |