Taveuni Eye Project 2010

See Jack and Jean serve during this great Service Project to fix the eyes of the Fijiians. What great people and what a need.

THANKSGIVING

We had a great Thanksgiving Day with Rick and Rachelle and their family. I am so grateful for my family and for good days like these. The kids loved all of the fancy desserts at the Sundance brunch. The food was really good and it was nice to enjoy the day and have someone else do the clean up.

le chocolat

photo stolen from Lyndsie's blog, talesfromtheuc.blogspot.com

Wondering why I look so proper? so emily post

Fiji

Love this photo of Jack and Jean's place on Taveuni. Jean and a random dog.

salted carmel ice cream

I made some ice cream today. It was a labor of love. Rob loves caramel ice cream. First I made the caramel, second, the custard, and then I froze the mixture and the machine did the rest. It was good, but not great. It consisted of heavy cream, eggs, sugar, and milk.

I will have to try a different recipe, maybe one that isn't so rich. (Rich is a funny word my Grandma Whitney used for her homemade fudge she kept in round tins.)

I also made sweet potatoes with marshmallow topping. It was sweet, something I would prefer as a dessert. Next I made brussel sprouts, which I think are so cute, those little cabbage heads so bright and green. My kids got excited about them which makes me happy.

I grilled some pork loin on the barbeque and used some of our favorite barbeque sauce Head Country that we order from Ponca Oaklahoma.

And I just love this picture of Greta on her way to school. What a great girl!

hair for kerry mine and others

Some hair I spotted at a great store on NW 23rd in Portland. The girl said "sure, take my photo, it won't be the first time, I get asked this all of the time". Seriously? Who has that great of hair? I am not sure about the faux hawk part but the cut and curl is nice. Maybe it's because she has a nice face.

Update post op

Rob's surgery went well. He is still sleepy and nauseated from the morphine. The surgeon found that he had another tear in his shoulder tendons and did a repair to that also. He said he was successful at fixing his separated shoulder. It's hard to see Rob in pain and lying in a hospital bed. He is so strong and capable all of the time. We love him.

Law of Averages

Today Rob fell.

Fell off of his bike.

Off the curb.

Into a hole.

All alone.

No one stopped.

Had an x-ray.

Saw a surgeon

Tomorrow Rob is having surgery to repair his separated shoulder. One would think that today was a bad day. It was actually kind of fun. Not for Rob, but for me. We spent the day together. I was in my pajamas, bra-less and sweaty in my down coat. I know, it sounds sexy.

Jack and Jean in Taveuni, Fiji

Rejuvenation in Portland

Wish I had pictures of all of the great merchandise at this fabulous store. They have old and new and refurbished furniture, fixtures, and housewares. Took a pic on the phone of this great table. Could I make it work as a kitchen table. We all know I need a different table, or at least I will when the crack completely separates.

Mutsumi and the old house

Had to stop and see the old house. I thought it looked great. Mostly the same but with some great decorating. Made me cry. We lucked out and Mutsumi happened to be home. We got see baby Luther as well. And, April and Lyndsey at Piazza Italia.

Portland in October

What a fun trip with two great friends and Rob. Thanks Rob for making the trip and driving us home.

Mark Lanegan and Isobel Cambell were great in concert.

The food was wonderful.

We tried Koi Fusion, a Korean Mexican taco traveling street vendor. We had it twice. We had to eat at Bombay Cricket Club, Piazza Italia, Alotta Gelatto, and Voodoo Donuts. We even had some rain to make it Portland. We found some great shops. I think by far my favorite was the Lounge Lizard in the Pearl.

Plants

I planted a row of shrubs and it felt very good. Something about accomplishing something and doing the labor by myself. Digging in the dirt and sweating, it's all good. I need to get some pics on this here blog.

Taveuni, Fiji

My mother and father in law are in Fiji serving a mission for the LDS church. We already miss them and they haven't been gone a month. It is so fun seeing them on the island with the Fijian people. I love that Jack will wear a sulu and that they will eat crazy food. Thanks for being great examples for us and for our children. We love you Jack and Jean.

Augi

August graduated from preschool as a 3 year old. He was so lucky to have his aunt Kerry for his very own teacher, not to mention his mother once a week. For his talent at his graduation he decided to surprise us all with a front flip. After two bounces he flipped over just like he does on the trampoline, only this time it was on the hard floor. He didn't shed a tear but I think he was in shock from the impact.

Greta

Greta turned 8 this year. She is a beautiful girl. I love how Greta is a friend to many people, young and old. She was baptized in June and it was such a sweet time. Thanks Greta for all of the happiness you bring to our home. She can really make us laugh.

Lovely Ladies

Family

Fireworks on the 4th

Fireworks on the 4th