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How should we live and achieve our dreams

Trust me, these are the best

Has anyone ever tried these? These are, hands down, the best tortillas out there. I was just introduced to them at Christmas and Mexan cooking has never been the same. Ryan, me and the kids just love them. They are perfect for making cheese quesadillas (which is our favorite), or add lettuce, cheese, tomatoes and a yummy dressing (creamy tomatillo from Cafe Rio) for a salad. You can buy them at Costco, maybe Sam's Club. They are uncooked so you heat your skillet to warm, put them in, flip them, and they're done. Remember good old Cafe Rio - these are just as good! Try them and tell me what you think.

Recipe Blog

Ok, so I want to start a recipe blog? Anyone up for it. The only catch is that you have to help. It's not such a good idea to start a recipe sharing blog if I'm the only one sharing recipes :) Doesn't exactly help me out much. I haven't thought it all the way through, but if you think you want to join, let me know. Post a comment here and we can set it up so that everyone who wants to join can be listed as a member. What do you think? Any other ideas? Any catchy titles? I'm just so tired of trying to think of somthing new to cook for dinner that has ingredients that I've heard of and that doesn't take forever to make. Hope you all are interested!!!

Here's the link if you want to take a peek. I posted 1-2 things just to start off. Again, just post a comment here. I'll add you to the list of publishers. Then you can post a new recipe whenever you want, and go here to check out new recipes to try. It's that easy. There's been a few interested so far, but we want many, many more. What better way to try new recipes than from friends and others who have tried and loved them for themselves.

BTW - leave your email on your comment so I can e-mail an invite to join - THX

Cute Quotes

Caden's had a few really cute things he's said lately:

Today when saying the prayer, he said "Bless Avery that she will close her eyes RIGHT NOW!!!"

He also blesses that his and Avery's testimonies will grow in every prayer. Kind of sweet, that he remembers and thinks to ask for that. Oh, the faith of a child.

The other night, he had just brushed his teeth and then blew in my face to see how it smelled. He likes the smell of freshly brushed teeth, who doesn't? I told him it smelled so clean, to which he replied "Like a clean toilet?"...not quite I told him.

At church today Caden wore a new tie. I asked him after if anyone noticed or said anything. He told me that one of the little girls in his class told him she didn't like it. I asked what he did, and he said he told her he didn't like her dress. Not exactly the response I thought would have been best, but maybe expected for a 4 year old.

Weekend in McCall

We went to McCall this weekend. I have never seen so much snow in my life. We were a little uncertain about the roads and wether or not we'd go, but we made it. We're so glad we went. The weather was perfect, so much fresh snow. The first day the guys spent most of the time blazing trails with the snowmobiles so we could go out and play without getting stuck. There is at least 5-6 feet of snow in the yard. Walking was a killer because ever step we sunk to our waist. It was so much fun though and the kids spent almost th entire time outside, even into the dark hours. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Yorgason for inviting all of us.

Reflection on President Hinckley's Life

I saw this video on my friend Elizabeth's blog. It was such a nice reflection on the Prophet's life and what he stood for. The picture towards the end of him at what appeared to be his wife, Marjorie's funeral, broke my heart. There is such joy knowing he is with her, and that we all can be together forever. He lived a wonderful life. Now is the time for us to stand a little taller and be a little better, just as he always taught and showed us to do.

Glenn Beck's Tribute to President Hinckley

I saw this on Glenn Beck last night. I don't know how many out there watch him, but I get a kick out of him. I thought this was a touching tribute to him.

President Hinckley

We just received the news about President Hinckley's passing. It's amazing the range of emotions from sadness to joy for him. He lived such a full, wonderful life dedicated to our Savior Jesus Christ. He was such an example to all of us. I really felt like he truly loved and cared for each of us. Looking at his picture evokes such feeling of love for him, and I will deeply miss him. I told Ryan tonight I wish I had just one more opportunity to listen to him. We will miss him, and find peace knowing he is with his dear wife Marjorie now.

I hoped this day would never come

I really hoped it wouldn't happen. Caden was my climber, not Avery. She's always been so content to play in her bed, never trying to get out. Tonight, that all changed. She has had the worst few weeks - colds, coughs, runny nose, stomach flu, then an earache...she just isn't sleeping well. Tonight I just couldn't keep going in her room to hold her. I know she feels awful, but it was getting so exhausting. Her cry is more of a whine at this piont...it's so sad, and I just decided to let her fuss it out. Well, I only lasted 5-10 minutes and I went back in her room to try again. It was nearing midnight, and we've been doing his for almost 3 hours! Well, I walk in and she's standing next to her bed, on the floor, finger in her mouth, just waiting for someone to come get her. How did she do that? She's not tall enough, I can only figure she stacked enough blankets and toys in her bed to get out. I didn't even know she knew that was an option. Life has changed for all of us now - I can only hope that she'll forget by morning :) I'm off to help her again...it's 12:20 in the morning and she's still fighting it...will she eve go to sleep?!?! Did I mention Ryan stayed home sick today and Caden joined him by throwing up this afternoon?

Does this seem unusual?

Avery had the flu...it's never a convenient time, but at 2 in the morning when I just laid my head down 20 minutes before is really not convenient. She threw up from 2 am until 9 am...every 1/2 hour. No exaggeration - really every half hour. I ended up sleeping on her floor (if you can call lying there with your eyes closed for 10 minutes after taking the time to clean up the previous mess and waiting for the next). I slept on her floor because I figured if I was there, I could hear the cough before the throw up and hope to catch it. Well, like clockwork, every half hour was often enough that we got into a good routine...she'd cough, I'd jump and grab the bucket that I conveniently placed at the end of her bed, I'd sit her up and hold her face over it. She'd tell me no, I'm okay, while trying to push it away, and then she'd throw up. Then I'd hold her in the chair for 15 minutes until she'd ask for her bed, to which I gladly put her in so I could clean out the bowl and lay on the floor once again.

Here's the unusual part. I put Avery to bed last night at 9:30. No complaints from her...she asked. She slept so great! My kids are good sleepers anyway, usually sleeping until anywhere from 9:30 am to 11:00 am. This was different though. I had to check on her several times to make sure she was still alive. I don't know about anyone else, but anytime my kids sleep excessively, my mind races that they might not wake up. What is excessive? How about until 3pm...yup, she slept till 3pm today. I checked on her often from about 11 to 2:30 because nobody can sleep that long, can they? 17 hours!!! Each time I saw her she was in a new place in her bed, eyes closed and sound asleep. That must mean she was still breathing. It was the craziest thing...not only that, about 5:30 she asked to go to bed again. I laid her back down and she was out. I don't understand it, oh well. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Random Pictures

Just some random pictures that don't really relate to any event - just everyday at the Grace house.

Anyone else like to wear goggles around the house...she even wears the blue ones in public...I'm sure people think something is wrong with her eyes.
Caught these two hiding in my storage closet under the stairs watching a movie. Caden made sure they both had water, bunnies and blankets. What a good brother!

I have to capture them reading in case they end up like me and never read when they get older...surely that isn't in the genes.
The Ringling Brothers circus...not exactly sure why it's called the greatest show on earth, but it was a memory.Caden's preschool Thanksgiving feastWard Christmas party pictures with Santa - amazingly no one is crying in this picture.

Andrew and Kelli's Wedding

We took a break from the Utah vacation to go to sunny California. My youngest brother Andrew married Kelli on Dec 28th in the Newport Beach Temple. Wow!!! What a beautiful day. The temple is absolutely stunning. Kelli and Andrew are perfect for each other and I just love Kelli! Welcome to the family. It was fun to see my sister Deb and her family who live down there. All of the family except for 8 grand kids made the trip. We were tired and worn out by the end, but it was well worth it.

Andrew & Kelli Yorgason - isn't she beautiful!!!
My entire family minus 8 grand kids.Avery with my dad
Ryan and I - isn't he so handsome!!!
My parents.
Now you see why Kelli is Matt's favorite sister in law.
The Newport Beach Temple

Christmas

Christmas was totally crazy and totally fun this year. We went to Utah to spend the holidays with Ryan's family. The kids traveled great, the weather was great, and we had such a good vacation.

A little impromptu picture in front of the Christmas Tree. This is as good as it gets when the little one is ready for her nap.
I don't think I've ever seen a happier boy on Christmas. Transformers are his life right now, and the pj's on Christmas Eve and an Optimus Prime and Bumblebee transformer from Santa made his day.
She loves her babies almost as much as Mickey mouse and the candy in her hand.
Just a little stroll for all the babies she could find.
Taking a break from playing in the snow

New Doo

Is it just me or is everyone going dark? I thought I'd try it out. What do you think?

Field trip to the fire station

A friend from the ward planned a trip to the fire station for a bunch of kids. Caden has always loved fire trucks and firemen. However, we've really never talked to him about fire and the dangers of it. I realized this trip could do two things - it could teach him about fire and the dangers, or it could intrigue him and peak his curiosity.

Just a night or two before the field trip, the battery in the smoke alarm in his room was dying, so that annoying beep started. Of course he wanted to know what it was, and when he realized that it wasn't working anymore and dad was going to just take the battery out so it would stop beeping, the questions really started. I didn't realize the connection he would make to the fire alarm not working any more and what would happen if the fire started in his room. This field trip was a great way for the firemen to answer a lot of those questions, what happens, how long it takes for them to come, etc.

This was such a good experience. He had his concerns resolved, and now he is our little fireman at home. He reminds us to turn off he fireplace, blow out candles, and he puts out pretend fires all day. He is always wondering what will cause fires and what things can catch fire, but it is out of concern rather than mischief.

Fireman showing the ins and outs of the truck...have you ever seen so many 3,4 & 5 year olds so attentive?
Explaining the jaws of lifeThe kids helped the firemen dress in their gear. They wanted the m to see and hear what to expect if they came to their house for a fire.After with the token fire hat