Stones April Get Together

I have been a nervous Mom and did not wanted to take Elizabeth out to big groups until she was older and stronger and because of this we missed a lot of family get togethers at the beginning of this year.  This past Saturday, April 27, we were able to attend a family party at the Turner's house and it was so wonderful to be able to see everyone and be engulfed in the large family fun.  Grandma Stones and Melanie are visiting from Utah and it was fun seeing them.  We were able to get four generation pictures, with Elizabeth, and introduce her to her great grandmother.  As always, it was a fun and love filled evening!

Elizabeth and Evelyn

Gwyn and Elizabeth- only 5 months apart

Grandma with lots of Great Grandkids

Elizabeth's Baby Blessing

On Sunday April 28,  we had the opportunity to bless Elizabeth in church.  It is such a simple and short thing but so important and so special.  I am so grateful for Ben and that he is a worthy priesthood holder and can bring the priesthood strong into our home and our lives.  I am grateful that he was able to bless our sweet baby girl and to tell her what our Heavenly Father would have for her.  I am grateful for my father, father-in-law and Jesse for also being worthy to participate in this priesthood blessing. 

 

 We invited a family friend, Grant Sanders and his wife to come and watch.  They are not members of the church but came to show support and love.  I am grateful for the simple whisperings of the spirit that filled the room during the blessing and hope they felt its comfort and peace. 

I am glad that Melanie and Grandma Stones were able to be there for the blessing.  It is so wonderful to have pictures with them so Elizabeth will be able to see that they were there and that she knew them. 

I am also so grateful for Grandma Baker and her amazing talents in knitting Elizabeth's blessing cloths.  She looked adorable and everyone ooh'd and aww'd over her!

A Sister in my ward, and friend, wrote down some of the things she remembered from the blessing. I am grateful that she did this (I was going to write stuff down afterward but didn't and I remember hearing some of these promises and blessings.) Here is what she heard:

• You will be courageous in the gospel
• You will have (strong?) faith
• Appreciate the opportunities given you
• You will gain a testimony of the Savior through study (and faith?) so when trials/challenges come, and they will, you will (be able to?) lean on the Savior.
• Heavenly Father loves you and your parents and family love you.

Chipotle vs Qdoba

For this week's date night we decided to do a Chipotle verses Qdoba taste test.  We went to eat place and got a chicken burrito bowl.

Here is what we decided:

Atmosphere:  Although we didn't eat in the restaurants we all went in to order and 'get a feel'.

                CHIPOTLE: Smells divine. Friendly staff (they even gave us free guacamole to pull points  in their favor) and good price

                QDOBA: Smelled like a fast food place, okay staff and much more expensive. 

Amount: We determined this by look but we decided that 'next time' it would be cool to weigh them and actually see which portion is bigger.

                CHIPOTLE: The container is smaller but they jam it full.

                QDOBA: Larger container but was not super full. 

Quacamole: We were not going to splurge for the Quac but at Chipotle they gave it to us free (they said it was the best part)- so we decided to add this category;  I am a guacamole fan- so I was okay with the addition.

                CHIPOTLE: Fresh and tastes deliciously home made

                QDOBA: Tastes manufactured- are these real avacados?

Chicken:

                CHIPOTLE: About the Same- maybe a little more spice

                QDOBA: About the Same

Taste:

                CHIPOTLE: A little more kick.  We ordered how Ben usually orders so it was not as spicy and full of flavor as I am used to- but it was still good.

                QDOBA: Queso!!- I think Ben could drink this stuff. This is the only difference in orders   from the two locations but we think without it Q'Doba would definitely be lacking. 

FINAL: This is hard because I do not think there was a unanimous vote.  I am 100% Chipotle all the way but Ben can't get enough of that queso.  But since I am writing the blog post-  

CHIPOTLE WINS!!!

Freezer Meals!!

I am a lazy person and cooking is hard for me so I love having freezer meals.  Just take them out the night before and put them in the fridge to soften (or, as it usually happens in my house, take it out the day of, thaw it in a bowl of water and cook on high).  

I have been collecting crock pot freezer meal ideas for a while. I have done this (one day prep) once before and I loved it- so last week I decided to do it again (but on a little larger scale). 

My not-so-happy helper!

1. Picked the meals I wanted to make and wrote down in a list everything that was needed.  Then I went through my pantry and food storage to see what I had and went to the store. 

2.  We got most of the meat and canned food at Costco (so it was not too expensive), all produce at Sprouts and then I got everything else at King Soopers- total was around $100

3. I wrote the cooking directions on the plastic bag and then stuck a sticky note to the outside to remind me what went in each bag- this way I do not need the recipes right there. I just went down the list on the stick note and filled each bag.

4.  I washed and cut all my veggies before hand- so it was easy to portion out (I did about 1 cup per veggie- 1 onion=1 cup chopped onions)

5. Filled the bags.  I used less meat in each (because there are only two of us) and sometimes more veggies but other than that I stayed close to the recipes and amounts written.

*Note: Last time I did this I just wrote on the bag what canned food was needed but this time I actually opened the cans and added that too the frozen bag.  I think either way works.  It is nice to add the cans later because it helps thaw but that is only if it is something you would definitely have in your food storage; It is a bummer to get out a freezer meal and realize you don't have the canned food to make it  work.

6. I cleared one section in my freezer to store the bags- they lay flat so it is easier than you might imagine to get a lot of meals in there.  Hint: If you put a piece of cardboard down on the rack first it keeps the bags from squishing down there and getting frozen to the shelf.  

 7. Just take them out the night before and put them in the fridge to soften (or, as it usually happens in my house, take it out the day of, thaw it in a bowl of water and cook on high).   

*Side Note: The next morning I was called my my compassionate service leader at church and asked to take a meal to a woman who had just had surgery.   I was going to be busy that day but I was able to swing by and take her some freezer meals! Great Service Opportunity!

RECIPES HERE!