CHICAGO!!

At the end of February, we went to Chicago with some friends from the ward. And we went without our children. Don't get me wrong, we love our kids, but it was nice to escape for a day and be a couple. Here's the lowdown:

Friday afternoon we dropped the kids off at one of our friend's house. Thank you Patty! She watched them for a few hours until Grandma and Grandpa could pick them up after work. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa! It was the first time we had left Muffin for longer than a few hours, and certainly NOT overnight. So it was a little hard for me...(the kids, of course, were fine).

Shawn and Garnet

 Appetizers: Scallops with an Asian Sauce, and Smoked Salmon with Rye sushi
Meals: Trout with tomato and herb sauce, stuffed salmon, filet mignon, yellowfin tuna.

After dinner, we walked to the Cadillac Theater to see Les Miserables. The theater was gorgeous and neither Mr. D or I had seen the play before. I have to say, though, I was disappointed with the production. It was highly sexually charged and made us feel pretty uncomfortable. The storyline however, was fantastic. I think that it has many fantastic themes and morals. I really want to read the book.

Shawn and Garnet at the theater

We weren't supposed to take pictures in the theater, so these are officially the property of Cadillac Theater and the company that performed Les Miserables.

After the play, we walked back through downtown Chicago to the hotel. It was so fun to be in a "real" city, with shops on the bottom floors of all the buildings, people actually walking to places and an actual night life. There was a light snow falling, which was beautiful.

Even though we thoroughly enjoyed being in Chicago, there were a few downsides. We heard honking and people yelling on the streets a few stories below us until about 4 in the morning.

Saturday morning we went to the restaurant XOCO. Breakfast was AMAZING. I liked the dinner Friday, but this was seriously good. 

We had churros with chocolate dipping sauce, chilaquiles, huevos rancheros, torreja (french toast with bacon and pecans) and the most wonderful, delicious hot chocolate I have ever had. It is called champurrado and is made with Mexican chocolate and masa harina. At XOCO, they grind their cocoa beans in house, and it is SO GOOD!! I would definitely eat there every time I went to Chicago.

 We had a great time being with our friends and being together.  It was such a fun weekend- we hope to be able to do it again soon!

Noodle's Workbox

We use work-boxes in homeschooling for Princess and Mr. Man. It is a system that works well for our family; it seems to help us get things done. So Noodle has noticed that he does not have a workbox and occasionally will ask where his is. Anyway, last Saturday I decided it was time to get him one and do some real teaching of letters, numbers, etc. I ran into the store while Mr. D sat in the car with the kids. When I came out and got back in the car with the box in hand, Noodle yelled out "My workbox! Now I can do math, too!" It was really cute. I don't even know how he knew the box was for him, but he did. I filled his box and today was his first "school day." He was so excited- it was fun to see him dig into the folders and exercises with gusto. What a great way to start formal learning!

Family Night

Each Monday we have a family night, or Family Home Evening.  We have a lesson on something gospel- related, an activity, songs, and then a treat. Tonight we made grilled peanut butter banana split sandwiches. If it sounds over the top, it is. Our kids love them, though (Okay, so do Mr. D and I) and we always have a lot of fun making and eating them. We had a great night together, just having fun (and not just eating yummy treats). Mr. Man gave a good lesson on the restoration of the priesthood. Noodle directed the songs, and I made the treat. It felt so good to have a happy, relaxed night together- I love those times!

Muffin and Me

Princess took this picture a few days ago. I love it.

Morning Greens Smoothie

So I just posted this over at my new blog I started with my sister:
http://www.outofmysisterskitchen.blogspot.com
Check it out! We are just getting started, but already have some yummy recipes- see you there!

Morning Greens Smoothie

1 cup water or juice (I use juice)
1 handful cabbage (I used red cabbage)
1 handful collard greens
2 huge handfuls fresh spinach
1 fresh banana 
1 peach or 1 cup frozen peach slices
1 cup fresh or frozen pineapple
1 cup frozen blueberries

Blend the juice and greens in a blender until smooth. Add banana and blend til smooth. Add the frozen fruits and continue blending til smooth. Add more fruit juice if necessary to achieve desired consistency. Serve immediately. Makes about 4-5 cups.

Yum!

Seaside Rendezvous

We flew to Portland with our friends to go clamming. It was Muffin's first time on a plane. She was happy and/or sleeping the whole time. Perfect!
We drove to Seaside and ate at a little pizza place.
Our hotel was right off the ocean. This is the view from the balcony.
That night we went clamming. It was Freezing!
Unfortunately, it rained and the wind was howling and it was freezing cold. Oh yes, and our boots got filled with water. Did I mention that it was FREEZING? We got three clams that night and lots of good stories. We actually had a lot of fun.
While our friends slept in the next morning, Mr D. and I went for another walk on the beach. It was (yes) cold, but a gorgeous morning.
We saw several rainbows.
And tried our luck with clams again. We got one! (Yes, just one.)

Later that day after steamers and a shower, we drove up to Astoria for some amazing smoked salmon at Josephson's. We drove out to the south jetty observation tower. You can see the Pacific on one side of the jetty, and the Columbia River in the other. It is breathtaking. Here: the Pacific.


We clammed again that night with no luck with clams, but more luck with rain and hail. Luckily it cleared up and we went to a beach with no light. The setting was perfect: ocean waves lapping, amazing stars in the sky, and even slightly warmer without the wind. It was wonderful!

The next morning, we ate our hearty 4 clam catch for breakfast while it hailed outside. Enough to coat the ground like snow. This is us on the beachfront "promenade." This us saying goodbye to Seaside- hopefully for not too long.

While driving back over the coastal range to Portland, there was a first- class snowstorm. We only feared for our lives a few times. And got to the airport an hour late.

But we did get home okay, and even on our original flights- in time to celebrate my birthday with my parents.

Last Year's Blessings

Last night Mr. Man offered our family prayer. We reminded him to thank Heavenly Father for our blessings this past year. This is what he said:

"Thank you for the celebration of Jesus' birth. Thank you that [Muffin] was born. Thank you for all our blessings."

I couldn't have said it better- I am grateful for the Savior, my sweet family, and the multitude of blessings I have been given.

Happy New Year!