Bangs McCoy

Conversations

We have started to have little conversations with Jamie. Very cute.

• Jamie: Milk? Peas?
• Me: You want me to get you some milk?
• Jamie: (satisfied) Okay!

Add comment January 30th, 2008

The attic is a little warmer

Bryan had a company come in and re-insulate our attic today. They were very respectful, and attempted to clean up after themselves. This should improve our energy bills. Next up - replace the windows.

Add comment January 29th, 2008

White-out

We left for Orem today in the midst of some light snow, but after a few minutes on the freeway, it became a crazy blizzard. Like, white-out conditions. Bryan was headed back from an appointment in Cedar Hills at about the same time, and we decided to meet in Draper to discuss the situation. When we met, he was worried and asked me to go home instead of continuing to Orem. We also switched cars so the kids and I could be in the Subaru. On the way home, I saw multiple slide-offs and crazy donuts and stuff all over the freeway, but we made it home in one piece. I used my extra time to do my Tuesday chores early and then I worked my Verio shift from home.

1 comment January 28th, 2008

Family fun = Utah fun

This morning I took Rees to Little Gym to make up for his missed class on Monday. While he was in class, I picked up some birthday presents and other items at Foothill Village.

Family Fun Night began at Rocky Mountain Pizza located at Olympus Hills. Bryan remembers going there for dates when he was younger. Apparently at the time it was called Round Table Pizza. Or something like that. We (or I guess I) chose the “Aerie” pizza, which consisted of white sauce, seasoned chicken, fresh diced tomato, red onion, mushrooms, and olives. We sat in a booth next to the “Kid Zone” - a play area with blocks, a playhouse, and other toys. Needless to say, the boys were both more interested in the Kid Zone than the food. They both ended up eating their standard favorites from the salad bar.

Afterward, we bowled at Olympus Lanes. Rees loved it, and did not get bored before our game was over. James was pretty tired. He wandered around some, but for the most part he was content to rest on a lap and watch the many, many balls rolling and knocking down pins. Have I mentioned that a ball has been Jamie’s favorite toy for about the last six months? He loves them so much that he pretends other things are balls - especially pieces of fruit. He especially enjoys throwing apples and oranges.

Add comment January 26th, 2008

Food favorites

I spent the day out and about, running errands with the boys. Bryan worked late (to avoid going in on Saturday).

For dinner, I made one of Bryan’s favorites, Pimiento Chicken. There are three meals that I make regularly that Bryan has loved since he was a kid. Bryan’s mom gave me the recipe for each of these after he requested that I make them.

• Maryanne’s Meat Sauce. This sauce is used over spaghetti, or in lasagna (a big-time Bryan favorite). I also use it over my Four-Cheese Manicotti.
• French Stroganoff. This is quite different than the average stroganoff (which I DO NOT like). It is tomato-based and uses pieces of steak instead of ground beef. It is also served over rice rather than noodles.
• Pimiento Chicken. A super-simple semi-creamy chicken dish topped with cheese and served over rice. It may actually be the simplest “recipe” possible.

* Sidenote regarding French Stroganoff: The first time I came to a Berrett Sunday dinner (when Bryan and I were dating), this was served. Bryan admits that he was concerned when he found out that’s what they were eating, because he wasn’t sure how I would react. In fact, I thought it was weird and did not like it, but managed to choke it down. It has since grown on me and I really like it. Really.

After the boys were in bed, Bryan queued up the movie Waitress. It played at Sundance last year. He got it at my request - I don’t think he was particularly excited to see it. I liked it, it was pretty funny, even though it was kind of chick-flickey too (which I normally don’t like). The scene where she kicks her crappy husband out of her hospital room is brilliant - I ended up buying the song from that scene (Quincy Coleman - Give It Away) on iTunes.

1 comment January 25th, 2008

Buggy-wuggy

It’s been a while since the boys made some good, old-fashioned crafts. Rees made bugs out of a cardboard egg carton, pipe cleaners, and pom-poms. He also decorated a pencil cup (soup can) for Bryan to use at work. When Jamie woke up, they both spent some time painting.

Add comment January 24th, 2008

Knead until smooth and elastic

For mutual tonight, the Beehives made bread. I have never had a lesson in bread-making before, so it was fun for me. The girls enjoyed it too. Their bread will be blessed on Sunday and used for the Sacrament in our ward.

Add comment January 22nd, 2008

I love snow

We were hit by a big snowstorm this morning, which dropped about eight inches at our house. Love it! After listening to traffic reports of hundreds of slide-offs and crashes, I decided that we would stay in and avoid Foothill (where Little Gym is located). Bryan shoveled a lot before he left, and Athyn came over later in the morning to do some more.

I went to work as usual in the afternoon, after the snow had let up and the roads were clearer.

Add comment January 21st, 2008

Little Einstein

Jamie has excellent bedhead.

We have a masonite board (left over from college art class) that Rees uses as a hard surface to put together puzzles. Today he apparently decided that he would nap on it, rather than in his bed.

Add comment January 20th, 2008

Vegan waffles

The Brent Berrett family gave us a lovely waffle maker for Christmas. I first used it a week or so ago with some old Krusteaz buttermilk waffle mix we had lying around. They turned out nicely - crispy and light. We have previously owned one crappy waffle maker that turned out very rubbery waffles, not crisp at all (I think it didn’t get hot enough?).

James could not partake in the buttermilk waffles since he is on a vegan diet (thanks to the milk allergy situation). We have been using a vegan pancake/waffle mix that works nicely for pancakes for him. I tried it today for the waffles, but it didn’t work out - the taste was not bad, but they were much too heavy. Next I tried a vegan waffle recipe I found online, which tasted identical to cardboard. I still need to find something, so I will keep looking. For now he is eating “gourmet” freezer waffles from the health-food section. Mmmmmm (actually, they taste pretty good).

We had friends Liz and Loren over for dinner. Bryan made his delicious Superior Hamburgers, served on ciabatta rolls with Swiss, herb mayo, tomatoes, and lettuce. He also grilled up some potato wedges. L & L brought excellent fresh fruit (pears, pineapple, bananas, and Cara Cara oranges). It was a great dinner. Afterward, while the kids watched videos, we played Blokus (Bryan’s birthday gift from Rus). Fun for all.

After the kids were in bed tonight, we watched 3:10 To Yuma. I had heard that it was violent, and I suppose it is. It’s old-fashioned shooting violence - when a person is shot, they just fall over and die. Very little blood. I liked it a lot. As several reviewers have said, “Princess” (Ben Foster) nearly steals the movie from Russell Crowe and Christian Bale. Gotta think he drew from Jack Sparrow a little for his portrayal.

1 comment January 19th, 2008