August 14, 2011

You see my problem is I don't know how to do the fun stuff. I can't post pictures without help and I don't know how to 'decorate' my blog. So perhaps I will get back on the blogging horse and try again. It's a good goal.

WOW! where did the summer go!!! We had some fun.....but never enough vacation time!
We did get a chance to zip down to Arizona with Sterling and Ellen for a quick visit to Gma and Gpa Whites house. We were able to see everyone and took a little detour on the way home to the North rim of the Grand Canyon! We even had a surprise visit from Jean, Joan and company!

Then before you know it August was coming to a close and new baby Claire came and Hiram came home in the same week! WoW was that a bunch of fun! Then EVERYONE came to see Hiram and got the bonus of seeing new baby Claire! It was a great weekend of fun, BBQ's and visiting. Gma and Gpa came up with Jean driving! Beth and Ryan flew in from sunny Cali, and Sterling and Ellen came from Ideeho! It was wonderful and crazy. We had dear friends come to to welcome Hiram home!

Then all of the sudden Hiram had been home an entire week and a half and rushed off to BYUI to start his next adventure! Going to school for the next entire year! His best comment about the experience so far is, "Mom, Do you know what I've learned so far???? If you do your homework school is easier!" He is a genius! He is living with Sterling and Ellen this first semester and then he will land in some apartment and join the single life at BUYI!

In the meantime Stewart has had some great adventures here! He got his braces off and also received his GED and is moving forward with plans to get more school! He is being an amazing uncle and is involved in the singles ward where he is living.

And now today it's hard to believe that Baby Claire is five weeks old and is looking much more filled out and much less like a new born! Everyone has a different opinion about which of the waters kids she resembles! Today I think that she looks like Grace did as a baby!

California....

Mom and Dad came out to visit the Birds for a fun little vacation a few weeks ago. Not only were they able to escape all of the heavy snow but we had great weather the whole weekend...it didn't start raining until the day they left. Thanks for coming we had a lot of fun. Here are some of our highlights of the trip...which included Downtown Disney, San Diego Temple, Old Town San Diego, Golfing (just dad), going to the beach in Laguna Beach and the wyland museum. Thanks for coming out. Hope to see you again soon!!!

Christmas In New Zealand

Good Times in New Zealand

Mango Madness

Lately I guess you can say I have had the cooking bug. Here is another recipe that we just tried. It was super easy and ryan said it was the best thing we have had so far. (the chicken is a little spicy, but not too bad)

Spicy Mango Chicken

1/4 cup mango nectar
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 jalapeno chil peppers, seeded and finely chopped
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
2 teaspoons Lawry's seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon Lawry's Garlic Powder w/ Parsley
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
4 boneles, skinless chicken breast halves (1lb)

In small bowl, combine all ingredients except chicken; mix well. Brush marinade on both sides of chicken. Grill or broil chicken 10-15 mins or until no longer pink in center and juices run clear when cut, turning once and basting often with additoinal marinade. Do not bast during last 5 mins of cooking. Discard any remaining marinade. (makes 4 servings)

Mango & Black Bean Salsa

1 ripe mango, peeled, seeded and chopped
1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup chopped tomato
2 thinly sliced green onions
1 TBS chopped fresh cilantro
1 1/2 tsp lime juice
1 1/2 tsp red wine vinegar
1/2 tsp Lawry's Seasoned Salt

Combine all ingredients in a bowl, mix well. Let stand for 30 mins to allow flavors to blend.

The Salsa is the key....it really adds some great flavor to the flavorful chicken.

A New Recipe

Here is a new recipe that we tried the other day that I thought you might like.

Apple Pecan Chicken Roll-Ups

1/2 c apple juice
1/2 c Uncle Ben's instant rice
1/2 c finely chopped unpeeled apple (granny smith, golden delicious or jonathan are good ones)
1/4 c chopped pecans
3 TB sliced green onions
4 bouneless, skinless, chicken breasts (about 1 lbs)
1 TB vegetable oil

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees. In sm saucepan, bring apple juice to a boil. Add rice, cover, reduce heat and simmer 8-10 mins or util liquid is absorbed. Stir in apple, pecans and green onions. Remove from heat.

2. Flatten each chicken breast to about 1/4 inch thickness by pounding between two pieces of waxed paper. Place 1/4 of rice mixture on each chicken breast. Roll up, tucking in edges. Secure with toothpick.

3. heat oil in med skillet over med-high heat. Add chicken and cook 4-5 mins or until lightly browned; place in shallow baking pan. Bake 20-25 mins or until chicken is no longer pink in the center.

Makes 4 servings.