Garden Delights!

This past Saturday Curtis had a lot of tomatoes and bell peppers from the garden! We decided to try to make salsa. We got on the internet and found two recipes that we would try. This is the only we absolutely fell in love with! It is a Pico De Gallo Salsa. We made a huge batch and will probably be eating it all week.

The recipe is easy:

4 c. ripe red tomatoes finely chopped

1 large bunch of cilantro chopped stemmed

1 white onion finely chopped

2 serrano or jalenpeno chilies finely chopped (we used jalenpeno)

1 tsp salt

2 TBsp of Lime Juice

Stir, cover, put in frig to marinate. We ate it about 2 hours later. Yummy, but next day it was AWESOME!

I also made a 9x13 pan of stuffed bell peppers for Sunday dinner. Home grown bell peppers do not cause burping! So I love them!

My friend was married today!

Today Emily Moeller was married today! She was in our girl scout troop when she was 10 years old in Tucson. Below is a photo of her sister, Allison, brothers Aaron & Nathan.

These were her girl friends from Tucson! I know the three on the right. So here it goes:
L to R: ??, Becky Shipley, Christy Larimore, Jenny Smith. (I don't know Becky & Christy's married names.)

Here is Brannick and Emily Adams coming out of the Mesa Temple. They have a great story. She is an RN graduate from BYU. Brannick has been in private Dental practice in Roseburg Oregon for 3 1/2 years. They met through the internet. They are so perfect for each other.

Here they are at the luncheon. It was at the Landmark Restaurant in Mesa. Terrific food!

Curtis and I sat with Jenny and her mom, Shauna Smith. We had a great time catching up and hearing each other's travel stories! Jenny is a labor & delivery nurse in Orem UT.

What a terrific day! A lot of grateful tears and smiles!

Visit from Jaren

When I pulled into the garage today after our "Preschool Farm trip" but here pulls in Carrie and the boys. Jaren made Grandma (me) a necklace in his preschool and brought it to me. It is so beautiful! I just had to take a photo of these wonderful brothers! Jaren with his arm around Carter. Carter is holding his stuffed animal that he calls his "Coyote"!

Aren't they cute!

Trip to the Farm with a Preschool

Today I went with Christian's preschool to the Talmachoff Farms in Glendale (75th Avenue, north of Camelback). It was very fun for the kids. The farm had animals and some of them the kids could pet. They had shetland ponies, turkeys, goats, pig, cow, ostrich, chickens, ducks, sheep. They had tricycles for the kids to ride, a slide, and picking vegetables from the huge garden and a little train ride (made out of 55 gal drums) pulled by a tractor.

Haven looking at baby chicks.

Each child is given a sack (name in marker on it) to put their veggie finds in. Haven was fascinated with a pinecone she found.

Heidi and Christian eating lunch.

Christian and his carrots!

Haven and Christian posing before the train ride. Haven did NOT want to stay for the actual ride. So she ate her lunch while Christian drove his train car.

Wildlife Zoo Outing

Monday was President's Day and Curtis had the day off. It was great. We had a leisure morning doing a few things around the house...basically waiting for the outside temperature to get warmer. It was really cold in the morning. Once it hit 50 degrees, we headed for the Wildlife Zoo in Glendale, AZ. Curtis had never been before. I had been a few times with the grandkids. It is far better than the Phoenix Zoo ever thought of being. We took lots of photos, but I only put a few in here.

These guys kept trying to sneak through the gate when the train would go through. Reminded me of Africa as I saw some of these beautiful animals!

This one reminded me of Swan Lake in Germany!

I made Curtis go back and watch this baby monkey and his mama. I could sit and watch them all day! They are so fun!

Afterwards, we went to Heidi's and saw the kids, had dinner and FHE with them. A long day, but really nice!

No HOT Water!

Well, I stepped into what I thought was going to be a warm shower last night (I had the water running to get warm) and to my SHOCK...ICE COLD! Apparently our water heater died again! We had an element and thermostat repaired in Aug 2006! Now just 2 1/2 years later...again!???
I heated water on the stove and Curtis had to wash his hair over the sink. I told him...wasn't this what you did on your mission?!!

I have a call into the repair man. I think I want one of those tankless heaters...but this one is still under warranty...so we'll have it repaired one more time! --- Just spoke to the maintenance people...they are coming between 6:00 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. tomorrow morning! Because we have to be to the temple at 10:30 for Emily Moeller's wedding! We will have to find a neighbor to let us use their shower!!

I am spending this morning with little Christian at his preschool field trip. We are going to some farms in Glendale.

Sunday Morning

What a quiet and peaceful morning it is. The rain is hitting the roof - SHOCK! It is actually raining all night and morning here in Avondale! I tell everyone it is west Texas - dustbowl! The rythmn of the rain was so lulling and my nice warm bed.

I looked for the warmest thing in my closet to wear to church...I decided to layer up. I just know the Chapel will be minus 75 degrees my body loves! Quit laughing you snow people!

I have been listening to BYU TV while getting ready for church. I put together a loaf of bread to mix in the bread machine for dinner today. I am enjoying checking everyone blogs this morning. So fun to stay in touch that way.

Oops to St Mary's

I forgot to attach the info on where this food bank is.

Glendale Office: 5605 N. 55th Avenue, one block north of Camelback Road.
Open Mon-Friday 8:00 to 3:00 p.m. They will take Cash or Debit Cards only.

Buckeye Office: 214 S. 5th Street. They are open Tuesday to Thursday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

The general information phone number is: 602-415-5474

Here is what they typically carry:
Pantry Box $13.00 (approx. 14-16 pantry items) Plus 1 free Bonus Box of donated items

Meat Pack $16.00 (6-4 oz Boneles skinless Chicken Breast, 1-16 oz Beef Chub, 1.5 lbs St Louis Ribs, 1 lb italian Sausage = 5.5 total lbs.) Plus 1 free Bonus Box of donated items

Griller $20.00 (2-6 oz Beef Sirloin Tip Filet, 1-16 oz Beef Chub, 4-40z Boneless Pork Chops, 2-4oz Pork Medallions or St Louis Ribs, 4-4 oz Boneless Chicken Breasts = 5.5 lbs total meat) Plus 1 free bonus Box of donated items

Variety Box $30 (this is what I got) (2-6 oz Beef Sirloin Tip Filet, 1-16 oz Beef Chub, 4-4oz Boneless Pork Chops, 2-4oz Pork Medallions or St Louis Ribs, 4-4 oz Boneless Chicken Breats and a Pantry Box, plus 2 free bonus boxes of donated items)

Meat Lovers $35.00 (6-4 oz boneless skinless chicken breat, 1-16 oz Beef Chub, 1.5 lbs St Louis Ribs, 1 lb Italian Sausage, 2-6 oz Beef Sirloin Tip Filet, 1-16 oz Beef Chub, 4 oz Boneless Pork Chops, 2-4oz Pork Medallions or St Louis Ribs, 4-4 oz Boneless Chicken Breasts plus 2 free Bonus Boxes of donated items)

The donated items are from stores like Fry's, Sam Club, Costco, etc...

St Mary's Food Value Club - Food Bank

My mom and my daughter’s wards both have been announcing info about the St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance program called “Food Value Club”. This is a program regardless of race, income, citizenship can go and purchase boxes of food for a nominal amount of money. They were encouraged to go and use it...otherwise they might stop the program if people are not using it.

So on Wednesday afternoon my mom, my sister-in-law (Misty) and I went to the one at 5605 N. 55th Avenue in Glendale today and purchased the $30 box. I also picked up two trays of Lasagna for $3.00 each. Apparently the money we spend on the boxes off sets the price of the boxes a bit so they can give some boxes out to those on food stamps for free. After looking at all this food that I paid $36 total for a value of $100.00 had I gone to a store.

I have taken photos from 4 different angles so you can see what we EACH got.

Here is the written list of what was in the boxes:

10 tomatoes
bag of oranges
bag of grapefruit
2 large Acorn Squash
Romaine Lettuce

2 boxes of Saltines
2 loaves of bread
1 loaf of French bread
blueberry muffins
1 bag hot dog buns
1 bag of hamburger buns

3 tins of Butter Cookies
1 tin of Peppermint Bark (chocolate on bottom, peppermint on top…waaayyyy yummy!)
Marzepan (sp?) in box from Germany

2 French’s Mustard
1 small jar of peanut butter
1 can green beans
1 can mandarin oranges
1 can mushroom soup
1 can diced tomatoes
2 boxes of Macaroni & Cheese “shell” style
1 bag of Corn Flakes cereal
2 cans of tuna fish

1 lb pinto beans
3 lbs pasta noodles

Box of Meat:
1 lb of hamburger
2 -6oz Beef Sirloin Tip Filet
1-16 oz Beef Chub
4-4oz Boneless Pork Chops
3 skinless chicken breasts

Glade oil plug in with refill – Apple Cinnamon scent

24 bottles of Tiger Gatorade (looks like grape flavor)

Then the 2 – 2 lb meat sauce Lasagna that I bought in addition.

The Food Bank order form I have attached has two locations you can go. Notice the Buckeye site takes ONLY CASH. The Glendale site takes Cash and Debit cards ONLY. We tried the Glendale site today. There is enough food for a family for a week with what we got today. I will probably try the Buckeye place in 2 weeks and see if it is different or similar. There are several sites in the West Valley. You can call the info line for more details 602-415-5474. You can also check out the web link http://www.firstfoodbank.org/locations.html

Here is a news clip on this program: http://www.abc15.com/content/news/smartshopper/story/How-to-get-100-worth-of-groceries-for-only-30/aQuTZQT7aUil5dAiV-9sjA.cspx

Blessing Grandchild #8...Little Noelle

Sunday was a very special day for the Arizona family again. Little Noelle Heidi Larkin was blessed by her wonderful dad, Jace! He talked about how special her name is "Noelle" which means Christmas. She is to remember the special qualities of Christmas and to exemplify them in her life as she grows. It was wonderful and she was beautiful and peaceful through it all. It was also very touching to see all that Priesthood power in the circle...Grandpa Curtis, Uncle Jason, Uncle Peter, Uncle Warren and her dad and Bishop McClaws.

Below is the photo taken after the blessing at the Larkin home in the backyard (before everyone ate). Grandma Gibb (my mom) was there along with my sister, Connie, but they were taking this photo for us...so they didn't get in the picture.

Here is sweet Noelle. She is so precious!

This is the Larkin Family: Haven (2) is in Jace's arms, Noelle (nearly 2 mo) in Heidi's arms,

with Christian (4) and Haley (she turned 6 yesterday!) in the front.

We are blessed with incredible children who are teaching their young to walk in the ways of the Lord. Who could ask for anything more?!

Crazy Hectic Week

I keep thinking I should write on my blog...but I just have a crazy schedule that I think is probably NOT interesting to anyone. Monday and Tuesday I spent all day at Estrella Vista Elementary School reading to every class in the school (K through 8). It was great. I read some really fun and interesting books. I ask the teachers to provide the book so it fits their curriculum. Then Tuesday after school, I went to the School District office for updated photos. Our photos hanging at all the schools were really old and the board members have changed. So that was fun! Then on to a special Board meeting that ran from 4:30 to 9:00 pm. I was so tired by the time I got home.

Then Wednesday I went to my CES class. Yes, this is the same class I went to when I was teaching Seminary. But I want to continue learning about the New Testament! The last three Wednesdays we have been studying ACTS and learning about Paul. I learned a lot that I never knew or it didn't register before. He was an amazing guy. Reminds me of Alma the Younger! I think it would be cool to meet him! I was home for a couple of hours (tried to nap...but couldn't...brain just to busy!!!) and then Curtis and I had a quick dinner.

Then off to our City Board we serve on. It used to be called the Waste Water Advisory Board for the City of Avondale. City Council changed the name and added more members to the board. It is now called the Environmental Affairs Commission. This seems like a much better "Agenda" type meeting than the old one. I think it will be fun and interesting to give in put to the City Council and Mayor for our town.

Today...I am doing what I do on every Thursday. Clean house. Do laundry. Iron. YES I still iron. I do not like my husband looking wrinkled at church! or anywhere! I have also been learning (with Curtis) how to sell Stock options. So I did my first trades today. A Bit scary. But mission accomplished. Now we will see how we fare.

I am now off to make "Amish Friendship Bread". One of my seminary students gave me this at the end of last year. It is wonderful! I found the recipe on line and am making the entire batch...then I can freeze the loaves to give away or serve later. I have a crock pot of white beans and ham hock with bone cooking. It is making the house smell great! Making me hungry.

So...not a very interesting life. Just busy. Keeps me out of trouble.

Haley receives Award

This morning Haley was receiving a couple of awards at school. She received an award for reading over 100 books, and "She works hard and always tries her best" award.

Grandma Gibb (my mom), Christian, and Heidi waiting for ceremony.

Haley with her awards afterwards.

Little Haven with Heidi (her mom) before award ceremony.

The guy in the blue shirt up close is Haley's teacher - Mr. Matsura (sp?). You can see the Larkin Family and Grandma Gibb across the room sitting on the 2nd row of bleachers. Jace showed up just in time and sat in the front row - Haven on his lap.

Birthday Breakfast

Yesterday was my daughter's, Heidi, birthday. She turned 30. Wow! I remember when I turned 30 and had 4 little ones and it nearly drove my Uncle crazy! How time flies. Heidi's kids are so adorable. This morning I treated her to breakfast and little Haven (and baby Noelle) came as well. Haven is spittin image, action, maners of Heidi! She is sooo cute! Did I say she was cute?! We met at TJ's which is a mom & pop little restaurant here in Avondale that has been around forever. They only serve breakfast and lunch. We had a great breakfast and visit. Seems like life goes waaaayyyy too fast. We need to do this more often! I just love Heidi. She is a terrific mom! Happy Birthday Heidi!

School Board President

Seems like when one door closes...being released from Seminary at Christmas Break...a new one opens. Last night I was elected by my fellow board members to be the President of Littleton Elementary School District #65 School Board. I have enjoyed being "just" a board member and doing my part and being involved an active! Now, as President is a bit fearful. I guess as I learn the duties in time I will feel more comfortable with it. I have a great board and the ladies there are really knowledgeable and terrific! I truly enjoy working with them.

An "Hakuna Matata" DAY!

Saturday (yesterday) we picked up Haley and took her to see Disney's Broadway show of the "Lion King". This was her Christmas present. As the animals came on stage (people in extremely incredible costumes) she was so excited! I had opera glasses and she was glued with them. We sat in the first balcony so we had perfect view of all the animals and stage. The black looking necklaces around our necks were FM receivers...we heard every note, word, etc... clear as a bell!

Here we are after the show outside by the billboard.

Here is Grandpa and Haley afterwards. Everyone around them were waiting to take their turn with a photo by the billboard. You can see Curtis is holding my purse and coat so I could take the photo!

Afterwards we went to Applebee's for dinner. We had a lovely visit with Haley and reviewing the show and our experiences.



So you can see...we had a Hakuna Matata day!

Avondale Boards, Commissions, & Committees

Last night Curtis and I went to the reception at Avondale's City Hall to say goodbye to Chuck Wolfe who served as City Councilman and Vice-Mayor for the past few years. While there we saw the new hand out for signing up for City Boards and Committees. Curtis and I serve jointly on the Environmental Board (formerly Water Board) and I serve on the Captial Improvement Plan Citizen's Committee.


Notice on the left side - there is our photo! Together! So we had to bring this home and share it with you.

Burglary

My parents home, in Buckeye, was robbed last week. It seems the person took all my mom's jewlery and my dad's new Battery Charger unit. Stuff they could sell fast - probably over ebay! So yesterday, I spent the day taking photos of everything in our house, and especially my jewelry so I can get it on my home owner's insurance! It is just STUFF but I would rather be prepared than not. Like my mom said, it is all her memories - some items were from her mother who is now beyond the veil. I have items from all around the world and I certainly wouldn't be able to go back and buy it all! So I challenge all my friends and family to log your items!! Take photos so you could show the police what EXACTLY is missing should you ever have that happen to you!

Seeing the Phoenix Area

Friday, Jan 2nd, Curtis had his last day off of work. We took a day trip to go see some of the sights of Phoenix that we had never seen before. We started off at the Wrigley Mansion. This is the Wrigley who invented the Wrigley Gum - Juicy Fruit, Double Mint, etc... He was born in Pennsylvania in 1865. I was so surprised. He built this home in Phoenix for his wife, Ada. He had a home on Catalina Island, and in Chicago. He died at this home. The tour for the Wrigley Mansion is by appointment, costs $11.00 per person. Children under 5 are free.

This following photo is the front door. Curtis is standing by the door. The house was so huge, I could not get but just the door in the photo.

This is the back area. It is all terraced with patios.

This is the grand foyer with stairs and chandelier. You can see they still had some Christmas decorations set up. By the time the tour was over most of the Christmas items had been removed.

From the Mansion you can see the Biltmore Hotel. Mr. Wrigley owned it! So we decided to drive down the hill and go walk around and see the Biltmore. Wow! I can see why people go there. I never did find out how much it costs to stay there.

This is a real Gingerbread Church! The roof tiles were about 4x7 size gingerbread!

This is one of the grounds between the Hotel wings. Each wing had a different landscape. Between one was a pool, another golf, another fountain, another more gardens, etc...

Here is Sandi standing at the Chess/Checker game area. the grass is mowed in between the cement. The playing pieces are plastic...in the old days they were actually carved wood. The checkers pieces were off to the right. They were red and black round cushions!

After touring around the Biltmore Hotel, we decided to check out the Phoenix Mountain area. It is only a couple miles from the Biltmore. It looked fantastic. If any of you like to hike, this looks like a really safe place. There are lots of ramadas with places for brickette bar-b-que. You can rent some of the ramada...with music permits, etc... There were lots of trails going off in all directions. I only saw one bathroom area.

This is the view from the Phoenix Mountain. You can see some of the red roof tiles of the ramadas on the left side of the photo.

We had a great afternoon. Then we went to Paradise Bakery for lunch! Absolutely wonderful!

Oh! And to top it all off...Curtis and I watched the University of Utah play Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. This is the only football game we both have watched EVERY PLAY! Curtis is a UTE grad. We were thrilled that Utah won!!! Go Utes!

New Year's Day

Carrie, Carter, Jason and Jaren stopped in at dinner time (they brought their own pizza) and we had a fun dinner with them. Curtis and I had hamburgers on the grill...yummmm!
When it was time to go home Jaren wanted a funny face photo...so here it is:

Carter is starting to talk more.

New Year's Eve Party

I have posted several photos from our FUN Family New Year's Eve Party last night. Only Jason and Heidi's families were able to join us. I thought I heard Peter say on the phone (he was at the store shopping) that the kids were throwing up and they didn't want to contaminate anyone.

So the rest of the family came over about 5:00 pm. Grandpa cooked his famous yummy waffles! Jace cooked bacon. We had a great New Year's Eve dinner. I was surprised. Each little one ate almost 2 full waffles (4 squares) of Grandpa's. That tells you how good they were.

As you see from this first photo...Noelle slept through the next half hour of noise making! We started about 6:50 pm.

Grandpa and I went to Party City earlier in the day. Grandpa checked out every aisle and had to get the perfect stuff for all 5 kids to have a great evening. We purchased glow in the dark bracelets, streamers, silly string, noise makers, and whistle-like noise makers. Here are the adults trying to pop the bracelets and hook them together so they can glow. Each child had 2.

At the beginning of our evening (after eating) we had the parents draw a Memory of a vacation or event in their family and the kids had to guess them. Heidi drew Disneyland and Haley guessed! Jason drew a train and Jaren guessed their trip to Utah. Jace then drew this photo of Christian when he broke his arm. Christian was so excited with the photo of him, we had to take a photo of it!

Here are the 5 kids on chairs. Grandpa thought if they each had an assigned chair it would make for a more orderly noisey event! They had their horns, whirling noise makers, whistles in their mouth ... but not yet the bracelets!

This next photo is after Grandpa sprayed all the kids with silly string. Haven thought she was stuck with a bomb or something. She had terror on her face. We had to hurry and get it off of her. The rest of the kids loved it! Haven had fun cleaning it all up and giving the remains to Grandpa!

At the end of the evening - here is Jace with his three kids...Haley, Haven, Christian. Some how we missed getting Jason's family in one shot.

We had a great time. They all left about 7:30 pm so they could put their little ones to bed. Then Curtis and I cleaned up, ran an errand to the Drug Store for a member of our ward, then we can home and drank bubbling Apple cider from the Jordan's and watched the New Year ring in in New York City. Then we went to bed! What a Mormon New Year's Evening!