A quick note about Food Storage

IF your 20 box package of Mac-n-cheese says "best before Nov 2003" than it's probably not a good idea to cook it up or eat it in 2007. I don't know what happened to the "cheese" during the past four years, but it wasn't good. I guess that tells you how much we eat mac-n-cheese. Not because I am such a great/healthy cook, but only because my adorable little Ashlyn will not eat it. I guess I'll have to go buy some fresh stuff for Leah.

New calling

So I scored myself a great new calling yesterday at church. PRIMARY TEACHER. I'm real excited. I teach the CTR A class, so I have the 4 turning 5 year olds. I only have about 4 kids, so it should be really fun. Plus, I'm happy to be in Primary with Ashlyn again.
Paul got a good calling also. He's the wards new Employment Specialist. He's excited since it's something he's never done before.
We've both been asked to speak on Easter Sunday. I think we spoke on Easter Sunday in our last ward also. I think it just has to do with the time of year we happened to move. Too bad I don't have the same topic. HAHA...Just kidding.

Woodland Hills Preschool

Ashlyn's little preschool class ended this past Thursday. They had a party the last day. Here are a few pictures from it. The little boy in the pictures with Ashlyn is her favorite little buddy, Nicholas. It was a good little school. We will miss going there. It's just too far of a drive now.

Ashlyn and Sydney

I'd say Sydney is Ashlyn's favorite cousin, but I think it would upset some other cousins, so we will say Sydney is Ashlyn's favorite cousin named Sydney. They were little buddies the whole weekend. She misses you Syd's.

Movie Star Ashlyn

We started our meal outside, but us "southern Californians" couldn't handle the cold, so we ended up inside. This is a picture of Ashlyn before we moved inside. I think California is rubbing off on her.

Tamarack Lodge

On Saturday, a bunch of the family went up to Tamarack Lodge to go skiing and snowboarding. Those of us who don't ski or snowboard played in the snow and hung out at the lodge. We tried to make appointments at the spa, but they were already booked up. Apparently, it was a popular place. Here are a few pictures of us "non skiers/snowboarders" playing in the snow.

Ashlyn LOVES marshmellows. I know it looks like she is eating her white glove in this picture, but it really does have a huge marshmellow in it.

Aunt Rhonda's Wedding

Last weekend, Ashlyn and I went on a trip up to Boise, ID to see my aunt get married. We had a ton of fun. Boise is a great little town. I honestly think I could live there. Too bad it would mean Paul would have to choose a different career path. Ah....oh well. It rained the day my aunt got married so we didn't get pictures outside of the temple, but here are a few taken at the reception.

Gaby's Mediterranean Cafe

This one is for you Emily.

Last weekend Paul and I went down to LA, to go see a friend of ours in a play. The play happened to be located only a couple of miles away from where we use to live in Palms/Culver City area. So we decided to stop at our favorite little hole in the wall restaurant (B rating even) to get some dinner. It has GREAT food. Best hummus ever and a fun little atmosphere. So if you ever find yourself in good ole' Palms, go to Gaby's. It's at the corner of Venice and Mentone. Just three short buildings and across the street from our first apartment here in California. Ahhh...just about the only thing we miss from living in that area. (except for the few friends we still keep in touch with down there. That's you Karalenn.)

Our Tiny Piece of Earth

Ok, so this is our tiny piece of Earth, for which we are very grateful for. It is...as you can tell...a mess right now. So I took some before pictures so that I can hopefully be proud of our work once we are done. We have started pulling weeds in one corner, but there is still a lot of work to do. I will be sure to post "after" pictures as well.

Great Recipe

So I found this really good recipe in the Friend Magazine of all places. Paul and I both really enjoyed it (and Leah too. Ashlyn wouldn't try it. Surprise surprise), so I thought I would share it with you. Sorry...no picture. I should have thought of that. It's all gone though. Maybe next time I make it.

1-12 oz. can evaporated milk
1/4 cup chopped onion
2/3 cup saltine cracker crumbs
1 tsp. seasoned salt
1 1/2 pound ground beef

1-20 oz can chopped pineapple

2 TBSP cornstarch
1/2 cup cider vinegar
2 TBSP Soy sauce
2 TBSP Lemon juice
1/2 cup brown sugar

-combine first group of ingredients and shape into 1 inch meatballs. Brown them in a skillet over medium heat. Remove them and drain skillet.
-Drain the pineapple and reserve the juice
-in a bowl combine the juice with the last group of ingredients and stir until smooth. Pour the mixture into the skillet and bring to a boil. Cook and stir until thick. Add meatballs. Reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 15 minutes. Add pineapple bits and heat through.

We had ours over rice. Try it...you'll like it.