Dangerous Nap

Ty has stopped taking naps but sometimes will get so tired he falls asleep in odd places. I quickly moved him from this spot! I could just see him bouncing down the stairs as he turned over in his sleep!!

Christmas

 This post is an acknowledgment that Christmas did come to our home last month. Our 'live' tree wasn't so live by Christmas morning and has convinced us to start looking for a fake one. We've never had a tree die on us the way this one did.

Lucas and Ty got lots of fun toys but LOVE these guns from Santa. We had a wonderful, relaxing Christmas day in which we snacked on food, watched football, and kept track of the score of the GFL championship as our Yoda's took the cup for the second year in a row. I didn't like beating Grandpa Garner but it is fun to be the champs again. Merry (very late) Christmas from the Jeppsens.

Chicken Pot Pie and Other Thoughts on Food

As a teenager my mom made a good effort in teaching me how to cook. I didn't really want to learn and fought her most of the time. I even remember her making me cut up a whole chicken once and I complained so much she never had me do it again. Then I went to college and I cooked a little but Steph was there. I remember inviting boys to dinner and then telling Steph they were coming so that she could make dinner. Obviously I wasn't always the best sister. Bryan and I didn't get married until we were in our late 20's. I made chicken pot pie for him once when we were dating. I REALLY needed my mom's help to do so. After we were married I did make dinner but it was the easy things I knew how to do like spaghetti, tacos, breakfast dinners, and roast. Eventually we moved to Utah and something happened to me. I realized that if I ever wanted chicken pot pie or pineapple rice or homemade cinnamon rolls that I would have to make them myself. Sooo--I learned how to make those things and I learned how to make them so that they taste like my mom's. It is one of the blessings of moving away from my mom that I am giving my family memories and traditions in food. I'm also bringing new recipes into our home as I've learned that I do enjoy trying new dishes. Some I only make once but some are becoming new family favorites.

Sunday I made chicken pot pie. I make two--one for Bryan and Lucas with only chicken and potatoes, and one for me and Ty with carrots and peas (which not only tastes better but looks prettier too). For the first time Lucas ate two pieces and told me it's one of his favorite dinners. I hope that someday he will let me teach him how to cook it so that he can share it with his family.

Christmas Has Begun

Last night the Utah Jeppsens got together for our annual cousin party. We ate lots of good food, Rob had some fun games, including the candy bar game, and they kids all got to open their cousin gift. I think everyone went home with something they loved which is pretty impressive.

This morning Ty was ready to open his gift and start shooting!

Pinewood Derby

 Last week was Lucas' first Pinewood Derby. Lots of time was spent on making the car look 'cool'. Lucas did a drawing and then Bryan went to work on the paint. Lucas helped a bit but I think Ty helped even more!

Lucas came in 6th out of 10 boys but the race was so fair that none of the boys felt cheated. Bryan learned some things that he'll remember for next year and Lucas now has a car he loves to play with.

Number 9

 Lucas turned nine years old last week! He is such a great kid and so we wanted to do something fun that he would remember. We let him invite one friend (I only do friend parties every other year) and he chose his friend Matthew. We went to the Brick Oven for dinner and he opened up his gifts after we ate. They brought him an ice cream sunday and made him stand up on his seat while they sang to him.

 The funny thing about this picture is there is one just like it from last year when he got a Colts Collie jersey.

 This year it was a BYU jersey he wanted. He likes to tell people that the number nine isn't for Jake Heaps but still for Austin Collie.

Then we all went to the first BYU basketball home game of the season. We had a great time. Things I love about Lucas are that he is very tenderhearted and loving. He tries hard to do what it right. He is a natural leader. He loves to draw. He is an excellent student, excelling in math, spelling, and reading. He can talk and talk and talk, and often I feel like I need to tell him to take a break! (I think I now know how my mom must have felt about me sometimes--he obviously gets this from me and not Bryan.) We love Lucas and that he is a part of our family! Happy birthday Lucas!!

Halloween 2011

I know this is almost a month late....but here is a little video from our Halloween. Each year Bryan adds something else to the house.