B for Backpacking: Ty and Erik were invited to go backpacking in the Uintas and even bought new gear. He also bought me a backpack and informed me we were going to have a new hobby. How do you declare a new hobby before you’ve even tried it? I’m thankful he enjoyed himself and the money wasn’t wasted. Baptism: Erik was baptized and confirmed in June. Blogging: Yes, I caught the bug last November after lurking on several for over a year. Tyler's been after me to tell my family and friends about it, but how do you do that? "Hey, everyone. I have this blog like 10,000 other people and would really like you to take time out of your very busy lives to read about me, Me, ME." No, this blog isn't really for anyone but myself. BUT, I don't mind if other people want to read it. If you are interested, email me (melissa@learyfam.com) and I’ll send you an invite.
C for Countertops: out with the purple and in with neutral quartz. Love them, love them. Cute Conversation: Nate: "I know 11 times 54. It's 594." Cashier: "Oh, really." (Mentally you really see her wondering if what he told her was true and knowing she was going to go home at the end of the day and get our her calculator.) Nate: "I also know what 10 divided by 4 is. It's 2 remainder 2." At this point I was trying not to smile. As we walked away the cashier said to the next customer: "I bet you didn't know what 11 times 54 was." Tyler has taught the kids the shortcut to figuring out 11 times tables with big numbers. They usually try it out on family and friends, not complete strangers.
D for Diapers: there are no more to be found in our home.
E for Erik: eats, drinks, dreams basketball; is not a reader of fictional novels, but loves biographies and science books. Ear Drum: Nate had a perforated ear drum that needed minor surgery to correct.
F for Friendships and Fishing: No, we aren’t fishing for friendships, but I did get reacquainted with an old friend I’ve known since I was two. And the fishing has been good to Tyler and the kids this year.
G GO FISH!
H for Hard to Separate: Last December we moved Erik and Nate from their shared queen bed to separate twin bunk beds. There was trauma for a day as they adjusted to sleeping apart and wondering how they would talk to each other.
I for Ireland and England: Ty and I got to go for 8 days. Loved the Irish/British accent, the U2 cover band, meeting the people Tyler works with, visiting Belfast where my ancestors are from and where the Titanic was built. Don’t miss all the potatoes they served with every meal. Visited several old cemeteries in Tyler’s ancestral home in England for a couple of days. Hated driving on the wrong side of the road. Scenery was beautifully green and lush. Discovered how easy it was to leave America and what a nightmare customs was trying to get back in. It was a little unnerving not having cell phone coverage or Internet/email access.
J for Jordan River Parkway: We rediscovered our roller blades and love to blade on the parkway, usually a couple of miles to Iceberg to eat and then back. Jr. Jazz: I officially became a “soccer mom” when Erik signed up to play Jr. Jazz basketball and Kiersten signed up for Stansbury Soccer in the spring.
K for Kiersten: she’s learning to like spicy food (i.e. Mexican, Chinese), took 3rd place in the Stansbury Elementary Book Battle and won a gift certificate and field trip to Barnes and Noble, has many friends, becoming a good pianist and taught herself several songs on her violin.
L for Las Vegas: We took the kids on a business trip and thankfully stayed on the west side of Vegas away from downtown. They loved the Mars chocolate factory, the M&M store, the museum, which leads us to . . .
M for Mistaken Identity: Kiersten and I sound so much alike on the phone she often gets confused for me and I for her. She’s had her dad start a conversation before she can interrupt, and I’ve had her friends ask if I can play. MRI: Ash doesn’t need anymore. She just meets with her oncologist once a year.
N for Nate: he started piano lessons, loves to play baseball and is not afraid to catch the ball, reads very well for a first grader, is our tactile child (loves to touch and be touched), can fall asleep most anywhere and often puts himself to bed early when he’s tired.
O for Oreo Truffles: Yum, yum, and oh, so easy!
P for President Hinckley’s challenge: our family completed the Book of Mormon . . . 3 years later, but we did it; Pees-maker: One week we were discussing being peacemakers in our home. Ashlyn had started potty training and said, “When I do pees in the potty, that’s being a peacemaker.” It took me a second.
Q for Quote: “Having a testimony alone is not enough. In fact, when we are truly converted, we cannot be restrained from testifying.”—M. Russell Ballard, Ensign, November 2004. I testify that Jesus the Christ lives. He is the only reason for Christmas. I know the Book of Mormon testifies of Jesus more than any other book. I cannot deny that. I am grateful for the hope that the gospel of Jesus Christ gives me, and I know God does not forget his promises and answers prayers in a very personal way. I testify we have a living prophet on the earth today who is God’s mouthpiece, and I know I am a spirit child of my Heavenly Father.
R for Races: I competed in my first 5K race and am working toward a 10K; Nate competed in his first 1 mile along with Kiersten and Erik. Roundabouts: Hated them in England and prayed through every one that we would survive.
S for Super Money Credit Union (SMCU): Tyler and I wanted to experiment with a family credit union (bank is an indecent word in our home). Our mission is “to teach our members [our kids] how money works, where it gets spent, how to save, how to be charitable, how to budget, how to track their money via a check register.” So far success.
T for Turkish Delight: DETESTABLE! Before embarking on our journey to Ireland, Tyler and I visited the London Market in Salt Lake City to get a flavor for the culture. We discovered Turkish Delight, the food that causes “whomever eats it to feel an insatiable greed for more” (The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe). It takes exactly like a rose petal smells—something to be smelled, not eaten. Ash is the only one who felt that “insatiable greed for more.” In fact she liked it so much, I came home to find she had helped herself to the leftovers.U for Utah Jazz: GO JAZZ. Their games are the only television programming we regularly watch.
V for Violin and Vah-cue-bollary*: Both belong to Kiersten. She started violin and I’m learning along with her. And one day she kept telling me she had vah-cue-bollary for homework. I didn’t have a clue what she was talking about. Can you tell what the word is?
W for Wexbur: “Sister Wexbur” to be exact. That’s a name Ash came up with and likes to call everyone.
X for Xbox: We are probably the only family in our neighborhood that doesn’t have a gaming system. Let’s hope that lasts.
Y for Youthful Observations: Erik gave the bishop his tithing and then watched as a friend his age handed his tithing over to the high councilor sitting two seats down from the bishop. Erik turned to me and asked, “Does everyone have a different bishop?”
Z for Zip Line: Who can resist this fun activity at Grandma’s? (Answer: Ty and Missy! But the kids all gave it a try at the Seamons family reunion this year.)
We wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving and a very Merry Christmas.
“But you know, whatever.”
ooxxooXoXXx**
TY, MISSY, KIERSTEN, ERIK, NATHAN, ASHLYN
*Vah-cue-bollary = Vocabulary
**hug, hug, kiss, kiss, hug, hug, big kiss, little hug, kiss, kiss, little kiss
It’s a Nacho Libre thing, a favorite movie of Tyler and our kids.
It’s a Nacho Libre thing, a favorite movie of Tyler and our kids.
OREO TRUFFLES
1 bag Oreo Cookies, ground in blender or food processor (filling and all)
8 oz. softened cream cheese
1 package Almond Bark (white chocolate candy coating)
1 square of the Chocolate Bark for drizzling
Mix ground oreos and cream cheese until well combined. Roll into 1 inch balls and place onto baking sheet or tray. Refrigerate overnight or until very firm. Melt white chocolate according to package directions. Dip balls into chocolate and place onto parchment paper to harden. Once dry, melt chocolate bark and spoon into the corner of a ziplock baggie. Snip a small corner and drizzle back and forth over the truffles. Let dry. About 30 truffles each recipe.
1 bag Oreo Cookies, ground in blender or food processor (filling and all)
8 oz. softened cream cheese
1 package Almond Bark (white chocolate candy coating)
1 square of the Chocolate Bark for drizzling
Mix ground oreos and cream cheese until well combined. Roll into 1 inch balls and place onto baking sheet or tray. Refrigerate overnight or until very firm. Melt white chocolate according to package directions. Dip balls into chocolate and place onto parchment paper to harden. Once dry, melt chocolate bark and spoon into the corner of a ziplock baggie. Snip a small corner and drizzle back and forth over the truffles. Let dry. About 30 truffles each recipe.
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