Fingernail Cutting

This is how we have to cut Miranda's fingernails. Specifically, Daddy has to do it. When Mom does it for some reason, it is pure torture and agony. But when Daddy does it, she's fine with it. Of course, there are fake phone conversations and taking turns cutting each other's nails. Mom tired that, too...Toddlers are so fun,

Independence Day(s)

Miranda is now officially 15 months old, as of July 7th. She is now part baby and part little girl. She has always had a great need to be self sufficient and independent, but even more so now that she is getting older and able to do some things alone. She is so much fun, but she is always busy and wears her parents out before the end of the day. Luckily, she is still taking two naps a day. We'll just enjoy it while it lasts...
So, for the 4th of July, we had a great week of activities. Jeremy took a few days off from work, so that made it that much better. We had a BBQ and watched the fireworks from Sugarhouse, at Holli and Brian's house. They have the perfect view from their backyard. We wanted to try and get some pictures of the grandkids with Heidi's parents, since we don't have any of just them and all the grandkids yet, and this is pretty much what we got:


I think we'll try for a photo shoot on another day. Miranda would not sit still long enough to get a good picture, so the best pictures from the week are when she is oblivious of having to get her picture taken. Here are some of the highlights of our independent baby on Independence Day:


Swimming in the 'pool' with Dad at the Yohos.


Smelling a rose--she loves smelling all flowers, bushes, trees, etc.


Looking at a potato bug.


And finally, a little more exciting picture. We went fishing up to Silver Lake in Big Cottonwood Canyon on July 3rd with Heidi's dad. We had only been there an hour or so, and this moose comes about 100 feet away from us, just playing in the water and walking around. He hung out around us for about 30 minutes. It was really cool, although Heidi was a little freaked out the whole time, worried about getting chased by the moose.

VISITING THE ZOO WITH BACKUS'

I know there is a temptation to make a comment about there being a monkey on Miranda's back...we'll set the record straight...the only thing she is addicted to is having fun!

MY FIRST BUG

What We Need and What We Have

What We Supposedly Need
This is fun to do if you're bored or curious...Just Google "(your name) + needs".

According to Google, Heidi needs:
1. A lifeboat
2. Space and time to reflect
3. Someone to love her

According to Google, Jeremy needs:
1. This analogy
2. Another tool
3. Rest, not surgery

Shoot! Now I know that I should have gone to Home Depot for Jeremy's Father's Day Gift!

Speaking of Father's Day, we had a great time with both our families on Sunday--lucky Miranda got to spend time with both sets of grandparents!

What We Have--the best Dad!
Jeremy is the best 'Dada'! The second he walks in the door from work, Miranda runs to him, gets hugs and kisses, and then becomes his little shadow for at least 30 minutes. It is so cute that she can already show how much she loves him.

Jeremy is the best husband, too. He works so hard for our family, he cooks dinner half the time, he checks to make sure the doors are locked at 11:30 pm because I heard a weird noise, he takes care of Miranda during Priesthood so I can enjoy Relief Society, and much, much, more. He is a level 20 Casanova! I can't believe I got such a great guy!

Here are a couple of "cute dad" pictures.

HARD DAY AT THE OFFICE

A hard day at the office for Miranda as she does everything
from sending emails to checking her messages she is a busy, busy girl. Just ask her mom.

Double Take part Deux!

In response to Brian and Holli's comment,
we sent out a private eye
who captured these pictures of twins separated
at birth. Matthew McConaughaWHO?!?

Double Take

We went to see the new Indiana Jones movie last week, fun stuff. Jeremy enjoyed it more than Heidi (given the fact this was not written by Jane Austen). There were a few moments we had to do a double take. Grandpa Mark looks like Harrison Ford a lot. We call it the "Harrison Comparison". Here's one.

Grandpapa and The Horses

So I told Grandpapa "Please take me to see
the horses; I love them so much"

He said "OK, Lets get a good look"

Daddy says to Grandpapa "I hope you don't put
my baby on top of the fence to get a good look!"


DON'T TELL DADDY

Happy Memorial Day 2008

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free. " --Ronald Reagan

I DO ALL MY OWN STUNTS

Yes Miranda is in training to be a stunt double for movies. We are starting her off young by teaching her how to remove paper from a working shredder.

Wow they grow up quick

So here we have Miranda learning to crawl in the cupboards and shut the door behind her

SUMMER FUN

We decided to make some freezer jam while strawberries were in season.
It turned our to be very delicious.

Here is a recipe that goes great with Jam
Crepes

4 EGGS
1/4 TSP SALT
2 CUPS FLOUR
2 1/2 CUPS MILK
1/4 CUP MELTED BUTTER

Put it all in the blender and hit go until the flour lumps disappear.
Cook and serve!

What's for Dinner?

This is one of my favorite recipes--Minnestrone Soup. Perfect for a rainy day like today! I have tried a few other minestrone recipes, and this is my favorite. It is meatless, which I like, and it is so filling, but you could add meat if you (or your husband) likes to have meat for dinner... It looks like a lot of ingredients, but half of them are just opening up a can and emptying it into the pot, so it's not really that bad. Also, after I make it, I usually have to add more broth/water before serving because all those good things soak up the juices.

Makes about 8 1 1/2 cup servings

3 Tbls. Olive Oil
1 c. minced onion
1/2 c. chopped Zucchini
1/2 c. frozen cut Italian green beans
1/4 c. minced celery (about 1/2 stalk)
4 tsp. minced garlic
4 c. vegetable broth
2 (15 oz.) cans red kidney beans, drained
2 (15 oz.) cans small white beans or great northern beans, drained
1 (14 oz.) can diced tomatoes
1/2 c. carrots, julienned or shredded
2 Tbls. minced fresh parsley
1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1/4 tsp. dried thyme
3 c. hot water
4 c. fresh baby spinach (optional)
1/2 c. to 1 c. small shell pasta

1. Heat 3 Tablespoons olive oil over medium heat in a large stock pot.
2. Saute onion, celery, garlic, green beans, and zucchini in the oil for 5 minutes or until onions begin to turn translucent
3. Add vegetable broth to pot, plus drained tomatoes, beans, carrots, hot water, and spices.
4. Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat and allow to simmer for 20 minutes.
5. Add spinach leaves and pasta and cook for additional 20 minutes or until desired consistency.

Thanks, Emily for this great tag! I am tagging Angie, Tammy, and Rachel to post "What's for dinner", too!

Happy Mother's Day

As we can see Miranda took time
to tell her mommy she loves her.

We had a very fun Mother's Day and Miranda
was so exited to wear her 1 year old dress to show her Grandmas.

Tagged about the Book I'm Reading

I was tagged for a post in April--but incase you haven't noticed, I haven't really been blogging lately, so I just noticed it last night...sorry, Rach. Anyway, here are the rules:

1. Pick up the nearest book (at least 123 pages).
2. Turn to page 123.
3. Find the 5th sentence.
4. Post the 5th sentence on your blog.
5. Tag 5 people.

I do happen to be reading a book right now (that I've been reading for about 6 months now, but nevertheless). It is a classic Jane Austen--Pride and Prejudice.

"Mr. Collins's present circumstances made it a most eligible match for their daughter, to whom they could give little fortune; and his prospects of future wealth were exceedingly fair."

I'm going to tag only three people: Angie, Tammy, and Emily.

These boots were made for walkin!

Lloyd news in a minute by Jeremy Lloyd

Heidi is working at home doing transcription during baby downtime. She still managed to enter a cookie making contest with this plate and 6 others.

Summer is fun because you can have your cake and eat it too.Miranda's first birthday cake(made with love by mommy)

HMMMMM?

!Boo Yea! is there any more?

We are very excited for all of the summer BBQ's and fun at the park. Skip was so excited he shaved off his fur!

Jeremy is also excited that he will be getting his mount from his guided elk hunt last year with his Dad.Mark's Elk Scored 370

Jeremy's Elk Scored350