The Yorgesen Family

2009-05-18T10:40:00.000-07:00

Recital time!

Clarissa and Isabella had a great time going to dance on Wednesdays this past year and last Friday we went and watched them perform. Here is a picture right before we left. They both love to dance. Clarissa has a great memory for the routines and would remind the teacher at times what they were supposed to do next and Isabella really feels the beat and gets into it. I on the other hand felt like it was my last day of my senior year when we left the recital......done with that for a while.

2009-05-18T10:20:00.000-07:00

Women's Conference 2009

This year I went with my Best friend Staleen. We had many adventures, one of them being we ran out of gas (we were distracted by the scenery, 0r talking something like that!) A kind Schwann man came to our rescue and brought us some gas from the nearby gas station. We had a good laugh.

All of the speakers at the conference did an amazing job. So much time and effort was spent on preparing their messages and it showed. I loved being there. It was my fifth year and I can't imagine missing a year. I am strengthened and learn so much each year.

Lisa Brown (daughter to Margaret Lifferth) and I...we are second cousins

Me, Margie Lifferth, and Staleen

Elaine Dalton and I

Staleen and I on the first day.

2009-04-07T12:23:00.000-07:00

"I'm a mean 'ole LION!"

Jens was recently in a play. He really enjoyed preparing for it, memorizing his lines and performing in it. He was very successful in delivering his lines so all could hear. He was very enjoyable to watch because of how well he embraced his character. He was well casted for the part since he was such a humorous lion. Many people think Jens is shy....you wouldn't think that about him after watching him perform. He was great fun to watch. Here are a few photos from it. Note: the facial hair is make-up....It was kind of a shock for us to see him with it the first time.....hee hee.

2009-03-15T16:09:00.000-07:00

Winter Wonders:

Clarissa's Birthday Party

Clarissa turned 11 and invited some friends over for a Polar Express ~Hot Chocolate~ Birthday Party. They played musical chairs, ate pizza bread, opened presents and then drank Hot Chocolate while watching Polar Express. The peppermint whipped cream was a hit.

Sledding:

behind a pick-up and this is the driver:

and the riders:

Jens celebrated his birthday:

with a big boom!

Maggie the Nubian Goat had her babies:

2009-01-29T21:17:00.000-08:00

Jens requested Acetylene bombs for his birthday. The booms got progressively louder from one balloon to six. The video is of the sixth. You could hear it echo off the mountain and feel it under your shoes. It really startled me. But Jens and the other boys loved it.

Happy 15th birthday Jens!

2009-01-09T09:58:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

We hope everyone had a nice Christmas, as they reflected upon the birth of our Saviour and enjoyed family and friends.

Ours Christmas was good. We felt blessed to be in a warm home, yummy food and happy children. We only had one accident so far this year (2009) instead of two like last year(2008), so that is always a bonus :)

Jens, a freshman, who will turn 15 on Jan. 25th is enjoying theater. He enjoys plays and performing. He has talent that we look forward to seeing him improve even more these next three years. His teenage humor and antics are emerging and bringing us joy. He takes out the garbage and does his homework with out being asked each day. He enjoys his motorbike and our new dog... Milkshake.
He played football this past fall and enjoyed some of the practices and some of the games, but he would rather spend his time on other things. Luckily he is still into building things, Legos, (not girls as much...yeah! for now) and a fun night for him would be spent with his friends and an Xbox 360. He built a goat ramp for the goats that they love. He cut hay and bailed it up this past summer for his Dad. He asked for a phone for Christmas. Santa didn't bring one but, Clarissa, who drew his name this year surprised him with one.
He also asked for and received his patriarchal blessing this past year. It was a neat experience for him, his parents and grandparents. I like watching him read it and digest it. Listening to the blessing humbled me, he has a lot of potential. It is a neat thing to go into his room at night and see him reading his scriptures in bed. He will be attending driver's ed this coming year and getting his driver's license next year. We know our time is limited with him and we are starting to feel a little anxious. He has a desire to serve a mission and go to college.

Clarissa, 5th grade, just turned 11. We are excited for her! The last three months we have seen her mature and grow past some of the Autism. She has increased eye contact and socialization. She is doing better with conversations. She is getting really good at expressing herself and how she feels. We are working on her voice volume as she does this, if you know what I mean :) She still suffers from anxiety and getting past something she wants to do, versus what a teacher or therapist desires. She is funny and has a great memory, compelled to tell the truth and follow routines. She will unload the dishwasher each day without complaining and rarely being asked. She enjoys watching T.V. , especially America's Funniest Home Videos and going to see movies. She loves Milkshake, the four goats and three cats. Every week she and I drive an hour away for one hour of speech therapy and occupational therapy. We both enjoy this time together. She is enjoying her new friend Ivree and loves her cousins. This past Christmas we learned she is very good at Disney Scene It. She will see a brief clip from some movie and everyone else will be clueless, but she will know which movie it is from. She will go to Mutual next year....GASP!

E. Dain, 4th grade, turned 9 this past summer. He is the peaceful one in the home. Always having the desire to do as his parents and teachers say.Though at times can be critical of those who don't follow the rules...something we are working on. He excels in his school work. He is in the gifted class with many subjects in school, he is a smart little guy and knows alot. He has always been and continues to be a source of enjoyment and usually always happy....but when he is sad and cries, it is earth shaking and the Heavens pour down the rain to mourn with him, it seems. He is quite the chef and will make some impressive things. Food makes him very happy and he will make his family members happy by making them meals. I came home from somewhere on day and he had made the meal for Peter and the children. He has many friends at school and is perfect for his sisters who each need him in different ways. He is very doting on them. He is best friends with his brother Jens. With Jens' increased time in being away from home, Dain found this to be a huge trial this past yr. and really missed his brother. He is adjusting to seeing less of his older brother now ~tear~. He is a brute, physically, and I am glad he wouldn't want to hurt me, because if he ever wanted to ram his head into my abdomen he would probably do some serious damage. Lucky for me he is a gentle giant. He loves scouts every Wed. and helps Jens with the trash..emptying all the trash in the house on Saturdays.

Isabella, 2nd grade, just turned 7 this past summer. She is looking forward to being baptized on her next birthday. She can be very loving, always giving hugs. I recently asked her who she thought was beautiful. She said "MY MOM"! I am happy to say she has good taste :) She has a great sense of style like her sister and she loves clothes, hats, makeup and dressing up to go to town, purse and all. She tends to need the most attention and at times really stumps and perplexes me. We don't know if it is just her, or, if it is because she is the baby of the family....maybe both. She has a talent of sensing what others are feeling and what they need. She has recently started helping me cut vegetables for dinner each night and she and I have both been pleased with this arrangement. She also helps Clarissa unload the dishwasher and if she feels like cleaning, she is an amazing cleaner. She is the best at irritating her brothers and sisters, especially Jens (they have a love/hate relationship).We are starting to see lots of DRAMA coming from her little mind through her moods. Life, either good or bad, seems to be intensified 100 percent for her. She would prefer to not work or go to school unless it is her idea, so this year has been some what of a trial. She usually comes around. (Yikes--Dad and Mom you are probably laughing right now and saying PAYBACK!--please stop! :) Yes, she might be the one that will help me to become more patient. She is quite the skip-bo player and wants to play it often as a family. She loves it when the family is together. She can't wait until she can start attending achievement days next summer. She enjoys coloring, making love notes for us and anything creative.

Peter and I are going to celebrate 16 years of marriage this coming February. We have learned alot from each other and love each other very much.
I enjoy watching him smile in the evenings as I tell him of the cute things the children have done or said. Peter is a hard worker and recently took on a two month job (during his break from farming) at the school to help pay the bills. He loves his family and says his greatest fear would be disappointing me or the children. He serves as the Young Men's president in our ward. This is great because he and Jens both go to Mutual on Wed. nights together as I stay home with the rest of the children. He enjoys farming especially when he is out on his tractor listening to a book on his ipod. He enjoys playing games with his parents and siblings. He cares for everyone and wants the best for everyone.

I am happy. Since 2006, life has been a upward climb for me. Life has felt hard with a miscarriage, appendectomy soon after, pain from Adenomyosis (scar tissue attaching and pulling apart uterus....searing, burning), an abdominal hysterectomy, anxiety after surgery and finally a year worth of finding the right balance of prescribed hormones. Many other trials came on top of all of this and Peter said one night....Wow, you have really been through it.

LIFE FEELS GREAT right now. I feel happier and more excited about life. I have been enjoying the gym at my home and up at the school. Thanks to the hysterectomy I can enjoy the physical activity. I am going to start training for a 5 K.

I serve in the Stake Y.W presidency. It is the best calling and I love the women I serve with. I have also taken on several catering jobs this past year and have enjoyed the creative part of it all....it is all in the details and ambiance. I have really enjoyed my children, husband and family this past year. I also enjoy blogging and reuniting with friends and family on Face Book.

2008-12-22T08:24:00.000-08:00

Blast from the Past

(click on picture to increase size)

Lovin the 80's hair! I was a soph in high school when this picture was taken. David Gemoll (senior on the year book staff) was often taking pictures of me. I was always so flattered by this. This was one of them that made it in the yearbook that yr. He says this picture, the look on my face reveals something about me. ??? I think I was just tired from early morning seminary. I recently came in contact with him on Facebook and he asked if I wanted him to upload this picture for me. I was so excited because my yearbook is water damaged and I can't see half the pages now. :) Hooray for old friends and their uploads!

2008-12-12T12:43:00.000-08:00

Just when you think you know your children, and what they would and would not do.......

As a mother it is hard to listen to the "peer pressure' in the background. Jens jumped several times and said he wouldn't have jumped if it hadn't been his idea. HIS IDEA? Gulp!

A few yrs. ago we went to Peter's brothers (Bret's) house for Thanksgiving. Jens took off with his cousins and a few friends. He said he was going to a gravel pit. To me in my mind I am thinking a mound of gravel, not a mountain, and he never said anything about jumping off of the mountains. He is crazy and daring like his Dad!

2008-12-07T19:31:00.000-08:00

Peanut Butter Cheesecake Recipe
by ShaRee Yorgesen
this was the main recipe I used for the wedding

you can click on the picture to zoom in

Preheat oven 325 degrees
Lay a layer of parchment paper down on the row you are cooking the cheesecake.

I cut parchment paper to fit the inside of a springform pan.

Spray Pam on the inside of the pan, this helps the parchment to stick.

For the Crust:
1 c. graham cracker crumbs
2 c. oreo crumbs
1 stick melted butter
mix and press on the bottom and up the sides of the pan, bake 5 mins
cool

Filling:
4- 8 oz. pkgs cream cheese
1 & 1/2 c. sugar
4 eggs
1 c. sour cream
1/3 c. half & half
1 tsp. vanilla

have filling ingredients at room temp! this is important, prevents lumps. I used my kitchen aid and the paddle instead of whisk, so I didn't add to much air. beat the cream cheese, add sugar a little at a time while the mixer is going at med low speed, drop an egg in one at a time incorporating before you add another. Add the sour cream, half and half and vanilla.

P-nut butter caramel layer:
one can sweetened condensed milk
1/2- 3/4 c. p-nut butter

mix after heating in microwave for up to a min. just warm enough to be able to incorporate together. Some of this can be used for garnish

Chocolate layer:
one can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup choc. chips
1 cube butter

melt in microwave at 30 second intervals stirring each time until warm enough to incorporate together. Some of this sauce can be used for garnish

After the crust is done baking I poured the p-nut butter sauce over the crust. I ususally left out 1/2 cup or more

Then I took out 3/4 cup of the filling and mixed in some chocolate sauce until it tasted chocolatey....sorry I don't have a measurement.. and on some of the cheesecakes I added bits of reeses p-nut butter cups and butterfinger crushed up to the choc mixture

pour the choc mixture over the p-nut butter mixture

pour rest of the cream cheese filling over the choc mixture (filling will go up clear to the top of the pan almost- it is ok)

bake in center of oven at 325 for 1 hour or until knife inserted comes out clean. I turned off oven if the top was getting brown.

turn oven off and leave in oven 1-4 hours to finish. Refrigerate over night before serving.

serves 12-16 people

garnish with the p-nut butter and chocolate sauce/ crushed reeses p-nut butter cups and butterfingers

2008-12-01T08:08:00.000-08:00

Soon...

November has proven to be a very busy month. I will post my recipe for the peanut butter cheesecake soon, as well as photos of everything we have been up to this past month.

For now I need to get some laundry done. My children are wearing the same clothes over and over. I think they are afraid to put it into dirty clothes and never see it again? The joys of being a mother :)

2008-11-10T17:44:00.000-08:00

Peanut Butter Cheesecake

My camera's flash is faulty so these pictures are not the best.

But this is what I have been up to lately :)

I am making twelve of these for Tyler A. wedding reception this Sat.

It has been a good challenge to work through my mind. I made a few different cheesecakes and didn't like them so I made up my own recipe by trial and error. The final cheesecake passed Peter's inspection. (He is really hard to please)

2008-11-06T17:35:00.000-08:00

I love this picture of Clarissa. I always wonder what is on her mind. I love it when she is happy, because life is so hard for her.

Halloween pics: Here is Isabella as a Chinese princess and her friend Ashley as the cheer leader.

Clarissa as the painter. She painter her smock a little at a time the whole month of October anticipating Halloween.

It was a weird Halloween, as it was Jens' first year not dressing up and Dain was with Granny and Papa in Disneyland.

So it was just the girls and I. We went to the church for the party there and then did a little trick-or-treating in Desert Aire. Clarissa isn't as greedy as Isabella with the getting of the goods and wanted to go home after a few houses. We talked her into a few more and then a few more. But when she was done, SHE WAS DONE! :)

2008-11-06T17:03:00.000-08:00

Meet

Milkshake

Clarissa looks like such a proud momma..heee

He or she is half saint bernard and half german shepherd. When we figure out the sex of the dog we will give you that 411 later!

We hope for a good barker to protect the goats and our property.

I am tired from being up with it the last two nights and I bought more carpet cleaner in town today if that gives you an indication of what I have been cleaning up lately. But the children so easily look past the peeing on the carpet and my lack of sleep and just love the dog anyway.... :)

2008-11-02T21:27:00.000-08:00

Since I was going down memory lane with ward dinners.....
I loved this Relief Society Dinner we did. I had alot of help again.
It was luai themed and the colors and tastes were explosive!
Click on the picture to see a larger photo.

2008-11-02T20:45:00.000-08:00

2004 Wahluke Ward Harvest Dinner Memories:

America, Brenda, Lexi and Emily (not pictured Sol, Lindsay, many married women helped also, lots of hands and hearts) Sorry picture is dark!

The meat:

Prepping, the day before and feeding our children:

Hardworkers! washing pumpkins to use as tureens for the cream of pumpkin soup

Emily and Lexi:

Thanks to "my" beehives who are now Laurels who want to do another Harvest Dinner with me in 2008!

2008 Wahluke Ward Harvest Dinner menu:

Cream of Pumpkin Soup

Salad (homemade ranch and french dressing)

Homemade Rolls

Baked Potato (individual containers at each place setting with sour cream/butter/green onions/bacon bits)

B-B-Q boneless Ribs

Pie

Peter and I searched for these photos after a meeting we just had planning out a remake of the Harvest Dinner. My friend Staleen is in charge of activities in our ward and she had fond memories of this dinner in 2004 and wanted to do it again. In 2004 I was serving in our ward YW with the Beehives and thought they could help and learn a few things about making a dinner for lots of people. (Personal Progress activities :)

I will do better at taking more pictures of the progress this year. These events are alot of work but so worth it when people enjoy themselves. It is all in the details and the little bit of extra effort.

2008-10-29T16:30:00.000-07:00

Don't they look GUILTY.

Yeah, You Better Keep Running!

These are my attempted burglars. I looked out my front window yesterday and saw a guy out front in my driveway looking around back. I was going out to feed the goats with my nephew and when I went out back I found the other guy sneaking towards my bike. I asked him what he wanted. He replied "No habla Englis" I started yelling "Who are you, What do you want" He then grabbed Dain's bike and started running with it (which they had brought over from Peter's parents who live next door). I yelled "Drop it, that is my sons" He and the other guy took off down the street after dropping the bike. I called 911. Jerry and Christine were just pulling into my driveway to pick up Seth. They were a great help and followed the guys down the street until the policeman got there. He was flying down our road. The 911 operater thought he sounded fast. Then I saw the policeman run out of his car and chase after the guys into the orchard. These pictures are from Jerry and Christine. The police couldn't catch them. There have been many burglaries lately. Bad time of year for vandalism and theft.

2008-10-14T14:08:00.000-07:00

Crazy (maybe obsessive) about Food Centerpieces now!

We as a Stake Young Women Pres. were in charge of the refreshments for Stake Standards night.

There might have been some anxiety at first for eating off of the cones, but soon

the pillaging began. Lettuce, kale, vegetables,herbs and olives cover the cones below.This is the before picture...

After...

Then for the youth we made a lighthouse out of rice krispie treats, complete with a light at the top and a sign that says Stand steadfast and immovable...A light for others to follow. The boulders were made of donut holes, cream puffs, whoopers, choc. covered raisins and the coconut surrounded the rocks and island. Blue tablecloth water and some gummy sharks and fish. The pretzel rods say "A call to the world, Return to Virtue" We didn't have any leftovers, what you see below was even eaten!

2008-10-07T19:58:00.000-07:00

Caramel Apple with pretzel rod "stick"

I covered large pretzel rods with caramel and chocolate for a stake meeting tonight.

Since I made a big batch of caramel and there was so much of it left over, it prompted apples to be covered as well as the childrens fingers and mouths.

Then I had the thought to use the rods as the stick, I don't touch popsicle sticks~they hurt my teeth! We loved how they turned out!

2008-10-02T11:31:00.001-07:00

Tagged by a friend:

"Five things you may not know about me or that is unique to me"

1. I was bit by a brown recluse spider my senior yr. in high school. (I believe worst damage could have been done if my father had not given me a priesthood blessing.) Skin and flesh becoming mushy spider food has painful meaning to me.

2. I can twirl a pen or pencil around my thumb. It is therapeutic to me now when I am sitting at a table with a pen, I feel I can process info better.

3. One of my favorite things to do (has been and probably will always be) is to come home from church, eat, read until my eyes are drowsy and then take a Sabbath nap. Big SMILE just thinking about that comfort. I missed this dearly when my children were younger and needed more supervision.

4. I served as a Relief Society President at Ricks. (this was where I truly learned that the Lord guides this church ~even at college~)

5. I have a photo graphic memory of words. I recently learned I can spell words backwards from memory. So give me your best shot!

I tag...everyone that wants to do this.

2008-09-20T10:49:00.000-07:00

Election plea of Unity:

(thanks Staleen for the humor)

There are less than three months until the election, an election that will decide the next President of the United States. The person elected will be the president of all Americans, not just the Democrats or the Republicans. To show our solidarity as Americans, let's all get together and show each other our support for the candidate of our choice. It's time that we come together, Democrats and Republicans alike. If you support the policies and character of John McCain, please drive with your headlights on during the day. If you support Obama, please drive with your headlights off at night. Thank you for your participation.

2008-09-18T10:47:00.000-07:00

"Too bad it isn't Halloween yet!"

That was Peter's nice little remark after I saw him and took these pictures.

Peter whacked his head on a bolt while fixing a swather. The Dr. suggested after it was irrigated that it would be better if they didn't numb it because it would then swell and actually sting more.
Peter had them put in 5 staples without anesthesia. He is crazy. He said mind over matter.

If you know Peter at all, you will know he smiles all of the time. When he is sad, hurt, and even mad. I worry about this farm boy.

Of course he went back to work after the staples.

2008-09-17T08:56:00.000-07:00

Let's Drop!

Shake, Shake, Shake, Shake, Shake it!
I have a hard time breaking loose...When I am in "mommy, wife mode" at home, it is hard to remember to be care free, happy, excited, bubbly ShaRee. The family needs the see something other than this...

OR this.....

I need to shake it up around here!

Speaking of Shakin it up around here... I used to be called Shakey in middle school. A substitue teacher mistakened my capital R in the middle of my name for a K and it stuck for a while (especially with the boys~ unfortunately I was already busty at that age). But then my nickname changed to Lif-fluirt in high school. I don't know if that was any more of a relief?

2008-09-17T08:47:00.001-07:00

Somebody got brave enough to pull their tooth....

It has been a relief to us all, really. :)

2008-09-12T19:27:00.000-07:00

Momma's Pizzeria

Isabella has seemed really needy lately. She must feel a lack for doing things as a family? (Aren't our five minute family home evenings sufficing?) :) So I have been trying to organize our lives better to accommodate every one's needs that they voice. I have even been writing down food cravings on a dry erase board.

I checked off caramel corn tonight, that was Clarissa's request.

But Isabella wanted to eat out at a restaurant. (she and Clarissa like to be "wined and dined" ~sigh~ like mother like daughters!) So this was their night they ate at my restaurant. We missed Jens who was at football practice.

My payment was kisses, I would have preferred money :) It isn't very often I get a kiss from this guy, so I thought I better document it.

The menu

2008-09-12T19:14:00.001-07:00

Schools back in session.

Did we even have a summer break? I know we did, we traveled and did so much, but it felt like no time had passed. Getting children ready for school on their first day seemed like something we had just done, yet it had been months...it is just weird!

Jens is in 9th, Clarissa 5th, E. Dain 4th and Isabella 2nd

2008-09-05T19:28:00.001-07:00

Diagnosis is in, lab results:

allergic reaction.

She is miserable, hot, itchy...

Poor girl, bad shrimp, bad mommy...

yes I still feel guilt.

Now we watch for anaphylactic shock.

2008-09-05T11:20:00.000-07:00

She baffles us!

Yesterday in town Isabella kept telling me she was itching....I kept telling her I was sorry and there wasn't anything I could do for her so keep it to herself...I know I get the Mother of the Year award. I took notice in Target when she itched her arm and below it a huge welt like in the pictures. We ran and got Benadryl from the Pharmacy and took her to the Dr.

She awoke worse this morning with the rash spreading to her extremities and face. We are headed to town for some lab work and the Dr. soon. We don't know what it is. Viral or Allergy. I suspect it was the shellfish Clarissa ate for lunch yesterday, Isabella helped shell it for her.

Poor Isabella!

2008-09-03T07:45:00.001-07:00

Before....

After....While the young ones played......

2008-08-31T10:50:00.000-07:00

Daaaaaa Da Da Da Da Da!

Clarissa (top) Clarissa and her cousins (middle) Clarissa and I at lunch before the play..

We girls became more cultured this weekend by attending the Broadway play, Phantom of the Opera. My mother-in-law treated daughters and oldest granddaughters to a fabulous 2 1/2 hours of great music and stage performance.

Clarissa is sensitive to sound. So when the chandelier dropped and they set off some fireworks she dropped her binoculars on the ground. They became unreachable under the seat of the woman in front of her. So we waited for intermission to retrieve them. Bummer! We still enjoyed ourselves.

The "lair" boat scene, complete with the fog and candles, was remarkable. The stage looked like a cave with water. That was a great part. I Loved the Masquerade scene and Clarissa liked Christine when she was singing..."Think of Me". Clarissa noticed the clothes and costumes the most. She kept telling me she would like a dress and then told me ways she could make it more modest. Do I have a future "Shade (modest clothes) fashion designer" on my hands?

Sequel? I read that Andrew Lloyd Weber announced he was working on the musicals sequel, in Feb. 2007, called Phantom: Once Upon Another Time. The sequel was delayed in May 2007 when Lloyd's cat Otto, "clambered onto the digital piano and managed to delete the entire score of the sequel. Lloyd Webber was unable to recover any of it from the instrument, but was able to recall enough of it in his memory to eventually reconstruct the score."

2008-08-25T20:03:00.000-07:00

need a ride anyone?

what if ?

what a mess !

Peter, his father, Jens, Dain and their cousin Kyle went for a ride Les Schwab style. Peter had ball joints and tie rods replaced on Thurs. .....Sat. they came to the conclusion someone didn't put the cotter pin in the castlenut when Peter couldn't turn the corner because the steering went out. Peter had the side of the mountain to stop him instead of the steep canyon that was on the other side of the road. We feel blessed they are alive.

2008-08-21T06:44:00.000-07:00

Pool Par-tay-

Clarissa so looks forward to anything Achievement Days. (I love our church's programs!)

When I first moved to Mattawa 15 years ago, GiGi Calaway and I were the first Achievement Days leaders. (The program was just started in the church for the tweens 8-12) Being a leader took some effort, but as my daughter goes to the activities I have a lot of appreciation for her leaders.

Also I hope they know how much Clarissa anticipates the activities. The pictures are from their annual pool party, this past Tuesday.

Getting Ready to pick up her friend Ivree....

swimsuit on, check.....towel, check.....glasses that turn into sunglasses, check.....Doritos, check........cookies, check

Clarissa and Ivree

Their sisters who wished they were eight,old enough, for the Par-tay!

Pool Party!

Megan, Abby, Clarissa, Ruby, Morgan, Julie, Ivree and Audra

2008-08-18T16:42:00.001-07:00

MAMMA MIA!

Saw it , loved most of it (wished I hadn't seen or heard some of it) but for the most part I have good memories of it.....When I was in Costco today they were advertising the CD and had the songs from the show playing.....I am hooked on a lot of ABBA's songs now.

2008-08-15T11:14:00.000-07:00

Two weeks?

Where did all of the time go?

My sister came to visit....we went to the waterpark for Isabella's birthday, I got over a UTI, My sister and I went to the temple and Outback, Dakota's baptism, Yorgesen family reunion, Jax's baby blessing, "camping" at Mike and Jenny's, Michie learning to ride a motorbike, swimming in the pond, celebrated Frans' birthday and then off to the Raddison for some swimming, sleepover, pizza and a shuttle ride to the airport the next day so we could be with my sister as long as possible before she went through security. I felt so helpless watching her go through pregnant, with three small children, suffering from a migraine and nausea. So sad... and sad to see them go.

Brick and I.....Jens and the birthday girl, Moses Lake water park

Clarissa wanted to know if we could wrap people like presents? Brick and Londyn were good subjects for the experiment.......

Jens left for a 38- miler.....we learned a few things from this i.e. tell mom before the night of, that you need "camping" food for the next three days...hmmmm

He may be almost 15 but it is still hard to say goodbye to him.

He was in good hands with Bro. Sabin and Bro. Acoste (below). I am always grateful for my children's leaders and teachers for all of their time, talents and energies. Thank-You! (Craig Sabin below in green, and his wife, have visited my parents in Columbus, Inidana when they went to pick up his son from the Indianapolis mission. Small world.)

2008-07-28T20:53:00.000-07:00

Memories, What Memories?

Kattie had a great idea....
1. As a comment on my blog leave one memory that you and I have had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me little or a lot, anything you remember.
2. Next, repost these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.

2008-07-23T16:32:00.000-07:00

A celebrity at girls camp?

I only took two photos at girls camp this year and both are of the same picture above....this was the only time I thought to get my camera out...oh well!

Our theme for girls camp this year was..."In all of living have much joy and laughter, Life is to be enjoyed not just endured" (Gordon B. Hinckley)

Nikki, Whitney and Lexi (in the picture above) lived up to the theme and entertained us all with their life size version of the High School Musical star. They brought the card board cut out to flag ceremony in the morning and at night. If I remember right on a colder evening he had a Wahluke Warriors sweatshirt on. Very Funny and thanks for the laughs.

Brooke sent me a picture of her and I floating down the river, this was the only time I was in the middle of the river. Normally I was ping ponging from one side of the river to the other. The river current took me through some trees and I ended up with twigs, leaves and feathers in my hair and mouth......oh and also a birds nest in my hand. Brooke and I had a good laugh over it all. Here I was a leader there and I did worse than the girls.

ShaRee ever trying to float the river....
Brooke.....actually floating the river....watching ShaRee hee hee

After it was all over Brooke and I were laughing so hard at the images of me going through brush and trees that we were crying. Our sides ached from laughing so hard as we wiped away our tears. We hadn't laughed that hard in a long time. It was good for us moms to be up there to remember what it is like to be girls again.

2008-07-11T10:27:00.000-07:00

Returning to work after 25 years....

my dad sent this clip to me, great laugh, Thanks Dad.

Peter and I had Clarissa and Jens watch it to see if they understood the technological difference. They must have seen people using the old typewriters in movies because they both understood her problem!

2008-07-10T13:32:00.000-07:00

"Donnie not stupid, Donnie Stupendous!"

I saw a 'Just Shoot Me' Episode in '99 that cracked me up.

This is Slow Donnie, he isn't slow but acts dumb so he can have an easy life of others waiting on him.... I crack up each time I see it.

2008-07-06T22:29:00.000-07:00

Women's Conference 2008 Provo, Utah

Me, Michie, Mom and Margie Lifferth me, mom and Michelline
Sister Dibb and I

It was nice, we had many laughs, one of them was a not thinking moment on my part by getting us all locked out of our room and no one is clothed decent enough to get help.
Poor Michie, she was weaning her baby and was in some pain.

I really enjoyed meeting Sister Dibb and Sister Mary Ellen Edmunds. Mom and I chatted with Sister Dibb for a long time in the hallway.

I met Sister Dew (she asked my mom "is she always like this?"....mmmm I wonder if that was meant to be good or bad?) and Sister Lant and then my dad's cousins wife Sister Margaret Lifferth.

I love Women's Conference (Thanks Jeannie Gallacci). It is a huge spiritual high and I feel literally as if I could float from class to class. But what made it even better this year was being with my sister and mom. I have wanted them to go for 4 years now and finally this was our year.

The icing on the cake was when our concluding speaker walked out....the Prophet, as we were singing a hymn and the respect and reverence that was shown for him was tremendous. Great experience.

How about BYU Hawaii Women's Conference next year?

2008-07-06T22:12:00.001-07:00

"Japenese Horses"

Tyler and Brayden (cousins) came to spend the night and we knew they were here with the sounds of their bikes and the sound got louder when Jens started his up and he and Dain joined the ride. These bikes open up a whole new freedom for them.

I asked the boys to title this picture for me, one of them yelled the Japenses Horses, ahh farm life.....they like to ride...

2008-07-06T21:55:00.000-07:00

Easter 2008.....Finally

The Easter Bunny didn't bring any toys! Just those great beach towels from Costco, candy and nice spring Sunday ties for the boys and pretty dresses for the girls! The children still enjoyed looking for their baskets.

2008-06-29T21:09:00.001-07:00

I just returned from Indiana,D.C., and New York and for those who said I have forgotten how to blog, I haven't, no.... I will post some pictures and a few tidbits soon! soo tired...getting old....need to unpack......

2008-05-06T10:11:00.000-07:00

Sister Beck.......

I had the opportunity to attend Women's conference at BYU Provo last weekend. (more photos and recount later)
Here is an article on Sister Beck's talk, I have a small quote in there as well.

The reporter tried getting a negative answer from me when I was interviewed.....

She said...But don't you think Sister Beck is too hard on Women?....I said NO! she is meant to serve in her calling right now...we need her bold voice etc.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695276023,00.html

2008-04-27T19:00:00.000-07:00

Got Botox?

Nice! Peter was stung by a bee. He went into the house to get ready for home teaching(how did you know it was the end of the month?) and five minutes later I saw him and he looked like this! Jens came home from Home teaching and we got his reaction.

2008-04-21T12:07:00.001-07:00

Wha! Wha!

Can I just say......I am ready for a blue sky, warm sand and water holiday.....I know, I am having a pity party for myself right now!!!!!! But, If I could be anywhere right now? Snorkeling somewhere hot and then sipping tropical drinks while bathing in the sun the rest of the day. MMMMM......There I feel better already. Now off to do the dishes, laundry etc......

2008-04-04T22:00:00.000-07:00

The children's new responsibilities........

This is Meggie she is 6 weeks old.

This is the pregnant mama Charlotte.

Peter and Jens put up pens in front of our porch, so we can see our new Nubien goats out our family room windows. We love how personable they are.......They follow the kids around the yard. They wag their tails like dogs, very sociable! No babies from Charlotte yet :)

Saturday..
It was an exciting day today Charlotte couldn't have timed giving birth better, it was right in between the morning and afternoon general conference session.....The children are used to kittens that come into the world that don't do very much. They love how the new baby goats already wag their tails, and walk etc.

The children weren't hungry for lunch (except for Dain who loves his carbs) though after all the fluids that came out during the birthing process. Too much fluid for Jens....hee hee

Meet Belle

and.......Joe-Joe (male) Children liked that name from Horton hears a Who...We like his camoflage color.

2008-04-04T10:45:00.000-07:00

Peter celebrated his birthday March 19th. 38, is it possible? Time is going fast. He is a good husband....protective, loving, honest, perfect for me, there isn't a bad bone in his body! I love how he knows how to fix things. I love watching him drive the tractors around. It cracks me up when he mows our lawn with a tractor. Something trivial you may not know about him? He never has cavaties! (He brushes with Dial (gold) soap.)
I made a little video of some pictures of him below. I just can't get the music right to his video though. I can't find music that describes or fits him....I AM OPEN TO SUGGESTIONS!

Check out my Slide Show!

2008-03-22T21:01:00.001-07:00

2008-03-04T10:13:00.000-08:00

Peter dry packed candy 9 years ago to put in our family emergency food storage. We opened the cans Sunday night to see how well preserved they were. The Lemon Drops taste perfect as well as the fireballs and gumballs. The runts taste more like medicine. But all the other sugar candy stored wonderfully!

I was most impressed with the peanut M&M's and the granola bars. (I had forgotten about cinnamon granola bars in a red pkg. they were good!) I thought they would have become rancid from the nuts, but not so! The children thought everything tasted great and loved watching what type of candy came out of each can. The gumballs were fun with all of the colors.....so for future reference if you want to dry pack candy...gumballs brought great eye appeal for all and if we were in need of comfort food it would make everyone very happy.

Slide Show

2008-02-26T19:07:00.001-08:00

2008-02-21T21:52:00.000-08:00

Dain was pretty happy tonight! He said the opening prayer and prayed that those that lost wouldn't cry and that everyone would have fun and a good time. He had a great time and he won 1st place!!!!! Enjoy the video of his last race!

2008-02-21T21:13:00.000-08:00

2008-02-04T19:07:00.000-08:00

Peter's cousin's (Tony Ashton) oldest son, Jacksen Ashton, was killed in a car accident on Feb. 2nd. Tony and Peter hung out as young cousins and Tony was great and sang at out wedding reception in Mattawa.
When ever we have family gatherings the youth seem to hang out and the adults hang out so I don't know him that well. I just loved how he loved his adopted baby sister. I loved watching him carry her around and thought he seemed like such a good brother to not only her but his brother Taryn. On the Trek he would smile at me and would say hi.

Before Jens shot up and became taller than me I loved watching Jacksen stand next to Mary, his mom. He would dwarf her. Jens said every meeting he was in on Sunday, the Ashton family was prayed for--same with Peter and I.

Isabella woke me in the middle of the night last night and I couldn't sleep for a few hours and all I could do was think of Mary. I just kept praying for her and Tony. What are they going through? We are so sorry and we love them.

2008-01-22T19:59:00.000-08:00

I fixed this for the Stake YW Presidency for lunch today. They wanted the recipe and I thought I should share it with you!

Salad Dressing by Mary Craft

1 cup olive oil (next time I make this I will add less)
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
2 garlic cloves minced
2 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Sugar
1 ½ tsp. Dried mustard
2 T. whole grain mustard
¼ tsp red pepper flakes

mix and toss in with salad : Mary served Broccoli, cherry tomatoes green onions and black olives with this dressing. I like lettuce, cucumber, tomato, avacado and purple onion sliced thin.

Zuppa Tuscana revised --ShaRee 932-5663 call if not clear

1 pkg. Jimmy dean sausage (tube) reduced fat
5 medium potatoes (cut in half lengthwise and then ¼ inch slices
1 onion diced
4-5 minced cloves of garlic
5 cups of kale leaves cut in half and then sliced
5 T. chicken bouillon or base
2-3 quarts of water (I added 2 cans chicken broth then filled up the pot with water until the potatoes were covered)
6 slices of turkey bacon cut into bite size pieces
1 cup heavy cream
Johnnys or lawrys 2-3 dashes
1-2 pinches of crushed red pepper flakes depending on how hot you want it. (I added 1 pinch)

1. Cook sausage, bacon, onion and garlic until the onion is translucent or sausage begins to brown

2. Add potatoes and kale and cook for a few minutes.

3. Then add the rest of the ingredients (Chicken base, water, spices) except for the cream

4. Boil until potatoes are done then add the cream and boil for a few minutes more and then serve hot.

2008-01-17T18:56:00.000-08:00

I think some of my bad luck rubbed off on Peter! He was in a car accident almost a week after me. He slid on the ice and wrapped the right side of his pick-up around a telephone pole. The Bishop wanted him to call some priests and take them to clear the sidewalks at the church for a funeral the next day. He thought it was too foggy and slick out and just went himself.

I have a hard time believing him sometimes, I don't know why. He called right after his accident and told me about it and I thought he was pulling my leg. He was mad but seemed so calm.....he is just hard to read sometimes! He still claims he isn't hurt. I just went for a massage myself though...ah very nice. Can you believe there is someone that comes to Mattawa to massage people? I am trying to get Peter to go....so far no luck.

Peter told me he was going to tell everyone I wrecked both vehicles! Nice....Yeah our Suburban and Pickup look interesting parked next to each other in front of our house. I really need to get a picture of them before they get fixed.

The other big news is...

I found a cute white wrought iron bunkbed set on craigslist and we got it for the girls. great price and great quality. The girls have been sharing a King and lately we have been having to many problems. Clarissa's Autistic side will flare up sometimes and cause too much stress on both girls. One morning we heard a fight break out and realized that Clarissa had forced a sleeping Isabella out of bed so she could make it. (making the bed is part of Clarissa's routine she likes to follow). Now we can laugh about it now, but at the time I felt bad for both girls.

2008-01-05T20:01:00.001-08:00

I have a healthier respect for black ice. I feel very fortunate the three youngest and I are here alive and without any broken bones or stitches. Just all black and blue and so sore! I was headed to Othello (45 min. away) when I tried breaking for a corner in the road, fishtailed a few times, did a 360 and ended up the opposite way I was driving down in the borrow pit with the suburban landing on its side. (Peter thought the suburban held up pretty well) As soon as the forces stopped I looked behind to make sure I saw all the children's faces. They seemed fine until they unbuckled and fell to the bottom of the suburban (that was when they probably realized we were on our side).......and I will never forget the scared looks on their faces and their scared sounding voices and cries. They scrambled up to me and I unrolled my window and lifted them up and out of the Suburban. Then two men happened upon our misery and helped pull us all down from the suburban. They were very kind, gave us their coats and another woman came and gave us her flares. The men put them up and cautioned everyone going by that it was slick. I have often thought that if I were in an accident and hurting how horrible it would be to wait for so long before any medical attention arrived. After this accident I realized that time doesn't seem to exist and in some ways speeds up a little. Anyway, Peter and Jens were about to leave for Yakima to play racquetball when his first cell phone call that was breaking up, it went something like this..."wife, car on its side, got the kids out, just got wife out" and then nothing else. Peter had his own trauma in getting to us. But when he did make it to us he had the flat tire of the suburban fixed and we were out of that pit within 20 mins! Peter kept sending Jens back to the pick-up to get things for changing the tire, he was a big help, and I was glad there was at least one of my children ok and able to help.
The children are still talking about it. I assume church should be interesting tomorrow as all their teachers in Sunday school will probably get an earful. :) It is fast Sunday and we will all be fasting in gratitude for our safety.

Side note: I wonder about how our lives are connected. My Dad (Indiana) said as he was serving in the temple on Friday and he had a distinct impression, time stood still and he looked down at his watch and it was 8:15... We figured from cell phone calls that was probably when the accident occurred.
Also Isabella had the same nightmare three nights in a row before the accident, each time waking me up and telling me she had the same nightmare. Thursday night Peter woke too and Isabella told him about the dream....He reassured her that she would be safe and we would always come and find her.........Her dream......that she was standing on the road looking for her family and waiting for them to come and find her. Friday night after the accident she said standing out in the street after the accident waiting for Peter to come reminded her of her dream. I wonder if Peters reassurance middle of Thursday night was a way of giving her confidence and comfort that he would take care of her as she was the one who was the most upset after the accident.

2008-01-03T16:18:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!
I don't consider myself blogger savvy but I create this in hopes of journaling and keeping in touch with family. I wish I would put sending out Christmas pictures and letters at the top of my priority list each year ....instead you can visit here and I will add frequently.

There have been some very reflective moments for me lately. I feel very grateful for the blessings that have been bestowed upon myself and family this past year.

Peter still loves driving those tractors and farming and is serving as Young Men's president in our ward, I had an abdominal hysterectomy (5 c-sections!) three months ago and starting feel a little more like myself, I serve in the stake YW.
Our four children are energetic and full of life. Jens turns 14 on Jan. 25th and acting more like a teenager every day (in good ways and bad :). Clarissa,10, was diagnosed with high functioning autism in October(life is hard for her-though she is doing better). She loves to paint and loves animals. E. Dain,8, was baptized last year and loves doing things with family and friends. He enjoys cousins and many friends at school and is missed when he isn't around. Isabella,6, is very loving and loves to draw (she is always drawing me a picture). Life is great. We live next door to Peter's parents who are currently serving a mission in Russia brrrr. We miss them as well as my parents who live in Indiana but visit often and are great Oma and Opa's.