A Great Way to End a Christmas Break

We had a wonderful Christmas filled with family, friends, music, fun and surprises.  Even though we looked forward to all the festivities that come with the season, we were anticipating the arrival of some very special people.  

Wednesday, December 28th, Grady Conway  arrived in all his glory.   Weighing in at 11 lbs 7 oz, and measuring 22 1/2 inches, he captured our hearts and put us in awe.  Can you believe he was induced a week earlier than his due date?   

Mr. Cy is so excited to finally get a brother.  

Welcome to the world and to the family, sweet Grady.

Not wanting to be left behind for long, twelve hours later, Langston Tuiasoa  was born.  He weighs 7 lbs 14 oz and is 21 1/2 inches long. He too was born a week before his due date.  I have a feeling he'll be called  "Link" since that's what his brother and sister have been calling him for the past 5 months. 

As you can see, he's in good hands with his 4-year-old sister, Keiti.

Look at that sweet boy!  Welcome Baby Link!  

I'm in Grandma Heaven!

Music and Christmas

I love Christmas music, especially the songs about Jesus, shepherds, wise men, and silent and holy nights.  I admit that when the Christmas music is played on the radio stations in November, I listen to that station.  There's something magical, emotional and nostalgic that comes from music.   

I found an old hymn book that was used many years ago while my children and I were taking piano lessons.  Our teacher was an octogenarian named Dott Lowder.  She was tiny, single, talented and very patient.  We loved her.  She deserves a post all to herself so I'll save that for later.   This book is a real treasure.  She always fingered the songs we played.  She felt that we needed to learn the hymns well enough to play for church and she liked to add a little something extra to make them more elaborate.  You'll notice on Silent Night she has written G G.  Those are the "chimes" and they need to be played with a light staccato.

You'll impress those listening unless you lose your place after playing the "chimes".  Believe me, I know. You'll also want to be sure the song is written in the same key or your chimes will sound awful! Believe me, I know.

Music can calm a troubled heart and a fussy baby.  The Corbanator knows how to entertain Baby Neil with his own rendition of Jingle Bells.

Take a lesson from Corban; if you forget the words, be sure to back up and sing faster to get over the part where you made a blunder, then end with a flourish.  Your audience will love it!

Enjoy some Christmas music today and if you decide to play Silent Night for your family, be sure to add the chimes.   (You're welcome for the music lesson)   

These Things Make Me Smile!

Here are a few pictures of things that have made me smile this week.  Some were taken by me, some were sent to me.  

Andy, Miss Em and Mr. Cy at the Mo Tab Christmas Concert.   Em and Cy were SO good to sit through the whole concert even though it was WAY past their bedtime. (It was past mine too)

Newlyweds, Jeanette and Julio decorated their apartment for Christmas.  One day they may have a REAL fireplace for hanging stockings.

The sentiment on Baby Neil's shirt is so true!  Who wouldn't want to kiss those adorable little cheeks?

This picture was taken shortly after Kels discovered that Keiti's make up is REAL!!

If I had my Christmas shopping and wrapping done, I'd really be smiling.  Hope you're more ready than me!  Have a good week!

Wedding, Friends, and a Recipe

My last post was about my new Smart Phone.  Just FYI, an hour after I posted, my new "Smart" phone broke!  The touch screen didn't allow touching.  I've been a little reluctant to post about things I like, or brag about new things I have or people in my life.  Who knows what will happen within the hour?  

Hopefully, that was just a quirk because I'm posting again!

Lots have happened and I can make this post a super duper long one or make it a condensed version.   

As you know, Camille got married in November...on a cold, cold, day!

 A few weeks later, she had an open house in Rexburg, on a cold, cold, day! I've decided my camera doesn't like the cold because it didn't work.  I couldn't get one single picture of the happenings that evening.  However, I felt some warmth when I met 2 of my favorite blogging buddies. I also pilfered these photos from their blogs.  I admit it.  

I met Kimmie for the first time that night.  She is  friendly, warm, generous, and an all around good person. I love that lady.  Her husband, Tracy, and their son, Ethan also came.  What a pleasure to meet all of them.  Ethan is a great kid!  He had me smiling the whole time we talked.  You should go to Kimmie's blog to get a recipe for the cinnamon almonds she gave me.  You'll also find a plethora of other recipes, food storage ideas, and all kinds of fun on her blog.

Tauna and her husband and granddaughter came to the open house.  I've met Tauna before and couldn't wait to see her again!  She brought me huckleberry and apple syrups! We had a good visit, when I wasn't chasing grandkids!  It's wonderful how we can bond with our blogging friends and feel like we've known them forever! I hope to be able to see more of these ladies since I will be visiting their city more often.

Just another example of how close we can become to people we meet online. My daughter, Jill, is expecting a baby this month.  She was given a baby shower by a group of people who follower her on Twitter.  

The woman who had it at her home had never met Jill before!  

(She's obviously a good artist!)

Here is a recipe for a pasta salad that we served at Camille's reception.  It makes a TON and it's so good and pretty!  I've made it a couple of times since the reception and taken it to parties.  I've had several people ask for the recipe but you get it without even asking! It's perfect for Christmas eating because of the red and green ingredients.  

Pasta Salad

1 12 oz. pkg bow tie pasta

1 12 oz. bag of multi-colored pasta

1 cup grapes cut in half /or craisins

1 1/2 cups chopped celery

4 green onions, chopped

1 can drained  pineapple tidbits

1 cup cashews

3 cooked chicken breasts, cubed

1 cup mayonnaise 

1 bottle Kraft coleslaw dressing

In a LARGE pot, cook both bags of pasta until just tender. While pasta is cooking, cut up grapes, celery,  onions and cooked, cooled chicken..  Place in a LARGE bowl.  (Did I mention this recipe makes a ton?)  Drain the pineapple and add to the other ingredients in the bowl.  Drain pasta through a colander and run cold water over the pasta.  Place well-drained pasta in the LARGE bowl with the other ingredients.  In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayo and coleslaw dressing.  Pour over ingredients in the bowl.  With a LARGE spoon, stir until everything is coated and delicious looking!  

The last few times I made this recipe, I didn't put in the chicken.  Be prepared to feed an army or have lots of leftovers.

One more thing.  

I get to go to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert Friday night! (Try saying that 3 times fast) 

Nathan Gunn and Jane Seymour will be performing!  

I'm very excited!

How Smart is Your Phone?

A few weeks ago we changed from T-Mobile to Verizon because our daughter, Jeanette, works for Verizon and could get us a smokin' deal on the service.  She talked me in to getting a Smart Phone with the data plan. 

Last week I had to deliver some things to a near-by city.  I had the address and figured I knew where it was.  After driving around for 15 minutes in a futile attempt to find the street, I remembered my phone and called the number to the place and asked how to get there.  The woman who answered asked where I was, then told me where to go (you know what I mean). None of her directions got me to my destination.  It was getting dark and I knew I'd be in big trouble if I didn't find it soon.  I was beginning to think I needed some divine intervention and then it occurred to me that my Smart phone could help me find it!  Duh!! I checked it out on map quest and found the place! 

 Welcome to the 21st Century, Connie!

I discovered the voice feature on my phone and have been using it to type texts and emails.  However, the texts don't always match what I say.  For instance, I snapped a picture of the beautiful flowers in the back of my car that we were transporting to Rexburg for Camille's wedding openhouse.  I sent it to Andy with the message, "Can we fit these AND all the cupcakes in the truck?"  It came out "1015 at cupcakes in the truck?" 

The next text was with a picture of everything packed in the back of the truck.  I said, "Everything's tucked in nicely!"  It typed, "Everything text in my sleep!"

Sent an email to a woman in our ward to see if she got her visitng teaching done.  I said, "You able to see your ladies this month?"  It typed, "We able to see your dating this month?"

Maybe I should take the gum out of my mouth before speaking.