Birthday Boy

Thanks Uncle Andrew, Aunty Samantha, Hana and Lane for the great presents. I love them!

Damian got a blow up speed boat full of balls and he thought it was great! He hops in and out of it all the time.

We went to the park for a picnic on Damian's birthday and he loved the lamington that we had.

We had a party a week after the actual birthday. Damian got so many new toys, I don't know where I am going to put them all. Damian had a great time and really enjoyed all the attention.

I made this whale of a cake, it did not turn out quite like the book but at least you can tell what it is.

Pina Colada Parfait

In my ongoing quest to find non-dairy, corn-free food that Lane can eat, I've invented a new dessert recipe (not like a 1-year-old needs more dessert options). So, here it is:

Pina Colada Parfait

Jell-O Layer:
1 large box pineapple Jell-O
1 small can mandarin oranges
1 small can crushed pineapple

Make Jell-O according to package directions. Add drained mandarin oranges and pineapple. Pour into a pretty dish and let set.

Coconut Custard Topping:
2 1/2 T tapioca starch (or cornstarch)
1/2 cup sugar
1/8 t salt
1 can coconut milk (Chef's Choice brand is best)
2 egg yolks
1/4 t vanilla

Combine tapioca starch, sugar, and salt in saucepan. Add coconut milk and cook over medium heat until mixture thickens and boils. Temper the egg yolks by adding a little of the hot liquid to the yolks in a separate bowl, and stirring them quickly. Then add yolk mixture back into saucepan. Cook another 2 minutes, being careful not to boil or curdle the eggs. Add vanilla. Cool to room temperature.

When Jell-O is set, top with Coconut Custard. Let chill 2 hours, and enjoy. YAY!!! A yummy, creamy dessert that is non-dairy!

Travel

Hello!

I thought it was about time I put something up on this blog so here are some photo's from my recent trip overseas. I arrived in London late June and then went straight to Paris for a few days with Dad. Dad went home and I stayed for another month travelling around England (London, Oxford, Bath, York etc). I stayed with friends in London and Reading then met up with Ken, Sue, Judy etc for my time in York. Sue and I also met Grandad's sister Mary (see picture) and one of her grand-daughters and great grand-daughter (the baby - Lola). Travelling was a brilliant experience and one to be repeated in another place and another time...hopefully in the not so distant future :) Jen

Favorites Fall Swap

My friend Kristen just told me about a fun idea, a Favorites Fall Swap. You can click on the button below for more info. For our friends in Oz, a Springtime Swap sounds just as fun!

Random Sam

Well, I've been tagged by Kristen, so I have to post 7 random things about myself. Anybody who knows me knows I'm terrible at any sort of chain email/tell about yourself sort of thing. But just for Carrie, here are a few random facts about me:

Stupid things I've done:
(1) Watched the 4th of July fireworks, and a spectacular lightning show, chained to the top of Red Slab climb in Rock Canyon.
(2) Repelled out of my bedroom window, anchoring the rope to the toilet of our very old apartment.
(3) Broke up a fight at Denny's (see below) between two crack addicts and a motorcycle gang.

What I was like as a kid:
I used to read the encyclopedia from cover to cover. I think I even got grounded once for reading too much.

Jobs I've had:
Dry cleaning clerk, waitress at China Chef Cao (now condemned by the health department), waitress at Olive Garden, receptionist for waste management company, waitress at Denny's (scary night shift), PR assistant, executive receptionist, clerk at dysfunctional mortgage company, PR assistant for Tony Robbins, office and payroll assistant for BYU Grounds, Evaluation Assistant for BYU's CID, writing teacher at BYU, editor/evaluator for very bad LDS fiction, Business Manager for CID, editor for Independent Study, independent ghost writer/editor, script writer/producer for television series, Director of Operations for Roots Television

Car accidents I've had:
(1) A mentally unstable man stole his parents' car when they said they were putting him in treatment. He fled on the 805 Freeway during rush hour, driving between the lanes and pushing cars aside. I think he hit over 50 cars, and one of them was mine. They finally chased him down by helicopter, after the axle broke on his suburban and he fled on foot.
(2)Someone backed into my car the week before my wedding.

Best vacations (in no particular order):
(1) driving to Utah with my grandparents when I was 10. My grandma packed a giant Tupperware tub full of cold carrot sticks and sandwiches, and my grandpa drove the entire way with his left indicator on.
(2) Rafting with Uncle Steve and our extended family.
(3) Yellowstone - both times.
(4) Moab with Andrew when we were very first married. We didn't do anything fancy, but spent some of the best time together just hiking around. What would it be like to have time alone again?
(5) Caravaning in Australia. We drove north up the east coast from Sydney to Cape Tribulation. If you ever get the chance, rent a bungalow or camp the night at Ellis Beach.

Guilty Pleasures
Andrew's mom just sent us a huge package of goodies from Australia. While Hana took a nap, and before Andrew came home, I ate two of them and hid the wrappers in the trash. Then I closed up the box and pretended we hadn't opened it yet.

Biggest Fears
(1) being asked to join a pickup basketball game
(2) murky water (really, just sharks)

I'm not sure how many people read our blog either, especially since I'm such a security freak, but I tag Andrew, Jane, Pat, Laura, and Melissa.

The a la Menthe

So, anyone know what movie this song is from? I'll give you a hint: capoeira.