Super Saturday

Jason brought back a traditional Kazakhstan costume for the kids. They had fun dressing up with him. We now have a traditional costumes from India, Spain, and Kazakhstan. I think we may have to start collecting costumes from around the world!

Fantastic Friday - A Missionary Returns

What a night! We barely made it on time to see my brother get off the airplane. The plane got a good tailwind and arrived 20 minutes early!

Elder Despain just off the airplane and not quite sure what he should do.



Talking to the kids, it is hard to believe Anna was 4 and Andrew was 2 when he left.



The homemade signs





We are so glad you are home, Uncle Jason! We can't wait to play with you in Provo.

Thursday Thoughts - Jason is coming home

We are in Casper, WY. Tonight at 10:45 PM my youngest brother will be coming home from his mission in Moscow, Russia. My mom and dad went to pick him up, so I came a day early to get things ready. Anna and Andrew made posters this morning and we will go get some balloons before we go to the airport.

I need to reclean my parents house though before we can let the party begin. It was so nice when we arrived late last night, but Anna and Andrew I think have pulled out everything from all the closets. Good thing they get in late tonight!

Workout Wednesday

Here is a favorite quick weight-lifting workout:

Do all the exercises with no rest in between

10 reps barbell chest presses
10 reps barbell dead lifts
repeat

10 reps barbell bicep curls
10 reps barbell skull crushers
repeat

10 reps barbell upright rows
10 reps barbell shoulder presses
repeat

10 reps dumbbell chest flys
10 reps dumbbell bent over rows
repeat

10 reps dumbell bicep curls
10 reps tricep dips
repeat

10 reps lateral raises
10 reps side lateral raises
repeat

That is the workout. It is a nice one if you are short on time and want a full body workout.

Taste of Tuesday - Current favorite breakfast

My current favorite breakfast is adapted from a recipe (Quick banana breakfast to go) from Dr. Joel Fuhrman's book Eat for Health.

1/4 cup oats
1 banana sliced
1 cup frozen blueberries or any type of berry
4 to 6 walnuts broken into pieces
handful of dried currants or other dried fruit
handful of raw sunflower seeds
1/4 cup POM juice

Mix everything together in a bowl and microwave for 1.5 minutes.

Monday Miracles - Blessings of Utah

One of things that I love about Utah is that there are so many talented people that teach lessons. Anna has been fortunate to take dance and piano lessons from wonderful woman that live very close and charge a very reasonable rate. There are also so many people that do preschools out of their basement and the preschools are amazing. It is so nice to be able to walk to Andrew's preschool.

Anna had her piano recital tonight. She did a great job! We are so proud of her and her willingness to learn a musical instrument.

Of course, Andrew had to have a picture taken of him with Bumblebee, who he somehow smuggled into the recital.

And last, I found this picture on the camera. It looks like Anna was having a fashion shoot with Nathan.