FHE: Building a Pizza

The girls are always trying to help us in the kitchen which sometimes works out well and sometimes not. So we decided that for one of FHE nights we would let them do most of the cooking. We figured pizza would be the best dish and so with a little help from the build-your own pizza section at the grocery store we were all set. Molly took care of the sauce and Neleha spread out the cheese.

Kristy did help with chopping the onions but the girls got to also spread those out along with the mushrooms. Our pizza was finished and ready for the oven.

The results were delicious.........

Another Zoo Class for Neleha

Our investment in Neleha's zoo classes is certainly been returned at least two-fold. She enjoys these classes so much and they make her feel so special, such benefits are priceless. On top of all that these classes provide Kristy a wonderful opportunity to spend a morning with our littlest angel. They have such an awesome time together.

This particular class was about insects and was topped off by Neleha's favorite activity, painting! She looks so cute in her little apron and painting that fresh piece of paper with more confidence than might be expected from a 3-year old. These classes make for much fun and joy for my Sweetheart and our Neleha.

Superbowl XLI Party

Kristy and I have never been real big football fans. Now don't get me wrong, we do love attending college football games but actually being worried about who is leading in the polls is just not us. So it may come to some surprise that we do like following the American tradition of having a Super Bowl party when the occasion arises. We haven't actually done this for many years but this year we were determined. We ran the idea by our awesome friends here in Springfield, the Raymonds and they were "game".

So we joined forces and laid out a spread of food and then watched as the Colts and the Bears battled out the biggest game of the year. The funny thing about this is that Kristy and I had no idea who was even playing in the game until we purchased the big decorated cookie a couple of days prior to the game which bore the helmets of the teams. Like I said it really isn't about the game as much as it is about enjoying an American tradition. We did get to enjoy the big first kick off return touch down by the bears which will probably go down in history as a jinx since they lost, but it was cool all the same. We enjoyed the game and especially enjoyed our friends...good times!

Daddy - Daughter Date at Bass Pro's Hemingway's

Kristy and I decided that we were going to implement something that we have talked about doing soon after Molly was born......it has taken awhile but well worth it all the same. What we have decided to do is hold regular (monthly/bimonthly) nights were we each take one of the girls for a night on the town to do their choice of activities. Our first attempt at this effort went perfectly. Kristy took Molly and Neleha was with me. Molly chose to spend the evening at McDonalds at the playland and Neleha....well she loves Bass Pro, and so we headed for the fish restaurant as she calls it in Bass Pro, a.k.a. Hemingway's.

This restaurant serves up some very good sea food and local barbecue flavor on a buffet that just wont quit. On top of that they have a huge salt water aquarium over the length of the bar which easily captivated my little fish lover.

Neleha was especially fond of what she called "baby lobster" which actually was crayfish but not much difference really. We had an awesome meal and spent some real time together enjoying what my little Neleha enjoys, fish and food.

I later learned that although Kristy didn't get to enjoy the high quality food that we did, she had just as much fun with Molly. And so it was that our first effort went very well at spending time with our little angels.

Snow Bird Trip to Arizona - Best Timing Ever

Using the opportunity that was provided by all of our schools being out for the MLK jr. holiday we headed down to Arizona for what was expected to be a very quick 3-day trip. During our 3 days we had no idea however that we had left Missouri just 36-hours prior to their greatest natural disaster in decades. Missouri received a massive dumping of ice which resulted in the great destruction of trees which ended up knocking out about 85% of Springfield's electricity for at least 5 days and for some up to 12 days. We did not even learn of the devastation back in Missouri until the night we originally expected to leave when my friend Hans told us about the ice storms we missed. We soon learned that our power was out and that many of the interstate highways were closed between Arizona and Missouri. Our 3-day trip was immediately extended and since all of our schools were closed, we had no reason to go back anyway. I wonder if we would have packed differently had we known that we would actually be spending 9-days instead of 3?

During our visit we had the opportunity to spend much time with Collin, we had so much fun with him. The girls sure do love hanging out with their Arizona cousin, they almost fight each other over being able to capture his exclusive attention. They have so much fun.

Dillon is growing faster and faster each time we see him. The more he grows the more he looks like his Daddy. He is certainly a mini-Tony.

A very unique opportunity that being in the Safford area that we took advantage of was visiting the childhood home of Spencer W. Kimball. He was our head church leader back in the 70's and 80's. I always thought it was so cool that I grew up in the same town as President Kimball. The town neighbors Safford and is called Thatcher.

Spencer Kimball was known for his faithful service to the Lord, always standing up for what was right regardless of how unpopular it might be. He stood for principles and he had a love for his people. His kind and undeviating heart and service reminds me so much of our current leader Gordon B. Hinckley.

This year the entire adult membership is learning about the specific teachings of Spencer Kimball which made this little visit to his old homestead that much more meaningful.

My sister Amy invited us all over for a wonderful Barbecue. It was so enjoyable spending time with her and her family, the food was great and the conversation was too.

I must say Amy has made such wonderful progress over the last two years, she has done so well with her marriage and family, I am so pleased with her. She is beginning to know happiness and it really shows.

I had to take the opportunity to get a photo next to her, after all she is the only sibling I have that I can stand next to and actually feel like the older sibling rather than a younger one.

We had a great time with great food, that is what it's all about.

During this visit I wanted to make sure that I took Kristy and the girls back to Roper Lake State Park but this time to enjoy the natural mineral spring hot tub.

Visiting the hot tub was one of my favorite activities as a child and it was so much fun to watch Kristy and the girls enjoy it as well.

Having Collin and Chad as well made the experience that much more fun. The hot tub is fed by a natural hot spring and it felt so good in combination with the slightly crisp desert air.

Before we knew it, the time had arrived for Collin to go back home, we sure did enjoy his visit and it was very clear that he enjoyed his visit with us. We sure do love our little nephew/cousin Collin.

One of the frequent activities that we participated in was of course stopping in at the Water Depot for their snow cones. We couldn't get enough of these things.

We talked Tony into cooking his very famous Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches. We quickly learned why these sandwiches are so famous, simply because they are soooo goooood!

One night we were able to hook up with Hans and April and their kids for pizza and a movie. We watched "Night at the Museum" and then headed for Pizza Hut.

We enjoyed the great company and the awesome pizza. Good times indeed!


Later that night us guys got together again for another game of RISK. We changed it up a little bit which made the game more entertaining but less time consuming.

Hans claimed the victory of this one but we all had a great time playing, as usual, it's not who wins, it's just about playing the game.

Kristy had a great time with Zoe and the girls, they had a great time listening to her iPod.

Kristy and I came across an interesting place in Thatcher. The Rainfire beef jerky roadside stand appeared to have much potential, I mean the idea was too cool. Even if you happen to stop in during a time that they are closed they have a 24-hour vending machine.
We happened to stop in during one of those closed times, but the vending machine offered many flavors of their homemade jerky. We purchased a few of the vending machine offerings but to our great disappointment the quality and flavor was subpar at best and mainly just simply a far stretch to be called beef jerky. Oh well, it was a cool idea.

Carmen's brother stopped over one afternoon after driving up the local Mt. Graham to play in the fresh snow. He loaded up some of the cold wet stuff and dumped it in front of Tony's house. This was very ironic looking back since the day we finally left Safford it actually started snowing and they ended up with a record breaking 10 inches.

Our last night in town we headed up the hill to Safford's finest dining facility, the Branding Iron Steakhouse. Tony had been talking up their ribs all week which they only serve on Saturday night. We originally did not think we would have the chance to try them out but indeed we did.

The Branding Iron not only serves up some pretty good food, it also provides the best view of the Safford night skyline which really sets an awesome atmosphere.

So we gathered for one great meal. Tony was right about the ribs, certainly worth all the compliments he had been awarding all week. We had a great time talking and eating and during this meal we even began some talk about a Grand Canyon trip for Memorial Day this year. Good times and good food!

Kristy looked so beautiful all dolled up which makes me feel so special to be able to parade her around my old home town.

The girls also had a great time, this was certainly a good way to close our very extended trip to Safford.