Pizza Heaven

We have been making a lot of home made pizza as of late.  It is so much fun to hang out in the kitchen together and make a master piece of pizza.  It is fast and so delicious that you can't say no to it. 

Bella loves when the humans are in the kitchen. When they focus on their projects I get to hang out and sneak a treat.

A day out with Owen

 Owen Gregory Camacho joined our world a bit earlier than planned.  He was born on 2/18/12.  Everyone was expecting him in March but he came when he was ready.  (I think thats the Israelsen side)  I got to spend the day with  him.  He is so cute and little and he had the most fun hair to play with.  His big brother Gavin is a real cheese and likes to tell you all about what he is doing, thinking and learning.

You woke me up?

Ok I'll laugh for you.

Gavin and Owen

Owen looking for Gavin

Happy Family!

Turning a new page

Some of you know that two years ago we were hoping to bring a baby into our home.  Things didn't work out the way we planned and we never got to bring the baby home.  I had started collecting baby items and had a bit of a stock pile when we thought it was possible.  It still amazes me how much stuff you can collect in just a few weeks.

Today as I was looking for things to take to my nieces baby shower on Saturday I had a great idea.  Why not clean out a few of the storage bins downstairs and get that baby stuff to good use.  So, I have been sorting and crying, crying and sorting.  Part of me feels excited to be emptying boxes from the basement.  Part of me is mourning that things didn't work out differently.  I am trying not to look at it as giving up.  I would love to be pregnant and give birth to a healthy little baby but part of me longs for closure and a way to move forward.

Life has taken a lot of turns in the past few years and I know that healing is a very important time of life.  Getting to the healed part may be hard but once I get there I can only imagine how much better I will feel.

Good thing Emily and Kaitlin are having babies. I have the perfect gifts already.

Climb every mountain

or at least your local climbing wall.  Megan, Lena, John and I went to irock last weekend to climb.  It was a lot of fun.  There was a group of scouts working on badges and it was fun to see them loving learning new things.  John and I relate well because we also love to try new things.  Then we were over run by a rude group of teenagers.  Again, glad that I know so many good teens because these kids gave teens a bad rap.  Anyway, we climbed and bouldered and had a great time.  After our muscles were pumped up we fed them a healthy fruit smoothie and enjoyed hanging out together. 

Happy Valentines Day

Kitchen Witch

Today I was visiting my Aunt Connie.  She is a dear lady that I love to visit.  It's like going home to my mom's house.  I can open cupboards and she always has a new gadget or project to share with you. 

Today was no exception.  We were in her kitchen when we found a little witch like doll.  We thought maybe it was a Halloween decoration or project that stowed away in the kitchen.  After we inquired what it was Aunt Connie exclaimed, "That's my new kitchen witch." 

Lori and I looked at each other with amazement.  I had never heard of a kitchen witch.  Aunt Connie told us that she keeps evil out of the kitchen and keeps things from burning.  I told her that I was a week to late in learning of a kitchen witch.  I just burned the day lights out of my favorite medium size sauce pan. 

I came home and looked her up and this is what I learned....


A Norwegian kitchen witch: A kitchen witch, sometimes called a cottage witch or a "Scandinavian" kitchen witch doll, is a poppet or homemade doll resembling a stereotypical witch or crone displayed in residential kitchens as a means to provide good luck and ward off bad spirits.

There is some debate over the exact country in which the kitchen witch originated, some claiming Norway and others Germany, but consensus points to it stemming from older European customs.

"Look who's landed in your kitchen.  Bringing fortune to your home.  It's nme, the lucky kitchen witch your special little gnome.  I'll end burnt pots.  I'll keep meals hot.  I'll do such magic chores.  For I'm your lucky kitchen witch.  Keep me safe by your kitchen door."

The poppet is supposed to depict a "good" witch who inspires productivity and safety in a kitchen, but also counteracts any ill-will directed to the home. It is considered good luck to give a kitchen witch to a friend or family member. So that those unfamiliar with the kitchen witch can understand its meaning, sometimes a note will be hung around the witch's neck stating something similar to:

"The Legendary Secret of Goof-Proof Cooking:
For centuries, Norwegians have hung this good witch in their kitchen. They believe she has the power to keep roasts from burning, pots from boiling over, and sauces from spilling."

I have the smartest Aunt and I am so glad that she is willing to share a bit of her knowledge with me.

Pyro maniac

That's what your neighbors may start to think once you have two fires at your house in less than a week.  I just call it Murphy's Law.  Our family has never been one do things one at a time.  It seems we die in threes, are born in fours, live in sevens...you get the picture.  Matt called me early on a Saturday.  His first words were, "What do you know about home owners insurance?"  This is not what you would like to hear from your brother.  He proceeded to tell me about his garage burning down in seconds flat and then told me about last weeks chimney fire.  He has had his share of fires in the week.  We just happened to be heading to the Valley so we stopped by for a visit.  It was great to spend the afternoon with he and his family.  Visiting, laughing and helping each other.  My favorite part was the saying good bye.  Wayne would tell you I am not one for good byes because they always make me cry.  Well, I did good.  Matt and I said good bye three times.  We used to enemies but I guess what they say is true....Time heals all things.  Matt is a great big brother and I wouldn't trade him for any one else.  I love him and know he loves me.  I know he would help me when ever I needed help from him.

Super Bowl Sunday

Thank goodness the Gillies came by on Sunday afternoon.  We had buffalo wings, Carmel pop corn, street tacos, chips and a great game.  We didn't really need to watch the game because we knew who was going to win.  The commercials were good.  Half time was a great time for Lori and I to go through the cook book and plan ahead for the next meals we had to cook.  In the last few minutes of the game I found the "men" sleeping and not even knowing what was going on.  I say that because I ran into the front room when I heard the Giants get ahead to flaunt my victory and found them asleep and unaware that I was about to win dinner out. 
It was a good day and nothing beats having family stop by for a Sunday visit.  I am reminded of my childhood when my parents would hurry home from church to make rounds to the married kids houses to visit or make treats so the married kids could come for dinner.  Oh, how I loved those Sunday afternoon visits.  FAMILY isn't it about time?