The McCarthy Family Happenings: January 2010

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Farmer's Market Dinner

Check out my recipe blog for a delicious Spinach Salad and Blood Orange recipe!

Saturday, January 23, 2010

I was at the grocery store tonight and I was approached by an older Hispanic lady. She asked me in Spanish if I spoke Spanish. Me? I thought to myself "totally white, blonde hair, light eyed person speak Spanish?" I was surrounded by others who obviously spoke Spanish, but she asked me.

So this was our conversation in Spanish: I told her I did and she asked me about Parmesan cheese. I took her over to the freshly shredded cheese. Then she asked me if it came in blocks, so I found one for her and handed it to her. She then asks me if that is the best cheese for quesadillas. Really? I kept thinking to myself why would she ask me such a question? I told her that Parmesan is more for Italian foods and pasta dishes, things like that. So she asked me what is the best cheese for quesadillas. I told her that my kids love Monterey Jack in their quesadillas and I thought it was the best cheese for that. So I took her over to the bulk cheeses and showed her the Jack. She thanked me and I went on my way.

Totally random. Out of all the people that were around me that obviously spoke Spanish, why would she ask me if I did? Another situation where my missionary experience in Guatemala helped me to help another...even if it was a random and small thing like a conversation about cheese in Spanish.

Friday, January 22, 2010

Crazy Hair Day!

Today was Crazy Hair Day at Colin's school. His hair is crazy long right now because I am having him grow it out. Mike thinks it looks like Marcel (from Top Chef), Wolverine, and the Heat Meiser!

Colin's 1st Lego Build

Colin's cousin, Ethan got him a Lego helicopter for his birthday. He really wanted to build it after his party was over, but dad went to the grocery store. I was busy cleaning up the house and when I came back into the kitchen, he had built it all by himself! This is Colin's first Lego that he built all by himself...100%...and without any help!

Colin's 6th Birthday Party

We really treated Colin this year (and 6 of his friends) to a Build-a-Bear birthday party. He just wanted to invite boys this year. After all was said and done, it was a really neat party and well worth it. The staff really gave Colin the first class treatment and made sure our party was smooth and efficient. The best party...I didn't have to do anything!

Colin chose a polar bear

Our "builder" making sure that the kids had their "skins" ready to go.

Each kid put a heart into Colin's bear to remind him of his day...such a neat idea. So Colin's bear has 7 hearts in it!

Washing and brushing the animals after they were stuffed.

Colin and his cousin, Ethan admiring their handiwork. The both picked out the same sweater to dress their animals in.

The boys singing a silly song.

All of the boys and their animals. They are all such hams!

One of the neatest things was this autograph bear that all the guests signed for Colin.

After the party at Build-a-Bear, we came back to the house for cake and ice cream and to open presents. Colin wanted a Lego Man cake this year, so that's what I attempted to make for him. I was pretty proud of myself and I think it turned out well.

Unfortunately, the colored frosting dyed all their tongues!

Colin's 6th Birthday

Colin turned 6 on January 13th. We just had a family party with him on his birthday and he got to open presents from mom and dad, Grandma and Grandpa Johnson and Grandma Arizona (who sent cash for Colin to buy whatever he wanted. We finally went to the toy store last night [1/21] and he bought a Matchbox Castle Knight's Revenge playset and a few cars.)

From Grandpa and Grandma Johnson. The robot makes a lot of noise!

The best part about getting Legos is building them with Dad!

Colin's Great-Aunt (my aunt) sent him a really nice shirt, also.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

6 Years Ago Today...

...Colin Brian joined our family. At 6 lbs. 6 oz. he was just a peanut.

He decided to come into this world upside down. At 34 weeks pregnant I found out he was breech and wasn't going to turn around for anybody! After a horrendous C-section he came into the world very quiet. It took a several minutes for him to even make a sound. Can you believe that? Colin? Quiet? He eventually found his voice and hasn't been quiet since.

Since Colin is in Kindergarten, I got make cupcakes for his classroom. I had the option of just dropping them off this morning or bringing them right before recess to pass out. Colin was adamant that I did not come to his classroom and pass them out. He just wanted me to drop them off with him this morning. Really? He's 6 and this is happening already? When I picked him up his teacher told me that he was asking where I was when it was time to pass out the cupcakes. She told him that he had said he didn't want me there to pass them out. Funny.

After I picked up Colin from school he had on a birthday crown and sticker from his teacher. We went to the store and I let him pick out a balloon (Spongebob, of course) and then I took him to McDonalds for a Happy Meal. Tonight he will have his favorite dinner. We will sing Happy Birthday to him and eat birthday cupcakes for dessert. He also has some presents to open from us and other family members. His Grandma Arizona gave him money so he can buy whatever he wants. Of course he said that he wants to spend it at Toys r Us.

Happy Birthday to my Colin. Have a great 6th birthday!

What Happened?

For some reason all of my sidebar info/buttons/links ended up on the bottom of my page. Does anyone know how to fix this?! It's so frustrating!!!!!

Monday, January 11, 2010

7 New Posts

I just posted 7 new posts. The first post is the newest "happening" and the 7th post takes you way back to Katie's 2nd birthday. Take a minute to gander, if you like. You will have to click on the "older posts" button at the bottom of the page to see the last 3 new posts. It's been a crazy holiday for me, in addition to being sick a lot, so I was really behind. With Colin's birthday coming up, I wanted to get caught up. Enjoy!

Johnson Family Christmas

This past weekend we headed up to my parent's house in Twain Harte for my side of the family Christmas get together. I know it's the second week of January, but better late than never.

This is my side of the family...all of us!
Top row: Kayla (my cousin), Jordan (my oldest niece), Mindy (Michael's wife), Michael (my brother). Second row: Uncle Tim, Aunt Michelle (my mom's sister), Jason (my brother), Cissie (Jason's wife), my dad Larry, my mom Kathy, me, Mike and Katie (in arms). Next row: Jacob (nephew), Justin (nephew), Jessica (niece), Ethan (nephew), my grandmother Dorothy Gardner, Jillian (niece), Savannah (niece), Colin, Adrienne (Ryan's wife).

This is my parent's house. They literally live in the forest. That's my Uncle Tim to the left of me and my cousin, Kayla, poking her head up behind me.

Even my 87 year old grandmother (my mom's mom) made it up. Thanks to the efforts of my brothers, we got her up to the main living area of the house (which is the second level) over pavers and uneven forest floor.

Growing up, my parents decked the halls with an abundance of Christmas decorations. This is just a sampling of what the house looked like...upstairs and downstairs. There wasn't a nook or cranny left undecorated.

Each of the siblings (myself and my 3 brothers) picked the sibling and their family just younger than us to give presents to. I got my younger brother, Jason, and his family. They have 3 kids and one on the way. I went mostly homemade on my gifts this year with the exception of new pajamas for the kids. I made each one a crayon roll filled with crayons, and a magnetic fishing game. This is my niece, Savannah. She loved her very own set of crayons and her crayon roll.

This is my 87 year old grandmother. She is my only living grandparent. She has 6 grandchildren, and 9 (almost 10) great-grandchildren. When your grandparent gets to be 87, you don't know if they will see another Christmas. I felt the need to take a picture of her with my kids. I just didn't know if I would get the opportunity to get another one. I don't know what's with Colin. His 2 year old sister can take a nice picture, but her 6 year old brother just had to act up! It's a nice picture of my grandmother, anyway.

We ate and ate and ate. We decided to do a yummy potato bar this year and chili and broccoli cheddar soup. We also had salad and jello fluff and tasty appetizers. We opened presents and played the present stealing game which was a lot of fun.

Snow Day!

On the day before Mike's mom flew back home, we headed up to Sequoia Park to take in the beautiful scenery and the snow. There was a ton of snow up there! Good thing we packed our tire chains because 14 miles past the south gate you had to put them on. We got to the park early enough that there was no wait to get in. When we left the park a little over an hour later, the line of cars at the south gate was at least 1 mile long. There's a lot to be said about the early bird!

Katie loved the snow!

Two peas in a pod.

Mike helping the kids up this little rise so Colin could read a sign that was buried in the snow.

Another reason why I love living in Visalia...these giants are a mere hour from the house,

and so is the snow.

A Visit From Grandma means...

...a pretty new dress for Katie girl that Grandma made.

...a trip to the movie theatre to see The Princess and the Frog and playing on the toys outside of the theatre.

...a trip to Sequoia Park to see the snow because she hasn't been to the snow since the late 1990's!

Grandma's are fun!

Christmas Day 2009

The kids didn't wake up too early Christmas Day. I guess Santa must have thought that the kids were good this year because he was kind and maybe too generous to them. Katie got a kitchen that she just loves, as does Colin. Colin got a neat marble maze that had one too many pieces for my taste. It took Mike ALL DAY to put it together. When Uncle Tim, Mike's brother, showed up later that morning, they tag-teamed putting it together. Way to go on the choice of marble maze, honey! Our family got a few games for the Wii.

Colin and Grandma Arizon (Mike's mom) putting Legos together

Mike and his "winter beard."

I went all out this year and made a traditional glazed ham dinner. You know I put pineapple and maraschino cherries on top! I also made my sweet potato casserole, green beans with bacon and shallots, and rolls.