Thanksgiving Traditions

I started what I hope will be a new tradition with the Barrett cousins this Thanksgiving. We had a sleepover the night before Thanksgiving. We made gingerbread houses and other neighborhood building (oh yeah, and they were graham cracker houses, but it is really about the candy right?) Then on Thanksgiving morning we walked around Greenlake. 3 miles is quite a long way for short legs, but we all made it. Then we had Thanksgiving at Aunt Maren's. It was a delicious day!






(Paige's is an ice rink, in case you can't tell.) Mine is the shopping center.

Happy Thanksgiving

This has been a month where it has been hard to be thankful. It seemed like everytime we turned around something else expensive would break. The short list of major things that went wrong this month started with the minor, but expensive accident that I got in. Then, the iPhone broke. Then the computer died. Then we had to get 2 new run-flat tires (and those babies don't come cheap)! Whew. But, when I go through and reflect on all those major things...there is something to be thankful for in each one. In the car accident, no one was hurt! We had $200 in deductible rewards, so that helped too. Allstate was very prompt and helpful and the van looks better than ever. We found a place to repair the iPhone for less than it would have been to trade it in to Apple (it did take longer, but we are thankful to be learning patience). The computer died, but the hard-drive was salvagable. And we were espeically thankful to my brother Dave who dedicated a day to the project of getting us back up and running on our old computer (which I think we will be using for awhile). Finally, we are thankful that the slow leak in our run-flat tire decided to become a fast leak while the tires were on sale for $50 off. We are also thankful to Shorewood Wrestling, Qwest field and major league soccer, Dick's Drive in, and Seattle City Light for providing Derek with PLENTY of off-duty work to help cover the expenses. It has been a cloudy month--but those clouds, on closer inspection, have had beautiful silver linings.

Bonding

It was so fun to have my siblings (minus Emily, who is in China) here with us for a couple of days. This is my favorite thing that I got on video. Brian got some other good ones that I hope he will share to put on the blog.

More Adorable Ladies

I admit it, this year I am SO excited for Christmas. I bought a whole bunch of Christmas decor on sale last year after Christmas and I can't wait to put it up. I also have Christmas dresses from both Grandmas for the girls to wear. I broke down and had the girls wear the ones from Grammy Norton to church today. I caught a few pics as we were rushing out the door. They are both laughing here (in case you couldn't tell). Libby LOVED this picture when I showed her.

My Little Ladies

We had a fun morning today. This was before Sarah managed to climb into the fireplace and get her new onsie all dirty. Libby is giving Sarah a "kissy."

Libby's New Hat

I asked Libby where she got her "hat".

"It's from Aunt Maren." She said.

Awesome. Thanks Aunt Maren. I didn't know you were into dirty washcloth hats :)

Bad Luck

We are just having a streak of bad luck. I have hit--not one but TWO parked cars in my van in the last 3 weeks. The first was a backing into scratch. The second one was pulling into a parking spot. (Notice I am using passive voice here to help me feel less responsible.) Anyway, check out the van's hot new look. Ouch! The hole in the bumper is where the warning sensor used to be--that was supposed to protect me. But I was going too fast. The sensor started beeping as I started hitting. Darn! At least the other cars in the incidents didn't need repair. I am now a proud Allstate Platnium member, meaning I pay a bit more so I can have accident forgiveness every time...since it seems there are going to be more times. Wow. This little repair is going to cost the around $1300. Thank goodness for insurance! (Derek's iPhone is also in for repairs. We just aren't having good tech luck.)

Got The Killer!

The SPD shooter has been captured (and shot) by SPD.http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattle911/archives/184612.asp
Check out the story. It is pretty interesting how they found him. They captured him about 15 minutes after the memorial service for Officer Brenton ended.

Uncle Budd's Bread

It is appropriate that the week I finally feel like I have figured out the way to make Uncle Budd's bread without a bread maker, and managed to type up my findings, is Veteran's Day week. What an amazing man Uncle Budd was. For readers who don't know, he was my grandmother's brother. He was a POW in WWII. His journals from that era are inspiring. He came home to raise a wonderful family and live a life of service. One of the things he did was make the bread for his ward to use in their sacrament service every week. His recipe is amazing. I hope you will try it and enjoy it--thinking about a man who knew the meaning of service and sacrifice.

Uncle Budd’s Bread Formula—all whole wheat
Without a Bread Maker
Modified by Tricia Randall Norton, great-niece

Ingredients:
2 cups warm water
2 Tbsp. yeast
4 Tbsp. sugar
2 Tbsp. butter
4 Tbsp. gluten flour*
½ tsp. salt
6 Tbsp. olive oil
½ cup honey
5-6 cups whole wheat flour
Additional flour for kneading, (can be white or wheat)

Directions:
1. In a 4-cup liquid measuring cup add 2 cups warm water, the sugar and yeast. Allow to rest for 5-10 minutes. The yeast should be bubbly before you proceed.
2. While waiting for the yeast, in a large mixing bowl add butter (softened), gluten flour, salt, and 2 cups of the flour.
3. When the yeast is ready, add olive oil and honey to the yeast mixture.
4. Then add the yeast mixture to the dry ingredients.
5. Stir in the remaining flour.
6. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes. Add more flour as necessary to knead, but you will finish with a soft and sticky dough.
7. Wash your large mixing bowl, dry and grease with olive oil.
8. Put the dough back into the mixing bowl, turning once to cover with oil. Cover with a damp dishtowel and allow to rise around 60 minutes, until doubled. (Here in Seattle I have to turn the oven on under the mixing bowl or my bread never rises).
9. Punch down dough and let rest for 10 minutes. Then shape into 2 loaves.
10. Let rise 30 more minutes while the oven is preheating to 350.
11. Bake 25-30 minutes, until loaves are browned and it sounds hollow when you tap on the top. If loaves are browning too quickly, place a sheet of foil over the loaves.

*I found gluten flour by the cornmeal and other interesting flours in the health food section of my local grocery store.

Libby's Favorite Outfit, Animal, and Dance

Today I got some good footage of Libby doing "Bye-Um-Pum-Pum" while wearing her favorite outfit (a slip that was made for me--and the only thing she will wear in the house, in fact, she is sleeping in it right now, over her pajamas), and dancing with "Andrew" her favorite toy of the moment. In case you haven't seen the Happiest Millionaire, I included the actual dance for your viewing pleasure.

Sarah's Speaking!!!

Sarah has been mimicking sounds for awhile now, so it was hard to say when she said her first work. But now it is clear. She definitely says "Hi!" It is so fun to have her say it when you come into the room. She still does more high pitched screeching when she first sees me, but sometimes she says "Hi!" She can also say "Mmmm" for "Moo" when you ask what a cow says. She can sort of, sometimes, do the fish. She also growls sometimes for the lion.
She also has another horrific diaper rash. Oh potty training...please come quickly!

A Hard Day

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattle911/archives/183801.asp

It has been a hard day for the Seattle Police Family.



Derek spent most of the night guarding the scene of this horrific crime. It really makes me appreciate the blessings that we have as an eternal family. It also reminds you to give everyone you love a hug today--because you never know.

Happy Halloween

We had a fun time this Halloween. The girls wore two different costumes each since they dressed up 4 times total. They were both witches and they were both princesses. I didn't think of it until now, but how appropriate for children this age. The costumes capture the two personalities that alternate in their little bodies :) Derek and I were Happy and Grumpy dwarf to go with the little Snow White. Libby loves Belle, but she kept trying to decide if she wanted to be Snow White, Ariel (look for this one next year) or Belle. I helped her decide on Belle. I made these collages of them in their cute costumes.