Pictures of the week

Couldn't help but post my favorite moments from the week...

Found them lying on the floor reading...melted my heart.

Owen's new favorite thing is to explore the world while standing...he has no idea that leaning too far to one side or the other results in falling.

It's amazing the things that will entertain him: laundry basket + a yo-yo were the winning combination today.

Adventures of a Bath time Bear

Bath time continues to be one of your favorite things. The anticipation of getting in that warm water is enough to drive you crazy! You love trying to catch the stream of water falling from the faucet as the tub fills. You are brave, sticking your face in the water to blow bubbles. You kick your feet and splash your arms vigorously whether on your back or tummy, I'm not joking when I wonder if you will be an Olympic swimmer some day. You are smart; you've figured out how to roll over both ways with out getting your face wet thanks to an appropriately positioned arm and shoulder. You make me laugh when you get water up your nose and sneeze in to the water with out fail. Bath time is like magic, when teething or having a cold makes you cranky, plopping you in the water makes you forget. Little Bear you are one of the greatest joys in my life.

Spiced Pork and Apricot Stew

I would like to introduce you to Spiced Pork and Apricot Stew, a recipe I discovered this past fall while perusing through the ever growing folder of recipe pages I have torn from various magazines. This easy jewel of a meal will transport you to Morocco, flavorful without being over-powering with meat so tender you can't help but go back for seconds. You can easily "set-it-and-forget-it" in your crockpot, or toss it all together in a large pot on the stove and simmer for several hours...either way the results are equally delicious with out much work. I have made this stew several times while living with my parents this fall/winter and simply doubled the recipe to accommodate a larger audience.

Spiced Pork and Apricot Stew
Compliments of Real Simple and the kitchen of Mary Frances
Serves 4

* 2.5 lbs boneless pork shoulder or butt, trimmed of fat and cubed
*1 TBSP paprika
*2 tsp ground cumin
*1/2 tsp fresh grated ginger
*1/2 tsp cinnamon
*1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
* 1/2 tsp kosher salt and black pepper
*1 medium onion diced
*2 C low-sodium chicken broth
* 1/3 C apricot preserves (I use sugar free)
* 1 TBSP apple cider vinegar
*2 TBSP cornstarch
* 1 15 oz can of chickpeas, rinsed
* 1/2 C dried apricots, halved
*Extra: your choice of veggies- I've added carrot and cauliflower with success

Cooked Couscous or quinoa, sliced scallions and sliced almonds for serving

1. In a large Dutch oven, toss the pork with the paprika, cumin, ginger, cinnamon, cayenne, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper. Scatter the onion over the pork.
2. Add the chicken broth, preserves, and vinegar to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until tender, about 2 ½ hours. (If using a crockpot, set to low)
   
3. After simmering time is complete, in a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and ¼ cup water and stir into the pot along with the chickpeas and dried apricots. Simmer, uncovered, until the cooking liquid is slightly thickened, 15 to 20 minutes more. Serve over couscous and sprinkle with the scallions and almonds, if desired.

Winterscape

Frozen Bear

2011 started off beautifully. We got 3-4 inches of snow in one hour the week prior to the New Years arrival which then stuck around for an entire 7 days thanks to a cold snap and clear skies. 3-4 inches may not seem like much to talk about but it's enough to blanket the world in soft white, remind Seattlites of our ineptitude in handling snow (everyone else would have shoveled off the drive and walk ways instead of letting it melt just enough to freeze resulting in the walk to your car becoming a deadly ice skating rink), and definitely encroached on a record for snow sticking around in Seattle. Anyway, we decided to capitalize on our fortuitously good weather and embark on an adventure to bask in Winters beauty chasing those beckoning crystal blue skies.

We spontaneously packed up the car with a baby, all the necessary snow items for both adults and babies (which is a surprising amount of stuff), a younger brother and some sustenance and headed off for Leavenworth. Each turn in the road as we climbed the pass was more breathtaking than the last. Each turn also brought the realization that it was FREEZING outside! No seriously, by the time we reached Leavenworth we'd watched our car thermometer hit 6 degrees, then bounce up a degree or two till we reached a balmy 12 degrees.

Once there we discovered the sledding hill. Poor Owen, he must think his parents are crazy. We stuffed him in so many layers he couldn't move, bounced him around the frozen icy streets in his stroller, then made him sit on his Dad's lap to slide down a slippery slope. We sure had fun despite the fact that his facial expressions clearly stated he was unimpressed with our zealous glee in the simplicity of sledding. We can't wait for the years to come when he will actually think we are cool for wanting to push him down a snowy hill.

Galen and the slushy river

Winterscape

I think I'll have...

Still smiling even after all the crazy things we made him do
in the freezing cold!

Owen's 1st Christmas

I don't know who has more fun on Christmas, the children or the adults who watch the children.
I'm sure this year we had more fun than Owen did since he really had no idea what was going on.
Filled with family, food, fun and reflection Christmas is always a wonderful holiday for us.
However, one of my favorite parts of our celebration this year was looking at that
extra twinkle in everyone's eyes as we proceeded with long-standing traditions. Owen is the first grandchild/great-grandchild on my side of the family and the renewed excitement in gift giving was evident.
Having a baby around seems to bring out the kid in everyone...it's infectious.

I find myself at the end of the holiday hubbub filled with gratitude for my family, for their generosity in loving our little boy, and for the most wonderful gift the Lord has given us this year in Owen. We are so blessed.

Christmas Eve- Owen's 1st present. He would not let go of this ball for the next two days.

Christmas jammies with the cousins...soo tired.

Opening Owen's stocking...

Matching red flannel shirts with Uncle Elias.

Christmas Trucks

Owen was introduced to his first toy truck this past week thanks to his
Great Nana. It was a hit! What may have been even more enjoyable after they were opened was watching these three sweet boys play with their new Christmas trucks.

One thing I absolutely love about our King side of the family gatherings
is watching our two sweet nephews, Jude and Levi, and Owen.
There is such a sweet innocence in which they embrace what have become
beloved and longstanding traditions in the family.
Presents are met with squeals of joy, Christmas goodies are looked at longingly and drooled over,
the beauty of the Christmas tree is mesmerizing. They bring such life to everything we do
and are three of the gifts I am daily grateful for.

Levi



Jude

Santa Baby

Owen meets the true meaning for Christmas...and then promptly stuck him in his mouth.

Plop this kid in front of the sparkling tree and he's happy as a clam.

Owen is a child of many hats. I love them all!

Current stats: 20 lbs according to my scale at home.
He makes faces when his food is warm, apparently he prefers it cold, and is
eating: Lentils, avocado, squash, sweet potatoe, bananas, apple sauce, cauliflower,
pears, prunes, blueberries, rice cereal, peas and green beans.

He recently learned how to pick food up and put it in his mouth.

He loves to mimic our talking and will often say "da da" on command,
although we know he has no idea what that means.
He is addicted to his socks and they no longer stay on his feet.
He would much rather play with things that are not toys and his
Current favorites are measuring cups and tupperware lids.

We are excited to celebrate our first Christmas together although
I really shouldn't have bought him anything and instead just gave him
balls of wrapping paper.