New Addition to the Giles Family of Blogs!

Look at the blog list--I've started a new Giles Recipes Blog.
First up--Oliebollies!

It's posted by gilesfamily141, just like this one, so you can all add to it anytime you wish. If you post a new recipe, be sure to give it a few different labels. I think that will index them so we can find things.

We'll see if it works.

Attack!

I just had to post this funny picture of the kids attacking Jeff. Thanks Jeff for playing with them. I don't want any of you to leave. I love having everyone here. Thanks so much for coming and being so willing to help me and Amy with so much (like our kids). I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful family.
HONK!!!

Cute picture of my 3 great sisters too.

Mom, thanks for being such a loving, sweet, selfless mother and gram. All your grandkids LOVE you so much- just like your kids :)

Family Pics?

Just Wondering if we want to do family pictures when everyone is here? My friend who is a photographer will do them cheap and she does alot of fun creative stuff. I know we just did them last year. So please leave you opinion in the comments. I say majority rules. Or Mom if she has s strong opinion. B/c MOM'S always RULE! :)
Can't wait to see you all soon.


Mom when are you coming?

Food, Folks, and Fun

Lately I've been eating a lot of junk, as tends to happen at the end of every quarter when I'm too busy researching, writing, and grading to care. So, I decided to finally make a nice, homemade dinner. Cooking meat of any kind is a special occasion for me. Plus I had a vegetable, used some fresh herbs, and had (gasp!) rolls. Even though they were just Brown 'n Serves that I saw at Henry's at the last minute for $0.99.

(By the way, am I the only one who looks for a cent sign on the number bar? They should replace that ^ above the 6. I don't know what you would even use that ^ for...)

Anyways, this is my kitchen. These are my friends. I feel like I never share enough what my life is really like. So, you all know Kelly. And this is Melanie, who just got engaged to Brandon. Congrats to them! Getting married in Feb, so I will move to my own room again when that happens. It's been fun. I'll miss living with her. Krystle got engaged, too, and on the same day. Wowsa!

Anyway, the lemon-garlic chicken turned out well, and I roasted these cherry tomatoes for 10 min in the oven with just some olive oil, salt and pepper. We all agreed it was a nice winter way to eat tomatoes. I think we're spoiled in the product dept here in San Diego though.

Can't wait to see everyone at Christmas! It's coming up quick!
PS--I don't think the pictures are going to show up where I want them. Sorry about that.

Mom wants a goat for Christmas.

How about if I become the service project? I've been thinking about this for the last few days. There's nothing I really need for Christmas, so instead of spending money you don't have on things I don't need, I'd like to choose a charity project that everyone can donate to instead.

I'm in the process of exploring, but I think it will either be one of the groups that provides micro-loans for women in 3rd world countries or Heifer International, that provides animals for families to become self-sufficient. Another alternative would be to feed hungry kids here in the US. I'm still deciding, but that's what I want for my Christmas present.

If you still want to do a service project besides, you'll have to explore what's in the area. I'm thinkin' I want a goat this year.

Christmas Plans

Mom and I wondering what all of your plans are.....

(when you plan on coming and leaving.)

Kate and I were also trying to think of a family service project still too.

I LOVE that idea Rand Thank you!

We can't wait to see you!

Ps. Jeff I have you any ideas?

El Burro

I was at dinner a few nights ago and ordered this Burro, nothing ‘ito’ about it. The menu called it ‘monstrous and gargantuan’. I guess I words were so big that I had to see it for myself.



That is my friend Carries hand next to what emerged from the kitchen. I just started laughing. It was enough for three meals, but I ate it in two.
Life is good.

Games I NOW have...

Apples to Apples (Party Box)
Sequence
Scrabble To Go
Dominoes (full size, double box)

Bring it on, boys and girls!
Can't wait to see Ya'll...
Drive safely.

MWAH!

PS Gas at the station across from Stater Bros was $1.99 today! Drive on!

Games anyone?

Games I have:
Catchphrase (electronic gadget)
Scattergories
Outburst
Encore
Jenga
Pictionary
Boggle

But I thought I might buy another one or two that you especially like. Anyone have a request?

Friday after Thankgiving

Since you all have wonderful brains and great ideas, I'm hoping we can have a brain-storm to figure out pretty specific plans for the day after Thanksgiving. I really don't want to have no plans and everyone just do their own thing that day. We'll all be staying at different places but maybe we could kinda meet somewhere in between. Mom and I talked about maybe going to check out the potential campsite for this summer. I think that's a good idea. Maybe go to the beach while we're there? Maybe do a firepit? Smores? Re-roast some leftovers? My family will probably go stay at Sally's that night. I think that's what we said and then come back home on Saturday from her house. Anymore ideas?

Happy Birthday Miranda!

Here's to a SUPER sister and aunt and daughter on her birthday :)

Hope you get to PAR-TAY

WE LOVE YOU!!!

Our celebration dinner!

Hurray for Prop 102!

Little Talker

Sadie is starting to talk more lately. She tries almost anything I say "say..." to. I discovered "lollipop" last night while we were trick-or-treating. I love how she even copies my "umm.." when I'm trying to think of a word.

Halloween Fun

Here are my kids right before the ward Party.

Tatum- Princess Leigh

Jane- Felicity (Thanks again mom)

Dallin -Batman (notice, No smile he will not when wearing the mask. His favorite part "the eyebrows" that are scowling!

Campbell- Our little Pig

Dan went as a Hippie Dreadlocks and all. I was a Doctor.

He was really late for the party so No pics of us.

Proposition 8 Video

Forgive me if your seeing this for the second time. I just thought this video did a good job at respectfully expressing our views about Proposition 8. I invite you to send it on to people you may know who are on the fence about this issue.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vI-GjWY-WlA

Christmas Plans

Thought that I would move on to the next thing, since we have Thanksgiving planned.


AAAHHHHH !!!!I just erased my whole long and EDITED post!!!!!!!!! (Minus the 1st sentence)

So short version everyone please say when you are planning to be here. Thanks for coming all this way so that Kate and I don't have too we do appreciate it!

Punkin Patch

A great time had by all yesterday at the pumpkin patch. They got to take a hay ride, decorate a pumpkin, feed the goats, jump in the bounce house, and go through a hay bale maze. Best of all- being with each other and of course the perfect weather. Yea for fall break!

An Appeasement

In response to the many phone enquires I received in the last 24 hours I will give you all a little update on my life.
Yes I did go on a real date last night. It was fun. It was not very romantic. We ate at Chilies. I had chicken, he had fajitas. We then went to one of the Festival plays. We both thought it was just ok. His name is Devin. We’ve been friends ever since I moved in. I don’t think either of us are interested in taking it any further than an occasional date at the moment. But it was fun.
In other good news:
I found $20 in my pants pocket earlier this week. Score.
I had a lot of fun driving around up the canyon the other day with a friend, enjoying the fall colors and good discussion. I did lose a hub-cap though.
The weather (until today when it SNOWED) has been lovely.
Mom made me a really cool CD New York CD—I leave on Thursday. Whoot. And I’ll get to see Jeff who kindly agreed to drop me and my friends at the Airport.
Christina and two girls from my old ward are coming with me to NY so I will not be alone. (I will give a NY report when I return)
Work just gets better and better. This week I actually gave an orientation for a play to about 500 students. I first found out about this job while watching my boss, Michael Bahr, give an orientation. (Remember that mom? That’s what I got to do.) This week I got to do his job. It was awesome and I think I did a pretty good job.
I gave myself a little fitness test this week just to see if I would be able to, my wildest dreams, complete a triathlon. I found I could swim 25 laps on Monday, bike 9 long sweaty miles on Tuesday (that was the worst!), do a Power Pump class on Thursday, and run a 5k on Friday. So I guess, if I had a week to complete it, I could do a Tri. Anyway, it made me feel pretty good.
One of my good friends is getting his life together and making me proud by making good choices. This has really lifted my spirits, and sort of restored my faith in men.
I am making a little extra money by working for a couple relaxing hours on the weekends. I show up, put out a sign and sit and read or listen to theatre discussion, and make $25 for an hour or two. Sweet!
We started auditioning kids for our Playmakers show this week. We are producing my original adaptation of A Christmas Carol this December. It’s fun to see something I put together take on a life of its own. I am stage managing the show and I’m really excited to see it on stage.
Life is sooo good. I love you all very much.
This is a picture, not from our date, but of Devin and I as co-hosts at a party entitled ‘Rule Britania Night.’ We met at the school bell tower (nicknamed the Big Benson) played world domination board games (like Risk), ate gourmet food (like Havarti), and spoke in British accents (His idea, mine was the best). It was really fun.

Prop 8

Christmas Names

I drew names for Christmas so I could get started on some Christmas shopping. So here we go. If you don't like who you have then "you git what chew git and you don't throw a fit"

Dan-Dana

Amy-Jeff

Dana-Randa

Katie-Dan

Sally-Katie

Jeff-Amy

Randa-Sally

so there you go it's on the blog and is therefore official.

Give it a Tri?

Looking for something fun?
Who would like to join me for my 2nd Triathalon this December.
I was looking for something to get me working out again. (Campbell is almost 1,ON MONDAY! and has been sleeping all night for months) So no more excuses for me!
Anyway it would be great to have any of you come do it too!
Dec 8th!

Exciting news:

Well, sort of. I have been spending a lot of my time lately working on, and thinking about my Boston University plans. This week things have finally come together. At last, after lots of emails and phone calls, I was able to speak with Michael Kaye, the program director of the Theatre Education MFA. He was really nice and helpful, and seemed to think I had potential as a candidate for the program. Here is the kicker. They only take ONE student a year.
It’s more like a fellowship than a student situation. They choose someONE with an interesting idea that lines up with something one of their faculty members wants to do. It is a mentorship relationship for three years while you/I work on their idea/project.
I told Michael my ideas for being an education director—like my boss—and running a youth/community outreach program and how I feel that in order to this I need to develop my artistic abilities, i.e. Acting and Directing.
I know you all think I’m a brilliant actress, but in reality I haven’t been on stage since high school, and only took one acting class in college. I have lots of great ideas, having worked on lots of shows, but very little actual experience.
Michael seemed to think this direction is wise, and said that their program would be great for that kind of training. Basically I would take an acting classes with the undergrads and then be expected to teach it the following semester. Ha!
I also got in touch with the local theatre’s Education Director (She like my boss) and she is super nice and seems really interested in helping me get to Boston—maybe even just working for her if I don’t get into the program.
So I’m continuing my application—I hate the process. I hope I’ll have it all done by the end of October. I probably won’t know anything more from them until February, and the final decision won’t be until March. Wish me luck.

Playdate

Today we got to have Campbell over to play. And no big (or Bigger)kids were around to provide entertainment. It's pretty funny to watch 1 year olds (almost for Campbell) interact. This is the kind of situation I would have LOVED to be able to observe when I was at BYU. It started out by Sadie giving Campbell item after item. Here's a tinkertoy-

and one of those...thingys

Please take this book. Note the body language of Campbell turning away.
Then I stepped in to help with the entertainment which was good for awhile.

Sadie got tired of that after not too long. "Where's your toes?"

Finally in the end happy with the parallel play (next to each other but not with each other)

Sweet baby girls!

Pack 393

So here's me trying to look cool in my women-leader Scout shirt (an impossible feat) that just got passed down to me. Do I look mom-ish or what? I went to one training thing where the lady was saying leaders should tuck their shirts in since we expect the boys to. I tried that out and it's definetly not going to happen. So, I'm proud to be following in dad's footprints. However, I do hope to not be in scouts forever. For now its fun and I get to learn all about it (and there's alot) before Eli goes into Cubscouts in about a year and half.

Blogging Stuff

OK, I finally figured out how to get back in there and change the settings. I deleted us from the "listed" blogs, so it won't show up when random Italians go blog-browsing in Bologna, but I left it on the searchable list in case someone is actually looking for us. I think "Joyous" was Joy Olson because Betsy asked me for the address the other day so she could let Joy see the kids.

I also added notifications so when comments are posted, everyone will get a notice in your email and you can see when there's activity. It doesn't tell you when a new post is up, only when there are comments made on it. If you don't like that, tell me and I'll change it. I'll send everyone a private email with the how-to's and passwords so you can get on the master blog and change things if you want.

Love ya'll!

Campbell

Mom made a request to see some Belle. She is so funny still not really crawling but she does get around. Like this!! She is such a easy going happy baby reminds me of Jane as a baby. She LOVES the cat and he is just happy to get some attention! He is as good a cat as she is a baby.

So here she is.....(comin up quick on 1!!!)
We are thinking maybe Jack-Jack for Halloween!
Lots of hair
C.T.R. Clip Model

Thanksgiving

So while we're making plans...whats up with Thanksgiving? Anyone? Anyone?

Broadlawn Street Rocks

I've been living in my new HOUSE (woo hoo! Be gone, communal living!) for about a month now. First off, it's super cute, as you can see on the left. And I love having lots of roommates again. Although I may have been somewhat of a solitary, bookwormish child and also a sometimes too-independent teenager, I've realized that I am much too social to live alone. When your one roommate has a serious boyfriend, that's what it often amounts to. Now there is always someone home to have fun with, especially since neither Melanie or I are working yet. Glad I'm not alone in my underemployment. There are 5 of us: Me, Krystle, Melanie, Julia, and Dayna.
And I love my new craigslist find--the rocking chair. I've taken a surprising amount of grief for buying this--several jokes about knitting. I think it's really cute. To me, it's reminiscent of island life such as in the DR where everyone has rocking chairs and sits around in the evenings talking to family and neighbors (which are often the same thing). This area is always shady, thanks to the olive tree, and it's perfect for reading. I've got my stack of books there in the picture, and school hasn't even started yet. Another day in the good life!

Beach Camp

Here's the skinny. There aren't a lot of tent-camping areas on the beach in SoCal. In San Diego Co, I could only find South Carlsbad and San Elijo. They both seem to be rather parking-lot-like from what I can tell, on a bluff up above a l-o-n-g wooden walkway down to the sand. Maybe we can get Sally to go scout them out.

In LA Co., I found Doheny State Beach, near Dana Pt., which looks really nice to me--I like a few trees! Google up "Family Vacation Getaways Doheny" (the URL is too long to post well) and see what you think.It's near Capistrano Mission and the petting zoo, and Legoland, I think. Sounds like there are things to do. Surfing on the North of the beach--as I recall, Doheny is a pretty good surf beach.

Other Options

I'm told Flagstaff has some beautiful camping areas--very close to home for the families with kids.

Carpinteria, up by Santa Barbara, has a BIG state beach campground.

Shaver Lake -- the farthest drive, but lots of good memories. Near Cold Creek and the sliding rocks. We could rent ski-do's and canoes.

Carlsbad Beach -- near San Diego, never been there, but they're talking about doing the ward family camp there next year.

Big Bear--need I say more? We might even be able to talk the gps and other family into coming part of the time.

Yosemite --if we make reservations early, they have cabins that would be more comfy than a tent.

Just some ideas. Tell me what you think.

Are You A Mexi-CAN?

Or a Mexi-CAN'T... The difference will determine your future vacation plans. At this point I have talked to everyone about doing a family vacation in Mexico. My initial thought was Roserito but Amy & Katie say that a lot of people from Arizona go to a place they call Rocky Point whose real name is Puerto Penasco. It's in Sonora, Mexico and about 150 miles from Phoenix. I've done some searching for houses and prices and what not and found a great house called "Casa Buena Fortuna" for those of you who don't speak the kings Spanish that means House of Good Fortune. The house has 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, enough space for 18 people, a kitchen with all utilities and conveniences of your home, and immediate beach access.











Pretty amazing huh? But your thinking the Giles-Froerer-Kleven Family is too poor for such extravagant living (with the exception of Mom). Ah, but this is Mexico where all your dollars are converted to pesos. I've already talked to the owners and they've agreed to the price of $2,650 for the week. Now divide that by the Froerer's, Kleven's, Mom, Sally, Miranda, and Jeff. It's close if your in Arizona, it's cheap, and it would be great! I've got more photos and info about prices for various things. Post your questions and thoughts in the comments section.

"B" Talk

A couple weeks ago I was at Walmart and purusing their book aisle, when a dad and 3 kids came within earshot. My first thought upon hearing them talking was that they were speaking some European language. Upon closer examination I realized they were talking "Z" talk. I am not making this story up. They saw my glance and falter whatsoever in their "Z" talk they did not. Zit zounded zeally zeird. The dad was the most blatent one of all. I seriously stood there smiling and came very close to saying that I used to talk "B" talk with my family when I was a teenager. I wouldn't have said it to them but "B" talk is much cooler and funnier sounding. If they tried "B" I bet they'd switch. Boo bouldn't? Boy by boor boo bis bad bumtimes.

Halloween Memories

Ok I know Halloween is still 2 months away but I was at the store yesterday and they had their stuff out already, so me and the kids were purusing through and I saw this cat! Doesn't he look just like our old Halloween cat! I tried to leave him at the store but he kept calling me back to him. I kept walking back down the aisle to look again (like Kate and her Chips) :) So as I was paying for my other needed items I said "Jane run back and get the CAT!" Now here he is waiting for Oct 1 st to sit on our porch for the month. I still love Halloween! I don't usaully dress up much anymore, a witch hat or something but it is such fun dressing all the kids and you know who doesn't like having candy all over the house. (we just don't admit that as freely) So a new black cat in the family again.

Sony Quality

In my recent move I finally trashed (with a reverberating thud in the dumpster) this lovely CD player. I got it for my 16th birthday from Mom and Dad, and it served me well for a good 14 years now. Sure, it's been a little spotty for the last few, but overall this product alone has won my customer loyalty. I can't think of any other object that has brought me so many years of happiness. I do love music. Ah, well. I love my iPod, too. But I have serious doubt its battery life will exceed 14 years. So, thanks Mom! Great gift. The end of a glorious era here!