The Giles Family: December 2008

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

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.

Friday, December 26, 2008

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 :)

Thursday, December 18, 2008

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?

Friday, December 12, 2008

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?

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

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.

Memories of Dad

* When Dad was in the hospital, and had been for a couple weeks. Tatum had been taking a little community tap dance class. Often when we were on our way home from school or anywhere we would stop by to say hello. Tatum wanted to show Dad her dance she was learning. Mom said "oh no, not here honey its just too loud" Dad quickly answered " No I want to see" Tatum was thrilled and Dad loved it or at least pretended he did.
* Dan was reminding me the other night about a story I had forgotten. Many of you probably remember how afraid of men Tatum was. Although she LOVED Dad and Jeff even though she hardly saw them. When Robin and Nick got married Mom and Dad came up for the wedding and stayed in a hotel. We came down from Provo and met them. As we were in the Lobby wating for them to come down,the elevator "dinged" Tatum turned to see and it was "Pappa" Tatum (about 2 yrs) just stood in one spot running and waving her arms! So excited that he was finally there. Dad with his big sweet smile walked over and scooped her up.
*I remember how whenever we went to Big Bear in spite of the fact that he'd been driving two hours. Without fail and without going into the house he would disappear with the blue Yamaha motorcycle. Then he'd be gone for as a much as two hours. Of course when he came back at least two of us kids would be waiting for him so we could go on a ride. The funnest thing for me was when he finally let me go it alone. I was about 12 and he let me red an old Honda. I fell and distinctly remember him saying something like don't tell your Mom about this.
*My biggest road trip with just Dad was going up to Idaho for my first semester. After leaving Joyce’s house on the second day we were passing Kolobe Canyon (which I pass all the time now) and he just took the exit, I don’t think he even asked me if I wanted to see it. We drove up the canyon a little ways and got out and looked around for a while. I had a disposable camera and we took some pictures. It was really beautiful, but mostly I was just happy to be with him--one of those rare spontaneous moments. Too bad I lost the camera somehow when I got to school.
*When Dana comes home from work the kids get excited and run to him and say "Daddy!" Lately, he's been saying "Yay!" in reply. I love it because I remember dad used to say the same thing a lot.
*Thinking of birthday cakes today, I remembered the first (and only) birthday cake Dad made for me. We weren't even engaged yet, and he was trying to make an impression. So he decided on the extraordinary plan to make a cake that would taste like a fruit salad; I suppose he was thinking ambrosia. He used an orange cake mix ( I don't think they even make them anymore) and strawberry flavored frosting (also thankfully retired). This must have been very early in the relationship or he might have guessed chocolate would have been more effective. I think I was polite, but I'm sure that cake never was finished. You all know he wasn't much of a cook, but I loved him for trying!
*Another funny memory I have was when Jeff was driving Mom's white car and it caught on fire. (We were living there with Mom and Dad) so we were all kneeling around the bed for prayers when jeff called. Dad anwsers, Jeff and said "the car is on fire, and the fire dept had to come put it out... kinda scared to tell I think. Dad yells YAAAHOOOO! Let it Burn! He was thrilled to be done with that car finally. And off he went to pick up Jeff!
* I was at the DMV the other day registering my new van (YEA!) When I remembered once running into Dad at the DMV in CA. It was so funny b/c he was dressed as usual in his roofer garb. Old dirty jeans and t-shirt and hat but the best part was that over the hat he was wearing those headphones the big ones with the little antanae sticking up on the side. Just standing there listening to whatever station he could get reception to in there. He was so funny I had to think for a moment to I really want to walk over and say "HI DAD!" Of couse I did. I'm glad for all those memories now.
*I just remembered a time when I was about 11. It was Sunday afternoon, I was wearing my cool new jean shorts, and dad was chasing me around the house. We were in the entry when he grabbed on to me by the belt loop on the back of my shorts. I pulled away really hard, and the loop ripped right off leaving a hole in my back side. I was so mad, but dad was laughing and laughing, so I started to laugh too. I’m sure mom was in the kitchen giving her usual opinion: ‘It’s all fun and games until…” Randa
*One of my most treasured memories is from when I was very little. For some reason I just loved when dad would hide behind the cereal box and then peek out at me from different sides- and the real suprise...the TOP! I loved that he really liked it too and played that game with me frequently. Very simple but very meaningful to me at the time. Katie
*One time driving to Utah with Dad, when I was 15 or so, we kept seeing signs for Hogi Yogi in Southern Utah. First we made fun of the goofy name. Then it started to sound good. Then we decided we'd have to stop and get some at that exit when it came. The exit came and we missed it. Dad got off at the next one and drove about 20 min through a small town, backtracking to the Hogi Yogi. We laughed about it the whole time. I love that Dad would go along with stupid kid stuff with us. Sally

The Giles Family