Rocky Mountain “Hi!”

Yes! We are now the parents of a school-aged child and I finally understand why cell-phones, in-car desks and car-friendly foods were invented. Convenience and time management! It wasn't enough to have a baby and move at the same time, I had to one-up myself by starting playgroup, preschool, dance, gymnastics, and kindergarten all at once. I feel crazy!! Although I know it's not anything the rest of you moms aren't already doing, it's a killer for me. I understand why people have maids and nannies. Still, life is good. Whitney loves school. Since it's a charter school, there is no bus. Luckily our little neighbor boy ended up in Whitney's class, so his mom drives them to school and I pick them up. Emma doesn't understand why she (Emma) doesn't get a ride a cool school "bus" (Chevy Tahoe) like Whitney (explanation: I take Emma and her friend who lives up the street to preschool, and his mom picks up). What kind of mother am I?!

I have also just experienced my first "my mom is so embarrassing" moment. It was wonderful! Poor Whitney. We all knew it would happen sooner than later, but I wasn't prepared for it to happen in Kindergarten. It also doesn't help that I usually show up at carpool all red-faced and sweaty (in my defense, I only have a one-hour window in which to exercise between pick-ups and dropoffs). I've tried to set up a couple of play dates for Whitney with her new classmates, but it wasn't until last Friday when all the parents had to come to school without kids that I got a positive response (I cleaned myself up and actually got ready that day). Oh well. You win some and lose some.

Ryan is growing very quickly and every time I tell people how old he is, they all say the same thing: "Wow! He doesn't look like a newborn, he's already a big baby." To that, I have many responses, but usually stick with the polite one and say, "Yes, he is big. But we'll keep him." Ryan's surgery for his lip is scheduled for October 25 at 8:30 am at the Denver Children's Hospital. It's usually an outpatient procedure, but because we live in the Springs, he will have to be kept overnight for observation (for the anesthesia). Then he will have stitches for the next 5-7 days and arm splints for three weeks (so he can't rub his mouth). He won't be able to have any binkies or help from his sisters. Somehow I think that will be more difficult (protecting him from his sisters) than the surgery itself.

Emma loves preschool. She is the only girl in her class. I have been informed by the teacher that Emma is the princess (simply because she is so "adored" by her classmates, not because sh  is bossy--somehow I doubt that) and all the boys always want to do what Emma wants to do. I think that is why she likes preschool.

Jared is still "practicing" away. He will be working every Friday in October (I know, "heaven forbid!") except for one: the week we get to go to Todd's. We are very excited and can't wait to impose the Waites on the Ohio Trauntveins!

We thoroughly enjoyed our Trip to Utah. The girl's keep asking why we can't just move there, then we could go to that place with "the rides where we got all wet" and see Grammy, Grandpa, Mary, Megan and everyone else all the time. I explained to Whitney that daddy has a job here and needs to earn money to pay for our house. So now she's constantly asking if items at the grocery store are going to make us so poor that we won't even have a house. I guess it's time to start having more serious financial talks. Allowance anyone? We're taking comments of all varieties on this issue....

Love,

The Waites

Recipes of the Month from Melanie

September reminds me of years of sitting with my elbows on the table, a knife in my right hand, a quart jar to my left and a 9x13 cake pan, placed in just the right place to gather all the drippings and skin from peeled peaches. What a mess canning peaches was, but oh, how sweet

the finished reward! Here are some new recipes taken from Peach 101. The place to call for information on the book is at the end.

I used to "can peaches" until a few years ago. I found that DelMonte sells them in quart jars for cheaper than I can preserve them, but I somehow miss the mess and taste of a warm peach, devoid of skin, juices dripping down my chin, during the September month. Hope these

recipes will bring many tasty moments for you.

I love you Mom!

Mel

Peach Poppy Seed Vinaigrette

One-third cup peach jam

One-third cup white wine vinegar

One-fourth cup olive oil

1 tablespoon honey, warmed

1 teaspoon poppy seeds

Combine all ingredients in jar. Chill, shake well, serve.

Peaches and Cream Pie

1 9-inch pie shell

6 fresh ripe peaches, quartered

1 cup cream

2 eggs, beaten

1 and one-half teaspoons vanilla

One-fourth cup sugar

2 tablespoons butter

Preheat oven to 350.

Arrange peach quarters in pie shell. Combine cream, eggs, vanilla, and sugar. Beat 3-5 minutes. Pour on top of peaches. Dot butter on top of cream by teaspoonfuls. Bake at 350 degrees 1 hour or until filling is set and crust is browned.

Susan’s Hot Peach Breakfast

Sliced bananas

Brown sugar to taste

Fresh peach slices

Peach juice

In a single-serve microwaveable baking dish, layer banana, brown sugar, and peach slices. Pour juice over all and microwave on high 30 seconds or until bubbly.

Peach Salsa

1 cup chopped fresh ripe peaches

Three-fourths cup chopped fresh tomatoes

One-half cup sweet red onion, chopped

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 green onion, thinly sliced

2 teaspoons cilantro

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 tablespoons lime juice

1 to 2 teaspoons granulated sugar

Combine peaches, tomatoes, red onion, ga rlic, green onion, and cilantro. Set aside. In separate bowl, whisk olive oil, lime juice, and sugar until sugar is dissolved. Pour over peach mixture and stir gently to combine. Chill. Store in sealed container in refrigerator. Great on tortilla chips or try with eggs, fish, or chicken! From “Peach 101: Recipes Your Mother Never Told You About. “

Halloween Bugs in the Bed

You can make the filling ahead of time and keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator until serving time.

4 green apples

1 cup of chunky peanut butter

1/2 cup of chopped peanuts (optional)

1/2 cup of rice Krispies

1/4 cup of raisins

Cut the apples into quarters and remove the core, leaving it hollow for the filling. Mix the peanut butter, chopped peanuts, cereal and raisins. Spoon them into the apple hollows. Looks like bugs, but kids just love it. Serves 14

Halloween Milkshake

INGREDIENTS:

1/4 cup milk

3/4 cup frozen orange juice concentrate

4 black licorice twists

PREPARATION:

Blender together milk, orange juice concentrate and ice cream in a blender until smooth. Pour into glasses. Cut the ends off the black licorice twists and use as straws.

Pictures and Names from Donnette Smith

I'm glad you found some of the pictures.

For years Richard used to visit all the relatives and copy their pictures. I found 35 mm negatives of: 

1. the men with guns in STREET clothes Newspaper picture reprinted years later: "The above young men of Springville were the first to offer their services when the governor called for volunteers to go to the Mexican border and quell the trouble with Ponchio Villa in 1916. Later with the exception of Ray Smith the same group were mustered into service for World War I. Top row: Ted Pennington, Claude Smith, Elmer Fullmer, Dewey Snelson. Bottom row: Ray Smith, Frank Diamond, Arnold Randle, Glen Allan and Leslie Peterson." I have negatives -we copied this picture from Pearle and Fred Smith and also from Tom and Dolly Smith.

2. Negative of group picture that had the corner cut out.

I don't have any printed pictures. I used to have the newspaper clipping mentioned above but can't find that. It had been in Richard's Dad's things - Herbert W. Smith. Did I send it to you?

I think I must have sent you all the prints I had after I scanned them for the CD.

Donnette