Happy Thanksgiving!
The Utah families got together in Provo and had a cake decorating contest, took lots of pictures, ate dinner, played games and talked about what were thankful for. Grandma made it a requirement that we all dress up as either Indians or pilgrims.

A few things we were thankful for

Jesus
To have a son on a full time mission (Steve about Andrew)
Forgiveness
Great examples of those around us
Parents
My wonderful boyfriend for life (Julie talking about Bob)
Snow
Membership in the church
Wind Chimes
My Best Friend and favorite pal (G-pa talking about G-ma)
Friends
Rain and its cleansing power (Ellen)
Soft Shoes
Photographs
Double Oven
Education
See's Candy
Technology
Grandpa and Indians, Grandma and Pilgrims (Logan)
Squanto (Abbie)
Prosperity and Freedom from fear

Oregon to Utah

After a long search we've finally decided to try Highland Utah. There's no doubt it is better than our current Cornelius neighborhood although we are already missing Oregon! We love the house and hopefully working remotely for Intel lasts more than a few months. If not we'll be sure to blog about our move back to Oregon. Of course if we love Utah and can afford to change jobs we may do that too. In other news: kids are healthy, I'm getting more gray hair, and Julie ran a half-marathon a few weeks ago (written with a small sense of guilt as I play a quick bongo rhythm on my chub).

Bob
PS. Our Cornelius house has never looked better: http://www.coquille-real-estate.com/properties/residential/8057667

Let's give it a whirl

I seem to remember a time when our family convened and decided to go online. As the months went by, it seemed like this little project would never make it off the ground...until now.

It's time for the Spen-send-evans to stay in touch. Steve and Ellen just moved. Have they sold their old house? Nobody knows. Bob and Julie just bought a house. A house? Yes. And they're moving to another state. Who knew? Nobody. Chris and Sky are pregnant. Will they have their baby in Alabama? New Mexico? Their bathtub? It's still unclear...or is it? Katrina just got a promotion. Really? Good for her...but who's watching Sampson? Shelly has a new kitchen. Is she in school? Does she work? Nobody seems to know.

Starting Sunday, August 3, 2008 with a conference call between the kids, things are going to change around here. When Ellen gets released from Scouts, we'll hear about it. When Bob goes to China on business, we'll all be thinking about him (instead of waiting for Mom to accidentally find out from Jessie). When Chris and Sky have their baby, this blog will bring you some of their first pictures.

Here are the groundrules:

1) Limit 2 pictures per post (here's lookin' at you Rusty)
2) Anybody can post on the blog. It's as easy as sending an e-mail. If you have questions, e-mail Doug.
3) Comments are encouraged. Click the comments link under a post and let the author know what you think.
4) Feel free to leave a one sentence post with a link to your own blog.

Let's hear it:

S-P-E-N-C-E-R, Spencers finally online are. Fa-mly.

A Recipe from Chris

When Chris doesn't feel like cooking, she doesn't make this Raspberry-Balsamic Chicken:

1 tsp. vegetable oil
1/2 c. chopped onion
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1/2 tsp. salt, divided
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1/3 c. seedless raspberry preserves (or other favorite flavor of preserves)
2 T. balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp. black pepper

Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add onion; saute 5 minutes. Sprinkle thyme and 1/4 tsp. salt over chicken. Add chicken to pan; cook 6 minutes on each side or until done. Remove chicken from pan; keep warm.

Reduce heat to medium. Add 1/4 tsp. salt, preserves, vinegar, and pepper to pan, stirring constantly until preserves melt. Spoon sauce over chicken and serve immediately.