Halloween Craft for kids {Oct 17, 2012}

The Family Committee sponsored a spooky Halloween craft activity  Well, maybe not really spooky but it was super fun! The kids were invited to make a Halloween mask. They had stickers, glitter, crayons, and help from mom. Did I mention there was cookies and a playground as well? 

the little ones were all lined up in a row enjoying the scenery

Thank you Madison and her committee for such a wonderful activity

MBASA Fall 2012 Soccer Pictures

Our soccer season is officially closed until next year. Thank you to all the coaches and parents and most importantly, the KIDS! Without you it would not have been much of a soccer season

Education Committee {Canning 101}

homegrown tomatoes

Homemade salsa... honestly, not much gets better than that. Oh wait, what about homemade salsa year round?! And how about some homemade tomato soup to boot? We spent some time at Megan Stanley's home making just that

Sweet Megan showing us the in's an outs of water bath canning

Olya prepping the tomatoes  peppers, onions and apples for salsa

 There were many helping hands to move the process along. The tomatoes needed to be blanched and then the skins had to be "popped". Megan had us add in apples to curb the hot-ness from all the jalapenos in the salsa. And it was the best salsa I have had.

We took clean canning jars and was shown how to add the salsa goodness

this would be the salsa goodness

It is safe to say that everyone in attendance learned so much about water bath canning. And enjoyed the benefits from it as well! 

The following week {Oct 9} Makana Hansen taught us all the beauty of pressure canning and how to can your own chicken! (No pictures because canned chicken in glass jars looks gross) But it tastes lovely!

Click here for a list of canning basics.

Click here for the most amazing salsa recipe ever.

And click here for a delicious tomato soup recipe.

NAC Luncheon 9.28.2012

On Friday, Sept. 28th we were pleased to attend the NAC (National Advisory Council) luncheon.  The theme for the event was "Arise and Shine!"   The luncheon started off with good food and a few minutes of mentoring from the NAC spouses who were seated amongst the student spouses.  Our own MBASA spouse, Lori Frost, then sang the musical number "These are the Days".  Following her, we had the pleasure of hearing from Virginia Pearce.  Sister Pearce is an author and mother and the daughter of LDS President Gordon B. Hinckley, and has served on the Young Women's and Primary General Boards.  She told us three ways we can "Arise and Shine" are by Thinking Big, Thinking Straight, and Thinking Abundantly.  It was an enlightening and encouraging event! 

We are so grateful for the involvement we have with the NAC and for the time they sacrifice to mentor and serve us!  They are so willing to help, to answer our questions, and to get involved with us. 

 

If anyone would like to send any thank you notes to any of the NAC women, they can deliver them to Sarah Craig (or email her) and she will forward them on to the NAC.  To get more involved with the NAC in the future, look for their new blog - FOR US! Coming soon! - This will be a place we can ask any questions about juggling life, the business world, etc. and the NAC spouses will post answers on their blog.  We also hope to have some events in the future at some of their homes. 

New Mom Service Activity: Diaper Wipes Case 9.18.2012

Hmmm... what are all these lovely MBA Spouses doing you ask? 

They are making baby wipes cases for our new mommies this year!

You just take a little bit of this and that

Then cut and measure to fit around these

and after a bit of time with the glue gun, they are all dolled up and ready to go! 

And to show our thanks for a job well done...

the amazing and Provo renowned Chocolate chocolate chip cookies. 

Thank you to Karin Shumway and Danielle Monson for your hard work and to all the other wonderful helping hands. Your time and donations were put to good use.