1st Transplantaversary

I made LuLu's favorite soup...which becomes a favorite to all who try it:

Mango Salsa Soup
1 Jar Fresh Mango Salsa, 48 oz. From Costco
1/2 jar of jacks salsa from costco (right next to Mango salsa)
Put ¼ C olive oil in soup pan, simmer these two for 10 minutes

Add 2-4 Cans drained, shredded chicken from Costco
1 quart chicken stock from costco (it thickens quite a bit the next day so I add more then)
Simmer few minutes
Add 3 cups frozen corn from Costco
Squeeze fresh lime in soup

optional goodness!!
In bowl:
Tortilla chips, crushed
Chopped avocado pieces
Yellow/white grated cheese
Sour Cream

Ladle soup over

We celebrated with Grandparents earlier in the week thinking James would be in Haiti on the 15th. We are so glad he was here yesterday...it was a special, wonderful, FUN day with our kids. Jonah made these YuMmY cupcakes for Lulu and helped her blow out the candle...or maybe did it all by himself. ;)

Cream Cheese Filling:
8oz cream cheese
1/3c sugar
1 egg
dash salt
51/2 oz chocolate chips

*Cream first 4 ingredients together, then add chocolate chips
*Use Devils Food cake mix and mix per instructions on box
*Fill cups 1/2 full then add a spoonful of cream cheese mix, then top with more cake mix
*Bake per box instructions
*Let cool to room tempt, then frost.

Frosting:
*1 1/4c powdered sugar
*1/8c Milk
*1/4c Margarine
*1/2t vanilla
*1/2t almond extract

Her liver birthday started out with a surprise cake from NaNa and PaPa that was enjoyed shortly after breakfast...it was fun to compare and contrast this morning with the one a year earlier. I can't believe our sick, little baby turned into this vibrant child.

We could finally take London swimming--so we did. Transplant recipients aren't suppose to swim for a year after surgery while their immune systems are highly suppressed. It's one of those simple pleasures we missed this last summer and will always appreciate a bit more than we would have. She LOVED, loved, LoVeD the pool, the slide, the splashing, climbing, floating- everything. Until she took a good gulp (or a few) of water and started throwing up profusely. James got her out of the pool really quick, we got everything cleaned up and got out-of-there. Luckily we had a few good hours before the eruption. Sincere apologies to all around us were given....

Walking onto the Salt Lake City Library grounds to see the Donor Wall/Memorial. Ashley has a plaque that we couldn't wait to see. James holding her like this choked me up thinking of the long walk a year earlier where I held her limp body just like that down to surgery.

Seen HERE

Lulu and I modeled for this one. No- not really. But think it was made for us.

Unfortunate for us, the wall is covered in the winter, because the plaques are glass I guess. However, just being on the grounds and seeing the beauty of the statues and words on the dedication was good enough for now. I walked along the wall wondering where her name was, we'll find out when the snow melts and spring comes. We love Ashley and for what she's done for our family. For anyone interested the monument is on the far SE corner of the block-- there is a fountain that I'm sure is so impressive when it's on as well as other statues.