By small and simple things...

This week we are lucky enough to host our nephew Connor. He and Rhett are the same age and are truly best friends. They never get sick of each other and always pick up right where they left off each time they see each other...mind you they live 200 miles apart. We had always talked about having him stay with us for a few days and we were finally able to put it together! So far we have all giggled so much over his funny humor and his uncanny comments. He is reminding us all that we take for granted some of the cool things that we live by...for example:

1. We passed the Capitol in SLC and he was so excited to see it.
2. We passed Lagoon and he suddenly became giddy.
3. We had to stop for the frontrunner near our house and it was the closest he has ever been to it.
4. A short little trip to the park resulted in several animal sightings...frogs, turtles and a muskrat.
5. A trip to a pet store was also soooo much fun for him. (RF has nothing like that)
6. The jets from HAFB flew over and they were so close to him.

He subtly reminded me that I too often take for granted all of the small things that can really make your day...Thanks Connor!

Also...Connor was reaching for a candy right before dinner and I reacted with my usual..."Uh Uh Uh"...his only reply was "I was only pretending to take it..." His mom really liked that one!

A foot rub and some Fireworks...

That's right ladies...My husband gave me a foot rub! I begged and begged him (I even cried a little) and he finally gave in...just look at his technique, one finger and a dime size amount of lotion...don't be too jealous yet...cuz part way through...he doubled up on his unusual technique! I am so lucky to have such a great husband to rub my feet for me, while I am pregnant and totally starting to get really MISERABLE (I know, I have a long ways to go)...WOW...I have nothing else to add!

Today was our Heritage Days for our little city and we went to the park to enjoy the festvities...Taylor got her face painted and wanted this close up picture taken...so cute! We enjoyed a YUMMY funnel cake that our neighbors were making and boy was it sooooo good! Tonight we went to our church to watch the fireworks and sat with some of our friends...we had a really good time!

All the kiddos enjoying the fireworks...

A little smile for the camera...except Jenner, she was enjoying the show too much!

Even when Jenner got tired and wanted her Nammy...she was still watching!

Sarah's Chili and Apple Fritters...

During the summer we spend alot of our time swimming with cousins at their house...we have so much fun! On many of our days spent there Sarah and I decide to do things for dinner...we usually see what I have in my freezer and what she has in her freezer and try to make a meal out of our combined items...it's quite fun. A couple of weekends ago, they invited us over for Sunday dinner and I didn't have to do a thing...imagine my complete happiness with this notion (I owe you Sarah)...and this is what she made! Homemae Chili...and for dessert...Apple Fritters! Try them both and I promise you that you will walk away a very happy woman!


Sarah's Chili:

3/4 lb. ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 16 oz. can diced tomatoes
1 16 oz. can dark red kidney beans, drained
1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 Tbsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. dried basil
Salt and Pepper

Brown ground beef with onion, pepper and garlic in a large soup pot. Stir in the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for at least 20 minutes...or for as long as you need. Makes 4 main dish servings! Top with cheese, sour cream, green onions, chips or whatever you like! Sarah usually doubles or triples this recipe when she makes it...YUM!

Apple Fritters: (recipe from the Worlwide Ward Cookbook)

4-5 medium apples, peeled and sliced

2 cups flour

3 tsp. baking powder

1/4 cup sugar

1 egg

2 Tbsp. oil

dash of salt

1 cup milk (plus a little more)

Get your apples ready and pour some lemon juice over them so they don't brown. Mix the rest of the ingredients together to make a batter. Dip the apples in the batter one at a time and fry in hot oil, turning to brown on all sides. Roll in cinnamon sugar.

These are so good...I am not a big fan of cooked fruit and especially not a big fan of Granny Smith apples but this recipe has both and I loved them. Sarah was even kind enough to fry me up some batter balls without apples cuz hey, who doesn't love a little fried dough now and then...more now! This batter has got to be one of the best frying batters out there! If you make them soon...you know where I live...(hint)...

If you have the Worldwide Ward Cookbook you know how good it is...I really need to get me a copy of it soon...also, you can go to the authors blog at www.worldwidewardcookbook.blogspot.com and submit your recipes...you know I did!!!

Check that off my list....

The other day I took a bath with Jenner...not a rare occurance in our home. I love me a hot bath at the end of the day, especially when I am pregnant. Jenner loves taking her nightly bath with me also...we are perfect together. All babies poop in the tub at some point in their life...right?...well, Jenner decided to do her doodie (pun intended) while I was IN the tub with her...not so pleasant I tell ya! I not only took a bath that night but I also took a shower...check that off my list of things I never imagined would happen to me...poop in my BATH!

Last Friday while I was getting in my nightly bath...I stubbed my toe on the edge of the tub and then proceeded to drag that poor little toe the entire length of the tub (I'm short people...getting in my jetted bath isn't so easy for me) and I am pretty sure I broke it. I don't bruise easily but it is a little black and blue and hurts like a mother hen...another check off of my list! And I probably don't have to tell you this, but I stubbed it AGAIN last night on a toy on the floor....Oh, and every one of my kids has stepped on my poor toe since I hurt it! Take That!!! Shazaam!!!

Today the kids and I cleaned the basement...we filled our two garbage cans to the very brim and left some garbage on the side...garbage day isn't until Thursday so we will just have to do until then. This is a huge accomplishment for us...if you've seen my basement...you will understand! I was so proud of the kids for taking this task seriously and getting it done! And, I was so excited to show Chris when he got home from work....we jetted off to Wal-Mart to buy their prize...a snow cone maker! They absolutely love it and if I would have known it would have been this easy to bribe them...I would have done it a LONG TIME AGO!!! A huge check off of my To-Do list...Yay for me!...Now about my closet....hmmmmmmmm

I'm at Work...Leave Me ALONE!!!

We found this funny little laptop downstairs the other day and Jenner has had a ball with it...she types and works so hard on it every day...sometimes for a couple of hours. The funniest thing is when she uses the mouse...it's so cute. And, if you happen to be within a one foot radius of her working she will scream "NOOOOOOOOOOO" at you....really loud and with conviction. She especially gets mad when Grady comes around...she must have something against him. We tell her to make sure and get "her work" done before it's time to eat and she hastily types away...it's too funny...I'll have to get some video of it soon! So Serious...

Happy Father's Day to this guy...

We tend to think he's pretty cool...you would too, I promise!

Just a few things about his day...

We made him this little dandy...

and gave him this...to protect him from...

these little rascals...their little fingers will be all over that poster!

Cherries or snakes?...

Grady has really been into catching snakes lately...he found a little piece of snake paradise at our neighbor's house where the snakes are everywhere...he brought home this little gem the other day and was so proud! He was literally going over there dozens of times a day and so we had to ban him for awhile...I was afraid our neighbors were going to get super angry...they actually like the snakes and don't want them harmed.

Speaking of snakes...our newest addition to the family is this little cutie...Cherries! Rhett was wanting a slithering snake of his own and we found this one for him at the pet store. They said it is a Cherry Corn Snake so what better name then...Cherries! We counted their money and went down ther the other night to pick him up. The boys have had their snakes out all day playing with them and it is so fun the watch them...This little guys coloring is a cream and a deep reddish/brown...they had an albino one that was literally hot pink and white, it was very cool...Rhett decided on this one because he seemed to like it when he held him...so cute!

Just a little video of Jenner doing some air guitar...we were laughing so hard at her! Chris was shampooing the carpets with the CD player blasting and she just went for it...

This is how she roll...

We finally got to SWIM yesterday and it was GLORIOUS!!! So nice that we have a BIL and SIL with a pool that they soooooo generously let us use...we are sooooooo LUCKY!!! And, I am starting to see a little tan line...SPLENDID!!! These are the only two pictures I got...apparently it is vital that you wear your baby sunglasses the ENTIRE time and make sure your binkie is attached to your swim shirt and also in your mouth...what a funny girl!

This is how she roll...

What Summer?

This so called Summer Vacation has me soooooooo TICKED OFF!!! I mean really...what do I do with my kids all day long when all they want to do is SWIM!!! This weather has got to STOP!!!! We are going STIR CRAZY!!!!

Jenner came out of the boys room the other day all shackled...and she liked it...she kept these handcuffs on for quite awhile.

Below are just a couple of pictures of what's been going on at our house...the kids have found every single little animal in the house to play War with...just look at my floor...

Nevermind the laundrybaskets and laundry all over the floor...

8 things tag...

My friend from High School tagged me and since I haven't done a tag in forever, I thought it would be fun...I actually like to do tags once in a while because they make you reflect on yourself...you know, what are you really looking forward to? Things like that...it's fun!

8 things I am looking forward to:
1. the rain to stop
2. my backyard grass to continue to grow
3. my mums to bloom
4. swimming
5. swimming
6. getting a tan
7. swimming
8. having a new little one in the house again

8 things I did yesterday
1. woke up at a decent hour
2. got prescriptions
3. actually saw the kicking of the baby
4. started the HP and the Half Blood Prince...I am way behind on this series
5. checked on my shipment from E.L.F....can't wait for that
6. had a long soak in a very hot tub...ahhhhh
7. watched SYTYCD first 'real' episode and I amazed at almost all of them...
8. discussed why Wade Robson is only choreographing crazy shock value dances rather than choreograph like he used to...he's in it for the shock of people rather than the true dancing...
and I used to love his work

8 things I wish I could do
1. run (and by run I mean so I don't die after 30 yards of it)
2. quilt like Heidi or my MIL
3. organize things a little better
4. find a way to make some money so we can stay here...in our beautiful home that we love
5. be more patient with Taylor...she can make my blood boil
6. go to a culinary arts school
7. get LASIK and never deal with glasses again
8. be the mom my sister is

8 shows I watch
1. SYTYCD
2. grey's
3. house
4. criminal minds
5. UFC fights
6. keeping up with kardashians
7. daisy of love
8. bachelorette
9. NBA finals
10. the listener
11. csi
12. the hills
13. jon & kate plus 8
14. food network shows
15. kendra
16. dr. 90210
17. 90210
18. EVERYTHING!!!

8 people I tag
Lara
Melissa S
Tami
Ashley
Amber
Heather
Kristina P.
Alleen

Just some video...

This, That and The Other...Oh My YUMM!!!

After church and a late lunch we decided to go the Air Show at HAFB...and we forgot the camera, as usual...but the Air Show delivered a spectacular sight...too bad it was stopped by a crazy rain and hail storm...the news said Layton got 1.63 inches of rain today. Watching those jets and hearing the crazy noise is so exilerating, I am so glad we made the last minute decision to go. We just drove up to the base and parked about 1/2 mile from the air strip...I guess the Thunderbirds only perform 3 times a year and HAFB only sees them every 3-4 years. It was amazing to see and we are hoping that the next time they are here we will actually make to the base and get to be on the front row...it would be so cool!!!


This is a picture of Jenner and I making rolls...yes, it's me and my Fat Self letting someone take a picture...hold your applause...I really don't need your pity right now!!!

Apparently Jenner knows all about how beneficial having a wallet can be...I guess it's only beneficial if their is money to back it...

Chris took the boys fishing this weekend and this is the only picture he got...our new camera isn't all that and so he had trouble with it...This is Grady, Rob (our cousin) and Rhett...they had a great time fishing and they even had to sleep in the boat Friday night. Chris forgot that Rob has a dog that practically lives in the trailer with them so he had to make a few modifications for Grady's health...I love that man!!!

Now for the goodies...Brace yourself...

I just happen to run accross this recipe and Oh My YUMM!!!...this picture doesn't do it an ounce of justice...underneath that top graham layer is some good ol' gooey chocolate...YUMM!! I guess I have been in the mood to post recipes lately because when I log on to my blog...that's all I see!

Gooey S'Mores Bars

2/3 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter, room temperature

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1 egg

2 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/3 cup flour

1/8 tsp. salt

1 bag Hershey's Milk Chocolate chips

1 jar (7 oz.) marshmallow creme

1 cup mini marshmallows

Mix sugar, butter, vanilla, and egg together. Add crumbs, flour and salt. Reserve 2 cups of graham mixture and press the remaining mixture into a greased 9x13 pan. Sprinkle chocolate chips over mixture evenly. Drop marshmallow creme by spoonfuls on to chocolate chips. Wet fingers and spread around lightly. Sprinkly marshmallows on top. Sprinke with reserved graham mixture, press down slightly.

Bake in 350 degree oven for 17-22 minutes or until marshmallows are golden brown. Cool at least 30 minutes and EAT!!!

E.L.F. Coupon Savings...

So my sis-in-law Ashley just called me and told me about this awesome deal at E.L.F. cosmetics...basically Nordstrom bought them out and is repackaging everything so they are selling all of their stuff for cheap...I just bought a bunch of nail polish, all over face colors, nail blocks, lip moisterizers, nail polish removing pads and other things for only $25.00...I'm talking about a TON of stuff!!! Everything I bought was $1.00...

At the end of my order I entered the code carolina and it gave me another $7.50 off. The shipping was $6.95 and there was no tax...YAY!!!! You just have to look at all of their products to find the deals...the nail polishes were the best deal!!! $1.00!!! I stocked up for summer pedicures...

www.eyeslipsface.com

Raspberry Jello Dessert/Salad...

This is one of those recipes that reminds of Christmas time with Chris' family...I just love it!!! Every now and then I crave it like crazy and so comes the time to make whether it's Christmas or not...I hope you like it. It's called a Salad but it's more like a Dessert...Yumm!!

Raspberry Jello Salad/Dessert

Make crust of:
2 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup melted butter
6 Tbsp. powdered sugar

Press down into 9x13 pan, reserving 1/3 cup to sprinkle on top.

Cream Cheese layer:
1 8oz package cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar
1 pint cold whipping cream

Mix softened cream cheese with powdered sugar until there are no more lumps. Add whipping cream and beat on high until stiff peaks form. Put half of this mixture over crust. Reserve other half. Refrigerate.

Jello Layer:
2 1/2 cups boiling water
1 6 oz. package raspberry jello
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 packages frozen raspberries

Pour boiling water over jello in bowl, add lemon juice and stir until dissolved. Add raspberries. Put jello in fridge for about 20 minutes and then pour over cream cheese layer. Refrigerate until firm.

Pour other half of cream cheese mixture over jello and then sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture. Let the whole thing set up in fridge and ENJOY!!!!

Eye See You...

Kinda CREEPY right?

Look, I have other kids to take pictures of...

She loves slurpees...

She REALLY loves slurpees...and how cute is this picture?