YOU DO THE MATH!

MY SWEET TOOTH

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MY KITCHEN AID MIXER

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KIDS BACK IN SCHOOL

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It started with Banana Cookies

which led to Zucchini bread

gotta use those fresh peaches and make some

Peach Jam

life wouldn't be complete without some

Frosted Banana Bars

after hours and hours in the kitchen and a last

Peach Dessert

pulled out of the oven,

IT WAS TIME TO QUIT!!

My secret to not devouring the entire stack of sugar?

Cut into individual serving sizes, wrap and freeze.

This is how I manage all the treats at home.

At Christmas time someone pulls into our driveway to deliver a goodie and before they're home it's cut, wrapped and in the freezer.
Pull one out when needed, (EVERYDAY after lunch is my time to grab a treat) and enjoy!

My enhanced taste buds are looking for a new favorite Mexican Restaurant.

Sonda told me today that my favorite on the corner of Court and 4th has closed.

I'm pretty sure my face dropped!

This, that and something else.

Breathe, just breathe in and out!

Driving to the Dr. office this morning I got teary. I had to take several deep breaths to keep it together. I consider myself extremely blessed and don't mean to dwell on one difficult experience in my life, but after having an experience a couple of years ago when there was no heart beat, I am cautious. But you know what makes me even tearier? The help, the concern, the show of love that we recieved from others. Many of who are reading this right now.

There are so many gorgeous woman in the waiting room at the Dr. office who are there for different reasons. I look at each of them (trying not to seem nosey) and wonder about their story. Some past child bearing years, just in for their annual check. Some of those women are baby Pro's. One particular couple caught my eye. They were early 40's expecting their first. I just knew it. I see Laura P., who is expecting twins, with her two other small gorgeous children. One women of Indian descent in late pregnancy. Beautiful.

I look nervous, I feel nervous. Once inside the very familiar room I thumb through several magazines, but don't really read them. I tell Dr. T that I'm nervous. He understands. Deep breaths. I stare at the ceiling panel that has been replaced by a plastic panel with three fighter jets on it. Is that supposed to relax me?

There is it. 160 beats a minute strong.

Dr. T squeezes my shoulder as I let out a long, appreciative sigh.

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Happy 1st Anniversary Sarah and David.

One year ago today this gorgeous couple were sealed in the Columbia River Temple. Months of planning produced a beautiful day.

Dallin says that he loves Sarah's house because

"...they have two bathrooms and two people, that's one each. They are just lucky."

Cameron says he loves David because he's got "....cool harmonicas that he lets me play."

Elizabeth and Kenley are currently in New York city with Sarah, David and Grandma and Grandpa. I'm pretty sure their words would be something like this, "We love Sarah and David because they are taken us all around Washington D.C, Philadelphia, and New York City and spoiled us with their attention and company."

Elizabeth said that on Saturday she had the best hamburger of her life, Sunday she had the best pizza ever and today she ate the best cupcake she has ever had. Pure fun.

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This is long overdue Kenley, but FANTASTIC JOB!! You were absolutely amazing.

Kenley was asked by the Stake Presidency to speak in Stake Conference. Ms. Cool, calm and collected did awesome.

Little Known Facts

Fact #1:

Hermiston Water Park one day, and Silverwood Park the next, can be very tiring.

The exhaustion was worth it though.

The kids had a blast celebrating their cousin Tim's 10th Birthday.

I love this picture of Cameron and Tim,

(even though Cameron's hand looks a little misplaced. :)

Fact #2:

Arriving home from Silverwood and finding your property has been hit by lightening is a little unsettling.

We lost two computers, Internet, the garage door opener, the sprinkler system, all the GFI outlets, our new phones and lamps.

While trying to figure out why one electrical circuit still wasn't working, we came across this outlet by Britton's bed. He stayed home with grandma and grandpa. The outlet blew, sparked out onto his crib, where he was sleeping, and charred his bed. After seeing sparks outside my mom and dad checked on Britton and he was sleeping soundly, but didn't know about the outlet. We realize this could have been A LOT worse. Blessings come in different ways, we consider this HUGE.

Fact #3:

I can fix things.

We've been working to try and fix everything that broke during the storm. Dallin took this picture.

My kids are always amazed when dad cooks or mom picks up a tool.

Lamp fixed. I love having a project in mind, purchasing the supplies to fix it and it actually working.

Fact #4:

If you're an animal who lives at the Spurgeon home, you might have to help yourself to your own dinner.

This feline came to visit last month and decided to move in.

Fact #5:
When a 9 year old boy is in charge of the FHE activity, he'll probably choose something dangerous.

Dallin taught us knife safety skills. After quite a bit of blood, we put the knives away.

Britton was happy with his plastic version.

Sorry Dallin and neighbor Mattie for your injuries. Next FHE we'll choose a less dangerous activity.

Have a great day!

Granted

The Birthday Boy asked his mom for an

"EYEBALL CAKE."

The Birthday boy asked his parents for a new set of wheels.

He asked his mom to compete against him in an American Idol singing competition.

(Kenley got this Wii game for her birthday, it's pretty cool.

You can compete against other players and Randy, Paula and Simon critique you.)

He asked for a swimming party with family and friends.

9th Birthday wishes granted!

Happy Birthday Dallin.

One of my kids recently asked if you had to be pregnant to have a food craving. I don't think so, but why is it it's the only time I ever have real cravings. So if you're wondering where I go to satisfy my current craving, you'll find me here, on the corner of Court and 4th.

Brent and I went to Resturante El Asadero. Apparently the boxing match of the year was on and lots of gentlemen were staring at the T.V (located directly over our heads) that was blaring away. Didn't matter we couldn't hear each other. I savored every bite of

Tacos Al Pastor with a side of Guacamole

(Pork, onion, cilantro, corn tortilla, lime)

This is beyond craving! So far I've also "had" to have

A1 Steak Sauce

An oreo with a marshmallow on top

Toast drenched with real butter (which replaced my I can't Believe it's not Butter spray.)

Ever had a food craving?

It's just more fun with a FRIEND

Summer Vacation week number 6 down. I'm beginning to wonder when the restful vacation will start. Here's what the Spurgeon's have been up to this week.

I found this little guy in my kitchen. After convincing the boys that he really was better off outside, they raced to find their bug book.

After a little investigating,

we decided it was a Colorado Beetle. Don't make it mad, or it'll puff out a hazardous substance from it's derriere. Finding and identifying bugs is just more fun when there's two of you.

Dallin and his cousin, Tim, decided to work on some scout requirements. Baking cookies if definitely more fun with a friend.

For the past five weeks the girls have participated in the Pasco School District Summer Choir program. Monday through Thursday the school bus picked them up, they were fed lunch, had three hours of fun choral time with choreography and were dropped off back at home.

All for FREE.
Today they participated in their final performance. Here they are with their very talented instructor, Mrs. R. (Sorry Elizabeth but I only took one pic.)We are blessed to have so much family here in the Tri-Cities.

(Grandma Phyllis, Elizabeth, Kenley, Grandma Barnes, Me)

The girls had quite the group cheering them on today.

(Dallin and Cameron, Kenley holding cousin Madelyn, Aunt Emily, Elizabeth and Aunt Heather. Grandpa Barnes was there also, he was just the official photographer.)

Elizabeth did Summer Choir last year too. She'll be the first to tell you that it was more fun this year with a friend.

This little baby is my friend. Avocados, my craving. I can't get enough of them.

Summer evenings swinging or rocking on the front porch, really are more fun....

with a friend.

Take a Stand!

If there is a worthy cause, Elizabeth and Kenley are on it.

The Epidemic: Malaria causes 3,000 child deaths every day.

The Challenge: Sell three mosquito nets at $10 each. Every net allows 5 people to sleep safely for up to 5 years.

The Goal: Raise $60.00 to purchase 6 nets.

The Plan: Have a lemonade and Cookie stand to raise money.

The Preparation: Flyer making, cutting(please note the Africa shaped signs), coloring, baking.

The Set-Up: Grandma Barnes thought they might bring in more customers if they also had a garage sale. Thanks to G.Barnes for helping and G.Phyllis for making cookies.

The Stand: Borrowed from The Barrons.

The Results? $137.38 from the sale

plus

$60.00 in other donations

equals

$197.38, enough to purchase 20 nets.

The Proud Mama: Their drive and determination is quite admirable.

Elizabeth and Kenley, you girls are an inspiration to me. Fantastic job!

A.I

Catching up from just a few days out of town has become impossible because complete exhaustion has hit. I'm ready for bed by 9, but am wide awake by 5. I will catch up, and that includes reading posts. I'll get there.

We had a fantastic trip to Portland this last weekend. Brad and Phyllis (my FIL and MIL) Heather (SIL) Elizabeth, Kenley and I traveled to Portland on Friday for the

American Idol Top 10 concert.

Each performer was so good that they all deserve a mention.

Here are my favorite pictures I took.

And after a fabulous show like that I couldn't just go to the hotel room and fall asleep, even if it was almost midnight.

Want long, luscious locks in an instant?

Heather's hair extensions can do that for you!!

After lots of giggles, Elizabeth said I looked 10 years younger, from behind :)