I need to get out more!

Copy this list to your own blog and highlight those things you've done.

Thanks for the idea Jen, this was fun.

(Some things just need an explanation)

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars ( I love this, under the right circumstances)

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity (That BYU annual fund drive comes around frequently.)

7. Been to Disneyland (Probably a zillion times)

8. Climbed a mountain (Well, nothing too strenuous)

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo (Not recently)

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris (But can you believe we didn't go up the Eiffel Tower)

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables (Our neighbors veggies are much better)

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France (It was breathtaking, not so much the painting as the history and the security around it)

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill (only once when I wasn't feeling 100%)

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb (does a goat count?)

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise (Not an overnighter)

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (I had to highlight this or I'd sound greedy)

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke ( I love this!)

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance (But they didn't put the siren on :(

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain (Not like a downpour or anything romantic like that)

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater (I wish they had one around here, it would be a fun family night activity)

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen'

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching (And I even saw a whale)

63. Got flowers for no reason (Not a frequent occurrence)

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating ( I was present when the fish was caught and fried, but I didn't touch anything)

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life (I'm sure I've saved each of my children's lives numerous times)

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous (I was within a few feet of the queen once, but didn't speak to her. Going to High School in CA. I went to school with a few people who made it onto T.V shows or movies like some kid that was on Growing Pains and the girl from Karate Kid 3 and Morris from E.R was in my class in Jr. High)

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

100. Totally copied a post from someone else's blog to your own

In a Creating Mood

This last Saturday was particularly SUPER.

I love to create things, but when someone else plans it, prepares it and hands you a kit, it's just a little bit easier. (Thanks ladies.)

"Merry Christmas" garland,

etched "Enjoy" jar for our favorite chocolate animal crackersand a "NOEL" sign that's going on the tree.
That was SUPER fun.

Dallin now has his own room and these metal signs are going to be incorporated into his cool dude, big boy room, somehow, when I figure out what to do with them.

Remember the kittens?

Well, this little bundle of fur has stolen our hearts and is now an official member of our family. Two more to find homes for.

Brotherly LOVE?? yep, most of the time.

Dallin wasn't feeling well yesterday and Cameron

quickly got to work on a get well letter.

I'm thankful for the blessing of family and friends.

Have a lovely Thanksgiving with yours!

Fall 2008

Washing,

Cooking,

Straining,

and cleaning,


produced 5 gallons of apple sauce.

Cutting, coloring and carving

produced this year's Halloween decorations.

Riding and playing,

Knitting,


and partying,

Have all made for a perfect Fall !!

Happy Happy Birthday Britton dear,

You got your birthday pancake again this year,

You loved the birthday song and all your stuff,

But we're not sure why you so enjoy playing in the buff!!
Happy Birthday Cowboy Britton.

YOU MAKE US LAUGH!!

We love you!!

You hid it where????

There are OH, SO MANY advantages of living with a gourmet chef. (also known as Kenley) She enjoys cooking and that makes me smile with delight.

Saturday evening she started her delightful creation she was creating for dinner on Sunday evening. A Triple Chocolate Layered Cheesecake.

Oreo crust, butterscotch, milk and white chocolate layers

topped with cream and chocolate drizzles.

IT WAS DELICIOUS!

We shared it with our dinner guests and ate about half of it. By the time Tuesday evening came there was only one piece left. As I was busily cleaning up after dinner, I heard the girls whispering to each other. I didn't catch the whole conversation, but I did hear,

"Of course she's going to eat it,

she's a pregnant woman with cravings."

They hid the last piece of cheesecake. I can't believe they didn't trust me. They could hardly contain themselves. They thought they were so clever that they couldn't resist telling me where they had hidden it. You'll have to do better than that next time, that was going to be the first place I looked.

In the frozen peas package???? It's still there and it's so tempting.

Where do you hide your stash of goodies?

Searching for the Great Pumpkin.....AGAIN!

Cameron is careful when it comes to making decisions. At 18 months old he was featured in the Tri-City Herald searching for the perfect pumpkin. We went to the pumpkin patch for Mommy- and -Me. When the rest of the group was back on board the tractor admiring their pumpkins, Cameron was still making that important decision.

Yesterday we went to the Pumpkin Patch on a field trip with school. The rule was they had to be able to carry their pumpkins themselves. When he found this one, I thought we might have a winner.

Not quite right!!

"Cameron, hurry sweetie!!!!"

(Four tractor wagons full of kids back on board, Cameron still searching.)

Cameron's decision?

A full round pumpkin with perfect ridges. As everyone got home yesterday they were immediately sent to the front porch to admire

THE PERFECT PUMPKIN!!!

Pumpkins Matter :)

It's no secret........

It's no secret that Brent's Chili is delicious. For those who asked, here's the lowdown.

The Spurgemeister's Blue Ribbon Chili

Sprinkle Johnny's Seasoning on a 2 lb. roast and rotisserie for two hours.

Sautee 1 chopped onion in butter and garlic.

Put into crock pot, cooked meat and onion along with:

2 c. beef stock

1 can drained red beans

1 can drained canallini beans

1 can diced tomatoes, drained

1 small can tomato paste

1 T. chili powder

2 tsp. cumin

2 T. brown sugar

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes

2 tsp. oregano

2 T. garlic

1 tsp. paprika

Cook on high for 6-8 hours.

Before Picture:

It's no secret that our little stray cat named Strudel, that decided that we offer good food and shelter and moved in, has now almost doubled our numbers. I'm not a big pet lover, but these little one's are adorable. We are getting attached to these little ones, especially the little black one. Here's Huey, Dewey, Louie, and Sid. (We lost Stewie, the little one.) I was so panicky when the little one wasn't looking good. He couldn't find where to eat and he was really tiny. Kenley and I dashed out one night in the rain to buy some kitty formula and a bottle. $25 a can. Isn't that more expensive than baby formula? I check on them almost hourly during the day. As enjoyable as they are, Strudel will be visiting the veterinarian at the soonest possible date.

It's no secret that I've been tagged a few times and need to get on this. I'm quite sure I'm the last person in blog land to do this one, but here's my seven random facts:

1. I'm obsessed with constantly moving furniture around in my house. I figure it's a great time to clean out underneath furniture and dust and I love to do it. I draw out floor plans and rearrange furniture in my head and then when I can't stand it anymore and I get that idea in my head, Brent knows he's in for some couch hauling.

2. My favorite food: An English classic Beans on Toast. You've got to try hot baked beans on toasted bread. When I'm feeling like a real treat, I put an egg on top. YUM! Whenever we have this for dinner (only once every few months), I'm always glad that no one stopped by unexpectedly and saw what we were eating because it's a little different.

3. I love to do the daily crossword in the Tri-City Herald. I know that's not so weird, but I have a system. Monday and Tuesday I can do the crossword puzzle in pen, it's so easy and straightforward. Wednesday and Thursday, it gets a little more difficult, so I reach for a pencil. Friday and Saturday I usually need a pencil with a big eraser. If I finish a Saturday puzzle without Internet help, I'm pretty proud of myself.

4. (My girls came up with this one) When someone says something and I know a song that contains that word, I usually sing it, REALLY LOUD. My kids are totally used to it, but when they have friends over, I have to be careful. Unfortunately, I usually don't even realize I'm doing it.

5. My children HAVE to have clean ears. I can't think of anything nastier than dirty ears. Ok, so the girls are old enough to take care of this one themselves, but I do a ear check now and again anyway. The boys are hilarious because after I clean their ears they ask me who won. (whoever has the dirtiest Q-Tips is the winner.) It's just a little game I came up with so they let me clean their ears without complaining.

6. I like to fill the dishwasher. I like to see everything packed just so. I have a really hard time starting it unless it's full, but sometimes it's necessary. I despise unloading the dishwasher.

7. I have a total of 5 cousins, that's it. Brent just thinks he may have 101 cousins, but he isn't sure. I think that's funny, but that may just be his random thing.

I'm tagging Jen W., Jeanette M., Kenley, Susan S., Kelsey R., Catherine B. and Sarah J.

Have a fantastic day!!