Benson Grist Mill

No pics this time...:-( I brought my camera, but realized as we got out of the van that Ava didn't put shoes on before leaving home; Ryan had to carry her while I carried Breck! Breck and cameras don't mix!

We went to the Benson Grist Mill which is in Stansbury. It was really interesting. I wanted to go there, because there is a mom that wants her daughter's pics there on August 5th, and so I wanted to scope the scene out beforehand. Ezra T Benson's grandpa settled it, and started the mill. All the farmers would go and take their wheat there, and it would be made into whatever they needed (cracked wheat, rolled oats, flour etc.....) it was really neat! There was this old grandpa that was shacky and so cute! ha ha. He told us all about the actual mill. There are old pioneer homes and barns too. They do a play there every year in August. This year it is 'Annie Get Your Gun'...I've never seen it (all I can figure is it is something about Annie killing Blake ha ha lol). Anyway they also have a "pumpkin walk" in October. Not sure what that is either.
We then stopped by the Ivory Homes they are selling in Stansbury. We left there grateful that our house payment is what it is....although the fire place and ten foot ceilings would be ideal. We then stopped by McD's and got happy meals. It was another fun family time.....which is nice to have amid all of the chaos, clutter, whining etc....

Adopt A Canyon...No Brainer F.H.E Idea

We decided to go up the canyon and have a F.H.E on keeping Heavenly Father's earth clean. I took a pic with me of the earth, and the animals, and basically asked the girls what it was and who created it. Then we told them we should try and keep the earth clean for Heavenly Father. I busted out my rubber gloves and Walmart sack and they went to town picking up garbage around the camp site. We topped it off with ice cream, and a bath afterward. Simple, but I think we got a good message across, and enjoyed time as a family. I didn't appreciate all the flies, and Ryan didn't appreciate the used tampon he came across...ha ha....but other than that a good time was had by all! :-)

Ava Playing Mom

If Breck actually survives his childhood with two older sisters I will be surprised! This is the end result of Ava feeding Breck his baby food. She told me she was going to feed him some when I walked away for a minute. When I came back I had to laugh. Ava is in my shirt that she wanted to wear to bed, which is why it is falling off. Breck's eyes are, as usual, beautiful. A man in our ward told me that he could "drill holes with those eyes." :-) (don't ask me why that little picture thing is at the end of this post...I have no clue)

Caramel Cashew Chewies

i LoVe SwEeTs!

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup old-fashioned oats
1 package (14 oz) caramels
1/3 cup half-and-half cream
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup salted cashew halves, chopped

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and brown sugar. Beat in egg. Stir in flour and oats. Press into a 13 x 9 inch baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan melt caramels and half-and-half together over low heat. Pour over baked crust. Sprinkle with cashews and chocolate. Bake for 8-10 additional minutes. Cool on a wire rack before cutting.

My kids are good at helping me unwrap the caramels--and of course helping me eat it. I think it would be just as good, maybe better, without the cashews. I kinda like to keep my salts and sweets separate.

Happy 4th!

Had to share a pic of my BEAUTIFUL, oh so sweet (most of the time), daughters! Hope everyone has a safe weekend. We are headed down to SWELTERING St. George!