Seven Eight and Under

We made our way down to Aunt Tina's house to help out while Aaron graduated from police academy. I spent 24 hours taking care of 7 kids (8 mo to 8 years). Quite the chore, but it was good to see the cousins. Eating pizza from Lotsa Motsa! Amber and Gracie

Tyler and Ava

Megan and Breck

Bruno couldn't get enough loves. If he wasn't so slobbery I would have enjoyed it. Did I mention he laid next to my bed and farted as I tried to fall asleep. I'm still not sure if I actually fell asleep or passed into unconciousness. The kids having a go at feeding Yuma the pregnant horse.

Jesse being his happy self as he was continually ignored and placed on the floor to be stepped on by children and dog....no joke.

Breck and Ava trying out Ty's John Deere.

Here Comes The Sun......

We were able to walk to the park the other day and enjoy the good weather!

Jesse Boy's first time on a swing.

The view to the West. Gracie's school on the right hand side.

Hearty Shepherd's Pie

It's high time I added a recipe, and frankly it's high time that this Shepherd made a Shepherd's Pie for once. We thought this recipe was great. Breck ate it, so it is kid friendly depending on the child. We loved that it incorporated cream cheese. Mmmm.........

Ingredients:

1 lb lean ground beef
1/2 medium onion chopped
1 can Cream of Celery soup
2 cups cooked veggies (canned, frozen, or fresh) (ex: peas, carrots, green beans, corn)
1 cup fresh mushrooms (washed and chopped)
1/4 cup water
1 tsp crushed rosemary
1 tsp garlic powder, divided
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 cups prepared instant mashed potatoes
1 pkg cream cheese, softened and cubed
1/4 sour cream
1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Directions:

In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until beef is no longer pink, drain. Stir in soup, vegetables, rosemary, 1/2 of garlic powder, salt and pepper; heat through. Transfer to a greased 9-inch deep-dish pie plate.

In a large bowl, beat the mashed potatoes, cream cheese, sour cream and remaining garlic powder until blended. Spread over top of beef mixture. Sprinkle with parmesan.

Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 25 minutes or until heated through and potatoes are lightly browned.

Flashback Friday

Poor quality picture huh? I got a laugh when I discovered this picture this morning. I had completely forgot about "flashback Friday" until I found this. In August 2002 Ryan and I, along with my brother Jesse and his wife Melanie, went and stayed at Bear River Lodge. We had an awesome time riding four wheelers, spotting wild life, feeding fish, playing cards and bbq-ing. We found this sign along the way. To my relief we never saw the inhabitants of 'Beaver Creek Nudist Ranch.'

Flashback Friday

Ya'll are gonna have to flashback in your memory to remember the last time I even posted a 'Flashback Friday'. So this is a picture I found the other day and thought I'd share. You can guess which one I am right? Definitely not either one with 80's hair in the back. That would be Tina and Claudia. Not the ball cap wearing nerd to the left, that would be Jesse. That leaves the "innocent" boy to the right, Spencer, or the cute as can be, lovable, pink-pajama-wearing girl up front. I hope you guessed right!

Gracie's 7th Birthday

I haven't posted forever! I bought these balloons because these are Gracie's 4 favorite colors! She invited 6 friends over and we had a great pajama/makeover party!

Katelyn, Emmy, Kassie, Gracie, Keirsten, Kenzie, Emma

I had to repeatedly tell Breck to stop kissing the girls!

Gracie and her best friend Kenzie Wheeler.

Temple Square 2010

We went to Temple Square again this year. We chanced it and went the Saturday after Thanksgiving and were pleasantly surprised that it wasn't that busy! We went to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building first to watch the movie about Joseph Smith. Afterwards Ava told me she loves Joseph Smith. That made me feel good that she got what she should have out of the movie. We then went out and enjoyed the lights around the temple. As we walked close to the temple Ava told me that she was going to get married there. She invited me along to pass out candy at her wedding and said that Ryan could clean the temple. ha ha. I love creating these special memories for my kids. Lastly, we went home and had pb&j sandwiches and rootbeer floats. It's funny cause that's what we did last year and the kids insisted we eat the same things again. Just goes to show how kids love tradition. I even tried to get them to have hot chocolate instead, but to no avail!

Inside-Out Stuffed Cabbage

I haven't posted a recipe since July so I thought I better. I made this last night. It was yummy and different from the norm, so we really enjoyed it.

Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
2 cups cubed peeled butternut squash
1 medium green pepper, chopped
6 cups chopped cabbage
1 can (11 1/2 oz) spicy hot V8 juice
1 cup water
1 envelope beefy onion soup mix
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1/2 cup uncooked instant brown rice

Directions:
In a large pan or dutch oven, cook the beef, squash, and green pepper over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the cabbage, juice, water, soup mix and brown sugar. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes or until cabbage is tender, stirring occasionally.

Stir in rice. Cover and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat; cover and let stand for 5 minutes or until rice is tender.

November 2010

Most of you have seen these pictures but I thought I would include them for journaling purposes. I love looking at these pictures. It reminds me of how much my beautiful children have changed and evolved over time, and how my relationship with them continues to change and evolve as they grow. It is so amazing to be a mother. I am honored to be one and am counting my wonderful blessings this Thanksgiving. Did I mention my great husband who let me sleep in Saturday and Sunday and made me breakfast both mornings. I am blessed. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

So these are

my beautiful kids! Am I proud? Yes I am! More pics to come, but I just thought I'd update my blog for once. Life is settling down a bit since our move back to our homeland. Gracie loves first grade now. Surprise! Her teacher is Ms. Nash and she loves being back with her old friends. Ava and Gracie are both in gymnastics again, which they just love! Breck has spent his time following Ryan around for every project he has undertaken, including trying to finish the girls room down stairs. He is a miniature Ryan and it is just too cute! Baby Jesse is either smiling or sleeping, and I am just trying to finish up my schooling, keep the house somewhat orderly, keep my addiction to food under control and get on the treadmill as often as I can.

The highlight of my month was heading to the Cheesecake Factory last night with a group of our friends. 6 couples and LOTS of laughing. It was so nice to just get out. Did I mention I had to bring the baby since we are attached at the.....well.....hip? But he is so great I didn't hear a peep from him all night!