We're Off!

Dave and I are leaving in the morning for our cruise! I think we have made all the arrangements for things to run smoothly at home and now the fun can begin. We'll see you a week from Sunday!

(Caleen - thanks for letting me steal these pictures off you blog!)

52 Blessings Project

I have a wonderful friend, Barb and she had this idea on her blog. This is how it goes...

The 52 Blessings Project
About 52 Blessings Once a week post a photo of something you are most grateful for. This gives us a chance to reflect on the good things we have learned from or that have made us better in our everyday lives or things we just enjoy! I think everyone needs to be more grateful for what they have now days instead of always thinking about what we want! This is one of the things we can do to be more gracious people. It will be like a photo gratitude journal.

I'm going to start this now and try to remember to do this weekly. It's going to jog my memories and help me realize all of our blessings that we have in our lives. For this week...

My Family...



I'm so thankful for my family. As kids, we didn't always get a long but we have grown up to be great friends. I love you all! And - I'm excited because in 2 days we will all be meeting up in Los Angeles and heading for the Mexican Riviera. It's going to be loads of fun!

EFY

We got confirmation on Saturday that Maddie and Maddie got into EFY! They are going to BYU Idaho this year in Rexburg and they are very excited. They go the first part of July!

PS - this picture was taken as they were going to an "80's" themed dance!

FHE and Pizza

Last night we went out for pizza with my parents and Brittany's family. We had a great time together. We saw the "Balloon Man" that we had seen this summer when we went to the Brick Oven. He's amazing and he made a balloon for each of the kids. Dallin got Spiderman, Talbie a violin, Emmie -Cinderella, Bronson - Luigi, Logan - a pirate ship, and Brock - Mario.


Talbie playing her balloon violin


Dave and his "leech" (Emmie - she's always stuck to him)


Talbie and Dallin

Good Bye and We Will Miss You

Many of you know that our beloved Prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley passed away this evening around 7:00. He was loved and admired by so many and he did a great deal for our Church. We love him and will miss him but are excited for him to be able to reunite with his dear wife, Marjorie who passed away a few years ago. He was 97 years old.

Violin Concert

Talbie and Emmie had a concert today at some local care centers. They played songs they have been working on for awhile and all played together. Here is a video you can enjoy and you can also link to Talbie's blog and watch another one if you'd like. It's a little blurry but Talbie is on the right in the cream sweater and Emmie is the front row right by the music stand in the burgundy shirt. Enjoy...

New Kids?

My sister, Brittany's favorite group of all time (OK - at least during 8th or 9th grade). I just read that they are making a come back! Read HERE

Brittany's already in line for the tickets!!

Why I Blog

"To you women of today, who are old or young, may I suggest to you that you write, that you keep journals, that you express your thoughts on paper. Writing is a great discipline. It is a tremendous education effort. It will assist you in various ways, and you will bless the lives of many--now and in the years to come, as you put on paper some of your experiences and some of your musings." --President Gordon B. Hinckley

I love this quote but I saw it somewhere without a reference. Does anyone know where this quote can be found?

A Little Stressed!

Some of you may not know but Dave and I are leaving a week from tomorrow on a cruise to the Mexican Riviera. We are going with my parents, and everyone on my side of the family (except Cody and Kali who are due to have a baby at the end of February). I'm getting excited for this trip but to tell you the truth, I have been dreading it because of all the prep work that is involved in leaving the kids behind and making arrangements for 9 days.

That is what the above picture is for. On Sunday I had each of my kids write down their 3 favorite meals that I make so I could make some things ahead of time for dinners so my WONDERFUL cousin, Holly (who will be staying with the kids) won't have so much work on trying to figure out dinner for 4 picky eaters! Well - chicken rolls were top of everyone's list (only me, Bronson, and Maddie like them without the chicken!) I will post the recipe below. Today I'm making enough to feed an army (or the Knowles kids) for dinner tonight and then I'll freeze the rest for when I'm gone. I've already made a ton of broccoli cheese soup so that's 2 dinners down!

Recipe for my Chicken (or chicken-less) Rolls:

36 Rhodes Dinner rolls (or in my case today - 90!)
3 packages of cream cheese (I think they are 8 oz)
1 head of cooked broccoli - chopped very fine
1 can of chicken white meat (or use fresh if you have the time)

Place rolls out to rise at least 3-4 hours. Make filling by combining room temp. cream cheese, broccoli, and chicken (drained and cut up). Mix together well.

After the rolls have thawed and risen, take one at a time and stretch out in your hand. Place a spoonful of filling in the dough and then fold around the filling. Continue until all the rolls are filled.

Place on a cookie sheet (sprayed with cooking spray) and brushed with melted butter and sprinkle with Parmesean cheese (optional).

Bake at 375 for about 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool (if you have the patience) and dig in.

These are best the next day - straight out of the fridge!

Joys of Motherhood

Maddie slept in our bed with us until she was 3 years old. After her, we vowed to not let another child sleep with us. It was wonderful to finally get her out of our bed and to wake up in the morning feeling refreshed - and not feeling like you'd been kicked in the ribs all night (which you had).

That rule only lasted until the kids were old enough to walk themselves into our bed and slip in without being noticed. Then when you wake up and can't move - you see the reason (as your child is laying horizontally between you and your husband as you're clinging to the edge for dear life! This was the sight in my bed this morning. The other thing I love is how they always choose MY side to lay on (Dave has another story entirely - I'm sure). But - this is my pillow shown above so you can imagine the room I had to sleep!

Maddie's Party

Birthdays last about a week at our house by the time we get done celebrating. Yesterday we had the family over for cake and ice cream for Maddie's Bday. We had a great time together. It was standing room only at our little house. It's funny how over the years our house has gone from being huge (when we moved in we only had Maddie and 3 extra bedrooms) and now we are filled to the rim and when our ENTIRE family comes over - it's tight!



Maddie got spoiled and got a lot of nice things from everyone. The favorite gift was from Jared, Brittany husband. Here's the background...

Maddie got some gum from me for Christmas and it's her favorite. She doesn't like to share it. Well, a few days after Christmas she had a dream that Jared came over and asked her for a piece of her gum. She said to him, "OK - but this is my favorite gum and I don't like to share it. I will give you one piece and that ALL!" She gave him piece and he left. Then, in her dream, he shows up the next day and asks for a piece of her gum again. She's thinking to herself, "I just told him yesterday that it's my favorite gum and I don't like to share!" I was in the dream and said to Jared, "Sure, you can have a piece of her gum." Maddie was mad and said, "OK Jared, but just ONE!" She said, "So he went to get a piece and took like 5 of them!"

She was so mad after that dream and couldn't believe that he would do that. This is what he gave her for her birthday....


It was a fun day.




The girls cousins: Emmie, Megan, Abi, Maddie, Talbie, and Jessie

Need to Try

I saw an ad for this and I'm tempted to try it. What caught my attention were the ingredients used in this product: Eucalyptus, Methol, and Camphor. These are the three main ingredients of the "Homemade" or "Home Aid" ointment that my grandma Vivian would make.

"Homemade ointment" is like "Vapor Rub" only 10 times stronger. It's good stuff and we need to make some more because everyone's supplies are running out. I made it with my grandmas before she died, 11 years ago. I'm thankful that I had that opportunity so I will always know how it's made.

I use "homemade ointment" on my lips every night, use it when we're congested, but my favorite times I have used it were when my kids were babies. If they got croup or a bad chest cold I would rub their chest down with it and zip up their "sleeper pajamas." They became a "human vaporizer" and my morning they would be breathing easy again.

Anyway - I must try this Sudacare Plug In and see if it reminds me of grandma!

Baby laughing at the Wii

Here is another adorable video for your viewing pleasure!

Newest Member of the Family

Yesterday afternoon Bronson was pulling in the garbage can from the street when he came running into the house and said, "There's a new bunny in the cage!" I thought he must be mistaken because he or Dave feed the bunnies every day and there has never been any other bunny in the cage.

I went out to see and sure enough - we have a new baby bunny. I told you that in the summer when we got the bunnies we were assured they were all female - but I had my doubts. Especially after I saw them check the bunnies at the pet store to see if they are male or female and it's IMPOSSIBLE to tell! Anyway - I was right.

These bunnies are in a cage outside in our garden spot. They have a network of underground tunnels that they live in and they come up to eat. This was the first time (that we had seen) that the new bunny and been up. We've name her(he) "Peter Rabbit".

The sad news is that there is a black bunny in the corner of the cage that is dead. That goodness that's a "daddy job" to retrieve it!

We wanted to hold the little bunny so bad yesterday but it stayed close to it's mommy and wouldn't come near us. We'll keep you posted on how she's doing!

Happy Birthday Maddie!

Happy Birthday Maddie "Moo". Moo has been her nickname since she was born. I'm thankful she doesn't have a weight problem or it could get ugly!

Maddie is 15 today and I can't believe it. The reason I can't believe it is because sometimes it feels like she should be 20 by now. She's acted 15 since she was 4!

I'm not looking forward to next years "16th" birthday because we have a hard enough time fighting the boys off now - BUT - I will be thankful to not have to drive her everywhere!

Happy Birthday Moo - we love you!

Special Delivery

My sister-in-law Kali sent me these beautiful flowers yesterday as a thank you for the baby shower we threw for her. Thanks Kali. I love having fresh flowers in the house!

Grocery Store

Talbie and I went to the grocery store last night to get some milk. This is what we came home with (along with the milk). And NO - I'm not doing the "Special K Challenge" anymore!

Smurfs

I read today that the "Smurfs" are celebrating their 50th anniversary. I was never fan of the "Smurfs" cartoon, but the figurines were my thing. In the 6th grade I collected these figurines and had dozens of them. I remember winning them at the school carnival and they were an obsession. This was in 1980.

I found this website and it shows some of the figurines and what they are worth today. It's too bad I didn't hold on to those. Click here to view website.

Baby Shower

Kali's baby shower on Saturday was a success! We had so much fun getting together with everyone and it made it so exciting to know baby "Ally" will be here in no time. She's going to be the most beautiful baby. Ever since Cody and Kali got married my mom has always said that she couldn't wait to have some "milk chocolate" babies. I hope that's not offensive to anyone but she really is going to be beautiful!

I am such a "shrimp!" I had to have Talbie go get my shoes to put back on before the guests started arriving so I wouldn't have to strain my neck to talk to people!

Talbie is so crafty and made this pillow for the shower.


It says "Ally" had has a bee on it because her nursery is decorated with "Winnie the Pooh"


It was also Cody's birthday on Saturday so we celebrated with him too.


Your never too old for the money game! He had to catch his birthday check but he's gotten smart over the years of playing and he cheated and used his hat!

Cookies and Milk

There's nothing more "homey" to me than a little boy eating cookies and milk!

The Money Game!

My dad plays this game with the kids called "The Money Game!" This is how it works...the kids stand in the entry way of my parents house and my dad stands upstairs with money. He folds one bill at a time and drops it down to the kids. If they catch it before it touches the floor - they get to keep it. If it touches the floor or lands somewhere before they catch it - it has to be returned to my dad, upstairs. The kids take turns trying to make their fortune and it's very stressful!

Talbie trying to catch her money


Bronson nabbing his

Emmie catching her dollar


Talbie trying again.

The kids played this the other day with dollar bills. Today we had a baby shower for my sister-in-law, Kali. Talbie came early with me to get things set up. I was down in the basement when she came down and said, "Grandpa played the money game with me and I got a $50!" My dad will do this sometime with the older kids and it really puts the pressure on.

Talbie couldn't wait to tell Maddie the news when she got there for the shower. You can imagine Maddie reaction when my dad said he was out of money...



But everyone knows that Grandpa is never out of money - so...

Maddie was able to catch her 50 dollar bill!

Video

The video on the following post is so cute. The kids and I found it and we watch it over and over Enjoy!

Charlie bit my finger - again !

Entrepreneur

Bronson has made a lot of money since we started the paper route in July. He has 2 accounts. One is a savings account that he can't take money out of and the other one is a spending account. I don't put very much money in the spending account - but it's a lot to a 9 year old boy. He even has a debit card that goes with this account.

He doesn't like to spend his money. He was very generous at Christmas time and he bought me a chocolate fountain that I haven't used yet. But, the other day I was at the bank making deposits and I said, "Boy Bronson, you have quite a bit of money here that you could spend. Why don't you take your nice mom out to lunch?" His reply, "No, I don't want to spend any of it." So far - that's all the thanks I've gotten for getting up with him every morning to deliver the papers.

It got him thinking though. He's been coming up with other ways to make money. He found some ancient Roman coins on ebay the other day and he bid on the one above. He won the bid on the coin that dates back to 300 A.D. It cost him $11.00 with shipping. Who knows - his little investments could pay off someday.

Baby Shower

We are having a fun baby shower on Saturday for my sister-in-law, Kali. She and my brother, Cody have been trying for years to have a baby and they are finally expecting! Baby Ally should arrive the end of February and we're so excited to meet her!!

*Thanks Shea for the wonderful invitation help! (I cropped off the other info before posting it on the blog!)

Jane!

My wonderful friend, Steph informed me that starting January 13th - PBS will be airing a Jane Austen marathon featuring all of her novels. It's exciting news and I just wanted to share it will all you Jane Austen fans out there! I'm setting my recorder right now!

Bronson's Basketball Team

Bronson started basketball yesterday and he loves it. He has a fun team with all his friends on it and a great coach! Thanks Jeff for all your time and hard work with the boys!!

Here's some pictures of their game yesterday...












The starting line up: Brock, Jason, Hunter, Hayden, and Bronson

Number 5 in action!

Sledding

Dave took Talbie, Bronson, and Emmie sledding today at my parent's cabin up Hobble Creek Canyon. They had so much fun and it gave me some time to clean the house and keep it clean for a minute. Maddie stayed behind too with me to clean her room. She's a clean freak like her mother.


Emmie hiking up the hill with her sled


More hiking up the hill!



Here they come!

and down the go...


WEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

We needed a four wheeler to pull them back up after they went down. Hiking up is a real bummer!