Where is my spring/summer?

Josh sent us this picture that was taken on May 20, 2010 in Idaho Falls, ID. He wasn't to happy that it was snowing in May!

BLaCKBeRRieS GaLoRe!

This is the first year at trying to sell blackberries.  Shawn started planting them a few years ago, and we now have about 300 plants.  We didn't advertise at first because we weren't sure what to expect.  We were hoping that we could sell a lot as I didn't have the freezer space if all the plants produced, and none sold.  Shawn started taking some the 1st week of production to work, and started selling them just like that.  We did put an ad in the paper, and we have been getting calls.  As of today, 17 days after picking started... the kids have picked 120 gallons (about 5# each), and have made over $1100!  They are super excited about the money they have made.  It's not an easy job.  They have to be up at 5:45am Monday, Wednesday & Friday to be picking by 6am.  They are usually done picking by 9am.  2 days ago Lauren & Kayley left for Girls Camp, so yesterday I had to get up and help... Owwwwwww!!  I have scratches all over me!  The little girls are pretty good helpers with the thornless berry plants, so while they are doing those, the big girls and Jacob are doing the thorny type.  I have kept some of the gallons they have picked and made some blackberry jelly & jam.  The berries in the picture are ones from this year.  Simply gorgeous, and delish!

Kristen's baptism...

I have so forgotten to post about this.  I hope I can remember all of it.  Kristen turned 8 on September 14, 2009.  We had planned for her to get baptized on the 24th, and had even sent out e-vites for everyone about it.  I think about 2 days before the big day, kids started throwing up, and Joseph ended up with the flu.  I canceled as I felt it would be safer if everyone was better first before everyone came.  About a week or so passed, and everyone was still fretting over "swine flu" which supposedly Joseph had.  Finally I decided to wait until Thanksgiving weekend when my whole family would be there anyway.

When we got to the church, no jumpsuit for Kristen.  One of Kristen's friends had been baptized a few weeks before, so we called them.  Sure enough, they had it and good thing they lived close to the church.  We started about 5 minutes late, but all was well.

A lot of the cousins were there, and good thing there weren't a lot of members.  It was rather loud, and I almost yelled out "SHUSH UP!"  But they were cousins that hadn't seen each other in the past 3-4 months.  Afterwards we went back to the house and got ready for Thanksgiving the next day.  It was a fun and good weekend!

We love you Kristen... Congrats on your baptism!

Mini-Craft Night, June 10th

So for the past year and a half I have been the 2nd counselor in Relief Society, and everyone knows what that means... I am in charge of the activities formally known as Enrichment formally known as Homemaking. I am so not good with this calling, and trying to make it fun. But I am trying. On June 10th, this is what we are going to be doing. I did learn to make it look kinda cutesy and all with my Photoshop. If any of you are reading this, and see your picture that I borrowed from your website, hope you aren't to mad! I am doing the jam class... we are going to make strawberry jam! Yum!

Can't wait to see you there!

When it rains, it pours!

Or is it, they say it comes in three's?!  Today was another sad day in our family.  Zoey, member of our family since July 2009, died late last night.  She and Cali had belonged to my brother Scott and his family, but after their 2nd baby, they just thought it would be better for them to come here.  Since we love wiener dogs, we gladly took them.  They loved it here from day 1, and the 3 dogs palled around all the time.  I don't know how old Zoey was.  She was a cute dog.  She really tolerated Macy.  I don't think she died of a broken heart for losing Ollie & Macy.  I just hope Cali does okay being the lone dog for now.  Sure, my father-in-law has two farm dogs, but they aren't the same as those other two were.  The farm dogs don't come around much anymore because of Cali.  She lets them know who is boss!

This one picture is (L-R), Zoey, Ollie & Cali chillin' on the never-soon-to-be back-porch in August 2009, right after Josh left on his mission.

Kids and dogs

This was taken on June 3rd.  I was playing with my phone trying to figure out how to transfer pictures from it to Facebook, and finally I got it to work!  They were being so silly!  Joey is really naked.  He was about to get his diaper on for bed.  LOL!!

Found this cute picture on my camera too.  Lindsey and Macy, about a week or so before Macy died.  She was such a cute little dog!!  Wish we could get another like her!

Macy loved jumping all over Cali or Zoey.  She loved jumping, bouncing off things...

Just a cute picture of Joey... with clothes on!  That's a rarity at our house for him!

Macy loved sleeping on the boots during the day.  We would go out, and there she was... usually sprawled out all over them.  

Silly Macy!

To the beach... soon!

If everything goes as plan, we will be staying at this beach house in Galveston.  It's right on the beach, and the kids are super excited!  We are going to be there for a week in July.  We haven't been to the beach since 1997.  I know... so sad!  I really wanted to go to a beach in Alabama or Florida, but now with the oil spill and all, I am glad we are going here.  Yes, it's not white sand beaches, but it's a beach and that's all my kids care about!!  A beach is a beach to kids!  Need to start working on my tan!

A lost art...

A few months ago I read in the paper about a lady who asked her daughter, age 14 or so, to sign her name. She printed it. She said "no, in cursive." Her daughter said that she didn't know how. Could have very easily been my children. Ashdown schools are not teaching cursive. So sad. I am now in the process of teaching my children cursive handwriting. I printed off this form:

Even though we just started yesterday, they are picking up on it. Lauren did have it in 3rd grade when we were in Bryan, so she has done okay, but not really. She will be a great doctor when she grows up... her cursive and regular handwriting are awful.  Poor teachers!  Haha!!  Today we worked on their names, and a few words.  Each day until we get to Killeen (when the swimming pool takes over all other priorities), my kids will be working on the cursive alphabet and their names, and some words.  I know the age is computers now, but still... people need to learn to sign their name correctly at least!

Macy, March 2010-May 2010

Our cute little puppy, Macy, died last night, May 27. She was full of life, and loved to be with her "older sisters," Cali & Zoey. She thought she was just as big and strong as them, and wherever they went, she would go. Just last night at dinner, Shawn was telling how the 3 dogs were running up in the blackberry patch by him, and that Macy had disappeared. Shawn went to go look, and there she was, in a deep hole that Shawn had dug for a post. She was the tiniest dog. She slept outside with her sisters. She loved biting our toes, and being a rascal. As Shawn was telling the story, Kayley & Jacob (who had already finished dinner) had gone to do a chore outside for Shawn. All of the sudden Jacob ran in the house, blood all over his hand saying that something happened to Macy. We ran out, and Kayley was bringing her up to Lauren. Lauren took her, and she breathed her last breath. Macy, trying to be big, jump off the 4-wheeler and broke her little neck. It was the saddest, most heart-breaking thing ever! We wrapped her in a towel, and buried her next to Ollie in the backyard, under the oak tree. We are all sad that she is gone. She was the sweetest little thing ever!

Miss Whistlestop Pageant

Lauren decided this year to enter the local pageant that Ashdown does.  We started looking for a dress during Spring Break, and found a brand-new one on-line for $40.  We were really excited because it was a modest dress, and that is something that Lauren is very adament about.  It was a very fun time getting her ready.  The last picture was actually suppose to be the first picture, but I don't know why it's last when I loaded it right!  Anyway, we got her make-up and hair done yesterday afternoon, and boy!  Talk about gorgeous!  It was also fun to get new earrings, and 3-in. heels!  She was the tallest girl in her group!  

First picture: This is her waiting and looking at the other girls before the pageant started. 
2nd picture: On the stage
3rd picture: In order... 1st runner up, 2nd runner up, winner, photogenic
4th picture: Getting 1st runner up in the Miss Whistlestop Pageant, in the 13-15 age division. There were 7 girls in her group.
 (I don't know why I couldn't put these above the pictures... I couldn't figure it out!) 

Congrats Lauren!  So beautiful!

One less coyote in the world...

This morning Shawn left to go to work thinking today was going to be a good day. About 45 minutes after he left, he calls me. I am like GREAT! What happened now? If you remember, back in August he "hit" a tire that was in the road, and it tore up the front passenger bumper of his car. Today... it was a coyote. Maybe not this coyote, but a big one...

and it tore up the SAME front end again! Shawn was going close to 80 mph...

I bet the coyote said this after he was hit...

And after the first accident in August, I KNOW I told our insurance company to put on "rental", as we couldn't get a rental that time (couldn't afford it). Rental was put on the Suburban, but not the little car. So, now we are fighting our insurance... it's our word against their word. It's on now, but it's a little to late! Grrrrrrr!

Homemade

FRENCH BREAD!

I am such a sucker for carbs!

See why I can't lose weight?

Brigham House Chicken Salad

My friend Suzanne gave me this recipe many years ago, and I actually made it once, for the Relief Society Stake activity {thus, the reason why I was given the recipe}. After seeing it posted this week on one of Suzanne's blog, I started craving for it again. I went to the store and got the necessary ingredients to make it. Of course, my family will all moan and groan about it, but they can eat it or eat a PB&J! Thanks Suzanne for letting me "borrow" your picture! Oh, and if you want the recipe, click on the link above!

Kayley made this cake today. She wanted to make something, and since I had the ingredients for the German Chocolate Pound Cake, I told her she could make it. It turned out great, considering all the bad luck I've had this week with pound cakes, and I am sure it tastes just as good as it looks!
Thanks Kayley for making it!

German Chocolate Pound Cake
1 German Chocolate Cake Mix
1 tub coconut-pecan frosting
4 eggs
1/2 c. oil
1 c. water

Preheat oven to 350*. Grease a bundt cake pan. Mix all ingredients together, including the frosting. Pour into pan, and bake 50-60 minutes. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes. Invert onto cake pan, and let it finish cooling. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

I'm in it!

A while back I was looking at the Worldwide Ward Cookbook, and saw that my friend had submitted a few recipes. I got on-line to find out if another cookbook was in the works, and sure enough, there was! I submitted a bunch of recipes...and 3 of them were published!
I got my cookbook today... so excited!

He does not starve!

I got a sweet letter from my cute elder son today. He told me that he was very grateful that I taught him to cook because he hasn't eaten any Raman since he has been on his mission!

He says he loves to cook, and that all the

missionaries love to eat his food.

Isn't he so cute?

Popcorn Popping...

on our wild pear tree...

Macy Dog...

Before even Ollie died, Lauren was getting a new dog from her "boy friend" Preston. Macy was born March 4th, and was the runt of the litter. Macy is 1/2 long-hair dachshund, 1/4 malties, 1/4 poodle. She is so tiny, and so cute... Kids were super excited when they saw her today because I kept it a secret. I made arrangements with Preston's mom to meet her in New Boston today. Lauren & I were planning on getting her Saturday, but today was better...

and I didn't have to drive far!

She is laying next to Joey's size 8 toddlers crocs.

(Yes, Joey does have a small foot!)

Awwwwwww... sleeping while Joey is watching Diego.

What have I gotten myself into?? I like dogs to be potty-trained, and at least a year old! YIKES!!

Phantom of the Opera

This past December we went to my parents house to visit during the kids Christmas break. Lauren & Kayley mostly stayed at my brother's house in Temple. Brandon & Rebekah are excellent piano players. I mean Rebekah was asked to be 1 of 12 piano players at the RNC in Dallas this summer! Lauren got a copy, 8 pages, of the Phantom of the Opera theme (?) song. Almost every day since, she has been practicing this song, and can play the first 4 pages really good. I want to say she told me that she is trying to memorize it. Her goal is to have it all ready to play in the Ward Talent Show in December. I must say, I am quite proud of her. She also has been practicing the 2010 Youth theme, Be Strong, as well. She is playing that in Sacrament Meeting on May 16th.

A new teenager!

Kayley turned the big 1-3 on April 1st. She is now the 3rd official teenager that I have, even though only 2 live in my house! I hope this girl lives to see her 14th birthday... such a pouter she is (as she is by me as I type this... but really, she is!)

I forgot to get a picture of her on her birthday, so here

she is from yesterday, with her cousin MaKayla.

Such a beautiful daughter!

Sweet MaKayla, almost 12. We haven't seen her in a while, so I decided to get a cute picture of her. We really enjoy seeing her, and wish she lived closer!

Krissy, Lindsey, Kayley & MaKayla ready for church. Couldn't wait on Lauren, as she is never ready on time these days, it seems!

Dying Easter Eggs

I will have to admit, dying Easter eggs is not a favorite activity of mine. I always make sure that one of the Grandmas will do it. This year, Mimi got lucky to be the Grandma to do it. But really she didn't have to do a thing except boil the eggs, because 2 of her older granddaughters, Lauren & Kayley, were there to help the small grandchildren...

Colby, Rachel & LaNiece

Lauren, Krissy & Kayley

Kayley, LaNaye, Jacob, Rachel, Colby

Rachel & Joey posing... he wanted to be in that pool instead! Unfortuately no swimming happened because the weather had not been warm to make the water warm. It was way cold, and I didn't need sick kids!

Gettin' a hairs cut!

I went to Killeen 2 weekends in a row in March/April. First time it was for Spring Break, and 2nd time it was for Easter, since Shawn had to work the whole weekend anyway. After Spring Break, I tried to get Jacob in for a hairs cut because he was startin' to have a mop up there, but Kelly had no time to cut it, and he didn't want me to buzz his head like I did Joey's a few weeks back. We headed back to Killeen with no hairs cut. The Saturday before Easter, Jacob and I had to go to Walmart, so between sessions of General Conference, we headed over. Just as I pulled back in to my parents drive-way, I decided right then that Jacob needed a hairs cut at a Korean Barber Shop. So over to Ft. Hood Street we went to find Ci-Ci's. We didn't have a wait. We said we wanted a flat-top. I think the lady was thinking I was crazy snappin' pictures but he had never been to a barber, especially a good Korean barber!

She was fast, and kept moving Jacob's head back to where she put it the first time!

Look at the hose on those clippers! Let me tell ya... that was the coolest thing! The kid hardly had a piece of hair on him when the cut was over.
She spent quite a while getting that top flat...

Watch out Maverick! I think this kid is way more good lookin' then you ever dreamed of bein'!

Ollie, 2001-2010

On April 14th, our dog, Ollie... our cute dog that we've had for 7 years, died. He was Josh's dog. We wrote him a letter to tell him that he had died, and today in his email, Josh said that he was expecting it, even though he didn't want it to happen. He wasn't upset or anything. I cried when Shawn told me he had died. He was getting up there in age, and for the past few months he wasn't as frisky as he once was. He stayed around the house more, even though there was always time to trap a possom, snag a chicken or 2, or even gnaw on a deer leg...

Ollie, November 2009
Ollie and the girls... Zoie (L) and Cali, August 2009

Blogging 101

I am at my parents for Easters, and of course I have my laptop. Since my blog hasn't been updated in a while, I thought I would change the template, and put another cute one on, and so I tried deleting everything, and did this and did that, and nothing happened! I so need some serious help in Blogging 101.

On April 7th, I am getting wireless! Ok, not wireless I don't think, but Hughes Net? It's satellite... right? Anyway, it's suppose to be like super fast, so I am getting super excited! Maybe then I can figure this all out!