A Day In the Life of Ned

Holiday "Wrapping Picture" Idea

2011-11-27T23:05:00.000-08:00

Okay so I know I haven't posted in forever, we all are alive and well...... I promise. I am about ready to delete my blog, well I actually tried too but luckily I am not that technologically savvy because I would have done it but I couldn't figure how too! LOL

So here's a quick idea for the Holidays.

Wrap your Pictures around your House in pretty paper using different kinds of ribbon and paper, it'll add a beautiful Holiday spirit to your home!

FYI- I love Costco, they have the Best deals on ribbon, and paper and its great quality too!

Trains with Grandpa

2011-09-05T13:25:00.000-07:00

We also did our annual tradition of going on trains with grandpa with a bonfire lunch at Knik river it was a great day! :)

View from behind me LOL!

Lunch at the river and Mark was such a wonderful babysitter to his cousin Lydia!

We are so thankful to Laurie and Dad for the fun filled day!

Cousins, cousins, cousins, we love our cousins!

Blueberry Picking

2011-09-05T13:14:00.000-07:00

We did our annual tradition this year of blueberry picking. We went with the Olsen's and they are always good luck we always find tons more berries when we go with them! :)

Nathan was as thrilled as ever can't you tell?

Mark found the "Jack pot" bush this year he was so proud!

Aidan looked like a Dementor(The thing on Harry Potter that sucks out your soul) on the way back, it was raining and cold but the kids where troopers!

We filled a 5 Gallon bucket!

1st Day of School/Reed Lakes

2011-08-17T23:02:00.000-07:00

Every year we have the tradition of going to breakfast on the first day of school. This is something my parents did for us kids ever since I can remember. This year we went to the "V.HO"

In Vally terms that means "The Valley Hotel" a cute Palmer-ish type diner open 24/7. My dad even drove out from Anchorage to keep the tradition alive. Though on a sad note we missed Ariane and her kiddos this year :(
My only picture was really blurry.

Then Nathan and I went hiking after my spin class. It was the most beautiful day ever, and you cant beat two great work outs! It was 65 degrees and not a cloud in the sky! We tried a new trail off Archangel road in Hatchers Pass.
Unfortunately it was a longer hike then we planned on so we almost made it to the top,
we where so close!!
It was well worth it, a great day!

The view on the way down.

Mornings

2011-08-11T20:01:00.000-07:00

Okay so every morning I am so privileged to wake up to the Twins singing various songs. It can be anything from Micheal Jackson to Puff the Magic Dragon. They just somehow wake up happy as can be ready to start the day singing whatever song is in there head. Yesterday it was Christmas YES Christmas in the middle of August, it made my day! Today was the soundtrack from Annie, they found some old CD and put it on. I have CD players in their rooms that play church songs all night while they sleep.

I walked in to find the Twins and Mark laying quietly on the Twins bed reading books singing the songs so I had to take a picture to capture this sweet moment. I was surprised to see Mark in there joining in on the fun! He normally could sleep in for hours and hours. So when I asked him why he was there he explained, Darion was so excited to have a Annie party he was cordially invited!"

Too cute :)

The Joys of Football

2011-08-06T23:45:00.000-07:00

So this Post is tongue and Cheek due the fact I am still on my journey to being happy handing over the remainder of my summer to a sport. But in all actuality I AM thankful(grumble, grumble). I am thankful to have a happy kid that loves to play and is great at it. He is deemed the "Secret Weapon" due to the fact he is 2 feet shorter than the rest of the kids but man he is fast they hand him the ball and he makes a touch down within the first 5 min of the game. CRAZY! I am thankful to have a happy husband that loves Assisting Coach this year. It is his dream to coach all his kids in every sport. And another perk then we spend time together as a family at each event and practices. So those are the answers I am suppose to give but here are

MY Highlights of Football thus far.

#5.) I love watching my boys make up games and entertain themselves. They are soooo good at it! The last game they had a "Survivor Man" game made up(can you tell what Nathan watches with them?) and it was such a hit by the end of the day they had a whole gaggle of kids joined in.

Today was sword fighting.

#4.) I love sitting next to Mark, it's just me and him the whole game....along with him explaining the whole game to me, I know that's bad.

#3.) I love watching my hunk of a man warming up and flexing his muscles.

#2.) I love bribing my kids to scratch my back for candy. I did 1 candy per minute until I was informed I was a cheap skate, the nerve!

OK here it is My most favorite thing about Football........Ready?............

I LOVE WATCHING TY GET SACKED AND I CAN EVEN CHEER ABOUT IT!

Lessons from D

2011-08-04T00:02:00.000-07:00

So first off I am so blessed to have the children I have. I have my moments which seem to be a lot lately where I sure would give anything in this world to have born them. One of my pet peeves is when people tell me I saved them. That could not be further from the truth.

They save me everyday.

They teach me the things I need to know and be, so I can be the person Heavenly Father wants me to be. So I can be the Mother they deserve.

Last week I had a crazy week, as normal, but this week it finally ALL caught up and I was tired. Tired...... tired of doing everything for everyone. This summer I feel like I haven't been able to do the things I want, but am doing things for everyone around me. It finally caught up. Sports is a huge chunk of our lives in the summer. My boys are so very talented athletically in every sport. So football just started and I guess I didn't realize you become married to it, practices everyday of the week and games on Saturdays. Not to mention Sunday really isn't a day of rest for me in the calling I have now. So this last Saturday after spending ALL day "MY" Saturday on the field with a gazillion to do's, to get home to do. I was needless to say, CRABBY!

Darion had asked me a couple times during me making dinner if I could have a "Chalk Date" with him, I of course told him later, after I'm done cooking. I then forgot, and told Nathan I have to escape and go run to get out of the House and do something in this world for me. I ran out of the driveway as fast as I could not knowing if I was going to run away for good or just 5 miles. After my wonderful run I came into the driveway to find chalk in the mother-in law apartments driveway right as they where trying to pull their car in. I picked up the chalk all bugged about it, then went inside the house saying "Darion look what the neighbor almost drove over!" Sweet, Sweet, Darion said "Mom I was waiting for you to have our Chalk Date."

Okay I melted, I was humbled beyond belief. We then Had a chalk date just me and him. We chatted about life, and giggled. I asked him to forgive me and told him I would be better.

Here are some pictures of our fun date

Darion on the boat we took for the Halibut charter.

Darion with Sketcher shoes.

This melted my heart even more!

My awesome rainbow!

Darion even told me I was a really good Draw-ler.

This was Nathan, he had a strong resemblance to "Jack The Pumpkin King" on The Nightmare before Christmas.

He drew me in Purple(my favorite color) with a flower on my shirt.

He also also gave me Sketcher Shoes that even lit up in different colors :)

He taught me Forgiveness, Patience, Humility, and even Self Confidence in my drawing abilities!

He saves ME!

Fun in Homer

2011-07-29T14:13:00.001-07:00

Okay so we spent a long wonderful weekend with family down in Homer. Out of all the pictures from the trip this is my favorite of them all! I have no idea what I was doing. I blame Ryan, you never know what your going to get when you ask him to take your picture :)

Ty found the tallest tree at the campground to climb, it scared my half to death.

Darion at the shore burying all the dead sea life, so they could have a proper burial and be able to be resurrected.

The kid cracks me up!

Jellyfish

Nathan's nap

Darions sea shells

Issiac

Devin and all the kids getting wet in the water.

It was 75 degrees outside it felt like Hawaii, it was so nice!

I LOVE my man!

Mark

When you are the photographer you are really in the pictures and when you are these are the ones you get :)

Adelle contemplating

We told them to only get their feet wet(but really how could you not play out deep in the water). Our kids where the only Alaskan kids begging to go in clothes and all to swim

Okay this series of pictures are my other favorite.

Side bar: So Darion buried all those dead sea creatures right? Well Issiac kicked all the dirt off of them and unearthed them and Darion was mad at him, and 30 min later STILL not over it.

So I say Darion and Issiac put your arms around each other for the picture...........

this is what I got.

Issiac being compliant.

Darion pushing away saying "No way I'm still mad at you Issiac you kicked my sea animals."

Getting ice cream at "Spit Licks"

Mel Fishing on the charter.

My MOST favorite pic of Devin and his crazy animal shirt!

Mark and I

All the cousins lucky enough to go. Ty 's Nickname was puke boy after this trip that's all he did for hours and hours. He looks happy right?

Our catches of the day. Ty caught the biggest fish with the captains help of course!

The deck hand was so nice to open up a couple Halibut stomachs so we could check it out. Emma, Billy, and Darion had a ball checking out whole crabs and sea urchins.

Last day playing with cousins at the park and made up obstacle courses, and Wipe Out courses and challenged each other.

It was a great weekend I sure wish I had taken more pictures.

Homer is one of my new favorite places along with Seward!

Super/Duper/Ghetto Slip 'N Slide

2011-06-26T22:49:00.000-07:00

So the other day we had the BEST DAY EVER! It really was the highlight of our summer so far! We had a gorgeous 70 degree day. For us Alaskans that is as good as GOLD!

I Had the idea to do a Slip 'N slide with dish soap and a tarp.

It was Arianes idea to do one down their hill PURE GENIUS!

So above is Model #1
The rivets in the tarp scratched the kids too bad so we revised the slide too.....

Model#2
Then revised again once this one got too hole-y.

Then above, we got to the Final Model #3
Ryan's so graciously went to the hard wear store and got the longest, most durable-est, piece ever! It extended almost to the house. Which of course to Ryan this was a challenge for him to make his stride to the end. Needless to say the kids had a blast. Ariane, Pauline(My mom), and I, all got on it too. I sure wish I had pictures of us ladies going down, it was quite comical! The Olsen Family joined us later on.That made it the icing on the cake, it really was

The Best Day Ever!

Baby Mamie

2011-06-26T22:19:00.001-07:00

So we had the privilege of visiting Mel and Baby Mamie soon after she was born. I couldn't get over how great Mel looked she is just amazing! Baby Mamie was so very beautiful, and sweet the whole time giving us ladies sweet snuggles, she is about 5lbs in this picture. It reminded me of when I brought the twins home from the hospital :)

They grow up way too fast!

Nickie Jean Photography

2011-06-25T11:07:00.000-07:00

So my good Friend Nickie (that I featured earlier in a recipe spotlight) has finally started her business and is an amazing photographer! She has a gift of capturing children in their most comfortable element. Every picture I have seen of hers, I Love!

Not only is she a dear friend but dearly talented!

http://nickiejeanphotography.blogspot.com/

Truly Alaskan

2011-04-30T21:56:00.001-07:00

So you know you are a Ghetto Alaskan when spring time comes and......

You have so much trash in your yard from wind damage.

You have a fallen tree that is a little dangerous to play on but you consider it a yard toy.

You have a trampoline floating in a dog-poop lake in your backyard.

You let your kids play in the dog-poop lake.

You have a stroller tipped over in the lake. That your children still play with even though they are way too old for it so they can ride fast and launch themselves off of it.

Your children will make rafts with string, and insulation(off of another ghetto persons house that blew your way) and they row their way from one side of the yard to the other playing survivor man.

and LASTLY............

You collect pallets because they are as good as gold for fire wood.

When I went out to take this picture Darion says "Mom Ty forgot to leave the instructions on how to ride this thing!" I couldn't stop laughing!! This was as they where falling off into the water giggling up a storm I sure love my boys!

So Nathan and I couldn't get over this picture we stared at it forever laughing pointing out different funny/embarrassing things about it. I love that my kids are happy and will play anywhere they are so adventurous and will make a game out of anything! Being a Mom of four active boys I have learned to let things go. I don't pretend my life is perfect and my house always clean and put together and my children always get along. But what I can say is we do the best we can and are HAPPY at this Campbell home!

Mels Lasagna

2011-04-12T14:04:00.001-07:00

Picture #1 Gluten Free Option

Picture #2

My Sister Melissa's BEST Lasagna

Well I have to say I am so very thankful for my sister Mel! She has always been so sweet and supportive with me and all my endeavors. I cannot thank her enough how much it means to me for her prayers and love! So if I have to tell the world all the things I love about her these are the top reasons.

I love how we parent our kids the same, I see her saying the same things to her kids as I say to mine, it cracks me up every time! Whenever I watch her kiddos I love how they blend in perfectly with my children. From the moment all the cousins met for the first time it was an instant bond. When Nathan and I have gone out of town my children are perfectly happy with her and never want me to come back(little stinkers). That tells you how much love she shows to others! My children adore her and as do I, they look for her car everywhere they go and beg to go over to her house(little stinkers)! She is a person to talk to when you need an ear whether it is to vent, complain, or discuss the news BBC movie! I look forward to all of our Girls Nights(Devin included he's part of the girls) and wont judge you if you've done something crazy!

She always makes this Lasagnas and I have grown to crave it. It is a little different than most, but its simplicity makes you enjoy each and every flavor! Now these measurements are for a BIG, GIANT, turkey roasting pan. So feel free to use the same ingredients and tone the measurements back to use a 9x13, or 8x8 pan. Melissa freezes have of the pan once it is done cooling and coagulated. Costco offers everything in bulk to make it easier and cheaper to buy so it can last MANY meals!

Picture #1 Gluten Free Lasagnas Option

Cook Rice noodles

Spray pan on all sides

Layer: sauce, noodles, ricotta mixture, spinach, mozz. cheese, parm/Romano cheese, sauce, than I added some of mozz and parm/romano cheese mixtures to finish the top. bake until all melted and yummy!

Picture #2

4-5 Boxes of Regular Lasagnas Noodles

1 Gallon Can of Tomato Sauce($2.99 Costco)

15oz Ricotta Cheese

16oz Small Curd Cottage Cheese

1 Large bag of Fresh spinach

1 Lrg bag of Mozzarella cheese

16oz Container of Shredded Romano OR Parmesan Cheese

Mix the ricotta cheese and the cottage cheese together in a bowl.

In your HUGE turkey pan spray bottom and sides with cooking spray.

Pour some tomato sauce on bottom then layer:

noodles to coat pan

ricotta cheese mixture

spinach

Mozzarella cheese

sprinkle parm or Romano cheese over

then tomato sauce.

Repeat layers until you are out of ingredients! Cover with foil. Bake at 375 degrees for an hour to an hour and a half. Until it looks done and noodles are cooked through. This is an important, wait for another hour to eat it because it is the best when it has cooled and coagulated so you can cut into it and see all the layers!

The Oak Tree

2011-04-08T23:26:00.000-07:00

The Oak Tree

by Johnny Ray Ryder Jr.

A mighty wind blew night and day.

It stole the Oak Tree's leaves away.

Then snapped its boughs

and pulled its bark

until the Oak was tired and stark.

But still the Oak Tree held its ground

while other trees fell all around.

The weary wind gave up and spoke,

"How can you still be standing Oak?"

The Oak Tree said, I know that you

can break each of mine in two,

carry every leaf away,

shake my limbs and make me sway.

But I have roots stretched in the earth,

growing stronger since my birth.

You'll never touch them, for you see

they are the deepest part of me.

Until today, I wasn't sure

of just how much I could endure.

But now I've found with thanks to you,

I'm stronger than I ever knew.

Blog Lift

2011-01-24T22:36:00.000-08:00

So I know I haven't been the best blogger lately, but I promise there have been a lot of exciting, sad, and monumental things that have gone on in the Campbell household. I am still without a camera which bums me out a ton because I love capturing those special moments with my children, but I must "Post-On" anyway.

We started the Year with such a loss, Nathans brother passed away in his sleep just before the year started. I have such an appreciation for his family. Ben was such a smart man educating everyone around him. His parents are so very strong I look up to them in so many ways, I hope someday to be half as good as them. Not to mention how impressed I am with each of his siblings and how each of them have handled the situation. They truly have joined together and become so very close appreciating one another. It really makes you take a step back in life and look to where your Blessings and Priorities are and if we look for a little longer we notice they are all around us. I am so very thankful of my Knowledge of the Gospel and the Plan of Salvation that we can see our loved ones again, and have that chance on earth to be a sealed together and be a forever family.

As you can see I have made some changes to my blog I think a New Year calls for some knew changes. I am so tired of looking at the same old, same old. Not only do I want to change up this blog a little more but make some better changes to myself also!

I have so many blessings in my life I could go on forever(as I have taken much time this month to recognize them).
The things that I would like to do better this year are:

1.) Make my relationship with my Savior stronger.

2.) Study the Scriptures more(And understand them better, no sleeping during the Isaiah verses!)

3.) Have my children KNOW without a doubt how much I love and appreciate them!
(Every night taking 5 min per kid to snuggle with them individually for them to have a Mommy Time")

4.) Take more Date Nights with my Honey so he knows how much I love him!

5.) Appreciate all around me and not get bogged down with things that do not matter.

6.) Compare myself with how My Heavenly father wants me to be and not how the world wants
me to be!

7.) Staying positive, and looking for ways to serve others!

8.) And Maybe, just, possibly..............Pray for a little.............(I'll keep your imagination wondering!)

Stay tuned in for 2 fabulous recipes spotlighting my wonderful
Sisters Melissa and Ariane!

Warning:This is SCARY!

2010-12-20T23:25:00.000-08:00

1st Day of Christmas Break

My children have been so well behaved today, such little bundles of joy. So much in fact that I thought I'd take a picture of myself before bed to remember how fantastic this day has been.

M.I.A

2010-12-12T23:06:00.000-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

I know I have been Missing from the blogging scene and the truth is I do miss it, I just have some complications; not having a camera that works right, one shutter that is possessed and likes to pop up from time to time, a computer that for some reason only downloads every 5 pictures so I have to take a lot of pics and pray some will turn out. Then my wonderful mother gave me her camera to loan for awhile and I cannot figure how to get the pictures off her camera and on to my computer. I will stop boring you with my complaints so......
We sure have been busy at the Campbell home.

So here are some happenings lately of the pictures my computer decided it liked

Gingerbread making we had 4 wonderful days off from school due to crazy wind storms so I took that time to make homemade ginger bread houses for our annual Gingerbread decorating day after Thanksgiving.(pics on other camera of the main event)

I have no shame posting myself with no make up and gingerbread in my teeth just wanting to remind you all I sure am REAL!

Mark and the Twins have the same Birthday we stared this year alternating having a family Birthday then the next year having friend Birthdays. Due to the fact their Birthday was a day before Thanksgiving this year it was a perfect year to start the tradition. So we took a day off from school and went to the movies, lunch, and swimming. It was a wonderful family memory to spend all day together!

Blankets from their Great Grandparents.

I sure love my Mark he so easily pleased. All he wanted was a yo-yo and The Beauty and the Beast DVD for his B-day.

Darion's adorable toothless grin with his Leggo cars.

Issiac got a remote Control helicopter he's been wanting.

Other events I do not have pictures for are:

Thanksgiving was at Renae's house my wonderful Sister in law this year. We always meet together the day before and bake at her house it is a wonderful tradition I look forward too every year! We had the best the food ever Renae's husband did an awesome job with it all! Then we played Wii dance and had a hilarious Non-Talent, Talent Show at the Church with our other extended family.

Family Gingerbread house decorating day, it was a blast!

Marks Baptism so special and sweet he was beaming with light! We had family come over afterwards and eat Marks favorite foods to celebrate. (Pics on other camera)

Nathan performed in the Messiah this Christmas. He had 2 performances and was wonderful in both of them, very powerful! He keeps his beautiful voice a secret but is an amazing singer you probably guessed from the lovely apology song he sang to me! Ha, ha!

I had my Gym work party it was quite a blast wonderful people to be around and a good memory for the kids!

I had a wonderful birthday had so many B-day wishes love and gifts I truly felt so spoiled and undeserving but it truly humbled me! I walked into my cycling class showered with cards and cakes and wonderful friends. Along with all the family parties, and love. I have one good life!

We went to the Christmas Nativity at our Church for Colony days it was so nice having every room decorated, it made me really think of the true meaning of Christmas along with inspiring me to be better in so many ways!

We have Nathans Work Party next along with some more B-day parties and I am looking forward to having the kids home for the rest of the Christmas season, hopefully I get some good baking days in with the kiddos too along with some cheesy Christmas movie nights!

I'll keep you all posted, cross your fingers I can figure out this camera business!

The BEST Apology Ever!

2010-10-06T19:09:00.000-07:00

Just like most Married couples we sometimes have moments of showing our worst side. Nathan had a "moment" more like a "Tantrum" the other night. He went to bed earlier than me, when I came up for bed just a little later of course, I turned on the closet light to be able to see my jammies and get ready for bed. I thought I was being thoughtful not turning on the over head light but Nathan didn't think so. He preceded to fuss at me about how the light is so bright and how I was soooooo inconsiderate to wake him, didn't I think of him??????
I went into the bathroom shut the door to be considerate of course, washed my face, put in my sexy mouth guard to come out to hear more wonderful grumblings. Right when I was asleep he decided to turn on the light, stomp around the room angry, shut doors loudly then yell "How does it feel?" It was a wonderful Nathan moment/tantrum.

(Just a side bar. He is a more quiet man keeps to himself, not very social. What most people do not know about him is he is hilarious. We are always laughing and having a great time together, we are BEST Friends. I wish more people could know just how awesome he is! I guess you can count this as his Spotlight because he does not have a recipe I could post. If so you would probably get a post all about burnt water. )
Anyways in the morning I was not the most friendly to him. I simply stated before he went to work he had a couple, options if he wanted to come home to a happy wife he could; Write me a song, write me a poem, give me a back scratch with no funny business, bring me home a piece of Chocolate cake or bring me home Subway.
That was all the communication exchanged.

I was delighted to receive the BEST apology ever!
This goes to show what a fun Husband I have!

The Delight of My Eye.....

2010-09-27T14:01:00.001-07:00

Nathan and I recently just finished a HBO mini-series
"John Adams."

We love watching shows based on Historical events, this one was most insightful. I can say I have a new appreciation for our founding fathers and will not take for granted the blessing we enjoy every day to be able to be free. In this film there was a quote I have pondered about that has been stuck in my head for the last couple days, it was perfectly said and struck me in the same exact way I feel.

Abigail Adams was grieving for the loss her son, she says;
"He was the delight of my eye and the darling in my heart."

That is the way I feel.

"They are the delight of my eye and the darling in my heart."

One of These Things........

2010-09-10T19:33:00.001-07:00

"One of these things is not like the other,
One of these things just isn't the same!"

I walked by Darion's room this morning and couldn't help myself, I had to sing the Sesame Street song. Every morning when he makes his bed he surprises me with laying out his stuffed animals(which are his babies) in some cute, different, way. I always ooh and awe over them, he is a tender little guy. I sure love that boy!

Blueberry Picking

2010-08-28T15:29:00.000-07:00

Justin was so sweet as soon as I said "lets get a picture", he wrapped his arm around Mark. It made Mark feel so good!
I love Tuckers ears peaking up out of the grass!

Darion let me take a picture of him! Monumental!

Going up!

Coming Down......

Last Year I went with my sisters and their children, it was so much fun and such a great family memory. This year we each did our own thing.

Nathan stayed behind he was tired after a long days work.

Mom and Randy couldn't hike the mountain(old person ailments) they stayed behind also.

I had 5 children and 2 crazy dogs. (I had Justin moms Foster kid + My 4 kids)

We hiked STRAIGHT up a mountain for an hour.

Each child told me every 1.5 seconds every blueberry bush they saw and MADE me look at it.

The dogs wove in between our feet knocking each of us over at different times.

A fly flew into my left eye, I had a moving blind spot.

We crossed through an Alder Forrest forging our own path.

We came out of the forest I was relieved and bumped into an old crabby lady that yelled at me and my field trip students to "Go away " repeatedly.

The dogs where so excited to see her she yelled at them for another couple of minutes until we could hike out of site.

A fly flew into my Right eye this one stayed permanently on the middle of my eye limiting my sight to about 20% vision coverage.

We got as high as we could go until we would had to have rock climbed.

Every bush we came across was picked....I know it was probably that crabby old lady that did it too! Grrrrh!

We decided to come back down the Mountain.

I prayed to find a bush.... I know it's cheesy but I felt so bad for the children.

We found 1 unpicked bush. We celebrated picked it and kept on coming down.

We made it to the bottom and realized we locked the keys in the door.

Nathan broke a window.

The children never once complained, they were absolutely wonderful!

Lesson Learned:
I will never again go without my sisters!

Hiking the Butte

2010-08-14T16:24:00.001-07:00

So as you can see these pics are in no particular order. Last week for Family Home Evening we decided to hike the Butte. The kids enjoyed calling it The Butt"(I admit, I couldn't help myself either).

Mark with his sweatshirt on his head looking like that star wars character Jar Jar Binks?

Me and my snoop dogs.

My future farm land somewhere down there.........

My burly Alaskan Man

Ty and Issiac

Darion Contemplating.....

One of the cool spots where you have a rope to help pull you up the steep parts.

I sure love those 4 little boys! I keep on preparing myself to when we go back to school next week, because we have had a wonderful summer even if it has been raining for the majority of it!

Sabrina's Halibut Chowder

2010-07-27T20:06:00.000-07:00

Sabrina's Halibut Chowder

So my friend Sabrina is an example to me of service.
In church she is always filling in everywhere where people need her. I am in Primary and I can tell you she is always in there subbing or playing piano or doing both in a days work! She is a great example of a strong righteous mother. She is a mother of 6 children and does not use it as an excuse to not help others. I am so very blessed to Visit teach her and Daphni(from previous post)I learn a lot from these righteous ladies!

So this recipe might seem a little odd due to the fact it is not a "Typical" chowder recipe. But I can vouch that it is the most creamy chowder I have ever tasted and it is the easiest chowder recipe I have ever made. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Halibut Chowder

2-8oz Pkgs. Cream Cheese
3+ Cups of Milk(add more or less milk to your likeness of consistency)
1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup(I prefer Campbell's brand, not just cuz of the name it's way better than the imitation!)
1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup
3 Cans Cream of Potato Soup
2 Cups Cooked/sliced Carrots
1 Can Corn
1LB Halibut cut into bite sized pieces sauteed in butter, garlic salt, and green onions-set aside

Cut Cream Cheese into little 1 inch chunks and drop them into the pot, dump everything else in but the halibut and cook over stove top on med heat. When it is all heated through and the cream cheese has melted and looks like creamy goodness then add the halibut and serve with cayenne pepper sprinkled on top, Enjoy!

Fun at the Ryans

2010-07-25T18:45:00.001-07:00

So we had a fun filled day at the Ryan's house/farm a little while ago. My friend Daphni(who I've have known since before I had children and when she only had 2 little whipper snappers) has her very own little farm. It was such a wonderful day to go over and pick her brain about how she does it. My dream is to have a small working farm also. I want someday to be more self-reliant, that no matter what goes on with the world and the economy we will be set to feed our big family!

She has rabbits that as you can see are HUGE they are raising for meat, chickens for eggs, and goats for milk. Also another wonderful thing about farms is using all the animals waste for compost for your garden. Which she also has a big beautiful garden and some corn she is trying out this year. Daphni has always been a good example to me on doing what is right even when your wondering how it is all going to work out. She is teaching her children so many useful lessons in life. It was really cool to watch all the animals, and kids, dogs and all, playing together happily. You could see they were the happiest animals ever that get a lot of love on a daily basis!

My sister took care of her little farm for her while their family went camping, and she had milking/farming withdrawals a day after they got back. The day after I went over I couldn't wait to go back its such a
peaceful, fun place it's Daphni's very own slice of heaven! It's exciting to think I'll have a slice of heaven like this soon, some day!

Mark feeding the goats.

Issiac loved the farm he couldn't stop telling me to take pictures of him. He was one happy boy!

Daphni's little girl Suzi that is the twins age, shes such a cutie!

My "Big D" feeding a goat.

Kasey the big sister, and big helper!
I think Ty is eating some of the Goat Food........

They demonstrated how to milk a goat.

Issiac and Krystyn picking up chickens and laughing the whole time!

Their Dad is way cool he made them a Tee Pee in the back yard to play in. All the kids where making up games in it, thinking it was the coolest home.
Mark, Issiac and Suzie all lived in the Tee Pee.

While Darion and Allie lived in the trees, and they had their own fire, water bottle and a pillow(very important).

This is the Tee Pee kids fire, very creative!
Thank You Daphni for the fun day I cannot wait to come over again!

Hiking the Gold Cord Trail

2010-07-21T00:04:00.000-07:00

So this Saturday we were so blessed to be given some gorgeous sunshine, and we decided to take advantage of it. We went up to Hatchers Pass to hike. One thing I love about Hatchers Pass is that you drive by the BEST Farm Land in the world. It is perfect time to "Day dream." I cannot wait for the day I can have some beautiful property and have a huge garden with a petting zoo of animals like chickens and goats and a milk cow......
Now I am dreaming, but on with the blog.
Saturday was a perfect Family memory.

Before the Hike.

A cool old house half way up.

We told the kids to search for the Fridge, quite confusing.

Ty and Mark

The Beautiful Crystal lake at the top.

Darion he was trying to fish with the dog leash.

Issiac

Coming back down

Mark posing for a picture.

We hiked up in between those 2 mountains, that is where the Beautiful lake is.
Good-bye till next time when we blueberry pick!

Potty Talk

2010-07-15T01:03:00.000-07:00

*Caution DO NOT READ if you do not like potty talk.

I find potty talk funny I can't help it.
I know am like a 9 Year Old boy and need to grow up, but why when it makes me laugh, right?
I crack up over gross things all the time and can't get a grip.

Me and Nathan where at the movies watching(a really lame movie with terrible acting) "The last Air Bender", and before the movie started we had the funniest conversation that I can't stop laughing about it so I am implementing a...........

Potty Talk Line of the week(we`ll see if it's a hit);

Me: Dude, Nathan did you fart or is that your breath, something stinks!

Nathan: I know it's bad, it`s my feet.

Crystal`s Fake Out Fettuccine Alfredo

2010-07-09T22:07:00.000-07:00

Crystal

So I have been meaning to post another recipe for awhile now, and this one is a winner! I hope someone out there is trying these recipes, I promise they are delicious! If you have not yet, give this one a shot. It is fool proof, you cannot mess it up.
First things first........
Crystal is one sweet friend of mine. She looks like she just stepped out of a Magazine and when you meet her you can`t stop staring because she is so incredibly beautiful! And on top of that beauty she is so beautiful on the inside too! One thing I love about her is that she always has positive things to say about me!!!!!!! So why wouldn`t I love being around her, Right? She showers me with compliments and always makes me feel good about myself, even when I don`t deserve it. I definitely need to hang around her more! She has many wonderful traits, I wish all of you could know her well like I do! I definitely think it is a Christlike trait she has to see the good in others and and lift them up, very self-less.

She gave me this recipe that is "Oh so delicious" I love recipes that my family devours in seconds and are begging for more. It is a fake out to Fettuccine Alfredo and another plus is you have most of the ingredients on hand.

Crystals Fake Out Fettuccine Alfredo
(*This fed my large bellied 6 person family with a little left overs to spare)

1 Box of Spaghetti Pasta cooked(I love Barilla Plus it has added protein, omega-3`s and Fiber)
2 Cans Cream of Chicken soup(I forgot to put it on the picture....pretend you did not notice)
2 Cans Chicken Broth (I used my Costco organic Better than Bullion-mixed 2 1/2 tsp. of bullion to 2 1/2 cups of water)
2 Pouches of Italian Seasoning Mix(Good Seasons Brand there are 4 smaller pouches in 1 Box)
2 Pkgs or 8oz of Cream cheese
4 Chicken breast cooked and diced/sliced up(I seasoned mine with the Costco/Kirkland organic no salt seasoning mix, I use for so may things it is YUMMY and then just fried them up in some Olive Oil)

Put everything but pasta and chicken in the crock pot let go on high or low until it is warmed through, not too long 3-4 hrs, stir periodically. Dump mixture over pasta in a large pot and let soak together for 5-10 min. Add chicken, stir and serve.
*Crystal makes this recipe for her family of 4 and uses one box of pasta and Halfs all the rest of ingredients and has plenty to eat.

So this is my addiction.... I collect recipes.
I love it, I am addict for those little books that stare at you in the check out isle. Like Cheap crack its small, quick, painless, you drool as you flip through the pages, and tune your kids out. And then you wake up wondering why the clerk is yelling at them to stop jumping out of the cart..........Yes wonderful recipes!

So this is just a random tip. My recipe book shelf was cluttered with all kinds of papers and books so I decided to organize it, I like things to have their place(I so wished I would have taken a picture of the shelf so I could do a before and after shot, but oh well). I bought Picture Albums to organize my recipes. It is so nice to glance through fast, they are the perfect size, they have a covering, and they come in cute styles and colors. I am a dork I colored coded them. I picked red out for the Desserts, Green out for Side Dishes, and my favorite album the black/white design one for Main Dishes.

Cycling Fun!

2010-07-03T21:08:00.000-07:00

OK so I LOVE teaching Spin!
I started off only teaching one day a week than it grew to 2 days a week. I look forward to those 2 days in my week so much, they make me so happy!
Here are some reasons why I love my spin class; I LOVE the people in my class, they keep me motivated, they help me work out hard and push myself further than I would ever go, it has given me confidence and helped me get out of my comfortable box, I get paid for working out, and did I mention I have the coolest, funnest people in my class?

So I try every once in awhile to make things fun and spice up our work outs. I`ve done special playlists/workouts for special occasions like Valentines day, Olympics playlist/workout, movie themes playlist where you have to shout out the movie when the theme song comes on, a class request playlist where each person picks a song and what they want to do during that song like; Jumps, sprints, hills, etc. Each one has been so fun and brought us all together enjoying our workout!

Above is a picture of 80`s Spin day, we had a kick butt time! I have always loved 80`s music and outfits, I totally think it needs to come back in style completely!
(Enjoy listening to some of the songs we used as you read!)

This is my friend Meghan, she is so fun and keeps me motivated to be better! She just started a new blog you should CHECK OUT, she is an amazing mother and a great motivator for me! She also was such a good sport to dress up with me, so many of the other ladies were so jealous of our cool outfits, hee,hee! Can you believe that she found leg warmers!? We both had crimped hair and had awesome 80`s make up, all morning our kids kept on asking us "Mom why are dressed crazy?" We couldn`t help but laugh! Others in the class forgot to dress up so we are going to have another 80`s spin day at the end of the August. If you have other song ideas for my next 80`s playlist please leave them in the comments, these are the ones we enjoyed.

1.)Girls just want to have fun-Cyndi Lauper
2.)Got my mind set on you-George Harrison
3.)Like a prayer-Madonna
4.)Rock you like a hurricane-The scorpions
5.)Wild wild west-Escape Club
6.)Hey Mickey-The Riplets
7.)She drives me crazy-Fine Young Cannibals
8.)Call me-Blondie
9.)Whip it-Devo
10.)Cherry Pie-Warrant
11.)Tainted Love-Soft Cell
12.)Total Eclpise of the heart-Bonnie Tyler

13.)Listen to you your heart-Roxette(cool down)
14.)Every breath you take-The police(cool down)

Ok so this was a tribute to Michael Jackson he passed away June 25th, 2009. He made such awesome music, he deserved a tribute. I have to admit I am a huge fan, you probably already know that though.

I bought these bedazzling jewels that stick, then bought some cheep gloves and cut off the tips. Everyone picked out a glove at the beginning of class and bedazzled their own. We of course rocked out to his music, and sweat it out!

Mayors Half Marathon!

2010-06-19T23:16:00.000-07:00

I DID IT! I ran the entire 13.1 Miles!
I have wanted to be a runner ever since I was a teenager, but didn`t actually start running until 5 Years ago when my twins were babies, only doing 5 Mile Races tops. I set my sights on The Half marathon last summer.
I have been slowly adding on miles, interviewing people, keeping active working out/teaching at the gym but MOSTLY, I had to convince myself,
I could do it.
It was entirely an 80% mental block.
Here are some photos of the day, Nathan did a good job being the photographer. Next time we will try and get him in some of them and try to take more of the race.

Pre-Race Nerves!

I had to go 10 times before the race even started,
more Pre-race nerves!
But notice I Hand sanitized.....Gross bathrooms!

I made my Sweet Mark give me a kiss before I ran.

My Fan Club!

I made it!!!
Nathan was so sweet to cheer me on a minute before the race on the road, then he ran fast to greet me at the finish line. I can`t tell if that kid in the background is carrying A LOT of toilet paper or if it is a Blanket/Shirt. I am leaning towards shirt due to the toilet paper not making a whole lot of sense.

This picture is so sweet to me, I am so thankful Nathan captured it.
This was just a medal all participants received but that little Issiac made me feel like I got the Gold!

I had the best and biggest fan club cheering me on before and after the race.
They are dear, sweet, blessings to me!

The Top #6 High-lights and Low-lights of the race.

Low Lights(get the bad over with first)

#1-A Ten Year old boy kept on playing leap frog with me(running pace wise), and I wanted to punch him.
(Mark overheard me telling this to Nathan-not the punching part, and was so excited to go tell his brothers that I played leap frog with a 10 year old boy during the race! How cute!)

#2-That Ten Year old boy finished the race....Grrrr

#3- We had not seen a Mile marker for a long time, I came around the bend and saw the sign. I was so excited thinking it was going to be Mile #5, then the sign read Mile #3, such a bummer!

#4-The last 3 Miles my Right Knee hurt so bad and I gimped best I could

#5-The last 3 Miles were SO hard, they felt like 6!

#6-The last Mile was a suicide Hill(don`t know who thought that through?)

High-lights

#1 Seeing my husband cheering me on the last minute of the race, it got me through the finish line!

#2 Having ALL my boys there supporting me!

#3 Having Positive feed back from those I love around me, calling me to ask how I did, and to congratulate me!

#4-At Mile 10 it was getting really hard and I wanted to sit in the middle of the road and tantrum like a child, but I didn`t. Instead I looked over my left shoulder and saw my friend Rita. It was just what I needed! It helped me not think about my knee as much.

#5-The Runners Gu was wonderful! I could feel it kick in, and I could not have done without it!

#6-Memorable Songs along the journey that helped pump me up:
Modest Mouse-"Dashboard"
Pink-"So What"
Michael Jackson-"Smooth Criminal"(I was singing and dancing and the guy next to me glanced over a couple of times, probably thought I was a weirdo, but at least I wasn`t leap frogging!! Ha, ha!)

Click here for the Womens Half Marathon Results

I have put these songs on my Blog Playlist, so you can be motivated to join me next year!

Dragons VS Giants Round #1

2010-06-15T22:14:00.000-07:00

So I was getting dressed this afternoon(YES it took me until the afternoon to get ready for the day), and I heard crazy noises coming from outside my bathroom door. I came out to find the twins reenacting a UFC fight that they had watched previously at their Aunt Melissa`s house.
Ty was acting as the "Ref", this totally cracked me up, I had to get my camera fast!

Dragons VS Giants Round#2

2010-06-15T21:48:00.000-07:00

The winner is still to be decided due the unsportsmanlike conduct of "The Giant"
At the present time "The Giant" has requested to NOT participate in a third Match and when asked why he has pleaded "No comment" along with throwing his shirt down the hallway..
We will keep you posted on any changes.

Pride and Prejudice and ZOMBIES!

2010-06-14T10:52:00.000-07:00

So I feel like a traitor....

I love Jane Austen, I love all Those kinds of romantic 18th century BBC movies, I love the scenery, the love triangles between characters, the twists and turns, the giddy girl feelings you feel as you drool over the characters gardens, dresses, love interests.......

But I kinda like a little thrill too, I don`t particularly love scary movies that make you scream and pee your pants, but a little bit of jumpiness and suspenseful-ness is great!

So I heard about these funny Quirk books revised by Seth Grahame-Smith, they Keep true to Jane Austens writing just tweaking them a little. I thought "How stupid I would never read something like that!" Well as always whenever I say something like that I always eat my words.
On a fun Fairbanks weekend with my hubby I needed a good book and my curiosity got the better of me and I got.......
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.
There is also Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters .
I have to say I am almost done with the book I only have a couple chapters to go. I have to give it a 7 out of 10. It has held my attention, made me laugh(he does a good job adding humor with zombies), and has kept me wondering. Wondering how it is going to twist, who will turn into zombies, and hmmm.....how is this going to end well?
The 2 reasons I felt the book is not a 10 are; there are a few sketches through out the book that added to the cheesiness level, and secondly there is one scene so far, I felt was over done where someone(I won`t say who) rip's a heart out of another s chest and tastes it, totally stupid!

Other than that you connect with the characters and get wrapped up in the story and scenery because after all it is Jane Austens writing! So I might be a traitor, but I love Jane Austen best, give it a try and mix things up a bit!

Summers Taco Soup!

2010-06-03T17:51:00.000-07:00

Here`s another great recipe from my dear friend Summer.
Sorry it took awhile for me to post it!

Taco Soup

1Lb Ground Turkey/Beef
1 Onion Chopped
-Saute together & drain
Put into pot and add:
3-Cans Mexican style chili beans(Bushes)
1-Can chopped tomatoes
1-Can tomato sauce
1-Can corn
1 1/2 Cup-water
1Pkg Ranch seasoning
1Pkg Taco Seasoning
Big Can chopped Chilies
-Mix and cook through, let simmer for 30 min before serving.
Serve with crunched chips, shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream

Totally awesome the next day!

Summer`s Maple Cookie Creation

2010-05-14T18:14:00.000-07:00

Summer

My close friend Summer always makes up her own recipes that turn out so good!
NO FAIR!
She is so very talented in so many ways, where to begin? First off I totally admire her, she has gotten hard challenges tossed her way and has handled them with such grace! She is the best person to talk to if you are having a rough day and she just seems to know exactly what to say in the perfect way. Also it has been so fun living so close to each other and having our kids grow up together, they love each other and that is a huge blessing! My cook book is filled with her recipes! It was a hard decision to choose which Summer recipe to use. So another of Summer`s recipes will be posted shortly its the best Taco Soup recipe ever sooooooooooo
Keep posted all 3 of you fans out there that check this blog, I love you so much!

Summers Maple Cookie Creation

1 1/4 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
1 Cup Reg. Flour
1Tsp. Baking Soda
1Tsp. Salt
1Cup Butter/Margarine/Shortening Softened
3/4 Cup Packed DARK Brown Sugar
3/4 Cup White Sugar
1Tsp.Maple Extract
2 Eggs
2Cup Milk Chocolate Chips

Make like regular cookies blending wet ingredients first; eggs, both sugars, Butter, extract, then slowly add in dry ingredients and mix well. Bake at 375 degrees for 9-10 min.(depending on your oven). *TIP*I like to take my cookies out a minute early and let them carry over cook on the pan for that last minute. I think the trick with cookies is to not over cook them! Then they are the perfect chewiness!

I love how these have a rich taste with the dark B.Sugar and the maple extract then the milk choc. chips give it the best soft chocolaty-ness. I have been craving them a lot lately which is a little dangerous (I should put out a warning before eating but I will let you enjoy the danger!)!

Adelle`s Sleep over!

2010-05-13T13:48:00.000-07:00

So we got the call last night around 6:30pm that Ariane was in Labor with Baby Lydia and she was on her way to drop off Adelle. Before I got off the phone I had 4 cute, excited, little, boys running around in the street waving their arms trying their hardest to summon Adelle here faster!

It was movie night so the twins picked out Adelle`s booster seat and put it in the middle of them, I love how they love her!

So this is a video clip of "Adelle`s Game" She chases her cousins around happy as can be screaming and laughing finding them in different rooms(just pretend that you don`t see the laundry and dirtiness in the background, well at least Ty made his bed!).

She is so lucky to have cousins that love her so much, that treat her as the center of attention at our home. And we are so lucky to have a girl cousin that loves to come over and play wild with a house full of boys!

Randy`s Spaghetti

2010-05-03T23:14:00.001-07:00

Randy

Randy has been married to my Mother for about a year and a half and he is one NICE guy!
One time when he was visiting Alaska before they were married he made dinner for my whole family and this is what he made. This is his version of spaghetti, which I am not a huge spaghetti fan until I had his recipe. It is full of flavor and has a nice thick sauce to it. I think to many times these days you see watered down spaghetti sauce YUK!
Each pay check I do menus listing all the dinners I am going to make. My children get to choose a meal each pay check. They get to help prep the meal and say the prayer, and since Randy has given this recipe to us we haven`t had a pay check go buy that one of my kiddos has not picked it, it was a huge hit!
Please try it and let me know how you like it!

Randy`s Famous Spaghetti

1 LB Box cooked Spaghetti
2 LBS hamburger(I used 1 LB hamburger and 1LB ground sausage)
1 Onion Chopped
1/2 PKG Taco seasoning or 4 Level TBL of taco seasoning
2 TBL Italian Seasoning
1 Tsp. Lemon Pepper
1 Tsp. Garlic Salt(I love the Lowery Brand)
1 Tsp. Sugar
1 Can Diced tomatoes
1-2 Cans Tomato Sauce depending how thick you like it
1 Small can Tomato Paste
1 Can mushrooms

Cook the meat with the chopped onions in a pan over the stove. Then add seasonings when the meat is fully cooked. Dump in the rest of ingredients in to heat through and serve over the cooked pasta, it is Oh So Yummy and GREAT as leftovers!

Shake, Shake, Shake, Shake, A, Shake it!!!!

2010-04-23T09:22:00.000-07:00

So You have to watch this and keep your eye on Mark, he is in the white shirt(the fall at the beginning is the best part!). You probably want to pause my blog music to get the full affect, feel free to dance or sing a long!

Mark was the one in our family that came to us with NO self confidence at all! There is definitely something about dancing that makes him feel good about himself, I know some of his dance moves are a little "Interpretive" I think most of his technique was influenced but M.J. and being a Robot(for those of you worrying he is NOT having a seizure). I am so proud of him and how far he has come, he is one little boy that is happy now and it shows. And meanwhile Nathan and I will keep on watching this laughing our butts off!

Yeah I did ALL my clothes Mom..........

2010-04-21T18:47:00.001-07:00

Me: "Mark are you really done putting away your clothes?
Mark"Yeah I did ALL my clothes Mom."
Me: "Really that was fast, did you REALLY do ALL of them?
Mark"Yeah I did!"

And that is what I came to find!

Nickie`s Green Chili Chicken Soup

2010-04-15T19:51:00.000-07:00

As I was thinking about doing this blogging challenge(one recipe a week), I realized that many of my BEST recipes come from my closest friends and family. And also realizing how boring it would be to hear about all the recipes I have created(and that I don`t particularly really enjoy talking about myself),
I would like to take each week to spotlight a loved one and their Amazing recipe.

Nickie

She is a GREAT friend! For you to get to know Nickie better here are a couple things I love about her!
1.)I love her daily phone calls. She is so sweet she always calls to check in with me(so selfless) and to tell me funny stories. You know how sometimes your phone rings of the hook and it`s nobody that cares about you, its just people that need things from you. Not when Nickie calls! It`s so great to have a friend that seriously calls to be thoughtful of you and your needs. Some times she calls me on accident thinking she called somebody else because she dials my number so much, I love it!! (And those are always the funnest conversations!)

2.) Not to mention she is an amazing photographer. You can check out her blog nickiejeanphotography.blogspot.com She is so awesome she even calls people in our church all the time giving them free photo shoots of their children and family. Nickie is so incredibly talented her fee should be up in the $300 range! But she is so giving she dosn`t charge hardly anything at all!

3.)Nickie always cracks me up because when we go out to restaurants on girls nights she`ll order something and then go home and make up her own bigger and better recipe.

4.) My children love her children, they have all been raised together ever since they can remember. And if she keeps on giving me these yummy recipes I am definitely going to have to keep her as a close friend!!!

"I believe that food brings people together and as we nourish our bodies we nourish our relationships around us!"

(Yep thats right I made up that cheesy quote cool huh? I know you all are going to go post it on your wall in your kitchen, ha,ha)

Nickie`s Green Chili Chicken Soup

6 C. Water
6Tsp. Costco`s Organic Chicken Base(like bouillon)
2 Fresh Garlic cloves minced
2TBL Cumin
6 TBL of Cotsco`s Kirkland Brand Organic Salsa
1 Can 4oz Chopped Green Chili's
1/3 C. Rice cooked
3 Chicken Breast cooked and shredded
1-2(to taste) Avocados Chopped
Fresh Cut Cilantro to taste

Cook and mix in a large pot over the stove med. heat. First put in your water and bouillon. Then add in all the other ingredients but the cilantro and avocado, fold these 2 in right before you serve. It has a delicious taste. She of course got THIS recipe idea from Chili`s and I have to say hers is WAY better!

RIP........ My "Holy Pants"

2010-04-01T18:05:00.000-07:00

So I have had these pants for as long as I can remember, and it is time to say good-bye. Every Day as soon as I get home I put them on, no other pair of "Relaxing Pants"will do, they are just perfectly molded to me. I haven't wanted to get rid of them but they finally made themselves known when they offended a couple of family members when I was sitting crossed legged in my chair at a family get-together. I even had a wonderful sister go to Walmart and buy me a pair if that is not a hint, I do not know what is.

Good-Bye my wonderful, most comfortable pants in the whole wide world!

RIP
Relaxing Pants
4/1/10
(And No this is not an April Fools Joke)

Changing things up a bit!

2010-03-26T13:31:00.000-07:00

So I know I haven`t posted in awhile and some of you are chomping at the bit, why......... I don`t know because my blog isn`t that cool! Well to me it is but compared to all the cute blogs out there I am a little on the Non-Creative side. Which I am, NOT complaining about so please don`t feel like you have to butter me up with compliments because I am a real person and know my weaknesses I am OK with it, and this is why.................

When I was in Heaven and they were passing out the "Creative Talents" I was in the back eating chocolate and chatting about recipes with my friends so I totally missed out and that is my own fault!

So I had this blog for My mother mostly and family far away to keep posted about my kids and every day life. But to change things up and to give ME something FUN to do, that I love to do, I am going to blog about recipes that I love so much because I LOVE FOOD!

It is a love in my life sometimes it has come first in my relationships, EXAMPLE; I have looked forward to "Dates" and "Girls Nights"at times so I can eat the yummy food and not care as much about spending time with friends and family........ I realized I had a problem

So I have put myself in check(and joined a gym to support my eating habit!) and I would love to share with all of you(all 3 people out there that read this blog)the recipes that I love!
Now bear in mind that I do not have a nice camera, but I will do my best!
My goal is to blog about 1 recipe per week, feel free to comment on how you liked the recipe or tips to make things better. Please, please, please if you check this blog leave a comment I love and look forward to hearing from you all!

You know you are an Alaskan when.........

2010-02-15T00:04:00.000-08:00

So before I go on to tell the joke I have to preface.
Every pay check I do menus(I LOVE TO COOK!!!).
Every child gets a turn to pick their meal, help me prepare it and say the prayer that dinner. So I had asked all the kids what they wanted for their meal. They all picked good ones, and then it was Darion`s turn to choose.

So you know you are an Alaskan when............
You ask your child what he wants to eat for dinner and he replies "moose"
Then you say we don`t have any moose we ran out of it a week ago, choose something else.
He proceeds to tantrum at the dinner table.
THEN he asks..........

"Why can`t Dad just go into the back-yard and get one!!!!
I WANT MOOSE FOR MY MEAL!!!!"

Buying a Baby!

2010-01-29T16:08:00.001-08:00

So as all of you know, the way our family was "formed" is a little different then most.
I have never given it much thought on what my "kids" think of how a family is formed. So I got a little taste of that today.

So sometimes we get calls from the Foster Care Agency on wanting us to take in more children/babies. Or they call with information of children/babies that will be adoptable soon wondering if we are interested. Our lives have been too crazy so we haven`t given it much thought of adding to our family just yet. So the other day I received another call about a couple of different children needing homes. Me and Nathan decided to see what our children would think of this. So we presented it to them, it was quite interesting to see their reactions, we didn`t feel a pull to do anything after praying and pondering about it(so NO we are not getting a new family member, don`t worry). We left it at that and didn`t think twice about it........... until today.
Issiac, Darion and I were at home hanging out, they were playing a fun throw spider man into the tree game and Issiac says out of the blue
"So when are we going to go buy our Baby?"

WHAT!!??
They began asking me questions on how we bought each of them. I was shocked at first because we`ve talked a lot about how they came to us, but never thought they believed we bought them!!! After explaining to them the truth over and over again I started to ponder how our family really was formed; we get a call, we have a couple of options on age, sex, race, mull over the choices and then "wha-law" we can go pick up a new sibling instantly!(there is something sad about this picture but I am choosing to see the humor instead).
It made me laugh that my children compare our family being formed to shopping for grocery store items, but oh well it dosn`t really matter how a family is formed right? What matters is that we found each other and now we are together forever!

I Did It!! I Taught My First Class!!

2010-01-07T14:23:00.000-08:00

Well I am the type of person that has a hard time doing new things. I love change around me but I hate doing out of the box activities personally, it stresses me out! I was always like that as a kid, it`s just so intimidating and uncomfortable I would rather stay in my safe bubble. This past year there have been many things that I would have never thought I would do,
they sound so silly to other people but are big for me.
Such as; callings in church, going to a gym class, learning to work an IPOD, creating a blog, etc.

So I am starting this New Year with another one, I got certified as an Indoor Cycling Instructor and I teach one day a week at AT&T Sports Center. My first class was today, and I totally lived! There were 9 PEOPLE IN MY CLASS!
I am trying to convince myself that so many showed up because they like me, but I really know that they all were all so surprised that "Me out of all people" were teaching and wanted to see me fall off my bike, but HEY I DID IT(and didn`t fall off my bike)!

Controlling Christmas lights

2009-12-06T20:20:00.000-08:00

So I wouldn`t say that I am a controlling or anal person but just like everyone else I have a FEW things that bug me that I just have no patience for. One of those few things are "How I want my Christmas lights hung." I cannot tolerate how some people LAZILY drape their lights all around their tree in a crazy pattern with the lights dangling off their branches. Lights should be intertwined in the branches properly so you cannot see cords. (I would be willing to give demonstrations to any of you who are confused.)
So Nathan the sweet man he is knows this little tick of mine and always, very, politely, saves this job for me. Then we all decorate together for a fun family home evening. This year was a little different. We set up the tree as usual, then......

I turned around to see this ghetto light job.
First off I was trying so hard NOT to be a nagging wife then secondly I was trying so hard to find the nice words to remind him about our little arrangement.
Just then he turned around and smiled at me.
I am so thankful to have a husband that makes me laugh and knows how to tease!

Taylor Swift Fans in the haaaoooouuuuuuuse!

2009-11-19T16:18:00.000-08:00

So Issiac and Darion always beg me to watch Taylor Swift videos on You tube.
They are so funny I catch them all the time singing her songs! It cracks me up that

out of all the songs on the radio to like, hers are the ones they love. They make up crazy dances to them or sometimes fight over what they think the lyrics are. So once again I caught them twirling around on the kitchen floor singing the "Love Story" song, so I bribed them with some chocolate to sing it while I video taped.

I feel bad that most of the funny kid entries are about the younger boys, but thats only because the older ones are at school and I have more time with the younger ones to catch them being funny. I miss the older ones at school so much, I love that since they are older they can joke and tease with more witty humor! I can`t believe that next year the twins will be at school! I am sure going to miss my little buddies!

Fasting is Grouchy Business......

2009-11-15T18:41:00.000-08:00

So this Sunday the Primary lesson was on "Fasting".
The twins have the most amazing Primary teacher Sister Mullin, we adore her! I asked them like I do every Sunday what they learned, Darion gives me an awesome report on; the creation, resurrection, the plan of salvation, and the earth.
Nathan and I where so amazed and thought for an instant we had some child genius on our hands! Then I took a look at his picture he drew about the lesson, I was a little
concerned. He told me "Thats you and thats Dad, your monsters!"
It is a little sad to me that we are compared to monsters when fasting, yes fasting is hard and we do get crabby sometimes but HEY at least we try to do it!

Ready for Christmas..............Already?

2009-11-08T17:58:00.000-08:00

So I woke this morning to some really excited kids.
Finally we got a tiny little dusting of snow barely noticeable
to the naked eye. So Issiac and Darion got so excited it was time
for Christmas, they decorated our fake, plastic tree.
And where so proud!
I definitely thought it was blog worthy!

Fall Family Pictures!

2009-10-26T01:03:00.001-07:00

We finally did it we have family pictures. The kids where absolute troopers!

My angels!

A cool Vintage Picture.

Issaic and Darion.

Ty and Mark.

Ahyrrrrrr me hearties!
The kids are going to have a Pirate themed room so we had to take a cool pirate picture!

What do you want to be on Halloween night............

2009-10-05T19:30:00.000-07:00

IT IS NOT TOO EARLY!
We had a fun family home evening tonight. The kids so look forward every year to helping decorate for the Holidays, I love it thier just like me!

Nathan risking his life.

All the helpers.

Mark trying to do "King Tut".

The scary door bell that the spider jumps down and bites you!

We always do a fun Halloween party for the Adults and kids in the family we are so looking forward to it this year. The kids are planning it out already, I love the fall time!
My Aunt Clair that has passed, was very big into Halloween and I think of her every year when I decorate, I also wonder this year what spooks she has in store for me too!
She was the queen of practical joking so this year we dedicated our decorating to her.

Make a comment and let me know what you and your family are going to be for Halloween this year!

Hiking up Hatchers Pass

2009-09-24T22:56:00.000-07:00

We had so much fun hiking in Hatchers Pass. I wanted to get one more family hike in before it snowed on the mountains. Thankfully we did it just in time it snowed a couple days later! I could not even describe in words how beautiful it was. There where so many colors;reds, oranges and yellows. This is my favorite time of year! I know it is cheesy but I think it`s Heavenly fathers way of telling us he loves us by putting his finger prints all over.

This is a hike by Summit lake. When we got out of the car Darion was looking all over at each of the mountains and asks me which one we were going to hike. When I told him it was this one he said "Oh that ones easy!"

They took off up the mountain.
Feel free to click on the pictures to get a better look.

This was half way up the trail.
I like this shot because Nathan is in it!

There are 2 beautiful lakes near the top, they were the most gorgeous teal I had ever seen.

It was so cool, as we were letting the kids play a huge bird landed in the water.
You can`t see it well in this picture.

I love this picture
"Daddy's Buddy"

Cheesers

I love how Mark is looking up at Nathan.
This was the picture before the picture.

This was as far as we were going to go with kids the rest was a little tricky.
We conquered the Medium mountain.

Looking down on Independence Mine.

I wanted to hike the Big Mountain so me and Ty ran fast and did it. The smaller mountain/hill is what we did and that is where Nathan and the kids played and waited for me and Ty to return. That is the beautiful lake they played at.

Ty at the top. He was a little nervous and did not think he was going to make it, he was very proud he did!

A little cove at the top.
We were so high,
you could see the ocean from up there!

The kiddos running down.

It was a great family memory. Me and Nathan took turns the whole hike holding hands with a twin. On the way down I had Darion. We talked about life and dreams for the future. And I asked him if he is going to get married someday and have kids. I was surprised to learn he did not want to have children he wanted all of his stuffed animals to come alive and he could be their Daddy, and then he would take good care of them. He did not want to be married he just wanted to be a Daddy. Then he proceeded to tell me that when you have a dream you should write a book about it then take a picture of the dream, then it would come true! So if any of you are wondering that is how!
Ty asked me what my dream was, I thought about it for a moment and realized. I HAD my dream to be a wife and mother of 4 cute boys!
I am so very blessed!

Lazy Mountain is anything but......

2009-09-13T21:56:00.001-07:00

Me and Nathans trek up Lazy Mountain.

I was excited that there was finally a spot that was flat!
It was pretty much straight up and down.

My beautiful Tucker boy!
The colors up there where so gorgeous!

Gracie tired as ever!
Our dogs had so much fun being able to be wild and in their element.

I see an Owl. Hoot, hoot........

You`ll have to zoom up close on this picture to get the full effect.

The beautiful scenery half way up.

At the top!
It was so nice spending time with Nathan we actually got to talk without being interrupted!

Tucker was really nervous being up on the ridge,
he was squeaking the whole time.

View from the top.

Me leaving Nathan in the dust on the way back.

Easily Entertained..........

2009-09-09T17:04:00.000-07:00

So this is a post you can pass by if you would like, I won`t be offended. I created it for family and friends that know my children all to well.

So looking back on my childhood, my siblings and I where raised to have fun with what we had. We did not have a whole lot of toys and fancy things but what we did have was the most important, EACH OTHER!

This summer I have enjoyed watching my children entertain themselves with normal things you find around the yard or house. I hope my children will look back and be thankful for everything they had like I have. Nathan and I had fun remembering these events and had plenty others that we wished we had taken pictures of!

A fun house!

I came outside wondering what all the racket was, to find the twins had made drum sets, and where singing Dispatch songs.

I caught Issiac a little too off guard, he was singing a Dream Girls song "Step into the bad side"
I definitely will use this for black mail when he is older!

Darion was trying to ask me a normal question, I had a hard time answering him seriously.

A rock, a stick..........Thinking like a boy!

Yes, you where right the surfboard is on top of the skate board.

Issiac made an "S" with his crackers.

Issaic planted a stick

Straight up weirdos!

A contest to see who could make the coolest creation that Adelle would love best.

Mark won, his was so cool Adelle couldn`t take her eyes off of it.

I caught the Twins singing Bon Jovi`s song
"I am a cow boy on a steal horse I ride, I am wanted dead or alive"
I never really thought about how my 4 year olds could interpret this song.
Needless to say I don`t think he was riding a Sea Horse.

The cousins and Campbells making the wipe out course out of Magnetics.

It is September in Alaska, and the cousins and Campbells got into a water fight.COLD!

I can see my sisters parent a lot like me.
Adelle perfectly happy with a household toy, and Nathan more than willing to teach it to her!

A Visit From Birdie!

2009-09-05T09:50:00.000-07:00

On Thursday we had an unexpected visitor. While the children were playing outside a bird flew into the front door while it was open. It then dropped down onto the outside rug. Luckily he was not stepped on as the kids walked into the house many times, asking me to see their tricks on their bikes. I finally noticed him. He was alive just really shaken up!

The twins immediately started making a house for him in a Tupperware container. They waited for him to go inside his new home and where a little disappointed.

Issiac was excited to be like Ariane and have a pet bird. I tried telling him that the bird has a family that would miss him too much!

Unexpectedly while I was on the phone he flew into the house.

The twins still where trying to get him in his new home.

He flew all around the house all confused, I felt so bad for him. He ran into every window possible and even the ceiling many times.

Finally after flying around for a couple hours he gave up and rested at the window. Me and the twins said a little prayer and I put some gloves on and gently grabbed him then tossed him outside. He finally was free at last!

Cub Scout Rocket Launch

2009-08-27T15:37:00.001-07:00

Ty has entered Cub Scouts this year and is having so much fun. I was surprised at all the neat skills it has taught him. It is way more than just camp skills. He learns citizenship, responsibility, and many others. He has the best Scout Leaders ever! This is a picture of Shannon Connelly, his Cub Scout Master at Pack Meeting on Tuesday. They have been working all summer on their rockets and couldn`t wait to launch them!

First we had the award ceremony where the boys received patches, belt loops, and advancements.

The crazy boys doing their Rocket Launch cheer. It`s a good action shot!

First they had to roll up the parachute that goes inside the rocket.

Then they put the engine and igniter parts in.

Ty putting his rocket on the launcher.

My camera only lets me do 1-1 1/2 min. blurps so it`s cut into two. This is the intro.

Part two
It was alot of fun and a great memory for Ty when he is looking back on life. Hopefully he can get his collecting belt loop next pack meeting if he would stop loosing his bag of rocks! And yes he chose to collect rocks out of many things silly kid!

First Day of School.........

2009-08-17T21:11:00.000-07:00

We have a cool tradition in our family, every year on the first day of school we go out for breakfast. It was awesome this year to have cousins to join in the tradition.

My boys were so excited to wear their new clothes. We had been trying to survive in rags this summer luckily we made it!

This is Ty with his cool Teacher Mrs.Ray

Ty showing off what he did on the first day.
Watch out for the creature from under the desk, he`s not mine I`m not claiming him!

Mark sure didn`t have a lot to say when I was interrogating him about what he had done that day. Then later that night he chatted up a storm! He`s such a funny kid!

Mark showing off his desk and me pulling teeth to get some info. on the day!
Darion wanting to be in the spotlight but too embarrassed, so he just antagonizes as usual.
Whatever you gotta do for face time!

Riding Trains with Grandpa

2009-08-15T16:48:00.000-07:00

We have had the most fun weekend! First berry picking with family, then
train rides with family!
Grandpa Watson offered to treat all the grand kiddos out, and boy did we have fun!

This is us on the second ride around!!
(poor Nathan gone again missing the fun)
We made sure we where in the front for a better view!

But first........ we had a Big, Yummy, breakfast with the whole crew before we went.
Darion and Mark helped make the pancakes, I tried to make fresh blueberry
syrup. It was a little grainy I need to invest in a strainer but it tasted yummmmy!

All the cousins ready to go!

This is the main Train dude, my kids got him confused with Santa
totally understandable!

The Alaska Live Steamers is right next to the Aviation Museum
So as soon as we turned in Issiac kept on saying
"Thats a gigantic airplane!"
Over and over and over again!

In front of the Train House

Darion wanted his first ride to be in the "Conducters Seat" The lady told
him that if he moves the arm rests up and down it helps the conductor steer right and left.
He figured it out quick it was a crock, then choose to sit in a regular seat for the 2nd ride.

Choo Choo!

Ariane, Ryan, and Adelle.

One of the bridges we went over and under, it was way cool!

They made it so interactive for kids, they had minature farms
and homes to look out for!

Off on the 2nd ride!

Up on the tall bridge!

The view looking down.

One of the little shops

Melissa`s farm town

Jurassic Park, sorry it`s blurry, we were moving fast.

The view from behind me, I was trying to take the picture without falling over.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse!

A cute waterfall, this was Ty`s favorite part he made sure I put this picture in!

At the end we went through a tunnel. It was so much fun!
Thank you Grandpa the grandkids loved it what a great memory!!

Blueberry Picking at Hatchers

2009-08-15T16:06:00.001-07:00

We went blueberry picking up at Hatchers Pass. Everyone told us that they were all picked over and there was no bother going but we decided to take the chance! We had to hike a little longer than usual and cross a dangerous giant rock village but we managed fine!
It rained a little at the beginning then drizzeled here and there, it actually made it better it was
so green and good smell`n.

I can`t wait to make my favorite blueberry raspberry jam!

Ariane

Mel

Adelle even picked!

Mark, Ty, and Emma they found "The Jack pot"

Whenever someone found a bush that hadn`t been picked they would yell
"JACK POT!" Aiden would always say "I want to see your Jack Pot!"
I think he was a little disappointed to not see a pot.

The twins eating a picnic dinner.

I was so proud of Mark, he picked the whole time!
He figured out how to use the blueberry picker, it was so helpful!

Me and Issiac clowning around!

We had so much fun the only bummer was that Nathan was gone
on a Boy Scout camp out. It sure was nice to spend time outside
with family! I sure love having my sisters close!

Okay so heres a little game.......

See if you can spot Ryan

Swimming with the ducks

2009-08-15T15:25:00.000-07:00

We went to Finger Lake and enjoyed swimming with very friendly ducks!
The ducks were nestled everywhere in the grass around the banks, but most were in
the water playing with the kids.

We fed them the crust from our sandwiches.

Darion surf boarding

Mark feeding the ducks

Darion was so proud to find lots of old, soft sea shells!

I think the ducks loved Mark the most!

The kids made the "Wipe Out" course that ended in the water!

It was so nice to be the only ones on shore, enjoying the quiet and beauty!

Campbell X Games `09

2009-08-07T21:49:00.000-07:00

As you can see we`ve been having a lot of fun!
Nathan and the boys watched the X Games 15 last
Saturday morning.After the show the boys rushed outside
and started putting rocks under boards, and driving over sticks.
Nathan and I were cracking up, we knew what they wanted
to do! So Nathan the awesome Dad that he is made some cool
jumps. He made a big one for the older kids and a smaller, for the
little kiddos. I sat back cringing wondering who was
going to go down first.

I had to post this because you can`t help but love the face!
He resembles a Muppet, oh oh it`s Beaker!

Ty being all cool with the jump I could tell he was a little nervous!

Mark was way excited! All the kids thought he looked so cool
because he actually had a dirt looking bike!

Issiac was practicing his tricks, he told me all about
the tricks the guys did on the show! I`m so Proud!
It`ll be talent much needed in life

Issiac on the jump

Darion on the jump

We were so lucky to have the cousins over to play later on!
Darion came up to me and told me he wanted a picture with
his Buddy.Thats what Aiden and the twins call each other,
it`s quite cute Melissa and I wonder if they know each
others name though.Well Darion posed the picture, he
said he wanted his arm around his Buddy!
Quite cute!

Emma making the jump!

This is the "train game" they made up so
they all could go at the same time!

Aiden attempting the big jump, but sliding backwards
He was a little bummed

This is our swimming pool, it works!!
There is a floaty in it and everything!!

This is Ariane looking all cute on their new dirt bike! She road
it so well! I was so proud of her!
She stuck to the road no jumps yet!

Good-bye to Soccer, see you next year!

2009-08-07T12:38:00.000-07:00

4 of the cutest boys in the League!

Ty did great this year we told him it`s not how many goals
you make it`s how many assists you make!
He was a good team player

Mark came out with confidence this Soccer season
which was so good to see him feeling good about himself!

Issiac enjoyed flirting with a cute, girl on his team Avery,
but still made tons of goals!!

My cute, little, Big D!
He made sure I watched him every second of the game
and would yell at me when I`d look away! Little Fart!

Join the Bucket Train.............

2009-07-27T22:47:00.000-07:00

Today we had the funnest Family Home Evening ever!! Our friend Cliff in our ward wanted us to try out his bucket train he had made. We were not sure what to expect, boy were we surprised and the kids had a BLAST! The only complaint was from Darion he wanted to ride it all night!

Keep your hands and feet in the ride at ALL times!

We were the hit of the neighborhood!! Everyone was jealous!

Only in the Valley could you have fun like this!

I ssiac with his cousin Isaac.
Tucker was very nervous having his boys go and he could not protect them,
what a good dog!

Mark with(his cousin) and Best Buddy Elijah!

2nd ride around!!

Darion with his neighborhood friend Austin, Tucker still nervous!

Coming home from their "ride on the peace train"

2009-07-23T11:55:00.000-07:00

Fun with Mom and Randy

2009-07-20T23:10:00.000-07:00

This is at what we call Fairy Land it`s a cute little trail behind Lowell Point, we told the kids that if they find a fairy they get twenty-five cents Ty tried to convince me but he didn`t have the proof. Ha, Ha

So this is my first attempt to do a blog, I am not computer savvy at all, and not as creative as all you all out there so please be patient with me. For any of you that know me well know that my parents gave me a funny nick name that really made no sense thus the blog name.
I decided that I need to be better in staying in contact with extended family, I miss being close too you!!(Greens, Watsons, Campbells, Zundels, Ryscamps, Wallburgers, Austermillers, and Forbushes I am so sorry for the misspellings!!!) If the pictures are blurry it was the floaties in our eyes, if things are misspelled know that I am imperfect and I sure do lead an imperfect life you get the real deal on this site!
Mostly I am so terrible with sending pictures and giving updates of the kids so Mom, Randy, Sam and Jim Oberg I am doing this for you!! We love you and appreciate you loving and being apart of our children's lives!

We were so blessed to have Mom and Randy up to visit. Mom graced us with her presence for 2 weeks and Randy caught the end of the last week, we sure had fun!! We ventured to Seward played hard and saw all the sites. We visited Lowell Point one of my favorite places to be. We camped at hidden lake had a fun gift exchange. Know
good and well the next gift exchange the bowling ball will be back I am NOT keeping it!!
We ventured up to hatchers Pass and took a tour of Independence Mine we all panned for gold Randy had a lot of fun we convinced him if he moves here he could strike it rich!!!! Poor Nathan has been so busy with work, church, properties, etc. so he unfortunately is not in any of the pictures we`ll get him next time! Here's some fun pictures of what we did.

The boys had a hay day, we toured the U.S. Coast Guard Ship the biggest boy sure had the most fun! hee,hee!

We got a little grimy time for a bath!!

I love this picture, I love to see my boys together having fun.

A day at the beach

Fun in the Sun with the WHOLE family

2009-07-20T22:22:00.000-07:00

Mr.Mark being a big cheese

Issiac and Darion being firemen on the pole

I caught a moose in Seward!!

The crew at the Zoo, man it is sure great having cousins close by!!

I caught two big ones!!!
Well okay they were little but I was proud!!