Summer Camping Trips

This summer started off right ... with a couple of camping trips to one of our favorite spots...Yankee Meadows!  We were lucky to be able to use Grandpa's trailer and let me tell you ...these two girls LOVED it!  So did I, to tell you the truth!  It was very nice to have to cook with and the clean up was so easy!  

For one of our hikes, we decided to hike around the lake. 

 We get about half way around the lake and we find a little stream and decided to see where it went to. 

 Taking a few pictures on the way  :)

 We came across this spot where the stream would spray a little water onto the grass.  We were amazed that the grass was basically an icicle!  

 On our second trip, we decided to hike the Noah's Ark trail.  The sign said it was only about a mile hike, so we thought it would be perfect.

 It was pretty hot that day, but everyone was happy and the girls were quite the troopers, as the hike got a little more strenuous. 

Poor little KiKi was so hot during the hike.  She never really complained at all though; but I bet you she drank half of our water  :)

I thought that this was so cute!  But sersiously, there was NO WAY that this hike was only 1 MILE!  

Here Robert contemplates the hike, the beauty around us, and strikes his pose for the camera!   

 On our way home, we stopped in Brianhead for some ice cream and decided to stop and check out some views!  We sure love camping!

New Year's Eve 2011

As, I left for work on New Year's Eve morning, I told Robert that I'd be home shortly after 4, when we closed. Because I didn't really think it would be busy. SURPRISE! I was hit with customer after customer and didn't have much time for anything! However, I did have time to realize that in ALL my 18 GB of family pictures, I don't think that I have any New Year's Eve pictures! So I came up with the idea to timeline New Years Eve 2011!! Sweet idea!

I locked the door at 4 and rushed around for the next 15 minutes trying to finish all up...

(Leaving The UPS Store 4:15)

Out the door I went...(btw this REALLY is my store! hehe I found the pic on google!) and hopped in my car. I had to pick up a few things before going home to start the PARTY! I pulled up at....

(Chili's Chips and Salsa 4:20)

all because I have been CRAVING their chips and salsa! Perfect party food too! With the backseat holding my yummy chips and salsa. I drive off to my next and last destination...

(Papa Murphy's Pizza 4:45)

because, can you really have a party without PIZZA?!!!!! One BBQ Chicken and one pepperoni pizza later...I am on my way home to start the PARTY!!!!!

(Devouring Pizza at 5:25)

With the food all cooked and on the table, we started eating! I can't say for anyone else, but I hadn't eaten anything since breakfast and those chips and salsa and pizza was DELICIOUS! Once every one's plates were empty and dinner put away. Out came the finger snacks that would stay out the rest of the night. Carrots, celery, olives, pickles, cheese and the rest of the chips and salsa. Oh and chocolate candy!

(Movie watching at 7 pm)

The girls started a movie, Heidi, starring Shirley Temple, while Robert and I started playing our computers. We played "Eve" online and I quite enjoyed flying my spaceship all over completing missions and such.

(Gaming at 8:30 pm)

It wasn't much longer before the girls were getting a little antsy and wanted to start playing games. As I was finishing up a mission, Robert started the girls playing twister!

(Tangled up in Knots at 9:30 pm)

By the time I had gone downstairs, I think KiKi had won about 3 games! It was so funny to see her stretching to reach the colors! Since I am the "Twister Master" (hehe) I had to play too, but didn't have enough hands to take a picture! After a few more rounds, the girls were exhausted...which meant, on to the next game...KiKi's choice...

(Candyland at 10:02 pm)

CANDYLAND!!! Then she went on to beat me, TWICE! After logging in some gaming hours, and a short potty break, on came the music. Drum roll please.....

(The King of Pop at 10:29 pm)

For my facebook followers, you might remember that I have been on quite the M.J kick of late, and my FAVORITE brother, got me "The Essentials" by Michael Jackson. I am in heaven! I think Robert, might not enjoy it every moment, but he is a good sport and dances along with me!

(MJ Dance Party at 10:30 pm)

(still going STRONG at 10:40 pm)

I might add, that I have some moves! I have also passed those moves on to Kierstin, because she can shake her groove thang. She was cracking me up dancing to "Bad"! I wish I would have thought to take a video, but alas, it escaped my brain, as I was moon walking across the floor!

The dance party moved downstairs along with the party hats, horns and sparkling cider. The girls danced and giggled while I prepared everything needed for the stroke of midnight.

(Robert's practice run at ringing in the New Year at 11:50 pm)

With our drinks in one hand and horns in another, we counted down to the New Year. Poor KiKi had to RUN to the potty right before the stroke of 12, but we surprised her with horns out the bathroom door!

Teniah in 2012

Kierstin in 2012

Rob and Mel in 2012

The Chicas in 2012

Sisters in 2012

Cheers to a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Hope you enjoyed my timeline!

Love, US!!

It's PIE time!!!

So a couple of weeks ago, I was talking with my Grandma Willie. To say the least, she sounded tired. I thought I'd offer to help her make the pies for Thanksgiving. Plus, I need to know her secret recipes in baking so I can keep them going! ;)

"The Secret Recipe"

So I forgot to take a picture of mixing the dough, but I think that was my favorite part...Grandma says to me, "Roll up your sleeves, its time to get your hands dirty!" Into the bowl I went...mixing lard and flour! After I mixed, she took one look and said, that looks right, and onto the rolling board it went!

Rolling out the dough

PS if making TONS of pies...NEED marble rolling pin!

Next, Grandma pressed the dough in the pans

Shells ready for the filling! Cherry is preferred!

Then we poured the filling. We did 3 cherry (one of which was JUST MINE!!), 2 apple and a peach. We also made about 5 shells for the pumpkin, pecan and cream pies.

Me and my pie

The finished product...Heavenly!!

I must say, I was waiting for the taste test to make sure that I lived up to her pies, and you know what...I think I did! The crust was flaky and the pie was DELICIOUS!!!! Even Robert, who doesn't like cherry pie said it was YUMMY!!

Next visit...fillings and Christmas candy!!

Yummy Turkey Soup!

After coming home from work a little later than normal today, I was in a hurry to make something for dinner for the family. I cooked a turkey yesterday and am going to be finding fun recipes for it for the next week or so until it is gone; so need less to say, I have a fridge full of turkey. With a storm coming in, I decided to throw some soup on the stove. It kinda started a little hap hazardously, throwing items in the pot and hoping for the best. Surprisingly enough, it was delicious! So here's the recipe!

Turkey Left-over Soup

made 4 servings

3 c chicken broth

1/2 c half & half

1/2 can carrots

1/2 can green beans

1 small tomato diced

1 handful mushrooms (or a can, I just had fresh ones)

about 2 c turkey

1/2 c cheese

garlic salt, pepper and Italian seasoning to taste

Mix all ingredients together in a soup pot, except cheese and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat and add the cheese. Let simmer for about 10 mins. and enjoy!

I would have posted a picture, but the soup didn't last long!

It's Halloween Time!!!

This year Robert's mom decided to have a Halloween party. It was such a good idea, and the kids LOVED it!! We all decided to have the kiddos dress up ...which ended up being a GREAT idea. Since Jim & Myrna live in the middle of no where (hehe) they don't get trick or treaters so I think they had a blast having the kids in costume!

Kierstin the Cowgirl!

Teniah the Tipsy Gypsy

All the Kiddos!

The 20's brought to life!

The kids had a blast coloring Halloween pictures, decorating and eating sugar cookies and playing Halloween Bingo! The girls sure loved every moment!

Halloween day, the girls were able to go to my mom's Halloween party at school. They had a blast making cookies and playing games and participating in the Halloween Parade. Kyle and I dressed up for work too. We had a blast!! We told everyone that I preformed brain surgery on him! hehe

The doctor's in!

After I got off work that night, I changed costumes, and we went out trick or treating. The girls had a BLAST!! We went out for about an hour and a half. But Kiki was done within the hour! I couldn't believe how much candy they got!! We got home and dumped it on the table.

Look at my LOOT!!

While we were looking at it...Robert came in and said, we still have time to trick or treat, what are you doing home? I told him that Kiki was tired but Teniah would go. So off they went again. They hit a few more houses and were back within a half hour. Teniah was thrilled!!!

This year was probley my favorite so far! The girls were awesome!

My toothless Girl!

For the last couple of months, Teniah's TWO front teeth have been wiggly! She has been wiggling them little by little each day. Last night during her wiggling, I heard the root pop (kinda gross if I do say so myself). She was a little freaked out. Needless to say, it was bleeding pretty bad, so I told her it should come out tonight. She pushed, she pulled, she tried to twist...nothing. She handed me the tissue, "Your turn mom." I pushed, I pulled, I gave a tiny twist...nothing! Probley because I didn't go as hard as it needed...Teniah was whinny. After a few tries, we gave up. Teniah was getting ready for bed, and went in the bathroom. Next thing I know, I hear a clink on the floor. Her tooth popped out! She is now my little toothless girl! She was SOOOOO excited!

Remembering Good Times

About a week ago, Teniah came across my scrapbook and was looking through the pages. I came across a newspaper article, and I wondered, "what's that?" As I looked closer, I knew, it was my grandmothers obituary. It has been almost 5 years since she passed away. It is amazing to me how the time has passed.

In the time since, there are days when I miss her, then I pull out her necklace; I place it around my neck, and think of all the happy memories of her all day. By the end of the day, it's almost as if I have spent some time with her. Today, I heard the song, "Que Sera". Thoughts of my grandma came rushing back. I remember her singing that song to me many times as a child. So as I had this rush of thoughts, I couldn't help but to give her a place on my blog.

Grandma Barbara was an amazing woman. She was kind and thoughtful and giving. She was strong and funny. I know that I will always carry a piece of her in my heart, and she will always be missed by me. Love you Grandma!