What a lot of Work!

This is Micah 8.5 mos

Ok, so I had three kids with an average of 2 years between each child and I just did the mom thing with toddlers/babies for so many years and then all of the sudden they are growing up and not so much physical work right? Well, I thought I would never forget how much work they are when they are little and how stuck we are as moms of little ones. Well, I forgot!! Then today I was lucky enough to watch these two little frogs that belong to some friends of ours. Their mom was in school today and their dad came over to help rick do cement so I watched the little ones. Fun fun fun! But holy crap! What a lot of work they were! I tried to make a batch of cookies which I wasn't even able to bake the whole thing because of the way things worked out. Then when it came time to make all the guys lunch I was pretty stressed out about that! Well, it's all over now. I even took them to the park which was actually really nice. On the way back home we walked through the forest and Ashlyn kept asking why for the whole 5 hours she was over. Why? I don't know, why? They were really good kids though. Too sweet. On the way home we walked over this new road they just put in and it smelled like the road in front of our house they used to oil every year when I was growing up. Ohhhh, the memories. I've heard that smells are the biggest memory triggers out there. I think that's true.

This is Ashlyn 2 years and her Aunti Erin

Slippin' an Slidin'

The kids decided they wanted to play in the dirt...I mean mud! the other day. Sometimes I wish I was a kid. They sure had a lot of fun and I sure had a lot of fun cleaning up afterwards....NOT!

Beds and bargains

Did I ever get a sweet deal the other day! Yes, those who know me well, know that I LOVE A GOOD DEAL! I am always on the lookout for some sort of deal on something or other! So I went into this 2nd hand/pawn shop last week and was looking around. 2nd hand shop my butt! Not even prices I would expect to be in a 2nd hand shop. So when this lady who works there came up and asked me how I was going I said fine and then told her what I thought of the prices in the sweetest way possible. Turns out they sell some new items as well. I guess that makes them think that they can charge an arm and a leg for the used stuff?? Go figure. Then I saw the deal of the month. A brand new, solid wood twin bed for $229. And as if that wasn't good enough, it included the mattress as well! So we went back the next morning and asked how many they had which was 3 and we ended up buying the lot! Cool. I felt good about that.

Actually, speaking of 2nd hand stuff, I have a pet peeve I'd like to put out there and wonder if others feel the same way? or is it just my frugal self who thinks that most people who have garage sales or wanna sell their "crap" thinks they deserve waaaay more than what their crap is really worth? 2nd hand shops are the same way, especially around here. It's so stupid, some of the stuff its like, 'r u joking?!!' Like who could forget the body parts...

I mean 5 bucks! Those must be some other customers arms and legs they used to pay for their crap and now the store is selling THEM! Honestly though, that particular store is the worst for high prices. I actually ended up renting a costume from the Salvation Army a week ago for Candace who needed to dress up for a report she was doing at school. So while I was standing there waiting for them to do their thing, I asked how much of the money they pull in actually goes towards helping people out. They couldn't even answer me! And this was the manager I was speaking to! All she could say that she sounded pretty sure on was that 60% of the profits go towards maintaining the business. Rent, electric, phones employees (not everyone is volunteer). Well, whatever, I could drive myself CRAZY thinking about stuff like this and fretting over the fact that things in this country are just not cheap. And believe you me, sometimes I DO! But at least I get to go home at night and take solace in the fact that I'm sleeping on a $20 king size mattress and box spring! ha ha ha ha ha (That was by far the BEST garage sale find ever...for me at least!)

Yum Yum!

Well, I just finished baking a batch of cookies and muffins and I had made a ceasar salad, picked up pizza for the boys and cut up a canteloupe. But wouldn't you know it, the missionaries left before the muffins and cookies were done. I guess I'm a little slow on the draw. Sometimes I just really stress myself out. I put things off and sometimes its not even because I don't want to do them, but maybe its cuz sub conciously I enjoy the drama of things being nip and tuck you know? I don't know. But anyways, now they don't even get to enjoy my yummy baking. Crap! More for my family to enjoy anyhow...

Ok, now for the recipes, cuz honestly, you will LOVE these cookies! I haven't tried the muffins yet.

Double Choc Cookies

1 1/4 c. butter

2 c. sugar (I know...yikes!)

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

3/4 c. cocoa

2 1/2 c. flour

1 tsp B.S.

1/2 tsp salt

1 c. choc chips

You all know how to mix cookies right? Yeah, thought so...no bother saying it all over again!

Spiced Apple Muffins

Good Stuff

Yesterday we had our YW New Beginnings program and I was supposed to make something cute out of these door knob hangers. You know, those things that you hang on the outside of the door when you're sleeping or do not want to be disturbed? Well, I needed to have them done for yesterday afternoon and the YW Pres asked me asks me how they're looking and I'm like, 'yeah, great!' ha ha ha...and then wanted me to be at her house at 4:15 and I had to have them done by that time. Well, its 2:45 and I haven't even started! So I ran over to the craft store and bought a few colors of paint and some brushes cuz even though I used to be fully stocked when it came to painting and craft stuff, I now have NOTHING! By the time I get back I have an hour to paint 4 hangers all cute like so...here goes nothin! I was pretty happy with the way they turned out though. What do you think?

Then we went to the New Beginnings and since Canny is going to be 12 in 2 mos she is invited to come along. Well, she decided to get sick just after we got there and felt like puking the whole time so we left early and she didn't get to enjoy any of it really. And I didn't even get to eat the yummy pavlova for dessert. Dang!

So we came home and I made these awesome muffins...Cheese & Bacon Muffins...so fabulous. Savoury and oh my gosh good. Here is the recipe.

2 c. flour

2 Tbsp sugar

1 Tbsp BP

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 c. grated cheddar cheese

4-5 slices bacon cooked and crumbled

1 egg

1/4 c. oil

1 c. milk

Mix together the dry ingredients and then beat the wet ingred together and combine with dry. Bake at 400° for about 15 min. You'll love em!

The Little Monkey Man...

While I was in California just before I came back home to Oz I was lucky enough to beable to see our little grandson! Ha ha ha,...that still sounds so weird to me. But Rick is very insistant that I'm the Nana! So who am I to argue!? I'm still having a bit of trouble saying it though because after all, we know I'm waaaay to young to be a Nana! Anyways, he is soooo cute. Cute as a button...so edible and a really good baby. Angie and Jason are so lucky to have him! Here are a few pics of baby. I wish I had more but I only had a short time with him and Angie and so I could only take so many you know? Then they start to get pretty repetative.
He is truly delicious! Yummm!

Old Coach Dreams...and nightmares

I know there will be a few people who will appreciate seeing these pics. As you all know, there were major fires this last year in SanDiego and our house as well as some of our dear friends homes were among those who were not spared. Check out the pics. Those of you who have been to our house and even lived there (D&R) will think Wow!

Our bedroom

This is the Peter Noel house (up in the Heritage) that you helped frame Dan...