Lately...

♥♥♥ We had dinner last week at our really good friends house, Josh and Kailey's. It was so fun to catch up and get our kids together to play, and while they played we played too. We had our oldest boys, George and Brendon only a couple days apart nearly 10 years ago. And while we always wanted to live close to each other and raise our kids together going on walks with our strollers, life had other plans and we've done it separately...until now. Yeah! We live only an hour apart, but that's nothin' compared to 13. We each have 3 kids, although her baby is only 1 1/2 and she has all boys.


And we may even have a future wedding in our hands. MJ wouldn't leave poor Brendon alone and kept wanting to kiss him. They are only 3+ yrs apart so you never know. She loved the attention, I'm not sure if he did though. Good thing the drama started only a few minutes before we were about to leave.



♥♥♥ Our poor Mason had to go get a shot for his immunizations. His Hep B was done wrong according to Washington Laws so he needed a new one. And who likes getting shots? Umm no one I know of. So after a few tears but being tough, it was over with. After we went to WalMart for some groceries and I told him he could pick out a treat 'cause I felt so bad for him. And on the Halloween candy aisle he picked out this gross gummy foot.

It's so real with the bone sticking out. Yuck. He loved it though and made him very happy

♥♥♥ I made and ate my first Red Velvet cake. I think it turned out pretty good. This was the last piece, needless to say the kids loved it. Next time I want to try it with a cream cheese frosting. I'm not fond of regular icing, too sugary. I made it for dessert when we went to Kailey's last week.

♥♥♥ George and his dad went to a Seahawks game a couple weeks ago. I was suppose to go, but gave up my seat to my spoiled son. Jeremy got the tickets from work. Perks! It was worth it though, I love how they love to go to sporting events together. Plus I only go for the fun surroundings and atmosphere anyway. I hardly watch the games 'cause I'm too busy watching the people around me. I just can't help it. And George also knows he's going to get something out of it, like a brand new jersey. This was taken after the fact since Jeremy refused to take the camera. He also has a matching green Seahawks hat. Jeremy just can't help himself spoiling our kids.


♥♥♥ And what girl has never done this:

Whether with socks or tennis balls it's just plain curiosity. Silly girl.

♥♥♥ I also wanted to share a new recipe I found for the Cafe Rio Pork. It's so much easier than the one I have and tasted just as good, just not as spicy, which is great for me. I'm not a fan of spicy foods.

All it is is Pork Roast - I usually buy 2 2lb roasts.
Put in crock pot filled half way with water. Cook on high for 5 hours. Drain water.

Mix, 2 cups salsa, 2 cups brown sugar, and 2 cups coke.

Add to Roast. Cut up the roast into fourths for now (or shred). Cook a couple more hours and shred the pork. And that's it. Add to salad and of course add the tomatillo dressing. If you don't have that recipe let me know and I'll post it. It's sooooooo good. Not only did we make the salad with it, but you can make nachos too. And don't forget the dressing on top of that too. Oh so yummy. Next time I'm only buying 1 pork roast so we don't have left overs for a week. and cut the recipe in half. Too easy.

♥♥♥ So that's all for now. Just a little of what's been going on in our little part of the world.

Being Spoiled

...by Ma♥key and Poppa.

This was our first time not being able to watch General Conference on TV at home. So saturday I missed it, but will hopefully soon watch it on the internet. So after Jeremy got home from work on saturday we took off and went to mom and dad's house. And when mom knows she's having company she goes all out. We walked in the door to this:

well not this, the corndogs were for the picky ones that don't like seafood. All of us that do love seafood got this:

Homemade battered halibut, shrimp and fries. Can you say yum?

The chef himself slaved over those potatoes cutting them to just the right size.

Then Sunday morning we were treated to biscuits covered in sausage n gravy with eggs and bacon, not pictured. Mom said she was inspired by an IHOP commercial.

We sure loved playing with little Tibbey too. She's such a sweet dog. She loves to give kisses.

Ears, nose, mouth, toes.. she's a kisser alright.

And the kids learned how to play chess and for dinner mom made a roast.

I don't cook like this at our house, so this was a treat to be spoiled with yummy food and relaxing around the house.

I saw this picture on their fridge and at first didn't recognize the one on the right. Ha ha, I know my kids so well. I hadn't seen this picture before (that I remember). It's too cute with Maryjane and Dallin when they were sweet babies.

So thanks mom and dad for spoiling us for the weekend. It's always fun to hang out and be with family. Nothin' better.

Projects

I had a couple fun projects I worked on this week.

I was looking at this basket that I was given and not loving the liner with the veggies. So I looked thru my stash of fabric and transformed it from this:

to this:

I love it so much more now. It's so perfect for fall, or maybe all year round. It can actually be out on display now.

And I put this quarter head fabric on the bottom. When I bought that fabric it was a little left over peice on sale. I wasn't sure what I would do with it, but I liked it. And now it has the perfect home.

And then I found fabric at Walmart to make my kids Halloween pillowcases. I have a feeling the boys are going to keep theirs on longer than just for the holiday. What is it with skulls that kids love these days?

I love having projects to work on. As soon as my quilts are done and quilted I'll post those too. Soo close.

I {heart} you

It's Official

We are officially Washingtonians. Finally went and got the car registered and changed over our drivers licenses. We got the new enhanced license that is also a passport so we can go to Canada now (and all bordering countries). Can't wait to go now especially to Victoria and Vancouver is only 1 hour away too.

We heard rumors that we might have to wait 4 to 6 hours to get the new license, but we went before they opened and waited in line and were done in 1 1/2 hrs. Not bad at all, so worth it. And then the real one comes within 30 days.

Back to School

Today came with mixed emotions. This was the longest summer ever for us so we were ready for school to start and back to being on a schedule. But it was new everything for the kids. New school, new teachers, riding the bus for the first time, new town, new friends. For me I think I was more nervous for them than they were, of course. They were just anxious and excited. George goes to a different school than the other 2. His school is 3rd-5th. and Mason's and Maryjane's is K-2nd. So George's bus comes at 8:05 and his school starts at 8:50. The same bus comes back and then picks up the younger kids for the other school at 8:35 and their school starts at 9:00. We went to their schools open house last week and met the teachers (who were all great) and the kids got to know where their classrooms were. It made me feel a lot better knowing that when they got there off the bus they knew where to go. I kept asking them where their classrooms were and to go straight to their rooms when they got there. I'm just so used to taking them and making sure they're in the right place. But they're big kids now, I know, sometimes it's just so hard to let go and let them grow up and do things for themselves. And Mason was my helper, he took MJ to class first and then went to his own. He said when they got there he waited and made sure she went "all the way in the classroom" before he went to his. I'm so glad they have each other. They sat next to each other on the bus both ways. Too sweet. And well George is glad to be on his own and not having his little brother and sister bother him.

So off to school they all went. All day now. I thought I was ready for this day and I've been waiting for it to come for many years now. But now that it's here, man I have such mixed emotions. I've come to realize I don't really like being by myself. I like having company but I don't like all the fighting or whining either so I'm glad they have somewhere to go and learn and play. And 7 hours sure does go by quick. I'm glad I have our dog to keep me company instead. He sleeps all day anyway, but I can talk to him and love him and he doesn't fight or whine. So it is a nice break. I just need to find things to do. I started sewing again now that I finally unpacked my machine. And I have a couple projects I'm working on. Time will tell. Last year I only lasted a month and a half before I got bored enough and worked part time at their school. So we'll see.

My sister called right after they left and had to ask how I was doing with them all gone and I broke down crying, while she laughed at me. (which I totally understand 'cause usually I'm the one laughing) I've never cried when any of them have gone to school. I've always been so excited. I'm not one to cry and be sentimental. That's for my other sister. But this is a new chapter of my life and I've got to figure out what I want to accomplish for myself. And with all the "new" stuff for them I was a little nervous and wanted them to be ok and make sure they figured out everything ok since I couldn't be there. I think that was the hardest part. Sending them into a new and unfamiliar place while I sat and wondered all day if they were ok and how they were doing. But now that they are home, they had a great time. They figured it all out, of course, even without me. I don't need to worry anymore. Hopefully tomorrow will be less emotional and I'm sure it will be.

Oh the joys of life and the things we go through emotionally when we have kids. Ya gotta love it.

Family Picnic

We set off to Northern California last wed. a long 11 hours in the car. But we got there just in time for dinner at In-N-Out. In my opinion the best burger and fries ever. A great way to start off the trip.

Then unloaded the bags at G'pa Mark's and G'ma Paula's house in Red Bluff. Mason was off right away looking for lizards and frogs. He's our animal lover.




To escape the heat we had to get in the pool as often as we could.



G'pa Don and G'ma Jean came over for dinner and gave the kids cowboy hats. MJ of course got a pink one.

Paula sure does love her mama...

The kids are just too cute in there hats.

(I forgot to fix the red eyes. oops)

We played an exciting game of croquet after dinner.

And G'ma Jean won of course.

They loved swimming at night in the pool.

The girls loved seeing the donkeys at Don and Jean's house, Coco and Pepper.

Coco is pregnant and a little temper mental and almost nipped MJ's leg. So I had to take it quick. She's usually really nice, but you know how pregnant moms are when they're about to pop.

Austin took the boys for a ride on the 4 wheeler.

Every night the boys went out and caught a bucket full of frogs. It kept them busy for hours.


Then Saturday was the Family Picnic (reunion) down at a park by the river.

Nancy ordered live strong bracelets that say "Jean" on the them for our sweet G'ma Jean who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last month. And they are royal blue for our family color. Each family line wears a different color.

I could not get g'ma to look at the camera and smile. But no matter, she's still the cutest.

Mason spent the whole time by the river catching whatever he could find.

Mason and Austin teasing George.

David entertaining MJ.

The boys playing wiffle ball.

Nancy and her mom.

And with Ed.

And with Alisha.

Thanks for posing for me.

And a cute family picture all in our royal blue.

We had a great few days while in Red Bluff. We're glad we made it for the family picnic this year.

Love you all.