KNOCK KNOCK......

The other day I was chillin' on the computer and the doorbell rang. I got up and found this................

My kids were dressed as power rangers and they INSISTED they were not my kids. So we "pretended". Later they changed and asked if anything interesting happened while they were "gone". I had to tell them with lots of excitement that Power Rangers came to our door and they SOOOO missed out!!!!

ps. Ady totally looks like she has to pee. hahahaha

Halloween preview

Okay, just one kid so far, but it's a start!!!! Matthew informed me he wanted to be Ben 10 again this year. I was thrilled, until he told me he didn't want to be "big Ben 10" again, he wanted to be little Ben 10....OKAY!!!!

So I googled and found a picture to go off of.

Let's just say he was thrilled with it and wants to wear it all day.

Mom is super happy it was just a white shirt (1.99 on sale at Micheal's) black paint (1 on sale at Michael's) iron on transfer and pants I had in a size 4 for Tanner, that he agreed were perfect. :) and an omnitrek that we all ready had....I just replaced the wrist band...it had an awful plastic one that wouldn't stay closed, so he got frustrated with it. I bought a watch band and he loves it now. Saved me $20, those things are expensive.

Oh and Miss Sassy Pants, yelled at me until i took a picture of her "cute hair." I am sooooooo ready for her to go back to school! Ady's costume is almost done, just need to finish the hat and I will post pics. Bennett is going to be a monkey, I just need to put it on and take pics...Tanner, well that's another post since it's a bit of a project for me.

Yummy food

This post is mostly to show how crazy it's been. Our friends came to visit for a few days (on their way down to California.) They are friends from when I was a kid in California...eventually we moved to Utah and they moved to Colorado. They always stop by on their way down to Cali...also their daughter lives here in Utah now with her hubby, so they come to see her too, but I tell myself they come to see us. LOL Their daughter had school and work the two days they were here, so they spent lots of time at my house cooking....it's was tiring but heavenly.

Here is Gui teaching me to make tamales.


Berto showing off his tamale mix.


Those were the only two pics I got because we were super busy. We started out making Bertos famous barbeque sauce...okay he made it while I was at Gardner Village with the kids. We then marinated the beef and crock potted it all day...yum. Next we made salsa, guacamole, and fajitas for lunch. I of-course ate too much and paid with heart burn. Next came the tamales we were up until 10 cooking....tired!!!!! I think we made over 50 tamales. Next day I used the rest of the barbeque sauce and did chicken, rice, and lots of enchiladas. My freezer is stocked full of yummy mexican food and I am happy to say it's ready for "baby season".

Thanks Gui and Berto for the cooking lesson and yummy food in my freezer. Gui wants me to teach her lasagna and alfredo sauce next....it's a plan!!!

Gardner Village 2010

Last Thursday we went to Gardner Village with our neighbors. We try to do this every year. Luck had it my Mom was up so she offered to keep Bennett with her. Though I'm thinking he would've been the best one there out of my kids.

I could not get a decent picture of my kids together...either they were crabby, not paying attention or another kid would jump in....oh well...

This is Matt and his friend Cayden.


Matt and Ella, suprisingly these two get along really well. They both LOVE playing house and barbies together....Matt's learning real quick how to make the ladies happy. LOL

Matt, Tanner, Makaylee, Ella and Ady

All of the kids (minus Benno of course)

It was fun, but crazy. The kids have been off track for 3 weeks now, they go back Monday and I can't WAIT!!!!!

Ah Ady, always good for a laugh

So a few minutes ago I was chilling on the computer (reading blogs.) Ady kept bugging me and I finally told her if she didn't go away I would put her to bed....it's not even 7...lame. So, she goes to the family room and turns the t.v. on...for those that don't know we no longer have cable or anything, our tv is streamed through the internet on PlayOn. They can get on all sorts of stuff but rarely venture from the Netflix Que (which is stuff we put on there for them and us.) Well, Ady has been more brave in searching, she found a Hello Kitty today...who knew. So she runs in and I can't quite catch the first part but the rest goes like this, "There's this guy and another guy and another guy with a pillow...come see Mom." My poor mind is thinking "WHAT THE" and rush off to the t.v.

She is on Netflix and has the movies pulled up and the "picture" on one of the movies is 3 guys...not sure about the pillow, but it's for "Old Dogs"...I sighed and told her she couldn't watch it and to find something else.

To make matters worse, while I am part way through posting this blog post, Matt runs in and says, "Bennett spilled root beer!!!" HUH?!?!?! I run into the kitchen to find Bennett standing on the counter at least 1/2 of the 2-liter bottle of root beer empty....on my kitchen floor. Sigh, I did not realize how much liquid is in a two liter!!! :) Sorry no pictures, I hurried to strip him and clean up. Unfortunately, he likes to "help" clean up his messes and threw a huge fit when I wouldn't let him mop. So I wiped it up the best I could and gave him the mop....looks like I get to mop the whole floor when they go to bed....LUCKY MOM!!!! curse you blogger!!! LOL That's what I get when I leave my kids for a few minutes.

Bennett

As some might know, Bennett is almost 2 and doesn't talk. About a month ago we had someone from the school district come and spend 2 hours with him. They pretty much asked a ton of questions and played games with him. Let's just say the first hour went well....the last, well, not so good. We then went to a "special" school yesterday where they asked a bunch of health questions and tested his hearing...passed on both ears. So today a speech therapist came and we wrote up a "plan". She'll come in 2 times a month for about an hour. Not quite sure how this is going to go. She asked what things I wanted him to learn to say....well....for starters MAMA! :) LOL Okay maybe I don't want him to learn that. Our goals are Mama (he says DaDa) Ady, Matt, Tanner and basic things like drink, snack, bye bye. You know things that a one year old says. :) I am seriously hoping she has some good suggestions....I usually say simple words to him over and over...like drink, food, potty...you know the basics. He doesn't care so far. I guess my "homework" until she comes again is to use 2 word phrases....shoes on, door open, go outside. She said to only do it on occasion. that he still needs to be talked to normally, but sometimes full sentances are hard to repeat, but he can understand them. So that is where we are at with Benno. I miss my nephew Jones coming to play...he would always talk for Bennett and it was so cute. He would come and say, "Benno and Jones want drink." or "We want cheez balls!" He'd grab Bennett's hand and say, "Come on Benno!" I loved it...so adorable!!! Now if only Bennett will talk. I will keep you updated on his progress....if there is progress.
I guess I should say he does say "DADA", "vroom"; "woof", and other variations of "da". When he does down the slide he will say, "DA, DA, DA...dooo" or in english "1,2,3 Go" he says "dadin" when Ady plays ring around the rosie....which in english is again. We have learned a little "Benno" but english would be nice.

Guess Away

I have a link on the right side for you to guess gender, weight, date, etc. on the baby. I thought it would be fun to make a game out of it and see what everyone thinks we are having and such. Feel free to add your guesses and there will be a prize for the closest one. Not sure what it will be yet or when you get it...but you will get something fun.

Mountains

We went up to the mountains on Friday after Davis got home from work. We grabbed subway.... Davis didn't want to wait for the fire and the time to roast hotdogs...which ended up being good, since the ride up was LONG, too many people had the same idea.

My cute boys.

This is the best I got with the brothers.

Yes, Ady was there. She sat by the fire almost the whole time complaining about how cold it was.

Tanner and Bennett get along pretty well. Bennett likes Tanner, Tanner will put up with him on occasion.

Boys will be boys.....and these are ALL BOY! Bennett and Matt can make a sword or gun out of anything. They love to play fight, especially Bennett. They found two sticks and "dueled". Bennett loves to "fall down" when he plays like this. *side note, I wasn't feeling well the other day and was laying on the couch. Bennett came over with his "dukes up" and started fighting me. I would punch him and he would fall down. This went on for at least 30 minutes. Mom loved the rest and Bennett was thrilled.*

And he's down!!!!

Notice the bigger stick for the bigger opponent?

Trust me, Bennett LOVED it.

These are now guns and he's saying "pew pew."

Soups

I might be crazy, but I am getting ready for it to cool down so I can start a new "menu". Not sure how you roll, but here in Utah we have summer dinners and fall/winter dinners. What I am most excited for is soup. It's super easy, fairly inexpensive and it's great leftover....3 of my criteria for dinners. I rarely post recipes on my blog, but thought I would throw these out today. All of these recipes I have tried and love.

Enjoy!!!

Potato Cheese Soup-got this from my sister in law

6-8 medium sized potatoes, cubed
5 cups water
6 chicken bullion cubes
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar
3/4 cup butter
4 cups half & half
3/4 cup flour

Boil the potatoes until tender
While they are boiling, in a sauce pan, melt butter, then add half & half, flour (slowly) and cheese.
Stir until melted

When potatoes are done, drain all but 3 cups of water (I just boil fresh water in a separate pan), then add bullion cubes (I crush these so they dissolve faster).
Combine the melted butter/cheese mixture and ENJOY!!

**It's really good if you cook up some bacon & sprinkle over the top.


Creamy Corn and Potato Chowder-this is from my mom's friend...I finally got the recipe and can't wait to make it. Sorry I haven't made it yet, but have eaten it many times.

2 TBSP butter
1 large onion finely chopped
1 rib celery finely chopped
5 1/2 cups chicken stock (I use bouillon cubes)
1 1/2 cups frozen corn kernels (or 1 can)
1 large all purpose potato, peeled and diced (I use more)
1/2 tsp salt (to taste)
1 cup heavy cream (I use a can of evaporated milk)
3 TBSP flour
black pepper to taste

Saute onion and celery in butter until tender. Add chicken stock, corn, potato and salt and bring to a low boil. Lower heat and cover pot. Let simmer for seven minutes or until potatoes are just tender.

In a small bowl, whisk together the cream and flour. Then stir into soup. Add black pepper. Bring back to a low boil. Reduce heat and simmer for eight minutes.


6 can Tortilla soup-from Davis' mission companion's wife....probably my favorite

1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth
1 (10.75 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
1 (10 ounce) can chunk chicken
1 (15 ounce) can black beans
1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers, drained (Rotel are
the best)

DIRECTIONS
Open the cans of corn, chicken broth, cream of chicken, chunk chicken, black
beans, and diced tomatoes with green chilies. Pour everything into a large
saucepan or stock pot. Simmer over medium heat until chicken is heated
through. Serve over semi-crushed tortilla chips and sprinkle with cheese and
sour cream if desired.

A few tips: I doubled the recipe and used one can of mild tomatoes and one
hot (I like it a little hotter). After draining the beans I rinsed them well
under water to reduce gassiness and save us all later.

Tomato Carrot Soup-from my friend Dana...I have made this and it never tastes as good as hers, not sure why.

2 cans chopped tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
1-2 cups water
2 cups grated carrots
¾ to 1 chopped onion
1 finely sliced garlic clove
½ lb. ground beef or sausage (optional)

1 tbsp each: Italian seasoning (or Basil)
Parsley
honey
oil
1 ½ tsp salt
¼ - ½ tsp cayenne pepper

If desired, sauté chopped onions in oil. Add the rest of ingredients and simmer 10-15
minutes.

Chicken Noodle Soup-from a girl in my ward....funny story. She was making this for enrichment and asked her hubby to start the chicken for her in the broth, since it was frozen. When she got home she noticed to her dismay that he had used beef broth, not chicken. She hurried and drained it and started over with the chicken broth, seriously worried about it. It was AWESOME and I think it was gone the fastest of all the soups and had the most requests for recipes. She said it was even better cooked first in the beef broth.....hmmm. Well, I make it the way it says and it's delish!!!

2 chicken breasts
2 1/2 C chicken broth
1 1/2 C water
1 whole onion, chopped
1-2 C carrots, chopped
1-2 C celery, chopped
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. thyme
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 Tbs. parsley
Home style noodles

So you just dump it all in the crock pot together and cook on low 8
hours unless your chicken is frozen, like mine was, then cook it on
high for the first few hours then switch to low. In that case, I only
do the chicken, the broth, and the water for the first few hours then
I add the remaining ingredients and cook on low for the remainder of
the cooking time. During the last 30-60 minutes add the home style
noodles (I use a lot) and turn it on high.

Seriously try them out, they are wonderful.

Six years ago today I.....

had one sweet little boy....
was anxiously awaiting the arrival of my first little girl....
felt my world crumble as we were told there was no heartbeat....

my first daughter was gone. Before we even got to say hello, we had to say goodbye.

A lot happened in the first little while after that moment. We were left to pick up our shattered dreams and lost hopes. I don't remember a lot that was said or done at that time. But I still remember the sorrow and seeing my sweetie cry. I remember the confusion on my 3 year olds face as we told him that his sister went to live with Jesus. I remember not crying, not sure if it was shock or what, but the first time I cried was when I saw the tears in my 15 year old sister-in laws eyes. She was so excited to have this baby carry her name and now it was gone.

Some said "Time heals all wounds," others said it was "meant to be." Finally a stranger (who is now a dear friend) said, "Time is wasteful...it's Love that heals the pain. With the knowledge of Jesus being resurrected and having an eternal family." Six years later I say she is right. I had no idea what my loving Father in Heaven had in store. So the tale begins......

By Addison's 1st birthday we were blessed with the love of a sweet 4 month old baby girl, whom we desperately hoped to keep. (look at those cheeks)

and our sweet now 4 year old Tanner.

By her 2nd birthday we had 6 month old Matthew....

Had just finalized adopting Adylin....and One jumped to three in the blink of an eye.

Her third birthday was craziness with a 1 and 2 year old......and Tanner was 6....oh my.

Fourth birthday was crazier awaiting the arrival of #4.

By the fifth birthday we had Tanner at 8, Adylin at 4, Matt 3 and Bennett almost 1.

And just to show that God has a sense of humor or Addison is behind the scenes busy as a bee. This Sixth Birthday brings Tanner at 9, Adylin at 5, Matthew 4, Bennett almost 2 and #5 (6 if you count Addison) coming in December. OH MY!!!!

Now for the fun. We had a GREAT day. We did lunch with Davis' fam....gotta love Labor Day. It was super fun because Addison's birthday fell on Labor Day again. For dinner we took the kids to Cafe Rio (I was craving it.)

What's up cool dude?!?! LOL

Ah man Ady girl, you are something.

Bennett oh Bennett, how'd you get so blonde?!?!

We made dinner simple so we could top off at Leatherbys.

MMMMM, my favorite, was over heard by this one......sorry it's crooked, he wouldn't smile and I was getting tired of asking.

Oh Benno, Oh Benno, how'd you get so cute?!?!?!

So to sum up this long post. Six years later we've had TONS of LOVE brought into our family. Some one said there would be a day that I look back and be grateful for Addison and the trial that she once was. I do know that I have a loving Heavenly Father that knows so much more than I do. I know he knows the spirits that are meant to be in my home even if only for a short while. For that I am grateful.

We love and miss you sweet girl. Happy 6th Birthday.

Egg Drop

Today at Tanner's school, the 4th graders had an egg drop. They brought a paper home Monday with the basics and there were a ton of different things kids did. Tanner, with the help of davis, put his egg in a walmart bag.....twirled it up so it looked like a hammock. They then tied it to a box filled with toilet paper.

Here is Tanner's teacher getting ready to drop it off the roof of the school.

There were a bunch of kids sitting/standing in front of me and it happened so fast I didn't get a picture of it landing. But this is the picture of Tanner and his "SUCCESS". The egg didn't break. He was so happy.

On a side note. Matthew was pushing Bennett around in his stroller and after a little while Bennett had "had enough".

And you wonder why he doesn't like you Matt?!?!!?

Bennett is super patient and puts up with a LOT from Matthew. But, eventually he is just DONE!!!

photo clean up

The other day I asked Matt to empty the dishwasher. So I got this.......



Really Matt.....REALLY?!?!?!


The other random picture is Bennett and Ady. Bennett LOVES to sword fight. Let me just say this kid is ALL BOY! He won't talk but he knows what a car says....vroom. He knows how to sword fight...he prefers butter knives, but got forks this day. EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING is a gun and goes "pew" "pew"...He also "boxes" I will try to get a picture of him boxing....it's really cute.

Crazy Kiddo. Man I love this little guy, he really is a light in our family.

Crazy Hair Day

Today is crazy hair day. About 6:30 this morning I get this whisper (okay you know Ady doesn't whisper) "MOM, do my hair it's crazy hair day." I told her "later" and "not to come back into my room until she'd watched two SpongeBobs." UGH! When I finally got up she bugged and bugged me to "crazy" her hair. She doesn't go to school until 11:30 but the only way to "quiet the storm" was to do it. Nothing fancy, but fun....she loves it and that's what counts.



Da Back!


Da Top front

Now leave me be young lady!!!!!!