Yellowstone...

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

The Falls

On a Nature Walk

Ice Lake

Hot Pots

Waiting to see Old Faithful (Crew was so happy to be out of the car)

Geyser

Old Faithful

An Elk

We were able to spend the last 2 days in Yellowstone National Park.  I have not been to Yellowstone except to see Old Faithful since I was a little girl.  As a kid, I remember Yellowstone being kind of boring, but this time around I loved it!  The boys loved Yellowstone too.  We saw so many animals as we were driving and we loved all the spots we stopped at and had a chance to walk around.  We were able to stay the night at the World Mark resort in West Yellowstone with our friends the Craguns.  The accommodations were fabulous and so was the company.   Greg and I are looking forward to going again next year!  I hope one day my boys will be able to take a picture without pulling a funny face :)

Crew...

My little 10 month old Crew took his first 2 steps yesterday.  I guess we are on our way to walking soon.  I better start baby proofing the house.

Fresh Peaches and Cream Pie

1/4 pint whipping cream
5 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup powdered sugar 

9"  graham cracker pie shell

1/4 pint whipping cream whipped until firm with1/4 cup powdered sugar
5 oz cream cheese, whipped with 1/4 cup powdered sugar
fold together, and put in baked and cooled 9" pie shell

peach glaze:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
2 1/2 Tablespoon cornstarch
1 cup mashed peaches
Stir and bring to boil; cool, Put peach glaze into pie that is filled with the whipped cream & creamed cheese. Slice 2-3 large peaches on top of peach glaze.

Iphone VS. Ipod Touch

All of my friends and family know that I have wanted an Iphone ever since I got my Macbook (laptop)  Here are the reasons I wanted an Iphone...

-The only calendar I use is on my laptop.  If someone asks me if I am available to do something, if I am not home I really don't know.  My life is on my computer.  Kind of scary if it crashes, huh?

-Everything on my Macbook is so compatible with the iphone.

-I wanted to be able to have access to my email and the internet on the go.

O.k. well after trying to justify switching service providers from Verizon Wireless to At&t and having to pay my own cell phone bill (Greg's company pays the majority of our cell phone bill), I just couldn't make the jump.  

After a lot of research and time spent in the apple store, the sales rep talked me into buying the ipod touch instead.  Let me just tell you after having my touch for 1 week it has exceeded all of my expectations.

It has everything the iphone has except the phone and text messaging.  But, I have my cell phone that will do all of this.  The touch also has all these cool applications that you can download from itunes.  I have downloaded facebook, a grocery shopper program, a budget tracker, the scriptures, games, etc.  It is absolutely amazing and everyday I find more things about it.  

So if you have made it to the end of this post, if you have been wanting an Iphone and don't want to switch cell phone service providers, get the touch.  You won't be disappointed.  Plus, Christmas is right around the corner.  This is a perfect Christmas gift.

Oh, if anyone from the company apple is reading this and needs an at home sales rep, give me a call!!!

Happy Birthday to my father-in-law Ron.  My kids just love their Grandpa D. and enjoy any time they get to spend with him.  Thanks for all you do for our family!  We hope you have a great day.  We love you.

Crew is 10 months...

I really can't believe that Crew is 10 months.  It seems crazy that in just 2 short months we will celebrate his 1st birthday.  Lately Crew has been really hard.  He cries every time I set him down unless I sit right next to him and play.  I would be o.k. with this, but for some reason this has been the busiest 2 weeks.  Here is a list of some of his new tricks.

-Very demanding.  He knows what he wants and will cry until he gets it.

-His first tooth broke through his gums on September 7th.

-He does this very funny thing when he is scared to try some food we are offering him and he will turn his head and press his lips tightly together and make a buzzing noise.  He is already getting picky and thinks we are going to give him something gross.

-He can stand on his own for a few seconds before falling.

-He is crawling very quickly now.  He crawls on his knees but then pushes himself with one foot.

-He learned how to clap on his own.

This past month we also took a trip to Washington with him.  It was a long drive and he did wonderful.  That is the thing with Crew.  If people are around to give him attention he is the best baby around.  If I am home alone with him and need to get things done, he is a nightmare baby.  Any way he is behaving, I still love him to pieces!!!!

Happy Birthday Cannon...

When I was 29 weeks along with Cannon his head was pointing down.  At my next appointment at 33 weeks, he had decided to flip around (breech) and give me pain in my ribs for the rest of the pregnancy.  At 39 weeks, they tried to turn him, but he would not budge.  That pretty much explains Cannon's personality.  He is stubborn and always wants his own way no matter what.  

Cannon is such a fun boy to have around our house.  He brings a lot of fun and excitement and a lot of stubbornness.  I wouldn't have it any other way though.

C-urious.  He will investigate and ask questions until he figures things out.

A-dorable.  That toe head always get the compliments anywhere we go!

N-aughty.  Gets into mischief but will always admit to us what he did.

N-atural.  He has a natural ability for all sports.  

O-n the go.  When Cannon is awake, he never stops.  But, he is my child that needs the most sleep and will willingly take a nap when he needs one.

N-ice.  He is always the one who will cuddle with his Mom and gets really sad when he is in trouble.  

We love you Cannon and life would be so boring without you.  You are such a good brother and you try to make good choices.  We can't believe you are 5 already.  You are growing up so fast.  

Happy Birthday!

All the Recipes...

Sorry about all the recipe posts.  I was trying to organize my side bar with some of the recipes I had typed on my blog.  None of them are really new, so hopefully soon I will have some good new ones to share.  Until then, Happy Eating!!

Little Cheddar Meat Loaf

Little Cheddar Meat Load

1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup quick oats
1/2 chopped onion
1 tsp. salt
1 lb. ground beef
2/3 cup ketchup
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp. dry mustard

In a bowl, beat the egg and milk. Stir in cheese, oats, onion, and salt. Add beef and mix well. Shape into eight loaves. Place in a greased 9X14 pan. Combine ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard. Spoon over the loaves. Bake uncovered @ 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until meat in no longer pink. Serve with a baked potato and green salad.

Cheesy Cream of Potato Soup...

Cheesy Cream of Potato Soup

3 cans chicken broth
6 cups peeled, thinly sliced potatoes
1 tsp. salt
Pepper to taste
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
16 oz. heavy whip cream
1 1/2 cups milk

Bring broth, salt, pepper, and p[potatoes to a boil. Simmer for 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender but not mushy. Then add whip cream and milk to broth and potatoes. Bring all ingredients back up to a simmer. Then add the cheese. Stir until melted. Then in a separate cup add 3 TBS. cornstarch and a little bit of water to make a smooth paste. Add to the simmering soup. The soup might need a little more cornstarch and water until you have a thickened consistency you are happy with. Once you have dished up your bowl of soup, sprinkle with bacon bits or some cooked crumbled bacon. You can also top with green onion and shredded cheddar cheese. Serve with a piece of crusty bread or roll.

Chicken Tacos

Chicken Tacos

1 Rotisserie Chicken
1 package taco seasoning
1 can crushed tomatoes (optional)
1 to 1 1/2 cup sour cream
2 handfuls of fiesta blend cheese
1 package homemade tortillas (Sams Club or Bajio)
Tomatillo Ranch Dressing
1 can refried beans or black beans.

Pull off chicken and shred. Then put into a saute' pan and add 1 package taco seasoning and water according to the package directions. Let simmer for 5 minutes. Then add 2 giant handfuls of cheddar or fiesta blend cheese. (Don't skimp on the cheese) Then add 1 to 1 1/2 cups of sour cream, depending on how creamy you want it. Then cook up your tortillas. Put beans into the bottom of the tortilla, followed by the chicken mixture and topped with lettuce. Then, pour some tomatillo ranch onto the lettuce. Serve with a side of Mexican rice or chips and salsa.

Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup...

Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

5 cups chicken broth
2 handfuls of shredded carrots
3 stalks of celery finely chopped
1/2 onion chopped (optional)
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 can evaporated milk
12 oz. bag Reames homemade egg noodles (freezer section)
1 Rotisserie Chicken

Pick all of the chicken off of the Rotisserie Chicken and shred. Bring 5 cups chicken broth to a boil. Put carrots, celery, and noodles in chicken broth and boil for 20 minutes. Then add chicken, cream of chicken soup, and evaporated milk to pan. Stir well until soup is creamy and smooth. If the soup is not thick enough for your liking, mix cornstarch and a little water into a paste and add to soup pot. Let thicken and serve with a yummy piece of bread or roll and salad.

Chicken Cordon Blue

Chicken With Mushroom Gravy

Chicken with Mushroom Gravy

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup milk
10 oz. package mushrooms (Sliced)
4 oz. can diced green chilies (Do not drain)
1 envelope Italian dressing mix
8 oz. package cream cheese (cubed)

In a crock pot, put chicken in bottom. In separate bowl, combine Cream of Mushroom soup, milk, mushrooms, green chilies, and dressing mix. Stir well with whisk. Pour over chicken and cook on low for 4 hours. Add cubed cream cheese and cook for one more hour. Serve over mashed potatoes or rice. We like it with mashed potatoes. Enjoy!

Cafe Rio Pork

Seattle Trip...

Colton & Cannon with Great Grandma Char

All of US

Colton at the fish market in Seattle

My Sister-in-law, my sister-in law's mom, and me with all the beautiful flowers at Pike's Place

The boys in front of the fruit and vegetable stand at Pike's Place

Wagon Slide

Lake Coeur d'Alene

Park in Coeur d'Alene

Yankee/Mariner Game (I love the view of the city in the background)

BYU Game

Gonzaga Bulldog in front of basketball stadium

Gondola Ride to see the Spokane Falls

Wednesday

We drove 6 hours to Coeur d'Alene and the kids did amazing the whole time.  They were such troopers during the long car ride.  We stayed the night and enjoyed Coeur d'Alene the next day.

Thursday

We started the day driving to Spokane where we spent time touring Gonzaga University and looking for anything highlighting John Stockton's time at the university.   Unfortunately we couldn't get into the basketball stadium where we heard they have tons of John Stockton memorabilia.  Then we went down to the river parkway and let the kids ride the carousel and went on a gondola ride to view the falls.  They also had a great wagon slide that the boys loved going on.  We went back to Coeur d'Alene and went down to Lake Coeur d'Alene and walked around the floating dock and found a fun playground for the boys to play on.  

Friday

We drove to Seattle where our first stop was Cheesecake Factory for lunch.  Cheesecake Factory was located in a great mall and we enjoyed some shopping as well.  Then we met up with my family (all 17 of us) and went to the Mariners/Yankee game and had a great time.

Saturday

We went to the BYU/Washington game.  The game was great except for the Washington students horrible mouths.  I felt bad for my kids to have to listen to such awful language.  But, BYU pulled out the victory luckily.  Then we went to dinner with the family and enjoyed some down time and visiting at the hotel pool.

Sunday

We went to Pike's Place Market and enjoyed walking around and seeing all the fun booths.  Then we drove to Missoula and stayed the night.

Monday

Drove the rest of the way home.  The kids did so great on the drive home too.

The trip was amazing.  The drive went so smooth.  Spending time with family made the 11 hour drive all worth it.  Seattle is a beautiful city and I loved it.  I want to go back and visit when we can spend more time touring the city.  Thanks to all my family for making the trip so we could all be together.  Thank you for all the people who planned the trip and spent time making reservations and getting tickets.  I love you all and am so thankful for the memories we get to make together.  

Over Half Way...

We left this afternoon to start our long 12 hour drive to Seattle.  We drove about 7 hours and only made one stop for dinner.  The kids did really great.  I was really anticipating the worst and was fairly surprised at how smoothly it went.  I was really worried about Crew because babies don't understand that they have to stay in the car seat.  He got fussy a couple times but only for about 10 minutes each time.  We would pull out the treats and feed him a few and he would quickly calm down.  He did great.  We are going to stay in Coeur d'Alene for a couple days and enjoy our time out of the car!!!