The Wind Caves

Have you ever been to the Wind Caves? According to Paul everyone knows about the Wind Caves and so, because I wanted to be somebody, we hiked to the Wind Caves yesterday. I had never heard of it and there wasn't any wind in the caves. A little dude passing us on his way down told us there weren't even real caves, obviously he was disappointed, just a bunch of bees.

The hike was a success, nonetheless. We learned Ruby doesn't like to hike up the hill but she's cool going down. When she saw a helicopter flying over us on our way up she shouted, "Why didn't I think of that?" Eli was a superstar hiker and didn't stop for a second. Towards the end his legs were getting "wobbly" but a couple of POWER tic tacs kept him going strong.

One lady asked us if we were a hiking family and I directed her to ALL of my childrens' shoes and I didn't need to say anymore. Every one of my children had put on their converse to go hiking. Yeah, we're die hards!!

It was a good time! The weather was perfect so it would have been foolish to stay indoors. Besides we ended the day with a big ol' plate of cheese fries at Outback - it was perfect!!

Some holiday joy

Click here to view some holiday joy.

Laurel Photo Shoot

This Wednesday I decided to challenge myself and had a photo shoot with all the Laurels using studio lighting. I do believe all had a good time. I mean, what 16/17 year old girl isn't going to enjoy striking poses to holiday music while being told how cute she is? Now to edit them all so they can have them before Christmas. The things I get myself into. Most people have no idea how much goes into photography. I do have to admit though that editing photos from studio lighting is a lot quicker, still time consuming though. Time that I don't necessarily have. It's all good though, I'm learning and I love learning anything about photography. And besides, I already have dinner made. Enjoy viewing my beautiful Laurels (unfortunately three of them weren't able to make it).

And if the studio lights are out I'll grab any willing participant to take photos. My kids all dig doing random photo shoots. Sometimes getting their friends involved is a different story but when Kurt learned he could be grumpy for the photos he was all over it!! Once again, love this age.

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas!

If I had to pick a favorite age it would probably be four years old. I love this age! Love it, love it, love it! And I love Eli! His Christmas program at Miss Peggy's was a hit! He sang every song (which is quite a bit improvement from Miss Kristen's two years ago) and even did a little dancing.

How wrong you are, Anna

I will share:

Stuffed Pork Chops

2 lbs. thick boneless pork chops (about 3)

1 cup grated mozzarella cheese

1 4-ounce can sliced mushroom stems and pieces (I left these out - don't like 'em)

1/4 cup minced fresh parsley

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs

1 large egg

In a small bowl combine cheese, mushrooms, parsley,salt and pepper. Take two pie pans and beat the egg in one; sprinkle the bread crumbs in the other.

Slit each pork chop lengthwise about 3/4 of the way through the chop. Stuff with the cheese mixture. Then dip and roll the chops first in the egg and then in the bread crumbs. Seal in a casserole dish treated with nonstick spray and freeze.

When thawed, add 1/3 cup water to the casserole dish and cover with foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 min.

Once-A-Month Cooking

Mimi Wilson and Mary Beth Lagerborg

Tonight we're having Fiesta Shrimp Dinner. I'll let you know if it's any good.

Don't Be Jealous!!

What you are seeing are 15 dinners prepared and ready to go (along with some peppermint stick ice cream). Are you jealous? I would be if it wasn't in my freezer. Bring on the Christmas preschool program, orchestra concert, piano practice for accompanying next Sunday, evening viewing the Temple lights, enjoying the evening weather with the kiddos, mutual, random photo shoots, baking just for fun, piano recital, dance recital, neighborhood cookie exchange party, tennis practice, uplifting FHE, decorating gingerbread men, Priests coming over for hot cocoa, Christmas caroling with the Bishopric families. Bring it ALL on . . . I've already got dinner prepared!!

Family

I love my family and I loved hanging out with them over Thanksgiving. I made a video while everyone else was basting the turkey and every time I watch it I'm reminded of how much I love them all and how grateful I am for each one of them.

check it out

Flag Football Champs!!

This fine group of young boys took it all the way home to the Championship! And I had a new lens to capture it. It's a blast to support your child on a sports team - but it's even more fun when they're on a winning team. Charlie wasn't really on his game this day but some of his team mates had it going on.

GO TOROS!!

rock on!!

I am sooooooo grateful I get to hang out with these guys all of the time. I've got a great thing going on!!

Happiest Thanksgiving!!

Right Place at the Right Time

Can you even stand it? What a glory moment for this kid and I was at the end of the field with my camera and zoom lens ready to go. It was his first touch down of the season and he has relived it over and over again. I LOVE his face expressions. He zigged and he zagged and he did it. It was an awesome moment! Just thought I'd share.

Just chillin' with the big guy!

Enjoyed a bit of a weekend getaway with mi hombre. It was time and I'm so grateful everything came together (thanks my mother). Just grateful to have a guy that I love being with so much. It doesn't hurt that he loves to spoil me when we're together. I realize that he gives a lot and so I had to point it out that I've gotten used to sleeping with the ceiling fan on at nights because it's what he likes. Other than that it's him making sure that I'm happy. I'm one selfish son-of-a-gun. I'll work on that.

Just a good day!!

I love this weather, I love this time of year, I love my kiddos, I loved half day today, I love leftovers for dinner, I love happy kids

I love tetherball, I love that Ruby loves playing tetherball, I love that Eli felt the need to take off his shirt, I love our neighborhood kids
I love that Eli thought he could hide from me and my camera behind the tetherball pole,
I love Gib's red shoes, I love that Gib wanted to hang out with his fam today and totally seemed to be enjoying himself, I love that he's starting to edit his own home movies,
I love Ruby's blue eyes, I love sunlight, I love that Ruby's teeth have grown in practically perfect in every way,
I love Eli's fangs,
I love that Ty knows how to ride a scooter and is trying to master jumping on a scooter (yes, he's only 2),
and I just love Charlie, wrestling uniform/grocery bag and all!!
I wish everyday could be like today. Just chill and happy!

Halloween costumes

Hope all my peeps had a great Halloween. I think it was the longest Halloween weekend ever. Now, let the holidays begin. I love this time of year. Wooo Hooo!!!

So many things to learn

Sooooo, obviously I've been getting a kick out of using studio lighting but look what else I've been messing around with . . .

How much more fun is this one?
What do you think? Would you hang this on your wall? (with your child as the subject, of course)

guest appearance

Ohhh, the things I can do with some of the photos Amanda so willingly gave me last night...

Not sure where this kid came from . . .

but I stinkin' adore him!!!!

and for your viewing pleasure because he's so dang yummy!