VRRROOOOOMMMM

I love the creativity of all of my amazing friends! The boys recently went to a race car party at a neighbor's house and made these cool cars. They have loved playing with them. Just another proof of what kids love and need most are the simple things in life. Who knew that with a little paper, a box and some paper plates, one could make something this awesome! So many of you are always complimenting me on my creative ideas. The truth be known, I get most of my bright ideas from knowing such creative people! Thanks for the inspiration!

Thinking of My Grandmother

This amazing and beautiful lady is my sweet grandmother. She has been on my mind so much lately. She had a stroke last week and is working hard to recover. There is so much love in her. As a child and into my adulthood, I have been the lucky recipient of so much of her love. I inherited her forgetfulness. I remember once as a child we were picking strawberries in this huge field in Missouri. After several hours of picking, she realized she had lost her keys somewhere in that immense patch. We eventually found her keys. I love that she is so kind and adoring to my sweet babies and handsome hubby. I love that when I got married, she gave me her size 5 glitter dancing shoes. These are the shoes she use to wear when dancing with my grandfather as a young woman. These are also the shoes I would fight all my cousins for during dress up. Now my feet are far too large for those shoes, but I have a feeling that my little girl will get a chance to wear them. My hope is that her dance of life can be as beautiful as that of my grandmother. I am so grateful grandma for the legacy of love you have given to me all the days of my life.

Yellowstone Memories

I have been thinking about this great trip we took to Yellowstone a couple of years ago. It was such a simple, yet fun, yet relaxing trip. We had just returned a few weeks before that trip from a week at Disneyland in California. I think the kids actually enjoyed the trip to Yellowstone more than our Disney Adventure. Old Faithful was one of their favorite parts. Proof that the simple things in life still DO count. Justin and I loved seeing the beautiful country and just taking it easy. The boys adored our little one room cabin they called our "clubhouse" and thought that camping out with their cousins was the best thing ever! We found this great little place just near the entry to West Yellowstone that was a Grizzly Bear and Wild Wolf Habitat. What was so great about it, is they let they kids go into the habitat (before the bears are let out) and hide the bear's food. Then the children get to watch as the bears find the food they hid. My favorite part of the trip was hiking the lower falls. I complained the entire way (with Ethan on my back) and couldn't imagine why we were doing this....until we reached the falls. It was so beautiful, and yes, so worth the hike. I have the feeling we will be taking a trip back very soon.

Greek Pasta Salad

This is one of our favorite Summer Salads. It's an easy, great dish to take to a Summer party and it's currently the only way that our kids will eat Feta Cheese!

1 Package Penne Pasta Cooked al dente (rinsed in cold water)

1 container grape tomatoes (cut in halves)

1 cucumber (peeled and quartered)

1 bottle Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing

1 Container Feta Cheese (Crumbled)

Toss together, fold cheese in last

Children's Parade

We possibly live in the funnest neighborhood ever! Yesterday for Pioneer Day we gathered all the children in the neighborhood and let them decorate their bikes and then had a mini parade with everyone. It was so fun! We ended at Sister Liston's home and roasted hot dogs and made smores. The kids had a total blast playing with all of their friends!

Leftover Cake, Anyone?

These were too cute not to share of our little strawberry girl enjoying leftover cake and ice cream from her party.

Pioneer Day 5K Classic

Every year the employees of Vision Bankcard (Justin's company) do a 5k together. This year we did the Pioneer Day Classic in Provo. Look at theses studs (our boys)! Isaac ran his first 5k yesterday. We couldn't believe he chose to run nearly the entire way. Ethan had fun crossing the finish line and Abby was just along for the ride. We all had a great time, but Justin & I realized how much better of shaped we could be in.

Happy 2nd Birthday Abby!

Our special little lady had such a wonderful time at her 2nd birthday party! We took a trip down Strawberry Lane. I had the most fun getting everything ready. It was so much fun, especially because she really understands the entire concept. There are countless reasons I could tell you why she is so special to us, here are just a few: I love the crazy bed head she wakes up with each morning, I love that she can convince her brothers to have endless tea parties and play dolls just by saying her cute little "Pease", I love that she always asks for Justin and I to make and Abby sandwich (squishing her in between both of us and getting kisses from mom & dad), I love being the mother of such a special little girl and the way I feel being her mother. Happy Birthday Baby!

A New Dollhouse for our little doll(s)

Big Brother is having issues these days sharing girly things with his sister. It cracks us up that he happens to love anything pink! This was Abby's big birthday surprise from Jus and I and she loved it, so did big brother. It's called the Rose Patal Cottage and it all fits together when you want to put it away. We think it's great and there are two littles in our family that would agree.

Let Her Eat Cake...ANY WAY SHE LIKES IT

I'll just try a little of this batter!

Would you like some cupcake with your sprinkles???

Ummmm, tastes soooo yummy!

I love being the birthday girl!

It's my birthday and I'll eat my cake however I want to!

We made cupcakes lastnight for the kids to take to swim lessons and celebrate Tweeter's 2nd Birthday. I let them decorate their own and eat it before bed. Abby obvioulsy decided to use the "hands off" approach to tackling hers.

Sunday Favorites

I love Sundays....Most every Sunday lately, I take the children to church, help teach my class, come home and take a nap with all the kids in our bed, and make yummy food. This Sunday Isaac and I made our first Zucchini Bread from our garden and enjoyed another one of our favorite bagel sandwiches. Justin loves these too! All you do is toast a bagel (Asiago Cheese is our fav.) put a small schmear of cream cheese on each side, a slice of Colby jack cheese, lettuce and tomato and ham. It makes for a great summer lunch! I love the simple family time that I get to have every week with those I love the most.
P.S. I didn't mention Justin in this because what he loves most about Sundays is going to see movies. We don't mind, he is such a wonderful father and husband he deserves a break once a week!

Memories

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

How Does Our Garden Grow??

Very well, thank you. We even have our first zucchini. They boys keep begging to pick it, but I am trying to convince them that if we leave it on the vine until this weekend it will be large enough to make an entire loaf of our favorite bread. Our cucumbers didn't make it...they didn't even germinate. I think it was partly due to the cold temperatures in May and then the instant extreme heat! We have lots of carrots, tomatoes, peppers and zucchini sprouting up though!

Tadaaaa! This is our garden!

Muscle Boys he, he

Our First Zuchinni

Our First Pepper

Camping

This is the only photo we thought to snap at the camp out in Hobble Creek last weekend. Contrary to the looks on their faces, they did have a great time with all of their friends. The Dutch Oven Dinner was yummy. I did underestimate a bit the coolness of the mountain air and we froze a bit in the night! It was great adventure!

Monte Cristo Sandwiches

The truth is, before I married Justin, I had never heard of this scrumptious sandwich! He loves them so much, a few months back I decided that I would surprise him and learn how to make them. They have been a big hit not only with my honey, but as you can see the kids dig them as well! Here's how you make one:

2 slices of bread dipped only one side in egg batter as if you were making french toast
several sliced of ham-we like the shaved Kirkland Ham from Costco
(traditional Monte Cristos are served with both ham and turkey, but we don't care much for turkey)
2 sliced swiss cheese

Grill like a grilled cheese (until egg batter on bread is fully cooked), sprinkle with powdered sugar and dip in Melba Sauce.

I have found it difficult to locate the Melba Sauce but it is key to making these sandwiched superb!

P.S. I just could not get the second picture to rotate for some strange reason, sorry it looks funny!

Superheros

This photo kills me...who says you can't be a superhero in your underwear with your favorite blankie tied around your neck. These kiddos bring so much joy and happiness to our lives!

Mexican Chicken Lasgna

As promised, here is the first of many fabulous recipes I have yet to add to my blog. This is a relatively new one I discovered. I knew Justin would love this casserole but unsure how the kids would feel about it. They loved it!

36 Corn Tortillas
6C Cubed Cooked Chicken Breast (I like it browned in a little Zesty Italian Dressing)
2 Cans Kidney Beans, Rinsed & Drained
3 Jars (16 oz each) Salsa
3 C Sour Cream
2 Lg. Chopped Green Peppers
3 Small Cans Sliced Black Olives, Drained
6 C Shredded Mexican Blend Cheese

In each of two greased 13x19 inch baking pans, arrange 6 tortillas in the bottom. Top each with 1 C Chicken, 2/3 Kidney Beans, 1 C Salsa, 1/2 C Sour Cream, 1/2 C Green Pepper, about 1/3 C olives, & 1 C Cheese. Repeat layers twice.

Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 25 min. Uncover, bake 10-15 min. longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand 10 min. before serving.
I like to freeze one and keep for later or make both if you have guests!

Side Suggestions: Spanish Rice, Green Salad with Red Pepper & Avocado, Fresh Fruit

Would love to hear how you like this one, ENJOY!

Purgatory

That's right ya'all...that's where Mr. Hill found himself today. He snuck downstairs last night and watched the first 2 episodes of Season 4 of 'LOST' without me. That is, after we had finished season 3. I thought we were in this together dear. We need to get caught up, I am sure our children feel our parenting skills as of late leave something to be desired!

LOST

Just yesterday, Isaac informed Justin and I that he very much would like to have a 'LOST' birthday party for his next b-day. HMMMMM, do you think we are spending too much time watching that show? We got addicted a few weeks back and are now at the end of the third season. Is Kate preggers? Will Loche live and be the next leader of the island? Who (or what) really is this Jacob character? Will Kate and Jack ever kiss again? Will Mrs. Kwon and her baby live? Just a few of the million questions I have. Besides, I asked Isaac...what do you suppose we would do at a 'LOST' party? "Well mom, we could hunt wild boar, run through the jungle and punch "the button" every 108 minutes. HA! We need intervention ASAP!

Slippery Fish

What can I say, our family undoubtedly LOVES anything to do with water. We just scheduled private swim lessons for them starting next week thanks to my great friends Michelle and Matt! I am excited to see the boys progress to a more independant swim status. There are several families in our ward that have swimming pools and I worry when they go to swim with friends. Troy and Mandy also managed to have fun in the sun during our recent excursion to Park City Mountain Resort.

Hole in One

Here are a few fun ones of the boys miniature golfing Park City style!