so here the kids are posing in front of the moving truck, it was a LONG trip since we drove straight through (yes we are crazy, but I did not want to get out of the car and get back in the next day) we unpacked the next morning and are feeling settled in. Although I miss the moderate weather, it has not been unbearable...and the fact that people are SO much kinder here and welcoming I wish I would have moved here sooner. The big kids are at GMAS this wknd so even more perks!

Sam trying to lock Henry Nolan in the shower, notice his Chocolate Cocoa Buzz light year utility belt/embroidery hoop. Since we get No stations here, we have had to be extra creative at playtime, and the fact that I gave/threw away most of their toys.

Hershey's mint Brownies

Anna got these out of our ward cookbook and has made them quite a few times. You should too, they are good. Freeze these after baking too and if they will not be eaten right away.

HERSHEY'S DOUBLE CHOCOLATE MINTBROWNIES

1 c. flour

1 c. sugar

1/2 c. butter, softened

4 eggs

6 oz. can Hershey's syrup
MINTY CREAM LAYER:
2 c. confectioner's sugar

1/2 c. butter, softened

1 tbsp. water

1/2 tsp. mint extract

3 drops green food coloring

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 13 x 9 inch pan. In large mixer bowl, beat flour, sugar, butter, eggs and syrup until smooth. Pour into pan and bake 25-30 minutes. Top may still appear wet. Cool completely in pan. Spread mint cream layer on cake and chill. Pour chocolate topping over dessert; cover and chill.
Chocolate topping: In small micro proof bowl melt 6 tablespoons butter, 1 cup morsels (mint, milk, semisweet) at medium 50% for 1 - 1 1/2 minutes or just until chips are melted and mixture is smooth when stirred.

pink lemonade cupcakes

1

we made these tasty cupcakes the other day, got it from recipezaar. I added a little more concentrate to the frosting recipe so it was not so thick so I could pipe it. and they are really yummy when frozen. It makes 10.


½ c. sugar
pinch salt
1/2 t. baking powder
1/4 t. baking soda

1 c. flour
¼ c. oil
2 egg whites
1/3 c. pink lemonade concentrate
¼ c. buttermilk
red food coloring

combine dry ingredients
whisk wet together then add alternately
20-25 min 350

frosting
3c. + 3T confec sugar
1 stick unsalted butter at room temp
1/8 t. salt
2 T pink lemonade concentratered food coloring

do you think my hair is too crazy to add one of these hair fancies?

yes it is about 2:15 in the a.m. and I am not asleep
I am moving in TWo days so I was thinking about that
not looking forward to the drive,
but I am pretty much all packed up...just some odds and ends
I did a lame job at labeling the boxes though
so we will all be surprised when opening them
that could make for some extra FUN when getting our house organized
and I sometimes have a hard time sleeping when CNP is out of town/on call

not sure how my parents moved around so much,
this one is making me tired
and stressed out'
YES people I am still talking about my house NOT selling
we are getting more interest because everything else has sold
including the charming home down the street
BiTTeR!
I think realtors like to use the phrase "it is what it is" when referring to a multitude of things
I don't like it
I NEVER want to sell a house again
or not in "this economy" (in case you forgot I despise hearing that too)
if I could sell a house when we bought this one
that would be Fantastic!

however, I do not need to clean my house for showings and go someplace to entertain my kids anymore! today was the last one
I took the little ones to (close your eyes for this next part C)

the store Gabriel Bros. as usual I found some treasures
but when you buy stuff for six kids and yourself the total can get up there, even when bargain shopping
of course I struck out with Anna, she would like some more dresses. I bought two, she approved of one. so I will run over there in my next two days to return. I have to exchange her viola at the music store near by anyway.
I really do much better under pressure, a procrastinator I am
but I produce great results that way.

I wish I weren't so melancholy about leaving here
or not more excited about this next chapter of my life
THE chapter that I have been dying to get to for oh so long!

Chris has been a student since we got married
and we've always been looking to this MOMENT
and talked about when he is done
and what we would do
and how it would feel

I am just not sure how to wrap my head around all this, it is a bit surreal
huh, there are no fireworks
or a big parade
to mark this occasion like I feel it deserves

he is not even here, I wasn't around for his first day as a non peon resident
boo hoo!

maybe after we get down there and get settled
gee, there I go again always looking ahead
why can't I live in the moment and Savor it
and enjoy my blessings

live each moment to the fullest
get the most from each moment, hour, day

nothing wrong with preparing & planning for the future
but if that is all I seem to do
then I don't know how to BE in this moment in time (can you hear Whitney now??!!)

so tomorrow, nope today not just figuratively either it is the morning, we will use our fancy china and linen napkins (aka fiesta ware and dishtowels)

if you have a few extra coins in your pocket, please go here:

no not computer saavy so don't know how to do the link "here" instead but it still works the same just a little bit on the lame side

http://www.transplantfund.org/Restricted/patient-detail.cfm?pat_id=141&CFID=9233251&CFTOKEN=18210618

for anyone who knows someone who is a diabetic (juvenile type 1), they know it is A LOT more than not eating sugar.

my brother, remember the sweet one I was talking about a while back...John has had many complications from the disease that have worsened through the years. so much that he was on dialysis and eventually received a brand new (to him) Kidney AND a pancreas. and no I was joking, they did not come from an African American, he is extra "tan" from his anti rejection meds.

on a side note EVERYONE should be an ORGAN DONOR!!

so John is my big brother and the good kind, that looks out for his little sister when someone gets her with a little firecracker, who takes the jr high sister and her friend to the mall, and calls her when she is at college, and who she can call at anytime with all kinds of questions like when the car won't work and he walks her through cleaning the battery connectors, and exchange great recieps with and talk about CVS carebucks and makes her laugh, because he is absolutely HILARIOUS!!!

and he is a fabulous uncle, Sammy de Lewis and Nollie la Pollie are excited to see John da Turkey the end of July!!

So since he has had this transplant, he has been unable to work (but is a terrific stay at home daddyO to my neice Megan, although she is 19 and at college, she is still a baby to me, and Joshua age 11) and though he is not a diabetic anymore...still has some health issues associated with a life as a diabetic as well as meds and transplant stuff..yeah I am not the doctor in the family okay!

he was a hard working man before this but has incurred expenses over the years which health insurance does not cover. so if you are feeling a little bit generous....don't hesitate click on that link for John Willson and donate!!!!

HEY GUESS WHAT......

HE IS DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
done, finished, no longer a student or a resident
he is a DOCTOR today!!
Yippee!!!
all this made possible by ME and my undying support and love of him
okay I suppose he did work pretty hard going to school and completing his residency and all.
if this blog gets confused for Seriously so Blessed today I will not be surprised.

our favorite hang out while people are looking at our house is Bullfrog Valley park

one afternoon, Jake was being pesky, so I sent him to bed. Emma and Sam thought they were SO funny. I did too.

you sly fox outsmarting me again...she still hates getting her picture taken

not this SUper Model! Work it!

here's Jake on his big day LUCKY SEVEN!!

oh I am SO fancy, with my who knows what spilled all over my chest, glitter paint on my face & nice necklace

what a F O X!!!!!!!!!!!

icky feet

this little guy is trying so hard to keep up on his trike with the big kids, not happening yet no wonder my kids dress crazy, Chris was surprised when he found out I put this get up on Maggie, it was a weird cool day and this was what I could find that still fit.

Hah! Hah! these two are hilarious.