Happy Birthday Girl!

Mairzey is 10 tomorrow, a "decade" as she put it. I can't believe it! Just yesterday I brought that precious baby number 3 home, set her in the middle of the living room in New York, and just stared. I wasn't sure what to do with that 3rd child but we seemed to figure it out. I knew she had such a sweet spirit before she was born. I knew she was blonde and had blue eyes. She is our tender heart, teacher, and mother. She has always loved babies, whether they were real or dolls. She is creative, helpful, and a wonderful friend. She cares deeply and loves deeply.

We love our Mairzey! Happy birthday!

Blog Overhaul

A much needed overhaul....
A renewed look....
And I LOVE the blinkie and what it says. Don't you?

"Teamwork"

Our theme at CRE is "Teamwork" this year. Our charity to sponsor is Special Olympics. Our pictures were taken to capture the fun. I showed you my kids on the first day, here's a pic of me. I know, I am rarely on here...shocker!

First Day picture

I don't get to do the normal "first day" of school like I used to. In fact, I am on the receiving end for 22 other kids but get really sad that I miss seeing my kiddos off on the first day. Todd took a picture and sent it to me to help me feel better. I can't believe how big my kids are getting!!! Jesse looks thrilled to start high school. :)

Cloudy with a Chance...

Today we had a great time watching Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Our team decided a first grade movie night would be fun so we invited everyone that could come, all 170 of them...and their families!!! Since it was at 3:50 in the afternoon we didn't have everyone, BUT we did fill a theatre! If you get a chance, read the book and then head out to see it. It was fun! Don't go if your are hungry or in Mindy's diet contest. You may jump out of your seat at the HUGE donuts! :)

Yummy Cornbread!

I made chili and cornbread today. Yep, I am pretending I am living in NY and it is Fall again. Instead here I sit in TX heat, and a drought causing our stake to fast, and enjoying the fact that all 6 of us just ate the entire pan of yummy cornbread with melted butter and honey.

I had no Bisquick so I googled substitutes and found this one. It turned out light yellow and slightly crispy on the edges. I figured I would share...let me know what you think!

1/2 c butter
2 c Bisquick
1/2 c sugar
1 c milk
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
3 heaping Tbsp corn meal

Preheat oven to 350. Put pan in oven with 1/2 c butter to melt. I use a glass pan. In bowl beat eggs. Add milk. Add dry ingredients and blend. Check on butter. VERY CAREFULLY coat the sides of pan with melted butter. Add melted butter to bowl. Mix well and pour into a greased 8x8 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes.

If out of Bisquick...
1 c flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. crisco (butter flavored was good!)
Mix dry ingredients. Then cut crisco into mix. Makes equivalent to 1 c Bisquick

Enjoy!

Maneater

We are currently in Colorado with Todd's sister and her fun family. We were able to head whitewater rafting yesterday. What a blast!!! These photo's are pretty funny. We went for a couple hours and this rapid was called Maneater. Just after our guide, Sherman, told us the name, this is what happened...in sequence.

Hold on Todd! :)

Going...

Going...

GONE!!!

Daniel, my brother-in-law, keeps teasing me about the fact that I am smiling, trying to decide how to spend the life insurance money. Ha! Truly I am oblivious and was until he was completly in the water.

Good times! We all had a blast!

Front to back left on the boat: Parker, Jesse, Devynne, and oblivious me.