Because I have been given much, I too must SMILE. . .



I ask you. . . how can one person be so blessed?  Hope you will smile with me!  

Mama Mary and Kyler. . . yes!  He really is taller than me!!

















Rub a dub dub. . . two boys in a tub!!
Cy and Logan



Aww. . . McKenzie and Zack!

Million $ smile!

Just plain CUTE ~ our HAPPY Adaleigh. . . always has a smile
. . . always!!



King Josiah

Girls will be girls
Hailey, Mia and Alexis (8/2010)



Granddaddy and ONE of his many girls!   Chloe :>)



Heart throb!

Beautiful Ellie!

My boy Chase!

Cousin lovin' counsin. . . Logan and chloe

Just one of many tractor rides with Granddaddy. . . .

Lost tooth!! Hailey Bug!



Handsome young man. . . our Landon!





!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Precious Piper!!





Love this happy boy. . . and Legos REALLY make him HAPPY!!

The Gang ganging up on each other.

 Heart breaker!!  Watch out for this beauty ~ Alexis!

Random, random and more random. . .

I have no idea what this post will become.  For months I have had an idea of what I wanted to post, however, I have not been able to get my "thoughts" posted.  SO. . .I am going to post pictures, mainly for those far, far away and those far, far, far, far and even farther away!  Let's see what this turns into. . .

Missing her cousins. . . terribly. . .

As mentioned before, which is actually below on the blog, Mia went to church with me on Sunday.  During sacrament she started passing me notes saying she was too scared to go to Primary without Connor.  I assured her I would take her there and make sure she was fine before going to my meetings.  The note writing continued and she continued to express fear and (mild) trepidation over being alone in Primary without any cousins or siblings.  The following are a few samples of our note passing. . .

Ha!  I am hoping you can read these.  This gal cracks me up.  She was insisting that we leave church and head to the airport for HK. . . however, I LOVED the P. S.. . . I have to ask my mom.  (Whew!  I KNEW what that answer would be.)  When it came down to it she went right into her Primary class and made friends right away.  Once the class knew she was Connor's cousin they welcomed her like a celebrity ~ the Crawford twins made the connection with their cousin Hannah in SR; she recognized Isabel L. from soccer and Glenn B. had sat behind us in church. . . all was good.  We weren't able to leave for HK as she had "planned", but we had a good rest of the day.  Our HT's came and then Mia and I headed to a mission farewell party for Sister Rachel Lowery.  We were only able to stay briefly but got our hugs and goodbyes in.   I used to babysit Rachel and Rachel has babysat Mia and her siblings many times.  Funny how things work. . . SO pleased for/about Rachel and her choice to serve a full time mission.  She will be an awesome missionary. 

The "M" team at work in the kitchen. . .



Mia was here for the weekend.  She has been wanting to learn how to cook. . . SO. . . we start with Mama Mary bread. . . 



Bread making begins. . .


It's in the oven!



Time to take it out of the oven!


A strange stranger appears inquiring about all the fuss in the kitchen. .



The REAL test begins. . . hmmmmm




Earns a TWO thumbs up!  Good job "M" team. . . yum, yum, yummy!!



Next on the kitchen agenda is cucumber dip ~ a long time family favorite!

Simple ingredients: 
 8 oz. cream cheese (softened), cucumber (1 regular size or 1/2 large) & onion salt to taste. 
Fritos are for dipping! 

Grate cucumber and squeeze off excess juices; add to softened cream cheese;
sprinkle with onion salt to taste; stir well with fork until blended evenly.
Bring out the Fritos and dig in!  Even better the next day after refridgerated.




Another thumbs up!!

Now to satisfy the sweet tooth!  Another easy one!
Pamela's Chocolate Chunk Cookie Mix ~
add 1 stick softened butter & 1 egg ~ that's it!
Oh, my goodness. . .
Will this dough make it to the oven????



Ready for action (sorry Orrie!)



Another TWO thumbs up!



 Didn't have to turn the oven back on. . . enjoyed good ole cookie dough. . . (and it's wheat-free & gluten-free. . .who would have guessed!) SO GOOD!!!!!

          The perfect ending to a perfect day. . . ahhh NOTHING beats a good ole bubble bath . . . thanks for a fun time, Mia!





Mia talk. . .

I was blessed to have Mia for the weekend.  (Will post about it later. - NOW I am accountable to do so!)  On the way home from church this afternoon we opened a bottle of water to share.  Mia is reading the label:  Eternal Water.  She asks what that means but before I can respond she declares: "Well, it is Sunday so that works for me" and she takes a big gulp.  Later in the house I was playing Scrabble on my phone with Josiah.  He knows my weaknesses and introduced me to this awesome way to play Scrabble. . . being desperate for a partner I got sucked in.  I have been playing with Josiah ~ it is all done on the phone at your leisure ~ which is nice.  SO. . . today Mia asks : "Does Josiah know you are cheating with the dictionary and he is still beating you?" 

New Favorites. . .

1. Scripture:  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  2 Timothy 1:7
2. Quote:  "Don't underestimate your power to change yourself; don't overestimate your power to change others."
3. Advice:  K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most). Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before.  GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU!
4. Pass Time (aka addiction):  Lumosity Word Bubble
5. Life:  MINE!!

Too cute!

Today was bitter/sweet. . . I was able to have Adaleigh and Piper for the better part of the day ~ however, it was because they were both too sick to go to Sonshine School with McKenzie.  Always LOVE the opportunity and blessing of tending to the grandchildren (and when they aren't feeling well they even cuddle!)   ~  not because I am the best, but because I love them, enjoy being with them, and would have loved to have had family nearby when our children were younger to assist at times.  When I picked the girls up at Sonshine this AM Piper asks if Granddaddy is at home.  Are we going to see Granddaddy?  Sadly I have to explain that Granddaddy is at work and Piper won't be able to see him today.  Why?  (Do I really tell her the truth that Mama Mary spends too much money and he has to work to support my shopping addiction?)  Even as we pull into the driveway Piper is still hopefully that Granddaddy will magically appear.  NOPE, he's no where to be seen.  At lunch Piper wants to bless the food  ~ her prayer: "Heavenly Father, thank you for Granddaddy.  Please let him come home before dark so he can sit on the couch with me and read a book.  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."  Do you think she loves her Granddaddy, or what????