Fun in the sun

Yesterday we played outside in the nice cool (103) AZ weather. We went for a little bike ride and then to Sean's softball game and really it wasn't that bad compared to the 113+ days that we have had. It was actually nice! Hope it's nice where you are.

Camping in Long Valley

We had such a fun weekend. On Friday, we went camping with several families Sean met at Woodbadge. We drove up to Long Valley north of Payson and stayed overnight and went to Blue Ridge Reservoir the next day. Carly and Ridge were in heaven with so many kids to play with. Carly especially, since there were girls to play with! (For those of you who don't know, Carly is usually surrounded by boys! So this was a great treat!)

The kids stayed up until almost 11 playing flashlight tag in the dark. They made tree swings and weapons and played in the wood piles. They got good and dirty...just like a good kid should when they're camping!

Sean brought the bows and arrows he made and set up an archery range for the families to come shoot. It was so cool. The little boys and some of the girls couldn't get enough. One little boy about Ty's age told his dad that is what he wants for Christmas! So cute.

It was funny to watch their little chests puff up and the faces they would make when they were shooting. Their eyes were lit up like magic!

The families we camped with were awesome. Good company. Good weather. Beautiful mountains. Good times.

English Toffee

This recipe is Paula Deen's. It's very easy and yummy. (Not kid friendly to make though. I got burned by some butter that splashed out while stirring.) It's not something you would make every week, but difinitely good for a treat!

English Toffee
14 tablespoons butter (1 stick plus 6 tablespoons)
1 cup sugar
2T cold water
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 t pure vanilla extract
dash salt
1 (6 oz.) bag choc. chips

Generously butter a cookie sheet.
Put butter, sugar and water in a heavy pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Bring to a bubbling boil, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon aprox. 10 min. (It is very important to stir constantly...keep stirring!) Remove spoon from pan, and cook to a very brittle stage (300 degrees to 310 on a candy thermometer). Remove from heat and add nuts to mixture. Add vanilla and salt. Pour onto prepared cookie sheet and spread to 1/4 inch thickness. Cool slightly, top with chocolate chips and spread once they melt. Cool completely and break into pieces. Store in an airtight container.

PS. I learned that if you don't have a thermometer, you can use this trick and it worked for us. Bring to a boil and continue stirring until it turns to the color of peanut butter. Then spread into a pan. It took less than the 10 minutes and it turned out great. (It got thicker than I thought it would and the butter started separating, but I kept stirring and it mixed back in.)

Sean gave me a double thumbs up on this one!

Motherhood

I have never seen these pictures before and just came across them on our computer. (Heather, Sean must have gotten these from you.) The pictures of Carly took my breath away. She has grown so much. She is such a beautiful girl and I have my hands full with her growning maturity everyday. Sometimes she is such a wise spirit, funny and cute, interesting and responsible. And sometimes...she's eight and she doesn't know how to handle a situation and the little girl that she is emerges. I love her. I am thankful to be a mother of a daughter. She is my companion and playmate. {I love my boys too!} They are so awesome!

It's intimidating to be a mom. Everyday is a battle and a blessing. I find myself turning to my Father for guidance. Each of these little spirits are so different and I don't feel equipped with what they need. I guess we (mom's) just need to pray and listen and learn and grow right along with our kids. Enjoy the journey together. I just wish it would slow down a little!

“One of the greatest needs in the world today is intelligent, conscientious motherhood...Motherhood is the greatest potential influence either for good or ill in human life. The mother's image is the first that stamps itself on the unwritten page of the young child's mind. It is her caress that first awakens a sense of security; her kiss the first realization of affection; her sympathy and tenderness the first assurance that there is love in the world.” —David O. McKay

GREAT Cinnamon Rolls!

This is a great Cinnamon Roll recipe. I can't figure out where I found it, but I'll edit with the source when I find it. These rival Cinnabon's rolls! These are simple and kid friendly to make. My kids had so much fun making these.

Rolls:
1 cup warm milk (110 degreesF/45 degreesC)
2 eggs, room temperature (mine were cold)
1/3 cup margerine, melted (I used butter)
4 1/2 cups bread flour (I used regular)
1 t salt
1/2 cup white sugar
2 1/2 t bread machine yeast (I used regular)

Filling:
1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 1/2 T ground cinnamon
1/3 cup butter, softened

Icing:
1 8oz. pkg cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 t vanilla extract
1/8 t salt

Bread Machine:
1. Place ingredients in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select dough cycle; press start.
2. After the dough has doubled in size turn it out onto a lightly floured surface, cover and let rest for 10 minutes. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon.
3. Roll dough into a 16x21 inch rectangle. Spread dough with 1/3 cup butter and sprinkle evenly with the sugar/cinnamon mixture. Roll up dough (along the longer edge) and cut into 12 rolls. Place rolls in a lightly greased 9x13 pan. Cover and let rise until nearly doubled, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
4. Bake rolls in preheated oven until golden brown, about 15 miutes. While rolls are baking, beat together cream cheese, 1/4 cup butter, confectioner's sugar, vanilla extract and salt. Spread frosting on warm rolls before serving.

Regular Method:
Dissolve the yeast in the warm milk in a large bowl. Mix in the sugar, margarine , salt and eggs. Add flour and mix well. Knead the dough into a large ball, using your hands dusted lightly with flour. Put in a bowl, cover and let rise in a warm place about 1 hour, or until doubled in size. Then pick up with step #3. Follow the rest of the instructions as written.

We've been busy!

We've been having a busy and happy summer! Ridge and Ty both had birthdays and Carly was baptized. Aunt Christy and Uncle Aaron came to visit and our friends the Carlsons as well (no pictures of them though.) Katie got married and Sean built us a picnic table. Sean also went to the Aaronic Priesthood Encampment. Mom took us girls to see Wicked. And to top it all off, Sean and I just celebrated our 10th Anniversary! Lots of fun!


I couldn't get any more pictures to download so I'll update them later.

Fresh Cream of Broccoli Soup

I got this recipe off of the blog the chronicles of windy ridge two weeks ago and I've made it three times since. The kids made it with me tonight and Carly and Ridge had so much fun cutting up all the veggies. We added zuchini, yellow squash, and carrots and seasoned with a little salt or garlic salt. The kids gave it a 10 out of 10! It's sooo good.

Fresh Cream of Broccoli Soup

Ingredients:
· 4 celery ribs, chopped
· 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
· 1 large onion, chopped
· 5 tablespoons butter
· 2 bunches broccoli, trimmed and coarsely chopped (about 8 cups)
· 1-1/2 cups chicken broth
· 1/2 teaspoon pepper
· 2 tablespoons cornstarch
· 1/4 cup water
· 1 pint heavy whipping cream
Directions:
In a large saucepan, saute celery, onion & garlic in butter until tender. Add the broccoli, broth, and pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 45 minutes or until broccoli is tender. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and water until smooth. Stir into soup. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat to low. Stir in cream; cook 10 minutes longer or until heated through. Yield: 6-8 servings. Of course we double, triple and sometimes quadruple recipes at Windy Ridge. Best enjoyed in front of a crackling fire served with bread*

Grateful.

Sometimes I get so busy doing "things" that I don't venture outside except to take my kids to school. A couple of weeks ago, Sean kept the kids while I went for a little ride by myself. I went to the garden and enjoyed the sunset. It was quiet. It was peaceful. It was beautiful. It was wonderful!

I prefer enjoying things like this with my family, but once in a while it's nice to do it alone and to be able to reflect on life and goals and to chat with my Father. (As a mom, it's easy to let the everyday chatter and commotion get in the way of well needed heavenly meditation. Don't you agree?)

I love being outside. Everytime I am outdoors I am amazed at the world our Father has made for us. It fills that little reservoir that slowly leaks away with the crazy things happening in the world today.

My Dad brought me up appreciating the beauty around me. Do you notice it? I'm so thankful he shared his testimony of the beauty of Creation and our Heavenly Father's love for us.

Tonight I took the opportunity to take the kids out on a walk and to run around the field across the street.

Again, it was wonderful! The sun was shining. The weather was nice. The kiddos were happy. We live in a beautiful place. I'm just grateful.

Cute little Ty again...

Tonight when I put Ty to bed, he said "Mom, can I tell you something? Will you stay with me? I get scared when all of my moms leave the room."

I giggled and asked how many moms he has. He said only me, but he doesn't like it when I walk out the door.

So I stayed and sang and we snuggled for a little while...and eventually he ended up down stairs on my lap again.

I guess all his moms are suckers for little sweeties.

Funny Ty.

The kids are doing an art project at the kitchen table and I'm listening to them from the other room.
Ty in excitement yells: "Whaaat a cow!!"
Ridge says: "Ty, you mean, Oh my goodness!"

Or maybe...holy cow?