Mothers's Day Weekend!

The Friday before Mother's Day, I drove to

Chelsea's ( Raleigh, NC) for a little celebration.

I got there in the afternoon in time for a wonderful program the kids put on with music, jump ropes, singing, etc. They re-wrote the words to " Hello Dolly" and gave me a cute decorated paper with them all typed. Because they were taking me to see the play "Helo Dolly" that night. Chelsea won an essay contest for my ticket. Before wem went, we had a wonderful special dinner of salad, chicken and rice and yummy dessert Coco/Chelsea made. We had a great time at the play.

The next morning Chelsea and I went to the temple and then out for a delicious French lunch at our favorite place, Le Farm . It was her treat to me for Mother's Day. When we got home, Evie had made a darling flower arrangememt all by herself with paper flowers (w/ straws for the stems) with things she loved about her grandma written on them. She even put dirt in the bottom of the jar and a ribbon around it. So amazing and creative for a 5 year old. I used it at one of my YW meetings and will always treasure it. The 3 older kids also drew lots of cool pictures to decorate the house for my arrival. Gigi just smiles at me...that is her wonderful contribution. She is adorable.

I brought Chloe and Evie back for some special grandma time. We had lots of fun and did lots of things. We had pizza and ice cream, and Taco Bell with grandpa, we had company for Sunday dinner( grandpa fixed dinner after church for Linda and I for mother's day), and the girls did a play ( Barbie and the Beanstock). They were very creative with all their props.....made a beanstalk out of a tall wrapping paper tube with Grandma's green scarf covering it. Our company loved it.We also did crafts, painted nails, read stories, played games, watched movies, had waffles, and sewed 3 matchig skirts ( Grandma did Evie's and Gigi's and Coco sewed her own under supervision). We even made up our own pattern. Coco is a really good big sister to Evie....she takes good care of her.

Chelsea, Dana, Felix and Gigi came up on Monday and stayed in a hotel as Dana had business and we were having our "special" time. We met them for dinner Monday night and then Tuesday went to the children's museum before they had to go home. We had a great time and grandma was exhausted by the end of it all. Can't wait to do it again after I rest up. So happy to have some kids sort of close.

Fischer turns 6.

Fischer turned 6 this month. He spent his birthday weekend at the Father-Son Campout.

He got a new bike. We got to talk to him and he sounds more grown-up. We love him and miss him.

Cinco de Mayo: Make this for dinner !

Awesome Beef Taco Casserole

Serves: 6 Cooking Time: 30 min

Ingredients

1 pound extra lean ground beef

1 medium onion, chopped

15 ¹/2 ounces kidney beans

8 ounces tomato sauce

2 teaspoons chili powder

¹/2 teaspoon garlic salt

1 cup tortilla chips, broken

1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Crumble ground beef into a 10-inch skillet. Add onion.

3. Cook and stir until beef is light brown and onion is tender. Drain.

4. Add kidney beans (un-drained), tomato sauce, chili powder and garlic salt. Heat to boiling.

5. Pour half of the meat mixture into ungreased 1 1/2-quart casserole and top with broken tortilla chips.

6. Pour remaining beef mixture over top and sprinkle with Cheddar cheese.

7. Cover and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until bubbly.

8. Garnish with chopped green pepper and pimento, if desired.

Our Brand New Car: KIA 5 door Forte

We just bought this car this morning. I think it is the first time we bought a brand new car and from a dealer, no less. We have always bought our cars through Greg's dad.....usually whatever is a good deal. There are many used cars these days and the prices are high. Usually you lose $2500 just driving off the lot when you buy a new car..so we have always been the 2nd owner with low miles..practically new. But this little baby had a rebate, a 10 year warranty and it gets around 35 to 40 mpg ...perfect for our notary business and this expensive gas. We got the titanium color...can't tell if it is this in the picture, but it is pretty. It even has a blue tooth so you can talk hands free and dial by talking. Perfect for me on long trips when I am driving. It will be Greg's most of the time.....but mine when we need to conserve miles on the van. It was hard writing the check......we have never had a car payment so this was a big check to write. We did our research and shopped around , got Grandpa's blessing ( he who knows alot about cars) and hope we did the right thing. Greg's car died last week so we had to make a decision quick....so we did. It is already fun to drive. Too bad we had no kids live at home to come out a see our first brand new car. They will just have to see it on our blog :)

Rocly's ABC song: This little guy is so cute

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2sCVemIc_g

Easter Day: Look at this cute family.....

Look at this cute family......Jordan and Melissa's. From R to L : Reagan, Ellie, Tess and Maddox.

They had a fun filled weekend of Easter festivities. I love new Easter dresses. I remember when I was little we got new gloves to wear and a hat...sometimes pearls or little white purses. Times have changed a little but not the pearls.....they are timeless. Mostly I love the beautiful smiles of happiness. And Maddog's bow tie. So fun to see my cute grandkids in their Easter finest.

Chloe Jane, our budding artist.

Chloe is such an amzing artist like her dad. This is her painting for her school art show.

Isn't she just amazing? I looooooooooooooooooove it, especially all the colors.

Way to go Coco!

Rocky Romans Turns 4! April 11, 2011

We talked to Rocky on the phone today. We sang to him. He got to spend the night in a hotel and go swimming then to the movies for his birthday! We love you and miss you.

Leo Caroline Turns 8 and gets Baptized.

Leo was baptized by her dad in Richland, Washington on March 26, 2011. We wish we could have been there. But we were there is spirit and got to talk to her on the phone and skype. We sent her some letters and a CTR towel with her name and birthdate embroidered on it to use at the baptism and everyday to remember to "choose the right: She is a very special and loving little girl. We love her and miss her so much.

Easter Table 2011!

Here is my simple Easter table for this year. I am still not up to getting all my boxes down so I just used stuff I had downstairs. It is festive but I miss all my cute bunnies and all. Hopefully next year, I will be able to get it all out again and have a reunion with all my "things". Mostly it is just fun to unwrap them and remember who gave it to me or where I was when I bought it. Most of it involves gifts or a fun trip somewhere. But my grandkids will love the candy sprinkles and I will let them eat them right off the table, if their parents don't resist. I am a really bad influence with all my candy treats ( but the grandkids love it ). Somebunny loves you.