Wow, not even one post in 2013!

We must have been super busy!! I decided to check and see if my family blog is still around, since I haven't posted in so long. I don't want to lose everything on hear, ya know? Well, it's here, we're still here, and everything is going well. With the invention of Instagram, I think that blog posting has gone out the window. I'll have to remember to check in here once in a while and get this thing printed once and for all.

So here's a picture that just says so much of what 2013 has been all about- FAMILY! Cousins, sleepovers, swimming, school, homework, holidays, birthdays, callings, church and everything in between. We have had a great year in our new house in Gilbert with our pool this last summer, and our front street is always filled with about 20 kids at any time school is not in session. I've been working from home, which has been such a great blessing, but I don't always have time for the hobbies I want to do & our house is a lot messier. Thank heavens for Grandma Joanne! She keeps the house running while I work- thank goodness! Blaine is about to graduate with his Bachelor's degree in Communications in a couple of weeks, and I am SO PROUD I can't even begin to tell you. He made it!!! All is well with us, and here's to an even better 2014!

Having a good time on sick days :)

Addisyn is home sick and Brecken is just loving having a buddy home! Playtime!!

Our crazy kids

Kookie Crew

"Good Boy!"

B-boy loves to play with his geo tracks, and when I helped find the missing trailer he had to have to haul his rocks he told me, "Good Boy Mommy!" He's so funny, he also calls all girls "he". Love my little guy.

Zach's Play - Black Comedy

All the family at Zach's play, Black Comedy. Zach did a phenomenal job! Whitney in particular was amazed at how he could memorize so many lines at once. He really did a great job, and we really enjoyed getting to see him.

Grandma's House via Las Vegas

Whitney and I have had a fun day seeing a few of the "Safer" things in Vegas and going shopping with Grandma Jean. Whit's favorite thing was the M&M store.
We had to have pictures of the M&M NASCAR and Bumble Bee for the boys.

Wow, it's been a while!

I hate how time always gets away from me and I really have ignored blogging for quite a while. However, I love when I come back to our family blog and see all the previous posts and re-live all the fun memories. So here I go again, and I thought I'd simply post a few updated pics of each of the kids. Everyone is doing well, and we are surviving the school year until the next holiday or big event.

My "Big" Little Girl

Jaylee lost her very first tooth tonight, and I can't believe my little girl is old enough for that to happen! It was very cute that she's been so nervous for like 3 days, but it's basically just been hanging there ready to fall out. She was so worried about it hurting and was surprised when it wasn't that bad at all. So proud of this big little girl! Congratulations on your first lost baby tooth!

4th of July in St. George

We had such a fun time in St. George with Blaine's parents over the 4th of July holiday. What made it more fun was that we got to stay an extra week and get out of the heat back home. Grandma's house is always a party! Here's some of our fun times:

Double Chocolate Mud Bars - Smores Bars

I made this fun, easy recipe for a funeral dinner our RS helped out with recently, and I've had so many comments about how yummy they were. I decided I'd better fess up and give credit where it's due. I got the recipe from an old set of cards my Mom had where she was subscribed to a recipe catalog thingy. Here it is though, it's super easy and super delish. Sorry it's spacing it out all weird :o)

Double Chocolate Mud Bars

1/2 Cup (1 stick) butter, softened

1 Cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs, separated (Keep both whites & yolks- you'll need them both)

1-1/2 Cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 Cup chopped walnuts
1/2 Cup semi-sweet chocolate chips ( I use milk choc.)
1 Cup mini marshmallows
1 Cup firmly packed brown sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 13x9 inch baking pan.

Beat together butter and sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolks, one at a time until blended. Mix together flour, baking powder, and salt. Fold flour mixture into butter mixture.

Press mixture into prepared pan. Pack down firmly. Sprinkle nuts, chocolate chips, and marshmallows over top.

Beat egg whites at high speed until stiff peaks form. Fold in brown sugar. Spread over mixture and toppings in pan.

Bake for 35 minutes or until a crust is formed. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Cut cooled bars into squares. Makes 36 bars.

Enjoy!!

Warning: Candy May Cause Silliness!

There is never a shortage of Easter Candy around our house, especially when the kids get a visit from Grandma Jean as well as the Easter Bunny. We had a lot of fun events with the whole family last weekend, and these are just a couple of how much the cousins LOVE being together. What fun times :o)

WARNING!! CANDY MAY CAUSE SILLINESS!!

L to R: Charlie (4), Ella (5), Brecken (2), Jaylee (4), Ethan (7).