Weekend In Windsor

So as some of you know, my birthday is on February 4th. My parents asked me what I wanted for my birthday and I told them to get me something they thought I needed. So, last weekend my parents treated my family and I to a weekend away! It was AWESOME!!! We met them at a WorldMark timeshare in Windsor (About an 1 1/2 drive from our house) on Friday evening and stayed until early Sunday morning.
Friday night we went to dinner at Round Table Pizza (My favorite, of course!) and then went for a night heated swim with most of the kids. Saturday we tried to visit a redwood forest but the park we went to was closed due to the forecast of rain and high winds in the area. The kids were happy to swim instead! We spent a combined total of about two and a half hours in the pool while we were there! The girls didn't want to get out! We had so much fun swimming in the rain. We didn't get any pictures of us swimming because of the RAIN, but Kaitlin and Christopher are naturals and Rachel can swim without floaties now, although she prefers the extra buoyancy they provide. Emily was a little scared at first but once she sees Rachel and Kaitlin doing something she wants to try she really gets into it and enjoys herself. After swimming the kids watched some cartoons on cable (a treat for them since we don't have TV at home), and the adults got a little R&R. That evening we watched "Shrek the Third" and enjoyed pan popped popcorn and yummy ice cream. Sunday morning we awoke early to head home in time for church (9am Sacrament meeting). We were only about 15 minutes late! We had so much fun! Thanks Mom and Dad for a wonderful birthday present!!!!

On our way to the woods!
You guys are the best! Love you!

Messy shelf

This is a picture of the bookshelf in my dining room where the girls put ALL their art and school stuff. As you can tell it is such a mess and I don't know what to do about it. And this isn't even as bad as it gets! I'm planning to move this whole bookshelf into my bedroom so it won't be seen by visitors, but I'll still have to look at it! Any suggestions on how to get it organized? Or how about getting the girls to KEEP it tidy? (She types hopefully) I love to encourage their creativity and let them make pictures and crafts for me and for others. But it drives me crazy looking at the mess all the time. Maybe I just need to take the time to explain to my 4 year old how to put things in properly?! That will be an interesting talk! I'd love some ideas!
Until next time, Happy Blogging!

Best Salsa Ever!

I got this amazing recipe from a friend in our old ward and I just love it! It was a big hit at our family get together this last weekend, so I thought I would share it with all. If you like salsa, you'll love this! The hotter the better! I never buy salsa in bottles anymore because it's that good!

FRESH SALSA

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp. oil
8+ or - chiles de arbol (whole, dried)

1/2 cup water
1 Tbsp. salt
2-3 cloves of garlic (minced) I use my Pampered Chef Garlic Press for this.
1 can 32 oz. crushed tomatoes

1/4 cup lime juice (about 2 whole limes)
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 small onion
1/2 cucumber
4 radishes
1/3 bunch of cilantro
1 avocado

In blender combine water, salt, and garlic. Brown chiles in oil, add to blender. Blend for about 20 seconds, or until combined. Add crushed tomatoes then blend another 20 seconds, or until combined. Pour in to large mixing bowl. mix in lime juice, and cumin. Chop the onion, cucumber, radishes, avocado and cilantro, add to salsa. stir it all together and enjoy! Using just 8 chiles makes this salsa mild. If you like it HOT add more chiles. I personally like to put in 11 or 12. I've never tried more then 13.

Let me know how you like it!

Our family

So this is our little family! I thought this slide show was too cute to not share! We're all on tv!

It's Too Quiet!

Wow! I can't believe it! My house is so quiet right now! Rachel and Emily are at school. Kaitlin went over to Sarah's to play with Alaina. Christopher went with Jason to the store and Aaron is sleeping! I don't know what to do with myself! I'm sure I have a million and one projects I could work on or I could clean a little, but I'm sure I won't. I'm pretty sure it won't last too long either. It's so rare I might just have to sit here and enjoy!

Whistle, Whistle Who Has a Whistle?

Our family had a white Elephant gift exchange on Christmas day and one of the gifts that my family contributed was a bag of whistles. Yes Megan it was us. It turns out that I put every toy whistle that we owned in that bag and I am in need of a whistle for a primary activity tomorrow. Isn't it funny how you never need some things until they are gone?! I hope your girls are having fun with them Megan!

Oh the Places He Goes!

Let me just say that having boys is Soooooooo much fun! Our pantry has been finished for a while now and it's a favorite hide and go seek spot. Christopher was hiding from us before breakfast. We've also woke the last few mornings to find Christopher in bed with Aaron. He sure loves his little brother!

Where's Christopher?

Having fun with brother in the morning!

Silly Boys!

A Most Welcome Visitor!

I love to have people visit! Especially family and close friends. I love to be able to catch up with friends, share a meal, play games or just visit. Having people over also gets me to clean my house! A chore I despise since I know whatever I do it will be just as dusty and cluttered one hour later, if not less. This sort of thing happens when you live on a dirt road and have five young children!

Well anyways, whenever someone special is coming over we like to keep it a surprise from the kids if we can. This last Friday afternoon Grandma Mavy came and stayed with us until Sunday morning! The girls were so happy to share their room and bed with Grandma! We all enjoyed the special time with Grandma. It was such a busy weekend! She watched the kids for Jason and I so we could have a date Friday night! Saturday we made Swedish pancakes for breakfast! (yummy) Then we went to Sarah's house to watch President Hinckley's funeral broadcast. After we had lunch, Jason and I went to a baptism while Grandma stayed home and rested with the kids. When we got back Grandma took Rachel to the store for some Grandma time and when they got home we had some yummy potato soup! Perfect for the rainy day we were having! That night we played games made doughnuts/twisties and had baths. The kids got to stay up way past bedtime! Sunday morning Grandma got to see me run around trying to get all the kids ready for church while Jason had gone to his early Sunday meeting. Needless to say it was great fun to have her come and share in our little piece of crazy! We can't wait to have her (or anyone, hint hint) come again! We love you Grandma!

Grandma with the girls and Aaron.

Christopher was being too cranky for pictures! He didn't want to sit with all those girls!