trip to Rocky Point

The greatest thing about going to the beach is...

clothing...swimsuit....low maintenance!

make-up...none at all

hair...just tie it back

food....simple, simple, simple

fun...sand and water


Eliza calls this "my beach".
I just had to share this picture that is evidence of the simple food thing. Oreo's all over Eliza's face!! My kids never get oreos...I'm still kicking my addiction and simply can't have them around. I think I ate a half a bag while we were there. I just can't control myself around MINT DOUBLE STUFF OREO'S.
Charlie kept doing head dives over Brenna. He thought it was hilarious!
Todd buried the kids up to their knees in sand...even Charlie!! {Pacifier still in mouth} It was perfect...they weren't going anywhere. We debated going inside and taking a nap but decided that would be bad parenting!
We love to spend hours and hours exploring while the tide is out. Brenna found about 7 dead crabs!
Emma Grace couldn't get enough of catching these little minnows with the strainer{beware of strainers from a fully stocked kitchen when staying on a beach condo...you never know what kind of creatures they've caught before you decide to strain your macaroni in it}.

The girls line up at the counter for fast meals. We take all of our food when we go to Rocky Point. We literally drive straight to the condo and hang out at the beach. We've ventured out a couple of times...been to the "Super Lay" but mostly we stay put. Todd went down to the fish market{or whatever they call it} first thing on Saturday morning for some fresh-caught-that-morning-shrimp. He cooked it up for lunch and I completely lost my appetite. I can't stand the smell of any type of seafood. But he loved it so I was okay with not being able to finish my crispy chicken wrap. For dinner, I asked him to wait until after I had eaten so I wouldn't lose my appetite again. He was very nice and waited. Oh...that smell lingers!

Emma Grace tried to get out on a boogie board but the waves just weren't cooperating and the tide wasn't in far enough{too many big rocks right below}.
Digging, searching, and building anything in the sand is the BEST!
On the drive down to Rocky Point, Charlie was the only one who stayed awake the whole time. This picture makes it look like he was happy and content about being awake. Oh no...he was not happy about it! This picture was taken a little bit before he fell asleep on the drive home. Our prayers must have worked. This is Todd and Charlie during our hour and a half wait at the border. OH MY! But I have to say this is the first time we have ever had to wait for a long time to get through the border. Charlie was so happy when we felt enough pity on him to let him come up front. Most of the time he was playing around and then he started calming down and relaxing on the pillow. This is a terrible picture but I wanted to share it because it shows the "nice little mexican salesperson" in the back of the picture. Notice Todd completely looking past her! You learn quickly in Mexico...don't make eye contact. I mean really...as if I didn't mean it when I said "no gracias" to the first 50 people that asked me if I wanted a t-shirt, sunglasses, hat, tamales, tortillas or {my favorite} a ceramic turtle.

gary's graduation

Congratulations Gary!! I'm so proud of you!! I wish I could be there to see you {in your words}...walk up there and get the piece of paper and turn your tassle to the other side.

Now if I could just convince you that your "big time job" is here!!!

We love you and think the world of you and Tara!!

If a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience … , he will have so much the advantage in the world to come (D&C 130:19).

byu women's conference

I'm going next week...I can hardly wait!!!

I'm sure I'll have lots of great stuff to post.

earth day 2008

I love this earth!! I'm not the BEST at doing my part but we try to do what we can. Most of all I respect the earth and all of God's creations. I hope to pass on to my children a wonderful earth and a respect for those things that Heavenly Father has given us.

Another plug for reusable grocery bags{don't buy the cheap ones in the grocery store...they'll fall apart fast}....if you're not using them yet...you have to. It's the best thing ever!!! {I HATE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS} Go to http://www.ecobags.com/ to purchase the best bags on the market that will last you forever!!!

In perfect time for Earth Day, the caterpillars I ordered came in the mail. The girls have been trying to find a caterpillar in the yard to watch grow into a butterfly. We did this about 3 years ago and it was a success{thanks to help from Grammy and Grandad}. So I went to http://www.insectlore.com/ and ordered some painted lady butterflies. We still have our butterfly habitat from 3 years ago so we are now ready to go. I will post pictures of the caterpillars as they go into their "j" shape and then into their chrysalides and then on to become a butterflies.
Butterflies are beneficial to the envioronment. Painted lady butterflies live throughout the USA, and most of the world, where they work hard tro pollinate flowers. The seeds and gruit from these pollinations create food for other wildlife. These caterpillars have been raised in a sterile environment but when released, they'll know what to do as they play an important part in our ecology.{information from insectlore.com}

"it's a wonderful world"

This is one of my MOST favorite books ever!! And it is perfect for today!! I was introduced to this book at the Nashville Library story time. I took the girls to story time EVERY single week when we lived in Nashville. They have the most incredible library and storytime. Absolutely amazing. I miss it so much!! They would end their storytime/puppet show each week with this book.
Recently I've been singing it to Charlie at night time and he can't get enough of it. He wants to do it over and over and over again. He gives me his hand and wants me to point his finger to all of the animals and tell him what they are. If you don't have this book and aren't familiar with the song....you have to!!!

earth day activity

Last night for Family Home Evening we talked about our earth and how Jesus created the earth under the direction of Heavenly Father. In Genesis Heavenly Father commands Adam to care for the earth. As Adam's descendant we are also commanded to take care of the wonderful earth that is given to us.

For a fun activity during our family home evening last night, we counted all of the trees, bushes, palm trees, and cactus on our street. The bushes won at about 152!! There are 47 trees, 25 palm trees, and 25 cactus. The children had a great time doing this little project and adding up our results.

yummy pork chops

My mom made the yummiest pork chops growing up. So I've continued to make them the way she did. Last night when I made them I decided to add a can of diced tomatoes flavored with basil, garlic, and oregano. Oh...so yummy!!

So here is how you do it...there is no "official" recipe.

Boneless Sirlion Pork chops

flour

2 tbsp oil

1 can cream of chicken soup

about a cup of milk

about a couple of tbsp worcheshire sauce

1 can diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano

Dredge the pork chops in flour. Heat oil in skillet. Brown pork chops on each side. Add salt and pepper for flavor. Meanwhile in a 9X13 pan combine chicken soup, milk, worcheshire sauce, and tomatoes. When the pork chops are brown, put them in the pan and cover them with the sauce. Bake, covered with foil, on 350 for probably about an hour.

Serve with mashed potatoes and veggies!!