Hakuna Matata! What a wonderful phrase!

It means no worries for the rest of your days!

It's our problem-free philosophy

Hakuna Matata!

17 weeks - Baby update :)

My little baby inside is starting to get strong! It's an active little guy. I sure hope it's a boy, because from the day I started getting sick I have predicted that it's a HE. With Dallin and this baby I can't eat red meat, eggs, cheese etc. and it is just miserable to eat during that first trimester. I have been over that for about a month now, thank goodness. This pregnancy is following in the same path of having a boy. So, I will be really shocked if they tell me it's a girl :)

My due date is Cinco de Mayo! I am really excited to have a May baby! The past two have both been winter babies. And hopefully the baby will come in May and not the end of April because my eight pound babies come two weeks early! If I went past my due date I would have ten pound babies! Yikes! Who knows? Every pregnancy is different :)

It's beginning to look a lot like. . .

CHRISTMAS at our house! I can't believe I am already starting to listen to Christmas music, we have our Christmas tree up and ready to be decorated. Christmas never last long enough so we decided to start early this year :) We have been doing a little at a time and the kids have loved it! They get so excited with every box we open. We did a lot of shopping yesterday, my list of things to do and make has been written down, projects are being finished and it feels great! It's a wonderful time of the year :)

Here is a new favorite poem of mine - Better than Gold

Better than grandeur, better than gold, Than rank and titles a thousandfold, Is a healthy body and mind at ease, And simple pleasures that always please. A heart that can feel for another's woe, And share his joys with a genial glow; With sympathies large enough to enfold All men as brothers, is better than Gold.

Better than gold is a conscience clear, Though toiling for bread in an humble sphere, Doubly blessed with content and health, Untired by the lusts and cares of wealth, Lowly living and lofty thought Adorn and ennoble a poor man's cot; For mind and morals in nature's plan Are the genuine tests of an earnest man.

Better than gold is a peaceful home Where all the fireside characters come, The shrine of love, the heaven of life, Hallowed by mother, or sister or wife. However humble the home may be, Or tried with sorrow by heaven's decree, The blessings that never were brought or sold, And center there are better than gold.

Abram J Ryan

Pile on the Fall fun!

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL

The Ultimate Gift

I have been thinking of gift ideas a lot lately and the Christmas season is getting closer! I have mentioned this before but the Movie 'The Ultimate Gift' is a great story! If you haven't seen it, it's a great holiday movie and it helps you remember what the true gifts in life are!!!

Gingerbread Cookie Recipe

This poor gingerbread boy couldn't run very fast from Dallin! Dallin loves the story about the Gingerbread Boy and he loves eating them even more! Mmm Mmm Good!

Gingerbread Cookie Recipe:
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
a pinch of ground cloves
6 Tbsp. dark brown sugar
4 Tbsp. Honey
1/2 c. butter

1. Grease the baking sheet. Preheat oven @ 375
Melt the butter, sugar, and honey together over low heat.

2. Beat the egg. Sift the flour, spices, and baking soda together, then stir in the butter mixture and the beaten egg.

3. Mix everything together, then knead it into a ball of dough. Put the dough into a plastic bag and refrigerate it for 30 minutes.

4. Roll the dough out on a floured table. Flour the cutter, then cut out dough shapes and place them on the baking sheet.

Bake for 12 minutes - until firm - Put cookies on a wire rack to cool - Have fun & Enjoy!

This morning I actually woke up at 4:45 am to go see the Morning Mob (Running Group) It was great to see everyone and I really miss running. I took a new gal with me this morning that called me on Saturday and said that she wanted to start running. She did awesome and ran 5 miles and O' I maybe walked two :) At least I am trying to stay in shape ;) It felt great to wake up early and enjoy some fresh air. The past few months I have just not felt well to go running and I have been way to tired! But, it has all been for a good cause!

A big surprise for my Mom's 60th birthday!!

On Halloween day all of my siblings and I flew to Washington state! We disguised ourselves in spooky ghost costumes and arrived at my parents house just in time for TRICK or treating! My mother was not quite sure what to say to five adult ghosts standing on her front porch. She was expecting my oldest sister and her family for the weekend and she had no idea all five of her kids were going to show up instead! We rang the door bell and she was hesitant as she opened the door and all we said was 'Trick or Treat' She looked at us puzzled, she didn't even notice our 'Guess Who' signs and she said "just a moment" as she went to go get some candy. She called for my dad and then all of us friendly ghosts decided to invite ourselves in, which spooked her even more. She said "Did I invite you in?" :) :) Then the instant laughter gave our disguises away!!
When my Mom realized who we were she started laughing and was completely tricked with our surprise visit! It was a lot of fun planning this trip and trying to be sneaky. We had a good time traveling together to my parents house and planning our strategy to try and enter my parents gated community. Mission successfully accomplished!

We celebrated my Mom's birthday at a nice resturaunt

This was our view out the restaurant window. It was overcast but it sure was green and beautiful in Washington!

We enjoyed all our meals together! That is an understatement. My family has a laughing gene that when we get together we find the littlest things to be HILARIOUS. So, we were easily entertained. My oldest two sisters made us our favorite family cookies. Peanut butter corn flake cookies Mmm Mmm Good!

The big 6 0! My Mom still looks young and beautiful ;)

It was once again another short and sweet visit. But, we sure had a great time together and created some wonderful memories. 2008 Halloween will be a day talked about for many years to come!