Echo

Randy’s family and some of our friends went to Echo Reservoir today. We took 4 jet skis. It was a blast. The water was surprisingly warm so the kids swam a lot while the adults horsed around on the jet skis. I love coming home from a full day of play and the kids are so tired they practically put themselves to bed.

There were masses of people there today. I think I counted at least 4 youth groups. Everyone must be trying to squeeze one more day of play in before the summer ends.

Claire with her Nanny
Every time Brad got out of the water he insisted on putting his hoodie on. This boy needs some fat on his body so he does not freeze when it is 100 degrees outside.

This is Randy’s brother Lance. He beat us home and ran straight to the mailbox. He called us while we were still driving home with the fantastic news that he got his mission call. He is going to TEXAS… Spanish speaking!!! Way to go Lance. We are so very proud of you.

Brad's listening Chart

Lately Randy and I have been struggling with Brad. He has been a real stinker about listening to direction. He first has to try the “Why do I have to do that?” tactic… then the “I don’t want to do that!” tactic… then the full on “defiant” tactic. I am sure this is all pretty normal 4 year old behavior, however for the safety of Bradley and this household we decided to make a chart and bypass the lashings and latrine duty.

As you can see we started yesterday and he got a big black X. He hated that black X. Today he made a complete 180. He got a BIG star before he went to bed.

We promised him that if he earned 30 stars before the end of October we would throw him a big Halloween bash.

Cross your fingers and hope you get an invitation to Brad’s Halloween party and not a letter from Brad with a boarding school postmark.

Can't take the credit...just sharin' the love!!!

My sister Kamie gave me this recipe for White Chicken Chili. It is so delicious. At our ward camp out we had a soup bar and everyone brought their favorites. This is our favorite!!! I meant to share this yesterday but ran out of time. Sorry to be holding out on such a flavorsome dish!!!

You ALL need to make this. It is incredibly easy and everyone will be super impressed.

WHITE CHICKEN CHILI SOUP

2 Boneless Skinless chicken breasts cooked and cubed
½ small onion minced
1 can chicken broth
1-2 cans diced green chilies (I love green chilies so I added both)
1 ½ cups sour cream
1 can evaporated milk
1 can cream of chicken soup
2 small cans of Mexican style corn (comes with green and red peppers)
2 cans Great Northern white beans (drained and rinsed)
1 ½ t. garlic powder
½ t. cayenne pepper
1 t. cumin
1 t. oregano
Salt and pepper to taste

Serve with Fritos and grated cheese (probably why it tasted so good)

I dumped all the ingredients into a Crockpot and simmered it for a couple of hours.

It was awesome. Everyone at the campout asked for the recipe and I had no leftovers!!
Even though I can’t take credit for this, I can vouch for its yumminess!!

Kelly's Grove-- Ward Campout

We went to Kelly's Grove in Springville Canyon for our ward campout. It was really nice. The campground was more like a park. There was a lot of grass and NO DIRT.
NO DIRT=HAPPY MOMMY

The kids painted the centerpieces for our dinner. I think our Young Women enjoyed this activity more than the primary kids.
One of our neighbors brought their bounce house for the kids to play with. Claire loved being inside of it.
Don't ask why Brad is not wearing a shirt in the last 2 pictures. I don't know why. I guess he was hot, or maybe he thinks he is a muscle man, or he was working on his tan.....not sure!!! The young women in our ward made fishing poles out of sticks Friday morning. They actually caught a fish first thing in the morning. They sat there ALL day determined they were going to catch another one.

The kids waded in the river all afternoon. It was so refreshing.

Claire was really jealous of watching all afternoon... I decided to let her take a little dip just to try it out. I thought she would hate it. It was pretty cold. I was wrong. She loved it and didn't want to get out of the river.

Even when we got her out and her little jaw was quivering...she still had a huge grin on her face!!!

Are we done with summer yet??

I think we are ready for school to start. We have been swimming a lot…that is getting old. We have played outside and gone to parks numerous times…that is getting old. We have been roasting outside in 100 plus degree weather…that is getting old.

Brad got his preschool registration this week. Only a couple more weeks to go of heat and more heat. It has been a really really fun summer, but I think it is just about time for the fall to come. Plus I would love to get back into some kind of a routine.

Maybe my outlook will get a little better since the temperature has gone down about 10 degrees this last week and we are going camping this weekend. We will see.

Silence!!! Pretty please?

I spent 2 hours at Wal-Mart and Sam's Club to do some major grocery shopping that I have been neglecting. After lugging both kids in and out of the car and grocery cart several times, oh and hauling all the groceries, I was drained. Even my ears were fatigued from hearing Brad say “Why mom? Why mom? Why mom? Why mom? Can we buy that? Can we buy that? Can we buy that?” And me responding “ No. Quit touching the produce. Stop pushing the cart into people. No. Stop running. I don’t know why Brad…just because?”

You get the picture…

On the way home I had a little talk with Brad.

Me—“Brad, mommy is really tired and I would just like a nice and quiet ride home. Please don’t pester Claire, no silly noises, and please don’t ask me any questions. I am not trying to hurt you feelings or make you feel bad. I just really need some quiet time. No talking…Okay Brad?”

Brad—“ Then why are you still talking mom?”

I give up. He is just like his dad… always has to have the last word.

Random Ramblings...

--I cut into our first garden tomato today. I remember planting…digging….weeding… watering… thinking this is not worth it. After one bite I forgot it all. It was worth just this one little tomato. Luckily we have more coming. I love how gratifying a garden tomato is. DIVINE!!!
--Brad came running in this morning declaring that there was a skunk in the yard. I laughed and said “Oh no, you have a skunk confused with a cat or something.”
I was right about being confused. It was not a skunk… but it wasn’t a cat either. It was a raccoon.

What is a raccoon doing in the middle of the city??? We live no where near either mountain range. I am totally puzzled. I told Brad to toss a few rocks in the bush next to it to try to startle it a little. The little rodent looked at me like “Lady I am a city raccoon, you don’t honestly believe that a little rock is going to scare me away.” It really would not leave. I even tried yelling a little. Nothing… little bugger was solid. So Brad and I stayed inside for a couple of hours. I can’t believe we were conquered by a little pest.
-- Remember this little plant…
Brad’s preschool experiment was a huge success. He is so pleased with the fruits of his labor. Everyone that comes to our door gets a special meet and greet with his VIP plant. Way to go Brad.
--I am only about 100 pages away from finishing Breaking Dawn. I am really struggling with the conclusion of this series. I love it and I hate to see it come to an end. I am trying to read the last little bit as leisurely as I can. I am just hanging on to every last shred of reading gratification. I guess I can just read it again… it is just not the same as the first time.

--Randy is still at Scout Camp. I was sort of looking forward to it because I have a long list of things that need to get done. When Randy and I are together…we are not very productive. Needless to say it didn’t go as planned. I am even less productive when he is gone. Turns out I just miss him a lot and have not been very diligent on the mommy-do-list. Truth is I have no one to impress. No one cares if the house is not picked up…no one cares if dinner is gourmet… no one cares!!! So, Randy please come home so something can get done around here. (Not that Randy expects any of the above, I just like it when he takes pride in my accomplishments.)

Just another day...

Not much has been happening in our little abode. Randy left this morning for Scout Camp, Brad spent the night at his Nanny's and Papa's house, Claire is being an angel baby, and I am permanently drowning in Breaking Dawn...(the final book in the Twilight series). Brad informed me this morning on the phone that he was staying for 15 days. I think he is quite happy being spoiled to death. We love it.