Our Turn!

One day when I was going like crazy on fertility treatments to get pregnant with McKay I just happened to be at Target... having one of "those" days where it just felt like it wasn't going to happen. I remember watching a young mother there with her two little kids picking out their school supplies. I still remember it so vividly and remember leaving Target in tears and as I walked out asking Heavenly Father in my heart "when will it be my turn"? I know to some it might sound a little crazy - But, since then picking out school supplies was one of those monumental milestones that I couldn't wait to do! It was finally my turn! So, as we were back in Idaho Falls again last week McKay and I went on a special date back to Target to have our turn! He was most excited about getting to pick out his new Bumblebee backpack! There were a couple other Moms there that looked at me a little funny as I took pictures of my son picking out his box of Kleenex's... But, I didn't care because it was finally my turn!!!

We went to his new school on Monday to get him all registered and I am embarrassed to admit that I got a little teared up! The sweet secretary asked me if I was ok... I informed her that I was and that I was just one of "those" moms! When McKay quickly informed her "She is just having a little bit of drama... But, she will make it... right Mom"!?!?!? I love this little man so much! He is so excited for Thursday to come and to be able to ride the bus... I on the other hand start to hyperventilate every time I think about it! But, I will make it!

New Info

So, my email fritzed and I lost all of my contacts... So, I just decided to do a new account and my new email address is erinmturley@gmail.com. So, all of you and you know who you are... will you please email me so that I have your email address again and can add you to my contacts! Then I can email out our new phone number and address! Thanks! Oh and Miranda I want an invite for your blog and Keri Gunter I need to talk to you so email me please!

Where Am I & What Am I Doing?

So, I FINALLY made it to Saint George! And just minutes ago the nice little cable man left that hooked me back up to the real world! It's crazy how out of it you feel when you don't have phone, cable or Internet! I will admit that I am a really strict mom when it comes to letting my kids watch TV... I think there are so many other things that they could be doing! But, after 2 months without any cartoons I am letting them veg on my bed and have a little cartoon goodness... and I am blogging!!!


So, I left Idaho Falls 2 weeks ago today... I have to admit that it was one of the hardest things I have ever done! I think I seriously cried all the way to the Logan exit! I was there for 5 weeks with my family at the hospital hours upon hours every day. When I wasn't i was with my parents and with Jason and Amy and the boys. Travis was making such fabulous progress that it got to the point that I could leave and come to Saint George. The day that I left he was able to give me a hug and a kiss and tell me that he loved me and that was what finally made it somewhat bearable to go. He continues to show progress everyday and we are very happy and grateful for how well he is doing. It is so hard to be away... but, I get updates several times a day and will be flying to Idaho Falls in two weeks. I had intended to come and get settled and take the kids back... But, McKay starts school on the 11th of August and that put a kink in my plans! But, again I thank you all for all of your love and support through all of this. Stephanie Edwards... I truly appreciated your words and it was such a comfort to me knowing that you were taking care of Travis! Thank you! When something this tragic happens it truly puts your life into a completely new perspective. It makes you a lot more grateful for the things and people that truly do matter and a lot more forgiving of the petty things. I hope that time does not change the lessons that I have learned.


So, on to Saint George!!! We LOVE it! Yes, it has been warm - but, not too bad. My kids play outside all day - you just need to keep them hydrated and wet and they are good! I told James that in Saint George you don't put baby lotion on your kids when they get out of the tub you just go ahead and put sunblock on them! The people here have been fabulous - very welcoming and friendly. My FABULOUS mother-in-law kept our boys for us for a couple days - So, James, Brett (James' brother) and I came and had 3 days to go crazy and unpack the house. We seriously worked so hard and when the boys came absolutely everything was unpacked and put away. Pictures were hung, the fridge was full and the trampoline was even set up! They walked in and they were so excited to see all of their toys again and have all of their own stuff! It was seriously like Christmas morning! I wish I would have thought to record it! Brett you seriously rocked and I love and appreciate you so much!


So, what else is going on in our lives... McKay is beyond excited to start school and get to ride the bus... The thought of it seriously brings me to tears! Carter got sick and threw up on his blanket and pacifier and it grossed him out so bad that he didn't want to have anything to to with them again! And, that same weekend he decided that he was going to start potty training... Not something I was planning on doing - But, if he wants to why not? Cannon is rolling all over the place and is growing like crazy. So, as you can see life just has started right back up for us here in Saint George!

FINALLY!

July 1, 2009

21 long days, 3 weeks to the day of the accident Travis opened his eyes. First with his wife, then with his mother and then with me. I had spent many nights and hours upon hours during the day staring at him for any little sign that he was there. I cannot put into words the emotions that my family is feeling right now - nothing can describe it strong enough. He communicates with us by squeezing our hand and my heart truly races every time I feel his little squeeze.


I come from a small family. I only have two brothers. We are far from perfect, but we love each other. I don't think we truly knew how much we loved each other until this. My brother has held my hand through so many of my own trials and I am so glad that I can finally hold his through this. Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers for my family - we truly have been comforted because of them.

Update

I am still in Idaho with my family. My boys came last Friday. It had been 10 days and I was in much need of having them here with me. I am truly grateful to my Mother-in-law for her love and support and all that she did for my little family. James and I were in the middle of packing when we received the call to come to Idaho and Becky (my mother-in-law) not only took excellent care of my boys but completely finished packing us AND cleaned the house! My family now calls her Super Becky! James had to leave last week and I am truly grateful for my family and friends who have done everything that I have needed in helping me here with my boys! Megan and Emily we LOVE you! I am truly blessed to have my Sister-in-law, Wendy here and my Cousin, Stacey that have offered so much help! THANK YOU! And as ALWAYS Carson and Lacey I can never thank you enough for your love, support, and friendship... You know that you are more than friends, you are our family. We LOVE you!


Emily is home at my parents and Travis remains in critical condition in the ICU. I really don't feel like it is my story to tell. But, my SWEET Sister-in-law Rebecca (Travis' wife) has started a blog to update family and friends of his condition. The blog address is http://www.walltravis.blogspot.com/ if you go to the first post it tells the amazing story of June 10, 2009 that has completely changed my families life forever.


So, I will remain here in Idaho to be with my family until the need to have me here is no longer. For this I am truly grateful for my husband, James - for doing everything so that I don't have to do anything but be here. Thank You! AND to my AMAZING Brother, Jason and Sister-in-law, Amy - I can't put into words how grateful I am for you and your amazing hospitality... You are truly who I need to be with at this time and I love you and appreciate our late night talks!


My family has truly been rocked to the core over the last two weeks. We are so grateful to still have Travis here with us and continue to pray harder then I ever knew possible for him each day. Thank you again for the emails, voice mails and texts - I truly appreciate everyone of them!

Thank You

Thank you all for all of your thoughts and prayers for my family. My Brother Travis and his daughter Emily were in a terrible motorcycle accident last Wednesday. They had been on a date to Reeds Dairy to get ice cream and were on there way to the Army Surplus store when a truck turned right in front of them. They both were wearing helmets, but both sustained major injuries. Travis currently is still in critical condition and Emily has been moved from ICU up to pediatrics.


I have received all of the voicemails and emails on my phone and have been truly touched by the love and support. I am not able to return them at this time and this was the easiest and fastest way that I could tell you that I am receiving them and grateful. Thank You. I am here with my family in Idaho Falls and my SWEET mother-in-law has my boys in Utah. Thank You again for your thoughts.

So, Megan (my cousin) is at girls camp this week and we have had the pleasure of getting to have the girls here. Matayia made the mistake of telling Carter she would read to him... I finally had to distract him so that she could go and play!


Well, we have been pretty crazy the last couple weeks... James has taken a new job and we are moving to Saint George, Utah in three weeks!!! We have taken multiple trips there and back looking for homes and we finally found on that we LOVE! The home was built in 2001 but, the man who is selling it is a carpenter and he bought it in 2008 and did a total renovation on the whole house! So, everything is brand new and he did a beautiful job! The home is a little bit of a smaller home - But, I have to admit that after living in this big of a home I am actually really excited to down size! I really don't enjoy cleaning 4 full bathrooms every week! The house comes with more than an acre of property with three beautiful apricot trees, a cherry tree, and to top it all off a pomegranate bush! I LOVE pomegranates and the bush is already full of little berry size pomegranates... Now, I just have to protect it from the boys! So, life is a little crazy with getting packed, moving, and trying to enjoy our summer as much as possible in the process! This is something that we weren't expecting... But, the more we get used to the idea of it the adventure sounds a little fun!

Catching Up!

I LOVE this little man! He has truly stepped up and is such a little helper for what ever I need. Cannon eats every night at 5:00 p.m..... I am always in the middle of getting dinner ready and McKay has taken it upon himself to make it his job to feed Cannon this bottle. I love to watch him as he feeds him - he just sits and stares at Cannon and studies all of his little features and as you can see - Cannon just stares back with equal admiration!

We are lucky enough to have a fabulous relationship with James' Grandma Turley. My Boys truly cherish her and love every moment they get to spend with her. We went with her on Memorial Day to Grandpa Turleys grave and out to lunch.

I made carmel corn to take and give to the teachers at McKays school on the last day... I had it in bags on the bar and went downstairs to get my roll of cellophane to wrap them up... When I came upstairs one of the bags was missing and so was my middle child! The temptation proved to be more than he could handle and he was hiding under the table eating it as fast as he could! I was glad that I had made an extra bag and just left him alone!

Just Catching Up

First Haircut! His father had brainwashed him against a haircut... So, we had to wait one day until he left! Carter just kept telling me "just a yittle (little) bit Mom"!

Cannon at 4 months!

He keeps my life interesting!!!

Fun In The Sun

No, The Umbrella did not survive.... Boys... Water... Umbrella... It got mangled!

For All Of You Who Told Him To Sing Loud...

So, today was Pre-school graduation... McKay was so excited because he had a solo song he was singing... If there is one thing about my son that never changes it's that he is NOT shy in any way! There were two kids that couldn't make it at the last minute because they were sick and the teacher had McKay do both of their parts too! This video was the last song of the program... Half of the group was about ready to fall asleep until this.... Oh and in the middle - He's not done!

(i'm sorry it's sideways... I can't figure out how to turn it... But, it's worth turning your head for!)

A Few Questions For McKay!

So, my friend Jennifer asked her adorable daughter Sadie these questions... I told her that I was too nervous to ask McKay them because I was afraid of what he would say!!! But, today I finally got up the nerve and it was pretty funny to see what he thought of me!

1. What is something mom always says to you? "I Love You"

2. What makes mom happy? "Me doing things that you like me to like playing with Carter"

3. What makes mom sad? "When I don't put my bike in the garage"

4. How does your mom make you laugh? "You make up funny dances"

5. What was your mom like as a child? "That's one thing I don't know... I think you wore bows in your hair"

6. How old is your mom? "61... Is that right Mom???" I said NO and he said "Well then how old are you? 7....." I don't know what is worse 61 or 7!!!

7. How tall is your mom? "Not as tall as Dad"

8. What is her favorite thing to do? "Work out or jump on the trampoline with me"

9. What does your mom do when you're not around? "Play with Carter"

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? "Singing - But, you should take a guitar lesson you might be better at that"!

11. What is your mom really good at? "Making me laugh and getting on the computer and finding things I want for Christmas"

12. What is your mom not very good at? "Doing Karate, I know excellent Karate - But, you need to work on yours"!

13. What does your mom do for her job? "It's your job to take us to Cherry Hill"!

14. What is your mom's favorite food? "Mexico or a salad" (I assume Mexico means Mexican!)

15. What makes you proud of your mom? "Your lunches you make me are awesome"

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? "Super girl or Meg (On Hercules) She's hot"

17. What do you and your mom do together? "Read books and cuddle"

18. How are you and your mom the same? "We both take care of the boys"!

19. How are you and your mom different? "I'm a boy and your a girl...." (Said like: um hello am I the only one that has noticed that!!!)

20. How do you know your mom loves you? "Because I am the smartest kid in my class"!

Crazy Life....

One of my FAVORITE things... when they cuddle... As you can see Carter fell asleep and McKay was trying to hold so still so that he wouldn't wake him. LOVE moments like this...

I think a dandelion is the most beautiful flower a son can give his mother...

McKay LOVES to rock Cannon... and Cannon LOVES to have McKay rock him. I think he truly knows how much his brothers love him... and he loves them back every bit as much.

You have to LOVE the Bob the Builder belt holding the sward!!! - On the other side it was holding his pistol!

So, My Mom called today and said that even though she too is a fan of Kris Allen she is tired of seeing him on my blog and needs a little love from the boys! So, we always try to take care of the Grandma that is hours away needing a little love!

So, I have to admit that I did my part once again this week and voted 65 times for Kris! I really like him, but I think I am voting more for him hoping that he will win so that Adam won't! Adam just freaks me out... He makes my Mama radar go off for some reason.....

We have been crazy busy with a trip to Idaho for a baptism and two baby blessings, a trip to Saint George for work with James (James' Mom was fabulous enough to come and stay with the boys so that I could go with him) end of school year activities including pre-school graduation practices, a bout of the flu for McKay and I, getting the trailer ready for summer - the boys have already slept out in it twice, a WONDERFUL Mother's day, McKay having his first run in with an ant hill and losing... James got the motorcycle fixed and he and the boys have been enjoying trail rides (He and McKay went 25 miles one day... not on purpose - they got lost! One of those "Hey Mom, we got so lost that we had to stop and say a prayer" moments!) Baths every night because my kids are sooo dirty from playing out in the dirt all day, McKay and Carter are the most popular kids in the neighborhood... they are the only kids with grass and a trampoline!!!

So, McKay and Carter were playing outside today and I was feeding Cannon when Carter came in crying because he couldn't find McKay... At first I wasn't too worried thinking he had to be close by. But, when I went outside I couldn't find him either... I noticed right off that his bike was gone and that made me a little nervous because he could go pretty quick on that and we live right by a lake... So, you go through that panic of what do I do with my other two children while I go and look for McKay (James had taken my car to get it serviced so I didn't have my car seats...)It even got to the point that I called James panicked and scared him to death... But, at that point I was pretty scared too... and it had been about 15 minutes that I had been looking for him - it's at that point that you are seriously starting to consider calling the cops... when this cute little boy comes into sight on his little bike... You don't know whether you should hug him and kiss him or ground him or both! He didn't understand what he had done... and was pretty surprised to find his Mom and his little brother crying! He was just pretty excited about a new friend he had made and a new bike jump he had found.... So, since I can't whistle (like my husband can to call the boys home) James stopped and bought me a hand held fog horn!!!! The kind that those crazy kids use at football games!!! The boys think it is great, I am just grateful for something that will work and my neighbors are going to think we are white trash!!! Just another day in the life of the Turleys!

Cannon is Fabulous!!! The sweet little man sleeps from 8:00 p.m. to about 6:00 a.m. - My other two boys didn't even sleep this good until they were about 8 months! He is just the happiest little baby - so quick to smile and laugh!

I'm A Closet Voter!

So, I totally have to admit something... I am coming out of the closet and admitting that I vote every week for American Idol... and I am throwing James under the bus and telling you that he does too!!! We voted over 100 times this week for Mr. Kris Allen - I like him... he's my favorite! I know that a lot of people are into Adam Lambert... But, he is just a little too much - Something about the eyeliner just doesn't do it for me! James and I have it down to a science with dialing opposite of each other - And if you wait to call when there is only about 30 minutes left you get through a lot easier too! So, there it is... It's not a deep dark secret any longer and now Megan and Greg can't hold it over our heads!


So, my sweet husband came home on Tuesday and asked if there was anything that he could do for me... I was pondering how I was going to take all three kids to Cannon's check up... So, I said to him that he could stay home with McKay and Carter or he could take Cannon.... I seriously thought that he would stay home! But, he told me that he could handle taking Cannon to his appointment! I did tell him that he would have to have shots - and he once again told me he could handle it! I just kind of laughed to myself as he walked out the door acting so tough... about an hour later James came back with Cannon and the first thing he said was "Thanks a lot and just so you know I will NEVER take any of our children for shots AGAIN, from now on I will do what a man is supposed to do and you do what a woman is supposed to do...that's a Mothers job!" I didn't know that he was going to have to have 5 shots! James said that Cannon screamed like he had never heard him scream before and totally held a grudge against James and the nurse and was still mad at James when they got home! Unfortunately I don't think he will come home early anytime soon and ask if there is anything he can do for me... or next time there will just be a lot more clarification!

Monday LOVE!

Have I ever told you that I absolutely LOVE Mondays... It's something about starting a fresh new week that always puts me in a good mood! Mondays are just so refreshing for me - I think it's because I take it pretty easy on the weekends and don't get much done around the house... and when Monday finally comes around I'm pretty motivated to get a lot done! I love to start the laundry and put a little clean sparkle on the house...

So, a few months ago James put the hunt on for my Birthday present... He did really good this year and was able to keep it a secret up until about a month ago! When I was growing up I had a major fear of the dark... So, at night my parents would always leave my bedroom door cracked as I was going to bed at night - My Dad would always go out into the living room and turn on music and listen to it - One of his favorites being Kenny Rogers. So, I would lay in bed and listen to Kenny Rogers as I fell asleep... I, as many people do have a "Life List" - a list of things I want to do in this life and on that list I had that I wanted to go to a Kenny Rogers concert! So, without me knowing James found and got tickets for us to go to Kenny Rogers in concert in Las Vegas last Friday night! I did find out about the surprise about a month ago.... But, it was still the greatest thing ever! It meant so much to me that James really put so much thought into it! So, my Mom came and stayed with the boys and we headed off to Las Vegas! Airfare is totally cheap to Vegas right now, but we decided that we wanted to take a road trip! It's only 6 hours from here and we had a total blast! 6 hours of just US - it was amazing! James and I haven't left the kids together like that since McKay was 8 months old! When it comes down to it I just can never leave them... But, I sooo needed and loved this weekend with James just being his wife! So, thanks James I LOVE you so much! It was fun to come home and see all the fun things they did with my Mom and they had surprised me and planted my flower pots for me!

Sunday was my Birthday and the funny thing is that I thought I was turning 32... But, I was really only 31! It took James and my Mom together to convince me that I was really only 31! So, I didn't turn a year older I turned a year younger! We went to church and I have a new calling teaching McKays primary class - it was so cute to watch him when we walked into opening exercises together... He was so proud of me and kept telling everyone that I was his Mom and that I was his teacher too! When we got home he said "Mom, I was looking today and you were the prettiest teacher there"! That right there was the highlight of the whole day! It means a lot to a Mother to have a son who is so proud of her! James made his famous ribs in the Dutch oven for dinner and Megan and Greg and the girls came over for dinner. So, it was a really nice day with family!

My Mom left today and poor Carter had a complete breakdown when she left... He was just beside himself with tears! I kept trying to tell him that we would see her again on Friday... but, nothing worked until McKay worked his magic on him and cuddled with him for awhile. Thank you Mom for coming and staying with the boys and living my life for a couple days! I Love you!

So, We're off to another week full of school pictures, doctors appointments for shots, check up for Cannon and up to Idaho this weekend for baby blessings and a Baptism! Life just keeps us busy!

No Blogging...

The weather has been way too good to blog... Lots of playing outside, jumping on the trampoline (Carter has me out there every morning at 7:00 a.m. doing ring around the rosies over and over again!), playing in the empty lot next to us, going to the park, James and McKay went golfing and a fabulous picnic last night with Jason and Kristin and their family! Fabulous until Jason drowned me with water... Did I mention that it was also parent teacher conference and I had to leave from the picnic and go straight there soaking wet!!! Not joking at all I looked like a drowned rat! People looked at me a little funny when I walked in... What's a Mom to do? My Mom comes today to spend the weekend with us and I turn the big 32 on Sunday!!! Lots of fun things going on! I'm totally loving Carters TAN little bald head right now - if he can't have hair he may as well have a good tan! I hope you are enjoying the FABULOUS weather as much as we are!

What A Good Day

So, today was Sunday... and James and I both woke up sick... I have been battling a cold all week and it finally caught up to James too... So, we called in sick for teaching primary and stayed home. But, we still had two little boys who had enough energy to take on the world! So, I kept them busy with play dough, a little painting project, I read them a Magic Tree House book, we ALL took a nap and they spent hours outside playing. I have to tell you that today was one of the best days our little family has had together in a long time... No where to be - couldn't really do anything because it was still Sunday... Just time for us to be together! I had so many moments today... and as I was rocking Cannon tonight and could hear the boys laughing together in the bathtub I really started to think about the day. Why was today different than any other day? What made it so good and so special? Because it wasn't just me, James commented that today had been a really good day too and as McKay was getting into bed tonight he thanked me for the "Best day ever"... It's not an option for us to skip church every Sunday and stay home together... So, what was it? I decided that it was a couple things - It was that James and I stopped and truly took time for our boys - We played play dough, we helped them and encouraged them while they painted, I cuddled in bed with them and took the time to read them a long book, we went on a walk together as a family... I try hard everyday to spend time with each one of my children. But, I realized today that as I spend time with them in my mind I am always thinking of what else needs to be done and may rush things along a little bit. I think that they can sense this - and today they did not feel the threat of that. Today they felt our desire to be with them. I know that I cannot do this everyday - Tomorrow morning we will get up and McKay will need to be to school, it's laundry day and I need to go grocery shopping... BUT, the time that we are together I truly need to focus on being with them and living in that moment. I need to stop worrying about getting everything else done and focus on spending more quality time with them - I need to stop more often and sit down with them instead of trying to find things to keep them busy so that I can get done what I want to. My cousin once told me she couldn't wait until I had more than one child because then maybe my house would be a little messy... In my mind I have always thought that I couldn't let that happen... But I am learning when it comes down to it - it really doesn't matter how clean my house is... It matters that I was their Mother.

Easter Pictures... And A Few Other Things!

Easter egg hunt at Jason and Amy's! It was the first year that he just took off with the older kids and didn't sit back and wait for us to help him... it was a little sad for me - But, fun to watch him have such a good time!

Carter saw the gum and the Dominoes in his Easter basket and that was all he cared about! It seriously doesn't take much to make this little guy happy! It wasn't until later in the day that I got him to sit down and look at everything else that was in his basket!

LOVE the smile - it's the real smile! Not the forced, awkward, please hurry up and take the picture smile!

So, this year I decided it was time to re-evaluate the holidays... I have decided that Santa Clause the Easter Bunny and James and I are no longer going to give my children things that aren't useful. For Valentines day I made my boys cute little packages of treats and a couple little toys... only to have it devoured within a couple hours and the toys to be a thing of the past within a day or two... I was frustrated that I had spent money on something that was so useless... I decided that from here on out I am only going to give my children things that they can truly use and enjoy for more than 1 day. Books, games, activities and projects... The Easter Bunny brought them each one treat and that was it and the great thing was that they were more excited about everything else more than the treat! All week long they have been totaly emerged in all their new projects, books and games.

Carter coloring Easter eggs! He got his eggs the darkest because he was so patient to let them sit... Or really just because he was cold and wouldn't put his shirt on and he didn't want to get out of his blanket to get the eggs out!

Weekend In Idaho

McKay decided that it was warm enough to run through the sprinkler on Sunday morning... it wasn't! So, he took his clothes off and laid them out on the patio to dry... But, the next thing I know he is riding around on his bike in his underware! The funny thing is that church was getting out across the street at the same time and he was riding his bike on the church sidewalks - swerving around people! Everyone was getting a good little laugh at him! It was one of those moments that James came in the house and said "Come and look at what YOUR son is doing"!

When my Dad is explaining something to you he always has to draw it out - he is a total doodler! So, he was explaining the electrical system on our trailer to James and Carter saw that there was a pen and paper and had to be apart of whatever it was! I love how he is holding the pen and my dad is guiding his hand!

Carter "helping" Grandpa and Dad with the trailer...

Aunt Amy captured Carter's heart! All it took was her getting the four wheeler out and he wouldn't let her out of his sight! He LOVED the little hills and as soon as they would get over them he would just start saying "Again, Again, Again..."! I LOVE how Tyson calls Carter "Carter Baby"! - Even though there is only a 4 month age difference between the two!

Coloring Eggs!

A Couple Family Favorites...

So, We had a fabulous weekend in Idaho Falls visiting family and friends! My kids played outside like it was the middle of the summer!!! We had a family dinner on Sunday and I took a couple appetizers that have become family favorites... the greatest thing about them is that they are super easy!!!


Stuffed Mushrooms

1 package cream cheese
1 pound breakfast sausage
mushrooms

Take the stems out of the mushrooms and discard all but about 1/3. Finely chop up stems and add to sausage in a skillet and cook. When sausage is cooked all the way add cream cheese and heat until well mixed with sausage. Spoon mixture into mushroom caps and bake covered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. If the mushrooms haven't cooked enough you may need to cook a little longer - it depends on how well you like your mushrooms cooked. With this recipe you can do 3-4 packages of mushrooms.


Little Smokie Wraps

1 package Little Smokies
1 Package Turkey Bacon
Brown Sugar

Cut package of turkey bacon in half. Wrap bacon around little smokie and use a tooth pick to hold in place. Place in baking dish and cover with brown sugar (be generous with brown sugar). Bake covered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. I will take it out at about 20 minutes and coat the little smokies with the melted brown sugar syrup a couple times and cook uncovered for the remaining of the time to let the bacon crisp up a little bit. Sometimes I cook it a little longer to get the bacon crispier - you do have to use Turkey bacon... regular bacon does not do well. With my family I always do a large package of the little smokies and it takes two packages of bacon. The children eat these like they are candy! And for the record I absolutely hate little smokies!!! BUT, I do really like these!

Just trying to get unpacked and caught up!!! Hoping to get a few Easter pictures posted in the next day or two! Thanks Mom and Dad for a wonderful weekend and thank you Jason and Amy for always putting on such wonderful family dinners!

Easter Package

My kids come unglued when we get the mail and there is a key... A key means there is a package and a package usually means a surprise from Moe (they call my Mom Moe)! Today we had been out running errands and stopped to get the mail on our way home... James got out to get the mail and when he walked up to the window to show the boys the key they just started screaming! Crazy enough that they woke Cannon up... The package included Candy M&M's (Carter's favorite) and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (McKay's favorite), Ring Pops, sidewalk chalk with cool little holders so your hands don't get all dirty, cupcake making supplies to make Easter cupcakes and a magazine for Mom! McKay just kept saying "Moe is the bomb"! Thanks Mom for all the special packages you send they truly are loved and appreciated!

As you can tell in the pictures McKay has quite the sunburn right now... He looks like a little raccoon. Tuesday was a beautiful day and James and McKay went skiing for the day with Jason and Gavin... I'm usually really good about getting sunblock on him before he leaves... But, he made it out the door without it and I didn't realize it until the day was pretty much over... The only thing that made me feel better was that James looked worse than McKay did when they got home!

We've had a crazy couple weeks... I had a migraine that I couldn't get rid of... I ended up at the emergency clinic and had to get two shots - one in my arm and one in my bottom... I finally found something that hurts worse then labor!!! I'm not joking... I rather have a baby than have those shots again! Cannon is still sleeping through the night - Now I just wish I could get my two other kids to do the same! Conference was amazing... until I went downstairs to check on the boys and see why they were being so quiet... they had let themselves into my scrapbook room and proceeded to play with my stamp supply... all over a pile of layouts I had been working on of Cannon... RUINED... It was one of those moments that you turn around and leave quickly and send your spouse in to deal with it because you are afraid of what will happen if you go back! We have played in warm weather and snow in the last week! - Crazy Utah weather! We successfully got Megan and Greg to the airport on there way to Germany... You may wonder why that is such a big deal... But, all of you who know what a stress case Greg is knows that this is a BIG deal!!! We had every alarm clock in our house set in our room including both of our cell phones!!! Plus, I had Greg call us too... just to make sure there hadn't been any malfunctions with the alarms!!! I wasn't going to be the one to start their amazing trip off to a stressful start with them getting to the airport late... So, it really was a BIG deal! I truly breathed a big sigh of relief when James called me and said he had just dropped them off and they were way early!

Well, we're off tomorrow to Idaho... It's My Dad's Birthday and we want to go and see Stacey's new baby, spend Easter with my family, James and my Dad are going to work on the trailer and get it ready for summer - something is wrong with the furnace... and we both need to renew our drivers licences... until the sell of the house goes through I am still claiming to be an Idaho resident!!! I hope you all have a wonderful Easter!

(It won't let me put this post into paragraghs.... So, sorry it's such a ramble of a post! And Megan Randall I LOVE your comments!!! We miss you! But, we're planning on coming to see you this weekend too!)

Lego Towers

Whenever McKay has something that he doesn't want Carter to mess with he either puts it on the dresser or on the top shelf of his bookcase... Carter has caught on to his tactics and today took them over! He is always very proud of his Lego towers and they usually last around the house for a couple days... today he built it on the dresser as a symbol of how important it really was - he built it block by block climbing up the dresser each time! When the tower was finally done it was taller than he was! Notice the top shelf of the bookcase in the third picture... Carter stuffed it full of all of his prized possessions today - pacifiers, pictures, his bubble gum, his Indian head nickles from Grandpa, and yes his Halloween trick or treat pumpkin that had all of his trains in it! McKay wasn't quite sure what to think about the invasion of his privacy... But Carter was pretty proud! When I explained to McKay that Carter was just doing it to be like him he was pretty proud too!