Milkjug Pumpkins

Tanner did a painting project with his friend Rustin.

We found a cute project perfect for a preschooler. It uses milk jugs, which we have plenty of!

It was easier for Rustin to lose his shirt than to wear a smock!

Our finished projects

(never mind my unfolded laundry in the back-ground, I find it makes great decoration).

Instead of using a flashlight I stuck it on his nightlight. I thought it was cool, and he did too...at first. When it was time for bed, he made me take it off because it was to scary! Oh well!!

http://www.themarvelousmrsm.blogspot.com/

This is a link that will give you instructions to make your own milkjug pumpkin!

Trip to the Movies

"Preston, you want to wake up?"

We went to see Where the Wild Things Are this weekend, and Tanner took a friend. Preston didn't even make it half-way through. Tanner was pretty shocked to see him asleep when the lights came back on.

Painting Pumpkins

Believe it or not, this is actually the first time I have let Tanner paint!

I have been worried about the mess mostly. Tanner loved it, and he did so well at keeping things clean (for the most part).

This is Tanner's creation.

This is my creation, but Tanner didn't think it was very good. He told me that my pumpkin needed hair~ I have to admit, he has an

eye for style!

P is for Preston

Tanner loves the alphabet, and he likes to have a person to go with each letter...for example, M is for Mommy, D is for Daddy, J is for Jackson, S is for Steven and so forth. Yesterday, Tanner said,

"Mommy what one is Preston?"

Now, all I hear is "P is for Preston."

This is a cute picture of Tanner and Preston from out weekend of kids.

Kids, Kids, Kids

Kenny and I tended our nieces and nephews, along with some of our neighbor's kids this weekend. At one point we had NINE kids here...YIKES!

Actually the kids were all really good, and we had some fun.

The weather was gorgeous on Friday, so we spent some time outside.

Here are some fun pictures of Tanner, Jackson, Sydney, and Carley from Friday.

In case you didn't know...

...a lab can also substitute for a horse.

...an apple a day keeps the doctor away.
...you can see a lot more of your world from up in a tree.

...crawling through leaves is the next Olympic sport.

...sometimes it is better to separate the boys and the girls.

...playing in leaves is about the funnest thing in the world.

...everyone needs a break.

Here are some good pics from the Bridgeland bridge...

Mommy-Baby Bonding Time

A sick baby= One very tired Mommy

FHE flop...turned FAB!

Kenny and I tried to take the kids to the local corn maze and pumpkin patch out in Bluebell for FHE, but,to our dismay, it was closed on Monday.

Tanner was bummed, so we stopped off at the Bluebell park, and we had so much fun!!

Here are some shots...

Jack has No fear!

He walks to the top of the slide, and just keeps going. He doesn't even stop to sit!

Here he is, coming down head first!

"Higher Daddy!"

"I can do it by myself."

"Brummmmm"

A little change in plans, but we still had a memorable evening!

Free Printables

Ever since Jackson's birthday, Tanner has made sure that I knew that his birthday was coming up and he wants a

John Deere Tractor Party.

I was looking for some fun things to do and I came across this site...

http://www.familyshoppingbag.com/

It has FREE printables that are so useful.

For example...invites, coloring pages (which I am going to use to make some interactive placemats), party hats, stickers, party favor boxes, and much more!

All you need is a printer and some cardstock!! There are tons of different themes, so if you are planning a b-day party or just want some winter-day fun...get printing!

20 Perfect Pancakes+ 2 Happy Kids= 1 Happy Mama

Tanner loves pancakes!

There are three things he is always asking me to make for breakfast...eggs & toast, pancakes, and marshmallows (meaning lucky charms). On this day he got his pancakes, and I like to make a lot so I can stash them in the fridge and eat them for days to come.

This is my favorite pancake recipe, and I am going to share it with you! It is a dry mix, so it is nice to have a around.

To make dry mix:

• 10 c flour (sometimes I add up to 5 cups of whole wheat flour-it makes them more filling and much more healthy.)
• 2 1/2 c instant nonfat dry milk
• 1/2 c sugar
• 1/4 c baking powder
• 2 T salt

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Stir well and store in an airtight container.

To make pancakes:

• 1 1/2 c pancake dry mix
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1 c water
• 3 T vegetable oil

Put pancake mix in a medium bowl. Combine egg, water, and oil in a small bowl. Add egg mixture to pancake mix. Add more water if thinner pancakes are desired. Blend well and let stand 5 minutes. Cook pancakes.

Each batch makes about 10 pancakes, depending on the size of pancake you make, of course.

Anyone want to eat at our house?

You would think that Tanner's mother would learn to keep things out of his reach!

A teacher in the making.

I have been tending our nieces and nephews the last couple days, and, as I was canning, this is what I heard from the next room:

Hailey: What is this?

No response

Hailey: It is a cupcake? Is this healthy for our bodies?

Carley: Yes

Hailey: No, it is not.

Hailey: Okay students, what is this.....it is a sandwich. Is it healthy for our bodies?

Carley: Yes.

Hailey: You are correct! A sandwich is healthy for our bodies.

She went on and on, and it was so cute!

Tanner never said a word, and Carley always answered yes.

This is what Tanner does while he should be in bed...

"...but mom it is my house."

Does anyone else ever find mysterious teeth marks in their butter when they leave the room and return??

Back to Real Life :P

I have been canning tomatoes and grapes today.

I have to take a minute to vent...I really do not enjoy canning. I would almost say that I hate it!! I only do it when it will save us money or taste a lot better than the store options (like jam...yum yum). I have done...

cherry pie filling

salsa

strawberry jam

raspberry jam

apricots

peaches

diced tomatos

grape juice

I have taken an oath to not do anymore canning after today! I am done for the season!!

Okay, back to work!

The Time of my LIfe!

About a year and half ago, Kenny won a free trip at a business conference! He really wanted us to take a trip without the boys, I was skeptical as to whether I could have a good time without them. My only stipulation was that we wait until Jack was a year old (I was pregnant at the time he won the trip).

This has been one of the most amazing weekends of my life! ~and it was mostly free.

We went to Midway, UT (in Heber Valley), and stayed at the Zermatt Resort. We had so much fun!! Here is a quick breakdown, with a ton of pictures...

On Friday, we spent most of the morning at the temple. How wonderful, to be in the temple and not have to worry about getting home to a babysitter!!

That night we went to my mission reunion, after eating at the most wonderful all-you-can-eat Seafood Buffet (at the Zermatt-included in out package). The mission reunion had a really sad turn-out. Here is the only Liberty Jail representation...

Jen, me, and the Bennions

(Elder Bennion says Hi to all the Liberty Jail sisters who were not there, but might be reading this post!)

On Saturday, we hiked Bridal Veil Falls. A rather touristy place, but neither of us had done it before and it was close. We had so much fun!!

Beautiful Colors!
A cool bridge- I am sucker for bridges and waterfalls. Both are totally amazing!

What a Hottie!

My attempt to take our picture.

Kenny thought that he could do better.

At the bottom of the falls

Half-way up! It felt like a shower, standing so close.

This was a little drier!

So Pretty!

This is about as high as we got, before we ran out of time! Great view!

A view of the falls from the same point.

Kenny insisted that I take a serious pose, how did I do?

Water coming out of the mountain...

The trees on our hike down.Kenny is obviously having too much fun with the camera!

The Zermatt was amazing! Here is out bedroom... The kitchen and dining room...

Kenny made me a candlelight dinner...what a sweetie!

Sadly, I didn't get a picture of the living room with the amazing fireplace!

I was super excited to get home to my boys.... Home, Sweet Home!

I think they missed their mommy!

Kim and Ryan kept the boys for us, and we owe them big time. I have decided that every mommy and daddy need to get away! If I have made anyone jealous, start saving and take a trip with your spouse, you owe it to each other and yourselves!!