Summer List: Go to MawMaw's Part 2

My sister in law Alexis and I took our 6 kids (Evyn stayed with my Mom) to a splash pad and park on Wednesday. The kids had a BLAST and loved running between the 2 parks. We also had a picnic lunch in the park. My mom had slipped a table cloth in my bag for our picnic and when I pulled it out and laid it on the table all the kids immediately put their noses on it and said it smelled like MawMaw! So funny how those familiar smells serve as such a great reminder! We had a great time!

Summer List: Go to MawMaw's Part 1

We got to Louisiana at 2am Friday morning. Christopher stayed the weekend and left around 10am on Monday. The highlight of our weekend was for sure turning in our "free babysitting pass" and going to Harry Potter. We saved all the cousin fun for after Chris left.

Cousin Fun #1: $1 scoop at Baskin Robbins. I'm hoping our Baskin Robbins does $1 scoops on Tuesday because we will for sure be taking advantage of it! As you can see we were a rowdy crowd and it was best to keep everyone outside!

I didn't take any pictures but the next night (Wednesday) we took the kids to TCBY for a $1 scoop of yogurt! Clearly the kids were in heaven!

Back to life...

We have spent the last week and a half in Louisiana being spoiled by grandparent and cousin fun! I was spoiled by MawMaw who had little girls at HER feet and hardly wanted a thing to do with me. And my girls were spoiled with 7 of their 8 cousins to play with non-stop! I got to enjoy my sweet sister in laws and Evyn figured out that if she cried MawMaw would come to the rescue!

Now we are home and back to normal. To routines. And our Dad. And while I love the break from our normal life I crave the schedule and control. Balance. It's a wonderful thing.

Elodie starts school in 3 weeks. We still have a few things to check off our summer list, school supplies and clothes to buy, haircuts, and all the excitement that comes with 2nd grade. {GULP}


Our little bubble is good. Even if it is in Texas....

A swift kick in the bum

Summer List: Harry Potter

We saw it. We loved it. And if we had a free babysitter (THANKS MOM!) we would see it again and again and again.


{We spent the whole drive from Texas to my parents house listening to the last Harry Potter on cd. I love our Harry Potter conversations!}

One Summer Night...

Christopher was doing an inspection on a house for a member in our ward one evening after dinner. The park was right next to the subdivision where Chris was so he dropped us off on his way. Let it be known that this is proof that I allow my kids to wear whatever they want. Sometimes. Pajama top? Of course! Leggings with a skirt that don't match? Go for it Sister! Addysen has a style all her own. More on that later. For now. A fun way to spend a summer night. Moments like this make me so happy I keep my little point and shoot in my diaper bag.

New Recipe

I recently sat down and wrote down every meal that my family eats on a regular basis. I even categorized them. Italian, Mexican, Salads, Soups, Crockpot, etc. I've been wanting to come up with a bi-weekly menu to help minimize my trips to Wal-Mart. Having this list handy has helped me limit the amount of times I go "I'm not sure what to make this week (tonight)" or have the feeling I'm making the same thing over and over again. Already it has helped. I also made a list of recipes I'm wanting to try. When I'm browsing the web I usually just send the recipe to my inbox but never print it out. Then when I'm at Wal-mart for my weekly shopping trip I don't even think about trying a new recipe. If I have it written down I'm more likely to try new recipes. And this recipe has been on my list for a while. And bonus! I didn't even have to add anything to my list to make it! I already had all of the ingredients! And making my own bread made me feel so Martha Stewart-ish. It was even fun!

No surprise....Another fabulous recipe from Our Best Bites. And bonus! They are doing an AMAZING giveaway over on their blog! This recipe will definitely get moved from the "to make" list to the "what my family eats" list.

Chicken- Bacon Stuffed Pizza Rolls

1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing mix
2 T grated Parmesan cheese
1 T olive oil or melted butter
sharp cheddar cheese (I used 75% sharp cheddar and 25% mozzarella)
8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
about 1 C shredded, cooked chicken.
3/4 C mayo
3/4 C milk

First take 1 teaspoon of your ranch dressing mix and combine it with 1 1/2 T parmesan cheese. Set aside. Combine the remaining ranch mix with 3/4 C mayo and 3/4 C milk and place in the fridge to chill.

Preheat oven to heat specified on pizza dough package. Usually it’s 400-425 degrees.

Click HERE for the homemade recipe I used for my bread. Or you could just use store bought pizza dough.

Pat or roll the dough so it’s about 12″ by 8″. You’re going to want to cut it into 24 squares, so just eyeball it if you need to. Use a pizza cutter to slice the dough into 24 squares.

Place cheese and desired toppings on each square.
When all of your dough squares have cheese and toppings on them, carefully lift up each square and wrap the dough around the toppings.
Grab the four corners first and then squeeze the seams shut. Then place them seam side down in a lightly sprayed pie pan (or similar sized dish). Brush with melted butter or olive oil and sprinkle with the parmesan-ranch mixture.

Place each roll in a muffin tin until it's filled up. And/or use a cake pan. Bake for 10-15 minutes. Serve with marinara sauce, ranch dressing.

I paired it with a salad and it was a perfect meal for our family. Next time I'll have to try something else in the middle! I love that they are so versatile!

Not sure how I feel about this...

I'm a very sentimental person however I am by no means a pack rat. I don't like clutter and typically have no problems throwing things out. As long as I can take a picture of it before I get rid of it I'm okay. This is not to say that I don't have 2 full boxes of Chris' t-shirts from high school, college, military as well as my high school, EFY, and musical t-shirts just waiting for me to make a quilt out of. That we have packed around with us every time we move. One of these days.

When moving to a new state we looked at the big picture of things. Like switching Elodie's school, leaving amazing friends, starting a new job, a new ward....and all of those brought different emotions. And while it's still hurts a little bit (a lot) we are slowly adjusting to a new life here in Texas.

The surprising thing about this move is how much the LITTLE things have stung the most. The little reminders that we have moved.. And the little things are the things you don't think about when you are in the process of moving. I like to refer to them as "nails in my Arizona box" Because I don't like the word coffin and we would like to end up back in Arizona. So the box can't completely shut!

A few examples:

Nail #1-Switching from Costco to Sam's. Now this may seem silly to anyone reading this but standing in that line to get my Sam's card after being a loyal Costco member for almost 7 years was hard! I vividly remember Elodie was 2 months old when we got our Costco membership. I mean, my Costco card is in the spot where my license should go! I figure I use my Costco card way more often than I get pulled over. When Christopher mentioned the idea of canceling our Costco card I put a big fat NO stamp on that card! After all, there is a Costco just 2 hours a way. And while I am thankful there is at least a Sam's out here, Sam's doesn't come close to Costco. And every time I go there, I miss Costco.

Nail #2-Christopher had to get the civic inspected and in the process "they" took down our ASU East parking sticker. Again, very small and silly but yes I cried over that one too. Sure, the only reason that sticker was still there was because we just never bothered or remembered at the right time to take it down. But Still. A huge part of our Arizona life was on that campus. And in 2 seconds it was gone!

Nail #3-Christopher closed out our National Bank of Arizona account. GULP! Yes, I hated that bank because for the longest time the only one available to us was super far away and it was a pain to go deposit money into it. And yes, it was our secondary account so we hardly ever used it. But Still. It was the first checking account we set up in Arizona when we lived in Snowflake. Silly? Yes. Stings? Definitely.

Nail #4- I haven't used my purse since I had Evyn and didn't really bother to clean it out after I switched to a diaper bag. I few days ago I went to Wal-mart by myself and instead of carrying the diaper bag I pulled my old purse out and threw my phone and wallet in it. While I was in Wal-Mart I was digging around in my purse and found a visitor sticker from Elodie's old school. I may have started crying right in the middle of Wal-Mart.

Nail #5- I write all of my list in a notebook and don't throw away the list after I'm done with it. I like to put the date at the top of the page and include all of the chores and errands I have to run that day. A journal of sorts. It also helps when I don't complete my list for that day, I just add it to the next day. Anyway, I came across the notebook that had the list of to-do's for Addysen and Graycie's party. Groceries, errands, plans for the party, Addysen's present list, the gift we were giving Graycie, even a sketch of what the cake would look like. And you can guess, I lost it! I immediately sent a text to Melissa...

Nail #6- The first UFC fight Chris watched all by himself! That alone made me want to fly Mace out here pronto!

Nail #7- Realizing we won't make it to the Big Dirty this year. This will be the first one we have missed in 11 years. We have gone every year since the year we got engaged.

Nail #8- Happened just last week when Christopher went and registered the civic.The Arizona license plate had expired (back in March) and it was at the top of the priority list. Which meant the Arizona license plate came off and the Texas license plate went on. Christopher jokingly asked if we needed to have a little ceremony when he got ready to switch the plates. I thought it was a great idea (aka:photoshoot) but he switched them before we got a chance to commemorate the event. Apparently he was joking. Probably for the best. No need to make matters worse.

Christopher has accused me many of times of looking backwards. And he's right. But I don't think it's a bad thing. I realize that we had our fair share of trials and stresses in Arizona. it wasn't all amazing and happy. And neither will our time here in Texas. But the happy fun times are the things I choose to remember. And we had a ton of those! Otherwise I wouldn't miss it so much!

Pioneer Heritage

Our ward celebrated Pioneer Day this past Saturday. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, each July we celebrate the early Pioneers who crossed the plains from Nauvoo in to the Salt Lake Valley.

As part of the activity Christopher was asked to give a brief talk about his Pioneer Family. Chris' Grandma Brewer comes from a long line of Pioneers dating back to when the church was formed. Very interesting stuff and a lot of it I had never even heard of. It made for a lot of discussion for me and Christopher. It's amazing how one mans decision has affected so many lives. It certainly makes me want to be a better person and live a better life for the generations that will come after us. Chris' mom sent over 20 pages of information on Chris' great, great, great grandpa. This is just one of the stories that Chris shared with our ward. I'm not expecting anyone to read this. I mostly want to keep this for our own journaling purposes.

Philemon Christopher Merrill:

The sketch of his life was written by a descendant who had a desire to have something to hand down to the posterity of this honorable pioneer who with his loved ones went through the early hardships, persecutions, and trials of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

He was born Nov. 12, 1820, at Byron, Genesee County, N.Y., to Samuel Merrill and Phoebe Odell. At the age of 11 he accompanied his parents to Nauvoo, Ill., arriving in 1837. He was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in March 1839, ordained an Elder in June 1840 by Patriarch Hyrum Smith, and filled a mission to Wisconsin in 1840-41. He also worked on the construction of the Nauvoo Temple, which the saints were trying hard to complete.

Philemon Christopher Merrill was closely associated with the Prophet Joseph Smith. The family has always understood that he was one of the prophet’s bodyguards although it is not found in history. This incident will prove how closely related he was to the prophet. In June 1843, the Governor of Missouri issued a writ for the person of Joseph Smith. A sheriff by the name of Reynolds of Missouri was appointed to get him. On this same day June 13, Joseph with his wife Emma and children, started to Dixon, Lee County, Illinois to visit Emma’s sister. Five days later on the 18th June when word was received in Nauvoo that Gov. Ford of Illinois had issued the writ for Joseph Smith, his brother, Hyrum immediately sent Stephen Markham and William Clayton on horseback to find and warn the Prophet. The officers wanted to drag him to Missouri to kill him. They charged him with treason on the grounds that he was a fugitive from justice. Two of the villains, Wilson and Reynolds, took it upon themselves to go after the Prophet. They disguised themselves and proposed to be Elders of the church. Following Joseph to the home of his sister-in-law they kidnapped him and started for Missouri. Joseph had many friends along with him, Philemon being one of them. These out law didn’t want to go to Nauvoo. They said that they never would get through alive. The friends of the Prophet held out and stayed with him to the end of the journey. While on this journey and resting in a little grove of trees where the ground was well sodden, one of the lawyers for Reynolds and Wilson began to boast of his prowess as a wrestler. He offered to wager any sum that he could throw any man in the state of Illinois at side-hold. Stephen, a side-hold wrestler, told the lawyer that he would not contest for money but would try a bout for fun. They grappled and the man threw Markham. When a great shout rose from Joseph’s enemies and they began to taunt the Prophet and his friends, Joseph turned to Philemon C. Merrill, a young man from Nauvoo, and said, “get up and throw that man.” Merrill was about to say that side-hold was not his game, but before he could speak, the Prophet commanded him in such a way that his tongue was silenced. He arose to his feet, filled with the strength of a Samson, Merrill lifted his arms and told the lawyer to take his choice of sides. The man took the left side with his left arm under. The company all declared that this was not fair as he had a double advantage. Merrill felt such confidence in the word of the Prophet that it made no difference to him how much advantage his opponent took and allowed the hold. As they grappled, Joseph said: “Philemon, when I count to three, throw him.” On the instant after the word dropped from Joseph’s lips, Merrill, with the strength of a giant threw the lawyer over his left shoulder and he fell striking his head upon the earth. Awe fell upon the opponents of the Prophet when they saw this and there were no more challenges to wrestle (This was copied from the Life of Joseph Smith by George Q. Cannon, pgs 448-449)

Persecution continued. Joseph Smith was haunted and abused. On the 16th of June, 1844 the Prophet Joseph Smith preached to the assembled Saints in the grove East of the Temple (while rain fell heavily) from the revelation of St John, the divine. After the city had been declared under martial law the legion was drawn up in front of the mansion house. The Prophet, standing upon the framework of a building opposite addressed the Saints. He asked the Saints if they love him, if they would stand by him and sustain the laws of our country and they all assured “yes, yes.” Then he said he was content and would die for them: also said “I love you brethren. Greater love hath no man than he lay down his life for his friends: you have stood by me in the hour of trouble, and I am willing to sacrifice my life for your preservation.” Then drawing his sword and presenting it to heaven he said I call God and Angels to witness that this people shall have their legal rights or my blood shall be spilt upon the ground like water and my body consigned to the tomb. Peace shall be taken from the land, which permits these crimes against the Saints to go unavenged. May the Lord God of Israel bless you forever and ever. I say this in the name of Jesus of Nazareth and in the Authority of the Holy Priesthood, which he hath conferred upon me.” All the people cried, “Amen!”

Philemon helped evacuate Nauvoo when persecutors drove the Saints out, and he was one of the guards to cross the Mississippi River with Church records,

Philemon enlisted as a volunteer in the Mormon Battalion Company B and endured the long march to the Pacific Coast. He left his wife and three children in Iowa to await his return. He then made his way back to Iowa to rejoin his family; however, Philemon never saw his youngest child again because she had died shortly after his enlistment. In the spring of 1849 the Merrills made ready and crossed the plains to Salt Lake Valley, arriving Oct. 16, 1849. In 1877 the Church called Philemon to help settle parts of central and southeastern Arizona.

He later held the office of Patriarch, being ordained by John Henry Smith. Philemon was a good public speaker and loved to talk about the Prophet Joseph Smith. About 1900 he moved to San Jose, Ariz., and died at his home there Sept. 15, 1904, at the age of 84.

The trials he went through made it possible for his descendants to enjoy the blessings of the gospel today. Then should not the descendants try and do something to perpetuate his name and live such in this life that he will be proud to own us as his children. May we carry on the work he so nobly started. His life should give us the courage to stand true to the faith until the end.

3 years old. 3 months AGO

Truth be told I've been avoiding these pictures. Because like this, this, and this, these pictures make my heart hurt. And every time Melissa asked me about them, I gave her a lame excuse (like I just had a baby or we just moved!) and went on with our conversation. Sorry Melissa. Please forgive me. I know you will.

So to prevent myself from falling further into a slump, I'm going to write this as if we aren't in 2 different states. As if nothing has changed since these 2 girls turned 3. Very healthy and mature right? Maybe not but I'm handling this the best I know how. And denial seems to work pretty well.

Carrying on.

Addysen and Grayce turned 3 on March 5th. We had their party on their actual birthday. I'm so glad we did it earlier in the month because shortly after their birthday we found out we were moving. And let's not forget I was having another baby like 3 weeks later! Crazy times! In my photography obsessed brain no birthday is complete without a photoshoot? 1 year old photoshoot HERE. 2 year old photoshoot HERE. We didn't get together to do these prior to their birthdays because I made the skirts and headbands and like the "on top of it" person I am, I was sewing the headbands about 20 minutes before the party started!
But we did manage to squeeze it in 2 days before I had Evyn. As you can tell I was totally nesting and relaxing up until we had Evyn! {Insert sarcasm smile here}

And like every other year, I convinced Melissa to do not 1 but 2 photoshoots! Because 200 shots the first time was not enough for me!

I love these girls together. I love that for the past 3 years they have been best buds. I love when Addysen sees things that remind her of Graycie. I love that we did a babysitting swap twice a week. I loved it for the girls and for me and Melissa too! And when Elodie would come home Addysen would tell her the fun things she did at Graycie's house or that Graycie came to our house. I love that Gryacie's mom and dad are our closest friends and that no matter where we move they will always be a huge part of our lives. I love to think that in 15 years these girls could be roommates in college. My best friend in 2nd grade and I were roommates in college- it could totally happen! Overall, I just love that these 2 girls came to earth together! A little favor from Heavenly Father.

Happy 3rd year sweet girls!

It's happened again.

It's official.We have another thumb sucker. At first she only would suck on it when her hand passed her face. Now. She knows exactly how to get it in! I'm not sure how I feel about it. On one hand, she won't take a pacifier. It's nice she has found a way to soothe herself. On the other (much bigger) hand. I have a 3 year old who still sucks her thumb and shows no signs of stopping. Other than the threat of not being able to go to preschool unless she stops.

So what now? Do you ignore it. Think it's cute. And deal with it later? I mean, maybe she won't be as bad as Addysen. And really, Addysen isn't all that bad. She only sucks her thumb when she has her tutu. So mostly when she is sleepy. Or. Do we cover her hand and deal with one angry baby as she trys to figure out where in the heck her thumb went? How much time do I have in my day?

On a cute note: She is a lefty thumb sucker just like her sister.