Old Friends....

A friend of mine flew down from Minnesota on Wednesday -- this would be the 2nd time this year seeing each other -- amazing! Ann and I were friends at Ricks College (aka, BYU-Idaho) during the late 80's. We had the same major, so most of our classes were together, and we became fast friends. We stayed close friends the entire 2 years we were there -- she was one I could go to when my roommates were driving me crazy, and we'd hang out on the weekends. She even had classes with my Steve (he and I were dating at the time) -- so we were actually all friends. We even fulfilled a big dream of ours - which was to move to SLC together after Ricks, get jobs, and PLAY -- I lasted a summer and then decided SLC was NOT for me. Ann however, stayed, and that's when we parted ways...Mary Ann (currently in my ward) was her roommate at Ricks -- and it's thanks to her I was able to get reacquainted with Ann several years also. So now, since Mary Ann and I live so close to each other (we can see each other's houses), Ann's able to visit with both of us at once when she comes down.

We went out for Mexican...(opps...Ann is closing her eyes, should have had the waitress take ONE more shot - sorry, Ann)

7th Grader Again....

Wow, I am just on a posting roll....what can I say. Today the Jr. High had a 7th grade Shadow A Student day since it was just a half day. My friends all told me this was one not to miss...no matter what my 13-year old said! In fact, Jeff wasn't even too thrilled when I told him I was going -- he just told me to "not embarrass him"... who does he think I am anyway, his dad? (kidding) Let me preface by saying, I am NOT a morning person...so typically, since Jeff has A-hour Jazz band, Steve usually gets up early and makes sure he's ready and drives him to school on his way to work. So this morning, Steve and I traded places and I was up by 6am dressed and headed out the door by 6:45am with Jeff -- that in itself was amazing. And yesterday, I TRIED to talk Jeff into letting me come later in the morning, this was our conversation:
Mom: Do I really have to be at your A-hour class?
Jeff: Yes, mom. You need to get the whole experience and come to EVERY class with me.
Mom: Really, I couldn't just come after 3rd hour and get the entire experience?
Jeff: No mom. (I think he likes to torture me sometimes.)

Oh, the one great thing about A-Hour....ROCK STAR PARKING...we got an awesome spot.

And I tried to grab my camera on my way out the door -- but he wouldn't let me bring it. Imagine that.

Today was really was so much fun...and I had to pause and reflect upon my own Jr. High School days....all of which I can't remember. Honestly. I think we lived in Springfield, Missouri and then Oklahoma during that time. Really, I honestly blocked it out -- Not even a year book to look at. It must have been really bad. I hope my son has a better experience -- and from what I saw today...he has a great start!

Tagged!

My friend Lisa tagged me a week ago....sorry Lisa, been busy, but I'll play along now.

Two names you go by:
1. MOM
2. Tia (when I was a child)
Two things you are wearing right now:
1. jean shorts
2. black t-shirt
Two things you ate today:
1. 1/2 of a leftover Krispy Kreme donut
2. leftover mashed potatoes
Two things you did last night:
1. work on my cub scout stuff
2. start the Eclipse book (Twilight series)
Two things you want very badly at this moment:
1. to loose 15 lbs.
2. pedicure
Last two people you just spoke to:
1. hubby Steve
2. son Jeff
Two things you're doing tomorrow:
1. shadow a student at the Jr. High
2. get together with my friend Ann and the Metcalfs
Two longest car rides:
1. Arizona to Washington state
2. Actually, any place seems long when 5 kids are in the car with me
Two favorite beverages:
1. Diet Dr. Pepper
2. Green Drink (in case my mother reads this)

Now I'm going to tag Terri U., Mignon, and Kreanna

Washington Visitors...

We were fortunate enough to have had Steve's parents come down for Emi's baptism, and since they only come visit a couple of times a year, and are both retired, we had them to ourselves (almost) for almost a couple of weeks. Steve's sister, Terri and her family, only live a mile away... so what luck to have so many grandkids and kids in one close area.

Typically when they come visit, we do some fun things like the train ride to the Grand Canyon, Rawhide, etc., but we officially ran out of ideas this year...not to mention the kids were all in school, so they basically kept me company at home -- Barbara did a wonderful job keeping my laundry caught up, and Phil did an awesome job keeping my kitchen clean and doing my morning vacuuming. Steve's sister would whisk them off now and then for lunch or shopping or to just hang out with her. And not to worry, it wasn't all chores for the grandparents, we did manage to get in quite a few family dinners with extended family, a Diamondbacks baseball game, introduction to Rock Band (they didn't appreciate that as much), blogging lessons, and lots of bonding time with grandkids.

Having fun at the D-Backs Game -- they even won!



The family at Pro Bass (at least it had A/C) and the first time visit for grandpa and the kids.

You're invited....

Emaree welcomes all friends and family this coming Saturday (9/13) to her baptism!

9:30 a.m. at the LDS Boulder Creek Stake Center

(On Hawes SOUTH of Guadalupe)

One thing we do with the kids before they are baptized is to take them to the temple in their pretty dresses/suits for pictures. I was FINALLY able to take Emi on Wednesday -- weather cooperating -- and even at that, we had a little rain, sometimes lots of sun, and once in a while some overcast skies. I was just grateful the temperature cooled about 10 degrees because when Emi is too warm, her face will turn beet red. So anyway, these pictures were fun to take. Her Grandma Hartman made her pretty dress -- as she does for all of her granddaughters. (Tip: If you click on the picture, the photo will enlarge.)

Ward Campout!

We just returned last night from our annual ward campout, along with 26 other families (great turnout) where we went up to Mabbs Ranch -- a 2 1/2 hour drive up north. It was a beautiful wooded area -- and a nice cool reprieve from a HOT weekend in Mesa. Our high temp up at the ranch was in the 80's with lows in the 60's. ...ahhhh. We even ended up staying most of the day on Saturday since the kids were having so much fun. It was a good thing my ward didn't make me the official campout photographer, because I only took this ONE picture. Either I was having too much fun to use my camera, or I was too busy trying to keep track of my kids to use my camera....you decide.

Anyway, we all had the best time -- and for posterity sake, I thought I'd ask my family what particular thing they enjoyed most about the campout:

Jeff -- Learning how to loom (a type of knitting) ?? (Steve was a little mortified when he heard Jeff's answer.)

Starr -- Sleeping in a 2 man tent with Janae. (and getting 3 hours of sleep that had her completely crabby the next day!)

Emaree -- Playing with friends and catching caterpillars (Ugh...gross).

Joseph -- Meeting new friends and playing with them and doing that amazing race game which he emphasized made him VERY TIRED. (Yes, it made us ALL tired.)

Joshua -- Playing in the dirt and throwing rocks (like a true 2-year old). He was even quite a trooper when he was stung by a bee on the neck. Ouch.

Steve -- Being out in the forest (only second to sitting on a beach -- that comes next month).

Teresa -- Lovin' those cool temperatures and visiting with friends. Oh, and getting my weeks exercise from running in that amazing race (which we lost oh so badly).

German Pancakes

Okay, for those of you not privileged enough to own a famous Brighton Ward cookbook, here's the German Pancake recipe as show in the post below. It's sooo yummy and EASY...my family requests that I make it for breakfast a couple of times a month.

German Pancakes
6 eggs
1 cup flour
1 cup milk
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
6 Tbsp butter

Melt butter in 9x13 inch pan in 400 degree oven (I melt the butter in the pan while it's preheating). Mix eggs, flour, salt and pepper. Pour into pan. Bake 20 minutes. It puffs as it cooks (so cool to watch). Serve warm with syrup/powered sugar.
variation: add chopped bacon/ham if desired.