Updated Family Photos

I've been reluctant to change our family photo on our blog or on my Facebook page until Austin returns home from his mission and we have a truly updated family photo with all of us in it.

However, I was determined to get a photo of Riley before he headed out the door to college once again.  We didn't ever really have Senior year photos taken, nor did we have a nice pre-mission photo done either.  Our kids grow and change whether we want them to or not.  I want to remember the kids at all phases of life and photos are the one way to do just that.

So, thank you, Mickisha Glen for coming on Dec. 31, 2011 late in the afternoon and taking a few casual photos of the kids and the rest of us to document this moment in time.

Riley

Parker

Macey

The kids and me.

Silly kids having a good time.  Love the laughter.

Thought for the Day!

A Day of Thanksgiving!

Someday, I will be a great cook and a great baker and make everything from scratch.  In the next life that is.  For now I am completely content (almost) to do things another way.  Costco style.  It's funner to have a group of friends and family over than know that I made it all myself.  It will be a great meal with great people.  Definitely a day of Thanksgiving.

**Spinach Aritchoke & Parmesan Dip

 **Rosemary Crackers for the dip for an appetizer before the meal.

**Bagged Spring Mix salad.  Add some roasted, salted, sliced almonds, blueberries, strawberries feta cheese and a raspberry vinegarette dressing.

**Golden Potatoes.  The one thing that I can and will make from scratch.  Mashed and seasoned to deliciousness!

** Stove Top Turkey Stuffing.  In the bird and separate.  Got to have plenty!

**TURKEY!  Of course.  It turns out perfect when you cook it in a bag.  

**Spiral Ham.  Mostly because Parker doesn't like turkey.  How can someone not like turkey on Thanksgiving.  He says its because one year he got really sick right after Thanksgiving.  He apparently had an appendicitis attack.  It was not due to the turkey or my cooking.

**Pumpkin Pie

**Apple Pie.  Riley is making an apple pie.  He became a pro on his mission.  It will be a bought crust to cook but homemade filling.  Excited!
**Green Beans too.  Forgot about those.  They are in the freezer so I'll skip the picture on that one.
**Rolls.  Our friends the Winders are bringing the rolls.  She does delicious rolls!
**No-Bake Cheesecake.  John asked for this since he didn't get a piece when I made it the other night.  

Austin's Last Band Shindig

Thursday, May 14, 2009 was the last band concert and the next night was the band awards night where the seniors get to give their last will and leave something to those left behind.




Austin had bought Riley a superhero - 'Morman' t-shirt that became Riley's superhero nickname amongst his friends. He 'willed' it to Austin at the end of his senior year. Austin in turn 'willed' it to a friend of his, Brennan Egbert, that is another 'Morman' himself. The tradition lives on.

For his really good friends he bought 'Navy Seal' knives - real ones off ebay! One of his friends collects knives. I was a little apprehensive so I emailed parents and got their permission. I wanted them to sign off and know what their kids had in their possession. We DID NOT hand these out at school!

His other friend who doesn't like knives but loves the Boston Red Sox received a NY Yankees hat and a lighter. Got to love Austin's originality and creativity!

Day of Service

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- A day of fishing for children and adults with special needs sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Fort Myers and Naples.

This event was part of a larger day of service sponsored by 96 Mormon stakes in the Southeast, with more than 400,000 members of the church living in 11 states invited to participate in similar events.
http://www.mormontimes.com/around_church/worldwide_church/?id=7471



We were able to participate in our Stake's - Day of Service. We participated at Sugden Park in Naples, FL. It was fun to see old friends from other wards and to make new friends with the participants. It is always so rewarding to be a part of something meaningful!

John, Riley and Austin were assigned to help do the real fishing - however before they even got started they had to 'fish' Sister Fisher out of quick- sand- like mud as she was attempting to participate by being on litter patrol!





Others of us on 'litter' patrol.




Just a few other fun photos of this event.