Summer

It's been a long but fun summer so far. We've vacationed at grandma and grandpa's in St. George, visited with my brother Mike and his wife Kimmy in Vegas. We've been to movies the Zoo and swimming. And playing with friends ALL day long is the highlight of the Girls days. We have til the end of August until school starts again. Some days that seems like a long ways off but I'm sure it will fly by. We have also been trying to keep everyone busy so the summer time bordom doesn't set in. I tell the kids if they are bored than I could find them something to keep them busy (usually chores) when I say that it always reminds me of my mom :) She used to say things like that when we would play that game with her. And just like my kids we would find something to keep ourselves busy.
We are also trying like crazy to get our 4th annual Habitat for Humanity fundraiser put together. Saturday August 20th is the big day. It's always a fun time and would love to have the biggest turnout this year.

Celebrating Me

Ok so this month I am celebrating "Me"or "Moi" in the words of Miss Piggy. Not only because it's my birthday this month but it also marks my 1 year journey to a happier, healthier me. I started this amazing program in the end of February of last year (2010) and 10 months later I was 100 lbs lighter! I know 100 lbs.... I couldn't believe it or be happier, I didn't have to starve myself , and I didn't have to kill myself in the gym. All I had to do was eat, I'm pretty sure I knew how to do that! And eat six times a day. AND it WORKED!!! Just look at me now. I'm sorry if this sounds concieded but I'm just so excited and proud of myself.
My kids give me hugs and love that they can reach all the way around me with room to spare. They think it's so cool and so do I. My hubby was inspired and has lost 80 lbs. I'm so proud of him. Even the kids are making healthier choises, it's changed our whole family. I can keep up with my kids when we play and I have more energy than they do now. Meet the "New and Improved" Heather :)

Fall Leaves and Smiles

This is Halloween, This is Halloween!

Spooktacular Times!A little Halloween trivia for you: Did you know that Snickers is the most popular treat? And one of the first things parents swipe from their kids treat buckets!

Another one for you: Did you know that 99% of all pumpkins grown are used for Jack-O-Lanterns at Halloween time. And over 2 billion dollars worth of candy is sold every year! That's a lot of Trick or Treating treats!

It's that awesome time of year again when we get to dress up in costumes, have our friends over and throw a party. Our yearly Halloween party was tonight. We had a great time with fun friends, ate some yummy food, grooved to some awesome tunes and played some interesting games. Thanks to all of you who came and partied with us!

Julia Is 11!

For Julia's 11th Birthday we took a few of her friends to Wheeler Farm. We went through the corn maze, looked at all the fun farm animals, took a wagon ride and headed back home for some Arctic Circle "square pumpkin" kids meals and presents and cake. Julia and her friends; Mandy, Brooklyn, Bailee, Cordilia and sister Hannah all had a great time and loved celebrating with Julia.
Here they are on the wagon ride

going through the hay/corn maze

Going through the hay/corn maze
(I was a little disapointed with the maze

but the girls had a great time and didn't

seem to mind :))

All the cute girls smiling big one last

time for the camara.
Happy Birthday Julia, I can't believe

you are 11 already how

time has flown by.

FUN...FUN...FUN!!

http://www.eighteen25.blogspot.com/

http://www.thecraftingchicks.blogspot.com/

http://www.prettydubs.blogspot.com/

Some of my new favorite blogs to visit. SO FUN!! Can't wait to try some of their fun ideas

A New Hobbie

Jeremy has a new hobby! Yes canning, I know right..... REALLY, but yes. This has been a summer time past time for him which means me too. It's been kind of fun though. We visit a few farmers markets for our fresh veggies such as; carrots, beets, jalepenos, green beans, asparagus and eggs. I know their not veggies and we didn't get them at the farmers market but they are a favorite snack of Jeremy's so he wanted to give them a try too. When I was younger I remember having pickled beets, and green beans at my Grandma Greenhalgh's. So with a little help from my grandparents recipes and a few from on line we set out to try a few different recipes.

Eggs and jalepenos in the steamer I think they look kind of pretty

Below is the veggies sitting in their brine (salt water) for my grandmas famous mustard pickle. It's so very tasty. Red and green peppers, pearl onions, cucumbers and cauliflower are the veggies that go into this recipe.

After the veggies have sat overnight to soak, we added the ground mustard and other ingredients that give it that beautiful color. It taste so yummy with, maybe a Sunday dinner roast, grilled pork chops or even some chicken. It's a sweet mustard with a very mild tang. If you want to try it I would give you a bottle! :) My sister Heidi and I spent a few hours last week to bottle it up. We were pretty proud of ourselves that we were able to get it all done with no "grandma or mom help" Thanks for your help Heid.It's been fun trying new recipes and also some old family recipes that my Grandma Greenhalgh has passed down to me. Our absolutely, best of the best recipe that I grew up with and is now my little families favorite it's Grandma's pickled mustard. Just the smell brings back so many memories of being with my grandparents. It's delicious! And look how pretty it is.