Gilbert Days

Every year we get to go to the Gilbert Day's Parade! This year just Carson performed in the parade and the stage show. We have so much fun! It has really become a family tradition. We always sit in the same spot. We have always sat by our old neighbors (that we miss so much!) . . . . The Anderson family and the Cook Family. This year Todd & Kathryn, Chelsea, Tally and Nate and their families came and joined us, Lisa Mickelson and sweet Savannah, and the Pickett Family. It was so fun. - Next year any can come and join us!  Please do - we'll have Krispie Kreame!

Look how VERY cute this is - Rowdy is saying "hi" to the horses - He loved all the horses!

Look at Judy on her lap top at a parade - ha ha

Dance Pictures

Last Saturday I had the opportunity to take pictures of some of the dancers @ DCII for the web-site and other stuff - It was so much fun. I was a nervous because I am such an amateur but I had great models -

AZ LDS Temple Lights

Looking for fun FREE Holiday events to go to - I suggest the Arizona LDS Temple Lights - there is a great performance line -up . . . . including American Idol Finalist Brooke White to Kick Off 2008 Mesa Christmas Lights Celebration, Friday, November 28th at 7:00 PM.

What my boys do for fun!

EVERY DAY!!! my boys get their ramps out and bike ride and jump - the neighbor boys come around too! Often we will get a ramp run over because they will leave it in the middle of the street - they have worked around that - they set up wooden boards now - it's fun to see them try really hard to get "BIG AIR"

What we do for fun!

One thing that we do to help relieve the stress of life is we really enjoy going musicals - we always have bought season tickets to Gammage - I love that my kids have really grown to appreciate the fine arts.  Not all shows are for kids - we did our best to switch out the shows that weren't appropriate even for us - we are excited for our whole family to go to Lion King and Wicked!

I can not believe this is happening - Here is a video and pictures of what happened over at the LA Temple today as a result of Prop 8 being passed - many people for 8 are very angry at the LDS church . . . It's a very small insight on what the saints must have gone through in Missouri, can you imagine this happening on a day that you planned on getting married?  Or tomorrow?  I wonder what the workers in the Temple did? I can only imagine some sweet temple matron getting out of her car to do some Temple work and come to this? - I hope they are OK:

They call us hateful - this guy has contempt written all over his face!

Read the news article on the event:

LINK

The Apostle Paul gave pointed warnings against the “perilous times” that would come in the last days. . . "despisers of those that are good, … lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God” (2 Tim. 3:1–4).

A GREAT DEAL!!!

Hey Raymond Designs.com is offering a holiday discount! His work is soooo good - we have seen so many great stuff come from him - he is really talented! My kids love to go to a Deseret Book in Utah or somewhere else and see his work - They jump up and down and and say "Look . . . there's John's work". So here is the best deal EVER: order anything and then at checkout type in the promotional code THANKS and it will take 50% off! They are only leaving this offer up for a few weeks so get on it.

Here are some cute pics from another blog (that I stole . . thanks Janae) So beautiful! Love this stuff! He even personalizes his work - how special and meaningful is that!

Get ready to VOTE

Over the weekend, our family has been watching the HBO movie miniseries  "John Adams" - - This movie was so good.  It really help put things into perspective what our Founding Fathers sacrificed for our freedom and constitution.  I love those men and their families.  I appreciate everything they did for us.  When I vote tomorrow - I will think of them and what it meant to everyone to have a free country that I now enjoy.  If any of you want to borrow this DVD - let me know (It's really long!)

So Funny!!!

Canning and Food Storage!

Long ago I could say I had all of my food storage, but I have been using it and haven't replaced anything - so Doug and I are trying to beef it back up.  I really like the homemade/canned stuff - but am still afraid of my pressure cooker . . . but my sister-in-law (Amy Gooch)  is a PRO!  She has canned several food items for me - I really appreciate it!!  If any of you need help - let her know, or if you want her to do it for you - she can do that for you!  E-mail her:  agooch@cox.net

This is an actual picture of how beautiful her canned food is!!!!!

Anyway I wanted to share with you a recipe from our ward cook book that is sooooo good, especially now that it is starting to cool off - I make it straight from my food storage - I have dinner in a snap - and my kids love it so much!

WHITE LIGHTING CHICKEN CHILI - BY Leta Olsen

3-4 cooked chicken breasts - shredded

2T. garlic

1 onion, chopped (I use minced onion - I hate having to chop anything)

3 cans great Northern beans, drained & rinsed ( I use 1 bottle of canned beans)

2 tsp. butter

3 cans chicken broth (I use a 32 oz ready to serve broth package from Wal-mart)

2 T. Taco seasoning mix

3 tsp. lime juice

Topping:  Shredded Cheese & Sour cream

Serve with: bread sticks and fresh salad

Chop onion and mince garlic.  Heat pan with butter then add onion and garlic.  Saute' until onion is soft.  In a crock-pot or large pot, add cooked, shredded chicken, onions and garlic, chicken broth, taco seasoning and lime juice.  Bring to boil and turn down to simmer.  Add beans and serve when beans are warm.  (I skip most steps and throw it al into the crock-pot and walk away until done)

Sprinkle with shredded cheese and 1 table spoon of sour cream.