Saturday, July 26, 2008

Remember When...

This comes from Heather's blog. Thanks Heather, Great Game!
Remember when? Here is a fun little game...Leave a comment on my blog of a memory that you and I have had together. It doesn't matter if you've known me for a short time, or a long time, anything you remember! Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't have a blog, then I'll email you a fun memory. On your mark... Get Set... Blog!

Want some?

Everytime I make these cookies, somebody always- never fails- asks for the recipe. My mom would make us these cookies as little kids. Then when we got old enough to bake, we made them. And we're still making 'em. :) So here's the recipe for anyone who is dying for a
great cookie recipe... (or as my kids and Ronnie would say, THE BEST cookie recipe EVER) But you can be the judge.

In a mixer, blend 1 cup shortening (yes, Crisco), 1 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup sugar. Beat in 1 tsp vanilla and 2 eggs. Sift (or whisk together) in a seperate bowl, 2 1/4 cups plain flour, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp baking soda. Add that to the mixer. Mix well. Stir in 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips. Drop by spoonfuls to cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 min. It's just that easy!
The secret is to let them get slightly brown on top, then take them out of the oven while they're still a little melty and gooey. Let sit for a few minutes before transfering them to a cooling rack.
YUM!! Go ahead... try it! Let me know how they turn out!! :)

My Flowers

This is the front of my house. Last year when we moved in, it didn't look like this at all! I've done alot of weeding and re-planting and put down some new dirt and mulch. It made the biggest difference. Doesn't it look pretty? I thought it was, so I wanted you to see it.
(Amy, do you recognize the wooden pots? :)



Sunday, July 13, 2008

Palmyra Trip

This weekend our family drove to Palmyra, NY to see the Hill Cumorah Pageant. The last time I saw it, I was probably 13 or 14 yrs old. So it's been a long time. Ronnie has never been and obviously, it was the girl's first time. Since it starts at dusk, Brandi and Brooke were exhausted and slept through most of it. They were troopers though because they woke up at 5am in the morning to start our trip, and here it is at 9:00 pm hoping they would still be awake to watch an hour and a half play. Nah, didn't happen. But it was a great to be there. We had so much fun.

This is the Palmyra temple. The grounds are beautiful, there were flowers everywhere!! My picture doesn't show how beautiful it really was.
In the Sacred Grove...
Taking a quick break from walking...doesn't she takes the cutest pictures. :)
Lunchtime...
I love this statue of Christ. When you see it in person up close, it is so powerful. Anyway, this was at the visitor's center in Palmyra.

At the pageant

One of the cast members from the pagenat talking to the girls. We had tons of people stop to talk to us, but this one stayed and talked to the girls for a long time, so I snapped a picture. She was cute.

Waiting for the pageant to start- notice that Ronnie, Brandi and Briana all have i-pods hanging from their ears. Nice talkin' to ya!
Brooke being Miss Social-lite, she makes more friends than anyone I've ever seen. She met this little girl that was sitting down on our row. She's 3 and adorable. They played together for over an hour. It turns out that her grandmother is Nancy Giles's sister from Irmo! It's a small world after all!

Niagara Falls

On Saturday, we made our way to Niagara Falls- it's only about 2 hrs away from Palmyra. What a beautiful sight!! :)


Maid of the Mist boatride

Waiting in line at the Maid of the Mist boatride. It takes you right into the falls.
this is where the boat went

About to get on the boat...


We stopped for lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe- this is Briana's Big Bite

And Ronnie's Big Bite. Yow-sa! That's a big mouth! :)

ice cream


It's sooo hot out- ice cream sounds good.
Is there a 5 yr old out there that can eat a chocolate ice cream cone without wearing it?
I don't think so... glad to know my kids are normal. :)

isn't that a sight to see?

The end of our trip! What a blast! We can't wait to go back!!