I promise I have tons to write about, but I just have had so many things come up (or I've chosen to nap rather than have computer time) lately. So, until I get my children fed and happy and have a few minutes to write, here's something for your entertainment:

Savannah's rendering of our family on a boat in a lake with very happy fish and three little water-snakes. Notice that Nate is always the one with spikey hair in our family pics she draws.

This weekend a getaway was needed.

So we headed out of town and up to the Mogollon Rim, near Woods Canyon Lake and Chevlon Canyon with Amy and Jim and my mom. The views, the fresh mountain air, and just relaxing did much good for us as life was getting a little out of hand. I love seeing my kids camping because it brings back to many fond memories of my childhood.

On the first night, Nate, my mom and I took all the littles on a walk through the forest. As we walked, I told the kids that if they ever got lost in the forest they should stop and sit by a tree and not walk anymore. To make sure they each got it, I asked each on individually what they would do if lost -- London and Aidan answered correct immediately. Then Savy surprised me by saying, "I would say a prayer." Oh, I love the faith kids have. I am glad that the first thing she thinks of when in a problematic situation is to ask Heavenly Father for help and that she has no doubt that He knows her and will be there listening and ready to help.

Can't resist these two lovelies! I never noticed how similar London & D's eyes are in color!

Despite being a little diva, Savannah LOVES the forest. She loves collecting things (perhaps a by-product of watching the Little Mermaid) and this weekend it was moss. She made everyone touch it and all the children were appalled when Amy didn't (she was making dinner at the time). All the way into the next day, they would remind us that Mimi didn't touch the moss.

Savannah also loves being out alone with her daddy. She would watch him very closely and every time he'd venture into the forest, she would follow. They made a fabulous fire-ring together and prepped the fire for the night. Nate wouldn't want me to post this picture, but I was quite impressed that he made a bow just out of a stick he found. I always knew he was a stud. . .

Saturday we took a little drive to the Fish Hatchery. The kids liked it, but the big excitement was the blackberries growing along the path by the pond. So instead of being enthralled by the massive trout, our kids were busy picking berries. Savannah is a huge fruit freak! On the way home from the Hatchery, we took Davyn in our car and let London ride with Mimi. Savy and D were being so quiet that I turned around and this is what I saw. Nate had left his binoculars in the back seat when he went varmint (I don't know how to spell that but that is what spell check told me -- basically calling in small animals - coyotes, etc) calling that morning and apparently D knew exactly what to do with them. He was so stinking cute! Sunday morning we took the kids for a ride before heading back down to the valley. They had been dying to ride in the back of the truck - and you can just feel the excitement looking at their faces. A little lake/pond that we walked to on our ride. It was just gorgeous. "mom - look I'm Ariel!"
The gang with Grandma.
London had a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde moment and suddenly turned beasty beyond belief after the pond. In this picture, we had just convinced her to stop crying by everyone telling her not to smile -- it works every time on that girl!

Savannah is holding a purple flower her daddy picked for her. She came back to camp and it was already wilting and when even water didn't help, she became distraught. Amy and mom overhead her saying a little prayer for her flower. Mom had to explain a few things and then promised to help her get a potted flower at home that could live and grow. What a sweet girl!
London being carried off by Jim as she cried hysterically (don't worry, she was already crying hysterically before he grabbed her). Like I said, the only men she likes are Nate and his dad. On the walk to the pond, there were some plants that looked a lot like poison ivy so we told the kids to steer clear and be careful not to touch. My ever-cautious Savy walked the whole way like this to prevent getting "poisoned."

creepy conversation

Yesterday we were coloring and I look up and see London caressing Savannah's arm as she says:

"Nanna I feel like I'm going to hit you, but you're so soft."

Okay, is that not creepy???? I am very disturbed by this comment, but then again interesting things are always coming out of London's mouth - they're just not usually this creepy!

Confessions

So ever since posting last week, I've felt bad about sharing my "blah" with everyone. It's just not really me since I'm a very positive and happy person. So, I started thinking about the reasons I felt that way and then had a conversation with my little sister, Megan.

No, it's not the heat - although that can be blamed for draining me and making me lose my appetite.

No, it's not sadness. Not much to be sad about as I am very very blessed!

I did not plan on posting about this for a while, but since everyone in my immediate family (and at Nate's work) knows, oh well. Everyone who knows me knows I've been dying for an addition to the family and now it's well on its way to becoming a reality -- somewhere around the end of March. Yes, I'm Pregnant!

Only 8 weeks, but the day I told Nate (about 3 1/2 weeks ago), he and I agreed we wouldn't tell anyone for a while especially because I am very worried about miscarriage this time around. Then he calls me in the afternoon and has told his dad as well as everyone at work!!!!! The boy is just too excited. So much for the typical 3-month waiting period. So, with his dad knowing, the domino effect worked its magic and I felt responsible to tell my family as well. Lovely how that works, huh? So, my new philosophy is that if I miscarry, at least I'll have a big support group to help me.

Back to the conversation with Megan - she said that both my Aunt Nina and cousin Rachel, upon reading that entry, asked Megan if I was pregnant! I don't know how in the heck they got that out of "blah." Maybe they know me better than I thought. . .

The girls - Savannah and London - overhead Nate talking about it and were ecstatic. Again, not something I would have done, but . . . and now I am constantly barraged with baby questions that I assume will go on for 9 more months! Sometimes, however, this can be entertaining.

For example, the other day London claimed that the baby would "bounce out of mommy's tummy and be wearing a birthday hat!" Uh-huh.



On another funny London note, during sacrament yesterday she and I were looking at pictures in a book and President Hinckley's picture came up and she exclaimed "Heavenly Hinckley!" I couldn't help but crack up. I suppose he is heavenly. . .

President Faust

This morning President Faust passed away. It amazes me how much you can grow to love a man that you never knew in person, but I'm sure everyone who ever heard him speak felt that way about him. He has been in the First Presidency for such a long time -- through all my years of "growing up" into an adult - from high school until now. And although I know whoever comes next will be fabulous and just as lovable and memorable, today is a day to remember him.

blah and peanut butter sandwiches

I have been feeling rather "blah" lately about everything . . . and hence have nothing to blog about. So until I get started on some projects (of which I have many planned), my children will cover my blah-ness with their exciting making of pb&h sandwiches -- they're honey rather than jelly fans, unlike their jelly-loving father.




As usual, Savannah's serious concentration shows in stark contrast to London's sillies when attempting a task whether it be coloring or making sandwiches. That last picture is classic London - she thinks it's hilarious to roll her eyes and does it all the time - what a crazy girly.

Raspberry Cream Cupcakes

I made these delicious cupcakes for dessert one night

and they're not only gorgeous, but taste fabulous also!
This is my kind of dessert!

Raspberry Cream Cupcakes
Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis

1 (18.25-ounce) box white cake mix
(recommended: Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe)
1 1/3 cups water
3 large egg whites
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 teaspoons almond extract
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 (6-ounce) containers fresh raspberries, cut in half
OR 1 (16-ounce) container fresh strawberries, coarsely chopped
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup powdered sugar, plus additional for dusting

Line 18 muffin cups with muffin papers. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Using an electric mixer, beat the cake mix, water, egg whites, melted butter, almond extract, and vanilla extract in a large bowl for 2 minutes, or until the batter is well blended. Using about 1/3 cup of batter for each cupcake, spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups.

Bake the cupcakes until they are very pale golden on top, about 15 minutes. Cool the cupcakes completely on a cooling rack.

Using a fork, coarsely mash 1 1/2 containers of raspberries in a medium bowl. Beat the cream and 1/3 cup of powdered sugar in a large bowl until firm peaks form. Fold the mashed raspberries into the whipped cream.

Remove the muffin papers from the cupcakes and cut the tops off of each cupcake. Spoon the raspberry whipped cream atop the cupcake bottoms. Place the cupcake tops on the cupcakes. Dust with more powdered sugar and serve with remaining berries.

ENJOY!

On another note, Amy is very BRAVE!!!

She just ran to the store with 4 little boys -- Wesley, Adain, Wyatt, and Davyn. Our brother, Tyler's, little boys spent the night with her last night. I would say that is incredibly brave since they are 6, 4, 4 and 2 in age. Could have been a major disaster, but she just came by to deliver my cilantro (thank you) and told me it was fine.

I don't know if I could be that BRAVE!