And his name is . . . Blake!

The blessing was beautiful. I wish I could write really fast, or that I had learned shorthand to write down the blessing word for word. I have some friends and relatives that are good at that, but they were either holding my other baby or too far away to attend. I thought about trying out the cell phone, but I didn't want the building to burn down due to a lightening strike. So, I listened attentively - despite little tappings on my legs to distract me - and I'll write down my impressions.

Blake, Heavenly Father wants you to know that your family loves you. I don't know if you can tell when Tyler says he wants to bite your cheek because you are so cute, or when I won't stop kissing your pudgy neck, but we do love you. Your family will be a strength to you as you grow and learn the will of the Father in your life. We will be there for you when you make covenants and prepare to serve a mission. And we will be with you for support when you find a special girl to take to the temple to start a family of your own. Families are the most important part of Heavenly Father's plan and we want to be a strong one. You will help us as you grow. You are an important part of our family.



Great Grandma Elder is full of talents to share! She made the blanket keeping you warm in this picture. We had to wait until Grandma Connie came to put you in your blessing outfit. Our little tradition is for Grandma Connie to buy a new outfit for each baby. Hopefully you can use it for memories of how much we love you!



Another tradition is to "skip" the rest of the meetings and come home early and eat! Get togethers are great with food. I made sloppy joes with chicken gumbo soup. (So cheap and SOOO yummy!) Aunt Jenna brought yummy juice and the buns! Grandma and Grandpa brought the paper products (so I don't have to do dishes - YA!) and the most delicious fruit salad. They are famous for their fruit salad. The flavors blended in an amazing tongue tickler - even better left over the next day. Great Grandma brought veggies and BEETS from her garden. Daddy and Mommy and Nate were in heaven for a week after finishing off the 2nd bottle she left with us. We are SO planting beets in our garden.

Daddy and Nate. We COULD NOT be late for church! We need to get to church early to save a bench big enough for our family. I think the front bench is empty every week, but Daddy doesn't want to be that noticeable! It used to be Mommy stressed about leaving on time. I'm really trying to chill out! It's okay if we get there for the Sacrament prayer and sit in folding chairs!!

Grandma and Grandpa Squires. I'm sure we'll have more pictures to post soon. Grandpa is GREAT at taking lots of pictures at events like this. I get a little to overwhelmed taking care of people and I forget to take pictures!

We had some visitors last Saturday night. It's always fun to meet the friends my children bring home.


This is Tylesha. She is in Cassi's class at school. She has short hair because she had cancer. She's NOT Tyler. Tyler is in the backyard with his imaginary friend, throwing snowballs. (It's after 9pm and the middle of the winter! What parents let their children outside, by themselves, after dark in the middle of winter. Oh yeah, he has a friend - I forgot.)



Tylesha fits right in around here. She is quite sassy and has a cute voice. She was a little shy at first, but then Cassi complimented her voice and she became quite vocal. She explained how she lost her hair and that she might be Emma's twin.





It wasn't long before Tylesha's little sister came to visit. Her name is Nathena. She is not shy. I guess she really likes to wear dresses and show them off. She gave us quite the little show!







Later that night we had Jake visit too. Maybe he was the imaginary friend that used to be in the backyard throwing snowballs with Tyler!



It was a great party! Here's the whole gang - all dressed up!

We're cleaning the house today because tomorrow we're inviting people over. I'm reminded of the saying my mom has at her house. . . "if you want to see me, come anytime. If you want to see my house make an appointment" . . . or something like that. I kind of feel like tomorrow is an appointment, so I should have a clean house. I try to maintain cleanliness, but I tend to neglect my children when the house is really clean. When I look back at cute pictures of the kids, they usually have a really messy house in the background. I try to find balance between adoring my children every minute . . . and thus noticing when they are doing adorable things, and cleaning the house so the pictures don't make me feel guilty. The cleanest time in my house is usually before 3:30pm. After the kids get home from school there is chaos. They are so excited to see me . . . they forget that they need to NOT drop their stuff on the floor.

We're blessing Blake tomorrow. I'm hoping his name will still be Blake after the blessing. Matt has threatened that he'll change it. I don't think he has another name in mind, but maybe he'll get inspired. I usually like to bless my babies the first Fast Sunday after they are born. I was there on that Sunday, but maybe subconsciously I was waiting to let Matt get used the Blake.

Socks Off!

Tyler and Nate play so cute together. I think Nate will really miss Ty when he goes to Kindergarten in the Fall. Whenever we get home from being gone . . . go figure . . .Tyler takes off Nate's socks. It's a little game they play. Tyler says, "Socks off? Socks off?" and Nate replies "uh huh!" (which is about all he can say at this point.) Then Tyler waits and waits and then surprises him by pulling off the socks. You know that laugh you can watch? That is what happens when the socks come off. This time the socks came off and went on the hands! I'm not sure what brought more joy to the rest of the kids. . . the giggle when they came off or the laughter when he got them on his hands. I'm glad my kids love each other!

Hope it gives you laughs!

Sometimes it's not that easy to get the kids to bed at night. Not because they won't go, but because they are so dang cute!! Matt took this video of Nate last night and we were so busy laughing that we forgot it was way past bedtime.

Little bits of my Heaven

I can't believe how wonderful the Internet is! I have found so many friends that I thought were lost. It's almost like heaven. I really thought I wouldn't hear from those friends until we all made it to heaven. I just wish I could think about them and then, "poof", be near them too!

Last night I made Baked Potato Soup. That is heavenly also. It brings so much happiness to the table. Full bellies and no complaining!! And it is one of those recipes that are cheap to make. When it is warm again and I can garden it will be even cheaper. The only thing is I need a pig. . . so I can grow my own bacon.

Gardening has been filling my brain with interesting questions lately. I know, it's freezing outside, but don't fresh tomatoes and peas from the garden sound heavenly? I was thinking of doing a little garden. Then I looked through a seed catalog and there are so many seeds!!! I want beans, carrots, broccoli, beets, potatoes, corn. . . that's not a little garden. If it's warm . . . look for me in my garden! Did you know you can leave the carrots in the ground all winter and just pull them out when you want to eat one? I told you I have been asking interesting questions. I'm lucky to have two grandmas and a fabulous father that have lots of gardening experience. I'm tired of paying someone else to grow my food!! I'm taking it on (don't we hope my family doesn't starve!)

So here's the recipe if you want to taste a little bit of heaven. Make some extra potatoes while you're baking them. They are great fried in butter for breakfast! (Mine this morning was really fattening - it's great for waking you up a bit.)

Baked Potato Soup
2 medium potatoes, baked and cooled
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) chicken broth
2 tablespoons sour cream
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon crumbled cooked bacon or bacon bits
1 green onion, sliced

Peel potatoes and cut into 1/2-in. cubes; place half in a blender. Add
broth; cover and process until smooth. Pour into a saucepan. Stir in
sour cream, pepper and remaining potatoes. Cook over low heat until
heated through (do not boil). Garnish with cheese, bacon and onion.
Yield: 2 servings.

Like, "Do I like this?"

I really love to cook. Lately I haven't been doing a lot of cooking. I know why. I like to cook different things all the time. I get bored easily with cooking the same thing. Usually the "same things" are pretty cheap and that's why they get cooked a lot. Either that or I know I won't hear "Ewww" or "Do I like this?" I really like to cook for people who like what I cook. ;) My skin is growing thicker though. I'm getting excited about adding peppers and mushrooms to food to hear everyone say "Ewww" but I'm going to say "Yum!"

Tonight we are going to Mom's house for Rob's birthday party. I really love good food when I DON'T have to cook it!! The menu is made and I don't have to bring anything, but I'm making some corn muffins for fun. These are the best corn muffins ever!! I'm sure it's because they are NOT fat free. But they aren't cookies, so you can't just eat and eat and eat them. Here's the recipe:

Dot’s Corn Muffins (TOH)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream

In a bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, beat egg and sour cream; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fill greased muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 400° for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.

Yield: 8 muffins.