Wish I was here....

Raglan Beach in New Zealand. Here's Wade holding Charlotte when she was about 4 months old. Isn't it beautiful there? Only 30 minutes by car from TempleView.

Lots of posts!

I did a bum load of posts today (and some from Friday). Keep on looking after this page ; )

Loaded Baked Potato Soup...yum yum!!!

Here's the winning Baked Potato Soup recipe....

(I reduced butter and flour to 1/2 c. each.)


9 baking potatoes
2/3 cup butter
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
6 cups whole milk
1/2 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup bacon bits, divided
4 green onions, chopped
10 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream

Directions:
Prick potatoes with a fork and cook in the microwave, 3 or 4 at a time, and scoop out the flesh (while the others are cooking).
In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in flour and cook about a minute. Whisk in milk, a little at a time, stirring constantly until thickened. Stir in potatoes, salt, pepper, 1/3 cup bacon bits, 2 tablespoons green onions and most of the cheese. Cook until thoroughly heated. Stir in sour cream and heat through. Serve topped with remaining bacon, onions and cheese.

4th File, 4th photo

Okay, so I decided to do a tag from Julie Carrattini. Look at your 4th file and find the 4th photo....I hope it's a good one....

It's from my mom's 6oth party/family reunion. I'm talking with Brother Westhora. I was living in NZ at the time and came up to Oregon and Utah during August. Sigh. I miss NZ!

Anyone who wants to do this tag, go for it.

More crazy pics of me and Becky!

Thought I'd treat you all to more boring pictures of me and Becky. he he. I love them!

Charlotte

Charlotte turned 3 yesterday. I can't believe it. I can't believe how much of a miracle she is in our lives and I'm so grateful for her. Things have been hard but I wouldn't change anything if that meant she wasn't in our lives. She is the most amazing, determined little girl. I look up to her and try to make her proud of me. I love her so much and I would do anything for her. She really is a miracle.

Here's a video of Charlotte and the bike....

It's a bit dark but oh well. She had a good time.

Happy Birthday, Charlotte.

So, I set out the presents the night before her birthday. And I forgot to keep her from seeing it when we left to Layton so when we were just about to head out the door, she found them and she was sooooooooo excited to see the bike (trike) we got for her. She was so excited. But wanted our permission to go look at the bike. It was almost like Christmas morning. So cute!

We opened presents when we got home and then headed out to McDonald's to go have a picnic at a lake. We brought some stale bread to feed the ducks...but they were lame. No pun intended. They wouldn't even come and eat it. So disappointing! But it was still fun.

Then we headed to Sam's Club (her favorite store in the world) and Walmart for last minute things before Sunday and then went onto the Fall Festival/Halloween party for our Ward. She had a blast! We brought the walker in for her to cruise around. She loved it. She ended up playing in a kids pool full of duckies (you pick a duck that has a number on it and then get a prize). She was SOAKING wet. But it was fun for her. Wade went home and got her some new clothes. But I have to add that I was the winner for the soup contest! It was called Baked Potato Soup (wade said to call it Loaded Baked Potato Soup!). Cool!

After the Fall Festival, we came home and enjoyed some birthday cake and ice cream! We then headed downstairs to watch a movie with Charlotte but she was so tired that we put her to bed a little bit after that. It was a great day for Charlotte.

Charlotte kept licking the cake. It was so funny! She even put her finger in the flame...of course that was stopped immediately. And the cake writing....I'm SO bad at that! it's off center, etc. but oh well. It was fun to make for her.

Jack enjoying all the fun cake time too!

The RING

I know I know...it's blurry. You have to have a special camera to take pictures of diamonds...but at least you see the side shape. There are diamonds on the side of the diamonds. sheesh!

So this doesn't even do the ring justice. But I think it's cool how it actually came out.

Okay, so Becky's wedding ring was replaced by her new one. Holy Cow! It's absolutely gorgeous and I have to show it off...It's 3 carats ....and 2 of them come from the honkin' one in the middle. I pretended it was mine for a few min. he he. I'm sure Becky is embarassed I'm showin' it off. But I just have to! I guess that's what happens when you're married to a lawyer.

Visit with Jason and Becky.

Becky and Jason flew to Utah on Friday night and left today (Sunday). They came to watch the BYU-UNLV game on Saturday. Thankfully, BYU won! Yippee. But just barely. I'm sure it was such a nail-biter too. How fun. But we came down to Layton on late Friday night (unfortunately didn't have time to stop and see Jean and George...but we will next time! We are sorry) and stayed with the Parkins until Saturday morning. We got to visit and have some fun times with Jason and Becky. Charlotte just clinged to Jason. It was so cute. I felt sorry for Becky...but it wasn't her. She didn't like the lady that came along with them either. So it must just be a man thing...

Flashback Friday

This is me in the crate. All of us kids were in this crate when we were babies. It's a family tradition. I think we had this instead of a bassinette? Is that right mom? Back row: Mike, Rachel, Becky and David.

I'm not sure how old this was but I think I was 4?
Back row: Mike, Rachel, Becky and David.
Front row: Steve, Mom, Dad and Me.

This was in August 2006. My mom turned 60 and we had a great family reunion. I just love my family!
Mike, Becky, Me, Mom, David, Dad, Rachel and Steve.

The Pumpkin Walk

Well, if anyone doesn't know what the Pumpkin Walk is....it's a fun walk at a park that has different scenes using pumpkins! Amazing, I know! This year's theme was Heroes. I've included a few of the scenes that we saw. Some of them were pretty awesome. And my most favorite one was of Noah's ark....but forgot to take one. Maybe Jen will send one along the way and I'll add it later.

Here is Wade at the entrance with the kids.

Charlotte had the most fun time. She really did and I was glad she was able to enjoy it.

I know, the most random photo but I LOVE it. Wade is seriously the hottest man ever! And I have to show him off....and he HATES pictures so I'm glad I snapped this one. I love you Wade!

Jack even joined in on the fun. Poor guy. Didn't get to see much though.

Here are the Tippets-- Jen and Gary (Kya's in the background and I cut off Brennon...whoops!)

Charlotte enjoying the hay...

Wade is seriously so photogenic! I love this picture too ;)


Scenes from the Pumpkin Walk:

I got the Noah's Ark scene!

My handsome husband. I seriously have the best husband. I'm so grateful for him. I hope he knows how much I love him.

Charlotte and Kya having the best time.

Charlotte just loved being photographed in these face cutouts. She just kept laughing and wanting to do it. Of course had a fit when we stopped. There were lots more but we were so cold!

She had her picture with Yoda last year too.

Our Princess!

The bus ride home....had to take some fun shots of the bus ride. Whoopeeee!

Me and Jen

Contrary to popular belief, we really DID take these photos on purpose. It's not what we normally look like. he he.