Monkey bread and Choc. chip cake

monkey-bread chocolate-chip-cake

Go check out the monkey bread recipe and chocolate chip cake over on the solomon cookbook.

Late Valentines post!

I am behind on my blogging. This has turned out to be a very busy week. But I seem to do better when I am busy. Grandma has the flu. Leah Beth has her recheck at vandy today. Blake tried our for soccer so we are overlapping sports again. We only have 4 more weeks of wrestling though.

I wanted to post about our Valentines package we recieved from Aunt Chrys. I was home getting ready to leave and I heard the mailman stop. I looked thru the peep hole in the door. I kept thinking I haven't ordered pictures. Lo and behold we got a package. It has been forever since we have gotten a package in the mail that wasn't pictures. I was so excited. I felt like a kid...I ripped open the box to find lots of valentine goodies for all of us. I took it with me to pick up the kids. They were so excited. We all felt so loved. Thanks Aunt Chrys for thinking of us!!!

Happy Birthday William

Happy Birthday sweet 16! Can boys have a sweet 16 too? I can't believe it's already time for 16! That really makes me feel old! My favorite memory of William is having him come to Johnson City and spending a week-end with me right before the twins were born. We meet Uncle A half way. Steve and I didn't have children yet and we were so excited to have this little man come hang out with us. He totally got spoiled rotten. I took him to work with me. We went to the mall, out to eat...anything he wanted I bought him. I was a working woman then! We had the best time.
Another funny memory of William when the twins were born he was in his car seat in the middle of their vehicle. He had an infant car seat on both sides. I guess the story went something like this...the babies were crying so he decided to pull both their noses. He said he was honking thier nose. The babies cried harder and he laughed! Sounds like his Dad. See what us little sisters have to endure!
I love you William. I hope you have an incredible Sweet 16!

We Won!

Last nights weigh ins turned out to be successful! I don't know about that Demos meal after the weigh ins! I am so excited. It keeps me motivated each week when we go to the weigh ins. I think Steve and Zack have lost 30 something pounds. WOW! Our total group weigh loss was something like 180 something pounds. I don't have all the exact stats-but I thought that was really great. We need to call the newspaper. I thought it was so funny yesterday all my shoes were too big. I guess my feet were fat too!!!

15 year Anniversay!

Today is our 15 year Anniversary. I feel like the Shania Twain song....Looks like we made it...look how far we've come my baby! I can't believe it's been 15 years. I feel like I have blinked and my life is a whirlwind. The last five years are the ones that have really zoomed by! Life with my honey seems to get better each day!

(Stole from Katie's blog on her anniversary.)

15 things I love about my hubby!

1. He loves me...and some times that has to be really hard. I am a bit bossy! (Adrian no comments please )

2. He loves his family.

3. He's passoniate about whatever he is doing. He does it with all his heart.. now this could be four wheeling-remote control cars, ufc,FHE, working out, scouting, Whatever he is doing he does it with all he has!

4. He is Blake and Andrew's scout leader and takes them camping to do the BOY stuff!

5. He lets the girls fix him up. He loves it when they get all dressed up with make up and dolls and dance around the house.

6. He doesn't quit something when he starts..once he makes up his mind he really tries hard.

7. He is a HARD worker. He works two jobs. I love a hard worker.

8. He is not concerned with my clothes or hair...just whatever I like he's fine with!

9. He is fun to hang out with.

10. He's happy to eat where ever I choose!

11. He watches sappy love story movies with me...although I know he would rather have an action packed.

12. Some times he gives me yellow roses for the kids birthdays because he says It's because of me that they are here.

13. He would love to have 8 more kids.

14. He's always protective over me and the children. He cares where we are and what we are doing.

15. He likes to hear me sing Karoke!!! He loves it when my Dad sings with the guitar.... And lately he's been singing Karoke too! WOW big step for ole Stevie boy.

I love you Steve!

Six months one year AnniversaryWe're having a baby!!!!Newborn Blakepregnant with AndrewSteve's scoutNewborn AndrewFour Years!!!Five Years! On this anniversary we were still in college with two little boys. We lived in a small 800 Sq. Foot house that was so cold and old (but I really liked it-Steve hated it) It cost $250 a month!!! Both of our cars broke down. We had to borrow nana and Papa's car to get to work and school!Our first garden!Our first house!Pregnant with Leah BethNewborn Leah Beth
Blake's first day of school! This was one of the hardest days for me!!! I think I cried for two weeks!Six years! We went mountain bike riding. Nana watched the kids. Leah Beth was still nursing and cried the whole time! Poor Nana! Pregnant with Caroline
Sweet little blue Caroline!

Nine years

We Won!!!

We won tonights biggest loser. Mckenzie will post all the stats...I am so excited. I think we are getting the food thing down better. We actually ate a lot more this past week than we did the week before and we were the last couple last week. Oh well. I am excited and motivated again. Steve is really motivated. It helps me stay on track because he is so dedicated. Week 4 down...Here we go onto week 5

Happy Birthday Kai and Aunt Cheryl

Kai (our niece) celebrated #10 this past week-end. Wish we could have been there to celebrate and jump on her new trampoline. Happy Birthday sweet girl. Hope #10 is a great year for you!

Happy Birthday today Aunt Cheryl....Hope you get lots of love and birthday wishes from your missionary -maybe an email or letter!!! How many more years till we get to do over the hill party! 50 can't be too far away!!!

We love you both and wish you birthday wishes!

Ethan Weekend!

The sweetest boy that steels our hearts. It's so much fun to be a Great Aunt!!! 34 years old and almost a Great Aunt twice!!! Our sweetest little great nephew came to visit his great grandma this past week end and we were able to spend a lot of time with him. His mommy Jenece (Steve's niece) is expecting baby #2! I got to do Ethan's one year pictures and have so much fun with him. My children adore him. Blake even said after they left tonight I think it would be fun to have another baby mom!!!!!!! WOW... Blake...If they could be a sweet and fun as little Ethan. We are hoping his mommy and daddy will take a trip and let us keep him for a week-end. He would be so spoiled!


Everybody loves EthanParker sharing his dinner with the little man!


Aunt Brandi
Goodbye kisses

Jence and Andy looking at his pictures