Happy Happy Birthday...

My Baby turned 7 yesterday...where in the world does the time go???

I miss my little baby but I am learning to love this stage too.

He is just the most Funny little man, full of energy and spunk.  I would

have to say his little imagination and love for life reminds me so much of myself

as a child.  Some of the things this boy says and comes up with all I can do is laugh :}

I look forward to all the wonderful memories that are yet to come and all the great

laughes.  We are so blessed to be able to be parents of such a sweet gift from God.

Happy Birthday Chandler Man!!!

Chandler playing his new Nintindo 3DS

Ry dyin for the chance to play it...

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Birthday Cake

I made for Chandler and Joe

A Little Road Trip...

We went to Colorado for the weekend for a fun little trip to

spend some much needed family time and celebrate

Joe and Chandler's Birthday.  All we told the boys is that

we were going to Colorado to go to a Museum.

We went to Real Pirates-a traveling exhibit of National Geographic.

It was an amazing exhibit of a Pirate Ship that had been discovered

in US waters.  The Story of the Whydah was so neat and seeing

all the artifacts that was found under the water. 

After the Museum we took the boys to Casa Bonita for supper.  Both Joe and I had

gone when we where young and I am sure that is has not changed one bit. 

The food for sure is not exactly the draw here-but the ambiance is unforgetable.

Mariachi Band

We got to sit in the grass hut-the cliff diver would climb the rock wall and visit with

the boys.  They got to tell him what dives they wanted to see him do.

So this is not the best picture but I Love it!!

My Birthday Boys

Elitch Gardens was our last adventure...the boys have been asking to go to Six Flags and Joe has be wanting to go to a water park with a 'toilet bowl slide'.  So Elitches was the perfect place! 

Joe and I love roller coasters and we are lucky enough that our boys too enjoy the thrill rides! 

Ry found out that he is just like his mother and cannot do any of the swing rides

without having the urge to puke.  Roller Coasters are more our speed!!!

Mister Twister II was the boys favorite Ride

The Boomerang was Joe and I's favorite Ride

Rip Curl was all of our favorite Water Slide

aka: toilet bowl

Homemade Laundry Soap...

About four months ago a friend of mine taught me how she made her own liquid laundry soap, I was unsure of how I would like it but was so excited to try and hopefully save money.  It has a different consistency than what you buy from the store but it works just as good.  I still use stain remover on clothes when needed-I will spray with Shout before I put in laundry basket so that when I go to do the laundry I don't have to go and work on any stains-I can just throw in and wash. 

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap

4 Cups - hot tap water

1 bar of Zote ( I have used Ivory soap before doesnt work as well)

1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda

 ( you can get this at plumcreek market in the laundry aisle)

1 Cup Borax

-grate the bar of Zote

-fill a 5 gallon bucket 1/2 full with hot tap water

-In a sauce pan add water and grated soap cook on med heat till soap is dissolved.

- Pour dissolved soap into bucket at the same time add borax and washing soda.

-stir till boax and washing soda is dissolved.

- next fill the bucket almost to the top with more hot tap water

-cover and let sit overnight to thicken (it will gel)

- optional: you can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil. (I do not do this as I have a little with allergies)

- Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of

way with water. Shake before each use.

-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.

-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)

-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)

- may need more for dirtier loads

I can buy a box of borax and washing soda for about $3-$5 each, the Zote can be found at wal-mart for $1.  So it cost me $1.98 to make 10 gallons of soap.  Just think of the money saved here!! We love this soap because works pretty darn good, I know what is in it, and I like the clean smell. You can also put this soap directly on stains as you add them to you load if needed.

this is what the soap will look like after left set for 24 hours

this is my fav part to mix it up so it is smooth (I like to just use my hands to do this)

then I just fill an old laundry jug 1/2 way with homemade soap

then fill up 1/2 with hot tap water and shake-ready to use

I have not fallen off the face of the earth-I just don't have a ounce of understanding when it comes to computers.  For weeks I could make a new post and even edit them but blogger would not let me publish...finally after being so annoyed I went to the help button and discovered that I just needed to update.  WEIRD who would have thought...NOT ME!

Summer has been full of activity and not such warm weather...the boys have taken art classes for a week and now are in swimming lessons for two weeks.  Riley is also taking Golf, so alot of time in the car for me, but I don't mind. 

On June 16th Chandler's tooth was so loose he could not stand it any longer and wanted it pulled-but not just anyone could do it.  Our neighbor Julie had to with her magic wash rag.  The even funnier part of this story is Chandler would not put his tooth under his pillow for the tooth fairy-he asked to keep it instead..what child does not want the money??  MINE

The New Smile

Friday we spent the day at Halsey National Forest with Nana and Papa for a day of outdoors FUN!

We enjoyed a Hike and went for a picnic

Then a little Fishing

Three Little Monkeys playin in a Tree

Saturday I took part in the Ericka's 5K Fun Run with my girlfriend Traci and her girls Ahnika and Addison.  We also took part in the Outrageous Pink Costume Contest-we didn't win but got a Free Large Pizza and 6 inch Subway out of it and of course it was all for a good cause! 

Money earned goes to educate teens on save driving.

Girls Just Want to Have Fun-even when running in a 5K

Addie and Gwennie

Chicken Salad...

3lbs. of chicken breast cooked and chopped

3 cups chopped celery

3 cups halved red grapes

1 cup chopped green onion

4 hard boiled eggs chopped

20 oz. can of pineapple tidbits (keep the juice)

Dressing:

1-1/2 cup miracle whip

3T. pineapple juice

1t. pepper

1t. salt

-Mix together and garnish with paprika. Serve in a butter croissant or Hearty 100% Multi Grain Bread. YUMMY!!!!!