Babies Blessed!

Jayden and Bryson were blessed yesterday --

Sunday, December 28, 2008.
We were so glad to be able to be here for the blessing and that Robert, Jason, and Matthew
were all able to take part in the blessing!

Jason, Matthew and Robert all bought these British Hats (I have no idea what they are called) and insisted on wearing them in some of the pictures.

Don't they make adorable "British Boys"!?!

We have been able to go to a few castles here in England. Here we are at the Skipton Castle.

This was taken inside the Skipton Courtyard!

The tree we are standing by was planted in 1659 about the same time Robert and my ancestors were leaving England!

Eric, Kennady, & Matthew

in the Skipton Castle.

Robert, Eric, and Jason outside the Skipton Castle!

This is the Bathroom or the "Long Drop" as they called it!

Kennady's favorite room in the Castle was the bathroom or the "Long Drop" -- here she is taking a peek down the hole.

Looks like Matthew also enjoyed this room!!

The Shofforth Castle was another one that we went to see. It was actually destroyed in World War II -- but the boys and Kennady loved exploring the ruins. It was kinda fun trying to figure out which rooms were for what!

Robert, Matthew, Eric, Jason, & Bill

Matthew and Kennady in the Spofforth Castle.

Today we drove over to York to go to the Viking Museum. Everywhere we go we have to take two cars and today we got separated (due to heavy traffic) and never did find each other till we came home to Harrogate. (Andrea and Bill only have one cell phone and they can only receive calls on it -- that cell phone got left home so we had no way of finding each other.) The boys, Bill, Jason, Matthew, and Eric enjoyed their day at the Viking Museum and a few other sites while Andrea, Robert, Kennady, Jayden, Bryson, and I spent our day looking for a parking spot, feeding babies (or waiting for Andrea to feed the babies), walking through an area I would compare to downtown NYC (which Jason and Matthew said it didn't even compare to NYC), carrying babies (including tired Kennady) so by the time we finally found the Viking Museum we were so glad to be able to sit down for the 15 minutes it took to ride a little tour train through the museum we didn't care how "corny" or expensive it was! Kennady loved the Museum, the rest of us could have lived without it!

We arrived back in Harrogate -- got back in the cars and headed to dinner at Joe Rigatoni's. It was an amazingly good Italian Restaurant with more food than any of us could eat! And we could pay in American Money making it a GREAT price too!

I can't believe our time in England is almost over! We will be back on US soil before we know it!

More Grandbaby Pictures!

I'm still enjoying my time here in England. Jayden and Bryson seem to be growing more each day and staying awake a little longer (I don't get to see this too much cuz it's in the middle of the night and all they want is their "Mummy"). We are getting better at telling them apart for the most part! Sometimes we second guess ourselves and realize we had them right the first time.

Bryson & Jayden

(12/17/2008)

Enjoying a swing together!

The Proud Parents!!

At 10 days old (12/12/08), Jayden & Bryson won their first contest at Bill's Squadron Party.

"Best Christmas Sweater Contest"

Prize: $30 BX Gift Card

They were going to give them 1st and 2nd Prize but Andrea said "No, We come as a pair!"

Kennady loves to play in her little brothers' carseats!

We are amazed that she can actually get in!

(12/18/2008)

Kennady looked so cute I just had to take a picture!

She is growing up so fast! She has been sleeping with Grandma each night since I got here -- we are a little afraid what will happen when Grandpa gets here!

(12/11/2008)

No pictures of Taylor this time -- she is off to Boise to stay with her mom for Christmas. She should make it today -- after a delay in London they (Katie Crawford & Taylor) missed their connecting flight in Chicago -- but they should be in the air to Boise at this moment. Taylor and I decided that she should WAVE at every airplane she saw on her way home just in case her Grandpa and Uncles were on one of them! They could possibly be -- cuz they are on their way to England today (they may pass in the air)!

Hope everyone wherever you are have a Happy and Safe Christmas!

Artichoke Dip

Over on Pam's blog (http://crockettcrew.typepad.com/my_weblog/) it's time for our favorite appetizers. I am in England right now and don't have my recipes with me -- but this recipe for Artichoke Dip that I found off the internet is pretty close to one I have at home.

INGREDIENTS
1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 8 oz Pkg. Cream Cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chiles

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
Combine the artichoke hearts, mayonnaise, cheese and green chilies. Mix well and pour into a 2 quart casserole dish.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Garnish with chopped green onions and chopped tomato if desired. Serve as dip for tortilla chips or breads! YUMMY!

Pam -- just a note for you -- we are making your Bacon/Water Chestnut Recipe right now. Can't wait to eat them!!

More Cute Baby Pictures!

Bryson & Jayden

(Just a couple days old!)

Kennady loves her baby brothers!

Kennady and baby Bryson!

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!

Bill and Andrea were told that it doesn't snow much here in Harrogate, UK -- but take a look at this! (It kinda melted a bit before I got out there!) Taylor's school had a late start day and the Midwife that was coming to check on Andrea and the babies (yes, a house call) couldn't make it up the street so turned around and came a few hours later.

Kennady and Taylor enjoying the snow!

England and Babies!

Jayden Ray and Bryson James Howard

Born: December 2, 2008

Time: 6:09 and 6:20 p.m.

Weight: 6 lbs. 8 oz. & 7 lbs. 1 oz.

Kennady, Jayden, Grandma, Bryson, & Taylor

WOW! A lot has happened in the past day! I made it to England and already got to hold my brand new grandbabies! They are so adorable and cuddly and cute! Here are some pictures! Andrea is doing well and is already home from the hospital. I don't blame her for wanting to come home -- there were 7 babies and 6 mothers all in the same room with only curtains dividing them. No wonder people are against socialized medicine (but again -- she could have paid 90 pounds for her own room). I think if she would have had to stay another day -- I would have put up the $150.00 US. I will update again soon but right now I'm off to bed!

Broccoli and Cheese Soup

My favorite soup! (over on Pam's blog http://crockettcrew.typepad.com/my_weblog/ she is hosting Share Your Secret Recipe) This week is favorite Stews or Soups. If you want to join feel free!

This recipe isn't exactly secret -- but it is absolutely one of my favorite soup recipes!


Broccoli and Cheese Soup

3 cups water
3 chicken boullion cubes
12 oz. frozen broccoli
1 large onion

Boil above ingredients until soft.

1/2 cube margarine
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon mustard
1/2 cup flour
salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 to 2 cups velveeta cheese

Add above ingredients to boiled ingredients BUT make sure you shake your flour and milk together before adding to prevent flour blobs!!! YUMMY!!

The Hurricanes!

A couple of weeks ago Robert, Eric and I got to go watch Matthew (#4) play intramural football at BYU-Idaho in Rexburg. It was a lot of fun to see Matt out on the field again! His team (The Hurricanes) are undefeated. There are about 8 teams total. They keep track of stats and team sportsmanship! Matthew is having a lot of fun playing on the team. He said out of the 20 or so kids on the team -- only 3 are not married! Eric was a little shocked when the teams came out on the field together and ran side by side around the track once and then before the game started someone said a prayer over the intercom. Matthew said that both teams share the same locker room and when they tackle someone they have to help the guy back up (it's good sportsmanship to do this)! Matthew also said that sometimes he forgets because he is in such a hurry to get back to the huddle! A little different than High School Sports.

Matthew #4

Half-time Entertainment!
This guy was pretty entertaining! His name was Nacho. At half-time they had all the little kids chase him around the field. The first one to catch him got some free nachos from the snack bar!

Eric, Matt, and Robert
after the game!

OKAY -- I have been tagged! FOURS

I have about a thousand things to accomplish today -- and instead I am sitting here responding to Natalie's tag!

4 Random Things I Love About My Husband:
I love how he spends time with his kids!
I love how he knows something about everything!
I love how when I'm struggling trying to get something done -- he will take over and finish it! (sometimes I prentend to struggle) HEEHEE!
I love how he is so patient (especially with me)!

4 Jobs I Have Had:
A Secretary for one of my Professors at Ricks College
Legal Secretary
Bookkeeper (and still am)
A Grounds Maintenance person for the City of Magrath (I got a GREAT Farmer's tan two summers in a row!)

4 Movies I Have Watched More Than Once:
While You Were Sleeping
Mama Mia
Annie
The Sound of Music

4 TV Shows I Watch:
I really don't watch any! The only TV I watch is channel 7 News and College Football.

4 People Who Email Me Regularly:
Andrea
Debbie
Barbara-Lynn
Tricia and Dorothy (my sisters)

4 Of My Favorite Foods:
Sweet Pork Salad (at Costa Vida)
Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
General Tso's Chicken
Diet Coke (is that a food)

4 Places I Would Like To Visit:
England (will be leaving in about one month)
Canada (I haven't been there in a LONG time)
Scotland
Ireland

4 Things I Am Looking Forward To This Year (wow the year is almost over):
Seeing two new Grandsons (twins) who will be born in December.
Seeing my Granddaughters
Seeing my daughter and son-in-law
A Trip to England
(OK -- I know, these really are all one in the same!)

4 People To Tag:
Celeste Conlin
Amanda Andrews
Debbie Hall
Mary Hamm (Jeff you can too if you feel left out!)

Have a HAPPY Halloween!!!

"Quey's Maze"

For Family Home Evening this week, we got a group together and went out to the Corn Maze. We had a lot of fun -- and here are some pictures to prove just that!!

Eric and a few buddies on top of the Hay Pyramid!

Look -- I'm the little piggy!! Jana and Tara and Jana's DOG -- I had no idea the dog was there until I downloaded this picture!!

A few crazy friends who make cute cows! Oh and a Corn Stalk!

Terry loved playing in the Grain/Corn mix that was in a feeding trough for the little kids to play in!

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!

I was asked today if Canada celebrates Thanksgiving for the same reason the United States does. My answer was YES we just celebrate earlier because our Harvest is a bit earlier than here in the U.S. I decided to Google Canadian Thanksgiving and see what it had to say! The first thing I read was this, "In Canada, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October. UNLIKE the tradition of remembering the Pilgrims and settling in the New World, Canadians give thanks for a successful harvest." That isn't what I remember learning in school!! I remember learning about the Explorers and the Pilgrims!! The second article I read said this, "Thanksgiving Day, is a traditional North American holiday, which is a form of harvest festival." In case you didn't know, Canada is part of North America! In 1578, an English Explorer by the name of Martin Frobisher held a formal ceremony, to give thanks for surviving the long journey to Canada and did celebrate a harvest feast. This is considered the first Canadian Thanksgiving!

So now we know a little history about Canadian Thanksgiving! Eric and I did celebrate this evening with a little pumpkin pie FEAST! I ate 1/2 a piece and decided it was a little nasty! Don't buy pumpkin pie "at the store on the hill"! Next time I will make my own!

But to all my Canadian Family and Friends -- I hope you had a very

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

My 3 Adorable Girls!

Kennady

Taylor

Andrea
These pictures I snagged off of Andrea's blog!

The Mighty Hunters!

Hunting Season is open! The BOYS went out to get a BIG ole DEER (I think it's Deer season)! It snowed, was windy, the BIG boy got lost, and they were home 2 days early with NO animal to be found. I asked Jason if he saw any Deer and he said, "yeah 2". "Just imagine how many deer we would have seen had there been better visibility." I guess it was snowing sooooo much that they couldn't see but a few feet in front of them! Jason called home as soon as he had cell phone service and asked if I would cook up some HOT soup. He said they were all sore and freezing. They all walked in like it had been ONE BAD DAY!!! but OH WHAT FUN they had!!!! MEMORIES!!

Charles & Jason

Charles, Robert & Jason

Jason dishing up a nice warm dish of soup!

What a nice mommy he has?

Mountain Home Stake Relief Society Humanitarian Project/RS Broadcast Night! Sept. 27, 2008

Quilts, stuffed toys, hats, mittens, wood blocks, wood toys, dolls, quiet books and the list goes on!

All year the Mountain Home Stake Relief Society Sisters have been doing Humanitarian Projects in anticipation of our Stake Humanitarian Project - RS Broadcast Night! Well -- the night finally arrived and the projects came pouring in! We were told that the items would go to Jamaica (where I have a Sister and Brother-in-law serving a mission), Haiti and many other countries. Here are a few pictures of some of the finished projects. And THANKS to all those who participated and helped in any way to make the evening such a success!

Cute little Puppets! Quilts, wall hangings, and froggies!

Nine Years Old!!

Taylor turned 9 years old in England this year.
Happy Birthday to you!!!
We Love You!! XOXOXOX

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

to Eric and Taylor! We had a "little" get together on Sunday for Eric's 14th Birthday. What fun it was to have a lot of our friends here to celebrate! The only thing that could have made the day better was to have Andrea, Bill and the girls here to party with us! Here are a few pics of the day!

LOOK what Grandma found!

Hello Little Miss Kenna Benna!

I was cleaning up downstairs -- and guess what I found??

YEP!! Your "swishswap"! It was underneath the couch!!
I bet you have been missing it!
Well you know what? I have been missing YOU!
Hope you are having fun in England and enjoying all the rain and the sheep!
I LOVE YOU!! XOXOXO GRANDMA

YES! this is a DOG!

Those of you who REALLY know me -- know that I am NOT an animal person at all! I feel my fear and dislike of animals is due to some childhood traumatic experiences with the little beasts (not sure what experiences there were but I'm still sticking to that). Anyways -- due to some unforeseen circumstances -- we have Andrea and Bill's dog, Wrigley, living with us for a while and as you can tell, Eric is in seventh heaven! The pictures of Wrigley are proof to Andrea that I am taking good care of the little beast!

Look -- Wrigley is even winking at you!! :0)

PS: Eric is taking his Sunday afternoon nap. This is what going to church at 8 a.m. will do to you!

MAMMA MIA! (for the third time)

MAMMA MIA! The story of a bride-to-be trying to find her real father told using hit songs by the popular '70s group ABBA. What a GREAT movie! So upbeat and fun! I love musicals so was truly looking forward to seeing this one and it was a lot more than I expected! The beautiful scenery (makes me want to visit Greece), the cast was great and the songs were awesome!! A good mix of tears, laughter and love that will make you feel like you're a part of the gang and enjoy every bit of this movie. It really is a feel-good movie and it made me want to stand up and sing along (which the sing-along version would have been so fun to go to but is no longer playing in Boise). The singing and the dancing will put a smile on your face, and make you feel happy and as if all worries are gone. I certainly smiled during the entire movie all three times -- even when I was crying (because two of my friends were sobbing and even though I was crying it made me laugh). An awesome movie that is worth watching more than once! THANKS FRIENDS for another fun night at MAMMA MIA!! Is it VIVA LasVegas next time? I would love to see the Broadway Show!

FOOTBALL Season Has Begun!

What a football stud? Eric had his first game last week. He is playing on the MHJH (Lightweight) Football Team! I can't remember his positions (imagine that) but I do know that he plays both offense and defense! He played both offense and defense last year but I assumed it was due to the fact they only had 12 players on the team -- this year there is around 30. I will ask Eric his positions and update the post later. I love Football, especially when I have a son playing! What fun! They have a game tonight, but due to a court trial for Robert and church stuff for me -- Eric's parents won't be able to make it! BOOHOO!! So a big SHOUT OUT to Eric! and GOOD LUCK Buddy Boy!! GO TIGERS!!