Zoo visit for 2009

Every year for the last few years, My Mom, me,the kids, and usually one of my bros, go to the zoo. This year Jessica and Shannon could come since they're at home with their boys now. So Friday we ( my mom, Blake, Jessica, Adam, Shannon, Beau, Me, Luke, Abigail, Carly, and Dallin (my cousin's little boy I babysit)) headed to the zoo. It was crazy busy, but we had a great time.

I'm glad there were so many adults to help with all the kiddos.

On our way to the zoo (the pics are completely out of order)

Too hot for fleece p.j.'s????

I think so! I guess I'm always worried about my kids getting cold at night, I should start worrying that they could drown in their own sweat!

hiking

Today, I went hiking with my cub scouts. I thought the hike would be too hard for the kids, so I asked my Mom to watch them. It turned out the trail was lots easier than I had remembered. Also, Luke found out what I had done at scouts, and he was not very happy about being left out. So when Ben got home from work tonight, we all went to Nature Center trail off Mountain Road. The kids had a great time, and it got them all pooped out and ready for bed. Luke blessed in his prayers tonight that we can go hiking again tomorrow.

Hospital Stay

Last Saturday Carly started running a fever. The Dr. kept calling to check up on her, and she acted like she was fine, she was playing and laughing, then that afternoon she didn't want to eat and she started all at once taking really quick short breaths, so I ran down the the insta-care a block away from my house. The Dr. admitted her to the hospital, but we still weren't sure exactly what was wrong. A long story short... after four days at the hospital, repeatedly being poked, IV's and x-rays, they diagnosed her with streptococcus pneumonia bacteremia. They said it was hard to diagnose at first because it was in the early stages, and her tests kept coming back negative. But luckily we caught it quick, and they did a few rounds of antibiotics at the hospital, and then sent us home with some. A big thanks for all the prayers in Carly's behalf. Carly's doing great and she's loving being at home.

P.S. sorry to those that I said I'd do the sugar fast with. Since I'm nursing Carly still, I got to order all the food I wanted... so I ordered dessert with every meal, and in between.

Recipes

Here is the recipe that I promised to my R.S. friends-

Cheese Soup

1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. carrots- grated
1/2 c. onion- minced
1/2 c. celery- diced
1/2 c. flour
dash of salt
dash of paprika
4 c. half and half
4 c. chicken bouillon
16 oz. american sharp processed cheese, presliced
16 oz. ish - shredded hashbrowns (or country style (square), but I don't like it as much)

saute and cook first 4 ingredients. Blend in flour, salt, and paprika. Add half & half and chicken bouillon. Stir and cook until thick. Do not boil. Add cheese a slice at a time, stir until melted, then add potatoes and simmer for 5 minutes. Feeds 8-10 people.

Here's the recipe I promised for my cousins-

Chicken Cordon Bleu Bake

1 pkg. (6 oz.) reduced-sodium stuffing mix
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 c. milk
4 c. cubed cooken chicken
1/2 tsp. pepper
a few sliced of deli ham, cut into strips of squares
3/4 c. shredded swiss cheese
2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

prepare stuffing mix according to package directions. Meanwhile, combine soup and milk. Set aside. put chicken in a greased 9x13 in pan. sprinkle with pepper. Layer with ham, swiss cheese, 1 c. cheddar cheese, soup mixture, and stuffing. Sprinkle with remaining cheddar cheese. Cover with foil and bake @ 350 for 30 min. Uncover, and bake 10-15 minutes.

I make 9x9 pans and freeze one for a different meal. To thaw, leave in fridge for a few hours then cook according to directions.