Mountain Pies

This weekend we camped at Caledonia State Park. Soon after setting up camp we started building our fire for mountain pies! I haven't had these since I was a child while camping at Camp Eder.

Once the fire was under way I started putting the pies together. Mountain pies can be made many different ways. This weekend we tried peanut butter and chocolate!

Ummm... toasted to perfection!

You know it was good when the chocolate oozes out onto the plate and smears onto your face! Thanks Tracey for reminding me of this childhood pleasure and for giving us the idea of peanut butter and chocolate! They were delicious!

Our day with Jaxson

Jaxson Peterson spent the day with Kaden and I today. The boys started out playing cars.

Before long it was time for snack!

After snack I enjoyed a medley of songs at the Jaxson/Kaden concert!

After we had our lunch, it was time for Honeybun to have hers.

Time for a little outdoor fun!

Kaden did a little bird watching. (Maren, I included this picture for you!) Notice the sludge still in our yard -- UGH!

Peek-A-Boo!

Once back inside it was time to rest. Jaxson found a Spiderman blanket and pillow in the boy's room that he snuggled up with. Kaden napped and Jaxson and I watched one of his Barney DVD's. Kaden cried when I laid him down, he wanted to be with Jax! Every so many minutes Jaxson was asking if it was time for the baby to wake up! Jaxson was a joy to have! He and Kaden had a great day together!

Pack Meeting

This past Tuesday night was Cub Scout Pack Meeting.

Sister Milam presents Avery and Bryson with some of their belt loops and one bead for work they have achieved since becoming Bears in May.


This month's theme was trains. A special guest came with part of his train collection. The boys loved it, especially when they each got their turn to operate the train!

Maren and Karen, you both did a great job on your first Pack Meeting! Thanks for all you do for the Cubs and their parents!

Now I'm it!

I was tagged by Maren. So, here goes...

What was I doing ten years ago?

I was a stay at home mom with three young children, ages 4, 2 and 11 months! My church calling was teaching the 13 year old Sunday School class.

What was I doing five years ago?

By this time I have six children, ages 9, 7, almost 6, two at age 4 and a 2 year old. I was second counselor in Relief Society. My mother was in fairly good health at this time. She and my dad would come over nearly every weekend so Dale and I could have a date night. Boy I miss those days!

What was I doing one year ago?

At this point I have seven children, ages 13, 11, almost 10, two at age 8, age 6 and a 7 month old. My church calling was the same as it is today, Relief Society President. I now have a built in babysitter, so Dale and I can date again, just not every week!

What was I doing yesterday?

Running around, like most days! I ran to Taneytown to search the Thrift shops for winter clothes for Kaden. I ended up with summer clothes for next year for my three oldest boys. Kaden was with me. Our next stop was Food Lion for this week's bargains. Once home we had lunch and Kaden went down for a nap. Later in the afternoon I took Brady to Gettysburg for his orthodontic appointment. While he was in the chair, I walked the streets of Gettysburg. We rushed home so I could meet up with Shelley and walk again, this time the streets of Littlestown! When I got home there was homework to check and kids to put in bed.

What are five snacks I enjoy eating?

1. Cheese Its, especially Cheddar Jack
2. chocolate covered bridge mix
3. frozen homemade chocolate chip cookies dipped in hot chocolate
4. nearly anything that qualifies as candy
5. pepperoni pizza

What would I would do with $100 million

After tithing, pay off all debts. Next, buy a large piece of land, build a new and larger home. My husband could then quit his job and work in his own shop when and as he pleased. Yes, he would still want to work, just not for someone else. I would set up college funds for all my children. We could travel as a family and not have to camp in order to do so. But, since we like camping, I would buy a new, big RV with all the bells and whistles! There would be a scrapbooking room in our new house with all the latest gizmo's and gadgets. Anyone could use my stuff for their scrapbooking! I would hand over the rest of the money to Dale. He is so good at saving and investing! We could then use our money to live off of and help others.

5 bad habits that I have...

1. cracking my knuckles
2. buying things because it's a bargain
3. napping every chance I get (which isn't often enough!)
4. buying scrapbooking materials that I don't NEED, but just have to have!
5. not reading my scriptures every single day.

5 things I like to do... (In no particular order.)

1. Scrapbooking
2. Eat
3. Get lovin' from my children and hubby!
4. Shop for bargains
5. nap

5 TV shows that I watch...

1. CSI (all three of them)
2. Last Comic Standing (Lavel should have won!)
3. The Young and the Restless (Shh..don't tell!)
4. The Today Show (I just love Ann Curry!)
5. Cold Case

5 biggest joys...

1. Kaden! (Ok, ALL of my children, but you know how it is when they're still a baby!)
2. Spending time with Dale (I have been blessed with a wonderful husband.)
3. being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and all it entails.
4. Finding a great bargain on food or clothes for my family
5. Loosing a pound!


Seems like everyone who reads my blog has already been tagged except Shelley!

Shelley, you're it!

Another good laugh

Last night after we had already gotten the kids in bed, Avery came back out to show me his lip. He told me, "I have a saucer on my lip, and it hurts!"

What he meant to say was "ulcer". I can't help but laugh when they mess up on words like that! I'm still laughing over the gasoline on Bryson's lips!

Bath time

This evening Kaden went into the bathroom closet and came out with the bath bubbles. After handing them to me, he pulled back the shower curtain and attempted to remove his shirt. What a change from nine months ago when he hated taking baths!

I love these curls! I don't want to ever have to cut them, (but I know I'll have to some day!)

Kaden Michael, 19 months

Not just anyone can catch a fox!

Watching Kaden play with my fox puppet, (part of a puppet collection from my pre-school teaching days) reminds me of a story my paternal grandfather used to tell. My grandmother's maiden name was Fox. Grandpappy used to say, "I caught a Fox! Not too many men can say that!"

Other "famous" lines from Grandpappy:

"How did you sleep last night? I slept with my eyes closed!"

"I'll see ya the next time I look at ya!"

And my all time favorite, spoken when needing to use the bathroom...

"I must pass my water!" (Best when spoken with a heavy Pennsylvania Dutch accent!)

The latest cure for chapped lips

For the last couple of days, Bryson has had sore, chapped lips. Yesterday he had a dental appointment along with Avery and Brady. Bryson was the last to be waited on. When he was finished, he came hurriedly out into the waiting room and announced, "I have gasoline on my lips!"

I could not control my laughter!

It was nice of the hygienist to give Bryson VASELINE for his lips at the end of his appointment!

The downfalls of big feet

Kassie loves wearing flip flops, she has several pair. To wear a pair of shoes takes forethought, and a good reason to have to wear them. She wore flip flops this morning to Seminary. She forgot about needing sneakers for gym class later that day and got on the bus still wearing her flip flops. Forgetting your sneakers won't get you out of gym class, although she wishes it would! (Kassie HATES gym class!) No, instead Kassie had to borrow a pair of shoes that the gym teacher had on hand for such occasions. Unfortunately for Kassie, they were not her size, but that didn't matter, she had to wear them anyway.

Kassie had to cram her size 11 foot into a size 8 1/2 shoe! OUCH!

Just one time around the track and she was hurtin'! I think next time she'll ditch the flip flops and remember to wear sneakers to school instead!

A Wagner visit

Yesterday my father's brother came to visit! Uncle John and Aunt Jean came last year in the spring for a visit, bringing one of their granddaughters along. This year they brought their son Jeff, his wife Tracey and their four beautiful daughters -- Laurel, Sarah, Autumn and Lindsay.

Uncle John and Aunt Jean with my mom and dad.

The grandchildren with their grandparents

Mom, if you get any shorter, you'll have to start standing in the front!

Before they left, we just had to get the rabbit out! I love this picture of you, Lindsay!


Nice pic of you too, Laurel! Look at that cute little sister by your side!

We had such a nice visit! It was hard to see them go! Hey Tracey, let's not wait another eight years before getting together again! Wow! Had it been that long?

It's all about the hair

Lori, you were so right... the hair has to be long enough to fling, especially when getting out of the pool! Well, now that we're done swimming for the season, it was time to cut the hair!

Ahhh... much better, and even Dale agreed!