yummy...

Tonight for Family Home Evening we made some of our family's favorite cookies. I thought I would pass along the recipe for anyone interested. I love this recipe because it is so fast and I have NEVER messed it up!!

Cranberry-White Chocolate Cookies

Makes about 2 dozen large cookies

2 1/2 C. all-purpose flour

1 tsp. balking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. baking soda

1/2 C. butter (softened)

1 1/2 C. sugar

2 large eggs

1 1/2 C. white chocolate chips

6 oz. dried cranberries

zest of one orange (optional but nice if you have an orange laying around)

combine: flour and next 3 ingredients; set aside.

beat: butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; gradually add sugar, beating well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until blended after each addition. Add orange zest.

add: flour mixture to butter mixture gradually, beating at low speed until blended. Stir in white chocolate chips and cranberries.

roll: dough into large balls and place on lightly greased baking sheet. cookies don't spread much so you really don't need to allow too much room between cookies.

bake: at 350 for 10-12 mins. or until lightly browned on bottom. Cookies are very lightly colored when cooked they never really "brown".

** I have tried this recipe with splenda instead of sugar and I really liked they way they turned out. They were more like a dense scone but still VERY tasty. With all these cranberries in them I like to consider them a health food. ENJOY!!

Another post!!!

I know it's almost unheard of, me posting so often in the same week I am really going to keep you all on your toes. You will never know if I am going to keep Mitt up for two months or post 4 times in a week. We had such a fun day today I felt like making a little slide show. Today the kids and I went to a "teddy bear clinic" at our local children's hospital. As we arrived and signed in each child got a backpack filled with goodies and then went around to several booths that had different freebies (I LOVE FREEBIES). Every child was also fitted with a new FREE bike helmet. After the booths we took our dolls and bears to a clinic to get checked out. First stop was the triage nurse then on to a doctor who ordered any further testing or lab work. We then went to the appropriate test or lab and I am afraid all three or our stuffed animals ended up in surgery. We got their broken bones taken care of then it was off to the pharmacy to fill their prescriptions. All the nurses and doctors were so great! They spent tons of time with the kids making sure they understood what their "babies" needed and explaining what they were doing. In the parking lot they had the fire department with a mobile home that they filled with smoke to show kids how to get out safe. We also got to check out the ambulance and lifestar helicopter. What a great FREE day it was. As we were leaving Jake said he wants to go again next year to see what they are giving away. I am a little embarrassed to say he gets that from me. I am all about the community free/cheap things around here. I took lots of pictures and recommend this event to any of my fellow Amarillians (sp?) next year.

A day at the park

A couple of weeks ago the local t.v. sports guy started asking for people to email him with challenges. He was up for any kind of challenge (sports, board games, foot race, bingo what ever). He would choose a challenge to accept then come to you with a film crew and capture the challenge for all to see. When Jake heard this throw down he was all over it. He begged me to email Brad Frailick to challenge him to a little one on one "hillbilly golf". I went ahead and emailed him and later heard back from him that he was very interested even though he had no idea what "hillbilly golf" was. I sent him a link to the wikipedia definition and he set up a good day and time to meet us. Today was the big day and so I packed up the four kids and we meet Brad and his camera man at our favorite park this evening for the big challenge. It was so much fun for Jake!! I was nervous that Jake would get a little emotional if he didn't win so I kept prompting him about being a good sport. I was very proud of Jake (there were no tears shed at anytime). The segment will air on Monday night and they said that there will be a link on their website for people to watch the edited version of the challenge. I don't want to spoil the outcome so I will include the link in a later blog for all to view. Here are some pictures and a short video we took tonight. Enjoy!

I am now starting to reconsider the whole park trip with the kids. I got out of the hospital three days ago after being admitted for lung complications and breathing problems. Perhaps playing with the kids in a giant sandbox is not "just what the doctor ordered."

The things a 4 year-old says...

Last week when I was picking up Jake and Riley from their after school program I commented to them how much I really liked their after school teacher. There was a small group of children around me who heard me say this including Brooke who looked over at the teacher and then at me saying, "but she's black!" I was shocked and appalled at her response. I immediately wanted to grab my children and leave so I could have a little conversation with Brooke. I turned to her and said, "Brooke we like all good people we don't care what color their skin is." To this comment Brooke says, "We don't like BLACK people." All I could think was where did I go wrong???? A rag-a-muffin of a little girl next to us then says, "we don't like black people in our family either." I quickly told her, "well we do!" The whole way home I tried to explain to Brooke and the other kids that all people are our Heavenly Father's children and that we like all good people regardless of their skin color. Later that night when it came time to read a book I made sure that book was one of our many children books that have a black character in it. I really wanted to drive my point home to my children that we like all people. The very next day we were in the same gym picking up Jake and Riley and the teacher approached me with some paperwork she needed me to sign. Brooke was holding onto my hand and watching this teacher very intently. When Miss Tiffany bent down to say hi to Brooke I got a little nervous as to what would be said next. Brooke looked right at her and said, "we LIKE black people in our family." She chuckled and said that she liked white people too.

That could have gone a lot worse....

I swear we don't have a favorite kid....

I know what everyone is probably thinking... another Morgan movie. We love all the kiddos of course but Morgan is at a particularly cute stage in her young life. Jacob decided to teach Morgan how to skateboard and she REALLY loves it. She is such a foldy, floppy baby that she has no problem staying on. I know the video is a little dark. I didn't realize that the lights were all off when I shot it. I hope you all enjoy!!

I've been tagged!!!

Well my very good friend Brooke tagged me so I guess I better not disappoint.

1. What were you doing 10 years ago?
Hmmm... 10 years ago I was engaged to my sweetie and anxiously awaiting our big day to arrive. I was also working at an elementary school in Bakersfield, CA as a sign language interpreter.

2. What were you doing one year ago?
Let's see one year ago I was pregnant with Morgan and just starting my second year at Caprock High School as a sign language interpreter.

3. 5 snacks you enjoy
I really haven't meet a snack I don't enjoy. I would have to say that five of my favorite ones are: cheese, kettle corn microwave popcorn, apples, any baked good that Jeremy has made (He is an AWSOME baker), and chips and dip.

4. 5 songs you know all the words to
Well to be honest I can butcher any song out there. I honestly can't think of one song that I know every word to. The sad thing is that I am the primary chorister and without my little posters and visuals I totally mess all the kids up and sing the words wrong.

5. 5 things you would do if you were a millionaire
Totally be out of debt (thankfully it would not take a million to get us out of debt), start a business with Jeremy, be a stay at home mommy, take my whole family on a fabulous vacation, upgrade to a much bigger home that has an awsome laundry room, I am talking about at least 2 washers and 2 dryers. I also love the idea of a "family closet".

6. 5 bad habits
I never write thank you notes (to my defense I do try to always give a thank you phone call...does that count?) I can't seem to keep up with my family laundry situation. I volunteer for too many things until I am totally stressed to get it all done. I want to be a better Visiting Teacher. I let leftovers sit in my fridge WAY too long.

7. 5 things you like doing
Watching my "must see t.v.", talking to friends and family on the phone, planning a really fun family home evening, cooking a nice dinner, and going on vacation with my family.

8. 5 things you would never wear again
I really don't have an answer to this one. I have very little shame when it comes to me and my bargain clothes. I will wear almost anything that fits (or almost fits).

9. 5 favorite toys
I don't have many toys. I guess my favorite things are my computer, my DVR and my cell phone. How did we ever live without these things???

Now I am going to tag... Mighty Em, Amanda, and my Mother.

First day of school

Cute clothes courtesy of Carl, Heather, and Aubrey

Monday was the big day back to school for everyone. I can't believe how tired I am!! This year I am back to full time at the high school which means that Jake, Riley, Brooke and myself all have to be ready to walk out the door by 7:30 each morning. It is such a struggle but I must say that we have done very well so far this year (4 whole days). Much of our morning stuff MUST be done the night before or we would never make it. I always have their baths at night and clothes laid out for them on the couch along with backpacks. Everyone is really enjoying their teachers this year. Brooke is going with me to Caprock High School where they have a day long pre-school program. I love having her on campus and being able to check in on occasion. She is growing up so fast. It makes me so proud and sad at the same time to see her jump out of our van each morning with her little backpack and run up to her classroom. She is has such an independent little spirit. After school Jake and Riley both go to an after school program and wait for me to pick them up. The program has lots of games and sports for them to do and they changed out the adults in charge this year so I am thrilled. I thought the whole thing was sort of run badly in the past but this year they have an older real no nonsense kind lady running it (by older I mean not a 19 year old high school drop out like last year). They only have to go for about an hour so I feel ok about sending them. Morgan is at home in the mornings with daddy and then goes to our primary president's house from about 11:45 until I pick up at about 4:00. She has lunch with Sister Woods and her 2 year old son then takes a nap and waits for mommy to get her. Brooke says, "Morgan thinks she is going to school but it's just babysitting..." Everyone is good and tired by the end of the day and that is how little children should be.

Hand me downs

We LOVE hand me downs. My brother Carl called saying they were cleaning out their attic and had lots of clothes that their daughter Aubrey had out grown. He wanted to know if we were interested in them. Ummm... DUH! I jumped on that opportunity and about a week later two HUGE boxes arrived. The clothes seemed to never end. I was pulling out one outfit after another. I was shocked at the amount of clothes they had sent us. The really great part was most of the clothes were sizes 4-10 perfect for my girls now and to grow into. All of the kids had funny things to say when they saw how much there was.

Jake: "Aubrey has more clothes than the mall"

"Do you think Spencer has any hand me downs?" (Spencer is 4 and Jake is 8)

"I think this Halloween shirt can be for boys too." (Jake was really feeling a little left out)

Riley: "What will Aubrey wear now that we took all of her clothes?"

"How did Aubrey know I love sparkly shirts?!"

Brooke: "Why are there sooooo many jammies?" (I am embarrassed to say that we have maybe bought 2 pairs of jammies for our kids. They are use to wearing stained t-shirts to bed)

After unpacking the boxes the girls started trying on outfit after outfit and Jake started climbing the mountain of clothes. I can't tell Carl, Heather and Aubrey how excited they made the Clement family. Thanks so much for sharing!!

Morgan's new tricks

I have been bragging to everyone about Morgan and all of her cute tricks. I finally got out the camera out and captured some of my favorites. Please disregard my annoying voice. I know it's cliche but, "do I really sound like that"?!?!? EWWWWWW







If you can't tell her tiger impression is my favorite. She is going to be a lion for Halloween so we are really trying to get her ready by working on her fierce RAWRRRRR.

Primary Activity Day

I just realized I never posted these pictures so I am doing a belated post. Last month we had a pioneer themed primary activity. The kids had lots of fun singing pioneer songs, making pioneer crafts, and playing some pioneer-y games. It was all very authentic until it got to the Otter Pops but hey, what can you do those bad boys work out to about $ .04 a piece. Here are some photos of the kids enjoying themselves. Notice the VERY nice pioneer clothes, these were their Halloween costume last year. As a Mormon mommy I knew we could get some extra use out of a pioneer costume. A big shout out to my mom for sewing them all.

Seperated at birth???

Famous actor Steve Zahn
(not quite as famous) singer/brother-in-law Sean Taylor

Happy Birthday baby...

Where do I start? You will never meet a man that is more beloved by his children. It is so heart warming to witness the homecoming that the kids give to Jeremy on a daily basis. Jeremy gets home from work most nights between 8:15 and 8:30 and when the kids hear the front door start to open they give their Dad a hero's welcome every night. It is so touching to see all three of the older kids come running and jumping to hug their Daddy. After Jeremy sits down they start to take off his shoes, rub his feet and all three are going over their day with him at the same time. I know this is the best time of the day for Jeremy and I know that it is because of him and his great fathering that he gets this sort of a hello everyday. I am very lucky to have Jeremy be my eternal partner, friend, and co-parent. Thank you so much for being such an example of love, and patience. Happy birthday baby, I love you!!