Half Blood Prince

Holy crap-it's about stinking time that they put the trailer out for the newest Harry Potter movie.



Should be interesting. I just hope they didn't leave out anything key. The last couple left major parts of the books out and I hope they don't do that this time. Let the dang movie be 4 hours long, I'll sit through it (several times probably). Seriously-I really hope it's done well.

SYTYCD-2

Wow, that is about all I can say. I actually called it tonight. I'm not surprised that either Chelsea or Mark were voted off. Both are very good in their own right, it's just that the other 4 were better. The finale is going to be a nail biter for sure!!!

My little Bjorn Borg.....

Lost tooth #2

Seth lost his second tooth last night. He was very excited. The tooth fairy also paid a visit to our home and left a dollar under his pillow. He's been talking about what he wants to spend his dollar on. I'm hoping it won't take several months for the next tooth to come out.

At the Park

We got invited to go to the park yesterday with some friends. It was a decent day so we couldn't pass up the opportunity to get out of the house and expend some energy. It was hot but there was a nice breeze that made it tolerable. We all had a really good time!

I LOVE this playground because it's covered. Genius!

on the bike path towards the park, Paige could hardly contain herself.

Seth is a monkey.

Keegan loved the twisty slides.

Seth and Avery chasing cups down the slide.

the rock wall was a hit for sure!

SYTYCD

Last night's show was fabulous!!! I have never seen better dancing the whole season. The Pasa Doble was my favorite version of it by far. I've never really enjoyed that particular style but last night changed my mind. And yes...I was THRILLED when Katee and Josh were partnered back up. They have the best chemistry I feel and watching them dance was a pleasure. My other favorite dance of the night was the jazz routine done by Courtney and Mark.
All the dancing was so well done, it will be interesting to see who goes tonight.......

Anyone who doesn't know.....Dan is an avid computer player. Always playing some sort of game. When our other computer was working I'd play right along with him. It was our time together. Usually it was after the kids went to bed so I didn't feel bad about ignoring them! haha Our favorite game to play together was Diablo. My sorceress is 75th level. Oh yeah...she's bad! Anyway.....

Dan's been playing this space game and last night after everyone came in from outside they all gathered around and watched him. It was really funny to see. Seth kept asking questions about the game like if he hit the H button would he go into hyperspace. At that point Dan hugged him and said "I'm so proud".... Yeah-we are computer nerds and we are teaching our kids to become computer nerds. I thought the picture was priceless. All the kids sitting around Dan watching him play.

Buggies

Our evening ritual usually includes the kids playing outside after dinner until it get so dark that you can't see your hand in front of your face. It's so ridiculously hot here that playing outside during the day is all but impossible.
Tonight was no different. After dinner they all proceeded outside to run off their energy. After about 45 minutes of running amuck Seth came all flustered. "You gotta come out and see this huge bug...PLEASEEEEEEEE". Dan and I just looked at each other and wondered what it could be. Dan even said that he wouldn't be surprised if it was a tarantula. Yeah...that didn't make me excited about going out to see what the kids had discovered. Oh boy......
So we go out and Dan sees it first. With the "Oh man" that he belts i'm not exactly running towards the thing. By they time I see it we are all trying to figure out what the heck it is. We decide it's probably some sort of beetle but aren't real sure. It made it's way up the side of the house and apparently disappeared from view. The picture doesn't do it justice, the thing was a few inches long. Any guesses to what it is?

Tummy Yummies

So Danielle, you have inspired me. I have decided to dedicate an entire blog to just recipes. I thought it might be easier to have them there instead of all over our family blog. Unless there's something special about a meal or a recipe, I'll post them there. So add it to your bookmarks and tell your friends.

HTTP://WWW.YUM-OTUM-O.BLOGSPOT.COM

Yeah, the name makes no sense, but everything else I tried was already taken. Bummer. Oh well. Feel free to stop by and say hi!

There's nothing better than going to McDonald's for ice cream, letting your kids run amuck with the other kids getting all tired out and then coming home, having family prayer and going right to bed.

It's just wrong...

WHAT IS AMERICA THINKING??????????

I mean really, who voted Will off? He was one of the best dancers on the show. I don't understand how they could keep Mark and toss Will. I mean Mark wasn't even in the bottom two. SHOCKER!!!! I know Debbie Allen is just dying right now....so sad. I demand a recount...

I guess it just goes to show you that you never know what it going to happen every week.

Shortbread Squares

The boys and I got the baking bug this afternoon. So we decided to bake some of these! They did most of the work. I just put in the pan to bake. They turned out so yummy!!





Shortbread Squares
1 C butter or margarine, softened
3/4 C sugar
1 lrg egg
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/4 C all purpose flour
2 C mini chocolate chips*

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Beat butter and sugar in large mixing bowl until creamy.
Beat in egg and vanilla, gradually beat in flour.
Stir in 1 C mini chips. Press mixture onto bottom of ungreased 9x13 pan.
Bake for 30-33 min. or until top is light brown. Immediately sprinkle with remaining chips. Let stand for 5 min. or until chips are shiny. Spread evenly.
Cool completely. Cut into squares.

*i didn't use the mini chips. we had white chocolate chips and mini kisses in the freezer so we used those instead and just didn't put any on the top.

Keegan Reads Thomas

We got this book for Keegan. It's his favorite bedtime book (even though I will sneak in a different book every now and then). Well I have to brag for a minute. We read it last night and then he told me that he would read it to me. So I figured he'd look at the pictures and make up a story to go along with it, which would have been spectacular as well. But it was different this time. He opened the book and read it back to me word for word. I was stunned!! I mean he is only 4 years old. Seth was about this age when he started reading so I really shouldn't be surprised. We have been concerned that we weren't doing the same with Keegan that we had with Seth. But apparently we are doing ok. He loves books and all things Thomas so reading a Thomas book first isn't that surprising, I guess.
I just wanted to share the joy we have right now with our Keegan!!

The Clone Wars

I am a HUGE sci fi geek. Love all things sci fi. It would explain my fascination with the sci fi channel, badly written and poorly acted B movies etc. It started when I was little because my dad loves all things sci fi as well. I was quoting STAR TREK movies by the age of 5 and had gone to see STAR WARS in the theater (the first time it came out-I was 2). It has fed my love for these things. I also ADORE all things STAR WARS, I can quote every movie by heart and that would explain why my cell ring tone is the Imperial March from Empire Strikes Back. So to just add to the hype of my life George Lucas and his infinite wisdom has decided to release THE CLONE WARS animated version that basically tells the story in between what happens in the movies. So when I saw this trailer I about jumped out of my skin!!!!! I am very excited to add this to my archives of all things geeky. Yeah, I'll be there on August 15. It may be a "date" night with Seth...I'm starting them early!

Mama got a new do

What do you think? It's shorter than I've ever gone, but in this heat I could not stand to have it long anymore. It's a hundred times easier to take care of than before and now I don't have to worry about putting it up in a pony tail every waking moment.

Computer Kaput

As we were finishing Sozin's Comet Saturday night the fury of Mother Nature unleashed and we got a crazy storm. Lightening and thunder all over the place. We had all the windows open watching the storm (during commercials of course) and as the credits for the movie were playing lightening hit on the next street over. I screamed, yeah I screamed. Scared me half to death, Seth then freaked out (the other two amazingly slept right through it-not sure how they did that since they were asleep in the living room when it happened). There went our power and the computer. It's kaput. So last night we went to get a new modem thinking that would be the wisest course of action (well that's the what the tech guy suggested anyway). When we got home, we found out it wasn't in fact the modem that got fried, it was the Vonage router. So we have no phone right now. Internet is up and running, but no phone. At least we have our cell phones.
It's amazing how dependent we are on technology. We went all day Sunday and all day yesterday with no computer or phone and it will probably be all this week before we can acquire a new router. Just lovely.......

Goodbye Aang, Katara, Sokka, Toph.........

I am on the verge of crying. Seriously. We've been watching a show since the beginning and it finally came to an end. AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER has been a staple in our house for a long time. We have all the episodes on DVD up to the final week. We LOVE this show. We watched with rabid fascination to the finale on Saturday. It was so good and we have now come to the realization that it is over. No more Avatar. It's very sad. It was a wonderfully done cartoon and if you haven't seen it, I recommend getting your hands on the dvd's and watching them. It's TOTALLY worth it!!!!

Because I have serious issues...





where's all the harry potter hype? I'm just as excited about that one and I can't find anything on it......

I Have Been Tagged!

ME AND MY HUBBY

How long have you been together? Married for 7+ years

How long did you date? first date was october '00 and got married in april '01

How old is he? 30

Who eats more? him, but I think I like food more! :O)

Who said "I love you" first? Dan did (I think)

Who is taller? Dan by a long shot

Who is smarter? I can hold my own but Dan can do long division in his head. I think he wins

Who does the laundry? Me.

Who does the dishes? Me.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I do, otherwise Dan wouldn't hear the alarm clock.

Who pays the bills? Me, he makes the money, but I gets to spend it!

Who mows the lawn? our lawn isn't big enough to mow. But I guess he would weed eat it (we also have mostly rocks.....so no need to mow)

Who cooks dinner? Me, me, me, me, me

Who is more stubborn? we are both stubborn, but I can hold out for an eternity if necessary

Who kissed who first? He kissed me first.

Who asked who out? Dan asked me out after a singles dance

Who proposed? Dan did and I was like "ok sure" -how romantic......

Who is more sensitive? me for sure

Who has more siblings? Dan 6 me 3

What were you doing 10 years ago? getting ready to enter the work force, considering grad school in UT, not wanting to get married at all and having a seriously fun time with friends.

Five things on my to do list? spray weed killer on the lawn, spray bug killer around the house, do the dishes, finalize what cake I'll do for Paige's birthday, and I should probably clean the living room.

Things I would do if I was suddenly made a billionaire? Pay tithing, buy a house, furniture, a new car, give money to my parents, give some money to Dan's mom, put money away for the kids' missions and college, travel travel travel, donate to the susan g komen foundation, invest and whatever the heck else I feel like doing!!!

Three of my bad habits? trying to control things I can't control, perfectionist, self loathing.....

Five places I have lived? Germany, CO, NC, UT, AZ to name a few......

Five jobs I have had? baker, teacher, community services coordinator, deli cashier, inventory puller at scrapbook company

Things people don't know about me? i'm just about as looney as they come!!! and I want to learn to play the banjo (hey why not?)

I will pass this along and tag Valeri, Janelle, Jillyn, Danielle, Mandi and Monica. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!!! Copy and paste these questions and your answers on your blog. I look forward to reading your answers.

Fabric for $1 & Christmas

Walmart had selected fabric pieces on sale today for $1 a yard. A sewers dream come true. I have my patterns cut out, knew the exact amounts of fabric I needed for 3 pair of shorts and 2 dresses. So I rallied the troops and we headed off. Wild dreams of walking right in, getting the EXACT fabric I wanted (they wanted), getting it cut and walking to the register and paying for it.

YEAH RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What the heck was I thinking??? Seriously, my little fantasy couldn't have been more off. The sale started at 7am. We got there around 830 and all they had were these plastic bins with really badly colored wool blends. No wonder no one had picked them up. So I figured well, we'll just find some really cute "cheap" fabric. I found a really pretty apple pattern for Paige's dress (I am now down to 1 pair of shorts each for the boys and 1 dress for Paige). Then I let the boys pick out their fabric. All was happy in the universe. That is until I saw the line to get the fabric cut. Holy crap..........I seriously think these women only come out of their houses when Walmart has a sale on something. The line was backed up from one end of the store (where the fabric was located) to almost the other end of the store and there were only 2 ladies cutting the fabric WHY DON'T THEY GET MORE HELP WHEN THEY KNOW THERE WILL BE A MILLION PEOPLE????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? So after waging war in my head on whether we should stay we reluctantly put the fabric back and headed out of the fabric area. I found some cheap fabric still and was eagerly waiting my chance to have it cut and get home and start sewing. Not a snowballs chance in.....well you know how it goes. So we ran off to the toy section, whole heartedly defeated, where I secretly gathered a couple of items for Christmas.

Yes I said Christmas. I had to pick up a few other things so I placed the items under things and around things. They never even suspected. Now I have to say that's talent......(but it took my 5+ years to do it...). I hate waiting until the last minute to do my Christmas shopping. Meaning when December 1 rolls around, I am usually done. I'd like to spend December focusing on why we are celebrating, not really worrying about sales or this and that. So I usually start shopping in July. Little things here and there usually add up in the end. I have my list of who's getting what and any extra random ideas I have. So now is the time to start preparing. Happy Christmas in July ya'll!!

Another Boy for the Riehle Clan

It's a boy for JJ & Sam. Our nephew and his wife just had a baby. We are all very excited for them!
They are in Indiana so we got the news via email.

John Rockford Riehle was born on Monday July 14,2008. He weighed 8 lbs and 3 oz. 20 1/2 inches long.

CONGRATULATIONS you guys!!!

(I'll post pictures when I get some.)

That cannot possibly be comfortable

After folding some clothes I came into the living room and found Paige this way. Right beside Seth as he played on the computer. That child can seriously fall asleep anywhere. I wish it was still that easy!!!

Wall E

We took the family to see Wall E on Saturday. It was a cute movie. I would recommend it highly! I love animation and this one was top notch. The story is good and the characters are endearing.

The down side...Paige could have cared less about the movie. Lesson-don't take a 1 year old to the movies. It's not worth it especially since you have to pay $4.75 for them to sit through a movie that they are too young to understand.....but that is an argument for another day.

GO SEE THE MOVIE!

It's all about the obsession. To know it is to love it!!
Here's the article if you want to read it.

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20211840,00.html


It's really too bad that I can't find all this hype about the new Harry Potter movie out a couple of weeks before. I'm just as big of a Harry Potter geek as I am a Twilighter. So sad....

(thanks Janelle!!)

Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars

We made these for FHE the other night and they were a BIG hit!! I saw the recipe on Barefoot Contessa. Enjoy!





1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
2 cups (18 ounces) creamy peanut butter
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 1/2 cups (18 ounces) raspberry jam or other jam
2/3 cups salted peanuts, coarsely chopped

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Grease a 9 by 13 by 2-inch cake pan. Line it with parchment paper, then grease and flour the pan.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on medium speed until light yellow, about 2 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, add the vanilla, eggs, and peanut butter and mix until all ingredients are combined.

In a small bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the flour mixture to the peanut butter mixture. Mix just until combined.

Spread 2/3 of the dough into the prepared cake pan and spread over the bottom with a knife or offset spatula. Spread the jam evenly over the dough. Drop small globs of the remaining dough evenly over the jam. Don't worry if all the jam isn't covered; it will spread in the oven. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts and bake for 45 minutes, until golden brown. Cool and cut into squares.

Scramblewiches

Sorry no picture with this one. We ate them too fast.

This is courtesy of Rachael Ray's book: 365 NO REPEATS. It was super easy and super yummy!

Scramblewiches
4 servings
1 baguette (day old is fine) split lengthwise
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 pound deli sliced ham, turkey, pastrami or corned beef
8 large eggs
a splash of milk
1 tsp hot sauce (I omitted this b/c I don't like hot)
salt and pepper
4- 6 deli slices of swiss cheese (use whatever cheese you like), cut to fit the bread
chopped fresh chives or parsley to garnish

*I added scallions to my egg mixture and it added the perfect amount of onion flavor-use your imagination to make it yours!*

• Preheat oven to 200 degrees.

• Crisp the bread in the low oven, and hollow it out. Cut each bread in half again, across, making 4 boats. Switch the broiler on.

• Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and melt it. Add the meat and cook, separating the pieces for about 3 minutes. In a bowl beat the eggs with the milk, hot sauce, salt and pepper. Add to the meat and scramble, keeping the eggs a little soft. They will continue to cook in the oven.

• Divide the eggs among the bread and cover with the cheese. Melt the cheese under the broiler. Take it out as soon as the cheese softens and melts. Do not brown or allow the cheese to bubble, there are eggs under there! Garnish with chives or parsley.

ENJOY!

Wimbledon

OH MAN!!!! ( I can't get the grunting in there sorry). Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE TENNIS!!!!!!! I watch all the majors. Yesterday was no different. I got up and watched the final match between Nadal and Federer. Holy crap...... There wasn't a down time in that match. Except during the rain delay's but that's beside the point. I watched all 4 hours and 48 minutes of it. It was worth every second. I haven't seen a match like that in ages. I was yelling and hoorahing with the best of them. Dan kept laughing at me. I told him that if he was allowed to do this during football season I could do it during tennis.

It was a GREAT match. I'm glad I got to be a part of it, even though it was a world away and I was at home watching it on tv.
I am ssooo ready for the US OPEN now!!

It's about time I tell you.

Geez. Paige is almost 2 and I just finished her baby book. Oh man...I knew it would take a while but good grief, didn't realize it would take me this long. I'm just glad that it's done. Now I can focus on getting the rest of our pictures caught up (I'm about 2 years behind).
Here are a few of the pages in her book.

The Main Event

The main event. The whole reason for the 4th and the one of the best parts!!!! Well my favorite part anyway. After swimming we came home for about an hour and washed off all the chlorine, changed back into our holiday wear and got snacks and water ready to go to the ball fields with the ward to watch the fireworks. This ward really does band together. We have spent all day with friends from the ward. For the fireworks, folks gather to the left of the bandstand (seriously it was a local band on a flat bed truck.....welcome to small town America) on one of the ball fields. We got GREAT seats this year because we were right in front of the pyrotechnics guy. AWESOME!!!!!! Once again we were surrounded by friends from the ward. The kids played with the other kids while waiting and we chatting the evening away with everyone around us. Then finally they started!! When the announcer came on to start the fireworks he said that Sierra Vista's is the 3rd largest display in the state of Arizona and it has the best grand finale in the state. That's a lot to claim so I hope he isn't wrong. People have been saying all day it's a great show. Fox and his family planned their vacation around being here for the 4th. So that says something right there. Yippeee!!!

Paige liked dancing to the music.

Dan chatting it up with everyone.

some of our friends from the ward

Seth LOVED playing with all the kids there.

Bubbletastic-thanks Carolyn!!

Keegan feeling all patriotic!

winding down

me, my boy, and my sunburn!

here comes the show!!

one of the floor shows

Keegan and Paige fell asleep before the grand finale. How they could sleep through that I'll never know.

the grand finale. this sucked up all my camera batteries. Just glad I got all of it!

All in all it was a GREAT day!!! We spent all day together as a family with some good friends. It's been the best 4th we've had in a long time!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!!!!!!!!