Where Have I Been????

"When are you going to blog again?" I keep asking myself. It's interesting that with the iPhone and instagram I feel like I'm keeping up with everyone, but I would like to blog to set some family markers!!! The first is that Evie turned 3 this month. She of course is the most darling, funny, smartest, kindest, most interesting and darling grandchild, along with Ellie. There really is no competition!!!!!!! Here we are celebrating her birthday at our house. Happy Birthday Evie!!!

Step and Aubrie along with Grandma "D" all good sports for wearing royal crowns for the Princess party.
Daniel and "Bets"!!!! It was fun to have both great-grandma's at the party.
Grandpa Mark in the Sleeping Beauty Dress!!! Evie in Cinderella and I am sure that I am being Lady Tremain in this episode!!! Ellie is just plain cute!!
Fun family picture at Evie's party.
Cutest picture of Ellie at Goofy's house. The Huns went to Disneyland to celebrate Evie's birthday.
A beautiful zoo day a couple of weeks ago. We got to ride the train. It's kind of a tradition!!!!!

Adam ran in the "Running of the Leopards" this last weekend. It was a great day for running. He accomplished his goal of running a 5k in under 16 minutes. He is a leopard.
Visiting our NEIGH----bor the other night with the girls. It was a beautiful night for a wagon/stroller ride.
I'm hoping to update more often now that I am not so worried about downloading photos off my phone!!!!

Have a great week to anyone who happens to read this!!!!!

One Year Ago!!

Last year at this time we had Ellie's blessing at our home. It was a ton of fun and very special. It's fun to look back at how the little girls looked then. They change so fast!!!Daniel and Step always take a good picture. They also always make it a priority to be around for the important stuff. Thanks guys.
Evie loved playing with this train and she is always able to get everyone else involved.
Cute Adam and Ellie. They have a special bond. Ellie is a doll and keeps us all smiling!!!

WOW WHERE DID THAT YEAR GO???

ps: thanks to our resident photographer--Megs--great pics!!!

New Years Day or Birthday Party!!!

Sunday, January 1st 2012, was in fact New Years Day. But at our house we had some unfinished business from 2011. Daniel and Step were born on December 27th!!! Lucky for them they were healthy and happy and have had a great life!!! Unlucky for them is the fact that by December 27th every year their Mom is worn out and we celebrate their birthday a few days later!!!! They have been very generous in forgiving me and they are always happy!!! This year as in the past 10 years we have had Chicken Broccoli casserole for their dinner!!! It's their favorite. Also this year we had two cakes!!! One vanilla and one chocolate!!! Both were a hit!!!As you can see, when it came time to blow out candles, Evie C was a big help. First with Daniel and the chocolate cake.
Next with Step and the vanilla one. Thanks Evie... And thanks you two for being such great boys and good examples to all of us. We have been so blessed because we know you!!!

Chicken Broccoli Casserole recipe: (how I make it)

6 chicken breasts (boneless-skinless) Pan sauteed in chicken broth and diced.

1 1/2 lbs. broccoli cooked and drained

2 cans cream of chicken soup

1 cup mayonnaise

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1-2 teaspoons curry powder

1 teaspoon salt and pepper

1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese

Place Broccoli on the bottom of a 9X13 sprayed pan. Top with cooked chicken breast. Top with grated cheese. Mix the soup, mayonnaise, lemon juice, curry powder, salt and pepper. Pour over the top of cheese. Bake about 45 minutes in 350 degree oven. It should be bubbly all the way through.

Yummmmmmmm!!!!

Pictures Everyone!!!

Well I thought that the Christmas break would be a great time to take family pictures!!!!! Turns out there is never a great time. But it also turns out that family pictures are very important!! Especially to MOM's. They are a great marker of what your family looks like at a point in time.
I have found that most Men do not really like the whole idea!!!! And we have a lot of men in our family. (A couple of them didn't complain, but the pain was obvious.)
Thanks to Megan we got some good ones. She has all the equipment and know-how. You can see some of her fun stuff at thistinygem.blogspot.com or thistinygem on instagram. Meg and Thayne (above) are an adorable couple. We have had no snow this December so here is the drab backyard!!!
Adam and Jing are also adorable. Adam loves running and you can follow him at acorn.fastrunningblog.com. And Muy has a blog. muy28.blogspot.com
I like this picture of Mark and I. We are basically "empty-nesters" but manage to have a full house most of the time, which we love.
Britt, Bry, Evie, and Ellie are the cutest. They live two minutes away and provide alot of joy around here. I think Ellie spends most of her day with that big smile and Evie can pretend the socks off anyone. Watch out when you start to play with her. You will end up being (Evil queen, Jafar, or Ursula). She is always the princess or Mickey Mouse. Aren't they a beautiful family???
Well, here is the final product!!!! We are very handsome. This was painful however for just about everyone!!! But we all look like we are having fun here!!!! Anyway, here's a 2011 marker for me.

Thanks family!!!!!

Instasmiles!!!

Here are a couple of my favorite instagram photos of the week!!!! Ellie discovered the button on this Winnie the Pooh Christmas ball. It shoots snow around Pooh and Tiger while playing Christmas songs. She would laugh and laugh and then turn it off. Then on again!!!!
I discovered "Princess Dumbo" in her Cinderella dress loading up Grandpa Mark with sticky notes. Those two can really make a mess!!!! Peas in a pod!!! So cute!!!!Have a great day!!!!

COUNTING MY BLESSINGS

What a great year we are having!!!! Here is a glimpse of Ellie's first birthday!!! We had so much fun!!

Girls day out!!! I love any time with the girls!! We love traveling together.
Adam and Muy are a joy to have around and are a nice looking couple too.
Fun times in Deer Valley. We had a couple of Staycations to the Regent and then the Montage!! Of course that always includes a brunch at Stein Erickson Lodge!!! We can't go with out the little ones!!
Cute little Hunsaker family are the highlights where ever they are.

Britt, the girls and I had a lot of fun at the State fair. However the birds are not a favorite with Evie or Britt.
Ad and Muy are the movie gurus. This was just after Paranormal activity and Daniel showed up unexpectidly. It was a nice surprise but a little erie as well.

We had a great trip to San Fransisco with Meg and Thayne. We managed to fit in a Giants game, spend some time with Garth and family. The Bay Bridge is always spectacular. Are they a darling couple or what!!
These are the best boys!!!! Having a snack at Grandma D's.
I'm not sure how many times we have been on Tea Cups this year, but it has been a lot. More to come as well.
The trip to China was fantastic and I am grateful to have been with these four awesome men. They were delightful to travel with.

This scene is almost everyday!!! Grandpa Mark has found the new loves of his life and they feel the same way about him. Life is Good. I am grateful for my family and friends.

E-I-E-I-O

Well Ellie B had her first birthday party!!! She was as cute as ever and even crawled a bit.
Old McDonald is one of her favorite songs and books. She can say E-I-E-I-O!!! So cute. Britt and I had a lot of fun making soups and cupcakes and decorating in a farm theme.


These cupcakes were delicious and moist!!! (for Bryan)
Grandma Lisa and Aunt Brittany. Ellie loves Grandma Lisa.
Both girls like their Grandpa's best, and I have to say both Grandpa's like the girls the best.

All the rest of us know where we stand.
The uncles(Daniel and Stephen) gave cute BYU attire. This made Mommy happy. Big BYU fans!!!!
Ellie approached eating her birthday cake as she does everything else. Very slow and methodical. Carefully!!!!

This is pretty fun!!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY--LITTLE ELLIE