What do you get when you substitute 4 1/2 cups of half & half for 1 1/2 cups of heavy whipping cream and 3 cups of 2% milk?


Back ache from stirring this concoction for 2.5 hours.
Weird curd-ily carmels with tears on top!
Garbage can full of 6c sugar, 3c corn syrup, 3c evaporated milk, 3/4c butter and 2T vanilla. (Not to mention the 4 1/2 cups of freaking half and half!)
It may be a few weeks before I can make this amazing caramel recipe again!
Huge disappointment!!!!

Happy Birthday!

 

Today is Jeff's Mothers Birthday! She is the kindest, most patient and non-judgemental person we know and love. I am so thankful to her for raising such a wonderful son. He possesses many of her angelic qualities. For that I am blessed. Lela is a selfless wife and mother, just as my Jeff is to me and our children. Happy Happy Birthday!

Hello, my name is.....

 

"Helpful?" I dropped, cracked and cleaned up an egg off of the floor today. (Smearing it around a 3 foot radius)




"Loved" immensely by his wife and kids!

 

"Resourseful" My amazing Dad on Thanksgiving day! Gives the grandkids countless rides on the tractor--around the yard and up the lane. Decided to give all 11 a ride at the same time. Good time to be had by all. And, saved a little on gas.




"Running Bear" His new and improved Indian name. Can I ever get a normal picture of this child?

 

Oh, there it is! (Sigh)




.....I am speechless..... "styling fuzzball, rabbit, tricks are for kids!, what the heck are you wearing?" Our little neice, Holly with my mom's rated #1 dress up's. (Walker had on a comparable crazy outfit for the cousin costume parade but moved with lightning speed when I grabbed my camera--We'll get him next time!)




"Humble" Yes, just like big fat Wilbur on Charlotte's Web. Humble because I am still driving my mini-van around town, instead of this hot ride! I am happy that I do not have a payment and that I get great gas mileage. Also happy that I made Jeff take this picture. He was paranoid that the car dealership people would see him! For Shame! I know you need a magnifying glass to see me... It was taken in the safety and security of Jeff's gas guzzling ride...100 yards away. Now you know!

 

"Thankful" to be in 1st grade! She loves school, her teacher and all of her friends. We are thankful for her good nature. We completely enjoyed her 1st grade Thanksgiving program---she was a green frog--hence her great lime green sweater and skirt that she was dying to wear to school!

What does my house look like at 9:29 this evening????





Oh the sweetness of a clean house on the evening of "Saturday the Special Day"
(even though it took all day and I am still not finished with my 10 loads of laundry)
I am enjoying the peace and quite of sleeping children!




VVVVVVRRRRrrrtttttt......Wait a cotton-picking minute. You two are supposed to be asleep---Not watching Bambi! (You would think a movie that is actually entertaining would have been chosen) These two may look cute and sweet to the untrained eye...but beware. Any excuse that can be used to prolong time awake has been tried, carried out and on occasion, been successful. (Kind of like tonight) They never cease to amaze me. Especially the master mind in the red and white PJ's.

I have decided to make my blog private. If interested, mail me your address and I will send you an invite. idaho.johnson@gmail.com :)JaNae

facebook pay back

* Step 1. Eat way too much sugar and caffeine
* Step 2. Empty Bladders.
* Step 3. Steal Facebook passwords from husbands
* Step 4. Add Jeff to Steve's friends on Facebook
* Step 5. Write a witty conversation between the two men on their Facebook pages(self respect and masculinity now diminished)


Jeff: Hey Steve, I was thinking, how did we do it man? How did two losers like us marry such hot babes? Those Walker sisters! I guess you can only win the lottery once!

Steve: I don't know. I ask myself that everyday. I feel lucky, but I feel bad for them...they married so below their status.

Jeff: I really feel obligated to pay her back for all she does for me. I was thinking a new Sequoia, or maybe an all inclusive paid vacation for her and Jill to go somewhere relaxing. They work so hard...they need some happiness. They do have to put up with our stinky breath every morning.

Steve: I totally agree. Did you know that poor Jill has had to drive that booger-dent excuse for a car for years now? I think a silver Pilot with leather interior would really help her out. She is too gorgeous to be driving that wreck. Oh, the guilt I feel everyday! I think a vacation for them would be awesome. I'll pay for the plane tickets. Jill has always wanted to go to Hawaii- first class.

Jeff: Steve, you always have the best ideas, and the best goatee. If I could only grow hair like that on my face, instead of my back.

Steve: Yes, but you the Silver Fox look going for you. Come on, you know the ladies dig the Sean Connery look. Anyhoo, back to the original conversation- those amazing wives of ours. They truly are the best things that have ever happened to us. I love Jill so much that I will not get mad at her (or JaNae) for stealing our passwords to facebook and writing a fake conversation for us. I will also never, NEVER invite someone to Jill's blog without her permission again.

Jeff: Good plan Steve. And I vow to always clear with my wonderful wife the pictures that I post of her on facebook, so she will look more like the super model that she is (oh, and Jill looks like one too) instead of the dead dog she resembles in this picture.

Tag--I am it!

I got tagged by my sister, Jill! She is the best! So.. here goes!

The rules:
1. Post the rules
2. Answer the six "8" items
3. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving them a comment.


8 Favorite TV shows

* The Office
* Seinfeld Reruns
* The Biggest Loser (while inhaling chocolate chip cookies and "diet" Dr. P)
* Will & Grace--I know, it is horrible! Jack cracks me up! I have been desensitized by the media, I shamelessly admit it.
* Cosby Show--a classic!
* The Tonight Show & Late Night with Conan Obrian
* SNL
* Kath and Kim
Ok, Ok, can you tell we are lame and cheap with no cable at our residence? Truthfully, PBS is on most of the time!


8 things I did yesterday

* Watched my children get on the bus.
* Enjoyed my husbands company until noon, when he went to work.
* Took Wyatt to Preschool, had to remind him not to talk about "Chucky" --interesting post to come!
* Cleaned my bathrooms. Ick
* Shopped at Walmart! Double Ick!
* Listened to Walker practice his piano, and Whit her violin.
* Helped my 3 Cub Scouts play darts with corn cobs and make teepees out of dowels and paper sacks.
* Made French Almond Nougat with my good friend Megan! So fun!


8 favorite restaurants

* Cheesecake Factory
* Taste of Thai
* The Sandpiper
* Cafe Rio
* Bajio
* Subway
* La Casita
* PF Changs


8 things I'm looking forward to.

* Finishing our basement and putting my bare feet into new carpet that I picked out!
* Thanksgiving with my family! We will miss you Jon & Caprice, Jo & Dan!
* Watching my children in the new fun stages that they explore! Wes is so much fun as an almost 2 year old!
* Teaching Wyatt to ski this winter.
* Hilarious Christmas parties with friends!
* Whitney's Christmas Dance Recital.
* Walker getting old enough to babysit the other 3!
* Another cruise with my husband.


8 things on my wish list

* My house to be immaculate while I eat bon-bons on the sofa!
* A new car????? Jeff, doesn't that sound great?
* Having my children pick up after themselves... they act like mice, leaving their little "turds" wherever they have been.
* Obesity to be officially declared beautiful! Ha Ha Ha.
* Perky 20 year old boobs--without a lift! (keep wishin sista)
* My sewing project drawer empty, which means I have finished everything that I have started, and get to go buy more fabric for another project!
* To be able to remember everything cute that my children do.
* For my little family to always enjoy being together!
......And maybe even time to stand still, while I am blogging!


8 people I tag

* Jolyn Smith.....hint, hint, hint! Start your blog! :)
* Caprice Walker
* Megan Eddie
* Cami Ellis
* Saunja Carlson
* Anne Ramsey
* Katie Sistrunk
* Tara Contreras--My new found stalker :)

6 Things I Learned Today!

1. Ricardo and Retardo Rhyme! Thanks Wyatt.

2. The youngest 2 act like wild animals in the store...they are getting away with so much more than my first two ever did shopping alone with me. I was thoroughly embarrassed! Thankfully it was early this morning and the stores were not full. No one was kidnapped, hurt, or spanked (even though I should have followed through with the spank..here I go again, crappy mom) and Wyatt's booger was not eaten, just handed to me to dispose of!

3. I hate setting Zippers-- Sewing brings me excitement and a little high, but also frustration as I am not all knowing, but still learning. Boy, I wish that I lived next door to my Mom to enjoy her ocean of knowledge.

4. I can accomplish many things when the almost 2 year old is napping and I give the 4 year old his brother's DS for entertainment. Dishes, laundry, sewing and yes, oh yes a little 30 minute cat nap! I am refreshed!

5. Walking to pick up my kids from school is enjoyable! We used the jogging path in the gully for our route! We had a great time exercising and enjoyed the warm November afternoon together!

6. When my kids get up practice their piano and leave their rooms spotless and clean, their is peace and happiness that follows suit. Good Job Walker! Hope you enjoy your well deserved hour of uninterrupted X-box!

Sunday

How lucky I am to have the children that I do blessing my home.
(WARNING---Post full of "My kids are so great!")
I am so enjoying them and the ages that they are. This morning we attended the Primary Sacrament Meeting Presentation, and indulged in all of the glory that it beholds. I think it hands down my favorite Sunday of the year---It might even beat General Conference at home in PJ's! It did seem strange to not feel the stress of helping or being in charge of the program--the first for me in five years time! The Primary theme this year was I Am A Child of God. Besides listening to my children's parts, songs that they learn and sing are my favorite. Whitney and Wyatt have practiced them especially the last few weeks. My children singing about the Savior brings heaven into our home! We sang I Am A Child of God for the closing song together, which brought tears to my eyes and a warmness in my heart! When we reunited after the closing prayer, Wyatt made sure to classify my tears as happy ones! So great!

We enjoyed our 9 year old and his great participation even though he is becoming one of the "old" primary kids that may or may not be 100% enthused with the idea of being in front of the whole ward for an hour! He was happy and I loved seeing him smile at us sitting in the pews. He also loved seeing Wes, as Wes was excited to see each of his siblings on the stand. He would shout his 1 year old rendition of their names and wave with excitement! Walker was able to sit by his friends and impressed us with his reverence throughout the program. Mom=Thankful
Walker also came home elated that the Bishop gave his class a tour of the attic during primary because they are such great kids! His teacher is the amazing wife of the bishop, who we adore! Hey---I want a tour of attic. Walker mentioned they were able so stand underneath the steeple! Sweet!


Whitney was beautiful and always brings a smile to my face as she knows every word to every song. She memorized her part all by herself the 1st day it was given. She is the ultimate daughter as we are lonely in the sea of BOYS!
We were able to deliver treats and thank yous to the Primary Presidency after dinner. The 1st Counselor mentioned that out of all the kids in the primary, Whitney was the only one that came up to her and told her thank you. She had such a desire to do what is right and make people happy. I don't know of a better trait to have than gratitude! I am so proud of her!


Wyatt our 4 year old amazed us and the whole congregation with his part in the program. When we received his part I have to admit I was a little disappointed, because his part was hard with big unfamiliar words. You are only a sunbeam once and I always love their cute simple little parts in their 1st Primary Presentation. Wyatt however floored us today. He had his part memorized in one week, and recited it today with feeling and gusto as he clenched "and owned" the microphone! As he said it a hush fell over the congregation and then was followed by ohhs and ahhhwws! Jeff & I were so proud we couldn't help to giggle. Then little Wy continued with his restlessness and wiggling up on the stand until the remainder of the meeting. Imagine that! (We need to present his patient, angel teacher with a free massage and a week of gourmet dinners!)


The Primary President gave a few thoughts at the end of the meeting, and mentioned a few things about the children who she loves. She mentioned Wyatt (but without his name while looking straight at Jeff & I) and how a month ago he gave his 1st talk practically without any help. He told the story of Daniel and the Lions Den from memory. I stood beside him and held up a picture and was so proud of him as he told the whole story, without prompts, just redirections as he was playing with a pencil on the pulpit! So funny! It was absolutely the best and I am sick that I have not blogged about it until now!

Wes and his latest "smile for the camera" smile!:)


The little spirits in our home amaze and teach me everyday. It is interesting how their little minds are as sponges. They take everything in, even if is not apparent they are listening. I am thankful for them and the spirit they bring into our home. How I need to not doubt them and their amazing abilities as children of God! They are close to our Father in Heaven and capable of so many things. I need to listen to them a little closer, learn more from their examples and become more like them. How blessed I am for their examples and their love for me as their mother! I love them more than they will ever know!

Wyatt's part...Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Mark Chapter 11, Verse 24

Election Day!

Well, Jeff & I voted early this morning. We are excited to hear who will win the Presidency. And, I am officially out of post-it notes this afternoon for all of the voting that has been happening in our downstairs precinct. It seems however (according to Walker) that John McCain was the favorite until Wes was given his right to vote. Wes always pointed to Obama on his official post-it note, to the disgust of the other children. He must be given more electoral votes then the other 3 to tip the results! If that is the case, we need to keep him away from Jonathan, our favorite McCain/Palin supporter! I am sure that "Bless You My Child" will not be coming out of his mouth!

If Obama wins in real life, I think my children will mourn tomorrow. They have been excited to see the results, but were sent to bed on time tonight. There has been a lot of friendly (we hope) competition between my children and B Hussein O supporting children at the elementary school. Whitney did mention the name terrorist when describing the competition. We did have to set her straight with a little chuckle. We have had to also reassure Walker that whatever happens, whoever wins, we will be O.K. especially if we continue to do what we know is correct, and stand up for what we believe in! We love this country, for where we live. I am thankful for the opportunity to vote this day! God Bless America!