Solar Cooking

A really cute older lady that I go to church with taught a class on how to use solar ovens. I used mine for the first time yesterday. It worked great. I didn't even have to heat up my house. I think I want to get one more so I can cook bigger meals. I do have five kids (six if you include my husband). If you want to read up about them you can go here.

Kaitlyn

Leslie's little girl Kaitlyn turned three yesterday. We celebrated last Saturday with a party in the park. Happy Birthday Kaitlyn!!

Green Bookshelves

Here are the before and after photos of my old bookshelves I redid. I really like how they turned out.

I am just starting to get this room together, but you get the idea of how its going to look.

Party

Brennon got invited to a party this Saturday. He is so excited that he kept following me around the house yesterday asking me to read the invitation.

WaaaHaHaa!

I gave Warren some of my hot chocolate to drink on Saturday. He managed to get the perfect villain mustache and goatee. I think he is adorable!

Lots of projects!

I have been busy painting my house. Right now I am working on the 22 foot walls in my living and dining room. It has been interesting trying to get up that high. I used a long pole to get all the way up the walls, but I had to get a long latter to get around our upper windows. It was pretty scary up there. I am happy to have it finished.

Look at the cool dresser I got at a yard sale last weekend for $40. I am going to refinish it and put it in my craft room. I am planning on putting my wrapping paper in the long drawers, and also adding wooden dowels across the mirror to hold ribbon. I will post when I am finished with it.I got busy stripping it today. It is going to be a lot of work.

I am also working on a set of bookshelves for my living room right now. I am painting them green. I will post them when I am finished.

Taco Soup

6 corn tortillas
1 small can stewed tomatoes (Mexican style)
¼ onion, chopped
¼ green pepper chopped
¼ red pepper chopped
½ can chopped green chilies
1 carrot, chopped
1 clove garlic
2 chicken breasts, thinly sliced
2 cups chicken broth
1 sprig cilantro
Monterey Jack or Cheddar cheese, grated

To cook the tortilla chips:
Take tortillas and stack about 6 high and cut into ½ inch strips. Cook a handful at a time in hot oil until crisp. Drain on paper towels and set aside.

For Soup:
Blend tomatoes and garlic in blender.
Heat a little oil in your soup pot and cook onion until wilted. Add tomato mixture, the rest of the vegetables, and chick stock and heat until boiling.
Add sliced chicken and cook on low for about 45 minutes or until chicken is tender.

To serve, put a handful of chips in bowl, add soup and top with cheese.

This is a recipe I got from a friend in Texas (thanks Meredith). I usually change the recipe up a bit, I use regular stewed tomatoes and 2 tsp. of Mexican seasoning. I also use canned chicken instead of fresh. It makes this dish super fast. Maybe I will do a post on how to can your own meats.

Lunch at the mall

After I do Leslie's hair she always takes me out to lunch. This time we took our lunch to the San Tan Mall. They have an outdoor play area. We ate while the kids played.

I tried to get Kaitlyn to stay still, and let me take her picture.

She wanted to throw mulch instead

Warren thought she was so cool!!

Poor Savannah didn't feel too well

Garryn was fine in his stroller for a while

Then he wanted out to play like everyone else

Devon is always willing to help his younger siblings out

Darren

My old friend Darren came over last night. His brother Jess and his family came over as well. It was really nice to see everyone. I realized this morning that I forgot to take any pictures. So I am posting a really old (about 12 years) picture of Darren. He doesn't look that different now, but he doesn't have the braces anymore. Darren is such an awesome guy. He has kept in touch with Devon all this time. When he first met Devon he was only one or two. Now Devon is almost sixteen. We are looking forward to meeting his wife and kids, next time he is in town.

Amber's latest art

Here is Amber's latest picture she drew. She has been wanting me to cut her hair. I think this is how she wants it.

Flag Ceremony

On Friday Brennon got to participate in the morning flag ceremony at school. He counted by 10's. I was very proud of him. Ms. Hughes isn't super short, the boys are standing on a bench

10, 20, 30, 40, 50 skip a few 100

Warren and Leslie celebrate a birthday

Warren had a birthday on September 28th and Leslie had her birthday on September 17th. We celebrated them together.

Even Leslie got to wear a birthday crown. I am sure she was supper excited about that!

Bad Blogger

Sorry, I haven't updated for so long. I have lost my memory card reader, so I can't get my pictures on my computer. I am hoping Devon can find it when he gets home tonight. Wish us luck.