Happy "Dixie" Halloween

I am sitting here, occasionally answering the door to pass out candy, ready to update my blog for the second time in one day. I have just turned on my air conditioner--walking to the door can really make one sweat. This year Halloween has been going on all week long. It started Saturday night with Trunk or Treat at the ward. This in an event we have never experienced. Everyone got really into it. It helped that my kids knew that we should decorate the car, without them it would have been---an undecorated car. Next year we will go for music and lights, maybe. With buckets full, we came home. I was done--there was no reason to go out again. We even found that we had some mice in our house named Meagan and Aubree (cousin), who ate candy all night long, instead of sleeping. Definately no more trick or treating.

The note from school at the beginning of the week announces that there will be a parade (a no-no at Holbrook from the time Emily was in 1st grade) and that the kids can wear their costumes all day at school (AHAHAHAHAH!!) Boy, am I glad I am not teaching now!! But instead I signed up to help in Meagan's class. My assignment craft (AHAHAHAHAHAH!!). Not being the craftiest person, I decide that crafts are dumb and I am going to do something they really want SLIME. After practicing on the neighbor kid (Thanks Cooper), I am ready. The excitement in the air signaled a fun day, but 24 1st graders and slime don't always mix. I am glad that finally I could send it home with them. I am sure their mothers will not speak to me anymore.

Brian and I have reached a pre-empty nester stage. I am sure their are more to come. Emily called her friends and arranged trick or treating with them. Ashley is gone with her friend, so Meagan was left with her choice of people to take her trick or treating--Mom or Dad. No choice for her. I hope they come back soon.

PS--I am glad this holiday is over (I hope).

TIN GRINS ARE IN!!

Here is the new smile. Emily got her braces on yesterday at Dr. Christian's office, complete with pink and green rubber bands. It was easier on her than she anticipated. During the "procedure" she was able to watch TV on the ceiling. When I walked in to check on her, after running some errands, I was sorry I hadn't brought the camera to the doctor's office. She was really quite relaxed with her mouth forces wide open, it was quite a site. She is having trouble chewing saying "it hurts to chew." But she is eating little bites and swallowing her food. I am sure by the weekend she will figure out the eating thing again. She talks a little different and smile a bit different, but she is still Emily and we love her!

Up, Up, and away!!

At Meagan's urging, Brian and the girls finally made it to the airport to "shoot off" with the planes as they were taking off. Since Meagan has starting riding with two wheels she has wanted to go up to the airport to watch the planes and also to ride with them as fast as she could. I think they did a lot more watching, it is one of Brian's favorite things to do (remember his birthday party in 2001, before September 11th). So we took a lunch (ate in the car) and they rode up and down the road by the airport near the fence. We were surprised and pleased with how busy the airport road is. Now if we will only be able to find the box with the helmets in it.

Our Trip to Bountiful

What fun we had with friends and family in Bountiful. The weather was colder than we were expecting, but still we had a great time. On Wednesday, we relaxed and G&G's and then went to see our friends the Seegmillers. In the evening dad took the girls to the rec center to swim and mom with to dinner with her friend Kirsten (which ended way to early). Thursday morning we went and saw our old neighborhood and friends and then met G&G Sully for lunch at the COB (Church Office Building). We even got to go up to the 26th floor, where we met some nice people from Australia. Friday was the day the girls looked forward to, going back to Holbrook. We were warmly greeted and it was so fun to see every one and catch up on things. The girls all had sleepovers, after pizza at Grandma K's. Brian and I even got to hang out with the Martin's after that. Saturday was our work day. Brian replaced a window at Grandma K's and I ran the kids around from one house to another. There are many people we did not even get a chance to see. I am sure we will be back soon and hopefully can see others. We love and miss you all, but in the end it is good to be home again.

In Search of the Great Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

I am in quest of the perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe. Yesterday I found another recipe that claimed to be, and we gave it a try. I know I have done fairly good when Brian will sit down with 3 or 4 and a tall glass of milk to eat them. He will not do this with any cookie. The requirements for good at our house are:

• Chewy (must be soft)
• Crispy (on the outside)
• Taste good (ok, obvious)

My oven is where I am learning still, its the convection part I am having trouble with. I made browning last week that after cooking for time period required were still soft and runny. After doubling the time they were not much better.

We are also debating at our house milk vs. semi-sweet. I am a semi-sweet fan, but others (we won't name names) are milk. I really don't think the cookies taste right with milk chocolate. There will be a poll on this blog so you can vote for your favorite.

Anyway, I have two good cookies, but am willing to try yours, just send them too me. I am looking for ordinary chocolate chip cookies--no fancy stuff. These is a link to the one from RecipeZaar (#101041) that I like and the other is from Paula Deen. Enjoy!