Any Survivors Out There???

For sure this is my favorite show! Am I the only die hard viewer? This reality show is the best! Don't know if they can top last season....but, I'm in for the ride.

I finished watching the season premiere today (DVR is a great thing). I'm waiting for my favorite player to emerge. I have to say I am glad Jillian was voted off.......what were they thinking when they began to pick their team...hmmmm some serious mistakes! Stay tuned...my Thursday nights are booked!

Drew's Big Day

Oh my gosh, is this the cutest picture!

Well, my first little grandson is 3-years-old! Drew is the sweetest little boy. He is surrounded by girls in our family! Fortunately, Zack came along to keep him company.

I remember the day Lindsey told me she was pregnant. She waited to tell me until she was about 4 months along.....she waited because she wanted to see if she was having a boy! She did every thing in her power to make sure she had a boy. She did some reading on the subject Hmmmmm What that was....I don't know.....but it worked!

Drew is a little Stud. He is going to break some hearts when he grows up. Right now he is a Daddy's boy and I expect if Ryan has his way....he will be a football player. Actually, I hope he is a sporty kid because I look forward to watching!

Drew has two older sisters. They pretty much boss him around......don't think that will be for long.....he may have a new brother or sister soon....oooopps! did I make an announcement? Lindsey, could you please verify???

Drew loves the computer! He is constantly asking to get on it. He loves video games. He loves to swim in our pool. He is getting a little scary. He just jumps in now and somehow makes it to the side. He is a little dare devil and we really have to watch him around the pool. He is a little too brave! He is such a sweet, sensitive little guy. No one could love this little boy more than his mom. Lindsey finally got her little man. We love you Drew!

The Bennett Kiddos

The Parable of the Razor

I have a story to tell.....one of those where you could say "I told you so"......but that's not nice! Nor is it something a 15-year-old teenage boy wants to hear from his mother. So...it has not been said. Instead I am contemplating how I can turn the tables and have a lesson learned. Or better yet an open mind that includes listening to your parents without rolling your eyes.

Kevin is a typical teenager. Every Friday and Saturday night is spent "hanging with your friends" basically doing nothing. Kevin is teetering between being too young to drive and date (but wanting to) and being too old to stay home and spend his time with the "Fam." A difficult age, for sure. However, he is quite obedient after he has voiced his loud opinion.

He is my last child at home and I am "overly" protective and watchful. In our neighborhood there is a huge group of kids his age. Generally they are good kids. Kevin has a definite group of friends who are always together. Here's the story.....

Last week Kevin and his friends were "hanging out" all day Saturday. Going from place to place trying to find something to do. Evidently they have a friend who is a bit older who has his license. This licensed driver was with them on Saturday and had access to a car to drive Kevin and his friends where they needed to go. When Kevin asked if he could go with this driver I said NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! First of all, I don't know this boy, 2nd....he is a new driver, 3rd..... Does he even know how to drive, 4th..... there is a law in AZ about how many un-related kids can drive in a car with a new driver, 5th......It was just out of the question!

So the story goes.....whenever Kevin's friends decided to go somewhere else....Max or I would go pick up Kevin and take him to the next destination.....yeah, I know we are geeks but read on.
Kevin was surprisingly obedient. This is the funniest thing. At one point Kevin called me and said...."You can't believe what I am doing" "I am riding a dang razor to Rosa's to eat with my friends because I couldn't get in the car with them"....then he hung up! I was on the grass outside laughing so hard. It was one of those razors that you have to push with one leg to go. And yes, it was freaking hot outside! For a moment I felt sorry for him but Hey, he's a kid.

On Sunday I started to re-think my position. Kevin's friends are starting to drive and ultimately he will have to start riding with them at some point. Hmmmm what to do. I will have to think about this.

Fast forward to this weekend. Hanging out again on Saturday with the same friends. The licensed driver was not around this weekend. I volunteered to be the driver and picked Kevin and his friends up several times to take them where they wanted to go. I was grateful we did not have the same problem this weekend. I am totally willing to take them wherever they want to go. And I do make myself available. Well last night Kevin and his friends had talked about going to a girl's party to watch a movie outside. I had no problem with that. Kevin had been gone most of the day and early in the evening Max said, "I hope Kevin will come home early tonight" "Will you call him and ask him to" I said..."No, you call him and just ask him"
Well, it wasn't done. Then, an hour or so later Max said again...."I want Kevin to come home early tonight I am going to call him" So he did......he suggested to Kevin that he come home an hour or so early. But did not say he had to. Of course, Kevin announces his opinion, never saying yes or no. About half an hour later...Scot calls Kevin and says come home and watch the ASU came with me. (Keep in mind this is never the case.....Kevin NEVER comes home early!) Max and Scot did not know that each of them had called Kevin separately to come home early.

Well, about 9:00 Kevin comes strolling in the door...my first words are "What are you doing home so early?" He says "I don't know....guess I will watch the game with you guys" Shockaroo! I didn't know all this calling had gone on myself.

What's the point you wonder????? On the way home from the party all of Kevin's friends got in a car accident. They were in a car with a newly licensed driver (not the same boy as last week) and he ran a stop sign. Another car T-boned them. Two of Kevin's friends were injured and taken to the hospital....the others were found to be okay. Luckily, no one was seriously injured.....but I about DIED! Kevin would have definitely been in that car.

The funny thing is that McCall was the one to call and tell Kevin about the accident.....thanks girlie girl. Beau doesn't waste a minute! He was one of the boys injured. Anyway....I have goosebumps. I feel like Max was so impressed to make the call and ask Kevin to come home early. I hope Kevin had that little voice in his head telling him to listen-up. He was protected....I am glad nobody was seriously injured and I hope something good comes from this experience.

The moral of this story it....Obedience bring blessings. Riding a razor was never so good!

Come Quilt With Me!

Today was our Anniversary Quilt Day! Our quilt group has been together for four years...we have such a great time together. We met today at Heidi's home for a fabulous time, a delicious lunch, and a few hours of sewing. Heidi always goes over the top to make sure our time is well spent. So it is time for a little quilt talk!

The long summer days produced many quilt projects. This post is full of some incredible quilts made by some talented quilters. If you would like to see, read on........Unfortunately, my finished quilts are up in Utah waiting to be quilted! I feel left out! But they have been shown in previous posts! Anyway, we have so much fun oooooooing and ahhhhhhhhing over each other's projects! So here comes the quilt show!

Carol finished this cutest Christmas Quilt.
The quilting on it is
incredible!

Kim made this in about 2 days.
It is for the former YW President in
her ward. Kim is the new Young Women's
President.....woop! woop!

These two are always up to something! These are their
Christmas Gifts for friends. They are sooooo cute!

This has to be one of my favorite quilts ever!
Michelle is a fabulous quilter.

Michelle did this quilt so fast. She got the pattern at the

Long Beach Quilt Show this summer. When you wash
it the squares fray!

I think Michelle should give it to you Kim!

Andie just got this quilted...it is a really cute pattern

Okay, I am really jealous here!
This is a Houston project that a few
of us took on. It is a technique called
square in a square. It is hard
to learn and remember. We all spent some
time and money on this. Elaine and Michelle
finished....what about the rest of us?

Debbie did this for her daughter that is
getting married in two weeks. She always
makes them a Log Cabin Quilt...Cute!

Debbie is giving this quilt to the same
daughter for her wedding....What
can I say? Her girls are so dang
spoiled!!!!!

Heidi made this quilt to practice her Applique.
It honestly turned out soooo cute. The colors are so great!

We all come for the food!

As a quilt group we usually come up with a fun project to do together. This year we decided we would pick a quilt pattern and then we would individually choose our own fabric to complete the quilt. In March we will bring our completed quilt to our monthly meeting and show it. It will be fun to see what different fabric was chosen for the same quilt. This is the quilt we have chosen. It is on the cover of McCall's Quilt Magazine. It is an "American Jane" pattern. Check out their website!

Finally, Heidi gave all of us the cutest gift. Her daughter, Beth, creates designs for wall boards. She designed this one for us. We all thought it fit perfectly! There is nothing better than sitting down at your sewing machine and knowing you have two or three hours ahead of blissful sewing! Undisturbed, of course!!!! (A cold Diet Coke is a must!)

Thumbs Up for Marriage!

Tonight I did my duty!  I spent two hours as a volunteer at a phone bank calling voters on behalf of Proposition 102...(Yes for Marriage)!  This Proposition will be on our ballot in November in the State of Arizona.   I feel a duty to actively participate in efforts to help pass this Proposition to preserve marriage between a man and a woman in our State.

The Proposition states:  "Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state"  

Tonight it was quite interesting to talk to different people and make them aware of this Proposition coming up for a vote. Most of them were very patient and listened to information and were willing to say "yes" or "no" on their voting intentions.  The phone calls were not made to convince people....just to determine the support for this Proposition.  If this Proposition does not pass our Constitution will be amended and then what?????????  A lot of things will change.....and not for the better!

Just for the record.....It is extremely important that this Proposition passes.  I want my children and grandchildren to value the commitment of marriage between a man and a woman, to create families together and keep the Divine Institution of Marriage safe and sound.  

Happy Birthday Emma!

Today is Emma's birthday. She turned 7 years old. I remember the day she was born....or should I say...the day after she was born, September 11th! That kind of set the stage for the next 3 or 4 months! I try not to remember them! For some reason Emma was a nightmare. Oh she was beautiful, but WOW....she really put her mom through the ringer. She cried continually for weeks, never slept, always spit up. She went from person to person, all of us trying to calm her. I can honestly say I have never heard tell of a new baby like Emma. Lindsey, her mom, had her hands full. It was a difficult time for our whole family as we tried to help Lindsey and Ryan through the tough spots.

Fast forward 7 years.....Emma is the cutest, sweetest, little girl! She is beautiful and I love her! She is in 2nd grade now. Yesterday, I went and had lunch with her for Grandparent's Day. Her school invites the grandparents every year to sit in the lunch room with the students and have lunch together. After lunch we went to the Book Fair in the library and chose 2 books she wanted for her birthday. Then......I took her out of school to go get a pedicure for her Birthday. We had a fun time together! Emma's toes are just fancy!

Last Saturday Emma had a birthday party at her house. She and her friends had a "Late Night". They watched a movie, had popcorn and banana splits! Max and I dropped in for the fun....she got a whole crew of "Webkins" Today I stopped in to visit and give her a present and she was bouncing off the walls. She was so excited that it was her birthday!

"The Girls"

Things that I love about Emma

*She grew out of her crying stage!!!!

*She loves art things....paper, pencils, glue, paints, crayons...she is creative

*She likes to read. She is beginning to read chapter books

*She is quite sporty.....I could say tom-boyish! She will be able to whack a softball

*She loves to swim and is a very good swimmer

*Zack loves her

*She is kind and takes good care of Drew

*She loves to eat! She doesn't turn anything down and cleans her plate!

*She just lost her first tooth!

Happy birthday Emma, I love you!

The Master Baker

Max decided he was going to head up Family Night tonight with his cookie bake-off. Let me give you the history behind this. Maury Tanner is famous in our ward for his oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. He is always baking them and taking them around. We are often the recipient of a plate of hot cookies. Maury always offers to teach you to make them if you call for an appointment on Sundays..... (I think he is being funny!) But seriously, everybody clamors for his oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. When he brings them over to our house, Max goes so far as hiding them in his drawer to get his fair share!

Max finally decided he was going to try and make them. He got the recipe and made a batch while I was in Utah last week. ( I have never seen him make cookies in my life.....this was a first!) He needed something to keep him busy while I was gone! I had a taste when I got home....I have to say they weren't too bad.

Tonight he decided he would make another attempt. He totally made them on his own! He follows the directions to the last letter. (I am giggling) I guess he got special instructions from the Chief! Well, I have to say they are delicious. Don't worry that they have a pound of butter in them....no wonder!



Here's the recipe.....need I say to follow it EXACTLY!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 pound butter.....softened to room temperature (don't cheat)
4 eggs......room temperature (be sure)
2 cups C&H light brown sugar...firmly packed
2 cups C&H white sugar
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp vanilla
4 cups flour
5 cups Old Fashioned Oats
1-2 cps of Girradelli's chocolate chips

If butter does not have time to REACH ROOM TEMPERATURE you can microwave for 20 seconds. Try the room temperature thing though!

In mixer add butter and sugars together and beat until creamy. Then add your eggs one at a time until thoroughly incorporated. Stop mixer and sprinkle in salt, soda, powder and vanilla. Slowly blend together and when ready alternately add flour and oats until well mixed. Add chocolate chips.

Bake in pre-heated oven at 400 for 11 to 12 minutes on cookie sheet. Cookies need to be golden and slightly soft in the middle. Time may vary a little with each oven. Remove from oven and let sit for 3 minutes before removing to cooling rack. Enjoy!

MMMMMMM Yummy!

Flying, Family, Fabric, Fun, Finished!

It was a must! A little trip to Utah to visit my mom. I FLEW ...just a little break from the Arizona heat and a chance to visit my favorite quilt shops! That works!

I had a great time in Utah these past few days. I had a chance to spend some time with my Mom and FAMILY. I think I wore Mom out! She looked pretty tired today when I left. I don't think she is use to the chaos that comes with visitors. Although we spent a lot of down time....we did our fair share of running. We took a day and went fabric hunting....my favorite! We ended up at "Material Girls", a fabulous shop in Riverton (I think). Oh my gosh....it was so FUN! Of course we found a pattern and FABRIC for our next get-together in October.

"The Shopping Queens"

Lunch is a must. We stopped at Kneaders and had a great sandwich. We all got desserts to taste. They had some pretty tasty things. Since we have all started to blog.....we are always taking pictures! Linda is always trying to out do me!!!! You know it's true!!!!

"Lunching"

I had the chance to help Mom make a quilt she has been wanting to do. She is really getting the hang of this quilting thing. We almost finished the blocks. She has one more set to do. She will have to post a picture of her finished project. I am waiting Mom...... Cari is also doing the quilt thing. I took some time and helped her get a few things done to finish up a couple of quilts she is working on. Plus......look at this cute little girl...Cari's youngest Halie. She is a doll! Cari had to help Linda put up some signs for their upcoming Garage Sale (you guys are so funny) so I took Halie to lunch with me. She is a sweetie. (Actually, how do you spell her name?)

Ohhhhh so cute!

Cari is keeping up with us!

Okay....now for the drum roll......I FINISHED two quilts while in Utah. Both of them were quilts that I did with my sisters. Yes, I am working on all those unfinished projects! I left them up in Utah with a new quilter my sister found. I am anxious to get them back.

"Block Party"

"Flutterby"

So....on to the next quilt project in October....as Linda put it......Yipee!