Mmmmm!!

Is there anything as good as the smell of fresh, homemade bread? Here is a picture of one of the loaves I made with my friend, Tracey, yesterday.



She makes 16 loaves of bread every Monday. Her little family of 6 surely doesn't eat that much bread in a week! She freezes some to last her family for the week, and then gives much of it away to friends, neighbors, whoever may stop by, etc. (I'm going to stop by more often!!)

Anyway, after being the recipient of a couple of her loaves recently, I begged her to give me her recipe. She said she'd rather have me come over and she'd show me how. So yesterday morning we made 16 loaves of bread together while many little children ran around at our feet. It was so much fun and so easy! I can't wait to start making my own! My kids all loved it and I know it's more healthy than what I buy at the store, not to mention less expensive. I've made bread before, but never this good and simple. I feel like a successful homemaker today! Now to go finish the laundry, dishes, dusting, bathrooms, etc to complete my roll. :-)

Fire! Fire!

Jason and his crew spent two days this week training to drive the Tiller Truck, a.k.a. the 'Hook & Ladder.' They drove it over and over again for hours- through the 'S' turn and a mock lane change, and then backwards through the course also. It looks like a bunch of fun, but this is tricky to drive because if the front driver is turning left, the back driver has to turn right, and vice verse. How confusing!

Here is a video if you'd like to watch. Jason is on the back of the truck, trying not to fly off! hee hee

Nana & Papa's house

 

We went to Nana & Papa's after church today.
Alli had the BEST time playing with her cousin Gwen. She treated her just like her favorite baby doll. She wanted to hold her the entire time! Can't wait til Gwen is old enough to run around with Allison!
The boys like to rough house with Uncle Ty & cousin Daylen.
And Mommy & Daddy like the break!
Thanks for a great dinner & visit Nana & Papa!

Another Great Visit!

 

What can I say? We love our dear friends and enjoy every minute we get to spend with them. It's so amazing to have had a friend for as long as I've had Margaret, (Aunt Maggie as Alli calls her), and to then be blessed with our children having such great bonds as well! Thanks for hanging out with us while you were in town Schimels! Can't wait til next time

Cinderella, Cinderalla...

.. night and day it's Cinderella...

 

I know this looks like child abuse, but she really loves to help Mommy with all tasks around the house! I hope that means she will love housework when she is older too! (you know, when she HAS to do it?) This little Princess is my shadow throughout the day. She is such a treat and I enjoy her so much

Lowe's Workshop

 

This morning I remembered that Lowe's was having a Sat. morning workshop for kids. I know they do this a couple times a month, but I usually don't remember. For some reason I did today. It was really fun for the boys. They love this kind of stuff. They got to make pirate ships. We'll paint them later today after their chores are done. Alli was good to just watch and plug her ears to all the noise of many kids hammering.

Truck Trauma

If you know Jason, you know how much he loves his truck.
You know how well he takes care of his truck.
You know his truck is his baby!
You would then know how much it pained him to see it look like this:




To fix his oil leak, the Ford mechanic had to take out the entire engine to find the source and repair it. (thank goodness for Factory Warranty!) This is the second time they've pulled out the engine to fix a recuring oil leak. This time, the mechanic found the REAL source of the problem- a defect from the factory in the motor block and it needs to be replaced. The engine is currently in hundreds of pieces all over the shop... bolts here, gaskets there... my husband is about to have an anxiety attack! His poor little baby! We're hoping they find all the pieces to the puzzle and put Humpty back together again properly. We've had enough automobile drama lately to last us a long time!

We're 'Stoked!'

 

We stopped by the Fire Station a few days ago to say hi to Daddy. He and his crew were working on some training. They decided to use Blake as their next "patient." He excitedly volunteered! Daddy strapped him in to the Stokes (the basket). It's quite a long process to tie all those straps properly and I was impressed watching Jason use his learned techniques.

Doesn't that look fun?




Here Blake is... ready to go!



Alli wanted her turn too!



Don't worry... that's not my little Blakie up there in that basket! They did that before we got there. But isn't it cool?

I love that my hubby can do this type of rescue. When there are emergencies, as in the Metrolink crash today, it's good to know these guys are well trained! They continue their training constantly to stay on top of things and be ready when needed! Ventura County Fire did send rescue help to the accident site to assist. Jason was called in from home to cover at the station because they sent out his Engine. If today had been his regular work day, he would be there. I pray for all the people and their families that are suffering at this time. It's very sad.