Popcorn Balls

We made yummy popcorn balls for a Family Home Evening treat last night! We added M&M's, but you can also add chopped nuts, chocolate, butterscotch, or peanut butter chips or even candy corn. If you want them to look like mini pumpkins leave out the extras and dye the mixture orange before you pour it over the popcorn. Then use a piece of black or green licorice for the stem.

Here is the recipe:

4 cups mini marshmellows

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup butter

2 bags light microwave popcorn

Pop the popcorn and put into a very large bowl or cookie sheet. Melt the butter in a saucepan then add the sugar and marshmellows. Stir constantly so mixture doesn't scorch. Boil for 1 minute. Be ready with buttered hands and buttered forks to toss the popcorn mixture. Pour some of the mixture over the popcorn. Pour on some of the extras and stir. Repeat until all of the mixture and extras are gone. Form into balls and gently press together. This will make about 10 fairly large popcorn balls. Enjoy!

Nathan and more Nathan...

Last weekend we had a nice visit from Heather, Ryan and Nathan.! It was the first time they have visited us here in almost 2 years. It was their first visit since they moved to Oregon last month. Nathan keeps getting cuter and cuter every time we see him. What's a Nana to do?!

Our boy in blue at 5 1/2 months old.

Leslie helping to feed Nathan.

Nana with Nathan - I think he is starting to get used to me.

Papa is always happy to play with Nathan!

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Last month I went to Springfield, Oregon to visit Ryan, Heather and Nathan about 10 days after they moved there from Utah. It was all I could do to not go there the day after they moved there! Here are cute photos of Nathan at 5 months old when I visited them in Oregon.

All decked out!


A cutie with a cutie!


A cute photo of the boys!

LUCY...

Well I finally succombed to the pleading for another dog! I figured it was going to happen sometime anyway.

It has been 5 years since our beloved Lizzy dog died. I really think Heavenly Father must have had a hand in this because she is the sweetest little dog - perfect for our family. She is a chihuahua, daschund mix. We adopted her from the Humane Society 6 days ago.

What really got me about her online bio was that it said she was looking for a forever home. Take a look at these photos - I think she's found it!

We couldn't have asked for a more affectionate, well-behaved dog. The only thing is she snores like a bull moose!
Even with her sleeping in her bed on the floor of our room I had to put earplugs in the other night. I figure I'll get used to it after a while.

Summer trip to Utah

Our big summer vacation (road trip) was to Utah to see Nathan blessed and to visit family. Nathan is such an easy going, happy baby - we all enjoyed time with him (and his Mommy & Daddy)! We also spent a fun day at Lagoon, but we were having so much fun we didn't take any photos. Oh well those are photos in our hearts, sometimes the best kind.

4th of July

Leslie & Jesse dualing in a bouncy ring!

Nathan's Blessing Day
July 5th

Nathan with his Daddy and Grandpa's.

All the men who were at Nathan's blessing. Nathan has lots of good examples to look up to.

Nathan with his Mommy and the women who came to his blessing.

Nana loving on Nathan!

Papa with Nathan.

Jesse and me at the Oquirrh Temple Open House.

On the way home (the long way) we stopped in Shoup, Idaho and saw John, Dad, Sarah, Michael, & Mom. Happy trails!!

Charlotte's passing

Charlotte at 10 months old with her forever family.

This year we have had many loved ones pass on into the next life. Last month we tragically lost my niece Molly's 16 month old daughter Charlotte. She had a viral infection and became critically ill, her body went into cardiac arrest which caused profound brain injuries. As the doctors were testing for the depth of her injuries they also discovered that she had a fatal metabolic disease.

It is even harder to understand death when it is a beautiful, innocent child! Her sweet parents, grandparents, family members, friends, members attending the Temple and even some strangers prayed for a miracle. I prayed and fasted so hard. If love could have saved her she would be here still.

Yet this is not the end - how black and bleak would be all of our lives if we thought so! She is healthy and whole, living and loving with her Heavenly father and other family members who have passed on. Charlotte must have been an already wise child of God to bypass this life and go straight to Heaven.

We will not forget you sweet Charlotte.

freerice.com

I discovered an interesting and helpful website called freerice.com. It has various quizzes about countries, art, foreign language and vocabulary. Each question offers 4 choices so it is not terribly difficult!
The neat thing is with every right question you answer, 10 grains of rice are donated to the World Food Program. In the first 5 months of the program enough rice was donated to feed about 1 million people!

I'm not sure how it all works exactly... The website was started by an Indiana computer programmer named John Breen. It is fun, addictive (in a good way), and beneficial to others. So enjoy!

Saying goodbye...

My father-in-law Norris Ward passed away two weeks ago on May 31st. He had been failing for some time and we were praying that he would pass in peace. We drove to Idaho for the Funeral and to be with family. Heather and Ryan my son, were able to meet half way and drive the rest of the way together. All 15 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren were able to be there to pay honor to their grandfather. He would have been so proud and pleased to have them all there together.

Norris enlisted as a Marine when he was 17 yrs. old. He fought in World War II and was in some major battles. This affected him for the rest of his life and he continued to fight battles in his heart because of the things he saw and did on the battlefront. I felt that they were laying a

a true warrior to rest.

Mom and Sue

Mom with her three children



Nana with Nathan




My three handsome sons

3 generations

Leslie hanging out with Nathan. He was such a good baby the whole time! We know Grandpa would have gotten a kick out of his newest great-grandson.