"Fine" Woodworking

Whenever he gets the chance Jimmy loves to sand on his 'stumps' (as I refer to them). He's been working on these two pieces for.....ever now. I think he plans on making them into tables. Teagan likes watching him sand about as much as I do!

A Mother Can Gag on a Day

"The years rush past as every older woman will tell the young mothers who complain that they still have two little ones at home and it seems like forever before they will all be in school. Oh no, they say, time flies--enjoy them while they're young--they grow up so fast...The mothers agree that indeed the years do fly. It's the day's that don't. The hours, minutes of a single day sometimes just stop. And a mother finds herself standing in the middle of a room wondering. Wondering. Years fly. Of course they do. But a mother can gag on day." --Jain Sherrard

This is what I caught the kids doing in quiet time...Need I say why I LOVE 8-year-olds???? (that would be the sleeping one who also got Teagan to sleep.)

"Better Than the Factory" Whole Wheat Bread

I have been determined to find a great bread recipe that uses only whole wheat, is easy to make (i.e. doesn't have a ton of ingredients) and that my family will actually eat. I finally found one. In fact, Hali claims it's " better than the factory" and Jimmy was totally impressed. It actually came from the LDS church's "All is Safely Gathered In" pamphlet with a tiny ingredient addition that makes a HUGE difference. So, for all of you that have been asking me for the recipe...

YUMMY WHOLE WHEAT BREAD

1 tablespoon yeast

1/4 cup warm water

2 1/2 cups hot tap water

7 cups whole wheat flour

1/2 tablespoon salt

1/3 cup oil

1/3 cup sugar

7 tablespoons wheat gluten (this is the secret ingredient)

In a small bowl, mix the yeast into the warm water (adding 1/2 teaspoon sugar will help it grow). In a mixing bowl blend the hot water with about half the flour. Add salt, oil, sugar. Mix until blended. Add yeast mixture. Add rest of flour with the wheat gluten to make dough stiff enough to just clean sides of bowl. Knead on mixer (I use the KitchenAid with it's dough kneader attachment but I'm sure you could knead it by hand if you have to) low setting for 10 minutes. Separate into two balls. Place in two oiled bowls, cover and let rise until doubled. Roll into loaves and place in loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled again. Bake in 350 oven for 30ish minutes.

You are going to love how great this whole wheat bread turns out. It isn't crumbly and you can cut it as thin as you want without it falling apart. Ahh...wheat gluten. Who knew?

Oh What Do You Do in the Summertime?

The kids love to swim in Gramma's pool whenever they get a chance. They love it when it's "Gramma's Day Off" because they know they'll get to play Poison Finger, Stir the Pot, and Baby Dolphins with her. (She so has the 'fun' gene. I think that skipped a generation with me....) All of the girls are getting so adept and comfortable in the water. Leah even likes to scare Gramma and have a go in the pool without a floatie. Roman is still not too sure about the whole swimming thing. He doesn't feel very comfortable getting in the water if there are more than two other kids in there. Mel doesn't like to be splashed because she is convinced that once the water goes in her ear it will never come out again. (You should see her with her headband she wraps snugly around her ears afterward.) Hali's favorite games are diving for the diving sticks, although she gets a teasing streak once in a while and likes to pull Gramma's leg and give her a surprise dunk. Watch out, Hali. Paybacks!

Oh, brother!

When we were at the reunion at H.A.R.P. Teagan was enjoying the grass and having a good time until...oh brother, her brother! He found a small collection of tiny baby frogs (or toads, I don't know the difference) and proceeded to try and throw them on me. (there is a reason I was given ONE boy!) When my threats of every priveledge he has being taken away he went for an easier target...poor Teagan! (forgive the upside-down pic. I couldn't figure out how to fix it...I'm learning!)

You Know You'e a McDaniel If...

The Elmer McDaniel/Herberta Hippler reunion took place over the weekend (July 18-19) at the Hammond Area Recreation Park in Bloomfield. (Such a pretty place!) It was nice to see everyone again, since most of them we only see once a year at the reunion. There was a slide made on the side of the hill with a huge plastic tarp that the kids had a ball sliding down. Hali and Mel starred in the volley ball game, though Mel scored most of her points with her 'talking smack' about the other team which Uncle Larry found hilarious. There was also a pond that the kids fished in (sorry-no pics of that). On Saturday night there was a cashless auction which Jimmy was the auctioneer of. Most everyone participated and it was a huge hit. Eloise made up the questioneer which consisted of 52 diff. questions that you earned points with. One of them was "You know you're a McDaniel if..." Some of the responses included: "You're a Mormon." "You pray before every meal." "You eat beans and potatoes." "You save everything." "You wear boots." "You love your family." Although I'm not a McDaniel by blood, I'm glad to be married into such a great family and thankful my kids can claim they do. Other interesting facts to note: Uncle Rolly was the 'oldest living McDaniel' at the reunion. Teagan was the youngest. Aunt Geneva scored over 1000 points just for all the animals she owns (come on, she owns a cattle ranch, how fair was that? :) ) Oh! and Geneva has seven (I think) books that she has written, illustrated and published. They are children's books about life on the cattle ranch, all based on Benjy and Bert's kids: Celeste, Bo, Rainey, Belle, and Manning. There's another one on the way which will likely have a book written about him. That about wraps it up. We missed all the Fine people that weren't able to make it down...I think the next reunion is going to be at Eva's cabin up in Utah next year. Maybe we can all plan on that one.

In addition....

So...we are nearing the final stages of "The Additon" (yeah!) We are working on painting right now and expect the electrician to finish his part next week, then flooring and FINALLLY we can move in. The entryway is on the wall of the existing dining room which will be a passthrough way and the 'red' room is going to be the new family room/dining room. Upstairs was going to be three separate bedrooms but in the interest of family politics (who shares a room with who and who gets left out, yadda yadda) we are leaving it one big room for all the girls. Anyways, hope that helps all you out-of-towners visualize it better.

This One's For Gramma...

Jimmy and the girls found this "little cutie" (as quoted by Leah) in Gramma's yard. They wanted to rescue it from Gramma's impending "chop-chop" (also known as a garden hoe for those unfamiliar with that particular weapon). They clearly did not inherit their love of all things scaly from their mother!

I love you

I kicked the kids outside the other day (Teagan was asleep) while I exercised. I got done and forgot about them until I heard a little knock on the window. I went outside and on the porch sat my four oldest kids proudly displaying their artwork of freshly picked grass, flower petals and weeds. They had arranged them to spell out "I (heart) U" on the porch. Of course I melted and then Roman asked, "Can we come in now, mom? We want an ice cream." Ah, never for nothing! Never for nothing. Gotta love 'em!

Teagan's Blessing Day!

Jimmy blessed our little Teagan Shenene today at church. It was especially neat because she was named after her Gramma Shenene and today was Gramma 'Nene's birthday. Happy Birthday, Gramma! Thanks to Aunt Lisa for the cute outfit. Teagan was too big to fit into the blessing gown that all the other girls wore. We were so happy to have Aunt Heidee, Mykaela, Aunt Mandee, Uncle Johnney, Dominic, Bella, Aunt Lisa and (of course) Gramma and Grampa Hammond there to support us. We love you guys!

That Stings!

We just got done with our Fourth of July festivities and Roman's ended with a wasp sting from the tire swing. I came home from a bridal shower and found my boy's face so swollen I could hardly recognize him. I did the worst thing possible and freaked out, scaring all the kids. Good thing our paramedic Uncle Robbie lives right next door! I rushed over to his house and he helped us out while Aunt Lisa calmed me down. After U. Robbie gave him some Benadryl I took Romy to the ER where all the nurses gave him immediate attention (I was in and out in an hour and half! A MIRACLE!) He got some shots and a prescription and I got a little more peace of mind. It will take a few days for him to look normal again but we are all so thankful he is improving!

Temple Trip

Hali, Melody, Roman, Leah, Teagan and I took Gramma Hammond down to the Albuquerque temple so Gramma could seal her dad to his parents. We were so happy to be a part of the experience. The kids loved walking around the temple grounds while we waited for Gramma. They sang, "I Love to See the Temple" (except for Hali who would rather get a shot in her arm than sing). Afterwards Gramma treated us to "Chucky Cheese" where the kids had a ball!

Teagan Shenene

On March 19, 2008 we were excited to welcome our newest addition to the family. Teagan was born at 9:14 weighing in at 8 pounds 1 ounce! She is growing and growing. Now three months old, the kids all love her. I don't know how anyone has a baby without an eight-year-older to help out!