A "Real Cute" Picture of Cooper?

Once again, we loved watching Max and Cooper while Chris and Sarah went to Utah for Sarah's cousin, Annie's wedding. We had a great time going on walks while Max rode his big wheels,riding the four-wheeler, feeding the horses next door, visiting Grandma Roma, making valentine cookies and cards, and just having fun playing together.

Max loved rummaging around in Chris' closet for new toys and one day he came up with the above picture and said, "Look Nana! I found a picture of Cooper!" "He's real cute!" I had to tell Max that the picture was one of his daddy when he was a little baby, just like Cooper.

Max replied, once again, "He's real cute!"

Another time, we were feeding the white horse next door carrots and we could feel the horse's hot breath on us as we tried to give him the carrots without getting our hands in the horse's mouth. We kept laughing as we continually dropped the carrot because the horse was so anxious for it that we were worried that he might bite our fingers. Max later told his parents that "we gave the horse carrots and the horse smelled me and then I smelled the horse!"

Baked Beans

Here is the recipe!

Auntie Maida's Baked Beans

2 cans pork and beans
8 T. catsup
4 T. molasses
4 T. brown sugar
bacon pieces
4 T. bacon drippings
2/3 C. chopped onions
2/3 C. chopped celery

Fry up desired amount of bacon (several pieces)and save the drippings. (This gives the beans a really good flavor but is not absolutely necessary if you want to be more health-conscious.)Saute' onions and celery in bacon drippings. Mix with rest of ingredients in a baking dish. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes at 375 degrees or until hot and bubbly. So yummy! (This recipe has been doubled for a larger casserole but usually I use 4 cans pork and beans and increase amounts accordingly for large summer barbecues! Evan loves this "taste of summer" with potato salad.

Have a Healthy, Happy Heart by John Tesh

Happy Heart Day soon! I just heard another piece of info from that very informative radio show by John Tesh, "Intelligence for Your Life."

He says that studies show that your cardiovascular health is directly related to:

--flossing everyday (the enzyme that fights plaque on your teeth is hard on your heart--Who knew?)

--walking at least 30 minutes everyday

--sleeping at least 7 hours everyday

--maintaining your finances since an out of control budget brings lots of stress

--I may have missed the directive on diet but we all know that a healthy low-fat, low-sodium, high-fiber diet is essential to a healthy heart

So there you have it. We all better floss, walk, sleep, spend, and eat wisely! I know you guys probably do all these things, but since Evan and I just had our physicals we're all pumped up to improve our health every way that we can!

Flying Cars: A Reality!

Remember, Chris, that essay you wrote on flying cars that won you $2000.00, was it? Anyway, you may have seen that it's a reality now. Go here to see the details!

An American Idol Hopeful

Here's Melissa Murray's former boyfriend's beautiful rendition of Josh groban's "The Prayer." I'm so sad because JaLynne told me that he didn't make the top 25. A gross injustice! Anyway, enjoy!

karen and evan

you may get some good ideas for your remodel from this book. i just got it at the library and he seems to have some good advice.

Curious Movie

We had such a fun holiday celebration with y'all! So much fun to be together. And I appreciate Chris photo-shopping our family photo. Ali Atwood asked us for a family photo for the primary bulletin board and now I have an up-to-date one to give her!

We put up our Christmas on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. We also went to the YA party at the Lloyd's where Evan cooked a great midnight breakfast for everyone. We watched great fireworks and visited and it was really fun.

Last night we went to The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and we ran into Sunshine and
Sam, Becky and Robyn Baker. Gene and Sandy Tannery, Aaron Murdock, and the Pierces! The movie was fabulous! So intriguing and beautifully filmed. Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett are really amazing in it as they get younger and age, respectively. Go here to see an amazing black and white montage with the character placed in old photos as he gets younger. Enter the site and click on "continue" to see these amazing pics.

You can read the original short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald here which is almost nothing like the movie except for the premise and the name Benjamin Button.

Very fascinating movie.