Hawaiian Haystacks

2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 c chicken broth
2 c chicken, cooked and cubed
4 c cooked long grain rice
Chow mein noodles
3 med. tomatoes, diced
1 c chopped celery
1/2 c green pepper, diced
1/2 c green onion, diced
1 can pineapple chunks, drained
1 c cheddar cheese, grated
1/2 shredded coconut

Combine soup, broth and chicken in a saucepan. Add chicken and simmer 8 to 10 min. or until heated through.
To assemble on plates: Put rice on plates then add whatever ingredients you desire. There is now right way. Although all the ingredients together are delicious.

This is definitely a favorite at our house. Not everyone is a fan of rice, but they still like to eat the gravy as soup. When we go to see family in Idaho, Carmen makes this for us. I'm so grateful for all of the great recipes I get from her every time I go.

A Glimpse at the Past Week

Baseball, baseball and more baseball, oh and some T-ball thrown in there.
Hunter had 3 games this week. Every team they played didn't have enough guys. So some of our team goes to the other team so they can play a game. Hunter is usually one of those boys that gets to go on the other team. Luckily he is a very good sport about it. He had a really good hit this week. Something he has been working on. Hunter also caught a fly ball. He was so excited. Next week is Diamond Days. It's the tournament for the kids. I'm wondering how it is going to go when the other teams don't have enough players to play on the other games. I guess we'll see.
Gavin had two games. He really loves playing. Everyday he asks if he has a game. The favorite part for most of the kids on the team is Pony Express. It's a relay race between the two teams. That is usually how the kids determine if the win or lose. Just one more game on Tuesday and the awards on Thursday and T-ball is done for the year.

Our ward's activities committee planned a Barbecue for Pioneer day. It was at the park next to the Stake Center. We had such a great time. The was face painting as you can see by the pictures. Gretchen wanted to know if she was going to have to wash it off before she went to bed. (see post). The answer was no.

Harrison didn't want to get any face paint. He was so interested in the marshmallow blow gun. Some PVC pipe cut and mini marshmallow were blown through. Harrison was excited to get anyone with the marshmallows. He did tell me he couldn't use the ones that fell on the ground. Graham was happy to run around with some of the other kids his age. Until he was running on the sidewalk holding a PVC pipe in each hand and fell. He skinned his poor little fingers. He wasn't to happy after that happened. Other that that it was wonderful evening.

Relief Society

Gretchen: Can we go to the Relief Society and get a dog? Ya know...the one by Papa's Pizza with all the animals.

This is a little something Aaron had the privilege of hearing. Gotta love our dog lovin' girl.

Some of the Fun Happenin' Around Here

One of my favorite shots.

Gretchen was snapping some shots around the house the other day. I think she did a splendid job.

This morning I was out vacuuming the van. The boys and their friends decided to set up some chairs and relax.

The girls being amused by the boys.

I could listen to Harrison and Joe talk for hours. They are so funny together. They talk about everything, bugs, cars bodily functions, their siblings, having chocolate milk together.

We've just been busy with T-ball, baseball and lots of swimming. The kids and I are loving having Aaron home. He is gone today and tomorrow for a workshop in Eugene. Boy do I love having him home.

Blue Lake

The last day that we were at the cabin, we headed on a hike. We drove quite a while to get to our hike. I think it was 10.000 feet up. There was still snow, as you can see by the picture. It was a mile hike to Blue Lake.

The kids went all they way up to the last snow pile is. It didn't take them long to get up there.

Aaron and Graham playing in the snow.

The hike down. Yes we forgot our backpack.

On our way down to the lake.

We made it and it was well worth it. The hike down wasn't to bad. It was steep in some parts.

The boys and McKaylee throwing rocks.

Shale and his girls.

Natalie seeing how far out she could go.Us finally have a picture together.

The Petty's

Taking a break by the lake.

I couldn't believe how big the boulder was.

Graham still finding rocks to throw into the lake.

Strike a pose, Gretch.

More posing.

Oops! Emma slipped into the lake.

Hunter takin' a break.

Harrison also takin' a break.

The view

Graham, Aaron and Harrison, the other kids were too far ahead to get them in the picture.

On our way back up.

Still going.

Graham trying to walk up the rocks.

What a Dad!

Kambree and Shale still working upward.

Almost there.

Finally made it and we needed a water break.

Still More Idaho

Cadee, Coree and Dave

Kambree, and Graham

I think we all felt like falling asleep where we were, just like Nathan.

Shaely, Hunter Matt and Natalie

Hunter, Natalie and Harrison look at a chipmunk. You can see it by the where the wood and rock meet. It was so fun for the kids to have these chipmunks to watch. The even named one Theodore because he had big cheeks.

Matt, Harrison, Gretchen and Emma still enamored with the chipmunks. The chipmunks were under the wood pile.

Hunter, Gretchen, Harrison and Gavin still loving those chipmunks.

Shale, Hunter,Shaely, Gavin and Gretchen waiting to head out with the boat. Shale's business partner was so nice to offer us his boat for the day. We had such a great time. My mom, Cadee, Shannen, Coree and her family and Steve and his family.We had almost all of the kids there, except Sean and Shea.

Hunter and Aaron on the tube. Wahoo!!

Gretchen and Aaron waiting for their turn. Looks like a good time.

I don't know if I like seeing her behind the wheel.

What a cutie!

I don't like this either.

Gavin enjoying the boat ride. The kids were so excited to tell me that they got to jump out of the boat and swim where it was 150 feet with life jackets on of course.

Gavin ready to warm up on the beach.

The two buddies.

Gavin and Emma had a great time together.

Gretchen, Shaely, Anslee, and Harrison

Steve and Zephyr (in the back), Gavin and Emma

Aaron and Graham loving the water.

This is my nephew Tyler, Coree's oldest on the tube. We really had such a great time on the lake.