Mormon Pina Coladas

We came home yesterday to 111 degree heat. These pina coladas hit the spot. They weren't quite as good as Taylor's Italian Sodas, but they're good . . . and easy. Fill blender 1/2 full with pineapple juice. Add 3 T. coconut milk and 1/3 cup sugar. Fill the blender with crushed ice. Blend and serve.

Happy Father's Day

For Father's Day, I decided to take Ken back to High Island, Texas (in pictures) where he was so very happy. On the night of April 15th (end of tax season), he and his brother, Don flew to Texas to bird the great area of High Island, Texas. They spent three days finding, identifying and photographing birds (Don did the photographing). I've made a slideshow of only a few of the many birds and wildlife they saw. They saw thousands of birds, and Ken added about 40 new life listers. When we got the pictures, I asked, "Where are the people?" I guess that wasn't their focus. So, as you watch the slideshow, look closely, and you'll see Ken's fingers and his nose. That's as much people as we get! Happy Father's Day, Ken!

Storm in the Night

Look what fell on our lawn during the night. The picture doesn't begin to capture it. There were boys everywhere on our front and back lawn. Ken's brother Rick brought forty young men from Arizona to stay here on their way to visit the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house, and to the Teton High Adventure Scout Base near Jackson Hole, Wyoming. They arrived here about 2 am and were up and gone early this morning. It was quite a sight with men and boys everywhere. Before they left, Rick presented a moving devotional on our front lawn about when they hiked Zion Narrows and nearly lost Bryan. Many of our neighbors came over after they left to enquire regarding the invasion.

Overheard

I’ve overheard some funny things lately. . . .thought I’d share 1) Overheard as I was swimming. Two bikini-clad sunbathers were chatting. One was telling the other about a guy she knows. “He wants to get a tattoo.” “Really, why?” “I don’t know; he just thinks they’re cool. He wants to get a tattoo of the temple he gets married in.” 2) You know how we’re always softening the “No” with children by accompanying it with a “Yes” You could tell that technique had been used with little Eliza. This happened at the reunion: Eliza to her mom:”I don’t know where to go play.” Ken: “You can come sit on my lap.” Eliza: “No, but I’ll give you a high five.” 3) Overheard at the temple: A very elderly sister to the temple worker: “I’m ready to go to the other side, I really am, . . .except for one thing.” “Oh, what’s that?” “I love food. I love to eat. I don’t want to go where there’s no food!” I loved the temple workers response: “Well, you’ve given me some food for thought.”

Butterscotch Cookie Bars

Adrienne made these for our Hinton Family Reunion. They were so yummy! 1 cup butterscotch chips 1/4 cup butter 2 eggs 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 3/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 1/2 cup chopped nuts, opt. DIRECTIONS Place butterscotch chips and butter into a glass bowl. Heat in the microwave for about 3 minutes(much less in my microwave), stirring at 30 second intervals until smooth. Set aside to cool until firm. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F Grease a 9x13(I used a smaller pan- about 9x9) inch pan. In a large bowl, beat the butterscotch chip mixture with eggs and vanilla until well blended. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt; stir into the batter until evenly mixed. Mix in the brown sugar, chocolate chips,and nuts (if desired) Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven, just until the bars begin to pull away from the sides of the pan. Cut into squares while warm.

More Trek Pictures

Ken just emailed me some great aerial shots of the trek. Brother Hawes, on our high council, is a pilot and owns a plane, so flew over the trekkers and took these shots. THAT didn't happen on the original trek!!!

Hinton Family Reunion

While Ken trekked, I attended the A. Lavar Hinton(Ken's immediate family) family reunion on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. It was held in Southern Utah this year, with members of the family staying with us here. There are 166 members of the family now, but only about half could attend. All of the activities were in Hurricane. We did Humanitarian projects, karaoke, softball game (that ALWAYS ends in a tie)history tour, challenge games (wish I'd remembered to take pictures of all those people all over the gym floor doing four-man push-ups!), watch band making craft, dutch oven dinner, auction, church and business meetings,lots of visiting and eating. And, of course, the annual hope nobody gets hurt, knock 'em out, play hard basketball tournament. We didn't have time for the James Bond 007 activity. We'll have to do that next year, I guess. I mostly "Hung" with my sister-in-laws. How I love each of these dear sisters. Ken got back in time to join in the Saturday night and Sunday activities. The Hintons are a GREAT bunch of people. These reunions have been held annually for 34 years, I believe. It's difficult to estimate their value and the impact they've had on our children's lives. They've created a tradition of love, strength, service and joy of being together. Most of our children are married and have families of their own now. It's fun to see the grandkids(their kids) enjoying each other as much as their parents used to and still do. What a legacy Ken's parents have left. We could feel them smiling down on us as we reunited! Baby dolls for Africa(these were so cute): Karaoke- all of the siblings (minus Ken) singing Sixteen Tons. Clark added delightful choreography)Notice Rick hiding(all of them wished they could) Family Statistics(thanks to Jim): . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 siblings, 8 spouses . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 male and 24 female grandchildren (Hintons are excellent family planners) Grandchildren: 48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Spouses of Grandchildren: 32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Great Grandchildren: 68 (6 more on the way: Michelle-June, Adam-July, Brad-July, Bryan-November, Stacy-January, and Randy-not sure-I'd guess Oct. or Nov.) Total: 166

Pioneer Trek

Last weekend was our stake youth conference- Pioneer trek. The stake presidency decided when they were put in that they will do a pioneer trek every four years so that every youth gets the opportunity to go on at least one. This was their 2nd one. They start in New Harmony and trek for 19 miles to Pinto in 2 1/2 days. I took the presidency up to start the trek on Thursday and stayed for the devotional and to take some pictures. Over 300 went this year. Even as they started, you could feel the spirit of legacy and strength. It's a marvelous experience for the youth and their leaders. The Stake Presidency ready to go: The Devotional

Oh, Baby!

World's Greatest Sandwich or BELTCH(Bacon, Egg, Lettuce, Tomato, Cheese) This sandwich is from the movie, Spanglish. It is delicious. We make it frequently. Before Adam Sandler takes a bite, he says, "Oh, baby!" It's that good. 3-4 thick slices of bacon 2 slices monterey jack cheese 2 slices rustic country bread (really good bread), toasted 1 T. mayo 4 slices tomato 2 butter lettuce leaves 1 tsp. butter 1 egg 1. Cook the bacon til crisp. Drain on paper towel. 2.Place the cheese slices on one of the toasted breads and put under broiler until cheese is melted 3.Spread the other slice of bread with mayo and top with tomato slices, bacon and lettuce 4. Melt the butter in a skillet and fry the egg. When bottom is set, turn over. Leave yoke runny. (over easy) 5. Slide the egg onto the lettuce and top with cheesy bread. Cut in half, letting the yoke run down the sandwich. Oh, baby!

Wisconsin

Ken and I just returned from a marvelous week in Wisconsin with the Mackrorys. We arrived late on Wednesday night. We flew into Milwaukee and rented a car, which I unaffectionately dubbed "The Red Tin Can" because of it's lack of comfort and features. We got a motel that night, then went to Kristen's the next morning. It was so fun to see the Mackrorys! We had a fun day, jumping right in by visiting a cheese factory and sampling Wisconsin cheese. Friday, we went to 1000 Island Conservatory and went on a nature walk. We then went to High Cliffs State Park. On the way there, Nathan threw up, so that's why he's wearing no shirt. We just cleaned him up and went anyway. He was fine after that. In the afternoon, we went home and packed up, picked up Jared at work (internship with Kimberly-Clark or "Klimberly Clark" as Brielle says it) and drove to Door County- a peninsula in Lake Michigan. The drive up was gorgeous. We now know where all that cheese and butter comes from- dairy farm after dairy farm, many of them displaying the "Land of Lakes" logo. We rented a condo up there and had a great time. Friday evening we ate at the famous PC Junction Cafe where a Choo Choo train brings your food. The kids loved it and the rainbow ice cream cone after. Saturday, Jared and Ken went for a bike ride in the national park while Kristen, the kids and I shopped the FUN shops in Fish Creek. That evening, we attended a "Fish Boil"- a local custom. A huge pot boils potatoes, onions and fresh white fish. At the end, the fish boiler guy pours deisel fuel on the fire to make the pot boil over, boiling out the fish oils. They then serve it to you. It is delicious! Especially Nathan, our budding pyro, was fascinated with the fire. After the huge burst, I asked him "What happened?" So, the next day, he got the pamphlet advertising the fish boil with the picture of the fire and said over and over, "What happened?" "Hot!"- reliving the experience. After the fish boil, we went to Sunset Beach, a little beach where many gather each night to watch the sunset over Lake Michigan. It was beautiful. Sunday, we attended church at a tiny branch in Sturgeon Bay. It was fun to be in a small church. The branch president spoke in church and taught the combined RS/ Priesthood meeting. The Primary was in one room, YW/YM in another. After church, we picnicked in a lakeside park. I rated it a 9 because it was a little cold and because behind us in the picture where we ate is a sheer drop-off cliff- not real safe for little ones! We then drove to the Sturgeon Bay lighthouse, then back to Kristen and Jared's. It was about a two hour drive. Monday, we shopped in Osh Kosh. We shopped Osh Kosh B'Gosh in Osh Kosh. I had to buy clothes for all three grandkids there, just to say we had! Ken was a trooper, both Saturday afternoon and Monday, shopping with us- never complaining, tending the kids. I bought Brielle some summer pj's, letting her pick which ones. When I presented the cupcake jammies to her, after buying them, she excitedly exclaimed, "So, so fun!" That evening, we made our Wisconsin recipes from Kristen's Wisconsin cookbook. They were all delicious. Then we had a very fun FHE where Brielle conducted the meeting and led the singing. She LOVES leading the singing and surprising you on when she's going to start. Somehow, this FHE turned into a birthday celebration for me, and Jared and Kristen presented me with an electronic picture frame. "So,so fun!" We had brownies and ice cream and played fun kid games. Each night, after kids were in bed, the adults played All. At the first of the week, the men won each night, but starting in Door County, Kristen and I cleaned up. The men creamed us once in there, but otherwise we won every time. "So, so fun!" Ken got up early on Tuesday and spent several hours at a conservatory- adding two life listers and seeing many other birds. He was thrilled. The highlight of the day for me was watching Nathan dance and sing with a Baby Einstein video "E-I-E-I-O!" "Moo moo here and a moo moo there!" He is so cute. We sadly had to leave that evening and drive back to Milwaukee and stay in a motel to catch our 7am Wed flight out. On the way to Milwaukee, Ken had to prove to me that the Red Tin Can did have some skills: We're driving along in the Wisconsin countryside, when all of a sudden, The Red Tin Can started beeping. "Dangerously Low Fuel!" We'd forgotten to fill up. So, we checked with Thomas (our GPS) and he led us 7 miles off the freeway to a little town where we barely made it to get some fuel. It was a beautiful detour through farmland, which we would have enjoyed a whole lot more if we hadn't been worried about fuel. We had a wonderful time in Wisconsin and SO appreciate all Lu and Jar did to make it so, so fun!!!