Any ideas?????

I have Bonco club at my house on May 8th and I am struggling to think of something good to make for dinner. I feed 12 ladies, and I want it to be something that I don't have to do a lot of last minute cooking. Crockpot things are great, or anything that can be somewhat prepared a head of time. That way I can just put it in to cook, and it will be ready when we are. Any ideas???? I also need a recipe for a yummy desert. I would really appreciate help. I am struggling to figure something out. Thanks, NONA

Push hard and push fast!!!

As part of my job as the quality coordinator at Gunnison Valley Hospital, I run the CPR training center. CPR is always changing....new guidleines and recommendations. I think it has changed 3 times in the 6 years that I have been a nurse. Well the newest change, and the way that I teach CPR now is PUSH HARD AND PUSH FAST. The compression/ ventilation ratio is 30:2. The American Heart Association has proven just how important compressions (or pushing on the chest) is. For any of you that have performed CPR, you know how tiring it can be to do CPR this way!!! Thank goodness our adrenalin kicks in, or I don't know if I could make it.
Well, last week the AHA came out with yet another change. It is called "Hands only CPR." It is designed for the lay person---or any bystander. It teaches to just keep pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest.....about 100 pushes per minute. You do no ventilations (mouth to mouth) This type of CPR is only approved for adult victims as of now. The American Heart Association determined that many people will not perform CPR on a victim because either they are not sure if they remember how to do it correctly, or they are worried about giving mouth to mouth on someone they do not know incase of diseases, etc. This Hands on CPR has been proven effective in saving lives when it is done for the first few minutes until a more trained personnel can take over. Just remember to send someone to call 911 or call yourself then return to the victim and begin chest pushes. For any healthcare professionals or people certified in CPR that feel confident in their CPR skills, the AHA still recommends providing ventilations with your compressions.
I think that this hands on CPR is kind of neat. Now, I hope that none of you ever have to do CPR, but if you do and you don't remember how to do CPR or you are not trained, just push hard and fast on the person's chest......you might save their life!!!!

A friend like that

I was reading this article on the MSN website. This navy seal had a grenade bounce of his chest and land on the ground next to him. Rather than letting it go off and kill him and his buddies, he jumped on top of it taking most of the force. He died 30 minutes later. His friends only sustained minor injuries
How many of us could really do that and pay the ultimate price for our friends, our kids, our families???? I would like to think that I could and would. Fortunately I haven't had to give up my life for anyone, but I hope people remember me and think of me as the type of person that would do anything for anyone. Cody has 2 cousins in Iraq right now. How grateful I am for people willing to risk their lives so that we are free. If you would like to read the entire story click on the little box at the top of this post. If I did it right, the link should be there.

Soccer games

Well Saturday was Payton and Rilee's 1st soccer game this year. For practice on Friday Payton tried to back a backpack full of treats and water and a chair. I said, "Payton, what do you have all that food for?" He replied," Incase I get hungry." Then I said, "why do you have a chair?" He said, "incase I get tired." Well needless to say I was worried about how the soccer game was going to go. We got out to the game and Payton was pumped. He said, "Mom, I am going to make 91 goals." Truthfully I was thinking, "I just hope you just stay in the game instead of running to the playground this time like last year." Well the game started and Payton started off as goalie. He did really good and no balls got passed him. He was really cute to watch and every time he stopped the ball or kicked it he would look over at me and give me thumbs up. It was sooooo cute. After playing goalie he was on the field and he scored 2 goals!!! I was so proud of him. Cody couldn't be there because he is coaching the 7th grade basketball team and they had tournaments out in Delta. Payton has told Cody over and over again just how well he did. Way to go Payton we are proud of you!!! Unfortunately, I got to the game and realized that my camera battery was dead, so no pics this week, but I will get some for next week. Oh I almost forgot to say how Rilee did....... She was also pumped up for the game, but when it started that was a whole other story. She wouldn't stay in, she kept running in and out to me. One time I said Rilee if you go in and get the ball you can play at the playground after. I meant kick the ball, but she took me litterally and went in and grabbed the ball with her hands and brought it to me. OOOPS!!!! That was about as much game time as she had. To make a long story short, towards the end of the game she said, "Mom, I think that next week I just want to be the soccer cheerleader." How cute---and what a great cheerleader she is!!!

Family Gopher Hunt

Well this post is going to sound crazy to about everyone that reads this, except maybe my brothers and uncle Brian (sue's husband). Last night after conference we decided to go shooting gophers with the entire family. Cody's family bought some new farm land in Axtell and Casey and Connor said it was sworming with gophers. We loaded 12 people into the suburban and headed off. Of course the boys were by the windows so that they could shoot at the gophers. There were alot of gophers and as sick as it may sound it was funny to watch them get shot. Sometimes they would get hit just right that they would fly in the air.-----gross, I know!! I used to feel bad for them until they made holes and mounds in my newly planted grass. I guess now I am out for revenge so I am fine with shooting them. More than anything it was fun to be together as a family. Payton thinks it doesn't get any better than shooting gophers. He has kind of claimed Cody's pellet gun as his own, although I am against him having a pellet gun until he is 8. Gun's still really scare me and sometimes I think that Cody is to lax with him about guns. I guess I am the one to ruin Payton's fun, but at least he will be safer. Well to all my highschool and college friends, I am sure that you are shocked that I enjoy this stuff. I guess this is what the rural life does to you. Well, maybe you would really like it if you tried it, so whoever wants to come visit me and do some gopher hunting, I am ready!!!!

Primary Presidency Here I Come

Well I just got called to be the first councelor in the primary presidency. I was teaching Rilee's primary class. She was my only 'student' that came regularly. It was kind of fun cause primary was mommy -Rilee time. I would try to teach her about the creation (or whatever the lesson was on). Not more than 2 minutes in to it she would say, "let's just color and eat treats." Fine by me---especially on fast Sunday j/k. We spent most of class time coloring and taking frequent trips to the drinking fountain and bathroom. I will miss that special time with her, but I think the new arrangement will be best for her. She will join up with Payton's class. That should make her primary experience better, because she will actually get lessons and have a "primary class". I am glad that I still get to be in primary though. I would miss seeing her and Payton trying hard to sit reverently, and all the cute little things the kids say and do in primary. I am quite nervous for this new calling, I feel slightly inadequate to do it, but I will give it my best. At our first presidency meeting I joked that I have only bore my testimony 3 times in my life......once when each of my kids were blessed. Sadly it is true, although I might have done it once at girls camp. I can speak to a group of doctors or nurses about my work stuff without feeling the least bit intimidated, but when it comes to teaching the gospel (even to little kids) I feel very nervous. I hope everything goes well. I have a great president, 2nd councelor and secretary, so everything should go ok. Wish me luck and if anyone has any great sharing time ideas let me know. My first sharing time will either be on, "The prophet hold the priesthood keys" or "the Prophet teaches me to forgive and love others." Any ideas would be appreciated.

The greatest family ever!!!!

I say this over and over again, but I have the greatest family ever. I remember as a little girl I would complain when I didn't get just what I wanted. Whether it was the expensive name brand jeans, a car when I was 16 or just cash- I was a little brat when I did not get what I wanted. My mom would always say, "I guess you were born in to the wrong family." Well mom, I am here to say that I am so grateful that you didn't give me away to another family when I was so bratty. I love hanging out with my family.

My parents are the greatest with my kids. So kind, patient, understanding, and fun. My mom is willing to listen to Rilee talk for hours and hours on end, and each time she has a smile on her face while Rilee is talking. She is also so great to offer to watch the kids when I go do things. She is great to take time to make each of her grandkids feel so special. Thanks mom for all you do for them

My Dad is so fun. My kids have so much fun spending time in his radio room, going to the park, and little hikes. He also doesn't get mad when they trash his house when we are up visiting. Thanks dad for being a great grandpa!!

I don't see my brother Ryan and his wife Jules much cause they live in San Diego, but it is always so fun to see them when they are here. They make each family function a party. They have the cutest little boy Sammy--I wish they were closer.

Akaela and Jason are always so good to my kids. My kids absolutely adore them. We are looking forward to sweet little McKynlee getting older so we can teach her all the naughty things they teach our kids. We love them anyway, and Akaela is my best friend. They blessed there baby this past weekend. She is so precious.

Glen is so willing to let my kids tag along with him. We went to my mom's house for about a week over spring break and he was great to come to Carl's Jr with us, take the kids to the library, even come swimming with us. He is awesome

Steve and Emily are so fun with my kids. They live in Ephraim which is close to Gunnison so we get to have them down often. My kids love it when they come over. They are also so willing to help with my kids. Watching my kids while I go shopping, coming swimming or just hanging out.

Danny is on a mission right now in Florida. His letters are always so fun to read. He is still as goofy as ever. He thinks he is going to learn to play the banjo, and wrestle a crocodile while out there. Sounds like he is getting a little red neck blood in him!!! My kids are so good to pray for "Danny and the other missionaries" in their prayers. Love ya Dan

Dave is awesome. He is so fun with my kids. He lets them take naps and even sleep by him at night. He is crazy and teaches my kids all about teasing, but they love him. He is so kind and caring, even when they eat all his candy.

CC is so great. She has been such a help down here, and we will all miss her when she goes back to Alta. My kids always get in to her stuff, yet she is so kind to them. She comes places with us and we all have so much fun together. She even helped take my kids to the Easter egg hunt at my mom's house.


Well that is it for my family. Thanks everyone for being the greatest family ever!! Here is one more picture. It is missing Danny, my parents, and Ryan, Jules and Sammy. It is hard to get everyone together these days.

Just like Dad used to make

Well, I made these cinnamon rolls last night for dessert. They turned out pretty good, but I just can't seem to make them taste as good as my dad's. He has made cinnamon rolls as long as I can remember and his cinnamon rolls are to die for (anyone who has tasted them would agree). I got he recipe about 6 months ago when I got my bosch. I having been trying ever since. I will say that my cinnamon rolls are getting better, the first attempt was horrible, the second edible, and now they are actually pretty good. Something though is missing---maybe more cinnamon and sugar--I don't know. Well, Dad just wanted you to know that one day I will make great cinnamon rolls like you...oh yea, and run a marathon like you. My Dad is 55(ish) and is still running marathons. Way to go dad!!!!

Our Easter Fun

All holidays are so much fun when you have kids. We always love Easter, because it is finally starting to get warm outside. We did a lot of fun things this year. We went to the community easter egg hunt, colored easter eggs, went and had a picnic and rolled easter eggs with the Dyrengs, and of course went to Church- easter Sunday!!! I had never heard of "rolling" easter eggs, but it is a tradition that Cody's family along with a lot of Gunnison people do. It actually turns in to more of throwing easter eggs---regardless it is fun. I was Payton and Rilee's primary teacher on Sunday and we were taking about how Jesus died for us and then was resurrected. When we got home I told Payton to tell Cody what we learned about at church. He quietly said, "Jesus died for us and then he was re-corrected." OOOPS. Should of spent more time teaching them the right word and less time coloring and eating treats in class. I hope you all had a great Easter!!!

Dinner Help

I was reading my friend Tracy's blog and she asked for some help with some good recipes. I too feel like I am in a bit of a slump on new dinner ideas. If anyone has any ideas for some healthy and good recipes please let me know. If anyone is looking for some good ideas check out the rowe blog under my links below. I posted two recipes under the comment section of her post called "Hello" Good luck!!