What's wrong with this picture?

So, we're off on vacation to Chattanooga...yeah!!!! As you can see, we're all packed. So...what's wrong with this picture? What's wrong is that we are only going for ONE NIGHT!!!!!! So WHY does it appear that we are going on an African Safari??!!
Let me explain...




...there's the overnight bag for me and Russ with our pjs, socs, g's, swimsuits, scriptures & clothes for the next day. Then, there's the diaper bag with toys, diapers, wipes, bottles, formula, juice, baby cereal, medicines (we've all got colds) & extra clothes (in case of a blow-out). Then, there's Brooklynn & Isabelle's overnight bag with extra diapers and wipes, clothes, undies, socs, pjs, etc. Then, there's the stroller for the aquarium and the air bed for my brother & sister-in-law to use in our hotel room (ssshhh...don't tell the hotel). There's Brooklynn's puffy, floaty-swimsuit that is too big for any bag. And also the "fun bag" with books, crayons, movies, etc for the 3 hour ride there and 3 hour ride back. And finally...there's the toiletry bag = makeup, hair stuff, toothbrushes and pastes, etc. This bag would normally be consolidated to other bags, but since my family is insisting on me getting in the pool, I have to bring my industrial strength hair dryer, curling iron and straightener. Aaaaaahhhh!!! The 2 week trip to Utah this summer is starting to concern me. At this rate, we'll need to charter a personal plane just for my family and our "stuff"!!!!
Jami...I know you understand!!!

Sorry for the absence, but the most awful stomach virus recently ripped its way through our family, one by one (except for Isabelle, thank heavens) followed by sinus infections!!! Ewe!! We are all on the mend (I have never washed, scrubbed and sanitized so much in my whole life) so we should have some new posts soon. We are going to Chattanooga this weekend with Tara, Shawn and their boys, so we should get some pretty interesting pictures by next week. Until then, I love you all!!!!!

Sunday Supper

Several of my friends do this "Sunday Supper" post where they share a recipe so we all can get more dinner ideas. Up until now, I've been too lazy to do it but I'm feeling creative today so here goes...This is our variation of a Taco Casserole. First, cook 1 lb beef with a package of Taco Seasoning. Then, start layering with whatever you like. I use a deep, 8x9 Pyrex dish and start with

-1 (of 2) bags of microwaved Uncle Bens Spanish Rice (Russ prefers plain Minute Rice, but I like Spanish Rice)

-1/2 can of drained, black beans

-1/2 can of drained, corn

-1/2 off your taco flavored beef

-spread on a layer of sour cream

-sprinkle on 1/2 of a small (3.8 oz) can of sliced black olives

-sprinkle on 1/2 of a small (4 oz) can of green chiles

-2nd bag of microwaved Uncle Bens Spanish Rice

-last 1/2 of black beans

-last 1/2 of can corn

-last 1/2 of taco flavored beef

-Finally, top with mexican-blend cheese and the rest of the black olives and chiles

I pop it in the oven at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes, or just until it's heated through and the cheese is nice and bubbly. We like to dress it up with diced tomatoes and more sour cream. Since most items come from a can or bag, the only prep you have to do is cook the beef with taco seasoning. From start to finish its around 45 minutes. Not bad for a Sunday afternoon!! Enjoy!!

Do you YouTube, too?

Okay, okay...I'm really not a computer junkie. I promise that I DO NOT sit around all day surfing YouTube for entertainment. However, I have enjoyed the recent trip down memory lane that it has provided for me; not to mention the fun it has been sharing something from my childhood with my own child. Brooklynn and I love watching these old skits from Sesame Street & The Muppets. (HeyTroy! Remember our Saturday night Muppet Show parties with Julie and Tyson?) Brooklynn's favorites are, of course, MaNaMaNa and also the Crayon Factory. Children of the 70s...unite!!!! (You'll need to pause my music first at the side of my page)

My Hubby...

What is his name? Russ
How long have you been together? 10 years (Married for almost 9)
How long did you date? 1 year
How old his he? 30
Who eats more? Me lately (I blame it on nursing)
Who said I love you first? Me!!!! It slipped out and I couldn't (didn't want to) take it back.
Who is taller? He is
Who can sing better? I better not say...
Who is smarter? Depends on the subject.
Who does the laundry? Me
Who pays the bills? Me
Who sleeps in the right side? When you're facing the bed, Russ does.
Who mows the lawn? Russ
Who cooks dinner? I do
Who is more stubborn? We're both stubborn but I think I have him beat.
Who kissed who first? I told him to kiss me!! I got tired of waiting!!
Who asked who out first? He asked me. If only he knew what he was getting into... :)
Who proposed? Russ. He put the ring on my toe!! Long story...
Who has more friends? Probably me. Russ is a little shy.
Who is more sensitive? Me.
Who has more siblings? Russ is the oldest of 5, and I'm the youngest of 2.
Who wears the pants? We both do...it's a tight fit, but we make it work.
Now "TAG" all you wives!!!

Happy 80th birthday Granny Mae-Mae!

Her royal highness...Queen Mavis!

What a suspicious-looking brood.


Russ' Grandma, Mavis Gibson, turned 80 years old on January 20th and what a birthday it was!!! She was suprised at church when the missionaries asked to introduce her to a couple of investigators...which turned out to be her very sneaky daughters from Utah, Judy and Celia...who secretly flew out here to help celebrate this grand occasion. We all got together at Grandma's house for food, family, friends and fun...where Grandma took her rightful place in the "throne" where she was "crowned"

Queen Matriarch of the Gibson Clan.
Happy Birthday Granny Mae...and may you have many more!!