My Little Sailor Boy

I may be a bit biased, but I think this is one handsome little guy!!!

Happy 1st Birthday, Christian!

Christian loved this colorful lollipop more than his birthday cake and presents.

We filled his room with balloons so when he woke up he was in heaven!

Blueberry pancake with a candle for the birthday boy.

The boys on Christian's 1st birthday. I promise Carter really did enjoy celebrating Christian's birthday.

We went to Texas Roadhouse for his birthday dinner.

Christian and his dad sure are great buddies! Curtis has held Christian so much during his first year of life. They just like being with each other. Curtis often calls Christian his little "teddy bear". 

Christian was really pampered on his birthday! Mom took just him on a walk in the wagon. He made sure we took his little balloon and glow worm baby with us. Hope you had a special day, Christian!

Happy 1st Birthday to our sweet, little Christian boy!! His 1st birthday was September 10, 2013. That year flew by!! It seems like just yesterday I was in the labor and delivery room. Seriously. I remember it all so vividly. For his party, we just had Grandpa and Grandma Browning and Grandpa and Grandma Holtom come over. Christian is such a joy and blessing to our family!! He loves to read books, jump, and say "hap-py"!! We love our Sweetie Petey Pie!! :)

At one he can:

say the words; happy, dada, mama, hi, baby.

walks along furniture and stands by himself.

likes to observe his brothers.

takes two naps a day.

hates being in the car for a long time.

Cannon & Carter Go to Preschool 2013

Buddies who can't live with or without each other.

Cannon 3rd year of preschool

Carter 1st year of preschool

These two boys started preschool today. They will only go to preschool on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I still have one more year until I actually have a child who goes to "real school". Cannon is in his third year of preschool. The two previous years he had Ms. Deana, but "graduated" from the pre-K class last year, so was at his max limit. Ha Ha! So this year, I am sending him to a different preschool that is closer to our house. Ms. Kris is his teacher, and it is going to be another awesome year for him, I just know it. He is mostly in school for the social aspect of it at this point. He is advanced academically...I would say 3rd grade material (no joke).

Carter is attending his 1st year of preschool. We tried last year, but he just wasn't ready to sit and be still. So, he will get two years of preschool before kindergarten, and that's okay. Each child is different. He did really well today and intently listened to Ms. Deana (Cannon's former teacher) and paid attention to her. I was super proud of him!

These two boys sure keep me busy, but I enjoy watching them grow up to see what kind of "men" they will be some day! They have pretty incredible memories. They remember so much! It is exciting because I know they both have a lot of potential to do GREAT things in their lives!

Instagram Photos as of Late Part 8 (Summer 2013 Edition)

Boys everywhere! Heaven help me!

Curtis took me to Jaker's to eat for my 35th birthday.

My sister, Becky, took the two older boys to Bear World with her family so I could have a break. Thank you, Becky! 

Brothers are the best! Beep! Beep! Comin' through!

Carter, Curtis, and Cannon at the Browning Reunion. It was at the Gma and Gpa Browning's cabin at Henry's Lake. Curtis and I were in charge of it this year. The theme was: We Can Do Hard Things

Cannon on the left at 11 months and Christian on the right at 11 months. Two different houses, but same Retro Rocket!

Someone fell in the water...named Carter who is crying in the background. ;)

Carter at the Provo, UT temple seeing cousin Austin off on his mission to TX.

Christian loves the water!

Christian fresh out of the tub!

Camille, Douglas, and Me. The three younger Holtom kids. Douglas surprised us from Seattle at our parents' house.

Happy 75th Birthday to my dad on Aug. 2nd!

We sure are grateful to live in America! July 4, 2013

Picnic in the park! Freeman park

Happy Father's Day to the man who has his hands full!

Breakfast at Smitty's with friends from childhood: Melinda, Brooke, Me, Lisa, and Sarah

I was out mowing the lawn when Cannon came and handed me this "gift". It was a Santa hat stuffed full of Angry Bird plushies. He included the note: To Mom. As he was walking off he said, "It's because I like you." :)

Curtis' parents got home from their mission in Riverside, CA in June. It was their first time meeting Christian.

One night I couldn't find Cannon and Carter, but I did notice the front door was wide open. They were outside "star gazing"...enjoying nature. :)

I love it when my boys tell me to come outside so I can look at the sunset. :) I love that they are learning to appreciate nature and its beauty.

Zinnias grown from our garden.

All three of the boys have their legs crossed at the same time. ;) I think they inherited that from their dad.

My 35th birthday raspberry cream pie from Babe's Bakery. YUM!

Christian, our sweetie pie!

My Bud

Just me and my buddy out for an early, beautiful Saturday morning walk - enjoying the peace and quiet and the smell of rain. Christian is such a joy! We just love this little boy to pieces!!! :)

The BEST Chocolate (Zucchini) Cake EVER!

Oh my goodness...this cake is seriously AMAZING!! I was first introduced to it last September after I had our third boy, Christian. An older lady that lives near our family provided dinner and dessert for us one night after Christian was born. After I had her Chocolate Zucchini Sheet Cake, I had to have the recipe! I made this cake tonight for dessert, and Curtis and I pretty much devoured a sheet cake in no time...embarrassing, I know. But if you make this cake, you will understand! Now is a great time to share this recipe with people since veggie gardens are almost done producing/harvesting.

If you make this, you won't be disappointed...I PROMISE!!! It is so moist and delicious!!! And besides, it's healthy because it has zucchini in it, right? ;)

Chocolate Zucchini Sheet Cake by: Laura Hobbs

Grease and flour one jellyroll pan. Heat oven to 375 degrees.

Cream:

2 cups sugar
1 cup cooking oil
3 eggs

Add:

2 1/2 cups flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup milk
2 cups grated zucchini
1 T. vanilla

Bake for 25 minutes or until it tests done. While it bakes...

Chocolate Frosting

Combine:

1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup cocoa
6 T. milk
4 cups powdered sugar
1 T. vanilla

Spread frosting on cake while HOT. It will melt, but sets up nice and shiny. Sprinkle nuts over top if desired (I don't do this).

ENJOY, and let me know if you plan on making this yummy treat!!!

Valuable

Correction...Browning Boy #4 on the Way...Not a Girl

So I had an ultrasound yesterday. What we thought was a girl baby is actually a BOY! The ultrasound tech felt so sad and sick about the whole thing. She apologized over and over that she said we were having a girl during the first ultrasound. Curtis was sad when I told him, I could see the disappointment in his eyes and could hear it in is voice. He has wanted a girl since we found out about child #1. I was a wee bit sad, but have come to realize that Heavenly Father wants us to have boys. That's fine. Cannon was mad when we told him. He wanted Heavenly Father to change his brother back into a little sister. ;) I am okay with another boy. Christian will have a buddy close in age to play with. Plus, we already have a lot of boy items, so it will be cheaper overall. Although, I had purchased three girl items: a really cute jean dress, and two pairs of pajamas. Oh well, I can give those away as gifts.

I have had several people ask me if I am going to have another one after this one...to get a girl.?. Ummm, I am not going to just keep trying to have kids to get a girl. Knowing my luck, I would get a boy followed by another  boy and another, and so on and so forth. You get the idea. My body is getting old and feels tired from having these four close together. I am okay if the final score reads: Browning Boyz 4 Girls 0. It will just have to be Curtis who takes them on all of the campouts and helps them earn their Eagle Scout awards...bam, bam, bam, bam. And takes them to all of the priesthood sessions. Sounds good to me! :) Four, handsome teenage boys...I kind of like the idea and image of that. :)

My Grandma Eva's Apple Cake Recipe

My grandma Eva (my mom's mom) passed away before I was born, yet her recipes live on! She created one yummy apple cake recipe! I used to not share this with anyone because it was a "family secret". I have since changed my mind and decided to share since so many people can benefit from the the deliciousness of this cake.

Grandma Eva's Apple Cake Recipe:

1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup of Wesson oil (she always used this brand since she said it was the best)
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 jar of apples (with the juice - not always available in stores so when I find some, I stock up. *Note: do not use apple pie filling) or 3 cups of chopped apples (probably Fuji apples)
1 cup of raisins (optional) I never use raisins
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. soda
2 cups flour
1 tsp. cinnamon

Mix well and pour into greased and floured cake pan.

Bake @ 300 degrees for 1 hour.

*This cake is yummy warm out of the oven with some cream or ice cream on it. It is even better the 2nd day...it's so moist!!!

Enjoy!!!!

Hold On. Keep Trying. God Loves You.

“To any who may be struggling to see that light and find that hope, I say: Hold on. Keep trying. God loves you. Things will improve. Christ comes to you in His ‘more excellent ministry’ with a future of ‘better promises.’ He is your ‘high priest of good things to come.’ ”

—Jeffrey R. Holland, "An High Priest of Good Things to Come," Ensign,Nov. 1999, 36