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Thursday, August 26, 2010

The Easiest, Cheapest, Yummiest, Summertime Pies You'll Ever Make!!!

We Wards just LOVE desserts!!! But in the summer it is way to hot here in Texas to turn on the oven for very long. We have been experimenting with easy, cheap and yummy pies that you have to try! They are all sooooo good and so easy and are perfect for a cold summertime treat, and the best part is that they are so cheap to make!!!


Jell-o Pie
8 whole graham crackers, finely crushed
7 tablespoons melted butter
1 carton of cool whip
1 box of jello, any flavor (in the pictures we used orange and it tasted like dream sicle!!!)

Put graham cracker crumbs into a pie pan. Pour in the melted butter and stir around with your fingers, press to fit into the pan. Take a carton of cool whip and pour the jello powder directly into the carton of cool whip. Stir until well mixed. Spread on top of your crust, cover with plastic wrap and freeze until hard.

Pudding Pie
8 whole graham crackers, finely crushed
7 tablespoons melted butter
1 package of pudding, any flavor
1 1/2 cups milk
1 carton of cool whip

Put graham cracker crumbs directly into your pie pan. Pour the butter over the crumbs and stir with you fingers. Press to fix the pan. In a bowl, mix the milk and pudding powder. Mix in half the carton of cool whip into your pudding and then spread on top of your pie crust. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze until hard.

Ice Cream Pie
8 whole graham crackers, finely crushed
7 tablespoons melted butter
softened ice cream (just eye ball it  until your pie pan is filled.:) )
1 carton of cool whip

Put graham cracker crumbs directly into your pie pan, pour the butter over it and mix with your fingers. Press to fit your pans shape. Take some ice cream and mix with half of the cool whip. Spread on top of crust. Spread the rest of the cool whip on top of the ice cream. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze until hard.

Tricks & Tips

  • If your pie is a little bit to hard to cut and eat, put it in the microwave for 30 seconds.

  • With all these pies you can add vanilla, cinnamon or any other flavors into your pie crust to add a special taste.
Enjoy!!! :)

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Homeschooling....The FUN Way!!! :D

Who said that homeschoolers stay at home and do boring work and never have any fun???? The fast few days we've done some school that was not only educational but supper fun! First we put together a model rocket (Science) and shot it with our friends the Parkers at the ROC. Then today we took a cooking lesson, we made a crock pot lemon pudding cake! YUM!!!! And to top it off we played in shaving cream and even had a spelling bee (you try and spell a word in the shaving cream before everyone else!) and we did math problems in the shaving cream. Enjoy!



Daddy putting the rocket together (or at least trying to! ;D)


Mr. Parker, Tommy and Daddy getting the rocket ready to lift off!

Below is a video of the rocket. (Sorry our photographer (me! oops!) forgot that you can't take a video sideways, (:0) so you'll need to turn your head to see the rocket soot!) To make video bigger, click on the expanding arrows on the right hand below the video.

 



Robby and Ashley love to bake! Here they beat the egg whites for the lemon cake.



Yummy!!!


Everyone loves shaving cream....


Especially Robby! :D



Tommy "drawing".


Everyone during the "shaving (spelling) bee" :D


Here Tommy works a math problem! (And got it right!!!)

Below is a video of our "shaving bee" LOL! Enjoy!


Blessings,
Bethany

Monday, August 9, 2010

ROC Pictures

This morning we all went to the ROC (Recreational Outreach Center) by our house to play before it got hot. (Which happens VERY QUICKLY in Texas!!!) I (being the kind of person who LOVES to take lots of pictures :D) got a few shots of Abby... and a few other things, enjoy!


Abby by the pond's waterfall.


Isn't she adorable?!?!?!


A peaceful moment.


A cute profile.


This one's my favorite photo!


Crossing the water.


So cute!


The beautiful waterfall!


The pond.


A dragonfly (talk about at once in a lifetime kinda picture!) Speaking of a once in a lifetime kind of picture, look at what else we found...


An orange and brown snake! :0 I was washing my feet of in the lake and I look over and there he is...let's just say that I'm going to wait to wash my feet...at home! :)

Blessings,
Beth

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Shopping.....for a family of 8! Part 2

Finally we got everything out...but then we had to put it all away! :) Although it doesn't look like much, everything was piled on top of everything!




 Robby is ready for Friday's pizza night! :)

On this trip (which begun at 6 am, and a few hours later we got 3 heaping buggies full) we got:
  • 5 lb grapes
  • 1 cantaloupe
  • 2 pints blueberries
  • 6 lb apples
  • 2 pkg celery
  • 3 lb onions
  • 2 lb carrots
  • cilantro
  • 7 lb  cabbage
  • 2 lb broccoli
  • 8 dozen eggs

  • 3 gallons of milk

  • 1 lg tub of margarine

  • creamer

  • sour cream

  • 4 lb tilapia

  • 4 lg pkg Popsicles

  • 5 pkg whole wheat bagels

  • 1 lg jar of peanut butter

  • agave nectar (it's like honey)

  • 1 45 oz vegetable oil

  • olive oil

  • 4 cans ranch style beans

  • 4 cans corn

  • 2 lg pkg splenda (it's like sugar)

  • slat

  • pepper

  • parsley

  • mustard

  • 1 bag flour

  • 2 lg quick oats

  • 10 pkg pudding

  • 1 pkg jello

  • 1 box graham crackers

  • 1 bag marshmallows

  • 1 box raisins

  • 3 lg cans pink salmon

  • 4 cans boneless skinless salmon

  • 2 salmon packets

  • 16 cans tuna

  • 2 cans baking powder

  • 10 32 oz bottles Gatorade

  • 1 pkg cream cheese

  • 2 family size tea bags

  • 9 frozen pizzas

  • 20 lbs chicken quarters

  • 5 butterball smoked sausages

  • 32 frozen hamburger patties

  • 3 pkg chick peas

  • 12 pkg pinto beans

  • 10 pkg hot dogs

  • 2 frozen Apple juices

  • 4 cartons of whipped cream

  • 2 cans black olives

  • 2 pkg tortilla chips

  • 1 lb cooked shrimp

  • 1 bottle of syrup

  • 6 lbs of party peanuts

  • 5 boxes of cereal

  • 2 bags of frozen broccoli

  • 1 bag of frozen corn

  • 8 loaves of bread


  • All of these things were:
    $ 284.06
    These things will probably last us for about 2 weeks, plus all that we still have leftover from last weeks trip.



    Tuesday, July 20, 2010

    100+ Reasons Why To Have Kids :)

    We just recently got a email with this cute list from a lady that blogs (http://inashoe.com/)  that we thought you guys with lots of kids might enjoy! :)
    ~ The Ward Family ~
    P.S. Some of our favorites are in bold. :)

    100+ Reasons to Have Children


    1. Have a happier marriage.

    2. Pay less income taxes.

    3. Learn to share, and like it.

    4. The ultimate diet plan: morning sickness and breastfeeding.

    5. Enjoy snuggles on demand, around the clock.

    6. Cuteness abounds.

    7. Disposable diapers. There. I said it.

    8. Receive preferential treatment in grocery lines.

    9. Be seated first (or last, if you prefer) on planes.

    10. Park in the "stork" space at grocery stores.

    11. Have an excuse to buy cool toys and cute little outfits.

    12. Children will love you on your worst day, and...

    13. they think you're beautiful, even on bad hair days...

    14. or when you're not wearing makeup.

    15. Free entertainment: kids are hilarious.










    16. Laughter is good for your health. See above.

    17. Have family still living when you're old.

    18. Have someone to help you when you're old.

    19. Grandkids!

    20. Have someone to help care for your pets.

    21. But who needs pets? Kids are way cuter, and they last longer.

    22. Unlike pets, kids eventually learn to take care of their own poop. :)

    23. Get a lollipop every time you go to the bank, along with your children.

    24. Tone your arms the old-fashioned way: tote a toddler. (Boy, have we learned this, in all honesty my right arm is much stronger than my left arm, because I carry our 35 lbs. toddler on my right side  :))

    25. Kids eat free at many restaurants.

    26. Have an excuse to buy junk food.

    27. Sharing your junk food means less stays on your own hips.

    28. Children will eat and appreciate your failed cooking experiments.

    29. Be better able to encourage other parents during rough times with their children because you've been-there-done-that.

    30. Blow bubbles.

    31. Give your friends somewhere to send their kids' hand-me-downs.

    32. Burn calories: play with your kids.

    33. Kids will help hone your reactions with obstacle courses on the stairs.

    34. Save money by not buying birth control.

    35. Ask anyone who has given birth: the pains of labor are worth it.

    36. Pregnancy lowers your risk of ovarian cancer.

    37. Breastfeeding lowers your risk of breast cancer,

    38. and uterine cancer,

    39. and osteoporosis.

    40. Not using birth control lowers your risk of ectopic pregnancy.

    41. Think pregnancy dooms you to getting fat? Take a look at my mom with her 14 kids. Can you even tell which one she is?














    42. Pregnancy requires you to eat more. I can appreciate that.

    43. Be motivated to be a better person. Little eyes are watching.

    44. Help raise the languishing birth rate.

    45. Learn alongside your children.

    46. Read books you never would have discovered on your own.

    47. Reread your childhood favorites with and to a new generation.

    48. See the world through new, unjaded eyes.

    49. See yourself through your baby's eyes. It's amazing.

    50. See yourself through your children's eyes. You'll never be the same again.

    51. See your flaws reflected in your children. It's enlightening and humbling.

    52. Kids will make you proud and keep you humble.

    53. If you make a mess while eating, everyone will assume the kids did it. :)

    54. Kid will say what you wish you could say, but can't.

    55. Strengthen your relationship with your own parents by becoming a parent yourself.

    56. Stay physically active. It's much harder to be lazy when little ones depend on you.

    57. Improved immune system. It's a law of nature: Moms never get sick.

    58. If you do get sick, you have someone to take care of you without your spouse taking time off work.

    59. Baby smiles.

    60. Carrying a baby? Strangers will smile at you.

    61. Babies are also a great conversation starter.

    62. Learn to delight in everyday occurrences.

    63. Translate toddler gibberish with ease for puzzled onlookers.

    64. Your own love for your child gives you a small taste of how much God loves His children.

    65. Live vicariously: remember that toy you never got as a child, but you're too old to want it now? Let your kids try it out.











    66. Relive your childhood: remember the toy you did get as a child? Let your kids try it out.

    67. Rediscover the joy of crayons.

    68. Job security: moms have it.

    69. Learn and believe that happiness really doesn't come from material wealth...


    70. ...yet be amazed at how much joy you can buy your child with a quarter.

    71. Kids are cheap.

    72. Marvel that 2 people can produce children that are better-looking than either parent. Heredity is a strange and wonderful thing.

    73. Be welcomed home like a returning war hero every time you go grocery shopping or to the post office.


    74. Be looked at like this:











    75. Soft little fingers and toes. They're cute on other people's children, but utterly priceless on your own children.

    76. The unbearable cuteness of newborn-size diapers. (credit: Deanna)

    77. Discover your super powers: make milk, and heal mortal wounds with a kiss.

    78. Ask any parent you know if they regret having kids.

    79. Learn to appreciate simple pleasures: ice cream cones, a single M&M, homemade cookies.

    80. Do you love your spouse? Experience a miracle: a new person who looks like both of you.

    81. After 10 years of children, washing dishes becomes optional. (credit: Deanna)

    82. Get special treatment on Mother's Day.

    83. Breakfast in bed is fun, even when it's cheerios and multi vitamins. (credit: Becca)

    84. Experience the triumph of potty training.

    85. Have the advantage of a youthful memory again: have your kids remind you about important things. (credit: Megan)

    86. Expand your wardrobe: share clothes with your teens.

    87. Gather candy from the piñata without getting funny looks.


    88. Have help cooking.


    89. Be a safer driver,


    90. In a safer vehicle.

    91. Free or cheap manicures and pedicures. I pay a dollar.

    92. Ditto for back/shoulder rubs.

    93. Perpetually late? You don't even have to blame it on the kids. People will assume.

    94. Vanity? You'll look at your baby in the mirror instead of yourself.

    95. Paint your kids' nails in a color you like but could never wear yourself.

    96. Have your bed made for $.25/day. Maid service has never been so cheap or cheerful, and there's no need to report payments to the IRS.

    97. If you've never had a baby fall asleep on your chest, you just don't know what you're missing.


    98. Homemade friends. My children are some of my favorite companions.


    99. Kids with money ROCK! They buy their own clothes, treat you to Starbucks, and buy you unbelievable birthday/Christmas gifts.

    100. World domination through militant fecundity! [maniacal laughter]

    101. Children are part of God's purpose for creating marriage: But did He not make them one,

    Having a remnant of the Spirit?

    And why one?

    He seeks godly offspring. Malachi 2:15

    Monday, July 12, 2010

    Shopping.....for a family of 8!

    We just recently went on our 2 week shopping trip, and 3 buggies, a full van and 2 fridges and 1 deep freezer full later we were done.



    Mamma with the llllloooooonnnnnnnnggggggg receipt! :)

    One this 2 week trip we got.....

    • 3 pkg meatballs

    • 1 pkg sausage

    • 3 pkg popsicles

    • 10 lbs pinto beans

    • 1 jar jelly

    • 12 cans of tuna

    • 3 lbs bananas

    • 2 pkg tea

    • 1 can chili beans

    • 2 pkg baking soda

    • 2 big boxes oatmeal

    • 1 box raisins

    • 1 big jar of hot sauce

    • 4 pkg (6 count) bagels

    • 10 8oz bags shredded cheese

    • 8 dozen eggs

    • 4 cantaloupes

    • 2 pkg blueberries

    • 2 cans BBQ sauce

    • 6 2 litter root beers (soda)

    • 2 bags shrimp

    • 2 big bags of string cheese

    • 4 turkey meats

    • 2 stalks celery

    • broccoli

    • 2 bags carrots

    • 2 tubs margarine

    • 4 lb bag of tilapia

    • 11 lb chicken

    • 2 gallons milk (dad will probably get more later)

    • 5 24 pkg toilet paper

    • 6 lbs of oranges

    • 6 lbs yellow onions

    • 2 boxes of cereal (most of the time we eat homemade granola)

    • and a bunch of other things that would take to long to list..........
    In all we bought 176 items, and the big total was $351.29!!!
    But we really saved a LOT of money because Mom compare shops (our Wal-Mart will take the sale price of any other store) and we usually buy things in bulk when they are on sale. (for example, yesterday corn on the cob was on sale for ten cents a ear and we got 40 ears, then today we cooked it all and froze it) To help save money probably 80 % of things we buy, we get the Great Value brand (Wal-Mart's brand) which is much cheaper. We also make our own laundry soap which also saves money.
    Next time we go on a big trip we will take pictures and post them!
    Until then,
    Bethany

    Tuesday, June 1, 2010

    Gone Fishin'

    This Memorial Day we spent some of the day fishing! Even though we only used bamboo poles, we caught 18 small perches!


    Tommy, ready to catch some fish!!!


    Tommy and his second catch of the day!



    Everyone fishing (at that moment all three people fishing got a bite!)


    A little lesson in training: don't get your line caught in the tree; you're supposed to catch a fish, not a tree! :) LOL!


    Robby & Daddy fishing.


    Robby's first fish!!!


    Tommy and his fish.


    Ashley & Abby picking wild berries.


    Abby and her berries. YUMMY!!!


    Pa Pa & Bethany with her biggest catch.


    Daddy & Ashley's fish.



    All the fishes of the day=18!!!

    Thursday, May 27, 2010

    Vacation 2010!!!

    This year for our vacation we went to Arlington/Grand Prairie Texas, about 2 hours away. We stayed in a nice hotel complete with a pool and yummy free breakfast! During the time we were there for our 3 day stay, we went to a Texas Rangers Baseball game, and then we watched an amazing fire work's show after the game! (The Rangers won 2 to 1!) We had a blast!!! (Except for the little incident were we were getting on the escalator and Abby & Courtney fell down, hit their heads on the metal and it ended with Bethany cutting her foot on the edge of the escalator as her shoe fell of when trying her best to juggle Robby on her hip, hold up Abby & Courtney the best she could, and keep from falling herself! :) Then, Bethany was escorted to her seat in a wheelchair...but for the most part it was fun!!!!!) :) Hope you enjoy our pictures!


    The stadium...huge!!!

    The field from our second story seats!


    The Rangers pitcher



    Josh Hamilton at bat. He is our favorite baseball player, he has a incredible salvation testimony... he was a drinker and was about to die many times, but the Holy Spirit came to him through his Grandma while he was drunk, and ever since he had been a new person. He goes around telling his salvation story and leading others to Christ.

    Mamma & Robby enjoying the game!


    Daddy & Robby...LET'S GO RANGERS!!!


    Corky


    "Beppy" & "Corky"


    Beth & Ash


    Courtney, Mommy & Tommy


    Silly Abby :)


    Robby doesn't seem to like the fact that the crowd is going wild over a great ranger's play...


    And he dousn't like the sound of the fireworks either! :)













    Robby, all ready to swiming!!!