And the Winner is?

Little Itty Bitty Ella was the first to cross the finish line! And do I mean itty bitty! She weighed in at just a little (more info to come). She is kind of short and has skinny little legs and has lots of brown hair.

Every baby we saw coming and going from the nursery had lots of hair except for one little guy today - he wasn't quite as blessed.

Here's a little sneak peak until Amber puts all the information onto their blog.

The doctor has been telling them for a few months that Ella would have lots of hair - he wasn't kidding! So, after the nurse gave her her first bath, she gave her a little style, trying to get those curls to stand out as much as possible.

When I started to load the pictures on the computer this morning, I had to laugh that I took 71 pictures yesterday. I don't think my mom and dad have 71 pictures of me from birth to 10 years of age! This baby probably had over 500 pictures taken of her yesterday! I can't even remember how many phone cameras and regular cameras were being used.

Drew had strict instructions to get a picture of her right after she was born and one while the nurses were working on her. We were a little worried about who would take the pictures if he decided to pass out instead. But, he did great on both counts - took a few cute pictures and didn't even pass out.

Welcome to the family. I hope you love being part of all of us!

Baby Nursery

Here is Izzy in her new digs. Brynn and I trans-formed the dog run into the mare motel and nursery. She hangs out under the shelter now that the weather has warmed up. Once again we skipped spring and went straight to summer. Note the guard (?) dogs soaking up the sun.

And the Race is On!

It is 1:37 a.m. and I have now checked on Izzy for what seems like the 50th time tonight. I was fairly certain that if she doesn't have her baby tonight, it'll be tomorrow night...mainly because it's supposed to storm tomorrow night. Don't babies always come during a storm? Really, I've been up trying to finish Brooke's taxes - that's what happens when you wake up to check on a horse and can't go back to sleep.

Drew and Amber came over tonight after they had been to the Doctor. It looks like they will be proud parents by the weekend. I think Drew was a little bit more prepared for the news this time. They are pretty excited! Amber still looks amazing, still hasn't had to wear any maternity clothes. We were going to have a shower for both Amber and Brooke on Saturday. Now I think we might have to change that date - who ever said that babies aren't the ones in charge?

So, now the 'race' is on to see who will deliver first! Not that it's really a race, but how fun that they will deliver so close together. You know, if the colt came on the same day as Ella, she wouldn't have to ask for a pony for her birthday, we would already have one born on hers!


Here is Amber at her 'Friend' shower 3 weeks ago.


Here is Izzy on 4/12. She hasn't looked pregnant until just the last week or two. Hmmmm, reminds me of someone else who hasn't looked pregnant either. Somehow I think Amber is feeling better than Izzy though!

Deseret Land and Livestock

Last night, Ken called and told me that he would be stuck in Wyoming for a few more days. He was supposed to be home yesterday, so I ended up meeting him in Evanston so he could have come clean clothes and a few things that he would need for the truck. Since Chase was going to be coming home for the night, I decided I could stay the night and not have to drive through the canyon in the dark (one of the things I absolutely hate to do since I've already run over a deer once before.) We gave Chase pretty specific instructions on how to check Izzy out - and he did a great job. I wish I could have seen his face when I was describing what he needed to look for and what to check. This morning he told me that it was so quiet outside when he went to check on her about midnight - he put his ear up to her belly and said he could hear all kinds of noises in there - almot like the baby was making noises.

This morning as I was driving home, I drove by the Deseret Land and Livestock Ranch. I thought back on our Pioneer Trek there two years ago, but more so, I thought about those who came so far, with so little and the sacrifices they made. I couldn't help but think about the nice, warm slippers I had on my feet - and as I looked out over the snow covered ground, I was so greatful for the blessings I have been given today. I was in a warm car, had warm feet, listening to church music and it took just an hour to get home from Evanston. I also thought about my great grandfather, Robert Reeder, who came in the Martin Willy Handcart Company, and what amazing horrific things he had to go through in order to get to the valley. Sadly, he lost his father and sister on the journey here. As I was driving down the canyon, I couldn't help but think about what I should be learning from their experience, and what I should be learning from the experiences that I am having here on this earth.

Crock Pot Spare Ribs

4-5 lbs boneless pork spareribs, cut into pieces (beef works too)
1 med. onion, thinly sliced 1 c ketchup
1/2 to 1 c water 1/4 c packed brown sugar
1/4 cider vinegar 2 T Worcestershire sauce
2 t ground mustard 1-1/2 salt
1 t paprika

Place half of the ribsw in a slow cooker; top with half of the onion. Repeat layers. Comvine the remaining ingreds; pour over all. Cover and cook on low for 89 hours or until ribs are tender. Serves 6-8.

Potato Salad

8 med red potatoes, cooked 4-5 hard cooked eggs, chopped
1-1/2 c mayonnaise 2/3 c sour cream
3 T sugar 3 T cider or red wine vinegar
2 t prepared mustard 1-1/2 t dried minced onion
1 t celery seed salt and pepper to taste

Place potatoes in a saucepan and cover with water. Cover and bring to a boil; cook until tender, about 15-20 mins. Drain and cool. Place in a boal; add eggs. Combine the remaining ingreds; pour over potato mixture and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 6 hours or overnight (really important!).

Swiss Steak

1/4 c all-purpose flour 2 T vegetable oil
1/2 t salt 1 med. onion, thinly sliced
1/4 t pepper 2 c water
2 lbs round steak (cut into serving size pieces)
2 T Worcestershire Sauce

Gravy:
1/4 c all-purpose flour 1/4 t salt
1/8 t pepper 1-1/4 c beef broth or water

Hot cooked noodles or mashed potatoes

In a shallow bowl, combine flour, salt and pepper. Dredge steak, a few pieces at a time. Pound with a mallet to tenderize. In Dutch overn, brown steak on all sides. Arrange orange slices between layers of meat. Add water and Worcestershire sauce. Cover and bake at 325 for 2 to 2-1/2 hours. Crock pot - cook on low for 7-8 hours. Remove to a plate and keep warm. In a small bowl, combine flour, salt, pepper and broth until smooth; stir into pan juices. Bring to a boil over med. heat, cook and stir for 2 mins. Serve steak over noodles or mashed potatoes.

One Big Bird

This morning we had a fox taking wandering through the back field. I've heard he's been around for a few years, but never seen it. The den is in the slough behind us. Then, if that wasn't a great way to start the morning, out come two pheasant's - the male was chasing after the female. He was one of the biggest pheasant's I've seen- with bright red markings on him. Brynn did mention that Carson would be in heaven if it was pheasant season now.

Yesterday was 'chick day' at our little post office here in town. I could stand in there all day and watch the farmers come and pick them up, just because I love the sound of the baby chicks. Instead, I can sit on the couch in the family room and listen to the baby birds which have just started to squack in their nest right by the window.

It reminded me that a few weeks ago, the eagle returned to the front trees. They are so majestic - but not soon after he got there, a buddy swooped in with the one of the biggest wing spans I have ever seen. They stayed for a big and then both took off up the street, one right ahead of our neighbor Jim Arrant as he was heading back to church.

The Family Shower

Diaper Cake for Amber and Ella

Can you tell Amber likes Animal Print? What a talented sister he has!

Chelsie, Jesse and Amber


This shower was attended by Amber's family members and given by her mom, sister Michelle and sister-in-law Jesse.
Drew's wish - the rocking horse swing.


They did a fabulous job - there was so much work put into everything. They served taco salads along with the fun baby carriage cake that Michelle made. Drew even got the only baby item he asked for - a horse rocker that clip clops when it swings. Can't wait to see how long the sound part stays on! I can't say thanks enough to everyone for their generosity to Drew, Amber and Ella and to those who helped with the shower.

Christmas Morning Strata

4 eggs nutmeg
2 c. milk dash or two tabasco sauce
1/4 c canned milk 2 c. grated cheese
1/4 tsp. salt 2 c. chopped ham
1/8 tsp. sugar pepper

Blend eggs, milk and canned milk in blender. Add salt, sugar, pepper, nutmeg and tobasco. In buttered 9 x 13 dish layer 7 1/2 slices decrusted buttered bread (fits tightly). Pour 1/2 sauce over the bread and spread with cheese and ham. Top with another layer of buttered decrusted bread. Add more cheese (or can be done last 10 mins of baking). Cover and chill overnight. Bake at 325 for 60 mins.

Sloppy Joes

1 lb ground beef 1 med. onion
1 can tomato soup 1 T mustard
2 T brown sugar 2 T worchestershire sauce
1/2 c catsup 2 T flour
salt and pepper

Cook hamburger and onion until brown. Add remaining ingredients and simmer.

Dutch Baby

6 eggs
2 c. milk
1 c. flour
Mix in blender. Melt cube of butter in 13 x 9 pan in 425 degree oven. Add mixture and cook for 15 minutes or until set.

Buttermilk Waffles

3 egg yolks, reserve whites 1 T sugar
1 2/3 c. buttermilk 1 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 c. flour 1/2 tsp. salt
3 T vegetable oil

Beat egg yolks well. Beat in buttermilk then add in flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Mix in oil. Beat egg whites until stiff and gently fold into batter.

Shepherd's Pie

1 lb ground beef
1 can green beans, drained
1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup
Mashed Potatoes
Grated Cheddar Cheese

Brown ground beef, seasoning as desired. Place in bottom of 9 x 9 baking dish. Add green beans and then soup (thinned with milk if necessary). Cover with mashed potatoes and grated cheese.

Cook at 350 for 45 mins or until cheese is melted and ingredients are heated through.

Lemon Pepper Chicken

4-6 Skinless Chicken Breasts
1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
8 oz Sour Cream
1/2 cube butter or margerine
Lemon Pepper Seasoning - to taste
3-5 potatoes, sliced
mini carrots, to taste or 2 carrots sliced

Place chicken in greased crock pot. Mix soup, sour cream, butter and seasoning together, pour on top of chicken.

For Dutch Oven - 10-12 coals on top and bottom for 1 1/2 hours or until chicken is done.

Serve over rice.

Seven Layer Jello Salad

Note the unique talent Ken displays mixing the jello!

For 1 9 x 12 inch pan, mix each small package of Jello with 1 cup boiling water and 1/2 cup cold water. (red, orange, yellow, green)

White Layer: Bring 2 cups mild to boil. Add 1 cup white sugar and stir until dissolved. Mix 2 packages unflavored gelatin in 1/2 c cold water. Mix into mild and sugar mixture. Add 1 pint sour cream and 2 tsp. vanilla.

Layering: Pour green jello into pan and set in fridge. Leave other Jellos on counter until ready to use. If they start to set up, place in pan of hot water to melt. When 1st layer is set, spoon 1 1/2 cups of white mixture on top. Return to fridge to set up. Continue with same procedure, alternating jello and white layer.

This recipe came from Helen Joe Stoddard, who was one of my mom's friends when we lived in Illinois, but she moved to Utah and her recipies showed up in the Capitol Hill 1st Ward RS Cookbook. We received the cookbook for a wedding present.

SKOR Cake

This recipe comes from our good friends Jim and Tammy Duthie.

1 chocolate cake mix (German Chocolate recommended) made according to directions in round cake pans.
12 oz Frozen Whipped topping (Le Creme is called for but regular is great too)
1/3 C. Hershey Syrup
7 SKOR Candy Bars

Turn out cakes and let cool 10 mins. Wrap well and freeze. When ready to use - cut each cake into 2 layers while the cake is still frozen.

Combine frozen whipped topping and Hershey syrup. Crumble 6 of the candy bars and mix into whipped topping. Ice each of the 4 layers of the cake. Decorate top with Hershey's Syrup and sprinkle with last of candy bars.

Chicken and Stuffing Casserole

1 1/2 c. cooked chicken 1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 can evaporated milk 1 small pkg frozen peas
1 pkg. prepared dressing 3/4 c. margarine
1 chopped onion 2 stalks celery

Saute celery and onions in margarine ( I used celery salt and onion powder). Pour over dressing and moisten with chicken brother. Place 1/2 the dressing in bottom of 9 x 13 pan. Mix peas, soup, milk and chicken. Spoon over dressing. Cover with remaining dressing. Bake at 300 degrees for 30 mins.

Savory Crescent Chicken Squares

3 oz pkg cream cheese 1 T chopped onion
3 T butter or marg, melted 8 oz can crescent rolls
2 c. cooked, cubed chicken 3/4 c seasoned croutons, cruhed
1/2 tsp. salt 1/8 t. pepper
2 T milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In bowl, blend cream cheese and 2 T butter, (reserving 1 T for later) until smooth. Add next 6 ingredients, mix well.

Separate dough into 4 rectangles; firmly press perforations to seal. Spoon 1/2 mixture into the center. Pull 4 corners together over top of mixture, twist slightly and seal edges. Brush top with reserved melted butter and dip in croutons. Bake 20-25 mins. Makes 4.

Pumpkin Cake Roll

3 eggs 1 tsp. baking powder
1 c. sugar 2 tsp. cinnamon
2/3 c. pumpkin 1 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. lemon juice 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
3/4 c. flour 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. finely chopped nuts

Filling
1 1/2 c. powdered sugar 8-9 oz cream cheese
6 TB butter or margerine 1/4 tsp. vanilla
Beat eggs on high for 5 mins. Beat in sugar. Stir in pumpkin and lemon juice. Add dry ingeds. and spices. Pour into well greased and lightly floured 15 x 10 x 1 jelly roll pan. Top with nuts if desired. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 mins. Turn out onto dish towel which is sprinkled with powdered sugar. Starting at narrow end, roll towel and cake together. Cool in fridge. Unroll, spread with filling and re-roll. Keep tightly wrapped before serving.

Sticky Buns

Truly one of the oldest Campbell family traditions.

16-18 frozen Rhoades rolls (the small ones, not the TX ones)
1 sm. pkg butterscotch pudding (I've used both Instant or Cooked)
1 stick butter
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 t. cinnamon

Melt butter. Add cinnamon, brown sugar and pour into the bottom of a bundt cake pan (sprayed with PAM). Add 1/2 c chopped pecans (or walnuts if you are a poor starving college student). Place rolls in the pan, sprinkle the box of pudding over the top.

Cover with plasticwrap. Let raise overnight or until rolls are double in size. Bake 350 degrees for 25-30 mins.

Happy Anniversary to Us

Yesterday was our 28th wedding anniversary. Wow! What else can you say after that many years? Who'd u thunk it? I love watching the look on people's faces when they hear how many years its been - kind of an anomoly these days.

We went up to Gray Cliff Lodge in Ogden Canyon for dinner. It's one of our very favorite places to eat - they take great care of you there. It's so homey, with plenty of personal attention by their staff. They have the most amazing French dressing - one of my very favorites.

Lasagne

9-11 Lasagne noodle, cooked
8 oz Cottage cheese
Spaghetti Sauce (see recipe)
Shredded cheddar or colby jack cheese
Shredded mozerella cheese
1-2 lbs browned ground beef or sausage

Using a 9 by 13 baking dish, spray with PAM, put a small amount of spaghetti sauce in the bottom of the pan. Layer noodles, meat, 1/3 of sauce, 1/3 of shredded cheeses. Repeat. Add last layer of noodles, sauce and cheese. Cover with foil, bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 mins or until heated all the way through.

Spaghetti Sauce:

1 pkg Schilling Thick and Zesty Spaghetti Sauce mix
3 small cans (8 oz) tomato sauce
1 T margerine
1/4-1/2 can water
Mix all of the ingredients together, bring to a boil. Turn heat down to simmer, stir in cottage cheese. Remove from heat and add to other ingredients (see above).

Can be frozen for 2-3 months. Cover with plastic wrap and then foil.