He knows I love Bears!

19 Days!!

I can hardly stand it! I have never wanted time to go by so quickly. For Elder Wagner-- I imagine that these days are very bittersweet. I know he is excited to come home and see us, but I also know that he has loved serving a mission and he loves the people in Dallas. I might even add that I think he loves Texas-- except for chiggers. I must admit that I will miss having a son in the mission field. I know that our family has been blessed in so many ways because of Elder Wagner's service. So maybe it is a little bittersweet for me too-- except mostly sweet :)

By the way-- I'm pretty sure that Elder Wagner took this picture for me. I love bears...

Happy Anniversary!

Velta & Royce- 1945

If my parents were both alive today they would be celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary!! They were sealed for time and eternity on July 27, 1945 in the Logan Temple. This is the first anniversary that they've been 'together' for 17 years. I'd like to think that they are so happy to be celebrating it together again.

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!!

Cute College Coeds

These 2 girls enjoyed being in Utah for Pioneer Day!

They had no idea that Utah was the place to be.... and that it is a celebration bigger, better, and tastier than the 4th of July!!
They tried a yummy new treat... a Hungarian Chimney Sweet.

The loved the treat AND the cute return missionary (he served in Hungary of course) who was making and selling this yummy treat. Rumor has it that they talked with him for a very long time!!

I'm glad they enjoyed their first Utah Pioneer Day!

2010 Swim Season Ends...

Another swim season has come to an end.
I always enjoy watching my kids swim. But then again, I always enjoy when the season ends. At the Wagner house (when we have kids in high school) our swim season begins in January and ends in July. Swim meets run from March to July. I'm sure you can see why I enjoy the end too!!

I have no idea why these pictures posted so small. By no means did the season end small for Riley and Andrea. These two swimming beasts swam tough. Riley ended last week by swimming his best times ever!! Andrea ended her season at the Kern County meet today making the finals in all of her events. She got 5th in butterfly, 5th in breaststroke, and 3rd in freestyle. Riley left for young men's camp this morning, so he didn't get to swim at county. I believe he would have made the finals as well.

Good job my little swim beasts. We are so very proud of both of you.

Now.... I'm pretty sure soccer season is just around the corner.

Countin' Down...

25 days until I get to hug this missionary!!

I've been trying to keep busy and not be obsessed with the countdown, but I am so excited!!

Just so you know... Elder Kevin Wagner will land in Bakersfield at 3:11pm on August 18th. He will speak in church at 9:00am on August 22nd. He will spend every minute in between with his mother.

Just kidding.

I'll try to share him-- but it will be hard!

The College Girls

Good times are had in college--

Want to see what Marissa and Jacquie are up to??

Click HERE!!

It is one crazy water-balloon fight!! Watch closely around 22 seconds and you will see Jacquie (in aviator sunglasses) and Marissa (standing right behind her.) They are both wearing pink shirts-- and don't blink, or you'll miss them!!

the dog days of summer

not much going on at our house this week...

and it is WONDERFUL!!

I love summer :)

Mama's Cookin' Something Good!

A month or so ago-- the Martha Stewart of our ward (and seriously... she is way better than Martha!) made some grilled pizza. Unfortunately I didn't get to attend. Lucky for me, I had already had her awesome pizza at a wedding reception. Also lucky for me, she passed out the recipe!! This might prove to be lucky for you too! We made some bbq chicken pizza on the grill tonight.

It was awesome!!
Doesn't it look super delish?? It was perfect...
Pizza in the summer without heating the oven!! (Believe me... this made Jimbo VERY happy!)

Here's the recipe:

Deep Dish Pizza Dough

3 1/4 cups bread flour (I used regular flour- I'm not Martha!)
2/3 cup cornmeal
1 1/2 Tablespoons kosher salt
1 1/2 Tablespoons sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons yeast
1 1/2 cups warm water (plus extra as needed)
5 Tablespoons olive oil

Combine the flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt, and yeast. Pulse to mix. While stirring add the water and olive oil in a steady stream. Knead until the dough forms into a ball. Spinkle with 1-2 t of water until a rough mass forms. Let rest for 5-10 minutes. Knead again for 25-30 seconds. The dough should be tacky to the touch but not sticky. Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover and let rise until doubles in bulk and spongy. Divide the dough into 2 or 3 equal pieces- shape as desired.

Grilling Directions:
To prepare gas grill, turn all burners on high and close the lid. Allow the grill to heat for 10-15 minutes. Check to make sure the grill reaches 500 degrees. Once the grill is heateed, scrape the grill clean. Turn off one or more of the burners so that there is a flame beneath only half of the cooking area. Using a pair of long tongs- lightly dip a wad of paper towels into oil and the wipe the heat free zone of the grill. This will prevent the dough from sticking. Place the dough round on the flame free part of the grill. Once the first side is browned, use a pizza peel ( a big wooden pizza shovel-ish thing--I had to order one from amazon!) to flip the pizza. Quickly top with sauce, cheese, and whatever toppings you want. Put the lid down and cook until the cheese is melted!!

You will LOVE it! I used Bulls-eye BBQ sauce, grilled chicken breasts, red onions, and mozzerella cheese. :)

Girls' Camp 2010

We (Andrea and me) just got home from girls' camp! We had another great year at Big Meadow. Jim was able to come up on Thursday to go on the 2nd year hike. Jim & I are the 2nd year hike leaders. Even though I'm not in the pictures... I promise you that I was there. I have a few blisters to prove it :)
Andrea enjoyed herself even though we had a big mountain to climb. We all learned that you can do hard things. You just have to do it!

Andrea loved hanging out with ward friends, school friends, and making new friends. She even got reaquainted with an old friend, Josie, who moved away a long time ago but was able to come back for girls' camp.

Girls' camp at Big Meadow is so special, many people who have moved away send their daughters back for the week! If we had to move I would do the very same thing!!


Andrea, Annabelle, & Josie!

I couldn't resist adding these pictures of Andrea and Morgan. Those two are too, too funny. I know they keep their ward camp laughing! :)

adorable :)

BEAR WORLD!!

On our way home from Island Park, my sweet, wonderful husband took me to Bear World!! We weren't able to see one bear in Yellowstone which nearly broke my heart, because I love bears like no other. I have loved bears since I was a little, little girl. In fact, my oldest sister called me 'bear' until I was a teenager.

So, thanks Jim, for the awesome treat! Riley, Andrea, and I LOVED it!
Isn't he a chubby, cute bear?? Obviously he has some anger problems as well... notice the healing gash above his left eye!!

a beautiful grizzly bear

I didn't get a photo-- but this guy opened his mouth and his teeth are HUGE!!

gotta love the black bears!

these two sketchy wolves were also wondering around.

seriously, I think the wolves scared me more than the bears. maybe it's because they aren't very cute.

If you are ever near Rexburg, Idaho, I highly recommend a trip to Bear World. It was worth every penny. I am sorry that I didn't take my camera inside where we watched six adorable bear cubs. I could have watched those cubs all day. If I had all day... I would have paid the extra $35 to bottle feed a cub.

Next time :)

For SURE!

Good Times!

Isn't Idaho all about the FISH??

The biggest fish on the left was caught by Riley!!
Breakfast!!

These girls are all tired out.

Well... except for Paige!!

Nothing like some spa time with cousins!!

Too bad a bunch of these girls got a rash from the spa!!

Don't you just love family reunions??

Tri-Tip Wagner Dinner!

Grandma & Grandpa

3 days after the reunion ended, Grandma had her appendix out in an emergency procedure in Bend, Oregon. I'm sure it WASN'T the tri-tip dinner :)
There's OLIVER :) with his mum and pop!

Ellen, Mike, Cathy

Jacquie, Karen, Bryan, JeanineLindsay, Cecily, Suzanne

Andrea, Marissa, Kim, Craig
(Baby Eli-- due in September!!)

Riley, Andrea, Sam

Mallory, Mark, Devyn

Our cabin-mates (Paul & Susan and Family) were the best!! I'm pretty sure that we had the best food ever!! French toast, bacon, eggs, whole wheat pancakes with buttermilk syrup, and the bomb tri-tip dinner!! Brownies, cheesecake, licorice, swedish fish..... It was awesome!! I'm pretty sure we all gained some pounds :) They were well worth it!

The Wagner Family, 2010 at Island Park, ID

The orginals :)

Tom, Mike, Paul, Suzanne, Jim

Dad & Mom

Jason, Devyn, Cathy, Mike

Grandpa & Grandma

Cecily, Kreg, Anna, Oliver (he's in the blanket, I promise), Kim, Craig, Paige, Mark, Mallory, Susan & Paul

front row: Sam, Grandpa, Grandma, Jeanine

2nd row: Ellen, Tom & Linda, Karen

3rd row: Joseph, Levin, Ansley, Bryan

Bruce, Jenna, Heather, Linsday, Suzanne, James, Grandpa & Grandma (Russ left early that morning- sorry he's not in the picture)

And us!!

Riley, Marissa, Judy, Jim, Jacquie, Andrea

Grandpa & Grandma