Finished Project

Transformation

Since I was little, I have always wanted a swimming pool.  I love the water.  There was a little bit of time, I thought my parents might build one, and then that went away.  When we moved into our house, almost 26 years ago, we said it had the perfect yard for a pool.

For 25 years, we have been thinking and talking about this pool.  For many years, we couldn't afford it.  My first goal was to pay off the house.  Then, I wanted all of the kids out of college and on their own.  Then I put it off because I had grand plans in my head.  The grand plans would make the pool cost more than the house.

A year ago this week, my niece Ashley told me they were building a pool.  She showed me pictures, and I was SO jealous.  I told her how badly we wanted one.  She said she came to the realization that she wanted one and knew they would enjoy it and that she would build want she could afford and be happy with it.

Those words stuck with me.  I knew we would enjoy it and the grandchildren would enjoy it and we just needed to DO IT!  I called the pool company the next day and got the ball rolling.  We chose Pulliam Pools and did not get any other estimates.  The sales rep was great and we had known his family for years.  He patiently sat with me while I told him everything I wanted and we came up with the perfect design.  He was so good about my tweeks and changes!

We had to get an electrical line moved and that took a long time.  Digging day was June 3rd.  We started filling it with water on July 3rd, which happened to be the 25th anniversary of the week we moved into our house.

We did not landscape because it was August by the time we got everything (fence, etc.) finished and with the 100+ degree summer, we decided to wait until this Spring.

We are SO very thankful!  We have had so much fun hanging out with the kids, grandchildren, cousins and friends.  We feel like we added a bunch of square footage to our house.

Before the dig.  Marked and ready to go.

Dig day.  Oh what a mess!  Our friends, Matt and Missy needed a bunch of dirt for their backyard.  Matt used to live next door to us growing up.  We sent 5 loads of dirt to their house.  Gave them a little piece of the neighborhood for their new home.

The girls had fun playing in the dirt.

 Waiting for water.

The fill has begun!  We actually got in it with about 3 feet of water for our first swim.

The kids didn't waste anytime swimming.

Swimming with lots of cousins.  What fun!!  Can't wait for this summer.



Stay tuned for post landscape pictures.

LOVE My Babies So Much

Jennifer took pictures of the kids on Valentine's Day.  No words can describe how much I LOVE these 4 babies!!!

Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon Rolls - Tweaked :)

I just can't follow a recipe.  When I make a new one, I always find some way that I think it will be just a little bit better.  Last week I tried Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon Rolls.  While they were good, there were a couple of think I thought I could do to make them better.  Since I was home today with nothing to do other than feed and change two little baby boys, I decided to give them another try.

One thing I realized while I was making them today, I didn't follow the recipe correctly the first time.  I halved the recipe, which was a good thing because it make so much.  I put too much yeast in the first batch and did not put the correct amount of salt.  It called for a Tablespoon and not a Teaspoon.  No wonder I thought it needed more salt!  Just might be why I wanted to make them a little better.  I do think they needed to be cooked at a lower temperature to make them gooier and also used brown sugar instead of white sugar in the filling.  Here is the tweaked and halved version:

2 C. Milk
½ C. Vegetable Oil
½ C. Sugar
1 pkg. Active Dry Yeast, 0.25 Ounce Packets
4 C. (Plus ½ C. Extra, Separated) All-purpose Flour
1/2 teaspoon (heaping) Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon (scant) Baking Soda
1/2 Tablespoon (heaping) Salt
Softened Butter
1 C. Brown Sugar
Generous Sprinkling of Cinnamon

FROSTING:

1 lb. bag Powdered Sugar
1 t. Vanilla
1/4 C. Milk
1/4 cup Melted Butter
1/8 C. Brewed Coffee
Dash Salt

Preparation Instructions

For the dough, heat the milk, vegetable oil, and sugar in the microwave for about 2 minutes, until lukewarm. Sprinkle the yeast on top and let it sit for 1 minute.

Add 4 cups of the flour. Stir until just combined, then cover with a clean kitchen towel, and set aside in a relatively warm place for 1 hour. After 1 hour, remove the towel and add the baking powder, baking soda, salt, and the remaining 1/2 cup flour. Stir thoroughly to combine. Use the dough right away, or place in a mixing bowl and refrigerate for up to 3 days, punching down the dough if it rises to the top of the bowl.

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

On a floured baking surface, roll the dough into a large rectangle, about 30 x 10 inches. The dough should be rolled very thin.

To make the filling, spread about ½ C. softened butter over the surface of the dough. Use your fingers to spread the butter evenly. Generously sprinkle ground cinnamon and 1 cup of brown sugar over the butter.

Now, beginning at the end farthest from you, roll the rectangle tightly towards you. Use both hands and work slowly, being careful to keep the roll tight. Don’t worry if the filling oozes as you work; that just means the rolls are going to be divine. When you reach the end, pinch the seam together and flip the roll so that the seam is face down. When you’re finished, you’ll wind up with one long buttery, cinnamony, sugary, gooey log.

With a sharp knife, make 1/2-inch slices. Pour a couple of teaspoons of melted butter into disposable foil cake pans and swirl to coat. Place the sliced rolls in the pans, being careful not to overcrowd. Will make about 4 pans. (Each pan will hold 7 to 9 rolls.)

Cover all the pans with a kitchen towel and set aside to rise on the countertop for at least 20 minutes before baking. Remove the towel and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until golden brown. Don’t allow the rolls to become overly brown.

While the rolls are baking, make the icing: In a large bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, butter, coffee, and salt. The icing should be somewhat thick but still very pourable.

Remove pans from the oven. Immediately drizzle icing over the top. Be sure to get it all around the edges and over the top. As they sit, the rolls will absorb some of the icing’s moisture and flavor.

Our Precious New Addition

Back in April, we received a big surprise from our little girls. We went to one of Karsyn's Blast Ball games, and the girls came running up to us with a "present". Since it was Easter weekend, I thought they had an Easter treat for us.

Needless to say, we were totally shocked when we pulled out a baby outfit and were told they were having a new baby. At that time, the girls were 5 and 7. We have always known that Jennifer and Lamar would love to have a little boy, but figured the time had passed.

We were so excited to find out in July that the baby was going to be a little boy. Perfect addition for a football coach.

After much anticipation and a tough delivery, we welcomed baby Ryan Marshall.  The two hours prior to his birth were filled with much anxiety and I was afraid Lolly was going to have a heart attack.  I can't begin to tell you how happy I was to know that we had a healthy baby and Mommy!!

He has been the best baby, and one of the reasons is because he has the best Mommy and Daddy.  Being that he was born on December 15th, there were lots of Christmas events going on and they didn't miss a thing.  He came home from the hospital on Saturday and he was at his first party on Sunday.

This is a photo from his 2nd photo shoot.  I believe he was 2 weeks old when this was taken.

When he was 6 days old, we went to Dallas to see a very special Santa.  He is the grandfather of one of our Gladney babies that we had for about 6 weeks.  It was so special to meet him and we will visit him every year. 

Now that Christmas break is over, I have gotten to have my little Easton again.  I love getting the boys together.  Easton doesn't have much reaction to Ryan, but every once in a while, I think he gets a little jealous of Lolly holding the baby.  He better get used to it because in February, I will have both of them.  That will keep me busy!

Lolly loves her boys!

She Said YES!!!

Just realized that this is my 500th post. I can't think of a better post to write than - Jordan and James are engaged!!

James has got to be the most romantic person I know.  He is so good at planning great surprises for so many different occasions.  Just an example:  For Jordan's birthday, he flew her best friend Melissa in from Mississippi and had an entire weekend planned at The Gaylord.

Jordan and James have been dating for about a year and a half.  They knew they had something special from the first night they met (hung out until 5 a.m. talking).  They have been designing her ring and he told her to save the date - December 31st for their engagement.

Jordan and Melissa have been planning a girl's weekend in Oxford, Mississippi for a few months.  That is where Melissa and her husband Matt live.  Jordan flew in to Memphis, late in the afternoon after she missed her first flight.  (I still haven't figured out how she missed it since she was sitting at the gate for a long time before the flight left.  Must have been her new IPod).

When she got to the airport, Melissa told her that Matt wanted them to have a great weekend and that he had gotten them a hotel for the weekend.  Much to her surprise, when they walked into the room, James was there, waiting on one knee with flowers and the ring.

Needless to say, she was just a little bit shocked and so excited.  They went back to Matt and Melissa's and had a candlelight dinner to celebrate. 

They are planning a wedding for next fall in Las Vegas.

Long Time!

Well, it has been four months since I have checked on "the blog".  A lot has happened since then.  My last post was about Easton's arrival.  We have enjoyed him SO much!!  Hard to believe it has been four months.  Shannon started back to school in August, so we have been keeping Easton.  I have just about figured him out.  He is on a perfect 4 hour schedule and I am learning what his cries mean.

I still pick up Landrie and Karsyn after school and they get to spend some time with Easton.  They have so much fun with him!  They are really liking him now that he will respond with a smile or a coo.  It is going to really get crazy when we have baby brother with us. 

YES, baby brother, Ryan.  On July 4th, the Kirk's revealed with balloons and sparklers, that they are having a boy.  Such a shock.  I really thought it would be another girl.  We are all excited that Easton will have a playmate.  I can't imagine what it will be like in a couple of months, but I can see two little boys roughhousing together in another couple of years.

Ryan's due date is December 16th.  That is also the date of the State Championship football game.  What great timing for a Daddy that is a football coach.  His team has been in the final game for the past several years.  It will be interesting to see what happens!  Fun Times!!!