- The McCluskey Clan -

Kenneth, Darlene, Kendra, K.Bryce, Kyle, Kameron, Kristen, Kari, Kelley, Kevin, Katie, Konrad.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Gubernick Family Update



Hey everyone. All is well with the Gubernicks. The kids have adjusted really well to CA and love their new school. We are extremely excited to be moving the end of November and look forward to having anyone and everyone who wants to be there over at our house for Turkey. Rocky is very busy with football and I can not wait for it to freaken end. 4 more weeks and that could not come soon enough. I know Gaylene knows exactly what I am talking about, and if coaching 24/7 isn't enough, when we get together for family functions and all they talk about is their running plays and the game from Friday night. All I have to say is Kam and Rocky owe me and Gaylene a big fat date night when this is all over. Well thats about all for now. I am going to attempt to attach some recent pictures of the kids, hope it works.......... Lots of love from the Gubernicks.

Family Memories

I remember:
the water slide in front of Grandma and Grandpa house in Sacramento.

The sample carpets they also had in there garage. Maybe that is where Mom got the idea for our house on Sandalwood. Oh ya, I forgot that was to cover up the stains on the carpet.

FHE - Kam got the clipboard broke over his head, the glass candle holder falling off the self and cutting his toe open, the beer dad bought for an object lesson, someone always getting sent to their rooms.

Pup n Taco nights

Watching Soaps with Mom

Shooting the Reid's upstairs window with the boys bb gun (sp sorry)

The hedges between our house and the Engstrom's where the boys would find slugs and throw them on us girls.

The many nights tickling Kendras back with a promise of "I will tickle yours next" but she would always fall asleep.

Grandpa's garden, olives, peanut butter cookies and his love taps on grandma's butt.

GG always telling us we had to take naps.

Mary and Carolyn's BA's.

Sue Sue's eggs, and her scary stories when we spent the night.

Uncle Steves uneven mustache and his jokes. I smile everytime I think of him and his jokes.

Nana's awful singing voice. No only was it awful it was LOUD!

Oh my goodness there are to many....

The tower of Babel dad built in the back yard for us.

The swing he hung from the tree in the backyard close to the Schorley's.

The day it broke. ouch!

Herman the turtle.

The ugly hamsters. Someone threw one in the air and it landed on the ground I think?

I will tried to remember more later.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

FOOD STORAGE!

Ever wonder how to use your food storage everyday? Check this site out for ideas and wonderful recipes. I promise you'll find something that peeks your interest! She has great ideas up now for Halloween & Fall. Check it out - you won't be sorry.




Make sure to check out her cookie recipes. For all the info....go to www.everydayfoodstorage.blogspot.com

Friday, October 24, 2008

Feeling Nostalgic!

So I've been feeling so nostalgic lately and remebering some really fun times about growing up in the McCluskey family...and thought I'd share. So read further and see how many you can remember along with me. It will be fun!




- When visiting Grandpa & Grandma McCluskey in Elk Grove, sometimes they or even Aunt Carolyn and Aunt Mary would take us to the church bookstore they owned. That always meant playing with the cash register, lunch of Fish & Chips, dessert from Baskin Robbins, walking down to the Chinese store, and sometimes helping with the name embossing on scriptures. It was always a fun filled day! I think that's where I first fell in love with Jack Weyland books. Last week I went and got some Fish & Chips just as a ode to those wonderful times! I haven't had that in over 25 years...my family ate something else that day for lunch. They thought I was crazy!!!


- How many of you actually remember camping out at Fearthly Park. I think a couple of times we went with Grandpa & Grandma, and another time I remember was when we went with the Olsens.


- How about visiting Ad and Nana. Does anybody remember the fiber optic swan and the dish of ribbon candy that sat on top of their tv??? Anyone...anyone?


- How about the Christmas when mom & dad said all we were getting were stockings. Then when we woke up on Christmas morning, mom had made each of us a stocking that was as big as us!


- Does anyone remember people picketing the front of our house over the water purifyer? I can't remember if it was our house or Bishop Jones'?


- How about mom and dad holding elections outside in our garage?


- Anybody, but Kameron, remember the day mom was throwing a surprise baby shower for Jill Monroe and Kameron was playing football out front. He went to run and catch a pass...and ran right smack into the light pole and cracked his head open. He had to go get stitches!


- How about going over for family night at the Monroe's and swimming. Elliot put bubble bath in the jacuzzi and all the bubbles ran into the pool. We'd go down the slide and land in a pool full of bubbles!


- Anybody remember the Family Fun Center before it got bumper boats??? Do you remember what was there???

Answer: In ground Trampolines.


- Who remembers Bryce's prom and him practicing his kissing techniques in the bathroom, on my beauty school dummy head before he left that night?


- Anybody remember mom working at the HB mall as a Santa's helper. She and Jill Monroe did that at Christmas time I think a couple of times. I think at one point she also wrapped gifts there too to get extra money for Christmas!


- Who remembers the food fight in the kitchen with Julie who stayed with us for awhile(her dad was a cop in LA) - I can't remember her last name. Her mom was a curly red head??? Let me know if you remember it...oh, was it Denise Nielsen? That sounds right doesn't it???


- How about the year mom and dad took us up to a cabin for Christmas and we were able to sled, play games, build snowmen, and drink hot chocolate!


- Anybody remeber the Blue & Gold Spaghetti dinners at HB 3rd ward. Every year Shirley Startup would make her famous ice cream cake. It was always the item that sold for the most money. One year dad bought it because we BEGGED him!!!! I think he payed close to $100.00 for a stupid ice cream cake. I remember sitting around the table and we all had spoons and were eating it after we got home from cleaning up the cultural hall when dad was the cubmaster.


- Anyone remember the player piano and having to be downstairs before the roll was over for scripture study? Do you also remember the hugh flannel board and all the flannel board scripture stories we had?


- Who remembers the when mom & dad came home with a VCR. That thing was HUGH! The vcr and tv were on a stand in the kitchen. We had Sound of music, South Pacific, and My Fair Lady on tape. I can't remember any of the other ones. But I do remember back then each tape was like $80.00 per movie!


- How many Bishops' names do you remember from over the years??? Do not scroll down until you think about it!


Answer: The ones I could remember are - Johannson (my favorite),Startup, Lassig, Fox, & Kinney (after I left for college) Do you remember anyone else??? The only Stake President i ever knew were, Palmer & Borquist.



- Who remembers Kori Hunsingers mom getting struck by lightening while standing on our porch?


- Who remembers the Allenbaus from accross the street. I remember when he and dad would put on these big Fourth of July Block Parties. One year their roof caught fire from an M80.

- Who learned to drive stick shift from Buster Murphy at Mile Square Park????


- How about the smorgasboard, "Villa Sweeden". We went there everytime we had a baby blessing! Those were the best sweedish meatballs!!!!


- Who remembers "Solveign"???? I'm not sure if I'm saying it right. It was alittle town that looked like holland.


Okay...now it's your turn! What are some of the memories you all have! Kendra

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Pumpkin Bars Recipe

These were so easy and very yummy!

First mix in a bowl;
1 Cup Flour
1/4 t. Salt
1 t. Cinnamon
1/2 t. Soda
1/2 t. Baking Powder

In a new bowl mix the wet ingrediants;
2 Eggs
1 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup Oil
1/2 Cup Pumpkin (1 can will make 3 recipes. You can put it in a ziplock & freeze.)

Combine the dry with the wet really well. Add a handful of Chocolate Chips. (I used some semi sweet & milk chocolate. Pour into a 9x13 greased pan and bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or so. Check center with toothpick to make sure it is done in the center. Let cool.

Frosting;
3 oz. Cream Cheese Softened
6 T. Butter Softened
2 1/2 Cups Powdered Sugar
1 t. Vanilla
1 t. Milk

I mashed the cream cheese and butter, added the milk and vanilla in. Then slowley worked in the powdered sugar. Let Set Up.

* Just a side note...the frosting was on the sweet side. We like it without the frosting. The chocolate chips give it enough sweetness!
ENJOY!!!!

Come Listen To A Prophets Voice...



I have personally enjoyed the messages that have been shared this weekend with us by our leaders and Prophet.






Believe it or not...the kids and conference sessions went well. We haven't required them to watch Saturday sessions yet, but Scott & I have it on or tape it (we were gone to Jake's game for the second Sat. session and Jessica went to take the SAT's again...don't know why since she had a terrific score!) But they both sit with us as a family and watch both Sunday sessions. As they get older - it's been nicer. I remember when we first started this...I thought I'd pull all my hair out, what''s left of it! But now they ask questions, know who General Authorties are or stories about them, etc.



This is our dog Zoe. She's a wonderful pet and I personally have become very attached to her. Actually come to think of it...I'm attached to all our pets because I'm the one that feeds them, cares for them, and loves them since my kids don't! (Not Jake's snake or lizard though. I will remind him when they need to eat or have water!) Anyways...back to zoe. She's had a rough time the past few weeks with allergies and shedding/itching. So this picture was taken about 45 minutes after we gave her 2 kids benadrills in a see's raspberry chocolate. She had a few hours of relief! (For all those wondering...the vet said it was okay, although she'd probably be upset to hear we give it in chocolate! And yes...she's still alive!)




Our Usual "In-Between-Conference" omletets & hash browns with all the fixings. We also had cinnamon rolls before the first session and yummy Pumpkin Bars after the last session of conference. We hope you all had a wonderful Conference weekend!