Bowling

The 4th graders went Bowling for their last field trip of the year. I am not a good bowler but K and Marleah did so well. I let M and F tag along and they loved it as well! F was so cute too. He would grab his ball, 6 lbs., and carry it to the line...then roll it down the lane. Thank goodness for bumpers! Most of the time his ball would go really slow then knock down 2 or 3 pins. But no matter how many he seemed to knock down it was always, 'YES! I did it!'. And we would all give him a 'high 5'. So cute.

M was way cute too. She would get her whole body into it. And she did really well. After every roll she would come check the monitor to see how many points she got.

K and Marlead were a bit competitive but for the most part they were just like 'oh well, if I knock some down that's good'. Too funny. After we finished our games we got cinnamon rolls and pretzels. I love soft pretzels with mustard. So yummy. And the cinnamon rolls were so big. We had a great time with them.

Memorial Day Weekend

This was what our Memorial Day weekend looked like. Cloudy...Rainy...Cold. Saturday we had planned to go hiking with another family in our ward. But when Saturday rolled around there was snow in the mountains and rain on the valley floor. So we went to plan B. Kickball at the church! We had so much fun! Then it was over to the Workman's house for hot dogs and a movie. National Treasurer 2. Not as good as the first one. We bbq-ed our hot dogs over an open fire (aka. wood burning fireplace) in their living room. It was cool. The kids felt like we were really camping but enjoyed being warm inside while roasting their dogs. We even roasted marshmellows for some yummy S'mores! They were sooooo good. I didn't used to like them when I was younger but these marshmellows were so yummy. Thanks kids! You did a great job.

Sunday, we had some really great talks about our country and those who have served in the military to protect our freedoms. It seems that lately our soldiers have been fighting for the rights of others but still...I am so thankful for all who serve to keep our freedoms in tact. I have so many freedoms I enjoy everyday...some that I take for granted or utilize without realizing...how blessed we are to live in this promised land. I am so grateful for this land, America.

Monday, Brandon and some guys went golfing. Thanks to Brian's FREE golf pass...they didn't have to pay a penny. That's what I call a Great Golf Day. While the guys golfed, I took the kids to the gym with me. Then it was home to clean the house, weed the front yard/landscaping, and mow the lawn. And thanks to Lynette's help with the lawn mower last year...I was able to mow the lawn for Brandon. He was so glad not to have to do it. He doesn't mind it but it was a nice surprise. The weather was still cloudy but by 3:30 the sun made a special appearance just in time for our Memorial Day BBQ. The Workmans and the Baileys came over and we had some really yummy food and the kids and dads played Freeze Tag outside. I was so happy that they were able to enjoy the backyard. I was worried with all the bugs that have been back their but due to the rain and cold...I haven't seen any bugs. The rain is good for a few things.

Snake Charmer

Field Trip! A's class went to the Snake and Insect Museum in Reno yesterday. They saw lots of insects like Preying Mantus, Centipedes and Milipedes, Scorpians, and Tarantullas! Then the snakes. This is A with an albino Python. He really enjoyed holding this large snake but would not hold the centipede. To funny.

Beehive Bread

K is doing a 'Shoebox Project' for school. She chose to do her project on Utah. She's aquired lots of postcards and picture books from her Grandma Creswell to put inside her box. She has decorated it all by herself. I was very careful not to take over. This was very hard for me. And she did a great job on her box.

Since I have been making bread, as of late, I thought it would be fun for her to bring in some 'Beehive Bread', as part of her project. She loved the idea when I showed her a picture of the bread. It's only called 'Beehive Bread' because of the shape. If you flip it over, one could use it as a basket to put chips in or rolls. I thought it looked really cool so we decided to try it. And here it is. It was more work than I originally thought but we are going to make another one on Thursday so she'll have a fresh loaf to take to school. Doesn't it just make your mouth water? I can't wait to eat it for dinner! Yum.

Going International

My SIL, Emilie sent me a book today. On every cruiseline in the world that Del Sol advertises with...in each cabin there is a advertisement book. M has a page in this book.

She was so excited when I showed her...HER! She said, 'That's Me!' Thanks Em for this keepsake. M asked, 'Could you make a copy of this page for me, Mom?' I then told her the book was hers. 'I get to keep it?'...Yes! F was excited for her and said, 'Take my picture with her!' Too cute.

Another Saturday

Saturday was once again filled with a soccer game and a baseball game, cleaning the house, a Primary Activity and playing in the sprinklers.

K's soccer game was very interesting. It was Silent Saturday. All the coaches and parents couldn't talk. We couldn't talk to our players, except for before the game, subs, and half time. If anyone spoke to the players they were given a lollipop to stick in their mouths. I wish I had my video camera because we all looked like a bunch of fools trying to use our best hand signals and facial expressions. The Minatuars did a great job the first half. The second half they did an okay job. The game ended in a tie 3-3.

A's baseball game was good. It was hot and we sat under the only columner tree out there. A did a great job. We still have to work on staying away from the high pitches... The other team was on fire! Wacking the ball to the out field every time..they were really pumped and it was kind of hard for us because we were short players, our coach is a lazy @#!*@, has to work every Saturday, so his 2 kids don't come! I have issues with him. Anywho...the kids did really well. Brandon has been able to help on Saturdays with warm ups and base coaching. I think he really enjoys doing that. He's really good with the boys.

While the kids went to their Primary Activity, I worked on my temple dress and Brandon washed the cars. F played XBox. When the kids got home they pulled out the slip and slide and tried to beat the heat. They were successful and didn't want to come in for dinner. They were out there for 3 hours.

This is how I found F. Trying to get warm. Silly boy. I just love him. Yes, that's a snow sled.

Pregnancy Q & A

Ang made me LOL today when I read this email. So funny. Thanks Ang.

Q: Should I have a baby after 35?
A: No, 35 children is enough.

Q: I'm two months pregnant now. When will my baby move?
A: With any luck, right after he finishes college.

Q: What is the most reliable method to determine a baby's sex?
A: Childbirth.

Q: My wife is five months pregnant and so moody that sometimes she's borderline irrational.
A: So what's your question?

Q: My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll feel during labor, but pressure. Is she right?
A: Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.

Q: When is the best time to get an epidural ?
A: Right after you find out you're pregnant.

Q: Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in labor?
A: Not unless the word 'alimony' means anything to you.

Q: Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?
A: Yes, pregnancy.

Q: Do I have to have a baby shower?
A: Not if you change the baby's diaper very quickly.

Q: Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again?
A: When the kids are in college.

I needed this today! Brandon devised a new plan for A to earn money for Indiana Jones legos. He told A, 'I will give you $2.00 everyday you don't make your mom yell at you.' I laughed. I told A he better have a plan. It all started last Friday. He didn't have a plan. So I typed one up for him and made him sign it.

Saturday after we asked him to follow his plan, he says, 'The plan doesn't include Saturdays and Sundays!' Brandon was the one who yelled at him Saturday so he still got his $2.00 because I didn't do the yelling. He was doing really well Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. So he's got $8.00 now and today I thought...if he wants to be stubborn and defiant...let him. Two can play this game. I was controlling myself so well and for what? For him to be defiant and disrespectful again. I told him, 'Just because I'm not yelling at you doesn't mean you're making good choices. You will not get your $2.00 if you keep this up. I will get your $2.00.' He grunted at me. Then came the spanking...still no obedience...then I decided...yes, I decided, to also choose poorly. I yelled. So now who gets the money? Brandon.

Happy Mother's Day

I am positive there are millions of quotes about mothers...

that express how important your role is.

But I thought I'd keep it simple.

Each of you have been placed in my path at different times in my life...

to help me become a better person, mother, and wife.

Thank you for inspiring me...

teaching me...

and being a friend...

Happy Mother's Day.

Slugger

We love baseball. Yesterday, Brandon and tossing the ball back and forth, getting A warmed up for his game. Throwing the ball high into the air, A was ready to catch a pop fly. The ball came down, bounced off A's mit, and nailed A in the lip. Blood everywhere.

I came home from K's soccer game to find Brandon's truck in the garage. I asked him where A was and he said, 'You didn't get my message?' He then tells me to take a look at A and see if he needs stitches. 'Stitches!' I think. I go look at my son layed out on my couch, watching Indiana Jones, with a pack of ice on his lip. It was definitely split and, yes, needed stitches. So Brandon took him to the ER and A came back with 2 stitches. Way to hang in there, A!

Feeling Domestic

Okay in all my married life I have never made jam. I know, I know, it is super easy and yummy and I should have done it many many years ago. So yesterday, F and I took a trip to Wal-Mart to buy the necessary items for freezer jam. I bought the most delicious strawberries at Costco and just needed pectin and ziplock bowls. I got a No Cook Strawberry Freezer Jam recipe online and got to work...after the kids were in bed of course. It was so easy and fun. I loved it. Thanks, Jen for inspiring me. Feeling domestic.

Sunday in RS, our RS pres. talked about different aspects of being prepared. She first touched on gardening. So while I was at Wal-Mart, I bought 2 tomato plants. I am really excited to see if they produce anything. I have tried growing them from seeds with no success so I am hoping that this will work. I potted them in organic soil and manuer and gave them plenty to drink. Last night I brought them inside because it's still too cold for them. Feeling domestic.

I am really excited to try my jam but don't have bread worthy of it so I am making bread today. I have really enjoyed my KitchenAid and have made lots of dough. I freeze lots of it too which I have never done but love that I'm not wasting any of it. It's really nice because I just pull it out in the morning and we can have pizza rolls for lunch on homemade wheat bread. So good. So today I am going to make white bread. Warm homemade white bread with butter and homemade strawberry jam will be a delicious treat. My mouth is watering. Feeling domestic.

A Gift From Us To You...& From You To Us

Lynette, you will totally understand my excitement about this post.

Yesterday, I went to the mailbox to collect my weeks worth of mail only to find a package addressed to me from my grandmother. I love packages. Any kind of mail for that matter. So as soon as I got home I opened it. I had no idea what she might be sending me. I ripped open the large envelope and pulled out this.

What is 'this' you ask? Well let me tell you a little story.

Christmas 2006, I was struggling what to get family. Lynette had a wonderful idea! History journals with questions in a jar. She showed me her crafty way of making it look cute....and I can't resist crafty cute ideas...so I asked her to help me. We decorated simple notebooks with scrapbook paper, love scrapbook paper, and ribbon. I added black and white wallet size photos of my family in 2006 to the divider pages and fun vintage clip art as well for a custom look and feel. Then we downloaded geneaology questions from sited online and cut them into strips, put them in a jar, made a special label for the jar, and decorated the top. For Christmas, each on of the grandparents & great grandparents received a notebook and jar. I was so excited for them. Some of them weren't excited about the challenge I gave but none the less...I want my children to know about their grandparents.

365 questions later...my grandmother is the first to complete this book. I cried when I saw what it was and flipped through the pages to find her handwriting, photos, and drawings.

This is such a wonderful priceless gift that I can share with my kids. K was flipping through it and found a song that my grandparents wrote and composed together and I sat down at the piano and plunked it out. Every few minutes K would come in my bathroom where I was getting ready for the day and say, 'Mom, look at this.' 'Mom, did you know Great Grandma Gore was in the military?' 'Mom, look it's Great Grandma's wedding picture.' and 'Mom, Great Grandma looks like Aunt Abby in this picture' (I didn't have the heart to tell her that Great Grandma Gore is Grandma Sanchez' adopted Mom, because I thought it was so cute how she made a physical comparison between family members).

Thank you so much, Grandma for taking this challenge and completing this book for us. And for those Grandparents that are still working on this...keep going. I don't care how long it takes you to finish...just finish. Your grandkids will love you all the more for it. They will have pieces of you for generations to come. This is certainly a family treasure.

Lava Cake Recipe

Chocolate Lava Cake

6 oz. of semi-sweet baking chocolate (I used 1/2 bag of chocolate chips)
6 oz. of butter
3 eggs
1/2 c. sugar
1/3 c. flour
Greased Ramekins

Directions:
Preheat oven 350 degrees. Melt chocolate in double boiler. When chocolate is melted remove it from heat and add butter. Stir till butter is melted. In a small bowl, beat eggs and add sugar. Stir in chocolate mix and add flour. Pour batter into greased ramekins and place in oven. Bake for 10 min. Don't over bake. Bake until you get the perfect liquid~solid consistancy. When done, turn ramekin over onto plate. I poured Double Chocolate Syrup around the cake and topped with Vanilla Ice Cream. I topped the Ice Cream with crumbled Score bar. Makes 4 cakes. Using ramekin dishes.

Variations:
Cupcake pan instead of Ramekins.
Raspberry sauce instead of Chocolate Syrup.
Orange Sherbet instead of Vanilla Ice Cream with orange slices for garnish.

This recipe is so simple I was able to remember it by heart. The trick part is how long to cook it. I had to try 3 times to get it perfect. I put the ramekin dishes on a baking sheet in water, then on a baking stone...if you do this you will need to double your baking time. I still haven't figured out the approximate time. But I will be trying this again tomorrow with a friend.

Along with Pinto Bean Fudge. You are kringing at the very sound of that I know, but I have heard it is the best some have tasted and since we are trying to make things using our food storage I have to make it. I will let you all know how that goes. And yes, Veronica, I am trying to lose 25 lbs. but have been for the past 6 months. At least I was sharing. That's gotta count for something. I don't think I could eat a whole one by myself because it's so rich.

Enjoy! And let me know how yours turn out!