* Do a better job brushing teeth. (He wants to have sparkling white teeth and even asked us if he could get his teeth whitened! We said, do a better job brushing your teeth.) * Earn the Webelos badge * Invent something new * Do the real Fur Elise piano song. (He played a simplified version at his recent piano recital. While we applaud him for setting his goals high, I don't think the "real" Fur Elise is going to be a reality for him this summer. Which is okay, because I think he's forgotten about this goal already.) *... Continue reading

A few years ago my sister-in-law Becca brought this recipe to a family gathering, I baked it up (I think she was busy with a baby at the time), and ever since I have been hooked. It is moist, delicious, with just the perfect touch of almond flavoring. I've made it three times now for gatherings and each and every time it has been a hit! CAKE Heat and set aside: 3 sticks butter 1 1/2 cups water Mix: 3 cups flour 3 cups sugar 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1 1/2 tsp. salt 3/4 cups sour cream 3 eggs... Continue reading

This little video is for my dad. I'm just barely 6 years old, singing at a Primary talent show. We were in a teeny tiny ward back then! (Or was it still a branch? I don't know.) **Turn up your volume because it is pretty quiet.** Continue reading

Several years ago I gave The Book of Awesome to my brother, Kent, for his birthday. He thinks that everything is awesome. He's great at finding joy in the little, sometimes insignificant, awesome things of life. As the book says, Sometimes it's easy to forget the things that make us smile. Sometimes it's tempting to feel the world is falling apart. But awesome things are all around us. Right? Right. The book covers those everyday awesome things like popping bubble wrap, the other side of the pillow, hitting a bunch of green lights in a row, etc. Well, as I... Continue reading

Los Angeles Temple So happy to see Mason happily married. There were many photographers waiting for the couple to come out. Preston was the most handsome of them all. My niece, Carlee Chatting with Papa Dan. Kent, Becca, Nicholas, and Ellie Sweet, spunky Audrey At the reception these two bonded over their mutual love of Angry Birds. Mom's friend Sandi is always there. :) All the grandkids (minus Ellie). Yes, it's a little awkward when the bride or groom hold a baby in wedding photos, but someone had to hold Cole. What girl doesn't love to dance with her dad?... Continue reading

It's finally here! Last night for Family Home Evening we sat together and gave suggestions for our 2013 Summer Fun List. I always like to make it a combination of things we know we are going to do (trips & events that are on the calendar), Cannon Beach, Oregon Idaho Cousin Camp Mason & Jessica's Wedding things that are just a given for summer time, swimming lessons (for Payton & Anna) activity pool splash pad night swimming summer reading program bubbles and things that are on our wish lists or simply pop out of the kids' imaginations Children's Museum get... Continue reading

TODAY! I remember when I used to change his diapers, feed him from Gerber jars . . . "here comes the airplane!" give him baths, and play patty-cake in the mirror. I was 10 1/2 when he was born. Because of him, my place as the oldest in the family, and 3 other brothers who kept my mom busy, I had lots of hands-on experience with taking care of a baby. Which was great. He was my little buddy, my little guy to play house with. And today he is getting married! So glad we could be with Mason, and... Continue reading

Boy, this day was a blur. I walked the kids to school. Each carrying a gift for their teachers - a bundtlet from Nothing Bundt Cakes and this tag. I was pumped - last day of school! hooray! freedom! no homework! They weren't so excited - already missing their friends and teachers. I think it's great that they enjoy school so much, but it was kind of a buzz-kill. We're supposed to be singing "schooooool's out for summer . . na-na-na-na" and jamming on our air guitars. Oh well. I raced back home to make it through my to-do list... Continue reading

and mom! My parents' birthdays are just a few days apart and today happens to be my dad's birthday! I sent him a birthday card with a picture of Kauai chickens on it. I don't think I ever mentioned that our Kauai vacation overlapped with my parents' vacation to The Garden Isle. Yep. A short 24 hours. We came in as they were leaving. But we did take the time to meet and chat over breakfast at Lei Petite Cafe on Sunday morning. My dad really did not like the chickens -- having a 5:30am alarm clock every single morning... Continue reading

according to my iPhone 7:16 AM // breakfast in bed delivered by this cutie 7:32 AM // family scripture time 10:17 AM // Epic 1:23 PM // pool time 1:45 PM // when kids get creative 4:06 PM // pool toys 5:38 PM // gaming 6:00 PM // BBQ dinner 7:54 PM // funnel cakes for dessert Continue reading

I'm starting to put together a plan for our summer. . . . the traditional summer fun list . . . deciding on the best approach for summer chores and rewards . . . coming up with the kids' summer goals . . . and my summer goals Lots of ideas circulating in my head and I'm hoping it all comes together this week because school is out in 3 days!! Here are some ideas that are inspiring me: Adding some RAKs to our summer list I like the format of this poster A zones chart for the kids' chores... Continue reading

today: I'm painting our hallway. Running errands. Delivering dinner to a new mom (Chicken Chipotle Salad). Listening to Payton play Fur Elise for his piano recital. yesterday: I primed that hallway and painted the ceilings. Scott took us to Purple Penguin for dinner. It's a known fact . . . when mom spends the day painting, don't expect any dinner. the day before yesterday: I had a man come over to give us a quote on window films (getting ready for the heat). I attended Anna's Student of the Month Luncheon, an award she has been dying to get all... Continue reading

Betcha thought I was done blogging about Kauai, didn't you? Well I couldn't leave out the amazing sunset dinner that we had our last night on the island. We ate at the Makana Terrace at the St. Regis Resort. We made a 5:30 reservation to ensure prime sunset viewing on the terrace. Sure enough, we were the first ones there for dinner seating and got the table of our dreams with a front row view. The view to the side and behind us . . . . a panoramic mash-up . . . Just gorgeous. And the weather couldn't have... Continue reading

A few weeks ago I had my mom come visit so we could fit in some mother/daughter time. It's our tradition. Last year was a pretty fancy affair -- like, band-aids on a silver platter kind of fancy. This year was a little more low key. But wonderful as well. DAY 1 - Breakfast at Bread and Butter (my favorite), exploring the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, some window shopping in Caesar's Emporium (Max Brenner chocolates), lunch & Frrrozen Hot Chocolates at Serendipity 3, and later a movie night at home (Les Miserables). DAY 2 - Pedicures and chocolate chip... Continue reading