Family Fun Day

For anyone anywhere near the Rupert area on the 9th of May, just wanted to let you know that there will be a completely awesome Family Fun Day at the Sunrise P Ranch going on that day from 3pm until late. Food, games, karaoke, American Idol-Barn Style, dance w/live band that night, kayaking, 5k race, sack races, log roll, etc. The day is a fundraiser for a ward in our stake that is taking its youth on a big summer activity. Barry and RexAnn Peterson have donated the Sunrise P (an amazing, fun, and popular reunion/large group retreat recreation area) and there will be tons of stuff to do all day with your family. Tickets are $5/single and $10/family. $10 people!!!!! No better deal in town, especially for a full, fun day of unique and varied activities for every member of the family. Check out this website for all the info. If you want to compete in American Idol-Barn Style you need to sign up beforehand.

Cousins Ski Trip!!

Brad took Todd and Kate skiing Saturday (a fun conclusion to a wonderful and much needed Spring Break). They met DJ, Regan, and Morgan at Pomerelle and spent the day speeding down the mountain together. I'm sure the kids drove their dads crazy, but Brad and DJ were great sports and really devoted the day to helping the kids have a great time and increase their skills on the slopes. They were jumping out of their skins with excitement at the thought of spending the whole day with their beloved cousins. HEAVEN!! They all came home completely hammered and sunburned, but happy. What fun to live close enough that they can enjoy several ski trips a year, especially with the added bonus of sharing the day with cousins.

15 Wonderful Years

Amazing, but true. Brad and I just celebrated our 15th anniversary. Why don't I feel any older? We spent the evening at the Twin Falls Temple, took the kids to dinner with us beforehand and had a wonderful time. Joe and Amber watched the kids while we were at the temple, so we enjoyed a little time to ourselves as well. It's always nice to have a few quiet moments together to just be, with no one asking to play "I Spy" or needing a tissue or a diaper change.

I was a completely naive and stupid 20 year old girl when I married Brad. I could have married any number of total idiots, so I thank Heavenly Father every day for leading me to him. Marrying him is, hands down, the smartest thing I ever did. I love the life we have together, the family we have created, the opportunity to be partners for eternity. He brings such joy, happiness, and stability to my life. I'm a lucky, lucky girl.

Jack-Jack

My how the years fly by. It's hard to believe my baby is three years old. Our little St. Patty's day boy has certainly been a lucky charm and a treasure (not to mention a saucy little handful at times!). We had a wonderful time celebrating his 'burp-day' with him. He requested a train cake (shocker!) and got some fun Thomas Train toys and games, a soccer ball, a movie, and a read-a-long storybook/cd, plus lots of fun cards and $$ from wonderful and generous family and friends. All in all, he made out quite well and has been thoroughly entertained by all the attention and gifts. He has taken to requesting 'burp-day' cake and hotdogs for breakfast every morning. YUM!

Jack-Jack has been such a sweet addition to our family. The missing piece that I didn't know was missing before he came along. He is opinionated, bossy, giggly, fun-loving, clever, bossy, sweet, kissy, imaginative, bossy, energetic, athletic, perservering, did I mention bossy?, and an all-around, all-boy boy. He loves trains, race cars, airplanes, monster trucks, construction vehicles, fire trucks, and tools. He gets so excited when he sees any of the above, that you just can't help but be excited too.

I love Jack's newfound ability to communicate. I love his still-garbled, yet decipherable words. My favorites are 'perket' (perfect), which I find delightfully ironic, and 'NESSSSSS...!!!' (yes), as in "Nesssssss, I did it! I am awesome!".

I do not love Jack's temper. I sincerely hope he grows out of his tantrum phase in a hurry. I can watch other peoples' children scream and cry all day and it doesn't bother me a bit, but he really does elicit strong emotions from me, for the good and the bad. In short, that kid can really push my buttons. I hold onto the knowledge that Brad was apparently a very hot-headed, hell-on-wheels child who gave his mother a serious run for her money -- and is now a very calm, level-headed, sweet and perfect gentleman. There is hope. In the meantime, I make it a point to gaze at Jack's sweet little face while he's sleeping and store up the image in the reserves. It has saved his life on several occasions. :)

All in all, I'll take the good with the bad and just enjoy him for who and what he is at this moment in time. All too soon, he'll be all grown up and reasonable like the other two have become so quickly. Gotta love the roller-coaster ride called motherhood.

My Baby Girl is 7

I can't believe my little redhead is 7 already. The years have flown by with this little spitfire angel in the house! She's been a joy and a learning experience all wrapped up in one. She started out extremely willful and full of mischief (evidenced by the crayon we still find on walls and windows to this day!). As she has matured she has become a sensitive, sweet, helpful, obedient child. She is a joy to have in our home and adds so much in her own special way. We love you little Miss Kate.
Kate saw a pattern for this outfit at WalMart several months ago. I had a devil of a time finding the right fabric, but I think it turned out pretty cute. She got to open this present before school and wear it on her birthday. I'll refrain from calling it her birthday suit. :)

We even tried a new hairdo for the special day.

Look at those predawn hours sleepy eyes! She was so excited, she woke up on her own!

Rock star guitar birthday cake!! (Thank you Family Fun.)

This birthday was extra-special since Kate's good friend Sadie got to spend the afternoon and even stay for dinner and the party!

Thanks to Amber and Joe for making the extra effort to come all the way from Twin Falls for the party. We love you both so much. It was terrific to spend some time with you. Joe was the absolute hit of the party since he brought his RC helicopter and let Todd fly it around the living room. You're a brave man Joe!

Daddy and Jack.

A big thank you to G&G Rose for coming to the party and spending the night! We had the best couple of days with them. They are amazing in the way they support each and every one of us on our special days. Thank you for the efforts you make to stay close. We love you both.

Todd -- being 'helpful'. Kate -- letting him.

Thank you G&G Rose -- Kate has played with her Littlest Pet Shop every day since her birthday. It was a definite hit!

New Webkinz: Aly & AJ.

How cute is this dress from Joe and Amber?! Kate wore it Saturday, Sunday, AND Monday. I finally had to pry it off of her and introduce it to the laundry basket. She LOVES it!!!

Kate's choice for her birthday activity was to go to JBs for the breakfast buffet. She was introduced to that particular delicacy by Grandpa Wilson and has been dying to go back!! We had a great time. I think we were there for 2-3 hours. Todd nearly exploded. :)

Traffic Cops

While I was making dinner the other night, the kids entertained themselves outside (on one of our rare, 'warm' (in the 40s) evenings. Kate made all sorts of traffic signs and taped them on boxes and cans, then Todd made a ticket book, then they placed the signs strategically all over the back yard. They took turns being the policeman and each rode their scooters around the obstacle course, giving each other tickets for violating posted warning signs. They were entertained for a good 2 hours. Made me look forward to warm summer nights. I think they're antsy for winter to be over. :)

Not even Jack escaped the wrath of the ticket monsters! I think he might be able to appeal on the grounds that he doesn't know how to read yet. :)

Braided Bread

As promised in an earlier post, I'm posting a quick tutorial on the braided bread I learned to make at our Preparedness Fair a couple of weeks ago. This particular braid has taco meat and cheese in it. I served it with lettuce and sour cream. It made TONS (over twice as much as we need for our family. So you may want to make it half size and use the rest of the dough to make bread loaves, etc.
Roll your dough (I made whole wheat) into a rectangle.

Fill the middle 1/3 (the long way) with filling.

Sprinkle some cheese to taste.

Slice 1 inch wide strips down both sides of the remaining dough.

"Braid" the strips by overlapping them back and forth. One side, then the other.

Pinch the excess dough off and pinch the ends closed.

Place on parchment paper and transfer to a baking sheet. (In hindsight, I really should have put the dough on parchment before I put the filling in it, the transfer would have been much easier!)

Bake at 375 for about 15-20 minutes (or until golden brown).

Don't ask me why I didn't take a picture of the finished product. I guess I was hungry! :)