LeishaLAtkinson

In an Instant

2011-09-11T13:28:00.000-07:00

Often times we encounter events that are life changing. Most of the life changes I have had have been planned or happened over time, like having a baby, getting married, graduating from school, etc. I can't think of a time where in an "instant" something in my life has changed forever. This happened to me last weekend. And I need to say while this "instant" has changed a part of my life forever, it doesn't hold a candle to real tragedy. I know there could be a lot worse "instants."

So......to begin with. Look at this cute picture. Notice her sweet, beautiful smile. This is the last of it's kind......

Last Friday we packed up to go camping, arrived just before dark and rushed to put up two tents before it was pitch dark. We got everything set up and I decided to run up to the park check-in and register our arrival. About 15 minutes later I headed back to camp. This was when I learned of the "instant". "Lilly lost her tooth" I was told as I saw everyone huddled around her and she was cuddled in her Kelly's (a good friend) arms. After some gentle gum checking and a flashlight search for the tooth on the ground, we luckily found it didn't break or shove back in - it just popped right out, nice and clean and bloody enough to freak her brother out.

(Tooth is in my hand)

Now you may think this is a strange "instant", but as I registered what was said and saw that she was "okish", I realized that the little two year old smile I love was forever lost, knocked out by a (thankfully) cold fire ring after a run in the dark.

See what I mean? A mother's instant worry, still a face I love, but that sweet smile...........luckily Bella drew us a picture......

That's not going to give a mother nightmares........A few days later though, the swelling has gone down.

Still a cute smile and easy to love, but my two year old will have a six year old smile for the next 4 or so years. In an "instant" that little girl smile was forever changed, but my prayers include a big and repetitive thank you that my "instant" was not as bad as it could have been. She's still a stinking cute little girl.

Ricketts Glen

2011-09-09T15:57:00.000-07:00

This was our last summer hurrah. We went camping over Labor Day weekend at Ricketts Glen Campsite. It was a great place! Waterfall hikes, big lake and beach, tree filled campsites, great friends and good food. I didn't take very many pictures, but if any of my campbuddies sends me some good shots I will add them. I dream of being a great photographer, but I think I am meant more to have friends who are good behind the lense.

Valerie, Lilly and Taylor Sunning.

Natalie and Kiley beginning what ends up being a huge sandcastle.

Lathen hanging out with his dad at the lake.

Aaron and Nic - and yes they did capsize once.

Taylor, Mariah and Valerie - boat beauties.

Taylor did Lilly and Nic's hair up nice and fancy.

Whitney, Bella, Arielle and Elizabeth striking a pose.

Friends while hiking.

Me at the big waterfall - 96 feet or so.

Not all, but a big chunk of the crew - there were about 65 of us. And we were allready discussing next year. Fun times and great memories.

The Girl's First Concert

2011-09-09T14:33:00.000-07:00

The girls went to their first concert this summer. While nothing can beat my first concert (MC Hammer), Tayor Swift was pretty cool. We went with some good friends and had a great girl time. We had been listening to the Taylor CD for the whole previous month so we would be ready. Surprisingly my tomboy Kiley danced the night away more than Valerie. I think Valerie was trying not to block people behind her with her tallness. Bella and Arielle made a sign and they and their friends were set on holding it up almost the whole night. I finally convinced them to put it down and dance. I didn't take any pictures, but my good friend Jen did a great job of documenting the event and the pre-event of making T Swift T-Shirts. Her links are below. I loved watching my girls have fun and I loved spending time with good girl friends....which is a good thing since traffic was horrible and we ended up spending about 8 hours together. All part of the good memory. :)

http://seguinephilly.blogspot.com/2011/08/taylor-swift-t-shirts.html

http://seguinephilly.blogspot.com/2011/08/taylor-swift-concert.html

First Day of School

2011-09-09T13:56:00.000-07:00

Just about every year I forget to take first day of school photos. This year I got 4 of the 5. Kiley's picture is at the end of the day of the first day.

Valerie is 16 and a Junior.

Kiley is 12 and in 7th grade.

Bella is 7 and in 2nd grade and Arielle is 9 and in 4th grade.

Nic is 15 and a Sophmore.

Lathen is 6 months and doesn't have any schedule.

Lilly is 2 1/2 and will have a one day a week homeschool preschool. She is very excited.

New Sunroom!!!

2011-09-09T13:48:00.000-07:00

We finally have it complete! Well, I still need to stain the french doors and get a few pieces of furniture, but it is at least done enough that we can enjoy it! It feels so good to sit on the couch and read a book with all the natural light around. The kids really like doing homework there too. It can be closed off, and quieter, yet it is still a part of us.

I love that one of the kitchen bay windows opens up right into the sunroom. Of course when we first used it I was shocked to see the kids jumping through it. Jim said I was silly to not even consider that would happen.

The patio is even finished now. It looks really great, almost as great as my model. :) If it only quits raining then we can have a good old fall barbecue.

Many thanks to my dear husband who wasn't too excited about this adventure in the first place, but fully supported (and funded) it for me. Kisses to him and lots of sunshine to the rest of us.

And I am on my own....

2011-04-05T07:04:00.000-07:00

I have been so lucky to have wonderful parents and in laws who helped me so much over the past couple of weeks. I had a driver, a cook, a painter, a maid, my own laundry service and nannies galore. Today is the first day they are all gone. And if you look at the picture below, it has been less than 12 hours, but that table is indicative of my whole house. The nice thing is I don't feel any pressure to get it all done. My to do list today consists of updating this blog and freezing half the pepperoni in my fridge. Anything beyond that is bonus. New babies are the best excuses for messy houses. THANK YOU to all my wonderful parents and the love and care you showed us.

I have Two Babies

2011-04-05T06:47:00.001-07:00

I have two babies. The big baby is set on making sure we know that. The big baby loves to sneak out at nap time and put on some beautiful lipstick. The little baby still hasn't figure out what to do when he is awake.

The big baby is so delightful with her humor and fluffy blond hair.

The little baby is a GREAT sleeper and has such soft and cuddly skin.Both babies are so wonderful to have in our family.

Sweet 16!

2011-04-05T06:40:00.001-07:00

Look at this pretty girl -and this was a lay around the house and don't do your hair PJ day. Val turns 16 this year! We are so lucky to have her as a daughter. She is kind, responsible and reliable. I love that she likes to be my friend. We couldn't have a better example for the other kids. Jim and got more than lucky when she came into our lives. I'd post a cute baby picture of her, but alas, she was born in the olden days when we had to develop our film. Just picture in your mind a little girl with big chubby cheeks. Right now, I picture in my mind a tall capable, responsible driver. 6 months and the licence can be hers!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET VALERIE!!!!!

March 18, 2011

2011-04-05T06:31:00.001-07:00

Lathen William Atkinson came into this world at 8 lbs and 5 oz, 21 1/4 inches long. Bigger by an ounce and 1/4 inch than any of my other children. And...he is a brown haired baby, just what I ordered.

Because he was born at 5 pm and was a planned c-section, this is the best I have ever looked post baby - no glasses and make-up. A good way to end it! To celebrate, Jim had each of the kids pick out a dozen roses. They left the store and someone said they looked like a circus parading out to the car. What a good man I have! This little boy came into a loving family that will cuddle and adore him and hang him by his arms when he is only 2 days old.

He is looking at me with those sweet little eyes saying "Mama, what have you done to me?"

I tell him you may get hung by your arms and pushed around a bit, but look at everyone who is so excited to love and cuddle you.

You have a GREAT life ahead of you, you lucky boy!

One Week Left

2011-03-10T11:19:00.000-08:00

It has been a long time since I have posted anything. I am sitting here drying my toes in front of the fireplace and trying not to waste time. I went out to get errands done today with Lilly, in the pouring rain, and she insisted on walking on her own, holding her own umbrella. Needles to say, I got very wet.

I finished today one of my last "to do" items before this baby comes. I had to go buy a boring nursing bra. I don't know why it is so irritating for me to do. It just seems like so much money for a piece of clothing that is never really flattering, but you have to have it. It's kind of like buying tires for your car or a new vacuum cleaner.

In about two minutes I am out the door again to go and watch a simple machines demonstration by Arielle. I don't mind going, but I really wish my toes were dry before I headed out again.

Anyway, below is a cute picture of 3 round bellied ladies. I think we all look great. Our good friend Jen hosted a baby brunch for us - food was sooooo good, seating, as you can see, was so comfortable and friends were so delightful.

All I have left to say is come baby, please come. I have your feeding support purchased and I am ready to feel what it is like to breath with out toes poking my lungs.

The Christmas Tree

2010-12-05T15:19:00.001-08:00

It was a ccccoooolllllddddd December Saturday. Everyone was bundled up and ready for the hunt to begin.

Off to work crew! Find us that perfect Christmas tree.

At last it was found. Nic and Arielle were put to work sawing it down.

Kiley watched and hung out in the tree wagon.

Bella cringed on the ground trying to decide which way it would fall.

Dad held the tree (because Lilly ran around the tree, and again, we didn't know which way it would fall) while Valerie watched on.

Finally the tree came down and Nic used his boy scout skills to cut us a nice base.

Arielle and I huddled around with joy that we found the perfect tree and would soon be sipping hot chocolate in a heated car.

Let's haul that baby home!

Look at that tree!!!!! It is the tallest we have ever found. It looks like I am off to buy more Christmas lights!

Thanksgiving

2010-12-05T08:28:00.000-08:00

This year the best part of Thanksgiving for me was......... That it was so casual and laid back. Everyone helped prepare dinner and we didn't have a set time to get things done by. It was a great way to celebrate this year - considering my tendency to want to do nothing......hormones, right?
Jim and Lilly worked on a cheese, meat and cracker tray.

Our yummy appetizers we snacked on most of the day.

Arielle helped me make the pie crusts.

Nic did a lot of cooking. Here he is getting ready to do the stuffing.

Bella and Kiley are working on the kids favorite pie - Chips-A-Hoy chocolate pie.

Valerie made these yummy rolls - Rhodes style.

Jim boiled our flavor injected turkey. He had to sit outside and hold the umbrella over it so the flames wouldn't go out.

Bella and Arielle set the table for us.

And dinner was served!

I believe in disposable tableware, sorry environment. I do recycle though.

Nic is not drinking beer. It is a favorite ROOT beer.

Arielle likes a crust only pie.

I made this delicious pie. Close to picture perfect, it signifies how grateful we our for our happy and comfortable lives.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

Fall Sports

2010-12-05T08:19:00.001-08:00

This fall Valerie and Nic played Volleyball, Kiley played Field Hockey and Arielle and Bella decided to take gymnastics. I didn't get any pictures of Val and Nic because I was the assistant coach and didn't even think to take my camera. They both played well- Valerie got a lot better at blocking and playing at the net. Nic had a lot of energy and would run for almost every ball.

Arielle and Bella love going to the gym. Every time I watch them they are bouncing around in place they are so happy. Bella falls down about 10 times a lesson, just because she is bouncing so much in one place. Arielle seems to get competitive and likes to do things fast.

Kiley played Field Hockey this year for the first time. She had a lot of fun with her friends. She even played well enough to get invited to an end of year all-star game. Too bad it was on Sunday. Luckily for Kiley though, she was the only one I got pictures of playing.

Halloween

2010-12-05T08:07:00.001-08:00

We can tell the kids are getting older because there weren't as many pumpkin carvers this year. The ones that did carve though made some great jack-o-lanterns.Nic went as his Dad.Kiley was a Wizard.Bella was a Cowgirl.Arielle was a Mad Scientist and Lilly was a Princess.The best part of Halloween was that Grandma was there to visit!

Honey Crisps

2010-09-23T11:16:00.000-07:00

My dear friend Shannon invited us to go pick apples with her the other week. We gathered up most of our kids and headed to the orchard. The kids were happy, the apples were huge and juicy sweet and the cider doughnuts were delicious. Thank you Monsons!

Kentucky Vacation

2010-09-23T10:05:00.000-07:00

I had an extra airline ticket to use and Jim's parents came into town for about two weeks. This all added up to the perfect set up for a long weekend vacation for Jim and I.

We decided to head to Kentucky since that was a state that neither of us have been to. Our first stop, and one I didn't get pictures of, was to the Louisville Slugger museum. Jim got to swing Mickey Mantel's personal bat and we saw how baseball bats were made. It was a really fun tour. Our next stop was to Churchill Downs. It was a huge, palace like place. It was very beautiful.

In the midst of our little travels, I did get to try Derby Pie. It has chocolate and nuts in it, kind of like a pecan pie.
We were able to visit the Louisville Temple. It was beautiful, but what I liked best was how friendly everyone inside was. We were chatted up at every opportunity.
We couldn't have missed Mammoth Cave. We descended 280 stairs through narrow and twisting rocks. It was a little intimidating at first, but it was beautiful.

I was environmentally friendly and had my shoes scrubbed so I wouldn't transfer bat diseases. This was a precaution they take because I wore these shoes in Jewel Cave a few months before. It was neat to see the differences of the two caves.

One of the highlights of the trip for me was the Lexington Food tour we took. I know Jim had his doubts, but he ended up loving it just as much as I did. We went to 7 different local restaurants and were taught a little history as we toured around.

Our fist stop was to Alfalfa's. We had fresh buckwheat blueberry pancakes topped with a homemade blackberry syrup. Wow, soooooo good. If we had stayed here one more day I would have gone back for a full breakfast.

At our second stop we were given a taste of a favorite local soda. It is called Ale 8 1 (a late one). It is kind of gingery, but pretty good. The locals said it is all the rage at the little country church parties.

I forgot the name of this restaurant, but it was very fancy and the chef passed around his cook book. We had fried green tomatoes - which Jim ate and enjoyed, Black Eyed Peas made into croutons, and the most delicious deviled eggs we have ever had.

At this local hang out we had black bean and ham soup, which you could spice up with some lime tequila if you wanted. We stuck to the sour cream and onion add-ons.

The soup came with fried corn sticks and jalapeno butter.......mmmm so warm and delicious.

Here we had bread pudding infused with Bourbon. We weren't too sure how potent the Bourbon was, so we at a few bites to taste it, but didn't eat it all........just in case. :)

These guys are part Italian and part Spanish and decided to get together and make Pasta. They supply local restaurants, work with Chef's to make signature pasta flavors and sell their product at an open air market.

We had their red pepper pasta with a cheese sauce and chicken bites. This was Jim's favorite meal. It was really good. I loved the different flavor and the freshness of the pasta.

Our last stop was another fine dinning restaurant. We had a red pepper and lobster polenta, with a crispy outside topped with a small prawn and sweet Bourbon sauce. It was soooo fun to try something I would never order. And it was very, very good. I didn't have a favorite, I just enjoyed being able to try so many different foods.

We had a great time in Kentucky, it was a beautiful state. And in the end, though we loved our vacation, we were excited to get back too........

our turkeys at home.

Thanks Mom and Pops Atkinson for watching our kids!

Summer Break

2010-09-06T09:10:00.000-07:00

As I sat down to post my weekend pictures, I noticed the last posting date for this blog. Apparently I took summer break literally. I stopped doing all my regular life and went into vacation mode.

We had a great summer. We drove west and saw beautiful farm land, tried Wisconsin cheese, put pennies on the railroad tracks to get flattened and actually entered North Dakota.

We met up with Jim's parents and brother Joe and family in the Mount Rushmore area. We saw beautiful mountains, fascinating caves, fed the wild donkeys,

and dug for mammoth bones.

We then headed west again and ended up in Oregon at Honeymon park with our Lathen relatives. There we played on the sand dunes, explored tide pools, rode inner tubes behind the boat, and ate delicious clam chowder.

Our next stop took us east again to the Atkinson camping reunion.

There we cooled off in the creek, enjoyed mountain walks,

played lots of card games and missed having Jim there.

After a time in Idaho we stayed the night in Provo with Amberly and picked up Marybeth to begin the long drive home. Marybeth then joined us for a beautiful day playing on the New Jersey beach before she had to head back home.

To finish off the year a few of us went to camp (scouts, young women, basketball), we all (except Jim) slept in a lot of days, took a weekend trip (Jim included) to Maryland to visit friends and the temple and went shopping to be ready for the school year. Now summer is over and we just had our labor day camping trip. School has begun and kids after school activities begin next week. Valerie is doing piano and volleyball, Nic football, volleyball and organ lessons, Kiley violin, girl scouts and field hockey, Arielle piano gymnastics and girl scouts and Bella girl scouts and gymnastics. Lilly and I go to the gym and hang out and take naps together. Jim goes to work and is busy some days, and not so other days. So now that life is back to a schedule, maybe I'll get back to this more regularly, just like my sister told me to.

Here's to the Tippits

2010-09-06T08:28:00.001-07:00

For the second time in a row, we were able to spend Labor Day camping with some great friends. This year our dear friends the Tippits got us all in gear to make reservations and save our spots. At the last minute Todd got a new job and the family left us for the great state of Washington. We thought of them much this weekend as we enjoyed ourselves with cool air, good food, lovely nature and great company.

NYC

2010-04-08T06:53:00.001-07:00

Mabry and I had a rare opportunity. We had a whole day without our children! It was so much fun to spend time with her and hang out. We had a fun day in New York. We saw the Statue of Liberty. We bought some bright sweatshirts because we were freezing. We walked through China town and helped a little old lady who fell down but was afraid of us (we think it was a cultural thing). We walked the Brooklyn Bridge. We walked through time square and the throngs of people. And we ate at some yummy curry inspired restaurant. We had a GREAT time.
I love you Mabs!

The Hunt is On

2010-04-08T06:39:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter! I love to celebrate and have fun. So with Easter, an egg hunt is fun and exciting. However, it is important to Jim and I to teach our kids why we have Easter. Our family, and me in particular, am so grateful for my Savior. His infinite sacrifice has had it's healing affects in my life. I am so grateful for an older brother who loves me enough to give me the opportunity to repent and become more like him. Easter morning, what a beautiful day, what a beautiful reason to celebrate.Everyone is ready to head out the door.
Cute Kiley wearing her three day old clothes (it is spring break).

Valerie participating and having fun, even though she could easily poo-poo the whole event.

Sophie was our guest of honor. How we loved getting to know her better.

Bella says cha-ching to a chocolate bunny.

Nic is finding the impossible to find eggs hidden by Mabry. She was tough on these kids!

Lilly saying Ba, Ba to every egg. She also knew there was candy inside. Arielle was having fun. She just sometimes gives weird smiles.

Happy Easter Everyone!

Happy Birthday Valerie!

2010-04-08T06:25:00.000-07:00

My oldest baby is 15 years old and over 6 feet tall! I couldn't be more blessed to have such a spectacular daughter. I love my Val!!She let Lilly help her open gifts.
This was her cake of choice. We had hard shell Caramel and Recess for toppings.

Her wish will come true!

Hershey Park

2010-04-08T06:05:00.000-07:00

We had an AWESOME day at Hershy Park. We were all set to go when Valerie got a call from a friend to do some sewing. She preferred that over our mini vacation. So we let her stay and invited our good friend Bethany. It was a two hour drive and the line to get in was about 30 minutes long, but once we got in we had a lot of fun. The weather was perfect. The kids were perfect. The Hershey tour was delightful. And at the end of the night the park was practically empty and we rode ride after ride. It was a GREAT day.We had to ride the Ferris Wheel - a classic.
This was one of the two rides Lilly was able to go on.

Everyone from Bella to Mabry rode this ride. And everyone kept their stomachs afterward. Here you can see Bethany and Arielle on the first row (not sitting by each other for some reason) and then Mabry, Bella and Sophie in the second row. Nic and Kiley were on the other end of the boat.

Here is a before picture of us as we went to ride Fahrenheit.

Here is the beginning of Fahrenheit.

Here we are after the ride. A little dazed, but very satisfied.

Here is Sophie, Arielle, Bella and Mabry in line for a roller coaster.

This is them on the roller coaster. Sophie LOVED it. Bella thought it was super great, until she learned she went upside down, then she started to think about it. Arielle said she is done with roller coasters.

We did the classic Horse Carousel.

This was the Music Express.

It was Bella's favorite. She rode it 10 times.

This was Lilly when we got into the park at 11 am.

This is Lilly when we left the park at 9 pm. She was a trooper.

Philly

2010-04-08T05:54:00.000-07:00

I pulled Bella and Arielle out of school Thursday and we all went to Center City to see the sites! Of course we tried the Philly Cheesesteaks.
We saw the Liberty Bell.

Took a carriage ride. While our guide gave us tons of historical information, the girls just waved to everyone like they were princesses and Mabry and I had fun watching the people on the street respond.

Skinny, cute Mabry with the girls in front of Independence Hall.

We finished off the day with a taste of Benjamin Franklin ice cream. Who cares about all those inventions, ice cream is definitely where it is at.

My Sister Visits and We Have so Much Fun - 1st The Food

2010-04-08T05:43:00.000-07:00

We weren't diligent in taking pictures, and missed some of the yummy stuff, but we did cover the two favorite food groups.....fried and sugary. Homemade French Fries - Crinkle Cut for style.
Full of oil and covered in season salt.

Strawberry Cream Cheese pastry Bread - A Mabry Specialty. SOOOOOO delicious.

Easter Dinner -Twice Baked Potatoes, Lillified.

Easter Dinner outside - BEAUTIFUL weather.

The Kitchen is Done

2010-03-26T06:48:00.001-07:00

I forgot to take "before" pictures prior to beginning the up do. But the general "before look" is still visible in the pictures below. The cabinets were golden oak colored with white laminate doors and golden oak, chunky drawer pulls.The windows below use to have white (tastefully aged to a dull grey) and light blue country curtains. They were the kind with a valance on top and the half way up longer ones. Pretty much covering the whole windows. The glowing light up top was one of those simple, flat to the ceiling, 2 for $20 Homedepot lights. A bit dark and blah looking for an eating area.
Just another view of the cabinets. And I guess the junk I keep in them.
Below is the stove. Well worn, but still plugging along.
A close up of the cabinet combination that I really, and I mean really, did not enjoy .

And now, in no particular order...........

This is the dining area. We painted the walls, added some artwork, changed the windows so they can be completely opened and we can enjoy the bay window. We also added a chandelier so there is a LOT more light (and beauty).

Here you can see the light a bit better. And most of all you can see the cabinets are all white. I don't profess to have done a spectacular job. But having them all white makes me a lot happier. Notice, too, a new dishwasher - it is so clean I just stare at the inside sometimes. Also, above the sink I added a word quote. No scripture or anything........

However, food is mentioned plenty of times in the scriptures. And it does say to love one another. I love to love by giving food.
I couldn't get rid of all my junk, as you can see below. But it is organized. If you sent us a picture Christmas card, then you are most likely hanging on our cabinets. We like to make sure everyone knows we have friends. :) Also, great memories come to mind when we see the people we love. Do you see that fancy art work near the ceiling? That is a one of a kind set. I know that, because I decided to try my hand. I don't know if I love it, but it was fun. I do like it however, so until I find something I LOVE, there it is. I know it is not too bad because Lilly looked up the other day and said nana, nana.

Oh!! and lest I forget. That empty counter top, it use to hold the old microwave (which is sitting on my porch for a freecycle pick up at this very moment) and my pile of recyclables. Now the kids have to stuff them in buckets under the counter and the microwave is........

over the stove! A beautiful thing. I love my shiny new cooking equipment. We are slowly becoming acquainted as I figure out the perfect time for baking cakes and cookies.

And there it is! I am so much happier, I know that materialism shouldn't do that to a person, but alas it is true. Getting rid of the Golden Oak color contrasting on the white was like taking an anti-depression pill for me. Call me materialistic, it doesn't matter. This is my office and food is my love. So find a time to come on over and I'll cook you up something delicious and delightful.

The Baby is at it Again

2010-03-26T06:46:00.000-07:00

Why do Tums have to look like candy? Luckily she just licked them all.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

2010-03-26T06:41:00.000-07:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

We are Not in Idaho Anymore

2010-03-16T10:04:00.000-07:00

Growing up in Idaho, every year we would watch the snowfall and hope for a big snow pack so we would have enough water through the summer. This was my reality growing up. It was such a shock for me to move out east where the rain pours and pours. Even after nine years I am still fascinated by all the rain. Below is a picture of the "river" that sprung up in our backyard. Thank goodness for this, otherwise it would be headed to my basement.

Lillerella

2010-03-16T09:44:00.000-07:00

At my house, I believe strongly in teaching my kids to work. Here, I have Lilly finishing up my painting. She is working on the high spots.

After she is done with the painting, I put her to cleaning up the mess on the floor.

And finally, she needs to learn the name that rules our little kingdom.

Happy Pi Day

2010-03-16T09:38:00.000-07:00

At our house we celebrate any time we can. March 14th is Pi day, as in 3.14 Valerie made the kids favorite pie - chocolate cookie crust with chocolate and whip cream filling.
Happy TT Day!

The Day that Ruined a Visit from Grandparents

2010-02-06T13:46:00.000-08:00

My parents were set to come and visit us for the weekend. I had great food planned, a few good western movies to watch (my Dad's favorite), the kids had basketball games to play, and we had grand thoughts of playing Rook all day and night......until.......Southwest felt it needed to cancel all their flights into Philly. All flights were canceled Friday and the snow didn't start coming until 9 pm. LAME! Way to be overly cautious and mess up our great weekend plans. When the snow finally DID come, it came fast and furious. It piled everywhere and looked beautiful!
Lilly hated her sled rides.

But loved to be held by Dad.

We found this cool windblown overhang on the front of our house. The kids stood under it while Jim went to knock it down.

I put the camera on picture and not video, so I missed the whole thing. But here is the after shot. Not the same, I know.

My kids love the snow!

But not as much as they love their grandparents.......

But playing in the snow is an OK second.

Layered Lemon Cake with Lemon Flavored Buttercream Frosting

2010-02-06T13:24:00.000-08:00

I had a friend pay me a great compliment the other day. She said she would love to come and cook with me and try and learn something. I was completely flattered, although I am not a REAL chef, or a master of anything. I can follow any recipe and love to search the web for delicious recipes, but I don't invent things on my own. It is kind of like if I did awesome paint by number pictures, you couldn't really say I was a great artist. Anyway, the compliment was paid and it made my day and so we went to planning and chose two delicious cakes to make. One was a maple, apple, carrot cake with maple flavored frosting. The ingredients made you think it was meant to be a "healthy" dessert. But it didn't come out muffin like or anything. It was like a moist spice cake with a delectable maple cream cheese topping. I'd post a picture, but none of the pictures I took would do it justice. So just let your mouth water and think moist, cream cheese with a hint of real maple flavor. I do have pictures of the layered lemon cake. We made a homemade white cake that was thick and creamy. The batter tasted better than anything from a box. I always make sure I taste the batter of everything I make.

Amanda made the lemon curd filling. We both thought the name lacked in description. This filling was so lemony, it was delicious. There was freshly squeezed lemon juice and grated zest with enough sugar to thicken the glaze.

The lemon filling seemed to be a little thin so we poked holes in the cake so the lemon flavor soaked into the whole cake. Then we frosted it with twice as much buttercream frosting as it suggested. As we frosted, the lemon filling mixed in with the frosting so you could see little specks of yellow on top. It looked delicious.......

And it was delicious......just ask me, I know.

Strawberry

2010-02-06T13:22:00.000-08:00

We thought this strawberry was super cool.We thought this little Strawberry eater was pretty cute.

Skipping School and Going to the Farm Show

2010-02-06T13:08:00.000-08:00

My friend called and asked if we wanted to skip school and go to the farm show in the great capital of Pennsyvania. We were all up for this educational field trip. This cow's name is Val.

Arielle spent forever watching the baby chicks peck out of their eggs.

We got to eat all sorts of fried dairy food......mmmmm, so delicious.

Lilly wasn't afraid of the animals.

We saw the sheep just after they got sheared.

Lilly enjoyed the chocolate milkshake the best....as you can see by the brown mess on her shirt.

These were 4 of the little farm girls.

Here is Shannon and I self portraiting with Kiley and Jake poking their heads in. We had a great time driving, chatting, seeing the animals and of course eating the food. Good Times!

Happy Birthday Lilly!

2010-02-06T12:54:00.000-08:00

For Lilly's birthday we gave her a three tiered cake expecting her to tear into it with all the vigor of a one year old. The kids even helped show her how to do it.
However, she wanted to do it her way, one dainty finger at a time.

Later, the kids had a little fun with the leftovers.

Nothing like getting cake in your face.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2010-01-01T09:48:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! Hooray for 2010!!!!!

Delicious Cheddar Puffs

2010-01-01T09:28:00.000-08:00

For New Years we decided to try a new appetizer. It all began with the perfect, crusty french bread loaf.

Then we diced the shallots into tinny pieces so that no one would know there were "onion" chunks. For this I got to use Annie's divine German chopping knife.

I also decided to taste a shallot to see how it tasted in the onion spectrum.

Annie pressed the garlic. It was a very empowering experience.

Here the bread was dipped and rolled in our cheesy mixture.....mmmm it was even good at this point. Our men were sure excited for the garlicky New Years Eve kiss.

Ready for the oven!

And the hordes came to devour. The Cheddar Puffs are behind the Bacon Wrapped Little Wieners. Good food and good company!

Scotish Digestives

2010-01-01T08:38:00.000-08:00

Who has ever heard of Scottish Digestives? Our friend Kenny went to the store to get some New Years Eve treats. They had these yummy shortbread cookies he loves so he grabbed two boxes. Next to the cookies they had these crackers that were in a similar box. Naturally one would think since the cookies are so good, these crackers will be good too. When he came home Annie, his wife, and I read the box some. Apparently these cookies are called Scottish Digestives and Oatcakes - delicious Scottish Biscuits.

We opened the boxes and looked at these scrumptious international cookies, they looked liked crumbled and pressed oatmeal shapes. But hey, looks can be deceiving, they could be delicious!

Bella was leery, but Luke was excited and went to the cheese toppings. The rest of the crew....the answer is on their face.....

And Kenny was the one who purchased these international delights.

Christmas Morning

2009-12-28T05:16:00.000-08:00

Everyone is awake! 7:00 a.m. imposed minimum by the parents. I had a very late night.
Making doughnuts with my number 2 favorite guy.
He was doing a great job!

Doughnuts for breakfast is our tradition......they were delicious!

There was a little bit of excitement! Gotta love 5 year olds.

There was love for technology.

There was a gift for a girl with great talent. There was a lot of box sitting.

There was a cute girl in a new hat.

There was laughter and happiness.

There was love for a mom who sent a gift that could not be purchased.

There was the demolition of the Gingerbread house (that kitchen stool again).

What a GREAT 2009.

Christmas Nativity

2009-12-28T05:07:00.000-08:00

The Angel Visits Mary
Mary and JosephNo Room at the Inn The Shepherds Find Baby Jesus

The Wisemen Follow the Star

The Whole Cute Cast

The First Winter Snow

2009-12-28T04:53:00.000-08:00

My favorite outside chore is to shovel snow. There is such a defining moment when it is all done. I also love the "muscle" it takes to get the chore done. Luckily this snow day came on a Saturday so Jim was out there with me. It was like a little date. Lilly did not like her first snow experience. We put her on the sled and as we began to pull it she rolled over and did a face plant. Snowsuits make for rollypoly bottoms.
Bella didn't mind the snow on her face.
Arielle was a Tasmanian Devil in the snow.

Kiley and the kids all had fun with different snow toys.

It was a bright, beautiful sunny day.

Perfect for snow angels.Not too perfect for snowmen. They took some work to stick together.

This snowman is going to get Valerie some kind of math extra credit.

Gotta love those winter days.

The Kitchen Stool

2009-12-28T04:50:00.000-08:00

I keep forgetting about the kitchen stool.........

I love that smiling face.

A little Bit of December

2009-12-18T09:34:00.000-08:00

At Thanksgiving I had this whole month planned out and I was going to be on top of this whole season. Every day seemed to snowball into another item on the to do list. Instead of stressing me out though, I have really enjoyed all that I have been doing. The pictures below may have something to do with that and they may just be pictures I find of Lilly that are cute.Here Lilly found the food cupboard. We seem to regularly have box juices with missing straws and chips bags with a lot of crumbly chips.

Santa came to our Ward Christmas Party. Bella helped me get his suit. She kept asking me who he was. I told her Santa and she said "No way, I know we bought the suit." I guess Kindergarten will make you smarter.

Arielle can never look normal in a picture. Aren't these 4 cute girls?

Here is the nativity scene the kids and I made. We had a lot of fun. Nic is the close wiseman.

Valerie is the behind Shepherd.

Lilly wanted to help make dinner. Nic was in charge. He forgot to compensate for wildly grabbing hands on babies that have learned to climb a stool.

We had a fun Christian celebration of Hanukkah. The kids here are playing the Driedel game. Somehow Valerie kept ending up with all the candy. We also fried Latkes and doughnuts.

We didn't get a finished picture of anything because we were to busy eating. Good thing I guess, I kept finding cinnamon sugar on my face.

Bella and Arielle made a game. It is called the Bella and Arielle Awesome game. We all obliged and played.

They don't think they are cool or anything.

Lilly just got a new coat from her grandmother. Bella and I tried to get her to stand on her own so we could see it's complete cuteness. Here Bella is holding her up.

Here is the picture I got when I had her stand on her own. She is down on the floor, flat on her belly.

I realize this post is very random, but I have felt random and scattered this month so it reflects me perfectly.

Random, scattered, and a little behind, but very happy.

The Value of Work

2009-12-10T10:46:00.000-08:00

I have always felt that one of the most important things I can teach my kids is knowing how to work hard. I jut hope, as the youngest, Lilly will be able to learn that same value.

Spectacular

2009-12-10T10:14:00.000-08:00

I have never been a fan of New York City. I have only gone twice before in my life. The first time I had a stroller and two little kids to corral. We saw the statute and rode the bus and saw all the other sights. It was a nice trip, but stressful herding the children in the right direction and not really knowing the city. The second time I went was about 8 years after the first. I went with my sister....and our two babies. We had a good time, saw the statue and rode the bus and saw the other sights. The kids were really good. This time we were able to get off and walk through Times Square. It was fun to be on the streets and see the people and the lights from that level. It was a nice trip, but a little stressful with the babies and not really knowing what to do. This last week I went to NYC for the third time. We went without babies. This time, I loved New York.

I felt the vibe and was excited to be there. We got to stop by at little boutiques. We went to a great hole in the wall Chinese food place, went in Sax 5th Avenue and touched the expensive clothes, we visited the American Doll shop, had the best cookie ever, saw Rockefeller square and all the lights and to top it all off went to the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular.

We had a GREAT time. The Spectacular was exactly that - fireworks, flying people, confetti, 3-D, dancing, singing, video affects. We were really impressed. And walking the streets without children, having the freedom to go into any store we wanted, that was bliss. Now I can say I LOVE New York and can't wait to go back - but grown ups only please.

Getting the Christmas Tree

2009-12-03T11:11:00.000-08:00

Every year we can, we like to go and cut our Christmas tree down. It is a favorite family tradition coupled with the purchase of doughnuts and chocolate milk for the trip to the farm. Last year we found a tree place about an hour away. We enjoyed it so much we decided to go back to the same place. This year we discovered that Cabella's is just 15 minutes away. Jim was very excited. Because we spent so much time looking at all the animal displays in the store, we didn't make it to the tree farm until the sun was going down, so some of our pictures had to be taken around the sun's shinning rays so as to avoid too many shadows.

We found the perfect tree. She was tall just like everyone wanted.
The kids were very excited.

Jim and I were very excited.

Lilly was not very excited.

Luckily I have the magic touch.

Nic used his manly muscles to cut the tree down.

Dad finished it off while all the girls caught it as it fell. A favorite part of the whole experience.

Here the tree is all wrapped up and standing in our house. It even touched the ceiling to every one's delight.

The Bear angel was placed at the top by Jim and Lilly.

She cared very little about the experience.

Thanksgiving

2009-12-03T11:04:00.000-08:00

I don't have any pictures of Thanksgiving. You think I would with how many pictures I end up taking of food. I guess I was too busy having fun. Which is good because all my family was together in Idaho and if I thought about it too much I would become jealous. Luckily Jim had some days off and we (the family) spent a lot of our time shopping and house fixing and watching all the movies we meant to watch but haven't. We also had some dear friends over for Thanksgiving dinner. Jim boiled our turkey in peanut oil and our friends introduced us to a new food....Frog Eyed Salad. Good times and good food!

I Could Enjoy Being a Football Mom

2009-12-03T10:53:00.001-08:00

This is the first year Nic decided to play football. He didn't play a lot in the games, but he still LOVED being on the team. He is number 15. As I watched some of these games on the non-freezing days I found it was pretty fun. The freezing days I felt a little different. But maybe next year when I have lost those 20 extra pounds I can sip a hot cup of Milky Way Hot Chocolate while I watch.

I thought he looked pretty cool in his uniform. Look at that boy

strutting back to the locker room.

One of my favorite parts of this particular game was one of the fans

in the bleachers..... That is one cute girl!

Halloween Cuisine - My Dream Come True

2009-11-02T12:03:00.000-08:00

Ever since Halloween was and I have liked to cook, I have wanted to create a Halloween themed meal. This year my teenagers and their friends arranged to have a few people over to trick or treat. I was so excited, I told them they could all come for dinner too. My main course consisted of Bloody Eyeballs and Worms. In the corner there you can see there were also some Bat Wings.

We also had White Maggots, Green Monster Brain Dip and Brown Swamp Dip.

There is Valerie, she was eating the Bat Wings. JUST KIDDING.

Bella the Princess stuck with the simpler looking Green Eyeballs and Orange Knobby Fingers.

There is the bowl of Dried Out Scabs we used for the dips.

Kiley and Rebekah we trying out the Yellow Witches Brew.

These were the Graveyard Cookies and Super Sweet Monster Eyeballs.

Here is everybody having dinner. They were all such GREAT kids. It made the evening so enjoyable. Everyone went trick or treating later and really brought home the loot. The younger crowd took umbrellas. The older crowd got soaking wet. But everyone had a lot of fun!

Lilly liked scattering Maggots everywhere. But what she REALLY liked was finding out about.......

LOLLIPOPS!

She learned how to dig through everyone's candy and pick out those on a stick.

Pumpkin Carving!

2009-11-02T11:52:00.001-08:00

We meant to go to the pumpkin patch and have "The Experience." Every weekend in October, however, seemed to rain - downpour rain. And during the week our lives were full of football, volleyball, soccer, piano, violin, church activities and late night Philly's baseball. Thursday night I sent Jim on a pumpkin run to find some pumpkins. They got these at the third grocery store they went to. Nic and Kiley were excited about having white pumpkins. Bella wanted to decorate her pumpkin with freckles and took the knife and stabbed it about 50 times on the face. Arielle loved the guts. Valerie was in bed an hour before this.....she has had too much early morning seminary and late night baseball watching with her dad.

Halloween School Parade

2009-11-02T11:46:00.001-08:00

Here is the cute Butterfly that came to watch the parade. Here is the Zombie Fairy with her living friends.

This is the wild and crazy Ninja Warrior!

And here is Anne of Green Gables in her puffed sleeves.

Halloween Cookie Making

2009-10-28T11:50:00.000-07:00

While the kids are at school, Bella and I try to keep busy. We NEVER watch TV. We always do super constructive and inspiring activities, because, you know, I am that kind of super mom.........

If it was April, I'd be calling April fools now, but since it is Halloween, I'll just say BOO! Today, however, we did make cookies while everyone else was at school. Bella has great skills and is always wanting to bake with me. She has a super sweet tooth, making cookies feeds her addiction, we are working on control of that issue. She is pretty handy though with the rolling pin and scooping to the pan......

Lilly liked grabbing at the flour all over the cupboard. She also thinks it is so cool to be able to stand on a big girl stool. I am still nervous about that, but I love that her little head can be at our level.

Bella took this picture. Lilly thought it was funny I was cuddling up to her. She is use to seeing me on the other end of the camera.

Bella and I gave Lilly some cookie dough. I think she liked this new life experience.

Graveyard cookies....appropriate for the season......

It is clean up time, where did the help go? Bella? Lilly?

I guess I found Lilly........always love the "baby holding on to my legs in the middle of the kitchen" stage.

The Yearly Picture Taking Task

2009-10-04T11:52:00.000-07:00

From the beginning I have told my kids I don't buy school pictures. I like to have choices in the smiles that I pay for. This means some years I line them all up and go to JCPenny and use those coupons to get cheap pictures with lots of variety. Or some years I take them outside and we do tons of snapshots until we get some we like.

This one always manages to look beautiful. This one insists on doing her own hair. We love that attitude in her. She has a natural, happy smile. You can see here energy for life. Here is the man of the clan. Isn't he a handsome guy?

This one is tall, elegant and beautiful.

This is the picture they took of me..........

So I had to self portrait.

Chef Yummy

2009-10-04T11:38:00.000-07:00

Our Sunday Conference tradition is to make Apple Muffins. This year Chef Yummy wanted to take on the task. Apple grating .....new experience, a little bit slimy.
Scooping the flour.

Using the whisk.

Wow! Who is that hot looking souchef?

New oven experience.

Somehow a lot of stuff made it to the floor.

It is all in the plating and good company! Way to go Chef Yummy!

Lilly's Perfect Picture

2009-10-04T11:22:00.000-07:00

Digital cameras are the best. They give you so much film so you can surely get that perfect picture. Not the nose Lilly
No, Chin up.
Look at me cute baby.

I'm here, not there.

Do you think this is funny?

No.....not the nose wipe.

Just one picture then I will let you alone, OK baby?

Are you sure mama?

I don't know if I can do it. Yes you can... just one cute smile.

There is the smile....you didn't say anything about the eyes, and out of focus, that is not my fault.

So much for the digital miracle.......

Forget the First Day of School

2009-09-08T10:15:00.000-07:00

This is the first day of early morning Seminary. 5:30 am we leave the house. She has 4 full years of this. She looks happy and cute.
My first day of early morning Seminary. I look tired and worn. I have 18 more years of this. I am stinking proud of my gal though.

My Little Heaven on Earth

2009-08-26T07:38:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning to make these forever. Caramel Apple Sticky Buns. They were so delicious. The best part was that Bella wanted to help me make them. Half way through the process she said.....

"I think Jesus is going to let me into Heaven because I am making these cinamon rolls. It is important to be helpful."

Say WHAT?

2009-08-22T17:27:00.001-07:00

7 months old and practicing her sass.

The Healthy Recipes

2009-08-11T05:17:00.000-07:00

So we didn't get pictures of the Chocolate Sheet Cake, that yes, took a pound of butter to make. Nor the Philly Cheese steaks dripping with onions and cheese. Nor the water ice, that we figured has so much sugar in it, it can't physically freeze solid. We did, however, make two recipes from my new light and fit magazine. The top three pictures are of Tilapia Tostados. Anyone who knows my family, knows this is a stretch for them. But how can they not love such a benign fish? I even coated it with yellow cornmeal and lightly fried it to give off that deep fried feel. The sauce? Light sour cream and green salsa, mmmmm a delicious Mexican flavor. And did you see all those vegetables up there? The avocado, that was the clincher, I could have eaten that one plain. It was ripened to perfection. These other two photos are of a vegetarian spaghetti. This one was to DIE for. It was cooked with wheat noodles, garlic, peppers, onions, white beans and cherry tomatoes. Topped with Parmesan cheese and lettuce. This was so incredibly favorable, garlic is a beautiful thing. We paired this DELICIOUS, lite and healthy mix with a wheat french bread. As I sit here at 8:30 in the morning my taste buds feel the onset of saliva as I remember the little bit of heaven that was in the meal.

Coconut, Walnuts and Cream Cheese

2009-08-11T05:02:00.000-07:00

OK, this one is called......well, I don't remember it's name. But I can tell you, that it does have a pound of butter in it. Each cake layer ( made from scratch) was sprinkled with sugar so it came out of the oven with that delicious crunchy crust I love. The frosting is made of tons of cream cheese and powder sugar, vanilla, crushed walnuts and coconut. Do you see the big bowl we had to use to mix all that up? Do you see all the frosting in between each layer? Do you see Karine's little smile as she is frosting? Oh wow, my mouth is watering as we speak. Do you see how happy we look below? And did you notice the red plates? I don't have a lot of fancy ware, but plating is part of the experience........... Don't you just want to stick your finger out and wipe up that crumb there at the edge of the cake.

THE Dougnut

2009-08-11T04:59:00.000-07:00

With that delicious Strawberry Shortcake Cake in our house, you think everyone would go wild. Alas, my children had a different idea of how they wanted to intake their weekly sugar ration.

Strawberry Shortcake Cake

2009-08-11T04:37:00.000-07:00

Karine found this divine recipe called Strawberry Shortcake Cake. It only has 1 pound of butter in it's oh so moist cake, freshly sugared and mashed strawberries and then to top it all off......rich, sweet, thick Cream Cheese Frosting. Can you see the smile on Karine's face as she is mashing those berries? Do you see the completed cake? All that thick frosting coated cake, yet the strawberries are poking through the sweet concoction? As you bite into this cake, your sweet sensors are assaulted by the creamy frosting and sweetened strawberries, and the best part, is that the top of the cake cooked with a delicious crunchy crust and as you bite into this delicacy, you get to feel that crunchy crust add to the already overloaded sensory of eating this cake. Do you see our picture down there, before we took a bite. And yes, our slices are on red plates, from all my cooking shows I've learned that plating is part of the experience. And can you see which sister has a husband that likes sugar and which doesn't? Karine may look hot, but her kids miss the joy of squeezing their mommy's tummy rolls and expressing their great joy in the squishiness of it. Alas I digress.....the cake. Oh, the cake............

There is no love sincerer than the love of food ~ George Bernard Shaw

2009-08-11T04:18:00.000-07:00

So my sister came to visit this past week and introduced me to a website - pioneerwoman.com. This gal has great recipes, great pictures of food and her cattle ranch and can blog/write in the most fascinating way. So in honor of my new found internet past time.....Karine and I documented one of the most exciting parts of our week. I just discovered that I can't up load a ton of pictures, so I'll have to do this in parts. To keep you in anticipation, the week began with these three beauties.......

Succumbed to the Fad

2009-07-25T12:32:00.000-07:00

So I have decided to try out this blog thing. I can't promise to be witty, fascinating or post regularly. I am not sure if I can tell cute little stories that will make my kids look enchanting, or blog about experiences poetically. I don't even know if I will be able to figure out how to format my blog with all the fascinating page appeal so many seem to be able to do. I can say, however, that I am now a little more fantabulous because I have a blog.