Saturday, April 26, 2008

Hogle Zoo

My sister Cami and her husband left their three boys with my mom this week while they went on a cruise. So my mom and I braved the zoo with six kids! We did great and had so much fun, even though we got rained on!

Here they are in front of the penguins. After the picture, we got to see them fed. Addie loved it!
You can't really see the zebra in the back. The highlight for the boys was seeing the zebra pee!
Giraffes

Not sure why I can't get these pictures to flip now. Sorry. Fake Gorilla

Real Gorilla

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

This is How I Want to Remember MY Addie...

Crazy morning hair, Dora Jammies, BunnySilly faces (sorry, couldn't get the pic to flip)
So Happy!

Friday, April 18, 2008

Swim Lessons Update

We are finally done with swim lessons (I have been driving to Salt Lake twice a week for the past 5 weeks. It's really cramped my style). It was worth it. They have not only learned to swim, but gained confidence in the water. This is what they can do after 10 15 minute lessons.



Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Happy Birthday to ME!!!

The BIG 2-8!!
It was a good day. After lunch in Salt Lake with a friend and swim lesson for the kids, I took myself to get a pedicure and do some shopping. I never thought that I would want alone time on my birthday. I've always been such a social person and you all know that I love to talk, but three kids later, I am sneaking away for some quiet time! I changed up the normal red pedicure to pink and bought myself some fun things at Ross (classy!). Then John took me to Pizza Factory for dinner and we had ice cream sundaes at my mom's after. It was a special day. Thank you, Thank you to all who thought of me and called or emailed!
(I have already posted most of my recent pictures, so here are some past ones...)

My girls and Me!My sweet baby Austin when he was just a couple months old
John and me at Ellis Island during our super fun trip to New York for our 5th Anniversary.


Sunday, April 13, 2008

Sunday Dessert

For nearly 5 years we have had Sunday dinner at my mom's house every single week. I can only remember one Sunday dinner that hasn't been meat and potatoes. There have been a few exceptions when my mom has been out of town and has asked me to take over. One time I made Mexican food (you know, to shake things up) and it didn't go over very well. My mom is in California this week, so everyone came to my house for dinner tonight. I did not disappoint and served bbq chicken and steak, garlic potatoes, carrots, and rolls.
My mom always has amazing desserts too. I can't compare to that, but I made a good effort tonight and wanted to share the recipe...
Kim's No Bake Cheesecake (it's always a hit and it's SO easy. I make it for everything.)
16 oz. cream cheese, softened (2 packages)
8 oz. sour cream (one container)
8 oz. cool whip (one container)
1 cup Sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
Beat cream cheese with hand mixer until it's smooth. Add sour cream, sugar and vanilla. Mix until blended. Fold in cool whip.
This will make two cheese cakes. I usually leave one plain and put it in a graham cracker crust and then add about 1/2 a cup of peanut butter to the rest of it and put it in an oreo crust.
Tonight, I did a peanut butter one and put mint extract and crushed oreos for the other. It was all YUM! You can be creative and do any kind of cheesecake you want!

Saturday, April 12, 2008

My General Conference Favorites

President Thomas S. MonsonPresident Thomas S. Monson
We are waging a war with sin, my brothers and sisters, but we need not despair. It is a war we can and will win. Our Father in Heaven has given us the tools we need in order to do so. He is at the helm. We have nothing to fear. He is the God of light. He is the God of hope. I testify that He loves us—each one.


Elder D. Todd ChristoffersonElder D. Todd Christofferson
I here unreservedly commit all that I have and am to God and His Beloved Son. I also commit myself, my loyalty, my service, and my love to the First Presidency and to my Brethren of the Twelve.



Elder Jeffrey R. HollandElder Jeffrey R. Holland
Some Christians, in large measure because of their genuine love for the Bible, have declared that there can be no more authorized scripture beyond the Bible. In thus pronouncing the canon of revelation closed, our friends in some other faiths shut the door on divine expression that we in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hold dear: the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, and the ongoing guidance received by God’s anointed prophets and apostles. Imputing no ill will to those who take such a position, nevertheless we respectfully but resolutely reject such an unscriptural characterization of true Christianity.
Elder David A. BednarElder David A. Bednar
(Speaking on prayer)
Please notice the requirement to ask in faith, which I understand to mean the necessity to not only express but to do, the dual obligation to both plead and to perform, the requirement to communicate and to act....
We properly pray for the safety and success of the full-time missionaries throughout the world. And a common element in many of our prayers is a request that the missionaries will be led to individuals and families who are prepared to receive the message of the Restoration. But ultimately it is my responsibility and your responsibility to find people for the missionaries to teach. Missionaries are full-time teachers; you and I are full-time finders. And you and I as lifelong missionaries should not be praying for the full-time missionaries to do our work!

Elder W. Craig ZwickElder W. Craig Zwick
(Speaking on not lowering your standards to have friends. I love the title of this talk..."We will not yield. We cannot yield")
I, too, unequivocally answer, "Don't do it, Ethan. Never forget that you are a son of God. He loves you. Live by your standards. Stand up for what you believe in. Sometimes it is not easy, and you may be standing alone for awhile. Look for friends with integrity and character, then go to them and express appreciation for their examples. You might even find someone who has been feeling as lonely as you. Pray for guidance and protection from the Lord. He will sustain you. He will become a trusted friend, and you will discover that your example will attract many friends who will take courage from your strength of character."
Elder M. Russell BallardElder M. Russell Ballard
(I know we all LOVED this talk! There are a few quotes I had to post)
I surely know that there is no role in life more essential and more eternal than that of motherhood...
First, recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction...
Pick one or two things that you would like to learn or do that will enrich your life, and make time for them. Water cannot be drawn from an empty well, and if you are not setting aside a little time for what replenishes you, you will have less and less to give to others, even to your children...
Fourth, pray, study, and teach the gospel. Pray deeply about your children and about your role as a mother. Parents can offer a unique and wonderful kind of prayer because they are praying to the Eternal Parent of us all.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Dear Darla...

My kids have been watching "Little Rascals" lately. I'm sure we all have this memorized. Adeline is so stinkin' funny... Oh the Passion! (yes, she's wearing Austin's jammies)