School, Football, Soccer & Amy

Conner and Kali on their first days of 4th & 5th grade! I just want them to quit growing and just stay in Elementary School. The school year zipped by last year and I remember taking a picture of them on their bikes like it was yesterday. Sophie started preschool last week and this is her on her first day. She gets to go with her little best friend, Ava, so she hasn't had a hard time adjusting.

Sophie has gotten a lot of park time these last few weeks. Kali & Conner have soccer and football games on Tues, Wed, and all day Sat. So if there is a park close by the field that's where Sophie
wants to be. Scotty does good at the games and seems to enjoy the action on the field. We have friends on all their teams so it's fun for me to go and watch too. Since Scotty's birth, I just don't get out too much during the day so it's a good way for me to get fresh air and some adult conversations.

It sure has been busy though. We have games and practices every night of the week. Put on top of that homework, Scouts, Activity Days, piano (Kali), choir (Kali), and a new pet Guinea pig, Amy. Jimmy is also helping coach both soccer and football so that has added to the craziness. As much as I'm loving watching the kids play, I'll be relieved to have our nights back and our Saturdays at home. Then I guess it will be time for basketball and indoor soccer season though so I guess life stays busy.

Shrinking Mama of 4

So a couple of months ago, I decided to join Weight Watchers. So by combining following that program and working out, I've lost 12.5 pounds. It's been slow but I'm heading in the right direction. That is partly to blame for my lack of blogging. It seems like between having a new baby, trying to keep up on house work, and working out everyday, I have hardly any time left for blogging. I get so far behind reading everyone's blogs that it takes me forever to catch up. (sorry for no comments anymore when I read your blogs- I love hearing what everyone is up to though) I do think blogging is important though and I need to recommit to posting again. It's like my journal and my family loves to read through it.

Jason & Kassie's Wedding

So I'm about a month behind posting this but at least it's a stat to getting caught up. On the 15th of Aug. Jason & Kassie got married. It was great to see family again- that's twice this summer that the whole klan has gotten together. We are excited to have Kassie in the family! Now all the siblings are married on both sides of our families.

S'mores Cupcakes

For Father's Day, the Relief Society puts up a treat buffet for the men to enjoy during priesthood. This year, I made s'mores cupcakes and they were so yummy and a great way to enjoy s'mores without smelling like campfire.

S'mores Cupcakes

1 yellow cake mix (follow directions on box)

1 c. crushed graham crackers added to batter

1 c. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 Hershey bar

put into cupcake tins and bake as directed on box

Ice with a jar of marshmallow cream when cooled and dip in a bowl of the mini chocolate chips. Poke a small section of a Hershey bar in each. (I put two teddy grahams on top of a cupcake and it looked really cute but more kiddish so I didn't do it to the rest and I ate that one)

If your not going to eat them right away, put them in the fridge so the marshmallow cream doesn't melt.

Father's in my Life

In Relief Society, on Father's Day, we went around the room and each said something about our
Fathers that we love. We did this last year too and it always makes me cry. There are so many great qualities my dad has and so I could relate to what a lot of the ladies were saying. My dad is a great grandpa. He has been coming with my mom to help out when I've had a baby- (besides Kali- my mom flew to Albuquerque by herself for that) He is so great with the kids- he always carts the babies around and bounces them softly right to sleep. He sometimes falls asleep himself. I can imagine him as a young dad doing the same thing with me.

Some of the girls in my ward have already lost their dads. It made me think how grateful I am that mine is still in great health. It made me realize though that I shouldn't take advantage of the opportunities I have to still tell him how much I love him and what I love about him. I am still lucky enough to have my dad's dad alive also. I can see where my dad gets his loving touch with kids. My grandpa is also such a softy. Just recently when we were at my parents house, my grandpa was there visiting also. A country song that he likes was playing and he scooped Sophie up and started dancing with her. When he saw that she was sleepy, he kept rocking her around to the music and she fell asleep in his arms.

The other two dad's in my life are Jimmy and his Dad. I remember the first time I met Jimmy's dad when we were engaged, we were driving on the freeway in Oregon and a mommy duck and her little ducklings were crossing the road. He started saying in this concerned tender voice, "Hurry mommy duckies and baby duckies, hurry, hurry." It was so cute and I knew then that he was a softy too. He is such a family man and although there is a bunch of us, he loves it more than anything when we can all be together.

Jimmy is such a wonderful dad. I love to watch him look at our kids. There is a light a sparkle when he sees them. A few weeks ago in sacrament meeting we sung I am A Child of God for the opening song. Sophie loves that song and usually she doesn't sing in sacrament meeting but this time she sung out with all her little voice could give. Jimmy was holding her and watched her with tears rolling down his checks. It was such a tender moment. At night we always check on the kids before we go to bed. Jimmy has a hard time letting them sleep with all the kisses he plants on them while they are sleeping. Some wives beg their hubbies to have more kids, not me- Jimmy has wanted to have our last two so bad and just waited on me to be ready. However, if we have anymore, I might have to be the one to do a little persuasion. Although, I think he would be easy to convince.

Not only are these Dads all wonderful men, they are also all worthy priesthood holders which means so much to me. This last week, Jimmy tweeked his back and was in a lot of pain. After dealing with it for a couple days without relief, he asked his Dad and brother, Jon, to give him a priesthood blessing. Not only is Jimmy feeling so much better now, but it was also a great example to our kids to reach out when they are in need of a father's blessing or a blessing of healing. I am so grateful I had the priesthood in my home as I was growing up and that I can enjoy it now also with my own family.

I am so grateful for the great examples of fathers that Conner and Scotty have to look to. Conner is so loving to Sophie and Scotty (not so much to Kali), it gives me a little glimpse of the kind of dad he'll be someday.

Scotty's Blessing Day

Last Sunday, (June 28th) we blessed Scotty. What a neat blessing Jimmy gave him. We had lots of family here from the family reunion- all of Jimmy's side was there along with Camile & Aaron's family, Ken & Gina with Brigham & Emma, Steph & Bryant (the Newlyweds) and Mom & Dad. This month in our ward we have a theme of a Music enriching our lives. So our sacrament program was members of our ward sharing their favorite hymns and then we would sing it. It was a great meeting.

After we came to our house and had brunch. We had a yummy breakfast casserole, muffins, juice, yogurt and fresh fruit. I told Camile I'd post the recipe for the casserole.

Breakfast Casserole

1 lb sausage browned (can use ham too)

6 eggs beaten

4 cups shredded cheese (your choice)

4 cups shredded frozen hash browns- thawed

1 cup milk

1/2 t. salt

mix all together and bake for 35-45 minutes at 350* (super easy to make the night before and then just pop in the oven- I quadrupled the recipe and put it on one sheet cake pan and two 9x13 pans)

Family Reunion at Bear Lake

Last Monday, we had our family reunion with Jimmy's side of the family. All six kids, twenty two grand kids and Mom & Papa all got together for a week of boating, wave running, games, yummy food, hot tubbing, talent show, Family Olympics, Cory's birthday, Karaoke, basketball, softball, Kassie's bridal shower and more yummy food! We stayed in a huge house with 10 master bedrooms, 3 fridges, 5 ovens, 2 hot tubs and enough room for all of us and then some. Here's some pictures of the fun week!