rained out

Sunday we had plans to take the family out to one of the lakes
plans changed when the dark clouds rolled in
and the rain started
then it was pouring and really cold
(a nice change for the family visiting from the valley - it was over 110 down there)
the forest road to the lake would be a muddy flooded mess that we didn't want to risk it

so we hung out at the house
the crazies took a long walk in the rain :)
the rest of us sat outside enjoying the weather (under cover), and waited for them (and our kids) to come back

we made chicken spaghetti
the boys played lots of video game
the little girls did crafts (painted Halloween crafts, scrapbooked, made pretty barrettes)

it was a fun day,
even if we didn't to go the lake

and as usual
lots of pictures

Madison was so happy to have Kailey
to climb and explore in the front yard

Me and my Pixie (Kailey)

Madison and Kailey let us take a lot of pictures
well, Madison told me that she only likes
Aunt Alicia taking her picture
so Alicia took a lot of Madison's pictures

my crazy sisters out in the rain
looking for worms
gross

Angie playing in the rain

Angie's shoes
Madison turns her feet in just like this

the munchkins painting

Austin playing video games
he did take a flash light walk with he aunts and uncle today
it was nice he got outside and away from the computer for a bit

Oh, and after the little ones went to bed, we kicked the boys off the xbox so the adults could play Scene It. So all in all it was a really good day.

sister visit

Two of my sisters and their families came to visit. 3 more adults and 4 more kids in our little 3 bedroom townhouse. It was tight, and so much fun. I love hanging out with my sisters, brother-in-law, and their kids. I can't wait to have them, or any of our family back. Hoping in a couple weeks family will come for our county fair.

And what is a blog post without a few pictures.

the first day we went for a walk
explored the neighborhood
and showed off our much cooler weather

Austin and Luke

family picture
missing Zachary - he was back at the house playing video games
man, i love these kids
i miss living closer, hopefully we have many many more visits

these two loved climbing and jumping
not as much as they loved video games
but they had fun being outside

The rest of day one was visiting, eating, and just hanging out.

birthday party

Madison's best friend from kindergarten turns 6. Madison had a blast at her party. She got to see a few friends from her kindergarten class and swim. I don't have permission to post picture of any of her friends, so her is some pictures of Madison at the pool.

hanging out in the pool

Madison begged and begged to go down this slide
i was really nervous
she is not a strong swimmer
we talked to the life guard in the pool and she said she would       "catch" Madison when she came down

the slide
Madison loved it
she is our little daredevil

all the kids loved this bucket
it filled up with water
then tipped over and dumped the water on the kids

Thank you C P and K for inviting Madison, she had so much fun. I can't wait to get the kids together again.

future fashion model

We went to the valley to visit family and for Madison to go to a friends birthday party. The first night Madison and her cousin did a fashion show with aunt angie's dresses.

hands on hip
popped leg
hip jutted out
fashion model in the making

hard to believe this dress fits her, and her 25 year old aunt
missing from this picture are the super cute black heels

Scrappy

I scrapbooked today!

I haven't felt like scrapping in .. forever

Today I decided to scrap Madison's quad pictures and a cute pic of J and Madison from one of our saturday adventures.

I really like how they turned out.

Scrap supplies - old Simply Obsessed Kit
paper and rub-ons - cherry art
letters - thickers

scrap supplies
tim holtz grunge board
everything else is old Simply Obsessed Kits



it's beginning to....

smell a lot like christmas

Silly, I know

It's July and I have not been able to stop thinking about Christmas

today Madison and I made ornaments

I found the idea here

ours are still drying but here is a sneak peak

photo taken by Madison

 and a close up

Madison used an M and B stamp so everyone would know she made them

I think it is a nice touch

They are so cute

and our house smells like apple cinnamon

This is a great christmas project to make with little kids. Give it a try :)

Saturday adventure - Cinder Hills

Today J and I took Madison and Zac (Austin is visiting my family in the heat) quading with a friend of Jason. He has 3 quads. Don and Madison were on one, J and I on another and Zac had the 3rd. We had a blast. See...

Madison and Zac

Madison's ready to go

Madison and J

Zac

Madison and Don
He taught her how to drive the quad
with an escort, of course
She is really concentrating
no messing around

Zac coming down one of the hills

J and Madison walking up the hill
i wasn't ready for her to drive that one
even with Don or J

Madison - getting dirty

Madison and J
getting her helmet back on after our break

Madison and J's friend Don
this area of the trail was really fun
just a bunch of bank turns

Madison and daddy on the banks
she rode this part of the trail
3 times coming back

Madison waiting for me to finish taking pictures
so she can get going again

Madison driving J back to Don's

Madison full of dirt

Sugar Cookies

Madison decided she wanted to make sugar cookies
we have an awesome recipe for sugar cookies,
but it makes a ton and it is just me and her here to eat them.
so we bought sugar cookie mix at Target
came home and started baking

her favorite part ~ decorating

she decided to leave some plain, for her dad
he doesn't like frosting

she did a great job
and we had a lot of fun
I can't wait for the holidays ;)

Ladybug Hunter

Madison finding the perfect stick

searching the ladybug plant

caught one!
the ladybugs are getting smart and it is getting harder and harder for
her to catch them

rain rain

our front yard after todays rain storm
i love the colors and the smell (wet pine)

as soon as the rain stopped Madison wanted to go splash in the puddles
she was a little slow getting in the water...

but soon she was splashing away
in her cowboy rain boots

Reading

i found Tana French's faithful place at the     library this week
and finished it in just a few days
it was a great book, just like her first 2
i'm sad it's over, and can't wait until she     releases another one

Lemon Cream Cheese Poundcake

this is so good
i don't remember where i found the recipe
i don't have a mixer, just mixed by hand...      it still turned out great

Lemon Cream Cheese Poundcake

2 sticks of butter, softened (1 cup)
1 8oz pkg cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
zest of 2 lemons
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 1/4 cups flour

with your mixer, combine butter, cream cheese, and sugar until nicely whipped. Add in eggs one at a time, mixing to incorporate. Continue mixing while adding the zest, lemon juice, vanilla, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add in your flour until everything is mixed.

In 2 greased bread pans (or 4 small bread pans) divide your batter evenly. Bake at 325 for about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the size on the size of your loaves. When a toothpick inserted comes out clean your bread is done.

Immediately brush tops of bread with extra lemon juice. Then make a glaze.

Lemon Glaze
3/4 cup powdered sugar
3 Tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp vanilla

Once mixed together pour over your bread loaves. It will absorb quickly.

 When cool, slice and serve.

great kid

today i took the kids with me to the grocery store. madison always goes everywhere i go. austin prefers to stay home (to play computer or xbox games) whenever possible, he was not happy being forced to get out of the house.

when we were checking out the bagger asked the kids if they wanted their jolly rancher drinks (yuck) left out for them to carry. austin didn't answer. i turned to see him unloading an elderly lady's cart. i am not big on letting the kids talk to strangers, so i never taught him to do something like this. i am so proud of him for seeing someone that needed hlep and doing it without being asked.

what a great kid