Wild and crazy few weekends. This was Alli and her adorable coach at her last basketball game. We have loved basketball this year! We are a little sad to see it go. We are not going to miss all the freezing cold runs to practice, but we have loved watching all the girls grow and have a lot of fun this year! AND to top it off they won their last game Way to go girls! This was the night that Zach got his first class in scouts. they dressed up as raisens kinda cute huh! My little raisen is the little one on the far right I got a kick out of them dancing around. And even though they would never admit it, they had a great time!

Ahhh if this were only true.... These little monkeys were pretending to sleep to try to fake me out. Good thing I am smarter than they are and I grabbed the camera, as soon as they saw the flash they all started giggling. what a bunch of goobers.

And here is part of the Lava Heat swim team. we had a way fun sledding party today. and after we had lunch and awards. Here are all the awards that Joey got from the first 2 swim meets that he raced at, I think thats a pretty good start!!!

And I think that he is pretty proud!!

So is that a ray of sunshine I see??? Well it could be! Almost 2 months after I took joey to the rheumatologist, he finally called me to say there may be an answer to Joeys joint pain. Glad I wasn't holding my breath! There were some dark spots that showed up on the x-rays around his knees, and hips. He is sending us in for more x-rays. Hopefully we can get that done, and hear back from him before summer.(sorry that must have been a little sarcasm slipping in) But all in all I am allowing myself to get slightly excited that there may be an answer. He said that if it is what the thinks it is ( being very vague) that it is not a huge deal, and it is something Joey will outgrow. It will be a painful process, and he won't even start outgrowing it till he is like 15 or 16, but he will outgrow it and be normal, whatever normal is. I am still a little hesitant, just because it doesn't answer all the other questions, but if there are spots on the x-rays that are making the dr.s question.... then at least we are on the right track right???? One baby step at a time. In the mean time, I have to say, he did great at his swim meet!!!! I will find out his official times on Friday and post them for you all! I am one proud mamma!!

Well, Joey is off at another swim meet this weekend. I was unable to go with him this time since I just can't figure out how to rip me in 5 different ways!!! But he was totally ok with that since I sent him with some friends, his D.S, and some cash. He is having so much fun. I have received a few scriptic text messages from him:

havin fun

doin gd

restrnt (yes they went to olive garden lucky kid)

2d butt (found out later this means 2nd place in butterfly)

4!sds free (41 seconds in freestyle)

so after figuring out all my text messages I am pretty proud of all the hard work my Joe man has put into his swimming! Way to go Joe!!!!!

But yes I miss him like crazy. one more day, he will be home tomorrow!

Ok these are the Vanilla cheesecake ones(recipe to come later) and the cookies and cream chocolate peanut butter and the colorful

Brownies with ganache

Raspberry over in the corner smores in the middle (also recipe coming later) and key lime pie.

root beer float

Holy recipes!!!

Ok many of you have been asking for the recipes I used for the cupcakes at my dads birthday party. So if you are interested here they are if not well we will blog together another day!~

First here is my basic frosting recipe which I used for the following cupcakes: multicolor, raspberry, key lime pie, and root beer float. I just added the different flavor extracts, for each cupcake.

1 cube of margarine

1lb. powdered sugar.

1 tb. milk

1 tsp. vanilla

mix well.

RECIPE #1

KEY LIME PIE CUPCAKES

1 box white cake mix

3 eggs

1 c. half and half

6 T. key lime juice

1 c. sweetened condensed milk

mix together cake mix, eggs, half and half and 3 tb. key lime juice. pour 1-2 TB batter into each paper liner. In seperate bowl, mix sweetened condensed milk and the rest of the lime juice. Evenly divide lime milk into batter filled cups. top with remaining batter and fill 3/4 full. Bake at 350 for 15-18 min. or till cake springs back when lightly touched.

(again frosting I used the go to frosting, and added a little lime juice)

RECIPE #2

RASPBERRY CUPCAKES

1stick butter

3/4 c. sugar

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4. tsp salt

2 large eggs

1 tsp raspberry extract

1/2 c milk

1 1/3 c. flour

mix. wet, then add dry, mix till just blended. bake at 350 15-18 min.

(also use the go-to frosting add raspberry extract, and a drop or two of pink food coloring)

RECIPE #3

COOKIES N CREAM

1box yellow cake mix,make according to directions. (I also like to add 1 c. sour cream and a box of vanilla pudding mix to the cake mix to boost the flavor)

about 15 crushed oreos

line cupcake liners with mini oreos fill liners 3/4's full bake at 350 for about 15 min.

Frosting for the cookies and cream:

1/2 cup shortning

1 stick butter or margarine

3 1/2 c. powdered sugar

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1/4 c milk

1/2 c. crushed oreos

Beat together the shortning and butter, add powdered sugar, add milk, and vanill, then cookie crumbs. then add another cookie to the top of each cupcake after you frost it YUM!!!

RECIPE #4

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER

1 devils food cake mix

4 eggs

1/2 c. water

1/2 c. canola oil

8 oz. cour cream

1 small package chocolate pudding mix (4 serving size)

Mix together pour into liners 2/3 full.

Mix in a bowl: 1 c. creamy peanut butter and 3/4 powdered sugar

Roll into 1/2 inch balls. and press into the center of each cupcake.

bake for 20-30 min. or until a toothpick comes clean from center. let cool completely.

FROSTING:

Beat 1 stick margarine or butter, and 1 cup peanut butter, and 1 1/2 c -2 c. powdered sugar.

and just for fun I like to get the mini reces peanut cups and cut them in half and stick them on top just for flair.

RECIPE #5

BROWNIES

2 c. sugar

2 c. flour

2 sticks butter or marg at room temp.

6 TB cocoa

2 tsp vanilla

4 eggs

1/2 tsp. salt

cream sugar, butter till well blended. add the eggs, and vanilla and beat well. add dry ing. and mix just till blended. Place batter in ungreased in 9x13 pan. bake in 350 oven for 25-30 min. DONT overbake Cool on wire rack until cool. frost with yummy frosting.

for cupcakes bake for about 15 min. Don't overbake they will harden.

frosting for the 9x13-

1 stick butter or marg

4 1/2 c. powdered suger

1/2 c. cocoa

1/3 boiling water

1 tsp vanilla

mix and put on brownies

so yummy!!

ganache for cupcakes

1 c. heavy cream

8 oz. chocolate chips (your favorite kind)

1 TB corn syrup

dash salt

Heat cream to a full boil turn off heat add chocolate wisk then add the rest of ing. top brownies cupcakes and enjoy!

Ok so here are most of them. if you scroll further down you will find the rootbeer float recipe already posted on the blog. I have to run and get salt and pepper ready for preschool so I will post the last 3 recipes in the next couple days I don't want to overwhelm everyone all at once anyway!!! so for those of you who wanted to try the recipes good luck!! let me know how they go.

If you have any questions feel free to ask! Happy baking!

happy valentines day!!!!

Happy Valentines day mommy!

This is how Jason wished me happy valentines day! I tell you I wll take it any day! What a cute and precious valentine~ melt my heart!~ These are the YUMMY brownies I made for my church girls for valentines. they turned out pretty cute too!
And our Valentines day breakfast. I made the kids pink heart shaped pancakes! I think they liked them! I didn't quite catch Abby, Alli and Zach before they started eating so their hearts are bitten into but thats ok, that just means they liked them right??

Happy valentines day everybody!

One big wild crazy fun weekend!!!!!

WOW What a weekend!!

We had so much fun this weekend!

We went to Salt Lake to celebrate my dads 60th birthday. Well actually we surprised him with a huge open house party. We had so much fun! This is a little family snapshot in my mom and dads backyard the morning we headed home!
my adorable mom and dad!

The moment we surprised my cute daddy!

My cupcake helpers. I made 300 cupcakes for this little shindig, and my cute aunt, grandma, and cousins actually volunteered, (and my sister, but she didn't get in the picture!) Thanks so much guys, they turned out so cute! I had so much fun hanging out with you all, and baking up a storm! we will have to do it again!!!!

And here is the yummy food table. With all the fab food we had set up! We had a blast! And I think we pulled off quite a fun party. Thanks to all who helped. And dad happy 60th I love you more than anything in the world!!!!

Swim meet

Joey's first swim meet

Wow what a weekend!

We went to Joey's first swim meet this weekend, and we had a blast. He had 2 qualifing times the first in the backstroke, and the second in the freestyle. His best time was the freestyle which he swam 50 meters in 46.6 seconds. AWESOME!!! I was so proud of him. It was so crowded, and a little weird, It was an outdoor pool, but it had a dome, or an igloo thing over the pool, so it was like a sauna by the end of the day. And they packed us in there like sardines. But overall it was a great experience. And Joey really did great. This is a funny pic of his arm. This is a map to help him keep organized as to which event he is in next, and which heat, and which lane, and so on, it kind of confused me, but after you catch on, I can see how it helps, it made me laugh to see all the kids walking around with sharpie maps on their arms and legs.

And here is my little swimmer I am so proud of what an effort he put out this weekend. He got a little discouraged a few times, but never gave up. What a trooper.

Yet another recipe

Yet another recipe!

I found this recipe, I am always looking for something different for the kids for breakfast, and the kids loved this one. It is called mini maple chicolate chip pancake muffins. :) yum! Here is the batter
and of course a few extra chocolate chips for good measure.

and the final look. the kids were popping these in their mouths all day, even with out the syrup! they were so easy!

Here is the recipe.

1 c. flour

1. tsp. baking powder

1/2. tsp baking soda

1/4. tsp. salt

2 tb. sugar

2/3 c. buttermilk

1 egg

2 tb. maple syrup

2 tb melted butter

1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

preheat oven to 350

combine flour baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar in bowl.

in another bowl, stir buttermilk,egg, syrup, and butter, until just combined.

add wet ing. to dry ing. stir with a spoon till just combined.

stir in chocolate chips reserving some to sprinkle on top.

bake for 8-9min.

makes 24 mini muffins

let cool slightly you may need to use a toothpick around the edges to separate the muffins from the pan serve immediately with warmed butter or even just with maple syurp Or if you are like my kids, just grab them and pop them in your mouth while running around the house :)

If you are at all squeamish turn away from the blog right now, just turn away from the blog....

Ok you didn't turn away so here we go.... I was swimming the other day, and I had on my cute little flippers and I got a blister, but to my surprise it was in the shape of a heart, how cute is that! I actually think that my blister is kinda cute! So yes I took a pic of my heart shaped blister!

And then the story gets funnier. The only bandaid I can find in my house in nemo. So I put the nemo bandaid on, and this morning as I am getting ready for church I put my nylons on, and grab my shoes thinking no problem, my shoes will cover the bandaid... well no they didn't. and I was running late, (I know surprising) so there I was in my nylons, with my cute shoes with my nemo bandaid showing. no denying that I am a mom!

weekend of scouts and basketball

Well the pics are backwards from the posts, thats what happens when you post something, then go back and try to add the picture, I guess I am not smart enough to figure that one out. so this pic of zach goes with the bottom post, and my basketball star #33 is Alli!
Oh and a funny story, Alli couldn't find her basketball shorts, she asked me where her 'nikki' shorts were, I was like what are you talking about 'nikki' then I figured it out NIKE ! Yep, I get it now. kids are so cute!

Well this momma survived a crazy weekend. Alli had her first basketball game. We don't have to go into what the score was (1-30) BUT...... Her team really played an awesome game, and I have to say, My little allicat is quite the powerhouse. She may be an itty bitty but she was pushing around those bigger girls like I couldn't believe. And she has been working on her muscles. she claimes to have a little 'bump' on her arm this year that is allowing her to make a basket! Hopefully she can make one of them baskets during the game, and not just at practice. But I just want to say how proud I am of her.
Zach went on his first scout overnighter. It was the Klondike derby. He had a good time. He had to dig out a sleeping area for himself, and I am not quite sure, but I know that they did a lot of sledding activities, getting information out of a 12 year old is like pulling teeth, which brings me to my next point, he lost a tooth. I know what you are thinking.... scouts.... sleds.... lost tooth, but nope, he lost it eating sweedish fish. funny huh. The acident actually came later when he was laying in his snow fort thing, and somebody was backing a trailer in, and actually backed it over his snow fort with him in it knocking him into the next snow fort, the only injury he has is a small cut,and a black eye, of which he is quite proud. So, not sure how, but we have survived the first scout camp!! Lots of fun things coming up this week. I will keep you posted!

If all else fails BAKE!!!!!

When these long cold dreary January days start to make you think you are crazy, instead of thinking you are crazy, just start baking!! Now these are really fun. Even though they didn't turn out quite perfect I made them egg free so I could eat one, and I just kind of made up my own recipe instead of looking one up, and it fell flat, it tasted good, but it didn't raise, but they are just so darn cute I couldn't resist posting anyway! so here they are! Just take any old cake batter, divide it up, add food color.
spoon into your liners, and bake.

frost and totally enjoy!!!!

mmmmmm mmmmm make me happy!

the answer is around the corner

Generally speaking I am a very upbeat person, I can make lemonade out of all the dumb lemons that keep getting thrown at me. Well I believe I am out of sugar. I took Joey to Salt lake earlier this week to a Rheumotologist (sp. wrong I am sure). We were sure this was going to be the answer. We have been in and out of dr.'s for the last 6 years. Joey just wants to know why he is different from all the other kids, why he can't play basketball, and football, and baseball, and run, like the other boys. We put a lot of hope and faith in this dr. visit. He checked him out, did some blood work, and x rays. Yesterday we found out that every thing came back 'normal' So our family Dr. told us that at Joeys next 3 month check up (Feb) we would discuss the next step. My cynical question is- how many corners can you turn before you crash into that wall for the last time? Where do I draw the line? When do I say My son is just simply different and I will never know exactly know why? Or do I press forward tirelessly and never give up? That is what I am pondering at this time in my life. Along with is the earth truly round? and what should I make for dinner, and should I do the dishes, or the laundry, and should I take a shower or a bubble bath, hmmm this is my crazy life. And I am sure tomorrow will be better. :)

I know, I know just a couple of weeks ago I was hoping and praying for a white christmas, I was so worried we wouldn't have snow for christmas, well we had snow for christmas!! yea. now I am done, I am ready for the sun, and beach, and to be WARM! I feel like I am cold all the time, and I am just ready to be warm. We all know that in August, I will be whining that its too hot, and I am ready for a good snow storm, but for now I am ready for some sunshine:)

a day at the spa and a challenging game of chess

WOW model material! How cute is my sassafras. And yes for those of you who noticed, she begged and begged for months for a perm, well, it took two tries for a decent perm, and it finally turned out cute, now she wants me to straighten it every day! GIRLS! thats all I will say on that.
Now this was an intense chess match I am not sure who won, but it was really fun to watch. And Salt really looked like he knew what he was doing. It was fun! and the cheerleader on the side cheering on her brothers! good job pepper.

Sassy got a spa kit for christmas. This was the first thing she wanted to try. a Oatmeal honey facial scrub. Now we all know that you should use cucumbers on your eyes, but we were fresh out of cuces at my house so we used the next best thing.....ritz crackers. Her face was so smooth when she was done you could see it shine for miles! What a beauty!

my root beer float cake

Root beer float cake
Yum!
1 box yellow cake mix
2 eggs
2 cups root beer
1 3 oz box instant vanilla pudding
1 tsp. root beer extract
frosting

1 cube melted or soft butter, mix well, then add
1 cup powdered sugar,
1 tsp root beer extract, then add 8 oz whipped topping thawed.
mix cake in a big bowl pour into 2 round greased cake pans and bake at 350 for 30 min. let cake cool for 30 min. then remove to wire rack for 30 more min.
frost cake by spreading half on the frosting on bottom layer of the cake. add top of cake. top with remaining frosting. serve with vanilla ice cream to taste like a root beer float yum!

Hmmmm.....This is what I saw christmas morning.... brrrr... and wow that early. But we had fun!

And all the kids were so darn cute! They all had so much fun. They all got what they wanted (except the big kids, zach didn't get his x-box, alli didn't get her cell phone, competer, or tv, and joey didn't get his tread mill, imagine that) but other than all that they were pretty happy kids. Salt got his transformers, and pepper got her barbies, Sassy got her"all girl stuff" jo got some work out gear, and zach goe sport stuff, like I said they are quite the happy bunch. Christmas eve we always open 1 present this year we got them all robes. they all look pretty good in them, maybe they will stay warm in these cold winters!

And here is our annual visit from the big guy himself! The kids were pretty excited to remind him what they wanted from him that night.

first day of christmas break.

Yea!!! I slept in! What a great day to start the break. And ah the wonderful days of christmas break. So far these are the fabulous things I have heard today:
~can we make cookies?
~can we make popcorn?
~can we have a movie day?
~can I eat a candy cane?
~can we open just one present?
~can I eat a candy cane?
~when will it snow we want to make a snowman?
~can we make cookies, or brownies, or anything?
And my all time favorite today......
~Lets see who can put their socks on while doing a somersault!

That was fun to watch.
Merry christmas

Christmas party at grandma's

Making chocolates at grandma's Alli was the only one (besides me) that wanted to get messy in the chocolate! And let me tell you she loved it! Ah the memories it brings back from my own childhood! And the reward for working so hard!mmmmmm and yes that is chocolate on her forehead! true sign that she enjoyed herself.
this is grandpa trying to play go fish with the grandkids. He has more patients that me! And all the kids loved it. And all the adults enjoyed the entertainment.

Cute grandpa with Joey, zach and their cousin! wow these boys are growing so fast! watch out grandpa they will pass you up in no time.

It is no secret I have had a hard time getting in the christmas spirit this year. This has been both a wonderful year, and a hard year. The good things, all the successes of my kids, and there were many, abby came to our family, the fact that I have wonderful friends! and lots of other things I will kick myself in the butt for not remembering off the top of my head. But with every up there is a down for every good, there seems to be a bad. (darn that murphys law). Brian has has a very difficult time this year with employment, well lack of employment, which leads to many difficulties. Seeing countless dr.s for Joey, to no conclusion, and more funerals this year than in the last 10 years combined. Anyway, that is the background for my lack of x-mas spirit. But over the last few days, while my great neighbor has given us gifts,and scriptures to reflect on, and the fact that after owning the book 'the christmas sweater' I am finally reading it, I think the true spirit is entering my home. I don't need to stress that my kids are not getting all the things they want from their lists, I just need to take this unique opportunity to teach them why we have christmas, and what it does for a person to give, rather than receive. Now don't worry, they are all getting gifts, I just get to change the focus. I kind of wish I did this years ago. I get caught up in the commercial part of christmas, more than my kids, and forget why we actually get to celebrate. So thank you recession for making me broke, to refocus my life!!!!!I love chirstmas, I love my kids, I love my hubby, and I love my family and friends.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY

And as a sidebar, I am also grateful to be born in this day and age, because I would not have made it as a pioneer. Earlier this month I actually had to live without a computer and phone for several days ahhhhh not cool! And today I needed to chop wood. Now I have done this in the past, when needed, I just prefer not to. Well after a hefty bruise on my leg, a bruised hand, a sore back, and 4 tylenol later SUCCESS!!! I am pretty proud of myself. Now I am not finished yet, but its a start! :) How did those pioneer women deal with it, They must have all been insane. I love my modern life!

Pepper: Jack and Jill went up the hill to get a pail of water, Jack fell down and broke his crown and Jill came tumbling after.
sounds right, right?

Salt: Jack and Jill went up the hill to get a bunch of water, they both fell down and got broken crowns.

maybe this is the difference between boys and girls. The perfectionist vs. the abstract mind. makes you go hmmmm.

It has been so cold! We got a good couple inches of snow,and of course the kids have to go play in it, but they came back in so cold we had to wrap them in the electric blanket. Thank goodness for those blankets, they are a true blessing in my cold idaho life. snowball fight!

I got home the other night from running the kids around, and my dear sweet Alli had this waiting for me. It was my diet pepsi of course, hersheys kisses, some adorable notes, and the bread our neighbor brought over for us. How cute is she. I am so loved.

kids are growing up way too fast.

I absolutly love when kids say words that they hear, and they understand how to use them, but they are big words for them. Yesterday driving home from pocatello, Jason was very tired, and irritable. Abby was in the christmas mood and trying to sing christmas songs. Then I hear coming from my adorable 4 year old. Mom Abby is attitaing me. It took me a sec. to realize that he was telling me she was irritating him. And it was so cute. A few min. later Abby was still singing, and Jason said to me "mom this is so fruchfrating" LOVE IT!!! Even though Jas was attitated and fruchfrated I was giggling inside at how cute he was. Abby must have heard me telling B about it, because today when she was getting a little sleepy, she told me that her eye was attitating her, because she couldn't stop winking. I love this age!

First visit with santa of the year!

Our annual visit with santa!

Alli was telling the big guy that she wanted a computer, a cell phone, a tv, and anything girlie.

she doesn't ask for much.......... Abby had told me ALL the thing she was going to ask for before we got in line, but when it was time to tell santa what she wanted, she could only remember that she wanted a barbie! She was mad at herself after, but I told her she could write a letter to him, and she was happy then.
Jason who is everything transformer, asked for a train! I am so confused. but I think he may have had a little stage fright too. these kids are so cute!

LOVE THOSE CANDY CANES

Salt and pepper got into the candy canes on the tree, and it was so cute when they realized it made thier tongues red. And it was really cute when they realized they could stick their tongues out for a picture. I think they looked in the mirror for at least an hour. they are so funny~