Texas-Sized Fun

The last 5 days have been a whirlwind of jam-packed fun, late nights, good talks, lots of laughs and lots of hugs. My sisters Brenda and Kris, brother-in-law Gary, 17-year-old nephew Jason and 15-year-old niece Brittney braved the 24-ish hour drive all the way from Texas last Wednesday and stayed with us till today (Sunday). (P.S. Devin and Rachel, we sure missed you!!) I don't know what it is about them - even though we only see each other every few years, when we get together it's like no time has passed at all. Their laughter is infectious, they are a blast to be around and make everyone feel so comfortable and loved, and we have talks and moments that make me wish I could have them here all the time. It seriously is non-stop fun. The girls had constant entertainment from Jason and Brittney and were pretty much attached to them - lots of hide-and-seek, wrestling, dart shooting, etc. etc. We tried to pack in everything we could during our time together - searching for a cherry orchard (and getting yummy apricots instead), launching water bottle rockets, doing a few fireworks, having several Wii bowling marathons, early birthday present shopping for the girls, and lots and lots of visiting. We were hardly home much - we ate out a LOT, visited Grandma Johnson, visited at Dad's house, went to the Jacobson reunion at the park, and went to my Uncle Cardell's house for a Jake/Austin reunion. (P.S. I think Cardell and Rosanne live in heaven. Their house is at the mouth of Provo Canyon, and it's in a secluded, tucked-away community of only a couple dozen cottages. In the center is a beautiful pond and a tree-lined grassy area with a big fireplace. It's just so peaceful. I love it every time I go there). Anyway, we tried to pack in the fun. When we returned at night, although everyone was exhausted, we just couldn't stop talking and hugging - we laughed, we cried, we played, we bonded.... When everyone drove off this morning, Kiera and Makenna broke down and just sobbed. Our house seemed empty and eerily quiet. Come back, y'all!




Dad's "Den of Antiquities"

"Driving" in my Dad's 1962 MGA

"New" Highchair

I just had to post these cute pics of cute Kasidee and her "new" highchair - I'm so stoked!! Our old highchair was one my old boss gave me (from when his kids used it). It was a nice highchair, but when we got it, it didn't have the safety belt thing. It lasted through our first 2 kids, but Kasidee kept trying to perfect her acrobatics in it - she just wouldn't stay sitting down in it!! So I've been eyeing a new highchair, one made with organically grown and naturally colored cotton - but it's $110!! I've been trying to justify buying this highchair eventually...but then I spotted a highchair in our neighbor's front yard. He was getting ready for a yard sale the next day - when I saw the price tag (10 BUCKS!) I asked him if he would sell early to me, and he said sure. So yay - now we have a "new" highchair. It's not the organic one that I've been hoping for, but it was ten bucks and (the best part) - I'm pretty sure it has never even been used (the plastic tabs hadn't even been punched out). So there you go - a cheap, "new" chair that straps her in! We're all happy!

Sleepover

Last night (this morning?) the girls were up a little after midnight, giddy about the huge thunderstorm we were having. I say giddy but it was really a mixture of excitement and fear - the same thing I was feeling. As we watched out the window, there were bursts of light nearly every second, coming from 3 different directions. Then it poured, adding to the dramatic night storm. Needless to say, we figured there was no way the girls were going to go back to their room by themselves, and I didn't particularly want to sleep on their floor. So we brought out the sleeping bags and made an impromptu bed on the floor next to my side of the bed. They squished together and cuddled. It worked - within 2 minutes they were sound asleep!

Catch the Reading Bug!

This summer, the Davis County Libraries have had a "Catch the Reading Bug" program. They've had puppet shows, storytellers, magic shows, jugglers, "Ginger the Origami Lady," and lots of other activities - and libraries and free things are 2 of my favorite things! The girls have really looked forward to going to these activities every week. And tonight was a 4-for-1. They played ice cube hockey, made little "bug cars" and "drove" them down a ramp, raced paper inchworms, and played beanbag toss. What fun!! Makenna got in the car and said, "This is a beautiful day. I got to go to Ella's birthday party AND to the library!" Can't beat that!

All-American Girl

At the girls' clogging performance last Saturday, I heard the song "All-American Girl" by Carrie Underwood and couldn't get it out of my head. It's a catchy tune! Every once in awhile, I get on a country music kick (don't worry - it usually doesn't last too long). Anyway, when I got home I looked up the song on playlist.com. When Quentin and I listened to the words together, we both started getting teary-eyed. You can hear the song by clicking on my playlist on the right-hand side of the blog. But below I've typed the words - so sweet!

Since the day they got married,
He'd been praying for a little baby boy.
Someone he could take fishing,
Throw the football and be his pride and joy.
He could already see him holding that trophy,
Taking his team to state.
But when the nurse came in with a little pink blanket,
All those big dreams changed.

CHORUS
And now he's wrapped around her finger,
She's the center of his whole world.
And his heart belongs to that sweet little beautiful, wonderful, perfect All-American Girl.

Sixteen short years later,
She was falling for the senior football star.
Before you knew it he was dropping passes,
Skipping practice just to spend more time with her.
The coach said "Hey son, what's your problem? Tell me, have you lost your mind?"
Daddy said you'll lose your free ride to college, boy you better tell her goodbye.

CHORUS
But now he's wrapped around her finger,
She's the center of his whole world.
And his heart belongs to that sweet little beautiful, wonderful, perfect All-American...

And when they got married and decided to have one of their own,
She said "Be honest, tell me what do you want?"
And he said "Honey, you oughta know... Sweet, little, beautiful... one just like you. Oh a beautiful, wonderful, perfect All-American..."

Now he's wrapped around her finger,
She's the center of his whole world.
And his heart belongs to that sweet little beautiful, wonderful, perfect All-American Girl.
Oh American Girl.

Tappity Tappity Tappity

This morning the clogging class that Kiera and Makenna have been taking since January culminated in a performance on a stage as well as on a float in the Farmington Festival Days parade! The girls were thrilled! I was surprised that shy little Makenna (who would hide her face during practices) just beamed and smiled while she clogged during the performance. Later when Quentin asked her if she liked being on stage, she said, "Oh, it was SOOOO fun!"

Swim!

Yesterday evening we joined Corbin & Nikki (and Marina, Roman & Isaac) and Eric & Mischelle (and Spencer and Jordyn) at the Desert Peak swimming pool in Tooele. Quentin has taken Kiera and Makenna to the Bountiful Rec Center a few times this summer and we've played in kiddie pools, but this was our first outing to a "real" outdoor pool this summer. It was SO fun! It wore Kasidee out, and my girls were some of the last out of the pool at closing time. Ahhh, summer....

Hummingbird Cake

A few posts ago, I mentioned that one of my all-time favorite desserts is Hummingbird Cake. A few of you seemed interested in the recipe, so here it is. There are quite a few versions online where the recipe is "from scratch," but you know me - if I bake at all, it's got to be quick and easy. There are also versions with pecans and cream cheese frosting. But this simple version is the best in my opinion! Let me know if any of you try it - yum! (P.S. As a vegetarian, I can certify that there are no hummingbirds or hummingbird by-products in this recipe!)

1 8-oz. can crushed pineapple in juice, undrained
1 10-oz. jar maraschino cherries
1 package Betty Crocker Supermoist lemon cake mix
1 cup bananas, mashed (very ripe, but do not use frozen)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3 eggs

1. Heat oven to 350°. Generously grease bottom only of 13x9x2 pan and lightly flour.
2. Drain pineapple in colander set over a bowl, pushing pineapple against colander with a wooden spoon to squeeze out as much juice as possible; reserve juice.
3. Drain cherries well; finely chop and pat dry with a paper towel.
4. Add enough water, if necessary, to reserved pineapple juice to measure 1/3 cup.
5. Beat cake mix, pineapple, bananas, oil, cinnamon, pineapple juice mixture and eggs in a large bowl with electric mixer on low speed for 2 minutes.
6. Stir in cherries.
7. Pour into pan.
8. Bake 38 to 43 minutes or until cake springs back when touched lightly in center.
9. Run knife around side of pan to loosen cake.
10. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
11. Top with powdered sugar.

A Little Too Much Fun!

More celebrating today - and 2 blog posts in one day! This evening a group of my friends from high school had our annual "get together": Kristin, Amanda, Sara and me with our hubbies and 12 (almost 13) kids. I guess all the barbecue-ing, swimming in the awesome "pirate pool," and girls chasing boys with swim noodles wore my girls out. We got home and made mac & cheese (my girls don't eat much when there are funner things to do!) - and as I was cleaning up the kitchen, I glanced over and noticed that Kiera had fallen asleep on the barstools (and maybe you can see Makenna's legs as she was laying on the kitchen floor, staring at the ceiling). Poor girls - at least they had fun (Kiera kept talking about how much she misses her "new" friend Maren) and they'll sleep really good tonight!

Campout

I love the Fourth of July. It's a holiday without any expectations, and you're free to have whatever fun you can come up with!! Today was probably one of the most fun days we've had. We started out by taking our bikes out for a spin. I LOVE riding my bike (well, as long as it's on flat terrain - which is one of the reasons I love our neighborhood so much!) I rode a little bit last year but by June I was too hot and "big with child" to do it anymore. So today I felt free! I love riding!! Anyway, Kiera and Makenna rode their bikes and we put Kasidee in the bike trailer for her first time - she loved it! We rode to the park down the street, played, then rode back. We were gone about 2 hours, and we all had a blast - I even felt "giddy!" Then we went to Grandma Johnson's to visit with her and Mom for a little while. Makenna fell asleep in the car on the way home, and Kiera talked all the way home about our campout. We had thought about setting up the tent in our backyard, but since it was getting late and Makenna had fallen asleep, we decided to postpone it. Besides, I think Quentin and I were secretly relieved to have a good excuse. We were so tired, and the thought of setting up a tent and sleeping on the hard ground didn't sound too appealing anymore. But Kiera was so disappointed. She was so sweet about it, and was able to change our minds (kids have a way of doing that, don't they?) I've tried lately to be more aware of "seizing the moment" and making memories. Sure, we could have waited for a "better" time - but then again, it may not ever happen. So sweet Quentin set up the tent and gathered blankets and sleeping bags while I helped the girls get ready for bed (Kiera had woken Makenna up and got her all excited). And you know what? We had SO much fun! We ate corn on the cob in the tent, watched the neighborhood fireworks out the tent window, talked and cuddled, and spent a LONG night. Ahhh, memories!!






SNOWMAN IN JULY! Every year, a family in Farmington drives up the canyon to gather snow, then makes a snowman in their front yard on the 4th of July. We didn't get here till about 4:00, so it doesn't look like a snowman much anymore!

Happy Fourth!

MY GIRLS

THE KIDS (ISAAC AND SARAH DIDN'T MAKE IT INTO THE PICTURE)

KASIDEE ENJOYING HER FIRST LICORICE

HOW KASIDEE ENJOYED THE FIREWORKS

Happy Fourth of July!! Last night we celebrated by going to North Salt Lake's annual fireworks show on the Eagleword Golf Course. It's a tradition for us to do this every year. I've been trying to think when this started, and I think we've gone every year since the summer before Quentin's mission (1994). Quentin and I used to go with my parents and join maybe 200 other people. Now the crowd numbers thousands and our group has gotten bigger too - Barbara, Dallin, Ben, Shlenae, Corbin, Nikki, Marina, Roman, Isaac, Eric, Mischelle, Spencer, Jordyn, Becky, Alan, Sarah, Brian, Kathleen and Megan (Nikki's sister-in-law). Mom opted to stay home this year since she can watch the fireworks from her front porch (lucky!). We took her a sandwich before the show and visited for a little while. Today the 5 of us are going for a long bike ride around our neighborhood, then we'll visit Mom and Grandma for awhile, then we might splash around in our little pool. Enjoy the day!