Things I missed

Kim and Tam made the little girls flower crowns.  They were beautiful, until they died.  I realized going through these pictures that I missed a lot and I didn't take pictures of a lot.  

• We went to the pool with Lisa and Jennifer's family and we had such a good time.  Jenn was so nice to buy Audrey floaties which she refused to wear, I hope she gets used to them someday.  
• We went to summer sno with the Kim, Tam, Phil, Katrina, Karalee, and Benje.  They make the best snow cones.  I dream about it at night...that good.  Thanks to Katrina for coming up with the plan.  
• We took a drive with Michelle out to see Mike and Chrissy and their cute family.   They made me fall in love with farm life. Their new little girl is so beautiful...I might have almost let out a few tears.
• We went to the best children's museum I have ever seen and made a life size house for little kids out of big legos.  It was awesome.  I will never forget going through a dark tunnel on my hands and knees with my Mom.  We couldn't see anything and we ran into a lot of walls.  My Mom is the best!
• We ate really good burgers and celebrated Tessie's birthday.
• We went to a taco truck round up.  It was definitely something to scratch off my list.  Although it was a rather long wait for our food, I couldn't have been in better company.  
• I learned how to put together Tiki Marsala (I think that's how you spell it).  Thai food is yum!  Thanks Karalee.
• I went to see Maleficent with my siblings and parents.  It was really fun to go to a movie with my family.  It's been a while.  It was a good movie....except for the single girls behind us giggling at EVERYTHING.  I might have glared...which didn't seem to have an effect on them.  Maybe I need to practice.  
• I went shopping with my little sisters.  It was so good to spend a little more time with them.  They are so busy. 
• We all went out to Yogurtland the evening before I left and just talked. It  made me miss home.  

It was a pretty eventful two weeks.  Thank you to Jenn, Michelle, and Karalee for keeping me entertained.  Thank you Lisa, Phillip, Michelle, and Mike for coming to see me.  I know it was a sacrifice to make the drive.  Love you all.  

Chocolate Bake Off

The chocolate bake off was really the best idea ever.  I take credit for it.  It was awesome.  My Mom instilled in all of us a love of cooking good food, and it's really awesome when we get to do it together.  

The rules were simple.  It had to be made from scratch, it had to be a dessert and it had to have chocolate in it.  After we were all done cooking we would then have the desserts taste tested and judged by the boys.  As soon as the desserts started coming out of the oven they were being devoured.  They were all delicious. 

Lisa: Flourless Chocolate Cake with whipped cream and a raspberry on top

Kimberly: Coconut Macaroons dipped in chocolate with raspberries on top

Tamara: Chocolate Biscuits on top of a layer of raspberries served with vanilla ice cream

Me: Brownies with thin mints in the batter and andies mints melted on top

Jenn: Chocolate Chip Cookies with nutella and peanut butter in the middle
Karalee: Peanut butter cheesecake balls dipped in chocolate

I hope to get links for these recipes because we shouldn't keep all of this awesomeness to ourselves.

Kimberly and Tamara won. I bow out gracefully.  Too good not to have several helpings.  I don't know what we'll do next year but I'm sure it will be awesome.

 Kimberly holding the trophy.

I had to laugh when I saw this photo.  I didn't notice Derrick at first. Haha!

Hating myself for not turning my camera on this one and getting Mom too.  Lame.

Beauty is Pain

Mom brought out a gift out for Audrey.  She bought her some beautiful princess shoes, a coloring book and finger nail polish.  I don't think she could have picked anything better.  Audrey wore those "glass slippers" until she had bloody blisters.  Even then she reluctantly gave them up.  Lisa found her a Cinderella dress out of the dress ups to go with them.  She couldn't have been happier.  Thank you Mom and thank you Lisa.  I think you made her week.  

This is a random picture of Madison but I think she is beautiful so I couldn't resist.  She wouldn't smile for me though.  

Phillip arrived with his family on Friday and stayed for a few days.  I truly didn't expect for all of my family to show up while I was there.  To all who made the trek out, or just took time out of your work schedules to spend the day with me, Thank you!  It meant a lot to me to see each of you.

On Saturday Karalee took Phillip, Katrina, and me and our families to a little farm.  Karalee spoiled us with shaved ice, we took a ride on a horse drawn carriage, pet cows, saw goats and birds, and we went on pony rides.  Audrey loved riding the pony until he starting neighing.  Then she looked at me with raised eyebrows and said, "Mama...he's a mad one!"  I told her the horse was just trying to talk to her, but she was convinced that the horse was mad and she didn't want to be on a mad horse.  She practically jumped off of him into my arms.  I had to laugh.

(Picture stolen from Katrina, Thank you for taking it!)

 I really wanted to get a picture of L and Audrey before Phillip and Katrina left.  I was thinking something like this.  I wish Clara had of been there too.  

I was sadly disappointed.  They are a little older and can say no a little easier. Don't let this picture of Audrey fool you.  She was the worst....I randomly and miraculously caught the one second she was sitting still and smiling.  Maybe next time.  Either way it made for some good memories.  

Utah is Beautiful

Paul and I get into these discussions about how beautiful Utah is, I'm usually defending Texas and he's usually defending Utah.  After being there this last time I concede.  Something about being there just feels like home, and it really is beautiful.  Especially during the summer.  Jennifer took us to her little girls favorite spot.  Audrey loved feeding the ducks.  She was rather generous with her portion sizes.  The ducks were pretty happy.  Sticking my toes in the water an being with my sisters was probably the best part.    

 Audrey loves to pick flowers.  It's probably my fault.  Last month in Texas all the wild flowers were in bloom.  We'd go on walks and I would pick her flowers as we went.  By the time we got home she would always had a large bundle of flowers(weeds).  These flowers weren't weeds, but I didn't have the heart to tell her no.  She was having so much fun.  She wasn't happy when we went to leave.  

Arrival at Mom and Dad's

I was dreading my flight at six in the morning.  Getting up at 4 to get out the door was a little too early.  I was sure that they were going to delay my flight because we had tornado warnings the day before.  As we got to the airport the clouds departed and we left right on time.  Audrey slept the whole way as I stared out the window watching the most beautiful scene of clouds unfold in front of me.  I was in awe thinking about how beautiful God's creations are.  

When we got there Jenn made us pancakes and we went on a walk to the cemetery.  I was really excited to hear that Jenn was going because I didn't make it to Grandma's funeral.  Going made me miss them even more.  They were such amazing people.

Audrey loved these cousins.  They were so nice to play her big sisters while they were there.  I already miss not having them around to play with her.  

(Picture credit goes to my sister, I didn't bring my camera)