Back to School

Yea! Cam finally got to go back to school. He informed me that it wasn't a very fun spring break because of the snow and he just really wanted to go fly his Easter kite! It's so hard to be 6! On the bright side of things...it's soccer season again. Cam's kindergarten team (coached by his dad) might start practice tomorrow. I say "might" because if there is snow on the ground, his coach will have to decide. Here's hopin'...

Spring Break

Cameron is out of school for the week for Spring Break. Trouble is that it doesn't feel like spring. We have experienced wind, rain, hail, and snow in the last couple of days. But that doesn't stop Cambo or the Gavinator...today they went out to play in the snow. Cam got outside first (of course) and while I was helping Gavin get dressed in his snow clothes Cam wrote the following message in the snow on the deck. He sure is learning a lot in Kindergarten.

Granny's Easter Basket

Before the Easter Egg Hunt...

After the hunt in their new Easter polos. Granny thought they looked like little Easter Eggs for her Easter Basket.

Bunny Ears

My mom bought 2 pairs of bunny ears from Wal-Mart for $1 each. They were pretty much a hit and by the end of the weekend, EVERYONE had tried them on.

Easter Egg Hunt 2008

Granny & Grandpa have had an Easter Egg Hunt for the last few years. The kids look forward to it all year. This year (because of the weather) we thought we would have to have it indoors. But on Saturday the sun came out and, although it was a little windy, we did have it outside! This year each of the kids hunted for an assigned color...Abbie, pink...Avery, purple...Cameron, blue...Gavin, orange...Owen, green. Then in one of their eggs it said their name and "shirt" on a little piece of paper. When they gave that slip to Granny, she gave them a new polo shirt in their color. We missed Callie, Emily, and Jeff and hope they'll be there next year.

Uncle Ryan was teasing Cameron and took his Easter basket away! Cam chased after him while the rest of us sat and laughed.

Guitar Hero Pros

My friend Adrienne and I sat down one evening to play a little Guitar Hero. We played through "My Name is Jonas" and as soon as we finished I told her I hadn't missed any notes...I'd gotten a 100%. She started laughing and said she had done the same! We took a picture of the screen to commemorate the event! Then Cam took the one of us. Quite an accomplishment!!! (I do realize that it is more like a huge waste of time but we were excited, nonetheless.)

Happy Birthday Mom/Granny Jane!

Today is my mom's birthday. I was looking for some fabulous pics to post of her but found just one problem...she hates having her picture taken and NEVER has an individual picture (except for school pictures, which I don't have any of.) So this slide show is of her with those who love her. Anyway, here is a little shout out to the best mom in the world. I can honestly say that I don't really think of her as my mom anymore because she is one of my best friends. We talk on the phone every day (and usually more than once!) Our entire family revolves around her. She is ultra supportive of everything we all do. She is a fabulous Granny and I get asked when we can go see Granny at least once a day. Her grandchildren love her and so do her kids!

Green Party

To celebrate St. Patrick's Day yesterday, we went to a "green party" with cousins Ashley and Megan and their kids.

The kids ate green jello, green grapes, green cucumbers (dipped in green ranch dressing) and sandwiches and they ate on shamrock shaped plates!

After lunch Ashley told the kids that Lucky the Leprechaun had stopped by her house and left a few games, puzzles, and treats for them. They got to put together puzzles of Lucky, help fill Lucky's Pot o' Gold (like Pin-The-Tail-on-the-Donkey),

and then they went on a scavanger hunt and each got a candy bar from Lucky's hat!

All were dressed in green and we had a really good time!

The Spring Cake Mishap

Every year around my mom's birthday (March 20th) our family makes a fabulous cake that we call "Spring Cake." It is SO good. I made a Spring Cake for some friends on Saturday evening. Yesterday, while he was supposed to be napping, Gavin decided the Spring Cake needed "sprinkles." So while the rest of the family continued their Sunday naps, Gavin dumped all of the red sprinkles and some multi-colored sprinkles on what was left of our spring cake. For any of you who aren't quite sure, spring cake does NOT need sprinkles and the cake was pretty much ruined...This picture is of Gavin doing his "mean" face!

The friends I shared the Spring Cake with on Saturday wanted the recipe. So here it is--

Spring Cake

Prepare and bake 1 lemon cake as directed on the package. Bake in 9 x 13 pan. Cool. With a meat fork, poke cake full of holes, but do not poke clear to the bottom of the cake. Pour jello mixture over top of cake.

Jello mixture: 1 small package lime jello (I use sugar free), dissolve with 3/4 c. hot water, then add 1/2 c. cold water.

Then cover with topping:
1 small package instant lemon pudding (again, sugar-free)

1 1/2 c. milk

Beat until smooth and blend in a big scoop of Cool Whip. Spread over cake and refrigerate for several hours.

Snowmen

During piano lessons on Thursday, Cameron, Gavin, and Hally (a piano student) went out side and made many mini snowmen. They were so proud of them so Cam and Hally took a few pictures. Good thing they did because as soon as Izzy got out of her kennel, she pretty much destroyed them...

Guitar Hero by 2 & 3 Year-Olds

Last Saturday night we played Guitar Hero with some friends. Caden, 2, and Gavin, 3, really wanted to play...so we let them try. Their little hands are just too small to hit the buttons but they were very proud of themselves for holding the guitar and singing along to the music.

A Very LONG Week

I haven't posted anything since last Friday which doesn't mean that nothing has happened. On the contrary, we have been SO busy all week that I haven't even sat at the computer for longer than 5 minutes. Why so busy? I was singing with a women's quartet (we call ourselves the "Who-Ha's" which is a story in itself) and we were supposed to perform tonight at a production in Idaho Falls put together by the IF Opera Theater (which we aren't officially a part of.) I say we were "supposed" to sing because last night, after a terrible rehearsal, we dropped out. It was a huge decision but we decided that we didn't want to be associated with the production any longer. The director understood which I was relieved about. Anyway, we've been practicing all week and we (as a quartet) have become quite close, so although we won't be performing tonight, this is just the beginning for the "Who-Ha's!"

Also during the week I had to help with Visiting Teaching Interviews, the Relief Society Birthday party, and I painted my living room. It was a long week and I am so glad it is over.

Cam's Latest Injury

When I picked Cameron up from school on Wednesday, Miss Day met me at the car and told me Cam had fell on the ice at recess and bumped his chin. I didn't think much of it until later that night when I looked over at him and thought he had marker on his chin. He told me that he didn't exactly slip on the ice, but that he ran into another boy while playing tag. His chin hit the boy's head. Either way, his chin looks terrible and he says it is tender. Maybe someday he will be bruise-free.

AI Girls

Because I was quite vocal about the guys performances this week, I feel like I have to comment on the girls too. But because I don't think the girls are as good as the guys, this will be short. The thing about the girls is that there is a distinct line between those who are good and those who aren't. Good: Brooke White, Carly Smithson, Ramiele Malubay, and Syesha Mercado. Need to be voted off: Amanda Overmyer, Kady Mallow, and Kristi Lee Cook. I haven't yet decided if I like Asia'h Epperson.

I've thoroughly enjoyed reading all of your comments so let them continue. And Jana...my mom doesn't pay for cable either but she can still get Fox. On some TVs it comes in on channel 31. On some TVs you have to find it on channel 82. Try that.

American Idol

To say that I like American Idol would be an understatement. The truth is that I watch it Tuesday and Wednesday nights, live...then I have to record the results show, Thursday night, because I have Sounds Choir practice. You'd think I could wait for the results until I had time to watch it...not true. Callie is kind enough to text me as people get voted off! I just don't want to be out of the loop for even one second.

I really enjoy watching the show when I know my sisters and mom are also watching. We call each other during the commercials to discuss the previous performance. We all agree that David Archuleta is the best but we also enjoy David Cook a lot too. A few observations from last night...Danny Noriega needs the boot. I cannot stand to watch him perform because I'm sure he's performing on the WRONG night! The boy looks, acts, and seems like a girl.

Because of his recent scandal, I can no longer enjoy David Hernandez. I'm sorry but it's just a little too much to handle.

I honestly enjoyed Jason Castro but I can't figure out why none of the judges mentioned the fact that his voice cracked. Whatever...

I think Luke Menard and Michael Johns think they are better than they really are. And Chikezie/Jacuzzi (as Simon called him) needs to cut his fingernails. Just an observation.

If you aren't addicted to American Idol, ignore this post and the poll on the side. If you enjoy American Idol, place your vote on my poll...

Cousins

Grandpa and Owen sampled a piece of cake after dinner...

Owen sitting in the Easter bunny chair.

Gavin with his big smile!

Whenever I got out my camera during the party last night, Avery would hurry and strike a pose. She loves having her picture taken!

Birthday Party

Last night we had a birthday party for Grandma Marie. It was supposed to be at cousin Megan's house but the majority of her family got sick so we had it at my mom's. There were 70 people who came. We enjoyed Grandma's traditional chocolate chip cookie bars and chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream. We missed all who couldn't make it.