Camerson?

Cameron was on a YMCA Football team in the fall. He was on the same team as Jackson, my cousin Amy's son. When the coach got our team pictures back it was after the season was over. So instead of delivering Cam's pictures to us, he left them at Jackson's and he brought them to us today. I was so excited when I opened the pictures, only to find Cam's name had been spelled wrong! Kinda funny, but disappointing too.

My First Pedicure

As part of Callie's birthday celebration, my mom and sisters and I went to get pedicures. Uncle Jeff kept Cameron & Gavin and we took Owen with us. Mom, Callie, and Emily have had pedicures before but this was a first for me. It was so relaxing...I may be addicted now.

We surprised Callie!

We went to Utah to celebrate Callie's birthday on Friday. She didn't think we were leaving Idaho until 8:00 pm but we actually left at 4:00. She was with Emily and Jeff at Chili's when we got there and she was SO surprised to see us. Cameron & Gavin ate most of her dinner. Owen wasn't feeling very good.

I thought I was taking a picture but actually took this video. It's very shaky but it's Callie's reaction. We had a very fun weekend!

Aunt Callie's Birthday is TODAY

Today is Aunt Callie's Birthday! We are going to Utah today to celebrate with her (and Emily and Jeff.) Cam & Gavin have been so excited about our little trip that on Tuesday Gavin insisted it was Friday and we needed to go see Callie now. Cam told his kindergarten teacher that he wouldn't be in school today, because we were going to Utah! They are so anxious because they like her so much.

Callie--we hope we have a great weekend celebrating your birthday. You are a great aunt, sister, and friend. We love you!!!

Say "Cheese!"

Owen--14 months
Gavin--3 year old
Cameron--Kindergarten, 6-years old

We had a family picture taken at Wal-Mart January 5th and we got them back today! We hadn't had a real "professional" picture since Cameron was our only child so it was way past time. We also needed individuals of Gavin & Owen...Cam got his taken at school. I think the mom in this picture looks a little irritated but everyone else looks perfect.

Brrrr!

This morning it was so cold in Idaho Falls (and most of Southeastern Idaho) that Cameron's school was cancelled. It was -18 degrees but felt more like -30 with the wind!!! We had a relaxing day doing laundry and making peanut butter cookies. My sister, Emily, gave me a handy little tool for Christmas (a silicon cookie scoop) and it was our first time using it. The boys had fun taking turns scooping the cookies and then making the fork marks on the top. Owen enjoyed eating them.

Owen LOVES the Snow!

Owen has wanted to go outside and play with his brothers all week. Today, I decided to dress him up and let him go. He loved it!!!

Playing in the Snow

It has snowed all day today. The boys got all dressed up and went out to play.

Gavin swings year-round.

Owen tries out the slide (for the first time.)

Gavin makes a snow angel.

Cameron joins him.

Parent Teacher Conference

Last night we went to Cam's Parent Teacher Conference. We took the whole family because I really wanted both parents to go. His teacher is so nice and let the boys color on the white board while we talked. Cam is doing very well in school. He acts like a 6-year-old sometimes, however, and has had a little trouble paying attention, following the rules, etc. I'm not at all worried about that though. He's a boy!!! His teacher's name is Miss Day. There is also a full-time aid in the classroom, Mrs. Gerard. He loves school and I'm sure it's because of them.

Izzy

Izzy is our dog and Spence keeps asking me why I haven't posted any pictures of her yet! Those of you who know me well know that I don't love dogs, I just tolerate them. But the boys (including Spence) love her so I'm okay with her. She is a Weimaraner and we've had her since she was 6 weeks old. We don't know her exact birthday but it's sometime between now and February 1st. Happy Birthday Izzy! By the way, Spence doesn't usually carry her around like a mink stole, this was a special occassion. Ha! Ha!

Messy Eaters

These pictures were just too cute not to share. Owen is eating an apple with fruit dip. Gavin's is a grape juice mustache.

Owen Finally Cut a Tooth

Owen is nearly 15 months old. He is walking around like a big boy and eating like a big boy but he just barely cut his first tooth on Friday. (This picture makes it look like it's his right bottom tooth, but really it's the left one.) Yea, Owen!!!

As Requested

Here is my 90-minute (or less) bread recipe. (This is especially for Jana...hope you at least try it.)

Dissolve 3 T yeast in 3 cups warm water and let sit for 15 minutes.

Preheat oven to 170 degrees.

Add 3/8 cup sugar, 3/8 cup oil, 3 tsp salt.

Gradually add 6 cups (this is an approximate) bread flour.

Mix well. Put on floured surface and let rest 1 minute.

Shape into 3 loaves and put into loaf pans. Place in warm oven.

Then turn heat on oven up to 350. When oven has heated to 350,

set timer for 20-25 minutes.

I also made this recipe with Splenda Blend instead of the sugar and it was so yummy. I usually use white bread flour but have used whole wheat too. You can also use this recipe to make cinnamon bread (Gavin's favorite). Just shape dough into a rectangle, then spread on melted butter, sugar, and cinnamon...roll and bake as normal.

Naughty Gavin

For Enrichment, I made 3 loaves of bread for the Taster's Table. While I was in the shower, yesterday morning, Cameron came and knocked on the door and said, "You're going to be really mad at Gavin when you get out of there." Apparently, he wanted some cinnamon bread so he got out a butter-knife and cut through the bag, and cut off part of the corner. "But I wanted some," was his excuse.

Bread Making

For Enrichment last night I had to demonstrate how to make 90-minute (or less) bread. I had a great time. We set up 3 KitchenAids and showed the sisters the steps to make bread. Then each sister rolled her own loaf and we baked them. (Yes, we had permission to use the oven.) All the loaves turned out beautifully and it smelled so good.

We also had a service auction. I bid and won a dinner/dessert to be made for our family whenever we want and a free night of babysitting while we attend the temple. I'm excited to use them both.

Freezing Drizzle

On our way home from the temple, we experienced "freezing drizzle." The drizzle was freezing as it hit the roads. The traffic was slowed down to 20 mph (at the fastest) and we saw at least 8 accidents and 4 more slide-offs. The roads were terrible and we were so thankful that we had new snow tires and that Spence is a great driver. We were so glad to make it home safely.

I Love To See The Temple

We had the opportunity to tour the Rexburg Temple yesterday with Ryan, No'el, Abbie, Avery, Granny Jane and Grandpa Rick. It was so beautiful. Owen really liked hearing his voice echo in the Celestial Room and would not stop. At one point during the tour, Gavin started singing softly. I nudged him and told him we needed to be quiet. He kept singing...but when I knelt down to whisper softly that he needed to be quiet, I noticed he was singing, "I Love to See the Temple." What a tender moment.

OUCH!

Yesterday, when Cam was walking toward the car after school, he slipped on the ice and fell forward. Ouch!

New List on our Blog

We have added a new list to our blog...it's of some of our favorite websites. Okay, there are only 2 listed at this point but I will be adding to that list whenever I feel that I've found a website worthy of sharing. Starfall.com is a favorite of Cameron's. It is an educational site where he can read and play games. I love it too. FHE Ideas is just that...ideas for Family Home Evening. Hope some of you may find these websites as entertaining as we do.

Fun with Avery

Cousin Avery came to play with Gavin today. They like a lot of the same things...reading stories and watching Diego. She is so quiet and he is so noisy but they get along GREAT!