Watch and learn, Branden. It will be your turn before you know it.
I love that Branden wants to see what Zach is doing - and that he claps for Zach every time Zach goes potty because he saw us do that when we were training Zach. It's so cute.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Watch and Learn
Watch and learn, Branden. It will be your turn before you know it.
I love that Branden wants to see what Zach is doing - and that he claps for Zach every time Zach goes potty because he saw us do that when we were training Zach. It's so cute.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Missionary FHE
Thinking about Family Home Evening tonight, I thought I'd share one we did last year that was really fun and memorable.
Having 4 boys, I am always thinking about raising missionaries. So for a FHE we had a missionary theme. I wrote up letters calling the boys on a mission. (I copied down word for word a letter someone was reading on YouTube when they got their call). We chose the Italy Rome mission so we could have pizza for dinner. Each boy was given his letter and they read them out loud. We talked about what happens after they get a mission call. We got them dressed in their white shirts, ties, church pants, the works.
First they went to the Missionary Training Center, where they of course got a "dork dot" (the little red dot always put on the missionary's collar so everyone knows they are the one leaving on a mission). They later got their official missionary tags, complete with their names and the church's name in Italian. We talked a little about what they do in the MTC. I taught them some basic words in Italian. We talked about the basics of the gospel that they would need to teach people. Before leaving the MTC, we took pictures of them by the world map pointing to Italy like the missionaries always do. And then we sent them to Italy (I had a sign on the door saying "Welcome to Italy" with a picture of the flag).
They then knocked on our door and we were the investigators. We invited them in and asked them questions prompting them to tell us things about the church. My oldest son did most of the talking, telling us about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. He shared a scripture with us. He also talked about Jesus and what he did for us. Then they invited us to come to church (with Dad's prompting). Then we had an Italian dessert I made called zeppole. It was kind of like a donut, made with ricotta cheese. It was a really fun night. My two oldest boys talked about how much fun they had.
Having 4 boys, I am always thinking about raising missionaries. So for a FHE we had a missionary theme. I wrote up letters calling the boys on a mission. (I copied down word for word a letter someone was reading on YouTube when they got their call). We chose the Italy Rome mission so we could have pizza for dinner. Each boy was given his letter and they read them out loud. We talked about what happens after they get a mission call. We got them dressed in their white shirts, ties, church pants, the works.
First they went to the Missionary Training Center, where they of course got a "dork dot" (the little red dot always put on the missionary's collar so everyone knows they are the one leaving on a mission). They later got their official missionary tags, complete with their names and the church's name in Italian. We talked a little about what they do in the MTC. I taught them some basic words in Italian. We talked about the basics of the gospel that they would need to teach people. Before leaving the MTC, we took pictures of them by the world map pointing to Italy like the missionaries always do. And then we sent them to Italy (I had a sign on the door saying "Welcome to Italy" with a picture of the flag).
They then knocked on our door and we were the investigators. We invited them in and asked them questions prompting them to tell us things about the church. My oldest son did most of the talking, telling us about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. He shared a scripture with us. He also talked about Jesus and what he did for us. Then they invited us to come to church (with Dad's prompting). Then we had an Italian dessert I made called zeppole. It was kind of like a donut, made with ricotta cheese. It was a really fun night. My two oldest boys talked about how much fun they had.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
We've got cabin fever!
It's raining a lot these days. Which is good - we need the rain. But being inside so much is not so good for 4 little boys. Nor for their mama. So tonight after dinner, they put on their raincoats and headed outside for some much needed time playing, splashing, and enjoying nature. When they were done, they enjoyed a nice warm bath... And everyone was happier the rest of the night!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
True Love
On Friday, Craig said to me, "Mom, if I had the choice between a house full of chocolate or having you for a Mom, I would choose you."
Now considering how much I value chocolate, that really means a lot to me!
Now considering how much I value chocolate, that really means a lot to me!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
Preschool Field Trip
Last week we tagged along with Jared's preschool class on a field trip to the grocery store. We visited Raley's. They did a great job taking the kids to each department, letting them try foods or explaining what goes on there. The kids had a lot of fun marching around the store singing about Raley's (in a great attempt by the hostess to get their parents to shop there. Sorry, Raley's, my kids don't decide where I shop - the prices decide where I shop!) But the deli and bakery did look great with pretty good prices, so I may go back for a sandwich or something soon.
They started off sampling fresh apple juice in the front cafe.
Then they visited the pharmacy and the meat department. The hostess showed them tongue and liver, which the kids were grossed out by. They really liked to see the crabs though. They also went to the very back of the store to see where the food is stored and also how the boxes are smashed and recycled. They went in the freezer section where 200+ gallons of ice cream was stored and also into the dairy case where they got to peek out and see shoppers grabbing yogurt and milk. They thought that was pretty fun being "super spies".
Over in the deli they were given some cheese to sample.
And at the bakery, they were given nets to put on their heads like the bakers do to keep their hair out of the food.
One of the bakers showed them how to make a rose and put it on a cake.
And they were all given yummy cookies to eat.
At the end they were all given a bag to take home with coloring books plus an apple, a juice box, a fruit roll and another cookie. They were well taken care of and had a lot of fun at the grocery store. Even Zach had fun, although when I told him we were going to the grocery store for Jared's field trip he said, "Not the grocery store again!" Poor kid, always having to go on Mommy's errands.
They started off sampling fresh apple juice in the front cafe.
Then they visited the pharmacy and the meat department. The hostess showed them tongue and liver, which the kids were grossed out by. They really liked to see the crabs though. They also went to the very back of the store to see where the food is stored and also how the boxes are smashed and recycled. They went in the freezer section where 200+ gallons of ice cream was stored and also into the dairy case where they got to peek out and see shoppers grabbing yogurt and milk. They thought that was pretty fun being "super spies".
Over in the deli they were given some cheese to sample.
And at the bakery, they were given nets to put on their heads like the bakers do to keep their hair out of the food.
One of the bakers showed them how to make a rose and put it on a cake.
And they were all given yummy cookies to eat.
At the end they were all given a bag to take home with coloring books plus an apple, a juice box, a fruit roll and another cookie. They were well taken care of and had a lot of fun at the grocery store. Even Zach had fun, although when I told him we were going to the grocery store for Jared's field trip he said, "Not the grocery store again!" Poor kid, always having to go on Mommy's errands.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Recipe: Lemon Cooler Cream Cake
I made this cake for the ward chili cook-off last night. It is one of Jesse's favorites. It is another recipe I got years ago from my friend, Michelle. I had several requests for the recipe, so here it is.
Lemon Cooler Cream Cake
Canola cooking spray
18.25 oz pkg lemon cake mix
1/3 cup lemonade or lemon yogurt
1 egg
3 egg whites
1 cup water
2 -3 oz lemon-flavored gelatin mix, divided use
1 cup boiling water
1 cup cold water
1 cup low-fat milk
3.4 oz pkg instant vanilla pudding mix
8 oz frozen light whipped topping, thawed
1 lemon, cut in half lengthwise and sliced thin
Preheat oven to 350 F and coat a 9x13 baking dish with spray.
Combine cake mix, lemonade, egg and egg whites and 1 cup of water to the bowl. Beat on low speed until moistened. Then beat on high speed for 2 minutes. Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake about 30-40 minutes or until fork inserted in center comes out clean. Poke holes all over the top of the cake using a fork.
Combine 1 pkg of gelatin with 1 cup of boiling water and stir to dissolve for about a minute. Add 1 cup of cold water and stir another minute (gelatin should be dissolved). Pour off some of the mixture until you have 1 1/4 cups left. Slowly pour over the top of the cake. Chill cake in refrigerator until needed.
In large mixing bowl, add milk, then vanilla pudding mix and remaining package of lemon gelatin and beat on low until powders are dissolved and the mixture is nicely blended and smooth. Fold in light whipped topping and spread mixture over the cake. Chill until ready to serve.
Lemon Cooler Cream Cake
Canola cooking spray
18.25 oz pkg lemon cake mix
1/3 cup lemonade or lemon yogurt
1 egg
3 egg whites
1 cup water
2 -3 oz lemon-flavored gelatin mix, divided use
1 cup boiling water
1 cup cold water
1 cup low-fat milk
3.4 oz pkg instant vanilla pudding mix
8 oz frozen light whipped topping, thawed
1 lemon, cut in half lengthwise and sliced thin
Preheat oven to 350 F and coat a 9x13 baking dish with spray.
Combine cake mix, lemonade, egg and egg whites and 1 cup of water to the bowl. Beat on low speed until moistened. Then beat on high speed for 2 minutes. Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake about 30-40 minutes or until fork inserted in center comes out clean. Poke holes all over the top of the cake using a fork.
Combine 1 pkg of gelatin with 1 cup of boiling water and stir to dissolve for about a minute. Add 1 cup of cold water and stir another minute (gelatin should be dissolved). Pour off some of the mixture until you have 1 1/4 cups left. Slowly pour over the top of the cake. Chill cake in refrigerator until needed.
In large mixing bowl, add milk, then vanilla pudding mix and remaining package of lemon gelatin and beat on low until powders are dissolved and the mixture is nicely blended and smooth. Fold in light whipped topping and spread mixture over the cake. Chill until ready to serve.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Happy 1st Birthday, Branden!
Yesterday was Branden's first birthday. I can't believe my sweet baby boy is already a year old! We had a great weekend of celebrating. Being the fourth boy, we really didn't need to get him any presents. So we used the money instead to go celebrate as a family.
We went to John's Incredible Pizza. It was our first time there. Jesse calls it "Chuck E. Cheese on Steroids". The food is all buffet - salad bar, pasta bar, pizza bar and dessert bar. Everything was really good. It was fun to try a variety of pizzas. You get a fun card and put credits on it to play games and go on rides. The kids had such a great time! They played, they rode, they ate. We were there over 4 hours. There was a little train roller coaster ride. Although the track wasn't that big, it really jerked you around and made it feel like you were on a much bigger roller coaster. Zach (2 years old) couldn't get enough of it. He also went on the frog hopper, which seats about 6 kids in a row, raises them up a ways, the drops. Goes up a little, drops. We watched it for a few minutes and kids were screaming every time it dropped. Zach went on it by himself...I was waiting for the freak out. Never happened. In fact, he looked around like, "What is the big deal? Why are people screaming? This is nothing!" He is our brave, adventurous little boy.
Branden just loved walking around and looking at everything. Grandma and Grandpa met us there and had fun celebrating with us too.
On Branden's actually birthday (Sunday), we had cake and ice cream after dinner. We made a frog cake this year. He stuck his fingers in the frosting, tasted it, smacked his lips and went back for more. We gave him the frog eye and it didn't take long for him to covered in frosting. He opened a couple presents from Grandma and Grandpa - new pajamas for the summer and a book. After that it was bathtime and bedtime.
This has been a wonderful year getting to know Branden. We were surprised when we found out we were pregnant with him, a little nervous about having a fourth baby especially so close in age to the one before (Branden and Zach are 16 months part), and get more than a fair share of "You have FOUR boys???" But we are so blessed and happy to have Branden in our family. He is a very happy baby with lots of smiles and hugs for everyone. He waves, he claps, he gives kisses. He toddles around - practically running already - to keep up with his brothers. He hhas a sweet disposition and adds so much to our family. As I put him to bed last night, I just held him and and loved him. Sad that he is no longer my little baby, but excited for the fun of this next year.
Happy Birthday, Branden! We love you!
We went to John's Incredible Pizza. It was our first time there. Jesse calls it "Chuck E. Cheese on Steroids". The food is all buffet - salad bar, pasta bar, pizza bar and dessert bar. Everything was really good. It was fun to try a variety of pizzas. You get a fun card and put credits on it to play games and go on rides. The kids had such a great time! They played, they rode, they ate. We were there over 4 hours. There was a little train roller coaster ride. Although the track wasn't that big, it really jerked you around and made it feel like you were on a much bigger roller coaster. Zach (2 years old) couldn't get enough of it. He also went on the frog hopper, which seats about 6 kids in a row, raises them up a ways, the drops. Goes up a little, drops. We watched it for a few minutes and kids were screaming every time it dropped. Zach went on it by himself...I was waiting for the freak out. Never happened. In fact, he looked around like, "What is the big deal? Why are people screaming? This is nothing!" He is our brave, adventurous little boy.
Branden just loved walking around and looking at everything. Grandma and Grandpa met us there and had fun celebrating with us too.
On Branden's actually birthday (Sunday), we had cake and ice cream after dinner. We made a frog cake this year. He stuck his fingers in the frosting, tasted it, smacked his lips and went back for more. We gave him the frog eye and it didn't take long for him to covered in frosting. He opened a couple presents from Grandma and Grandpa - new pajamas for the summer and a book. After that it was bathtime and bedtime.
This has been a wonderful year getting to know Branden. We were surprised when we found out we were pregnant with him, a little nervous about having a fourth baby especially so close in age to the one before (Branden and Zach are 16 months part), and get more than a fair share of "You have FOUR boys???" But we are so blessed and happy to have Branden in our family. He is a very happy baby with lots of smiles and hugs for everyone. He waves, he claps, he gives kisses. He toddles around - practically running already - to keep up with his brothers. He hhas a sweet disposition and adds so much to our family. As I put him to bed last night, I just held him and and loved him. Sad that he is no longer my little baby, but excited for the fun of this next year.
Happy Birthday, Branden! We love you!
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