I am Woman, Hear me ROAR

The Stump I left behind for Rich.
Stack of branches I had cut off.

The culprit!

As you can see it wasn't a small tree but at least it wasn't thick.

So we have a tree in our front yard that seem to blow over with every strong wind we have. About three weeks ago we had a couple of days that were pretty bad and of course the tree ended up bent all the way to the ground. Well with Rich being out of town more than he is in town, I decided I had enough of that darn tree. So after two hours of sawing, chopping, a little cursing(opps), sweat and determination... I got the dang thing down!! You can't imagine how proud I was that I did it myself. I'm sure if my husband were watching, he would have been very entertained and laughed the whole time. It probably would have taken him half the time. When I told Rich what I had done he laughed but was thrilled that he didn't have to tackle it. The tree was big enough that I had to cut off branches just so that I could pull it to the back yard. I'm sure it was a funny sight to any watching, but I DID IT!!!

Strawberry Soda Pop Cake Recipe

Several people have asked me for the recipe I have called "Strawberry Soda Pop Cake". It is the cake my kids request the most for their birthday. So therefore it has become somewhat of a tradition. I made it when Raegan turned one and have done so ever since. You can't mess up the cake but just don't put the frosting on until the cake is completely cooled. Leftovers should be refrigerated because of the cool whip in the topping and it is just as delicious cold!

Yellow or white cake mix-make cake as directed on box.Bake
1c. water
1c. strawberry soda pop
1 sm. pkg. strawberry jello
After cake comes out of oven, poke holes all over the cake . A skewer works great. Make sure you go all the way to the bottom of cake. You can't have to many. Then boil the 1c. water in small saucepan. Add jello pkg. and pop. Pour over cake immediately, trying to get in the holes the best you can. It will run all over but that is fine. Then let cool.

Topping:
1c. milk
1 sm. pkg instant vanilla pudding
1 sm. cool whip
Beat milk and pudding pkg. together. Then add cool whip.Place in refrigerator until ready to serve cake. Top cake and serve. Refrigerate left-overs.

Do I know You?

A couple of months ago I decided to become a Facebook enrollee. I have always been very hesitant with putting my life out there for everyone to see and read about, besides that those sites seem somewhat immature to me. Even a blog has been challenging. I am constantly wondering,"Do I say that, do I let people know about this". You hear about stalkers on the internet. Well anyways, I made the decision to do it because this year will be my twenty year high school reunion.(time sure has flown) Since I graduated I hadn't made alot of effort to keep in touch with high school friends.(I wasn't hanging out with the best influences, sorry mom) I have thought about some of my member friends many times over the years and have seen a few of them occasionally. When we moved to Las Vegas ten years ago I pretty much lost contact with all of them, except for Christmas cards.
So I figured that with the reunion coming, I better start making some contacts so I could remember people when I saw them. Boy, I don't think I was prepared for how much people change.! Some I can't hardly remember and the ones I do, really look different. I'm sure they are thinking the same thing when they see my picture. In high school my hair was all the way down my back and of course the BIG bangs were the thing. The people who partied are still hitting the bars. I don't really have anything in common with any of my non-member friends. None of them have 6 kids that's for sure. In fact some have even made some comments that I could have taken offense to but could really care less. Some are still very .....how do I describe it... HIGH SCHOOLISH! I will say I have enjoyed finding lost friends and it has made me realize how grateful I am to be lds and have the morals and values that I do.

Halli's 15th Birthday

Straight out of the jacuzzi and opening presents.
Brigg loves anything with a motor so when he hears the mixer he comes a running and wants to help. This is for Halli's Strawberry Soda Pop Cake.

We celebrated Halli's 15th birthday on Jan. 3. She had some friends over to jacuzzi and watch a movie. She wasn't sure if she wanted Rich and I to watch the movie with them because it might be uncool. In the end she gave in. Boy how they grow up fast!

Halli likes to play sports of any kind and seems to have alot of natural talent. (I'm sure she gets it from me) She loves listening to music and will make up dances for her little sister Kennedi to perform for us. So cute. She never goes anywhere without every hair in it's place and outfit perfect.(Which can mean several outfit changes on Sundays.) Halli continues to be an A student and enjoys school and socializing. We love her and are so grateful to have her!!

Birthday Boys!!!

Brigg's masterpiece.
Go Vikings...RRRRR!

Cade with his school buds.

My boys.

Happy birthday to Cade and Brigg!!! Today is Cade's 6th and Brigg's 3rd was on Dec.9. Brigg is still young enough to not really care yet which makes things easy. He did get a remote control airplane from his Papa and Grandma Kempton that he played with for three days straight. Cade also got a remote control airplane from them that mom flew into the Christmas garland and broke a glass ball. Oooppps! The plane was a big hit with all of Cade's friends! But even more fun was that it snowed all day here in Vegas! They were able to make a snowman in the backyard and didn't come in until it was way after dark!

We also want to wish Papa Kempton and Aunt Randa Happy Birthday too!! Although we are not together to celebrate we think of you also.

Sorry this video is not super clear. I didn't take it until 4pm and it was starting to get dark. Still I had to show that it really can snow in Vegas!!

No More Braces!!

Yeah, Halli got her braces off today!! She found out on Friday that they were ready to come off. And when the receptionist asked if Monday(today) would work Halli practically shouted YES!!!

Now when I look at her all I see is teeth!

We got pretty lucky with her braces, she only had to where them for a year and a half. Poor Raegan had orthodontic treatment for six years! Well I guess that's two down, four more kids to go:(

Tiff, this is for you

In Loving Memory

Yesterday was one of joy and also sadness. A dear friend of ours, Casey Nish, lost his battle with cancer. I know his struggle with this awful disease was not only extremely difficult but a life changing experience as well. Not only for him but for those of us that had the chance to laugh and cry with him and his family too. He was loved by all. We will miss him but are grateful for the memories that were left behind.

Lani I love you. You have been such a good friend and an inspiration and example of faith, hope, prayer and so much more to all of us.

In One Ear and Out The Other

So the other day Kennedi(8) and Cade(5) came running in the house all excited. This is how the conversation went---

Kennedi- "Mom we just had a popsicle!"

Mom--"Really...where did you get it?"
(I'm thinking...I haven't bought popsicles in a while)

K--"from the guy in the yellow truck"

Boy did that get my attention!
M--"Wait, what guy in a yellow truck!?"

K--"the guy that goes to Skye's"

I then realized that she was talking about the Schwan's guy but I decided to do some more investigating.
M--"How do you know they weren't poisoned!?"

K--"They weren't mom, they were good." I was trying not to laugh after that.

M--"Was Skye home?"

K--"No"

M--"What if he tried to take you or Cade?"

K--"Mom he was nice and he gave us popsicles." She rolled her eyes while saying it. "We all got one...me, Cade, Branson, Karly."

M--"Do you remember that we don't talk to strangers and a stranger is anyone that we don't know."

K--"We know him. He goes to Skyes house all the time to sell her food."

M--"We don't know him and please don't ever do that again."

K--"Fine!"
Another eye roll from Kennedi. Cade was very wise just to let her do all the talking.

It was a funny exchange but it scared me and reminded me of just how innocent kids are. I hope my teachings are sinking in but sometimes I wonder. You can never remind them too much!