Did you know...

That you can make a great, easy batch of cookies from a cake mix, two eggs, and 1/2 cup of oil? Mix and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. And, since Albertson's has their Betty Crocker cake mixes on sale, buy 10 get them for 50 cents each, it is FAR cheaper to make than buy! I already bought 10, but I think another 10 are well in order. My favorite are chocolate with chocolate chip, but the lemon run a close second!

More birthday

Unfortunately, it has been a while since I blogged, and I just can't quite figure out how to get it to do what I want. So, there has to be a second post for Brigham's birthday to get the pictures in.

Brigham LOVES letters, so I thought it fitting that he should get a letter cake for this birthday. If you look closely (the marbling is a bit distracting) you will see that Brigham's name is spelled out in cake. It really worked well, one letter per person and the cake was gone!

Brigham also got a family gift presented on his birthday. Her name is Daisy Mae, and she is a 12 week-old dauchshund hound/english bull mix. We love her to death! Okay, John, Joy, Paul and myself love her to death. Brigham and Hyrum are still a little unsure. But she is a great dog - sweet temprement, mostly housetrained, almost never barks, and is as sweet as you could ask for. Thanks Betsy!

More picture of Daisy when I get some more free time. Okay, more pictures of the kids too!

Brigham is 5!

Yesterday, Brigham turned 5! I am just amazed at how quick that boy grown. He netted all the school clothes he needs for the year, and a backpack. It is great when they are so excited about school that they don't mind getting school clothes for their birthday.

Brigham is 5!

Pictures...we really do take them!

S0, we haven't really fallen off the edge of the world, although my blogging has. In between work, kids, and house work there doesn't seem to be time to breath. However, over the past few weeks we have taken some fun outings, and taken the camera with us. Here are the results.

We went hunting driftwood yesterday, and there were some great photo ops. Okay, I admit it. Someday I want to really study photography, but it the meantime, you get what you pay for!

I can't believe how hard it is to get them all with their eyes open at once, let alone looking in the same direction!

Then, a week ago, we had a picnic at a nearby park with my family.

(Joy wasn't having fun at the moment.)

And don't tell Mom I posted this, she'd kill me. She only allowed the picture since Joy was the photographer. That's how we got her out from under the slide.

Paul is somewhat fascinated with sticking out his tongue lately. I think most of the pictures I got of him feature his tongue.

There is a yearly tulip festival here. It is quite gorgeous. Too bad the kids don't hold still!

What did I say?

So, that's us. I know, there are twice as many of me as you have ever seen. I have decided that I don't want my kids to forget what I look like!

Joy's Baptism

Joy is getting baptized, and she really couldn't be more excited about it. The other day, she told my sister that she was "overwhelmed with excitment" and she told me she was so excited that she felt like she was going to explode. She can't wait, and neither can I. She will be baptized on Thursday, January 28th at 6pm. We will meet in the Relief Society room, and all are welcome to join us.

I have to say, it has been a humbling experience preparing for this event. She really does know what she is doing. She takes it very seriously and I am so proud of her. What a joy she is in our life. Maybe someday I will be worthy to be her mom.

A GREAT Day

I just want to have it set on record that this was a fabulous day! Hyrum, the super-amazing, seems to be potty-trained, in ONE DAY!

I got to take the day off work and be home with the kids so that John could go down south, so I decided to potty-train Hyrum. He has been showing some clear indicators that it is time. He wants to wear underwear and will stay dry for several hours. Then, he will ask to wear a diaper, fill it, and ask for the underwear back.

We started the morning running errands, and when we got home, the underwear went on with the promise that every time he went in the potty-seat, he would get a Popsicle. I took him several times with no result. I was getting worried. Then, out of the blue, he says, "Got to go potty" runs in, climbs on the seat, and goes! He wore underwear to nap and stayed dry. His only accident of the day was when waiting for his brother to finish, and it was a small one. WOW! I am so excited. I hope tomorrow is as good!

And, more importantly, Mom came successfully through her surgery. The doctor says that if all continues as it is, she could come home on Sunday!

And, my friend is well! What we thought was a major hematology disorder is a very rare, but not too worrisome, hematology disorder.

And, we got a final yes on Joy's baptism date. Thursday, January 28th at 6pm!