Memorial Day Weekend 2012

I realized today that I'd better get on the ball and post about our weekend before it becomes old news that I don't want to take the time to catch up!  


We were originally planning on going up to visit my brother and his cute family in Rexburg, but when our other brother found out he got leave and was coming to Hurricane, we all changed our plans and headed south!  It was so fun to have everyone together.  It really doesn't happen as much as I would like, and it probably won't happen again for a while.  Jacob's schedule is really crazy with the Air Force and they are stationed in Tucson, so it is a long drive.  Josh is expecting his mission call any day now and then he will be off on his mission, wherever that is going to be.  Life just gets crazy and we are all over the place these days. 


One of the things we really wanted to do, was get a family picture.  We had fun taking them and I think they turned out fun.  Everyone that reads this blog has probably already seen them on Facebook, but here are my favorites anyway.

The whole group!

I don't remember who's idea this was, but I think it turned out pretty funny!

I'm pretty sure Billy was going crazy trying to get the girls smiling.  Looks like Grandma and Grandpa were the ones getting entertained! 

We actually started our trip by spending the night on Cedar Mountain.  Amanda was so excited!  Billy made her a little bed in the cabin and when I came to see it, she just beamed up at me.  She was so proud.  

sound asleep

finally sound asleep, after getting in with mommy!

It was a little too cold to do all that we would have liked, but we had fun visiting in the cabin and Billy and Amanda were able to catch some fish!  Billy also caught a frog for Amanda and she LOVED it!  She kept wanting to hold it and wasn't creeped out all!  Afterward, she was telling me about it and said, "I hold the fwog and I didn't squish him!"  


Sunday was spent with family and playing games (and church of course!).  It was nice not to have to race back home after church. 


Monday morning we were able to go to the Hurricane Splash Pad.  I thought Amanda would love it, but I think it was a little too cold.  She did play for a while though.  I really think Billy and Erik had more fun than the kids.  Lila and Audrey got in for a while too, but I decided it was enough when Lila's little teeth started chattering.  

We left for home after lunch and made it through Utah County without incident (traffic and construction were horrible).  It was a quick trip, but it was fun to see all my family.  

My Dad and his girls!

The Amazing Karla!

I really do have the best Mother in Law in the world.  I feel very lucky!  Today is her 65th birthday and I am so grateful for her.  She is the most unselfish person I know.  This last Saturday we surprised her with an "Amazing Race" birthday party.  She loves watching the Amazing Race, so what better theme could you ask for? :)  Bill worked hard to put all the clues together, and I volunteered to watch all the little kids so the adults could race!  I talked my sister and her good husband into helping me babysit, and I was sure glad I did!  They were so much help!  Thanks again!


Everyone had a great time at the race, then we went to our church building where we ate yummy Olive Garden food and watched a video tribute to Karla.  


Of course, I believe you can't have a birthday party without a cake, so after the video, Billy brought out Karla's birthday cake.  I think it turned out pretty fun!  

I had a couple of mishaps with this cake that I won't go into.... needless to say, it turned out WAY better than I expected.  Phew!  I was glad!!  

Amanda and Lila had a great time with their cousins too!  It is so fun when we all get together!

Millie and Lila - only 9 days apart!

 Amanda is the most coordinated three year old I know!  She really wanted to try the older cousins' stilts, and was able to walk all over in them!  I was impressed!  

 It was a busy but very fun weekend.  I was sad not to get to see my Mom this weekend for Mother's Day, but we are going to visit in a couple of weeks and I am very excited!   We were able to surprise my mom with a new chandelier over her kitchen table though!  I wish I could have seen her face when she saw it.  I love you Mom!  You are the best Mom and Grandma ever!  I can't wait to see you! 

The Cake on Fire

Last October, my ward Relief Society held a service auction.  Our Young Women were invited to come too.  I auctioned off a cake and a cute girl in my ward won.  Her birthday party wasn't until this weekend, so I finally got to do it.  She is having a Hunger Games party, so I was excited to get going on the cake.  I was very happy with how it turned out! 

 I have a few more cakes I am already planning on doing this summer and I am excited to get going!