4th of July 2012

 For the past 4 years we have been down at Allen's moms house in Gooding for the 4th.  Since the 4th fell in the middle of the week and Sandra was in Idaho fall staying the night with Allen's brother we decided to stay at home and go up to Idaho falls for the day.  We had a great time.  We saw the tail end of the parade, then we got lunch and went to the park.  Later we went to the zoo.  This was Addison's first trip to the Zoo and she loved it.  She sat in the stroller the whole time, didn't complain, and was very excited to see all the animals.  She can make all the sounds and this is how she thinks she is saying the names.  One day we will get more than sounds out of this girl.  She could talk right now, but she chooses not to.  Then we went to Steve and Marianne's house and played on the blow-up water toy.  We really had a great day. 

The Falls

There is a cute little park by the river and we are going to get back there to take some real family pics

Addie ran all over the park.  It is so cute to see her run cause she has such short legs.

My little girl is getting so big.  She has a lot of fun looking around and being outside.She got a little sun and will have a permanent white headband for a bit.

*Having a bigger vehicle has been a lot easier on this mommy!

We went to the zoo.  We don't have a double stroller so we each pushed one.  It was hot but the water mister was a life saver.  The girls were really good and Addie loved the lions the most this trip.

Playing in the water and the slide were all new to this almost 2 yr old and she loved it.  The water was cold but she got use to it.  Grandma was getting big smiles from Livi and trying for a laugh.  Not quite yet. 

We got home just in time to watch the fireworks.  We can see them from our house which makes it nice.  We just put the girls in bed and enjoyed the nice evening.  We had a great 4th!!!

Recipes to Try....sweetened condensed milk

Sweetened Condensed Milk

Recipe from Everyday Food Storage & adored by: Amber (Dessert Now, Dinner Later!)

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup dry powdered milk
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 Tbsp butter

1. Put sugar & powdered milk in a blender (I LOVE using my Ninja for this.)
2. Put water & butter in a microwaveable dish & let it come to a boil in your microwave; about 45-60 seconds.  Keep an eye on it.
3. Add water/butter mixture to mixer & blend until combined.  Scrape sides if you need to & blend again.

*Makes approximately 1 1/2 cups.

Girls Trip to visit Home

My sister-in-law and I decided we were going to load up the girls and take a trip Home to visit.  Well  for me it's almost a 10 hr drive.  I drove down to salt lake the night before and the next day we left for home.  I think I was as bad as the girls on this trip...I wondered if we were ever going to get there.  We did and had a great time

Livi is thinking as to whether she likes the Bumbo...

The Girls!! Addison at 23 months Livi at 2 1/2 months

Trying on hats is so much fun.  Just another day in the life of a mom and two girls



It has sure been a lot of fun around her having two girls.  Allen is feeling outnumbered, but he sure loves his girls too!!!  Addie is looking so big and Livi is growing and changing.  I don't know it longating is a word but I think Livi is growing into her baby chub and it's making her look older too.
I think I'm finally getting a few smiles out of this girl.

 Asleep and so precious I think

I really wanted Livi's eyes to stay blue like her sister but I think their going to be brown

She is my outdoor girl.  We are outside most of the day whether it's in the back yard or able to go to the park she takes what every she can get and then cries sometimes when it's time to come in

 It's so fun to see Addie's imagination come to life as she's playing. 

 Livi is starting to watch the tv, and Addie'll let her sit by her and even if she's not happy with it I insist. 

Livi's growing.  I had to adjust the straps in the carseat from the lowest to the middle so she would fit

It seems like Addie is re-discovering everything that Livi is using.  Sometimes it's cute but then others it's annoying because I just need to put the baby in either the swing or the bumbo and I don't need TWO BABIES CRYING. 

This little girl is addicted to otter pops

Livi likes to cuddle and Maggie gets jealous some of the time

Livi has the cutest little look.  Right now she's learning to focus and she goes cross eyed sometimes, so when I think of her this is the face I see. 

This almost 2 yr old is full of energy.  She and I are trying to get through this already terrible two stage.  She is a good girl but has her moments and I just have to remind myself I have those same moments. 

Recipes to try.....Lemon Bar Trifle

I love lemon bars and have been in the Trifle making mood lately, so we tried this and it was good.  I doubled the crumble and made the layer itself thicker than it says.

Crust Crumble:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 cup butter, melted

Lemon Layer:

• ½ cups  Sugar
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 1¾ cups cold water
• 3 egg yolks, beaten
• ¼ cup lemon juice
• 2 Tbs butter
• 4 tsp grated lemon peel

Cream Cheese Layer:

• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 3 cups Powdered Sugar
• 1 cup whip cream

How to make Lemon Bar Trifle

In a small bowl, combine flour and pecans; stir in butter. Press into an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Bake at 350° for 18-20 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

In a small heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch and flour. Stir in water until smooth. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Stir a small amount of hot mixture into egg yolks; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Gently stir in the lemon juice, butter and lemon peel.  Transfer to a bowl. Cool to room temperature without stirring. Cover surface with waxed paper; refrigerate until chilled.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Fold in whipcream. Crumble the baked pecan mixture; set aside ½ cup for topping.
Just before serving, in a 3-qt. trifle bowl, layer 1 cup each  of the pecan , lemon and cream cheese mixtures. Repeat layers twice. Sprinkle with reserved pecan mixture. Lemon Bar Trifle is ready to serve.
yields: 9 servings

Olivia's Big Weekend (Blessing)

It seem like we just did a weekend like this, but it was almost 2 years ago when we blessed Addison.  Well it was Olivia's turn and we could have any less fun!!  My family came up, we went on the boat, sat around and caught up, blessed the baby on Sunday, and had a family dinner Sunday Afternoon.  It was a very enjoyable Weekend.......

A few things that I remeber most from Olivia's blessing were,
Allen told her she was blessed to have a strong spirit and people would be drawn to her, and that she would be an example to those people. He blessed her that if she would stay strong in the gospel and follow that strong spirit that heavenly father blessed her with, she would have many blessing throughout her life. He admonished her to always remember those gifts and be an example no matter the circumstances.
I am so thankful for a right priesthood holder that can bless our children by the spirit.  Later on that day I asked if he remembered what he had said in the blessing and he said not really, that the spirit was the one doing the talking, and I needed to inform him so I did.  I know Olivia is strong and she will bless a lot of people in her lifetime.  .

 

Girl Stuff for Summer

I love having painted toes!!!!   So that means so do my girls...it is so fun to say girls!!!

 Liv is getting so cute as she is loving to smile!!!!

Doesn't she look so pretty???  I'm going to have to move my makeup.  She been getting more curious this last week.

My sweet girls.