Sunday Update

This will be the last week of school and I'm so glad for a break from homework and projects. The kids are happy and have been counting down for weeks.

Randy opened the pool right before we went camping last weekend. The kids have been swimming everyday this past week and have loved it. Many of their friends and neighbor kids have joined us. When the pool is open it keeps me busy because the Doodle is all over and throwing everything she can in the pool so besides watching all the swimmers I have to watch the Doodle ALWAYS.

Yesterday Randy started working on the porch hand railings. He still has more to do but at least he got started and hopefully it will done soon. We have plenty of projects to work on so he won't be bored.

This afternoon after church Randy's sister came down with her boys for swimming. My kids were very happy to have their cousins come over and join them in the pool. We had a BBQ and then they decided to go see a movie (I know it's Sunday). The Doodle and I are home watching the Harry Potter movies and doing laundry.

Many years ago we watched the movie Simon Birch together and loved it. We laughed and I cried many times. It is one of our favorites. It's been many years since we watched it and we were talking about it the other day so Randy decided to surprise me and order it since we have a VHS version. The movie came in the mail yesterday so we sat up last night watching it. It's such a sweet movie, if you haven't seen it I highly recommend it.

Millionaire's Shortbread

I saw this recipe made on the Food Network and it sounded yummy and fairly easy. I made it tonight and it is so good....

Ingredients

Shortbread:
2 sticks butter, cut into small pieces, plus more for preparing pans
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for preparing pans
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt

Caramel Layer:
2 (14-ounce) cans sweetened condensed milk
2 tablespoons butter

Chocolate Topping:
3/4 pound good-quality milk chocolate

Directions

Shortbread:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter 2 (8-inch) square nonstick pans and coat with flour, tapping off excess. Place the flour, sugar and salt in a food processor and pulse once. Add butter and pulse until mixture resembles peas. Press the shortbread mixture into prepared pans and bake until golden brown around the edges, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.

Caramel Layer:
In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the condensed milk and 2 tablespoons of butter. Slowly bring the mixture to a boil, stirring continuously. Continue stirring over the heat until mixture becomes thick and amber in color, about 15 minutes. Pour the caramel over the cooked shortbread and spread evenly using an offset spatula. Cool to room temperature.

Chocolate Topping:
In a glass bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water, melt the chocolate. Once chocolate has melted, pour it over the cooled caramel layer. Cool at room temperature for about 10 minutes, and then place in the refrigerator to cool completely, allowing chocolate to slightly harden but not get hard. Cut into 2-inch squares and enjoy, or store in an airtight container, at room temperature, or my favorite - keep in the refrigerator for a yummy sweet and cool treat!

Makes 2 dozen

Recipe courtesy Claire Robinson

Memorial Weekend

We went camping this past weekend with some neighbor friends. They have 4 boys and 3 of their boys are our kids ages. Friday afternoon we followed them to the Sand Dunes between Nephi and Delta. We camped in the desert so there was lots of sand and dirt which meant the kids were very happy and very dirty the entire trip.

We went 4-wheeling lots and Z Man learned how to ride a dirt bike. Z Man is now insisting he wants a dirt bike along with his 4-wheeler. His dad told him he would buy him a dirt bike if he wanted to sell the 4-wheeler which Z Man was not wanting to do.

Princess Izzybee was brave this camping trip and had fun driving Z Man's 4-wheeler by herself. She practiced lots and went out on a ride with her dad so she could get more experience. So far she's not a speed demon and she's cautious. Next year she will be able to get her license when she turns 8.

The Doodle had lots of fun sitting in front of Daddy on the 4-wheeler going on rides. She begged many times to go on rides.

We had overcast days which helped keep it a little cooler so I was happy. Sunday afternoon we had a thunderstorm with hail come through so we moved everything out of the rain just in time and hunkered down in our trailers for over an hour. We just turned on the generator and watched movies. The rain was good because it helped the dust to settle.

It was hard to come home, back to cell phones and work and cleaning up. The kids still have school this week and next week. They can't wait till school is finished for the year.

New Scooters

Monday night the 2 kids talked their dad into buying them scooters because "anyone who is anyone has one". The funny thing is for the Z Man's birthday he asked for a scooter but he wanted a wing scooter and that is what he got but now he also wants a "regular" scooter. All week they have been riding them, even to and from school, they are loving their new scooters.

Update

I have posted most lately. The main reason is because I have had the worst cold for over two weeks so I just didn't have the energy. After two weeks I called my doctor in tears and asked for antibiotics for my sinus infection and a day after starting the medicine I could feel a difference. I was very stubborn and waited to long for the prescription so of course I was miserable for too long. I'm finally feeling better and I have more energy. Throughout my sickies the kids got it and I think I gave it to my nieces and nephew whom I tended.

Mom visited this past weekend. It was good to see her and she split her time between us and Logan. Saturday we headed up to Logan to watch Tiffi's girls in their final dance performance. It was fun and they did a fabulous job. The Doodle had fun dance in the isle during the recital.

Randy has had the last two weekends off. The first weekend he went to Southern Utah and went 4-wheeling with friends. Last weekend he went jeeping in Moab with friends again. He took the 4-wheeler along and loved the adventures they had.

This weekend we are planning a camping trip to the Sand Dunes with friends for the holiday weekend. The kids are excited to go 4-wheeling. I'm not sure how much I will like camping in the sand but I am happy to get away from everything for a break. Of course there is a lot to do this week to get ready for our trip.

School is coming to an end (about 3 weeks left) and the kids can't wait till it's over. I'll be happy to be finished with homework and projects as well. Z Man has several projects/reports that he needs to finish and there are some field trips and fun things planned as well.

I forgot to post that for Mother's Day I got a Ladybug steam/vapor cleaner. I have wanted a steam cleaner for so long so I am very excited about my gift. I've played with it a little but I'm looking forward to cleaning a bunch of things.

Happy Mother's Day

Saturday Stuff

I have been fighting an awful cold/sinus infection for over a week now. Yesterday I even went to the doctor because I was sure something else was going on but it's only a sinus infection and terrible sore throat. I can't wait for this cold to be gone, I really take advantage of my health.

Mid-week Randy was invited to go on a 4-wheeling ride this weekend. It's actually a protest ride through the Paria Canyon. The BLM intends to enforce the closure of the Paria River road within a few days. The road is being closed due to environmental organizations filing a petition to close the road because it is closed in the monument plan. Last year we were going to do this 50 mile ride on the 4-wheelers with friends (25 miles in and 25 miles out) but it was the same weekend as the Father and Son outing so Randy took the Z Man camping instead. When the friends sent us an email this week about the road closure I told Randy he should go because I knew he would have fun. He called Allen to invite him knowing that Allen would love it. Since my sister is working all weekend I have their three kids. The kids are all having a fun time. My only struggle so far has been bed and nap time for the Rock and Doodle.

Happy Birthday Kris!!

Tuesday Things

Last week and this week have been calmer and we are enjoying the spring weather. We have lots of projects we need to get going on and I am hopeful that we will accomplish them. The yard needs to be finished and the kid's bedrooms need to be tackeled as well.

The Doodle wants to be outside any moment she can. I can't wait until we have grass but for now she is happy playing in the sand area of the backyard on the Little Tykes toys. She has discovered ants and has lots of fun watching them and trying to pick them up to show me.

This week Z Man only has one soccer game and one baseball game although they are both tomorrow night. He will also have practices for both throughout the week. Tomorrow night will be a little crazy but at least it's only one crazy night this week instead of all crazy nights like it was for a few weeks.

Princess Izzybee still has dance class but I think they are just having fun since they have already preformed their recitial. She is loving her tumbeling class and I'm thinks that next year we will concertrate on gymnastics again.

We need to get the trailer ready for camping trips for the summer. I think our first trip will be with some friends to the Sand Dunes over Memorial Weekend. I already feel like the summer will need to be longer so we can fit all we want to do into such a short time.

Happy Birtday Katie!!