Play Day with Makenna

Today our friend Makenna got to come over and play with us all day. They loved playing in the pool, running through the sprinklers and slipping on the Slip N' Slide. The boys loved having her over to play and she got good practice being a big sister. We got to tend Makenna because Camille's Mom was having surgery. I made a survival kit for Camille & her Mom. My friend gave me most of the ideas so I thought I would post the pictures and pass the idea along.

Sprinkles Cream Cheese Frosting

Per request, here is the recipe for the Sprinkles Cream Cheese Frosting, which is definitely the best part of the cupcake.

8 oz. cold cream cheese
1 stick unsalted butter, firm but not cold
1/8 tsp salt
3 3/4 cups confectioners' sugar sifted
1/2 tsp vanilla

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the flat beater, beat the cream cheese, butter and salt on medium-low speed until smooth and creamy, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce the speed to low, gradually add the confectioners' sugar and beat until incorporated. Add the vanilla and beat just until incorporated. Do not overmix or the frosting will incorporate too much air; it should be creamy and dense, like ice cream. Add milk 1 tsp at a time, if frosting does not have a spreadable consistency.

Sprinkles claims this is to frost 12 cupcakes, but I frosted 12 oversized cupcakes with a generous portion on each cupcake and had frosting leftover. You could probably frost 24 regular size cupcakes with this recipe.

Enjoy!

Sunday Surprise!!

We had the craziest thing happen today in our ward. This morning as we were getting ready for church I got a call from a member of the bishopric. He said he was calling to let me know that we weren't going to have Primary today. I thought this was some kind of funny joke they were playing on me. I didn't think it was April Fools Day. After a few minutes of disbelief he was finally able to tell me that they had revarnished the gym floors in our building and the smell was too strong, plus they couldn't accomodate all the classes. So...classes were cancelled...we only had sacrament meeting. Woohoo!! Normally I don't answer the phone on Sunday mornings because it's always bad news, but this Sunday was a special treat. I love Primary, but it was a nice to have an unexpected break. (The bishopric member later told me that I really should contain my enthusiasm a little more!)

Happy Birthday, Mom!

We celebrated my Mom's 50th Birthday today. We had a BBQ at our house. I made my Mom her favorite, strawberry angel food cake and also made some "Sprinkles" cupcakes. Tim & I went to "Sprinkles" in LA. They have the world's best cupcakes. After we got home, I found the "Sprinkles" cupcake mix at Williams Sonoma. They were good...but so rich! For my Mom's birthday present I gave her a special surprise. My parents just got some new bookshelves and she's been asking me to help her decorate the tops of the bookshelves. Last Thursday, while she was gone, I went over and decorated the bookshelves. I was hoping that she would be surprised and excited, but the reaction I got was even better. My sister, Erika, called and said, "Mom saw the bookshelves and she's bawling. She loves them, but she can't talk right now. She's crying too hard!" I couldn't have asked for a better reaction. I'm glad that my Mom liked her surprise! (Actually, this is my Mom's response to most things. She's pretty easy to move to tears!) Happy Birthday, Mom! You are the most amazing woman that I know. I hope you had a great day!

Nice acting!

"Sprinkles" cupcakes

This is the "Sprinkles" cupcake mix from Williams Sonoma

Grandma & Grandpa

My cute sister, Krista

The Best Years of My Life

Today Tim & I celebrated our 9 year wedding anniversary. I can't believe that we've been married that long (and known each other even longer). As they say, "time flies when you're having fun!" The past 9 years have been the best years of my life. Since Tim & I got married life just continues to get better everyday. I never thought that I could love Tim anymore than I did when I married him, but I do love him more and more each day. As I think back on the past 9 years I have absolutely nothing to complain about. We have been so blessed. I am grateful for the wonderful life that I have with Tim. We are so lucky to have 2 beautiful children who have only added to the joy in our marriage. I couldn't ask for anything more. Thanks Tim...for giving me the best years of my life!!

Splash Park

Today we went to the splash park with Grandma Ann, Andi, Jdub, Ashton & Brice. We love the splash park. This is our 5th time there already this summer season. The boys loved getting wet with their cousin Ashton. Aftewards, they all came back to our house to play and eat pizza. Andi had to drag Ashton out of our house kicking and screaming...he did not want to leave. We're glad that he loves playing with the boys so much!

Charlie's Angels

Last Day of Preschool

Today was Payton's last day of preschool...forever! I have been really excited for school to be over so that we can start fully enjoying summertime, but today as I drove Payton to preschool for the last time I got so sad. I can't believe that this chapter in my life is closing and that another one will be opening. My little Payton is going to be starting Kindergarten! When did he grow up? How did this happen? Where have the past 5 years gone? How has he already completed 2 years of preschool in his short little life? Wow! This morning was definitely a reality check. I feel like I'm starting a new job. I'm excited to move on to bigger and better things, but it's sad to say goodbye. It didn't help that Payton's teacher that he's had for 2 years was extremely emotional as well. As I picked up Payton for the last time, she walked out to the car with tears streaming down her face. Neither of us could say much. Starting Kindergarten just feels like the beginning of the end. However, Payton is so excited. Last night we didn't take a bath like we normally do in the evenings and I told him that he could take one in the morning. He replied, "I can't take a bath in the morning, I'm starting Kindergarten." I informed him that he didn't start for another month. I'm glad that he's excited to start kindergarten, but I still can't believe it's really happening!

July 2007 (Last Day of Preschool)

August 2006 (First Day of Pre-Kindergarten preschool year)

August 2005 (First day of Preschool)

Miss Tricia & Payton

Les Miserables

Last night we went and saw Les Miserables with Tim's family. The show was great and always entertaining. However, after recently seeing Wicked and previously seeing Les Miserables on Broadway, I have to say it wasn't AS good as those plays. The most exciting part for me is that one of my broadcast journalism friends from the U of U was in the play. I knew that he was pursuing acting, but hadn't heard what he was up to in a long time. It was a nice surprise to see him in the play. It was a fun night out. Thanks Kent & Ann!

Here is the family at Al Forno's before the play

A Trip to the Zoo

Yesterday we went to the zoo with Grandma Patty. We had so much fun checking out all the animals. Parker told Tim that his favorite animal was the cow, then the horse, then the pig. We didn't see any of those animals at the zoo! When I asked Payton what his favorite animal was that we saw, he said, "did we go and see the snakes?" I replied, "yes." He responded, "then my favorite animals were the snakes." I think the snakes were his favorite (even though he wasn't sure if we saw them) because he bought a snake at the gift shop with his very own money. He got some money from Grandma Patty for his preschool graduation and from Grandma Ann for helping pick up pine cones (she pays him 5 cents for every pine cone. It's a great little side job!) Thanks for a fun day at the zoo, Grandma Patty!

It's Great To Be 88!

Yesterday my Grandpa Chesnut celebrated his 88th birthday. What an accomplishment! My Grandpa is the best. He works so hard. He is always working on some project. He just finished building new shelves in their storage closet downstairs and he built a brand new closet. Keep up the good work, Grandpa. Happy Birthday!

Doesn't this look great?!?

Father & Daughter

Clint & Becca...a ray of sunshine.

This party is awesome!

Grandma & the boys putting candles on the cake

Grandpa looking at the card Payton gave him

Happy Birthday, Grandpa...We Love You!

Happy Father's Day

I want to pay tribute to the Father's in my life. I feel so blessed to have such an amazing Dad. He has always been such a great example to me. It is his fault that I am so curious, always wanting to know more. He is constantly seeking knowledge in everything that he does. It is also his fault that I am obsessive compulsive. He has a perfectionism quality that literally keeps him up at night. I blame him for many of the qualities that I have and am mostly grateful that he passed them on to me. I am so grateful for his attitude towards life. He never takes anything too seriously and can always find the humor in the many misfortunes that seem to occur daily in his life. I also love the way that he cares about my boys. He loves them so much and knows how to relate to them on their level. Until recently, my Dad used to make my Mom call us EVERY night to get a "buddies" update. They would always call late at night long after the boys had gone to bed and ask ridiculous questions about what the boys did that day. It was a little annoying to answer redundant questions every day, but I appreciate that he is always thinking about what his little buddies are doing. (Thank goodness those calls have now become a weekly occurrence instead of daily.) Thanks for being such an incredible Dad!

Next, I must pay tribute to my Father-in-Law. I am so grateful that my husband was raised by such an incredible Dad. What a blessing that is in my life and the lives of my little boys. I am grateful that he is a worthy priesthood holder. I am grateful for how much he respects his wife. I am grateful that he is such a hard worker. Tim definitely received this amazing quality from his Dad. Tim takes any task that he is doing very seriously. Tim works equally hard on any task he is given whether it's taking care of a million dollar account, doing yard work or putting together Lego's for Payton he does the job and does it well. This is exactly how his Dad is. He is very determined and works hard at anything he is doing. I am also grateful for his sense of humor. He always knows how to lighten the mood. He is always calm and handles situations with ease. He is such a great Grandpa. I am grateful that he is patient and willing to teach the boys new things. He loves to explore with them and do fun things. Thanks for being such a wonderful Father-in-Law. You're the best!

Last, I must pay tribute to the Father of my children. My boys are so lucky to have the most amazing Dad. I feel so blessed that my boys have a Father that they can look up to and strive to be like. They both love their Dad so much. They always want to be around him and be doing whatever he is doing. Tim is (mostly) patient with them and loves spending time with them. He takes the time to light saber fight, play video games, throw the ball, wrestle, draw Star Wars guys and do all the other things boys like to do (and that I definitely don't love doing!) I love the time that he spends reading to them every night. He loves to be creative, silly and funny when he reads to the boys and it is so sweet to watch. Even on nights when it is so late and we are all so exhausted (last night) Tim insists on reading to the boys. I am so grateful that he works so hard to provide for our family and teach our boys. I am grateful that they have a Father they can be proud of and can be just like some day. Tim makes our home so much fun. He always lightens the mood and makes sure that we are always having fun! Thanks for being such a great Dad...I love you!

Happy Father's Day!!


My Dad

Tim's Dad

My Boys Dad

Bergstrom Family

We went to a BBQ at Craig & Camille's yesterday for Father's Day. It's so fun to spend time with the Bergstrom's. We love them all so much!

Neal and Linda Family...so cute!

Ryan & Curtis...aren't they sweet?!

Kenny, Grandpa & Karen (Future Bloggers)

Camille...the amazing hostess!

Camping

On Friday night we went camping at the most amazing campground. It was close to home with plenty of grass, dirt, trees, rocks and a gorgeous view of the mountains. This campground also had running water and electricity. We felt right at home here.

The boys set up the tent

Doesn't it look great...(can you see all the surrounding cabins?!)

We ate yummy BBQ chicken & baked beans

We roasted smores...check out our awesome campfire!

We played games

We watched a movie & then went to bed

Real Soccer Game

After we went to Jungle Gym's we headed up to Rice Eccles Stadium for the Real Soccer Game (Thanks Andi & Jdub for the tickets). The game didn't have a great outcome, but we had a fun time. All of Jdubs family was there, Steve, Grandpa Kent & Brady. We had so much fun watching the game and hanging out with everyone. The boys love spending time with their cousins.


Snow cones to the rescue...these kept the children sitting still for at least 5 minutes!

Can you see how much joy we're having?!

Andi, Jdub & the boys

Aah...cute! Steve & Jdub

This is what happens after children finish their snow cones ( I think it's similar to the effect that alcohol has on adults.)

Jungle Gym's

We went with Grandma Ann, Andi, Jdub, Ashton & Brice to Jungle Gym's yesterday afternoon. Grandma Patty came over to check out the fun also. Payton & Ashton immediately started riding all the rides and having fun, but Parker didn't want to go on any of the rides in the beginning. He finally warmed up and then he loved it! The kids all had a great time...even Brice...she was talking and smiling the whole time. Thanks Grandma Ann!

This is what I got when I said, "Say Cheese"

Look at that smile. She is such a happy baby!

Grandma Ann, Ashton & Payton playing a video game

Parker was a little bit nervous about his 1st ride

Parker & Brice

The boys love these little token rides

Pine Wood Derby

Tonight the Elder's Quorum had a Pine Wood Derby. These guys have been trash talking for weeks about this event so I had to go and check it out. Tim dusted off his old car a month ago and in the process of trying to fix it up he lost one of the parts (Don't ask?!?) Anyway, he found his brother Eric's car which apparantly took 1st place back in the day and decided to race it. However, it didn't get better than 3rd place tonight. Tim did win an award, "Best Old School Car." This was a great activity for the guys...they loved it!