cookie recipes

krista's milk and cookies bridal shower

We had a bridal shower for my sister this past weekend.  Becca & I made all the cookies.  I saw this idea for a birthday party, but decided to try it for a bridal shower.  I thought it turned out so well.  For party favors, we gave all the guests the recipes of the cookies we served.  Krista was so grateful for everyone who came and brought wonderful gifts!
  

family photo shoot

My sweet friend Melissa offered to take our family pictures, but she had NO IDEA what she was getting herself into. Oh sure, my little family may seem sweet and innocent, but try to take our pictures and, well, I'll let the pictures tell the story of how our photo shoot went. {I didn't want you to be deceived by my new blog header.}

The good news is that Melissa is still my friend and I absolutely love these pictures! I am so happy to have these real portraits of what life is really like around our house. It's crazy, it's wild, we can't get everyone smiling at the same time, there is often tears, sometimes blood, but lots of laughter and love!

payton's utah football birthday party

Payton turned eight years old today!

This age is a huge milestone and we can hardly believe it's already here. However, Payton seems like he's eight going on fourteen. I feel like we have a mini teenager in our home. This kid is "too cool" for anything but his friends, sports and video games. He is beyond obsessed with Utah football and insisted {a year ago} this be the theme for his birthday party.

We delivered these "Fan Passes" to Payton's friends requesting that
they come to his exclusive Utah Football Fan party.

We had Red Velvet cupcakes with red cream cheese frosting.
I also made these Utah Football Helmet Chocolates to top the cupcakes.

The table setting waiting for guests to arrive

Each of the guests got a water bottle and little white bag with a
chocolate football helmet inside.

When the boys arrived at the party, they began making autograph books while watching a video about Utah's Undefeated Football Season.

My sister was at a Utah Blaze game the week before Payton's party and got 3 of the Utah Football Player's autographs; Jordan Wynn, Shaky Smithson & Luke Matthews. We copied the autographs and each of the boys got to put them in their books.

After the boys finished the autograph books, they were anxious to get out on the football field that Tim spray painted in our backyard.

It was hard to get a good angle of the entire field, but trust me, it looked awesome! The boys thought it was the coolest thing. They had fun playing tackle football.

Tim also made a field goal post, but it was too top heavy to stay up without leaning. I had fun being in charge of holding up the post, while the boys took shots {at my head} on the field goal. Payton ended up getting the most field goals. I guess it was his lucky day!

Here's the whole fan club!

Of course, Tim had to get involved in the football game.

After football, we did the usual birthday song and ate cupcakes.

Then opened presents {everyone's favorite}!

They finished off the party by playing video games. They were going to play NCAA football {in keeping with the theme}, but Tim's parents stopped by the party to deliver Payton a birthday gift. They gave him NBA Live. Payton was dying to try it out so they played that game instead. Payton told Tim later, "I tell my friends that my Grandparents always give me the best stuff and this totally proves it." It's true!

After Payton's party with friends, we had our family over for dinner and more party fun. Payton's other Grandparents gave him this Utah Basketball outfit and, once again, "this totally proves" that they give him the best stuff. I'm pretty sure he wore this all weekend long!

Pay also got Milsap's Jazz Jersey from the Siebenbergs.
Tim thought it looked pretty good on him.


Payton got so spoiled from EVERYONE, not just the Grandparents. He's so lucky to have great friends and family who love him so much. We absolutely adore Payton's obsession with Utah, Football, Basketball and the Jazz. It's fun to see him so passionate and excited about these things. It's also fun to share some of that passion with him. It was such a great birthday!

how I lost my tooth

How I Lost My Tooth

by Payton Jones

My Dad and I were playing catch with the football. I turned my head and my Dad threw the football at my face. My tooth fell in my hands. My mouth was bleeding everywhere. My Dad threw the football at my face on purpose because he wanted to get it out.


How I Lost My {Next} Tooth
by Payton Jones

My Dad and I were playing catch with the football outside during our family pictures. He was throwing the ball as high as he could and we were trying to catch it. And he threw it and it hit me in the face and my tooth fell out.

I am not mad.

farm field trip

I was lucky to be able to accompany Payton's class on a field trip to a nearby farm. We got to walk from the school to the farm and learn all about farm animals, dairy products, the food guide pyramid and how beef gives us ZIP {zinc, iron and protein}. Go farmers! The picture above shows how much fun Payton and Chase had on the field trip. Good times.