Keepin' it Real at the REAL Game

This is the result of fundraising! Earlier this year a neighbor boy came by selling RSL tickets and we bought three. So we finally went to our first Real Salt Lake game last week and it was so much fun! They played against Seattle and of course they won 2-0. It really was an exciting game and there was so much energy in the crowd.

I'm pretty sure it made Manuel feel right at home. He kept talking about all of his soccer memories of playing in stadiums like this one. Now Gabe on the other hand was preoccupied by the food stands upstairs. He was bored until I bought him a box of sour patch kids and then he said, "Mom, this is so much fun!" I remember when we took him to a game at the stadium in Munich when he was almost four. He was bored out of his mind then as well. Same story at the Jazz games. I think the only time he enjoys sitting in a chair for two hours is at the movie theater! Because he's our only son and he's the oldest, he'll always get these opportunities - maybe one day he will enjoy a good sports game!

DAILY QUESTION:

Do your kids enjoy watching sports?

Hands in the Air!

If I had a website dedicated to all of all the crime scenes these two have been a part of - it would be full of pictures - daily!

They asked for a snack. Being the kind mom that I am I brought pretzels and frosting out on the balcony. They were supposed to dip the pretzels in the forsting. I went back inside to finish vacuuming my room only to hear my son yelling to come see what the girls did. Yes, in a matter of minutes they were dipping themselves in the frosting! They had also discovered that if they spin while shaking their hands, they could create frosting art all over the furniture and the house!

The first thing I shouted when I arrived at the horrifying scene was, "Hands in the air - don't move!" I told them I needed to take a picture as evidence for their dad when he came home from work. Then I put them in the bathtub while bribing Gabe to clean up the mess with a bucket and sponge in exchange for a Popsicle.  And that was our morning!

DAILY QUESTION:

When was the last time you had to yell, "hands in the air" ?

My Newest Project - How You Can Help

This is an exciting novel that I just finished writing - it's about good vs. evil. The story behind why I wrote it is almost as good as the story itself. I think this is a great way to get people interested in learning more about the reality of good vs. evil in our world and how it effects us in ways we could have never imagined. It's quite the eye opener for most people.

The best part is - it's based on real events that happened to my family and people I know. I plan for it to be a trilogy. With vampires, witchcraft, mythology and violence popularizing young adult fiction today - I am hoping this book will be a refreshing change!

You can click here to check it out - if you'd like to help me get this book published please share this link! Thanks so much!!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1301308256/the-realm-an-intense-fiction-novel-based-on-true-e

My Newest Project - How You Can Help

This is an exciting novel that I just finished writing - it's about good vs. evil. The story behind why I wrote it is almost as good as the story itself. I think this is a great way to get people interested in learning more about the reality of good vs. evil in our world and how it effects us in ways we could have never imagined. It's quite the eye opener for most people.

The best part is - it's based on real events that happened to my family and people I know. I plan for it to be a trilogy. With vampires, witchcraft, mythology and violence popularizing young adult fiction today - I am hoping this book will be a refreshing change!

You can click here to check it out - if you'd like to help me get this book published please share this link! Thanks so much!!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1301308256/the-realm-an-intense-fiction-novel-based-on-true-e

Paisley Graduates

She did it - she graduated from preschool! I can't believe Paisley is already going to kindergarten. Her school always puts on a big graduation program and they each play a piano piece. This year it was an under the sea theme. The kids each get a diploma and a medal - and a Popsicle.

Now my youngest who is two will be starting preschool in the fall. I wondered if I should wait since she has an October birthday and will be in three years of preschool. But...I figured why not? It's good for her to be a part of school like her brother and sister, I know she'll love it.

I think I'm going to like the track system that our school is now switching to. The other day I was thinking how I need to take advantage of the summer while the kids are all here together and we should have as much fun as we can - then I remembered they will be off track throughout the year and realized we'll have plenty of time to have fun throughout the year - now we can spread it out!

Yes, that means a road trip in the fall! I love to make memories :)

DAILY QUESTION:

Do you prefer traditional school or the track system and why?

Paisley's piano piece

Father's Day Weekend

Paisley pointed out that our swimsuits all matched!

It's June and that means lakes, boats, BBQs and Father's Day!

This summer has been non stop packed with things to do. I feel like I can hardly catch a breath before the next activity comes.

We spent Saturday up at Jordanelle with the family! My kids were so brave and enjoyed the watercraft. Cambrey however had to ease into it all. She cried for the first hour on the boat until Grandma Candice showed her a bag of goodies. Then she forgot all her worries and had a great time! Paisley cried when it was time to go, we had to pry her off the the boat.

I gave my dad and Manuel the same thing for Father's Day - the desert they love most - root beer floats! Yes, it was tricky trying to keep the ice cream frozen the entire day until it was time to open gifts. By the time my dad opened it on the boat it was a milk shake! He had to eat it right away. There was so much ice cream that we couldn't pour the root beer into the "Best Grandpa in the world" glass. Oh well, he can chew the root beer float flavored gum we gave him and get the same effect ;)

Despite the part where my dad hit the boat into the side of the dock and tore off part of it, I think he had a good time! (I happened to film it as it was happening). I'm grateful for my dad and the time we get to spend with him. The kids love their Grandpa Roger!

It was a fun day on the lake and the kids fell asleep in the car on the way home. The next day we made a yummy dinner and celebrated again!

DAILY QUESTION:

What did you do for Father's Day?

Manuel's Father's Day gift. Can you guess the theme?

At Jordanelle

The boat ramp

Our whole family!

Paisley with her two cousins - Easton and Ashton

Grandpa opening Gabe's card

Getting on the boat

Same present Manuel got!

Ice cream was melting so he had to eat it now!

Our gift!

Gabe and Paisley with Grandpa

Someone is happy!

Manuel

Father's Day breakfast - chocolate chip muffins, struessel berry muffins, blueberries and eggs!

Dutch oven potatoes in the backyard

Ribs, mac salad, corn on the cob and potatoes

Jell-o Salad!

We had these giant dogs up at the lake!

Time With My Ma and Pa

What a fun weekend last weekend was! After the ice cream party we went to the neighborhood end of school/water party. Big inflatable water slide and BBQ - so much fun! When it ended, my dad and his wife Candice came up to visit us. To cover everyone's birthday's for the entire year, they take each family out for dinner. We chose the Rib Shack which is so, so, so yummy! (See my earlier post)  My dad was so excited to try these ribs and see for himself.

It was a home run! He loved the ribs, the brisket, the cornbread, the beans - and of course the smokey fry sauce! Afterwards we came back to our place where i served up homemade coconut cream pie ice cream. My dad said it was his favorite. He and Candice made homemade bubbles and brought them for the kids to enjoy! I asked my dad to bring his croquet set. He has had it ever since I was little. Playing croquet with my dad is one of my fondest memories. He brought it and we had so much fun. I won of course!

The next day (Saturday) my mom came up and we went to the Farmington Station and had dinner at Johnny Rockets! Then we went and saw Epic at the movie theater. The kids loved it!  Afterwards we watched the water show outside (just like at the Bellagio in Vegas). They played on the playground and we went to H&M and got some great deals! I love their dollar lip glosses. I found a shirt that had a giant $5 orange tag on it. All the other shirts that were exactly the same were $10. I asked the manager why it was $5 and she said that H&M does these bargain finds where the warehouse sticks $5 tags on random clothing items so the lucky customer who finds them gets a great surprise! I was so happy!

The next day my mom read a really cute pioneer book to my kids and told them a story about the history of the apron. She was so animated and cute while telling it. She made them sticker charts and gave them prizes when the weekend was over for their good behavior.

I made a delicious Mexican dinner with homemade mango salsa, red salsa, pureed chili beans with feta, fresh guacamole, shredded pork tacos, street corn toss, and salad with my special mango dressing. My mom was in heaven and said it was the best meal she ever had in her life. Yay!! I have a special gift for making Mexican food.

Monday morning, my mom made the kids homemade pancakes and took them to the park. It was such a fun weekend. I love summer!

DAILY QUESTION:

What is your favorite flavor of homemade ice cream to make? So far, cookie dough fudge swirl and coconut creme pie are my favorites!

Big bubbles!

Coconut Cream Pie Homemade Ice cream

My Dad swinging the mallet

My cute little Cherry Pie!