Backyard Visitor

The kids were pretty excited to run upstairs and tell us they found a snake in the backyard. I picked it up for a second, but then it slithered under our fence.  It looked about 4 feet long and I think it was a Gartersnake. Robin said, "Well, I guess I won't go to the backyard anymore."

Devin's Preschool Graduation.

Devin has loved preschool this year. He wishes he could go every day but he only went on Tuesdays and Thursdays. He loved his teacher Mrs. Nicole, he enjoyed making new friends, and he learned lots. He is now reading beginning readers with cvc words and a few high frequency words.    He will start Kindergarten in the fall.  It is unbelievable  how time goes so fast.

Here is a short 3 minute video of his preschool graduation:

Multiplication

Over the summer, Garrett started working on his multiplication tables.  He was pretty good at them.  His teacher did an ice cream incentive party for the kids to learn all their multiplication tables up to 12.   He got everything signed off and then started over on them.  He was so proud of his accomplishment.  I am proud of him too.  He is so smart and works really hard.  He always comes home and does his homework right away.   He is really good at math.  I can't believe there are only a few more days of him being in 3rd grade.

Art Projects

During their Art Class at school Olivia and Garrett got to make clay sculptures.

Olivia made a bird nest with a a bird and eggs in it.

Garrett made a decorative pot.

Teacher Appreciation

Each day for teacher appreciation week this week we had the kids take a small gift to their teacher. I think they were excited to deliver the gifts to their teacher.  Hopefully the teachers felt appreciated.

Garrett's 3rd grade teacher is Mrs. Hansen
Olivia's  6th grade teacher is Sra. Prince
Devin's  Preschool teacher is Mrs. Nicole

Devin gave his teacher all the things on the his last day of preschool since he doesn't go to school every day.

Family Home Evening Treat

So I love cheesecake and have never really made it because I don't have the right type of pan. I found this recipe and it looked so good and you didn't need a spring pan. Mine didn't quite look as pretty as these but they sure tasted good. One other thing my boys really dislike cheesecake. I didn't tell them they were eating cheesecake. I called them Oreo Cupcakes. They loved them too. So maybe I will try them again with other things in them beside Oreos.  The only changes I made was I scraped the center out of the Oreos and I added half of a Oreo to the bottom and put the other half on top.  They actually looked like really thick Oreos.  

Devin was my helper today making these.  I enjoy having Mondays off so I get to spend some one on one time with Devin and make yummy Family Home Evening Treats.

Oreo Cheesecake Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 22 Oreos: 16 left whole, and 6 coarsely chopped
• 2 8-oz packages cream cheese, at room temperature (Neufchatel is fine)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 275 F.
2. Line 12 standard muffin tins and 4 ramekins (or 16 muffin tins, if you have them) with paper liners.
3. Place 1 whole Oreo in the bottom of each lined cup.
4. Beat the cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer on medium. Gradually beat in the sugar and vanilla.
5. Pour in the beaten eggs, a little at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl after each addition.
6. Beat in the sour cream and salt.
7. Stir in chopped cookies by hand.
8. Pour the batter into the prepared tins, filling each almost to the top.
9. Bake, rotating pan halfway through, until filling is set, 22-25 minutes.
10. Cool in the pans for about 15 minutes, on a wire rack, then transfer to a plate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours. 

Here is where I found the website: http://catesworldkitchen.com/2010/01/oreo-cheesecake-cupcakes/

La Fiesta

While were celebrating our anniversary, Jenn took Olivia to her annual La Fiesta.  They learn traditional Spanish dances and songs.  

Here is a short video of her program.

16 Years

Jeremy and I were married in the Washington D.C. Temple on May 16, 1997.  That was sixteen years ago.  It is hard to believe that is has been sixteen years.  We met while in college.  Now we both have degrees. Jeremy is a principal, and I am a teacher.  We now have 3 kids, a house and a dog, and we just paid off Jeremy's car loan.  So the only debt we have now is our house. 

It was been a good 16 years.  Things have not always been easy.  It was hard when Jeremy was getting his masters and going to night school.  It has been hard living away from family.  It was extremely difficult going through 3 surgeries for my leg.   But if I had to choose again I would still choose Jeremy to go through these hard things with me.  I love him and  he is my best friend.  We can talk about anything, we can laugh together, we love to be with each other even if it is only watching Star Trek.  I am thankful for him!

For our anniversary this year we asked my sister Jenn to watch the kids and we went and had a fun few days.

Friday we both took the day off work.  We started the day by going to subway for lunch, went and paid off Jeremy's car, and then we went to the Leonardo Museum to see the Mummies Exhibit.  It was interesting but it was also kind of hard to see some of the dead mummies, especially since the some of the mummies were of little children or babies.

Ga

Then we went and picked up Milk Shakes.   Then we went and checked into our hotel, called Castle Creek Inn. It is a bed and breakfast.  They served a yummy waffle breakfast.

We then went out to dinner at Bucca Di Beppo which is a really good Italian restaurant that serves you family style.  It was so good. We really liked the Apple Gorgonzola Salad.

After dinner we went to Wise Guys Comedy Show and saw Dave Coulier (Uncle Joey from Full House).  He was very funny and mostly pretty clean.  We laughed a lot and had a great time.

On Saturday we slept in and enjoyed our breakfast and then we went to see STAR TREK Into the Darkness.  We have been excited to see this movie for awhile.   We love Star Trek! We watch it a lot in the evenings after the kids go to bed.  I know geeky but we think it is fun.  It was a fantastic movie!!  I just want to say Thanks to my Dad for getting me hooked on Star Trek when I was a teenager.

Garrett said that he thought that it was rude that we were going away for a night without them.  I told him that we deserved one night where we get to do fun things and celebrate our anniversary.  I said that he would understand when he got married,  He hummphed, "I am never getting married, so I guess I won't know."  I bet he will change his mind one day.

But I am sure am glad that I married such a great guy.

Jump Team

Olivia joined the Harvest Jump team this year.  It is only for 6th graders and they practice twice a week to learn jump rope tricks and stunts.   She became pretty good. They would travel to other schools to do demonstrations. This past week they had a parent night. It was fun to watch them jump and work together as a team. 

Olivia with one of her best friends, Maddy.

This is her entire team.

She is jumping rope inside another rope.

It is amazing to me how high she can jump.

http://youtu.be/oucFSlna07A

NOVA ROCKET

NURTURING,
OPPORTUNITY,
VALUES,
ACCOUNTIBILITY

In 6th Grade they have a NOVA program that teaches them about making smart choices, be kind, staying away from drugs,  and being a leader.  They had to make a rocket for this program.  She designed and made it herself. It was even her idea to use ribbon at the bottom.  She won an award for it.

Devin's Sunday Outfit

Yes, this is what Devin wanted to wear church last Sunday.   I especially love him wearing Jeremy's socks with his pants tucked into the them.  I should have taken a picture of today's outfit.  He was 2 shirts and the top one was a too small Hawaiian shirt, and you could see the red one under it with a very red tie that didn't match and pants that were too small.  

Lemon Pie

Devin and his friend Kasi made "Lemon Pie" today while playing outside.  

I think that is a pretty good way to get rid of dandelions.

April Sayings

Devin: While looking at Costco Muffins, "Yum I love these they taste like heaven.
Mom: You need to go take a quiet time.
Devin: No
Mom: Yes you do.
Devin: If you make me, I'll pick your nose
Mom: OK
Devin: (Stomping off) EWW Gross!

Devin: When asked why he did something he says, "Duh-duh-duh, I am out of here!"

Devin: Knock, knock.
Garrett: Who's there?
Devin: Who hair.
Garrett: Who hair who?
Devin: Who hair bear!

Garrett: Mom, for my after school snack can I have a gorilla bar

Devin: When seeing Garrett wearing a shirt that was getting too small he said to Garrett, " Looks like I will be getting a new shirt soon."