Summer Birthdays

I know I've been a horrible blogger this summer and we've had such fun and done so many things that I can't possibly add them in one post. So I thought I'd start with Birthdays, since that is how we start out our summers.


Here is Kate's 1st Birthday. She had a Very Hungry Caterpillar cake.

She also really enjoyed her first cupcake.

Here is Jake's 4th Birthday. He got to share his birthday party with his good friend, Luke.



He insisted on a Lighting McQueen cake, so here it is with chocolate donut tires and Junior Mint eyes.

This is Carson's 6th Birthday party. Notice how I have my kids' parties at our neighborhood pool - free and easy cleanup.


Carson was determined on having an Optimus Prime cake for his birthday. I tried to talk him into just having the transformers symbol since that would have been so much easier (and better looking) but he knew what he wanted, and, well, it was his birthday - so I did my best. It's not the prettiest cake I've ever made, but he was soooo excited so that made it near perfect.

Father's Day

Here is what the kids and I put together for Father's day. I combined ideas from Roots&WingsCo and a post on TipJunkie that lead to this photo:















I also did these "Happy Meals" for the other
dads around here(i.e. my dad, brothers, and bro-in-laws) with my friend Tiff. Bakerella had an excellent tutorial complete with a pdf to print off all the packaging and they were so cute, I couldn't NOT do them! The "burgers" are cupcakes buns, brownie meat, frosting ketchup and mustard and green colored coconut lettuce and the "fries" are sugar cookies dowsed with sugar

We also did personalized M&M's for him (sorry haven't taken a picture yet). It was a good day, although would have been better if DAD hadn't been sick in bed most of the day (even missed church!)
I made Strawberry-Rhubarb pie for dessert that evening since that was what he requested. It was my first lattice top crust, but I think it turned out rather well. I'll post the recipe soon.

Our Cuties

So as my sister reminded me, it is now June and my last post was April. April was full of HOA meetings – We’re trying to get a playground put in our neighborhood and you’d think, based on some people’s reactions, we were trying to put in a nuclear power plant. We will

know in a couple months (at the latest) whether it will pass the vote!

May was busy with end- of- school year performances, parties, etc and lots of fun, weekend travel. AND my Baby-Kate's 1st Birthday! However, I did manage to work in a photo shoot for my kids with my friend Nicole. She has partnered with her sister to create Inspired Photography. Luckily for me, she was flexible with time and got some fabulous shots of the kids. What do you think?

Easter Countdown

I love the Easter Season. Egg hunts, chocolate eggs, tulips, spring - its all good. But I want to make sure my kids understand that it is because of our Savior that we get to celebrate!

Here is the link to the website I got the FHE lesson we will be using tonight to start our Week of Easter. I don't know why I haven't linked to her before, I get tons of great ideas and FHE lessons from ChocolateOnMyCranium all the time.


Another Easter tradition we have is to use the Resurrection Eggs. If you haven't heard of this before, its 12 plastic eggs, each filled with a part of the Easter Story along with the appropriate item (except for the 12th which is empty) and scripture. I made mine a few years ago and just store it with my easter decor in an egg carton so I have it year after year.

Lastly, here is the recipe for Easter Story Cookies. Basically, you put these together with your kids the night before Easter and then check on them the next morning to find them done, but hollow - just like Jesus' tomb.

1 cup whole pecans (or almonds)
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch of salt
1 cup sugar
Ziploc baggie
wooden spoon
tape
Bible
2 cookie sheets
parchment paper

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg white to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us Life. Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing, are they? Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalms 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door closed. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.

Go To Bed!! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight; however, Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 & 22.

On Easter Morning open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9 (see below).

Matthew 28:1-9

[1] After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

[2] There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.

[3] His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.

[4] The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

[5] The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.

[6] He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.

[7] Then go quickly and tell his disciples: `He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

[8] So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.

[9] Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, felt the wounds in His hands and feet and worshipped Him.

Spring Break fun

I got brave and took the kids down to Utah without Cameron for a couple days to spend time with extended family. My friend Tiff and her 2 kids rode down with us. The kids finally fell asleep around Ogden.
We visited the Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point for good times.

Visited Great Grandma Powell

Cameron's twin sisters came for dinner one night. It was a fun visit. Thanks for having us Spence and Camille!

Hawaii pics, take II

We had a great time in Kauai. This is in front of the waterfall that went into the lazy river.
At our hotel, they had a place to put your lei in recognition of the good time you had and to say "Until we meet again".
Sunset at Poipu Beach.
Looking back at the Na Pali Coast.
I'm not quite sure what happened or why this is so hard to get pics in the order I want them, but here they are finally. This is the beautiful Na Pali Coastline - only accessible by air or boat as you can see.
This is Cynthia and I on the Canyon Trail hike - the crest before the small waterfall. The dirt is red there like in Moab.
Just took off from Port Allen airport.
Before the flight - we were very hot wearing all these clothes, but glad for them when we got up in the frigid air.

Mahalo Hawaii

Cameron and I spent last week relaxing in Kauai. It was awesome! This was Saltpond Beach. My sister, Natalie, and her husband Paul stayed at our house with our kids, and the boys weren't even that excited for us to come home. I guess that's a good sign. Thanks Nat!

We also took a helicopter ride that toured the whole island. Also awesome. If you look closely, you'll notice there are no door on the helicopter. Yes, I was freaked out for half the ride and could not hold on tight enough to the grip.

This is Cynthia (Cameron's business partner's wife) and me on the Canyon Trail hike to a small waterfall in Waimea Canyon. It's called the Grand Canyon of Hawaii.

While I was slightly less than relaxed in the front, Cameron was in the back of the helicopter taking leisurely pictures! The is right after we took off (see our shadow?).

The picture below is our hotel, The Grand Hyatt. Again, awesome. It had so many amenities and pools and was beautiful. I have so many more pictures, but right now am just glad that I am posting this within a week of our returning home. I will try to post more later this week.

Do I look like a charity case or What?!

This morning as I was entering the grocery store with all of my kids (Carson is on track break) a lady handed me the above letter and money in an envelope saying "Here. You look like you have your hands full." I didn't know what it was, thought it was maybe bounce-back coupons or something of the like, so I said "Thanks" and took it. In case you can't read the letter from the picture, it says:
"Before you spend any money give $1.00 away to someone in need.
See if I am not God TRY ME!!
give and much shall be given. give ME 10% off the top of what you need.
And I will five you more than what your ask. TALK TO ME!
I Love You
Jesus
Trust in me! As I trust in you!
Please ask me into your heart."
And then it has an address of His servant I can write to if I need someone to talk to.

Let me set the scene a little better by stating that I got up and cleaned this morning; dishes, changed bed sheets, laundry, picked up from the weekend, etc. Then when Kate woke up from her morning nap, I knew we were out of formula so I just packed everyone up and went to the store. No, I had not showered or put any make-up on. But did I really look that bad? I know this lady had good intentions, so at least I can give the money to the bishop and know that it will be put to good use.
One more question: Do you think the lady still would have given this to me if my jacket had been unzipped so she could see the BYU t-shirt I had on?

Valentines

Here's some fun things we did last week to spread the LOVE. Above are what the boys took to their class valentines parties. I printed them here off Kodak's website. (There are some other really fun things to print off there, too.) I originally had this great idea of making oreo pops with the boys to use these with, but then there were heart suckers at WINCO for cheap and that was just so much easier.
Decorating sugar cookies with friends.

No Fuss Fabulous had this idea that I stole. The boys enjoyed making them with me and we wrapped them up pretty for their teachers.

Eclair Cake

Cameron's birthday was January 22nd and this was the cake he requested. Its a Powell family favorite so I decided to give it a try. It was super easy and very tasty. The picture shows the one piece left from the 9x13 cake pan. Here is his mom's recipe:

Graham Crackers
1 pkg (5.6 oz) vanilla instant pudding
2 cups milk
1 tub (9.5 oz) cool whip
1 can fudge pre-made frosting

Mix the pudding with the milk according to package directions. Stir in the cool whip.
In a 9x13 pan, layer graham crackers (cut to size to fill bottom), pudding mixture, crackers, pudding, crackers. Top with entire can of frosting. Refrigerate overnight.

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For those of you that need an excuse to give your kids a hug, read this blog. I came across it last night and feel such sadness for this family. Their baby passed away a couple of days ago from cancer. At a visit to the doctor just over 2 weeks ago to make sure her ear infections had cleared, the parents mentioned that she had experienced some unexplained black eyes and that her belly seemed hard. She looks to be just a little older than my baby Kate, so I've spent a lot of time today holding and hugging my baby.

Family Pictures

My friend Tiffanie went with us to Kathryn Albertson Park last month to take pics for our Christmas card. Here are a few extras you may not have seen. Thanks Tiff!

Goodbye, Mr. Bush - and Thankyou

Any of you that know me, know that I am not in to politics. I try to stay informed about the issues and I have my opinions, for sure - but I don't pay attention to the little things or get into the discussions with Cameron about the things he listens to on NPR (as I know he would enjoy).
That being said, you would think this kind of post is way outta my league, and maybe it is. However, I saw this article written in The Wall Street Journal that really caught my attention and I have to say, I Agree. The office which he held demands a certain respect that my children need to understand. Our nation has presidents that were impeached and still treated better than George W. Bush.
President Bush is not an eloquent speaker, I admit. But I am not ashamed to say I voted for him both times he was elected. He was thrown into the fire of 9/11 and I am glad he did not turn his back on the tyranny of Hussein. Freedom is what this country is founded on. So I believe Mr. Bush when he says that years from now, we will appreciate his service. I already do.