COOKIN' KIDS

I love that my kids love to cook. Everyone of my children love to watch the Food Network and then take their ideas to the kitchen and explore and create. Christine evens wishes that Paula Deen was her mom.

Christine is a fantastic cook! She loves noodles, Mexican style food and dips for crackers or chips. She made the best fish tacos for Carter's birthday dinner with the halibut that Brad caught when he went to Alaska last year.

Daniel loves spicy food. The hotter the better for him. We would watch the Food channel and he would tell me how we needed to change a recipe or come up with ideas of how to make a recipe better. He could cook up some of the best meals (just have the tums ready because he loved to spice it up).

Jason has just recently found this to be fun. Jason loves sweets and tends to go for making desserts, he also loves pasta. He made this cake today and it taste awesome! He made a caramel frosting that went in the middle and then just a buttercream frosting with red coloring for the outside. I was pretty amazed at how it tasted because it didn't look as good as it tasted. He learned that you need to make the frosting more stiff for it to look a little nicer.

I'm so glad that each of them enjoy experimenting and taking on the challenge of baking and cooking. I've always encouraged them to be in the kitchen with me and have asked for them to help out as much as I could get them to and I guess it has payed off.

A NICE SURPRISE

I got an email the other day with this picture of Daniel. It was sent from a bakery/deli in Kailua-Kona called "Buns In The Sun". The mission leader in the ward owns the bakery and Daniel goes and eats there a lot. The mission leader took this picture and then sent it to me. He told us that in the two weeks that Daniel has been there he has increased the work greatly. We were so proud. This just made my day to get this. I thought it was so thoughtful of this man to do this for me.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARTER

We celebrated Carter's 5th birthday last Wednesday. I can't believe I have been a grandma for five years! What a great 5 years it has been though. Being a grandma has been one of the greatest joys of my life.

Carter has been a very special boy in our family. He has had challenges but doesn't seem to let them get him down. He is a loving and thoughtful boy and often thinks of kind things he can do for others. I love it when Carter puts his arms around me and gives me a big hug. I love that he loves to come to Grandma's house and even have sleep-overs sometimes. I just love spending time with him, he always gives me a new perspective on things.

I love you Carter!

OUT LIKE A LAMB?

(This is the sun leaving as the storm rolled in this morning)

I thought March was suppose to come in like a lion and go out like a lamb? What happened to our lamb?

Oh well, at least we know the end is near and soon some of us will be complaining of the heat. I love every season and look forward to each change. I am glad that we don't have the same weather year round like Daniel who is sweating it out in Hawaii in 85 degree temperatures, poor thing!

FEED THE BIRDS

Don't you just love my new bird feeder?

My Nana always had bird feeders and bird baths and I think I learned a lot of my love of nature from her. It has been so fun to watch the birds come and feed every day and to see all the different varieties that we have around here. (It's funny to watch them come and try and find the food when it is covered with the snow we have been having lately!) I am getting so anxious to put my hummingbird feeder out, but that will have to wait for warmer weather.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EASTON

Saturday was our cute boy Easton's birthday. He is now two! I can't believe that he has been with us for two years, the time has gone by so fast.

What a joy Easton has been. He is a bit more independent than Carter, but he has a sweet tender heart and always a happy smile. He has just recently developed a fondness for Grandma's house and cries when they get close by and don't come.

We celebrated by going to McDonald's for dinner and then to Christine's for cake and presents. He got the cutest smile on his face when we were singing to him, it was so cute! He could even blow out both candles all by himself. Happy Birthday Easton!

THE FIRST GOLF OUTING!

I gave Scott new golf shoes for Christmas, (which we didn't get until February because they had to special order his size 13A foot size). Ever since he got them he has been counting the days until he could go out and use them. Since we had such a beautiful week this week, he got my Dad to take us out Tuesday at Thanksgiving Point.

I was feeling so much better that I even got in a few shots before the energy was gone. I spent the rest of the time being a caddy for my Mom. She decided that she liked having a caddy and wants me to come along with her every time and do that for her.

We had a great time (even though I couldn't hit the ball straight) and I am already looking forward to the next time we can go! I've got my lessons lined up and my new shoes so I will be comfortable. I am going to get better at this game this year!

BIRTHDAY & CHEESECAKE FACTORY FUN

We had a great time at the Cheesecake Factory when we went for Christine's birthday dinner. The food was fantabulous and we always enjoy being together especially on birthdays.

Everyone got their piece of cheesecake for dessert and there was a lot of whip cream on each of the plates. Those that didn't want all of their whipped cream started piling it on this one plate. Christine being the tease that she is starting pretending and threatening to put it in someone's face. Scott was the only brave one to pose for this pictures. The rest of us know Christine all too well and knew that we were setting ourselves up for some whip cream in the face if we posed. As it was Scott did get just ever so little on the tip of his nose. It was just too tempting for her!

Carter loves whipped cream and he immediately wanted the plate when he saw it. He didn't even use a spoon he just stuck his tongue out and licked it up! He had us all laughing our heads off as he showed us "how the little piggy eats".

GARDEN TREATS IN MARCH

Look what we found out in the garden. Scott pulled them up and we had them for dinner on Sunday and they were so wonderful! It is amazing to me that they could have stayed in the ground all winter and still taste good. There is nothing like fresh fruits and vegetables!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTINE

29 years ago I became a mother for the first time to a beautiful daughter. I still remember that overwhelming feeling I felt when they placed her on my stomach and I looked into her eyes for the first time. I immediately counted all her fingers and toes and then it hit me, I am a mother, WOW!













Christine has brought me so much joy and has taught me so much over the last 29 years. I have been so grateful for her especially when her father died, she gave me a reason to keep going.

Christine has become a beautiful young woman that any mother would be proud of. She has accomplished a lot and still drives herself to accomplish more.

I love you Christine!

WHERE IS DANIEL?

For a week now I haven't known where Daniel is in Hawaii. He was transferred last Tuesday to either the island of Hawaii or Maui. He will also be the District Leader for his new district. He was feeling a little overwhelmed last Monday, but we know he will do a GREAT job! Today, we will finally hear where he was transferred and how things have been going. I am so relieved!

IT ALL CAME TOO FAST!

Two days ago Jason brought home a box with his graduation announcements in them. I sat down and had a good cry.



I remember the days when I was changing diapers on two kids, Christine was struggling with her teenage years and I longed for the day when I would be all done. Now that it is here I don't know what to do with myself. Not that there isn't a lot to do, but I am just not needed by my children like I used to be. There schedules don't determine my days and my nights. Somehow it just isn't as glamorous as I envisioned it to be!

Well, I guess it's time to start reinventing me and my life without children in the house.