Happy Birthday David

Today is my brother David's 26th birthday. David, has always had a love for ice cream cake. I think the picture above is the epitome of an ice cream cake, wouldn't you agree? Well, yet again, I was in charge of the birthday cake. Luckily, I found this really easy recipe in Real Simple of the ice cream cake below. It turned out great and the family really liked it.













I think because I'm closest in age to David and we feel pretty chummy with each other I can get away with a lot of sisterly fun with him. Today, for his birthday he wanted me to color and cut his hair. I told him yes because it was his birthday but only if he would shave off his goatee that was hiding his handsome face. He reluctantly agreed. After the grooming, he was even a good sport and posed for the camera for me. I think he knew he looked good. Those who know David, wouldn't you agree that shaving the goatee was a good idea? Anyways, happy birthday brother.

{cake pic via real simple}

Be Satisfied

As many mothers know, getting ready in the morning can be a hassle. Especially with more than one child. The other morning both Spencer and I were having a tough time getting ready with the girls. While finishing my face, Nora, was never ceasing with questions of, "What's this Mom," or "What are you doing Mom." as Aubrey was getting anxious for Mama and starting to cry and tug at my leg.

Because we were rushing I could not attend to every request of my children so while answering some of Nora's questions I grabbed the closest safe looking thing and handed it to Aubrey.

Ten minutes later Spencer informed me that I needed to check on what baby was up to. Lo and behold there she was, content as can be with what I had given her. Sucking on it like it had been her binky.

I guess the top of a Mylicon bottle can be mistaken for a binky yet the thought came to me how cool it was that she was happy and content with what I had given her. My child, without knowing, was teaching me a lesson on life.

We are each given talents, traits, blessings, many things and at times we wish we had others and are not satisfied with what we have or with what we are given. I think Alma in the Book of Mormon said it best, "O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart...But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me."

Funny looking as it was, Aubrey, left me feeling happy for what I have been given and wanting to make the best of what I have.

My Idea Book

Do you ever feel like your mind is going? I do. During a day there are thousands of thoughts that go through my head and in there I have ideas of things I'd like to do someday or something I think might be marketable. If I don't write it down somewhere or do or make that idea right then the possibility of it being lost to my mind is inevitable. So, I had this book laying around wanting to be used in someway and I have now made it into my new idea book. Who knows if any of these ideas will play out ever in the future. I am just glad I finally have a place for these flashes of inspiration. If I can't remember that amazing idea I once had, I now know where to go to find it. Be patient with my mind, it can be slow at times.

Lily Moon

I love things that can take me back to my childhood or should I say bring out the inner child within. This print by Lily Moon is so pretty to look at and makes me wonder what the sleeping girl read in that blue book. It must have been good.

Weck Home Canning Jars

I'm thinking of purchasing some of these canning jars I heard about on this post. They would look so pretty in with my food storage. Have any of you ever used any canning jars similar to the Weck Canning jars? Are there pluses and minuses to using them versus using traditional American canning jars? Any comments would be nice. Just for your pleasure, the second picture I found on a food blog and have to share the recipe. It looks so tasty and easy.

Lucas's Car Birthday

This past Sunday we got together with all the family in town and had us a car themed party for my nephew Lucas who just turned two. I had the honor of making the race car track cake. In the bottom left picture is me with my two helpers Christian and Isabelle, my nephew and niece. We thought the cake turned out pretty well. We used chocolate cookie crumbs for the race track and green colored coconut for the grass which ended up tasting really good with the white cake and pudding filling. My sister Darleen decorated my parents home with black and white checkered flags and table runners that were over red, green, and yellow table covers. The kids got to paint wooden tractors, trains, and cars. All the kids loved it especially the little man himself, Lucas. The picture below may not show the pure enjoyment he had at the party but that is because I caught him right after his nap before the festivities began. He still is so cute.

Back to Normal Kind of

Sorry for the lack of keeping up with my blog. With having so much family in town for the funeral and spending most of our time away from my computer, I've come home too exhausted to even attempt to post anything. I promise to be better.

Camille's funeral was beautiful and uplifting. I believe most everyone left with a resolve to be better people and had more of an understanding of the atonement of Jesus Christ. I've always known I had an amazing family but that feeling has increased even more listening to my brother and sister-in-law talk of Camille and the mission she had here on Earth. To find out more details of the funeral it would be best to read it in Stephanie's on words here.

It has been so nice to come together as a family and show love and support for each other. I feel so blessed to be a part of my family. Spencer recently composed a lullaby for Camille. Something he thought might have been sung to her in her last moments here on Earth. The lullaby is sweet, simple, and beautiful. It will be a great support in coming years to have something to remind us of our sweet Camille. I want Aubrey and all of my children to know of their cousin who is not with us now but is very much with us always because we are an eternal family and the lullaby will help me tell my children of her. So sweet the plan of our Father in Heaven!

An Angel Among Us

My family and I were blessed to have my sweet niece Camille, among us for a short time here on Earth. I may not have noticed before but I notice now that she was an angel sent to bless us with her infectious smile and spirit and now the Lord has called her elsewhere. How blessed we have been! God has a plan for each of us and Camille can now bless the lives of others where she is now full of peace and love from her family. The picture above is her baby announcement and shows how beautiful her features are. We miss you already Camille and look forward to see you again when we reunite as an eternal family.
















Camille and Aubrey loved to play with each other. I thought it surprising for babies around 1 year of age to play together but they did. It was so fun to see them interact with each other at our family reunion. I'm hoping that Camille will have the time while looking over and checking in on her sisters to also make visits to Aubrey to check in on her cousin.

We love you Camille.

Pray for Camille

As some of you have already heard, late yesterday afternoon my niece Camille was involved in a tragic accident. She fell into the hot tub at her home and drowned. When found she was unconscious and not breathing. She is currently in an extremely critical condition and in a comatose state at St. Rose Sienna Hospital.

Jonathan, Stephanie and family have been exercising the principle of prayer. We would ask you to do the same. We know that what happens to Camille is in God's hands. While we don't know what his will is with her yet, we would never ask anything less from God than what He can do. We ask you to be specific in your prayers and only ask God for the miracle of a full recovery. If you are able, please couple your prayers with fasting. Also, talk to any others you know of great faith and pass on this request.

We are finding comfort through these passages on prayer: Mormon 9 and Joshua 1.

Little Women

I just finished this book last night and have to say it is one of the best books I have ever read. Little Women is a book I could definitely pick up again to reread. Before reading the book I had only seen the most recent movie of Little Women with Ms. Ryder in it. How deceived I was on how the movie depicted each character. In the movie, I felt heartbroken by Jo and Laurie's separation and despised Amy for stealing him. In the book I loved each character and each love story as well. This is one I would like each of my girls at the appropriate age to read. Some of my favorite quotes:

...for conceit spoils the finest genius. There is not much danger that real talent or goodness will be overlooked long; even if it is, the consciousness of possessing and using it well should satisfy one, and the great charm of all power is modesty.

Have regular hours for work and play, make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well.

...a kiss for a blow is always best...

There are many wonderful finds in this book and the poetry is beautiful. Truly uplifting. If you haven't already enjoyed this book have it be the next book you read.

{Picture via}

Vacation 2

The family reunion came and went so fast. Our family had a blast up at Aspen Grove family camp this past week. There was so much to do and having child care services and all meals prepared for you topped it off. Most of our family were in a small lodge that made the living area quite cozy and even though that made for close quarters it was nice to have that time with family in that way. I wish I took more pictures but we were constantly going and I often forgot to bring the camera. Some of my favorite activities was the pottery class and painting pottery with Nora. Oh, and everyone seemed to like the cookbook too. Whew!

Vacation 1

Since Spencer was able to take off an extra day of work we took an extended stay in Utah to visit his side of the family. We had fun up at his parents cabin near Park City. Spencer took Nora fishing for the first time and had quality time playing horseshoes with the guys. I got some quiet time for reading and attempted playing horseshoes.

We ventured to Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City where Nora couldn't get enough of the animals and seemed so perplexed that they didn't have a lion which is one of her favorite animals. Then Nora and Aubrey had a hula'f a time at their cousins 1st birthday luau party and we finished off our trip by celebrating Spencer's sister, Sarah's, graduation with her. We just love hanging out with our family.