My niece, Emma is a phenomenal, I mean, PHENOMENAL photographer. At just 15, she is really taking the photography world by storm. I would have no other person ever take my pictures!
We went up to Mentryville and did an awesome family shoot last weekend. Emma has posted the teaser photos on her blog, so go take a look. I will post more when I get them!
http://www.emmaleighphotography.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
My Handsome Husband
OK, to most people the following pictures would be something normal. To me, this is the most exciting thing, ever! You see, the last time I saw my husband dressed up like this was my wedding 13 1/2 years ago. Of course, he was wearing a tux, though. The funny thing is, up until now, my husband has had no occasion to warrant owning a suit. We just bought him this handsome suit, and I think he looks phenomenal in it. I was so excited when he put it on today, that I just had to take some pictures. For those of you who know Dave well, the pics will probably excite you, too! To me, it's like one of those makeover shows! He got a fresh haircut and everything!
Monday, November 17, 2008
The Paper Airplane Competition
Last week. the boys had fun setting up a paper airplane test facility here in our home. Is this not such a fun "boy thing" to do? They made airplanes of various styles and sizes and labeled them. They set up a "runway" down the hall, with distances markers at several places. They then tested them for distance, how well they flew, etc. It was just the cutest thing. I had fun being the judge and testing them for myself. I really don't fly paper airplanes well, however. I managed to smack them into the wall practically every time. I did learn you must throw them with a very gentle send off.
Luke standing with the planes, getting ready for testing!
Luke standing with the planes, getting ready for testing!Monday, November 10, 2008
A Couple Fall Desserts
I love Fall. The cooler weather, the leaves changing colors. Well, I love it when that does actually happen here in SoCal. But lately the weather has been cooler. Yesterday, it was a blustery, windy fall day. It makes one want to drink some coffee and cozy up on the couch with a nice "fall-feeling" dessert. Two such desserts have made their way somehow into my life and made me so happy. Not that desserts are the source of my hapiness, but these just make me feel happy. At least for a moment until the guilt sets in.
So I feel obliged to share these two recipes with you so you can share in my guilt, I mean joy! They are the perfect fall pleasure, and no doubt you will be asked for the recipe if you give them to someone. They are easily transportable and need no plate or fork, unlike their sister counterparts, the pumpkin and apple pie.
Behold: the Pumpkin Pie Bar, and my newest temptation: The Apple Pie Bar. One is ridiculously simple to make, and one is a bit time consuming. But I do guarantee one thing....they are both worth it either way! Try one of these today. You won't be sorry. Neither will your fat stores.
Pumpkin Pie Bars
1 box yellow cake mix (yep, it's a cheater recipe)
1/2 cup butter, melted
3 eggs, divided
1 15 oz can of pumpkin
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
5 oz evaporated milk
2 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 tsp ginger, 1/4 tsp allspice)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (or oats if you wish to try and make this remotely healthy)
1/2 cup butter, softened
Preheat the oven to 350. Grease a 9X13 pan. Remove 1 cup of cake mix from the package and reserve. In a large bowl, combine 1 egg, the remaining cake mix in the bag, and the melted butter. Press into prepared pan. Combine eggs, pumpkin, brown sugar, evaporated milk, and spices, and mix well. Spread over cake mixture in pan. To the reserved cake mix, add sugar, walnuts (or oats), and softened butter, and mix until crumbly. Sprinkle over pumpkin mixture. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until set.
Apple Pie Bars
Filling:
7-8 medium apples, preferably Granny Smith
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tablespoon maple syrup (I used regular pancake syrup)
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cardamon (I used ginger)
Crust:
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 egg
Topping:
1 cup flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter, chilled and cubed
1 cup chopped and toasted pecans (optional)
In a large saucepan, combine the filling ingredients. Over medium heat, cover the pan and cook the apples for 5 minutes to allow the juices to release. Remove the lid and continue cooking until the apples have turned a golden brown and there is almost no liquid remaining, about 15 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Prepare the crust. Preheat the oven to 375. Line a 9X13 pan with foil and grease. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, cream the butter with the sugar. Mix for two minutes. Add the egg and mix. Add reserved dry ingredients, and mix well. Press into prepared pan. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown. While the crust is baking, prepare the topping.
For the topping, combine the flour, sugars, cinnamon, and salt. Add the butter, and mix until it resembles wet sand.
When the crust is done, immediately spread the apples over the hot crust. Sprinkle the topping over the apples, and press down slightly to adhere. Reduce the oven temperature to 350, and bake for 30 minutes or until the topping is lightly browned and crisp. Let the pan rest to cool and chill several hours before cutting into squares. Lift the bars out of the pan with the foil and cut on a flat surface.
Can you say YUMMMY???????
So I feel obliged to share these two recipes with you so you can share in my guilt, I mean joy! They are the perfect fall pleasure, and no doubt you will be asked for the recipe if you give them to someone. They are easily transportable and need no plate or fork, unlike their sister counterparts, the pumpkin and apple pie.
Behold: the Pumpkin Pie Bar, and my newest temptation: The Apple Pie Bar. One is ridiculously simple to make, and one is a bit time consuming. But I do guarantee one thing....they are both worth it either way! Try one of these today. You won't be sorry. Neither will your fat stores.
Pumpkin Pie Bars
1 box yellow cake mix (yep, it's a cheater recipe)
1/2 cup butter, melted
3 eggs, divided
1 15 oz can of pumpkin
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
5 oz evaporated milk
2 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 tsp ginger, 1/4 tsp allspice)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (or oats if you wish to try and make this remotely healthy)
1/2 cup butter, softened
Preheat the oven to 350. Grease a 9X13 pan. Remove 1 cup of cake mix from the package and reserve. In a large bowl, combine 1 egg, the remaining cake mix in the bag, and the melted butter. Press into prepared pan. Combine eggs, pumpkin, brown sugar, evaporated milk, and spices, and mix well. Spread over cake mixture in pan. To the reserved cake mix, add sugar, walnuts (or oats), and softened butter, and mix until crumbly. Sprinkle over pumpkin mixture. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until set.
Apple Pie Bars
Filling:
7-8 medium apples, preferably Granny Smith
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tablespoon maple syrup (I used regular pancake syrup)
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cardamon (I used ginger)
Crust:
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 egg
Topping:
1 cup flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter, chilled and cubed
1 cup chopped and toasted pecans (optional)
In a large saucepan, combine the filling ingredients. Over medium heat, cover the pan and cook the apples for 5 minutes to allow the juices to release. Remove the lid and continue cooking until the apples have turned a golden brown and there is almost no liquid remaining, about 15 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Prepare the crust. Preheat the oven to 375. Line a 9X13 pan with foil and grease. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, cream the butter with the sugar. Mix for two minutes. Add the egg and mix. Add reserved dry ingredients, and mix well. Press into prepared pan. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown. While the crust is baking, prepare the topping.
For the topping, combine the flour, sugars, cinnamon, and salt. Add the butter, and mix until it resembles wet sand.
When the crust is done, immediately spread the apples over the hot crust. Sprinkle the topping over the apples, and press down slightly to adhere. Reduce the oven temperature to 350, and bake for 30 minutes or until the topping is lightly browned and crisp. Let the pan rest to cool and chill several hours before cutting into squares. Lift the bars out of the pan with the foil and cut on a flat surface.
Can you say YUMMMY???????
Monday, November 3, 2008
This past weekend was a whirlwind! It started last Thursday when my Dad came up and took the boys and I out for lunch to Islands. He brought them huge goody bags for Halloween stuffed with all their favorite goodies. We then perused the Valencia Pet store for a while, then I took Dad over to see Dave's office. It was so much fun. If you are ever in the area, take a visit to Valencia Pet. Ask to hold any animal you want. They are so nice in there and it is so much fun to play with all the cool animals. Make sure you pay a friendly visit to "Herman Monster".
Friday was our homeschool group's Fall Party. The kids dressed up and played games, decorated sugar cookies, and had a pie-eating contest. Austin was a nerd, Luke a skateboarder, and Vance a magician. It was a fun filled day. Did I mention my youngest is apparently a pie-eating contest pro? He won the contest for his age bracket. Hmmm.....
As soon as we arrived home from the party, we hitched up the trailer, which was all packed up and ready, and headed out to Gorman SRVA with our friends, the Berggrens. We arrived late afternoon, set up camp and had some fun. That Friday night, we were surprised with a thunder and lightning storm! That brought rain most of the day Saturday, but that didn't stop the kids from riding and playing outside. The bikes and buggies were covered in mud. Come to think of it, so were my children. But it was OK, because they were having so much fun. Vance just stood out in the rain filling his hat up with water and dumping it onto his head. Luke rode his dirt bike. Austin filled a large rubbermaid with muddy water. What more could a kid ask for. Well, maybe some dry clothes at the end of the day!
Sunday brought clear skies, the sun, and beautiful conditions. No dust, no dirt, no wind! It couldn't have been a better day. Dave took Vance for a drive in the Berggrens' buggy, and they came back absolutely soaked to the bone. Vance wanted to go through the puddles at full speed. Ha! How fun is that? I felt "mavericky" and took my dirt bike out for a short spin. No crashes this time-woohoo! Austin enjoyed the Berggren's quad. As for Vance, who usually drives our dune buggy around non-stop....well he decided to try riding the 50 since the buggy was broken. Let's just say he didn't get off that thing until we packed up to leave. He loved it! I am so proud of him. We took a group trail ride down the road a bit to a track the kids wanted to ride, and he went through puddles, mud, sand, rocks, uphill, downhill (inside outside upside down!) all the way and did so awesome for a beginner. He fell a couple of times, but got right back on! I guess we have a new rider in the family. I'm so happy for him! He's the same age Luke was when he started riding. It must be the magic age. When we took the group ride, I drove the Berggrens' buggy with their daughter Claire, lover of speed. It was such a blast! That thing is so fun. Fast, great suspension, just what a dune buggy should be.
Other highlights were making caramel apples (when the rain was really coming down), setting up a projector and movie theater inside the trailer and watching Journey to the Center of the Earth, complete with popcorn and candy, and also going on a ride with my husband in the buggy, just the two of us. I left clean, but came back wet, muddy, and with rocks in my hair. I'm so thankful for my trailer complete with shower. Geez. All in all, it was such a fun trip. I really didn't want to leave. I would have loved one more day. God was so good! The much needed rain, beautiful scenery, great friends, safety for all, and memories made with my husband and kids that I will not soon forget.
Friday was our homeschool group's Fall Party. The kids dressed up and played games, decorated sugar cookies, and had a pie-eating contest. Austin was a nerd, Luke a skateboarder, and Vance a magician. It was a fun filled day. Did I mention my youngest is apparently a pie-eating contest pro? He won the contest for his age bracket. Hmmm.....
As soon as we arrived home from the party, we hitched up the trailer, which was all packed up and ready, and headed out to Gorman SRVA with our friends, the Berggrens. We arrived late afternoon, set up camp and had some fun. That Friday night, we were surprised with a thunder and lightning storm! That brought rain most of the day Saturday, but that didn't stop the kids from riding and playing outside. The bikes and buggies were covered in mud. Come to think of it, so were my children. But it was OK, because they were having so much fun. Vance just stood out in the rain filling his hat up with water and dumping it onto his head. Luke rode his dirt bike. Austin filled a large rubbermaid with muddy water. What more could a kid ask for. Well, maybe some dry clothes at the end of the day!
Sunday brought clear skies, the sun, and beautiful conditions. No dust, no dirt, no wind! It couldn't have been a better day. Dave took Vance for a drive in the Berggrens' buggy, and they came back absolutely soaked to the bone. Vance wanted to go through the puddles at full speed. Ha! How fun is that? I felt "mavericky" and took my dirt bike out for a short spin. No crashes this time-woohoo! Austin enjoyed the Berggren's quad. As for Vance, who usually drives our dune buggy around non-stop....well he decided to try riding the 50 since the buggy was broken. Let's just say he didn't get off that thing until we packed up to leave. He loved it! I am so proud of him. We took a group trail ride down the road a bit to a track the kids wanted to ride, and he went through puddles, mud, sand, rocks, uphill, downhill (inside outside upside down!) all the way and did so awesome for a beginner. He fell a couple of times, but got right back on! I guess we have a new rider in the family. I'm so happy for him! He's the same age Luke was when he started riding. It must be the magic age. When we took the group ride, I drove the Berggrens' buggy with their daughter Claire, lover of speed. It was such a blast! That thing is so fun. Fast, great suspension, just what a dune buggy should be.
Other highlights were making caramel apples (when the rain was really coming down), setting up a projector and movie theater inside the trailer and watching Journey to the Center of the Earth, complete with popcorn and candy, and also going on a ride with my husband in the buggy, just the two of us. I left clean, but came back wet, muddy, and with rocks in my hair. I'm so thankful for my trailer complete with shower. Geez. All in all, it was such a fun trip. I really didn't want to leave. I would have loved one more day. God was so good! The much needed rain, beautiful scenery, great friends, safety for all, and memories made with my husband and kids that I will not soon forget.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Every year, the boys' Awana program at church hosts a very special fair called "The Fairmont Fair" and it is a highlight of our year. Where else can you play games for 20 cents a ticket, eat nachos, snow cones, popcorn, and come home with a ton of junky lame prizes that will break within a couple days???? This year we even brought home a life sized Daffy Duck stuffed animal. You know you're jealous of me.
For four hours, the boys played games, ate snacks and candy, and "bought" prizes at the prize store with all their winning game tickets. It was fun for all, as usual!
For four hours, the boys played games, ate snacks and candy, and "bought" prizes at the prize store with all their winning game tickets. It was fun for all, as usual!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Trip to Mojave!
We are back from our camping trip out in Mojave. What a weekend! Geeeeezzzzz....The first two days we were inundated with wind, and it got pretty miserable at times. Nobody could be outside riding, so we just stayed inside playing card games and hanging out. I am so thankful for our trailer! It has all the amenities that would make an otherwise miserable trip in the middle of nowhere a pleasant time!
Friday we left the campsite for a few hours for our field trip with our homeschool group to Edwards Air Force Base. It was an awesome trip. We took a bus tour, which included a stop at a museum that contained several aircraft and a video, a trip down the runways and hangers where we saw an F-22 come in for a landing. We got to see where the space shuttle lands when it comes in. Amazing! The tour guide was very informative and it really was an amazing place to visit. The place is absolutely enormous-301,000 acres and contains its own little community inside with houses, shops, a golf course, schools, etc. The AFB is a testing facility, where all government planes come before they are put into commission, so we saw some awesome aircraft!
Saturday, the winds died down and everyone emerged from their trailers. It was a beautiful day. Three of the families needed to leave on Saturday, but the Berggrens and us stayed on another night. Sunday was absolutely perfect and beautiful. The kids had so much fun riding around all day. Austin enjoyed trying out the Berggren's quad, Luke excelled on his 80, and Vance drove the girlies around in the dune buggy all day. The screams and squeals of joy coming out of that thing as they rode by were sheer entertainment all in themselves. We are just so thankful for a fun and safe time. Can't wait to camp for Thanksgiving!!!! Woohoo!!!
Dave getting ready for a ride.
Dave on his bike.
Dave and Scott Berggren being nice enough to let me take their picture at the AFB.
The Dads after their ride.
Dave and Tom Jensen having a ball.
Luke enjoying his 80. He is such a skilled rider now!
Luke.....
Our family at the entrace to the AFB.
The Lighthouse kids that came on the field trip.
Vance and I inside the museum.
All the planes they have tested at the AFB.
Austin being goofy in front of a plane.
Luke enjoying his ride.
Luke again!
Luke some more.....
Vance and his playdoh happy face!
Vance, Luke, and Austin at the AFB.
Dave and Claire Berggren shooting the tennis ball cannon.
Vance, Claire, and Luke eating lunch in the trailer.
Vance and Claire were buddies this trip! Isn't she adorable????? I WILL kidnap her someday.
Luke off his bike to refuel.
Dave being a maniac with Austin.
Friday we left the campsite for a few hours for our field trip with our homeschool group to Edwards Air Force Base. It was an awesome trip. We took a bus tour, which included a stop at a museum that contained several aircraft and a video, a trip down the runways and hangers where we saw an F-22 come in for a landing. We got to see where the space shuttle lands when it comes in. Amazing! The tour guide was very informative and it really was an amazing place to visit. The place is absolutely enormous-301,000 acres and contains its own little community inside with houses, shops, a golf course, schools, etc. The AFB is a testing facility, where all government planes come before they are put into commission, so we saw some awesome aircraft!
Saturday, the winds died down and everyone emerged from their trailers. It was a beautiful day. Three of the families needed to leave on Saturday, but the Berggrens and us stayed on another night. Sunday was absolutely perfect and beautiful. The kids had so much fun riding around all day. Austin enjoyed trying out the Berggren's quad, Luke excelled on his 80, and Vance drove the girlies around in the dune buggy all day. The screams and squeals of joy coming out of that thing as they rode by were sheer entertainment all in themselves. We are just so thankful for a fun and safe time. Can't wait to camp for Thanksgiving!!!! Woohoo!!!
Dave getting ready for a ride.
Dave on his bike.
Dave and Scott Berggren being nice enough to let me take their picture at the AFB.
The Dads after their ride.
Dave and Tom Jensen having a ball.
Luke enjoying his 80. He is such a skilled rider now!
Luke.....
Our family at the entrace to the AFB.
The Lighthouse kids that came on the field trip.
Vance and I inside the museum.
All the planes they have tested at the AFB.
Austin being goofy in front of a plane.
Luke enjoying his ride.
Luke again!
Luke some more.....
Vance and his playdoh happy face!
Vance, Luke, and Austin at the AFB.
Dave and Claire Berggren shooting the tennis ball cannon.
Vance, Claire, and Luke eating lunch in the trailer.
Vance and Claire were buddies this trip! Isn't she adorable????? I WILL kidnap her someday.
Luke off his bike to refuel.
Dave being a maniac with Austin.Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Desert Camping!
It's almost time for our upcoming trip out to the Mojave desert. Yes, I know what you're thinking....What's in the Mojave desert???? The answer is NOTHING!!!!!! Dirt and a po-dunk little town where you should be able to find about 1 motel, 1 gas station, a few trailer parks, and a McDonalds.
We are amongst those crazy people who actually enjoy being in the middle of nowhere. Not because we're antisocial, but because we love dirt bikes, dune buggies, and of course, the dirt itself! And if you can believe this, the desert can actually be very beautiful, my friend. Yes it can. The sunsets are amazing, the mornings unbelievably crisp, and the dirt- well, unbelievably dirty.
It's really the three F's that keep bringing us back: Fellowship, Food, and Fun! We usually go with several other families, all whom we love so much and whose kids are among some of our kids' best friends. The food is usually amazing. It's like we go on this mission to find the most amazing food ever to eat while we're there. Most of it is centered around my sister's huge deep fryer, you know the kind you fry a turkey in. We have made turkeys, deep fried pickles, onion rings, fried chicken, funnel cake (ummm....YES!!!), and this time we are doing homemade corn dogs! I mean, come on, what else can you fry in there....Twinkies, Snickers, it's out of control! We will also have a "group soup" night. It's just so enjoyable to sit around a campfire and eat dinner with people you love. It's a beautiful thing.
Then there's the dirt itself. Highly conducive to some of the most amazing fun you'll ever have. The boys ride and ride and ride, and dig and dig and dig in it. Dave usually brings all of his toys (BB Guns, pellet guns, and the infamous tennis ball shooter) for additional fun in the middle of nowhere. He has a great game planned for the kids this time....with candy rewards. Life is sweet.
This time out in Mojave will also include a field trip to Edwards Air Force Base with our homeschool group. We actually planned this trip around the field trip. We figured we'd already be out in Mojave, so why not make a weekend out of it? Should be awesome for the boys to see. Dave loves airplanes, especially the old ones. Hopefully there will be at least one old one for him to check out. Did you know Edwards Air Force Base has been the home of more major milestones in flight than any other place on earth? Little-known fact I thought you may enjoy. And right there in the beautiful Mojave desert.
Well, I'll put pictures up when we return. Stay tuned and you will feel like you were there. Except you stayed clean. (Hey wait, I have a shower and toilet in my trailer, what more do I need? OK and a generator. And a coffeepot. And every other comfort of home. I'm spoiled).
We are amongst those crazy people who actually enjoy being in the middle of nowhere. Not because we're antisocial, but because we love dirt bikes, dune buggies, and of course, the dirt itself! And if you can believe this, the desert can actually be very beautiful, my friend. Yes it can. The sunsets are amazing, the mornings unbelievably crisp, and the dirt- well, unbelievably dirty.
It's really the three F's that keep bringing us back: Fellowship, Food, and Fun! We usually go with several other families, all whom we love so much and whose kids are among some of our kids' best friends. The food is usually amazing. It's like we go on this mission to find the most amazing food ever to eat while we're there. Most of it is centered around my sister's huge deep fryer, you know the kind you fry a turkey in. We have made turkeys, deep fried pickles, onion rings, fried chicken, funnel cake (ummm....YES!!!), and this time we are doing homemade corn dogs! I mean, come on, what else can you fry in there....Twinkies, Snickers, it's out of control! We will also have a "group soup" night. It's just so enjoyable to sit around a campfire and eat dinner with people you love. It's a beautiful thing.
Then there's the dirt itself. Highly conducive to some of the most amazing fun you'll ever have. The boys ride and ride and ride, and dig and dig and dig in it. Dave usually brings all of his toys (BB Guns, pellet guns, and the infamous tennis ball shooter) for additional fun in the middle of nowhere. He has a great game planned for the kids this time....with candy rewards. Life is sweet.
This time out in Mojave will also include a field trip to Edwards Air Force Base with our homeschool group. We actually planned this trip around the field trip. We figured we'd already be out in Mojave, so why not make a weekend out of it? Should be awesome for the boys to see. Dave loves airplanes, especially the old ones. Hopefully there will be at least one old one for him to check out. Did you know Edwards Air Force Base has been the home of more major milestones in flight than any other place on earth? Little-known fact I thought you may enjoy. And right there in the beautiful Mojave desert.
Well, I'll put pictures up when we return. Stay tuned and you will feel like you were there. Except you stayed clean. (Hey wait, I have a shower and toilet in my trailer, what more do I need? OK and a generator. And a coffeepot. And every other comfort of home. I'm spoiled).
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