More Summer!

J is growing even faster than his sisters did, I think, if only because he has to do anything he sees them doing.  He is already climbing up the ladder on the play structure at the park, and when S showed him this trick on the couch, he immediately joined in.

We’ve been visiting the parks around town, and the kids all have their favorites.

And we got to go out to the Air Show this weekend.  I think I was more excited and had more fun than any of the kids … although S really seemed to like it.  Both J and L asked do go home half way through the Blue Angels show!  Crazy kiddos!

We got a great spot just about 200 feet back from the announcer, and there were a number of times they flew directly over our heads.  When the “surprise” came from behind us (You know how they have you watching the formation exit to stage right and then #5 comes in low from behind the audience and scares you out of your wits?!), all three kids jumped, and I just giggled.  That was always my favorite part!

They didn’t let us bring in our own water bottles, so we went through two HUGE raspberry lemonades and a bottle of water … and some kettle corn, of course.

It’s been a while …

We’ve just been running for the past few months, and I haven’t really had a chance to sit down and put any pictures up.  Here’s my latest batch of everything we’ve been doing.

We’ve had a number of trips “back home”.  My Dad’s dad’s health started going downhill, so I threw the kids in the car and drove home to see him before he passed.

 

We got to spend a little time with family, but it was a quick, sudden trip, so we didn’t really see anyone outside family. 

We got back home and sent L to her last few weeks of Kindergarten.  I was allowed to take S and J to her field day and spend time with her and her class.

Then L had her Kindergarten Graduation. 

That’s her in the middle there.  It was a short, little program, but it was cute.  Poor C nearly lost it, laughing at the whole thing, but he was a good sport.

He did laugh at me for buying her flowers …

Then here we are, back in Utah at the zoo, when my Grandpa passed away.  It was another whirlwind trip, but it was good to see everyone together.

My mom’s parents always take us to the zoo, and we’re so grateful to them.  All three kids love it, and especially the new exhibits they have.  I love Polar Bears!

And I love this picture of the giraffe …

Grandpa’s Funeral turned out really nice.  He had the full military honors.  The sad part of the day was that now, with Grandpa gone, it feels like the anchor has been lost.  Most of my cousins, who I talked to, shared the same sentiment – that we wonder if we will all ever come together for anything again.  Probably not in this life.  It’s sad.

C was a pallbearer, so I had to get a picture of him with his Ogilvie tartan tie. 

We got home and all three kids dropped down sick.  This is poor J on the floor sacked out in front of a movie, hopped up on drugs.  And just as soon as they got to feeling better, I came down with it.  When I got better, I finally took the kids out to ride bikes (for the first time this summer – we’ve just been so busy!).

I took one look at S standing next to her bike and said, “Sorry, baby, you’re not going to be riding your bike today.” 

S, “Why not!?”

Me, “Because you’re going to be riding L’s bike from now on.”

Sure enough, L had grown too big for it.  Luckily she has a scooter she could ride, so she didn’t feel so left out.

And poor J … I just haven’t had the time to find something for him, so he ended up on S’s old bike. 

He doesn’t know it’s pink!

I also pulled out the sprinkler for the kids this weekend.

They thought it was a drinking fountain!

J didn’t care for it, much, but he sure had a good time watching his sisters.

And finally, today the girls did the dishes for me after dinner.  They’re growing up!

Jump!

Monkey see, monkey do.  My new workout video has a section where you squat, then jump, then scuttle backwards and start over again.  J thinks it's very cool.  And he thinks he can do it, too!

Posies fall down

Just having fun!

Help with an Angel Food Cake

So, with Mother’s Day and my birthday, I had an opportunity to use my second new cake pan, and I made my very first Angel Food Cake last night.  Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of it.  Here’s what’s left:

And I’m left with a question for any experienced bakers out there.  Why don’t you grease the cake pan?  The instructions were very clear not to grease it, and I think it’s interesting that the pan is made such that you can use a knife and cut it out, completely, since the sides come off.  So, why?  Does the grease make the egg whites deflate?  Does it mix together in a terrible mess?  I’m so tempted to try it with a greased pan and see what happens …   Maybe it will fall back down as it cools without the cake being stuck to the sides, I don’t know.  Any first-hand experiences out there?

Off we go, into the Wild, Blue Yonder!

 

Is this not the cutest little pilot you’ve ever seen?!

You want to make people smile?  Take these two with you when you run errands!

A Bundt Cake

Ok, so this post is not about my kids.  It’s back to my obsession with baking.  My sister-in-law bought me two new cakes pans!  I’m now the proud owner of a bundt cake pan and an angel food cake pan!  I was having a hard time putting them away and waiting until I had a reason to use them, but then my grandma came to visit and gave me an excuse.

This is my new bundt cake pan.  It’s green.  I love it!  If there’s anything prettier than the pan itself, it’s the cake when I flipped it out.

My biggest fear was that the cake would get stuck in the pan and come out in bits and pieces.  Not a problem.  It flipped out perfectly, every bump and curve perfect.  C even commented that it was a shame I was going to cover it with frosting so you couldn’t see the pretty shape.

I made an almond joy bundt cake because that was the one C picked out.  The batter has almond extract, sliced almonds and chocolate chips mixed in.  Mmmmmmm!

Then I mixed some almond extract in my homemade buttercream frosting and topped it with coconut shavings and little bits of almond joy bars.

Mmmmm, doesn’t that look good?

And as good as it looks, it tastes even better.  Yum!

So, if you come to my house, I’ll make you a cake.  You pick what kind you want, and I will make it!