Grant park 2010

Grant Park has had fun activities for the kids to do this summer.  They made necklaces, decorated zipped bags and masks and did decorations on canvas boards.  They also had a tie-die day that I ended up doing.  They also have a fun playground the kids like to play on.  We have liked going to Grant park this summer!!

Alex's mohawk

Before school ended last year he wanted a mohawk.  We said he could have one for a week and here it is.  It is too bad he has a mom who cant cut a straight line.  He was happy to cut it off after the week was up.

Sabra's Cakes

I have had the opportunity to make some really fun cakes in the last couple of months.  The sunflower cake in the top left was a cake I took to Relief Society for a pot luck dinner.  Hardly any of it was eaten because they thought it was there for decoration.  Unfortunately, I had to take it home and we got to eat it ourselves. 

The puzzle cake I made for a family in our ward who's son had just passed away.  He was 7 and had health issues but his death came as a surprise.  I asked our RS president if there was anyone in the ward I could make a cake for and she suggested this family. 

I made a Curious George cupcake cake for my friend Ellen's daughter's birthday.  She loves Curious George and so I tried to put one together for her.  It didnt come together as well as I had hoped but everyone loved it and the cupcakes were delish.

Our ward had a picnic at the park and had a dessert contest.  I made this swimming pool cake to try and win.  I didnt win but they had several other games and I tied for first place in the bubblegum blowing contest.

I really enjoyed making these cakes and hope to be able to make lots more in the future.

Allison tries to pull 2 fast ones

Ok, so Allison said a couple of super funny things today.  I just had to post this before I forgot.  This morning, after I dropped the boys off at school, I started to shape some chocolate chip cookie dough into cookies so I could freeze it.  Anytime I make any kind of dessert, there is Allison asking for a bite.  So I gave her a spoon of cookie dough.  She ate that and then asked for more "frosting."  I explained that it was cookie dough and ended up giving her 3 small spoons of dough before I was done.  I put the dough in the freezer and then went to clean some stuff around the house.  When I walked into the kitchen about 5 min. after leaving it, there was Allison, standing in front of the refridgerator with the door open.  As soon as she saw me she said, "I wasn't getting any frosting, I just wanted some logurt." (yogurt).  Yeah, right.

This picture has nothing to do with this story, it was just a super cute pic of Allison.  At one of Alex's baseball games we got a balloon from H&R Block and Allison came home and fell asleep with hers in her hand.

So anyway, back to the story.  At lunch time I made a sandwich for her, which she asked for.  It had peanut butter and homemade strawberry jam on it.  I went back to the office for a couple of minutes and when I went back into the kitchen I put her empty plate in the dishwasher.  Just trying to keep on top of things.  Allison was standing in front of the tv and I heard her say, "I all done with my sandwich, Mommy."  She walked into the kitchen with almost all of her sandwich in her hand looking disturbed that her plate was not on the table.  She asked where it was.  I said, "I put it in the dishwasher, but you only ate about 2 bites of that sandwich."  She pointed to it and said, "I only ate one bite of sandwich and I didn't like the jam."  I told her that when she didn't eat all the food I had made her I didn't want to make her any more food to eat.  She said, "Well, cookies is not food to eat."  Ha!!  Nice try, little girl.

Alex shows us his trick at our Christmas brunch

We went over to Michael's sisters house on Christmas morning for a brunch.  It's a tradition his mom started and he and his sisters have kept up since she died.  We went to Keri's house and enjoyed all the usuall,  cornmeal pancakes with cranberry syrup, fritatta, chicken sausage patties, bacon and orange juice.  It's all Their moms recipes and they are delicious.  It was a gorgeous day, only a little cool, and everyone went out in the back yard after breakfast.  That is where Alex showed us his trick.

Amy, Keri and one of the twins, sitting around the table after our meal.

Keri and one of the twins.

Alex and McKenzie at the brunch.

Michael and the other twin at the brunch.

Allison's dance class

Allison is taking this dance class for $10 a month.  It is a steal and I feel so lucky we are able to have her go.  The first couple of classes she would not participate at all.  After about the third class she decided she liked it and now enjoys going.  Here is a little part of one of her classes.

McKenzie washing his hair

We were at Delaynes house over the New Years and it had rained.  The rain stopped and it was pretty nice outside so we let the kids go out and play for a while.  McKenzie discovered the water on the patio and decided to wash his hair with it.  In the background you can hear Bret telling Ethan he can't come in the house with his wet clothes on.  Ethan didn't want to walk through the house naked, especially with all the guests to see.  All in all, I have to say it was pretty funny.