Memorial Day

I love holidays - any reason to spend time with people is a good reason to me. Memorial Day was great. Easy-going, laid back. My fav. We had a bunch of our friends over - some old, some new - for a BBQ and it was fun to watch our kids play together and enjoy the beautiful weather. I made my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE angel-food cake (it's truly delish - another plus for holidays...it gives me the excuse to make it.) After the BBQ we tucked our kiddos in bed and Matt and I stayed up to watch a movie. I love lazy, hazy days. (although, it wasn't hazy - big billowy clouds, bright blue sky, with an occasional overcast moment - *sigh*)

Guys...


And Dolls...



Some of Matt's Buds....I love how Noah has "super hands" in both pics.


Anywho, what's the point of having favorite things if you don't share them? Here's the recipe for the above- mentioned angel food cake. LOVE IT!
(The following recipe is from the Essential Mormon Cookbook by Julie Badger Jensen)

CHOCOLATE TOFFEE CRUNCH CAKE

1 pint whipping cream
1 (16oz) jar Hershey's Hot Fudge Topping
1 large angel food cake (homemade or purchased - I made mine. It's more moist that way)
4 (1.4 oz) Heath or Skor candy bars

Whip cream until stiff. (about 5 min) Fold in fudge topping. Spread over top and sides of cake. Chop candy bars in chunks. Sprinkle over surfaces of frosted cake. Refrigerate for several hours before serving. Makes 10 servings.

(SOOO yummy...next time I'll take a picture. It'll last longer.)

Potty-Trained!

Alright folks! This is the third time I've done this and it is my first boy. At this point, I think I know what I'm talking about with the success of potty training all three kids in just ONE day. That is right. ONE. DAY. First it was Sammi - one day. Then, Maddi - one day. And finally....KEITH! YAHOOOOO!!!!! One day! (Did I mention that this took only one day?!?!)

Last Friday, I decided I was ready (yes - YOU must also be ready as well as your child. Because it takes your focus for that whole day) and well - Keith was obviously more than ready as he was the easiest of all three to train. (only 1 accident - and that was my fault. He told me and I said "okay, just a second", immediately forgetting and then and hour later...accident. I'm such a good mom. :P) It's been 5 days and we've had no other accidents, successful pooping every-day and are staying dry all night. I haven't even cracked open the Pull-ups bag!

"How is this achieved" you ask? Well, check out this link.


This method is gold in my book. (I didn't even need the doll with Keith. He was excited to get to call Barbie - yes, Barbie - each time he pooed. -Thanks Olivia and Millie!)

If it's the first time you've ever used this method, my only advice is to follow it exactly and to plan on your whole day being centered around potty training. Yey for briefs!

Spring Break

We had our first real family vacation over Spring Break. We stayed for 9 days in McCall Idaho at a wonderful resort (it was like having an apartment there). It was during their slowest season, so it wasn't crowded...there was a LOT of snow and it was very cold, but so much fun. Our first day there, we went on a sleigh ride to feed the wild elk. We were on a sleigh that had bales of hay for us to sit on. When we came to a clearing in the woods, a bunch of wild elk approached us and started to eat. It was pretty cool...one elk got a little fresh (if you moved at all, it loosened the hay under your bottom...something I guess the elk really ejoy) so that was pretty funny.

We went swimming a lot and decorated easter eggs and went sledding. Our good friends came up for the last few days which made it even more fun. It was wonderful to just be together and relax. (and in such a beautiful place!)

My husband, Steve Perry - er, Matt

Before we left for our trip to McCall for Spring Break, we attended Boise High's talent show. Matt, a.k.a. "Mr. Swenson" was asked by some students that have a band if he would be the lead singer for a song they were working on. He agreed...and discovered that the song they were working on was "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey. Now, for those who don't know or who have never given it much thought, Steve Perry, the lead singer of Journey, has a VERY high voice. Very high. Matt felt a little intimidated, but, was true to his word and they rehearsed for a couple of months before the talent show. Somehow, it was kept a secret that he was doing this and they saved it for the last number of the night. The setting was very cool - the band played a prepared number, the audience loved it - the lights dim while the band ends their song, the last note humming in the air amid applause. Before the beat completely ends, the band transitions into "Don't Stop Believin'", the lights low. Once the audience realized what they were playing, they applauded and cheered, the lights still down. Matt comes in, and eventually the lights are lit up again and you see the band and Matt in full Journey garb. Classic. It was hilarious. Matt says he looked like Steve Perry with an added 300lbs - I just laughed and laughed. The shirt was pretty awful - but I was impressed with how he rocked it. I took video, but it gets bad in the middle because Eli attacked me. (yes, ATTACKED me) but you still get the idea. My absolute FAVORITE part of the entire act were the two kids in spandex, dancing with ribbons. Priceless. Enjoy!

Re-Commited

I have neglected my blogging for too long, distracted and swayed by other "technologies". However, I have found my preference, and it is blogging. Simple and sweet. So, I commit today that for at least 6 months, I will be a faithful blogger. Yipee!