A Luscious Summer Dessert!

I decided to turn my "Pig-lickin Cake" recipe into a fancy (but simple to make) trifle for a potluck party we went to. (the recipe is in my book for those who have it.) I cut up the entire 9 x 13 cake into cubes, then layered it in the trifle bowl with the filling, and an extra can of mandarin oranges and pineapple rings on top. Easy and impressive for hot summer days. yum.

Happy Father's Day

Ty is a fabulous dad and supportive husband. I feel so lucky to have him. After our father's Day breakfast, I found him and the kids snuggled up together in Chandler's bed. This is his 7th father's day, so here are 7 things I love about him:

1-He has high standards for raising our kids--he wants them to turn out top-notch

2-Ty spends time with them every day--they love it when he comes home and wrestles with them, tickles them, chases them, or plays games with them

3-Ty is a hands-on dad: changing diapers, immunizations, school plays, etc. He isn't above doing any of that stuff.

4-Family Night, scripture study, and family prayer are part of our daily and weekly routines, and Ty is good at applying them to our kids and providing teaching moments to our kids.

5-Ty is a great provider for us plus he realizes that although money is necessary, the most important things to give our kids don't cost a thing: time, attention, and love.

6-He holds the priesthood, and honors it, and happily offers it to us.

7-Ty puts his family and kids first.

The Kittens are Growing!

The kittens are 5 or 6 weeks old in these pix--they are at the adorable, really fun stage right now. (so cute and adorable that even Ty will play with them or cuddle up with one!)

The circus

It was Marissa, Ty, and Chandler's first time going to the circus. Chandler and Marissa were very impressed and intrigued. Ty and I were a little disappointed at the scantily clad girls, but not really surprised at it either. Marissa's favorite part was the lions and tigers jumping through the firey ring and doing other tricks--she now wants to be an animal tamer. Chandler loved the lions and tigers too, but also liked the elephants and motorcycles. Ty liked the motorcycles in the globe of death. It was pretty intense. There were 3 motorcycles circling in different patterns inside. I don't think the picture does it justice.

Kate Phister's Blessing

We went to one of our new, sweet nieces blessings at the beginning of June. The grandkids had a blast playing together. Shay knitted Kate's dress--isn't it beautiful? I love the 4 generation picture and the one of Kate's tiny little hands by her great-grandma Lois's hand.

Shoshone Falls

We've lived here a year and haven't taken our kids to Shoshone Falls till Memorial Day weekend. It is such a pretty park and the weather was perfect. Even though the water level was on low going over the falls, it's still a spectacular sight. The kids liked it, but were quite leery on the overlook--it's very high up. Notice the death grip Chandler has on Ty, and notice Marissa on the ground--she did NOT want to be picked up. Anyway, we had a fun picnic, played frisbee, and took a hike (well, as much of a hike as this pregnant woman could handle--really it was more like a walk). We went early in the day and left right as things were starting to get crowded. It was really fun.

Missy's last day of school

Marissa with her teacher, Mrs.Bedke Marissa conquered her fear of sliding down the pole-good job, sis!

Marissa and her best friend, Clayton Koyle. We really like him and his family--good people.

I went to Marissa's school on the last day and we had a party. It was fun. Vivian VanTassell Hanks (for those on the Hilterbrand side) helped with all the games. She did an awesome job. Marissa was sad to see the school year end. I'm kinda releived. Although she did a lot of the getting out the door stuff on her own every morning, summer is a lot less stressful and laid back. Chandler has enjoyed having someone to play with every day, and I appreciate her helpfulness--she really is a big help to me. She loved kindergarten and passed with flying colors.

Mini-Me

Chandler stole Ty's hat and glasses--we got a kick out of it! Doesn't he look just like his daddy? He was strutting around doing his "man walk" and talking in the deepest voice he could.

An extra birthday surprise--baby kittens!

Chandler's birthday is May 14th. When we woke up on the 15th, we found that Pinky-Pie had given birth to 5 beautiful kittens during the night. They have been a source of true joy every day since. The kids love them. I dread the fact that we need to find homes for them in about 2 weeks while they're still small and cute. The kids are gonna be broken hearted. By the way--anyone want a kitten? There are 4 plain black and 1 orange striped one. (we found out that there can be up to FOUR fathers for one batch of kittens--we're guessing 2 fathers in this one.)

It was hilarious how it happened. Marissa (who is always the first one up) had gone out to feed Pinky, and she came running back in shouting (and waking everyone up) "Pinky-Pie is skinny, Pinky-Pie is skinny." So Ty and I got up to investigate, and sure enough--5 tiny kittens were cuddled up in the cathouse.

Chandler's 4th Birthday

Chandler's request for his birthday dinner this year was a Barbeque. He loves his daddy to make grilled foods. So Ty grilled up hamburgers and hotdogs with all the trimmings served with potato salad, chips, veggies and dip, fruit salad, lemonade, and an inchworm birthday cake to top it off. We had all available family come, and everyone pitched in on a swingset for his gift. He loved being in the limelight, showing off his muscles to everyone:"Are my muscles as hard as a rock? I have big 4 year old muscles now." It was cute. We sure love our big guy--he can be such a rough, tough boy, but he is a teddy bear on the inside.

The other day he said the funniest thing. We've been working on memorizing the articles of faith. At dinner time (the day after we'd done #2) I had made taco soup for dinner. I asked Chandler what he wanted on his soup--cheese? sour cream? chips? His reply: "I want everything but Adam's transgression on my soup." Ty and I about died laughing.