Kenny's Birthday Cupcakes

Happy 8th Birthday

KENNY

We Re-named Him Mr. Mischief

Cool Creations

Kenny has been working hard on making on making this castle. He wanted to build something special and have us send a picture of it to Lego Club magazine so he can have his picture on the cool creations page. I'll keep you updated on whether his picture gets published or not.

Cooking Adventure

I took a little trip out into the cooking world today and made my very first not-a-graham-cracker-crust pie. I decided to make a strawberry pie and I needed a pastry shell. My first attempt was seriously laughable. I have no idea how people get their pie crusts to roll out into nice,beautiful circles. Mine ended up as a mis-shapen square/circle. And the whole pinching the edges thing- some parts didn't even have an edge! Fortunately, the second crust turned out a bit better (not much but most of it had an edge, though of varying thicknesses).

After I baked my poor sad little crusts I got to make the filling. This is a freezer pie so I combined egg whites, lemon juice, strawberries, and some sugar and beat it into submission. I ended up with a the best frothy pink strawberry meringue. Then came the folding in of the heavy cream. Apparently my folding abilities are about as good as my crust making skills. I killed the meringue on the first pie and therefore put it on the worst pie shell and popped it in the freezer. It didn't look pretty, but we ate it tonight and it tasted good. I learned a bit the second time around and the second pie looks a lot better. It is in the freezer until a later date. I included a picture of the second pie which I think is what it is supposed to look like.

I think it is safe to say I may be pretty good at cookies, but I concede I am NOT a pie maker. Guess I need to work on that because one thing that drives me nuts is messing up in the kitchen.

Out With The Old

Back in 1987 my parents bought a new living room set. It looked like this. It was nice and very comfortable. But after 23 years and numerous children it finally gave up. The springs sat on the ground and the back was coming out. With a deep sigh, we bucked up and went furniture shopping...with all three kids...in a tropical depression rainstorm. Maybe we should have thought that through a bit.

However, despite being drowned rats the furniture store was ready to make a good deal. See, when it is a week day and there are torrential downpours outside furniture stores don't make a lot of money. This makes them really happy to deal with anyone who comes in. So it all turned out well in the end and now..ta da!

We went to the beach last Monday. I forgot my camera but Cassie and Marissa have some great pictures that I will post when I get them from them. Now, I used a bottle of water proof sunscreen that was bought in May on the kids, myself, and Ken's face. He had to use a new bottle I bought that day for the rest of him. Guess what...the kids and I and Ken's face have nasty sunburns. Hence, the family has been spending the days like this...
In case you are confused the boys have cold towel capes that have been soaked in black tea. Fun times.

Ten Years

It's been ten years since Ken and I walked into the Salt Lake Temple as individuals and came out as one. I'm not very good with words or expressing myself in writing. Times have not always been easy, but every second has been a gift. I love my husband and the family we have. I look forward to what the future holds for us. I know we will continue to grow together and develop a deeper love as time marches on.

Happy anniversary, honey!