First Family Dessert Cook Off of 2014

On Saturday, we held another fun Smithson Dessert Cook Off.  Team A made brownies with a little extra special goodness hidden inside.  Here is Team A hard at work!

 We used a box... yes, I admit it!  I had Melanie read us the directions and tell us the quantities.  She did an amazing job!

 Both kiddos got to assist with putting in the ingredients. 

 Then we added the hidden goodness...  That's right.  A Candy Bar (or rather 2-3/4)

 We put half the batter in the pan, added the candy bars, and then covered them up with the remaining batter.

 Then in the oven they went!

 Team B made Cherry Chip cupcakes with vanilla frosting.  Here they are hard at work!  As you can see, Oliver doubled up.  He was a good helper for both teams!

Everyone got an equal chance at helping make some magic in the kitchen.  Then we took the finished desserts (not photoed) to our special judges.  This time, our judges was the Fairchild Family.  We decided who ever wins gets to pick and plan the next Family Home Evening.

It turned out to be a close one.  It was tied until Jennifer Fairchild decided on Team A.  Looks like Melanie gets to be in charge tonight (with her brother's assistance). 

Good Job Everyone!

Ride a Bike

Melanie learned a new trick this weekend...  She learned how to ride a bike with only *2 wheels*!!!  This is a very exciting thing for her because she has wanted to know how to ride a bike, but has been too scared to let Brandon let go of her seat.  It took me telling her that Daddy had already let go and that she was doing it herself for her to really get that confidence.  She giggled and said "I didn't know I was that talented!"  It was really funny and cute at the same time. 

Here are some pictures:

 Melanie learned on her sister's bike (which is smaller), so now we will have to get her riding on her own.  I'm so proud of her!  And, as you can see, she is proud of her too.

While Melanie was learning to ride a bike, the other kids were having fun too.  Brandon let Oliver take a turn on the big kid bike!  He didn't like to pedal, but Brandon says he had really good balance.  That doesn't surprise me.

 Noelle was flying on her scooter!

 Oliver also enjoyed sitting next to me and pretending to take the girls' pictures.  He would say "Noelle, say cheese" and follow it by a clicking sound.  It made me smile.

It was definitely an exciting weekend!

The Beat the Clock Game

Today's chores included cleaning up the toy room and the living room.  The girls were less than thrilled when Brandon gave them this information.  Then I had an idea.  One thing I like to do when I'm cleaning is to set a timer and try to clean an area before the timer goes off.  It really is amazing how much you can get done in 15 minutes when you really want to.  So, I decided to do this when the girls.... but I knew it had to have more to it then a timer.  I have tried that part with them before, and failed.  So, today, I told them I'd take a before and an after picture so that they could see the difference.  This excited them.  So...  Here is the before:

 And the after:  (I gave them more than 15 minutes for the toy room)

 Here is the living room's before:

 And after:  

They got the living room done so fast, I was even able to vacuum it before the buzzer went off!  That was exciting for everyone!

Great Job Girls!

Starting the New Year with a Trip to the Temple

I couldn't think of a better way to start the New Year then a family trip to the temple!  We missed the temple lights this year, but still got to enjoy the grounds, a movie at the Visitor Center, and the Nativity display.  It was a lot of fun and spiritually uplifting.  Here are some pictures from our adventure.

 The Nativity Display had nativities from all over the world.  It was really neat and fun to see the differences.

It's a good thing she is cute!

I haven't been feeling well today.  Mostly, I feel like someone is sitting on my chest and choking me at the same time.  It's a cold, but it's not a fun one.  Melanie and Noelle have been good helpers today, folding towels for me, picking up little things here and there, and just playing nice with their brother (which is the greatest gift of all).  Which was why this little conversation with Ms. Melanie was extra humorous.

Melanie: "Mom, I think you are sick because of the baby"

Me: "I'm not sick because of the baby."

Melanie: "Well, you are fat because of the baby".  

To make this even more innocent humor, my little 6 year old proceeded to demonstrate my "fatness" not just by patting my belly, but also patting down my legs.  Because, lets be honest, pregnancy doesn't just effect our stomachs.

Melanie: "I don't remember what you look like without a baby in your tummy".

Me: "Well, I suppose you will get to see soon."

Can I just say, it's a good thing she is cute and lovable?  Not anyone can tell me they think I'm fat and get a smile out of me.

4 weeks left!

New Years Day Pictures

It has become a fun tradition, and I couldn't let the day go by without doing it again... The New Years Day Pictures!  This year, we did these at the Red Mountain Park!  (Then we played, rode bikes, and had fun).  Enjoy!

 And a little fun with their ages!

Happy New Years!

New Years Eve "Bash"

Last night, we had a small bash to celebrate the end of 2013 and welcome the beginning of 2014.  It was full of fun foods, games, and fireworks.  We had a great time.

First we started with fun food.  We decided to have a collection of finger foods.  There was a veggie "tray", some other finger foods, and bread.  All pretty good, if you ask me!

 Oliver liked it too... but you can't tell from this scow he gave me.

 Brandon and me at the end of 2013 (ignore the chaos in the background).

 After dinner, we played twister!

 I do NOT recommend playing this game at 36 weeks pregnant.  Live and Learn! 

 Then we headed outback for a little firework show.  The kids were a little hesitant. 

 And then a little scared...

 So I sat down beside them while Brandon continued the show.  Next thing I knew, I had an Oliver behind me.

 Then he was really behind me, and saying "I'm scared!"

 After a wonderful display of exciting fireworks, Brandon broke out the sparklers.  Noelle was deemed "Queen of the Sparklers" last night, as she volunteered to go first, and then she asked it try again and again.

 Poor Melanie only did it once and she tried to get as far away from the sparkler as possible (almost pushing Brandon down in the process).

 Oliver had a love hate relationship.  He was scared, but intrigued.  He did them twice, but asked to do it again after we had run out. 

 Then we came inside, had dessert, and Oliver (being exceedingly tired) when to bed.  He even THANKED Brandon when Brandon tucked him in.  At this point, it was just after 7 pm.  We decided to play a new game, Scrabble Jr.  Here are some pictures from our first Scrabble Jr. experience.

We ended up tying, which was prefect because the game became a little too competitive to be considered "friendly".  Then the girls got ready for bed and were out by 8:30 pm.

Funny side story:  Apparently Melanie was extra concerned with the fireworks show.  I explained to her that in Arizona, you can shoot off little ones, but none of them will be big or go too high.  Well, during our little fun, out back, she wasn't sure about some of Dad's fireworks.  During her bedtime prayers, Melanie said "Please bless daddy that he will obey the Arizona Law and not do big fireworks."  I had the hardest time not laughing.

Brandon and I watched a movie, and at about 11:00 pm had a little Mr. wake up with a fever.  We spent the remainder of 2013 making him comfortable.  Poor little guy.  I think it was just a little too much excitement in one day.  Thankfully, he woke up this morning feeling much better!

Happy New Year!