I'm so behind in the blog world...

I know we all are- but I am over the top busy- 

(and really tired of being so busy, but that is besides the point)

Last week was our sweet Laura's Birthday!!!

Oh how we ~LOVE LAURA~

She is the best- I mean it! The best daughter in law ever.

She is smart & cute & witty & sweet to all of us... she is driven, good to Brian, thoughtful, loyal. I love having her in our family.

So much- that I made these

Chocolate High Top Cupcakes

Chocolate cupcakes topped & filled with homemade marshmallow cream & dipped in ganache. 

Heaven help me - these were good!

At her combined family, surprise birthday party (hers & ours) we had a BBQ & I didn't take any pictures after the cupcake one. lame.

It was a busy week last week getting ready for the 4th year girl's camp hike. Even though Chloe is a 5th year (they didn't have a hike last year.) She had a 35lb. pack. She carried her own water & tent & food. She was so excited to go. She got her fishing licence & a new pole. Great times.

Camping girls

Father's day was a swing & a miss.. Chloe came home from camp- very sick.

She was miserable with a fever, body aches & plugged up ears.

I took her to instacare Sunday morning to find out~

She had a major ear & sinus infection. poor thing!

Hiking with all that going on?

-She is one tough cookie-

We did have a father's day BBQ- complete with Italian sodas, roasted peppers stuffed with pepper jack & wrapped in bacon, chicken & corn on the cob

and another DQ cake.

oh people

I feel like I could fall asleep & not wake up for a couple of days.

On goes life- it's a good one.

I kind of went crazy...

Father's Day 2011

The Menu:

Cole Slaw, country style ribs, baby back ribs, corn on the cob & hush puppies

top that off with Blueberry pie

all for the my world's favorite dad!!

what a mess
Yes I've gone crazy- I bought an electric pressure cooker & let me tell you nellie~ that dear thing makes the darn, dandiest ribs! Plus it looks kind of like R2D2- don't you think? I love R2D2. What I really want: an new oven, No two new ovens (I NEED double ovens people!) NO a new kitchen. Oh well, I guess I will settle for a new ice cream maker?? That's what I bought last week & there is a 1/2 gallon of fresh strawberry ice cream in the freezer at this moment.

Don't you wish you were here??

happy father's day

Five reasons why we love dad:

1. mom- he is such a great dad, it makes being a mom a lot easier.
2. hailey- he is easy to talk to.
3. chloe- he makes me feel safe.
4. jack- I've learned this last week, that I enjoy talking to dad on the phone.
(jack just got home last Friday from spending a week & a half in Wyoming)
5. trent- he keeps the van running......

Chocolate Cupcakes with Carmel Frosting
recipe here

Father's day Cupcake pick by: chloe

father's day 2008

father's day 08'

It's been a great day.

This morning I woke up early & made a special breakfast- bacon & french toast. Why didn't our kids get up? Good question- you see it was Hailey's very first stake dance last night- jack went to a different stake dance (ya they have two -one for 14-15 another for 16-18 there's a lot of youth here), plus nobody & I mean nobody wants trent to wake up early. When trent gets up we all get up whether we want to or not. He is like a bull in a china cabinet in the morning. He just can't do anything quietly in the morning.

We have early church at 9:00. I keep thinking I should love 9:00 church. All really organized women seem to love it- they get home early, get more done. I just don't like it no matter how hard I try. I'm just not a morning person & going to church early seriously affects my spirituality or lack there of in the morning. Having teenagers for what seems like forever- doesn't help either. Mine aren't even that bad about it, that is after the missionary left. I woke up early made bacon- I don't like to make bacon- what a mess, but I did it the old fashioned way after my last disaster.

We had a great lunch after church- dad's choice. Hamburgers & fresh corn on the cob with "dads" rootbeer, of course. I told trent we were having Fat Boys for dessert (a local ice cream treat) & he said... concerned, "me?" Not you I said, "jack?" he asked. No they're ice cream sandwiches. What a funny guy.
the kids told their dad what they love about him

Trent- he takes me camping & on hikes in the mountains.

Chloe- he loves carmel & I like to watch him put it on his ice cream.

I like it when he chases us up the stairs.

Hailey- he is a good example of what to do.

Jack- I love how he tells me stories of what him & his friends used to do when they were my age. Especially after I tell him what my friends & i have been doing.

*how was your father's day?

*do you have a simpler way to make bacon?

*are you a morning person?

shopping trip

Honestly this week has been a little tough. All the storms have brought on killer arthritis pain that had really gotten to me by this morning. I just didn't want to get going.

The wedding photographer called to remind us the photos were in so Brett & I decided to get out of the house & went down into the valley to pick them up. They are so beautiful! I was so thrilled to finally pick them up from the photographer.

Since we were half way there, Brett wanted to head on down to Cabela's. Well, you know, I had no make up on & I was wearing my favorite old sweatshirt. Heck it's Cabela's, Brett reminded me. Shoot, I should fit right in.Well as luck would have it... this weekend is ANTLER FEST 2008!

Do we have great timing or what?

And we didn't even know it- how lucky can you get?-

good livin'- I tell ya.

While Brett was looking at manly stuff I decided to go on my own little shopping trip. In case you haven't done any Father's DAy shopping you may want to go get a pen & paper.

Here are a few of my favorite finds.

My first favorite find of the day was a 16 piece set of whitetail buck dinnerware.

I can't believe Megan didn't register here! What was she thinking?Next a whole isle of duck decoys. Who knew?

I thought I would take a picture of the Ammo isle, but low & behold they had so much of it- there is no way I could get it all in one photo.Cases & cases of ammo.

This little gal was checking out some ammo with her dad. It must have been some kind of daddy daughter date. She probably got a new piece for her birthday or something. It reminded me of when I was a girl sometimes (maybe it was just once) my dad would take me & my sister to sears with him to look at tools. I think my mom made him just to get us out of the house. If we were lucky we would stop by the candy counter & get Swedish fish or maple nut goodies.
back to the fabulous finds...
I love this Alaskan all weather lighter- it's even on sale!
If you & dad are ever up in the arctic & need a cigarette here you go. Brett said it could be for lighting fires but hey, is there wood up in the arctic?
This little beauty is one of my favorites.
Just in time for FAther's day. A CAMouFlage recliner!
Holy Moly- sign me up! I think they may have free delivery...

If you are looking for a man- there's this Love Triangle. Apparently you set up these three decoys & a "tom" should come a courtin'. I know a "tom" is a male turkey but a lot of men I know are turkeys- so maybe it'll work. You could set this up outside the store & get a couple of guys right away.
This is my absolute favorite.

"within hours the novice can produce a great looking mount that will add an interesting touch to any sportsman's room. Kit includes: body form, tail material, eyes, eye set, wire, needle and thread, preservative, & complete instructions."

I'm keeping my eye on this kit for Trent's next birthday. Talk about great party favors. I would be the talk of the neighborhood for sure!

Look no farther for that great father's day dinner idea-

Freeze dried lasagna.

Who needs to cook? Just add water & heat!

Brett says I'm mocking him.

He may not bring me with him next time.

I thought it was kind of fun.