Cabin Campout

Forget the rain! We had to throw up the pulley and play around. How can you not? It's just too salient at the cabin! And of course, we all couldn't resist a few runs...

Get in a little geo-caching while we were up there...Kya loved tromping through the forest with the GPS and exploring. The geo was supposed to be here at this tree but for the life of us, we could NOT find it. You'll know where we'll be next cabin trip...
Moonboots=fun. We must always wear the moon boots every time.

Especially with a high-pitched whistle the entire night...
Great trip. Good times. Always leave wanting one more day...

To the cabin! ...almost

Have you ever seen that episode of The Office where Michael and Dwight are using the GPS to get to the client's office and Michael follows the GPS right into the lake? That's about how it felt!!!!

We had such a fun time with our "accomplishments" Friday night that we said, what the heck, let's just follow the GPS to Yosemite. Well, we had a LOVELY backroads tour of Turlock, Mariposa, who-knows-where, and then our favorite place: Hornitos. Yes, I have NEVER even heard of this place - and this is probably why - IT WAS AWESOME!!!!

Loved this little lot and all the old remnants...

Hit Yosemite and hiked around in the rain.

Yosemite + Holiday weekend + Rain = CRAAAZY!

We kept getting hit with umbrella spikes the entire hike - and no one spoke English! hahah - it was actually a lot of fun. It's so fun to hike with Kya - she is in heaven. (We posed all day long - it looks more like a squat though)

Had our anny this weekend. I'll have to post more about that later. We decided to celebrate later next week but Hal still surprised me with a cute little dinner (and no, it's not beer).

I loved spending time with Hal and Kya - I can't believe it's been seven years. As I played with my two favorite people this weekend, I was so grateful for them in my life. They absolutely make me who I am and are my lights. I still have yet to meet any man that spoils his wife like Hal does for me and a daughter who is SUCH a sweetheart.

Hal is one in a million! He just brings out the best in people.

I love you guys!!

To sew, or not to sew?

So, I found THE CUTEST patchwork skirt on Etsy and decided to see if there was any possible way to duplicate one for Kya. So here is the work in progress. I finished it super late Friday night BUT I WAS SO PROUD of myself because

1) It actually turned OUT!

2) I am totally the WORST seamstress! (okay, using that term VERY loosely)

Kya finished preschool and had the time of her life this year. What a sweet little school. I'm going to miss hearing her stories about "Pastor John" and their bible time!

Kya: Mom, did you know all the people were around Jesus and they put the man in the 'ruff'?

Me: You mean through the 'roof'?

Kya: NO! Paster John said the RUFF!

My favorite was this:

Kya: MOM! There was a man walking by the mountain and the bad guys came and kicked him down and hit him. Mom, they gave him the CHICKENPOX!

Me: What? What did his chickenpox look like?

Kya: They were red spots ALL over him.

Me: Then what happened?

Kya: The man on the camel came and did NOT help him but the man with the sheep helped him to the hotel!

Me: What a good Samaritan!

Kya: No, mom, it was a sheep man.

Ok, I'm stoked about our new toy - and SO glad to have a husband help me put it together. I just liked the forearm muscle shot! Hehe! Now this place is an all-inclusive bed and breakfast!

So once it was delivered (it came late Friday night) we were ready to hit it and play for the weekend!

Taking a moment today...

We had an absolutely great weekend and Hal made fun of me on my way home when he said, "Hey! That was bloggable!"
I got up this morning in the throws of hustling to get everything done (everything from re-planning Kya's birthday party for tomorrow, church stuff, frantic food prep for Kya's preschool picnic in 10 minutes, yadda yadda)
but I have been excited because I loved my weekend. I loved spending time with Hal and Kya.

So I was looking forward to uploading my pictures and seeing how they turned out when my mom came in and informed me that one of my friends growing up has been diagnosed with cancer and given less than 2 years to live and can I bring her sweet little 4-yr-old to Kya's party because this will be the roughest week in her treatments. I had no idea. I was shocked. I could feel all the tears swelling up.

Then my Dad called from Canada to tell let us know that my Grandpa's surgery will start at noon. He's been diagnosed with cancer and they're trying to remove the lumps with a surgery the equivalent to recovering from open-heart surgery (which he already did a year ago). My Grandparents, who I love dearly, have already gone through so much.

So I'm taking a moment today to step away from the fun of blogging and dedicating today to all of the wonderful people in my life. I sit here with tears brimming over as I am reminded, once again, of how precious and delicate life is. How important so many of you are in my life and wondering if I've taken the time to quietly let each of you know how much I care about you.

What would you do if I knew you only had one year left? What would you want to say? Who would you spend your time with?

I am so thankful for every person in my life and how much every single one of you mean to me...

ONLY in Utah

I loved that my sister, Kate, grabbed her phone and snapped this photo out in Utah.

So funny! So are they all their kids?

Quite possibly.

Now, did someone get angry and peel off some of the middle kids?

Are those two sets of twins?

I have SO MANY QUESTIONS!

I just came across this cute quote!

"As Latter-day Saint women, we are practically obsessed with anxiously engaging ourselves in good causes. Maybe it's subliminal!

"Glancing through the hymnal last Sunday I noted that as sisters in Zion, we who are called to serve are all enlisted to go marching, marching forwardbecause the world has need of willing men to all press on scattering sunshine.We wonder if we have done any good in the world today because we have beengiven much and want to do what is right, keep the commandments, press forwardwith the Saints, choose the right, and put our shoulders to the wheel going where He wants us to go. However, as the morning breaks high on the mountaintop, truth reflects upon our senses, and while we still believe that sweet isthe work, we also realize that we have work enough to do ere the sun goes down. And thus we ask Thee ere we part, where can we turn for peace?"

I dedicate this to all YOU women!

Ha!

WAY TOO MUCH FUN!

Beach Bums

It seriously doesn't get any better than this!

Kya was in HEAVEN!

Ok, you can't tell me this shot of Gracie isn't awesome.

Thanks for the FUN DAY!

Beach Bums

The beach crew - SO FUN!

I think tonight...

I think we'll be trying these out tonight. I love anything gooey!

another easy-and-in-your-cupboards recipe

Yeehaw!

Recipe:

3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 tablespoon water
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup peanut butter chips plus about 1/3 cup more for garnishing
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips plus about 1/3 cup more for garnishing
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter

Preheat oven to 350°. Spray or grease 12 muffin cups.

In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine sugar, butter, and water. Microwave on high for 1 minute or until butter is melted. Stir in 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips until melted. Stir in egg and vanilla extract. Add flour and baking soda, stirring until blended. Allow to cool to room temperature. Then, stir in 1/2 cup each peanut butter chips and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Spoon batter by heaping tablespoonfuls into muffin cups.

Bake for 13-15 minutes or until top is set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out slightly wet. Place pan on wire rack. Centers of brownies will fall upon cooling. If not, tap centers with the back of a teaspoon to make a hole.

Place peanut butter in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 45 seconds, then stir. While brownies are still hot, spoon about a tablespoon of peanut butter into the center of each brownie. Top with semi-sweet chocolate chips and peanut butter chips. Cool completely in pan.

*You can put the warmed up peanut butter in a zip-lock/cut corner off and then even add a little melted chocolate in the center for extreme gooeyness!

HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT!

I have found the MOTHERLOAD!!

A gal at preschool stopped me this week and asked if I miss the shopping in Dallas because her friend out here ONLY flies back to shop there--won't even touch the furniture stores around here. AGREED! I MISS IT!

WELL! I have found the jackpot--we're talking a warehouse of home decor and accessories with good pricing (nothing as good as Texas, but I'll take it!) where most the home stagers shop.

Best of all, my mom had NEVER even heard of it. She was so excited walking through the door that she said, "Oh, I have to tell Carey about this!" haha - Carey is seriously the Cooper's tour guide through the world of the chic...(heaven-sent)

So, all you locals, we need a shopping trip. I'm still trying to decide whether I even post the name of this store or just make you all come with me...

Tribute

“She broke the bread into two fragments and gave them to her children, who ate with eagerness.
‘She hath kept none for herself,’ grumbled the sergeant.

“ ‘Because she is not hungry,’ said a soldier.

“ ‘No,’ said the sergeant,
‘because she is a mother.’ ”
-Victor Hugo

Mother's Day gets a little tougher each year...

I was doing fine in church until Brooke and her mother got up and sung a beautiful duet and I panicked as I was choking back the tears and realizing it was soon going to turn into sobs and I was stuck in the very center of the row with NO TISSUE! What was I thinking?! That's when I was SO relieved not to be up speaking yesterday. I did manage to survive but I just wanted to bury my head into Hal's shoulder...

Then all the men got up and sung the closing hymn, "Love at Home" and I truly loved it. It warmed my heart--almost healing--and I immediately realized my favorite blessings had slipped from my mind as I focused on the pain. I am so grateful to have Hal in my life--he is the best friend anyone could want and the most precious little girl. What a blessing to be HER mother! I enjoy it thoroughly!

I thought of the wonderful mothers who have left behind amazing legacies and lessons that have touched my life.

I thought about all the wonderful mothers and women in my life. There are so many!! My Grandma is simply THE BEST example, my mother who made my childhood so enjoyable, all my fun aunts, my mother-in-law who is just super-woman and raised fantastic children, my incredible sisters-in-law:

Jill (who I am INSANELY proud of as she went back to school and just graduated this month with 5 kids) and is such a rock and support in my life (and paved the way for more in-laws!) and just GETS me!

Lynnae who juggles everything with such a level head, has such a talent for honing in on each of her children's needs, and who amazes me every time I talk to her. She builds up every person around her (same qualities I fell in love with Hal for having).

Marilee who can conquer it ALL and make any project exciting and fun. There is more creativity in this woman than 50 combined and she knows how to bring out the best in children--making them shine! I miss Marilee...

Dayna who can always make me laugh and made my world seem so EASY as she juggles all the dietary needs of her children! We definitely live too far from them!

Laurel is so down-to-earth and is truly a trooper. She is the essence of hard work and determination as everything she does shows such love for her family.

Karly builds relationships and makes everyone feel at ease. She does EVERYONE's hair and still makes us feel like she enjoys it! She goes out of her way to find little ways to show love.

Erin who loves to learn. She is the family "go-to" person and is great to develop confidence and individuality in her children.

LauraLee who just makes me feel comfortable. She's had more than her fair share of my phone calls and helps me not feel so alone as we tried to figure out our hubbies! She's got such an eye for design and has so much talent...

Most of all, I'm so grateful for all my friends (and now my new friends) who are amazing mothers and set examples for me in SO many ways! There are so many who have truly touched my life--I wish I could name everyone but here are some that are so dear to me!

Amy - Yup, you're the top of my warrior list because while you juggle 5, you have three dinners in your arm for different families, a phone on one ear lifting someone's burdens while planning all mutual activities (and YM activities - hee) for the next three months, and the best smile and laugh. And you mow the dang lawn for your hubby! You keep me sane!

Michelle - if I could be a little more like you I would LOVE it! Not only are you the best pediatrician, but you saved us with Kya. You are the cutest mom and I love your ability to pick up any creative project and become an expert!

Emily who stays so sane and calm with twins! You have more patience and love than I have ever seen in a woman and are so creative.

And all these new friends/mums I am getting to know who are just amazing!! This ward is full of amazing mothers and I have LOVED meeting everyone. Everywhere we move I take a little bit with me from each person I meet and I feel so richly blessed. Thank you for all of your great examples!! You guys are SUCH cute women and mothers!!

Here's to great hubbies!

Hal made my weekend so great. He took Kya to Father's & Sons (her second annual trip) and she had the time of her life! He said the FOOD was incredible. I was running around helping with the 12-yr-old birthday party (mall scavenger hunt--which we only managed to get stopped by security ONCE!) and I missed the "girls night out" I was hoping to crash! Sorry guys! Especially because I just can't resist Cheesecake Factory!

When I crawled into bed at 1am I saw a note on my pillow and Hal had bought me The Host (Stephanie Meyer) and said he got it so I could have some quiet "me" time while he took Kya for the night.

How cute is that?

Needless to say I finished the book and enjoyed escaping!!!

GeoCaching OR BUST!

We are total newbies!

My sister-in-law Marilee has done LetterBoxing and GeoCaching for years so I finally looked it up and was stoked to see a Cache at the park on our street (said park shall remain nameless, but I'm sure the locals can figure it out). We are at this park SO many times a week!

I read up on all the "rules" and the strict adherence to not searching for boxes while "muggles" are around and not raising suspicion. Luckily tonight there was no one at the park, but as Kya and I got closer to our GPS coordinates we saw one family. Sure enough, they were scavenging through the brush and yes, they were geocaching as well! So how oblivious have I been?!?!?! (Don't answer - ha!)

This serious geo-father here couldn't find the box nor could I. So we'll be going back tomorrow to hunt the sucker down. It's been there since 2003 and TONS of people have found it (even this week) so I KNOW it's there...

My next stop is a book exchange geocaching site that is right down the hill from us. Stay tuned!

It's like a treasure hunt where you log your name, take a treasure and replace it with a treasure of your own! Click here for more info!

My week in review

Cinco de Mayo with Hal is just fun. From the chipotle sauce, fresh avacados and salsa to the drinks he couldn't resist picking up! LOVE IT!
I helped with Kya's "playtown" at preschool and was mauled by children. Logged over 65 "shots" and 6 broken arms and a lovely hospital gown...

It was great to do temple baptisms--especially with Kenzie who turned 12 this week!!

This is our awesome YW president, Bea, who is insanely photogenic...(Who doesn't love Bea!?)

I decided I was sick of the same hair style and snuck into my sisters' bathroom and decided I was GOING to straighten my hair. One rebellious day! I loved that Kya popped her head up from her nap - this shot just busted me up....

Quick Rewind

Although Kya had never met Uncle Calvin before, he is definitely a celebrity here at the house once Kya learned that he has horses! She was so excited to meet him and immediately started chatting him up about all her "horses."



Hal can NEVER resist these things. They had some father/son challenges and Uncle Jerry was a great sport to step in as Hal's surrogate!

I just loved that they matched!

Dinner made me realize how fun it would be to catch up with everyone at the reunion this summer. We've been gone so many years!!!!

Notice not one person has their eyes open.

Recipe!!

Sorry Ya'll!! Click here for the recipe
(or http://www.bakeorbreak.com/recipes/2008/04/24/chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-cheesecake-bars/)

Due to high demand, we're making round two again tomorrow (since I'm already making 2 dz brownies for our temple baptism trip) . ENJOY!!

Holy gru-uh-bbin'

I tried this recipe I found on one of the baking sites I "aspire" to and LOVED it. Ha! Okay, okay, but one day I'll fake someone out into thinking I can actually cook!

Introducing: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake Bars!

I loved it because it was easy, everything is already in my cupboards, and you basically throw every dang good thing you can think of on top of it!!

...and the boys at the house loved it...