Friday, August 29, 2008

Back to School Traditions

My baby Mikayla started Kindergarten this year, happy for her a little sad for me (sniff, sniff).
Miguel is so grown up now first grade is a full day at school. He said, "It was really long Mom!" But each day he's up and ready to go!


Growing up I was the oldest of six children. I remember each year my Mom would take me school shopping all by myself and then let me choose a place to eat out for lunch. Because we didn't get a lot of one on one time, this was something I really looked forward to each year. I have contunued this tradition with my kids and even though it's a simple thing, I try hard to not feel rushed and to really make each one feel listened to and special. We also set aside a night before school starts when each child gets a Father's blessing from Matt. I think this helps them not only with their studies but in all the other challenges they may face throughout the new school year.
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Chewy Peanut Butter Bars

A favorite school lunch memory of mine, were the days when this yummy dessert was served. I would trade anything on my tray for an extra "peanut butter bar". Still a favorite treat for everyone who agrees that chocolate and peanut butter are the perfect combination. I searched far and wide to find a recipe with just the right texture. These bars are soft and chewy and smothered in chocolate frosting. What could be better than that? (Source: found on allrecipes.com under "chewy peanut butter brownies", I tweak mine a little to make them nice and thick).

3/4 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup softened margarine
1 cup white sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3 eggs
3/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 and 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. + 1/8 tsp salt

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. In a medium bowl, cream together peanut butter and margarine. Gradually blend in the brown sugar, white sugar, eggs, and vanilla; mix until fluffy. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt; stir into the peanut butter mixture until well blended.
3. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in preheated oven, or until the top springs back when touched. Cool, and cut into squares.
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Monday, August 18, 2008

Kamauoha's Visit

This is my dear friend Karen. We played on the same softball team when I was twelve, and she was the only one who didn't make fun of me for wearing my big red high tops and being afraid of the ball. Later we were on Drill Team together and after graduation we became room mates for awhile, enjoying the single life in Provo, Utah (see above picture complete with 80's hair). She has always been a thoughtful and sweet friend to me. I was thrilled when she and her kids came to stay with us for a few days while visiting from their home in Washington.

Miguel loved hanging out with Karen's son Dylan.


The girls made paper crowns for our dog Coco. Ashlyn (Karen's daughter) crowned him and he will forever after be known as "Sir Coco Puff".


Ashlyn, Mimi, Courtney and Miguel all chill with their popsicles.

Jordan and her "very cherry" red lips.

Mimi and Ashlyn were like "two peas in a pod", they both became instant friends.

This is another fun friend of ours from High School Jen Stone. We all enjoyed shopping at Taipan and doing lunch together. Alot of fun memories and laughs, I love reconnecting with old friends.

Friday, August 15, 2008

Idaho Falls

Matt and I spent the night in Idaho Falls the end of July and then went on to Rexburg where we picked up Colton and his friends from EFY.
The temple sits right along the Falls and this whole area is really quite beautiful.
Collin Tobler, Tanner Sorenson, Colton and Colton Rackley stayed at BYU Idaho campus for the week. They talked about their fun experiences all the way home. I think they all enjoyed it alot.
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Fiesta Days

Every year on the 24th of July we have a tradition. We all go to Spanish Fork where I grew up and attend Fiesta Days there. We begin watching a parade in the morning, picnicing at the park and always end with a barbecue at my parents house. This year I took Miguel and Mikayla for the first half of the day alone then Matt and Tay joined us later on. That's a picture of my cute nieces Maddy and Bailey above wearing their electrifying smiles for me!
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Caterpillar


Mimi found yet another little creature in our garden today. Her fascination for nature never ceases to amaze me.
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Friday, August 8, 2008

My Grandma


This is a picture of my Grandma Davis. I believe it was taken around the time of her engagement to my Grandfather. She was born in 1916 and today is her birthday. Although she is no longer with us I still like to reminisce about my fond memories of her. Some favorites were- Her love of baking cookies and the most delicious berry pies you have ever tasted. She loved to shop and especially loved purses. Anytime she got a new pair of shoes it was an excuse for a new purse to match. She and Grandpa also loved to camp and fish and she would become quite competitive if you happened to catch more fish than she did. She was great at visiting us and always got us out of the house to go somewhere. Grandma was a particularly good pen pal to me while I was away on my mission and I still love to read her letters to me.


Just yesterday I was cleaning out my cedar chest and came upon some treasures my Grandma had made for me. She loved to do all kinds of handwork. As a result most of us grandchildren received quilts, throw pillows, tablecloths, pillowcases and aprons for our trousseaus. Which we were to keep until we were married.


I found this apron to be quite fun. Especially as aprons are very trendy right now. In fact their are many sites featuring vintage aprons and gingham is making a real comeback. Grandma would be so happy. http://practicallynecessary.com/ and http://angrychicken.typepad.com/tieoneon/
I think the added touch of the detailed stitching makes this one a real treasure...not to mention that it was made by someone so special and dear to my heart. My Grandma's life made an indelible impression on me for all that is good. And I love her very much for that.