Trevor's Wedding, Vernal Utah Trip

We recently made the long drive to Vernal, UT for my cousin Trevor Morrison's wedding reception. It was a two fold trip, for the reception and to see grandpa. Grandpa Robert (he will always be known as Bob) Morrison's health has been failing him and we wanted to see him. He has recently been placed a nursing home (such an incredibly hard decision). It had been about 6-7 years since I had been to Vernal and been able to visit my mom's side of the family there. It was wonderful to visit aunts and uncles and catch up with cousins. Love those people and wished the distance between us wasn't a great. Maria was traveling with me, but got sick and stay at Juliene's house. I had Crayton with me in Vernal until we met up with his dad. Stoney and Weston were traveling back from North Dakota from buying a piece of equipment there. They had each taken a daughter with them on the trip; Kenzie and Kailani.

Trevor and his new wife Brittany.

She is so fun and spunky, Trevor, you better watch out;

she is going to keep you on your toes.

Trevor's parents, Rod and Lesa Morrison

Ranee and Mark brought Grandpa from the nursing home to the reception. Grandpa's back is broken in two places and the pain gets to him. He is more comfortable with his wheelchair tipped back, taking the pressure off and giving him some relief. There was lots of visiting and old memories shared around him.

I think these pictures of Sheree visiting with Grandpa are so sweet. If you look close, Grandpa has her hand clasped tight. Sweet, precious moments.

Weston and Grandpa

(Riley, don't look too enthused there!)

This was a group shot showing what portion of our humongous family was able to attend the reception. Back row" Riley, Sheree, Ely, Shayla, Crayton, Stoney, Weston. Front row: Ray, Briggs, Evie, Mom, Mckenzie, Me, Livy, Howie, and Kailani. Wade and some of his family got there late this night, but was able to play later with all the family.

I didn't make it to Vernal for Buddy's wedding four years ago. Here he is with his cute family.

This is where mom, Sheree and I ended up after a while: the nursery. There were toys there for the kids to play with. I finally gave up trying to control them and make them be quiet. It was easier to just sit in this room and let them play.

I love this plaque at my grandparents house. I remember it growing up. All the grandchildren are listed on here, arranged in their families. My mom's siblings have two, three, and four children and then my mom's side of eight kids makes the heart hang side ways on the wall. Fond memory of mine.

Wade and his kids visiting with Grandpa in the nursing home. Josi, Riken, Grandpa, Wade, Lucy and Lorian. I was able to go with him along with uncle Rod to visit grandpa. We LOVE you grandpa Morrison.

I wish I had taken more photos of everyone, but I didn't. I enjoyed visit more with people. My cousin Nicky's little girl Gracie is livy's age. They had fun playing together and got along like long lost cousins.

On the way home from Vernal, we stopped at my sister Juliene's house. I told her I was taking my kids to the Crystal Hot Springs by her house. She brought her family that night too. They have lived there for 10 years and haven't ever been. It was really hot in some places and kind of dirty with the wind blowing leaves into the water. That was livy's fascination, playing with the leaves in the water. Kenzie stayed an extra few nights with Juliene and came home with mom and Sheree. Stoney had taken Maria home with him and Crayton on Sunday evening.

We are crazy. Hot Springs in the winter with occasional hail hitting us. Look at the snow on the mountain in the background.

The next morning at Juliene's house, we woke up to this:

Also at Juliene's, she painted livy's nails. It was a glitter color and wasn't too dark. This is a first for Livy. I have never done it with her. Maybe I should do it more with her because she really liked it.

AAhhhh, finally home. There is something about being home again. Fun to travel and visit with friends and family, but there is no feeling quite like being home.

FYI

I found out that you can time stamp your posts to whenever. This is helping me keep our family journal in chronological order. However, that mean there are two new posts from the begging of march, just in case you wanted to see them and don't usually scroll back through the blog. Enjoy

Shirley Temple

So, I was reminded that I had these fun curlers and I hadn't been using them. Out comes the curlers and next to find a willing test subject. She did so great with them and slept on them with no problems. She reminds me of Shirley Temple. I {LOVE} how fun and bouncy they turned out. We call it our "Princess Hair Do".

I just can't get enough of her eyes!

Rainbows and Lucky Charms

Around here, we like celebrate the little things, including every holiday. For St. Patrick's day, the kids woke up to a few evidences that a little leprechaun had visited. When they poured milk on their cereal, it turned green (put food coloring in bowl, top with cereal, have the kids pour their milk and super cool squeals follow). When they used the bathroom, the toilet bowl was green (add a few drops of color to both the bowl and the tank! I found it easiest to flush and add the drops as the water if filling back up, then I didn't have to get my hands dirty).

lucky charm cereal of course! (or marshmallow mateys at our house)

**interrupting story** here is the photo of the small kitchen fire I had today making all our fun goodies. There was something under my burner that caught fire. I was simply boiling water to make jello. Boiling water! I was organizing the fridge, seriously, two feet away, and when I turned around I saw flames two feet high! Yes, it was pretty scary and I dove for baking soda and doused my stove in it. Nice black pot, right! I add these photos to let you know I am not perfect (contrary to what you might think Kristi S).

Back to the nice stuff...

the kiddos next the the loot the leprechaun left! Leprechaun books, a pair of holiday socks, and gold coin chocolates, as well as their green shirts. Wouldn't want to get pinched!

Enjoying St. Patrick's Day Dinner

Corned Beef, cabbage, a green cauliflower casserole, rainbow jello, and for dessert: rainbow pudding and pot of gold cupcakes.

isn't this jello fun! the kids had a great time eating it. yes, this is culprit. while boiling water to make this, we had the small stove fire. all is well and the end product well worth it.

we all got socks (love target's dollar bins), but I think mine as especially cute!

modeling our festive green shirts

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Rainbow Fruit Pizza

I posted this on the craft blog, but loved the colors enough to post it here also. Makes me smile to look at these pictures.

In honor of St. Patrick's Day tomorrow: Rainbow Fruit Pizza

Super simple recipe:

-your favorite sugar cookie dough

-your favorite fruits (think colors of the rainbow)

-this topping:

8oz pkg cream cheese

8oz container of whipped topping (small tub)

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 c sugar

Beat cream cheese. Add vanilla and sugar. Fold in whipped topping.

Spread the sugar cookie dough on your baking sheet to make a giant circle. Bake as directed. Cool completely. Prepare your fruits. I used a large serrated knife and went around the baked sugar cookie to release it from the baking pan. I then cut it in half! This will make two rainbow fruit pizzas. I transfered the half rainbow to a serving dish. Spread with half the topping and the add the fruit, arranging to your desire. Super simple. Super yummy. and Super impressive. You have one to eat and one to give away, again, adding to your impressiveness.

Not too shabby on my photography, I must admit. Makes me want to reach into the screen and pick off a grape and pop it in my mouth.

with edible clouds

or with your pot of gold

Which ever way you like it, it is a delicious treat that any little Leprechaun would love. Whip one up tonight for your little leprechauns. Mine loved it!

Mckenzie 9th Birthday

My niece Mckenzie turned 9th on March 8th. They had a big birthday last year so it was smaller this year. My birthday present to her was to let her and one friend come over and learn how to decorate cupcakes fancy. I let her choose what kind she wanted and she picked Reece's Peanut Buttercup cupcakes. Mckenzie said she and Keisha really had fun.

We had a few left over so we used pink and blue colored buttercream frosting and made a fun swirl. That pretty turquoise teal blue color is kenzie's favorite color right now. Turned out nice.

Kenzie and her dad, Stoney.

We had cupcakes on Sunday at Grandma and Grandpa Schulthies' with all the cousins. We also had a birthday spanking tunnel that Kenzie had to crawl through. I didn't get any pics because I videoed it.

Happy 9th Birthday Kenzie!

Lilly's Baby Blessing and Wade's Birthday

We traveled down to Burley, ID for the baby blessing of Lilly Schulthies. She is so cute and has overcome so much in her life already. She is a strong little girl! After being born with Gastroschisis (born with organs outside the body, specifically for her, her intestines) and spending a month at Primary Children's Hospital in Utah, Lilly is our family's little miracle. It was special to be there for her baby blessing. She still has lots of gas, which makes her cry out sometimes. But hey, wouldn't you if you had been through that? Angela's babies area always petite, which makes them extra lovable for me. I think there is something special about a tiny baby, something that makes them seem so delicate. These are of her about three months old and she still looks like a newborn. We love you Lilly!

The family in the blessing circle (minus tommy). My four brothers and my dad: Weston, Stoney, Wade, Vaughn and Logan. I just love how Lilly is staring up at her father.

I totally love kids and all their expressions!

Angela had prepared a surprise birthday party for Wade. He got two cakes (to feed the masses), one with 37 candles on it {fire hazard!! joking} and the other specially decorated for him in the shape of a cow tag.

Stoney helped with the cake decorating creating a patch of pasture complete with cow pies. Only our family!!! Oh, cake enhanced with the family brand: CHD (Cow Hollow Dairy).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WADE!

Great 2-1 weekend, baby blessing and birthday party. Nice planning Angela. We love your little family!!