Game Night

Last night we had our monthly game night again. It was a lot of fun. We have decided that Farkle is a must for game night, but we also played Nerts and put together several puzzles with the kids. It was tons of fun. I was excited to see Tasha and her family this time. We welcome anyone who wants to come!

Getting ready to get started

Mom checking her dice to see what she got
Evets rolling the dice

This was the funnies thing ever, everyone got ready to leave and Easton, Terry's son was asleep on the chair, Terry said that he could fall asleep anywhere, anytime!



LaNece and Clara

Hunter helping Maylin put a puzzle together.
Mom, Maylin and Laurel, doing puzzles.

My grandma joined us, but I could not convince her to play with us, we are just happy she was with us!
The kids playing the Wii, Super Mario Brothers was a favorite, and has become a favorite!






They look pretty intent!

YW Book Club and Stones that Slay Giants

Last night we had a great activity. We continued the tradition of reading with our book club, we read The Dragon Slippers, by Jessica Day George. We talked about the book, the friendship's, loyalty, collections etc... We then talked about the story of David and Goliath. We talked about the stones he used and what they represented and then we talked about how the Values are our stones and our actions are the slingshots that but the values into motion. We then made beaded value bracelets. It was a great night with lots of fun!

Sarah and Whitney enjoying the conversation hearts, for treats.

Whitney throwing a heart into Laurel's mouth and into Sarah's mouth, she is quite a shot!

Katelyn and Nicole tying their bracelets shut.



Meagan and McKayla, cute as ever!

Ashley giving Laurel idea's of what kind of activities we can do!




Cathy and Ashlan, always full of smiles!

One of the girls finished bracelet.

Me and Whitney

Red Velvet Cake

For Valentine's Day, I like to make something special for my family to eat. Since someone was bringing dessert on Sunday, I delayed one day and made this delicious red velvet cake with traditional cream cheese frosting. I found it was divine, moist, fluffy frosting, and a great crumb to the cake. Definitely a keeper.

In fact I liked it so much I then made a batch of cupcakes for the people at my work!

Happy Lovey Dovey Day

To all my friends and family. On this day of celebration of love, I want you to know how much I love and appreciate you and all that you do. I feel so blessed to be surrounded by so many that love me, I appreciate all that you do. Thank you for being you, you each touch me in different ways, and bless me in ways that I can't do for myself. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, I love you so much, and I want everyone to realize how awesome you are! Love you, love you love you!!!

YW Pretty in Pink

We were in charge of the YW combined this month, we decided to do a month of service called Pretty in Pink. We kicked it off with the girls drawing a name of someone that they were to do something for during the following week. We played a getting to know you game so if they picked some one they didn't know they would have some idea of who they were and what they could do. We then decorated sugar cookies and did a jelly bean activity guessing the flavor of the jelly beans, we applied the fact that just because something looks like something on the outside, doesn't mean that is what is on the inside. We then had the girls decide what kind of jellybean they would be. We started this about 10 days ago and we are having great success. Our young women are getting to know each other better, beehive's being taken for ice cream by laurels, heart attacks, new friendship created with texting or talking to new people at school etc....

Getting instructions.

The girls getting into the getting to know you game!

Decorating cookies

Clara loving Whip Cream

So I made some whipped cream a couple of weeks ago for a cake and I wanted to see if Clara would like it, all I can say is she was licking her lips, it was so dang cute!

Chocolate Praline Layer Cake

So I found a new recipe in my book for this Chocolate Praline Layer Cake. I had never made it but I picked it up somewhere??? It has been a huge success for our family. In fact several people have told me it's their new favorite. You start by making a quick caramel and pour it in the bottom of the pan sprinkle it with pecans and then top with a devils food cake. Whip up some whipping cream and layer it together and you have a serious amount of yummy yummy goodness.

One layer with the whipping cream, you can see the caramel and nuts on top!

The cake all layered up and ready to go.

Can you see the caramel??
What a wonderful surprise! I will post the recipe soon! As a side note, I have now made this twice for my family and they love it!

Shooting

Many of you may know that for Christmas I got a pistol. I got to go this weekend and shot it for the first time. I also got to shoot my mom's 9mm SW ladies special. Turns out I am a better shot then my mom! I was laughing, I thought it was great, I had a wonderful time. I am grateful to my parents who are so wonderful! I had a great time.
Me looking like Cindy-lou-who, who was no more then two! LOL

Mom and Dad
Getting ready to shot!

Shooting mom's 9mm
Dad shooting the 357, I shot this once it was so big and so bold, I couldn't do it again, way too much for me!

Mom and the 357

Puppy, Need I say more???

So many of you know I long to have a dog, unfortunately there are many in our family that are severely allergic and will not happen. My dad's hunting buddy Mike got a chocolate lab and I got to go and visit this weekend. Bo is 11 wks old and so cute and fun. He really likes to chew on stuff and check out his stuffed duck, he is already loving it!

Chew chew chew