Watch out Carlsbad!

So, this weekend, a handful of us, moms of the Las Sendas Ward, hit Carlsbad, CA by storm. This was my first all-girls weekend since Sara, my mom and I partied in Vegas for Mothers' Day, 2 years ago. What a BLAST of fresh air it was! We...



Boogeyboarded! (Well, those who weren't aware of the vast array of yet-to-be-discovered sea-life that lurk in the darkness of the ocean waves, boogeyboarded.)

Told stories and laughed our tails off and yes, if you chose not to come on the trip, you were ABSOLUTELY fair game! Just kidding, we all wished that everyone could have come.

Went out shopping and to the movies at night. Which prompts me to review Mama Mia as the most confusing (yet entertaining) movie that I have ever seen.

Ate like it was going out of style! Red Mango and Sprinkles were a given, but we also had some really yummy meals from Newport down to San Diego.

Thanks to Kaci and Lori for the digs! I told Casey, when I got home, that it couldn't have been a better mix of women. I love you all and can't wait to do it again!

" A friend is one to whom one may pour out all the contents of one's heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that the gentlest of hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away."- Arabian Proverb

Princess Fia

All that Sofia has been able to talk about for weeks, is her Princess Party! She has been so excited and we are all glad that it finally came. On Saturday, Sofia turned three. Three is so big! Three , for Sofia, means preschool, dance and Sunbeams! Wow! We're so excited for her and have so much fun watching her grow up. Happy Birthday, Fia.


PS- If anyone wants individual Princess cakes, after making 8 of them, I think that I have mastered the art! Sofia loved them.

The Skidmore Family Reunion in beautiful Zion National Park

Our dance trip to Disneyland

Phoebe is all the way to the right. Her group is the youngest company at the studio and Phoebe is the youngest girl. They were so cute!

We had no food in our hotel room so after being awake for about an hour with no breakfast or milk, we found Lila helping herself to pizza and root beer from our Camp Rock party the night before.

After spending hundreds of dollars on Disney park hopper passes for two days, it was lovely to see that Sofia had the most fun with a tree and a garbage can.

Ah, Disneyland, the happiest place on Earth. (Someone really should've told Lila.)

Cabin Pics

As with all recent posts, these pictures are incredibly late, but, I love them. We always have a blast at my parents cabin in Happy Jack. Although it's painfully obvious that Grandma is missing, somehow, I feel very close to her there. The cabin has easily become my favorite escape, as well as the kids.

Happy Fathers' Day!

Apparently it took a great holiday to get me back online, again. I just couldn't let a day like this pass by without a tribute to the amazing men in my life.

Dad-
You are quiet strength. You have taught me that toughness is not something that needs to be flashed for everyone to see. Rather something that you hold close and use only when it is needed most.
You listen, instead of talk. I think that is brilliant.
I have ALWAYS felt loved and never felt judged.
You love to learn and read and I always know that you'll have the answers to any question regarding, history, sports, geography, etc. You'll be my #1 phone-a-friend if I ever go on Who Wants to be a Millionaire.
Most of all, I consider you a friend. I truely stand in awe of how you've been there for Sara and I through this excruciating year. You are my biggest hero.

Casey-
My right hand man! You are my everything.
I have never seen a man who loves babies and toddlers as much as you, (maybe your dad).
Just the thought of you going out of town again sends shivers down my spine. When I have had enough and am about to crack, you step in and let all of the kids wrestle you to the ground and I can breath again. If this home was a glass of water, we would definately be half empty without you around.
Cade wants to be just like you and says to me all of the time, "but, that's not what dad says," or, "that's not how dad does it,". (He'll learn:) )
And the girls just adore you. I think that Sofia may turn out to be one of those girls who never thinks any guy will be as good as her daddy.
Thank you for being my best friend. Thank you for being my sounding board. Thank you for loving me as the mother and not just the wife. Thank you for being exactly the way you are.

Ricki Lake?! Are you freakin' kidding me?

http://www.myheritage.com/collage

Fundraiser for Garrett

As I have said before, Phoebe is quite a little athlete. For the last year, she has been in 3 hours of dance and 4 hours of gymnastics a week. When she first started at Desert Devils Gym at age 5, she had a wonderful coach by the name of Garrett Tanner. At first glance, however, I was a little nervous. Here's this teenage boy with my little girl. I was picturing an older woman as Phoebe's first gymnastics coach. But, it was almost immediate that I noticed how sweet he was with the girls and how Phoebe took to him.

Garrett was Phoebe's coach for a few months before she moved on, but I'd still see him at the gym when I would take or pick her up during the week.

That was until November of 2007. Garrett had the accident that we all know is possible in sports, but don't like to think about. Garrett broke his C5 while attempting to throw a double front flip and is currently a quadriplegic.

He was such a cute, active young guy. To see him now is truely tragic. But, word on the street is, he is full of hope and has an amazing outlook and attitude about the trial that he now faces. Please, go to his website and get inspired to help. http://www.gogarret.org/

Yesterday, Desert Devils had a fundraiser to help pay for Garrett to go to one of the best rehabilitation centers in the country. He fully believes he will walk again and just needs some financial help to do it. So, we took the kids and had a great time. Here are the pics;

When all else fails, go to the zoo.

I don't know why I say that. As I've said before, I really hate going to the zoo. It is ALWAYS at least 10 degrees hotter at the zoo then any place on Earth. But, nevertheless, I keep going. It's amazing how the thought of making your kids happy can make you do things that you don't want to do (ie-McDonalds, the Dumbo ride (right, Jill?), duck-duck-goose).

They always have fun at the zoo. And, even more fun with

COUSINS!

Sunday Share- Lemon Cake in a Jar

Since I feel crunched for time this evening, I'm going to share what I made this last week for my dear sister-in-law's, Aimee's, baby shower. I had seen on a couple of baking blogs the idea of making cake in jars and thought that it was so clever for a couple of reasons; A- It looks really cute. B- The cake will last for up to a couple of months in a jar. C- Sealing the jar while the cake is hot, makes for a really moist cake. D- Instead of cupcakes that need to be eaten within a day or two, you can put small jars in your pantry and pop one open anytime.

So here are my notes-

Any cake will do. I just used a lemon cake mix so that I could add a glaze for flavor.

Heat the oven as the recipe instructs.

Grease and flour the jars thoroughly before adding the cake mix and only fill them half full.

One box will make about 9 half-pint mason jars. Just do the math if you have different sized jars. (Walmart has a good jar selection.)

Line your jars up on a cookie sheet, not touching each other.

Now, I just turned the oven light on and watched them. When they rose to the top of the jars and looked dry on top, I poked them. You may want to follow the timing on the back of the cake-mix box for a glass pan and just watch them.

When they are done, immediately slice off the cake that has risen above the mouth of the jar. For my lemon cake, take the handle of a wooden spoon, poke down into the hot cake and pour about a Tablespoon of lemon glaze (powdered sugar and lemon juice) into the hole.

Last, after the cake has been out of the oven for no more than 2 minutes, screw on the lid. It will seal itself in a couple of minutes.

-Easy and fun!