Goodbye Kai...

So, after much prayer & deliberation...we decided to sell Kai.  I am really disappointed that things didn't work out with her, but know this is the best decision for all of us.  The problem, well 2 problems were that Kai barked...A LOT!  But we can't blame her, the woman who raised her never suppressed her bark.  We tried to train it out of her, even got a bark collar-it didn't faze her!  The other problem is that she was never socialized with other dogs.  Her and our other dog Katch, weren't exactly friends.  They got in a few fights the first couple days which was scary.  We did our best to help them like each other, but they still seemed to be on edge around each other.  Again- we can't really blame either dog-both of them have always been single dogs.  I was nervous that one day they would start fighting & one of our kids would get caught in the middle-scary!  Plus, with a new baby on the way, it made all of this seem that much more overwhelming.

But on a happy note, we found her the PERFECT home & I am so relieved!  The new owners love the things that we didn't like.  The husband works out of town a majority of the time so they wanted an intimidating guard dog that would bark at everything.  Well, that's Kai!  Plus, the wife goes running early in the morning by herself & wanted a partner to protect her.  Again-this is perfect for Kai!  They just love her so much & feel like she is the perfect dog for their family.  What a relief!

We miss Kai, & her absence is obvious.  I miss those big beautiful eyes & her funny personality, but we also know that this worked out the best for everyone involved...including Kai.

Emma Smith's Oatmeal Cookies Recipe

 A few years ago I was in a book club that I loved & I really miss it :(  We read the books 'Emma & Joseph- their Divine Mission' & 'The Holidays with Joseph & Emma'.  Both are by Gracia Jones.  She is their great, great, great....grand daughter & one of their first descendants to join the church.  Well, I was talking to some friends one day about the books & how much I enjoyed them.  One of my friends started laughing & said 'Well, if you want to meet her I could arrange that...Gracia is my step-mother'.  What?!  I couldn't believe it!  Crazy coincidence huh?  So, we arrange to have her come talk to our book club & it was an amazing night.  The spirit in that room was tangible.  Her testimony of both Emma & Joseph's divine missions were inspiring.  She brought several heirlooms that she had handed down to her including a brush & Joseph's death mask.  The death mask proved that Liz Lemon Swindle has done the best job of capturing what Joseph really looked like.  Gracia shared so many insights & stories...we didn't want the night to end.  Anyway, another thing Gracia shared was this recipe from Emma.  She was famous for these cookies & they are pretty delish!  I love making them & thinking of her & all the other strong & courageous pioneer women.  What a legacy!

So, for this week's featured recipe click here:

Emma Smith's Oatmeal Cookies Recipe

Absolute Best Brownies Recipe

 I found this recipe one Sunday when the kiddos wanted brownies but we didn't have a boxed brownie mix.  I got on Pinterest & this is what I found.  It is so good & so easy that I don't think I will go back to the box mix!  Click here to enjoy this week's featured recipe:

Absolute Best Brownies Recipe

First Tooth!

Owen had mentioned to us a few times that his tooth felt loose, but we didn't realize HOW loose it was.  Danny barely touched it & out it popped!  Owen didn't even cry or anything-I was so surprised!  He was so brave & super excited for the Tooth Fairy to FINALLY visit him instead of his older sisters!

At our house, we put the lost tooth in a glass of water by the bed.  This way the Tooth Fairy has to dip down in the water to get the tooth & leave the money (4 quarters).  In the morning the water is colored & has fairy dust in it!  So fun!

Art City Salad Recipe

Okay, so this is probably the most delish salad ever!  I definitely recommend using a rotisserie chicken, makes it that much easier.  My hubby loves this salad & can't get enough of it when we make it.  So click here for this week's featured recipe:
Art City Salad Recipe

Adelyn the Birthday Girl

 So after years, literally years, of asking...we finally got Adee a 'real' gumball machine for her birthday. She was more than a little excited :)

She helped Danny make her cake...it had cut up candy bars on top.  That's my girl!

Since this is an odd birthday year, it is her turn for a family party.  Adee decided on going to Fiesta Fun & Dairy Queen-YUM!  We had a great time playing the arcade games & winning TONS of tickets.  The hard part is deciding what to spend the tickets on...too many choices!

We love you so much Adee...You are such a sweet & helpful girl.  Plus, your spunky personality always makes us laugh.  Love you Adee Bug :)

Happy Easter to you!

Every year we go to the park for a picnic lunch on Easter Saturday.  The Easter Bunny comes to our house on Saturday, we asked him to do that so that we could focus on the Savior on Easter Sunday.  This is a tradition that I grew up with & we just love keeping the Easter Bunny & the Resurrection of our Savior separate.

 We had a delish lunch of ham, potatoes, fruit & a yummy cake.  Thanks Grandma V!

 You are never too old for swings...right?  Alesha & Kyle

 Reese, Averee, Avia & Uncle Jason getting the track ready for rolling eggs

 Owen, Averee, Reese, Lydia, Adee & Aiva

Roll those Eggs!!

Easter Eggs

 Gotta love decorating Easter Eggs!  I decided to try something a little different this year...thanks to Pinterest.  However, our eggs didn't turn out quite like the professional looking ones on Pinterest :)  But the kiddos had a great time making a mess-I mean decorating their eggs with glue & glitter.

 Reese LOVED the pink glitter the best

 Averee & Adee are getting so creative & artistic

 Owen is a good sport...Aunt Alesha's eggs were gorgeous!

Look at those BEAUTIFUL eggs!!

Mosiah 29

So, in my recent scripture study I was reading in Mosiah chapter 29.  Let me set the stage:
King Mosiah is getting old & since none of his 4 sons wanted the throne (they walked away from it to serve missions to the Lamanites-very admirable!  These were the same boys who tormented the people of the church with Alma the Younger before they were visited by an angel) he sent out a letter to his people explaining why they should have a group of judges instead of a king.  He gives the example of King Noah vs. his father King Benjamin to show the difference when the people are ruled by a wicked king instead of a righteous king.  Huge difference!
Anyway, the people agree with him & choose judges to rule over them instead of a king.  In the Book of Mormon study guide I use, it points out that up until this point the people had recorded time in reference to when Lehi left Jerusalem, but now, since this was such a significant change for the people-to have judges instead of kings- the time will now be recorded in reference to the beginning of the reign of judges.  Quite amazing the impact that a righteous king can have on his people & history!
I am sure that one of my awesome seminary teachers taught me this back in my good ole high school days, but I had forgotten.  Hopefully, now I will remember!

Sherbet Slush Recipe

Now that it is getting warmer, I thought I would share a yummy slushy drink...click here to view this week's featured recipe:
Sherbet Slush Recipe