What a WEEK.....

Well...first off, this week I turned the Big 3-0. I can't believe it! Just a few years back I use to think 30 was so old. haha. I don't feel old. It's the same old me...LOL! Hopefully a more mature, better overall version of me! 30 wasn't so hard on me as maybe it is on some people. It just seems weird, sometimes I think....hmmm, maybe I should act a little more grown up! =) I'm not sure I act 30???!! Oh well! So, we didn't do too much for more B-day. Birthdays are just not as fun as when you are younger I decided. But, our little nephew Degan and I share the same B-day and he turned "1." So, at least someone had a party on my B-day! haha... here are a few pics of the kids swimming in the little kiddie pools for Degan's party.I love this picture....he's just chillin' Then, for the weekend we headed up to Cedar City. Rocki, Shannon, Artie and I went to Dinner and a Movie for Rocki and I's Birthdays. It was nice! We stayed the night and the next day we all went up to Cedar Mountain for a very long day!! The Men worked all day and we tried to keep the kids entertained!Yum, that looks good! *My little reader*Ammon & DeganThis was like the kids little hut The girls created a secret handshake to get into the hut....Clap in front, Clap up high, Clap behind and then shake hands (oops, don't tell them I told the secret)We saw about 36 deer on the way back to Cedar from Cedar Mountain

Family Fun: Bowling & Arcade

Ashlyn really wanted to go Bowling for her Birthday. So, that weekend we finally went! We had a great time Bowling and then we headed over to the arcade. He thinks it's a slide....

Ready for ChAnGe...

So, the Summer time...turning 30 in a couple weeks....I'm not sure what it is, but I have been so ready for change! I just went for it.... I chopped my hair off! Just about my whole life I have had long hair. It feels so different going this short! But, I'm loving the change! What do ya think??

Ashlyn turns *4*

awwww....I can't believe my cute little Ash is 4 years old!

Look how cute she was as a baby with her crazy hair that stood straight up! =)

This was her around 1 year old...so cute!!And Now she is 4 Years Old~ she is growing so fast!~Butterfly Birthday Cake~Blowing out the candlesTastes Good!Waiting to open her presentsWe just had a little family party. People that could make it were Rocki, Shannon & Degan, Nana & Papa Shaner, Uncle Randy & Aunt Diann and kids. She got so many clothes, Hair Clippies, Earings, Polly pockets, Tinkerbell Color Wonder, a Tea Set that she get's to Paint and a Cinderella Barbie. Later she also got an easy bake oven from Grandpa & Grandma Laub. Painting her Tea Set Ashlyn is such a fun girl! She's becoming such a girly girl! I took her to get a Birthday haircut and she looks so adorable. She loves clothes and pretty things and playing with little dolls and animals. She loves to help me cook. She likes to dance around. She has such an imagination, she could have fun playing with pencils, a water bottle...anything. She'll pretend they are people or whatever else she wants them to be. She's a cute little Sunbeam in church this year and she will be going into her 2nd year of Preschool. I can't believe how fast she is growing up! We love you Ashlyn soooo much. We hope you had a great 4th Birthday!

FHE- Prayer & Pretzels

For Family Home Evening we talked about Personal Prayer & Family Prayer. I found this story about how pretzels came about and then we made some yummy cinnamon sugar pretzels. We dipped them in Yummy icing! I thought it was kinda cool so I wanted to remember the story and also how to make the pretzels! =)

In about 610 A.D. a very creative Alpine Monk decided to make use of the pieces of dough left over from baking bread. The Monk formed them into thin strips folded into a looped twist to represent the folded arms of children in prayer. This scrumptious treat was given to the children as they learned their prayers. They began calling the treat "Pretiola", which is Latin for "little reward." Soon it was known the world over as a pretzel. The secret of making great pretzels is not only in the baking but also in the shaping. We, like pretzels, are made from the best ingredients, by the best hands available, the hands of our Father in Heaven. Have you ever seen a broken pretzel, or one that's lost its shape? We too, can lose our shape when we don't pray always to keep our spirituality intact. Even in the midst of our greatest trials, we must remember to call on the Lord. The simple shape of the pretzel, arms folded in prayer, reminds us to pray each day. Our "pretiola" or "little rewards" are the blessings we receive. Every time you see a pretzel, remember prayer. Check to see if your arms are often folded in prayer and have not lost their shape.

This is a very easy and fast recipe and I thought they tasted good.

Homemade Pretzels

1 Tbsp. dry yeast

3/4 c. warm water

1 Tbsp. sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

2 C. Flour

1 egg, beaten

Coarse salt

Wax paper

** Instead of the egg and coarse salt this time I did butter and cinnamon sugar.

Mix yeast in warm water. Add sugar and salt. Add flour and mix. Put dough on wax paper and knead until soft. Cut off pieces and shape as you like (too thick= doughy, too thin= brittle). Place them on a cookie sheet. Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle coarse salt. Bake at 425 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes.

For the icing I just mixed 1/2 of a stick of butter, 2 cups powdered sugar and a very little bit of milk until the consistency that you want.

i LOVE the 4th!!

I Love the 4th of July! It's always such a fun day in Bunkerville. It always makes me sorta homesick in a way. Even though I only live...what- maybe 8 minutes away...LOL. It just reminds me of the good times growing up. I Love it! I'm so glad my kids get to experience all these good times too!

~Ammon & Great Grandma Leavitt~

He was happy just being with her..he didn't want any of us to take him off her lap! =)

Ammon getting ready to race.... (1 year old boys) OR maybe NOT getting ready to race...all the little boys just stood there for a while..haha...and soon Ammon dropped himself to the ground and he didn't run at all. Darn it- we've been practicing up and he's been running so good and fast....but I guess it wasn't his day today! haha We've always got next year! =) Ashlyn's ready to go! (3 year old girls) She Won! Yay!Now, it's Alley's turn (5 year old girls)So Close!Time for the Candy Drop....you can't really see the candy in this picture but there is a bunch dropping...Running for the CandyDropping little parachute guysTime for Snowcones....YUM!You make that look good Ammon!Getting sprayed by the Fire TruckThen over to the Splash PadAmmon watching all the action from the sidelines =)~Pouty face~When the fire truck went by after spraying it honked a few times and it set Ammon off on a runUmmm...Why couldn't you run like that for the races buddy??

Later on, the kids played at the bounce houses and we watched the FIREWORKS! It was a packed-fun filled day!