Parker's Baptism!

Parker was baptized on April 10, 2010 by his dad. It was such a fantastic day. Grandmas and grandpas traveled to be here for this special day.

My cute boys!

Saturday is a special day!

Hannah reminded me yesterday that it had been quite some time since she and I had gone on a "date". She was right. It had been quite a while. I told her I would take her to lunch anywhere she would like. She picked Applebees. We had a great time hanging out together and doing the word search on the kid's menu. We even stopped at Old Navy on the way home to do a little shopping! What a fun "girls day out"!

Okay...since my trip to Utah, I have not been able to stop dreaming of the Sweet Tooth Fairy! Honestly, I have never had a cupcake like that in my life. I have decided to try to recreate their cupcake. Today was my first attempt. Yummy, but still in search of the PERFECT recipie!

Tyler was hard at work in the yard today (as well as helping another family move). Maddy thought it would be nice to pick him a flower. She put it in this tiny vase next to a note. To: Dad

Hannah had been begging Tyler ALL day to take the training wheels off of her bike and teach her to ride a 2-wheeler. Finally, he had the time to alter the bike, but no lessons needed! Hannah just took off. She did let us know that she now needs a bigger bike! I LOVE Saturdays!

The Snake Cake

Tyler and Parker had to make a cake for our cub scout "Blue & Gold Dinner" and cake auction. The theme this year was the JUNGLE!!! This is supposed to be a father/son activity and I was totally fine letting Tyler take over my kitchen for this one. As you can see, they made quite a mess. It started Tuesday while I was at mutual. The boys made fondant that would later become the snake skin! (I had the bakery on speed dial in case it didn't work!) And I hear the best bakers ALWAYS work without a shirt.

Still kneading the fondant...still no shirt. Then came Saturday, the day of the auction. The pressure was on! After Tyler cut and shaped the bundt cakes (which I baked, I'm not totally heartless!), then it was time to cover the whole thing with sweet buttercream icing. Next came the fondant. Tyler mixed 2 different greens and a dark brown to make the "skin." He then took a mold to shape the scales, and lastly, painted the whole thing with a luster dust to make it shimmer! OOOHhhhh, AAAhhhhh!
Finally, the snake was complete! I'm happy to report that it was a big hit at the dinner and was one of the highest grossing cakes that night! Way to go guys!!!

Bubble Gum Contract

I walked into the girls room the other day and noticed a crumpled piece of paper on Hannah's bulletin board. I'm a nosy mom and a slight neat freak (or maybe no-so-slight) so I noticed it right away. It made me laugh all day and STILL makes me laugh. See the text (written by Maddy) below. This is typed verbatim (except Maddy had all names underlined. And she did make Hannah sign her own name! (Maddy is 9 and Hannah is 6) This certifies...that Hannah Bryan will sell her famous Dubble Bubble bubble-gum to Madelyn Bryan, which this certificate CANNOT be torn at all, if it does happen to be torn the certificate spirit will stand in its place. So Madelyn Bryan will be first to taste Hannah Bryan's famous Dubble Bubble bubble-gum! So to Hannah Bryan cannot take this offer back, because if already chewed and taken back the person who chews on the same gum will get sick and die.
Sellers Signature Buyers Signature
Hannah Madelyn Bryan

I'm thinking law school for Maddy....

Happy Fall

"All things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth and all things on the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator." (Alma 30:44)

Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

I'm such a lucky mommy! Last month I got to go to the pumpkin patch with Hannah's and Parker's school. The weather forecast did not look good...rain, rain, rain. Pumpkin patches are NOT fun in the rain becuase, well, rain makes mud! We lucked out though and managed to stay dry that morning. Whew! We went to Davis Family Farm just about 10 minutes from our house. Isn't it cute?

Harrison got to tag along, too. He thought he was pretty cool going with the BIG kids.

In the middle of all the playing, I got Parker to stand still long enough to snap a quick pic!

I just love these fun fall displays. (My favorite are the white pumpkins!!!)

On the hayride back to the farmhouse. We have our pumkins and a lot of mud to take home, too!

My little punkins and their pumkins...Hannah and Gacelynn!

Ridin' in the hay wagon!

This was inside the farmhouse. They sell more than pumkins here. Lots of fun, fresh produce to choose. Did somebody say, "LUNCH?"

Ahhhh, apple season. Want some apple cider? Apple pie? Apple cobbler? Apple cake? Apple sauce?

Enjoying the homemade donuts and apple cider...

The kiddos had a blast climbing on the GIANT hay bales.

This was the view over the corn, out to the pumkin patch and the hills beyond. Are you jealous yet?

So, I'm not a professional photographer, but you can see the ominous storm clouds that threatened us all morning. (And cute Jill as King of the Hay!)

Parker's entire class (including his cute teacher, Mrs. Thwaite)!!!

We had SO much fun. See you next year, Great Pumpkin!!!

Feeling Crabby

Tyler and Parker went with the Elders Quorum on a crabbing trip. Another benefit of living close to the Oregon coast. They lucked out with a beautiful sunny day and a few crabs...
Baiting the trap (I think)

Parker with one of the unfortunate victims! He's HUGE! Good eatin' or so I'm told. I don't eat the bottom feeders of the ocean. To each his own!

Crabs On Ice...Coming soon to a city near you!