Super Saturday

We had another day of reunion fun with my dad's family. My dad has 3 sisters and all their families were able to make it except for one cousin who was closing escrow on a house.

The day started with basketball at the church. We then had a brunch at my cousin Angie's house. Danny then went shot gun shooting and I took the kids swimming. We then went to my cousin Angie's daughter's baptism. We then had a barbecue at our house. Tomorrow, Jason will speak at church and we will drive back to Provo. I don't know if I want to go back after being gone for 2 1/2 weeks.

The spliter dog competition - my dad gets these special hot dogs that split open when they get really hot. Everyone picks a hot do that they think will split first and then cheer it on.

The prize table - my dad loves to have competitions to give out tickets and then draw tickets for prizes. Our family ended up with a camp chair, board game, high school musical toy, and a transformer toy. Andrew was in heaven when he won the transformer toy (good thing we have a good relationship with the guy who gives out the prizes).

Photos from Friday

Here are some photos documenting Friday's family reunion:

Getting ready to play putt putt



Anna was quite "focused"



Group shot

You have to get a picture by the mine cart

Nathan loving the swing

Having fun on the slide

Part of the golf group

My Grandpa Despain

Fantastic Friday - Let the fun begin

I was lying in bed about to go to bed, when I remembered - I have to do my blog! Since I really should be sleeping I will give a quick recap of the day.

Our family reunion started today. At 1:00 there was golf or putt putt golf. Danny participated in the golf and the kids went with my mom for putt putt and I stayed home with a sleeping baby. I then met up with the kids at the park when Nathan woke up. We then did another barbecue/volleyball at the park. I think the highlight was my Aunt Debbie and Uncle Jim colliding during volleyball. It was definitely an America's Funniest Home Videos moment.

Alright, I am off to sleep. Danny thinks I am crazy that I am posting, but I have to get my post a day for June. :)

Thursday Thoughts - Milestones for Nathan

Nathan has reached some milestones since we have been in Casper. He started crawling and his first tooth has popped through. I can't believe he is already 7 months. Seriously, where does the time go?

I still can't believe he has blue eyes. I think they could still change to green, so I guess only time will tell.

Workout Wednesday - Foam Rollers

I love foam rollers. I think everyone that pounds there body through exercise should have one. About 2 years ago, I thought I may have to stop running from severe knee pain. My quads were causing the pain from being too tight. I tried several different stretches, but nothing would relax my quads.

I then saw a foam roller at the gym and did some research and found that you can use it like a deep tissue massage for your muscles. I rolled on my quads and boy did it hurt, but it was a good hurt. I have had no more problems with sore knees or tight quads. You can roll it on any part of your body. It is great.

You can also use the roller for strength and balance moves. I love the foam roller so much, I got one for my dad as an early Father's Day present.

Taste of Tuesday - Fruit Pizza

Growing up my mom would make whatever we requested for a birthday cake. By far my most requested "birthday cake" was fruit pizza.

Fruit Pizza

Crust:
1 cup butter softened
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp almond extract
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cream of tartar

Mix butter, sugar, egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Blend in flour, soda, and cream of tartar. Cover; chill 2 to 3 hours. Roll dough to 3/16 inch thick. Cut into circles for individual pizzas or put on a lightly greased pizza pan for a large fruit pizza.
Bake 8 - 10 minutes or until light brown on edge. (This time is for the individual pizzas, add 5 to 10 more minutes for a large pizza).

Cool

Sauce:
8 oz. cream cheese (softened)
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Mix together until smooth.

Spread on cooled cookie crust and top with fruit: Pineapple, mandarin oranges, bananas, kiwies, grapes, strawberries, etc.

Glaze:
1 cup orange juice
1/4 cup lemon juice
dash salt
3/4 cup water
3 Tbsp. cornstarch
1 cup sugar

Mix in sauce pan and cook over medium heat till mixture boils and thickens. Cool. Drizzle on top of fruit pizza.

You can omit the glaze if you want - it still tastes great.

Monday Miracles

We experienced quite the adventure tonight. We went to the base of Casper Mountain to a place called Garden Creek Falls with some other families in my parents ward. Everyone brought their own dinner (we brought foil dinners and smores - yummy).

Just as we were beginning to make and have our smores, a deputy from the sheriff's department came in his truck and told us we had to leave immediately. We couldn't even clean up our stuff - he told us to leave the park and we could come back for all our things a little bit later.

We had parked the van away from where everyone was eating and the deputy didn't even want us to go back for it, so Danny, Anna, Andrew, and Jason jumped in the bed of someone's truck and myself, Nathan, and my mom sat in the little back seat of the same truck. As we were leaving I turned around to make sure my kids were alright and I saw the deputy put on his bullet proof vest!

We then exited the park and got out wondering what was going on and when we could get back to our things. Someone heard that there was a jumper and that was why they were clearing the park and we could see ambulances waiting at the end of the road. Another deputy then came and wanted to know what we were doing just standing on the road. We told him what the other deputy told us and he said to have one person go back and get all our things and to have Danny go with him to get our car.

A couple of minutes later Danny came back with the car and the other guy came back, but with none of our stuff. The deputies had the area where we had dinner all blocked off and wouldn't let them grab our things. Danny said he heard that the jumper had a gun, so that is all that we know so far.

Hopefully, I will have an update tomorrow and we will have all our things back.

Some happy kids at the base of the falls before the craziness began.

Spiritual Sunday

Some things to think about:

Nothing is going to startle us more when we pass through the veil to the other side than to realize how well we know our Father and how familiar His face is to us. – President Ezra Taft Benson

To reach a goal you have never before attained, you must do things you have never before done. - Richard G. Scott

The Word of Wisdom does not promise you perfect health, but it teaches how to keep the body you were born with in the best condition and your mind alert to delicate spiritual promptings. - Boyd K. Packer

Almost every day brings opportunities to perform unselfish acts for others. Such acts are unlimited and can be as simple as a kind word, a helping hand, or a gracious smile. - James E. Faust

True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. - Boyd K. Packer