'Tis the Season

I've actually got some free time to sit down and blog a little. Kinda nice actually. The months are passing by so fast now, it's hard to keep up. This month has definitely been busy. Parties, get-togethers, lunch dates, baking, delivering, cleaning, decorating, shopping, and trying to keep the relaxed attitude that one really wants for the christmas season.

 The most time consuming was the treats. And because I'm all about making things uncomplicated, I decided to make magic cookies. In my book, Magic=Sparkles, which in the baking world=sprinkles.

 The first batch went pretty quick because they were so big. Like 7inch big! Ooooh Eeeee! :o)

 Each kid decorated their own. I did the rest. And then they picked one to give to a friend. Which we delivered. I sold a few. And then they were gone.

 This was my favorite! They're fragile cookies and I broke one when decorating it. It started to bleed.

 I got a call from someone else that wanted to buy some. So I made more. Cause I like late nights. But not really. I just like creating, I guess.

For Ashton's football party, I made these chocolate covered brownie balls. They turned out so cute and S.U.P.E.R. Yummy! I love brownies.

So what I did was cooked a pan of brownies till they were soft. Let them cool down and then cut them in cubes that Mykael rolled into balls for me. I then dipped them in candied chocolate, topping with white sprinkles. WAY time consuming, but totally worth it!

I did make another kind of cookie. Home made oreos, that I rolled the sides (with the frosting) in crushed candy cane. Super awesome flavor combination. Just no pictures.

Halloween 2011

Before they Rot

We finally cut the cord on the "big ol' pumpkin" and gave him a face. Somehow he became Eli's pumpkin and he choose a "goofy face". I think he looks rather cute! (The pumpkin too.)

 We had a late bloomer with this little watermelon and since the frost came and killed his life support, we took him in and gutted him. Then gave him some eyes. It was the least we could do after taking all that we did from him.

 The middle pumpkin, I believe was Dylan's. And the football....I'll give you one guess.

 Jade and Ash started this Halo pumpkin and I finished it. Mykael and Jade carved their pumpkins at their mom's a few days previous and I think Jade's pumpkin there looks A LOT like this one.

 But hey, if you've got a great idea the best thing to do is spread it. Especially to young influential minds like your little brothers.

Posers. And brotherly love.

Merry Christmas!!!

Have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year.

LOVE, Audrey

Traditional traditions...

I don't think I can remember the last time I went Ice Skating, but I know that I loved it. It makes me think about the"old times" our parents talked about, as children bundled up like marshmellows tromping through 2 feet of snow, to the local frozen lake/river with their skates and little siblings in tow. Memories that I, for one, wanted passed on to my children. And a Sister-in-law that wanted the same for them as well. (It was actually Aunt "Launa's" idea) So when the recommendation came to take the kids... regardless of the fond memories...I was a little hesitant. Reasons being, that's a lot of kids to try and keep track of. Two..I believed that Ashton would throw a fit if he didn't like it. (I assumed that he was going to hate it, but would do it because Jaden and Mykael were doing it.) 3. Eli...I thought would be more into it than what actually was the case.

*Thank you Jaden for allowing access to Eli's legs behind you. Great kid, wanted me to get a great shot.


There's a great place in downtown SLC that has an outdoor rink and lots of lights (at night). Romantic to the adults and magical for the kids. As cold as it was, I'm glad that I allowed myself out of my comfortable, safe, WARM bubble (that has plenty of room for my children) and allow them the freedom to stretch their wings of independence, (and watch them fall a few times.) No major wounds, but we didn't go home without a few knocked heads. *Ice is a VERY unforgiving surface that leaves you stinging.

After a short while of wobbling to find thier balance....each one did fantastic. Ashton, surprisingly took right to it like a fish in water.

After Jade, Eli, Dylan, and I headed back to the warmth of the car...Mykael and Ashton stayed behind for "just awhile longer".

Even though it was a great and memorable night, true Success came after a tylenol with a good night sleep and a desire the next morning, to "go ice skating again."

Thanks Aunt Launa....We had a blast! REALLY!

Ward/Church Christmas program

Pie, Angels, Shepards, and Heavenly Choir

Don't forget to brush.....

Let us NOT forget the importance of brushing on this "special day".

Al Capone

Sacajuwea (I really don't know how to spell that! But it's a pretty good attempt.)

Schmeeee

"Tom" and "little tom". (hee hee hee hee)

They were really having too much fun, but I just couldn't bring myself to stop them!

TOO funny!

4th of July

Our fourth of July started out well, but ended on a sour note. During the day, the kids and I, were out doing the "little fireworks"... snaps, smoke bombs, and poppers. Even a few little fountains. The previous night, the neighbor had her grandson over and they were doing the smoke bombs. She was letting the kids hold them. No harm done. The next day (July 4th) I was lighting our smoke bombs and letting Ash and Eli hold them.

Everything, still going well.



Later that night when daddy got home he was out lighting more smoke bombs. He lit one and wanted to put it on the ground. But Ashton insisted on holding it. Considering he had already done it so much already, he let him. WELL....itWAS NOT a smoke bomb, it was a firecracker that looked just like a smoke bomb. It exploded in his little hand and he ended up getting a powder burn (very painful!) on his thumb and index finger. More so on his thumb. I was in the kitchen at the time and heard the popping then the screaming. He came running into the house to tell me. His thumb definitely had black on it, so we stuck it in cold water. Ashton wanted to do more, but was quickly learning how painful his burn actually was. I, at that point, didn't know how bad it was yet and tried to put aloe on it, but it kept hurting so bad he wanted to keep it in ice water. The fireworks were then put away for "another day."

Eli....is TERRIFIED of fireworks. I was impressed with the participation i got out of him with what we had already done. But as it turned later in the day and the sun started to go down. The fireworks were getting brighter and he decided to run in the house when i went to go light a fountain. (He actually locked me out at one point!)
Eli braving the little ones.




Ashton said to me later that night, "mom, i want to call grandpa Lewis." So i called my dad and Ashton told him the bad news. While grandpa was expressing his sympathy, Ashton broke down and started to cry more, but held it in enough to be able to continue talking to grandpa. It made me cry too. If grandpa was here, I know Ashton would be craddled in him arms for comfort. (He REALLY REALLY loves grandpa.)


When bedtime rolled around that night, Ashton was still in a lot of pain and keeping his hand in the water. I had him propped up in my bed with his hand in a cup. Everytime he fell asleep and relaxed enough, his hand fell out. A minute later he'd wake up crying from the pain and i'd put it back in, refilling it with ice. It wasn't until 2am that he was able to stay asleep after it falling out. He woke up to quite the blister. AND of course he had to call grandpa, first thing, to give him an update. Even this morning, (I popped it last night) grandpa asked about his finger and Ashton told him his concerns about his thumb and how it was healing. Luckily in Utah, we get a second chance with the firework display on the 24th. Hopefully it will be more enjoyable and more safe.

Handsome little devils!

On Father's Day, we gave daddy some colonge. (Usher, to be exact. Smells awesome!) So when they 'guys' started to get ready for church, they really spiffed it up and decided to have a photo shoot, they were looking so good! Ash stole that camera the most with this session.

This one Ash sure looks like Oliver when he was little. Don't you think, Oli?

I love the colors in this one.

Jared wants to get Ash going on modeling. I don't know if that's a good idea, he's REALLY bossy.

Easter

I know i'm a little behind on this, but the pictures are cute and wanted to post them anyways. Easter was spent with Uncle Coley and Shanna who both flew in from different destinations. Coley really got into the egg dying thing and ended up doubling the amount of eggs to color that i had originally planned which resulted in another trip to the store. It's ok, cause the kids had fun looking for the "goods".

We kind of did things a little different this year. Instead of having a basket waiting for them in the morning full of treats, we (or i should say, the Easter Bunny) hid ALL the treats and toys outside in the yard and gave them all empty baskets and sent them on their way. We had ended up buying things that the kids could do/play together. And in lew of Jaden having just started baseball, we bought a SOFT bat and SOFT balls so that when daddy practiced with Jade, the others could participate also. SO...when they found these items, they would all be using them and there would be nothing to fight about. The nice thing about this all was, we did this on saturday and that left us to spend easter sunday thinking about the real reason. A quiet peaceful day thinking about Him!