Catch up time!!!

I know I wrote about some of this stuff already but I wanted to add some pictures. Carter and Kennedi had a water day for preschool. They loved it and they really played together great! Kennedi didn't want her treat so of course Carter was so sweet and ate it for her. What a nice brother hee hee! Things have not changed from when he was a baby. Carter used to steal Kennedi's bottles!
This was on the last day of school! Funny how when they are young they love school and can't wait to go. They had a graduation for them and a small program. They did great with all the cute songs! You could hear Carter VERY WELL, he's just so LOUD!

I love the look on Kennedi's face in this picture. It looks like she's thinking what am I doing with this silly hat on?!
I made these for the teacher gifts and made cookies for the bus drivers! I'm a HUGE Dancing with the Stars fan. Here is Carter and Kennedi showing off some of their own moves! They love dancing with each other. I was so happy that Kristi won! YEAH!!! I saved the last show so I can watch the dances whenever I want.

On Wednesday right before scouts I mean seriously 20 minutes before, I got so sick! My scout partner sent me to bed because I was so white & looked like I was going to pass out. I was in bed for 3 days!!!! I had not been that sick in a very long time. Once I finally started feeling better I had so much energy and started cleaning & organizing things. I took 3 more bags of stuff to DI. I really can't believe how much stuff we have.

Mike, Cody & Kelsey left on Friday for the goat show. This is Kelsey's 3rd year (I think) to show the goats. The plan was for them to go and then Lu pita (Kelsey's grandma) Carter, Kennedi and I to headed up on Sunday for the day. Well Saturday Lu pita had the twins all day while I worked. When I got home she went right to bed because she wasn't feeling good. Poor grandma, she totally got what I had. She didn't leave her room for two days! Paige and her kiddos came over for a BBQ and to hang out since both of our hubby's were out of town. We had so much fun playing, doing crafts and watching movies. I'm so happy you guys came over! They ended up spending the night which was so fun!! Everyone of the kids woke up at some point in the night and Paige's girls were wide awake in the middle of the night. Me and the kiddos & grandma were planning on leaving early but with her being sick & having a rough night we skipped the trip. I was sad because I really wanted to see Kelsey, there is always next year!
We went over to my parents for dinner and I think Lu pita was happy to have the quiet house all to herself! I love summer because we can stay late at my parents. Usually I'm always trying to plan the timing so we have enough time. And, I'm the one in our family with the oldest kiddos so everyone else always shows up late and we have to leave when all the fun is starting.
When we got to mom & dad's, Mom, Jack, Steven and Kellie were playing Dr. Mario. It's an oldie but a goodie! Us girls love it and can get addicted!!! So, we ended up staying late playing, it was so much fun. I love hanging out with my family!!!

During the goat show Isabelle had her babies! Short stack and Bell, I love what my kiddos come up with for names. Kelsey did so good and all the work she put into training with the goats payed off. She placed 4th with Snowflake and got Reserve Grand Champion with Trixie. We are so proud of you, Kels we love you!!!

Busy!!!

I have finally got some extra time to blog. I really should be mopping my floors or cleaning bathrooms oh well! Life has been so busy and really too busy to even pull out the camera. I can't wait for school to be over but I'm a bit worried how I'm going to keep Carter and Kennedi busy. Since they have been going to preschool they are used to being entertained a lot!

Kelsey and I a couple weeks ago went to a mother and daughter activity and had so much fun! We polish each others nails, learned some new hair do's and surprisingly let me do them on her the next day for school and we learned about etiquette at the table. Ever since she has let everyone know what they are doing wrong at the table.
I have been busy with doing hair and really trying to get a regular schedule down.

Last night I took Cody & Kelsey to pick out a gift for their teacher & for a gift exchange they were doing. It was funny because they could spend $10 and I had told them that they would be using some of their money. Kelsey are little spender found plenty of stuff and was under budget. She said I want to spend all the money when I reminded her that she would be using some of her own money everything changed. What is it with kids and money!?

I had a good Mothers day with breakfast in bed and a treasure hunt from my kiddos. And, later spent a fun night at my parents. We all came over for a yummy dinner and played Apples to Apples. I sure love my mom and feel so blessed to have her in my life!

Kelsey's grandma is doing great and seems to really be enjoying herself. It's funny since she has been here we as a family have been speaking a lot more Spanish. Whenever we enter the room even my kiddos we say hola or garcias instead of thanks. I also have labeled things around the house to make it easier for us all. She loves her Spanish soap operas. Another great thing she is always doing my dishes, every time I turn around the dishes are clean and she folds all my laundry. She has been great and I'm so happy that Kelsey and her have been able to spend so much time together.

Carter and Kennedi have preschool graduation and my baby brother will have his high school graduation on Thursday. We are going on a little road trip this weekend it should be fun! And, then maybe just maybe things will slow down just a bit!!!

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Grandma Leffue, Great Grandma Openshaw & Grandpa Leffue


Yesterday was my Grandma Leffue's birthday & all day I wanted to post something in honor of her. Well my computer Tuesday night froze up & I just don't have talent in the computer area! Thank you Stacey for helping me out today.

I have so many wonderful memories with my Grandma. Her and my grandpa would always take us on fun trips in the summer. I visited most of Arizona (lots of small towns) with them.
We spent many summers with them at their cabin. Grandma would help us with reading & math. We loved taking walks & getting treats at the little store.
When grandpa & grandma lived in Prescott Valley we loved to visit. We loved going to the 4th of July parades. I have so many fun memories of those visits.

Grandma has such a strong testimony of the gospel and I have learned so much from her. I will never forget when she would hold Cody & sing 'I am a child of God' to him.

Still to this day when we are eating carrots I think of grandma. We had a carrot & a glass of milk with every meal. I love how healthy she is & she is always giving us great information.

I think when Paige & I were about 12 years old. We went & stayed with grandpa & grandma over spring break. Grandma helped us make dresses. I loved hearing stories of when she was little. Grandma is so talented!!! She draws beautifully, she sews, when we were younger she would make matching dresses and even made us BIG Annie dolls. I wish I could find old pictures of those. She is also a great teacher.

She loves her family and always wants loves from the kiddos and can't wait to hear what they have been up to. I could go on & on about how blessed I am to have this beautiful lady be my grandmother!
I hope you had a wonderful birthday!
I love you!!!

Grandma Leffue, Dad, Mom, Bridget, Great Grandma Openshaw, Great Grandpa Openshaw, me & Paige

Good Mail from Grandma

Carter and Kennedi will be 3 on Thursday! I still can't believe how old my babies are getting. They grow up so fast!! Their first day of preschool will be on Wednesday. Mike's mom loves sending the kiddos fun cards & always puts in stickers & a few dollars. She always sends my kids money for their birthdays since she can't be with them. Thanks Lola they love your exciting cards!

Memory Lane Monday

Great Grandma Leffue's
Snicker doodle Cookie Recipe

Mix together thoroughly...
2 sticks butter or shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs

Sift together and stir in...
2 3/4 cups sifted flour
2 tsp cream of tarter
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Chill dough.
Roll into balls the size of small walnuts.
Roll in mixture of 2 tbsp sugar & 2 tsp cinnamon.
Place about 2" apart on ungreased baking sheet.
Bake until lightly browned...but still soft.
These cookies puff up at first, then flatten out with crinkled tops.

Temp: 400 degrees
Time: 8-10 minutes
Amount: 5 dozen cookies

This is one of my favorite memories of my Great Grandma Leffue. She always had yummy Snicker doodles at her house for the Grand kids and adults to enjoy! I loved going to visit Grandpa and Grandma. They had a great big tree in their backyard that was perfect for climbing. I remember loving during fall to go visit because there were so many leaves to jump into! She was always so happy and loved having us teach her new things. For example one time I was making some sort of craft & I rolled a piece of tape and I still to this day remember how wonderful she thought that was & she sure made me feel pretty special! Her and Grandpa lived in a very old home and they had a mail slot, I remember us kids thought that was so neat that their mail dropped right inside their house. Grandma always had fun nicknack's and great treasures, every once in awhile Paige & I will say if we would have only held on to them! The first time she held Cody as a baby she just kept saying how much she loved his name and even said thank goodness we don't have another John. This always made me laugh since that's my Grandpa's name which is her son. I feel so blessed to be able to have known my Great Grandma and have such beautiful memories of her.

Happy Birthday Pam!

Most of you already know that I was married to Pam's son Garrett. After he passed away we stayed close. I still consider her my mother-in-law but, calling her that sometimes really confuses people. Pam is the sweetest, most thoughtful, loving person I know. She is a wonderful grandma to all my kiddos! My kiddos call her Frammy and she doesn't seem to mind. She even has a license plate that reads: Frammy. Lately Kennedi has been calling her PaPa this totally cracks me up. She loves kids and they love her, she will even bring Paige or Bridget's kids along to play. When Garrett and I were going through some hard times she was always there to listen and she is still always willing to listen and give advice. I feel so blessed to have her in our lives! Today is Pam's birthday and I couldn't go threw the day with out saying Happy Birthday!!! Love you and hope you have a super day!
Love, Brooke