If at first you don't succeed...

go out and buy all the ingredients again and make another big mess to clean up? Oh well, I guess sometimes that is what it takes. My mom and Brittany have both recently made freezer jam. I have been inspired to do the same...another first for me. Yesterday I ran to 3 different stores gathering all the supplies I needed to make my first batch of strawberry freezer jam. I started last night at about 9:30 and I thought it went so well...that is until this morning when I woke up. I realized that I had doubled the strawberries and the sugar, but FORGOT to double the water and pectin. AAAaahhh! My double batch of jam will now be considered my year's supply of pancake/ice cream topping. So, this morning I ran out and grabbed the supplies again and made what I think will be a real batch of jam...we will see 24 hours from now. If any of you happen to prefer runny freezer jam, let me know, I would be more than happy to share! For me this is another right of passage...I can now make bread AND jam. I think I might be turning into a real homemaker!

Memorial Day BBQ

Tonight we went to Erik & Britt's for an Adams/Brammer family Memorial Day BBQ. We had such a fun time. It is great to be friends with your in-laws in-laws. Amazing how it works, but we all really seem like one big family! Thanks again for a great time! It was the perfect way to finish up our extra-long, but somehow never long enough, weekend!

My crazy family!

Tonight we had my family over to celebrate Krissy's birthday (I believe this will be the last of the celebrations for this year...) Be sure and check out my goofball sister in the pink shirt...HOLLIE. I thought it would be hard to get the kids to all cooperate, but that turned out to be the least of my worries! Really, we had a great time! I love ya'll!

The best kind of fun!

On Saturday night we went to Brick Oven with Kyle's parents to celebrate Krissy's birthday. We had a great time chatting and getting caught up. We were also lucky enough to run into the entire Kendall family (some friends of ours) who were there for a family reunion. It was so great to see them! Afterward we met up with Mike & Hollie at Cougar Stadium. This was totally spontaneous and sooo fun. We let the kids run around the stadium. They rolled down the grass hills while we goofed off and had a great time. When we got in the cars to go home we decided we hadn't had enough fun yet so we headed up to the Creamery on 9th for some ice cream. I love days like this that are carefree & spontaneous! (Okay, at least after the party it was carefree and spontaneous!)

Four already!

Happy, happy birthday Krissy dear! I can't believe she is 4 already! She is such a fun, spunky kid. I am so proud of her. Today we had such a great time with her cousins and friends at her dress-up birthday party. It was our first real birthday party with invitations, kids, pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey & goodie bags. She got so many fun presents that she has been playing with all afternoon! We feel lucky (yet again) to have so many special people in our lives. Now we are off for another party tonight...and of course we will be having another tomorrow! (Thanks to Melissa for helping with the photos. Every party should have at least 2 photographers, right?)

A few of my favorites!

Aquaphor
My most essential beauty item these days...sorry Bath and Body Works, I guess I have moved on! My dermatologist recommended this stuff when I was trying to get over my lip allergy...still don't know what I am allergic to for sure...but I love this! I use it in place of lip gloss and anywhere else I get dry skin. They now sell it in travel size tubes, so perfect for the purse! Kyle carries one with him too. It is one product we can't be without.

Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara
Brittany suggested this a few months ago during a trip to Target. It had been recommended by a friend of hers. I love it! I am on my third tube! (And I do have very sensitive eyes.)

Bag Balm
Yes, it is what is sounds like. It is used for the treatment of cows...and other animals. Anything the Aquphor won't fix gets Bag Balm. It was recommended by our Pediatrician when Kendall was having horrible diaper rash. It is great for ultra-dry spots!

Secret Clinical Strength Deodorant
I have been using this for a while now and I love it! One great feature is that you can apply it the night before and then you don't have to put it on in the morning. It works for 24 hours. Perfect for those days you don't want to worry about getting deodorant on your shirt. Apparently it is the deodorant that is made for a woman, but strong enough for a man...at least Kyle thinks so. It happens to be his favorite as well!

Congrats Chase & Lindsey...the newest Mr. & Mrs. Brammer

Here are some of my favorite pics from Chase & Lindsey's garden reception. These Brammers definitely know how to throw a party...and in such a beautiful location (which happens to be the groom's parents backyard). Thanks for allowing me to take some photos tonight. I had such a great time with you all.

Today

Today Kendall woke up at 6:00. I took advantage and went for a quick early morning jog outside.

Today Kendall destroyed the cushion on my rocking chair. I am trying to look at it as expressive, modern art.

Today Krissy said, "Mom, Kendall dropped the remote in the tub!" Of course it sunk right to the bottom. No, it isn't working.

Today Kendall wore piggy tales for the first time! So, so cute & fun.

Today I am feeling my sunburn because I didn't wear enough sunscreen yesterday. (Note to self...wear more sunscreen.)

Today we went to Gardner Village with Michelle and Elle. It definitely was the bright spot of the day.

Today I bought myself a new pair of shoes for summer!

Today Krissy played with her chewing gum and got it all over her hands, face & shirt. Of course this all happened while I was trying to get Kendall to take a nap.

Today Kendall enjoyed one of her favorite, but forbidden, treats...chalk. I quickly fished out as much as I could...much to her dismay.

Today Krissy got a new book, Fancy Nancy, that has quickly become our new favorite!

Today Kendall is working on getting 4-5 new teeth. I can't tell for sure how many. No wonder she is a bit cranky!

Today I am wishing I had paid the bills yesterday, but thinkin' I will put it off again until tomorrow.

Today I picked up some of Kendall's mac & cheese off of the carpet...and can you believe I ate it because I was too lazy to take it to the sink or the garbage. Pathetic!

Today I am dying to make another batch of bread...it would be my fourth or fifth this week, I have lost track. I guess it is my new therapy.

Today I can't wait for Kyle to get home from work..with my cooked-to-order dinner from Rumbi.

Today I am sooooo thankful it is Friday.

A taste of summer!

Today my great friend Melissa invited us to go to Thanksgiving Point Gardens. We loaded up our kids and our cameras and had a fun taste of summer...sunscreen and all! The kids had such a great time running, exploring, splashing & playing. We had a great time experimenting with our new cameras. Thanks for inviting us to go along Melissa!

Our friends at QuicKutz

I feel like the biggest part of our life that I have yet to blog about is work. Most of the time I am working on top-secret stuff I can't mention...(sounds kind of glamourous, huh?) We have both worked for QuicKutz for the last 5+ years and enjoyed (almost) every minute of it. Tonight we enjoyed dinner at The Cheesecake Factory, courtesy of QuicKutz, with the Sales & Marketing teams. We really do work with the most amazing people. It is so great to work with people you call your friends. Thanks QuicKutz for the great food, the enjoyable evening & introducing us to some very special people!

I did it! Yea me!!

This is a huge accomplishment for me. I mentioned before that I have suffered from yeast-phobia. I love to cook & bake, but whenever a recipe calls for yeast I shy away from it. I have attempted it in the past and ended up with yucky, ugly bricks that took a ton of time to make. Yesterday for Mother's Day my mom gave me some of the ingredients I need to make the recipe I told you about a few posts ago. (Thanks again Mom!) I woke up this morning excited to make some bread. I made cinnamon rolls and a strawberry-cream cheese braid. They are so yummy! (And, I think pretty good looking for my first attempt.) I believe anyone can make bread with this recipe! How exciting is that?
A few people have asked if I am going to post this recipe, but I think it is much easier to see it done for the first time. (It was a little confusing for me when I read it for the first time.) You can sign up for a class with the people that taught me, but I would also be willing to give anyone a hands on lesson. I am sure it wouldn't be as insightful and exciting as the demo that I got, but it would be free! You will have to let me know if you are interested.

Happy Mother's Day

I had such a great Mother's Day...lots of time to spend with those I love. I am blessed to have such great women in my life. I have so many great examples in my grandmothers, mom, mom-in-law, aunts, sisters, sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, friends...I could go on. I am so thankful for my mom and the sacrifices she has always made for us. Really, I think she must be the most unselfish person I know. I am also so grateful to be a mom to my 2 little girls. I can't imagine my life without them!

Night at the ballpark

Last night we went to watch as cousins faced each other at the ballpark. It was Mariners vs. Reds or more importantly Parker's team vs. Braden's team. We were so excited to get to see them play in the same game. They both did great!
These photos were taken with a new lens that Kyle gave me for Mother's Day. I am lovin' it! I definitely need more practice (as you can see-there are a few focus issues), but that is one thing I am happy to do...practice, practice, practice. If I can practice on you, let me know. Krissy gets a bit sick of always having the camera in her face & Kendall is not so cooperative either.
Now, if you haven't heard about the cooking blog, make sure you read the next post. I was hesitant to put this up because I would still love to add some authors to that blog.

Something new!

I have been thinking it would be fun to start a recipe blog where we can all share some of our favorites. If you would like to be invited to this new blog just leave me a comment! I would love to set everyone up as authors on the blog. That way everyone can post any old favorites along with any new tasty recipes you come across. I am always looking for yummy, new, quick & easy things to feed my family. What do ya think? Are you in?

This might change my life!

Tonight I went with my mom to Relief Society. They had some guests come to teach bread-making techniques, start to finish in 1 hour. I didn't think my mom needed to go because she makes KILLER bread, but she insisted it would be good. Well, can I tell you...it was awesome! I left so energized and excited to make bread. I have long been afraid of yeast. The few times I have attempted to bake with it have resulted in disaster. Given my experience tonight, I just might try it again.
They have one recipe that can be used for 50 + recipes, in addition to regular loaf bread (breadsticks, rolls, baguettes, pizzas, main dishes, desserts...) They made 6 or 7 different recipes out of the 1 batch of dough they mixed up. We got to sample them all and they really tasted great. They teach it as a food-storage class since all the ingredients can sit on the shelf (or in the freezer) for a long time. It was impressive! Here is a link to their blog. I am for sure going to pass the info on to my ward RS Enrichment ladies. Mom, thanks for inviting me. I had a great time. I just might become a bread maker yet!

The perfect weekend

This weekend we headed north to Logan to see my sis and her family and to attend a wedding reception. It also happened to be our 12th wedding anniversary on Saturday. (It was also my parents anniversary...Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!) We had the best weekend. The kids all got along so great and we had the best time catching up with each other. We felt so lucky to get to hang out with both Mike & Hollie and Erik & Brittany.
The last 12 years have been so amazing! I couldn't ask for more. We have been so blessed. (I love you honey!)

Thank you President Bush!

In order to do my part to stimulate the economy I have done a little shopping! Just trying to be patriotic and American you know. My heart does go out to any of you (who will remain nameless) that don't qualify for the stimulus package. This is one time that it pays to be poor! :)
So...here is my new chair. It speaks to me. What does it say, you might ask? Well, to start with it said, "Buy me, buy me!" I am loving it. Hopefully it will stay looking beautiful for a long while...

Adams girls-night-out!

I organized a girls-night-out with my sisters-in-law for tonight. Four of the six of us were able to make it. We had a great time just browsing & shopping without any chasing & whining! We went to Gardner Village but it closed at 8, so we quickly ran over to Tai Pan, which closed at 8:30. AAahhh! We had a great time, I just wish it had lasted longer. Shaunee & Dani we really missed you.
I ended up buying the chair that I mentioned a few posts ago. Yea! Exciting! I can't wait to pick it up...tomorrow, maybe. We will see how the day goes. More pics will come.
I really have the best sisters-in-law, all the kind I would choose as friends. I LOVE you all. Let's do it again soon!