Quick Trip To Twin Lakes

We were able to spend a few days up at Twin Lakes with Grandma Grandpa Beck.



Even though it was chilly we were all smiles!







The girls had a great time feeding the blue jays peanuts.



So excited that I got a close up of this doe!



I love this picture! The family always teases Jake's dad for the way he hugs, he's so proper that he never gives us ladies bear hugs. I guess a beautiful granddaughter can wear any old man down!

I just think he looks HOT!






Here we are getting ready to go fishing! This was a first for the girls. They loved every minute of it.

Daddy's proud to see his daughter not only enjoying the boat ride but doing so in a Steelers hat!

How do you sleep on a boat?




Morgan loved fishing. She actually caught a fish but it was too heavy for her pole. If you look close enough you can see a doe in the background.
Makelle is still all smiles!

Maddy was all smiles when she caught her fish. Once she realized the fish was dying, she was all tears. Needless to say we needed fish counseling.
It didn't help that the girls watched their dad clean his fish! We had such a nice relaxing time.

Thanks for the wonderful time Grandma and Grandpa. We already miss you!

Memorial Day Triathlon

I've always wanted to do a triathlon and I was able to check this off the list this past weekend. This was one of the hardest things mentally and physically I've had to do in a long time. Looking back on it now, it was fun and I MIGHT possibly do it again. It was so much fun to do with great friends and family! Way to go guys, you rock!

Awesome Finish Ladies

The girls did awesome yesterday! Their relay team was seeded 5th and they took 2nd! Madison also ran her 800 meters and came out with a medal in 5th place. She told me she really wanted that medal! Way to go girls, we are so proud of you!

Endeavour Rocks!

This has been such a fun track season! Well, actually its our first! This is the girls 400 X 100 relay team. All four of them are awesome runners, equally fast! They have taken first at every track meet which has now lead them to Valley Championships this upcoming Saturday in Fresno. Madison will also be running the 800 meters. It's so exciting to watch these little girls do so well! Wish us luck! :)

My Painting Buddy has Arrived!

This is my crazy friend who loves a good project! We always have a blast when we paint and we always end up learning a new thing or TWO! :) Thanks for all your amazing help!

The first day we finished painting my room. It's hard to see my stripes but I do love them! We found this new laser level at Home Depot for $20 and it served it purpose 10 fold! New lamps are in the works and I hope to get a beautiful rustic picture of the LA Temple to put above my bed. Anyone know where I can get one?
The next day we painted the main area. We took the color throughout most of the house. Here is our finished projects. This is the entry way.

Followed by the front room.









Of course the kitchen.


And last of all the dining area. This was our new learning experience. So I thought Emily and I are pretty handy and we could totally install this new light fixture. Well. . . . we did do it mostly right. It was not our fault the builders wired the wires together to a different switch than the one the instructions told us to do. That was our main problem. After a few hours of not getting it right a friend of my came over and saved the night! Another new tip. . . don't follow all the instructions. Put your fixture together first and then take the whole thing and attach it to the ceiling. Much easier this way and you won't run the risk of winding up the cords and copper wires! As my friend told me, you only learn from your mistakes! :)
We also painted the girls bathroom. This was my $30 mistake! I was going for a soft turquoise but it turned out to be Robin egg blue! Yuck! Saved myself the trouble and just painted it the same color as the rest of my house! We were handy when it came to replacing the bathroom light fixtures! Don't they look so much better? Plug for Costco- bathroom fixtures were only $19. I say that was a great deal!
Emily talked me into painting
my piano room the color of my old house. This was in memory for my girls. They still miss our old home. Hopefully they will love this memory as they sit and pout about practing the piano! Maybe someday I will show you Jake's office but its not finished. Morgan will have to earn the right for me to put up a picture of her room, with a room like hers it may be NEVER!

Remember This Deal. . .

Well here it is. . . my new table! One must love the Steelers for providing me with the ability to sweet talk a man into getting me a brand new table! :)

Did I Say Real Butter?

Why yes I did! My friend and I spent a few hours turning real butter into food storage butter! I promise its really easy, so easy its silly not to have some real butta in your store house!
Buy any butter on sale. Cheaper butter requires more shaking but the results are the same.
Heat jars in 250 degree oven for 20 minutes without seals or lids. One pound of butter will fill one pint jar with a little leftover. 11 lbs = 12 jars.

While jars are heating, start on your butter.
Melt all butter until it comes to a slow boil. Use a spatula to stir bottom so the butter will not burn. Once it comes to a boil reduce heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
When jars and butter are done, you will then pour the butter into the jars. Leave 3/4 of head space in the jar so you have room to shake the butter.

Once butter is in the jars, carefully wipe off the top of the jars. Get a hot lid from your simmering water and place on top of the jar. Then seal tightly with the ring. Wait for your butter jar to "ping". When the jars are still warm being shaking them. Do this every so often until the jars have cooled off.
It's time to place the jars in the fridge.

You will then set your timer for 5 minutes. Once the timer goes off you will shake each jar. You will continue to do this until the butter becomes a solid. This process takes about 30 minutes.


Look how pretty it looks! The wonderful thing about the butter. . . it will not melt! It will last for up to 5 years, maybe longer we just don't know yet!