Alphabet Dates—Letter C

I had big plans for our “C” date. 

We drove to our CABIN, but when we got there the road was CLOSED, so we had to CANCEL the date and COME back home.  Although, on our ride in the CAR we did see some CATTLE.

The next day, we played CROQUET and looked at Heavenly Father’s CREATIONS.
For lunch we had CHILI, CORNBREAD, and salad with CABBAGE, CARROTS, CELERY, CUCUMBER, and CHUNKY bleu CHEESE dressing.

Conference Weekend

One of my favorite weekends of the year!

General Conference!

I love the uplifting messages....and some rebuking to do better!

This year I made little "Conference Bags" for my kids, with little activities, and little treats for listening for key works--hoping to motivate them to listen more.

It worked pretty well for about 3 talks.

I love this picture of the kids.

No, I didn't pose them, but they did hear the camera clicking, and planned it.

I'm carrying on the tradition of "Conference Mints."

Growing up, my grandpa Hodgkinson would give us 1 "conference mint" for every talk we would listen to.  I would take my mint, listen for about 10 seconds, then go back downstairs to play.  As soon as I heard "Amen" I would run back upstairs to get my next "conference mint."  I thought I was so clever, tricking my grandpa, but now, looking back, I'm SURE he knew what I was doing.

I'm also glad that I'm the adult now, and can have as many conference mints as I want! 

And of course, we went to mom and dad's for our conference brunch!

It was EXTRA yummy this year!  

Caramel pecan pancakes, ham, ham cups, fruit, hash-browns, juice, and french toast casserole!

April Fools!

I know a lot of people don’t like April Fools Day.

I'm not one of those people... I LOVE it!  Growing up, it was my favorite day of the year.

This year was particularly fun!

I made Darin this lunch—but when he opened each package, inside he found a homemade lunch!

For Matt and Lindsay's breakfast, I put a few drops of food coloring in the bottom of the kids’ bowls, then cereal on top.  When I poured the milk over the cereal, the milk turned blue.  The kids thought that was a pretty cool trick.  And Matt, is certain that blue milk tastes better than regular milk.

In the afternoon we went into town to pull a few pranks on my dad at his office.  I taped his phone so when he would answer it, it would just keep ringing.  I taped the bottom of his mouse so it wouldn’t work, left a mysterious piece of cake on his desk, and messed a few other things up.  He’s a good sport!  Love you dad!

When the kids took their naps, I carried Matt to Lindsay’s room (he really is a deep sleeper and stayed asleep), then I toilet papered them in.  ha ha ha-- I LOVE their faces in this picture!!

I also added mustaches to their pictures in the basement.

Last, for “dinner” I told the kids we were going to have “cake.”  

(One was meatloaf and mashed potatoes, the other cheese bread).

Then for “dessert” we had Spaghetti and Meatballs--a carrot cake, with piped white frosting for the noodles, the meatballs are just carved out of cake, the sauce is Danish dessert, and the Parmesan cheese is grated white chocolate.

Happy April Fools Day! 

Alphabet Dates-- A and B

My friend, Katie, is always coming up with the cutest ideas!

She and her husband go on "Alphabet Dates."  They take turns choosing a letter, then the whole date revolves around that letter.
We decided to copy them (again).

I started by planning the 

"A" date. 

We ate ASIAN food, while we watched the AIRPLANES at the AIRPORT.

When we came home we watched an ANIMATED movie and ate ALMOND m&ms!

Even my fortune cookie went with the theme...ADVENTURE!

Next, Darin planned the 

"B Date"

We played Badminton in the Backyard with a Birdie.

Darin made us Blue cheese Bacon Burgers on a Bun with Brownies for dessert.

I love this picture of Darin giving Andrew a "Pep Talk."

Then we ended the night with a Bubble Bath!

Dates A and B were so much fun!  I can't wait for C and D!!

General Women's Meeting

Last night I was able to go the the General Women's Meeting with my mom, my sister, three of my nieces, and my mother-in-law.  It was a WONDERFUL meeting!  I always feel so refreshed and motivated to be better.

You can watch the full meeting on lds.org, or you can watch one of my favorite clips here:

Spring Has Sprung!!