Mouthful

Levi says, "I'm finding it quite handy to pick things up with my mouth lately. I'm getting pretty good at using these two little teeth too. This way, I can keep cruising and hold on to my loot!"

Levi's First Caucus

It has been a few weeks since our caucus. Kent and I, with Levi in tow, were surprised to find ourselves in a traffic jam that night. Fortunately, Kent knew of a little-traveled road, but we still arrived 40 minutes late. Our district was just beginning to get down to business so we didn't miss the major stuff. This was my first caucus experience, and I was quite intrigued by the proceedings. So was Levi. Or so a photo journalist thought! Here's a link to some pictures he took while Levi "looked on" interestedly at some important information. http://stillwatercourier.mycapture.com/mycapture/folder.asp?event=426697&CategoryID=35601&thisPage=2&ListSubAlbums=1

I don't know how long these pictures will be available, so if you don't see them when you try the link, they've probably become outdated. Anyway, Kent and I became delegates, so I think I'm going to feel more informed during this year's election than I have in the past.

Birthday

We celebrated Tana's 16th and Kalai's 14th birthdays tonight with some friends. The basement was filled with laughter and hilarious noises as they played "Animal." An hour of "gymnastic fun" where Tana works wore them out (not) and then they came back for cake. This picture is blurry...I'm very disappointed, but these guys were very entertaining tonight.
Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream Cake
Oreo Ice Cream Cake

I tried making an ice cream cake for the first time last year. They're surprisingly easy and the girls requested them again this year. Someone asked for the recipe. Here it is...Basically.

1/2 gallon ice cream (any one or two flavors)

1 cup hot fudge sauce

1/4 cup butter

20 ounces cookies

whipped cream, candy pieces

Crush about half of the cookies and mix them with melted butter. Press into bottom of spring foam cake pan. Line cookies around the side and put in freezer for 10 minutes. Spread hot fudge sauce on top of cooled crust. Freeze for 20 minutes.

Defrost ice cream in bowl or on counter. Put half the ice cream in pan with chopped candy pieces(berries, fruit, etc.) layered on top. Freeze again. Fill the rest of the pan with remaining softened ice cream. Freeze. Top with whipped cream if desired and crushed cookie or candy pieces. Drizzle with hot fudge sauce. Yum. It sure beats Dairy Queen prices! I like that.

Learning

I'm learning from my little guy...a little bit about my Heavenly Father. Levi so desperately wants to climb the stairs, pull over lamps, eat non-food items, climb headfirst off the couch. But his mommy almost always manages to put a halt to it! I know it's not good for him and I love him too much to let him seriously hurt himself.
I sometimes inwardly complain or murmur about what I can't do or what circumstance I want to be different and I see myself in Levi's attempts. And I'm thankful for a Father who knows me and sees what is truly best!

My Grandpa

He lived almost 93 years and was married just shy of 65 anniversaries.
He was a tall, handsome man, 6'3", a full Swede.
He was "Dad" to two daughters, two sons; "Grandpa" to nine granddaughters and one grandson; "Great-Grandpa" to five great-grandsons and nine great-granddaughters.
He was incredibly witty and could talk to anyone...and I mean anyone!
He was always singled out by my friends and family as "the very distinguished man" or "he's a wonderful man to talk to."
He stood out as a man who cared about others and he was always interested in their lives.
He rode all the crazy rides with us at Disneyland fourteen years ago...that made him seventy-nine years old. Wow!
He was honest, could play hide-and-seek in the store with his granddaughters, could tell you how to get anywhere (he was a walking map), loved history, lived life at his own pace (he stopped to read any and all signs), had an incredible memory and made a huge impact in my life. How often does a grandchild have the privilege of having a grandparent well into their adult years? I'm so thankful for his impact on me...relishing a good bargain, love for travel and new places, adventureous eating (he'd try anything and so will I), and I'd like his positive outlook on any and all circumstances to rub off on me. His only complaint lately...T.M.B. Which he explained as Too Many Birthdays. Did I mention his sense of humor? Wow! I'm going to miss you, Grandpa.

California

My grandpa passed away after Christmas, so the family planned a get-together for this month. All my cousins, uncles, and aunt were able to be there with Grandma for lots of talking, remembering Grandpa, and a few fun outings. What a wonderful reprieve from the below zero temps. in Minnesota. Levi went with me, and he was visibly excited to breathe the warm air and feel the sunshine! These oranges were in someone's yard across from the church building. Yum!!
My sister and mom and dad were there too. (sorry, I forgot to flip this one)
Grandma holds Levi the day we leave.

Two of a kind...crazy uncle, crazy niece.

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I love hearts

For some reason, Valentine's Day is one of my favorites. I think it's all the excuses to use red and white, eat chocolate, have a party, find something to do with strawberries, and think up a heart-shaped treat. My girls think it's fun too. Kalai made French toast for breakfast and surprised us all with this Valentine twist.

For lunch, we were invited to a friend's house for a party. She appropriately ordered these pizzas!
Our life group met that night so Kalai and Malia set our dining room table to fit the occasion.
Heart-shaped jello jigglers joined us at lunch. They always look so pretty on a plate.
My clever and thoughtful husband thought up one of his trademark scavenger hunts for me. It started with an e-card, led me to my camera which showed four clues, and I finally came across a special surprise hidden away. What fun.

Snow Days at camp

We just arrived home from a weekend up at camp. We enjoyed games, fellowship, and lots of fun winter activities including snowshoeing (my first time ever!!) and sledding. Levi's "first" was a short sled ride, during which he remained expressionless! DJ enjoyed a snowmobile ride from a friend. Personally, I think snowmobiles ruin the winter scene. They're noisy, smelly, and allow the rider to "sit around." I think I'm a minority though, because everyone, my kids included, thought they were pretty cool! Alyssa, Kalai, and Malia watch something...
Levi wasn't especially thrilled with his first time "in the snow."
He thinks this is much, much better!

Energy: the ability to do work..no...no...destroy!

Levi has taken on the job of pulling everything out of my cupboards so I see how badly I need to scrub them out. You should have seen how bouncy and happy he was after achieving this!

On TV (at the Science Museum)!

We're spending our weekend a little differently since Kent and the three older girls are gone to a youth retreat. I didn't exactly plan to stay up so late but last night a friend was over, and it was close to 1 a.m. before we quit talking. Then today we decided to head to the Science Museum. That's how we got these pictures and I got to kiss my baby on "TV". (It's a fun little center that simulates the whole thing)

One main reason I wanted to get to the Science Museum was their featured IMAX about the Alps and one man's climb. If you get a chance to see it, it's amazing...breathtaking...and as much as the idea of taking on mountain climbing appeals to my adventurous side, I don't think I'd ever be found on those vertical mile-high walls! Malia and Margaret both proclaimed quite confidently that they'd never take on mountain climbing when they grew up! :)