April Birthdays and Cake Decorating

Like I said before, starting in April, I wanted to wish my friends a Happy Birthday.  So, here goes.  Hopefully, I don't forget someone...

Trina is a great example of a loving mother.  Trina's daughter just completed her treatment for Leukemia (several years of treatment) and Trina spent every moment caring for her daughter while also caring for her son and husband.  She never complained and always wanted what was best for her daughter.  She also just gave birth to another beautiful baby girl.  Happy Birthday, Trina!
Debra is a fun neighbor to live by.  She is a survivor!  She just had surgery on her ACL and is still trying to do it all.  She works as a teacher and her students love her.  She is willing to try anything.  My kids had fun watching the performances she put on this summer of Grease and High School Musical. She is a go-getter and a great friend.  Happy Birthday, Debra!  Get off that knee!!! 

Christopher had a father/son cake decorating contest for scouts this month.  They made a "Red Sox" Cake.  The teddy grahams are the players and the marshmallows are the bases. Christopher got the award for "Best Fan".  

These are some of the cakes.  The boys really did a great job!

Spring Break

We've been having a great spring break (despite 3 of the 5 people pictured have purged their stomach in such places such as the zoo, the car on the way to Rodeo and of course...the toilet!)

We spent St. Patrick's Day at the Houston Rodeo. (Matt' green is on his watch...so he says)

Mammaw Griffiths, Brooke and Missy came to enjoy spring break with us.  

Aren't these day old piglets cute!

Driving the John Deere

We enjoyed our "suite" life in the suite watching the rodeo and the Keith Urban concert. Brooke's words as we left that night.."I love Cowboys, I love Rodeos, I love Keith Urban, I love Texas!" What a girl, come back and visit us again!

Christopher at the Zoo.

Temple Ordinances

This is a great video to share in response to HBO's airing of BIG LOVE in which HBO tries to portray Mormon temple ordinances.

 

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Talking about YouTube - Mormon Messages: Why Mormons Build Temples

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33 Random things about me on my 33rd Birthday

1. I am the 4th out of 7 kids


2. I am the first daughter born; hence the nickname Queen Ann.


3. I now like having 2 sisters but didn't like them growing up; I hated sharing a room so I was known for either kicking them out or moving myself to the garage or basement...


4. My four brothers are very different but I love them all for different reasons and grateful to be living close to one.


5. I have 3 brother in laws and 6 sister in laws that give so much excitement to both our families!
6. I was the Lions Day Club queen when I was 5 years old; when I was little I wanted to be the center of attention; now I like to sit back and watch. I have become much more reserved.


7. I lived in Utah for 29 years; 2 years in Idaho and 2 plus years here in Texas.


8. I went to 3rd grade twice.... When I was in second grade they moved some of us up to 3rd grade for the year but then I just had to repeat 3rd grade again. What a dumb concept!


9. My friends were great influences on me during my school years; friend make all the difference in how you will turn out.


10. I am still good friends with my high school friends; can't wait for our trip coming up this May.


11. College was the best! I had the time of my life and made friends and a husband for life!


12. We knew were getting married the day after we met! Just ask my roomates.


13. Four of my five roomates got married the same summer. Our apartment was crazy in love!


14. I don't like berries. Strawberries, Rasberries, Blueberries, Blackberries, you get the idea.


15. I love red licorice, cherry coke, artichokes, watermellon, bananna splits, prime rib and Godiva Cheescake!


16. I enjoy living away from home more than I thought I would.


17. It probably helps that I love to talk on the phone and can talk to anyone when I want so I feel like I am not missing out.


18. I have been known to want to know what is going on all the time and even had my siblings call me during a discussion between my dad and sister so I could hear the conversation..


19. I Love cookies and love to make them.


20. I use to play school when I was younger and make my sisters be the students or just talk to myself....now my daughter does the same thing.


21. I have 3 beautiful children. I feel guilty that Madelyn does not have a sister...I just asked Madelyn while I was typing if she wanted one and she said, "NO". So, I guess the guilt has gone away!!!


22. I love to go walking with my friends in the morning. Even if we look silly bringing the dog, kids and empty strollers along.


23. In college, I made my roomate practice "walking" the 1 1/2 mile with me....


24. I love to read. I feel so involved in the book that I am reading that I forget about everything else. I am reading 19 minutes by Jodi Picolult right now and I hate to put it down.


25. I am not a very good car rider for trips and we are going to try and drive to Utah this summer. Hopefully, I'll make it back before school starts.


26. I learned to waterski on a sitski... What, you've never seen one... well, it's two skis with a seat in the middle. It looks like it should be for someone that is handicap. Yep, that's me.


27. I love to sit on the beach or by the pool with a nice cold drink! Who doesn't???


28. My favorite drink from sonic is cranberry limeade from Sonic.


29. I love to laugh.


30. I miss my mom but I have a wonderful mother in law.


31. I have the best Dad. Thanks for the birthday dress!


32. I am grateful for my husband for letting me be me...


33. And for my boys that woke me up this morning giving my 33 spankings!

March Birthdays and Beignets

How Sad.  The last time I posted was for February's Birthdays.  I can't believe it's already March.  It is always crazy how February flies by...it must be because it is only 28 days.  Baseball started the beginning of this month so that is also another reason why my month is gone.

Last summer, when we stopped over in New Orleans, we ate at Cafe Du Monde and tried their famous beignets (a square piece of dough, fried and covered with powdered sugar)  The kids loved them.   

The Original Cafe Du Monde Coffee Stand was established in 1862 in the New Orleans French Market.

So, when I saw a mix at the local grocery store (Walmart). I bought  a box and came home and make beignets for dessert.  I was nervous to cook with oil since a friend from church burned her kitchen down a few months ago while cooking with oil.  Anyways, the question is for those of you that have cooked donuts or scones.  Why were these not fluffing up in the middle?  Do they need to be stretched or was the oil not hot enough?  My kids loved them no matter fluffy or not.  I think Garrett ate 17 of them...

Max and Madelyn.  She loves to play with him like he is a doll.  She loves to put him in the baby crib with her dolls.  He is such a funny dog.  When he goes on walks with us he likes to either ride in the stroller or make sure Madelyn is right by him.  If she runs ahead, he is barking to get her to come back.  

March 3rd is my SIL Julie's B-day.  Julie is a great friend.  She makes you feel right at home.  We enjoyed our stay with her this summer in Ohio.  She loves her kids and they adore her.  Happy Birthday, Julie!

March 8th is my brother Jeff's birthday.  Jeff can be very serious but he can also have a good time.  He loves to not plan things out but just go and have a good time!! We have been on many trips with him that we just decide last minute to go someplace and then we go.  Even if Matt is the slow driver.  Jeff's family can stop 5 times and still beat us!!  Happy Birthday, Jeff.  

And last but not least...my birthday is March 13th.  And this year it's on Friday, the 13th!!  Matt's mom, sister and niece are flying in on Saturday for spring break.  Maybe, we'll wait and celebrate with them.  

It's been one year since I started this blog and I have tried to honor my immediate family for their birthday month.  So for the next year, I am honoring my friends during their birthday month.  Watch out. You'll never know what crazy picture I can find to post. 

Happy March to everyone!! Hopefully, you are beginning to get warmer weather wherever you  may live!