Camping!

Last weekend we took a little camping trip with our friends. We went up Big Cottonwood Canyon to the Spruces campground. What a fun time we had!

S'Mores! I don't think we were there an hour before Carson was requesting S'Mores.

A muddy face and a marshmallow! Perfect combo!





On Saturday we took a drive up to Silver Lake.





The dads and kids did some fishing.

We also had cousin Ellie with us!

Looking at worms!

Katelyn and her best buds (even you Tia!)

What is camping without a little dirt?!

Some of us hiked up to Donut Falls. I couldn't believe the snow that is still up there!

The only way to keep this kid contained was to give him something to eat! He sure had his share of Cheetos and cookies!

Katelyn, all tuckered out!

Our yummy Catalina Chicken and potatoes!

I love to camp and as much work as it is, it is so worth it! We had such a great time with our friends and made so many memories!

Catching Up!

So, I have been really behind on my blogging! I finally managed to get some pictures uploaded and I can get up to date!

First off, in May, Katelyn had her first Shellie's School of Dance Spring Concert.

Her dance was called "The Tigger Bop." She sure makes a cute Tigger.

Mom and Jace waiting for the show to start.

Next on the update, we had a neighborhood bbq in our circle. It was a fun night and a great turnout of great neighbors!

We had 3 bbqs cooking lots of yummy meat!

The kids also had a great time filling up water balloons.

Then this guy stopped by to get some food! I love it when my favorite officer gets to come home for dinner.

Our kids are almost done with school. Because they are in year round school, it feels like they have been waiting forever to start summer break!

Last week they had an assembly to recognize the students who read all year. Here are the boys with their "Bee-A-Reader" medals and certificates.

Our yearly summer playgroup has also begun. Last week we went to Wheeler farm.

Katelyn brought her cousin Keira with us and they had a great time!

It was such a beautiful day!

And perfect for climbing trees!

Next on the schedule is a camping trip and a visit from some of our family who lives in Vegas. So, hopefully I get some more great pictures to share!

Wingers Sticky Finger Salad

Don't you just love a good copycat recipe? I do! And now I have another one to add to my list!

This was absolutely wonderful! I can't wait to try it again.

4 chicken breasts, cut into strips
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup bread crumbs
2 heads romaine lettuce, chopped
2 tomatoes
croutons
cheddar cheese, grated
ranch dressing
craisins
2 1/2 cups brown sugar
1/3 cup Frank's Hot Sauce(Original. I found mine at Smith's)
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar



Heat oven to 400 degrees. Dip chicken breasts into the sour cream and then into bread crumbs. Place on a sprayed/greased sheet pan. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes until the chicken is cooked and crispy.

While the chicken is baking, prepare salad and make the dressing.

To make the dressing, combine the 2 1/2 cups brown sugar, 1/3 cup Franks Hot Sauce, and 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar in a pot. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. Let boil for one minute, but no longer! If you boil too long it will turn hard.

When the chicken is done dip into sticky sauce and place on a plate. To serve, place sliced strips on top of salad with any additional toppings (cheese, croutons, tomatoes, craisins, etc.) and drench in ranch dressing. Save the additional sticky dressing as an extra topping for the salad...it adds a little more tang!

*Oh, I reserved a few pieces of chicken and didn't dip it in the sauce. I wasn't sure if it would be too spicy for the little ones!

Starting the Backyard!

We have dedicated this Spring and Summer to finishing our backyard. It is an x-large piece of slanty yard which just so happens to need a lot of TLC!

We knew what needed to be done first, excavation and a retaining wall. After several bids, we were able to pick a company to go with. There was just one problem. It was now the beginning of April and they were more than six weeks out (thanks to the help of Mother Nature!) Yikes, my dream backyard wouldn't take shape until the end of May!?!

Then last Thursday we got a call. They had a cancellation and asked if they could start work that day. We said of course! Which was good because they were already sitting in our drive way!

They waisted no time getting started.

We had to leave for a couple of hours and when we returned we found this,


A huge mountain of dirt, which the kids immediately started to climb on!

In those few hours, the digging was done and all the rocks had been delivered. We were so surprised.

They returned the next day to build the rock wall. We watched them work all day long! It was so fascinating watching them pick up each rock and strategically set it in its place. It was also so amazing that it was coming along so quickly!

It took a total of 11 hours to finish the project.

Here is what it looks like today (yes, that is snow you see on the ground! So sad.)

We have so much work left to do but I am so glad that the biggest part is all done and about 5 weeks earlier than we thought!

Great 8.....

On Saturday, the 23rd my oldest child turned 8 years old. What a fun 8 years it has been!

I will admit, the older he gets, the more I miss the years that have gone! I love that with age kids become more self sufficient and they are capable of doing a whole lot more. But, I miss all the cuteness and innocence that little toddlers have. I don't know if I am ready for the older kid stuff!

Connor was a great baby, probably my easiest as far as temperment goes. He loved everyone, ate great (once he figured things out,) he was happy, and was a great sleeper.

(I had to include a picture of Connor and his helmet! What a fun few months this was!)

Things pretty much stayed the same as he grew from a baby into a toddler. One of my most favorite things was when he started to talk, he called Kelly Daddyn. I remember being so sad when it changed to daddy! He had a favorite blanket that he called "bootie." He had two favorite stuffed animals that he carried everywhere, Mr. Dog and Whisikers.

Another thing that I loved (and still love) is that Connor could meet a friend wherever we went. The playground, nursery, the splash park. It didn't matter. He could always find someone to play with.

He is such a joy in our life and I am thankful for him and all the happiness he has brought to us. I just hope the next 8 years are as pleasant!