Back To School

Doesn't "Back to School" just call for a Cupcake??? Sophie and Chloe helped me make these special cupcakes. Chloe helped with the "chalkboards" and Sophie placed the apples, chalk and stars just perfectly on each cake. It doesn't show on the picture, but of course there are also little abc sprinkles on top. Sophie did those, too. What fun!

I can't believe that summer is almost over. I always have that "feeling of dread" a few days before school starts. I miss the kids, and the laid-back life of summer. Lindsey started back to Weber, and my baby boy started Viewmont High School. My Baby is a Sophomore??? OUCH!
Not only that, but he is on the sophomore football team. He had his first game last night, (7-28) and got quite a bit of playing time. Good Job, Cody!!

Carston also started school as a BIG first grader. Somebody pinch me. Do I really have a grandchild in school full- time? Time is just going by too fast!

Sleepover

Isn't this a good picture? The background in the most important thing in the picture. See the pillows and sleeping bags? That is because we were having a sleepover! Carston has been talking about this "sleepover" for a long time, and it finally happened. Being the kind and thoughtful guy he is, he gave me the couch, and he took the floor. He also wanted me to have the "coziest yellow sleeping bag, because it is like a coat", but I insisted that he take it, I mean, would it be fair for me to have the best of everything? Carston had the whole night planned, from the movie, ICE AGE, to a healthy midnight snack, to staying up clear until his bedtime, so that we wouldn't be too tired for games the next morning, to going to the park, and of course, waffles for breakfast. Just how does a girl turn down an invitation like that? I was having a great time, until he woke me up when he turned off the movie and decided to "work out' on the exercise bike (at midnight). It took a really creative bedtime story to get him to settle down and get to sleep, but it finally worked!! We had a great time. He is such a sweet kid, I love to be around him. I almost didn't publish this post, because i really don't want anyone to get any ideas about inviting me to sleepovers..........the thing is, this old girl just needs her own bed.
Hey, Thanks Carston!!

MY CUPCAKE OBSESSION

My latest hobby is making cupcakes and then taking pictures of them. Then I put some out on a pedistal, (which never get eaten, they just go hard, but for a few days, they look cute) and the rest go into the freezer. (for what, I don't know) Pretty much a lot of work for who knows what.

No, wait I know what......They are just FUN! And they are easy. There is just something about cupcakes that make me feel all warm and cozy. So from time to time I will post pictures of my lastest cupcakes (right before I stick'em in the freezer). Even our answering machine has Sophie saying, I'm making cupcakes with grandpa and grandma, they'll call ya back. Rick likes to tease Sophie that he is the GREATEST cupcake maker in the world. She gets all upset and looks and me and says, "No he's not, huh grandma!". But when we went down to Arizone to see them, Grandpa and Sophie made cupcakes together, and Grandpa came up with some doozies, which impressed Sophie, but back-fired on grandpa, because now when he says that he's the greatest cupcake maker in the world, she just says, "yes". He doesn't get her all upset anymore, and that's no fun.

These cupcakes are chocolate (Made from Scratch, of course) and frosted with homemade cream cheese frosting with mint flavoring. The chocolate part of the frosting has melted andes mints in it with chopped up andes mints on top. I wish I would have saved whole andes mints for the very top. Next Time. So there you have it......... keep posted for the next ones, and maybe one of you grandkids can help!

MEET THE "GRAND" KIDS

I LOVED being a mother. I thought that life just didn't get any better than that. But I was WRONG...Life does get even better with GRANDKIDS!! When I first found out that I was going to be a grandma, I was thrilled at the thought of having a new baby around again. But then it hit me HARD.......that child would call me grandma! That scared me. Was I really old enough to have that title? Had life just passed me by? Once little Carston was born, I just melted, and I love to hear him and all of the others call me grandma. It's an HONOR! These little people (and there are almost seven of them) are the joy of our lives. The best part about being a grandma? Spending time with them. (especially one on one time) The worst part? I have no power. Let me introduce them to you:( I'm still learning, so the pictures are all messed up as far as order. Just stay with me):

NICKOLAS

This little guy is HANDSOME!!! He'll melt your heart with just one look! He has a sweet disposition, and is as easy going as they come. He is beginning to talk, and says a lot of words for his age, for a boy. And ALL boy he is, too. Nick is one cute kid! I'll never be able to say "No" to him!

CARSTON

This is him. This is the guy that made me a grandma. We have adored him. He says the funniest things. He is a "little adult", a really deep thinker. Carston is very loving, and wouldn't hurt a flea. He really is my little buddy, and I love it when he comes to visit me. He always says the nicest things to me.

SOPHIE

Sophie is all girl. She loves pink, and dressing up, and anything feminine. She mastered the english language by the time she was 18 months old, and has been amazing us with the things she says ever since. Her claim to fame in our family is her singing. Our favorite is when she sings "Think of Me" from The Fantom of the Opera. (Her Favorite Movie)

KARLEY

This beautiful little girl was born with a full head of hair, and has had long hair ever since. She has the cutest little voice, and sometimes says things that I have NO idea how she comes up with them. (I just can't figure out how she knows some of those things) This kid has spunk! She isn't afraid of anything, She is "all girl " with a few "puppy dog tails".

ANABELLE

Everybody needs an Anabelle. She is the cuddliest child I've ever known. She'll stick her thumb in her mouth and climb up on my lap and mold her little body into mine, and I'm useless. The world can wait for all I care! She's also FEISTY! She can go from one to the other in a split second.(how does she do that?) She talks so cute and is soooo pinchy!

ETHAN

This kid is "Silent but Deadly" His big brown eyes melt my heart, and will save him from ever getting in trouble at our house. He is a man of few words, but as charming as they come. He is one solid kid, and I'm sure will be a football player. I just love to watch him wander around, looking for things to do. I would just like to kiss his cheeks off!

So that's it for now.........but not to worry, we have another one due the middle of October. The fun just continues.....................and I love it.

SANDY EGGO PART II

We took a little ride to the beach on the island. I think that 5 was for sure a crowd!
I would like to get one of these signs for my garden. This is at the Zoo. We could have watched the apes all day long. This Father ape just sat and watched the people who were watching him. He had a 'just try and date my daughter" kind of attitude.
Then he decided to take 'er easy for a while. Hmm. ..There was something about this guy that reminded me of someone I know...just can't quite put my finger on it.......

SANDY EGGO

Last week all of the stars and planets lined up just right, and we were able to fly to San Diego for a few days. And as it turned out, Lindsey and Dave were able to come, too. We had a great time, and I think that the best part is how Dave and Cody were able to do some

"Extreme Bonding"

sometimes they just got downright GIGGLY!

They especially enjoyed their time together on the beach...

The first thing we wanted to do is find the Temple, because we have heard just how beautiful it is. We were driving north on I-5 and there is was, looking very majestic. It is so beautiful in kindof a FairyTale way. The Missionary Couple there told us that people call it Disneyland South.

Doesn't this picture of "Cody and The Temple" just touch your heart?

And would a trip to California be complete without a trip to IN & OUT BURGER???

You can see, Dave and Cody really did bond. Dave didn't even complain about his wet shoulder.

Now that's love.