Easter in Vegas

So by now I am sure you have figured out that my nephews are a big part of my life. I love them to pieces and treasure watching them learn and grow. Sometimes I just want them to stop growing up so fast. This is the first year we could spend with the boys, and it was so much fun! The Easter Bunny brought the boys some new jammies and sunglasses and of course LOTS of candy! Peeps for breakfast never killed anyone!

One of Rebecca's neighbors organized a neighborhood Egg Hunt in the park. It was a fabulous idea! Parents donated a dozen filled eggs for each of their kids and the dad's went to the park early in the morning and hid them. After all the eggs had been hidden, the mom's and kids came to the park to find all the treasures. When all the eggs were found, everyone enjoyed a potluck breakfast! I can totally see doing this in Idaho, but we might have to put snow pants on the kids first.

I just love these boys! These hug moments are far and few in between, but they are sweet.

One thing that I love about being a kid is how easy it is to have fun. I watch my nephews play on the same playground with new found eyes every time. They don't worry about tomorrow or even yesterday. They can find joy in such simple things. I guess when the Savior told us to be like a child, there are many ways that could be.

Rebecca's Garden

Want a little helper build your garden? Little Leo loves to help!

For spring break, Jonathan and I went to Vegas to help his sister build a garden. Of course the little guys wanted to help us.

Boys and re bar. This friendship could last for HOURS!

Little hands in lot's of dirt!

I just can't resist a pouty face!

Here it is! The newest raised bed garden in Vegas! I really hope that it works for her. We planted vegetables and a whole bed for strawberries! With a new sprinkler system and many prayers, the Roger's family should have a great crop of wonderful garden fresh food.

While gardening in Vegas is more of an act of obedience than a money saver, there is so much satisfaction gleaned from gardening! Unfortunately, Idaho hates me and wont let me garden yet, so I will have to go to Vegas to get rid of my bug! I even cheated and already bought some herbs for me herb garden that Mother Nature informed me this morning is going to have to be an indoor garden for a while!

Grandma got the boys some "four wheelers" which kept them occupied for a long time! I just can't wait to be working in my garden! I bet I could talk these guys into coming up here and helping me, even if I have to bribe them with cheese and ketchup!

New Cabinets

We "finished" our basement about 3 years ago, but we didn't really finish it until a few weeks ago. We built 2 food storage cupboards on one end of the basement with the intention of adding a little kitchenette eventually. Silly me, I forgot to take some before pictures and I suggested after we pull the cupboards out so I could take a before picture, but I was out voted. After much hard work (Thanks Rebecca!) and lot's of priming, painting and sanding...

Tada!

I really wanted beadboard cupboards, but they were WAY out of my price range, so I bought some beadboard wallpaper at Lowes and added it to the center of the panels on the doors. I LOVE beadboard wallpaper! I am a bit addicted to it now. I wonder what else I can use it on...

I know it's hard to see with my shadow, but you can kind of get the idea.

I still have a few touch ups, but I LOVE my new cupboards! The beadboard was so easy to do and I think it adds a lot to the project.

Dear Spring, WHERE ARE YOU??

Dear Spring,

Where have you been? I have missed you so! I thought you were here already, as did my tulips. You were so convincing, that they started to come up but are now covered with snow.

Remember when you were visiting us last year? I know it was a short visit, but you have to admit that it was a fun one! Bike rides, spring flowers and you can't forget how much fun we had at our first picnic together! Why don't you want to visit me this year? Are you mad at me or something? Was is something I said? You know I love summer, but I love you too! Winter just wont leave no matter what I do! You don't have to be scared of winter. It may be a bully, but nobody really likes it. We just say we do to make it feel better so it won't beat us up. I was hoping you would be there when I woke up this morning, but you weren't. Winter said, "good morning" instead.

If you come for a visit, I promise to make it worth your while! I have all kinds of plans for us this year! How does walks with the dog and more bike rides sound? I even have plans for planting flowers as well as the garden. Would you like to come to my garden party? It just wouldn't be the same without you. Please tell me you will come! Oh Spring, I miss you! Hurry and visit us soon! My sweet husband doesn't want me to forget you, so he brought me some of your flowers to remind me what you look and smell like.

I hope to hear from you VERY soon! We will have so much fun!

Love,

Donna

Tape Measures and Puppy Dog Tails- That's What Little Boys Are Made Of

What will keep little boys entertained for HOURS even if they are visiting Aunt Donna who doesn't have tons of toys?

Tape Measures!

The discovery of the fascinating tape measure dates back to the early days of desperate need for cheap entertainment for three, tool lovin', crazy little boys. Thanks to Hobby Lobby and their 99 cent tape measures, hours of fun was had by all.

What do you do when the tape measures get lost and it's too cold outside to play in dirt?

Bring on the DOG!

Who doesn't want some love from this cute puppy?

Okay, so I am not about to open my mouth while kissing my dog, but apparently, it's all the rage with these guys! Good thing my little Lady doesn't mind all the chaos when these cute guys come to town! I really do miss them when they leave, but then I can always fill my time by erasing all of their "love marks" from the walls.

We have been on a kick lately to try new recipes. This is one I found in the Best of Taste of Home 2010 edition. I LOVE it! There are about 30 different recipes flagged in my copy waiting to be tried out in my kitchen! Bacon Cheese Burger Buns can be found on page 72 and according to my husband, it's a keeper at our house! One thing that I liked is that it made 24 large "pockets" perfect for freezing, picnics, road trips and lunches on the go. I know you are going to ask for the recipe, so here goes:

Bacon Cheeseburger Buns

2 packages of active dry yeast (about 4 tsp)

2/3 cup warm water (110 to 115 degrees)

2/3 cup warm milk (110 to 115 degrees)

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup shortening

2 eggs

2 tsp salt

4 1/2 to 5 cups flour

Filling:

1 lb sliced bacon, diced

2 lbs ground beef

1 small onion chopped

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 lb processed cheese (Velveeta) cubed {I used 2 cups shredded Cheddar and it was okay.}

3 to 4 tsp melted butter

1. In a large brown, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add milk, sugar, shortening, eggs, salt and 3 1/2 cups of flour; beat until smooth. Stir in remaining flour to form a soft ball.

2. Turn onto a floured surface and kneed until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl. Cover and let rise in a warm pace until doubled; about an hour.

3. Meanwhile, cook the bacon. Remove from pan and drain. Brown the hamburger and diced onion. Drain. Back in the pan, mix the hamburger, bacon, and cheese till it melts.

4. Punch dough down. divide into 4 sections. Roll each section out into a 12 by 8 inch rectangle. Cut each into 6 squares. Place 1/4 cup of meat mixture into each square. Bring corners of dough together and pinch together to seal.

5 Place 2 inches apart on greased baking sheets. Bake at 400 degrees for 9-11 minutes. Brush with melted butter. Serve warm with ketchup or barbecue sauce.

Makes 24 pockets

PinewoodDerby

The elders quorum in our ward had a pinewood derby last week. Jonathan had fun designing a car and I thought it would be fun to make a cake in the shape of a track. Even though his car wasn't the fastest, he did win most creative! {His prize were 2 "Best of Bette Midler" tapes.}