Tye-Dye Day 2009

We had our annual tye-dye day this afternoon. Riley asked if we were going to have an earthquake today since we had one on tye-dye day last year. I told him I doubted it, but you never know when an earthquake would happen. This year turned out to be earthquake free. We tried doing some free-hand designs this year and they worked out great! As always, everyone had a great time.

Falyn

Riley

Jared

Aidan

Kayli

Talia

Kayli’s Peace Sign Design

Talia’s Peace Sign Design

Peace Sign Shirt for Falyn

Jared Lost His First Top Tooth

Jared’s top right tooth has been really loose for several days. He was having lunch today at Costco and told his dad that it was hard to eat his pizza. Dan reached over and yanked out his tooth. Jared was glad to have the tooth out and excited that the Tooth Fairy will be paying him a visit tonight.


OC Fair 2009

We made our annual visit to the Orange County Fair today. As in past years, we attended on the book drive day. When you donate one new children’s book, you receive a ticket to the fair and one ride ticket.

We visited the petting zoo.


Next we walked through the livestock corrals. We then went to the Wierd Al’s 3-D Brain exhibit, which everyone liked a lot. Next we visited numerous exhibits, including Dan’s favorite,The Amateur Radio booth where aach of the boys spelled out their name in morse code

Riley

Jared

Aidan

Next we had a snack and then it was off to the farm area to see some more animals.

Checking out the windmill.

Falyn loved petting the baby chick.

Everyone liked seeing the four day old piglets.

After the farm, we headed off to do rides.

Talia went with Falyn on the elephants.

The boys went on the bumper cars.


Dan went with Talia and Kayli on a rollercoaster.


We finished up the day with the annual foot massager picture.

Here’s a look back at the foot massager pictures from other years.

2008

2006

2004

My own little Dora!

When we were driving home from swim class today, Falyn said, “Let’s look for red lights!”. A few minutes later she said, “Remember, we are looking for red lights. If you see a red light, yell red light!”. When she spotted a red light, she yelled, “Red light! Let’s tell mommy to stop. Stop Mommy! Say it with me. Stop! Parada! Say it again, parada, parada! Good stopping mommy!” She continued this at every red light all the way home. Perhaps she watches a bit too much Dora the Explorer.

Kayli got braces again

Kayli got braces again today for the start of phase 2 of her orthodontics treatment. She was not to happy about getting braces again. The above picture is the one and only smile I got out of her afterwards. This picture show exactly how she feels about her new braces. She will have to have them on this time for around 2 years. The advantage of the two phase approach is that it practically eliminates the need to remove permanent teeth. I’m happy to say that in Kayli’s case, she hasn’t had to have any permanent teeth removed.

Just for fun, here’s some pictures of when she got braces the first time and after she had them taken off.

Kayli when she first got braces when she in 2nd grade.

When she got them off when she was in 4th grade.

Grandma Parker’s Texas Sheet Cake Recipe

I have been bugged by many people to put this recipe on my blog. (Chantel, this is mainly for you!) Since I am making it for the 4th of July, it occurred to me to add it to my blog. This recipe that was handed down from my Grandma Parker. If you like chocolate, you will love this cake.

Cake:

Ingredients

2 cups of sugar
2 cup of flour
1 cup of butter
1/2 cup of shortening
1 cup water
3 tbsp cocoa
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla

In large mixing bowl combine sugar and four; set aside. In a saucepan melt the butter, shortening, water and cocoa. Heat to almost a boil, combine with the sugar/flour mixture. When mixed well, add the remaining ingredients (buttermilk, eggs, baking soda, cinnamon and vanilla). Pour into a greased and floured long cake pan. Cook for 30 to 40 minutes at 350 degrees.

Frosting:

Ingredients:

3 3/4 cups powdered sugar
3 tbsp cocoa
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup butter
4 tbsp milk

Directions:

Place the powdered sugar in a large bowl; set aside. In a saucepan, bring to boil the butter and cocoa. When boiling, pour over powdered sugar and add the milk. Beat well. Mix in vanilla. Pour the frosting over the hot cake. Frosting will harden as it cools.