Aunt's Day Wth Jack & Jayci

Last weekend Erica and I had Jack and Jayci overnight. I had Jayce and Erica had Jack. They are such sweeties and we had a ton of fun with them .

At bedtime Jayce was not tired. She did not want to go to bed yet.... So like a naughty Aunt I let her stay up and have a bath. We did "princess" braids so she could have "magic" hair in the morning. I called Erica and she and Jack were in bed watching a movie per Jack's request. Jayci and I cuddled and read stories . It was then time to go to bed to get plenty of rest before the fun morning ahead.

Erica and I after debating were to go decided on Hee Haws. It was really fun they had their Spring Fling going on. With Hay Rides, Slides, Petting Zoo, Tractor & Train Rides and the list goes on.

The kids had a total blast on the slide and wanted to go by themselves. Because they are BIG and can do it alone :D It was so cute to watch them running up and down this huge hill smiling for the next slide ride. Jack was a big helper and took the other kids "slide sacks" back up to top neatly placing them where the belong.

Jayci absolutely loved the Horsey Swing. As you can see by the pictures she was giggling the whole time. It was so cute to see her so happy. She also loved riding the pony and petting the baby animals. She is adorable!

Jack found a Big Wheel and some sand. He did not want to swing he wanted to make tracks in the "sand dunes". He loved riding on the animal train, helping other kids go on the slide and the cool tractors. He was such a sweetheart.

After the farm we headed to lunch. JCW's was right there so we went there. Plus the food is good. All day we were reminding cute Jayci to not put her fingers in her mouth. There are animal germs on her fingers. We washed them up before lunch, but Jayci kept putting her hands in her mouth and touching her dirty pants. Erica and I kept telling her "please do not lick your hands". And then she stopped after Erica said.... "Jayce... Honey there are animal germs on your pants and fingers. Please do not lick them. There is "poop" on the animals butt's". Jayci had the cutest look on her face of ewwwwww yuck. She put her head down and in her cute Jayci voice said... "Erica I'm sorry I licked an animals butt." We cracked up laughing!!! Erica called Jess a couple days after hoping she has not said "butt" again. She was worried. It was funny and cute!

All in all we had a great day! By the end of it all we were pooped out and ready for a nap. I love these 2 little stinkers!

hApPY bIrThDaY jEsSe!!! tHe BIG ThRee-O !!!

This post is for my baby brother today. I would like to wish him a VERY happy birthday! I cannot believe you are 30 today. It seems like yesterday we were just kids. This means I will be 34 this year. Wow! Time flies!

 

Little (BIG) brother (who somehow got all of the height & high speed metabolism)I love you SO much and admire the man you have become. You are a great man and husband, daddy, son and brother.

Your big sister is proud of you and so blessed to have you in my life. Sorry for all of the times I teased you when I was still your (BIG) sister. ;D Ha Ha Ha...
We still had fun though!

I will never forget how you were quite the little prankster and you would always have something rigged up in my room or my bathroom to play a joke on me.

Here are a few fond memories I have of you....

*Getting you out of your crib when you were sleeping & I told Mom you were awake when you weren't.
* I always remember you wanting Vienna sausages when you were a toddler & your fuzzy white hair.
* When we called you Buddy or Bud more then Jesse
*The many camping memories in the campers, tents, trailers and dune buggy's
*How you would always make Erica & I cool things out of Legos and Constructs
*Playing Lyons, Tigers & Bears in the backyard in the "fish" pool with Dad
*Bike rides with the family...You seemed to manage to borrow all of our bikes when yours was broken, except mine.
*When you would tell me a secrets about how you really got hurt(the go-cart incident)
*Making treats secretly while Mom & Dad were gone and we would keep them downstairs and eat them. Remember the candy cane ice cream, from BYU ? Dad would always wonder where all of the ice cream would go :D
* Your little temper... You never took crap from anyone. (snow shoveling & a bird ?)Insode joke... LOL
* I remember how you would always let me take your cyclone truck out cruising & will never forget the ride in your Chevy right before your mission! :D
* I remember when you left on your mission.... There was a hole in my heart. I thought the pain would never leave. Erica and I missed you so much!We both cried and cried, but were so proud of you. We would often hug your clothes in your closet.
* Best reunion...Greeting you when you got off your mission!!! We all followed you around like little kittens or something. Poor kid. We missed you!
* Your wedding day :D We got another sister that we love so much!
* When you became a daddy... We love your 2 little sweethearts so much!

Love you Buddy! Have the best day ever!


Don't O.D. on any cake today ;D (another inside joke)

Matt's Mouthwatering Beef Brisket

If you are looking for a great Sunday dinner or something special to make for company try this. It will melt in your mouth! My hubby loves the Brisket at Goodwood. So we decided to make our own... Hello! This is a lot better! Trust me! I got the Brisket at Costco. (They usually have them in stock in the meat department.)

~Ingredients~

2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons salt
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 bay leaf, crushed
4-10 pounds beef brisket, trimmed
1 1/2 cups beef stock
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Make a dry rub by combining chili powder, salt, garlic and onion powders, black pepper, sugar, dry mustard, and bay leaf. Season the raw brisket on both sides with the rub. Place in a roasting pan and roast, uncovered, for 1 hour.

Add beef stock and enough water to yield about 1/2 inch of liquid in the roasting pan. Lower oven to 300 degrees F, cover pan tightly and continue cooking for 3 hours, or until fork-tender.

Trim the fat and slice meat thinly across the grain. Top with juice from the pan.

Right out of the oven....Mmmm the smell is fantastic!

*** Wondering how to make the side dish of roasted vegetables ?***
Again a Costco find. I purchased the bag of mixed fingerling potatoes. They are pretty good. The bag includes a mixture of red, purple, white potatoes. I also added sweet potatoes, onions & carrots to the mix. Delish...

~Roasted Vegetables~

Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees

On a cookie sheet pour 2-4 Tablespoons of good olive oil (enough to lightly coat your veggies)

Slice your desired amount of potatoes & onions & carrots and place on your cookie sheet. Sprinkle with Kosher Salt and Fresh ground pepper. Toss veggies in olive oil coating evenly. Add fresh rosemary.
Roast for 30-45 min until tender. Turning throughout with a spatula.

~I KNOW That My Redeemer Lives~

I hope you enjoy this Easter message.

I'm so excited for Conference this weekend!
My sweet hubby got us tickets to go to the Saturday morning session. This will be our first time attending G.C.
I'm looking forward to this wonderful weekend of inspiration and time with family.YaY!:D