I know... I'm a geek.

Ever since we got our new Bosch mixer for Christmas, I have had fun trying out different bread recipes and baking in general. I feel more confident in purchasing wheat for our food storage because I know now that I will actually use it! Since moving to Las Vegas, I haven't had my favorite Grandma Sycamore bread that I would buy at Costco. I have seen it on some grocery store shelves but for a very premium price! Now I have better tasting and better for my family bread made with ingredients from my food storage and it has been very rewarding. Lest anyone think I have become one of those mom's from a 50s sitcom with my retro apron (thanks Dawn!) and warm loaf of bread, the rest of my house has gone to pot! After all, I can't seem to focus on cleaning, baking, the raising of perfect children, and the grooming of myself all at once. Somewhat unfortunate, but for the last couple of months, I've enjoyed baking bread!

Three Day Weekend at Home

We've enjoyed this past weekend with Eric being home from work and Taylor out of school. First, Eric and I went out on a date (woo hoo!) Friday night going to dinner at a restaurant some friends recommended called Ta Ta Asian Bistro. Asian food is my absolute favorite and we got our meals for 50% off because of a deal they have going on right now. Such a great deal and good food too! The kids really enjoyed the Valentine holiday with all the exchanges of Valentine's including two packages in the mail from Nana and Papa and their cousin Ava.

Saturday we just hung out as a family and did some shopping where we bought a tent. Eric put it up in our loft upstairs and we let Will and Taylor sleep in it that night. Kids can be so easily pleased sometimes. Taylor was on a high talking about how fun our camping party was and all we did was set up the tent! No food or camping activities--just set up the tent!Monday morning we got up and decided to go hiking. It was a last minute decision but we thought the weather was decent enough we should go. We drove to Red Rock which we have only ever driven through and decided to do the Children's Discovery Loop. It was cold and a little drissley at the beginning but we decided to go for it because it was only a mile long. Half way into the hike the snow started piling down but we decided to press on because we could hear the waterfall (which is seasonal) flowing in the distance. The kids were doing great at this point but after seeing the waterfall, they went downhill both literally and emotionally. We got back to the car with cold and crying kids. Maybe we had been a little too adventurous today! After they warmed up in the car, we asked them if they had a good time in which they responded enthusiastically with a "Yes!" So while Eric and I wondered if this was a mistake maybe it wasn't after all. Maybe in fact, they will be more likely to remember this little trek their parents dragged them out on! By the way, this hike was a beautiful one (especially since we were treated to the waterfall which only goes on between January and March) but I would recommend doing it in DRY WEATHER.


So far so good!

Getting close to the waterfall. Still so far so good.

At the waterfall. Starting to feel a little wet and cold now.


Looking back at the trailhead after the hike. You can't even see the top of the mountains because the clouds have moved in.

Lest anyone think that all we do is play, there was plenty of other things going on this weekend. It was just boring work and who likes to take pictures and blog about that!

Out to Play

We have had incredible weather this month of January and decided we should take advantage and get out and explore. We read Deborah Walls articles in the Henderson newspaper every week and love her suggestions for hikes to do in the area. We were amazed to find out that we were only a 30 minute drive from a natural bridge in the Eldorado Hills area. I love rock formations and especially arches and bridges so off we went this past Saturday to go hiking. The weather was overcast and in the 50s but was perfect for our hike. We went with our friends because it is always more fun to involve others who are up for adventure as well.

This is Taylor and her friends Kelsie, Riley, and Katelyn. You can see the little town of Nelson in the background.

Katelyn at 3 years old, takes the lead!

Daddies and their babies
After about a mile we reach the Bridge.
Eric can't resist getting on top of the Bridge.

After the hike, we drove a little further to the shores of Lake Mojove and had a picnic lunch.
We stopped at this building in the tiny town of Eldorado for a little break and some history of the area from the owners. There is a mine across the street that would be fun to go back and tour sometime.

If any of you are from this area in which we live, don't hold back--I want to know more about all the great places to hike and go exploring. This day was a gem and we would be willing to do it again sometime for those who haven't been here.

New Family Pics

Brace yourselves! I couldn't resist posting a bunch of the family/individual shots we had taken recently. My friend Angela Salazar took our family pictures out at Lake Las Vegas which is a resort area on the east side of Henderson. She did such a great job that I'm having a hard time picking which photos to develop for the wall in my family room. Which ones do you like best?

Looking back over the last couple of weeks

For my kids, the Christmas season didn't start when the Christmas tree went up but when the snow came down. I've never seen my kids so excited as they were on the magical day it snowed at our house. Taylor questioned my earlier statements that we wouldn't see snow until our visit to Utah and they all ran around yelling "Its Christmas" over and over again. Of course, we had to play in it but since I wasn't too prepared with winter gear, the kids had to wear a hodgepodge of gloves, hats and mittens. Luckily, we still had our sled!
Will has a habit of leaving his pants off after using the potty and had sneaked outside with Daddy's boots while Mommy wasn't looking!

While this day of snow was filled with sweet memories, it was also a sad day because I found out about my grandpa's passing. We had planned to leave for Utah on Sunday but instead we found ourselves on the road Friday morning so that we could attend the viewing and funeral services. The funeral was wonderful and the Spirit was felt strongly by all those present.

It was fun to have Santa come to Nana and Papa's house this year. Taylor is pretending that this candy cane is a walking cane in this picture.
Taylor loved playing with all her cousins and even had sleep overs at Ellie's and Emma's houses. Will also had fun sleeping over at Kyle's house and didn't ever want to leave.
"Rocket" was Will's favorite present. He was also very fond of the rocket pjs he is wearing in this picture.
Reagan warmed right up to her many aunties and took to Aunt Erin (in the picture) and her soon to be new Aunt Amy. We joked that Amy was her second mommy as sometimes she preferred her over me!

We stuck around and Eric worked from the Salt Lake office so that we could be around for Shaley's wedding reception on January 1st. So glad to have seen Shaley and her new hubby, Howard. They were married in St Paul, MN on December 26th.



We had a great time for the couple of weeks we spent in Salt Lake and were glad to attend the family events that went on while we were there. We were happy to get back to our own home however and even Taylor expressed excitement for our return.

Grandpa Hind

This morning my Grandpa passed away. He was born in 1921 in Smithfield, Utah and lived a long and good life. Though I will miss seeing him, my heart swells with the emotions of gratitude. He and my grandma were both completely deaf from the time they were children and managed to raise 7 children in rather humble circumstances. The results of having done so is a very big and happy family with aunts, uncles, and many cousins. He was a very hard worker. He was the first deaf bishop of their deaf branch for several years back before I was born.

I like to remember at times like this all those memories that make me laugh. I remember seeing him almost everyday when I was growing up because he owned a horse that he kept on our half acre backyard and would come over everyday to feed it. Before we had a TTY, I remember that there were some days he couldn't make it over to feed the horse so he would call on the telephone and because he was deaf would just keep repeating over the phone "feed the horse, feed the horse, feed the horse" hoping that one of us would get the message. I also remember a family reunion where he sang a song either about a snake or a pony (I can't remember--maybe it was both) but what I do remember is he had every one of us rolling with laughter at his silly song (darn-I wish I could remember that song!) and he was laughing really hard as well. I'm sure I could go on and look forward to reminsing more with family in the upcoming days.

The picture above is of me and my Grandpa. It was taken by a newspaper writer doing an article about my grandparents. I will miss you Grandpa but look forward to seeing you again and talking to you with my voice. Till we meet again!

Taylor participated with her dance group in the Boulder City Parade of Lights Saturday night. I followed her from the side lines down the parade route while Eric and the other kids watched the parade. I thought she might get tired or bored but she danced her way through the entire parade with a huge grin on her face the entire time. They danced to "I want a hippo... for Christmas" and decorated the mini van this truck is pulling to look like a hippo. The kids are behind the Hippo.

This house along the parade route was totally decked out in lights. The kids couldn't help but loose some of their focus as all their heads turned to look at the lights. Thanks to my friend Julie, we actually have some pictures to show from this memorable event. It was just fun to go to a parade in December and not freeze our bums off! The event was nothing like Disney's parade of lights but still fun especially since we had our own little participant.