Gymnastics

We have good news!!

But first, some background... Brandi started gymnastics last February because she was always flipping around the house non-stop. I knew she'd be good at it. So I signed her up for classes. So this past June, the coaches evaluated the kids to see who they would recommend to be on the pre-team classes. And Brandi was one of them. So that meant that she would practice all summer long, 4 hours a week, learning back handsprings, and more difficult moves on the vault, bars, beams and the floor. So try-outs for the team were this past Monday where she had to do all sorts of things. She was really hoping to make the team. The team is divided into 3 groups: the Bronze, Silver and Gold. Bronze is the lowest team and Gold, obviously the highest team. Well, she made Silver!! Yay for Brandi! She is so happy. So now this means that she will continue to practice 4 hrs a week and will start competing in gymnastics meets with other gymnasts from other areas. Pretty cool, isn't it? We think she has come a long ways in 6 months of practice!! Here are a few pictures- they're not great- it was hard to get a good picture.

Congratulations, Brandi!!

Gymnastics

Brooke has also been taking gymnastics all summer. She has also been taking since February of this year. She has really enjoyed it- but has told me that she doesn't want to take it anymore. :( I wish I could talk her into it, because she's really good! Look how limber the child is! :)

Maybe she needs a break- I'll sign her up next session.

This is a candlestick.

This is a bridge.

(I tried this one day to show the girls that I really could do it and OWW! I realized that I'm not so limber anymore. That hurt!!)

A split. Almost all the way down! Look how limber she is compared to the other girls! Go Brooke! :)
On the balance beam.
On the bars.

Voting for President

I love reading Ian's funny quotes on Amy Day's blog. He is so cute. I think Brooke and Ian should start a funny sayings club. They are both so darn funny with the things that they come up with. Here's a very matter of fact conversation Brooke and I had just out of the blue this morning:

Brooke: Mom, what president are you cheering for?

Mom: What?

Brooke: What president are you cheering for?

Mom: Oh, do you mean which president am I voting for?

Brooke: Yeah.

Mom: Probably John McCain.

Brooke: Yeah, I'm voting for him too.

Mom: Sorry Brooke, but you have to be 18 yrs old to vote.

Brooke: Oh.

Scary or Cute? You Be the Judge...

We headed on down to Milford (a whole 8 min away) on Saturday to Milford Memories which is a downtown festival. The kids were dying to have their faces painted (except Briana). For some reason, I've never let them get their faces painted... now I know why!! Yikes!! So what do you think? Scary or Cute?

Sweet and Sassy

Brooke went to her "BFF"'s (another story for later)birthday party at Sweet and Sassy. It's a cute little place that does make-overs for kids. They fix hair, paint nails and dress up. Then when they're all made up, they get to walk down the runway and pose and shake their bon-bons. She has glitter in her hair... look closely. (That apparently was the best part) I'd say Brooke was feeling a little 'sassy' when she got home. :)

Obsessed

Whew! 756 pages later, I finished Breaking Dawn Wednesday night. Okay, my synopsis... it was a fabulous book. I can't imagine how writers can be so vivid in their imagination to write such intricate, detailed stories. On the other hand, I was a little disappointed during some parts. But I won't go into detail as to not give anything away. :)
So now I'm back to my life- maybe I'll cook and clean again for my family. haha

Next on my agenda is to see the Twilight movie.

See ya later, alligator!

The rest of my week will be taken. Sorry- we'll have to cancel gymanastics, tennis, grocery store visits, church, dinner and whatever else comes my way this week. Sorry children, you'll have to find a new mom this week. I'll be engrossed in Breaking Dawn, the next book in the Twilight Series. Yippie!!

Remember When...

This comes from Heather's blog. Thanks Heather, Great Game!
Remember when? Here is a fun little game...Leave a comment on my blog of a memory that you and I have had together. It doesn't matter if you've known me for a short time, or a long time, anything you remember! Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't have a blog, then I'll email you a fun memory. On your mark... Get Set... Blog!

Want some?

Everytime I make these cookies, somebody always- never fails- asks for the recipe. My mom would make us these cookies as little kids. Then when we got old enough to bake, we made them. And we're still making 'em. :) So here's the recipe for anyone who is dying for a

great cookie recipe... (or as my kids and Ronnie would say, THE BEST cookie recipe EVER) But you can be the judge.

In a mixer, blend 1 cup shortening (yes, Crisco), 1 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup sugar. Beat in 1 tsp vanilla and 2 eggs. Sift (or whisk together) in a seperate bowl, 2 1/4 cups plain flour, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp baking soda. Add that to the mixer. Mix well. Stir in 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips. Drop by spoonfuls to cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 min. It's just that easy!

The secret is to let them get slightly brown on top, then take them out of the oven while they're still a little melty and gooey. Let sit for a few minutes before transfering them to a cooling rack.

YUM!! Go ahead... try it! Let me know how they turn out!! :)

My Flowers

This is the front of my house. Last year when we moved in, it didn't look like this at all! I've done alot of weeding and re-planting and put down some new dirt and mulch. It made the biggest difference. Doesn't it look pretty? I thought it was, so I wanted you to see it.

(Amy, do you recognize the wooden pots? :)

Palmyra Trip

This weekend our family drove to Palmyra, NY to see the Hill Cumorah Pageant. The last time I saw it, I was probably 13 or 14 yrs old. So it's been a long time. Ronnie has never been and obviously, it was the girl's first time. Since it starts at dusk, Brandi and Brooke were exhausted and slept through most of it. They were troopers though because they woke up at 5am in the morning to start our trip, and here it is at 9:00 pm hoping they would still be awake to watch an hour and a half play. Nah, didn't happen. But it was a great to be there. We had so much fun.

This is the Palmyra temple. The grounds are beautiful, there were flowers everywhere!! My picture doesn't show how beautiful it really was.
In the Sacred Grove...
Taking a quick break from walking...doesn't she takes the cutest pictures. :)
Lunchtime...
I love this statue of Christ. When you see it in person up close, it is so powerful. Anyway, this was at the visitor's center in Palmyra.

At the pageant

One of the cast members from the pagenat talking to the girls. We had tons of people stop to talk to us, but this one stayed and talked to the girls for a long time, so I snapped a picture. She was cute.

Waiting for the pageant to start- notice that Ronnie, Brandi and Briana all have i-pods hanging from their ears. Nice talkin' to ya!
Brooke being Miss Social-lite, she makes more friends than anyone I've ever seen. She met this little girl that was sitting down on our row. She's 3 and adorable. They played together for over an hour. It turns out that her grandmother is Nancy Giles's sister from Irmo! It's a small world after all!

Niagara Falls

On Saturday, we made our way to Niagara Falls- it's only about 2 hrs away from Palmyra. What a beautiful sight!! :)

Maid of the Mist boatride

Waiting in line at the Maid of the Mist boatride. It takes you right into the falls.
this is where the boat went

About to get on the boat...

We stopped for lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe- this is Briana's Big Bite

And Ronnie's Big Bite. Yow-sa! That's a big mouth! :)

ice cream

It's sooo hot out- ice cream sounds good.

Is there a 5 yr old out there that can eat a chocolate ice cream cone without wearing it?

I don't think so... glad to know my kids are normal. :)

isn't that a sight to see?

The end of our trip! What a blast! We can't wait to go back!!