One more post from me. We had ward conference this past week, and in the ward council meeting, one the stake presidency counselors shared this video. Pretty amazing. Definately reminded me of Trav and his b-ball skills.

Variety Post

So I realize I've been a little post-happy, but I just have one more post to show everyone- I guess we've had a lot going on! Just a few more random things to show you:

This is what I call the "Refrigerator Syndrome". I did something crafy, and, like a kid, I've got to post it here, the virtural refrigerator, to show my indulgent family. I've gotten a few projects done that have been on my list for awhile. A chore chart and a Family Home Evening chart. Those are popsicle sticks with our names on it in the F.H.E. chart. I used embroidery thread to hand-stitch on the names on the chore chart, and the titles on the F.H.E. chart.

Good news to all who may visit! No more deflating-in-the-middle-of-the-night air mattresses! We got a double bed. We've revamped the rooms, now this is Caitlin's bed (thus the stuffed animals) and Lizzie and A.J. share a room. And this mattress is dang comfy, let me tell you!


Caitlin and Lizzie were in a little play. A lady in the ward does this little summer music camp. It's one week and they learn songs, get parts, and wear costumes. On the last day, they do the play for all their friends and family. The play was the "3 Billy Goats Gruff". Caitlin was a goat (which there were actually 5 of) and Lizzie was a butterfly.

Also, one final tidbit of randomness. While camping, Aunt Bonnie shared her yogurt recipe with me. I made it, and it makes delicious yogurt! I will never buy yogurt again! Here it is:

Aunt Bonnie's Crockpot Yogurt

8 cups milk (I used a combo of whole and 1%, Aunt Bonnie uses 2%)

1/2 plain yogurt (read the label to be sure it has active live cultures. I used Dannon's Greek Yogurt)

1 package plain gelatin (optional; helps it set up better when refrigerated. Bonnie says she's made it with and without the gelatin, and likes it better without. I've only made it with the gelatin, and I really liked it).

Put milk in crockpot on low setting for 2 1/2 hours. Turn off, let sit (with lid on) for 3 hours. Stir yogurt and gelatin into one cup of milk. Whisk into the rest of the milk. Wrap crockpot (still off, don't turn back on) in a towel, let sit 8 hours or overnight. Refrigerate yogurt when it's done. Makes 2 quarts.

I mixed mine with jam, it's delicious. Aunt Bonnie halves this recipe, I did too. It makes plenty!When you're down to a 1/2 cup, just use it to make more!

Flight of the Conchords Ep 3 Think About it

So since we're all posting funny videos, I'm going to jump on that bandwagon and introduce Mom and Dad to Flight of the Conchords. This is one of my favorite songs of theirs! But "Sello Tape" is a close second.

Tom Cruise on Home Teaching

Brett's fam recently showed this to me. They obviously cut and edited from another interview, but it is hilarious!

Hello...is it me you're looking for?

So I noticed we have the song "Hello" originally by Lionel Richie on our playlist...I thought you might all enjoy this old school/creepy music video of this song.

more Tahoe pictures....

Here's some more of the creek....

Dad and Travis REALLY enjoyed the creek!

Go Mom!

Bear in the bulrushes...

Need I add that these girls hiked back dripping wet?

Rod got his annual Northstar biking in with his friend Todd....

Grammy took Abby for morning walks!

Hercules...wait, I mean Dad

A pensive Lizzie on Rock Island.

Lizzie had that dirt smudge above her eye for like 4 days. Really, what was the point in wiping it off?

Mom and girls on Rock Island....

I like this biking shot of Dad!

Trav-man max-relaxin'...

Sunburned cheeks and nose from Bliss, along with some great camping dirt!

Rod and I finagled a kayaking trip...without kiddos. It was beautiful and peaceful!

Tahoe

I hope these pictures don't make any of my sisters cry...but Tahoe was, as usual, totally awesome. We missed having everyone there! But we did the best we could to enjoy ourselves. We went to the dock, blissed out at Bliss, ate market sandwiches (I had 3! one for each of my missing sisters!!), hiked and enjoyed the beautiful outdoors. On the way home we meandered through some small towns south of Carson City that I decided we're going to live in. We're just too far from Tahoe!

We dutch-ovened a lot. It was a little experimental, some meals turned out better than others, but it was a lot of fun! And super easy clean-up!

On the way home, we didn't make it far before we stopped...at Emerald Bay. It was beautiful. Next year, we want to go to the Viking House and do the tour. I remember only doing that once a long time ago.

Our old camera is now the girls' camera...and it brings much joy!

Lizzie taking shots of her camping friend, Megan.

The camping group. A family from SLC were our neighbors for a few days. They had 3 kids, ages 6, 4, and 2. The girls had a blast with them! This is them, plus one more kid from another camp, on "Rock Island", a super cool group of rocks in the center of the loop. By the way, this was the best loop ever. Especially for little kids and keeping an eye on them while allowing them to feel independent and free. It was great!

Our photogenic Caitlin. She loves posing for the camera!

Abby found a stump she could explore...

Abby and her BFF, dad.

Love this shot Rod took.

This driftwood is bigger than Lizzie. But why should that stop her?

This is on the day we weren't swimming, but the girls "just wanted to get their feet wet".....

T.C. and Caitlin

Exploring the creek was probably one of my favorite activites. It's a super fun creek! It was a lot of fun to watch the girls scramble on the tree trunks and rocks up the creek. I don't remember going here very often when we were growing up. Why didn't we?

Let the countdown to next summer's trip begin!