Balloon Festival 2009

This morning we realized it was the last day of the Balloon Festival, so we quickly loaded the kids up in the car and decided to go chase the balloons. They were lifting up from Albuquerque and they were landing right here in Rio Rancho, within a mile from our home.

Last year we went early in the morning to see them fill up with air and lift off. That was a wonderful opportunity and adventure! It was fun this year to see their descent and landing. We were out on the road with all of the balloon crews and it was exciting to get to watch what they do in bringing the balloons down. Here they come...

It was fun to watch them land right in the road! A little nerve-racking for drivers, they were cautious to drive under the balloons.

They were going down all around the new Rio Rancho High School named Sue Cleveland.

This pretty green one seemed to be landing right in someone's backyard, it was so close!

I chose this bright and cheery balloon as my "this year's favorite." The vivid and bold colors made me feel happy! I also feel thirsty, for some reason! Maybe I will go have a smoothy.

This balloon had such a neat and colorful pattern that it was also a favorite.

We enjoyed watching the crews grab onto the baskets to keep them on the ground.

Squeezing the last of the air out of the balloon. Matt wants to be part of a balloon crew. That way, he can learn the tricks of the trade to own his own balloon someday.

And along came a tender little ladybug, quietly resting on this flower...the kids favorite!

There was even an alien in the midst! Seriously! Here is the proof!

Sweet little ladybug. Steadying the basket...

I just realized, THAT is one big ladybug for that flower!

From the Top View...

We welcome all who want to come and experience this great event, to join us next year. Free room and board! You can't find a hotel with a vacancy anywhere in the area. So, plan ahead, it really is an inexpensive vacation!

The End...to another great Balloon Festival!

Mason's Verbage

I have to record some of the cute words Mason says. They are border-line dangerous sometimes, but cute none-the-less!

I will write the correct word and then write Mason's pronunciation for the word...the best I can. :)

Soccer ~ Foccoo
Spoon ~ Poon
Santa Fe ~ Lana Lay
Zipper ~ Lipooh
Applesauce ~ applelot
Self ~ lelf ~"Me do, mine own lelf."
Guess ~ geff ~ "Mommy geff what!"
Sick ~ lick ~ "Mommy, me no more lick!"
Stomach ~ lumuck ~ "Me lumuck, no more lick!"
Say ~ lay

Those are just a few, but he is really working on his sssssss sounds. He is getting better, but we don't want to forget how cute it is the way he says his words currently. :)

The Santa Fe Fiesta Arts & Crafts Show

In September, Matt took many new and old pieces of art to another show in Santa Fe. It was over Labor Day Weekend and he enjoyed getting to do some marketing. He had some really nice positive responses from people, which he enjoys because it gives him encouragement that he is doing the right business. The kids and I went to visit him for lunch on Labor Day and we enjoyed our short visit. Matt has posted some of his new pieces of artwork on his website. www.abstraktpainting.com The painting in the center is called Erosion and he had a designer from Colorado call him and inquire about doing some artwork in her home, similar to this painting. He also had a lady tell him that she wished she could afford to have him do some work on her condo in Hawaii. Matt told her he would make it affordable...as if she can't afford a little artwork...owning a condo in Hawaii! People are funny!

Here is Mason telling daddy about the food booth near him. He wanted a corn dog. We tried a cantelope drink and a strawberry lemonade. The cantelope drink was very tasty and I don't even like cantelope!

Chloe and Carter were enthusiastically telling Matt about something too! We have to make these trips to Santa Fe very short, because it isn't exactly the place for energetic kids! Of course, Daddy doesn't care and loves the company as long as it lasts!

This is a really neat church on the path that we were walking so we had to take a picture of it...just for the sake of taking a picture, I suppose!

Well, it was a fun little outing and maybe we will be able to go again next summer!

Post 9/15/09

Cake Balls & Pops

I have had several requests to post the recipe for the Cake Pops that I made for Chloe's birthday.
I received this recipe from a Relief Society Cookie Exchange. They were demonstrated by the host Charlotte Hancey and were the hit of the evening. She shared the recipe and a website with us that has lots and lots of ideas. Here is the website...


http://bakerella.blogspot.com


And here is the recipe that she shared with us...


What you will need:


1 box cake mix (cook as directed on box for 13 x 9 cake)
3/4 can frosting (16 oz.)
chocolate for dipping (candy melts, chocolate bark, white or chocolate baking squares)
wax paper


Directions: for Cake Balls


1.) After cake is cooked and cooled completely, crumble into large bowl.
2.) Mix thoroughly with frosting. (It is easier to use fingers to mix together, but it will be messy. You can use latex gloves.)
3.) Put mixture in a bowl, in the freezer, for about 30 minutes. This will firm the dough and make it easier to roll into balls.
4.) Roll mixture into quarter size balls and lay on a cookie sheet. It should make 45-50 balls. You can get even more if you use a mini ice cream scooper.
5.) Chill for several hours. (You can speed this up by putting in the freezer for about 30 minutes.)
6.) Melt chocolate in microwave per directions on package. I only melt a little chocolate at a time because it starts to cool and thicken. It's easier to work with when it's hot, and the balls are frozen.
7.) Roll balls in chocolate and lay on wax paper until firm. (Use a spoon to dip and roll in chocolate and then tap off extra.)


Directions: for Cake Pops


1.) Dip the tip of your lollipop stick in a little of the melted candy coating (or chocolate) and insert into the cake balls. (Insert a little less than halfway.)
2.) Place them in the freezer for a little while to firm up. This is a very important step in helping the pop stand secure!
3.) Once firm, carefully insert the cake ball into the candy coating by holding the lollipop stick and rotating until covered. Once covered remove and softly tap and rotate until the excess chocolate falls off. Don't tap too hard or the cake ball will fall off, too.
4.) Place in a styrofoam block to dry. You can also use a container full of sugar. (Colored sugar is fun too.)
5.) If using sprinkles put them on quickly because it will harden fast. Also, these freeze very well, even for a few months. They never harden completely so they are great right out of the freezer!


Some Yummy Combinations:


Devil's food cake with chocolate frosting (you can also add peppermint bits at Christmas!)
Red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting (dip in white chocolate or white candy melts)
Spice cake with cream cheese frosting (dip in white coating and garnish with cinnamon)
Confetti cake with vanilla frosting (great for Easter)
Strawberry cake with cream cheese frosting (dip in chocolate)


Have lots of fun and be creative! The ideas are endless!

Field Trip

So, the kids are out of school for 3 days for Fall Break so I took all of four of them for their first Chiropractic adjustment this morning. The doctor's office is pretty open with just a small half-wall separating his adjustment tables from the waiting room chairs. As the kids and I were all standing watching each other get adjusted, a lady walked in and looked around. Then she said, "Oh, is this a field trip?" The receptionist smiled and said we were all here for adjustments. Then the lady said, "Oh, there are so many little kids."

I laughed to myself and wondered what kind of responses the Dr. gets when he goes places with all 9 of his kids. :) I should consider our family adventures "Field Trips" from now on...seeing how there are so many little kids!

General Conference October 2009

We recently finished another wonderful General Conference Weekend! The kids were anxious about the weekend because they remembered how fun it was back in April. Possibly they remembered all the candy they got to eat while watching and listening...but they were excited anyway.

We decorated up the room again and set up the tables and chairs. We also had packets with all the word searches, and coloring pages. The kids all had a great time coloring, listening and eating treats! They watched for the speakers and circled their pictures. I believe they were more familiar with their names and faces this time. We have tried to talk about them in the months since last conference.

Chloe had fun tidying-up everyone's piles of paperwork after each session to keep the room organized. She is a great helper.

And, if this is any big suprise to anyone...not a single piece of candy was left by Sunday afternoon! Ok, there is 1 crumb, but it was too small to pick up with the tiniest fingers. We did learn from last conference, to use a smaller bowl. I believe we didn't eat as much candy as last time, which is fine by me! :)

My favorite talks this conference were:

"More Diligent & Concerned at Home" by Elder David A. Bednar

"The Love of God" by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"Love and Law" by Elder Dallin H. Oaks

"Two Principles for Any Economy" by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"Be Ready" by President Henry B. Eyring

"Safety for the Soul" by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"A Call to the Rising Generation" by Elder Brent H. Nielson (This one was very exciting to listen to because it was from my Stake President as a youth from Twin Falls, Idaho!)

Oh, how I love to hear the truth spoken from the Lord's mouthpieces here on earth!

Soccer

Back in May, we registered Carter and Chloe for AYSO soccer. Matt and I are both knowledgeable and experienced with most athletics, but when it comes to soccer, our knowledge and experience are very minimal...to say the least.

Well, by the time August rolled around, we started receiving phone calls to be coaches, referrees, and whatever else they could try and get us to be. We looked at our lives and what we had going on for the next several months and decided that we just couldn't squeeze anything else in. After declining for Chloe's team, the phone calls did not cease. Apparently they continued to get the same response from many other families. AYSO is a volunteer based program that relies solely on parent volunteers for everything. After continual pursuit, I agreed to be Chloe's coach. When I called back to confirm, they had thankfully found another volunteer for the coach. I was relieved. I offered to help out in other areas, where I could.

Two weeks before the first game arrived, the phone calls started again for Carter's team. They were desperate for a coach and would not take "no" for an answer. They told us that Carter would not have a team if they couldn't get someone to commit to be the coach. (I wondered why they didn't start this hot pursuit for a coach back in May when we paid our fees.) I told the lady that we had so many things going on that Matt would not physically be able to do it, but she would not let me off the phone without promising to ask him. I waited a couple days because I didn't even want to bother him with it...knowing it was my job to protect him and his schedule. Finally, I thought I should let him know because we needed to return the phone call. I explained all the requirements to him and then reminded him that he couldn't do it and I had already informed them. As I looked at him, I noticed a change in his expression. I asked him what he was thinking and he said he had to do it. I questioned him as to why and how. He then got a little emotional, as he often does, and told me that my dad was making him do it. My dad coached me in softball for many years, as well as my brother in baseball and sister in softball. My dad was very supportive when it came to supporting his children in their talents. I knew that Matt would enjoy this experience spending time with our children and he agreed that he would be going to the games anyway and might as well be their coach. Somehow, we knew we would have to make the time.

Matt may not know much about soccer, but he is very experienced in working with youth and knows much about leading and organizing a group. We both got to work putting in order the things necessary for coaching a soccer team. I became the team manager.

Here are some fun pictures of the kids playing soccer in their first few games. They are doing really well and we all seem to be learning the rules and fun involved in playing soccer. Chloe's first game kick off.

Chloe and Genevieve her teammate.

Chloe likes being near the ball. :)

Chloe scored a goal her first and second game. She was sooooo excited!!!

During half time, Chloe came and sat down by me and started crying. I thought she was hurt or something and asked her what was the matter. She said, "The lady bugs are winning!" I reassured her she was doing a fantastic job and that I was so proud of her. I told her we don't keep score and everyone wins! I felt such a great feeling of pride watching her play. I wished Chloe had more family there to see her play and then I realized how my dad was able to be there and watch her in spirit, every single game. At that moment I could even hear him yelling, "That's my girl!"

What an awesome sight to see her ambition and determination to kick that ball. She never seemed to get tired or complain about not wanting to play, she just kept on moving forward.

I think she has found a new love of the game. I love to look at that determined face!

This is her team of 4, and coaches. They play 3 on 3. They are the Princess Explorers! They are learning so much and improving with each game!

Mason always seems to find a way to amuse us and spend his time during the games...of course he faces the road as people are passing by. Maybe he thinks the tree is hiding him well enough. :)

Josie enjoys her snacks while supporting her siblings.I love this picture. Being out on the game field, I have remembered how much I love sports. I love the feeling of being part of team and working together to support each other and build strong bonds of friendship. I have remembered the "rush" and excitement of playing hard and doing your personal best. I have reflected on the many years I played softball, basketball, volleyball, a small stint of powderpuff football, and raced in track. I have great friends and memories from the experiences playing with those teams. It is a great feeling to exercise our bodies and see them do things we never imagined. I love those endorphins! Anyway, I loved to play each sport wearing the #24. It was lucky for me, at least I thought so back then. As I was admiring my kids uniforms, I realized that between each of them, they carried on my favorite number. There is an awesome feeling, watching your own flesh and blood, be a part of a team! Here is Carter warming up before his first game. He scored a goal this first game and he was so excited! As were we all!

These are pictures of Carter during his most recent game. His whole team has improved greatly! They played their first game without a practice because we seemed to be thrown together at the last minute. They play 5 on 5 and there are 7 kids on his team. Matt calls this team the "Bad News Bears" because they had a sad start, but they are turning their luck around quickly, and working well together!They even scored 2 goals this past game!I love seeing Carter's facial expressions!He had a couple fast breaks. After his first game, he came to me so enthusiastically and said, "Thank you mom for signing me up for soccer! I love it!"It is fun to see the boys get in and battle for the ball.Carter is working his fancy footwork. It is nice to see a smile on his face also. He is thoroughly enjoying himself. He told me that he wished he could play a game every day!I love this picture of Carter, he is really going in for the kill! :) His new friend Isaiah sticks his tongue out beside him as they run along side each other.Here are the "Cheetah's!"

There are 8 games this season and then they will play another 8 games during the spring season. It has been a very fun adventure...busy...but very fulfilling. Go Team!

Post 9/13/09