Disneyland Vacation-Days 1 & 2

We are so blessed! When we found the tickets to Texas, with Spencer's schedule being the way that it is (by taking 1 week off, he ends up with 3 off,) we looked at the cost of stopping in Utah or California. Utah was another $250, per person, so it was out. Cali. was only $50. So we decided we should go to Disneyland while we had the chance at a much cheaper trip than it would be otherwise (leaving the island is normally at least $500  per person).

The blessings I am talking about is our friends and family. My beautiful parents, decided that since we were so close (all relative, compared to being across the Pacific Ocean) they needed to come see us. We also had one of my dearest friends and her family meet us there too, since we had always talked about going there together and timing worked out. I cannot express how much it meant that these wonderful people changed schedules, spent money and time to be with us. We feel so very loved and hope that we can reciprocate one day.

Papa and Luce

 Already loves the Princesses

 Love Lucy staring up at her!

 Yummy desserts! Couldn't resist a picture!

Disneyland Vacation-Days 3 & 4

On one of our days in the parks, my beloved Grandpa Hanson insisted he needed to see us and since we didn't have a rental car, he drove to meet us and spent the day at California Adventures. He had never been there and we had a wonderful time. The World of Color show is amazing. I love seeing him with my children and watch them develop close relationships with him, just like I have. He and Madelyn are especially close. They have always been that way. I adore that!

Me and Jenna

 We are all powerless to the need to kiss on that sweet baby!

 Grandpa meeting Lucy for the first time

 Best Buds

More Disneyland

I wish I had gotten more picture with our friends, Jeff and Jenna Wilson. Hopefully they know we love them!

 Aidan and Hunter, who share the exact same birthday

Spicy Ginger Cookies

If you know me, you know I love to bake. LOVE it! I've been thinking I should share some of my very favorite recipes that we make all the time. One thing you should know first though, is that I do NOT believe in margarine. It's bad for you, (trans fat, which is much worse than saturated), and baked goods always have better texture, consistency, and flavor with butter. There's my snobby, butter spiel.

I found this recipe on a birth board and thought they sounded delish. I have no idea whose recipe it is originally. We love soft cookies, but we also love Gingersnaps, which we have a difficult (and expensive) time getting here. These cookies have the same flavor that we loved in a cookie that is slightly crunchy on the outside and chewy in the middle.

Ingredients:
2 1/2 C flour
1/1/2 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper + 1/8 tsp. ( the original used a full 1/2 tsp. but it was a little too spicy. This amount has just the right kick to it, we think)
1/2 C butter, softened
1/2 C sugar
1 C brown sugar
1/3 C Molasses (full flavor molassses gives much better flavor than mild)
2 egg whites

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix flour, baking soda, spices and salt together. In a separate bowl, cream sugars together. Add molasses and eggs until well mixed. Slowly add in dry ingredients. Use medium cookie scoop and bake for 12 minutes, letting cookies rest for 1 minute before moving to cooling rack.

Hope you guys love them! If you make them, let me know what you think!

Madelyn's pierced ears

Madelyn has been asking for pierced ears for about a year now, but I kept putting it off. I finally told her that if she was a good girl for her 4 yr. shots, I would let her get her ears pierced while we were in Texas. She was so excited, but after they did the first ear, she was not going to let us do the next one. Spencer finally just held her and the silly thing was that instead of crying harder, she stopped as soon as they pierced it. It was like she was crying from being scared, but the actual stab was no big deal. She's in love with her earrings and is very glad she has them.

Spencer and Chase

Spencer and Chase became good buddies. They were so cute together. Spencer was rubbing Chase's hair and when he stopped Chase grabbed his hand and put it back on his head, and then he patted Spencer on the head. It was so adorable to see them!

Chase and Lucy

Chase and Lucy were so cute together! They were chasing each other all over the place. Chase kept giving Lucy kisses; it was so sweet. She then tried to "kiss" him, but it looked more like she was going to attack him! We love those babies!

Chasers!

One of our main reasons for going to Texas was to see Chase. We want to know him and our children to know him and we know that any time with him is precious. He is such a sweetheart! We feel so blessed to have the opportunity to spend time with him and his sweet spirit. We thank the Lord every day for how well he is doing and pray that he will continue to do well.

 LOOK at those eyelashes!

Playing at the Splash Pad

We went to a splash pad and had a blast! It was very hot while we were there (but not muggy, so it seemed very tolerable to us with Jeff and Janell's a/c!), so we wanted to get out in the water!

BYU/Texas Game

Spencer, Jeff, and their friend, Brady, who all played High School Football together, along with Aidan and Ethan, were able to get tickets to the BYU/Texas game. It was a bummer because BYU lost, after holding the lead for most of the game, but Texas played well and deserved the win.

While the (big) boys were away, the girls had a little party and watched a Barbie movie. I don't think they missed too much by staying home!