Applesauce Muffins
1 1/2 C. sugar
1/2 C. butter, softened
2 eggs
2 C. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 C. applesauce

In a mixing bowl, cream sugar and butter.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Combine dry ingredients; add to the creamed mixture alternating with applesauce.  Mix just until combined.  Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.  Cool on wire rack Yield: about 1 1/2 dozen.

Sorry, no pic.  I had no idea these would be such a hit until they were all gone.  I think these would be great in school lunches.  Gotta get in that back to school mindset......8 days.

Ramblings & such

The dealership where I bought the Suburban was bought by another dealership.  I will miss the familiar faces of Roy & Mark.  Roy understood the lots of kids thing & would usually offer me a rental car sometimes even for an oil change.  He would always give me great service & go above & beyond.  This new dealership doesn't know me & probably doesn't care.  When I called there I said ...."this is where I bought my car, I do everything through the dealership & I was told you now have all their info......".  The receptionists reply was "Yea, so I guess we bought the Chevy dealership".  Hmmmm, you guess? 

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There will be a new Costco in the 'Couv!  Whoop whoop!!  192nd & 1st (Fisher's Landing area)

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We had a clean/dance party last night.  Just the kids & I.  Boy it's really hard to find clean, upbeat songs to dance & clean to.  Our favorites:  Replay (Iyaz), Cooler than me (Mike Posner) & to kick it old school I'm too sexy (Right said fred) & Whoomp! (Tag Team)

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I got cut off by a lady today who's bumper sticker read "Practice Random Kindness"
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Haley is obsessed with HGTV's "House Hunters".  I think she'll have major withdrawals when school starts.  She's also trying to convince Judd & I that in 6 years (when she's 16) she needs to drive a VW beetle.  She wants a convertible.  She is now on to orange but the last time she googled VW beetles she came across the Barbie edition.  Yes it's hot pink.  She knows the current price of a 2002 model & says she will be saving her $ for one.  The only part of this outlandish conversation I will contribute to is the fact that I'm not willing to have hour long discussions about a car for my 10 year old & when the time comes,  I will be willing to pay $500 for a piece of crap car.  How far will that get you?

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Savannah has decided her favorite car is a Prius.  Thanks to her sisters question "What car have you always wanted?"  Always wanted, she's 8.  She hasn't even thought about a car let alone had an obsession.  Wait until next year.  I can see Savannah in a Prius, can't you?

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I still have not washed the Suburban from our Utah road trip.  That's really gross, I know.  Maybe today will be the day.....maybe tomorrow.

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While Luke is still sleeping I need to rehang my living room curtains, thanks to him.

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I'm feeling the need to continue decorating the parts of my house that have yet to be decorated.  I think I'll start in the boys room.  I have been collecting items.  I have comforters, vintage airplanes, a  4 ft. plane propeller, airplane sheets.  I just don't have the beds.  Matthew currently has a race car bed & Luke is still in the crib.  Which is just where I like him, behind bars.  He's never climbed out, just in.  Odd child, I know.  But I need to repaint one more office at Judd's new office then I can begin.  I really need to decorate that place too, hmmmm.

I'll stop there.

I really need those curtains hung up before my VTer's come.  Not that they would judge or I would be embarrassed that they're still laying on the dining room floor.  It's just a good goal.  It's like a good house clean before company, something to motivate & get your buns in gear!

Smith Reunion (Days 4 & 5)

Friday was Matthew's 5th Birthday.  I was feeling a little bad for the guy that he wasn't home to get to enjoy his Birthday, but I think the day turned out great!  Of course we started by opening presents

He got a rip cord G.I. Joe motorcycle guy & a bag of astronauts (from OMSI, he's wanted them for quite a while)

 We then picked Jenny up from the airport & stopped by the distribution center.  Chelsea was driving in from Reno, NV & met us at Red Robin for lunch (Matthew's request)

Here's Luke waiting patiently for his lunch

Matthew had a hamburger, which he didn't eat (as you can see) & he ate all of his fries plus a whole other basket of fries.  They offered him a dessert for his birthday.  Chocolate mud pie or any shake.  He picked a vanilla shake.  He doesn't like chocolate.  He was sweet enough to give some to his sisters.

We then ran to Costco & picked up Matthew's birthday cake for that night & some ice cream.  Yes Mom, I somehow found my way to a Costco, even though I was hundreds of miles from home it was on my radar!  We also stopped by Judd's Grandma's for a quick rest.  Then met up at the official start of the reunion, Jan's house for pizza.

This is Ralph & Haley.  They love to go head-to-head with Sudoku.

This picture cracks me up.  This is Ashley, my Grandpa, Chelsea & Rachel.  My Aunt Jan has chickens & the girls wanted to hold them.  So this is Grandpa & the Chicks! Ha, ha, ha 

Chelsea, Haley & Jan

Saturday we met at the Orson Smith Trail Head Park in Draper (named after my great grandfather).  We had family pictures & got some more visiting in.

My Aunt & Grandparents are big U of U fans.  So is Judd's Grandma & his dad too!  So when we got the email that my Grandma wanted everyone in red, white or blue (yes the 4th of July is her favorite holiday) we thought it would be fun to comply & dress our family accordingly. 

Me with Grandma & Grandpa

These two had many great conversations, so cute!

Matthew & Jan

We then drove to Chuck-A-Rama, a.k.a. "The Chuck" or "Upchuck-A-Rama" for lunch.  Yes it is a buffet & yes it is good, but you eat so much you want to chuck, hence the nicknames.  I have no pics to share, it was too crazy busy.  Just picture 4 hungry kids & 3 adults all in one booth!

We then ventured to G & G (Grandma & Grandpa's) condo.  There was coloring, puzzles & crafts for the kids while the adults enjoyed small talk, Tyler's photography & a few verses of some song I don't remember.

Grandma loves to hear the piano & Creighton is entertaining her with his mad skills

I hope Bryn won't hate me for this.  Her & I were talking & Haley kept snapping shots so this is what we gave her.  Fortunately for Bryn Haley didn't get her buns in the pic!

Some then headed to a fire station for a tour.  My cousin Claire's husband Scott was working & unable to hang out with us so we went there for a tour & visit.

JJ & Matthew

I could see my dad as a firefighter.  Why are you laughing?!?

What can I say, the jacket & helmet brought out the best in the "Men".  This is my cousin Joel being a ham.  Notice Scott in the background laughing at him.

 Luke was so not happy.  It was close to 100 degrees that day & he still had not had a nap.

Thank you Scott!  I know Claire is blinking but it's such a cute picture!

We ended our day at Zupa's Cafe.  So yummy!

Sunday we made the trek home.  We left Salt Lake at 7 am & arrived home @ 7:30 pm.  I loved the visit, I loved that I took my family & that they loved it too!  What a great family vacation!  Here's a few pics on the way home.  They're not great quality, they were taken with my phone.

Snake River as you're driving over it

Looking down

These beautiful grey clouds welcomed me home

Utah (Days 1,2 & 3)

Tuesday morning we left for Utah.  We were out of the driveway @ 5:19 am.  We made 3 stops & arrived in Utah @ 6:30 that night.  Not too shabby.  The kids did so good - Bravo children!  We Stayed at the Plaza hotel that night.  We were meeting up with friends who had moved to Wisconsin 2 years ago but were also visiting SLC.  We first had dinner at a restaurant then walked across the street and enjoyed temple square.

We tried to leave all the monkeys in Temple Square, but they told us no.

Wednesday we visited the church museum, saw both visitors centers, had a tour of the Conference Center, visited Deseret Book & had lunch all by 2 pm.  Then the Oates family had to head home. 

Thanks Martin, Kim & boys.  We had a great visit!

We then went to the U of U bookstore, Hires for dinner, then picked my Dad up from the airport.  He was  going to stay with my Grandparents so we dropped him off there & went inside quickly to say Hi.

Thursday we got to visit with Judd's sisters & their families.  We met Genny & kids at Hogel Zoo

After the zoo we picked up pizza & met Marie & her family & Judd's Grandma (who picked up cupcakes)  at Liberty park for dinner, dessert & play time.

This is 14 of the 17 grandkids on Judd's side.  Judd's mom will love this picture!

We also got a quick visit with Judd's Grandpa & his wife Maureen on Saturday (between the park & lunch)