Our Amazing Trek Experience!!

Sean & I went on our Stake Pioneer Trek in early June. It was one of the best experiences we both have ever had. It was A LOT of work, but definitely worth every minute and every mile that we treked (we hiked 32 miles in 3 days!!!). Thanks to Sean's calling we were one of four couples in charge of planning our Stake Trek. We owe a HUGE thank you to our kids for putting up with us being at meetings (really long meetings) way too much!!!! Madison gets a lot of credit for a TON of babysitting. We couldn't have done it without her. We were the company leaders of 100 people of the RED company. Sean chose that color on purpose (Go Utes!) It was great to get to know the kids in our company. We thought our company was the best. I loved watching Sean on Trek with the youth. I also decided that I really like Sean in cowboy (pioneer) clothing & a scruffy beard (Now I know why I like to go to Rodeo's ). It was something that I absolutely loved!! I will go on Trek whenever possible. On the next Trek Madison will be old enough to go and in 8 years all three of our girls could possibly go on trek - CRAZY!!! Those are the two treks that I definitely want to go on. Anyway, it was an awesome experience and super fun! Good luck to any of you that get to go on Trek. Call us if you need any Trek supplies.

This is the Before picture of Trek. We left on Thursday morning at 5:30am

This is on Saturday - the AFTER picture. Yikes - kind of a big difference. I actually got natural botox on my lips that last day. My lips were so swollen from sunburn.

One of the good spots for a rest.Sean - my Cowboy!!

One of the most beautiful spots during all of Trek.

David Tolk - New CD

Hey everyone! My favorite, favorite artist right now is David Tolk. I am so excited because I just bought his new album- "Grace". I totally recommend all his CD's. My favorite album is "Reverence". If you want to know more about David Tolk - take a look at his website!

http://www.davidtolk.com/

Our Visit to Victor!

Well, as you can tell I haven't really posted anything new on my blog for a really long time. Part of the problem is that things have been REALLY crazy. The girls are now out of school (since May 22) and just before we were busy with projects, end of year recitals (dance & piano), field trips and award ceremonies. Sean and I have also been busy planning our Stake Pioneer Trek (we leave in 2 days!!). So, I decided once Sean was leaving for Europe it was the perfect time for me and the kids to get away. We decided that we would go see our AWESOME friends the STREITS!!!! So, I packed up the kids and off we drove to Victor, ID (one of the most BEAUTIFUL places on the earth- I'm really not just saying that!!). The kids had a GREAT time with Cambrie, Tatum, and Jake. Jason is trying to convert my girls to the ways of the outdoors (which is perfectly fine with me). He took them fishing for rainbow trout (which was awesome - they got a trout almost every time they cast their line) and he took them shooting on the 4-wheeler. However, it didn't matter how much he tried to get the girls to shoot a grouse they would only shoot the trees. Madison & Lyndsey said, it wasn't very nice to shoot a bird. Better luck next time. We also went for some REALLY, REALLY good shakes. They were so good you had to use a special large straw to drink them. The best one was the huckleberry shake - Wow YUMMY!!!!! Most of the time the kids were off doing their own thing and Shelley and I had a great time just hanging out. If anyone gets the chance - you should go up and see the other side of Jackson Hole. Go up and see Victor, ID!! (By the way, my pictures don't even do it any justice!!!)

On the drive up we got so excited about driving through the moutains, past the snake river , and in Swan Valley. Madison kept telling me to slow down because I was going too fast for the scenery. We stopped on the side of the road and got out to enjoy the scenery. As we were looking at the river we saw a beaver in the river and 2 deer in a nearby meadow! All at the same time!!

There were dandilions all throughout the mountainside in Victor. Here in my lawn I don't really care fo dandilions (unless Mason is picking them for me). However, when there is a field of dandilions it is a beautiful sight. One afternoon the girls & Mason picked a TON of dandilions in nearby field and it didn't even make any type of dent in how many dandilions were left.

Tatum and Mason had a grand old time in the creek by the Streits home. The two were "fishing" with their sticks and hopping back and forth and tromping through the creek.

Mason looks a little sly!!! He knew he might get in a little trouble if he got wet!

UK, Germany, & Madrid!!!

Sean is now part of the International team at Lifetime Products. Last week he flew to London, Germany, and Madrid. If you squint really good you might be able to see him at the bottom of Big Ben. He had a great time and took a "siesta" or two while he was in Madrid. One night he went to dinner around 8:00 pm and was told that they didn't even start serving dinner until 9:00 pm (Things get started a little later in Spain). The kids missed him terribly and couldn't wait for him to come home (I missed him too!!!). The kids were especially excited to see him when he returned home because they knew he had brought something back for them. Madison got a REAL Madrid soccer jersey - that she proudly wears to soccer practice. Lyndsey and Natalie got a beautiful lacy fan and castanets and now put their dance skills to use. Mason got some German chocolate with hidden toys in the center of the chocolate eggs. He asked his Dad to put them together right away and told everyone he would save his chocolate for later. Although it is hard to have Sean gone longer than a couple of days, the kids are a little excited about the gifts. It is WONDERFUL to have Sean back home. We missed him A LOT!!! With his new job I am hoping that I will eventually get to tag along someday (once I get my passport).

Happy 9th Birthday to Lyndsey!!!

Happy Birthday to you...

Happy Birthday to you...

Happy Birthday Dear LYNDSEY!!!!

Happy Birthday to You!!

Hooray! Lyndsey just turned 9 !!

Oh, boy - do you think she will get what she wants?

Yep!! She did....a CORAL PINK Nintendo DS!!!

Lyndsey's day started out with her last dance competition. For her birthday she wanted her family and her BFF, Bree, to watch her dance. She did GREAT - their dance team took 1st Place!!!!

It's always great when Pappa joins in on the fun!!

He LOVES to spend time with the grandkids!!!!

The day ended with dinner at the Royal Dragon.

Ham Fried Rice, Sweet & Sour Chicken (sauce on the side..Lyndsey uses soy sauce instead)

&......her favorite......(drum roll please...) EGG DROP SOUP!!!

We then went for Hannah Montana Cake to top off the night!

We love LYNDSEY!! She is a perfect fit in the Brophy family.

She brings so much happiness into our life!!! Thank you Lyndsey - We Love You!!

What's that smell?...Dog Poop

Last night Sean was having a dream that there was a problem with all of our toilets throughout the house! He was dreaming that they were all overflowing and he was going through the house trying to figure out how to fix clogged toilets. UNFORTUNATELY - his dream was a little too real. It didn't have anything to do with anyone in our family - EXCEPT for POWDER!!!!!!! When Sean woke up in the middle of the night, he found a wonderful, special, present right by our heads in the middle of the bed, right at the top by our pillows!!! Yes, you guessed it - Powder had pooped right there in the middle of us during the night. The smell is what brought on the dream about toilets. Ahhh.....yes the joys of owning a dog. Sometimes I wonder what is going through their little (very, very little...... right now) minds.

Hmmm....how can I tell them that I have to go outside?

Hmmm...how can I show them that I am really mad at them?

Hmmmm....how can I show them that I love them and appreciate them for everything they do for me?

Hmmmm......I think I will leave them a little present.

Well, as a family, we want to thank Powder for her gracious gift to us and for the laundry that I must now do. We love Powder (we really do - just not as much right now . I'm a little ticked!)

Another New Recipe

On Sunday I was making dinner and I realized that I hadn't bought any Rhodes dough to make our monkey bread. We were having roast and potatoes and I really wanted rolls to dip in the gravy. So, I thought I would be brave and try making rolls from scratch. As I was thinking about which rolls to make I went through a few different cookbooks. I then realized that I had the Lion House cookbook. I thought if I didn't tell anyone what kind of rolls I was making they wouldn't be disappointed when they ate them. But, I was actually pretty proud of how they turned out. The other good part is they actually weren't that hard. The hardest part was rolling them into nice even circles. I think that will get easier as I practice. If you want to try some pretty good rolls try this recipe. I don't think you will be disappointed. Best of Luck!!!

Lion House Rolls
Ingredients:
2 cups warm water (110-115 degrees)
2/3 cup nonfat dry milk (instant)
2 Tb. dry yeast
1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp. salt
1/3 cup shortening (butter or margarine)
1 egg
5-5 1/2 cups flour, all purpose (bread flour can be used if you have it on hand)

Method:
In the large bowl of an electric mixer, combine the water and the milk powder and stir so the milk dissolves. Add the yeast to this mixture then the sugar, salt, shortening, egg and 2 cups of the flour. Mix on low speed of mixer until ingredients are wet, then turn to medium speed and mix for 2 minutes. Stop the mixer and add 2 more cups of flour then mix on low speed until the ingredients are wet, then turn mixer on medium speed and mix for 2 minutes. The dough will be getting stiff and you may need to remove the bowl from the mixer and mix in the remaining flour by hand. Add approximately 1/2 cup of flour and mix again. (This can be done by hand or mixer). The dough should be soft, not overly sticky, and not stiff. (It is not necessary to use the entire amount of flour). Scrape the dough off the sides of the bowl and pour approximately on tablespoon of vegetable oil all around the sides of the bowl. Turn the dough over in the bowl so it is covered with the oil. (This helps prevent the dough from drying out.) Cover with plastic and allow to rise in a warm place until double in size.

Sprinkle a cutting board or counter with flour and put the dough on the flour. It is now ready to roll out and cut into desired shape and size of rolls. Place on greased (or parchment lined) baking pans. Let rise in a warm place until the rolls are double in size (approx. 1-1 1/2 hours). Bake in a 375-degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until they are browned to your satisfaction. Brush with melted butter while hot. Yields 2 to 2 1/2 dozen rolls.