S's Senior Pics

It's Senior picture time! I got to take some pictures of my cute niece, who is graduating from high school in a few weeks. We started at the new outdoor mall in Farmington. It was kind of a cool change of pace with new and different backgrounds.

She is the nicest girl! In the Fall she will be going to Snow College, where she has a scholarship. She'll be missed at home where she's a huge help.

After the mall, we wanted to try something out in Nature. These are my favorites.

But this one is my most favorite of all:

I love graduations with their new beginnings, but it's also tough to see kids you like so much moving on...

At It Again

We've been at it again. And by "it" I mean Disneyland! This trip was partially donated by Peter, who won some lodging and park tickets last summer when he was working at Getaway. Thanks, Pete! Brian and Lindsey were able to drive down for the weekend. It was great to be together!

 

The kids stayed in a great suite, right above my favorite store:

We hit all of our favorite rides, and Ben got to visit Cars land, at last!

FYI, I decided to take all of this trip's pictures on my phone. I think they turned out ok, and it was nice not to have to carry my big camera around, as much as I love it.

We surprised Peter with a morning at Universal Studios, since he'd never been. They've just opened a Despicable Me ride, which was fun.

Universal has fun movie props to pose with, too.

We had to get a bucket of freshly made Sparky's doughnuts!

The Lego Store in Downtown Disney is always good for some fun pictures...

We had a GREAT time and it was so fun to have everyone together again!

Cheddar Buttermilk Quick Bread

I've come to grips that I just don't have the patience to make yeast bread. I want quick results! That's one reason that really like this quick bread recipe. Another reason I like it is because it's so yummy! I served this with stew and it really hit the spot.

Cheddar Buttermilk Quick Bread
2 c. flour
1 Tbs. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 c. buttermilk
1 large egg
1/4 c. butter, melted
1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
Preheat oven to 350. Spray a standard 9x5 loaf pan. Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk together the melted butter, buttermilk and egg. Pour the liquid ingredients over the dry ingredients. Add the cheese and gently fold until all the flour has been incorporated and a shaggy west batter is formed. Be careful not to over mix. Scrape batter into prepared pan and pat it into the corners. Bake for 45-50 minutes. When finished, the loaf should be domed and golden, and a toothpick should come out clean. Let the loaf cool in the pan for 15 minutes before removing and slicing. Serve immediately.

Run, Peter, Run!

Peter has been running again- this time on a Stratford Family team in the Ragnar. The weather didn't cooperate, in fact, the race was cancelled when they were about two-thirds of the way through their rotation. But, they all ran hard- including Bruce, running through sleet in the middle of the night so that our 13 year old nephew didn't have to run by himself.

I Live With A Serial Killer

It was only a matter of time.

We knew it. Gus knew it. But the robins had no idea.

Yep, Gus pulled the wreath right off my front door to get at the robins who had built a nest there. Sure, it was not the smartest place to build a nest, but robins don't think about those things, do they?

2 little blue eggs, smashed.

This is definitely the face of a psychotic serial killer.

I bet Gus is wondering why we are not as proud of him after this latest escapade. When he brings dead mice and birds as gifts to the back door we always make a big deal and tell him what a great hunter he his.  I'm confusing my cat.

The Circle of Life. Up close and personal.

My First Legit Show

Last week marked a pretty big milestone for me- my first horse show! I know what you're thinking. "All you ever do is go to horse shows!" True, but this one I actually rode in.

For your viewing pleasure:

We won that round! When they said my name, I. Could. Not. Believe. It. I realize that it looks like we are slowly wandering our way around the ring, but actually we are going at least twice as fast as we do at home, (because I like to go slow!), and it felt like we were careening around at supersonic speed.  I had to dig deep and find my bravery.

After two days of showing we were named Reserve Champions in our division with the second highest point total! Crazy, right? My division was for everyone jumping 2 foot high jumps who was 13 years old and older. Yes, a barely-teen won, but she was so excited and cute and we are riding buddies now.

FYI, Snoopy's name at the horse show is Hot Wheels. It suits him, I think.

When I was done, Shannon and Snoopy had their turn. She rode him in a division for anyone 18 years old and older, jumping 2 and a half foot high jumps. Easy peasy. Like Bruce said, "It was like bringing a gun to a knife fight." They cleaned up and were the Champions of their division. So cute!

The ribbon display on Snoopy's stall was a little ostentatious. There was not room for them all. (giggle!)

Kari, our trainer, made us pose for a picture. She never does that. She must have been overcome by the mother/daughter/cute horseness of it all!

Riding at a show and staying calm is going to be something I'm going to have to work on. I was so nervous that I couldn't stand still. Although, I did have the presence of mind to take a picture from on top of Snoopy at one point.

In the end, I learned a few things:
1. I can do things that are out of my comfort zone.
2. Grey horses are so hard to keep clean when all they really want to do is sleep in their poo.
3. I have a lot of supportive barn friends.
4. Hard work pays off.
5. Shannon and I make the best horse show team.

We will be missing the next horse show because we'll all be at Disneyland. What a decision! Horse show or Disneyland! Of course, my cute family won out, as they always will. The next show after that is in the middle of May- I'll keep you posted on our progress!

Easter Sunday