Year Round

We had a good time cheering Ben and the Blues on at State Cup.  

They lost in overtime to a PK :(

As one season wraps up ... the next begins!  There is no rest, it is a year round activity for Ben.

They have already had tryouts for next years team ... the coach gave them one practice off ... we registered and paid fees again and started back with practices 3 times a week. 

Some of the signs that a soccer player lives at our house year round are...

Smelly soccer cleats lined up outside! the front door

(Sam is ready to add his to the line!)

Soccer bags lying around to take to practice

A freezer shelf full of ice packs!

Quadruple the batch, please!

Carrot Cookies are definitely a family favorite!

My mom, grandma and great-grandma made them when I was a little girl and now I make them for my family :)

I made some for Easter and they were quickly gobbled up ...

So on Monday Ben said, "We need need more cookies ... why didn't you make a bigger batch?
I said, "I made a double batch."
He said, "Make a quadruple batch then!"
(Oh to have the metabolism of a high school athlete!)

So I made some (because I am such a nice Mom!) and thought I would share the recipe.

Carrot Cookies:

3/4 c. sugar
3/4 c. shortening
1 egg
2 c. flour
2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1/3 c. coconut
1 c. of cooked and mashed carrots

(* I always double the batch, apparently I should be quadrupling it)

Scoop into balls and place on baking sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for 12 - 15 minutes (slightly toasted looking)


and then the secret to making these a family favorite for years and years ...

Orange Frosting

4 T. butter (softened)
pinch of salt
Juice and grated rind of one orange
Add powdered sugar to desired consistency

Frost cookies and enjoy, like this!!

Easter

We had a good weekend celebrating Easter.

[although I didn't put out any decorations until Saturday!]

Things are just sneaking up on me these days ...

On Saturday morning we went to our Ward Easter Breakfast.

Sam had fun at the annual Egg Hunt and Ben and Susie helped run the games for the little kids.

 1 - 2 - 3 ... Go!!

 Spoon Races

Bean Bag Toss

A visit with E.B.

Later in the day we dyed Easter Eggs

Steve is the only one in the family that will eat them ... but I figured that Sam should have the experience at least once ;)!  He thought it was great fun!

 Adding glitter!

 Easter Morning Surprise!

 Dressed in their Sunday best

 Our traditional Money Egg Hunt ...

Ben had a hard time finding his ... but the dogs liked trotting along with him :)

Sambo won 1st place!!

 As always ... loving counting their cash!

We hope you all had a Happy Easter as well!

Yosemite

“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.”  - John Muir

During Spring Break this year we drove down to Yosemite to camp and enjoy nature as a family.

 I have to say that the granite mountains and boulders, giant sequoia trees, waterfalls and wildflowers were absolutely breathtaking. 

This is our nations first National Park and it was interesting to get to know it's history; geologic, discovery, and the Indian tribes that first lived here.  

Here are a few pictures of our trip:

Yosemite National Park

The Sugden Kingdom tent (although Ben insisted on sleeping in his own tent)

 Yosemite Falls (Upper and Lower)

 Mini me snapping pictures all over the place :)

Ben, a.k.a. Lamen,  displayed his  teenage attitude ... complaining that camping with the family isn't fun and what he really wanted to be doing was playing x-box 24/7 during Spring Break.  

Yes, he had several 'talking too's"!

 Vernal Falls

 Climbing all over the granite boulders

Heaven Is Here

My copy arrived the other day and I am so looking forward to reading it.  Her blog that details her amazing journey, incredible faith and joy has inspired me for years!

Fifteen

Happy 15th Birthday Ben!

 We compiled a top 15 list in his honor!

1. He's smart

2. He's strong

3. He's handsome

4.  He is a great soccer player!

5. He loves his dogs

6. He has dimples when he smiles

7. He has a hidden sweet side

8.  He is dedicated

9. He wakes up every morning to go to seminary without complaint

10. He is helpful (despite being a teenager)

11.  He enjoys scouting

12. He like his xbox games

13. He loves to read

14. He has perfected talking in sentences of three words or less 

(is that really even considered a sentence?)

15. He is really funny - if you can get him to talk :)

We all love him very, very much!