Treyson Turns 10

Treyson's into the double-digits.. a decade old.. yes, he turned 10 this Sunday!

Leading up to his birthday, I asked him what kind of cake he wanted. He could never settle on one, so I took matters into my own hands and told him I would make something I thought he would like.

By these ingredients alone, can you tell what kind of cake it's going to be?

Grandpa Waite took the kids out Saturday afternoon, so I took advantage of the peace and no-interruption-time to bake and decorate Treyson's cake.

When they returned, they found this waiting. Yes, a hamburger cake... or should I say a cheeseburger cake.

Yellow cake for the bun, chocolate cake for the burger (cake crumbs and chocolate frosting mixed together for the hamburger look), green colored coconut for the lettuce, orange colored marshmallow fondant for the cheese, red/yellow frosting for ketchup and mustard and Rice Crispies for the sesame seeds on top.

I also made these cute little hamburger cookies; Nilla wafer buns, chocolate mint Grasshopper cookies for the burger, red/yellow frosting for ketchup and mustard and green coconut for lettuce.

Aren't they adorable? They tasted good too.

I think they would make great cupcake toppers for a school birthday celebration.

Treyson chose Hawaiian Haystacks for his birthday dinner. This was another hard decision for him to make..he wanted it all, not just one thing. :)

We invited Grandma McKinley and Grandpa Waite for dinner and a celebration.

Hey, not just yet Buddy!

Time for presents.

Bubble blower from Grandma McKinley.

Dart gun (and a ton of other stuff) from Grandpa Waite.

A "Treyson Survival Kit" from Taylee.

And a whole lotta other fun gifts from the family.

Happy Birthday Treyson!

We love you!

Happy Pioneer Day!

Bright and early Saturday morning, we dressed in our pioneer duds (some in modern day pioneer attire, others from the good ol' days) and went to the Stake Pioneer Day Breakfast.

On display, were 2 posters with pictures from trek. They were fun to look at and get a sense of what it was like. Rylee found herself in one of them.

The stake was well prepared to feed a TON of people. They had several commercial grills set up to cook food, plus many long tables with sides, condiments and drinks. It ran like well-oiled machine and pumped people through quickly.

We had a delicious breakfast of fluffy pancakes, hash browns, cheesy eggs, ham, cantaloupe, watermelon, Tang, milk and more. It was sooo good... well worth getting up early on a Saturday morning.

For entertainment, we listened to folk songs played by talented stake families and individuals. Some even played banjos, fiddles and other cool instruments. The "Trek Choir" sang 2 songs also. As the finale, all the primary-aged children were invited to be a part of the pioneer parade.

Someone had made a cute covered wagon, that had speakers and an mp3 player hooked up to play pioneer songs as they walked and walked and walked and walked AND walked... around the grassy field.

Happy Pioneer Day!

"It's always FUN when Grandpa comes!"

Grandpa Waite drove in late Monday night. He'll be with us for the next few weeks to hang out, see family and go to the Waite Family Reunion.

We took him to lunch in the park, as part of our daily routine.

Fruit Roll-ups were on the menu that day. Treyson thought they made a great frog tongue.

Abree wanted in on that action too.

The kids LOVE having grandpa come!

Here's to some fun days ahead of us.

Are your children REALLY in bed?

Last night, I was downloading some pictures from the camera to my computer and I came upon this one.

I did not take this picture. I wasn't around when this picture was taken. I believe this picture was taken while children were SUPPOSED to be in their beds!

Abree is in character, from a movie we recently watched.

Can you name the movie?

PS-She now has a little hickey on her cheek from her "mole". Nice.

Modern Day Pioneers

Late Saturday night, we picked up our 2 pioneer trekkers.

Their "covered wagons" were quite a bit nicer and faster than the older models.

Rylee said her bus was kind of run-down and a lot slower than the others... they didn't stop for a break, but the other buses still arrived before hers. It's better than WALKING to Wyoming, I thought.

We found Taylee first. She was excited to tell us all the details of what she ate each day. She pulled out her journal and started listing off meals, right away. She said they fed them so well, she was never hungry. Doesn't sound very pioneer-like, does it?

I am grateful they took care of our kids so well, though. :)

Next, we found Rylee. She wasn't excited about me taking a "post trek" picture, so wouldn't look at me. Initially she talked about being tired, stinky and having stickers in her feet, but would keep talking to reveal new friendships and bonding experiences.

Although the parking lot was filled with buses, dusty equipment and reddish-brown people, a pioneer spirit lingered there. It was so neat to see these modern day pioneers sun-drenched and tired, because I also sensed the satisfaction, happiness and peace among them.

I kept saying, "Everyone looks so good!"

It was amazing how BROWN everyone was. It was hard to tell if it was dirt or tanned skin. Time would tell... the next day at church I would see if they still looked BROWN or if their BROWN had washed off in the shower. :)

The girls said, the first thing they wanted to do when they got home was to jump into the shower. They were so excited, they bubbled-over with details all the way home and late into the evening. It was way late by the time they got into the shower and finally into bed.

Still wishing I were a fly on their handcart... or photographer along the trail.

So proud of you, my modern day pioneer girls!

PS- Rylee gets to be one of the youth speaking in sacrament meeting this Sunday, about trek. Can't wait.

For some must PUSH and some must PULL...

Taylee and Rylee leave for the Stake Pioneer Trek, tomorrow morning at 4:30AM!

Bonnets have been made.

Skirts have been sewn.

Supplies have been gathered, purchased and stuffed into buckets... not to exceed 17 pounds.

Off to Wyoming.... with their trek Ma and Pa and a pair of shades.

I'm so excited for them! I've never been on a trek, but I am sure that they will have some great life learnings and testimony-building experiences. I wish I were a fly on their handcarts... or a photographer along the trail. :)

Happy trails girls.... I love you!