Christmas 2015

I have been absolutely horrible at taking pictures lately! I'm lucky I got any of Christmas and even then they are pretty much all of Daxton. We have been traveling a lot. For Thanksgiving we went to South Carolina to visit Sam's brother and his wife. Unfortuatly we didnt take very many pictures of that trip either. 

After Sam finished his semester we went to Colorado Springs and then to Utah. We got to spend time with both of our families and the time went way too fast. We loved seeing Daxton open his presents. His favorite by far being the sofa from Grandma and Grandpa and he knew just what to do with it. We took advantage of the snow and went snowboarding and sledding. I added a short clip of us sledding. This is the BEST way to go sledding in my opinion.

Oh, and my family has this little deer that is very friendly and goes around to everyone's house begging for food! It's the funniest thing. Daxton is afraid of dogs but he loved petting the deer!

The last month

Get ready for photo overload! I've got a month worth of pictures to share. Now that we are finally getting into somewhat of a schedule, maybe I'll post more than once a month! We had so much fun being home for a month! I don't think I have played that much during a summer in a very long time! It was basically no work and all play :).

We made the 1000+ mile drive to Ozark, MO. Not the funnest. Daxton got sick but was still incredibly happy the entire drive until the last 30 minutes, then he basically lost it. We got all moved in then we all got sick except Sam. How he escaped it I don't know but I guess it was a good time for it since it was the only day we didn't have any plans.

Since the move we have been unpacking, organizing the house, exploring, and getting to know people. I still have a ton to do but it will get done eventually. Sam officially starts school tomorrow, it's crazy! Only two years and four months to go! Haha I'm sure it will fly by but right now it seems like forever. Anyways, here are some of the pictures of what we've been up to.

What the boys do when mom is gone!

Daxton's first time fishing. The first time we showed him the fish he slapped it! Cracked me up but later he was trying to lick them so I think his opinion improved :)

We gave Daxton his first french fry. He is definitely our child because he loved it!

His little face kills me! Pure happiness!

Now for the real thing :)

Exploring Springfield

This place is going to be so beautiful in the fall!

SLC Temple

We have finally moved! Ok, not really. We have moved from Orem to Vernal for about a month. So Daxton will get to be spoiled to the fullest since we get to be around some family! It will be the best and worst because we will eventually have to leave and get back to reality. But that reality will be new and exciting so that's good. 

It's actually extremely hard to pack everything but still leave out things you will need for a month! I also have to go through everything again! We have accumulated way to many things in four years and it won't all fit on the moving truck! 

While I didn't get to visit everything on my list before we left Utah County we did make it up to Temple Square one last time. Sam's dad was visiting so it was fun to go up there with him. It was a beautiful day and I can't wait to take Daxton back when he is a little older. We will definitely miss being so close to where we got married! 

Memorial Day

We got to spend Memorial Day weekend in Roosevelt with my family. On Monday we went to the Lapoint cemetery to decorate some family graves. I loved being able to participate in this tradition and to think about the family members that are no longer with us on earth. I think I sometimes forget about the importance of this day. I truly am grateful for all the men and women who have protected this country so that we can all be free. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

My youngest brother Jake would purposely frown in all the pictures I took of him :) consequence is that I get to post the one of him smiling!

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I love to ride four wheelers and took Dax on his first ride! He quite enjoyed it and I'm sure it will be something he loves to do as well.

First Falls Hike

We went on our first hike for the year to First Falls up Sundance Canyon. Most people don't know that along with Stewart Falls there are also two other waterfall hikes. First Falls and Second Falls. It was a fun hike and while I like the Stewart Falls waterfall better the hike to First Falls was a little easier and shorter. The weather was perfect!

These two are two of a kind! While I was trying to snap the picture Sam would close his eyes, then Daxton, then Sam again until we lost Dax's attention.

                                                                The cool avalanche we saw.

Strawberry Cheesecake

Today I am going to share my favorite dessert, Strawberry Cheesecake! This is one of those family recipes and I have been eating for as long as I can remember! My mom makes it almost every time we come home and I honestly can never get enough.

Mix together:

-1 cup flower -1/2 cup melted butter -1/2 cup chopped nuts -1/4 cup packed brown sugar

Pack into a 9X13 inch pan and back for 15 minutes until brown. Cool, then crumble in the pan.

This is basically a picture of what not to do! Normally you would chop of the nuts finer but I still need to invest in a chopper (does anyone else have a huge list of kitchen gadgets that they want?) Also bake it till it's a little browner than in this picture.

Mix together until smooth:

-2 8oz. packages cream cheese -2 cups powdered sugar -2 package prepared Dreamwhip (2 come in a box)

Spread over crumbs and then layer with 2 packs of sliced strawberries.

Make 1 package of Strawberry Danish Dessert. Use 2 cups of water and follow cooking directions on box. Pour on top of dessert and put in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours.

Strawberry Cheesecake

 

Cook time

15 mins

Total time

4 hours

 

Ingredients

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 8 oz. cream cheese
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 package prepared dream whip
• 2 packages strawberries
• 1 package strawberry danish dessert

Instructions

1. Mix first four ingredients, pack into bottom of 9X13 inch pan, and bake until brown.
2. While the crust is cooling, mix the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and prepared dream whip until smooth.
3. Once the crust is cooled, crumble it in the bottom of the pan and then spread the cream cheese mixture on top.
4. Slice the strawberries and lay them on top.
5. Using 2 cups of water make the the strawberry danish dessert according to the directions on the box.
6. Pour it on top and then let it set for 3-4 in the refrigerator.

Sam thinks my family and I are crazy because we have no problem eating this for dessert! And I would be lying if I said I didn't eat this for breakfast this morning!