I love to See the Temple

This is the only picture I have of Houston's baptism.  We made our way to his baptism in plenty of time, but when we got on the freeway, we got stuck in a major traffic jam.  We missed the baptism!!  We were all sooo sad!  What an excited day for Houston though to become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  At least we got to see the beautiful Draper Temple on a cold winter day!

Pinewood Derby

 We spent Cash's birthday night at the Pinewood Derby.  It was a busy week leading up to this getting the cars all ready for the big night.  Nate made 3 cars this year.  One for the girls, and one for each of the boys.  All the cars did great, but the girls car beat them all.  (There car broke all the rules!)  I think the Derby is kind of a funny thing.  The boys love it, but it is so much work for the dads.  And then I always feel so bad for the boy whose car doesn't make it down the track.  Sad!

 Cash didn't think the night was so fun.  He and I spent most of the time in the hallway.  He is at a noisy age!  He screams his loudest scream instantly and with out warning at any given moment if he wants to get my attention!

 The scout leaders did such a great job organizing the night.  The girls spent their time at the coloring table. 

 We came home and had Cash's birthday cake.  The cake kind of crumbled! He didn't mind!

 At least he actually kind of liked it.

Cash Turned 1! Smash Cake

My Sweet Baby Cash turned 1!  We are so grateful to have him in our family!  It has been fun to watch the bigger kids with him.  They all love to play with him and he loves to just watch them.
Cash is a big boy!  He weighs 25 pounds 75%.  31.2 inches 75%.  Head circ. 49.5 cm 99%.  He loves to eat melted cheese sandwiches.  He is allergic to peanuts just like Olivia.  He loves to eat Sweet Potatoes and a new favorite is Mac and Cheese.
He loves Oatmeal for breakfast.  He is so close to walking, but prefers to be carried everywhere.  He has a pretty awesome one leg crawl going on.
He sleeps 7pm-7am and still takes two naps during the day.  He doesn't like to be left with anyone.  In fact, he will scream the entire time I leave him anywhere!  He knows how to say more in sign language and uses it compulsively to communicate with me for anything he wants!
I love this boy and so grateful to be his mommy!

Dutch oven Bread Recipe! Easy!!

 

This bread is so yummy and so easy.   In fact, Nate is actually the one who makes it most often because 1. He LOVES it and 2. I am usually too tired at night to mix it up  (even though it really only takes a couple of minutes).  After you mix the ingredients together, you can add whatever fun mix ins you want ie. cheese, white choc chips with cinnamon and pecans, craisins and white choc chips, etc.

Ingredients

• 3c unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1t yeast
• 1t salt
• 1-1/2c warm water

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, salt and yeast. Add water and stir until a shaggy mixture forms (mixture will be loose and sticky; this is what you want). Cover bowl with plastic wrap and set aside for 12 - 18 hours (up to 24). Overnight works great.
2. Preheat oven to 450. Place a cast iron dutch oven with a lid in the oven and heat the pot for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, pour the risen dough onto a heavily floured surface (mixture will be sticky) and lightly shape into a round loaf.
3. Remove hot pot from the oven and carefully set in the dough. Cover and return to oven for 30 minutes. Then, remove the lid and bake an additional 10-15 minutes. Carefully remove bread from oven and from pot and place on a cooling rack.

Snorkeling

The last day we spent basking in the sun as much as we could!  I love the drive through the Tunnel of Trees to get to Poipu Beach. 

I am so grateful for the time Nate and I had to spend with each other.  I think I have decided Kauai is my favorite island so far.  Can't wait until next time!

Jump On It

 

We love this place!  

Jump On It is the perfect place for Family Night.  

 Stef, Aaron, Cassidy and Ty joined us this night.

 Sorry for the blurry picture.  This was Cash's first time on a trampoline and it is the perfect place to play with the balls.  They always come back to you!

Secret Beach

 This was by far my favorite beach on this trip.  It was quite a slippery slope getting down to Secret Beach, but it wasn't crowded and it was gorgeous. 

 The boys had so much getting washed around in the waves.  They were crazy.  I loved watching the surfers so close to shore.

 We hiked all along the coastline, barefoot, and explored the little coves.  I was a little nervous the whole time about the tide coming in and getting trapped on the rocks.  Next time we will bring shoes!

Namesake

I love this picture of Grandpa Cash holding my Cash.  Using the name Cash never seemed to fit with the other boys, but with this one it did!  We love Grandpa Cash. 

More Kauai

 One of my favorite parts of a beach vacation is running on the beach, and then indulging in a big yummy breakfast afterward!  

One day while at the beach, the boys went and got us snow cones.  Complete with ice cream and sweet milk on top! 

 One of the beautiful roosters that are EVERYWHERE!

Eating out again!  This is at Keoki's.  It looks like I licked my plate!  I quite possible did because it is that good!

Kayaking Adventure

 While we were in Kauai, we went on a Kayaking Adventure.  I loved working with Nate paddling the Kayak.  Luckily we were going downstream with the river and a boat took us back.  We hiked to a little waterfall and had lunch.  Then a few of us swung on a rope swing where Raider's of The Lost Ark was filmed. 

Nate and I enjoying the boat ride back.