Monster Cookies

A favorite of my little monsters :)

4 eggs
1 1/4 C packed brown sugar
1 C sugar
1 stick butter, softened
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla
12 oz jar creamy peanut butter (or 1 1/2 C)
1 C flour
1 C M&Ms (You could substitute choc chips if you don't have or want to use M&Ms)
(optional) 1/2 C choc chips or raisins
3 1/2 C oatmeal

Beat eggs and sugars and butter, add salt, vanilla, and PB.   Stir in M&Ms and then oatmeal (make sure the oatmeal is last- it will mix better.)  Bake 10 min at 350 degrees.

Jordan's Baby Blessing

Father and son the morning of his blessing.

On July 29th, we had the opportunity of blessing our sweet little baby Jordan.  There was a special feeling in our home that morning as we prepared for the day.   The kids were all excited to have family come and to have the baby blessed.  

It was nice to have so many family there- I don't think we've had this many since Erika's blessing 9 years ago.  We love our family and are thankful for their support.  

Aaron and I are honored to have such a beautiful baby come to our home.  We know he has been blessed with unique gifts and a special spirit.   Although he can't do much yet,  we already feel his spirit in our home and have grown to love him so much.  

Indoor S'Mores

8 C golden graham cereal (one box)
6 C mini marshmallows
1 1/2 C milk chocolate chips
1/4 C corn syrup
5 T butter or margarine
1 tsp vanilla

Put the golden grahams and 2 C of the marshmallows in a bowl, set aside.  In a large pot melt the margarine, corn syrup, chocolate chips, and the 4 C marshmallows over low heat, stirring occasionally until melted.  Add vanilla.  Then, mix in the cereal.  Pour out onto a cookie sheet covered with wax paper and let cool.

Parkinson Family Reunion 2012

Kyle loved the polar bear!

We spent a couple of days with Aaron's parents and brother the last weekend in July for our reunion.  We had a great time at the zoo.  The kids have been excited to go all summer.  

I think two of the highlights of the zoo were the polar bear and the elephants.  We got to see these in action and they were really neat!   Since we last went to the zoo, they have added a new exhibit- Rocky Shores- the sea lions, otters, and polar bear.  These were all very active and fun to watch.  

Of course, another highlight of the zoo was the carousel.   For some reason, the carousel always attracts kids.  They probably would have ridden it over and over again if it didn't cost extra.  

Erika and Kyle trying to blend in with the leopard habitat.  (See the leopard in the back?)

The elephants were great- we got to watch them in action and learn more about them.  

Erika and Heidi in their eagles' nest.

The whole crew riding on the train- the finale!

By the afternoon, Jared and Jordan were completely exhausted (as we all were- I wished I could have lied down by them and taken a nap, too!)  I just had to get a picture of the two of them snoozing in the stroller.  

After the zoo, we were all so hot and ready to get wet.  We headed to Liberty Park, where the kids had fun splashing in the water and in the "7-Canyons" park, where they have 7 mini replicas of the canyons in the Salt Lake area with little waterfalls and rivers the kids can splash in.  I love it there!  For some reason, I didn't get any pictures.  After a hot day, it sure feels good just to soak your feet!   

Erika's 9th Birthday

Erika getting ready to take the big plunge at the end of the waterside.

We celebrated Erika's ninth birthday on July 24th.  It was a different one for Aaron and I this year because she had spent the weekend at Oma and Opa's house with Kyle and Heidi and a few of their other cousins and had a blast.  But, she woke up on her birthday morning at their house, not ours.  

One exciting thing for Erika was the opportunity to go on a horseback ride up in the canyon with Oma and Opa that morning.  She got to ride and control her own horse and she really liked that.  

Jared was worn out after a busy day and decided
Opa's lap would be the perfect place for a nap. 

In the afternoon, we met Oma and Opa with the kids at a pool in Ogden called "North Shore Aquatic Center."  I was impressed with the pool- it was really nice with lots of fun things for the kids to play on and do.  They especially loved the big waterside.  Heidi just kept wanting us to take her on it over and over again.   

For her birthday this year, Erika wanted me to make her a "firework cake" so I did my best.   We are happy to have Erika in our family and can't believe how fast she is growing up!  

Oh My, July!

How many kids can you fit on a swing?   Apparently A LOT!

Well, it has been a fun summer so far.  We haven't really gotten out and done as much as we normally do, just because there is less you can do with a newborn.  But, we have still had fun close to home and enjoyed a more relaxed pace.  

Heidi loves her new baby brother Jordan and helps me take good care of him. 

Over the weekend before the 4th of July, we had a reunion with my family up at the cabin at Strawberry reservoir.  We had such a great time- I just wish I would've taken more pictures.

Heidi and Jared riding the motorcycle with Opa

Erika and Kyle had a great time playing with their cousins there.  Erika and Lucy enjoyed just sitting and playing Barbies together.  Kyle loved going out and catching crawdads and fishing in the lake.  They all had fun riding on the boat and being pulled behind the boat on the tube.   We are grateful for a good family and for the chance to spend time with them!  

Once upon a time... there was a daddy and two of his boys...

While the bigger kids were out on the lake, Jared had a blast playing in the foot bath.  

We also spent the 4th of July at Oma and Opa's house.  In the morning, they had the annual neighborhood parade and the kids got to ride the horses.  

Jared and Aaron on the motorcyle

At the park, there was a clown who was making fun balloon creations for the kids.   We enjoyed a great breakfast, then we headed back to Oma and Opa's house to relax.   The kids spent several hours swimming in Oma's pool.   Then, of course, we had to go to see the Sandy city fireworks that night.  It was an action- packed week!  

Kyle, Logan, and Gabe enjoying the water. 

Erika practicing her diving skills

Homemade Almond Joys

Almond Balls:

1 C corn syrup

3 C marshmallows

Combine and stir over medium heat.  When melted, remove and add:

2 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp almond extract

Stir in 1 C slivered almonds (or you can press a whole almond into the top of each ball).

Then stir in 14 oz bag shredded coconut.   

Scoop mixture into balls and place on wax paper.  If it is too sticky, spread it out thin on wax paper before rolling, stick it in the fridge for a while, then try again.  

Dipping chocolate:  Put 1 bag chocolate chips and 1 Tbsp crisco into a large bowl, heat in microwave for 30 sec, then take out and stir.  Repeat this until the chocolate is melted and smooth.  Dip the balls in the chocolate and then chill in the fridge on wax paper.  Store them in an airtight container in the fridge.    They are better eaten when cool.