Found a pic I took!!!!

A birthday wish come true

I know it is almost a month since her birthday. I know I didn't take any pictures at all. I know, I know, I know. And that is what makes this post suck that much more. However, Abbey said it was the best one yet!

We decided to take our ENTIRE tax return, and go to Utah for Abbey's birthday. We went for a week. We saw all of the family out west including driving up to Idaho to see Bryon and his family. It was a world wind trip. Brent and I even saw Grandad for a whole 3 hours! (He flew in to ordain Will to a high priest). Wow it was a great trip but back to the birthday girl

Abbey is now 9! WOW I have really mixed feelings about it too. On one hand, I am so glad she is growing up. She helps me out so much with Jackson. She is so smart and it shows, and she is one of the most compassionate 9 year old I know. She is always willing to help out with the kids, and is now dabbling in the art of cooking with me at dinner. I have had to hand over the reins a little bit too. I know she is still a little young, but I want to encourage her learning to cook. Last night in fact, she helped me make spagetti. I wish I took some pics while we were in Utah, but I didn't bring my camera. We went to church and then had spagetti at Pennie's. Then that evening the Oakesons came out for brownies and ice cream. It was great to see everyone.

So for now, big girl, I love you. Dad loves you too. We know that you will become a beautiful daughter of your Heavenly Father. While we get to raise you, you will be in our hearts and prayers everyday. You are on your way to be a great young woman with a personality that everyone will crave to be around. You are such a great girl already!

Love you

Mom

Just because she so knows me

Okay so this is an email I got from an awesome friend who just knows how to brighten my day. I love you Dene.

This just goes to show how much I really don't have any secrets! Especially about being messy!

I was a little bored today so I Googled myself - yes, that's right, I Googled "Dene Brooke." I like to see what other people see if they were to ever Google me.

Well, imagine my surprise when I saw something about Dene Brooke recipes. You are so funny. You do know that I don't make them up, right. I just change

the names (sometimes) and then make it so often that everyone thinks it's mine.

There's a new one I tried called Cake Balls. So easy and the kids would have fun making them. Found it on a blog called Bakerella.

I used a box Red Velvet cake. Bake it according to the instructions on the box. Don't get fancy and make layers - just a regular

cake pan. After the cake has completely cooled, crumble it up (yes, Katie, with your hands) into a big bowl. Then take a can of

cream cheese frosting - see, I didn't even have to get anything dirty making the frosting because I used the ready made kind.

Anyway, mix that can of frosting in with the crumbled cake. Come on, Katie, let the kids do it with their hands. You might even

need to get your hands dirty too.

After the frosting and cake are completely combined then roll it into small balls and place on a cookie sheet that has been lined with

wax paper. Put the cookie sheet with the cake balls on them in the fridge - or the freezer to speed up the process. When they are

cooled and set enough - melt some Almond Bark - the same stuff you use for the Elk Droppings. Roll the cake balls in the melted

Almond Bark so they are completely covered.

Depending on the season you could melt some white Almond Bark and put food coloring in it and drizzle it over the chocolate covered cake ball,

Like pink and red for Valentine's day, green for St. Patrick's day, Red, white and blue for 4th of July, or red and green for Christmas.

Whitney is make this for her Book Club in Columbia. They are reading Twilight - again. Whitney is going to call them "Blood Balls."

Can you believe she sent that? Well I can. I love you Dene!