FINALLY! Ryan's Big Day!

Saturday night, Ryan came up to show us his loose tooth. I don't know why it is, but our littles like to wiggle their teeth while in bed...

Anyway, sure enough Ryan had his first loose tooth! We were beginning to worry he wouldn't loose one in the first grade. His teacher gives the kids a cool tooth pillow when they lose their first tooth. He would have been devastated to miss out on that cool prize!

It was just a little loose, you could barely wiggle it. Katelyn was excited that it was the same first tooth that she lost. We told him to go back to bed and keep wiggling it. We assured him that the more he wiggled, the quicker it would fall out.

Sunday night after bath time, Ryan was convinced that his tooth was ready to come out. I was quite surprised at how loose his tooth was after just one day. I guess I know what he did in primary!

He called Aunt Bec the magic tooth puller to come remove the loose pearl niblet. He sat really good and when she pulled it out he had a slight look of horror on his face. It must have been from the "pop" sound it made when it came out. Just like Katelyn he was OK until he saw blood. A paper towel and a cup of cool water fixed everything and he was on his way to call Debbie and Grandpa. Thanks Aunt Bec! You're the best! That Tooth Fairy is going to go broke visiting the Pierson household this year!

Miss Kris Has Been Busy Again!

Miss Kris sent home more personalized sodas for Ryan and Katelyn. They were thrilled! They couldn't wait to have one. Katelyn is amazed that Kris knows just what they think is cool. Ryan says she knows what's cool because she's an adult. Funny- they don't think of Mom as cool....

Ryan and Katelyn send their thanks to Miss Kris! They think she ROCKS!...And she has cute puppies too!

Our Friends Out Back

Just about every night, these "friends" of ours wander through the back field. We've counted as many as fourteen at a time out there. Most of them are pretty small. Wes can't wait until they move on. He says it's like having a herd of sheep in the grain field...I think I'll be ready for them to go as soon as the garden is in. Ryan likes his little friends. He tries to get close to them. He's been as close as about 20 feet away in Grandma Great's back yard. If you come to visit, be sure to watch really careful for the deer on the road!

Easter Feast

We went to Sue's for Reed's birthday dinner on Easter. The kids participated in the candy gathering on the front lawn and each came away with a grocery sack of treats. I'm glad that bunny didn't bring a lot to the house...

Brad grilled burgers (he was even nice enough to grill the turkey burgers that I brought for Reed and myself-he did a great job too!), Sue made potato salad, and I made dessert for the gathering. Dawni and Shawn came to our house early to help. Believe it or not, Shawn did help...He stirred the strawberry glaze in the pan over the ice bath!

This was our contribution:

We made about 150 of these cute little strawberry tarts. They were sure yummy!

Easter Morning 2010

Easter morning at our house was relatively uneventful. Katelyn was the first one up. She came into our room dressed and ready for the day. I love it when I get to sleep in on days off...this was not going to be one of those days.

Ready for the basket hunt...Not ready for the basket hunt! He later thanked me for getting him up...After the great basket hunt, here they are with their goodies. The Easter Bunny decided that since they got a lot of candy at Debbie's and at the hunt they went to with her on Saturday-they did not need candy...Instead the Bunny brought them a few fun things. They both got bubble bath and a small hollow chocolate bunny.Ryan got the movie Astro Boy, a few Hot Wheels cars, and yellow Peeps. If you haven't seen Astro Boy- rent it! It's really cute! Katelyn got The Princess and the Frog, earrings and pink Peeps. Kate and I watched her movie later in the week. I have to admit I did choke back a few tears over a bug.

MUD, MUD, MUD!

Wes got a really terrific deal on fill dirt. They dumped about forty loads in the front and back. When they ran out of room, it was dumped on the bottom of the drive. The first night I couldn't get into the driveway because of the massive piles blocking my way. It's a bit deceiving for pile size- try gauging it to Wes on the tractor...the tractor IS NOT small. Then it decided to change back to winter...SNOW, melt, SNOW, melt, SNOW...you get the idea.

(Notice the dark clouds in the picture?) The next morning, I made it to the truck before it melted since I had to be at work before the sun rises. When I made it home that night, I wasn't a happy camper. I had to help Ryan and Katelyn tromp through the slippery mud- about 150 yards- to the garage door. (Computer bag, lunchbag, purse, backpacks, DS's and crafts from Debbie's-UPHILL both ways- really!) I had six inches of mud on the bottoms of my shoes- Katelyn and Ryan had mud to their ankles! What a mess.

Wes fixed it that night so we could drive into the garage. So, it is a little better. Unfortunately there's still a mud hole at the bottom of the drive...and more fill dirt coming!

Kate Finally Asked!

Well, it's done! Katelyn finally asked to have her ears pierced. Wes told her that she had to wait until she was five...we ended up waiting until she asked. I knew that as soon as Gracie had hers done, Katelyn would want to have hers done too... She was very brave- only little tears for a second- then they painted her nails and all was well. She's already started to amass the earrings...and is counting down the weeks until she can change them.

Anyone remember when she wanted earrings when she was about 4? I bought her some magnetic earrings and sent her in to show Wes. He was furious and didn't speak to me for hours. I egged it on a bit asking him to explain just exactly what I had done to make him so mad. He definitely wasn't amused when Katelyn should him that they were magnets! I on the other hand found it quite funny!!

Vilai's Carrot Cake

Danielle requested that I make her a carrot cake in exchange for Disneyland fudge. Pretty great offer, but we couldn't work out the logistics.

So, instead I am posting the carrot cake recipe that is the best ever! I got this recipe from a friend of mine at Pepperidge Farm. She is the best cook ever! This is a must try recipe AND it has carrots in it (that makes it healthy right?).

PS- I didn't take the picture- I stole it, but it's pretty close to what it should look like (I would frost neater!)

Vilai's Carrot Cake
3 C carrots- grated-must be grated to turn out properly
2 C sugar
1 1/2 C oil
4 eggs
3 C flour
2 t soda
2 t cinnamon
1 t salt
2 t baking powder
1 C walnuts

Mix carrot, sugar, oil and eggs. Mix together dry ingredients and add to carrot mixture. Beat well, stir in nuts. Bake in a greased and floured tube (I use a Bundt) pan for 1 hour at 300 degrees. Cool completely before frosting.

Vilai's Cream Cheese Frosting
8 oz cream cheese- softened
1 stick butter
2 t vanilla
1 box powdered sugar (1 lb)

Cream butter and cream cheese. Add vanilla and powdered sugar. Beat until smooth. Can adjust sugar to desired spreading consistency.

ENJOY!