Summer Cookies

This week Launi at Gracious Rain posted pictures of Summer Cookies on her blog. I have been making Summer Cookies since I was in Junior High School (some time ago). Anyway it is getting warm here in San Diego so I decided to make Summer Cookies this evening.

Here is a picture of my cookies:


Don't they look good? They are really good. If you would like my recipe let me know and I will post it.

Jodi

Happy 50th Birthday Eric!! Happy Anniversary Mike & me!

Today my brother Eric turns 50!!! So I thought we would throw him a virtual birthday party. You are all invited.

You know we need cake. Be sure to have the hose ready when you light the candles.

I'd hate for your house to burn down. One fire in the family is enough. And did you notice I made a banner? And there are balloons too.

And what would a party be without presents?

In honor of your birthday Eric, I got you this shirt to wear. Wear it proudly.

You only turn 50 once. I should know. Been there, done that. And since I am so wise, I have a bit of sisterly advice for you on your birthday.

Happy birthday bro!!! You are the best brother I could ask for (don't tell Todd I said that). Love you more than you could know. Now have a good one!!!


Love,



P.S. It is also Mike & Kim's (that would be me) 4th wedding anniversary today. So happy anniversary honey.
Yup, we got married on Eric's birthday.

The burning bush

Had a little excitement at our house this evening. And I missed it all.

Brandon & I were driving home from work when I got a phone call from Mike. He said "I have some good news, some really good news and some bad news. Which one do you want to hear first?" I said "the good news". He said "the good news is that ugly pampas grass bush that I hate is no more. The really good news is we still have a house. And the bad news is there was a little fire".

When we got home, this is what we found. It seems someone set the pampas grass on fire, which then set the fence on fire. What we don't know is, who it was, or if it was on purpose.

This is what pampas grass is suppose to look like (ours looked like this but way bigger).

This is what it looks like now. And did you see our fence? It's going to need replacing.

Lucky for us, the neighbor across the street on this side just got home from work & saw the bush on fire. He alerted Mike. Luckily Mike was home. Normally he wouldn't be, but today he was. Mike used the garden hose from the back yard to try & put the fire out.

The fire started to burn through to the back side of the fence. Mike said there was a lot of smoke.

A lot of the neighbors came running to help, but only the hose from the back yard would reach. The neighbors were throwing buckets of water onto the burning bush.

The fire department came & finished putting out the fire. I hated that I missed seeing the sexy firemen.

Mike did inhale a lot of smoke. Took him to the doctor, but he will be fine. Doctor gave him an inhaler of some sort. Maybe I should get him a fireman's hat as an award for saving our house. He is my hero. My own personal sexy fireman.
Smells like a bonfire at the beach at our house. Too bad I don't see the ocean when I look out through the big hole in the fence. Hopefully the house will air out soon.

I'm just so thankful that Mike was home at the time of the fire. If not, our house probably would have burnt down. The fire was traveling down the fence towards our house by the time Mike started putting it out. And the pepper tree had started to burn as well.

I'm so thankful for our neighbors who alerted Mike and called the fire department.

Just wish that Brandon & I were here to see it all. Then I could have had some real cool photos for the blog.

Now if only I hadn't just raised our homeowners deductible from $500 to $1000. Ouch! You live and learn.

Too bad the ugly agave plants didn't burn. I guess I shouldn't be greedy.

Happy Birthday Jase!!!

Today is Jase's birthday. Jase is Eric & Jeannette's oldest son. So that makes him Dorothy's grandson & my nephew.

I thought I would try posting a birthday video. I found this one on YouTube & thought it was quite funny. I hope I haven't offended any of you. But everyone in my family will think it is hilarious. Including Jase.



Happy Birthday Jase!!!

We Love you!!!

Aunt Kim

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is Dorothy's birthday. And Dorothy just happens to be my mom.

Happy birthday Mommy!!!!

Hope you have a great day. I'm sending down Brandon to visit you for your birthday. lol. Have a great day!

Love,

Kim

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you that are mothers. If you are not, make sure you wish your mom, or someone who is, a Happy Mother's Day.

In honor of mothers day I thought I would share with you a video. It's about Stephanie Nielson, survivor of a near-fatal plane crash. She shares her story of a beautiful life centered on faith in Jesus Christ and love of family.

It's long, but worth watching.



I have been following Stephanie's blog at NieNie Dialogues ever since I heard about her plane crash back in August 2008. She also has an awesome sister named Courtney who has a blog called C Jane Enjoy It. Courtney posted a lot about Stephanie's accident and took care of 3 of her children while Stephanie was recovering.

I recommend you read both of their blogs someday. You will find both quite inspirational and even funny. And both have a way of making motherhood the most noblest of callings. But especially Stephanie.

This is the perfect video for Mother's Day.


And I want to wish my mom a Happy Mother's Day. I love you!!!!

Clash of the Titans

Last night Mike & I went to the movies. We saw Clash of the Titans. It was pretty good. Not great, but good. Better than the 1970's version (which I also saw back then). And it should be better, since we now have better special effects. Avatar was still better. And Sam Worthington is great in both. Not bad to look at either.



The only time we go to the movies is when a friend of mine gives us free tickets. But then we can't see anything that is newly out. So that usually limits what we can see. So out of the 3 movies we had to choose from, Clash of the Titans was our pick.

What you probably don't know about me is that I love, love, love Greek Mythology. Well, at least I did when I was a teenager. So seeing this movie brought back great memories. Especially seeing Pegasus. Except I'm not sure I liked a black Pegasus. Pegasus is suppose to be white. And Perseus was like a knight in shining armor, so he should have had a white Pegasus.

I loved Pegasus when I was a teenager. I was obsessed with Pegasus. But there wasn't much Pegasus stuff around as unicorns were more popular at the time. I did get a t-shirt at the Del Mar Fair that had an air brushed Pegasus. I'll bet I could get Eric to make me another one now. I may just have to do that.

So my love for Pegasus was what got me into my obsession with unicorns when I was a teenager. Both were mythical horses. And I loved horses.

Did you have any obsessions when you were younger? And do you like Greek Mythology?

Happy Birthday Andrea!!!

Today is Andrea's birthday. Andrea is my sister & Dorothy's daughter.






Happy birthday Andrea!!! Hope your day is a good one. We love you!!

Taylor is engaged!

My niece Taylor is getting married! Taylor & Michael have set a tentative wedding date of 8/7/10. Which also happens to be Eric & Jeannette's wedding anniversary. And Eric & Jeannette are Taylor's parents.

Here is the happy couple Saturday at their engagement party at Eric & Jeannette's house.

Michael proposed to Taylor this past week at the beach. After sending her on a treasure hunt.

They are perfect for each other.

Here is Taylor's ring. Sorry the photo is a bit blurry. I couldn't get my camera to focus on it.

There was also a family celebration at Mom & Dad's house on Friday night. But I missed it as I had to work & couldn't make it down in time for the party. Not sure if any one took photos there. If so, maybe they will post them. Jodi or Eric, did you take photos?

The party Saturday night at Eric's was mostly a celebration for friends. But since I was unable to attend family party, I went to this party.

Taylor's fiancee Michael had to fly back home to Colorado yesterday. Taylor flies back to Idaho for school on Tuesday. Taylor did get a dress picked out while she was down for the week. And picked colors for her reception. They will be sealed in the San Diego temple. But they still haven't decided on where to have the reception. Since it will be in August, it better be inside with air conditioning.

So that is the latest excitement in the Langston clan. Congrats to Taylor & Michael!!!

Happy Birthday Zak!!!

Today is Zak, oops that would be Elder Prescott's birthday. Zak is Andrea's oldest son, Dorothy's grandson & my nephew. He won't be able to see my Happy Birthday wish as he is on a mission in Detroit Michigan. But I wanted to wish him a Happy Birthday anyway. And to remind all of you to keep him in your prayers.



I picked this rabbit birthday image since it was just Easter.

And I thought I'd share this funny missionary cartoon I found.

Happy 20th birthday Elder Prescott. We love & miss you!!!

Love,

Aunt Kim

Our Eggcellent Rock & Rollin' Easter Adventure

For Easter my family went over to Eric & Jeannette's house for brunch. We went between sessions of General Conference.

Jeannette fixed some kind of Mexican scrambled eggs (very yummy), some killer salsa (avocados and grape tomatoes), ham slices, English muffins and orange juice. I brought our family holiday green jello salad. Brunch was very yummy! We were so busy eating that I forgot to take any photos of the food or us at the tables.

After brunch we had an Easter egg hunt.

Eric looking for an egg.

Jesse looking. Check out the fancy Easter bags that Danica gave them. lol.

Cade counting his eggs. They were told they could each only find six.

Brandon opted not to have a bag for his loot.

Danica was the one in charge of hiding the eggs. She was busy taking photos as well. Haven't seen her photos yet.

Cade, Eric & Mike
Afterwards we all sat around just visiting. Mike, Eric, Jase, Jack (the dog), Tara (Cade's girlfriend). The weather was pretty nice. It was only cool when the wind blew. Today is another story however. Today (Monday) it is cold & rainy in my neck of the woods.

Cade & his girlfriend Tara.

Eric & their dog Jack.

Eric & Jeannette

Brandon & Eric. Check out Eric's boots with his shorts.

Eric's family: Cade, Eric, Jack (dog #1), Jase (in back), Jeannette, Danica (Luke their other dog). Taylor is still at BYU Idaho. She comes home for a short visit next week. And did you notice Jase is now wearing glasses?

My family: Jesse, Kim (me), Mike & Brandon

We had a nice time over at Eric's house. But then we always do.

Afterward we went home & watched the final session of conference (well the last hour). Took a short nap. Got up about 3:30 to start cooking dinner when all of a sudden, EARTHQUAKE!!!!

Luckily we are over 100 miles away from the epicenter. So we only got a rolling motion. Which was lucky for me as I was standing underneath all our heavy hanging pots and pans. I could have been killed if they fell down. So we didn't feel the earthquake too much at our house. But our pool water was sloshing all around like it was a wave pool. Wish I had thought to get out my camera & take a video.

We always go to the USGS website right after an earthquake to see where it was at & how big. When Mike pulled up the website the blue box showing the size of the earthquake was huge. The biggest we had ever seen. 7.2 earthquake to be exact. But down in Baja Mexico, near Mexicali.

Eric said his family was upstairs at his house when the earthquake happened. It scared him enough that he yelled for everyone to run outside.

Jodi called us & said the earthquake was pretty strong at their house since they live much closer to the epicenter than we do. She was pretty shaken up by it. But they were OK.

Didn't hear a report from Andrea's family. Jodi did say that they were going over to Andrea's for dinner last night. So I'm sure she got the scoop. I just haven't heard it.

So that pretty much sums up Easter for this part of the Langston clan. Our Easter was filled with lots of eggs and some rockin' and rollin'.

What did your family do for Easter? And if you are in southern California, did you feel the earthquake? Looks like California escaped the big one. Are you prepared?

Here is the latest earthquake map. Look at all the aftershocks!

Kim

Happy Easter!

I hope that watched the video and remember the true reason for this special day.

My family has been invited over to my brother Eric's house for brunch. Between conference sessions. I'll try to remember to take photos & post later today or tomorrow.

What are your plans?

Happy Easter!

Happy Birthday Becky & some belated birthday wishes!

I just realized that today is Becky's birthday. Becky is Joni's daughter, and she is my cousin. I wish that I lived closer to Becky as she is a fabulous person & I know it would be a blast to hang out with her. I might even learn how to decorate a cake.

So happy birthday Becky, even though there is only a few more hours left of your birthday.

Kim

P.S. I have been bad on birthdays this month. I know I missed wishing Aunt Joni & Rick a birthday greeting at the beginning of the month. And I'm pretty sure that Becky's son Matthew had a birthday sometime this month as well. Aunt Joni's family has a lot of March birthdays.

Happy belated birthday to all family members that I missed this month.

If I miss someone's birthday it's probably because I don't know you are having a birthday. If everyone could email me with birthday info for everyone in their family, I would greatly appreciate it.

P.S.S. Sorry that I haven't blogged much. I've been so busy with work and life in general. Plus I've been lazy. I'll try & do better.

Happy St Paddy's Day!!!

I hope you have a lucky day!

If you missed any of my St Patrick's day decor over at my other blog, go to Starshine Chic to see. Do you decorate for St Patrick's day at your house?

What are your plans for today? I have to work. Tonight I might fix Shepard's Pie for dinner. I hate corned beef and cabbage. How about you?

Kim

Photo for Erin

Erin posted on her family blog about her family. She is trying to figure out who her daughter Aubrey looks like. She doesn't think that she looks like her or her busband. She thinks maybe she looks like her mom Marti (Erin's mom). She asked if I had a photo of Marti when she was a child.

So here you go Erin, I think it's the only photo I have. Your mom Marti is on the far left. The photo says it was taken in Apr 1962. So I would have been about 3 1/2. If I was 3 1/2 in this photo, then your mom would have been almost 5 years old. I am right next to Marti. Then Becky (she should have been 3), then on the far right is my brother Eric who would have been almost 2.

I tried to make the photo large so you could see your mom a little better. I hope this helps you.

Kim