Lovin' it at the lake...

Lake Tahoe is happiness for our family.  Brent's parents built a cozy cabin among the plentiful pines when he was a youngster of about 9 years old.  He remembers pounding a few nails in the frame.  Yes, they really built the cabin!  He has countless memories of playing, exploring, sledding, snowballing, swimming, canoeing, cliff jumping, hiking, golf ball hunting, etc. in the forest that surrounds the cabin.

I joined in on the fun when Brent and I honeymooned there in July of 1991.  I have to say it was quite romantic...a cozy cabin with no distractions, lazy walks on the beach holding hands, sharing homemade lemonade at Angora Lake, night time cuddles on the deck, exploring little shops, dining at the Cliff House overlooking the gorgeous sunset lit lake.  Sigh...

Our children joined in on the fun as soon as they came along.  Our Brown family vacation was often at the family cabin over the 4th of July holiday.  Grandma and Grandpa Brown were always so generous to treat us all to a fun filled week.  Then the fireworks spectacular over the lake ~ well, it was the cherry on top of the perfect vacation!

It was an emotional day when Paul and Joyce made the decision to sell the cabin.  With Joyce in ill health, it was turning into too much work to keep up and all of the kids were living too far away to take care of it on a regular basis.  So it has been a handful of years since we've spent time there. 

That all changed this year when Paul generously treated the family to a week in Tahoe at a lovely resort and passes onto the beach to enjoy the best firework show over the lake!  It was such a great week!  I loved seeing the cousins together ~ laughing, playing, joking and doing all the things we love to do there.  Being in Tahoe always brings me tender memories of Joyce.  She loved it there and more than that, she loved having her kids and grandchildren all around her.  I'm sure she was watching over the fun and smiling!

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One of our favorite spots to enjoy the water is at Angora Lake.

It's a small high mountain lake that you hike into.  The water is straight snow melt so it is V E R Y cold.  The beach is small and fills up quickly.  We never come to Tahoe without a day spent here.

And this is where you sip on fresh squeezed lemonade as you relax in the sun.

(the most expensive lemonade you'll ever drink but what's a vacation if you don't splurge!)

 Cooper was the first in the water, along with Uncle Tom.  He plays with the kids the best and joins in on whatever they are doing.  Cooper loves that!

This is also where the cliff jumping happens.

Notice the boys checking out the jumpers...in years past the kids have always been too little to actually jump.  This year proves to be different!

 Everyone climbed onto the 5' rock first to get their nerves up.

 It's a good warm up spot : )

Uncle Tom jumped first but Cooper was right behind him.  Cooper doesn't hesitate when it comes to this stuff.  Crazy boy!  But this water takes your breath away!  Davis follows but it takes Maddison a long time to decide she actually wants to be submerged in this icy water!

 Well, it has been decided.

They are in the row boat which is the only way to get to the cliffs that are on the other side of the lake.

That means I have to get into a row boat so I can get close enough to capture all the action.  Sure wish I knew my camera better when it comes to stuff like this.  But fuzzy pictures beats no pictures!

 And who was the first to conquer the 20' cliff...

uh. yeah. cooper.

And Davis...

 And Maddie and her cousin Chelsea...

 And big Daddy proved to everyone that he still has what it takes!

They all repeated this process over and over again.  I think Cooper took the top prize of 19 jumps.  He slept like a rock that night : )

I, on the other hand, got a rockin' sunburn.

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Another adventure took us on a day trip to Virginia City, Nevada, home of the Silver Queen.  What?  You haven't heard of the Silver Queen?  Well, let me back up...maybe you've heard of the Comstock Lode.  Aparently it was part of my history lessons at some point but I don't remember so Brent gave me a brief overview.  It went something like this...in 1859 silver was discovered and by the time all was said and done over $300 million dollars worth of silver was pulled out of the mines.  Who knew??

At the peak of its glory, Virginia City was a boisterous town with something going on 24 hours a day both above and below ground for its nearly 30,000 residents. There were visiting celebrities, Shakespeare plays, opium dens, newspapers, competing fire companies, fraternal organizations, at least five police precincts, a thriving red-light district, and the first Miner's Union in the U.S. The International Hotel was six stories high and boasted the West's first elevator, called a "rising room.

Inside the Silver Queen Hotel (and a saloon and a wedding chapel where the Captain and Tennille were hitched in 1975) stands the Silver Queen herself.  A mural made of 3,261 Morgan silver dollars.  She stands 15 ft. tall and 8 ft. wide.  Picture worthy indeed : ) 

Notice the "notice" on the piano.  Maddie busted out a little Canon in D.

 Cool bikes added to the fun.

And had we been a drinkin' sort of family the boys wanted this to be the place to do it.  Good times!

Along the streets of this quirky town was a lovely old, mid 1800's chapel, St. Mary's In The Mountains.

The stained glass inside was stunning.

 It was a fun and interesting afternoon exploring this old town.

History really is a beautiful thing!

And since we were out that way we all went to a Reno Aces baseball game.

Funny thing...we got to see Ryan Wheeler play 3rd base that night and the next thing you know he is called up to play with the D-backs not long after : )

 Our three generations of baseball boys, top and bottom.  It makes me happy.

They even celebrated with fireworks! 

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Another favorite spot at Tahoe is Emerald Bay.  Isn't it beautiful!

 I love this kid.

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 Ah, Lake Tahoe!  With your crystal blue waters that would be so easy to mistake as a bottomless pool of amethyst jewels. Truly so unbelievably rich and glittering in the silky sun.

Another memory keeper, like many times before, is sitting beneath the fireworks that literally cover the entire sky.  Honest.  A single firework that would explode into a circle so vast that you could barely take it in and then it would cascade in seemingly slow motion to the water.  It made my heart burst with American pride and gratitude.

It was good for the soul to be back in this beautiful part of our family happiness. I thought many times about the creation of the world and how blessed we are to soak in it's glory.

And so ends our vacation in Lake Tahoe.

It was so good to be back : )

Tahoe teasers...

Our week in Lake Tahoe really goes without words.

More great photos to come!

In preparation for a favorite holiday...

I heart the 4th of July!!

I found some fun things to add to my red, white and blue on Pinterest and had my home looking festive and patriotic in no time!

My first project I found here.

The girls at eighteen25 are fabulous!  They have some of my favorite subway art as well which also comes up a few pictures below : )

I had some frames at the back of a closet that I spray painted.

Glittered some 99 cent letters from Hobby Lobby.

Cut some scrapbook paper that I collect by the box full.

Then glued the sparkley letters into the frame.  No glass.

Found the perfect spot on my skinny shelves among the pictures of my babies.  Added a few scrapbook paper flowers and done!

Here is the subway art I mentioned above from eighteen25.  I have several of their holiday prints.  I LOVE this one, although my picture doesn't do it justice to how truly great it looks.

I found some new subway art here at HMH Designs.

I loved the look of these right away.  Again you can't tell from my pictures but they look like they are printed on white washed wooden slats.  Kind of a old time baseball look.  PERFECT for me and my house! 

Brent had a box of brand new baseballs out in the garage.

They were just the right touch.

I cut up a couple of 99 cent bandanas for a little festive backdrop and then filled my all occasions candy jars with swedish fish and silver wrapped chocolate kisses.

After all was said and done I had everything with the exception of the letters, bandanas, the prints (very cheap to print at sam's or costco) and the candy!

I love a thrifty project but I love

red, white and blue even more!

Maddie and I got in the spirit of things with our nails.

Splattered nails by Maddison.

Dip a drinking straw into the polish and then blow!

Wipe away the excess with a q-tip dipped in polish remover.

Stripes and polka dots by me! 

We are off to enjoy the cool weather and cool blue water of Lake Tahoe where they celebrate the 4th in fine fashion with one of the biggest firework displays I've ever seen.  Right out on the lake, the reflection on the water and us snuggled up in blankets on the beach.

I can't wait!!

Happy fourth to you and yours!

17 birthday wishes for my 17 year old birthday girl...

I know it's rather cheesy to refer to song to get a point across but honestly when what you want to say has already been penned so perfectly, sometimes you just have to plagiarize.  But it's really not plagiarism if I credit the source so THANK YOU Rascal Flatts (we're fans around here) for summing up my heart. 

So this is for you Maddison Joy. 

(1) I hope the days come easy and (2) the moments pass slow
(3) And each road leads you where you want to go
(4) And if you're faced with a choice and you have to choose
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you

(5) And if one door opens to another door closed
I hope you keep on walkin' til you find the window
(6) If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile
But more than anything, more than anything

My wish for you
(7) Is that this life becomes all that you want it to
(8) Your dreams stay big, (9) your worries stay small
(10) You never need to carry more than you can hold

(11) And while you're out there gettin' where you're gettin' to
I hope you know somebody loves you
And wants the same things too
Yeah, this is my wish

(12) I hope you never look back but you never forget
All the ones who love you in the place you left
(13) I hope you always forgive and (14) you never regret
(15) And you help somebody every chance you get

(16) Oh, you'd find God's grace in every mistake
(17) And always give more than you take
But more than anything, yeah more than anything

My wish for you (repeat wish 7, 8, 9 & 10)
Is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold

(repeat wish 11) And while you're out there gettin' where you're gettin' to
I hope you know somebody loves you
And wants the same things too
Yeah, this is my wish!

maddison and her daddy on their shared day :)

Seventeen years ago I was blessed with one of Heavenly Father's best.
Thank you for being mine.
I hope you enjoyed your key lime pie.
xoxo

Hip Hip Hooray! It's Father's Day!

I have some WONDERFUL men in my life.

A great dad of my own who taught me (among other things) that busted and banged up cars can be repaired but it's the daughter in the car that is valued and loved above any cost.  Of course there's a story behind that : )

A great father in law who has shown me love, appreciation and generosity since I began dating his son.

And my three awesome brothers.  All of them who have loved and watched over me while growing up and who I know I could turn to in an instant for anything.  They were and are the best protectors of their only sis.

But 17 years ago Brent and I became parents.  Brent turning into a father would bring a whole new meaning of "wonderful" into my life.

He puts his children and all of their interests and activities ahead of his own.  He is involved in their education, their activities and their spiritual growth.  His priesthood blesses their lives regularly and he prays for them with every breath.

He laughs with them, plays with them, jokes around with them and lets them enjoy the goofy stuff that is part of him.  You know, the stuff that others would say "there's no way that side of him exists", but really it's the best part of him that is saved only for us.

Thanks for being a WONDERFUL father to our three really terrific children.

As a pre-dessert treat, the kids dipped some strawberries and then we did our best to turn them into baseballs.  Pinterest!

Maddison's birthday was the very next day but since she had to play two basketball games that night, her and her daddy decided to share dinner on Sunday.

They agreed on French Dip Sandwiches.

She is definitely her father's daughter.  A meat eater!  Someday her husband will really love that about her : )

It is so easy and so delicious!

Here's the recipe so you can please the meat eaters in your family.

Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches

3 - 4 lb. roast (i use a lean, yummy chuck. sometimes a sirloin tip roast if it's on sale for great price) There is enough for leftovers which are delish too!

1 large onion

1 pkg of au jus

1/2 cup white wine or water (i've used both)

2 cups beef broth (i just boil water and use beef granules)

1.  Slice the onion and place in the bottom of the crock pot

2.  Salt and pepper the roast on both sides and place on top of onions. Or use this seasoning that i use on all my roasts: 1 c coarse Kosher salt, 1/4 c coarsely ground pepper, 1/4 c garlic powder.  I just mix up a batch and keep it in a mason jar in my seasoning cupboard.

3.  Mix the dry au jus packet with the water or wine and pour over roast

4.  Pour the bouillon over the roast.  Stop before it is covered.

5.  Cook on low for about 10 hours or so (I put mine in the crock pot at about 7 a.m. on Sunday morning and we are ready to eat at 6 p.m. that night.  We have 2 - 5 church : (

Take the roast from the liquid and slice (really is falls apart so shred is more like it).  Return the meat to the juice.

I use good sandwich rolls and slice in half on a cookie sheet.  Slice or grate monetary jack cheese on one half and put under the broiler until cheese is melted and gooey and roll is toasted.  Oh goodness my mouth is watering!

Use tongs and pile the meat on the toasted roll.  Ladle a cup of the au jus to go along side.  Dipping is half the fun!

Then after a strawberry or two, Maddie brought out her contribution...

DQ ice cream cake!  Employee 50% discount baby!!

It was a great day and we all shared a laugh at the perfect Father's card...

Come on!  It's funny.  And if you have boys...you are totally laughing because it's true on so many levels.

...and look after us is what he does best!!

"DAVIS" as a verb...

An English teacher might correct me but I'm pretty sure if DAVIS was listed in the dictionary it would show a young man in action.

Davis just came home from his second and last year of Scout camp.

Between the two years he completed 11 merit badges the first time and 6 this time.

He was not idle in the least and enjoyed every minute of it.

Brent took a week off work to spend with Davis and I begged him to "please take some pictures!"  and I'm so happy he did.

The Canoeing merit badge was a good mix of fun and hard work.

A little rifle shooting, pottery and Indian Lore.

Yes, there is a Scout at the top of that tree!

The boys call him Smeagol because he can climb and move like nobody's business.

 Hey Smeagol!  I just called your mother and she said "Get down from there!"

There are good reasons moms don't go to scout camp : )

 Like tree top swinging and hanging from the edge of a cliff poses.

 Always doing his share of the work and then some.

 Davis ~ I'm so proud of all the verb in you!!

 Hey Honey!  Thanks for all pictures.  You did great!  But most of all thanks for being such a wonderful Dad who is happily involved with his kids and takes the time to put them first in your very busy life.  I love you so much for that.  How appropriate that we celebrated Father's Day the day after you returned : )

Wow!  You were so thorough with the pictures that I even got one of the herd of sheep that delayed your drive home.

You're good!!