Croft Invasion: A Day On The Lake

After our ATV adventures, lunch and a nap for the little one we got suited and sunscreened (although I was already fried) and headed down to Rockport Lake just down the mountain from the Hugie house.

 

 Braeden loved rocking the flag since it was orange (his favorite color is orange)

 

 

The boys took the boat out for a while before my mom and I joined in but the first to show off their skills for us was Spencer. He got up the first few times but was having a hard time staying up, and then it clicked and he was loving it.

 

This is Spencer's headshot, I don't think he even realized i was taking it.

 

 

I was up next, and was pretty nervous since I hadn't hit the water since the beginning of High School. Kim (Justin's dad) told me I needed to do a dive into the freezing cold water. That's what I'm doing in the top right picture I am preparing for my dive (can you tell I watched the Olympics?) I did pretty well on the wake board, although when Kim hit some waves I crashed hard.

 

 

Brian thought it would be cool to take a picture of the clouds reflected in his glasses, I think he just wanted a cool picture of him ;)

 

Next Brian decided to show off on the water skiis, he rocked it weaving inside and outside of the wake and showing off his one-handed riding skills.

 

The first pair on the tubes were Spencer and Braeden, as you can see in the top picture Spencer was much more excited. Braeden didn't look so sure of the whole thing and after even denied enjoying it at all.

 

He was happier once he was back on the boat, with his glasses on.

 

We even made a few seagull friends, and shared our bugle chips with them.

 

Our next pair on the tubes was Brian and Justin, who were psyched to crash and bump each other all over the lake. They had a ball out there trying to flip each other and Kim was enjoying whipping them outside the wake.

 

When Justin and I decided to try our hand at tubing he decided he wanted a kiss, notice the 90/10 effort split here...

 

Justin decided to show off by "surfing" on his tube, and then I decided to show off although I didn't last nearly as long as he did.

 

This is the picture they got of my massive wipeout!

 

Spencer decided to give tubing another try with Justin since he couldn't go fast enough paired with Braeden.

 

On our way to the beach Braeden decided to take a leisurely ride, since neither one of us wanted anything extreme. Braeden even admitted that he had fun, even though he didn't want to get back on after his first ride.

 

The boys dropped off Brian and I at the beach to head back to the house on the ATV so I could feed the baby. When we got back to the house there were pizza's waiting for us.

 

As soon as dark hit we went down to the fire pit and made smores, Brian developed a new technique of melting the chocolate on the cracker while roasting the marshmallow to toasty perfection. It tasted wonderful, although it got everywhere!

 

We had so much fun on the four wheelers, boat and making smores, and are so grateful to the Hugie's for letting us invade their house for a day!

 

 

The Croft Invasion

My family was able to come out to Utah for a week at the end of August to visit our family... let's face it they were here to smother JJ. We were excited to get out and explore since the last time they were in town JJ was only a month old. They drove the whole way here from Minnesota, although they took time to stop and visit our friends the Hawkes in Denver for some fun on the way.

 

 For their first full day we went up to The Hugie's house in Park City to explore there. First we rode 4 wheelers around Justin's dads house by Rockport Reservoir. On the first ride Justin and I rode together and my brothers Brian and Spencer each drove another ATV.

 

 

Pictured above is Spencer driving the blue ATV.

 

Justin and I rode together on the red ATV.

 

This was the view from the top of the mountain, isn't that incredible?

 

That's Brian in the front on the green ATV.

 

On our ride we saw a big buck, can you spot it in the picture? it's over on the left by the trees.

 

After returning from our first ride I told my mom about some awesome sun bleached wood Justin and I discovered on an ATV ride a couple weeks before. Since my mom and I are avid Do-it-your-self-ers we decided to go rescue the wood so it can be put to good crafting uses. (can you tell I'm addicted to Pinterest yet?)

 

We brought along my dad and brother Brian to help us haul the wood up on the ATV's, We got some great pieces and I so can't wait to make something AMAZING!

 

After eating lunch and playing around a bit, we took the boat our for a spin and went tubing, skiing and wake boarding.

 

UP NEXT: BOATING

The Kapahua's Come To Visit

While JJ and I spent time in California, Jolie and Makua came to Utah for a Hugie family reunion. Luckily we had some time at the end of their trip to spend together. Makua is 6 months older than JJ and we can't wait till they're older, and great friends!

 

 

They even had so much fun at lunch they crashed in the car.

 

JJ loves auntie Jo and she loved holding him, although Makua wasn't too fond of his mommy giving her attention to another kid.

 

Makua really wanted to play with JJ so we let him get close, but not too close. We can't wait till JJ is big enough so that they can play together! Thanksgiving here we come!

 

UP NEXT: LOVE FROM MINNESOTA

California Dreamin'

In July JJ and I traveled to California for my sister (from another mister...and mother) Naomi's wedding! and to visit all of our family there. My mom also made the trip out to there so that we could take a 5 generation picture, which doesn't happen all the time so we had to take advantage of our opportunity.

 

 

Aren't these two cute together! I am so grateful we have such a wonderful picture of the two of them!

 

I was able to attend the Sealing of Naomi and Justin Kaneshiro in the Newport Beach temple, it was so beautiful and reminded me of my wedding day. While we awaited the exit of the darling couple our friends Glen and Breanna Gray got some time to play with JJ. Glen and Breanna are going to school at BYU Hawaii! which is awesome although we wished they lived closer too.

 

The next day was the Kaneshiro reception, we had tons of fun! There was a photo booth, and they even cut the cake with a samurai sword! (seriously awesome) Naomi looked gorgeous and this was the first time I had seen Justin in over two years since he went on a mission and we moved to Utah.

 

JJ and I were able to spend an afternoon with Justin's family Memere and Grandpa Ed, Noni and Grandpa Jack, Pepere and Memere Doris, and his Uncle Mike. Justin's grandparents hadn't met JJ yet they had just seen pictures, so they were thrilled to spend time with the little man. The whole family had a blast getting him to smile, and seeing him "walk" with help of course.

 

This is JJ and his "cousin" Cole Ferkin (Cole's mom is actually my mom's cousin... but in our family they're cousins.) Cole is 2 months younger than JJ.

 

JJ also met another friend Emma Sommers (Emma's Grandma and my Grandma are next door neighbors and best friends) Emma is about 3 weeks or a month older than JJ, but hopefully they'll carry on the family tradition and be friends for a long time too! and aren't they adorable together, she even wanted to hold his hand ;)

 

JJ definitely got all of the attention in California, Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of my mom or Grandma holding him. I have lots of of pictures of the Irving family kissing, hugging, and playing with JJ.

 

Wil was all over JJ and absolutely adored him. He also wanted to hold him all the time even though JJ is getting bigger and squirmier.

 

Ben loved talking to and playing with JJ, he even got him to giggle!

 

Sydney wanted to hold him every chance she got and had to fight her mom off to get him.

 

Our California trip was wonderful, and I enjoyed every moment I had to spend with my family. I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to visit California and have JJ meet all of his family there. We can't wait to be back at Thanksgiving! 

 

 

It was hard to be away from Justin for a whole week. Justin and JJ were both excited to be reunited again!

UP NEXT: A VISIT FROM A COUSIN

The Fourth of July

For the Fourth of July I made pasta salad and a family favorite Buster Bars. I saw an idea on Pinterest for how to turn pasta different colors and I just had to try it for the fourth. It really is easy, you simply boil the pasta as normal but add food coloring to the water. I doesn't change the taste, but it adds a whole lot of fun!

For the fourth of july we traveled to Park city to spend time with Justin's Dad's family. In the morning we went to a parade in Oakley, which is a small town up past park city. Oakley reminds me of Lovell  WY where my dad grew up, they have parades just like this one for holidays.

Last of all we watched the Fireworks at the Chatterton's house which is right behind Rio Tinto Stadium (where Real Salt Lake plays) The fireworks were right above our head. JJ didnt seem to mind most of the fireworks except the screeching ones. Justin plugged his ears for the finale, and I managed to snap this picture which cracks me up! Justin is really enjoying the fireworks, and JJ doesn't look too sure of them. All in all it was a fun weekend.

UP NEXT: CALIFORNIA!

Cookie in a Cup

I have recently become smitten with the idea of making individual desserts in the microwave of all places. First I discovered the 321Cake and my mom loved the idea too! I'll share the recipe soon I promise. Justin absolutly loves warm chocolate chip cookies with ice cream, or milk so this was the perfect recipe for us. All the warm gooey cookie goodness without heating up the oven or lots of work. The recipe is from no.2 pencil 

1 Tablespoon Butter

1 Tablespoon Granulated White Sugar

1 Tablespoon of firmly packed Brown Sugar

3 Drops of Vanilla Extract

Small Pinch of Kosher Salt

1 Egg Yolk (discard the egg white)

slightly less than 1/4c of All Purpose Flour

2 Tablespoons of Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips

 Melt butter in a microwave safe mug. Add white sugar, brown sugar, vanilla kosher salt.

Stir together, Then add one egg yolk. Stir again.

add a little less than 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour, stir to combine.

Add chocolate chips, and stir.

Now put your cup in the microwave for 40-60 seconds. Start checking for doneness at the 40 second mark. You'll know it's ready when it looks like a cookie! now top with some ice cream or eat with a glass of milk. I love the results, and so did Justin! we actually doubled the recipe and it worked just as well, although it made A LOT of cookie so you might want to stick with the recipe unless you're sweet tooth is really hungry!

I can't wait to try the other microwave cookie recipes from no.2 pencil, and maybe even take a shot at one of my own!