Good bye, Electa Hilton

Vince's grandma passed away last night. It was a good thing, not that death is good, but she was 95ish and confined to a wheelchair in her nursing home. The nurse said when she went to go check on her at 3:30am she was kneeling by her bed in prayer, so we believe she went peacefully with our Heavenly Father's blessing. We are glad she has been relieved of her mortal struggles, in a place where she can be reunited with her husband Lyle and her daughter Donna.

I remember that Vince's parents had a license plate with the letters EQC on it and she would always say "Do you know what that stands for?--Electa, Quit Cussing!!" We all would get a good laugh at that, I guess Electa had a mouth on her when she got mad. This picture is classic though, only comfortable in her house dresses, but wouldn't be seen without her heels!

They are having the funeral in Arizona, but an open house in Virginia. We may go to the AZ one, but we will see what happens when all the details get put together!

An Earthly good bye, but a Heavenly Welcome Home.

It's just hair, right?--UPDATED

Well, I got my hair done today. I am not sure if I like it, and I am not sure I will post pictures for a few days just so I can get used to it and be okay with the "world" seeing it. My sister talked me into it and I was really excited, but then after it was done...you know how it is. It wasn't that the lady didn't understand what I wanted, it just may not be my thing. So, I guess we will chalk it up to trying something new, and I will give myself credit for that!!

If I decide I can live with it, I may post a picture, or I may not and just leave you all in terrible suspense!

Alright, I got a perm! I know I made it sound like I cut my hair short, and that it may have been an "orange mohawk", but here it is. It was supposed to be loose, and it ended up tighter than I wanted, thus the drama. Not the best picture, but when have I actually loved a picture that I was in??

Okay, so maybe I was being a little dramatic, but you have to understand, that I only change my hair every 10 years! Plus, the first few days I was having major flashbacks to Middle school and who wants to relive that!??? So after I figured out what I was doing and I was able to wash my hair, it has relaxed a bit and I guess I don't hate it anymore. I am actually starting to enjoy it! So, my advice to anyone looking to get a "loose perm" is to not go outside for at least a week, then you may be happy with it--eventually

Bear Lake!

We finally bit the bullet and went camping! Our last camping experience, we went to Antelope Island, which wasn't good at all and I was expecting something similar, but this time we went to Bear Lake. We kept hearing everyone talk about it so we figured we better give it a try and it was really great! We only stayed for one night--we like to keep it simple--the 3 older kids had a tent and Vince, Ashley and I shared the other tent. The only thing that we would have changed is the movie going on at the site next to us (really, they were projecting movies onto the side of their canopy tent!)

I forgot to mention the best part--almost no bugs!!

We did S'mores, and read a story by the fire.

The campsite had a nice trail to the beach, and it was shallow forever, so it was great for the kids!

Of course, we couldn't resist skipping some perfectly shaped rocks!!!

On our way home, we stopped at a Pizza parlor that makes a 28" pizza! We really wanted to get it, but there was no way we could have eaten it all. And, of course when you are in Bear Lake, you have to get a raspberry shake!!

We are already making plans for "next time" and I am actually excited about it!

Motorcycle license--crazy or practical??

Well, between all the talk about getting a motorcycle license by my sister, Naomi, and Vince, I have decided to take the course with Naomi in the fall. Now, I know some may think it is an irrational, crazy move on any one's part, especially since I don't own a bike I could ride, (Lets face it Vince's is 10 times too big for me to even get off the kickstand!) but I figure it is inevitable, seeing how I am married to Vince! So on the practical side, if I ever do get my own bike I would save a lot on gas--especially since by the time I got one of my own, in 10-15 years maybe, the gas prices are inevitably going to be worse.

Congratulations Kirk & Stephanie Hilton!!

Vince's brother got married yesterday in the Salt Lake City Temple, and it was a beautiful ceremony followed by a very fun reception! We love our new sister-in-law and they are as gooey as newlyweds can be! We can't wait to get to know her better in the years to come!!!

The whole Hilton gang (that was there)--now we have more girl power, yay!!

Here are all the Hilton brothers, aren't they a handsome bunch???? Sorry ladies, only two left and one's 14! :)

Kirk is so happy, and he should be. You can just see it on his face--"She's mine!"

Rice Krispy Treats (or however you want to spell it)

I am in love with Rice Krispy Treats--not the yucky from-the-store kind, it has to be homemade. Whenever anybody asks what my favorite dessert or baked (non-baked) good is, it's always the same. I mean aren't they practically good for you?? No fat in the marshmallows and a non-sugared rice cereal as the cruchy-goodness base--you can't go wrong!

I would have to say I enjoy the classic recipe the best, but I have been known to mix it up a little. Whether just for fun or lack of ingredients at the time. A few, but not all, of my variations are M&Ms on top, Rice Chex (smashed) instead of Rice Krispies, choc. chips in the marshmallows, Fruity Pebbles or Cocoa Crispies, etc. So, today I was thinking out loud about which treats do I make for my Activity Day girls night. Of course I landed on the favorite and I said out loud "well since I don't have enough marshmallows, maybe this time I will make the peanut butter-chocolate kind" and Matthew says:

"Wow, you are the most creative Rice Krispy Treats maker I have ever met!"

I will take the compliments wherever I can get them!

Funny

Today I told the kids that they could earn a chance to see the real fireworks tomorrow (I haven't let any of them stay up for them yet) by cleaning their rooms and the basement without complaining and they did a good job. So tonight I am working on the computer and the kids are playing nicely for once today and from the other room I hear Daniel say:

"WHAT?! We just cleaned up this place, now its messy again?!"

Gotta love it!