Things to do in Montana . . .

*Warning: you are about to embark on a picture overload.*

Things to do in Montana:

Go to the family reunion and hike up "The Gorge".

Go rafting down the Stillwater river. (Category 5 rapids, at least!)

Hang out with awesome cousins like Hannah, while you are wearing a cool hat.

Play on the waterslide.

Have all of mommy's high school friends over for a big party. Play and play and play until you can't play anymore.

Have dinner with Great Grandpa Stan and Great Grandma Bev.

Float boats down the stream Grandpa made especially for you.

Improve your culinary capabilities by learning to make fruit pizza.

Play "Pass the Pigs" no less that 387 times.

Be adored by Grandma . . . over and over and over again.

Run through the sprinklers

Go jetskiing at the lake.

Be adored by Aunt Chelsea . . . over and over and over again.

Go on the tractor everyday with Grandpa. Make sure Grandpa is "cutting hay" the right way.

Boy was that a fun-filled fantastic trip! We drove (without Kevin, mind you) all the way to Montana (about 17 hours). The kids were great. We stopped halfway in Burley, Idaho and stayed at "The Wray Hotel" (my cousin's house). Kevin flew out after we had been there a week and a half, he stayed for the Stott family reunion and then we all drove back to CA together. I can't believe how fast our time went there. We spent lots of time picking out flooring, cabinetry, etc. for the new house Mom and Dad are building. The kids are in heaven with Grandpa and Grandma. I sobbed like a baby when I had to say goodbye. My mom kept comforting me by saying "I know honey, but I'm sending you home with a really nice guy." We love Montana! Thanks for the fun trip, mom and dad!

Cox Family Visit Summer 2010

My sweet college roommate and lifetime friend, Jean and her family came to visit us! Man, did we ever play! We went to the beach, where the kids built no less that 257 sand castles. I have come to realize how badly I need a sand box in my backyard to entertain my kids.
Kevin took multiple dives off the paddle board.



Um, yeah, if that's not cute, I don't know what is!!
We went to Sutter's Mill and panned for gold. Ian was sure he had "struck gold" a few times.

Isn't she gorgeous? And, expecting kiddo number 5! We hope this is the first of many summers that the Cox family visits! However, now we have a big UNR-UNLV rivalry. Goooooo Wolfpack!

The most bestest Rice Krispy treats ever!

Here is my friend Mel:

Here is her incredible food blog:

www.melskitchencafe.com

Here is her unbelievable recipe for

Kicked Up Rice Krispy Treats

Here is how I changed it to make it more "Kevin" friendly. (He won't touch a dessert that has anything "fruity" in it, especially if it has chocolate along with that fruit. "Bluh!" is his exact phrase.) I've been making the usual rice krispy treats our entire marriage, they are one of Kevin's favorite things. However, I always am left feeling a little "dry" and missing one level of additional flavor. Well, does this recipe ever deliver! I modified her original recipe a little, to make it work well for a 9x13 pan.

Rice Krispy Treats

4 1/2 T. Butter

16 oz. mini marshmallows

3/4 cup white chocolate chips

1/4 t. salt

1/2 t. vanilla

7 1/2 cups rice krispies

Melt butter in a large pot over low heat. Add marshmallows, white chocolate chips, and salt and cook, stirring constantly, until melted and smooth, about 8 minutes. Stir in vanilla.

Off heat, stir in rice krispies until incorporated. Scrape mixture into greased 9x13 pan and press into bottom and corners with a greased spatula (I just used my fingers since the marshmallows weren’t overly hot at this point). Let cool slightly, then add mini M&M's and press into the top.