Category Archives: family

Apr 6 2012

Colorado Day 3: Part 1

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Denver's Museum of Nature and Science

Day three started here at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.  Day three was so busy I had to split it into a couple of post.  This museum is huge.  We didn’t go here to tour the museum though.  That’s going to have to be another trip.  We did, however, go here to see an IMAX 3-D movie.  The movie that we watched was “Flying Monsters.”  This movie was about the tarasaur.  This is the first 3-D IMAX  movie that our little family has ever been to.  The first impression I had was wow this is really neat.  The second impression was we should do this more often.  Then things began to change about 30 minutes in I started to get a little motion sick.  By the time it ended my vertigo was off and I felt nauseated.  The kids loved it but my first and second impressions were quickly dismissed by the end.  They can go again but I think I might have to pass.

The escaltor in the museum

the entrance into the theater

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Waiting to be let in the theater

Sitting in the theater

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sophia with her 3-D glasses on

The museum has a little discovery center around the corner from the theater.  After the show we decided to take the kids in there to explore a little.  They had fun with all the cool stuff to do.  One of our favorites was the wall with mirrors on it.  Preston enjoyed making his arm look like a wing.   There was a skinny mirror that I wouldn’t mind having in my bedroom.

Sophia playing with some blocks

Levi and Grandpa doing the smelling test

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preston our paleontologist

Preston making his arm a wing at the wall of mirrors

Apr 3 2012

Spring Break in Colorado Day 1 & 2:

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This year, since we are having great weather, we decided to go visit Corey’s parents for spring break.  The first day we spent most of it in the car.  Usually the drive is about 10 hours.  This time we wanted to go through Utah to hand off some baby stuff to Corey’s brother and his wife.  We left at 6:30am and got to Orem by 10:30am.  We got to talk and go out to lunch with Russell and Hannah.  She looks so cute with her little baby bump.  It was so nice to clean out our storage area and get rid of most of the baby stuff.  By 12:30pm we were back on the road.  Colorado here we come.  We stopped in Echo canyon and Corey tells me that his 3rd great aunt was named after the canyon because she was born there while migrating with the pioneers.  So we had to stop and take a picture.  We also got to see some ground squirrels up close.  We did finally make it to Greeley Colorado by 9:30pm.  We were tired and it didn’t take us long to get settled.

Echo Canyon rest area

Ground squirrel

Echo Canyon

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day two was a blast.  Corey’s parents had to work for a few hours that day so we decided to go to the family funplex in Greeley.  We didn’t bring the camera because we were afraid it would get wet.  This place had a zero depth water play area, a lazy river, a couple of big slides and a normal swimming area.  We all had a blast playing in the water.  It was easy to spend a few hours there.  When we got back we ate some lunch and walked over to Nammi’s work to pick her up.  We went for a walk around the park.  That is when we noticed how nice and warm it was.  It ended up being in the upper 70s.  By the time we made it back to grandma and grandpa’s we were pooped.   Corey and Sophia took a nice nap in the recliner.  The boys had fun playing with all the old/new to them toys.  These toys were toys that Corey played with when he was a kid.  We thought this was a great day and so much fun.

Preston playing with an old set of bricks (lego type toys)

Levi climbing into the large cabinet full of toys

Sophia playing with an old farm set

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daddy and his little girl taking a nap.

 

 

 

Dec 24 2011

Christmas Letter

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I think it is sad how more letters are being emailed/posted every year.  I love to display the letters we get on our hall wall.  It has been a really fun tradition that I have carried on from my childhood.  Unfortunately last year we received so few letters that I didn’t even hang the line up.  I made it work this year but it seems it’s starting to look more and more pathetic each year.  I know it’s easier to send via email or other electronical means.  So I really appreciate all those who took the time to send us a card this year.

I did send out letters this year to a select few.  I like to make my own cards and it can be very time consuming.  I had only made 26 this year so I’m very sorry if you didn’t receive one.  I try and send a letter to all those who sent me one the year before but inevitably we always miss one or two people.  So if you didn’t get one from us this year here is the link to a copy of the letter that went out with the cards.  I’m sorry and I’ll try and send one for you next year.  Although if you follow this blog you probably already know everything that is going on in our lives so this might be a repeat.  I hope you all have a very wonderful Christmas.

Christmas Letter 2011

Nov 5 2011

Straw Maze

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One of the things I love about fall are the corn and straw mazes.  Corey and I used to go to corn mazes and we always had fun.  One year we decided to try the local straw maze.  It’s in Archer Idaho near Big Juds (If you’ve ever lived around here you know about Big Juds).  We found that we enjoy the straw maze much more than the corn mazes.  So that’s been a tradition for us for a few years now.  We like the straw because it’s nice and soft to walk on and you don’t have rows that you keep twisting your foot in.  We also like how it muffles the sound and you really don’t feel like anyone else is in the maze until you round a corner and wallah there they are (I bet it’s pretty cool at night).  Also you can’t really tare a part the bails of hay like they do the corn.  So the maze looks the same the last day as it did the first.  This year they had some tunnels built into the maze which the kids absolutely loved.  If you haven’t tried the straw maze you should.  It can be a little claustrophobic at times so if you have trouble with that maybe you don’t want to try this.  Each of us took turns leading the way through the maze getting hopelessly lost and when we got to the finish we started it all over again.  This is a great family activity.

Oct 19 2011

Austin Texas

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This past weekend Corey and I had the privilege of visiting Austin Texas for his sister’s wedding.  My mom flew over so she could watch our kids for us.  This was such a blessing for us.  This is the first time we have left our kids for more than one night at a time.  It’s been over 2 years since we have had an over night trip together.

Austin is a very active city.  We were on the go all the time.  There were people everywhere.  We had such a good time seeing the different  things and eating at different places.  I can’t believe how many places there are to eat at.  We had so many options I could’ve spent another month there and still not have eaten at each place.  When we first arrived in Austin his sister, aunt and uncle picked us up at the airport and then we went to a restaurant called 24.  Apparently the owner of the restaurant is going to be on the show top chef this season.  Here we met Lisa’s fiancé,  Neal, and  ate lunch.  Neal is so nice and perfect for Lisa.  We had a great lunch.  Corey ate chicken and waffles.  I had a burger with some whipped potatoes.  Those potatoes were the best I’ve ever had. This is much of how the weekend went.  We just hung out with family and tried new places to eat.

On Lisa’s wedding day I woke her up, much to her disapproval, and we went for a walk with her mom.  Afterwards we picked up her bouquet and other flowers.  Then Lisa and I had our hair done.  Her hair was so perfect and pretty it brought tears to my eyes.  It was so fun to spend time with Lisa.  It’s been a while since I’ve had the opportunity to do so.  She lived with us for two weeks while at BYU. She was actually living with us when I had Preston.  Then again she was there for me when my mom had her accident and I pretty much lived at her aunt and uncle’s house (where she lived at the time).  She would take me to the hospital navigating the streets of Portland.  This was such a blessing at the time.  After she put her wedding dress on and did her make-up she looked like something out of a magazine.  So beautiful.  Her reception was at a place called Parkside.  It was fun and different.  She had some dancing there which was great because Corey and I haven’t danced together for quite some time.  I loved that his cousin’s wife Jennifer knew the steps to thriller.  Austin is so busy all the time it was funny to see that it gets even busier after 11 pm.  We kept asking ourselves all weekend does anyone work here?

When we arrived in Austin Lisa gave everyone a gift bag.  We had vouchers for bike rentals.  So on Saturday morning Corey and I rented our bikes and rode around their bike trails.  It was really fun and a great way to see the people and places of Austin.

After biking, on Saturday afternoon,  Lisa had a trapeze class set up for us.  Yes that’s what I said TRAPEZE.  It was a little different but ended up being really fun.  Corey did get sick his second time around and had to sit out the rest of the time.  I went four times before I said that was enough.  The toughest thing about the whole experience was getting over how tight the harness was.  When they put it on they tighten it then they have you raise your arms and when you don’t think it’ll go any farther they tighten it some more.  It reminded me of saddling a horse.  I really had a hard time breathing.  It was a really big relief when I finally got to take it off.

All in all we had a really wonderful weekend.  We love hanging out with Corey’s family.  They always make me laugh.  I wish we could’ve stayed there longer but alas we have children and work.  My mom did such a wonderful job with the kids.  Sophia cried when she left.  I wish she lived closer so they would have more opportunities to see her.  Thanks Lisa for getting married so we could have this great vacation!

Lisa and Neal with Lisa's mom and dad.

Lisa and 3 out of 4 brothers

Sep 19 2011

My Mom’s Apple Pie

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I’d say this is the well kept family secret but can’t since we share this recipe with everyone.  This is definitely a family favorite.  I always loved it when I would walk home from school and the aroma of apple pie was in the air.  This is by far my favorite pie.  This recipe is also pretty simple and well worth it.  I made a pie last week with the apples off of our little tree and it was so good.  So good that I’ve made another pie this week.  Anyways here is the recipe and step by step instructions on how to make it.

 

Filling:

6 Apples peeled and cut into slices

3/4 to 1 Cup sugar (depending on tartness of apples)

1 tsp cinnamon

dash of nutmeg

2 Tbs flour

1 Tbs lemon juice (depending on tartness)

Crust:

2 Cups flour

1 tsp salt

1/2 Cup cooking oil (canola or vegetable)

5 full tablespoons COLD water

step 1

First step is to peel, core, and chop the apples.  I peel all the apples at once and then chop them.  That way it keeps the browning from oxidization to a minimum.  Each apple gets chopped into 8 pieces and then each of those slices gets chopped into quarter inch thick triangles.

step 2

Next step is to add the rest of the filling ingredients to the apples and mix.  My apples were tart so I used 1 cup of sugar and no lemon juice.  Put in a medium sauce pan and heat slowly on the stove (about medium low heat).  Meanwhile start putting the crust together.  Don’t forget about the filling give it a stir every few minutes or so believe me you don’t want the sugar to start to burn on the bottom of the pan.

This crust recipe is one of the most simple recipes I’ve ever come across.  Many people are picky about their crust and I’m one of them.  I love this crust because it is easy, flaky and taste good.  Once you try this you’ll never go back to cutting in butter or shortening and letting it chill.  You can also half this recipe for a one crust pie like pumpkin or pecan

step 3

In a large bowl combine the flour and salt.  In small bowl combine the water and oil.  It’s important to know what is meant by 5 full tablespoons of water.  As you fill the tablespoon up with water continue to fill it until it is so full it makes a dome over the rim.  If this doesn’t make sense let me know.  Hey, by the way, Don’t forget to stir your filling.

step 4

After the dough had formed a ball split into two separate balls one slightly larger than the other. Slightly larger because the bottom crust is bigger than the top. Oh! And don’t forget to stir the filling.

Take the larger dough ball and place it between two pieces of wax paper.  Roll out the dough with a rolling pin until it fits into your pie plate with extra over the sides.  Don’t worry if the wax paper starts to wrinkle just lift it up and smooth it out.

Take one side of wax paper off and flip the crust into the pie pan.  Push and position the crust until you have about 1 inch of crust hanging over the side of the pan.  Slowly peal back the wax paper trying not to tear the crust.  Don’t forget to stir the filling.  Roll out the top crust between the wax paper and set it aside.

By now this is what your apple filling should look like.  The sugar should look syrupy and the apples are starting to cook.  When the filling is hot and bubbly that is when it’s time to add it to your crust. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

After adding the filling to your bottom crust dot the top with a tablespoon of butter.  Before adding the top, this is very important, wet your finger with water and go around the rim of the crust.  This will help the top crust adhere better and you won’t have a mess in your oven to clean up. Take one wax paper off the top of the top crust.  Flip over and place over the top of pie.  Press the rim together and peel off the remaining wax paper.  Trim the crust until it is about an inch from the rim of the pie plate.  Fold under the crust to lay on top of the rim.  Using the two finger method crimp the edges.

 

 

 

 

Cut slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape during baking.  I like to make a star or flower shape on the top.  Sprinkle with sugar and bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until crust is golden.  Take out of oven and place it on a rack until completely cooled. Serves 6-8 slices.

 

Sep 2 2011

Survived the first week of school

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Sophia didn't want to be left out. Can you see the anxious look on Levi's face?

That’s right school started this week.  On the first day Preston and Levi were so excited.  They were up and dressed before the sun was.  We all made the trip to the bus stop only to find out that the bus was early.  It is a few blocks to the bus stop from our house and when we rounded the corner the kids took off on a mad dash.  The bus waited for them and they made it on just fine.  They got on the bus before I could even wish them luck and say goodbye.  Since the bus was there so early it waited for a while.  Corey and I were able to catch up and wave to the boys through the windows.  I could tell Levi was a little anxious and was on the verge of tears.  Later that day he told me he cried when Corey, Sophia, and I walked away.  You can see his silhouette in the bus picture on the top right window.  Other than that everything went without a hitch.  The kids love their teachers and are excited about getting back to work.  Preston has already started and finished a book and has started a new one.  It has been really nice and quiet around here with just Sophia and I (and sometimes Corey).  I seemed to have acquired an extra shadow.  Sophia doesn’t have her brothers to keep her busy so she just follows me around all day.  It is funny to see how she plays.  Just today she was saying “I love you” and I told her I love you back.  Then she informed me that it was her elephant talking to her not her talking to me.  The kids are loving school.  I’m loving the alone time with Sophia.  Corey is liking the quiet time he has for work.  We are all happy! Yay for school!

Preston going into 4th grade

Levi going into 1st grade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walking to the bus stop

Goodbye bus

Aug 20 2011

Tiffany Family Reunion 2011

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Warm Lake Idaho

Well it was time for another Tiffany family reunion.  We decided to have it in our old stomping ground of Warm Lake Idaho.  My family used to have a cabin here and spent many summer days on this lake.  It really holds a special place in each of our hearts and was a perfect location for our reunion.  There are really too many pictures to post so I’ve selected a few and I will post the rest on facebook.

The reunion was pretty laid back with a few planned activities.  There was a lot of lounging, swimming, playing in the sand, and eating.  One night my dad set up his projector and played a video that he put together for us.  The video was a modge podge of videos and pictures of all of us growing up.  It was fun to see the crazy old hair styles of everyone.  My dad also made copies for all of us.  My copy will only be viewed in private and then kept in the vault.  Only a special few will see snip-its of it.

For the most part meals were up to each individual family to prepare themselves.  We had two meals that were all together.  One night we had steak, corn on the cob, watermelon, and salad.  It was probably the best meal we had up there.  Everyone did a great job working together to get it on the table.  We also had breakfast together.  We went and picked huckleberries the day before and were able to make huckleberry pancakes and sausage for breakfast.  We also had dutch oven peach cobbler one night that I had opted out of because of my sugar issues.  It looked so delicious and my kids had at least seconds.

We spent a couple of days swimming in the lake which was a bit chilly but when you got used to it it was quite refreshing.  Conveniently we left our camera back at camp for these trips.  Although I did see my sister with her camera so there might be a picture out there that you should stay clear away from.  My Idaho legs were like a beacon and if looked directly at them you might go blind.  Don’t say I didn’t warn ya.

We had a family game night that turned out really fun.  My dad prepared 7 minute to win it games.  He teamed family against family.  We had fun shooting rubber bands at playing cards, swing yo-yos from our backsides, unraveling toilet paper on our arms and that’s just  a few.  My sister Krystal won overall and her prize was a big jar of jelly beans but also, a surprise to everyone, she gets to plan the next reunion.

Our little family also took the opportunity to hike to one of the many hot springs up there.  There was a fire about 5 or 6 years ago and it burned most of the area.  The hike was hot and dusty.  As soon as we got back we took a nice refreshing swim in the lake.  My brother Cameron and his girlfriend Brittany came with us and it was funny on the way back Levi had to be in the front of the pack.  The problem with that is he liked to kick the dust up and who ever was behind him had a face full of dirt.  It happened to be Brittany behind him and a few times she would try and run in front of him only to find him running faster to keep ahead of her.  By the end we took a short cut and beat him to the car.  It was a fun little trip and I enjoyed getting to know Brittany a little better.

On the last day we all met at a park in Boise to have lunch before saying goodbye.  We were all able to see my grandma Wilkins (Tiffany).  We had a big photo with her and all of the great grandchildren.  Just in my family there are 15.  If you add my cousins my grandma has 18 great grandchildren.  It was really hard to say goodbye to everyone especially knowing that it’s going to be another two years before I get to see most of them.  I can’t wait for then next reunion which, according to Krystal, will probably be in California.

My Nephew Zachary had a birthday. This is all the grandchildren eating cake.

My family loves to play games. Here they are having a play nine tounament.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We also liked sitting by the fire

Our hike to vulcan hot springs

 

 

 

 

 

 

fishing from the dock

Great Grandma with great grandkids.

 

 

 

 

 

 

My siblings and I.

The whole clan

Aug 15 2011

Huckleberries

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Huckleberries

Yummy, yummy it’s huckleberry time.  I don’t grow this in my garden but these tiny berries grow wild in the mountains not too far from our home.  Growing up we used to have a cabin at Warm Lake Idaho. Warm Lake is about 30 miles from Cascade Idaho.  We would spend much of our summers up there and when it was huckleberry season my mom would load us up in the van and we would spend a couple hours at our favorite huckleberry picking spot and pick.  Then we would  be rewarded the next morning with huckleberry pancakes.

We have lived in this area for seven years now and have known that there are huckleberries here but they have eluded us.  If you ask anyone where to pick they never give you a straight answer.  If they have a spot it’s a well guarded secret.  This year we happened upon a nice spot by accident.  Corey was camping with Levi in Kelly Canyon, that is as close as you will get to the location, and they went for a hike.  While on their hike they noticed the huckleberry patch and started picking.  When they came home we had enough for a batch of huckleberry pancakes.  Of course, I made Corey take me to the huckleberry patch and we picked a couple of quarts of them.  I froze them and now we can have huckleberry pancakes for a while.  I might even try some huckleberry muffins.

Jul 14 2011

Reed’s Dairy

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We are so fortunate to live so close to Reed’s Dairy.  It’s our favorite place to go on a hot summer day with the family.  Last night was especially great because Reed’s was celebrating that they were voted #1 in the area.  Reed’s gave out free ice cream and cake.  They started to hand out the cake and ice cream at 6:00 pm.  So we headed out after dinner and got there around 5:50.  A line had already started but it wasn’t too long by then.  We got our cake and ice cream pretty quickly and were able to beat the crowd.  We sat down and enjoyed.  I didn’t tell the kids we were going there so it was a nice surprise for them.  I love these moments I have with my little family.

enjoying the cake and ice cream

Having fun