Picture Time!

Here are a bunch of pictures from the 4th and then of Kylee's perm.

Up the Canyon

Yesterday, on a whim, I decided I wanted to take my girls on a ride up Provo Canyon. I have wanted to do it for a long time and decided yesterday was the only day this week we could go. We loaded up our bikes and headed out. My mom came with us. I didn't know how well Kylee was going to do, but she did pretty good. We went uphill first and she said her legs were tired, but she was a trooper. On the way back, it was downhill and she LOVED that. She told me her legs didn't hurt this time! It was a nice outing.

Earlier that morning when I was doing Kylee's hair, she told me she wanted hair like Kaja. I asked her how Kaja had her hair. CURLY! A couple weeks ago, my mom had given Kaja a perm and now Kylee wanted one. We decided to give her one after our bike ride. I didn't have my camera so once my mom sends me the pictures, I will post them. It is pretty darn cute!!

Happy Birthday Kaja

Yesterday was Kaja's birthday. I had told Andi that I would make her a cake. She wanted a castle cake and then we put some Beauty and the Beast dolls on the cake. It turned out so stinking cute. I totally forgot pictures! When I drove the cake over to Andi's, all the ice cream cone pillars fell. I was so angry!! Kaja still loved the cake! It was a blast to make! And I am DONE eating cake. Two days in a row did me in!! (And then tonight I just might have some more!! :))

Happy Birthday

Yesterday I had a great day!!! Jared took my to breakfast, I went to lunch, and then we had cake and ice cream at our house!! I love birthdays!! It probably has to do with the fact that I LOVE CAKE!!!!!! I am always trying to think of a reason to make a cake!!

This year, I made a lemon cake. I love lemon and Olive Garden has a fabulous Lemon Cream Cake. I found a recipe and it was about as good as the Olive Garden's cake!! Here is the recipe if any of you are interested!

Cake
1 white cake mix
1-1/4 Cups water
1/3 Cup vegetable oil
3 egg whites
1 tbsp lemon zest

Lemon Cream Filling
8 Ounces cream cheese, softened
2 Cups powdered sugar
4 Teaspoons lemon juice
1 Cup heavy whipping cream
1 tbsp lemon zest

Vanilla Crumb Topping
1/2 Cup all purpose flour
1/2 Cup powdered sugar
1/4 Cup cold butter
1/2 Teaspoon vanilla extract

Prepare cake following the directions on the box. Pour the batter into a greased 10-inch cake pan or spring form pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes. Allow cake to cool completely.

Make lemon cream filling by mixing cream cheese and powdered sugar in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Mix in lemon juice and lemon zest.

Whip cream in a large bowl with an electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. Fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture.

Make crumb topping by combining flour and powdered sugar in a medium bowl. Add butter and vanilla extract. Use pastry cutter or your hands to mix cold butter into the flour and sugar. Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly - a not so even mixture of little and larger lumps of flour and sugar covered butter. You want a very crumbly consistency with pieces no bigger than a pea. Keep topping refrigerated until you are ready to use it.

After cake has cooled, slice it in half through the middle and remove the top. Spread all but 1/2 cup of the lemon cream mixture onto the bottom half of the cake, then carefully replace the top half of the cake. Spread the remaining 1/2 cup of cream filling over the top and sides of the cake.

Sprinkle the crumb topping on top of the cake and press it onto the sides of the cake.

Chill the cake for at least 3 hours before serving.

Training!

My uncle talked me into signing up to do the Provo River Half Marathon. I have thought about doing one, but wasn't going to do it until next year. But why wait! I have been running more miles, but keeping my heart rate down. I run slower, but love it because I feel I can run longer!! Before I would always go out and race my 3 miles. Now, I take it slow and love it!!

I have also been doing some strength training with Bill and Joanne and that it kicking my butt!! I love it. I come home weak, but each time I go I feel stronger! Love it!

Oh Where in the World are the Keisels?

We have been missing in action AGAIN!!! I thought the summer was supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable!!! Our summer has started of crazy and enjoyable!! Kylee did swim lessons a couple of weeks ago. She was really good. She would put her face under the water ALL THE TIME! When swim lessons were over, she was sad. She told me she didn't want them to end.

We have gone camping this summer also. We went to a campground up Spanish Fork canyon and had a great time.

Then came the 4th of July. My most favorite holiday! We went to the balloons in Provo on Friday. We decided it would be best to hit the balloons the day before the 4th, to take one more thing out of an already busy day! It was much nicer. We went to the balloons and then came home and let the girls nap.

On the day of the 4th, we went to the Provo parade. My grandpa LOVES the parade as much as the kids. He sets up our spot in the morning the day before the 4th. We sit up by the Provo Tabernacle and the kids get to sit on the front wall. It is really nice. They don't have people in their way to see the parade. This year he set up some gazebos because we face the sun and it is very hot! Kylee and Jayce sat on the wall the WHOLE parade. A Deseret News photographer got some photos and got the kids names and ages, so look for their picture!!

After the parade we headed out to Grantsville for a wonderful BBQ, a tried and failed nap time, and the best fireworks show! Again, it was a very long day, but so worth it! I absolutely love the 4th of July!