Beach Bums With the Family

For our Koenig-Guisti family reunion we went to San Diego. I got some much needed sun but am still the whitest in the family, I guess that's what going to school in Rexburg does to ya. It was a lot of fun to catch some waves (on some boogie boards) and relax. 

Parker in his cute little hole

  

They can't move mountains... But they can move islands

Pushing the island across the lake

Victory pose!

Boys being boys

Fallen Leaf Lake with Tahoe in the back

On Friday, Kenny, Davis, my mom and I went to Tahoe. We went on a mile and a half hike to Floating Island Lake. Our originally plan was to hike further to Cathedral Lake but because I had a cold I couldn't breath very well and ruined that plan. When we first got to the lake, there were no islands in sight and we were kind of bummed. My mom even wanted to rename the lake. Someone noticed that they were all against the shore because the wind had blown them. Kenny and Davis decided to try and move an island... and it worked! We were happy with the naming of the lake, the islands just aren't constantly floating. The hike was beautiful.

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

Aren't they just the cutest?!

Last week I spent Friday at my aunts with my cousins. We had a day full of sun and summer events. We played on a slip-n-slide, rode bikes, played catch and hula hooped. In the afternoon Kenny took us to the zoo. We had all sorts of fun. We even got to watch the workers feed the penguins! It was just a little zoo but it had monkeys and that was all the kids really wanted to see. It had a mini petting zoo and the kids got to brush a goat. 

Let the Sparks Fly

Three firework shows in three weeks!?! And so the story begins!

Once upon a time there was a lovely young fellow whose name was Kenton Allen Pulsipher. He thought the little miss Kennedy was a fair young maiden and asked her to join him at a Minor League Baseball game. It was the first game of the season and to open the season properly they had a little firework show after the 16-14 victory. After seeing each other everyday for 2 weeks another opportunity arose to watch fireworks.  A near by village was celebrating the fourth of July on June 30th (go figure). They traveled to the lake and enjoyed each others company as they continued to get to know each other. This show had to out do the first and it conquered the feat. The fourth of July had fallen upon us and they had a delicious all american brunch, homemade raspberry ice cream and played in the sun with family. Then they ventured to the river to scout out a spot to savor the fire works one last time. Week three ended with a BANG!

Just Because It's Wednesday

I walk in from soccer practice and this is what I find on my desk!

Isn't he just the sweetest?!

Cheesecake Brownies

Brownie Batter:

6 Tbsp. unsalted butter
4 oz. bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate
2/3 cup sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1/2 cup flour
1 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/8 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla extract

 In a saucepan, melt the butter and chocolate over low heat, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and beat in the sugar, then the eggs.

In a medium bowl, mix flour, cocoa powder and salt. Stir in chocolate mixture, then add 1 tsp. vanilla and chocolate chips (if using). Spread evenly in the prepared pan.

Cream Cheese Filling:

8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
1 large egg yolk
5 Tbsp. sugar
1/8 tsp. vanilla extract

In a separate bowl, beat together the cream cheese, egg yolk, 5 tbsp. of sugar, and 1/8 tsp. vanilla until smooth.

Distribute the cream cheese mixture in eight or nine dollops across the top of the brownie mixture

take a dull knife or spatula and gently swirl the cream cheese mixture with the chocolate batter.

Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease a 9-inch square baking pan.
Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until the batter in the center of the pan is just set. Let cool and cut into squares.

Makes a 9x9 pan of brownies.
Recipe found here http://www.ahintofhoney.com/2010/06/cheesecake-brownies.html

Self Esteem Boost

You can always follow Jessica's example and give yourself a pep talk every morning.

Or we can listen to his words of wisdom. You can do anything!