This morning was a field trip into Boise to the Young Chefs Academy. The kids had a GREAT time. They all love to cook and the ladies here made it so much fun.

We were a few minutes early, so here is our group coloring their chef hats.
Another group of the older kids in the home school group was in the other kitchen.

Tiff is proud of his hat!

Kaitlynn got her apron on and is ready to start.

Christopher was first, measuring out the yeast and counting out the scoops.

Collin mixes the yeast into warm water. I learned that dough will turn out better if you mix the yeast with your hands due to your body temperature being the correct temperature to put in the warm water. A cold fork out of the drawer doesn't work as well.
The ages they take are 4-16. I did not register Kaebrie because she is only 3. But I asked when we got there after finding out another family couldn't make it. They asked if she could follow directions fairly well, I said yes, and they asked if she talked well.

:)

Boy, it didn't take them long to find out she was louder and more talkative then anybody in the whole group.

Here she is measuring out the olive oil.

Then measuring out and leveling out the flour. She wanted NO help, told the chefs she could do it all by herself, and she did!

Christopher's turn to measure out the flour. Our good friend Emily is next to him.
After preparing the surface for the dough, it was time to knead it for 10 minutes.




Yes, I know, his tongue is out in just about every picture. If he is concentrating on anything, the tongue is out.
Time to roll it!
Collin was the first one done in our group, and after cutting his dough into the shapes he wanted, it was time to baste them and cover them in cinnamon sugar.




When is was Kaebrie's turn, Collin helped her out. So sweet!

Kaitlynn's turn.

And the favorite part, EATING THE CINNAMON BREAD STICKS!

A fun morning. I had never heard of this place before and I am glad another home school mom set up this trip.

Since we were right across the street from Super Target, we HAD to go in. I found the two things I was hunting for that Mountain Home didn't have and also found shorts for Kaitlynn! Real, honest to goodness, decent non-shorty-shorts with an adjustable waist.

I got her one is every color. :)

Then is was time to go home, but we had no choice but to stop by Sonic for slushies and lunch for everyone.

Sonic fresh fruit sour slushies are among one of our favorite things.

Hitting 55 degrees today is also a favorite thing.

More snow in the forecast for tomorrow night is not a favorite thing right now.

Last post today :)

Well, I think I set a personal record for the number of posts blogged in one day. There was just so much going on all day long, that I posted in spurts instead of getting overwhelmed tonight. So here is the last of the pictures.

Kaebrie sitting and waiting for her cheeseburger to come off the grill.

Kaitlynn proudly carries in her home made cake!
All smiles looking at ALL those candles!

Somebody is REALLY excited about eating cake.
Just a pretty natural light shot of a patient Christopher.
When Collin cuts himself a piece of cake, he really cuts a big one!
The happy birthday boy at the end of a fabulous day.
p.s. Hey Aunt Juicy, look how great my new shirt looks. I really like it! Thank you for sending it.
Love, Collin

Cake Making

The new tradition around here seems to be making each other a birthday cake.
Collin made hers, now she asked to make his!
So after a tad bit shorter school day then normal, it was off to the kitchen!

Perfect! A solid chocolate cake with 11 candles. Sam is lighting up the grill now for Collin's requested dinner. Cheeseburgers and Doritos and Diet Coke.

Time for presents....

After making him look at his presents on the table all afternoon, it was finally time to open them!

He was very curious about the small first one, I told him it was VERY special! :)

Not quite sure yet.....
He finally understood and laughed and laughed! Yes, we got him his VERY first deodorant! He doesn't "need" it yet, but I figure the "needing it" isn't to far off in the future so why not get in the habit now.
A two-handed stunt kite. We might as well take advantage of this VERY windy place we live.
One of his favorite shows!
This is his stunned look....
Can you tell which presents Mommy bought and which presents Daddy bought? :)

He enjoyed them all, and all the cards and money from the grandparents as well. He will be needing some of it!
(see below)
:)

And the last present.....

It isn't very often, in fact I can't remember EVER, rendering Collin speechless and teary-eyed.

As you can tell, we are going to CONGRESS!!

I know, I told the whole story below, and it didn't work out. But we just couldn't let it go. This is something that was SO important to him, would be so good for him, and he is old enough to appreciate going and to remember.

So we looked at the obstacles; money and Sam's time off. So we decided that if I took him, that cut the traveling expenses in half. I actually used our first Sky Miles and got his ticket for free! I asked some good friends of ours at Bolling AFB if we could stay with them and they immediately said YES! (Thank you sooooo much Ben and Tracy)!!! Most of our meals are covered at the conference. So besides one rather cheap airplane ticket (only $278 from Boise to DC), it will only be a couple of meals and gas money for our hosts (and maybe a souvenir or two). As for Sam's time off, now he won't need to take any. Thanks to some great friends here, child care will be covered for the work hours. Thank you in advance for the friends I haven't asked just yet! :)

After registering last night for the Call to Congress I got our VERY busy schedule.

We fly out on Tuesday, April 29th. The conference begins on the 30th at 1pm. From 3-5pm is training to speak on the "Hill." An opening formal dinner that night until 9pm. Breakfast the next morning at 7:00 am. It is going to feel like 4am our time. YIKES! Then off to Capitol Hill to speak from 10:00 - 4:00. Then back to the conference center for a recap and a formal reception. Breakfast again at 7:30 the next morning,then a closing session lasting until 10 am. We fly back that night leaving DC at 5:40 pm getting home at 10:15.

WHEW!!!!!

I am so excited to be sharing this with him. Excited to be able to see him in this capacity. Sam and I have wondered for a long time just what God is preparing for his future and this is just another big step for him.

And some MORE good news from the Smith House:

Sam was informed today that he got selected for an SOS in residence slot. That is a month long school for Air Force Captains at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. That is a rare thing for a chaplain to go. The ACC chaplains only get 4 slots PER YEAR to go, that is from ALL the chaplains in the Air Force. These guys here are obviously doing something right, as Steve Barfield also got chosen and he is leaving in a few weeks. Sam is NOT thrilled with being back in the south during the hottest part of the summer, already thinking about those 3 -4 mile runs in that intense heat and humidity, but he is honored and excited and it was something he was hoping to do.

Eleven Years Old

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLLIN!

Eleven Years.

Wow.

It really did go by fast!

Aubie

Well, I obviously had seven free minutes today, so here are a few funny cat pictures. :)

Kaitlynn got out her treat box, can you tell how bad she wants one?