february list- one day early

1. I came home early from church, because I started sneezing & sniffling.
2. It's 6:00 PM and I have a full blown cold & headache.
3. I decided on a word for 2010 months ago.
4. It's LOVE.
5. I chose this word because of this talk during October General Conference.
6. It is worth reading no matter what your religious preference is-
7. and really made an impact on me.
8. My favorite gift that I gave this year for Christmas is membership- in my newly formed cookie of the month club.
9. I couldn't think of something really wonderful to give one of my favorite families.
Then it just came to me.
10. For January I took over a couple dozen of these
11. I am shocked that this recipe is not on my cooking blog! It is one of my favorites & declared the best cookies ever by Brian.
12. For February I am really looking forward to making personalized valentine cookies.
13. I think this is the best present.
14. The credit goes to Michelle's dessert of the month club.
15. I knew that would be too much for me so I opted for cookies...
16. I used to HATE valentine's day growing up.
17. Now I make it really fun with my kids & sweetheart.
18. We have a special dinner, decorations & presents.
19. It's one of the best days of the year!
20. I called megan this afternoon
21. sad news--- Charlie has a cold too.
22. Poor Kid!
23. I remember being a complete nervous wreck the first time megan got sick.
24. We got a batch of fresh new snow this morning...
25. Now it is melted into a yucky, dirty mess.
26. which means mud
27. which means muddy dog foot prints... (swearing under my breathe)
28. Good News~ My Valentine cards are going out soon!!!

thanks wende for the great photo shoot- I can't wait for ya'll to get one

This year to keep moods high & stress at bay-

personally & as a family we have been working on having things to look forward to

daily

weekly

monthly

and this year (summer vacation.)

Most things are simple pleasures like lunch with friends at school, play or ballet practice, scouts, etc. but NOT Today!

Today we indulged & went to the CHEESECAKE FACTORY for lunch.

Some people that I really, really love (who will remain nameless as not to induce extreme jealous feelings in readers)- gave brett & I a gift certificate there for Christmas & we have been dying to use it. What better way than with two darling girls & their goofy brother?

(how about this haircut?- cute huh! I told you!!)

The Cheesecake factory is notoriously, crazy, busy...

but we got a table in 30 minutes- score!

On the way to the restaurant I was commenting on how fun our family vacation was going to be this summer & how much room there was in the car with out the boys & megan. Hailey said JOKINGLY, because brett never does this- ya & if dad can control himself... no farting either! Trent piped up- hey what do ya mean?? I'm gonna be here! oops how silly of hailey to not include him in "that" category.

We ordered guacamole as an appetizer-- oh heavenly day!
I love guacamole this was so good! I haven't made it in forever but this is the time of year for it. I will be headed to costco for avocados monday morning. I make the best guacamole- I learned how to make it at a little restaurant that makes it table side on the river walk in
San Antonio, Texas.
My goal: to put that recipe on the cooking blog soon.
It's worth trying even if you are not a "guacamole" kind of person.
Chloe declared her lemonade - the best lemonade in her life- wow!!

The portions are crazy, huge here.
Lunch portions are really the way to go.
Cheaper & smaller, but still way too big to eat in one sitting.
We had a terrific time- the girls now know why this is megan's favorite restaurant. We missed her & I missed janae - this is probably her favorite too & today is her birthday!
-happy birthday janae-
I cannot wait to get together & celebrate.

We ended off lunch with the red velvet cake/cheesecake that kristy ordered when the blogger mom's were here for wende's birthday. It was better than I remembered.
Oh boy- next week we need to go for a walk/run/bike ride/something physical.
OR... back here for lunch again.
just kidding



*what do you look forward to?
* are you a guacamole kind of person?

**** update: Brett & I just finished listening to the BYU/U basketball game***
Oh my gosh- so intense! Loved it!!
I wish we could have been there & no I an not going to say anything about the punch to the face... not after that max hall comment... even though he had a point ;)

creative thursday - surprise edition

For Kristy's 40th birthday, we planned an extra special creative Thursday this week.

Karrie booked us tickets on a local TV talk show called Good Things Utah.

We headed out of our town early & told Kristy where we were going on the way!

She loves this show & watches it while running on her treadmill. We were super excited to get tickets & surprise her!

We got there a little early & the receptionist asked us to step outside to wait...? we got back in the car - nothing like good ol' fashioned hospitality? It was only around 35 degrees outside- so we got back in the car for 10 minutes.

It was really fun to see around the studio.
I knew they had a small live audience, but today there were only 10-12 of us.


The set was beautiful & everyone was super friendly.

the set was beautiful - it was so fun to see all the behind the scenes stuff going on.

the ladies who host the show were darling and could not have been nicer.

I couldn't get over their shoes. Look at these heals!? All of them had at least 6 inch heals. Holy cow--- it was like walking on stilts & looked so painful to me. I guess I'm an official old lady- cause I don't care how skinny or gorgeous people think they look- they seriously look like torture to me.

There was a segment on choosing the right sized bra (interesting), Kneaders Bakery was there giving a sugar cookie demonstration & gave all the audience members $10 gift cards!

One of the stars of Dancing With The Stars & his mom were there & gave a little dancing lesson. (Boy those heals were working over time)

Then the Seargent Steam company did a demonstration. Let me tell you I
seriously covet those things.

They were gracious & spotlighted Kristy at the end of the show so we were all on TV!!! Plus they let us come up & take pictures with them.

These guys were absolutely darling to Kristy about it being her birthday.

After the show we went to Zinn Bistro for lunch.

This place is amazing. It's where we went for lunch on my birthday last year. The food is fabulous & the bread- I'm not even a super bread lover- but it's worth eating there just for the bread basket!

We had a great time watching Kristy open presents.

It's so fun to go in together & buy something extra special.

It was a great day.

But we missed you janae-

janae is home taking care of her new baby boy Owen .

I'm not sure why I was so tired but I came home & crashed.

Like a seriously dead to the world nap. I couldn't get off the couch- zzzzzzz

what a great day

serious fun-

Thank you Kristy for having a birthday in January!

It has been a long long time - well since Karrie's birthday- that I have gone out at 1:00 AM to decorate some one's house with posters, balloons & streamers.

January is a great time to do something like this- you know... it's so darn cold & not much going on. Well not until your birthday! Between the decorating & planning your special surprise day- it's been a blast.

It's been since last creative days since I laughed so hard I nearly wet my pants.

happy birthday
Kristy!
You are easy to love, thoughtful & so much fun to be around
I'm sorry we woke up Kelly. It wasn't my fault. I wasn't the one who kept trying to throw crepe paper in your basket ball hoop & missing & i wasn't the one who almost slipped on the ice on your driveway then caught themselves & I wasn't the one shuffling slowly back to the car to prevent wetting her pants--

but I was laughing.
I couldn't help it.

Laughter is the best medicine- so they say... but I think it's laughing & friendship.

I'm glad I've got both

thanks

this weekend

this weekend...
Brett & I took some kids to Mcdonald's for breakfast Saturday.
We went to Ikea to get a new desk for him- to go with my desk, in the office.
Ikea is so overwhelming- but i love it.
We went to dinner after that at. fun!
Trent has been playing with the empty boxes again, ever since- man that kid loves a box.
We bought hailey a new yellow dresser to go with her yellow bed.
Who knew that would prompt her to totally clean her room?
hailey- you rock!
still no photo of the haircut... I've gotta get sneaky.
Brian came home sat. night & spoke in another ward Sunday morning- it was fun to listen.
Jack went to two missionary farewells yesterday.
He leaves in 40 days- can that be possible? am I wrong? Is April 6 really only 40 days away?dang.
Jack is getting ready to go to the temple- I am so excited for him!
Brett feel asleep on the stand - brian texted him & woke him up just in time to close the meeting - fewwww!
Brian wrote a paper & did laundry.
Jack played his guitar.
Chloe, trent & I made dozens of cookies.
Hailey cleaned her room some more?!
We played bananagrams & sequence. Trent always wins sequence by playing the card he draws??
We studied the scriptures together & ate an early dinner.
It's going to be a good week!

science fair.... FINALLY!

Today was the big Elementary School Science Fair!

Trent has always wanted to participate in the science fair- since kindergarten!

I'm what you call... "science challenged." Well, that is in the areas he wants to go. I know, I know I should try, it's something he is interested in, etc. Honestly, I am trying but there is something you need to know about trent & aspergers... he has no limitations to what he thinks he can do. this is a great gift & challenge at the same time. Last year the science fair was optional for 3rd graders- Trent came home & announced he was going to build an airplane & fly inside it- around the school. I had to put a stop to that- I hate crushing a kid's dreams - but realistically people?

Thank HEAVENS- trent got the best ever fourth grade teacher who actually is a food scientist. She went back to school to be a teacher so that she could teach kids to love science. It has been such a huge blessing in his life which equals a huge blessing in our lives too.

I talked to her early in the year about many things but especially his love for science and thoughts of doing something crazy impossible for the science fair. She loved it! She directed him into a project that was perfect for him & he has been successful.

Parents were allowed to visit the fair after the judging approximately 11:30. Around 11:45 we got a phone call from the school secretary- trent was pacing the halls waiting for us. We should have been more specific with him that we would be there sometime- not necessarily 11:30 sharp- aspergers is so literal.

that's brett & I in the back talking with the teacher.
photo by trent

The best part of all was Jack is home. He came over too- this is the same classroom Jack presented his 4th grade science fair project in- Trent was over the top thrilled to show Jack everything, introduce him to his teacher & invite jack to stay for lunch.

Even though he didn't eat school lunch- he stayed. What a great big brother.

So- I never thought I would be saying this... but HOORAY FOR THE SCIENCE FAIR.

it's thursay

* yes the blogger moms still meet on thursdays!
* it continues to be great therapy :)
* My MIL's doctor told us that people who get together regularly with friends live healthier, longer lives. I believe it.
* Brett is in Seattle
*I'm GREEn with envy- even though he is only there for an afternoon.
* On his flight to Sacramento yesterday it was so turbulent they had to turn around & people were throwing up... so. glad. i. wasn't. on. that. plane! EVen happier all is well.
* Jack's Visa papers go in today.
* He has been working like crazy & rarely home. soon we will be shopping for a suit, white shirts (short sleeve- lucky guy!), heavy duty shoes, etc.
* I am so excited for him- Brazil is going to love him!
* Hailey got the most amazingly cute haircut Monday night!!!
* she is resistant to me taking a photo & posting it- teenagers!?
* it's short & cute & you are gonna love it.
* Chloe nearly quit piano last month... drama. her awesome-fabulous teacher talked her out of it. fewww! She's got so much talent... again- teenagers!
* it has been rain/snow mix all week & the air is CLEAN - ahh I can breathe!

marji & me

During Christmas break I got a phone call from my college roommate Marji.

I adore Marji & she was in town!

We met for lunch one afternoon before she left for her home in Houston. We talked & laughed & laughed some more & it was great to see her. Marji was one of my bridesmaids. She is one of my favorite people of all time. She was there when I met & fell in love with Brett. She & I threw water balloons off the balcony at passers by in college. We stayed up late & giggled way too much. She is married to a "U" guy- he's great despite that. She has two beautiful daughters & two handsome sons. She grew up in Utah- I didn't. We think it's funny that I never wanted to be a "utah mormon" and here I am... without her.

I wish she lived closer.

better late than never?

Two weeks ago the blogger mom's had a little baby shower for Janae.

Janae is absolutely the most beautiful pregnant woman I have ever seen.

She seriously glows. Of course, she's just beautiful all the time so I'm sure that helps... I keep thinking that maybe I'll be one of those really pretty old ladies? You know the kind that are always put together & look so fashionable. Something tells me it's not gonna happen?

dang

the kids were mesmerized by tom & jerry
this picture just cracks me up.

Kristy made the most delicious cheesecake- light & fluffy & not too heavy.
Yum!

today-


(front)
I finally delivered my gift.
It took me a little longer than I wanted to, to finish this little quilt.

(back)
But, I love how it turned out!

It's just like I wanted & envisioned ahead of time.

I think my problem with the Christmas quilts was I followed a specific pattern. I think I work better just throwing things together without so much planning. I have this little over planning/over thinking problem....

*do you follow patterns or just wing it?

* don't you love this fabric!!

I just want to kiss him!

For Christmas Grandpa & I bought Charlie the world's best teething toy

then I forgot to wrap it & put it under the tree.

It's a good thing USPS is so dependable.

He got it & megan sent me these photos this morning.

Brett immediately got on the computer & added skype.
I just want to pick him up & kiss him!

I mIss YoU ChaRlie!!

just what's been a goin' on?

So I've been missing from the blogging scene?

for a bit-

ya... I guess I just needed a little time off.

But- I'm back!

In the last week- we've had a lot of coming & going.

School, work, college classes (not for me luckily), ballet, piano lessons, musical practice, parents meetings, book club, card club, ballet camp auditions...

and hugging.

and lucky for us-
some big dinners with friends & family.

Tonight we were super lucky!
We had Brittany, Brittany & Marcus here for dinner.

Then chocolate fondue!

mmmmmm

Tiffany was here too!

It's a sweet way to start the week and

it's good to be back!

What have you been doing?