last weekend

Friday my cooking class for kids made

Bunny Bread

and Egg Salad.

It was fun.

Saturday we ran down to Utah Valley to see our newest family member!

Marcus & Brittany welcomed 

Claire Nicole

to our family!

Isn't she BEAUTIFUL!

Only three days old in this picture.

Sunday I taught Relief Society.

Then made these spring cupcakes for Tiffany's mission farewell.

Our sweet Tiffany is going on a mission.

She is going to Atlanta, Georgia!

We are so very excited for her.

and just for fun

Finn & Crew

thanksgiving in pictures 2012

I woke up on Thanksgiving day a little early to get the turkey going and--

asleep on the couch was my son Jack.

A flood of emotions came over me.

It was less than a year ago - when he came home from Brasil.

He has been so sick & slowly getting better.

Blessed- I felt & I FEEL blessed.

Blessed that he felt it was important enough to keep working while he was so very sick- he did keep working (I would have quit)- blessed that he is getting better. Happy- happy he is home. Well, in the same state anyway. He is rarely here but he is happy & doing well in school & working & having the time of his life at BYU- frankly I wouldn't have it any other way.

To be honest - I haven't always felt this way.

 (yes I was a little angry that he got sick, like that did any good?)

It's good to be on this side of this whole situation.

anyhow

THANKSGIVING WAS WONDERFUL

 (Johnny aka: world's best kiss thrower)

Probably my favorite part of Thanksgiving this year -- well one of many-- was this mural Ethan drew for me.  How fun & wonderful is this!?

Thanksgiving is becoming one of my favorite days of the whole year!

I hope yours was good too.

last of the nut

Closing night of the 2011 Nutcracker was a BIG night!

We had a big dinner- then drove up to the ballet. Thanks to Brittany for taking these pictures, since I was in the back chaperoning some baby mice... Chloe's age is old enough to go without chaperone's now-- which is FANTASTIC except that now I have to take my turn chaperoning someone elses little dancer. Don't get me wrong--- you know I love kids-- but these little girls can really be loud- I dreaded my assignment all day! Lucky me- I got the cutest little 8 year old mice. They were dolls.

 Brittany & Megan

 Hailey & Laura

 Laura & the bearded Brian

 Brian & Marcus... they must be missing Jack or something here in this photo? Or thinking about how they missed out in life because neither of their mothers put them in ballet lessons- serious envy over men in tights going on here?? hahahahhaaa-- oh that was a good one.

 Marcus & Brittany

 Trent & his DSlite-- you know, just in case he got a little bored. Newsflash: he was NOT bored & sat quietly with hardly any whistling the whole ballet!!!

 Brett & Hailey

And like an idiot...

I forgot to get any pictures with Chloe after the ballet!???

aaaah!?

Oh well- it was a GREAT Nutcracker year.

You were stunning Chloe- we love you.

catching up

This past weekend Brett & I went to a movie. did you read that? A MOVIE people! We never go to movies... so this was a big deal. Trent was at an over night scout camp & the girls had plans- so what's up? A movie -- that's what!

We saw The Big Year & I loved it! Of course we don't go to a lot of movies so maybe we are not the best judges. Still- I really loved it.

On the way in we saw this ultra cool car. I had to get a photo! It's in perfect condition & look at those sweet tires- wow. On our way home we had to run over to the camp sight (good thing it was only a couple of minutes away!) to take Trent a new pair of pants, socks, shoes .... ya- he had gotten wet- then gotten wet again. His pants, his extra pants & his pajama pants were all wet. They were camping near a pond & there was a marshy area- I guess we are lucky he wasn't soaked- or drowned? What in the world? We picked up the girls & headed off to get late night Chinese food! Ya- we're pretty hip~ going to movies~ getting Chinese food. We got into our favorite local place just 1/2 hour before it closed & chowed down on the best ever egg rolls & sesame chicken- yum. I can't remember the last time we did something like that- really fun. The girls & we visited & laughed & laughed. Good times- I wish I would have had my camera. (The view of our mountain on my way home from work Saturday afternoon.)
I got home from work the next afternoon right after Brett & Trent finished riding a 15 mile bike ride. Brett had met up with the scouts in the morning. Trent's hair was singed & he was missing a bit of eyebrow & eye lash hair... he had tried to help a leader light the propane stove----- poof. Oh my- I'm thinking maybe Brett should start going along on these camp outs?? Sunday we had a house full of company!Johnna & Clyde were in town so Ruthie & kids came down too. I'm starting to feel like our house is too small. The kitchen & eating space is always so crowded! I'm thinking we need to start eating out more, move, or remodel?
It would probably just be easier to eat out? So much for my healthy, home cooking ways-- I need a better/bigger kitchen. See what all this cooking has done for me? I'm certainly not getting any thinner & I'm seriously thinking I need a new kitchen. Golly if it's not one thing- it's another. At least I have all my eyelashes!?

busy weekend

Last weekend we celebrated Brett's birthday!For Brett's birthday I bought him a guided fishing trip in Park City- one of the best birthday presents I have ever gotten him! I was so thrilled for him to go, he LOVEs fishing & never allows himself time to go- it was for two people so Brian got to go too. They had a fantastic time & now want to go fishing again sooo bad. Unfortunately-- real life has prevented another fishing trip. Again, GREAT Present- he had to go because I spent the money on the trip & it was scheduled. If I just suggested it... I would still be waiting for him to go. With a new job, family & church duties he is just too busy!

Saturday night we had cake & ice cream.
He requested our new favorite coconut cake.

It was an extra special celebration because we had company here.

The Brittany's- Marcus, Johnna & the baby.

Isn't he tiny & so cute? -- Marcus' hand looks giant!

Also- Aimee & Sean were here!! We were so thrilled to have them. It has been a couple of years since they moved back to Washington state & we miss them so much.

They brought their two darling kids & spent the night.

We loved it. It was so nice to visit & see what wonderful parents they are.

aaah- kids around the house again- fun times.

Just before they got here, Brett put up a swing on one of our backyard trees. It was perfect. Lucky for us & them the weather finally turned summer. It hit 80 degrees- crazy considering we had slushy snow on the back deck five days prior.

Now- summer has officially begun. I haven't blogged because I have been running. Running to get things done- everyday... I have so much to do & get done before my new grandson is born! I cannot- CANNOT wait to go out & see him!!

baby blessing day

Yesterday was a wonderful day!

Marcus & Brittany blessed their sweet baby at our house. He is just under 2 weeks old now- both sets of Grandparents are in town- they wanted to bless him while they were here but didn't want expose him to a multitude of germs. So- our house was the perfect place- well I thought so.

He was blessed in the blanket Marcus was blessed in. He couldn't wear Marcus' blessing clothing... Marcus weighed 10lb. 5 oz. when he was born! So, he was more like the size of a 3 month old when he was blessed.
These are not the best photos~ but it's what I've got so they will do.


Is he the cutest little thing you've ever seen or what!

Ya- we all think so! We had a wonderful brunch... if I do say so myself... recipes will be on the cooking blog soon.

The newlyweds were here- they have the MOST darling apartment- post coming soon! and Hailey- I love this picture of her.

My sister & niece Brittany stayed until dinner- we had such a great visit.

Chloe treated us with some of her FANTASTIC Artisan bread.And just because we hadn't eaten enough...

after everyone left I made some blueberry cobbler.

No one appreciates blueberries like my sisters & I.

Oh how i love them.....