cooking class & babies

My March Cooking Classes are in full swing.

Here are a couple of shots of the kids cutting up veggies.

Last week we had a class all about getting more veggies into your life!

It is interesting & fun to see the kids react & try new things.

This week we worked on jazzing up our home lunches. Here the kids are cutting up veggies to go into tortilla wraps.

We made ham/turkey & cheese wraps with ranch & veggies

and pb & j wraps with banana- both great!

It's spring time in Megan's town & pretty close in our town.

I am getting lots of "at the park" pictures texted to me & I LOVE it.

Yesterday Chloe & I walked - yes walked, it was so nice outside!

Down to see the babies.

This was our welcome at the door!

Brian & Laura are such great parents.

(smiles from Finn)

Today I spent about 5 hours straight with them!

What a fun time- twins make single babies look easy.

These boys are so good though- really good babies.

Really lucky parents!

More on our visit in tomorrow's post.

spring break...?

Even though we stayed home

we had a great spring break!

We spent a lot of time at home, sleeping in, watching movies, playing with friends... it was glorious. I sewed a lot & loved having my girls & trent home.

We went to see

this movie

with friends

Which I LOVED!

I laughed & laughed & lucky for me wende came too-- we both laughed together & managed to embarrass our kids- just a little.

It rained & rained & rained some more~

until it started snowing...

It snowed for three days straight.

It didn't really add up or stick to the roads, but it was enough to make me think that maybe Utah is not the state for me?

I'm needing some sun.

Of course in no time it will be extremely HOT... so I'm not complaining, no not at all.

highlights from last week

Mondays & Wednesdays

I volunteer as a reading tutor at the elementary school.

I tutor the two cutest third graders.

We read books together & sometimes take comprehension tests on the computer.

It's fun.

Last Monday morning I walked to the school with my camera in hand. I was determined to take some spring photographs. Snow was on it's way... again. I am trying not to complain, but this year mother nature did not get the memo that spring is here. Winter keeps trying to come back. Rain- I love rain- it's the snow that bothers me.

Evidence that spring is here.

What a beautiful little walk.

This morning- we read this darling little book called

I Hate English by Ellen Levine.

Cute & fun to read.

I can't believe in two years I won't have an elementary student.

I've had at least one child in elementary school for 17 years straight.

wow- that's a long time.

Back home again.

Tuesday was pack meeting.

This was the best pack meeting ever!

The theme was airplanes-

An "airplane" was set up in the over flow of the chapel.

complete with tickets, check in, barf bags, seat belts, oxygen masks. They even had flight attendants, water bottles & snacks!

(world's best cub master)

and the world's best cub master's cousin a Southwest Pilot!

We "traveled" to Hawaii where volcanoes were blowing!

It was a blast
Wednesday- it snowed & I'm not going to talk about it.

Thursday- the blogger moms got together & this is my only photo. I am working on a baby quilt for my niece Aimee & her new baby Lola.

Saturday night- Brett & I had our last season tickets to the symphony. Special guest this time- The Temptations!
We have been looking forward to this for months-

It was fantastic!

I loved it

I am so glad we bought these tickets.

GReat WeeK

spring finally made it!

Friday night I took this picture of my mini rhododendron.

It had just started to bloom Friday late afternoon.

I love it!

I wish we could see the rhodies of Washington, my home state... oh how I love them.

I planted two varieties in my yard that do- okay- here in Utah. They only bloom for about a week, a few weeks apart- but they're worth it. How would it be to fly up & enjoy the rhododendron season up there one year? I think that's going to have to go on my bucket list!

Last Wednesday we had an inch of heavy wet snow-

Thursday was sunny & all the flowers starting popping out.

Winter one day- Spring the next!

Saturday it was 70.

Today it's 80...

don't worry- summer's not here yet- it's supposed to cool back down.

But- that's weather in Utah for ya!

SAturday we took Trent to the park to fly his kite.

I worked on my R.S. lesson for Sunday,

which turned out different than I had imagined, but still good.

Trent did great with his kite! It was fun to watch him control it so well.

The sun has done me some good- today I got so much done. I love the change in seasons- it motivates me somehow.

Happy Spring!

spring break

Cry fest 2010

is officially over

(aka: saying goodbye to jack at the airport)

but spring break is still on!

today I took the three remaining "living at home kiddos"

down to college town to visit Brian & do some shopping.

We had lunch at Noodles & Co. - which is fastly becoming one of my favorite places (I love the pad thia with chicken.) Then we checked out Brian's apartment before he moves home for the summer later this month. It was cool- clean & ya- a college apartment. He has big plans this summer... making money & testing out of all the Spanish classes for a whole load of credits.

Woo Hoo- let's hope that works!

We picked up Brittany & Marcus at work & saw this sweet motorcycle!

Can you believe this?

I had to get a picture but before I could get my camera going, the owner came out & started getting ready to go- so I got him in the photos too (sorry fella.) I HAVE to send a picture of this to Missionary Jack! I wonder if Jack saw this around campus? It is so cool we were all in awe.

So- we bought new shoes

checked out Archivers

stopped at See's for some chocolates

went to Deseret Book

had lunch

saw Marcus & Brittany

( didn't get a picture...? what is wrong with me?)

there you go.
Some of us- I won't name names are still sniffling from the cry fest. Some of us- are in shock & wondering how time can fly so fast. Some of us- are surprised at how little laundry there is with jack gone. Some of us- are upset & trying not to call the mission department because there has been no word from the missionary letting us know he got there...

I want to call!

What if he is standing around in Sao Paulo lost?

There's only 15 million people in that city for cryin' out loud!!!!

Do any of them speak English??

Chloe says - "that's not possible & don't call mom he's fine"

The wisdom of 13.

heaven help me

pta convention 09

It's been a busy week for us all, I'm sure!

These last few weeks before school gets out- are jam packed with loads of goodness- plays, parties, college orientation (already?)

Plus, all the ol' regular activities- scouts, ballet... you get the idea.

Spring also brings- the Utah PTA convention at one of my favorite places in the whole world- BYU campus. Oh again... how I love that campus!

Yesterday I drove down by myself- I had to be there early & stay late for some legislative issues. The older I get the more I enjoy being alone with myself. Interesting... the younger me hated being alone & always wanted to be busy (well I guess that hasn't changed but I am doing better.)

I guess being in my 40's now- I'm finally coming to terms with myself & who I am.

(most of the time)

Brett was so great to work from home, get the kids off, be there when they got home- order pizza, the whole mom bit- he's so supportive of me always. I don't think I give him credit here on this blog enough- he is the best!

I found this fabulous parking spot right across the street from the Monte L. Bean life science museum. When Brett was in school I would take Megan & Brian there. It's full of taxidermy animals- kind of gross now that I think about it- but two toddlers loved it & it was free. The best price for our little college family. It was delightful walking down past the bell tower in the morning sun as the bells played "Come, Come Ye Saints."
And look at this-
Right down from my car...
loads & loads of blooming lilacs!!
I took this shot as I came around to the Wilkenson center. I love it. the sun is coming over the mountains, students walking & the Y in the background. Happiness. There is just a feeling here-

This year in PTA I am the region legislative representative. My goal is to educate & increase awareness of what the PTA locally & nationally does for children. Increase my own awareness & knowledge of local & national issues & use my voice to hopefully make a difference.

I love legislative issues, the legislative session, being at the capitol, etc. This position is a good fit for me & has made me excited to be involved on a different level.

At this meeting I was sitting next to my PTA friends, Charity & Natalie- (I should have gotten a photo) Charity was worried about here parking spot & left to move her car- I was of course telling her about my Fabulous spot near the bell tower- gush gush.
I met Janae for lunch- we shared a mint brownie- the verdict is in... hers are SO MUCH better! I feel so privileged to have experienced her mint brownies in real life.
Ms. Utah spoke- she was surprisingly excellent
Ryan Shupe & the Rubber band was there- they are FAntastic!
I went to three classes:
1. Legislative VP 101- been here before
2. Legislative VP- what is the National PTA's agenda
3. Protecting Children from Abuse
I checked out all the vendors trying to get fundraiser commitments, & I won a Marie Calendars Pie!! woo hoo- I didn't want to carry that around all day- so I called my newly engaged nephew Marcus aka: BYU student extraordinaire & he came & picked it up. I hope it was good, I don't even know what flavor it was!? Later I stayed & voted on this next year's resolutions.
As I walked back to my car... I saw something in the distance on my windshield?

WHAT THE???
how does that scripture go-
pride goeth before the fall
I guess I didn't see the "Y zone only parking" that was not clearly marked on the curb.
dang it!
When will I ever learn? I tell you I am just like one of my kids...
The good news?

I had a dinner date set up to meet Jill & this oh so fabulous Bacon, Blue Cheese Burger!

Jill is the best.

I talked and talked and talked my full blown head off & she was so GREat!

Jill is one of those people who just get it-

she is amazing & so warm & kind & even brought me Chocolate chip cookies!

I am so lucky to know her in REal life.

Thanks Jill!

I came home to find my two guys waiting for me.

Brett & Trent

What a great day