Welfare Square

Matt's Dad and I went down to Welfare Square so he could see what Matt's mission is all about.  It was so much fun seeing Matt in action.  It keeps him on his toes and he is learning alot and is very tired when he comes home :)

We are still just so happy for this opportunity for him - keep up the good work son!

Elder Montano

It's official!

Our Friend Ben

My bestie and I had a great girls day this weekend.  Our favorite village potter was having an open house and it was a must attend because he also came out with his fourth book "Borrowing Fire."

The last few years we have had the great opportunity to read his books, have him visit our homes and book groups and hear his amazing story.  Ben Behunin and his wife Lynette open up their home once a year and it's a wonderful time to pick up some beautiful pottery, tour their lovely home and get to chat with them.  See more on their remodel here.
I am so excited to begin this book - I hope Santa will surprise me with a pottery piece or two under the tree...I have been pretty good this year ;)

Thank you Andrea for your friendship all these years!  Love you and happy reading!

Pies ad Ties

We are so proud of Matt and his decision to serve a service mission. Matt will be serving in Salt Lake City at welfare square.  We had a little "pies and ties" celebration.  Thank you friends and family who came out to support Matthew.  He received some great ties!

Piano Guys

We have been fans of the piano guys for a while now.  We had the treat of seeing John Schmidt in 2011 and enjoyed his performance so much.

Shawn discovered them on youtube and when Kristen told us they were coming to Logan...we jumped at the chance to go!  John Schmidt and Steven Sharp Nelson were amazing.  The rest of the guys are behind the scenes and help make their videos so amazing.

Please check them out on youtube...they are so talented and we are excited to see what creative things they'll come up with next!   thepianoguys.com

Where's Waldo?

Or the question should be Where's Libby?  ;)  Our cute little Libby loves the snow -though  it was a little hard to spot her today :D

Birthday Wishes

A big happy happy birthday to Matthew.  He is nineteen today - where does the time go?












 











We celebrated with family and then Kenna and I treated him to the movie!  Happy birthday son...we love you!

Go Aggies Go!

We love our Aggies!  Final score 38 to 7 Aggies!!!

Happy Halloween

Bon Appetit!

Many french words make it into the world of cooking...flambe, frappe, chiffonade..just to name a few.
One of my favorites growing up was crepe!  My mom makes very yummy chicken brocolli crepes and yummy dessert crepes.  Kenna was hoping to add crepe making to her culinary skills so we asked Grandma B if she could come over.
We had alot of fun and Kenna and Mariah were pros.  We made a filling of whipped cream and mascarpone..topped with crushed strawberries :D Yum!

















Merci Grandmere - Je t'aime!

Simple Definition

re-lease [ri-lees]
1. to free from confinement, bondage, obligation, pain, etc.; let go;

Thank goodness there was neither bondage or pain ;) 
I feel things might be slowing down around here though.....

and I am pretty sure my arches are going to feel better soon.

  But any big change will take adjusting.  So adjust I will.
I will miss this calling.  Our sisters are so great.

Daily Grind

We love bread.  Good thing I enjoy making it as much as I do eating it :D
With the kindness of my good friend (thanks LeAnn) who loans me her grinder - I can grind my wheat and have whole wheat flour on hand.
B and M were over on bread day and they had a great time helping.











  Something I love about having the kids over is it helps me slow down... yes they keep me busy :) but coloring, riding bikes, and baking bread are so much fun with these two little helpers.  Here is our bread all done...B finished the job by singing and tapping all the loafs with his handy wisk and serving spoon.  Sorry to those who had a dent in their loaf we delivered to you - it was done in love ;)

Wash And Dry

At the beginning of this past summer, I sat the kids down and shared with them the great news that they now get to do their own laundry :D  After months of washing "clean" clothes that had been put in the hamper rather then taking the time to put them away....I thought this might be a good idea to share the joys of doing laundry with them.
I have, on occassion, put in a load or two for them.  The past week has been crazy buzy and as I visited their rooms today....this is the sight I beheld.
First let me say how we, as parents, find it hard to understand how the clothes just jump right out of the hamper like that!  Or maybe it's that they don't make it there in the first place? Mystery.
In Matt's defense, he did a load of laundry Saturday.  Way to go son....but those clothes have friends :)











One lesson I have learned while raising teenagers is...above all keep a sense of humor.
This was the text my daughter received during school this morning....
"I am in your room and I was just attacked by 'mount wash me' laundry.  Please send help.
Now, the underlying meaning, which my daughter will totally decipher, is "You will not leave the upstairs after school until every bit of laundry is caught up."  Love Mom.  She's just smart like that.








Now they do not own millions of clothes...I ask myself, where are they getting the clothes they wear everyday?  Another mystery ;)

Nacho Average Party

Happy Birthday Makenna!
Sweet Sixteen!  I sang Ringo Star's "Your Sixteen" to her all day yesterday!













Kenna's friends helped her celebrate her birthday with a little Nacho Libre and a yummy
nacho bar!  Kenna has the best friends and I am greatful everyday for them.  Thanks girls
for being so great to our girl :)  Happy Birthday Kenna - We Love You!

Remember

Welcome Home

After a little over a week in the hospital - mom and baby are finally home!
Welcome home Amber and baby Isaiah :)
Mariah and Bentley are so excited to have their mom and brother home.




















Both baby and mom were in the icu with different struggles.  We feel so blessed to have them both getting stronger every day.
Isaiah opens his eyes every time M talks to him.  It is so sweet.  B is so gentle and just loves his new little brother.

Birthday Boys

Every year, Shawn and Jeff get to celebrate their birthdays together as their birthdays are two days apart.
We had a yummy dinner of steak and ribs and bread pudding for their birthday treat.
Happy birthday guys!  We Love You!

Punny

Auntie

Some of my favorite people call me mimi.....

....or auntie or aunt mel.  I love being an aunt.  It is my favorite.  I have such wonderful neices and nephews and these two are the little ones who have my heart.  Here they are sporting their t-shirts we brought them back from Seattle.  Love them.

Happy Independence Day!

Road Trip

Seattle, Victoria, Vancouver then home :)
Picture overload...you've been warned :D
We had the best time......and we survived all that time in
the car...together ;)  We were spoiled with awesome weather....now home sweet home
in 90 + temps!

Our Graduates!

Congratulations Jeff and Matthew!  We are so proud of you!  World here they come!

Birthday Wishes

Happy Happy birthday to my Mom.

It's always a joy to celebrate this great lady.  I have watched her selflessly take car of my grandmother these past several years as her own health has been such a trial.  It was sad seeing my mom loose her mom.  These two great women have been such a huge influence in my life.
Growing up my Mom always told us she was 35.  We believed her until she caught up to my Grandma ;).
Happy 35th Mom! You're secrets safe with me!

Nana

The day after Mother's Day my little Nana passed away.  I have been putting off this post because what do you say about a woman that has lived with you your whole life, stuck up for you being the youngest :) read to you, let you sleep in her bed, taught you to play solitaire and many many other things?  I'll say thank you.  Thank you Grandma for the woman you were and the woman you helped me become.  I love you.