I might write weekly, or knowing myself, it might be yearly, but either way, I hope to include some of the things I enjoy and many of the things that I am grateful for, but most of all, I want to include pictures and words that will bring back cherished memories that I don't want to forget!

Monday, March 15, 2010


One of the super cute headbands!

Monday, March 15, 2010

This week has flown by! Here we are on Monday again. Tonight we get to spotlight Alexis, and as usual, she is a step ahead of me and reminded me to write on this blog today (Hi Alexis!) Tonight we get sweet and sour pork with chocolate raspberry ganache cake for dessert. I know! I've been looking forward to it all day!! Then we get to sit around the family room and talk about Lex. You know she actually started this tradition many years ago in Texas. She had us all take turns "spotlighting" someone in the family while we were sitting around the dinner table. It took off, as we all loved it. So, here we are many years later, still doing the same tradition.

Alexis is every parent's dream! She is so organized, capable, smart, driven, focused, fun, responsible, and most important, she has such a strong testimony of the gospel. She is getting up 20 minutes earlier this month so she can finish the reading and memorizing assignments for the "30 Days Closer To Christ." She is so amazing. Try as you might, you could never stay ahead of Alexis. She is absolutely beautiful, but she doesn't act that way. Many people have approached me, while we lived in Texas especially, telling me that I have to get my girls into modeling. Even though I know they would be awesome at that, that's not what I value, and I hope that's not what they value either. I know that they are beautiful, but I really think it's more amazing how they are beautiful on the inside. They really care about doing good things. Alexis is always thinking of taking cookies to someone or writing a note for a church leader, or seminary teacher, etc, etc. She studies hard, and only accepts the best from herself.

I wish I had some of Alexis' determination. She sets a goal, and, trust me, it will get done. She is a very clear thinker. She can figure out how to do new things. Even at a young age, she was putting together videos with voice over, music, and video clips included with still images. She has put together some really neat picture scrapbooks for our family as gifts. She loves to learn to make new things. She has made some really cute headbands. See the Pic!

So, tonight will be a really fun FHE. We got a great letter from Zac today, even though the girls' statement says it all... "It's Puncy!" I think he is getting tired of telling us about the same things that he is doing each week. Even though to us, it is never boring. We could hear about how he does his laundry and be intrigued. We just love to hear about every little thing!

I am absolutely loving this "30 Days Closer to Christ" that our Stake is doing for the Laurels and Priests. I am so lucky to be a Laurel Advisor so I can participate. The reading is so fun, but I am really having to pull out some old and very underused skills to memorize. It takes me so long that I have had to type it up, laminate it, and carry it with me wherever I go. Even in the car I have to look at it at every stoplight. I hope that is not as bad as texting while you are driving. Just when I think I've got it-- I can't even remember the first word. I'm hoping as I keep trying that it will get easier.

My other new love is iFit. Jace has been talking about it for a while, but I always thought it would be too complicated. Finally he set it up for me, which took him all of about 2 minutes. Then all I have to do is push the button on the treadmill that says my name, and it just takes me through a workout that is just for me. Each day it gets a tiny bit harder. Then it records the workout that I do on the website for me to follow. It's so great!! I actually feel like I can't miss a workout because then it would not record on the computer. How funny is that! Anyway, whatever works to motivate is appreciated!

Well, I better go finish the sweet and sour. I'll let you know more about the week later. Who knows maybe I'll "get it together" and start writing more than just once a week. I just keep going for "baby steps!" At least this is better than once every decade!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Chocolate Raspberry Ganache Cake

Chocolate Raspberry Ganache Cake

OK! This is the best chocolate cake ever—especially if ...

See Chocolate Raspberry Ganache Cake on Key Ingredient.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Monday, March 8, 2010

Monday, March 8, 2010

Today we get to spotlight Madison.  We are having home made pizza with sourdough crust-- I hope it turns out.  Pizza crust sounds so simple, but it is either extremely good, or really, really bad, and I haven't figured out what makes the difference... scary huh?!  Our favorites are BBQ chicken, fresh tomatoes, basil, and cheese, and mushroom.  They are so yummy!  Then for dessert.. p'zookies.  We love the p'zookies at Firehouse Pizza, so we bought some cast iron small pizza pans, and we make out own.  Chocolate chip cookie dough, cooked on these flaming hot pans, sizzling coming out of the oven, then topped with ice cream and sometimes hot fudge sauce.  They are really dangerous!

I'm so thankful to get to spotlight Madison.  Sometimes she doesn't get the attention she should.  She has always been the very easiest child ever.  From the moment she was born, I used to call her my "therapy" because she was just so fun to be around.  She loved to be held, she always smiled and laughed, she was very flexible with her schedule.  She hasn't changed from those days.  She is so low maintenance, that we sometimes take her for granted.  She gets great grades, always has a sense of humor, and makes the moment very fun!  She "greases" up with the boys, and keeps them on their toes.  You don't get away with much with Madison, or Dean Bean, or Greaser, etc.  She has several nick names.

Madison loves to cook, and she makes some amazing pasta.  I think pasta and cookies are her specialties, although she's game to try to make anything.  We are so blessed to have her in our family.  It will be so fun to watch her grow up, because she is capable of accomplishing whatever she want to!  Love You Madz!

The Party!! March 5, 2010

We made it through the party with flying colors!!  It was so much fun!  These are some very fun boys.  The twins have the best friends!  We had a rousing game of bowling, some pizza, cake and ice cream, and the highlight-- opening presents!  




The girls actually gave up going to the MC State basketball game to go to the party!  They are so awesome!



These guys are the best!!  Happy Birthday!!


Friday, March 5, 2010

Some Pics from Alexis' Sweetheart's Dance:

Madison is accredited with getting Alexis ready for the dance.  Everyone needs a sister like her.  Not only is she fun to be around, she also has an amazing skill for doing hair!
Here are some really great kids!  Alexis has super friends!!