What's left of him...

I mentioned several weeks ago that John had begun a new diet. Well, he's on the tail end of it and a noticable change has taken place. It's easier to show in pictures. Check 'em out.





Even after these pictures were taken, he's still lost a couple more pounds. Yay, John.

When chipmunks come to your birthday.

Hayden had a birthday this week. Number 8! We had just a small celebration on his birthday. The funny part was what we caught with the flip video. We had received a helium tank with balloons in a silent auction with some other great birthday stuff, so I filled up a few balloons for his arrival home on his birthday.

Later, the kids wanted to try inhaling the helium to see if it made their voices high-pitched. Of course, John was willing to model for them how it's done.

I do not recommend trying this at all. Learn from us. It makes you loopy.

Enjoy, though. Watch out chipmunks, you're jobs are in jeopardy.

Oh, and listen for my mom encouraging them to "suck it in".

Sidney's debut solo...

A few weeks ago, my daughter sang a short solo to open the 5th grade musical program. She tried out on her own and got the part with little or no encouragement from me. I'm so glad to she did something out of her comfort zone! She is usually very shy and reserved in large groups. I'm so excited for her.

She is the one in front of the mic, with the tie-dye white and blue skirt. You can hear me taking pictures throughout her performance.

It's not the greatest quality. We didn't get the best seat even though we showed up pretty early.

Anyhow, enjoy the drama.



Way to go Sidney, we're so proud of you!

A Lovely Mother's Day

Mother's day is usually very nice, but nothing too fancy. I like simple. I like small and cozy. But this Mother's day was especially lovely, and partly because I wanted to make it special for my mom.

First off, we all got to chat online via Skype with my brother and his family. Even though the connection wasn't great we got a chance to SEE his kids and how much they are growing.



Here we are stooped over the computer trying to talk back and forth.

My mom headed back home for a Sunday nap, while we got ready for her surprise. We set the table with the fancy dishes she got when she was very young (about 16 or 17).



We used fancy glasses and candles at the table, even.



We had note cards at each place setting that told what the menu for the night would be.



Then the kids wanted to make it seem like a restaurant so they made a sign, "Welcome to Cafe de Muhlestein."



And then the fun began. John was such a sport to help plate each course when he could only eat certain things because of his diet. Sure do love him!!

First came the "Spring mix with baby spinach salad." We had our choice of dressing; Ranch or Tuscan House Italian. Oh, how I love a good salad and this one was top notch.



Next, came the main course; Mediterranean Garlic Roasted Chicken with Garden fresh Red and Gold Roasted Potatoes (fresh from our garden), and savory herbs stuffing.


Here's my mom and I getting ready to dig in.



And finally, the piece de resistance; the choices for dessert were Vanilla Strawberry Sorbet Swirl or Strawberry frozen yogurt with Chocolate Chunks. Either choice was placed in an edible bowl made from Vanilla almond bark.



I was in heaven. How can you go wrong with a dessert like that?



I was so excited to get pictures of the food that I didn't get a picture of mom and I together enjoying our Mother's day meal, so we got pictures outside afterwards.


Here's me and my wonderful mother.


Here's me, mom and my two reasons that make this day worth it.


And here's the most wonderful husband and myself. He went right along with my plan and exceeded my expectations of how I wanted the evening to go. Thanks, dear!

Everyone needs a friend like this.

Over 6 years ago, I met a woman who was so easy to talk to. She was thoughtful, caring and we seemed have the same values. She still is all those things, but she doesn't live just a couple streets away anymore. I know that shouldn't put a damper on friendship, but we kinda lost touch after she moved to the other side of town (almost to CA(J.K.)). Well, I found her on Facebook recently and we finally got together for lunch and some serious chat time.

I just love the kind of friends that you can just pick up where you left off. We caught up on kids and husbands, jobs and interests, concerns and hopes. It's just great to know someone that awesome. Man, I really am spoiled!



Thanks Jami, for an incredible time. And almost 5 hours was still not enough!

The corn had to go

Our garden is growing, sort of.

Last year when we planted corn it was growing over the kids' heads and eventually over mine & John's. It was a deep green and had the most beautiful texture to it. I loved it.



This year the corn is pitiful. It didn't even grow. It turned yellow. And it went to seed faster than it was supposed to. So it had to go. No corn.



No yummy kernels to nibble on. No buttery flavors to mix with. No corn.

I'm sad.

Just some fun.

While we were at church yesterday (Stake Conference), each of us had a small notebook to doodle in, take notes, make lists, etc. John decided to ask the kids some questions by having them write their answers down. I figured I could get in on the fun, too. My question was: Name 10 activities that sound fun to do for the summer. Each of the kids wrote their own answers down.

I got some great responses: swimming, camping, mini golf, hiking, road trip, a jumping center. Then, one caught my eye written by Hayden.

It read, "a month of fun."

Nothing big, just a whole month.

Now you try stifling a laugh at church.