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!

We made out like bandits.

On Monday, the kids were finished with homework and there was a little bit of time before dinner, so I decided we should do a couple errands.

First, we took Sidney's watch to find a new battery. Come to find out the watch is defective. The store was going to give an equal exchange with the same watch, but Sidney had looked around and found one that was lime green, her new favorite color. Lucky us, the green watch was cheaper than the other and so we even got cash back. Only $3.24, but still more than we walked in with.

Next, we went to Krispy Kreme to get our free donuts. Yes, I said free. I only found out last quarter that you could have your kids bring in their report cards and they receive a donut for every "A" they earned, up to 6 free donuts each. So, the kids kindly asked for their six donuts each and we had free treats for Family Night.



All is well in the world.

Is it against the law to be blind?

During our Family Home Evening last night, my mom and my kids were discussing their glasses and their ability or inability to see. My mom explained that she is legally blind in her left eye.

Hayden paused only for a moment and said, "Is there an illegally blind?"

And there was much laughing!

I already forgot the lyrics!

On Saturday evening a momentous event occurred. A party. Only adults. Fantastic Italian food. Great conversation and friends. Such fun.

Then to top it all off, we all gathered around to play "Don't Forget the Lyrics!" Six brave Contestants were chosen from each team. Then the real "belly laughing" fun started to happen. Each contestant came up to chose a category and from there they were told which song and artist they would be singing. The words were projected onto a screen for everyone to read and sing along and then somewhere after the first or second chorus there were blanks to be filled in with lyrics by the contestant.

My husband was lucky enough to catch a shot or two of almost all the contestants. (Please keep in mind that the pictures are not the best quality, the lighting was not optimal, and it's hard to take a picture when you're laughing.)
Also, please note that the contestants appearance has been altered to protect their identity.

Unfortunately our first contestant was not captured on film, but "Willy" will still be part of our party memories doing his best rendition of Queen performing "Crazy Little Thing Called Love"

Our second contestant, let's call him "Frank", is singing "That's Amore" by Dean Martin. "That's Amore" was the theme for the party, so of course it had to be a song choice! Also, note that our game host, "Cathi", is helping the contestants get into character by participating alongside them.


Next up, "Katie" got dolled up to sing "Dancing Queen" by ABBA.


Then came time for "Brian" to strut his stuff with his version of "Sweet Emotion" by Aerosmith. Way to jam on the guitar!


Our next contestant "President Lars", chose to reach out for one of the life lines and had his good buddy "Bishop Brian" join him for a duet to sing "Already Gone" by Kelly Clarkson. We're still surprised that they didn't know the lyrics right off the bat.


Next came "Becky" singing what else, but "The Music of the Night" by Andrew Lloyd Weber from Phantom of the Opera. We hope she takes our suggestion to become a professional, truly amazing!


Getting into the country groove, was "Sara" singing "One More Day" by Diamond Rio.


Don't be distracted by the shiny, glorious blond locks, "Sara" is having a blast singing "Love Story" by Taylor Swift. (I know you seriously thought for a moment that Taylor Swift had joined our little party in person, but no, it was "Sara" incognito.)


We got Cathi doing some serious drumming to accompany "Judy" in her best tenor voice doing "Cold as Ice" by Foreigner. She rocked that song!


Though the disguise may seem redundant, "Mark" was happy to share his version of Shania Twain's "Forever and For Always".


The true Rock Star of the night turned out to be "Rod." We had no idea he was pulling out all the moves for "The Way You Make Me Feel" by Michael Jackson. He danced, he sang, and he took home the win for his team. Well deserved.


Cathi truly outdid herself putting this game together. She really left her heart out there when she led us all in singing "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" by Elton John. We can't thank you enough for helping us let down our hair and loosen up a bit and just have some good fun!



Here is some video during "Michelle's" rendition of "I Want to Hold Your Hand" by the Beatles.



And just a taste of "Rod" doing his best Michael Jackson impression.

Good Times

Favorites of Last year

Here are just some of my favorite pictures from this last year.  And it's not that the pictures are that great, but the memories that go with them are some of my favorite.  So I guess I should actually say here are some of my favorite moments captured on film.  They are not in any particular order.  Just random....like Life.

Our family loves to play games, it's good bonding time.

Our family worked together on our first garden and amazingly, we all loved it.  So much that we decide to make the next one bigger.

My sister and her husband came to Sidney's 10th birthday party, we all had a blast!

Hayden took this awesome picture in the garden!

John and I in front of one of my favorite temples, Mt Timpanogos.  LOVE the tulips on the grounds.  So glad John's brother got married there.

We reaped these veggies from the garden, they were so yummy!

Love some cousin playing time!!!!

Schwan's mint flavored chocolate cones, a new family addiction.  (I'm drooling just thinking about them!)

The beach in Cabo, we couldn't swim there, too dangerous.  Loved snorkeling at a beach farther away and the beautiful resort there.

My sister came to visit in the Spring, so glad we got to spend time together!

Sidney was her team's volleyball star.  Girl after my own heart!

My two oldest brothers and my mom on Christmas Day.  Feeling blest.

Our game playing gets invaded by yummy mint flavored candy.

The last time I got to see my sister in person.  Miss her.

Face time with the kids.  Gosh, they are such good kids!

Me and the honey.  It's probably just me, but he is getting funnier the older we get, and he was pretty funny when we met. 

What a full year!  And looking forward to having more of ....Life.  Bring it all on!!!

See the resemblance...

I keep trying to make time to blog and other things...dinner, laundry, and sleep keep getting in the way.  Anyway, I had to share this funny story.

A couple Sundays ago my son came out of his church class with some homemade playdough in the shape of a person. 

So, I asked him, "So, who did you make with your playdough?" 

He responded with, "Why, mom, it's you!" 

"Oh, I didn't see the resemblance."

Then, without missing a beat, he says, "See, mom, I even tried to make boobs."

Then imagine a small eruption of laughter from myself and about 4 other kids who were hearing the conversation at the same time, in a place that should be calm, respectful and reverent. 

Oh, how I love that my son makes me laugh, even when I'm not supposed to.  Hehe.

Took me by surprise.

Yesterday I was running around trying to get so many things done, I barely had a moment to breathe. So the kids came home from school and started on their homework and I was thinking about dinner. My mom walked in and said "Come here." Her voice sounded odd, something was up. When I came around the corner to see what or who was at the door, I saw my sister and her husband (that don't live in this state). I was in shock. She had kept it a secret that she was coming to visit, she had kept it from everyone. She had been surprising people all day. And it worked on me...I was taken completely by surprise! So, we went out to dinner and had a great time.


Here's my sister, Mom, me & my honey.

Last night when I was looking at the pictures that had been taken with the camera I also looked at the camera my kids had taken along (we got a new camera and so the kids got our older one). I knew they had taken pictures and I was excited to find this one.


It's a lille blurry, but it sure captured the moment of us having a great time. I don't even remember what was so funny, but it makes me laugh just looking at the picture.