Blue and Gold Banquet

So, if any of you know me, I'm not the biggest fan of scouts. Let me clarify...I LOVE the organization. I LOVE what it teaches the boys. I think there is amazing value in becoming an Eagle Scout. My dad is the HUGEST scout I know! I'm just not particularly fond of feeling like I'm nagging Dallin to get his merit badges done (which he has done soooo much better at completing lately!) or all the silly things you do at Cub Scout Pack Meetings. BUT I do enjoy the Blue and Gold Banquet...mainly because I they serve a yummy dinner that I don't have to cook. :) Tonight's theme was Circus. There were fair-type games for the boys to play while we waited for dinner to be served and each pack put on a circus themed skit. Danny earned several belt loops tonight. He loves scouting and we're close to completing the requirements for his Bear. Way to go Danny!

They received scarf ties for passing uniform inspections. 

Danny holding the tightrope for the "Flea Circus". 

Sweethearts Fundraiser

Tonight the Young Men and Young Women held a Sweethearts Fundraiser dinner. There are so many people who put in so much time and effort to making this evening a success - and it was a success! The kids were able to earn enough money to cover summer camps for this year...and possibly next! During the dinner, there was a live and silent auction. I had to laugh a little when I read some of the services and thought to myself...only in West Mountain! (e.g., one hour of tractor time, 3-bottom plow time, gun cases, etc.) I'm definitely not in the city any more! Each of our kiddos (minus Daniel who isn't in Young Men's yet) had an area of responsibility. Laurin helped in the kitchen. Amber served the dinner and provided entertainment (including singing Never Stop for Jeff and I). Dallin voluntarily and happily babysat the kids that came. Everyone did an excellent job! It was a fun evening (except for the fact that I had a terrible cold)!

Pentatonix

Tonight Amber was invited to attend the Pentatonix concert with her friend, Tyler Cooper. I thought she was going to burst with excitement! She was thrilled when he invited her to the point that her voice hit various octaves when she related the good news. In addition to just seeing the concert, Tyler had VIP tickets that allowed them to get backstage for a private performance and meet-and-greet before the show. She was in heaven. For any of you who haven't heard this group, you should! They are an incredibly talented accapella group! It was an unforgettable evening for Amber.

Sweethearts Dance

Tonight was Salem Hills Sweethearts Dance. Both Laurin and Amber got asked to go. Laurin's date picked her up early to do a day activity (scavenger hunt at the mall). Because she got picked up early, Jeff wasn't around so I had the responsibility of interviewing the perspective date. It's harder than you may think! Especially when I had to convey all the dos and don'ts Jeff would normally convey. I'm just not as stern as he is. I'm sure her date thought that was the easiest pre-date-parent lecture he ever received! In any case, Jeff was luckily (or unluckily if you were the date) around for Amber's date so he gave the lecture that time. Both girls said they had a blast! I'm so glad they get to have these fun high school memories! And I'm so glad that when they walk out the door with their dates that I know they are going to make good choices. We feel pretty lucky to have such great kids!

If her date looks a little familiar, it's because he's on the front cover of the New Era this month!

Amber's group

Laurin's group

 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! I am soooo lucky to have a Valentine with whom to finally share this day. I woke up to a beautifully written Valentine's card and the chocolate strawberries and cookies he'd prepared the day before. Jeff and I then decided to keep the tradition we started last year and headed to the temple to do sealings. I absolutely love this tradition. On a day when we celebrate love, I cherish being able to reflect on my wedding day and the covenants and promises that I made. Marrying Jeff has been the best decision that I've ever made...but it has also been one of the hardest. I can't even begin to describe the changes and the emotional ups and downs that have occurred during the last 13 months, but he has made it worth it! He is truly the rock I stand on...and all he desires to do is lift me higher. I couldn't ask for a better eternal companion. I am so glad I have a best friend with whom to handle life's curveballs. I feel his love and commitment to me each time he holds me in his arms or looks me in the eyes or gently kisses my lips. I couldn't have asked for a greater love.

After visiting the temple, we had lunch at Mimi's Café (which we did last year). This was our Valentine's date for the day....because that evening we celebrated Grandma Penny's birthday. Jeff's brother, Stan, was in town with his wife, Kristi, and daughter, Maci. We enjoyed spending the evening with family and celebrating the birth of my wonderful mother-in-law. She has been such a huge support to our little family! I don't know what I would've done had she not sort of paved the way for me so to speak. She is an amazing woman! Happy birthday!

As a side note, for dessert Katie made some really delicious pumpkin pies, but it was still Valentine's day so I had to make a fun Valentine's dessert to share as well. Since I didn't have a lot of time, I simply made my lemon cream pie and dyed it pink. I think it turned out pretty good especially with the red strawberries on top! Sorry, I just can't let a holiday go without doing something a little special for the family. Jeff and I also gave the kids some candy leis with cards this morning as well.

 



Valentine's Preparations

This week has been full of little Valentine's surprises and preparations. On Tuesday (11th) night, the young women put together several Valentine's gifts to be delivered to the ward members as a fundraiser. Jeff felt the need to sign up for almost every Valentine item on the list so I was bombarded with goodies and gifts (not sure what I'm going to do with the corsage but it was a nice gesture). I feel very spoiled and very loved. I am the luckiest girl in the world because I have the most amazingly kind, generous and loving husband.

In other Valentine's news, Danny was working hard all week to create his basketball Valentine's box. I think it turned out really well. Lucky for him, he has such a handy daddy who has all sorts of parts, pieces and tools to use!

Laurin and Jeff were also caught in the Valentine act this week as they prepared additional goodies for others. Laurin worked on creating Twinkie minions for her little preschool class and Jeff made me more chocolate strawberries and peanut butter-chocolate topped sugar cookies (which I didn't know until the following morning)!





Kristin's visit

Today my friend Kristin (who was one of my wingman when we were single) was in town for a visit! I was SUPER excited to see her. I have made many friends here in Utah, but it was nice to be able to sit down with an old friend and catch up on the changes that have occurred in both our lives (she got married 6 months before I did). All I have to say is that God gave us girlfriends for a reason! It was nice to swap stories and discuss all the fun adventures we've had. Jeff truly is my best friend, but he's still a guy...so it was nice to be understood from a woman's perspective as well. I keep crossing my fingers that her husband will find a job on the west coast so she can move a little closer to Utah (they live in the Washington DC area right now). Still, it was fun to see her and her beautiful little girl, Emily!

Family Project

Tonight for Family Home Evening we headed out to the shop to work on a birthday surprise for Grandma Penny. While on our anniversary get-away, Jeff and I saw a mason jar candy dispenser that we figured we could create on our own. So tonight was the night. Jeff and the boys picked up the supplies and everyone had a role to play. I grew up with a handy-dad, but there were still tools used tonight that I had never seen before. It was fun to see everyone working together. Hopefully Grandma Penny likes the surprise!

While we were outside working, I had to run inside to get Danny ready for bed when all of the sudden there was a knock at the door. By the time I made it to the door, this was all I could find.

How cute!! This is the part of high school that I think the kids get really creative. Laurin was asked to the Sweethearts Dance on February 15. Amber had already been asked. I am excited for both of the girls. I love that they are able to enjoy their high school years. I only went to one high school dance, which is something I wish would have been different, so I'm glad that the girls are having a different high school experience. This is how she answered later on in the week (check out the luminaries! Yaay for useful Christmas traditions!).





Super Bowl XLVIII

Ok, to be completely honest, I haven't watched a single professional football game all season. I really like watching football, but it's just not something I often do. However, again any excuse to do something out of the ordinary, I love the opportunity to have family and friends over for some good food and good company. So today we invited my sister, Krystle, her husband, Jordan, and baby Nolan along with the Hardys and the Hansens from our ward over to join us in indulging on football snacks and laughing at silly commercials...oh & watching a football game too. We were all rooting for the Denver Broncos, but it was clear very early on that the Broncos would not be winning the game. The Seattle Seahawks came out strong and never let up. In fact, the game itself was rather disappointing, but the food and company was not. I was actually so busy socializing that I forgot to snap any pictures of our guests. Jeff was good enough to take a couple pictures of our gluttonous spread though. We did a potato bar for dinner then had various snacks for the rest of the game night. Even though I was disappointed with the game, the evening was tons of fun!

More basketball & Senior pictures

Today was just a normal Saturday. Danny had a game and I snapped a couple photos to share. He has really improved since his first game. He does an excellent job on defense...and we're working with him on offense. I think he gets a little frustrated sometimes because he wants to be as good as Dallin and doesn't realize that Dallin was at his stage when he was Danny's age. It's rough having older siblings! I was one of the oldest, but I know my baby brother had a tough time feeling like he was always playing "catch up" with us. Still, Danny is a great kid and is doing a great job! Everything takes a little time and a little practice.

Danny looking for the rebound. 

Danny making a shot! The orange blur is the ball and it did go in!

Later that afternoon, I took Laurin to Utah Lake where we met up with our photographer to get some Senior pictures! I can't believe that we're already on the downhill slope of this academic year. I can't believe that Laurin will be graduating in 4 months! It's crazy to think that she will be in college this time next year and, if she desires, she could have a mission call! Time definitely flies! Here's a few pics I took of them taking pics. You'll have to wait for the graduation announcements to see the final product.