It's Great To Be A Mom!

Mother's Day is always a treat for me--having such a creative husband and fun kids makes it the best! Just being able to talk to each one is my favorite part of the day.

Carl has decided that I need to get funky--now aren't those earrings "me!" Just kidding...these were a WalMart $3.00 bargain and will be great at Halloween. The real gift of jewelry is on order.

Breakfast was sliced fruit topped with yogurt, breakfast quesadillas, juice, and Dillatante Chocolate-covered cherries, strawberries, and blueberries!
This beautiful basket of flowers was delivered on Saturday from those great Indiana Clarks!
Carrie and I shared Mother's Day, and I'm here to tell you, our husbands know how to cook (well, and kiss, also)! Note the steak and potatoes--they were to die for!
Now the dilemma is how to compete with all this for Father's Day!

Spring at Work

I have to constantly remind myself not to take where I work for granted. The grounds around the Church Office Building are incredible and constantly changing. Friday the grounds personnel were taking out all the tulips, and when I go to work tomorrow, there will be thousands of new petunias, geraniums and other annuals newly planted! Hundreds of members volunteer to help with the grounds work, including YW/YM groups, YSA, Relief Societies, etc. The real wonder of the Church at Headquarters is there are hundreds of volunteers and missionaries helping the work go forth. These photos don't do the flowers justice, but you get the idea! I wish I could say that was me in the middle photo...

Birthday Boy

Carl had another birthday (thank goodness), and of course the day included food! This year it was homemade Calzones. We were trying to replicate those we enjoyed at the little restaurant in Ephrata when were in Washington for Grandpa Bell's funeral, and we actually came fairly close! Pesto and chicken Calzones are awesome! Carl got a gigantuan clock to hand outside, so we should never be late for anything because you can see what time it is from 500 feet!! No bush is safe in our yard because he also got a Hedgehog trimmer. Also some great Lowe's gift cards for the many projects that continue.

Add marinara sauce for dipping, and yum!

Cards and gift cards

Where's my pie?!!!

Wedding Trips-The Best

This family has way too much fun (no, not true, you can never have too much fun). This trip was no exception. You've seen bride and groom photos on other blogs, so here are a few random shots. The only thing that would have made it more fun is if Mike, Kim, and girls could have been there!

Mr. Studly in his new sports jacket!

Aren't they classy!

There's Mr. GQ again!

It's over--so there!! Mmmm, Susan, feeling a little festive?!

Carrots and Skiing Create Colorful Faces!

Daurell brought David down for General Conference, specifically the Priesthood session (I'm sure you'll see their matching pink ties and black suits on Jana's blog). David came back on Cloud 9 as he was able to shake the hand of several General Authorities. Then a day of skiing at Park City on Monday. Between David's sunburn and Dexter's carrots, it provided some colorful photos. Oh, and Daurell enjoying hot fudge. What you don't see is him eating the rest of the hot fudge straight out of the jar after the ice cream was gone. We talked our hearts out--and loved it!

A-h-h-h Those Faces...

We've been in touch with some awesome people over the past few weeks. Just wanted to share some random photos.

Venice Larson Hammond-my dear friend from Quincy days.

Yep, Darren, that's how you get rid of trash on the farm!

It was a bit chilly, but Barb always has a smile!

How lucky to have two crazy/wonderful sisters!

Cable Guy!

So, on Saturday, the Cable Guy came to install cable in the guest bedroom upstairs. We got a new TV to go in there and wanted cable. So, the guy measured very carefully, went into the bedroom and drilled a hole into the garage for the cable and drilled right through our sprinkler main control box. See the nice little hole under the last round blue thing. The guy was horrified. I had to turn the water for the sprinklers on so we could test each station. Sure enough, the last three did not work. We moved the box over so he could finish installing the cable as he already had a hole drilled in the bedroom. He said his supervisor would call me on Monday to get it taken care of. I also have the supervisors number just in case he doesn't call.

The Luck of Carl

Oh well, looks like I will get a new sprinkler main control.

Countertops Done

Well, here we are. Countertops are installed and the plumbing all hooked up thanks to Sam and a good natured guy at Lowe's. They look great Pictures are a bit out of order, but I did good to get all the pictures in here. Stop by so you can take a look. The Dark deep red sure looks good (at least the paint sample does) Pat's visiting teacher is big into Feng Shui (sp), she said the red paint would "suck all the energy out of the room" and that the color was "Ying" and we needed to balance it with "Yang". I told Pat we would paint it red and if it sucked the energy out of her she might not stay so long next time she comes to visit..... Just kidding! Just like all projects I do, they don't turn out quite right. Thanks to Sam and the guy at Lowe's we got the problem fixed.
Sam working under the sink (or just messing around)

"
"Hurry up and get that thing tight. I can't hold this much longer and it will hurt when it falls on my head"

Hummm. Some kind of discussion is being held.

The installers carrying a big piece in the house.

Taking the old countertops off.

and...... Here they are!!

Pat's happy with new sink

New Countertops Phase One

Thanks to Sam, we have started the process of getting new granite countertops. The installers will be here Monday. We had to unhook all the "stuff" from under the sink and move the stove. Oh my, just look at all the dirt behind the stove!
Sam working hard. He did not wear a belt on purpose so he could be a "true plumber"

Hanging Out With Manwarings

We met at Glendon and Lanay's Friday night, spent the night there, then headed out to Buhl, Idaho to visit Vic Manwaring. Those of you in the family will know the story of our friendship with the Manwarings. Vic lost his wife, Uvene, two years ago this month, but is trying to get on with his life. We discovered a whole new part of Idaho down in the Hagerman Valley with the Thousand Springs, mineral hot springs (yes, we soaked, but there will no photos of that--we figured it has been 20 years since the two of us have been in a pool!), a fish farm, and a wonderful Thai restaurant in Twin Falls. To quote both Glendon and Vic-- "to make a long story short" we had a wonderful time. There was hardly a moment of silence from the time we left until we arrived home this morning just in time to teach our SS lesson. Vic lives in a beautiful area. His home is heated by natural hot spring water, and deer and other varmints wander around.

Glendon vegging

Vic talking with Margaret from India, a potential date.

Road leading to Vic Manwaring's house

Lanay is a "zoning" professional

Pat's Birthday

OK, so after being cussed by Mike & Kim for not updating our Blog, here it is. We celebrated Pat's Birthday on Sunday 2/11/07. We had Chinese Haystacks and Cheese Cake for dinner. Curtis & Shandy & Dexter, Sam & Carrie and Carson & Parker, Nalani & Jed were in attendance. Fun!

Tonight for Valentines Day, we cooked pork chops, potatoes and stuffing for dinner. We ate by dimmed lights and candles. We gave each other candy and I also got a movie "Baptists at our BBQ". So, we will watch a nice romatic movie later tonight.

Next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday I will be going to Dallas, Texas for some training. Never been there and will be all alone, so let's hope my VZ Navigation works. (I get GPS on my cell phone - its called VZ Navigation).

That's our exciting life. Top that!!

A Night at Rumors Coffee House

Pat and I had a night out on the town on Saturday. My co-worker at Verizon Wirless sings. But he is very quiet about it. He said he wanted to be known as an HR Professional, not that guy in HR who sings. Anyway, he got a "gig" at the Rumors Coffee House in Sugar House. So, Pat and I and another couple from work went to see him. We had a great time. By the way, just so you know, Pat had a hot chocolate and I had a smoothie. The picture of the guy at the keyboard is Kimo Pokini, my co-worker.

Ready & Root'n

Here we are, all ready for the Colts Game. I sure wish we were back in Indiana today, I can only imagine the party that will be going on at the Indiana Clarks today! GO COLTS!

Let the "Fun" begin

Which color do you like the best? We've decided to start on the kitchen. Just need to get up a little steam. Once we get started it is easier. Getting started is the hard part. We have looked at some beautiful granite for counter tops. Shouldn't have done that as now all the other stuff doesn't look so good. The granite we looked at is black with splashes of color that match the cupboards. So, let us know what you think of the paint.

Looking Back

When we were in Indiana for Thanksgiving, we took some incredible photos at the Lake House, and since life is fairly slow and boring right now (our idea of a night out tonight was to go to Target and find a new curling iron and hair blower!), I decided to post some of those pictures. The photo of Kim was her having her eyebrows plucked and shaped by a little lady in a mall kiosk who uses thread to yank out the hairs! It was something I'd (Pat) never even heard of, but it was amazingly fast!!

Using our Panini Grills

Now that we all have Panini Grills, we ought to share the good stuff we fix on it. After Church today, I fixed Flank Steak, and It was delicious. Here is how I did it:

Score the flank steak on both sides about 1/4" deep both ways (making diamond pattern)

Prepare Marinade as follows:
1 Cup Salad Oil
1 Tablespoon Vinegar
1 Close Garclc
Salt and Pepper
I made it "special" by adding to the above
One big squirt of Horseradish Sauce
Around 1/4 cup of "Bernstein's Cheese & Garlic Italian Dressing"
Pour in shallow pan and put meat in the Marinade.

I put the meat in about 9:00 AM then cooked it at 4:30 PM when we got home from church, so let it soak up the good stuff for several hours.

I put it on the Panini Grill and cooked till Medium Well.

When done, let it rest for a few minutes, then cut diagonally in thin strips across the grain.

It was SO tasty. Give it a try sometime!

New Years Weekend - Fun

Here are some pictures of our CRAZY Mew Years Weekend. We loved having everyone here. The kids all got a bath. All the sparkling cider we could drink if only Pat makes it to Midnight.
Wanna hear a funny story? I think it is funny because I have been there before, but now I can just laugh. I was watching out the window as Darren and Susan pulled out of the driveway to head home. Before the car was even out of the driveway onto the street, Darren had stopped the car TWICE. I could tell things were a little tense, but after the 2nd stop, the kids got a lecture with finger pointing and everything. I couldn't help but smile! (How was the rest of the trip home? Did that one lecture last the whole trip?)