Happy Anniversary,,,,,, a month late.....

I can't believe I forgot to blog about my Anniversary!! Jim and I were married 08-13-1988,

                                                               Weren't we cute!

... it's been 23 years! I can't believe it's been that long and then there are some days it feels longer... We were sealed in the temple in February of 1994 to each other and to our kids, but that's another anniversary.

Marriage is a hard thing. You find someone you love, get married and then have to be together 24/7 for the rest of your life. It's hard trying to combine 2 lives that were raised differently, have different likes and dislikes, but I got lucky... lucky to find someone that had a lot of my likes. Of course each person will have little habits that might drive the other person crazy, like me squeezing the toothpaste from the middle of the tube until it gets close to being empty, and Jim leaving little candy wrappers every where when there is a perfectly good garbage can in the kitchen. But you learn to live with that because you love your spouse.

What I like about being married is having someone you can talk to, cry with, depend on, and share life and memories with all the time. And even after 23 years, I'm still finding out new things about my hubby that I didn't know, or you just grow with each other, and start liking different things you didn't like before..... I look forward to growing old with my hubby and sharing more memories.
A few things I appreciate about my hubby are...
1. He loves to work on cars.... this means that my car and my kids cars are always taken care of to the best of his ability. And mine is always clean! If I had a million dollars I would build my hubby a big shop where he could put all of his tools and buy him an old hot rod to restore. I know he would be in heaven then.
2. He sacrafices for me and the kids.... He goes to work everyday at a job I know he tolerates but doesn't love and then lets me spend money how I see fit. Of course I take care of the bills first, and our needs (because I know that makes him happy that I don't squander away money, and you have to give and take in a relationship) but he lets me buy what grocieries I want and things within reason (he trusts me too) and he always asks before he buys something big.
3. He puts me first.... I know this because when we went to Disneyland (I will blog about our trip after this post) we got lucky enough to be in the front of our 'log' on the Splash mountain ride twice, and he offered to be the very front person so I could hide behind him and not get as wet... now that is love!

4. He co-operates..... Since we both work full time and only have weekends off we share the housework and yard work. I love helping mow the lawn...being the farm girl that I am I love being outside. So I help Jim mow the lawn on Friday evenings usually, and he helps me clean the house on Saturday. He dusts and vaccumes while I clean the kitchen and bathrooms. Then we have time left in the afternoon to do something fun! Like go out to dinner, or window shopping in Idaho Falls.
5. I like Jim's sense of humor. He is usually so serious so I make it a goal everyday to see if I can make him laugh. He knows this so tries harder not too. And he catches me off guard with his humor once in a while... like the time I didn't hear him breathing at night (that's the good thing about snoring and heavy breathing, at least you know the person doing it is still alive and with you!), and he knows that I check to see if he is by placing my hand on his chest when he isn't snoring, and this one time he was awake when I did and he held his breath.... scared me for a minute until he laughed.....
Marriage is a good thing, it's hard at first but if you stick with it, and go with the ups and downs, then you end up with a wonderful relationship like we have, and my parents have.
 Happy Anniversary! Here's to 23 years and 23+ more of wedded bliss!

The Fair begins and Happy birthday Dad!

This last week has been busy. Last weekend was the beginning of the Eastern Idaho State fair. We didn't go the first day because it's usually sooooo busy. Jim and I like to go on Sunday because it seems less crowded, but this year Jim had meetings and a Court of Honor to attend. We opted to go on Monday since we both had it off work for the Labor day holiday. We got to the fair at about 11 in the morning and surprisingly enough it didn't seem to be that crowded! We were just going to eat and look at the different things in the commercial buildings. Last year we bought a vaccume. The first thing we tried was the donut burger.... they are not bad, but not really good either. I was glad we tried one, but I dont' need to have another if you know what I mean.

Then we tried a mongolian beef and rice bowl next, it was good, but I make better at home (at least I think so). They had fried cheese curds, so we tried those next.... I was hoping they would be like the fried cheese balls Juli and I used to get at M'Casa's mexican restaurant... but they weren't quite as good. After that Jim and I thought we'd better walk around a bit. We walked through the commercial buildings, but didnt' need to buy anything. We looked at the cake in the 4-H buildings, and went on to the quilt building and voted on our favorites. I signed up for 2 different quilt drawings, I hope I win one. Now I'm really in the mood to learn to quilt... not just tie a quilt, but really sew the blocks together and quilt. Some of them were lovely!! Next we went to the Dairymen's ice cream barn, it's usually really good, but every year it seems the ice cream gets grainier and grainier.. ewwww...  After walking around some more, we ate fish at our favorite fish place, the 'here we have Idaho' Trout barn. YUMMO! then we splurged and got some Reed's ice cream... now that is good ice cream, I got a nut sunday on a stick, and Jim got Turtle Cheesecake in a cup. YUMMO! After all that walking and eating all those carbs I was ready to head for home!! When we got home I took an hour nap!
Later in the evening, I sculpted the lawn mower and tools that I had planned to make for my Dad's 85th birthday cake. I made them out of fondant and gum paste! It was soooo fun! I thought since Dad is always working in his yard that it would be the perfect cake for him!!
I made the cake and put it all together on Tuesday night, it was Devil's Food cake with German Chocolate icing in between the layers. Then Wednesday after dinner we went down and had a Birthday party for him. Sarah had come home for the week, and Kim, Ang, Gary and Carol were there too. We had a good time visiting and eating cake.

Isn't my Dad cute... he looks really good for an 85 year old I think!

Happy birthday Dad!! You're the Best ever!!

The rest of the week was just filled with work, it was crazy busy and kind of stressful, and I caught a cold/cough. Yuck. But I'm trying to get better because guess what... Jim and I decided to take a trip to Disneyland!!! Just the two of us!! How fun is that?
I will post pics when we get back! woohoo!!!

A busy weekend.......

Well... some weekends come and go and not much happens, but last weekend, was a busy one.
My Uncle Shelton passed away after a long battle with cancer. We didn't think he would live as long as he did when he found out he had it, and especially didn't think he would out live my Aunt Marsha, she got cancer too, and passed away rather quickly a little over a year ago. My Uncle Shelton didn't do well after that, I think he missed my Aunt too much... some people have a marriage that just makes you think "oh cute" ... you know what I mean... one of the old fashioned marriages where you love and respect your spouse, and would do anything for them.... maybe there are a lot more out there than I realize. My parents have one of those marriages too, and I'm trying to make mine one as well. I would do anything for my hubby to make him happy, but anyway, I'm rambling. But after a long courageous battle, my Uncle passed away with most of his kids by his side.

They decided to have the funeral in St. George on Saturday morning, August 20th, and then drive here to Groveland for a graveside service at 8 pm. We knew that all the kids would like somewhere to go after the service to eat and visit, so my mom and I decided to make sandwiches and a few salads, and a cake and have a little get together at my mom and dads.
I came home from work Friday afternoon and decided to clean my house, and then get the groceries I would need for my day of cooking on Saturday.
I also had to give my Relief Society lesson on Sunday, on Eternal marriage, and make a hand out for the "Read the Book of Mormon in 30 days" Challenge that the relief Society did. Goodness what a weekend!
I got up early on Saturday and made a macaroni salad, and potato salad and a Carrot sheet cake. Then I had to go get lunch meat for the sandwiches. Some people in the ward made desserts too, so we had plenty. Don't you love the church and the people in it??
Sarah came down for the weekend which was nice, she was good help and company. We danced in the kitchen together while icing the cake. (she took a video of us, and I hope she doesn't post it on FB, although I had some awesome moves!!)We worked up a sweat.... I love my daughter and the fact that she brings out the younger me when we are together...
We went to a wedding reception and then it was time for the graveside service. It was nice, since Shelton was in the army they did a 21 gun salute and played taps, that always makes me cry. It was nice to see cousins that I hadn't seen in a while, but it's a sad reason to get together. I felt sad for my dad, Shelton was his last living sibling. They were always close, and boy would they laugh when they got together remembering all the fun times they had when they were younger. Dad thought he would be okay, but when I asked him how he was doing he said he was surprised and thought he could handle it, but he was feeling a little down. That made me sad. But I like to imagine the happy reunion my uncle and aunt had together.
Everything went well afterwards at my parents house, we had enough food, and it was fun to visit and all the kids seemed grateful for all we did.
Then Sunday morning came too fast after a night of thunder and lightening.... I couldn't sleep well. I woke up early too, I still hadn't prepared my lesson. But I did ok, the ladies seemed to enjoy it. I had a couple of Mormon messages that Jim had helped me download onto Andy's lap top, and it all went well.
Sunday afternoon was nice, but I was soooo worn out I didn't think I could get up in the morning for work. I called in sick and just slept, I think that was what I needed. Later, Jim, Sarah and I had a weenie roast... Andy had his first day of school at ISU and was tired when he got home so he fell asleep, and he missed out on this one.

After our weenie roast I had to pick beans..... and I noticed that there were 2 little birds in between the 2 rows of beans.... I didn't want to disturb them so I picked  the rows on the outside. Jim said they were baby morning doves....

Aren't they cute? I Love the way morning doves sound... they coo a bit. I thought maybe the one was hurt and the other didn't want to leave it, but the next day I went to finish picking my beans and they flew up into the tree right by the garden. I think they like the coolness of the ground and the plentiful bugs that are out there. They are still there, and I pick my beans and they go into the next row that I am not. It's cute that they stay together... everyone and everything has a someone....I've named them Burt and Phylis.
Life is funny....... no matter what comes at you, you just do it and get through...people come and go in your life and you love them and then have the hope of seeing them again in the eternities after they are gone, and you just try to show them how much you love them while you are together, and not take them for granted.
The world is a beautiful place if you just know where to look, and sometimes it jumps out and scares you  a bit as if to say 'notice me' (like my morning dove did the other day, and I screamed, I think we gave each other a good scare) and I realize what a grand and kind Heavenly Father we have... to put us here and give us the beautiful things to appreciate, and each other.......

A Topsy Turvy Cake for Madeline

My good friend, Katy, (I was in the YW's with her, we did the Beehives together) asked me to help make her daughter, Madeline, a Birthday Cake. Her birthday was August 6, and she was having her party on August 8. I said of course! Madi wanted a Topsy Turvy cake if possible, so I studied up on how to make one on the internet. You tube had a wonderful tutorial video on just how to do it, so I was excited to give it a try.
I also found a tutorial on how to make Marshmellow fondant.... WOW is it easy, but messy and it's way better than regular store bought fondant. I even put in a touch of coconut extract in it... I love that, I do that with my cake and cookie icings too, just gives it a bit of a better flavor I think.
Madi said she wanted a flip flop cake... so I found the cutest flip flop ribbon at Walmart to put around the bottom of the cake, then one of the party shops had cute flip flop candles and seashell candy molds, so I bought what I needed and then turned my weekend and my home into a Bakery.
I made the bottom layer lemon cake with raspberry filling and iced it with raspberry white chocolate icing. Then the middle and top layers were my Coconut key lime cake with Key lime white chocolate icing, I just put the icing in the middle of those layers because the cake had coconut in it. YUM (I ate the parts that I cut out of the middle. I had to taste test it right?) Once the cakes were all baked and crumb coated, then it was time to make the fondant.
LOVE the Marshmellow fondant recipe I found, but it's messy to make. I had powdered sugar everywhere.... I cleaned it up before Jim got home from his early Sunday morning meetings (or so I thought) while he was making toast, he stuck to the floor. LOL so I had to mop the floor again.
Then after church and dinner, I loaded up my cake, fondant and decorating supplies and headed off to Katy's house to begin the decorating..... how fun was that???

I know, my fondant isn't as smooth as a professional bakery, but it was fun, and made Madi happy and that's what counted......

We let Madi just go for it on the middle layer, she did it all by herself and I think she did an awesome job!! We were going for a star fish and seaweed look.... Awesome!!
Madi was cute... she kepts saying "This is the best day ever!" and "This is the best Birthday cake ever!"

How fun!! It took us about 3 hours to decorate it, but I think it turned out awesome! Here is the finished product... and Madi making a silly face!

We thought it would be fun to continue with the beach theme by crumbing vanilla wafers to look like sand. Then I used white chocolate and colored white chocolate that I melted and put in the seashell candy molds to lay around in our 'sand'. Fun!!

This pic was taken at the party that was on Monday night with all Madi's cousins.... Katy said the cake was a HUGE hit!
Thanks Katy and Madeline for letting me make your cake! It was way fun and good practice for me!

We have a Fire Pit!!!!

The weekend that I went to visit Sarah, Jim kept himself busy..... he decided to suprise me with a fire pit!!! I had been wanting one ever since we moved into this house... I don't know how he ever managed to get it and put it in all by himself. He did borrow Jeff Katseanes tow truck to help lift it into the hole he dug. But while he was trying to get it even into the ground (by jumping on the sides) he slipped and hit his hip on the side. He only got a really colorful bruise... but good heavens I"m just glad he didn't hit his head or anything and knock himself out and then sit out there baking in the sun while he was here all by himself. But thanks to his struggles and efforts we have a fire pit and it looks lovely!
We had to break it in so I think the following Tuesday after I got home and Jim didn't have Young Men's (they had a regional stake dance) we decided to have ourselves a little weenie roast to try it out!
I had hot dogs, chips, fruit, and all the garnishes anyone could want on a hot dog. Jim got the fire going.... and just as soon as I got things out on the picnic table and we sat around the fire to roast our hot dogs

 

...... a powerful wind came up (of course!) not a very flattering pic of me... but it was windy!!

and we saw these ominous clouds on the other side of our house!

 Good grief... only in Idaho! But we persevered... we roasted our hot dogs  with ash flying all around us...

and then sat at the table on the deck to eat... it really wasn't too bad there, it was sheltered from the wind. And mother Nature held off until we were done eating and had taken everything back into the house. And then it rained.... and put out our fire for us. :o)  Then the most beautiful double rainbow came out as if Mother Nature was trying to apologize for just about ruining our first weeinie roast in our very own fire pit..

Anyone up for a weenie roast??? and ghost stories by the fire???

My weekend (July 21-24) with Sarah Continued......

After the zoo, we drove around a bit, wandered the Fashion place mall, and got a snack at Taco Bell. Then headed to Pam's to get ready for the viewing for Stephanie.....

It was fun to see Pam and Rob and the kids. Pam decided to go with us. So we all got ready.
What a sad thing, and soooo unexpected. Stephanie was only 39. It was a nice viewing, and we met all of her little kids, and met Rob, he looks so much like Mark. We also met some of Mark's hilarious nephews. But it was heartbreaking to watch the little kids. Her 11 year old daughter just kind of wandered around with big teary eyes..... and her little 3 year old boy latched onto Sarah.

 We nicknamed Sarah the 'baby whisperer'... Needless to say when it was all over, Sarah was the only one he would ride home with. So we got him home, and Juli took over so we could sneak out. We went and got something to eat at Mimi's cafe. It's a good place to eat, but we just felt sad. Then we went back to Sarah's house.
Saturday we got up and got ready in time to go to "Kneader's" it's a cute bakery/sandwich shop...but if it was mine, I would do things better. We got our Sandwiches to go, and ate outside at Sarah's house on the grass with Sarah's roomie Jamie. It was a nice, relaxing morning. Then I made KeyLime cupcakes for the girls,  and we ate some.....

this is serious cupcake eating!!

and we took some to Sarah's cute little neighbor who is all alone since his wife and daughter passed away. He was nice, said he keeps an eye out for Sarah and her roomies so they are safe.
Then we browsed the stores some more and found some things to craft. After, we went home planning on crafting, but we were too tired to do anything. Sarah got someone to work for her, so we thought we would try to do something with Mark and Juli. While we were waiting to hear what the plan was, Sarah, Jamie and I all watched 'Signs' I hadn't watched that in a long time! I got scared all over again.
Then we all decided to go out to dinner, it was Me, Sarah, Pam and Rob, Juli and Mark, Mark's nephew Ross, and best friend Duane, and Brian and Jennifer and all their kids. Brian and Jennifer went to SLC for the weekend to take their kids to the zoo, too. We all met at California Pizza kitchen, and man did we have a fun time. With Rob, Mark, and Ross who wouldn't have a great time!!

This is what happens when you hand someone the camera at one end of the table to take pictures of the other end of the table.....

Then, Brian and Jen took their kids back to the motel to swim. And the rest of us decided to go to a Karioki Bar... Mark is awesome at that.

We drank our diet cokes, and Mark, Duane, Ross and even Sarah did Karioki while Juli, Pam, Rob and I cheered them on. Mark sang the song "In the Jungle" and did it perfectly, ... Was a funny evening... we evening witnessed an almost Bar room Brawl!
But alas our fun evening had to end. We got home about 1:30 and slept in Sunday. I was supposed to leave and Sarah had to work at 4:30, but Sarah and I hadn't crafted yet... .so we did our little projects, we both did frames and I made Sarah a cheetah print and a zebra print headband for work.

Then it was time that I had to say goodbye and she had to get ready for work. I cried .... I dont' know why.

Guess it was because I had such a fun time and love my daughter and I miss her sometimes. She made me some good CD's to listen to all the way home. I wish I could have a little bakery in Provo... or somewhere in the vacinity.
It was nice to finally get home once I was there and unpack and give my hubby a kiss. I appreciate him more and more! While I was gone, he put in a fire pit!! Weehoo!! now we just need to put some curbing stones around the outside...Any one up for a Weenie roast??
Then I had to start work the next day.
I found out that my Wednesdays off would no longer be... I was sad, but the money will be nice to have back. But back to work I went....And it was back to the real world.......