People We're On a Roll

Even though these aren't the BEST PICTURES due to the early morning light and shadows I do believe you can see quite a difference in our deck, stairs, and breezeway. Check it out.

The stairs and breezeway to the deck before:




And After:




The side part of the deck before:



And the side part of the deck after:




The back of the deck before:




The back part of the deck after:




Hopefully you can see a big difference...because there really is a huge difference and it makes me wonder how we lived with such an eyesore before. Our big wrap around deck was a huge selling point to us when we bought our house and with the way it is situated and with our big pine trees part of the deck is in shade all day. It is so nice!! And now it looks nice too! We still have the back stairs and the railings to stain but we are getting things done around here. Yay!

Weekend Fun

This has been a busy weekend. It didn't go exactly as I planned...no visit to the lake for us...my Grandma's cousin is in town and staying with my Grandma so we ended up having time to get things done around our house. It was so nice! Getting projects done makes me happy!! Getting projects done makes me happy!! Getting projects done makes me happy!! (I'm singing with joy if you can't tell).

Friday started off great. I had a "date" with Kameron that morning. He was feeling a little left out that Reilly got a big night out and he didn't get to do anything. So I planned something for the two of us to do that was fun but not "as fun" as Reilly's event since hers was her BIG REWARD and the last thing I wanted to do was get Reilly all in a twist. Oh the joy of being the mother of an emotional tween!! Anyway we went to the morning "free movie" and Kameron ate a healthy breakfast of popcorn, cotton candy, and mt. dew. The Mt. dew was mine...that movie starts at 9:30 am and was a children's movie...that mountain dew was NECESSARY for this "fun mom" to keep her eyes open. But Kameron ended up sucking down most of it and that was the highlight of his "date" with me. "I GOT TO HAVE MOUNTAIN DEW!! I'VE NEVER HAD MOUNTAIN DEW BEFORE!! IT WAS AWESOME!!" (I don't let the kids drink pop very often and espcially not caffinated...I'm not crazy...I like bedtime and naptime). But I forgot to take a picture of us. Shoot.

Then my sweet sister Kelley took all our kids out for a big pizza dinner as a back to school treat. They were so excited!! I'm still laughing at the sight of Kelley driving our big ol' Suburban packed with kids.




As this is the gazillionth picture of Kameron in this shirt...and in case there was any doubt....this is his favorite shirt! He does have others...but you would never know it. He tries to wear it every day and I have to pry it out of his hands to wash it. Boys!!

After they left Tyler and I were off for a romantic dinner ourselves. Mexican! Yum.




After dinner we went to the video store (is it still called that?) or should I say the DVD store to rent a DVD. There wasn't anything I wanted to see which caused Tyler to get a little testy. He can be very happy watching movies that he doesn't necessarily want to watch but will watch just because they are available. Not me!! I need to REALLY want to see a movie to have the patience to sit down and veg out particularly at home. So as there was nothing anyone REALLY wanted to see we went home. Exciting huh? The kids were back with ice cream and new toys and love and praise for their wonderful Aunt Kelley! You really are a wonderful and loving aunt. Thanks Kelley! We put the kids to bed and watched "The Illusionist" that has been on our DVD shelf for months and I have never really wanted to see. I actually really liked it. Shock.

So since the lake was off we decided to get some projects done. This has been a total eye sore for quite some time...the cement on the side of our garage and the side wall of our yard. I used my Home Depot Gift Card that my mom gave me for my birthday (did I really request that? Yep!) And I am so glad I did. Check it out:

Before

After

We also bought a new house number that lights up and installed it and today we are restaining our deck. Yay! We did manage to sneak away from our projects to go to a big rummage sale at the local senior center. One of the little ladies from the senior center is in our ward and she totally hooked me up with all the good "junk". I love Eileen. She asked me what I was looking for and she was my "personal shopper" I got some great stuff for our Sisters Creed Christmas Sale...lots of great vintage Christmas stuff... a present for John's stocking (I have his stocking to fill for Christmas) and my favorite purchase of the day:

The Samsonite overnight bag!! Stacey, Kelley and I collect these and I am sure they are very JEALOUS right now!! We LOVE these bags. I have a red one and one that I'm getting for Christmas from my mom (she has my stocking) that she purchased from Stacey at our last Sisters Creed Sale that is a floral black and white bag in perfect condition and the inside is orange polka dots! I can't wait to get my hands on it. We sisters use these as our overnight bags...I use mine as my temple bag...they come in very handy. Kelley...does your blue one have the front pocket like this one?

And on Sunday...we went to church...EXCITING!

I've also been eating WAY to many of these (see recipe). They are my favorite cookies. My second favorite kind of cookies are Rice Krispy Cookies made with Fruity Pebbles which Tyler and I call "Kiddie Cocaine" we eat a lot of those on Sundays too! But they are pretty self-explanatory.

Lemon Drop Cookies

1/2 c shortening
1/2 c (1 stick) butter, softened
2 c all-purpose flour
3/4 c sugar
1/3 c milk
The zest of one lemon, grated fine
Juice of 1/2 a lemon

Beat the shortening and butter in a bowl until light and fluffy. Add 1 cup flour and mix well. Add the sugar, milk and lemon zest and mix well. Then add the juice of 1/2 a lemon and mix well. Add 1 cup of flour and mix well. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes or until very lightly browned...don't want to brown them too much. Cool on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes then remove to a wire rack to cool completely. Frost the cooled cookies.
Yield: 4 dozen small cookies or 2 dozen large cookies

Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 (1/2 stick) of butter, softened
3 1/4 cups powdered sugar
the juice of 1/2 a lemon
1-2 drops of yellow food coloring

Beat the cream cheese, butter and 1 cup powdered sugar in a bowl until light and fluffy. Stir in the lemon juice. Add enough powdered sugar to make of spreading consistency about 2 1/4 cups (I think I use a bit less) and mix until smooth. Stir in the food coloring.

Enjoy!!

**What's your favorite cookie?**

KELLEY? GYM? CALL ME.

My 100th Post: Reilly Did It!!

Reilly accomplished her goal and finished the her summer reading list! I am so proud of her. She did such a great job and just breezed through the books. She not only read my list but read ten more books and is still on quite a roll. We went to the library on Monday and she picked out a new batch of books. She is becoming a discriminating reader too...by passing ones that are easy and don't have much of a plot for the thicker, more challenging, interesting books. I am thrilled.

I kept my end of the bargain and let her pick out her BIG REWARD ...her answer was a Girls Night with me. Yay! I'm all for that. She decided that she wanted to go out for dinner,a movie, and ice cream afterwards. Throw in a pedicure and that would be my perfect day too.

Where did she want to go out for dinner? The Food Court at the mall...so many choices. I told you Reilly is easy to please. (I could've easily been out the cash for an Ipod or dinner at Luna's.) Reilly got pizza and I hit my food court favorite...Edo's.

After our tasty dinner we wandered the mall. Sheer heaven for a soon-to-be 5th grader. We hit her favorite shops: the candy store and Claires. Then we were off to see the movie Hairspray. Reilly and I both LOVED it and left the movie singing and dancing. Reilly was all a flutter over the dreamy Zac Efron.

Then we went to Baskin Robbins for ice cream. I am old fashioned. In a world of Maggie Moos and Coldstone I love my 31 flavors. I guess I have passed that on to my kids. As much as I like mix-ins it doesn't get better than Daiquiri Ice, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Pralines and Cream, and Chocolate Mousse Royale! Yum. We had a FABULOUS NIGHT!!

And...lucky for Reilly. Her Aunt Kelley sweetened the deal and promised her a pedicure for reading beyond my summer reading list. What a nice aunt!

And now for...REILLY REVIEWS:

Eldest
By: Christopher Paolini

Eragon & Saphira have just won their battle against evil King Galbatorix's army/Urals & Eragon slade the kings highest servant, Durza the evil Shade in Farthen Dur with the Dwarfs help and now Eragon and Saphira go to Ellesmera / the land of the Elves to continue his training as a dragon rider and pick up were Brom left off. But more war clouds are covering up Eragons sunny days. Meanwhile Eragon's cousin, Roran returns to carvahall to see that his father is dead, unburied and his house is burned to the ground and finds out that his cousin has run off with the crazy old story teller. But more trouble his heading Roran's way. When the Raz'ac and Urals come for Eragon and don't find him anywhere they go for his cousin, Roran. So while Roran's fighting a war in Carvahall and Eragon is fighting another war in Alagaesia, what will the world come to? Find out in, Eldest!
I loved this book so much because it's Shocking, Surprising, Exciting, Full Adventures, and full of fun! YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPOINTED! I would rate this book my highest rating and much, much more! You must read this book

Number the Stars
By: Lois Lowery


One of the books I've recently have read is Number the Stars, by Lois Lowery, who wrote the books, The Giver, A Summer To Die, & Find A Stranger And Say Goodbye.

This book is about a girl named Annemarie who used to have two sisters but soon that changed when the German Nazis came to her town. One day, Annemarie's older sister named, Lise got run over by a Nazis war car on purpose. But Annemarie was lucky to have her younger sister, Kristi & her best friend, Ellen. But when the Nazis are looking for the Jewish people, will Ellen and her family & all the other Jewish people be safe? Find out in Number the Stars!

I liked this book because I know how hard it can be to stand up for your religion. This book will get a 5 star rating. READ!

Book Review #15

I just finished The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri. This was a past book club selection that I didn't read and so I have been playing catch up. Carolyn picked this book and I was quite interested in reading it. My Aunt Margaret is a voracious reader and has been telling me that I need to read Interpreter of Maladies and The Namesake for a long time. She is a big Lahiri fan...unfortunately I am not.

From Publishers Weekly:

One of the most anticipated books of the year, Lahiri's first novel (after 1999's Pulitzer Prize-winning Interpreter of Maladies) ... Hopscotching across 25 years, it begins when newlyweds Ashoke and Ashima Ganguli emigrate to Cambridge, Mass., in 1968, where Ashima immediately gives birth to a son, Gogol-a pet name that becomes permanent when his formal name, traditionally bestowed by the maternal grandmother, is posted in a letter from India, but lost in transit. Ashoke becomes a professor of engineering, but Ashima has a harder time assimilating, unwilling to give up her ties to India. A leap ahead to the '80s finds the teenage Gogol ashamed of his Indian heritage and his unusual name, which he sheds as he moves on to college at Yale and graduate school at Columbia, legally changing it to Nikhil.

I am not a fan of this book. I wish I was but I'm not. This book didn't appeal to me in any way. Not on my nightstand and not while reading it. I found the characters likable enough...Ashima, Ashoke and their new life in America. I even found Gogol likable. It is the story or perhaps lack of story that I dislike. I kept asking myself "OK...when are things going to start happening and start to get good" unfortunately for me it never did. Following Gogol through his years of college and failed relationships was just plain and simply....a bore. Poor Gogol...he hates his name, is embarrassed by his parents, can't find true love, can't find himself...boring boring boring. I would've liked to explore the story of Ashima and Ashoke and their arranged marriage more and how they managed to grow to love one another and build a life together.

There were certain aspects of the book that kept my attention...I enjoyed reading Lahiri's take on what it is like to work in the Architectural field (Tyler did this for 12 years) they even had a diabetic draftsman...how true to life...right Ty? But the image of Gogol drafting at his drawing table with pencil in hand had me laughing. Architects and draftsman pretty much do everything on the computer now...very little hand drafting is done anymore.

I liked Maxine but merely because her parents were foodies and she had a lake house. I loved this quote from the book where Gogol explains how Maxine feels about the lake:

"She speaks reverently of her summers here. This is her favorite place in the world she tells him, and he understands that it is this landscape, the water of this particular lake in which she first learned to swim, is an essential part of her...It makes it easy to imagine her past, and her future, to picture her growing old...he sees her returning here...teaching her children to swim in the lake, leading them with two hands into the water, showing them how to dive cleanly off the edge of the dock".

The part where Gogol's father dies unexpectedly of a massive heart attack caused my own heart to ache thinking back to when the same thing happened to Tyler's father (also a professor) and, like Gogol, Tyler was the one to get the call...go to the hospital...identify his father...and clean out his apartment. Truly heart wrenching.

Even though this book had moments of poignancy it just wasn't enough to carry the lackluster story along. I closed the book at the end feeling depressed and disappointed.

My rating: Disappointing

What We've Been Up To Lately

I've been a bit behind in blogging due to all the birthdays so I have kind of a rambling post today. Full of all kinds of different things and topics.

1.) Mountain Biking

I have had so much fun biking this summer. We went biking quite a bit last summer as a family but this summer Tyler and I have been going biking as a "date" and it has been so much fun. We absolutely love going and have had a blast! (nice 80's word)




AND...Valynn and I still go once a week too. I am going to miss our bike rides when the weather gets cold.

2.) The Dementor's Kiss aka Back to School Shopping

I know I have read ALOT of Harry Potter this summer but nothing describes back to school shopping for me more than "dementor's kiss" because it has literally sucked all the life and joy out of me for the past week. I did try to do most of it by myself but there comes a time when the kids have to be with me to try on clothes and shoes and thus insues my migraine. Trying to find shoes, jeans, shirts, school supplies that everyone likes is impossible. I gave up and said that what I pick goes and they can all just lump it. Kameron wants everything superhero, Reilly wants everything glamorous and trendy, and Ailey just howls because she isn't getting anything. I did break down and buy her a package of socks to shut her up and who knew a pack of plain white socks would make her so happy but it did.

After a trip to Old Navy, The Gap, The Children's Place, Ross, and Target I still had to go to Wal-Mart for the actual school supplies and that is where my mental breakdown occurred...were it not for the package of white socks!! It nearly happened at Ross...a place I loathe. (Sorry Kelley I know you love it and you dress very cute but I cannot stand that place) I went there for the sole purpose of getting cheap Sketchers for Reilly. Valynn told me that they had some and that she had gotten a great deal on shoes for her kids. By the time I got there the shoes were wiped out and there was just a huge mess of clothes everywhere. Kameron was freaking out because HE ONLY WANTS VANS!! (Thanks Uncle Kirk) and Reilly was crying because I wouldn't look for any clothes in the huge freaking mess that is Ross. But fear not dear reader....I held it together...barely!!

Wal-Mart was another story...people everywhere scrutinizing school lists...nothing that could be located...supplies already sold out...people blocking aisles...Ailey screaming....Kameron mad because I wouldn't buy superhero folders, notebooks etc, Reilly fuming because I wouldn't buy "pretty" folders, binders, notebooks not realizing that her list called for SPECIFIC things. Finally Ailey feel asleep in the cart and her head was wobbling back and forth when an "oh so kind" lady informed me that I should just carry her because "she can't be comfortable like that" apparently not getting it from my glare that I am just happy she is QUIET!! She shook her head at me and then I felt like a horrible mother and picked Ailey up and lugged her through the store with Reilly pushing the cart.Then if it weren't for the kind man in electronics who saw me staggering with Ailey in my arms, tears in my eyes, Reilly and Kameron fighting over who should push the cart and me swearing trying to find the stinking memory stick and specific calculator Reilly needed who took pity on me and took my list and found everything else I needed I would've lost it. There are competent people at Wal-mart. I can't believe I've just said that but I have. Will wonders never cease? Now I only have a gruelling visit to the ballet shop and I am all done! Whew!

3.) Mrs. Beasley is a woman now.

Yes...this is gross but true all the same...Mrs. Beasley started her period this weekend. I have never given a moments thought to dog menstration...gag. Our previous dog, Grendel, was spayed so we didn't have this problem but we haven't fixed Mrs. Beasley yet because we'd like her to have one litter of puppies sometime. Well...thank goodness we have a dog expert in the family....John...dog trainer extrodinaire who informed me that Mrs. Beasley was "in heat" not "on her period" as I explained to him. Tomato/Tamato. Same thing. Apparently you can buy dog maxi-pads that you strap onto a belt...uh...I don't think so...She can just stay outside or in her crate for a few days.

4.) Another project completed.

We spent all Saturday powerwashing our house. Wow!! What a big difference. Slacker homeowners that we are we haven't done it once since we moved in. Our house is so sparkling white now. We also did the deck and the concrete foundation which were both peeling. So this week we will be restaining our deck and painting the cement foundation. I love getting projects accomplished.

5.) Reilly is growing up.

I forgot to include this in #2 but in my back to school shopping I had to buy Reilly a training bra...AND...size 7 shoes!! Holy crap! I was shocked. I wear a 7 1/2 to an 8 depending on the shoes. Where has my "little girl" gone?

6.) Kirk is moving to Utah in a few weeks.

The biggest blow...I should've seen it coming. I just want all my family to live close to me...is that so wrong? Kirk, Jayme and Kaiden are going to be living in Utah after the wedding in October rather than up here. Suckaroo.

7.) Sunday was raining and depressing...sort of like the book I just finished.

Therefore...comfort food was needed fast and in large quantities. I was talking to Hannah, Stacey and Wendy and we were talking about blogging and what we liked to read in blogs and recipes were something we all liked so I have included two delicious recipes for you guys. All of which I ate to alleviate the gloom on Sunday. Since it was rainy and cold I wanted to try the soup recipe that Stacey gave me. Stacey made this recipe for her Dining Divas group (I can't remember what the theme was) and she has been raving about it to me ever since...especially because it is a vegetarian recipe. When I went to her house for our Sisters Creed sale she made it and even though it was about 100 degrees outside and her house has no a/c it was a huge hit! My kids were very skeptical...and by the end of dinner they were requesting it for their birthdays! It is truly fabulous!!

Since autumn is on the way...here are two great fall recipes to try:

Stacey's Amazing Cream of Cauliflower Soup (Double it for a family of more than 4)

1 head cauliflower--coarsely chopped
1 large onion--diced
1/4 c butter
1/2 c olive oil
6 cloves garlic--minced
5 c chicken broth
1 c heavy cream
salt and pepper
lemon wedges for garnish
parmesan cheese for garnish
homemade croutons

In a large stock pot sauté onion and garlic in olive oil and butter until soft. Add cauliflower and sauté until browned. Season with lots of salt and pepper. Lower heat, cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add broth, cover again and cook for 20-30 minutes until cauliflower is tender. Stir in cream. Garnish with freshly grated parmesan cheese, croutons and a squeeze of lemon juice.

To make homemade croutons:

Cut up a loaf of French bread into cubes. Sauté in a large hot skillet with olive oil, butter, and freshly minced garlic until crisp.

**The homemade croutons MAKE this soup extra special and hearty. This is a great meal with a salad on the side. The crouton recipe is my mom's...also good made with sourdough bread...fabulous in Caesar Salad which is how we usually use them.**

Next we made our family's old stand-by...Chocolate Chip Cookies. My mom found this recipe years ago and it is the only one we ever make. It is SO GOOD. I don't add nuts though. You can substitute m&m's, peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips...whatever you like. This recipe makes 5 dozen large cookies. More than enough for our family and we took 2 dozen cookies to two other families. Enjoy!


Steve Young's Chocolate Chip Cookies

4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 c quick cook oats
2 t baking soda
2 t salt
2 c Crisco
1 1/2 c granulated sugar
1 1/2 c brown sugar, packed
2 t vanilla
4 large eggs
4 c semi-sweet chocolate chips
nuts optional

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Stir the flour, oats, baking soda, and salt together in a mixing bowl.

In a larger mixing bowl, beat together the Crisco, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla. Add the eggs one at a time, mix thoroughly. Gradually add the flour mixture, beating until smooth. Stir in the chocolate chips and nuts.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from oven and let sit for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool. Makes a ton!!





As you can see Ailey LOVED THEM!!

Birthday Palooza

August is full of birthdays for our family. Kirk, Jordin, Grandpa M., Brett and Marissa all have birthdays in August. Today is Tyler's brother Brett's birthday!! Happy Birthday Brett! We love and miss you. A card is on the way...but late...blame Tyler. ;)

Tyler and Brett

There are many things we love about Brett but here are just a few:

• He is a loving brother and brother-in-law.
• He is a beloved uncle...Reilly, Kameron and Ailey adore him.
• He is tall and handsome.
• He is slightly intimidating with penetrating eyes...he must get that from his Uncle Lew.
• He is extremely funny...he always has us laughing.
• He is generous.
• He is chivalrous.
• He married the FABULOUS Marissa.

• Growing up he was Tyler's partner-in-crime ...the stories I have heard about these two!!
• He was one of two neighborhood terrorizers (Tyler being the other one)...just ask the Bybee's (Tyler told me to put that in).
• He is successful and has accomplished much.
• He has lived an interesting life.

We love you Brett!

Then a few days after Brett's birthday it is Marissa's Birthday. Happy Early Birthday Marissa!!

Marissa is an amazing person. Here are some reasons why we love her:

• She is beautiful inside and out.
• She is so sweet.
• She is a loving aunt...also adored by Reilly, Kameron and Ailey.
• She is the best thing that has ever happened to Brett. :)
• She is a wonderful sister-in-law.
• She is the only other person who has had the same experiences and been just as traumatized as me by "The Judie".
• She is smart and successful.
• She loves to garden and is extremely talented at it.
• She is an amazing hostess.
• She is generous and supportive.

The wonderful Brett and Marissa...below with Reilly, Kameron and Ailey

We love you very much Marissa!! Have a great birthday!!

The 15th would have been my Grandpa M.'s birthday. He died a few weeks before Kameron was born. He was an amazing man. I love him very much and think of him often.

Happy Birthday Pops!


Love, Your Snot-Nosed Brats XOXOXO

Family Reunion 2007

It's been family reunion time at the lake. We have had a ball visiting with everyone. Cousins, Cousins and more Cousins!! There is so much to say but I will let the pictures do the talking. After going over my pictures I realized there were lots of people that I didn't get a single picture of...like about half the people there. Here were some of the highlights:

The house was packed, the yard was packed, the beach was crowded and so was the dock!

Ailey playing with her cousins...do admire her neon swimsuit...it used to be Reilly's and Ailey was DETERMINED to wear it. It was helpful...we could see her anywhere.

Stacey and John

Kelley and Ailey

Dane

Jen and Hannah

Grace and Kameron on the boat

Ailey Eva in her pink sunglasses

A sight I haven't seen in a long time...Uncle Mike waterskiing. He looks good!

Maeris and Slade

Dennis and Margaret

Kameron and Breckley

Tyler

Brienn

Gabe and Kam

Addison

Addy and Ailey

Kirk, Justin and Tyler...and tons of fresh CRAB!! Courtesy of Justin! This was one of the best nights ever...it was a crab orgy...butter, butter and more butter. I had it dripping off my hands, my face and I even had butter up to my elbows. It was DELICIOUS!! Absolutely heavenly! Thanks again Justin...you mighty fisherman!

A few cousins: Jen (who waxed us all yet again), Me, Justin and Wendy

Some more cousins: Addison, Grace, Miley, Kameron, Ailey, Reilly and Haylee. They looked so sweet in their jammies!!

Kameron and Reilly out on the sleeping porch

Aaaahhh...the kids are all in bed and now it's GAME TIME!! We had the wildest game of "Loaded Questions" I have ever played. I have learned things about these people that you wouldn't believe! ;) But "what is said in the game stays in the game" isn't that right Tyler and Bonnie! Let's just say I laughed so hysterically that night that I cried, snorted and nearly peed my pants! I am related to some SICK puppies!

The gamers are as follows (left to right): Tyler, Jen, Hannah, Wendy, Justin, Uncle Mike, and Aunt Bonnie. Where is the perfect "8" on the photogenic scale? Taking the picture of course!

The next morning Tyler and Reilly took a bunch of the little guys on an early morning canoe ride.

The grand finale was...Kirk's Birthday Party!!

Happy Birthday Kirky! I left out a few nicknames from his birthday post: Alfred E. Newman, Quirk and "The Donny". Forgotten but ever so fitting! ;) I voted for party hats and tooters for his birthday party. I guess my Mom took pity on him and refrained from purchasing them. Delicious Dirt and Worms made by Gracie and me.

Congratulations to our cousin Kellen and Sam (antha) who got married on Saturday!

Jen you need to start a blog asap...you too Kelley (I think your "unibrow sportin' cousin" had a nice ring) and the best blog name ever...Justin..."The Mane-less Lion"!!