Rylie's new hair cut and headband

Rylie wanted to get bangs and I wasn't sure about it, but I love them, she looks so cute. She just wanted a change. Our good friend Jill cut it for us. (Thanks Jill, great job!)
The headband was made by Rylie. Kellie Knowles posted a headband pattern from Heather Baily a while ago and we finally found time to make it. So cute and so easy.

It might be a soup day!

Tomato Soup

Saute together:

1/4 cup unsalted butter
1 small red onion, chopped
1 small carrot, chopped

Then add:
4 lbs canned tomatoes
(two 28 oz cans & one 14 oz can)
3 cup chicken stock (not broth)
1 tsp basil
½ tap thyme
1 bay leaf

Simmer the above together for 45 minutes.
Remove bay leaf and blend.
After blending, add 1 ½ cup bread crumbs,
( I use the Progesso bread crumbs Italian style)
1 cup cream, salt & pepper to taste.

Geoff is leaving for Baltimore to sell security systems.

Geoff, Brandt, Cole, Marshall, and Zach.

Me and Geoff

Rylie and Scott

Scott and Cole helped pack Geoff's car. He left at about 1:00 today. Scott took Geoff and his friends to dinner last night to Pizza Factory. Geoff has been blessed with good friends. I will really miss not having Geoff here. There is one big sleep over ever night at our house when Geoff was here. The hardest thing about being a Mother is letting go. I cried. Geoff did this last summer, I should be use to it. Geoff is doing very well, and I know that he will do great this summer. I will miss him a ton!

Happy Birthday Scott

Mark and Debbie.

Geoff, Brandt, and Cole.

The Wheelies.

Jessie, Me, Debbie, Courtney, Judy, and Lacey.

Scott turned 50 on the 21st. We had a party and it was a lot of fun. My sister Debbie and her husband Mark came from Arizona. The food was from Classy Cuisine. Geoff made a video for Scott. Our good friend Geoff Power has a small band "The Wheelies". They played music from the 50's 60's and 70's. It was very fun. Thanks to Family and Friends we have a wonderful life.

BLOKUS

Ever Thursday night at my house is a late night. My girls don't have school on Fridays and nether does Geoff. I wanted a home that kids would come to, and they do. I just got this game last week (Blockus) we have been playing it a lot. Geoff and his friends come home and got hooked. This is Geoff, Brandt, Cole, and Hailey. As you can see it is 11:50 pm and they are still playing. I am going to go to bed.
How to play Blokus
Each player places his/her pieces on the board in turn, with the purpose of placing
a maximum number of pieces on the board.
• Essential constraint: the pieces of the same color must touch each other by one or
more angles, but must never touch along the sides. You therefore need to use strategy and anticipation to extend your own territory while at
the same time blocking your opponents. Each piece is different and each move can be decisive !
(When I went to St. George a couple of weeks ago my friend Sue Gubler had the game).

FHE last night!

Geoff Diving into the pool!

Rylie Geoff and Scott.

That is the most wet Jason got. (thanks to Rylie)

Jessie and Carlie.

We couldn't wait any longer. It got warm this week-end and yesterday it was in the upper 70's. We heated the pool and went swimming for FHE. Scott was the first to jump in then Rylie. The two of them swim the most last year. It is suppose to snow today so we want to get in while the weather was good. So far no snow today but it is a little cold. I look forward to Hot weather and a lot of swimming this summer.

American Idol Fan

Yes I am a American Idol fan! A big David Archuleta and Brooke White fan! My friend Lynette game me this T- shirt for my birthday. This is a picture of Hailey, Me and Lynette sporting our David Archuleta fan club T-shirts. Don't forget to watch tonight and VOTE!

Scott and I both turn 50 this month!

Scott and I turn 50 this month (me on the 6th and Scott the 21st) I couldn't be more thrilled. As Scott puts it, 50 is the new 30. So today while Jason and Jessie were over for Sunday dinner, Jessie grab a few pictures of us. Don't we look fantastic? (Well I don’t really know about that but, it is what it is and you might as well make the best of it.)

General Conference Week end.

This our family watching Conference at our house. Some are sleeping some are not. I love General Conference!!!!

HappyBirthday Carlie!

Sorry about blogging her birthday late, but life has been busy! Carlie had a huge party with her Liahona friends. We had cake and everyone told Carlie what they loved about her. It was fun for everyone, but embarrassing for Carlie. The boys were very cute. Some said they like her smile, some said that when they come to Liahona that Carlie was the first to talk to them and make them feel more welcomed. (Why to go Carlie make me proud) others said that they like to be with Carlie because she is a good girl and will alway do what is right. That she listens to the Spirit. This is a fun thing that we started this year in our family to help the birthday person feel special. Carlie you are special!!!

Prom at Liahona

After the Prom Carlie had a few friends come over.

Carlie and Maddie getting ready

At Liahona they have a Prom for 14 and older. If you are 16 you may go with a date.
They do this so the dance will have more people. In the picture you have Taylor, Mckezie, Maddie, Carlie and Caitlin. All friends from Liahona except Maddie. Carlie and her have been friends for years and take dance together. The girls had a great time and looked beautiful!

Stadium of Fire

This year the Provo Freedom festival Stadium of Fire will have chart-topping teen sensation Miley Cyrus. Yes the Elders are all going! We are so excited! Jessie is just as excited as Rylie is. Rylie is a very big fan. This should be a lot of fun.

A new smile for Carlie

Before

After!

Sweet Poison- The Hidden Dangers of Sugar Addiction

Why is it that every where we take our kids they get sugar. This is what the Orthodontist gave Carlie today when she got her braces off. Scott is a sugar addict and wants to get off of sugar. We are not serving any sugar at our house for a while. Here is info from an article that Scott read:

What is the most common addiction in our society today? Well you may be surprised to learn that it is sugar addiction. That's right, those pretty white crystals sitting on most people's kitchen table. The average American consumes 32 teaspoons of sugar a day. Not only is it addictive, but this very common everyday product that is falsely believed to be harmless is responsible for many health problems we find we find in our society.

The list of health problems associated with sugar is enormous and too large to go into completely in one article, but some of the most common symptoms created are: depression, mood swings, irritability, depletion of mineral levels, hyperactivity, anxiety, panic attacks, type ll diabetes, etc, etc, etc.

By understanding the way that sugar affect the body, we can make smarter decisions about the foods we eat and avoid getting caught in the sugar spin cycle. Side effects from reducing sugar include weight loss, better mood, more energy, better skin, hair, and nails, and a healthier, happier you!

I am trying to support Scott in this. We all could do better. I do have a little sweet tooth but I love real food more. Give me roasted asparagus now thats a treat!

Happy 15th Birthday Carlie

Carlie's 9th Grade picture.

1st grade picture

Preschool.

Happy Birthday Carlie
The big 15!

Carlie was due April 6, 1993. When the doctor told me the due date I was thrilled! That is a special day to Latter-day Saints. There are great things that have happened on the 6th of April in the Church. Carlie was born on her due date. I fasted and prayed for a baby in our home for about three and a half years. I was having a hard time getting pregnant. Carlie is a answer to pray. She is a great joy to our family. She is a very gifted girl. She can organize like no other. She is a beautiful dancer. Ballet is what she loves. She is out-going and very friendly. She does very well in school. What I love about Carlie is her desire to do and be good. I am very thankful for her and all of her goodness. She has a GREAT group of friends. We all know that you are who your friends are. Thank you Carlie for picking good friends.
Carlie I hope you have the best birthday ever because you deserve it!
I love you! Mom