Brunch

I love, love, love having parties and I'd been wanting an excuse to use some of my vintage dishes so I decided on a Spring Brunch for some girls in my ward (who are also some of my best friends!) We enjoyed cinnamon rolls, banana coconut walnut muffins, breakfast quiche, yogurt parfaits, and strawberry pomegranate soup. It was the perfect weather and the perfect company. I think I will make this an annual tradition.

For the Strawberry Soup recipe, go here.

Food Storage

It was a sad, sad day last week when I decided to turn my office/craft room into our new food storage room. I think it was a good decision though. Now everything can be in one spot, it'll make rotating easier, and there's room to grow.

My new work space- it's a little tight, but I think it will do!

One of these things...

... is not like the others. Clay might need a brother.

Five

Clara's 5 today! We celebrated last night at the park with family. We had hot dogs for dinner (Clara's request) and Candice made an Ariel cake (also a request). Her present from Derek and I was a new puppy (Shadow died a few weeks ago). I don't think she realizes yet that he won't be a puppy forever, but for now she's having so much fun with him. The kids decided to name him Prince. Thanks to everyone who helped make her day so special! Happy Birthday Clara! Love you lots!

Before and After

It was time for a re-do on the girls' room. Janie was ready for a twin bed and I had to do some re-arranging to accommodate the furniture, but I'm very pleased with the result.
Before:

And After:

Girls' Chorus Valentine's Concert

This was probably my favorite concert yet! The girls are so fun to watch and they were very animated. Jeepers Creepers was by far the favorite song; for us and the girls! We performed at a nursing home, so the pictures and video are just from practice- but you get the idea.

Valentine's Week

I think I love Valentine's Day more and more every year. Maybe it's because I always enjoyed it when I was little because my mom would make it so special and now I have my own family to share this day with and it's fun for me to make them feel special and know how much they're loved. This was our Valentine's breakfast- Oatmeal pancakes, bacon, scrambled eggs, berries with pink whipped cream, and strawberry smoothies.

The girls trying on their gifts from Granny

Kelli came into town so of course we had to make a memorable Sunday dinner. We tried our hands at chocolate bowls for dessert- 25 of them. It was quite the experience. We popped lots of balloons and broke a few bowls, but overall they turned out pretty well! We filled them with chocolate cake, vanilla whipped cream, and strawberries.

Dinner at North- favorites were the mushroom and arugula pizza, chicken parmesan, short ribs, pork tenderloin, and nutella and banana crepes with roasted banana gelato; and our waiter that said Happy Valentime's Day - more than once.

Sunday morning before church

Hiking the wind caves Monday morning

And to top it all off, Derek asked me to come trim the sides of his hair yesterday morning. He usually gives himself a buzz and I come in after to trim the sides and make sure it's even. I was busy talkin' away and without even looking I grabbed the clippers and started up the side of his head. He didn't have the guard on. Whoops. Luckily my mom came and saved the day and he didn't have to go completely bald. At least his hair grows fast!

Loving Ruffles

Can you tell?

AZ Winters

Popsicles, shorts, and 75+ degree weather in February? Only in Arizona. Love it.

Artists

I registered Clara for Kindergarten last week and they sent me home with a few fun things to give her including a pack of crayons. We have crayons already, lots of them, but Clara was super excited to have her very own pack. She noticed, however, that the school didn't give paper or a coloring book for her to use her crayons on, so she asked "But Mom, what can I color with these?" to which I replied "Whatever you want!" assuming she would know I meant whatever of the coloring books in the cupboard she wanted. I went to take a shower, and when I came out, this is what I found. I couldn't get mad because I had said whatever you want, I just didn't think she'd take it so literally. Thank goodness for Magic Eraser!

Garden

Since we planted our garden months ago, it started to sprout and then went dormant. Derek thought they weren't getting enough sun. So, we kind of gave up and stopped watering it. Then a few days ago Derek told me to come with him outside, and I saw this:

A head of lettuce growing right NEXT to the garden. We thought it very odd, but enjoyed it anyway. For dinner we had burgers on the grill and topped them with the lettuce. It was yummy!

Gone Fishin'

Since nobody had school last Monday and it was a BEAUTIFUL day, Candice and I decided on a park day. We let the kids ride their bikes and we met Heather, Cami, Parker, and my dad. My dad brought his fishing gear so we let each of the kids take turns trying their hand at catching something. It took a little while, but everybody caught a fish! They were all so proud. Sad thing is, I think I tried the longest and never caught a dang thing. It was still a fun, lazy day.