We Did It!

This is how the girls bathroom has looked for 10 years...they are now 11 1/2 and 13 1/3. A litle too old for ducks, perhaps?

So, we found a shower curtain, towels, and bathmats, then we were suddenly at Ace Hardware looking at paint samples, planning on taking home a few chips to see what we liked best. But, somehow I found myself with a gallon of paint in my hand, walking to the van (I didn't steal it!)

When we got home, I quickly made dinner and went up to clean the walls so the bathroom would be ready to paint in the morning. But again, something possessed me and I found myself on the ladder, starting to paint the walls at 8pm.

As Ryan and Becca tried to help I realized I'm not one of those easy going parents that says, "it's okay if you get paint on the carpet. In fact, let's have a paint war!!" No, I am one of those parents who says, "AGGGHHHH! You are done," when paint gets on the white carpet. I have to say I redeemed myself and let them come in and help again once I decided I'd be able to clean the floor.

We finished the first room and I sent the kids to bed while I cleaned up because it was so late. I spent the next day painting the room with the shower and toilet...frantically trying to get the walls done so we could put up the pictures and things after school and before Dave came home from his business trip. My friend came over with an awesome little roller that fits behind the toilet and saved me a lot of time since I didn't have to take it out to paint behind it. Thanks, Leslie! This little remodel wasn't exactly okayed ahead of time so it had to be perfectly done nad cleaned up before Dave got back. Like I said, I became a little possessed!

We'd been collecting "beachy" things for the past several years on vacations and had everything we needed for the walls.

I think it turned out pretty well and the girls are very happy with it. I did get the carpet cleaned and Dave seemed to like the new room well enough. Now maybe he'll let us do their bedrooms before they move out!

Costco, Anyone?

Does this ever happen to you?

Here is my cart at Costco on Friday...

...and here is the cart next to mine...

Roasted Beets!

This is for Robin and Eleanor...who made me suddenly love beets!

Roasted Beets

3 large beets
1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 tsp thyme leaves
1/2 tsp fine sea salt
1 Tbsp raspberry vinegar
juice of half an orange

Preheat oven to 400F. Peel beets, like you'd peel a potato, and cut into halves, then quarters. Put cut up beets on rimmed baking sheet, then toss with olive oil, thyme, and salt. Roast for about 40 minutes, or until tender but not too soft. Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with raspberry vinegar and orange juice. Serve warm or chill to use in a salad. (adapted from Barefoot in Paris)

Mother's Day 2010

This year I slept in. I mean really slept in. I groggily heard Ryan bring me cereal around 8:30 but before he could really wake me I heard Dave tell him to let me sleep. So about an hour later I heard Ryan again and realized he'd been sitting there waiting for me to wake up! I had a few bites of soggy Special K, then Ryan gave me a little back rub and I went back to sleep. He proceeded to make Muddy Buddies on his own but read the directions just a little wrong and microwaved the chocolate and butter for 15 minutes instead of 30 seconds...the bowl was just slightly melted. Not one to be discouraged, he made up a recipe he calls smushy smush. It is really quite tasty. You put a rolo candy on each corner of half a graham cracker and top with the other half. Pop it in the microwave for 30 seconds and enjoy! I ate most of them myself...sorry guys.

So, I finally hopped in the shower at 11am. What a treat to sleep in and not have to hurry.

Dave spoke in church and did a great job celebrating mothers with and without children. This is a hard day for women without children and he used several quotes from general authorities that were very comforting. Then, he shared our amazing Mexico story of divine intervention, how Heavenly Father is aware of each of us and our needs, and how we must have really been meant to be together. Several people commented to me afterward that if they hadn't heard it themselves, from the bishop, over the pulpit, they never would have believed the story.

Then our Relief Society President had arranged a program about Mother Eve and had made lots of yummy refreshments. It was a beautiful meeting.

Every Mother's Day Dave makes his specialty that he learned on his mission in Italy...Pasta alla Carbonara. Yum! As this is the only day he cooks out of the entire year, I really enjoy it.

Me and the reasons we celebrate mother's day! All of the kids made cards for me and were so thoughtful. Alaina spent her hard earned babysitting money and surprised me with a beautiful soap and dish. Becca gave me her honor roll sticker and a great lotion and Andy made a maze for me and he made butterscotch candies. Ryan gave me the smushy smush treats and the breakfast in bed and when I asked the kids to say something beautiful about today when we were eating dinner outside, he said, "You." Awww.

I am thankful for my family!

Leslie's Baby Shower

When we moved to California from New Jersey I put the kids in gymnastics classes at Encore. Their favorite teacher was Leslie Haws. Now, 10 years later, she is my neighbor and great friend! I had a shower for her fifth baby on Saturday and loved meeting her other friends and family. This is going to be a lucky little boy!

As promised, here is one of the recipes from the shower...but of course, no picture...

Strawberry Spinach Salad

Salad:

2 large bunches baby spinach

3 kiwi, peeled and cut up

2 cups strawberries, sliced

1 can mandarin oranges, chilled

1 1/2 cups almonds, caramelized in 3/4 cup sugar

Dressing:

2/3 cup seasoned rice vinegar

2 Tbsp sugar

1 tsp dry mustard

1 tsp salt

1 clove minced garlic

1/3 cup vegetable oil

Blend all dressing ingredients with an imersion blender just until emulsified.

Toss all ingredients, then add dressing just before serving. You can put the caramelized almonds in a dish to the side of the salad in case you have anyone with nut allergies.

Angela is gone...

My dear friend Angela moved yesterday. On Monday we took her out to Chow in Lafayette for a going away dinner but she wouldn't let us say goodbye. We just talked all night until they kicked us out and kind of avoided the whole reason we were there, with all of us saying we should get together more often and not only when someone is moving away.

I went over to her house everyday last week and helped her pack and clean, still never saying goodbye. We decided it's more like a 'see ya later' kind of leaving.

Angela has been such a sweet addition to our Ward and such a great inspiration. I am so sad to see her go, but I know they'll be happy closer to family. And, we just happen to have a trip planned to where she is moving so I'll get to see her in June!

Leah's Shower for Baby Chloe

Leah is having her first baby! Her friend came from Utah and we had a shower for baby Chloe at my house, with Sarah's help. We used Robynn's diaper cake as a decoration. It was much cuter than the ones I make and it was full of hairclips for the baby.

Lots of family and friends came and it was fun to meet everyone. Leah has to be the most adorable pregnant person out there. And she still makes housecalls for haircuts!