fun: Pampered Chef Party

*We won't close the show until the end of January.  IF you decide to order that is when your CC will be charged.

I know what all of you who are far away are thinking, BUT this is a catalog party and you can order online and have it shipped to you!  How great is that?!  Here is a link to my super cool consultant's page.  All you have to do is enter my name and SHOP!

I wanted to share some of my favorite, affordable, can't live without, Pampered Chef products.

  

Can Strainer $5.00

It is great for all kinds of foods.  I need a second one because it is ALWAYS in my dishwasher.  I use it most on olives, tuna, and beans.  If you get only ONE item I'd recommend this one.

Mix and Chop $10.50

This is great for mashed potatoes, ground meat, making guacamole... anything really!  I just got this at my last pampered chef party and I AM IN LOVE!  How did I live so long without it?

Mini Spatula $5.50

This little spatula is just the right size for getting brownies out of the pan and cookies off the cookie sheet.   It is the ultimate dessert spatula.

Microplane $27.00

I really love this microplane.  It has a guard on it and it folds up small for my TINY kitchen.  I love that it can stand on it's own so I can grate hard cheeses like Parm.  It's also great for ginger, garlic and zesting fruits. 

Small Spreader $5.50 and Large Spreader $9.50

This is something I use anytime I need something smooth.  I uses this for frosting cakes and cup cakes and  this makes 7 layer bean dip a breeze to make (shhhhh).

Small $14.50 Medium $15.50 Large $16.50 Scoops

I have all three.  I use them all the time for cookies, muffins, chicken salad sandwiches, and pancakes.

And if you made it to the end of this post I'll tell you a secret.  Order with a friend and split the shipping!!  

fun: Big Bubbles

(Pictures Published with Permission form Mom H)

Have you made Gigantic bubbles before?

Here's what you'll need:

• Plastic cup with a hole in the bottom (We just shoved our scissors through the bottom)
• 1/4 cup good dish soup
• 1 cup water
• 2 TBS corn syrup (optional)
• pie dish

Mix a little water with dish soap and corn syrup in a pie dish. Dip you cup into the mixture and BLOW

Check out this blog for HUMONGOUS bubbles.

fun: VEGAS!!!

Ok we're playing some catch up. We had so much fun on our March vacation to Vegas. I loved being there with Mom and Dad G! I have been to Vegas before and never really enjoyed it. But now I can't wait to go back. Some secrets to this trips success?

Planning! I like to have fun, see new things, and spend time with good company, but I don't like crowds, inappropriate behavior, and making conversation with strangers. So some tips for others like me. Visit Vegas on weekdays. There is less beer on the street, more girls wearing more clothes and fewer people all around-Plus shows have more availability through half price tickets 4 tonight.

Some things we experienced to make this a fab trip (in order of fabulousness):

The Secret Garden at Mandalay Bay-$15 a person and we got to see lions tigers and dolphins. (oh MY!) So fun and so worth it!

The Blue Man Group at the Venetian (1/2 price tickets 4 tonight)-Fun and educational.

WE also had a blast on the gondola ride at the Venetian.

The M and M factory Yumm!

Free fountain shows at the Bellagio and Mandalay Bay (skip the one at Cesar's Palace-Unless your down there for the Cheese Cake Factory)
ESPN zone and New York New York-I loved our food and it is J's one must have.

Flamingo Habitat at the Flamingo-Great place to take pictures with *fake* nature

Ethel M Chocolate Factory-a little drive but I was surprised to know that it's the same founders as the company Mars (you know M and M's, sinckers, twix....). Call ahead and see when they are producing candy. We showed up around lunch time. Not much to see.

and much much more. Vegas.com was invaluable in planning our trip! Love it!

adventure: Timp Caves

We hiked to Timp Caves on Monday. It ... was... a blast. Wait let me catch my breath. It was harder then I remembered it being 7 years ago and 70 lbs lighter. Here are some pictures from our hike.

The caves are AWESOME and have lots of cool formations.

These were my faves. Can you see how they look like coral? The defy gravity to go every which way and I think that's cool!

Here's some tips if you want to go yourselves.

1. Go early
2. Don't being young children
3. Go early
4. Bring lots of water
5. Go early
6. Bring a light coat or sweat shirt, it's cool and damp inside the caves
7. Go early
8. Allow lots of time for the hike. We kinda scoffed at the 1.5 hours they give you to get up there. We used it.
9. Bring your camera
10. Bring a flashlight. there are lights in the cave and your guide will have a flash light. Having your own gives you a chance to explore nicks and crannies. It's way more fun.
11. Did I say go early? Be on the first hike. It's cooler and you are going to work up a sweat. Plus it's not crowded on the trail you can take your time and enjoy it.

I hope some of you go and share your pictures. I LOVED IT again!

fun:JJ's Ceativity

JJ began designing his own blog. I'm sure he was going to wait for it to be finished and polished before he showed it to anyone, but I'm pretty proud of him for figuring out the code/html stuff.

fun: StarFall

Love Love Love this site for Pre-preschoolers. Lil G will hear the keys typing on the computer and ask for "R, R, R, R." If you have a toddler - 1st grader check it out!

fun: Discovery Gateway

Monday of Spring Break we went the the Children's Museum in SLC. It was so fun! We spent about 3 hours there but the kids could have stayed ALL day! The downstairs has a lot of imagination play: A store, a house, a farm, a construction site, a model of the water system. This is by far what both kids liked the most. We spent the most time down there. Lil G was able to play and I could keep an eye on G. It was soooo CROWDED, mainly because there were at least 3 school groups there with us. OI! By the time we made it upstairs to the Media section, so had 2 school groups. It was too crowded for G to get to do much but we did have fun making animated movies! Next time I'm bringing a MOM friend with me. Oh, and I'll go during summer when, hopefully, there won't be many school groups!

trip: Moab

Last week was SPRING BREAK! What a blast. We did so many fun things but G's FAVORITE was CAMPING! Our friends invited us to stay in camp ground with cabins and a SWIMMING pool. It was a little cold and windy and miserable (for the Adults) the first few days. Luckily, Saturday warmed up and G was so excited to swim. We will have to get a pool pass this summer.

Because this was my first time camping with kids I thought I'd opt for one of the $40 cabins. These cabins were PERFECT! They had 2 full beds and heat. G had a blast with campfire cooking. She was so excited to roast a hotdog over the camp fire. And of course she loved the SMORES' and hot chocolate! Lil G did great learning about fire. He was so careful around the fire by the time we left. He loved being "ou-side" all day!

We had a chance to visit Arches NP. We are so lucky to live here in Utah with so many beautiful things to see and so many opportunities for children. Here are some pictures of the arches we saw. We all can't wait to go back and visit again!

While hiking in Arches we saw these cool Ute Indian drawings!

G was so excited to tell all she knew about rocks. I regret not preparing to do some teaching while there. You learn so much more when learning corresponds with seeing or doing. Oh well, next time!

fun: HAPPY BIRTHDAY J!!!

J turned 31 today. Happy B-Day Honey.
Here's his special Birthday Easter cake. The frosting between the layers is every pastel imaginable. I was lucky enough to have leftover frosting from cookies last week!

He spent his Birthday with the 4 Runner. Here's the story:

Thursday I get up and get the kids ready. It's the last day of tutoring so I wanted to leave the house early and go get the girl I tutor a book. It 's raining/snowing and I step in this HUGE puddle that gathers on our walk way. Great. I get in the car turn the key and NOTHING happens. Again. Nothing happens. Great. I call J and tell him we've got a broken car. He comes home from work and gives me a jump and thankfully that works. I get to Wally world in a HUGE hurry now because I have 20 minutes to pick a book, drop Little G off and get to the school. Out of the car I go and SPLASH right into another puddle! What is my DEAL! I finally decided on getting a FANCY NANCY book. This ones a cute book about girls exploring. It's got some words that my pupil won't be able to read on her own but I decide to get it anyway. Thankfully the car starts and off we go.

The next day I get in the car to pick up G. I'm running a little late because I didn't want to wake Little G. I turn the key and NOTHING. Great. I call J and he comes and gives me a jump. We go get G 10 MINUTES late and she's standing on the sidewalk all by herself with RED eyes. Great.

We decided something was wrong with the 4 Runner. We call our mechanic for a diagnosis-hoping for a battery and not an alternator. This morning he's able to come and whooooo, it's the battery. A new battery and we're as good as new right? Yeah that's what I thought.

I've procrastinated planning Easter Dinner so I knew I needed to go to the grocery store for a few more things. I hope in the car with Little G and off we go. SLOWLY. I had to gun it to get out of the driveway. Great. We call back out mechanic and he comes over, drives it, and pronounces a diagnosis. A new fuel filter. What are the odds that both of these things go wrong on the same day?

I feel so lucky to have such great friends in S and A. They are always willing to help us out. Thanks S for spending your day fixing our 4 Runner!

fun: Easter Eggs!

Today we spent some time with an elderly woman in our ward decorating Easter Eggs! It was so fun to see the many creations G came up with. i don't think many eggs will make it all the way to Easter. Little G and G have been chomping on them all day!

fun: General Conference

I knew G would have a hard time finding LDS General Conference fun and exciting. Trying to find something she could do AND listen to conference led me to the Internet. I was hoping to do a bingo game but I hadn't thought of one as cool as this. This game coupled with some Easter candy and we are in business! She has to listen closely to the speakers and hear the exact words. We've been using double sided tape to stick the pieces to the boards. That way little G's fingers don't mess G up. Every time she gets a bingo she gets a piece of candy. If she gets a blackout on the same board then she gets 4 pieces. (I know it's a lot of candy but she's listening and having fun.) Take a look at the cool boards!

fun: Bolt and Monsters vs Aliens

This weekend was a MOVIE weekend. G was sick and home from school on Friday so we made it a movie day. My favorite was BOLT. So cute and filled with music from the past. Loved it. G didn't know any of the songs and I think that's what I liked best!

Saturday we had friends invite us to see Monsters Vs. Aliens. Cute Cute. I love that the show empowers the female character. She finds that she can do INCREDIBLE things just being her. It was fun to see the show in 3D. G asked how they make 3D movies. J knew how they made them in the past with traditional animation. Any idea how they do it with computer animation?

fun: Our First Saturday!

Today we went to the park to fly our kites. It was so much fun (even though I made them wrong)! We ended up meeting back in our cul-de-sac and flew store bought kites with our friends.

After a long week I wanted to go out to dinner and J agreed to take us all out. We started talking about places to go and the conversation turned to who had the best play structure. What! Since when did where I eat coincide with the quality of play structure? Wait! Since when did I eat DINNER at a place that has a play structure? The kids loved it though. We unexpectedly met friends from the ward there. They shared with us an idea for next time. In their family the kids get to pick every other time they go out. Brilliant! So I don't always have to eat at a funhouse. I think I'll be using that trick next time!

trip: Idaho

We had a great time in Idaho visiting family this weekend! It was so much fun to spend time with Krystal and Hazel! We're so glad they were able to make it out from NY. J's cousin Nick got married in Idaho Falls on the 7th. Cachet was a beautiful bride. We feel so blessed to be able to make it up there and spend so much time with J's extended family!

I got mysteriously ill while there and had a miserable drive home. Luckily it passed fast. My stomach is still weak from throwing up but other than that and an occasional headache I'm as good as new!

fun: Modern Traditional

I've had a hard time defining my design style. I used to be traditional. Now I'm more contemporary. The problem is there are still some traditional pieces that I LOVE. The internal conflict has been how do I combine these two design styles?

Woodson and Rummerfield are in LA and I definitely like some things that they've done. I love how they mixed traditional with modern for this homeowner.


Dark chocolate is not a traditional wall color. I love how they paired that with the updated antique headboard. The mirrored side table and lamps I LOVE and I think this room is super cute!
I love the classic lines of the chair and table contrasting with the retro mirror.



The chairs table and stair railing are more modern but the chandelier and nick knacks are traditional. I love how warm this combination makes the room feel.


I also love this chair by Philippe Starck. It's a Louise the XVI chair that has been done in Lucite-a clear acrylic. It's no wonder this chair has been advertised as the Ghost chair!




Here's a peak at what inspires me. What inspires you?

fun: The 9th Ward

Our friend Megan introduced us to this blog and I find it HILARIOUS! I especially like this one.

fun: BYU Game

Last night we were at the BYU Utah game. It was a blast to go out with our friend Jake and it was even better b/c we won this one!

We were in the nose bleed seats-I mean it we were in the last row- and we were in the old people section. At BYU that translates into anything not near the student section. These fans watch the game as if they were at home- lifelessly. =(

It was a white out and the students did a great job wearing the "white" ;) color. LOL. This shot was taken 1 hour before game time and the student section was packed and all in white! Go BYU!

trips: Weekend Get-a-way!

I love Midway! We got away for the weekend and stayed at the Homestead. The place was great! (the food was awful.)

Here's a recap of my Birthday weekend!

E trying to X country ski. Notice I'm on my butt!

J and E at the awesome dueling ice carving competition at Soldier Hollow.

So we left our camera at home and this is the best we could do with the cameras on our phones. This is an eagle standing on one wing.

This is a giraffe it even had spots! course you can't see that with the camera phone. =)

They must have known we were celebrating my birthday because they also gave a fireworks show! We were so lucky to go during Winterfest. I think it will be a great family tradition to go up every February and celebrate winter with the great town of Midway!


We ate at this little "whole in the wall" in Heber called the Hub. I love those little places that feel like they've been around 4ever! Not something you'd find easily in Utah County!

Aida Twilight and Girls Night Out

I'm not cool enough to remember my camera when I go out on nights like this. I had an amazing night starting with HCTO production of Aida. It was so well done especially considering space! I can't wait to have season tickets to the Hale!

On a Twilighter 1-10 scale of obsession I am firmly at a 5. I've read the books a couple of times- even stood in a midnight line to get the last book. But I don't wear T-shirts or dream of the main players. That being said, I was so excited to go out with the girls and see the midnight showing last night after Aida. I really think the movie stayed true to the book. But if I hadn't read the books I don't think I would have enjoyed it. In my mind it's not a stand alone movie. There wasn't enough dialog to support the romance for me. My opinion is not popular though. I'd love to know what you thought of the movie. Come on we all know you'll see it.

I am also a big fan of Aplebee's after 9. Whooo Hooo for half off aptz and virgin daiquiris!

Happy Halloween!

So we're the LAME house that turned their light out at 8:30 because we ran out of treats! 50 packages of play dough gone by 8:30! LOL Hopefully you and yours had a great Halloween!