Spring is bursting forth

I cannot tell you how my heart sings when I see the first few signs of spring around my garden. Snowdrops are the first bulbs to pop forth - often amidst piles of snow. They don't last long as it warms up but I am so happy when I see them each year.
It is kind of strange that lately many of the family activities we have done revolved around Lance's Daily Herald assignments. But it has gotten us out to do somethings we wouldn't have done otherwise. Case in point was tonight's trip to our local natural history museum for "A Night at the Museum" based on the movie. I was really impressed with the great efforts made but the volunteers at the Hutchings Museum. The kids loved the huge dinosaur puppet that nearly swallowed them up once or twice, the live birds, playing with guns (sounds bad but I think they were replica guns), trying on hats, rocks (they each got a bit of pyrite), Indians serenading them on a flute, and best of all the Easter Island sculpture (or Dum Dum from the movie) that talked and spit out dum dum suckers. It was truly a fun and memorable night. I highly recommend it if you get a chance to attend next time they put it on. It's just another reason why I love living here in Lehi.


Have I mentioned how much I love these three munchkins? They have been so good to each other the last little while. It really warms my heart to see them expressing genuine affection and love for each other.

Princess Bride Book Review

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
You would think from looking at the books I have read and rated highly that this one would be right up there. Alas it is not. Ok so I love the movie and that probably didn't help matters but what is up with all the author's constant interruptions to the story - and yes I realize that it is all part of the satire. I just got to the point that I really didn't care for the author as a character in the book. I hated how he talked about his wife and child. The story itself is a classic one - how the choices we make affect our lives and the lives of those around us. I enjoyed getting the back story on the characters especially Inigo and Fezzick. I found myself liking Buttercup less than I did previously. But to the author's credit he made her more flawed and therefore more real. Humperdink came off less evil that I originally thought he was - honestly he is like so many other people who allow their own passions and desires rule everything in their lives with no thought for the welfare and happiness of others. Does any character in this book come off as having any real morals or integrity? Fezzick maybe. So am I glad that I read this book - sure! I have often wondered about it and wanted to read it. Would I read it again - probably not.


View all my reviews.

Happy Hearts and sleepy heads

Valentines came and went at our house. Lots of love (and candy) was shared by all. Lance and I went out to dinner and a movie on Friday. It was good times. The dinner was free (maybe that is why it was so delicious!) and the movie (New in Town) was funny. Lance surprised me with a combo valentines/10 year anniversary gift of a cruise to the Mexican Riviera. I have always wanted to go on a cruise so I am so excited. We decided to bring the kids along too but we are keeping it a secret from them until we get there and they see the huge boat!! I think that keeping it a secret is going to be the hardest part! Also on Friday I helped out with JJ's class valentine party. Hannah had a class party too and was thrilled to receive a valentine from her "boyfriend" Nathan. That is all she really cared about. Asher just liked all the candy that was laying around.
Saturday we exchanged valentines. JJ spent hours this week creating special valentines for each of us. They included "lift the flaps" to reveal special messages! He is so creative! Later we took the kids to see the movie Bolt and then visited my mom.
Speaking of my mom, she finished up all her chemo this last week. It has been incredibly difficult but I am amazed at how strong she is. She is a little apprehensive to start radiation as it is again something new and different but I am sure that she will make it through this too. I think the greatest trial for her so far has been the isolation. She couldn't see the kids much the last few months as one or the other of them have been sick. I think she has been really lonely although she and I talk every day. I am really grateful to those of you who have taken the time to call and visit her. I know that she really appreciates each of you so much.
I just had to share this series of funny photos of Asher. I can't ever get him to smile or even look at the camera most days so since he has taken to falling asleep in odd places lately I have been snapping a photo here and there of him. Unfortunaly his scrapbook of this time of his life will probably consist of only photos of him sleeping or running away from the camera!
In the first photo Abby is still hoping that he will wake up and keep playing with her so she waits patiently with her toy on his leg.

Latest Layouts

I have decided to try and scrapbook my most recent photos digi style while continuing to work on my older photos that are already printed the old fashioned way. Hopefully they will meet in the middle someday! I have been getting together with some friends on Wednesdays to scrapbook and I am slowly working on Asher's baby book. Here are a couple of layouts that I have done this week.

Soup and sickies

So all the kids have been sick. JJ has strep, Asher and Hannah both have coughs etc. Lance and I are chugging Airborne and Zicam in hopes that we don't get sick too. Lance and I were going to have our Valentines date yesterday but due to the kids (and the grandparents) being sick we had to abandon our plans. I was rather looking forward to it but that is just how the cookie crumbles. Because everybody has been sick I decided to make some warm and comforting soup. I thought I would share the recipe as it turned out really good!

Broccoli Cheese Soup

12 cubes chicken bullion
4 large potatoes, diced
1 onion, chopped
3 carrots, chopped
1 cup celery, chopped
1 pkg of frozen broccoli (could use fresh too)
2 qts water
Cook veggies in 2 quarts of water and bouillon until tender (about 15 minutes) in a large stock pot.
1 1/2 cups butter
1 1/2 cups flour
2 quarts (or less) water
1 16 oz jar Cheez Whiz
pepper and garlic powder to taste
In a large saucepan or dutch oven mix butter and flour, gradually add 1 1/2 to 2 quarts of water. Stir in Cheez Whiz and spices. Pour cheese whiz mixture into veggie mixture and serve.

We served this with raspberry muffins.

Our stake had a women's conference today and I really enjoyed what I was able to see of it. I missed some of the classes but I am glad I was there for thier musical presentation of the Ten Virgins. It was extremely well done. I had no idea we had so many women with amazing voices in our stake. I envy them a little but I'm kinda glad that I don't have that talent so I don't have to stand up and perform!

JJ had his parent teacher conferences yesterday - of course I was taking him to the doctor at the same time as our appointment with the teacher so Lance went and met with her. JJ is doing really well - he has improved in staying on task and his reading is doing much better. He is reading at a higher than normal level. Math continues to be an easy subject for him. I must say that I have seen an improvement in his reading since I started reading Fablehaven to him outloud. He would sit for hours on end listening to me read if I would let him. I also have to admit to a little bit of pride in the fact that he likes to have me read to him better than Lance. Don't tell Lance though!

Nice try, Sara ... unfortunately, I actually read this thing on occasion ... that, and you have given me the password ... ~L

I also wanted to mention my current pet project - I am creating a virtual classroom for digital scrapbooking. Several ladies in my ward had requested a class and I couldn't figure out how to scare up enough computers in one place to have the class so I decided to make it all online so we can all do the projects at our leisure. Check it out at http://7thwardscrappers.blogspot.com. If anybody wants to join our group just email me!

Six more weeks of winter??

Ok so no matter what the groundhog says we always get at least six more weeks of winter. It is kinda depressing though. I am so ready for spring to come. Although the weather has been somewhat dreary we have been able to still have have fun. We continued our tradition of attending the Model Train Show at Thanksgiving Point. It was even better this year. The kids did miss the Geotrax trains that they had last year but enjoyed the expanded Lego train display this year. JJ's favorite part was the tiny train display. One of the guys operating the tiny trains offered him a quarter if he could spot a dog the size of pin head. JJ didn't hesitate a second and pointed it out. I liked the train diorama inside of a suitcase. Hannah loved the "Emily" train and the R2D2 on the Lego display.
Also this past month saw JJ and Hannah both being spotlighted in thier respective classes. Hannah has a little boyfriend this year. His name is Nathan. How her day goes depends on whether Nathan was nice to her or not! Teen years here we come.

Lance was asked by his editor at the Herald to cover the Lehi Rotary Club's 12th Night Charity Ball. So of course I had to get a new dress - which wiped out any money he made on his story! The Zellers joined us and it was a really fun night. Scott got a bunch of cell phones in the silent auction and we got an older computer for my mom. There was food, ballroom dancing and big band music - it was great fun.

Here is the a book review for the book I just finished . . . enjoy!



Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
If you are a recovering shopaholic DON'T read this book! It may cause you to spontaneously spend large amounts of money on completely useless stuff. I picked this book up a few years back and didn't make it all the way through it. I got really annoyed with the main character. She is a bit of an airhead. This time around I made it through and really enjoyed most of it. I wasn't terribly happy with how it ended but maybe I will have to go pick up the next installment and see what happens. This is a great fluffy read perfect for reading on a plane, in a doctor's office, or at the DMV. No deep thought required here. If you like books that remind you of how great your life is and how on top of things you are this book would be the ticket! A cute little romance thrown in to boot!


View all my reviews.