Designer Make-over

I've been going to town decorating! Wade has been a Distric Manager for 10 years, and we've talked for the last 6 years that when he got his 10 year bonus we would buy a new couch! Well the time has finally come to replace our beloved couch of 10 years. The kids had a hard time parting with it but I was thrilled to get a new one. My mom has been asking us for a while when we were going to buy a new couch. She said that it was time! Thank goodness for mom's they always know when something needs to be replaced.
I told Laurisa if she sold our old couch she could have a percentage of the profits, so she sold it before our new couch came in. I got a call one night, and she said mom can we have a party at our house. I reminded her that we were couchless and she reassured me that it would be fine. So I had twenty or so kids laying all over the floor of the family room.

It was definitely a day to celebrate when our new couch came. I went to one of my favorite decor' stores and bought some decorations for our nooks to match the new colors of the couch. And then that led to decorating the dining room, etc. It has been so much fun I just can't stop. Ask Jake I'm now on to his room. He told me I didn't have to decorate his room and to save my money. But I just can't help myself!

Pizza Pinwheels

I made this for dinner the other night and it was a family favorite. It is a fun way to eat pizza!

Pinwheel Pizza

Pizza Dough (I use my homemade wheat recipe)
Pizza Sauce (Fresh)
Pepperoni slices or fresh veggies
Quattro Formaggio (Four cheese blend)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.


Roll out pizza dough to a rectangular shape, proximately 9 x 13. Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce. Layer slices of toppings of your choice, leaving a 1 inch border. Sprinkle about a handful of cheese before rolling the dough.
roll the dough in a roll. Same way as if you were making cinnamon rolls. Using a serrrated knife, slice into 2" pieces. Lay them sideways (so they look like cinnamon rolls) on a cookie sheet. Brush a little olive oil and garlic powder over the tops. Bake until golden brown , approximately 20 minutes.
Enjoy!

Happpy Fourth of July!!!

TraditionsA tradition that we have had for 20 years is our flag cake. It is a family favorite.Our traditional Fourth of July pyramid. Our small family this year---we missed the girls.
We had the Booher family over for a barbecue and swim party. They brought a favorite---Huli Huli chicken. Britt's family in Hawaii invented the famous recipe and it is so delicious that you can't stop eating it, ask Wade. Then we went over to our bishop's backyard to watch the Rocking R Ranch fireworks. He has about a hundred people every year and serves us all snow cones. It is my favorite fireworks because they let them off just 50 yards from where we are sitting so they are right over our heads. I just love the Fourth and feel so blessed to live in this wonderful land that we call America. I'm proud to be an American and feel so grateful for the many lives that have been shed in our behalf. "Freedom is not Free" there is a price. I'm also thankful for good friends to share the holiday with, we love you Boohers! We missed our girls this year who were in Utah with Family. We are very good at sharing them although they were missed!

Wade's Favorite treat

The kids always enjoy hanging out with their Dad, but Father's day was a special day to take time to devote to him. The kids made all his favorite food through out the day. One of his favorite treats is a Banana Crunch Peanutbutter Flatbread. He orders this everytime we eat at Tropical Smoothie so we learned how to duplicate it at home.

Ingredients:
Flatbread (we grilled it on a panini press)
Peanut butter spread over half of flat bread
banana's sliced
granola sprinkled
honey, drizzled

Just fold the flat bread in half and enjoy. It is super easy to make and very tasty!

Hawaii BIG ISLAND

We were invited by our friends to go to Hawaii. When they shared with us the deal they were getting it was hard to pass up the invite. It was our first time to visit the Big Island. It was our favorite Island because there was so much to do. Everyday was a "new adventure". We loved seeing the active volcano splash red lava into the ocean, scuba diving at night with the giant 12 feet manta rays, hiking to waterfalls and beautiful hidden black sand beaches. The Big Island has so much to offer. It is the only Island that you can snow ski and surf in the same day. It has an active volcano that is erupting continually which is making the island increase in size by the minute. It's landscape is black volcano rock on the Kona side and lush tropical landscape on the Hilo side. We enjoyed going to the Kona temple. The setting was so beautiful and I loved the grounds they had fan palms and orchids growing.I was so proud of myself doing my first night dive. I was afraid the giant rays would bump into me and knock off my mask at the bottom of the ocean. I couldn't believe how much I truly enjoyed swimming with these gentle creatures. They did swim within an inch of my mask and only bumped me once, which was a little freaky, but it was truly one the of most thrilling experiences. Wade and I just layed on the bottom of the ocean and watched 8 giant Mantas fly through the water. They are beautiful creatures.We enjoyed hiking on the volcano and through the lava tubes!Our Hotel was like a city within itself. You had to take a monorail or boat to each part of the hotel. They had a dolphin exhibit and amazing pools, slides and places to snorkel! It was the best snorkeling in all Hawaii. Wade and I are always ready to come home after a week, but not this time. We were so sad to leave. I think I've been homesick for Hawaii ever since I've been home. I think I am a converted "Island girl"!

Laurisa's Senior Trip

One of my favorite places to go is Washington D.C. I think I have a love affair going! I love the history, architecture, feeling and even the smell. Visiting D.C. is actually a spiritual experience for me to know that is where it all began with our founding father's. It makes me appreciate the freedom we enjoy and so proud to be an American! I visit there frequently when Wade goes there for business. Each year I take one child to tour with while Wade is tied up with business and this year it was Laurisa's turn.
Since she graduated we made it her Senior trip and she brought her goodfriend Alexis Flake. The trip started in Baltimore so we could see Wade's brother Justin. He is there for Dental school. Wade paid Laurisa to sing her favorite song from Hairspray, "I Love You Baltimore!", right when she got off the plane. Justin toured us around Baltimore and took us to his favorite Afganistan restaurant with his girl friend Beth. It was so much fun to meet Beth and spend time with the two of them. We ended the night with amazing Gelato Italian ice cream.We spent three days in D.C. sightseeing all the monuments, memorials, and museums. Alexis's Dad is a U.S. Congressman, so she got us on some special private tours. It was fun to spend time on the floor of the House and to hear all her political stories. One of our favorite restaurants was the Corner Bakery. Alexis got us hooked on Panini's. When we came home she surprised us with a Panini maker. What a wonderful trip and fun memory we will cherish.

May Highlights

Okay Okay so I got a little behind on blogging, my friends and family keep reminding me that I haven't blogged in a while...like I didn't realize that myself. Sometimes life just gets in the way. May was one of the craziest months ever with such big events happening in our lives! Mitch received his Eagle, Jake got promoted from Jr. High, Laurisa graduated from High School, and got her schedule all ready for ASU next fall, Mitch got his driver's license, Mitch went to EFY, Jake went to Lake Powell, trying to soak up that last few weeks of mother daughter time with Joslyn before she moved to Utah, and Wade and I took Laurisa on a Senior trip to D.C. with her friend Alexis. So now you see why I got a little behind. I was also busy making Laurisa a graduation quilt with all her t-shirts from growing up, besides jewelery orders. So did I give you enough excuses.
As much as I love blogging, for therapy sake I've decided that it has become one more thing to fall behind with. A favorite saying comes to mind, "the hurrieder I go the behinder I get!" I really do need to slow down but life isn't affording me that luxury at the moment with three teenagers at home. Although Wade and I did experience an empty house for two days at the end of May when all the children were out of town. I have to say it was bliss and gave me a glimpse of what are life will be like in less than 5 years! Wahoo!

Jake's promotion from Jr. High School. This means our baby will be in High school next year. Wow times flies when you are having fun. I didn't think it was possible to be any more social than his older siblings, but I think Jake has them beat in this department. Jake spent the day and night celebrating with friends at several parties. Jake is really looking forward to going to High school with his brother Mitch next year.
The night Laurisa graduated from Highland High was an unusual one for Arizona since it rained during the graduation ceremony. Arizona schools always have their graduation ceremony's outside on the football field since the weather is always so beautiful in May. The last two years has proven to be opposite of good weather and it has rained. It made for an exciting fun memory which I think Laurisa attracted since she loves the rain. Anyone that knows Laurisa knows how much she loves the rain, for many reasons (none of which I should disclose on a blog) Laurisa got to speak at baccalaureate and graduation. She didn't skip a beat as the rain kept falling. Her speech was so inspiring and motivating. She takes after her Dad with her speaking abilities. After, we all came to the house to celebrate. It was quite a celebration! Thank you family and friends that have sent her cards and money. She has felt showered with love!
Mitch gets his driver's license. Without hurting any one's feelings I have to say he is the best driver ever. He is very competent and safe on the road and what a blessing to have him run errands and drive him self to his new job at Tilly's this summer. Way to go Mitch!