Wednesday, July 29, 2009

My husband's Buddy

Wade got asked to speak in Santa Fe, teaching managers how to coach using their "Strength's". Since I am his "Buddy" with Southwest airlines, I fly free! It was so fun to be able to go with him on his business trip.
I fell in love with this colorful, charming, quaint town. We stayed at the historical La Fonda inn at the end of the Santa Fe trail. It was like a time warp. This hotel was first founded in 1610. I felt like I was in an old western movie. Some of my favorite actors (Jimmy Stewart)used to stay here. Wade and I thoroughly enjoyed exploring are surroundings. We shopped, ate, went to a concert in the park across the street and took all the charm and authenticity of Santa Fe in.

This is one of my favorite pictures that Wade took. It was the view out our window of the old Catholic Church. It looks like a painting! I loved the old bell tower that sounded every hour.If you are ever in Albuquerque the Sandia Peaks are a must see. They have the longest Tram in the world. It is 11,000 square mile panoramic view and 10,000 feet above sea level. It is breathtaking to look out at this lush but rugged landscape. Wade and I ate at the restaurant at the top. It had the most amazing view of the whole city.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

"Life is a Highway!"

Laurisa's Light group starts out their performances talking about how life is a highway with bumps, wrong turns, exhilaration and reaching our destination. That is one of my favorite songs they sing. Well this weekend we were tested on the highway of life. I could wrap up my weekend into a good talk on the meaning of life with it's trials and hardships and what the eternal plan of happiness is all about. It was one of those shear learning experiences that required a lot of faith and miracles occurred. It was an incredible experience that taught me amazing lessons in faith and realizing that if we listen to the Spirit we will be watched over and blessed.
Laurisa called me on the way home from my friends cabin and asked if she could drive the van to California. I would have said yes, except I had a horrible feeling come over me, so I called the director to find out what the situation was and he asked if I would drive some of the group in my van. I agreed with a moment's notice, we left the next morning at 6 a.m. Down the highway about 4 hours going 78 miles an hour with 6 young adults in the van we had a tire blowout. Yes our tire was in shreds. It was definitely a trial but we were all safe. About 2 hours later the boys changed the tire and had a new one put on and we were on our way to Six Flags. I am so glad that I listened to my feeling because I don't know if Laurisa would have had the experience as a driver to get over 4 lanes with cars passing going 85 miles an hour with a blown out tire.

We had such a wonderful time at Six Flags and the beach! It was a lot of driving in crazy L.A. traffic though. The whole time I kept saying to myself that I was so glad that I was driving and not my daughter. The traffic was insane and caused us to take 4 hours to get to a beach that was 60 miles away. I drove 22 hours in a 48 hours period. It was worth every minute of stressful traffic just to be in the midst of these amazing individuals. I love each one of these Young Adults. They are truly inspiring and have amazing faith. I also have never laughed so hard! This group knows how to have fun and they always make you feel better about yourself being around them.
We had a true miracle happen on the way home. We left L.A. before the rest of the group so we could get home around midnight. We had a quick stop in Indio California and as we left I noticed the gas gage was on empty. So we looked at the GPS and it said there was a gas station 20 miles away. I knew we were good because my car can go about 25 miles when the gas light goes on. So we were so relieved to take the gas exit when we no sooner noticed there was not a working gas station. It was all boarded up. Cars were circling looking for gas. We got back on the freeway heading toward Blythe and looked on the GPS to see where the nearest gas station was and it said 60 miles. At this point I didn't know what to do. I knew there was no possible way the van could go 80 miles with out gas. So I asked everyone including calling Wade what we should do. It was unanimous, they all said we have to have faith and we'll make it. They all said a prayer and the most peaceful feeling came over me. I knew at that point we would make it. It truly was a miracle when we rolled into the gas station in Blythe 80 miles after the gas light came on. I know it was the faith of these amazing Young Adults. I have never felt so blessed and so protected.
The gas station worker said more people run out of gas on that freeway between Indio and Blythe. We truly witnessed a miracle, thanks to prayers and amazing faith.

Happy Pioneer Day!

I always love celebrating this day! I feel so so grateful for the sacrifice that our ancestors gave in our behalf. I always think of them when I realize how many modern day conveniences we have compared to crossing the plains in a covered wagon or pulling a hand cart. I have such love and adviration for the courage and faith the early saints had. They are an inspiration to me on a daily basis. I hope that I can be as strong as they were in my faith, devotion, and physical strengh.Wade oversees all Stake sports and activities, so we as a family helped him set-up, serve pancakes, and take down for the Stake Pioneer Day. This year it was a huge success with over 200 people in attendance. It was fun to break out the costumes from our "City of Joseph" pageant days. Wade was the M.C. and our Stake President taught us line dancing. It made for a fun celebration! We will always be grateful for our pioneer heritage.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Laurisa's "LIGHT" performance

Laurisa's friends came up to Payson to see Laurisa's show. They stopped by the cabin for some games and we all had a yummy dinner...thanks to Jake. Laurisa always has a fan club wherever she goes. Mitch had to work so he wasn't able to come with us. Jake brought his friend Zach which happens to be Laurisa's best friend Allie's brother. It was so much fun to have them at the cabin with us!
We Love Light!!! Thanks for entertaining us!!!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Fun Weekend Get-A-Way

Laurisa's Light performance group has been performing around the valley this summer, so being her groupies we followed her up to Payson and decided to stay at Paul and Nana's cabin in the mountains! It was such a nice reprieve from the valley's heat and so entertaining! We all love their show. The summer group is called Ambassador's of Light and they are all collage age kids with AMAZING talent. We just can't get enough of watching these talented youth perform. On Sunday they put on a fireside called, "An Evening of Inspiration" Laurisa spoke on overcoming adversity. It was truly inspirational and the spirit was felt so strong.I love Box Canyon! This place is breathtakingly beautiful! Everywhere you look is picture worthy. Laurisa has been here on a group date, so she made me promise that I would cliff jump, so here is the pictures to prove it. I felt like a kid again!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Where has this game been all my life!

I know this game has been around for years but I've never played it. My friend Kelly introduced it to me at her cabin last week and as soon as I introduced it to my family they were hooked! Now every night we can't wait for the dishes to be done so we can play a few rounds of SKIP-BO! Tonight Joslyn called and felt left out so we put the web cam on the table, so Joslyn could be apart of our game night! I just love modern technology! Beware of SKIP-BO you might also get hooked!

Laurisa's favorite meal

Anyone that knows Laurisa, knows her very favorite meal is a bean and cheese burrito. I have never known her to order anything different than this at a Mexican Restaurant, so tonight when she decided what to make for dinner it was an easy choice for her. She is quite the cook, she went way over and above on this meal. Homemade tortillas and homemade salsas. The flavors were amazing!
Not only does she cook so good but she looks so darn cute! Love the apron Laurisa!!!

Laurisa's Avocado-Corn Salsa

2 small to medium ripe avocados, finely diced
1 cup cooked fresh corn or thawed frozen corn
2 medium tomatoes, seeded, finely diced
2 to 3 tablespoons lime juice
2 to 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 to 1 tsp. minced hot green chili pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt

Monday, July 20, 2009

Mitchell's delicious cookie recipe!!!

Mitchell has been making cookies all summer with his amazing recipe, so Laurisa decided to try it! It's hard to be around these cookies at our house without wanting to eat the whole batch!



Mitchell's Nestle' Oatmeal Scotchies

1 1/4 cups unsifted flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups Oats
1 (11 ounce) package Nestle Toll House butterscotch moresels (about 2 cups)

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
2. Combine flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a small bowl; set aside
3. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract in a lg.bowl
4. Gradually beat in flour mixture.
5. Stir in oats and morsels
6 Drop by rounded Tbsp onto an ungreased baking sheet.
7. Bake 7 to 8 min for chewy cookies, 9-10 minutes for crisp cookies
8. Cool on baking sheet for 2 min.

makes 4 batches

Kids in the Kitchen

One of my favorite things, is to have my kids in the kitchen with me. Summer provides more time for kids to learn how to cook. Jake's cooking night he made homemade Lasagna. Jake is quite the cook. He enjoyed taking a cooking class at the junior high this year and surprisingly learned quite a lot about cooking. He has even taught his mom a few things.
This Lasagna recipe he followed was the recipe on the back of the box but he substituted ground turkey instead of beef and used fresh herbs from our garden which made it extra flavorful. We took it up to the cabin and all the teenagers said it was the best Lasagna they have ever eaten. It really was amazing! Way to go Jake.
Mitch has also been cooking quite a lot and I might add that he has also been doing the grocery shopping (which is my least favorite thing) I love having teenage drivers. Mitch calls it his mission prep training. Mitch makes amazing cookies! I love having my kids in the kitchen this summer providing us with yummy meals.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Goofy Family Night

Jake's turn to decide where to go for family night so he picked goofy golf. It was just the boys since Laurisa was in Utah. I love this game! It is the goofiness that makes it great. I always have such a great time with the men in my life, they are so entertaining and always treat me like a queen! They were glad to have their brave mom there when we ran across a frog on the course. Yes, it was me they asked to catch it. I grew up as my Father's Tomboy before my brother was born, so I have to teach my son's how to touch the slimy things in life. I'm not afraid to hold a snake either ( I grew up with one as a pet).
We topped the night off with an ice cream cone. Great choice Jake!

Wade's new desk!

Mitch helping Wade put together the new desk. Wade was having a hard time figuring out the hard to understand directions when Mitch came in and knew how to solve the problem and helped his Dad put the desk together. I love Teamwork. Two brains are always better than one! Wade finally got his new executive desk! He has been wanting one for years! His cheap plywood one finally completely fell apart. I would tease him and tell him that I know he pulled out the screws one by one so that we would be forced to buy a new one. But in all seriousness it was time. He loves his new desk. It is amazing what little things make him so happy.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

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!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

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!

Sunday, July 5, 2009

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!