Trafalga at night

We made our first trip to the Orem Trafalga.  It was a weeknight evening, and it was not very crowded.  The boys wanted to play mini-golf outside, but the girls gave up after 2 holes.  Our feminine side didn't see the adventure in the added snow traps and puddles.  I took the girls inside and we play the glow in the dark course.  We ended the evening with the 4D theater.  It was great!  We'll be back often for more trafalga fun.

BYU game night at Uncle Don's

We love to spend time with Uncle Don and Aunt Melonie.....especially when it involves a BYU game!  Last night was no exception.  We had a decent spread of the 4 food groups.......salty, sweet, crunchy and carbonated! 

Dave mentioned to me while we were at Costco yesterday afternoon that we were supposed to bring smokies and crescent dough.  Well, Costco didn't have either.  So we decided on taquitos and a vege tray.  I made a quick salsa with corn and black beans, guacamole, add a bag of chips and "VOILA" we had food.  Melonie provided smokies, wings and brownies.

It's a good thing we had good company and good food because BYU lost the game and we are done!  It was too intense at the end in overtime.....so I gave up and cheated with my phone and googled the score. 

I'm always amazed at the media BYU receives and lasts nights game was no exception.  The commentators frequently bring up the honor code situation and multiple other unique things about BYU.  It good to see people taking note of our values and providing some positive press about them. 

SISTERS

I found out a little over a week ago that Megan was going to make a trip with the boys.  I can't describe how excited I am to see her and spend some time with her.  When I heard about her trip initially from mom, I thought she was coming last weekend and I was scheduled to work.  I was soooo bummed.  But then, like a miracle, she had the dates wrong for spring break.  I was delighted that I would be able to spend more time with her while she was here.

I was able to chat with her on the phone yesterday while she drove to Boise, and then spoke with her again this morning as she hit the road.  I would love to blog more today, but I've got to go and get my chores done so I can spend every moment I have with her while she is here.

When I told the girls this morning that she was on her way, there was a triple "SQUEEL"!  (That's not really a pretty sound BTW)  They are as excited as I am. 

Can't wait to see you SIS!

CJ's Birthday ...... more fun!

MORE PRESENTS FOR CJ

CJ's birthday just keeps going.......at Dave's party Grandma had a few more gifts for him.  He loves his new shoes and has worn them everyday since!  The jeans and shorts are perfect for his wardrobe (I think I appreciate them more than he does.) Thanks Grandma & Grandpa.  You're the best!

David's Birthday

Yesterday was Dave's 42nd birthday.  Dave figured out that sometime this year (maybe by our anniversary) that we will have been married for half of his life!

We celebrated by working hard all morning, running errands and doing yard work.  Then in the afternoon Cliff and Elizabeth came down and helped us put in a new toilet in the hall bath!  (OK, Liz and I didn't REALLY help put in the toilet.)

 Jerry has always LOVED boxes.  Today was no exception.  The good news is a toilet box is very sturdy and just the perfect size for a college student.

Dave's birthday present from the kids and I was a new BBQ.  It's a 45 burger grill.  I think that's like saying I'm a 10 cow woman.   It has four regular burners with a 5th burner that is a searing burner.  It also has a side burner for pots (corn on the cob here we come!) At the last minute we decided to have the family over for a little BBQ and made shish-kabobs.   Liz and Cliff gave Dave the coolest skewers for his birthday gift.  They are for serious BBQ chefs!

While the "BOYS" were grilling and having some male bonding time, I decided to snap a few pictures.  They are all getting a little self conscious in their old age, and so they wanted a new picture taken while they all "sucked" in their guts.  I was worried they might pass out.

David's favorite cake is the German chocolate with coconut frosting - NO nuts!  So that's what he gets every year.  This year, we were doing yard work and got started on the cake late.  Aunt Liz did the baking and she did a great job.  We were running out of time and I stacked the cake a little too early.  But, I don't think anyone minded that it was a little crooked and tipping.

The candles were difficult to make fit.  He may need to find a new favorite as he gets older - one that will hold more candles.   I found these cool tall candles at the store and was so excited to use them.  When Matt and I went to light them, one of the lighters wouldn't work.  I ended up using a candle instead.  Before we finishing lighting them, they were melting because of the heat!  It was awesome!

The cake and ice cream were devoured in our normal style.  My moment of sadness only lasted a few minutes when I realized there wasn't even a small piece left for my breakfast.  I'd rather share the calories with everybody else.....really!

Happy Birthday Sweetheart - I love you!

CJ's 16th Birthday

We celebrated CJ's 16th birthday this past week.  It was pretty much a "week long" celebration!  We started on Tuesday night by going to trafalga lehi as a family.  The big boys managed to get in three rounds of laser tag while the girls spent extra time on the rock wall.  They are getting pretty good!

Kiersten about half way up!

Madilynn - she made it to the top for the first time tonight.

Alexis

Madi

Kiersten - checking in with the ground crew about where to go next.

Alexis - holding on for dear life as she lets go.

Madi - on the way back down.

On Wednesday night (his actual birthday) we had a crazy day.  I ended up staying at work longer than expected, we had scouts, activity days and CJ decided he really wanted to go YM's.  We had a special dinner and that was about it.  

THE CAKE
It was Wednesday night that I started working on his cake.  I sketched out several options and finally decided to make a tiered cake that resembled a stage and then put a topper on it.  I got up enough energy and courage to attempt modeling chocolate.   All together I purchased 26 lbs of chocolate.  I forgot to take a picture of CJ with the milk chocolate bar before I had him break it up for me. 

Chopping and measuring at the KEY to making it work!

One set of Eggs!

YUM!  10 lbs of the finest white chocolate!



The finished cake topper.  CJ and his Cello. 

 I finished the basics of CJ and his cello before Thursday morning.  It took me almost 7 hours to figure out how to get the body proportions correct.  The most devastating part was how good he tasted.  I've never been so calm before about my mistakes.  If the elbow didn't look right, I just ate it and started over.  Same with the legs, fingers, head etc.  I'm sure I ate over 1 lb of chocolate on Wednesday night.  No wonder I was so happy!  The smell in the kitchen from melting and sculpting chocolate was enough to make anyone gain a few pounds.

Saturday was a special day, it's the day we got ready for Sunday.  The house was cleaned and things put away.  I finished his cake in the wee hours of the morning.  The chocolate ganache was melting faster than I could decorate so the borders were "droopy".  I ended up finishing it sitting in the fridge with the door open.  (Just one more reason to have two refrigerators).   It was four layers of white cake.  Two were filled with milk chocolate ganache and two with while chocolate ganache.  I wrapped each layer in milk chocolate ribbons and topped them with a white chocolate sheet (to resemble a stage).  I made white chocolate curls and used milk chocolate ganache to fill in the edges.  This cake was a chocolate lovers dream.

Mike was able to pick up Grandma Jo and they joined us for dinner before the rest of the clan arrived.   Grandma and Grandpa Johnson were on their way back from Washington and made it just in time.  I love these pictures of dinner where Grandma Jo is checking out the Cake topper.  She was just darling!  She was in good spirits and very coherent. 

We had quite the gathering Sunday evening.  Rob Duncan from our Bishopric gave a wonderful message to CJ just before the ordination.  He is an amazing guy and we are so lucky to have him as one of our neighbors.  After the ordination he have Dave, myself and CJ the chance to share a few words and our testimony with our family. 

The cake was presented officially.  We opted not to put any candles in it!  That could have been a crime.

Later in the evening we took some pictures with Grandma Jo.  She wouldn't smile so Mom (Barb) got out the swiffer duster and a stuffed animal and started making faces and noises at her like the photographers do.  She perked right up and we got the best smiles ever!  CJ had a hard time keeping a straight face.

We spent the evening visiting with family.  The kids always have a fun time together.  I'm not sure how, but eventually the little girls always end up with the camera.  We have more pictures of Sugar (most of them of her butt or just a golden blurr) than I can count.  There was a really cute on they took in this set!  I guess if you take enough, one will turn out, right? 

 I love the silly pictures the girls take of each other when there are no adults around to tell them otherwise.