life in general

let's go on a date: july

the date envelope

contents  $15 Blockbuster gift card, 2 Do You Know Your Husband/Wife Quiz books

cost  $27

the plan

It's a slumber party for two!  I also grabbed this idea from Love Actually.  My little note above explains it all -- get comfy & cozy in front of the tv, order in some pizza, fill out the Do You Know? quiz books, pop in a movie, enjoy some popcorn, and stay up all night talking or whatever.  

the date night

July was a busy month.  We were on vacation half the month, and Scott was out of town for the other half of the month.  So when we planned a spur of the moment weekend in the city, we decided to bring along the date envelope.  Yay for separate / adjoining hotel rooms!  But . . . I got food poisoning that night so nothing fun was going to happen.

Just goes to show that sometimes your best laid plans go awry.

We tried again a few weeks later.  I put together a fun date basket

There was so much to do -- 2 movies, quizzes, discussion, treats . . . . We ended up spreading it out over an entire weekend.  We ditched the living room floor idea (because that would mean we'd have to walk downstairs) and chose the comfort of our bedroom instead for movie watching and late-night talks.  

The quiz books . . . so. much. fun.  And I can truthfully tell you that Scott really enjoyed it too.  There are 100 questions in each book so we worked in 20 question increments.  We'd quietly jot down our answers about the other person and then go through it together one by one.  I have to say that we know each other very well!  Very few wrong answers in there. Some of the questions were totally random (like, what pocket does he put his wallet in?), some were good "what would he/she do in this situation?" questions, and others asked about their childhood, personality, and habits.  I highly recommend it as a fun activity to do together.

the scrapbook layout

no photos this month.  I cut out some of our answers from the quiz books to include on this month's layout.  (click on the photo to see it larger)

next month

drive, chip, putt

To see each of our monthly dates from 2011, click here.

let's go on a date: june

the date envelope

contents  Restaurant.com voucher to local restaurant, deck of cards, list of 2-player cards games & instructions for play (not seen)

cost  $5

the plan

As the note says, this month marks 13 years since our first date.  We dated over that summer and spent quite a bit of time outside.  I wanted this month's date to be slightly reminiscent of that.

My idea was to get some dinner at a local Hawaiian restaurant (I was able to buy a $10 voucher on Restaurant.com for just $2 -- you can find great promo codes from time to time).  And then we would stroll across the parking lot and sit at one of the picnic benches in the park on the river.  Pull out a deck of cards and enjoy a nice summer evening playing some card games.

the date night

Dinner at our local Hawaiian place was great, as usual.  But the weather was a bit overcast and nippy outside -- not the greatest conditions for sitting outside for an extended period of time.  So no card games for us.

Instead, we walked down to the docks to get a closer view of the river and boats -- the river was the highest we have ever seen it.  Then we took a nice walk up and down historic mainstreet, peeking in the shop windows, with me essentially giving Scott a tour of the town we've lived in for the last 9 years.  :)  

Then we decided to go to Burgerville for fresh strawberry milkshakes (yum!) and use their free wi-fi to play around on our ipads.  In the photo below we look pretty lame - sucking on a milkshake, zoned out on our ipads.  But really it was just perfect to get to sit together, surrounded by quiet, piddling around on our devices.  It's the little things.

Before leaving home Scott had downloaded a 2-player card game (Speed, I think?) and we had a really fun time playing that together.  Yep that's us . . .  just a couple of 30-something parents, out on a friday night, playing card games in Burgerville.

the scrapbook layout

next month

getting to know you

to see each of our monthly dates in 2011, go here

let's go on a date: may

the date envelope

Sorry, no picture.  This date falls into the category of "for our eyes only".  If you're putting together a year of dates, be sure to include one at-home date that he is sure to enjoy.  I found a creative idea on the Love Actually blog (scroll down to see a list)

Cost:  $0

the plan

Instead I'll share another date we went on in May.  It doubled as a birthday present for Scott.

the date night

I got tickets to see Riverdance!  In his college days Scott had several people tell him he looked like Michael Flatley, of the Lord of the Dance.  Since then, whenever we flip through tv channels and happen to come across Riverdance on PBS or wherever we always stop and watch for a few minutes.

Before the show Scott suggested that we go to dinner at Mexican restaurant.  This is ground-breaking people because he doesn't care all that much for Mexican food.  But apparently he had visited this restaurant with co-workers and enjoyed it, so he knew I would too.  Yay for me!

The show was great.  We loved the dancers and the Celtic soloist & instrumentalists.  There was also a dance-off between tap dancers and Celtic dancers that was pretty darn amazing.

Afterwards we had a serious hankering for a treat.  Ice cream or frozen yogurt.  We managed to find a frozen yogurt place just a few blocks away.  The kind that offers self-serve yogurt and toppings and you pay by the ounce . . . . my absolute favorite.  It was the perfect ending to a great evening out.

the scrapbook page

(forgive the photo quality -- it is an especially grey morning.)

next month

summer lovin'

to see all of our monthly dates in 2011, go here

let's go on a date: april

the date envelope

cost: $20

the plan

A pretty simple, straightforward date this month.  Dinner at a favorite Thai restaurant and a session at the Portland Temple.  We're always trying to be better about going to the temple more often so I made sure that this was included in one of our pre-planned dates for the year.  

the date night

Like I said, it was pretty straightforward.  We ate Thai food.  We went to the temple.  It was perfect!

the scrapbook page

We always joke about the stark differences in our Thai food tastes.  Scott orders it as spicy as they will make it.  And I order my pad thai with no spice whatsoever.  

next month

getting in the Celtic spirit

to see all of our monthly dates in 2011, go here

bellissima

Today Scott is jumping in as guest writer on this blog.  Because he does a great job of telling stories and he has the clearest recollection of the following story.  And it will serve double-duty as he includes it in an assignment for his negotiations class. 

******************************

After our nice dinner at Mon Ami Gabi... we started back to our car.  Since there is a mini-mall in every casino, we were walking by several stores one of which was a big perfume cologne store.  To back up a bit, with me in Las Vegas all week every week, and in school every other weekend, Shannon had a pretty fail birthday.  I had been able to ship to her one actual physical birthday present, and the rest of the boxes were filled with "I.O.U's" for things that were either still en route, or that we would go out and do/buy later.  One of these I.O.U's was for a new bottle of perfume so this was the perfect opportunity for me to pay up.

Being a perfume store, there were about 300 to choose from.  The store was attended by a twenty something metro-sexual who could have been from Spain or another similar country with enough of an accent to be cool.  He approached us as we started smelling and took Shannon's hand and said.  "My apologies for bothering you, but you are such a beautiful woman,when you are done I have to ask you something, and I want to show you something, and when I do, even though I am bothering you you are going to want to give me a hug."  We continued smelling and every once in a while he would return to have us smell something else, he would again compliment Shannon, and move on.

Apparently he finally could hold it in no longer...he came over again and the conversation went something like this:

Sales-dude: I apologize for bothering you, but I have to ask you this question right now....you are such a beautiful woman, what makeup do you wear.  

Shannon, who was at this point pretty embarrassed timidly answers "Maybelline"

Sales-dude, reaches out and lightly takes Shannon's hand, slaps her hand and says...."Shame on you...Maybelline...Shame on you"  Come with me.

He pulls her across the room and sits her in a chair and spends the next 15 minutes lecturing her on the damage that she is doing to her skin with her ghetto makeup and at the same time gets her to allow him to do her half of her face with new makeup.  Also during this time he tells her about the different famous people for whom he has done make-up.  Celine Dion and someone who I can't remember and tells her how they all use this same make-up now.

As you can imagine, at this point I am pretty thoroughly entertained, it feels kind of like the "Bellissima" sketches on Saturday Night Live, with this guy occasionally tossing back-fisted compliments to me because of how gorgeous  Shannon is, and how in the world did I end up with her? And then returning to the task at hand which was pretty aggressively working over the left side of her face.

Well, the short story is the makeup was pretty amazing, he had Shannon do the right side of her face by herself so she could see how easy it was.

With the makeup done, he now shifts into "salesman mode" and of course there are no price tags on anything...he tells us the retail price for the makeup, and then tells us the deal he is going to give us.  Of course I have ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA what makeup should cost so I try to get some input from Shannon on exactly how much this guy is going to steal from us.  It turns out that he only took us for about $10 more than what we could have bought it for online...which means that this guy was a great performer... but thankfully not a pirate... seeing Shannon as happy as she clearly was meant that my checkbook was out and this guy had all the power to fill in the amount....and apparently, while my back was turned, he also got his hug....grrrrrr...

Shannon also found perfume that was perfectly named "Be Delicious" and after seeing the Jersey Boys last night, I think she will have to agree that her birthday wasn't really "fail" at all.

************************

No fail.  This birthday was absolutely a winner!  Thanks for writing this up . . . you know that bits and pieces were a blur to me.

feeling left out

Did you know that Scott was very much into the ladies in high school?  Dated lots.  It's part of his history.  I'll get back to that point in a moment.

Near his home is the "Niagara of the West", Shoshone Falls, located on the Snake River.  But most of the time there is no water running over the falls or just very little.  The water is diverted for irrigation use and Idaho has had many drought years so there isn't much water to begin with.  In all of our many visits we have never actually gone to see Shoshone Falls.  Because there hasn't been anything to see.

But when we came for this trip we heard that the water was falling and it was spectacular.  Day 1 we hopped in the car to see for ourselves.

You be the judge.

look, a double rainbow!

So back to my original point . . . as we're driving down the canyon to the park Scott tells the kids that in high school he used to take girls here to kiss them.  (That may sound bad, but remember he was an Idaho Mormon boy, a good boy.  But I did have to smack him for sharing that kind of info with your kids.)  So I turn to him, after the smack, "but you've never taken me here!  I feel left out."  A little playful pouting.

So on the viewing deck we had to make things right

and one more,

how to pack for a trip

So in our packing for the mega road trip we brought . . . .

• 3 duffel bags
• 1 rolling duffel bag
• 1 swim bag
• 2 computer bags
• 1 camera bag
• 1 hanging garment bag
• 2 temple bags
• 1 food/snack tote bag
• 3 bicycle helmets
• 2 ipads
• 2 guns (I'll get to that later)
• 1 ammo box
• 3 road trip boxes filled with activities for the kids
• and 4 golf club bags

That's right.  4 golf bags.  1 for Scott and 3 for the kids.  Scott was planning to golf.  That is a given.  We discussed the possibility of him taking the boys out, but it didn't work out.  Soon, our time in Idaho was growing to a close and those 3 extra golf bags were still sitting in the garage unused.  Nothing steams me more than packing super large items for a trip and then not using it.

In our early married days we lived in Utah, and from time to time we would drive up to his parents' house.  Scott would always bring his golf clubs, his bowling bowl, and his roller blades . . . . just because you never know what you might be in the mood to do.  Ackk!  The excessive packing drives me just a little crazy.

Anyway, with just 2 evenings left in our stay in Idaho we packed up the golf bags and headed to the driving range.  Tantrum averted.

Here are some photos from our delightful evening at the driving range.

See all the balls lying just inches from Anna?  The reason for her frustration.

But on the good list is getting to collect all the balls that are 10 steps away . . . . to hit again!  It's almost like an easter egg hunt.  :)

Some pointers from dad . . . 

He swings and . . . ooo, it's a miss.  Nice divet.

Placing his tee for the next shot.

Scott getting slouchy with Anna's driver.

Golf was something that was completely foreign to me before meeting Scott.  And now I have to say that I quite enjoy scenes like this (below).  It makes me happy.

My boys with their bags (see Conner's monogrammed golf towel?) after hitting a bucket of balls on the driving range.

let's go on a date: march

the date envelope

contents  gift certificate to local climbing gym, Subway gift card, carabiner

cost  $35

the plan

(I was trying to channel "The Bachelor" with the note on my date card this month.  Do you think it's cheesy enough?)  This month the plan was simple.  Rock climbing at a local gym and lunch at Subway.  Some good physical exertion and a good healthy-ish lunch.

the date night afternoon

Open climbing hours (during which the gym provides a belayer for you) were during the morning, so we made this into a day date.  It was kinda fun to pick up a sitter on saturday morning and steal away for a few hours during the daylight.  All kinds of new experiences with this one:  going out in the day, an activity that neither of us had tried before, and wearing yoga capris and a t-shirt on a date (a first for me!).

We harnessed up, slipped on some climbing shoes and faced the wall.  I stuck with some of the easier walls (with a slight inward angle) but I did attempt several of the straight walls and made it to the top about half the time.  Scott also challenged himself with some walls that came out at you at interesting angles.  It was a fun time.  After about 45 minutes we conquered just about all that we wanted to and left the gym with smiles and sore arms.

Scott wasn't in the mood for Subway (we had eaten there earlier in the week), so we changed plans and went to the local pizza place for sandwiches and the salad bar.  

Once we finished, we still had an hour left before our sitter would be expecting us home.  Because it would be a crime to waste perfectly good childcare! . . . . we drove to Dairy Queen for Blizzards.  And then parked at the park by the river to finish eating them.  As you can tell, we were not in any real hurry to get back home.  :)

the scrapbook page

next month

satisfying our spiritual and physical hunger

 

to see all of our monthly dates in 2011, go here

let's go on a date: february

the date envelope

contents  massage bar from LUSH

cost  $10

the plan

This month the plan is to spend a night in at the Brown Home Spa.  Whether it be a massage, bubble bath, a good foot soak, or facial masks . . . the point is to just do something to relax and pamper ourselves.  Oh, and there must be chocolate.

the date night

Scheduling this date night was pretty tricky as most friday and saturday nights in the month of February were spoken for.  So, we found a "free" Monday night and scheduled the date.  We put the kids in bed and told them that it was mom & dad's date night so they better not bother us.  Months earlier I had purchased a 5-step "sole revival" relaxing foot treatment at LUSH.  So we pulled out some towels, 2 large plastic tubs for foot soaks, and set up in the family room.  We took turns applying the volcano mask on either other's tootsies and wrapped it all up in plastic wrap (it was pretty intense stuff).  While all this was going on we watched some of our favorite tv shows, including "How I Met Your Mother."

Once the feet were soaked, scrubbed, and moisturized we enjoyed a plate of chocolate dipping delights - bananas and rice krispie treats.  And some kiwi for me (not for dipping).  

It was a great date night in and our feet smelled wonderful.

the scrapbook page

(I used the instruction sheet that came with the foot kit on my scrapbook page.  And, yep, I know the the photo on the left looks kinda creepy - like I've got a leg coming out of my chest.  It is what it is.)

next month

carabiner, harness, and rope

 

to see all of our monthly dates in 2011 dates, go here

joy of love: 1-5

1. what they do

This girl loves to be outside.  And ride her bike.  Or her scooter.  We were blessed with a WEEK of dry weather and sunny days.  Cold, sunny days . . . but we'll take it anyway we can get it.  She bundled up, placed "kitty" in her bike basket, and off she went.  Up and down the culdesac with a permanent smile on her face.

2. how they look

 

The handsome in this one is starting to come out.  Which is hard for me to say because I have always had a soft spot for his adorable cuteness. He's still cute.  But now I can see, right here, right in front of me, that he is growing up.  I took these pictures for his baptism announcements/invitations.  It's just a week away!

3. then and now

These two blog posts will give you some background on the story I'm about to share:  for the love of shorts and it's so hard to say good-bye.

The collage of photos features Conner in his new favorite shorts from Old Navy.  2007

The second photo shows the sad, sad face of Conner saying good-bye to his favorite shorts and shirt.  2011.

At least 5 times a week Conner wears this outfit around the house.  I say "around the house" because he is forbidden from wearing it outside the house.  He looooves these clothes.  But after almost 4 years, they are getting a little small.  And we're getting a little tired of seeing him wear it.  Back in December we told him that they would have to go after basketball season . . . but we forgot.  Thursday we remembered again and told him it was time to say good-bye.  In a panicked shock he said, "But I was going to give these to my first son!" And just before Scott was going to throw them in the trash Conner came up with a better idea.  To burn them at the Father-Son campout.  It has been tradition for Scott to burn an old pair of pajamas at this camp-out and the boys love it.  It was a great idea.  And so the shirt and shorts have been stashed in the camping storage bins, awaiting their fate.

4. what they wear 

The boys wear uniforms to school.  Conner always prefers the navy on navy look.  Payton is pretty easy-going: navy, khaki, white, whatever.

5. love to hate

(photo prompt description:  something your loved one does that drives you nuts, but the day just wouldn't be the same without it)

Everyday Scott works out on the elliptical.  And everyday he leaves his athletic shoes in the middle of the floor.  Along with his giant exercise ball that usually lives on the ellipitcal's steps when not in use.  I'm not sure if I've ever mentioned it to him . . . the fact that everyday after he's gone at work I pick up those shoes from the middle of the floor and place them in their home in the corner.  Sometimes I'm mildly perturbed.  But really, it takes only 5 seconds out of my day, so it isn't that big of a deal.  But sometimes I wonder if it ever occurs to him to pick them up.  Hmmm . . . . Maybe he purposely leaves them out so I'll have to pick them up later in the day and be reminded of him and how much I miss him.  Maybe.  :)

let's go on a date: january

For Christmas this year I gave Scott a slew of golfing gear (shoes, balls, rangefinder).  Oh, and a new stainless steel double-action potato masher.

I also gave him something for us to enjoy together.  

This basket holds 12 envelopes.  Each labeled with a month of the year.  And each envelope contains a pre-planned, (mostly) pre-paid date just for us.  Some of the dates will take place at home, some are planned for the local area, and some will take us into town.  All 12 dates are different.  Several, actually nearly all of the dates are things we have never done before.

The plan is to open the envelope together at the beginning of the month, look at the calendar and decide on a date.  So right from the beginning of the month, we'll have a fun date on the calendar to look forward to.

the date envelope

contents  $15 giftcard to OMSI, $25 giftcard at McMennamins, brochure/map of McMennamins restaurants in the area

cost  $40

the plan

Eat dinner at one of the many McMennamins restaurants in the area and then do something fun at OMSI -- laser show, IMAX movie, or use it towards general admission.

the scrapbook page

Get ready to flip out because I . . . made a scrapbook page!

I brought along my Fuji Instax for picture taking. I love it.  It is just so cute.  I think I'll be taking it on all of our dates this year.

Our January date also doubled as our anniversary date.  12 years!  We enjoyed a hamburger dinner at Fulton Pub (a place Scott visits from time to time for work lunches, but I've never been before).  He even shared one of his tots with me.  :)  My "Communication Breakdown Burger" was awesome.  And before dinner we went to OMSI to watch "Hubble" on the IMAX screen.

I think I'm liking this plan.  11 more to go.

next month

a relaxing night at home

to see all of our monthly dates in 2011, go here

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Linking up:  Weekend Wrap-up party at Tater Tots & Jell-O

oh the places we'll go

Today is our 12th anniversary.

This week we were talking.  About one day serving a couple's mission (or two) for the church when we have retired.  There was a talk given in sacrament meeting this week on this subject (reiterating President Monson's recent call for more senior couples).  Scott is convinced that by the time we're ready to go that Vietnam will be newly open for missionary work (currently there are no missionaries there) and we'll be sent there.  Because he speaks Vietnamese.  I fervently tried to remind him that I am not a linguist in any way shape or form.  My brain does not work that way.  He laughed.  I laughed too, but maybe not as jovially.

Wherever we go, it will definitely be an adventure someday.  I'm looking forward to lots of adventures together.

So, on our 12th anniversary I thought I'd make a list of our traveling adventures thus far.

1.  Monterey & San Francisco, California (January 1999) - Honeymoon.

2.  Cancun, Mexico (April 2000) - Trip with my family.

3.  Sault Saint Marie, Michigan (September 2001) - 10 month old Conner and I accompanied Scott on a business trip here for one week.

4.  Cleveland & Kirtland, Ohio (September 2001) - After Michigan we stayed here for 2 weeks.

5.  Niagara Falls and Palmyra, New York (September 2001) - still on the business trip, over the weekend we went sight-seeing.

6.  Worcester, Massachusetts (November 2002) - 2 year old Conner and I accompanied Scott on a 2-week business trip.  I still can't pronounce the name of the town.

7.  New York City, New York and Boston, Massachusetts (November 2002) - still on the business trip, sightseeing over the weekend.

8.  Las Vegas, Nevada (February 2003) - Our first post-baby getaway!

9.  Vancouver, British Columbia (September 2003) - Snuck away for a weekend and a Josh Groban concert.

10.  Maui (October 2006) - Heaven.

11.  Seattle, Washington (March 2009) - Celebrating 10 years.

12.  Maui (September 2009) - Heaven.

Ahh, doesn't that work out to a nice number.  12.  :)  Number 13 is yet to be planned.  We've got a busy year and a half in front of us (business school), but I'm sure we'll plan something nice to celebrate that checkmark.

Happy anniversary babe!  I'm glad we still "match."  

preschool, 2nd, 4th, and 17th

Hey all!  It's time for the obligatory back-to-school blog post!  Even though the kids have been in school for two weeks I couldn't let these cute pictures go unshared. Let's go from youngest to oldest . . . . 

preschool - Anna, age 4

Anna started her 2nd year of preschool.  (Which will also be our family's 6th and final year at our favorite preschool - it is bittersweet.)

She seems so BIG for pre-school!  She will be 5 in just five days, so she misses that September 1st cut-off.  She already knows her letters (by sight, their sounds, and how to write them) and her numbers, but I know I don't need to worry about boredom because there is just too much fun to be had there!

She loves circle time -- time for stories and songs.

She gives me a big hug when I pick her up each day.  (Last year it was, "hi mom" and run to the car.)

She continues to bring notes and letters to her teacher and classmates each day.  

She came home on the second day and said, very excited, "Olivia isn't mean anymore!" (not-from-church Olivia).  Last year Anna gave me daily behavioral reports on this little girl.  Apparently it's been a good summer.

 

2nd grade - Payton, age 7

 

What a cutie!

His favorite part of 2nd grade is reading groups at the end of the day.

One day he got yogurt squirted in his hair at lunch time.

He also gives me a regular report of classroom behavior.

He can't wait for P.E. and music to start next week.

He started out sitting in the back row.  Now he's in the middle row, by Amanda (his very good friend).  I just hope he doesn't spend the whole day talking to her.  He tells me that he has been good.

He has had a very seamless transition into 2nd grade.  He comes home so happy everyday.  I think that 2nd grade is my favorite school year.  At this age both of my boys have been so happy, helpful, agreeable, and fun!  I need to remember this and really soak in Payton's awesomeness.

Boo-ya!  (Payton's favorite exclamation)

 

4th grade - Conner, age 9

He loves his teacher because she is funny.  "By funny I mean really funny."

He loves his {male} math teacher.  I keep hearing stories about all the laughter and fun in math class.

His recess report on the first day of school included this snippet:  "At first recess I played with the ladies." (emphasis on "ladies")

He'll be learning about the branches of government, Oregon state history, and the states and capitols among many other things.

I learned today that at some point the desks were rearranged from rows into groups of 5.

So who sits in your group?

Brady, Mason, Katelynn, um . . . . Thomas.  maybe.  I can't remember.

You can't remember who you sit with all day?!

(laughs) Mom.  I don't pay attention.

(giving the eye) Really, Conner . . . 

(all in a spirit of good fun) Mom.  Three words.  I. Don't. Care.

Oh my goodness.  He sounds just like his dad.  This is scary!

 

Speaking of his dad . . . 

1st year MBA program - Scott, age 34

 

(this was taken during residency week in July)

I figure that Scott is starting grade 17.  

So far things are going well.  He flies to Utah for classes.  He does homework.  He has a weekly conference call with his team in Utah. He's already had mid-terms.  He enjoys his professors.

He's devised a clothing rotation system so he never has to check a bag on his flights.  He has a stash of toiletries that wait for him there (so no worries about 3 oz. bottles and ziploc baggies through security).  He's just 3 TRAX stops away from classes.  He shares a hotel room with another traveling student.  Crazy as it sounds, he's only gone for about 36 hours.

 

So I just realized . . . I'm the only one who isn't in school!  I guess my job is to make sure everyone gets to class on time, make the lunches, wash and iron the clothes, give kisses on their way out the door, and be ready to ask "how was your day?" when they all return.

a glimpse into teenhood

So in our ward I am the Primary President.  And Scott is the Young Mens President.  Does that make us busy?  Eh, just a little.  But that's not what this post is about.

I've never had a calling in the Young Women's organization (well, other than my one-week stint as Girls Camp Craft Lady last year) . . . so it has been fun to see the in's and out's and workings of the youth program through Scott.  It's especially fun because we have a fantastic group of youth in our ward.

Earlier this year the YM were in charge of the combined activity for the month and they (with the help of Scott's brainstorming) decided to do an Iron Chef competition.  What a cool idea, huh?!  They divided into groups and our house was one of the kitchens.  They came with ingredients, a 45 minute time limit, and a secret ingredient . . . . candy canes!  

 

Everyone participated, there were no saucy attitudes, they handled the cooking completely on their own, and I just got to stand back and watch.  We made fudge puddles (with a sprinkling of crushed candy canes) and I think everyone was happy with the result.  I just wish I had been there at the beginning to witness the traditional Iron Chef biting of the green pepper.

Last weekend they had a Priest/Laurel date for the 16-18 year old boys & girls in our ward.  Seeing as this was a date, I got to come along too!  Hehe!  We had dinner at The Spaghetti Factory and then it was on to laser tag.  Ohhhh, I think it had been 10+ years since I played laser tag so I was a little unsure if I was going to be "into it".  But once I strapped on the laser pack and stepped into the black-light arena I was ready . . . . and it was fun!  Even when the third game rolled around at 11:05pm, and I was so tired I could barely stand and keep my eyes open at the same time, and a little 7-8 year old girl was taunting me (by the way, who keeps their kids up that late), I was having fun.  And then I was ready for bed. 

 

See what I mean . . . . a great group of kids.

And I hope they didn't mind having the old grown-ups around for the date.  We used to be kids too!

 

We still look pretty cute, though.

So even though Scott is racking up the miles on the van (two youth temple trips, a stake youth activity day, a dance, and this priest/laurel date in the last 30 days alone), I don't mind giving a kiss and a wave goodbye as he heads to another mutual activity, dance, or fireside.  Because I know that these things are important learning & building blocks for the youth.  And with the caliber of kids around us (respectful, obedient, fun-loving) I just hope that their example continues on and trickles down to the time when Conner is a part of the youth program.  In . . . . almost . . . 2 1/2 years.  !!!  Gasp!  

{deep breath}  

Okay, I think I need to go before I have a *moment*.

How about a change in subject? . . . . 

Don't forget about entering the giveaway on the post below!  I'll post the random winner sometime tomorrow evening.

the many moons of saturn

Behold, Conner's 3rd grade Saturn project!

The week that his project was due was also the week of Valentine's Day and my parents' visit.  I knew I was going to be busy cleaning, painting the living room, baking cookies for multiple class parties, entertaining, and planning a sharing time . . . . so I asked Scott if he would please take the reigns on this project.  

Now if you know Scott, you know that he never does anything half-way and this was no exception.  He came home on a Monday with all the supplies to fulfill his vision.  Conner was pretty stoked.  And so we spent family home evening painting and assembling.  Scott even thought to pick up extra planets for Payton & Anna.  Payton made the Earth and Anna created some sort of Pinkalicious planet.  It was a great activity.

 

 Now, Saturn has 53 named moons, I believe.  But they chose to include just 23 for the model.  I think it was sufficient.

Conner was very proud to bring his project to school and present it in front of the class.  (And of course it was pouring rain the day that we had to transport it to and from school.)  He was so proud and excited that when we walked into the classroom (Saturn and two tubs of valentine's day sugar cookies in hand) he announced to the class, "Okay, okay.  Nobody freak out."  This was said rather loudly during what is supposed to be a quiet work time.  :)

 

The project was a success.  Father and son bonded.  And we learned a little more about Saturn.  Now, what is the fate of this model?  Currently it is sitting atop the entertainment center in the playroom.  But there are plans for it to come along on the father-son camp out this year for a ceremonial burning in the campfire.  I guess it's tradition for my men to burn something each year.  And surprisingly, Conner thinks this choice is a great idea.