Easter and Anniversary

Today is our anniversary. Happy 6 years to us! However, since it fell on a Monday, we decided to combine our celebration with Easter.

We found this on the table Easter morning... a basket for the family. It was filled with a few games (Trivial Pursuit and Mad Gab, card versions), a little chocolate, and some gift cards. I personally have no idea how it got there (wink, wink!)

It was gorgeous out, so we took a walk. It was a perfect Easter day!

For dinner, we had deviled eggs, Caesar salad, prime rib, oven-roasted potatoes, and garlic-sourdough bread.

We enjoyed mini-cheesecakes for dessert, topped with fresh-cut strawberries.

Unrelated, but interesting... we have some baby geese that walk by our back patio regularly. Aren't they cute?

Here's to many more Easter's and Anniversaries! I am blessed to be married to a wonderful man; I am more in love with him today than I was the day we got married.

PS - for our anniversary, we got each other new cell phones. I feel like a cool kid again! :)

George Foreman Grill

We got a George Foreman Grill... thanks mom and dad! We used it last night for the first time... our steaks came out perfect!



After dinner we grilled pineapple for dessert. Some we grilled "plain", and some with a glaze of honey and cinnamon. Delicious!



Tonight we are grilling chicken breasts and asparagus. I'm already excited for dinner, and I haven't even had breakfast yet!

Brother Time!

This weekend was spent with my brothers!

Michael was in town for the weekend for a competition at Boise State University. Taylor has moved back to Boise and decided to stay with us for a while. It was a fantastic weekend!

Enjoying lunch outside - we finally had some sunshine. It was a bit windy, but we chose to enjoy the outdoor courtyard anyway.

Donovan enjoying lunch - the sunglasses make him look so cool. :)

After lunch, waiting for the competition to begin. Don't they look thrilled?

The micro-mouse that Michael and his teammate, Steven, competed with. It was so impressive!

Their micro-mouse, 55414634, at the beginning of the maze. It was the only mouse able to complete the maze.

Michael receiving his certificate and the team's prize money

My boys, watching the races

Taylor bought me "Monopoly Deal" for my birthday. We love it! After the races, we were able to sneak in a few rounds before dinner.

Waiting for our food to arrive

Their faces say the wait was worth it!

Sunday morning's we head to our favorite local diner for breakfast. The booth that would hold all of us was taken, so we took a smaller booth and a small table right across from us. Taylor and Donovan were voted to sit at the "kids table". :)

Then we headed to play mini-golf! It's a black-light golf course, so the boys wore 3-D glasses while they played.

This hole seriously stumped these three... here they are in conversation, trying to determine their putting strategy.

The dinosaur almost ate Josh's head

Group shot after the golf game - Josh won the game, but we were all still smiling. :)

And after all of the action, Taylor needed a rest. We headed home and hung out for a few hours before Michael and Steven went to the airport and it was time to take Donovan home. Taylor wasn't the only one who looked so relaxed!

It was a wonderful weekend... I love my brothers. It was a blessing to spend some time with both of them!

Happy birthday to me!

My birthday falls on a Monday this year, and since Josh and I both have to work, we decided to celebrate Sunday instead. Actually, we started celebrating on Saturday, and luckily Taylor made it to town in time to join us!

We enjoyed a fabulous breakfast at our favorite local diner this morning, then headed up to Bogus Basin to enjoy the view. 17 miles up into the foothills, and we were surrounded by snow. :) Hundreds of people were on the slopes today. It was gorgeous!

We had initially planned to enjoy some hot chocolate in the lodge, but weren't craving it once we got there. We enjoyed the fresh air and the scenery anyway. Unfortunately, the camera battery was charging, so we weren't able to take pictures.

My new apron... it says "Domestic Diva". I love it! I didn't want a meal out for dinner - I'd prefer to cook and enjoy a delicious meal that I know I prepared.

My birthday dinner: bacon and cheese stuffed steak, sauteed mushrooms and onions, twice baked potatoes, and an amazing glass of wine. I seriously couldn't wait to dig in!

PS - I am finally learning to do things the way my Grandma does them. I went to the butcher counter and asked for the best cut of steak he could give me. It was thick, tender, and seriously delicious, even without any of my "help". :)

A brief pause after dinner, and then into baking muffins. I have 5-dozen or so chocolate-chip-banana mini-muffins cooling on my counter. I will do my best not to eat them all by myself this evening... I baked them with the intention of sharing. We'll see how that goes...

I love my life, and am so grateful for another year to share with those I love!

Caramel Apples

We love the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. We treat ourselves a couple of times a year. Today was one of those times! My favorite is the Apple Pie, with lots of cinnamon. Josh loves the Butterfinger. Audri chose Oreo today... and thoroughly enjoyed it!

Josh and I had ours cut up so we could eat it without as much of a mess, but Audri wanted hers whole. It seemed more fun to eat that way!

Can you see the Oreo crumbs on her nose?

It's a yummy treat. I can only eat a couple of slices at a time, so mine usually lasts 3-4 days. Unless someone else (ahem) gets into it to "help" me. :)