Chinese Market (240:365)

I went to a local Chinese Grocery store with my friend Kuei who is from Taiwan. She showed me the good and the not so good. It was nice to have a tour guide while discovering new food!

Scott's First Kid Crisis (85:365)

Today while attempting to quickly purchase some crafting supplies, I left the entire fam in the car and ran quickly into the store.

I came outside a few minutes later to find Scott in crisis mode. 

This is the story I got:

While trying to feed Goose a bottle, she barfed all over herself, him and outside on the asphalt.

Then a little girl and her mom came up near the car and the little girl started having a conversation with Scott while he was covered in barf. She kept asking him questions and he was irritated but polite, hoping the mom would encourage the girl to get into their car. Instead, the mom just watched (noticing the barf everywhere and not flinching,) saying, "she's very sociable, it will help her get ahead in life".

Once they finally left Scott alone, little Dee declared she had to go potty.

Exclaiming that she needed to wait, and putting Goose rapidly into her carseat, Scott ran around the car and pulled Dee out of the car in the nick of time to let a little puddle form under our car.

Cue me:

I come walking out, seeing the front door of the car wide open and empty and frantically look around for my husband and child. Scott starts to get exasperated saying, "Why didn't you answer your phone? I called you 5 times!". I look at my phone to see that I have no service. Lame old phone. (Thinking about getting a new carriers, any suggestions?) "Sorry!", I say, "I had no service".

Then we clean up, and drive away, leaving 2 little nasty puddles surrounding our parking spot.

Good Times.

First Time as a Stake Dance Chaperone (31:365)

Tonight I chaperoned for the first time at a Dance for the youth of our church. It was a little surreal watching them dance to the same goofy songs I used to (about 15 years ago!), like Cotton Eye Joe and The Electric Slide. It was fun though! I boogied a little.
For your listening and viewing enjoyment, here are two classics!



Oh man, I've never seen the original. Maybe there's a reason...


I also had a blast celebrating two of my friends birthday's this weekend, sleeping over at a B&B. Last night was my first night without a kid in almost 3 years! It was a much needed good time. Thanks ladies and Happy Birthday Ashley and Cheryl!

Robert Henri Museum in Cozad, NE (29:365)

We are finally home!

On the last leg of our trip back to Lincoln we passed through tiny Cozad, NE. Each time we drive by it I want to stop to see their well advertised (little freeway signs) Robert Henri Museum, and each time I tell Scott that you pronounce Henri like Henr-I, not Henry. He didn't believe me...but I was right! Even though I can't remember anything else from my college years, at least I can remember how to pronounce Robert Henri's name...but I digress...
We had a nice little tour by a cute little old lady with an odd Midwestern accent that was hard to understand (example: "Ohia" = Ohio, "Cince-natty" = Cincinnati) . The museum used to be the home Robert lived in as a boy and is now used for local parties, one of the rooms is also a gallery for 2 local artists. The tour was okay, but the lady didn't really know anything about the home or any of the artifacts (especially since probably 95% of what was on display didn't belong to Robert's family), but she was cute.
The girls did well on the tour, probably mostly due to the fact that I bribed Jane with a sucker if she didn't yell or touch anything during the whole tour. She even "oooh'd" and "ahhh'd" with Scott and I as we responded to the tour guide's vast knowledge.
It was a fun little stop that allowed a little more experience than a gas station or rest stop. I think in the future I'll start looking up other little places like that to use as rest stops.

Lucy Meets Mary or Vice Versa (27:365)

Me and the ladies got to hang with my old college roomie Mary and her kiddies. Mary and Lucy met each other for the first time.
That is our "experience" for today since I spent the rest of the day packing and preparing to return to life...
Oh, what is going on with my giant neck!? Ew.

Lucy's First Trampoline Experience and she Meets More Family (18:365)

Lucy met her aunt Jenny, uncle Ken and their five kids today for the first time. She was SUPER tired so it was a tough experience for her, but they all still thought she was adorable.
Because she is.

Also, she and I rocked it on a giant tramp for the first time too. Baby bounces. She loved it. Had a little coy smile going on. Cutie pie.

First Grave Visit and First Basque Festival (15:365)

We stopped in Yakima for a few minutes on our way from Washington to Utah today. It was the first time I've brought my girls to visit the graves of my favorite great grandparents. I miss them so much, Earl and Melba. Aren't their names the cutest?! I cried a little.
I miss them.


We are sleeping in Boise tonight and saw that a Basque Festival was going on downtown while we were watching the news. I almost tried my first paella, but they ran out before I could buy some. I did try my first Spanish pop (it was good!) and some authentic flan (not my first).
Jane had a crazy good time in the city fountain.
And we forgot to take our car top carrier off before we went downtown and were EXTREMELY happy to see that no Boisean's wanted to rob us of our clothes.
Thank you Boise.

Lucy's First Time Picking Blueberries (13:365)

Jane, Lucy, my mom and I went to pick blueberries. It was little Lucy's first time and she loved trying to grab all the little berries.
Jane kept asking all summer long to go picking with "just grandma and me", so she was pumped. Ten minutes into it she was done. See her running off? Silly kid.
Didn't help that most of the blueberries were still green.

At least we got some cute pictures, right?

Scott Fishing and Vegan Cupcakes (12:365)

First time Scott caught a fish. He caught his first fish on the same lake I caught mine...only 27 years later.

Ain't she a beauty?


I tried my first vegan cupcakes today.
Won't be doing that again.

First time Lucy Sat up ALONE! (11:365)

Even though there were occasional spills, she was SO proud of herself!

Firsts for the Girlies (10:365)

First time Lucy goose dipped her toes in my grandma's lake
(Phantom Lake~SPOOKY!)

First time Jane fed some ducks, went in a canoe and fished.


Lucy's first Pioneer Day Celebration. She was really into it.

Lucy meets my Dad (9:365)

Lucy met my dad for the first time today.
She put her cutest foot forward.

Iron Chef Houston (8:365)

My brother and sister and I all enjoy cooking and "friendly competition" so we decided to battle our hearts out Iron Chef-style.


Appetizer Secret Ingredient: Tomato

Main Course Secret Ingredient: Potato

Dessert Secret Ingredient: Brown Sugar

Scoring was based on Taste, Presentation, Use of Secret Ingredient, Originality


Here are my brother James' entries:

Appetizer~Warm Tomato Bisque with Crispy Potato Slices and Pepper Jack Cheese
Main Dish~Parsley Boiled Potatoes with Pan Seared Chicken
Dessert~Pancake Wedges with Mango and Banana Brown Sugar Topping and Whipped Cream


Here are my sister Sarah's entries:

Appetizer~Tomato and Garlic Bruschetta
Main Course~Baked Potato Wedges, Oven Steamed Chicken and Potato, Potato Egg Frittata all with a Chimichurri Sauce
Dessert~Brown Sugar and Apple Individul Pie with Apple Compote and a Brown Sugar Drizzle


Here are my entries:

Appetizer~Tomato Guacamole, Mango Tomato Salsa, Warm Tomato and Lime Tortilla Chips
Main Course~White Potato Galette, Red Potato and Scallion Cheddar Gratin, Red Potato and Chicken Hash
Dessert~Brown Sugar Rice Pudding with Brown Sugar Caramel Drizzle and a Trio of Diced Fruit (Mango, Papaya, Strawberry)


My husband Scott and our mom were the judges and they did a great job!



Grandma was a guest judge.


And the winner is...

The Lady with the Knife!


We were all a bit exhausted after it was all over with but already talking about next years competition!

Mountain Biking and "It's-It" (7:365)

Today my sister and I tried mountain biking for the first time ever. Our friend Cindi (whom I've know since we were both 8 years old) took us to some trails in Sammamish, Washington. She is an experienced biker and let us borrow her gear and showed us some basic skills so we wouldn't immediately crash. We had a lot of fun and survived without injury. Being in a Northwest forest reminded me how beautiful it is here and how much I miss trees! It was fun and a beautiful environment that made it a great and memorable experience. Thanks Cindi!

Then later tonight Sarah, Scott and I went to Target in Redmond. There we happened upon this little gem.

I noticed it's new and unique packaging as I walked by the freezer section, browsing the ice cream selection, but was immediately turned off by it's combination of Mint Chocolate Ice Cream and Oatmeal Cookie exterior. YUCK!

Boy, was I in for a scrumptious surprise! I like mint ice cream, but usually only the Blue Bunny brand, finding most others to be too sweet. And I don't like oatmeal cookies, especially with the dreaded raisin in it. But the combination of mint ice cream, a cinnamony oatmeal cookie covered in dark chocolate was simply divine!

If you happen upon this delectable delight in your freezer isle, please do not hesitate to grab and devour.
YOU WILL THANK ME!

Lucy's First Family Reunion (6:365)

Lucy met my great aunt Kathy, Kristen and great uncle Eric and their families for the first time in her life today. It was a cute moment and a good first.

Heard Someone Speak Xhosa (5:365)

My cousin Rachelle's husband served his LDS mission in South Africa and learned a local dialect called Xhosa, which I've never heard before (which is not the same as the language spoken in the movie "The Gods Must be Crazy"). This is a language with 3 different clicking noises in it. He read this phrase in Xhosa for me and let me record it for you. In the recording he says,
"The interpretation thereof by the gift of God."
Hope you think it's as cool as I do!



(The audio is synched to a picture of a Xhosa Book of Mormon.)

(Also, it took Scott and I FOREVER to figure out how to get this audio on here, so that is one more new thing I/we learned today.)

Ms. Senior Utah Pageant (3:365)

(Thanks Krisi for this beautiful picture!)

Today I experienced something new.
I attended a beauty pageant for the first time ever.

My mother-in-law, Barbara, competed in the Ms. Senior Utah Pageant tonight. It was such a fun experience to see her tap dance, walk around the stage in her formal gown, and give a speech on her personal philosophy of life. We are so proud of how well she did! Good job mom! We love you!