Neighborhood Party

On Monday I noticed that I had two "blank" spots on my calendar, with Friday and Saturday being totally open....I decided it was the perfect time to have a neighborhood party! I knew if I waited any longer, it would be too cold out and my chance would be gone. I decided on a simple fall menu of soups, salads, rolls, and dessert. I made some fliers and passed them out to my neighbors, making some assignments as I did so. That was that! The kids had Fall Break on Thursday and Friday, so there was no school - which made it nice as far as clean up and party prep goes. Mike did yard work and the kids helped clear out the garden while I washed some windows and window wells. We all enjoyed WORKING together outside and I thought it was the PERFECT THING to do during a "no school" day!

On Friday I made rolls and some soup and the girls helped make some cookies for the party. They were a big help!

The party began at 6pm. We had quite the gathering! Ten of twelve households were present. Over 35 people came. It was GREAT!

There was plenty to eat, thanks to everyone's contributions. The Beef Noodle Potato, Vegetable, Taco, and Potato Soups were all delicious! We had a yummy broccoli salad and a tossed green salad too. There was more than we could eat, and everyone seemed to enjoy what was on the table, especially the variety of desserts.

Everyone (young and old) enjoyed spending time with each other and visiting. After eating the kids ran and played.

 Mike built a fire and we gathered around it to visit and stay warm. Some roasted marshmallows.

 I loved seeing everyone enjoying themselves and was reminded of what a great group of neighbors we have. We are so blessed! The party lasted about 3 hours and with everyone's help the cleanup was easy. I was so glad we filled our Friday this way. Have you had a neighborhood gathering lately? Maybe it's about time!

Older and Wiser

Another year has gone by, and last week we celebrated my birthday! The kids made me Chocolate Oatmeal Cake from a recipe found in the book "Chocolate Never Faileth" (by Annette Lyon) that my good friend, Tonya Beutler, gave me for my birthday.

 

 

I enjoyed the cards I received, presents given and the love I felt. Mike surprised me with a nice wool coat! He was also very kind to make me his least favorite meal, Spaghetti!

During the week we had a Ward BBQ and Cameron had his face painted. I just had to post his picture.

We had a craft day for Relief Society on Wednesday and I made a necklace out of Baling Wire! I'm wearing it in some of the photos in this post. I thought it was pretty cool and may even try to make a few more - SOMETIME!
Tonya invited me to go to Time Out for Women on Friday and Saturday in Richfield, Utah.

We had such a great time with four other women friends. On Friday afternoon we traveled to Richfield where we ate at Wingers and then enjoyed an evening listening to speakers Virginia Pearce, Sheri Dew, and Jenny Oaks Baker (who is a classical violinist that entertained us with many beautiful songs).

 

Sadie is a big fan of Jenny Oaks Baker so I made sure that I met her at the end of the evening. Here's a sample of what she played:

  

 

We stayed at the Hampton Inn with many others who were there for TOFW. One group of women handed us a bag full of ice creams, bowls and spoons and told us to "take some and then pass it on!." It was probably about 11pm when we passed the ice cream on. We went to bed two hours after that.
After a great breakfast on Saturday, we returned to TOFW to hear from more inspiring authors and musicians.

Ellen Winn, Maria Hall, Tonya Beutler, Me, Joyce Swyers, and Bobette Green.

 

The vocal group Mercy River spoke and sang throughout the day between the other presenters. Every speaker was inspiring and encouraging in their message centering around this year's TOFW Theme: Seek the Good. Saturday the speakers included Deanne Flynn, Emily Freeman, Mariama Kallon, Wendy Ulrich and S. Michael Wilcox. It would be hard to pick a favorite (they were all great), but I must say Wendy Ulrich's message on The Sacred Power of Apology (seeking forgiveness) struck a chord and made a lasting impression on me. She pointed out that we judge ourselves by our intentions, but others judge us by our behavior (and vice versa), we often judging others by their behavior (and not their intentions). JUST FANTASTIC!

In the middle of the day we took a break for lunch. The restaurants in town were very crowded with women who were there for the TOFW event. We wanted to try a Mexican Food restaurant, Pepper Bellys, and ended up going there for dinner before heading back home.

Our waiter, Dustin, joined us for a picture. I think we left him with a big tip too.

It was such a rejuvenating trip and I enjoyed the time I spent with these terrific and FUN women. I hope we do it again another year in the near future!

Northern Utah SUHC Trip

Mike and I went on a Northern Utah Recording and Performance Tour with the Southern Utah Heritage Choir this past Saturday and Sunday. We left early on Saturday and on the way, were able to stop in Cedar City to visit with Cari and share some cinnamon rolls. We were glad she woke up early for us and loved starting our trip out seeing her. We then headed up to Provo where we met the choir at KBYU Studios in the new BYU Broadcasting Building. There, we took part in a recording session for the program "Highway 89" to be aired on BYU Radio on October 15th @ 8pm MST, as well as on other radio stations later in October and in November. Next, we were able to visit with Trevon.

 He gave us a tour of his apartment and introduced us to a roommate, Josh. Trev seems to be doing great and we enjoyed being able to see and visit with him too. Next, we headed up to Salt Lake City where I changed and then headed to the Conference Center auditorium for the General Relief Society Meeting. Mike hung around Temple Square and the City Creek Center while I was at the meeting. It was WONDERFUL to be at the conference and see our latter-day prophet, his counselors and other wonderful church leaders. Even more wonderful were the words they spoke and the spirit that was felt. The music was heavenly and the conference center, pretty grand to behold, filled with so many there to hear the word of the Lord.
 Mike met me afterwards and we went to Kneaders for a bite to eat, walking through the new City Creek outdoor mall.

 Sunday morning we arose early and walked over to the Tabernacle at Temple Square. Here, we met our choir friends and attended the Tabernacle Broadcast of Music and The Spoken Word. We sat right behind the tech booth and were able to not only see the live performance, but see the images that were being aired with the music on the television screens in the booth as well.

 We learned about the choir and orchestra and thoroughly enjoyed listening to them practice and then perform.

 It was especially fun for us to watch the cameramen filming with various cameras and equipment throughout the broadcast.

We returned to our hotel to gather our things and then headed back to Provo. Here, we attended a church meeting and then visited Mike's brother, Eric and his family. Eric made some yummy salsa and tacos and Mike helped his niece and nephews make pie crust for Eric's Birthday Pear Pie. It was so nice to spend time with them. We changed into our choir attire before saying goodbye and then headed to Highland. Here, we met at the Stake Center where we had a rehearsal with the SUHC and then performed for a fireside there. After the fireside we made our journey home. It was a short but sweet trip and I have to say, even sweeter to be home with our young ones who missed us!

Happy Birthday Sadie!

 Sadie's Birthday was a busy Thursday. She got an "egg"stra special breakfast - toast, eggs and hash browns to start the day.

 After school her friend Emily took her to Dairy Queen for a "sweet" treat before Sadie had to run to St. George for her violin lesson.  While gone, Emily put some surprises in her bedroom for her to find later.
Sadie didn't have any special dinner requests so I made a green salad to go with Stuffed Pasta Shells and French Bread. I made her a Hummingbird cake, using her Grandma Beutler's recipe. Cameron and Elise put some of their money together to buy her a gift...

 ...a cuddly guy named Tundra!

 Sadie enjoyed the cards and gifts she received. Some of her gifts included new strings for her violin, clothes, make-up, and body wash. What a beautiful sixteen year old!

 It is fun celebrating those you love and we love Sadie very much!

 

Corban picked out a Neapolitan ice cream to go with her cake.