Chuck Norris in the Kitchen

So - I don't know if it is because I didn't have brothers growing up or perhaps because David Wells didn't teach me when I was single but I just don't get the Chuck Norris quotes.

ahem. for example...

Maybe the years that my father wasted  spent, trying to explain the greatness of Star Wars he neglected to explain the "great" Chuck Norris.

Anyway...lately I have been in a kitchen funk.

After eating such great food on our trip where I didn't have to do anything...including clean up - I realized we were eating crap - like not the usual - no fast food - but you know - no effort kind of stuff.

Until Wednesday. I got out of my funk.

My friends have been posting the most amazing pictures of deliciousness and so I was inspired.

I have made... Mexican Stuffed Shells, Cinnamon Sugar Crescent Rolls, and a bunch more.

I have created several things on my own too...my kids current favorite are chicken caprese purses.

Tonight for my friend Andi's 40th Birthday Party I made Samoa Bars.

Her brother - who is a jokester said I was a Master Chef.

They were fantastic.

I may not be completely Chuck Norris in the kitchen yet - but I am ready to tackle anything. :)

Huh?

With Nathan's new huge promotion that he got last week - okay wait let me rewind.

Nathan got a phone call last week that his immediate boss wanted to meet with him at 8:15am.
That same day he was supposed to have Lunch with the CTO and the head of the Division.

Nathan got there and the offered him a promotion that bumped him up 3 levels and offered him a new contract.

He went to Lunch and was suprised to hear how well he was doing. We got the contract yesterday and it stipulates no open public blogs, or forums where his name could be in Jepordy or his reputation towards the company. You know those drinking pictures and frat party pictures on Facebook had to go. HAHAHA.

The best part is that we didn't have to move and that it came at a time where we were really tested to have faith that things were going to work out.

This is Nathan's first RAISE since he started working there last May.

So, he can only have a facebook, but with limited visibility and a LinkedIn profile.  They are also paying for school so that is another HUGE relief. Except that next semester I won't see him until after 8pm. So he will be gone 4 days a week from 7am to 8pm. With one day every other week a work from home day.

We are so blessed to have this job, and if the blog has to go private for him to be on the road to VP- so be it. :)

I have to go private

Due to a job mandate our blog has to go private by Aug 5th.

Please leave your email...or facebook me...or email me.

I will explain more later! :)

A weird conclusion.

Today was our first day back to church in 4 weeks. My kids caught croup minus Bridget because her tan skin is sick repellent. Seriously she never gets sick. 2 weeks of croup, 2 weeks on vacation and we started to notice a few things.

Last week while we were driving home Nathan asked the kids to think about something from church.
Bridget said "I want to think about John Smith"
Nathan replied, "you mean Joseph Smith?"
She was very clear this time "Nope, I meant John Smith, from Pocohontas"
It was at this time we realized we had been gone too long. Haha.

I am so glad for FHE and the church and for everything it brings to our family. I know how much we have been blessed from going to church and living the gospel.  I don't say it enough but its true.

Also. Bridget went from this...

 to this.

She picked the length herself. 4 inches gone. She loves it and so did everyone else, except Nick (a boy in her class) She was really mad he didn't like it. Kinda funny.

The kids came home and were non stop talk about all they learned today.

I think its funny how quickly they pick it all back up.
Its mostly our fault because we weren't as diligent about reading scriptures and praying daily as we usually are because we were dead tired every night from our vacation. We also were all in the same room most of the time and when it was time for bed -- it was time for bed. ;)

Summer Fun #11,16,18,20,21,30,33,35,36,43

#11 - Go to CALIFORNIA!!!!

#16 Cars 2

The kids went to a Pajama showing of this with Uncle Cory and Auntie Liz

#18 Golf - or Mini Golf

#21 Go to a Museum

This is the Getty Center

#30 Eat out for every meal for the day.

On Lucas's Birthday we went to Vip's for Breakfast, In and Out for Lunch, and The Club for Dinner!

#33 Have a Picnic at the Temple

We ate dinner at the St. George Temple on the way home.

#35 Go to the Beach

#36 Get a slushee or slurpee

#43 Meet our new cousin!

Also - I need to check off  my 30 before 30 List a few things I have completed...

# 11.   Plan and execute a full family vacation in the car to California.

# 3.    Finish ALL of the 1st year books for each kid.

4.    Read 6 biographies THIS year!

Red Princess, 

Rocket Boys (which I LOVED), 

Bossypants (which was eh--), 

Jane Goodall: The Woman who defined Man (which was pretty good and detailed),

 Lengthen your Stride: the Presidency of Spencer W. Kimball (I really liked this one)

Autobiography of Thomas Jefferson (this was so good)

(thank goodness for all the nap and car time I got during our trip!)

There are a few more I am working on and have almost completed so stay tuned! :)

Road Trip from CA to NV,AZ, UT and Finally CO!

We packed up and went to my parents.

The babies bonded.

 Then they napped.

 We had a Chinese feast, then said good bye.

Lucas had a rough time saying good bye to his favorite person.

 Nothing a movie couldn't fix.

 Until it was over. Then he cried again. He really loves California and Grandpa.

It was 1:30 when we left for our 18 hour drive.

 It was 4:45pm when we hit Nevada/Vegas.

 I had lots for the kids to do so they would have to watch movies the whole time. 

I am not into them being glued to electronics at home or in the car.

 We drove through Virgin River Canyon. The kids were speechless at the beauty.

 We were in Utah at 7:40. So far only in the car for 6ish hours.

 We stopped in St. George for an hour to eat dinner and stretch. 

They have the Coolest visitors center!

 Whatever these are --- I love them.

 Good Bye Utah!

We drove straight through - I could BARELY keep my eyes open.

We got to our driveway at 6:15am.

There was no traffic the ENTIRE way.

Thanks to the 80 speed limits along the way we made our 18 our drive in 16.5 hours.

Nathan and I have felt like zombies all day but before any resting or unloading could occur Lucas needed to put this together.

It was a great trip and the kids only watched 6 movies the WHOLE trip. 

There and Back.

I had special snacks, special games, music, and prizes.

I over prepared a tad but totally worth it in the end.

We get to do it again next year. Yea!!!!!

Cali Day 7

We decided to take the kids to the Getti. Mostly for the tram ride. :)

 Juliet was releasing some serious gas on the ride and when i pulled her out - she needed an outfit change.

 More views. Picture this freeway completely empty. That is what Carmageddon is all about.

 It was over cast and cool but there were no complaints after that Arizona heat!

 My squishy baby.

 All of the exhibits were renaissance and french themed.

 There were several buildings full of things to see.

 This is the kids building. There were so many little corridors of fun stuff.

 The girls are sitting on a mini version of Marie Antoinette's guest parlor.

 More frenchy french stuff.

 Lucas took this picture himself. He wanted to show that the tops of the trees in the garden were all covered in flowers.

 Scarlett in the gardens.

The kids spent a lot of time here rolling down, playing and laughing.

Down the tram again.

After the Getti we went to Bucca Di Beppo for dinner.

We had the best server EVER.

He was so cute with the kids and he surprised Lucas with a Birthday Brownie.

Lucas learned some Italian here too.

It was a fun day.

Cali Day 6

Birthday Celebrations Continued...

Chris - or little Chris as my kids call him is Stephanie's nephew. He is between Lucas and Bridget in age.

He came over for a mini pool party. It was important for Lucas to have shrimp (his favorite food) while in California. So - shrimp he got!

 It was like old times with Chris - except instead of Thomas - it was Cars.

 Everyone loves little Phil.

 Then we had a pool party!

 Oh Bridget.

 It was so fun to swim and have fun.

 And mess with Bridget.

 Isn't this backyard like a resort?

 Lucas got his shrimp!

 Then it was present time!

 Everyone loved this Car thing. It was a carry all Shark Race Track. Perfect for Traveling!

 Lucas also got a bunch of Safari stuff and Ninja ZhuZhu's and a Badminton set.

It was a fun little party and my dad made the best grilled onions and cheese burgers I have had in a long time!

Mmmm.