hi, we're home.

I can't believe we were gone for two weeks. No wonder i am so tired, and so happy to be home. We had a great time as always. Ice skating was something new we did this trip, and i think we will do every time now. It was so much fun!! Maybe because we came late, they charged us less, and let us stay after the session ended. We had the place to ourselves. It was so awesome. This is the place they built for the Olympics and it is so nice. So if you are in Provo, you have to go! I highly recommend going to Provo bakery afterwards for some donuts. smile. There are more pictures on my sister's blog here.

Other fun things we did this trip.
went to thrift stores (savers i love you)
went to nickel world (a nickel arcade. it is now in a new location and so much nicer. it has laser tag now too).
went shopping. Did you know that they have children's clothing in the "forever 21" in the sandy mall?
went to Hagerman's deli. The turkey pomodoro is a must. a must, i tell you.
went to the humanitarian center for the lds church. Took the tour. So inspiring. i wanted my kids to see how awesome the humanitarian program is for our church. To see who benefits from all of the service projects we do. So amazing. i was humbled. i cried.
finally was able to get together with some of my cousins, aunt, and uncle. So fun!!
Met with some friends from Japan. Could have talked for days.
Got to see Kendra stone and her darling new house. so good to see you kendra!
Went to the dollar movie. (you have to take advantage of all the cheap utah deals. i love it. everything is so cheap for families there.)
and much much more.
Do you think i have pictures from all this? of course not. But kelly happened to bring her camera ice skating.
I did take pictures of one thing. I will share tomorrow.

It was hard to be gone 2 weeks from here. How am i going to move and do forever. i won't think about that now.

Korea, home sweet home.

So, we are on the road again. We thought we would never be able to live overseas again because of Dave's health. We had finally convinced ourselves it was ok, and made that mental switch. We bought a house and were really starting to settle in. We really love it here in Arizona. We love the weather, the location, but mostly the people. I can't think about that part too much. Leaving behind so many dear dear friends. But this is so the military. Nothing is ever for sure. About a month ago we got an email from the new assignments officer letting us know that we won't be able to stay in AZ till Dave gets out of the military like they previously told us (the old assignments officer). The roller coaster ride began. Can we go overseas?, what is available?, can dave get a waiver for my health? etc. etc. FINALLY AN ANSWER!!!

We will go to Korea for two years and than to Italy for four years. We are pretty excited. We really do love to experience new cultures and travel travel travel. The kids are ecstatic (except for Leah, who for some reason has it in her mind that Koreans are mean. ha ha). How could you not like traveling to Okinawa, all over japan etc. for your sporting events in school. The parents can hop on too if there is room. How cool is that. I can't wait to go to Thailand, and take the kids to China with us this time. Plus many many more places. We gather around the atlas a lot these days.

We will leave this summer (probably in August). I plan to party every day until we move. Just enjoy every moment with the people here that we love, and visiting family.
I am pretty sure that dave and I will be joining in with the natives and doing this in no time. Isn't this a cool mall? Want to come shopping in Korea?

Or how about touring some old palaces?

Who needs Central Park? ha.

Outside the city the countryside really is green and pretty. Very similar I am sure to Japan.

Soon I will be bartering with the locals. J/K, I will be at the commissary thank you. Actually, I think enjoying the local culture is the best part.

So are you shocked? I haven't even had time to really think about it actually. We just found out for sure today.

Well, It will be fun to share my experiences and pictures with you through the blog. I don't know that we will have visitors pounding down our door (apartment door) in Korea, but in two years we will be in Italy. I have a feeling people will all of a sudden start really missing us then. ha ha.

So there is the big news. I know you are all wondering what we are going to do with our house. You want to buy it? And yes, it does make me very sad to leave my kitchen. very sad. But luckily, i can take my family with me so all will be well. smile. I learned long ago that your house and belongings don't make a difference whether you are happy or not. Family and life experiences do. So, we are selling the house if we can sell it for enough to get all the money we just put into it. If not, the Weechs have already called dibs on renting it.

Now we are off to Utah for spring break. fun fun. I told you I would be non-stop partying. Did you doubt me?

OH, AND THE BEST NEWS OF ALL! I CAN TAKE SO MANY THINGS OFF OF MY TO DO LIST, LIKE ORGANIZING THE GARAGE. YES! I don't even have to worry about packing. The military does it. woo-hoo.

bathtime today.

There is nothing better than a clean, sweet smelling baby boy. Well, besides naked baby buns. (Considered yourself warned. I do have a bun fetish, much to Dave's disliking. smile.)

I spent the whole morning just enjoying this little baby boy. Taking all the time I wanted to talk and coo over ammon as i bathed, and dressed him. It was heaven, and I am so glad I grabbed my camera and captured some of the sweetness that i feel when i am with him. i just love this little man so much. He is just the right plumpness right now. He is so like jacob at this age with his low voice, broad shoulders, and blue eyes. Every day with him is a gift.

every expression is priceless to me.

this is the only time when cellulite is cute. ha.
"Motherrrrrr, you're embarrassing me."

o.k. only one more.

i love when they discover their friend in the mirror.

all dressed and having his first photography lesson. Now we are off to visit new baby Scout Black, go visiting teaching, and to the gym.

You asked, and I am happy to oblige.

So why you couldn't find the recipe is because it wasn't really a martha stewart magazine, it was this one. This whole magazine is pure eye candy. Usually there will be a couple of cool things that you would like to make in a magazine but you don't want to fork out the money for just one or two things. This issue is worth every penny. There are so so many ideas that were amazing, I had to borrow the magazine to just show you a few of them. It helps that I love halloween, and halloween parties. enjoy!

So cool!

I love the idea of a clue party. Have people dress up as the characters. They have the whole menu ready for you too. MENU

John Boddy's Bacon cheddar ranch dip

Mr. Green's Tequila line chicken wings

meatbass with Colonel Mustard sauce

Pork and pineapple skewers with Professor Plum sauce

Miss Scarlet punch

Mrs. white's peanut butter truffles

Mrs. Peacock's pound cake Whodunnit? cake

How about a BLOOD -READ. With dramatic readings of poetry and Gothic tales.

And last but not least this awesome cake. I love the crushed pistachios on the outside. Here is the recipe.

Monster of a Cake

1box devil's food cake mix

1box white cake mix

1 tsp. green food coloring

Pistachio filling

chocolate ganache icing

2 cups chopped roasted pistachios

Preheat oven to 350. Spray 4 (9 inch) round cake pans with nonstick baking spray with flour. Line pans with parchment rounds, and spray parchment; set aside. Prepare devil's food cake mix according to package directions. Divide between 2 pans, and bake according t0 package directions. Cool completely. Prepare white cake mix according to package directions, adding green food coloring. Divide batter between two remaining pans, and bake according to package directions. Cool completely. Spread Pistachio filling evenly between layers. Spread Chocolate Ganache icing evenly over top and sides of cake. Garnish with chopped pistachios.

Pistachio Filling

2 (3.4-ounce) boxes pistachio flavored instant pudding mix

2 cups heavy whipping cream

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup whole milk

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

In a large bowl, combine pudding mix, cream, sour cream, milk, and confectioners' sugar. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Chocolate Ganache Icing

12 (1-ounce) squares bittersweet chocolate, chopped

1 cup plus 2 Tbsp. heavy whipping cream

1 cup plus 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter

1/4 cup coffee-flavored liqueur (i think this was skipped)

1 tsp. vanilla extract

In a large bowl, place chocolate. In a large saucepan, combine cream, butter, liqueur, and vanilla. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Pour over chocolate, whisking until chocolate is melted and smooth. Refrigerate for 30-45 minutes, or until spreading consistency is reached.

There you have it. I would love to see your results!! If you live close, save me a piece. smile.

the "wicked" cake

Don't ya wish that you had cool neighbors like me (use tune from dont ya wish your girlfriend was hot like me)? Dontcha? Who show up at your door bearing gifts like this cake. Seriously, this was one of the best cakes I have ever had. Again, Jenn's mom Marlene. i love this lady. She is so talented, and always looks so stylin' and adorable (she wouldn't let me take her picture). She made me a dish rag as well. You know those cool crocheted ones,a nd i love it.

Anyway, She got this recipe out of the October Martha Stewart magazine. It has all my favorite things. Whipped cream, sour cream, pistachio pudding, and a bitter chocolate frosting. It was beyond beyond rich. Jenn's family ate some, then she brought it to us. We ate some and I thought we would continue it around the neighborhood and make someone elses night as well (and keep me from gaining 5 lbs by finishing it off myself).

I think this would be the perfect cake for after seeing the musical "Wicked". Don't you?


p.s. i promise ammmon didn't drool on the cake before i passed it on. ha.

Grandma leaves tomorrow.

No more cozy mornings like this.

Perfect combination.

All the kids in bed. House picked up. I'm ready to watch american idol and savor one of my absolute favorite treats, texas sheet cake ala summer haught (the haughts always save some for me whenever they make it because they know it is my favorite and they really just couldn't find a more appreciative recipient. and by the way summer, you outdid yourself this time. It is THE BEST I have EVER EVER tasted FOR REALSES, as rachel would say). Are you english majors cringing after those last few sentences? ha. I'm a punctuation rebel. I'll admit it. Anyway, back to the story. I realize I haven't taken my dietary supplements today (remember on the goal/to do list). I thought them a perfect combination. Maybe the supplements will offset all the damage. smile. And by the way. I dare you to find a better supplement then these by DoTerra. I mean, I pretty much think that my cellular vitality is off the charts. smile.