12

Luke's gift to both of us: a handmade soap carving of our initials

We celebrated our 12th Anniversary Friday, February 13th (one day early)! We were so happy to have Matt & Vanessa and Ali watched our kids for us! I am sorry to say that Jonah's happiness in having them over was not communicated very well when he screamed and fought as both Matt and Vanessa struggled to get him in his P.J.'s. Matt said he had a whole new respect for Jonah's strength! Thanks so much guys!
For our date we went in to a little restaurant in Salt Lake and had a yummy meal together. I had a chicken spinach salad with blue cheese, candied walnuts and red onions! Adam had a steak sandwich with onion rings. We sat in a cozy little booth and enjoyed visiting in the quiet! We then attended a concert by Peter Brienholt. It was specially for Valentines day so there we alot of fun songs. The 80's mix was great. It was very entertaining....I loved it. On the way home we stopped at Smith's for pint size ice cream for everyone. It was a wonderful evening.
Love you Adam.

Have you noticed that if you put on a pair of lace up shoes in the morning before you get to work, it helps to get you going faster? Well I have. I vigorously attack my messy kitchen rather than tip toeing around, not wanting to crush cheerios under my feet, or feel the sticky O.J. that was spilt at breakfast. I bound up the stairs to throw a load of laundry in, run out the door to drive the kids to school, it's as if the simple addition of nice comfy shoes instills a

Playtime

Will: Mom can I play with Charlie?
Me: Ummm...O.K. You can play with him for thirty minutes, then it's supper time.
Will: O.K. What's his number?
Me: Dialing
Will: (speaking to the answering machine) Hi! This is Will, I was wondering if Charlie could play with me for just firty (thirty) hours? BYE!

Privacy shmivacy

Who wouldn't give up all privacy for those little legs asking to join you?

Jonah is ALL OVER baths. Whenever someone is taking one, he is standing up to the tub in an instant, trying to throw his leg over the side and hop in. He resorts to knocking shampoo and soap bottles into the water if he has to wait. Bouncing up and down and slapping the edge of the tub comes next. Then comes calling to you..."Ahhhh!" It's one (or 2 0r 3) of our favorite parts of the day.

Sugar cookies

Valentine Cookies....lot's of bright colors to brighten a winter day.

Here, let me taste one for you. Mmmm, yep, they're good!


Lot's of color.

Make someone happy

I don't think we've ever actually celebrated Ground Hogs Day, but since school was out, we decided we had better. And it turned out to be a lovely fun filled day together! The sun was so warm and bright that we were sure the Ground Hog did not see his shadow. (Turns out he did!)

On our way to the Museum we had fun with this...

The kids wrote cheerful little notes like, "You Rock!"(Luke's favorite) "Smile!" "You are loved!" "Have a wonderful day!" on tiny pieces of paper. Then they discretely hid them in not-too out of the way places...hoping that they would be found and brighten someones day.

Choosing hiding spots with smiles on their faces...

Hurry Bridget! Here comes someone...

Will just hid one in a crack in the sidewalk ....
A well placed yellow note...

At the museum...
Walking back to the car they checked all of their hiding places and found that some of them were gone!! They were so excited. And after stopping at the bookstore they were anxious to check again. Next time we may try to watch and see who gets them. Although inconspicuous is not in our job description now, and probably won't be in the near future either...so on second thought, maybe not.

Will was dear in his effort to remember just what holiday we were celebrating. "Happy Air Hogs Day!"...."No....what is it again Mom?"........later........"Happy Ground Day!"....."What's that name again?" As the day was winding down and we were sitting in the car waiting for Adam to meet us...he held his little home-made ground hog out the window of the car and shouted to some passerby---

"Happy Underground Air Hogs Day!!"

Hope you all had one.

With love from,

Will

and Luke, Bridget, Jonah and Julie

Honey Wheat Pizza

was on the menu last night and it was gooood.

It is said to be the California Pizza Kitchen recipe but who knows...

We make medium size pizzas because that's what fits on our pizza stone. This recipe made enough for 5 mediums...(You can freeze what you don't use in individual bags. It makes it easy to take out and make at a later time)

Place pizza stone in oven and preheat at 450F.

Stir together and let rise:

2 tbsp yeast

3 cups warm water + 2 tbsp

and a bit of sugar if you want to feed the yeast.

Then add and mix in mixer (or by hand) for 2 to 3 minutes

6 cups bread flour

3 cups whole wheat flour

1/2 cup + 2 tbsp honey

2 tbsp salt

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

I add more flour until the dough is smooth and elastic and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.

Let rise in bowl while you prepare the toppings.

Then divide into 5 pieces. Spread one out into the shape you want and place on pizza peel (wooden paddle) lightly covered with cornmeal. Now top the dough with your choice of sauce and toppings then slide it onto the pizza stone which has been heating in the oven.

Bake for 10 minutes.

Brush crust with a bit of extra virgin olive oil.

Enjoy~~

Some of our favorites:

BBQ chicken: spread your favorite BBQ sauce over the dough, place cooked chicken pieces over and then top with mozza cheese and some smoked gouda. Place thinly sliced red onion on top. Bake. Remove from oven and top with fresh cilantro leaves

Garden tomato: Use marinara sauce. Top with favorite cheeses then top with an assortment of sliced tomatoes from your garden. Remove from oven and top with some fresh basil.

Chicken Alfredo: Use alfredo sauce and top with chicken and fresh tomatoes then mozza and parmesan cheeses.