the hunt is on

everyone getting their loot... owen is about to take off running.

is Dave in the Hunger Games?  He is dead serious about this egg hunt.

Lillian is content with 2 eggs, and doesn't even know there might be something inside. If only she could stay this content and happy forever.  But I have a feeling she might figure it out one of these years.

jackpot!!

Josie's first Easter egg hunt, and her first gigantic Reese's.

getting a bit more serious about finding some eggs.

Yes, apparently we all dressed like easter eggs too.

Christmas 2010

Joey gave Dave a golf club cover, guess who it looks like?

New golf clubs for Dave!! Thank you, Santa!

She's got a Ticket to Ride...

Surprise!! Look who showed up Christmas morning!

June's wondering what Dave's got up his sleeve...

An iPad was necessary this year to keep Dad in the 21st Century.

I wouldn't be who I am today without the support, love, advice, friendship, style, and humor from my 2 older sisters.

trick or treat

This is what you'll find when you come knocking at our door tonight. What would you pick?

And this is who you'll find standing inside.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Monster Mash

Looks like Dracula himself decided to throw a party, with the help of his witchy wife, of course. Let the cosume parade begin!

the gypsy from Transylvania

Life really is a circus with the Walkers

I don't know how that little mermaid survives the spookiness around her!

You would think Mario would bring his go-kart.... and interesting how Jeff just happened to have all the ingredients for a nerd costume....

Practicing for next year's event... turkey legs on a string!

If you like it then you should've put a ring on it... oh oh oh

I wonder if the ladybug is Team Edward or Team Jacob

Prizes to suit all your Halloween wishes, from glow stick wands and stretchy spiders to grow-your-own skeletons. It's like a Hogsmeade store!

cookie jar

The woman who started it all and has shared her skills with the rest of us. As this year's official "cookie counter," Mom was in charge of making sure each of us got our equal share (which ended up around 12 dozen per person!)

Dress code for the day: aprons

My two personal favorites: chocolate parfait (above) and orange carrot (below). They're melting in my mouth already.

COOKIE BAKE 2009

pumpkin boogie

Our Annual Pumpkin Carving Party was a huge success- thank you to Chelsea and Mark for hosting the event this year. Lizzie introduced me to the trick of using a jar lid to scrape out the guts- brilliant! Dave's pumpkin took on a cartoon-ish complexion, and I'm not sure if mine is shreiking or yawning. Either way, these are the faces greeting our trick-or-treaters this Halloween.

Our friend Siqi carved this all too pretty jack-o-lantern... not too shabby for a first-timer, eh? I love the smiling eyes.

WHOO can resist pumpkin carving? not I!

who likes to party?

Dave and I just hiked in for the occasion, fresh from Camp Tomahawk. "On my honor..."

The guests ranged from an "Enchanting" Princess, Little Red Riding Hood, and a Skeleton to the Incredible Hulk, Spiderman, and a very scary Witch.


Who can resist Minnie Mouse?

This flower and bumblebee pair was as darling as ever. Now where is their Beekeeper counterpart?


I give them the prize for most clever- crossword puzzles! Now let me get my pencil...

Jeff never disappoints, always showing up in his non-PC skin color of choice. I'm sure Ronnie Price will forgive him.

Why didn't the skeleton come to the Halloween party?



Because he had no BODY to come with!!! hahaha



Thanks again to R&R for a frightfully fabulous party- it's one of our very favorite parts of Halloween. We missed Dad, but he needed his rest and we're glad he's feeling better. Congrats to Richard for winning the Best Costume Award as the Incredible Hulk!

Utah State Fair 2009

I never knew my love for chocolate would one day bring me a blue ribbon. I'm glad the judges liked it as much as I do.

I'd like to thank my garden for producing such wonderful zucchini that gives this bread it's moisture and flavor. And Dave for encouraging me to make it all the time- I almost have the recipe memorized!

At least these Dollys got a ribbon! Maybe I should have added some secret zucchini...

Way to go Amber! This was no surprise- about 11 years ago, Amber joined the family and quickly had the sweetroll recipe perfected before any of the rest of us. My Grandma Jo should be proud- almost all these ribbon winners are her recipes. Any baking ability I may have I owe to her and my mom, for many years spent in the kitchen together :)

#3...meant to be!

Dave and I celebrated our third anniversary last month by dining at La Caille. I had never been there before, but we had some gift certificates to spend (thanks to the best neighbors ever) so we decided to indulge. And indulge we did! Everything was perfect- the food, the surroundings, the music, the lighting, and of course the company. Except for the swan biting Dave's thumb, we couldn't have asked for a better night.

I love the way Dave makes me happier than anything or anyone else in this world. In these short 3 years, I feel like we've already experienced so much together. I've learned that I never know what life has in store- I'm just glad Dave and I will be side by side through it all. Here's to a successful and joyous year ahead!

stars and stripes forever

There's just something about the 4th and 24th of July that make them 2 of my very favorite holidays. I love being outside, the warm weather, the smell of the BBQ in the backyard, and the brightly colored fireworks that light up the sky at night. It's so nice to spend the day with family and friends without the stress that often accompanies other major holidays. Plus, I've always considered myself an exceptionally patriotic person and I love singing as many patriotic songs as I can think of. Here's a look at some of the holiday highlights:


3 cheers for the red, white, and blue...


s'more smores please!

I love being able to celebrate Alana's birthday and the Pioneers on the same day! Talk about a winning combo!