Night on the Town

Ben has been working A LOT of overtime and traveling a lot as well. He always goes the extra mile and finally was recognized for all the extra he does all the time. After a stressful round of meetings and presentations with clients that went really well, his boss told him to come home, take his wife out, and send him the bill. I was ecstatic! Ben chose the place, I chose the outfit, and we were off!

After talking to a friend who's wife is a professional chef, Ben took me to a restaurant at the Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale, the J&G Steakhouse. Having never been to the Phoenician, I was very impressed. It's where the President stays when he's in Arizona and I can see why. Perfectly manicured grounds, amazing pools, fountains...beauty everywhere. The resort is nestled into a hill that overlooks Camelback and the valley. We arrived around 6, had a table with a view, and were able to enjoy the sunset together. Our table was next to the balcony which also had a fire lit outside and beautiful deep purple petunias in planters all around. The view was stunning, the food, atmosphere, and service amazing, the company...my hot husband, perfect! It was so nice for a change to get dressed up for a date, leave the kiddos behind, and remember why we fell in love with eachother in the first place. We decided it was our best and most romantic date ever.... with many more to come!

I love these smooshy face pictures...reminds me of when we were first dating, young and in love!

Doesnt really do it justice.

Still in LOVE!

Day at the Museum

Ben and Kaleb had a guys day out a few Saturdays ago. First they hit the free day at the Children's Museum and ran into Sesame Street pals, Elmo & Grover. They also met the Shamrock Cowy-Cow (as Kaleb calls him) and enjoyed lots of chocolate milk. Dylan and I were sick with the stomach bug, so these two were on their own. I figured they'd be back by about 2 or 3. NOPE...they left at 10 and didn't get back until almost 7! Needless to say, they had a blast and enjoyed their time away. They did errands for me on the way home, and somehow Ben ended up with a new Blackberry. Hmm. Also check out the video at the end. This was Ben's favorite part of the day...just driving in the truck w/ his boy. Driving & taping...watch out!

Boys are Gross

Stunts my boys have pulled over the last week or so.

*Dylan is famous for his toots and blowing raspberries so hard they sound like really loud & juicy. We were at yoga last week with my YW and he blew one so hard on my back, that he had the whole room rolling with laughter! So much for meditation!
*Kaleb enjoys "watering our trees" and has peed on trees for all to see (including girlfriends) four times in the last week. Nudity means nothing to him.
*What's this mom? (tampon in hand) Oh, just something for moms. Do you want one?
*Dylan also tried to moon the class of girls at yoga and has recently started shoving his hand down his diaper in back trying to pull it off. Not really sure why... must be a boy thing!!!
*Kaleb had a BAD accident the other day. I think he was too busy playing, then realized a little too late that he really had to go. As I'm cleaning him, the toilet and floor up he says, "Mom, that is the grossest thing I've ever seen in my entire life!!!" Agreed.

Boys are gross, but I sure do love 'em!

I Heart Art!

Since love is in the air, here's a post about the new love of my life...my job as an art teacher! This is the first job that I have really, truly loved, besides being a mommy, of course. I've been teaching art on Mondays since the fall for a very small school of kindergarten through eighth graders. Since I first saw the ad in the classifieds, I knew it was something that I really wanted to pursue, and although there are times when all does not go as smoothly as I'd like, it's been a great fit for me. Just enough time to get out of my house and away from the daily grind, but not enough to where I feel like I'm neglecting my most important responsibilities at home.

I love the challenge and chance to be creative! The students are great and really enjoy my class, too. For most of them, this is their first opportunity to have art and some of them tell me they wish they had art twice a week instead of their other specials (music & PE). It's been good for me to be back in the world of teaching again, and I am now motivated to keep my certificate valid. My Aunt Michele has taught art in Deer Valley for years and has always loved her job. She's been a great resource and inspiration for me, always willing to share ideas and lead me in the right direction. Now that this is my "specialty" it's been so great to expand my knowledge of the artworld and to encourage my students to try new things and be creative. It's been very fulfilling and wonderful all around and has also motivated me to roll up my sleeves and do more arts and crafts at home with Kaleb and our cooperative preschool kiddos.

A very special thanks to Chrissy who cares for my kids while I'm away...she's the best and I couldn't do this without knowing my boys were in good hands! Also to Ben my love and the boys for their support as well, who helped me make this decision that effects us all.

Here are a few of the projects we've done so far...enjoy!

Love is in the Air

We have a tendency to stretch our holidays out a bit, so we kicked it off this year with Kaleb's Valentine's Preschool Party. We were learning about the letter P, so what better way than to have a party? For starters we did puzzles, followed by a coloring page of princesses and pirates. We each made a heart shaped pizza, and enjoyed strawberry heart jigglers. While our pizzas were baking, we played and enjoyed a game of Candyland with conversation hearts along the path for munching. We also read one of our favorite books by Sam McBratney, Guess How Much I Love You? When the mommies arrived we ate some more, played, and exchanged our Valentines.

Friday night the boys took me out for a Sweetheart's Surprise to Outback. We decided to beat the Valentine's Day crowds and it was well worth it! Kaleb was so excited to go out for steak, he could hardly contain himself. Both the boys were really well behaved, and tried new things. Kaleb tried ketchup (I know ridiculous, but he never would before!) Dylan tried a bloomin' onion w/horseradish sauce. The food was excellent, as was the waiter, and it was just really nice to spend some time together after a long and busy week! Ben and Kaleb stopped by and picked up some secret surprises for me on the way home and K told me all about them as soon as Dad left the room (with no haggling from me... I love it!)

Today the boys were cuties and enjoyed their many sweets from us & G & G Stock. Both boys loved the barking "I wuv you" pups G&G sent. Kaleb picked out daisies, oreos & a card for me and even wrote in the card all by himself! We lounged around all morning, had heart pancakes, then drove into 'Tukee for a picnic at Pecos Park w/the Weeks. The boys played so hard, they fell asleep on the ride home and have been out ever since! Dylan did wake up for a bit, and gave me the sweetest snuggles for about an hour.
I feel so loved...what a perfect Valentine's Day!

Hey, Good Lookin'...Whatcha Got Cookin'?

Here's some of our February Favorites:

This is the first recipe I've EVER tried from a magazine...FamilyFun:

Mulligatawny Soup

	4 tablespoons butter (or 2 tablespoons olive oil)
	1 onion, chopped
	2 carrots, chopped
	1 celery stalk, chopped
	1 green pepper, chopped*(I used red pepper)
	1 apple, cored, peeled, and chopped
	1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, chopped
	1/2 cup flour
	2 to 3 teaspoons curry powder
	5 cups chicken broth
	1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
	Salt and pepper
	2 cups hot cooked rice

1. Melt the butter, or heat the oil, in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, green pepper, apple, and chicken, and sauté for about 15 minutes. Turn the heat to low.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the flour and curry powder. Add the mixture to the pot, then stir and cook for 3 to 5 minutes. Add the chicken broth and tomatoes. Partially cover the pot and simmer the soup for about an hour, stirring occasionally. Add the salt and pepper to taste.
3. To serve, place about 1/4 cup of rice in a bowl and ladle the soup over the rice. Makes about 8 cups.

Kaleb's Kiss Cookies
1 yellow cake mix
1 c. PB
1/3 c. water
1 egg
Hershey kisses or hearts (milk chocolate)

Mix altogether, form dough balls, then press candy into middle. Bake at 350 for 9-12 min. Melt in your mouth good!

My Child's Prayer...

Kaleb has been really thinking hard lately while saying his prayers.
*We're thankful for Family Fun Evening.
*Please bless us and keep us safe from dinosaurs and monsters.
*Please bless Dylan to fold his arms like a good boy during prayers.
*Please bless Dad to not get stuck in traffic.
*Please bless us to not get mommy's cold.

He was having a hard time sleeping last night during the rain storm and I honestly thought he was just stalling and not really afraid. But after lots of snuggles, water runs, and songs, I explained to him that the sounds of the storm aren't scary, it's one of my most favorite sounds. Storms are Heavenly Father's way of cleaning the earth and giving us the water we need, etc....he eventually fell asleep. When Kaleb woke up this morning, he told me he was able to sleep through the night because he knew Heavenly Father and Jesus were there.

KK's also been learning his Articles of Faith by memory, and getting ready to share the scripture in Primary in a few weeks. We asked him if he remembered the verse (The family is ordained of God) and he said, "The family is afraid of God." Hmm...we may have to work on it a bit more!

Wednesday ?

My friend, Mon, used to post a random question every Wed. Since she hasn't in a while, I'm going to just for fun. Respond if you want!

What game or reality tv show do you think you could win?

What would you do with the money, honey?