"S" is for...Sara and Pancakes!

Sara got a little creative with the pancake batter this afternoon making a great big letter S. I had to document this because my pancake shape making skills are limited...however, when it came to flipping it over, she needed my help.

Sweet & Savory, Sara's Special "S"

It's a Small World...

A rare event happened in our home last night...we were able to host the missionaries for dinner. I have tried several times to do this, but there are so many families that want to feed the misionaries here that their nights are already full of dinner appointments. What a great experience for my girls to talk with them and hear about their missions. The sisters shared a sweet message with us. But, the coolest part was when we were finding out where they were both from and Sister Sandall said, Flagstaff, AZ. I asked her if she knew my best friend, Allyson Dunford Johnson who lives there now, not thinking that she would even know her and SHE DID! In fact, Sister Sandall and Sengi (Ally's Daughter) were best friends through high school and now they are both out serving missions. 

After dinner, we walked across the street to the Stake Center to attend the General Women's Broadcast together. So Inspiring...Thanks girls for going with me!

Date Night to See Our Aggie Girl!

On the spur of the moment (when we realized the girls would be dancing for most of Friday night), Derek and I decided to head up to Logan to spend time with Alli! We took her out to dinner and then back to her apartment to see all the big projects she is working on for her interior design classes. Some pretty cool lamps are being constructed. I also love her room. It is decorated so cute!

 

Then we went to The Aggie Creamery (THE BEST ICE CREAM!)

Aggie Blue Mint ice cream is our favorite and it was totally worth the drive! 

Double Birthday Celebration!

Our wonderful parents and grandparents celebrate their birthdays within 5 days of each other. We grabbed Kayli and then the two girls from dance and met them at La Costa Mexican Restaurant in American Fork. Thankfully, Sherm and Judith were willing to drive extra far so we didn't have to eat too late. Everyone enjoyed the yummy fajitas - they are the best!

Birthday singing was extra loud tonight as seven waiter and waitresses serenaded the table bringing ice cream sundaes for dessert. I don't know much Spanish, but I do know that whatever they were saying was cheerful and boisterous. All of us chimed in at the end with
"Happy Birthday to You!"

Coincidentally, the four of us showed up in striped shirts...haha...we had to take a picture.

We never thought we would ever give birthday presents out in a parking lot. These chairs were wrapped in the back of our car and the wrapping came off just as Grandpa Sherm pressed the trunk button. 

Happy Birthday again and we hope these will be the best chairs you can find to sit in at Bear Lake. :)

Temple Time Together

Yesterday was a neat day.  Grandma has been building her file of family names for the temple...all the people that the kids get baptized for at Snowbird and then we (the adults) have done endowment sessions, etc.  Between everyone helping, she had 95+ names ready to be sealed to their families. So, Saturday Gma and Gpa, Greg and Tracey, Heather and Steve, Kayli and Chris and I went and did sealings all together. It turned out awesome and Grandma was smiling from ear to ear. Afterwards, we went to eat lunch at a fun restaurant and just talked. Good times and such a great way to do temple work all together.

Lucky Pancakes

Happy St. Patrick's Day with ultra green pancakes and no one from this house getting pinched today!

Party Time at Hang Time!

These girls know how to have tons of fun! I enjoyed watching them jump, run around and fly through the air for two hours!

 Waiting for their turn for the springy tramps...

Sara just learned how to do a back flip on our trampoline at home, but this was so much more fun getting higher than normal air and landing into a pit of foam.

Brianna looks like she might be diving; however, she'll get her legs the rest of the way around and make a great landing.

 Happy faces enjoying this place filled with lots of people, lots of noise and tons of activity!

 After a little dodge ball, it was time for the sport tramps. Kate was up first with the basketball.

Next Sara takes a shot and she makes it!

Everyone was extra hungry for waffles when we returned home. Thanks Derek for driving this crew back so I could get a head start on cooking...

YUMMY! 

Such a great group of girls. 

Sara, Bri, Lili, Kate, Jacinda and Audrey 

Cutest homemade card from Audrey filled with tons of stickers...and lots of very nice gifts from all of her friends. 

Time to make a wish... 

...and blow!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY again to our beautiful Sara. I'm sure you will not forget the celebrations of turning 13!

Celebrating all Week

 This birthday girl is a daddy's girl for sure! We ate dinner at Noodles and Company tonight. Dad treated everyone to their favorite pasta dishes. Even more "Happy Birthday" good times when we're all together.

The suggestion came up to go get dessert at Sweet Tooth Fairy. Everybody was excited about this idea.

Now what to choose...Cupcakes, Brownies, Cookies or Bars..hmmm...such big decisions.

The cupcakes were the winners, especially the strawberry cheesecake. So happy to have all these girls around. Sisters really make the perfect best friends! 

Happy Birthday to Our Newest Teenager

 Look who joined the ranks of teenager today!!!

Sara requested birthday crepes for breakfast. It's so dark outside...

 Her beehive class heart attacked her front door by 7:30 this morning. More than a dozen hearts with notes complimenting Sara decorated our door.

Who should have to go to school for the whole day on their birthday? I checked Sara and Madi out for shopping and lunch at Costa Vida - Sara's favorite!

 Since Derek was out of town, we sent him snapchats so he could be a part of the celebration!

Then it was off to dance for 3 hours. Sara's dance friend surprised her with Chick-fil-a kids meals for the entire carpool.

Opening presents is the best part of having a birthday!

Thanks for the red envelope Grandma and Grandpa Butters!

Even though Madi's birthday isn't for a few more weeks, Grandma Karen insisted that they open their presents together since she gave them similar gifts!

Kayli and Chris came by in the evening and then we headed off to Starbucks for a Carmel Drizzle Vanilla Bean Frappe....It really doesn't get much better then this!

Well maybe this weekend when we get to celebrate with the whole family! 

Birthday weeks are the best!

Thanks Drama Class

Sara needed to go to one more play for drama this quarter, so we looked up what was playing from Salt Lake to Utah County. Les Mis is one of my favorites and this one was exceptional! So much amazing talent on one small stage (HCTO). Love this girl of mine and getting to spend the evening just with her. 

a perfect little get-a-way trip

My good friend Kim Nilson invited me on a Birthday/Primary Presidency/Girls Trip to Beautiful St. George last week. What a great break we had going for walks, eating, hiking, going to the movies, visiting and playing games. We also went to the temple on Thursday afternoon. I love the St. George Temple...it reminds me so much of my grandparents and when Derek and I came here with them after we were first married. Could a temple get any whiter than this one, especially against the bright blue sky?

 Stephanie, Brandi, me and Kim - I enjoy being with these ladies so much!

{Close-up picture - my head is huge}

 We stayed in a beautiful condo not far from the beautiful Zion's National Park. Awe this view is breathtaking! 

 The pathway leading to Emerald Pools - What a gorgeous day!

How about this for a treat? I didn't even know these existed! Who comes up with dipping potato chips in chocolate? Probably a woman, ha. :) I was surprised how good they tasted. However, I would never open a bag like this all alone...it could be dangerous!