So this is why we have children!!!!

What a wonderful Anniversary gift from Caitlyn.....doing the dishes after our special dinner all by herself for the first time and loving it! I really didn't do anything other than start the dishwasher! Let's hope she continues to love this chore and relieve mommy from this dreadful daily duty!




Happy Anniversary to us!

Bear Lake!

This weekend we decided to make a short trip up to Bear Lake! A first time journey that we plan to make once again in the summer. No skies or snowmobiles followed behind us up Logan Canyon, however the breathtaking scenery and relaxation from work and stress was enough to enjoy for the day. A few stores and restaurants were open for the winter. Unfortunately the ones that claimed to have the world's best raspberry shakes were closed...WHAT???? Well, we did get to have one at a local pizza place. We were able to check out the small town of Garden City and get some ideas from locals on what to do when we return for the summer.

We even ended up in Idaho for about 5 minutes and we didn't even stop to get a lottery ticket. We could be millionaires right now!


The view of Bear Lake however, was breathtaking from the pier. A bit chilly this time of year but the water was that talked about famous turquoise color. We can't wait to return for the summer and enjoy some sorely missed California sandy beach similarities.



According to folklore, Bear Lake holds a lake monster. Has anyone ever seen this Bear Lake monster? To bad it's a made up story because I'm positive I saw something out there!


Thank goodness for indoor pools!


The trip back home was long but the scenery was amazing driving back down Logan Canyon. It reminded me of how much I really enjoy Utah and all the outdoor activities we need to take advantage of...like hiking, camping, visiting hot springs, touring caves and so much more! I've brought out my summer to do list from last year and hope to check off a few more activities this summer and possibly add more!


We made a quick stop at the Logan Temple which was a first sight for me.


What a wonderful weekend to kick start our 12th anniversary!

Pets...ya gotta love em!

A Dog Named Sex

Everybody who has a dog calls him "Rover" or "Boy". I call mine "Sex". He's a great pal, but he has caused me a great deal of embarrassment.

When I went to a city hall to renew his dog license, I told the clerk I would like a license for Sex. He said, "I'd like one, too!"
Then, I said, "But this is a dog." He said he didn't care what she looked like. Then, I said, "You don't understand, I've had Sex since I was nine years old." He winked and said, "You must have been quite a kid."

When I got married and went on my honeymoon, I took the dog with me. I told the motel clerk that I wanted a room for my wife and me and a special room for Sex.
He said, "You don't need a special room. As long as you pay your bill, we don't care what you do." I said, "Look, you don't seem to understand. Sex keeps me awake at night." The clerk said, "Funny -- I have the same problem."



One day, I entered Sex in a contest, but before the competition began, the dog ran away. Another contestant asked me why I was just standing there, looking disappointed. I told him I had planned to have Sex in the contest. He told me I should have sold my own tickets. "But you don't understand," I said, "I had hoped to have Sex on TV." He said, "Now that cable is all over the place, it's no big deal anymore."

When my wife and I separated, we went to court to fight for custody of the dog. I said, "Your honor, I had Sex before I was married." The judge said, "The courtroom isn't a confessional. Stick to the case please."
Then, I told him that after I was married, Sex left me. He said, "Me, too."

Last night, Sex ran off again. I spent hours looking all over town for him. A cop came over to me and asked. "What are you doing in this alley at 4 o'clock in the morning?" I told him that I was looking for Sex. My case comes up Friday.

Here is Shamrock our proctector! He is a guardian of the front door with his bark when the doorbell rings and then licks whom ever is there once they come in. Although some people find him intimidating is he the greatest dog ever! He is a loving, patient, still playful in his old age and a loyal companion.


This is Coco, our mut. She is a bit overweight but loves to snuggle. Like a woman she has Shamrock by her side who most often lets her have her way.....first into a room to lay on the dog pillow or first to eat from the dog bowl. A few years shy of Shamrock but still as playful as a pup!



Knock, Knock!
Who's there?
Ron!
Ron who?
Ron a little faster, will you? There's a pit bull after us!

Curiosity!

A quote for someone I know.....
"
The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has it's own reason for existing."
Albert Einstein

Thought of this person and realize his/her curiosity has reason. I have faith that this peaked curiosity will someday have meaning! We all know the wonders of the world works in mysterious ways. How amazing it would be to know just a small part of these inexplicable doings. But then imagine how our lives would be if we knew the answers to everything!I firmly believe curiosity will eventually somehow, someway be answered in a manner that can affirm some kind of truth. Most of us relate curiosity to killing the cat, well because I love this person and want the best outcome for thier family I see Curiosity enpowering the cat. My curiosity has been peaked. I ask myself what does the future beholds on behalf of this reason? Why must curiosity exist? How is this person's current experience going to affect themselves or other's? HOW? WHY? WHEN? WHERE? Time will only tell!

A Princess Affair!

Once upon a time....
Caitlyn was cordially invited to a Princess Party and boy was she excited! I was determined to try some new hairstyles that I really don't have the patience for! For one Caitlyn's hair in all uneven due to a previous haircut she decided to try on herself a while ago. It's growing out but still we have a ways to go! Thankfully her hair is curly so it's not so noticeable and a few hairstyles can cover it up! With some help from the site "hairformyprincess" I came up with this:

I think Princess Caitlyn's maid did an O.K job on the hair style...she's learning but with a little more pay maybe she can do some hair wonders in the near future!!!!


It was alot of fun for a whole bunch of little princess. They ate, made tiara's,played games, colored a pretty princess and decorated their own prince charming.






Princess Becca's maid(Mommy Kristi) did an awesome job with her hair!


Princess Jesse was just so darn cute!


Pam the maid even did an awsome job on her princess!



Simply Sweet!


And she lives happily for now with her mother maid and Prince charming Daddy...



She ends the day with a special kiss for King Shamrock!!!

A New Years Outting!

We decided to start the new year right and bond as a family! So on New Years we ending up in Salt Lake for lunch and a stroll down the Gateway. We ate at Dodo's Restaurant(funny huh!)which was good. The best was our dessert...Nestle Toll House Cookie Pie!

Then we strolled down for a quick shower. I was surprised they were on for the winter..must be heated.

On our way back home we stopped at Tai-Pan. I was excited because Sonny was excited....We'll Sonny only lasted to be exact 5 minutes and took off to wait in the car. What!!!! He was expecting something totally different!
So my tour was unfortnately short!
We then stopped in Draper where we were able to see Porter Rockwell!
I see similarities in this photo....is it Grandpa Ralph???? Oh no it's Porter Rockwell himself, a long-haired gunfighter and protector of his people! There are great stories of this man who was bodyguard of his best friend Joseph Smith. Sonny has just finished reading all 4 Porter Rockwell Chronicles so now it's my turn to enjoy his life's adventure!


We Ended our evening at the Desanitago's and a visit from the Albright's.....Where were the other Maloy's...Sick( So Sorry we really missed you guys!) My goal for 2009 is to plan a 2010 Party with them included! We've missed 2 years in a row already!
Our Argentine friends have these new year traditions.... First we ate Empanadas!
Then we did the norm and count down....3, 2, 1 Happy New Year!

We then each recieved 12 pennies. We walked out in the freezing cold to the middle of the street faced north and threw the pennies over our shoulder for good luck....it was great until Kristi threw her pennies south! I'll be praying for you Kristi!

We had a few sparklers going!


We darted inside for warmth and then recieved 12 grapes. We ate a grape and made a wish for each month....Nikko after about his 5th said..."Here mom you do the rest for me!

Happy New Year and best wished to all!

Hot & Caramel Sweet!

My first new successful recipe for 2009! What could be better than a warm cup of cider on a cold day to start off the new year! My favorite all time drink at Starbuck's is the Hot Caramel Apple Cider! If you haven't tried it you need to...or just make it at home. Heidi actually prompted my curiosity so off to Smith's I went for apple cider and whipped cream...all other ingredients I had at home...you might too! Not only does it look pretty it taste even better! I even think my version taste WAY better than Starbucks, I added more caramel! Sorry Heidi, I couldn't wait for your sample...I'm impatient! I would have shared it today but I was off to work with a warm cup of cider! Let's just say this was a sample to prove it's greatness! Doesn't it look delicious! YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!


This was the recipe I used..I justed altered the amount of caramel!(Be Creative)
1 1/2 cups apple cider
1 1/2 tbl caramel sauce or caramels melted
1/2 tsp vanilla
whipped cream



Cheers!