Trev's Open House

Trev had his school open house. Here are a few pictures from the evening. (I loved the artist portrait and the idea to write your child a note on the butcher paper located on the desk!)

Emonkey's Special Day

Here is our Eman on his birthday! He is the big 8!! Enjoy a few of the pictures from his big day!

"The Real Guitar Heroes"

This was what the title of Garth and Garin's Guitar recital was-cute, huh? I think it was because SO MANY people have started taking lessons since the game came out. Garth and Garin have both been taking lessons for a little over a year. For Garth this was one of those "always wanted to dos" and for Garin he had been wanting it a little less time! ;-) They both did terrific! Their teacher, Greg, is such a great guy (he is the tall guy clapping in the last picture). He encouraged everyone to write their own music/words and sing them while playing. Garin did just that. Garth, a bit more reserved perhaps, decided to play Wonderwall and had Greg sing. Let me say that I was a very proud Wife/Mom standing in the back while holding Ryden and wishing Shelby to take good pictures. She did pretty good considering our camera is going...

Three Pigs Opera...Kindergarten Style

Yep, that's right. The Three Pigs Opera. Trev is on the top row, the 4th hat from the left (bright pink). You just have to love listening to a bunch of kindergarten kids singing about the 3 pigs. It is truly one of the joys of parenthood. And the exciting part is that we get to hear it again next year with Starlee. Do we love it because our kid is in it, yep. But, maybe they could sing something else-Mat Kearney maybe? or Jack Johnson? Either is pretty mellow. Jack Johnson even has the Curious George songs...maybe I should suggest it? ;-)

What we have been up to...

Everyone may have noticed that blogging just hasn't been something I have been getting done. We have been busy with our normal, chaotic lives plus the normal "more." Garin made the school basketball team, Shelby is participating in ballroom dancing, I am the co-Art Docent for Ethan's class, and of course just getting things ready to go out of town again. All these=CRAZY!

So, I will be trying to get everything a bit more updated. I have tons of recipes I want to post on The Isom Ate as well as some pictures of the kids from our latest trip to Utah.

Anyway, bear with me-I am getting there. And until then-have a terrific day! I have enjoyed reading everyone's blogs even though I have been lame about comments.
Google reader is so cool!

Sweet's Candy Factory

All I have to say is yum...oh, and free samples!

We took the tour and all the kids were entranced. Trev even stood right by me!
(I guess that was a little more said-you get my drift anyway, right?)

Spending the night at Casey & Jenna's

On our trip to Utah for Easter Ry, Ethan, and I spent the night at Jenna & Casey's. Here are a few of the pictures from our fun night:

Ry eating his quesadilla from Costa Vida-yum!

Ethan smiling at his appreciation of good food!

Casey hanging all of the March Madness brackets...time consuming! ;-)

Ryden playing with Aunt Jenna-and having fun as you can tell.

A New Snack...

My Mom introduced me to these when we were in Utah and I love them! I have been so good only allowing myself a few a week. And just to make sure I could allow myself a few a week indefinitely I stocked up on them when they were on sale for $1.50/box! Garth says I am easy to please (he isn't a black pepper fan, more of the serrano/habanero/red bell pepper type-me I love them all!). I snacked on these when I was driving back from Utah and boy, they really helped with the mundaneness of driving! Anyway, if you like black pepper-give these a try! :-)

Ethan's school report

(If Casey thinks it is a little embarassing-tough luck. E loves you!)

My Hero

My hero’s name is Casey Tanner. My hero is my uncle. He is my uncle that made me a football fan. Through the end of April they (he, my Aunt Jenna, & my cousin Weston) will live in Provo, UT. In May & June they will be staying with us here in Alpine and then in July will move to Sacramento, CA where my uncle will start working for Ernst & Young. I chose my uncle because he is one of my family members and he made a difference in my life. My uncle has made a difference in lives by tutoring football and basketball players at BYU while he is finishing school. He also helps my Dad with his homework. My Uncle Casey makes me feel loved too and is always a good example. Uncle Casey chooses the right, went on a mission to Brazil for our church, and plays with my brothers and sisters and I whenever he can. I love my Uncle Casey!

A "walk" to the pond

I just thought this was cute, no specific reason-I just like walking pictures!
The love each other just a little bit...
and often walk holding hand lately. (As their Mom I love it.)
We finally made it to the pond, it wasn't exactly a short walk.

My Ry...
Playing at the pond's edge...
And Starlee again (she just likes to smile for the camera)

And Ryden walked the dog on the way back...I know, gasps are heard around the world.
And another gasp worthy shot.
Oh, this is out of order (this was before the dog), but I loved this picture. I wish Jenna had been here with her camera so I could have zoomed in a bit better. And until we can afford to replace my completely beat up camera-just imagine it zoomed in, 'kay? ;-)

Ry got a little tired towards the end...
and seemed to like his comfy slave. (Please ignore the lack of makeup, hairdo, all of the wrinkles, and everything else-just focus on the smile I have because I love my kids!)

Simply Starlee...

Starlee loves to take pictures...especially with handsome men! :-)

And on to Easter Dinner...

My Mom with only part of the spread. It was fun to have dinner be presented so pretty, just like it always is with my Mom. I think I probably need to get much better at that (oh, the things I need to work on...).
I love ham! And potato casserole...
Obviously the food was taken to quite well...notice the asparagus (one of my favorites)!
This was Ryden as he was anticipating eating. You didn't want the pictures in order, did you?
The beautifully set table. Jenna wrote everyone's names on the eggs and then we dyed them.
Here is Garth's!
And the three kids that sat at the counter. (This was the coveted spot growing up when we would visit my Grandma Pitt's house. It was fun to see that continue!)
The pretty tulips, I love tulips! Especially in vintage bottles and vase! I think I am going to have to start checking out thrift shops, DI in Utah, etc. to add some of these to my stuff. I loved the simpleness and beauty of the flowers!

The Hunt...(still getting caught up with Easter)

My Mom has pictures on her blog of the hunt for Easter eggs, so click on her name if you would like to see them. Here are a few I took as well!

What do you think they are looking at? The egg that fell down into the window well? ;-) Or Jenna's totally cool camera?
I know, I know he obviously looks so quiet and shy!
Do you get the feeling she thinks she is cute? Mmmm...
I love that smile!
And these dimples (oh and the lack of front teeth-he lost another one yesterday)...
And of course I am so grateful for two princesses in addition to the blessing of so many handsome men in my life.

Weston Douglas Tanner

This is our newest little nephew, Weston Douglas. We are so very excited to have him here with us. There were a few complications after he was born, namely there was meconium in the amniotic fluid and he has a bacterial blood infection. So, feel free to add him to your prayers. He is such a cute little guy and we are all already in love with him even though we are so far away. I love being an aunt more than words can express (and I know Garth loves being an uncle-especially when his nephews take a quick nap right next to him-which he will be getting that time with Weston in May) and am looking forward to the moment that I can hold him and snuggle him right up. I am sure visits to Sacramento are going to be high on our list. So, not to beat out Casey & Jenna on their blog since they are busy taking care of their cutie, but we couldn't wait to welcome the incredibly handsome Weston Douglas Tanner! We couldn't be more excited that he is here! :-)

PS Isn't he cute?

Costa Vida

There are a couple of places that I love to eat at when we are in Utah. One I have mentioned before, Kneaders, the other is Costa Vida. The first time we went I ordered the Mango Chicken Salad (on Jenna's suggestion) which was very, very yummy! This last time they were out of the mango chicken so Jenna suggested the sweet pulled pork. Oh my goodness, it is yummy too! I have been searching for recipes today so that I can perfect that sweet pork. I am hoping that I can get it down before Jenna & Casey come down since I know it is one of his favorites. So far I have about 6 different recipes off of the web. If you know of one that you have made that is close, please send it on...(and any recipes for the mango chicken would be much appreciated too)

Oh, and when I do try a recipe-I will post it on The Isom Ate with our review, etc.