Book Worm

Friday was my mom's last day of work. She is now officially retired! Congrats Mom!

If I could pick just one hobby my mom enjoys the most, it hands down would be reading. The most vivid memory I have of her past/current (when she wasn't busy being a domestic goddess) is with her feet propped up, reading somewhere.

The day before she retired she told us that she would have to go to the library and check out a dozen books. I was laughing inside because of the cake I had made for her surprise retirement party, and because we all went in on a Kindle for her retirement gift.

Mom may be a tiny bit forgetful sometimes, but she's one sly fox. I honestly didn't think it was possible to pull off a surprise party for her, but I was still up for the challenge. I knew if she figured out ahead of time what we were planning, she'd likely play along and wouldn't let on that she knew. So, I guess it was a surprise for us too as to whether or not she would actually be surprised...and she was! We invited friends over to the house for homemade pizza and cake. There were some serious food-baby-bellies going on.

Now just when my Mom thought she was done working, she's now just beginning! She has graciously volunteered her services to watch Ben and Zach for a few hours each day while I work on school. I wonder how long it will take before they change her mind? Just today they started perfecting their door-opening skills. My little gremlins are officially turning into little monsters.

Catch of the Day(s)

Darius has been out fishing for Halibut on his days off from work. He's brought dinner home on his last 2 attempts. He and my Dad got a new motor for the boat, and today was their first trip out with it. A trip which used to take him about an hour, now takes him about 2o minutes. I think it's safe to say they're pretty happy with it.

Zach was doing his best to face-plant on the gravel. Good thing Grandma likes him a little!

I've said it before, but I'll say it again...there's nothing like fresh halibut for dinner, especially blackened and grilled. It's some fine eating!

Thanks Darius

While I was visiting Utah I was asked a lot about the flight benefits Darius receives from work. There are drawbacks to flying standby, but the pros far outweigh the cons. To be able to travel to the places we have this past year has made living in a remote area bearable. If we didn't have the flight benefits there is a very slim chance that we would have been able to travel anywhere.

I can't even begin to express how huge it was for me to be able to take this recent trip to Utah. The whole time I was there I experienced a sometimes overwhelming feeling of melancholy. It felt like the next time I would be able to visit Utah things would be very different. I hope I'm wrong, but regardless it was still a big deal that I could be there.

I know how bummed out Darius was that he couldn't come with us. He hates it when we leave him, and I don't blame him. I would hate it too if he were to leave somewhere with the boys while I was left at home to work.

Darius, I just want you to know how much I appreciate you and how hard you work. Because of you I was able to enjoy that time with my family and friends, and that's an incredible gift you were able to share with me and the boys. Even if you didn't have your sweet benefits, I hope you know that I'd love you just as much!

Happy Birthday Grandma Ruth!

After getting back from Carrie's and Bobby's reception I put my sick little men to bed and promptly got moving on finishing up my grandma's birthday cakes. Yes, more cakes! I know I'm out of my mind. I didn't accomplish the big beautiful cake for her that I originally had envisioned, but at least I had a finished cake.

The following day we all headed up to Brigham City where all my mom's side of the family were gathering for Grandma's 90th surprise birthday party. One of my aunts had taken Grandma out to get her hair done, so everyone was waiting at her house to surprise her when she got back. I think a lot of us suspected that she already had an idea about the party, but the look on her face made it obvious that she didn't have a clue. She was practically in tears. It was the sweetest sight!

My uncles had been busy making a dutch oven lunch which everyone enjoyed with some yummy side dishes. We finished it off with cake which despite it's looks was still very tasty.

Mom gave Grandma the book some of us helped out with which contained some of my grandmother's history along with some photos. I think just about all my grandmother's children and grandchildren wrote up little tributes which were also in the book. The tributes were about her and our favorite memories of her. For those of you that don't know my grandmother, she is the most selfless and giving woman I know. She has been the constant caretaker of her family, and hugging her is probably the equivalent of hugging an angel.

I can't remember who said it, but at her party someone told her "look at what you started.." and pointed to all her family gathered together. Dozens and dozens of people are already around because of her and Grandpa Grover, and there are so many more still to come.

This shot includes just a fraction of Grandma's family, everyone in my family was present except for Darius and Michel's husband, Brent.

Le congratulazioni a una molto bella coppia!

I'm just as choked up today looking back on Carrie's and Bobby's reception, as I was on the actual day. I still get teary eyed at the thought of how beautiful Carrie looked in her dress.

All around the room there were photos of them from their wedding day, and trip to Italy. Yes, I wish I could have been there to share the day with them, but in a way I know that it was best that I wasn't there. That day was just for them, and it's the way it should have been.

Their reception was simple and relaxed which reflects their tastes perfectly. They're still the same great couple as they were before they got married, but it was nice they gave their families a reason to come together and celebrate. Carrie detests the spotlight, but she handled it so well.

The cake was even a hit. I just wish they would have cut it sooner, so that it wasn't on display for as long as it was. There were 4 different flavors, and I think the majority of the guests tried about every kind. There was lemon cake with raspberry preserves and lemon buttercream, chocolate cake with cherry and white chocolate buttercream, white almond cake with coconut custard and key lime mousse, and white almond cake with caramel apple and cinnamon sugar cream cheese. I was happy that people forgot about how the cake looked and loved how it tasted instead. Bobby was even sweet and didn't smash cake in Carrie's face. You're a good man Bobby!!

I'm so happy for them! Congratulations to a beautiful couple!