Holiday Mystery Dinner

My mom gave us a "Mystery Dinner" it was very enjoyable. It was for her my dad me and my boys. IT was a dinner table set for Halloween. Then we were given a menu that said to pick 4 courses. it had items like witches fingers mashed up worms, eyeballs. and these items were an actual food that only my mom new what they were. So after selecting your courses she would bring in your 1st course. It may have been something like this:
Witches fingers+= grilled asparagus
mashed slugs= mustard
Grave digger= spoon
Ghost blood= sprite
eyeballs= grapes
liver spots= watermelon


She had each item on a small plate or in a muffin paper liner.
After each course you are suppose to take away everything from the last course but we decided to keep it since we wanted the boys to have mustard and ketchup for their mummy hot dogs and spoons for their jello. It was a great dinner and she made it relatively healthy . You could really do it for any holiday just nae it differently.


MYSTERY DINNER- key

Witches Finger- Roasted Asparagus with salt and Parmesan Cheese
Swamp Monster-Salad
Blood Clots- Tomatoes
Ghost Blood- Sprite
Smashed Slug- Mustard
Eye balls- Grapes
Liver Spots- Watermelon
Zombie Teeth - Pine Apple
Snake Skin - Chips
Witches Brew- Root Beer
Pumpkin Head- Pumpkin Cookie
Mummy Fingers- Hotdogs in a Blanket
Blood- Ketchup
Vampire Phangs- Roasted Almonds
Adams Apple- Cider
Zombie Eyeballs- Olives
Grave Digger- Spoon
Villager’s pitchfork- Fork
Slice and Dice- Knife
Snakes Tongue- plastic split tooth pick
Bones- Tooth Picks

1st Course 2nd Course

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3rd Course

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MYSTERY DINNER Menu

Witches Finger
Swamp Monster
Blood Clots
Ghost Blood
Smashed Slug
Eye balls
Liver Spots
Zombie Teeth
Snake Skin
Witches Brew
Pumpkin Head
Mummy Fingers
Blood- Ketchup
Vampire Phangs
Adams Apple
Zombie Eyeballs
Grave Digger
Villager’s pitchfork
Slice and Dice
Snakes Tongue
Bones

1st Course 2nd Course

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3rd Course

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Put an item in each category on every line. You will be served what you asked for, although you may not know what you actually asked for. At the end of each course your items will be discarded. Choose wisely or you may end up with a wacky meal!!

ZumbaTomic

ZumbaTomic was an activity that Jack got to got. Cecilia and James held it over a two day period it is Zumba for Kids. They go and learn how to dance then perform an entire dance with all the other kids at the end of the two day workshop. They also got to make t-shirts about why they love zumba and how it makes them feel. Then they ha held a class on healthy eating and regular exercise. Jack had a Blast he got to meet some new kids and of course hang out with his pall Tiago and Tiff.
It was fun to watch and be a part of. I helped CC get it going on the first day and helped the kids with the shirts.
I made her invitations as well. Jack and Avery love to go to Zumba class they like the music and to occasionally dance. Now she has set u a day care for the evening classes so they go there and play all night long while we the parents dance. We also helped het get that together by donating a lot of our toys and helped her pull some things together.

Universal Walk Together

On our last night in California Colby and I took a night alone while Karene watched the kids. A change of pace was in need after having 4 kids for a week for sure. It was great but oh so great to be alone again. We whisked off to Universal Walk to have an adult night. It didn’t turn out to be as adult as we had hoped. I forgot my bag so no ID therefore no Martini/piano Bar. Dang! Needless to say Colbs was annoyed.
We made it fun though we toured around the walk snapping pictures at every tourist stops. We purchased gifts for the kids and ourselves and enjoyed a great dinner at a Mexican restaurant there. Where I had to wait 20 freaking minutes for my fried ice-cream had two apologies for the wait, then when we told them this better be free they just laughed and walked off. And still f-ing charged us for it. Colby didn’t put up a fight, me annoyed but oh well. We then walked over to see about seeing a movie until we found out they charged $18.50 per person. Wow, still want to move to Cal? Maybe not
We left the walk and wanted to try and find the HOLLYWOOD sign but failed, but we found another attraction instead. This place was awesome it was called the Brand

Friendly BBQ

We had a fun BBQ last night. We invited our friends Cody and his girlfriend Hailey Christian and our new neighbors Cecilia and her husband James and their 2 kids. Larry and Granny came over as well but left early as they had to get back to Kathy who broke her foot the night before in 3 places and was home in bed and serious pain. She tripped walking up her porch stairs in the dark. So sad, she’ll be out of work for 6-10 weeks. I think she s more bummed about that, using up all her saved vacation time for a broken foot than vacations.
Our BBQ was supposed to be outside but the weather turned bad started to rain really hard. James cooked all the meat on his smoker and it was sooo delicious I loved it Colby seasoned it so good and it was all cooked to perfection. Every one brought a side. We had a fun night the kids tore the basement a part making forts and plying Star Wars and the adults hung out upstairs talking drinking and listening to good beats! We got to know our new neighbors a little bit more as well as Hailey. It was great company we all want to go to Vegas together that would be a blast!
The Mills are a fun couple and easy to be around. They are very open and seem to be nonjudgmental and very sweet people. They are funny too and lots of laugh were shared over the night. We have plans for another BBQ at their house on Monday 2 nights away which I am excited for since they are big dancers and music buffs James is a DJ by hobby and Cecilia is a Zumba dance instructor. Our kind of people for sure!

Hogel Zoo- Snow Day -Off

We went to the Zoo with the Richins. It was a snow day so the kids were off of school. It was a bit cold and considered not going but it was too late the kids had their hearts set on it. So we tufted it out, it rained on us half the time but just a sprinkle. There are lots of improvements going on there the Zebras, penguins, cougars, and bears are all getting their habitats remodeled. They are going to focus on Bears having a Grizzly, Polar bears and reintroducing the seals and sea lions to Hogle Zoo. It looks really nice and we are excited to see the final project in a few years...I think.
Jack was in a mood for a while as he thought he forgot his wallet with his money that he planned on buying a toy from the gift shop. He later found it in his lunch bag and got active again, testly little thing.


There was an angry monkey that kept slapping the window at our faces and showing us his teeth and very mean faces, the kids thought it was hilarious. Man good thing there was a thick glass in between us! I think the funnest part of the whole thing was the playground, so ya I paid $16 to go to the park...parks are free at home. We did go at a good time though not a lot of people were there and it was lunch time so we got to see a lot of animals come alive to eat!
Since the zoo day Kyle, Jackson and Jack having been playing often.

Adults night out

Last week end we had a fun night with some friends. We went out to dinner to Texas Roadhouse with Colby's friend Christian, Cody and their girlfriends Halie and Rori. We then went out to a bar named Maggie's in SLC. It was a karaoke bar and was good for some laughs, half of us sang. I signed Colby up and them me and Halie together the one for myself. But by the time it was time for us to go up, it was time for us to call it a night. We had our boys with Colby's parents so we thought 12 am was late enough. Ended up forgetting that it was daylight saving night so it was actually 1. They were all zonked out by the time we got home. We had a fun night with the friends though, a different kind of fun that we don't do nearly enough. I Michelle of course was the designated driver and got to drive Christians truck. Which made me nervous, I just don't like being responsible for such a pricey thing ya know! I really enjoyed Haley she's my type of girl, we kind of bonded that night finally, we've hung out before but never made the connection. I hope we hang soon. I'll have to invite her Zumba dancing next week. I need more girlfriends I can be my true self around, Since the best of them moved on me.
Tonight we are going out with some other friends of Colby's, Dave, Michelle and their kids. They are a whole different type of friend, Great type just different than all the rest, they are very interesting people. Different ways of thinking and believing, I enjoy their point of view. We're going Disco Skating, we'll see how that goes, can't say I'm that great of a skater, although it would be fun to get better at, I do have my own pair of roller blades I've been wanting to get better at "Whip It" inspired me!

Poop again!

Avery has been doing OK on his potty training. BUT he seems to have a hard time pooping on the Toto and not his pants. It seems to be when he eats yogurt, so I'll try to monitor that a bit more. But Wednesday he had an accident about a half hour before Colby got home from work. That day I had been watching Daphne which by herself and my boys are OK but then I took on my neighbors three boys and then two more boys came to play and all of them at the same time was a bit.....um should I say freaking Crazy. So my nerves were a bit shot when he had this accident. Colby came home and I fed them dinner and said good by for the night! I was at the grocery store searching for chocolate gold for the boys St. Patrick's gift the next day when a text came in from Colby. This is how it read. I thought it smelled like poo, so I asked Avery if he did it. He responded with "Dad, dont shit your pants!" with this face....
Lets just say ...Yes it was a recent memory he had of my reaction to his sweet little gift! Oh Avery one day you'll get it......hopefully...sigh

Jacks TaeKwonDo TEST

We have been very busy with all sort of things. First Jack has been practicing hard for his TaeKwondo Belt Test. This was on March 12th. He happened to be sick for it although I didn't know how bad at first . He had just gotten over the flue three days prior, then the Saturday morning of his test he said he felt sick again, I didn't imagine it was the flu again. SO I forced him to go to the belt test since he would have to wait a whole month till he could test again. He was definitely ready and we needed new material to practice it was getting a bit redundant.
He shook it off for the time being once we pulled up to the studio in Lehi. His Papa L was there to support him, I love those freakin grandparents, they are such supporters we love it! He was very well behaved and brave. There were a lot of viewers there and 5 kids in his age range, testing as well. In the end 4 of the 5 kids promoted including Jack. It was a surprise to him that he got to break boards" He thought he was the shit for that. and he was he later broke them 3 more times at home to my surprise, the smaller they get the harder! Here is him doin his thing!
Avery gets very excited to and yells just like all the other Taekwondoers' Colby was there as well and I let him help Jack with the board braking as I took pictures!




We are so proud of Jack with his new Yellow belt and his entry into the older age group class 3 months early! its quite a privilege to be asked to move up! He has proven his dedication and will continue doing Taekwondo for at least another 6 months, hopefully years to come but we'll take it in smaller increments!
We went to Taco Amigo to celebrate!
3 hours later, Jack started puking for yet another day....Awesome!

Couples Night Out

We had a fun night with some friends from the neighborhood. It was game night at the Clarks. Colby and I really like the two of them, they invite us over quite often but we seem to never be able to go very much. Its usually always couple only and we simply don't have regular baby sitters. When we go out we like to sty out since it doesn't happen very often, girls in the neighborhood usually watch I would think until 10pm. But we really should get someone other than our family members all the time. We really enjoy it when we get out with our friends. We'll have to try harder.
So there were four other couple there and we played some card game that Colby and I did not get At ALL... i don't know why we never caught on but the game seemed completely pointless until the end when two players had no points and Colby and I were in the 200+ points which is bad.
Colby came in last and previously before loosing I threw in for some interest that the winner had to come up with something that the looser had to do. A dare thing!
Colby Lost Jocelyn won and she dared Colby to drink 2 oz. of baby formula. Warm formula that had already been guzzled by Zane Clarke, Jenny's boy.
It took quite a few minutes and pushing for him to finally do it. A lot of laughs were had and it made the evening end with great humor.
All the couples were very enjoyable and we were able to meet a couple new people which is always nice.

BMX Double Point Race, Saturday

Well Jack had his race yesterday and did wonderful! He had three races to run the first one was the Big Wheel Race and was only half the track. HE practiced three times around the track first along with all the other 13 and under riders. there was a lot of people there apparently this was the biggest race in the county. There were quite a few good spills taken by the riders but no serious injury as I could tell. Grandpa chi Grandma Nae Bry and Daphne were able to make it and watch Jack run two of the three races.
Jack received a RED TROPHY for his Big Wheel Race and a BLUE TROPHY fr his last race which he came in 5th and 4th on his second race.
We need to get him a lighter bike. Hes a fast rider if only he had a lighter and bigger bike. This was the last ride of the season until May so Colby and I are committed to saving up for a BMX bike over those few months so he can have a full face helmet and a true BMX bike. They cost between 200. and 600. but we'll start with the low end until he gets really good, then we'll see from there.
It was exciting to see him do something I know he enjoys. He was a little disappointed to finish in the last category but he'll get better with practice I know it, the new bike will defiantly help, hes really not that far behind all the others , if he had the bike I bet he would have finished 2nd or maybe even better.

Food Storage

I’ve been doing food storage for our church the past few weeks it pretty involved but I’m happy to do it. Its something most people think of but never really get around to so I’m glad I got at least half our ward 72 hour kits in their home and gave everyone else the chance.
My kitchen has been in Desiree for the past few weeks. Today hopefully everyone will pick them all up and get them out but I kind of doubt it.
I put together 72 hour kits, a sheet teaching them how to prepare for an emergency, how to pack a “go bag” “go box” and building a food storage.
I’m having them put it all together over a years time but Colby and I got it all put together in January, I’m not much for spreading things out. I like it off the brain so I can fill it with something new.
72 hour kits: food for 3 days saved in a milk jug containing 3oatmeal pkg, 2 cocoa mixes, 2 tang servings, 2 granola bars higher protein and fiber less sugar, 2 100% fruit juice fruit leather, 1 pop top soup 2.5 servings, 1 1 serving beans, 1 serving canned pasta meal, 1 pop top can 1 serving mixes vegetables, 2- 1oz beef jerky, 1 applesauce, 1 corn nuts pkg, 1 cracker/cookie pkg, 5 pieces of gum, 9 pieces of hard candy, 1 match box, 1 tissue pkg, 1 ID badge,3 baggies, 2 hand warmers then you store it with 3- 2 liters of water.
"go bags" contain things like set of complete outfits, flashlights with batteries, activities for kids, poncho's, blankets, boots, whistles, compass, water, protein bar, matches, Rx, medicain, first aide kit, body necessities cleaning agents.
"go box" contains things like tools, tape, plastic, change, bucket, bags,. things you would need in order to make a place habitable.

BMX Race

Jack has always become interested in Biking. BMX racing is new to him but right up his alley. We don't really know anything about it other than it looks fun it involves a bike and you pedal fast.
FAST ya, that’s him. Last summer I was constantly getting comments from other moms of how Jack scars them because of his speed on his bike. Well…it makes him happy.
So I looked up BMX racing in Utah and found an event center that allows any one any age any level to come and give it a try. Two weekends ago we took a Saturday and watched the racers do their thing. It looked like a lot of fun. The next day on Sunday we went again to have Jack do the BIG WHEE RACE this is a race that has kids 5 and under race half the rack with or without parent’s long side helping if need be. Well we were late and Jack was not able to attend. But they felt bad for him and they gave him a trophy any how, Avery even got one since he brought his big wheel. So here are the boys proud of what they received. The company gives any child who was willing to try a trophy, pretty cool.
So this week end we are going back. It is the last race for the season. It all starts up again in May at the RAD RACING TRACK in West Valley. Today’s race is held in Riverton at the Equestrian Event Center, indoors.
He’s excited, I'm nervous, and excited for him. We saw a kid take quite a big biff last weekend we went. They have a few rules as far as clothing helmet and such but nothing undoable. So we’ll see how they do. Avery will be racing too. My mom and Bryston Taryn Elliot Daphne and Dad will be there to cheer him on.

Activity Night

We had a successful activity night for the women of our ward. We held a cruise night on the Love Boat. We held four classes about how to love: The Lord, Your spouse, your children and your neighbor. Wonderful ideas and thoughts were shared. We all dressed in crew attire or hawaiian attire took group photos and sipped on Brizilian lemonaide and ate cocnut treats that taste like almond joys minus the almond and had delightful cream puffs that were coconut flavored hand made by Kathy Call!


It was a great turnout and fun time had by all. I was the phototgrapher and plan on making a poster to show our good times.

Daphne Day

I got to watched my neice Daphne today, she so adorable, she soooo dang small. Here are some pics of her and Avery. She loves playing with my boys as they do her. Friendship for life

Miles turns 1

My nephew Miles celebrated his 1st Birthday this past weekend. How time has flown. His mom KeriAnn, decided to have a Safari themed birthday party. We made a lion cake for him for his tear-apart cake and cupcakes for every one else. They turned out really cute. Miles received many educational gifts, spoiled really. The whole family was there except Melannie and Adam, as they are off in Hawaii. It was good to see every one and enjoy a night together celebrating Miles and all his “miles”tones!
He is the cutest little guy. He looks exactly like KeriAnn, its crazy. He is going to be one handsome boy!

Cookie Fund Raiser

Jack is doing a fundraiser for school. Personally I dred when they come, but hey you have to support them. He's quite the little sales guy, in a cute way. He made a few phone calls and this is about how it went. "Hi, it's Jack. I'm doing a fundraiser for school and I'm selling cookies...how many tubs can I put you down for"? after a few laughs on the other end, the customer asks what kind are you selling? Jack proceedes to tell them the flavors, then ends with a "Doesn't that sound delicious"?
Yes we practices it, but man did he hit it. His uncle Nick and KeriAnn had to repeatedly put themselves on mute because of theier laughter.
I was proud of him. He received 9 orders and raised $173.00. Surpassing his goal of $140.00 and earning five gifts. One of which he received today. It was a stuffed pug with detachable bone. He was so excited when I told him that he had hit his goal. He jumped around yelling "Yes, I did it, I did it Mom, I'm going to go tell all the kids in my class"!

ZUMBA DANCING

I have been going Zumba Dancing with some of my friend’s n the neighborhood. I don’t have any pictures but man is it fun. I suck at it at the moment Jenny’s quite good and Wendy is awesome. You feel a little silly at first but the fact that everyone in there is doing the same thing and into it. You get over that really quick. We go every Tuesday night at 8:30 in Saratoga Springs. Colby stays home with the kids and seems to enjoy that time alone with them. So I’m glad. The time off for me is well needed. Its hard work and a total sweat fest. I’m excited for when I know all the dances and don’t mess up so much. Wendy is going to lend me a beginners DVD to help me out. They move very fast in class and you just have to go with it. It’s not really teaching its follow the instructor and catch on as soon as you can. I had no idea Zumba had so many different types of dance in it. Probably more that I recognize. Zumba combines Latin dances like salsa, meringue and cha cha with reggaeton, cumbia, calypso, quebradita, hip hop and belly dancing. So, every class will have between eight and ten dance routines. It’s a lot to take in but I intend on getting good at it. Its great to go there with my new friends a little ore bond time, getting to get to know other women has been good for me I’m glad I’m attempting it. I need a little spice in my life friends and dance.
Dancing is one of my 2011 intentions!

Miles & KeriAnn DAYS!!

Yesterday we went out with Keriann and Miles. We have decided to Make a weekly event out of it and hang out every Thursday. We’ll switch of in each others town. We went and ran some errands that I actually ended up getting nothing accomplished except feeding my kids. We first went to…..can you guess? Ya Taco Amigo the best food in the WORLD. I dont know what it is but I never get tired of eating there. My kids love it my family and friends love it so we eat there weekly.



We then went to Cabellas for an activity my boys love it there and hey it FREE! We looked at all the animals played a few games of hunting and then ran around a little more.


I love hanging with Keriann she so easy to be with. I think the only thing she expects when she comes down my way is to eat at TA! So it works well. Next week is here turn. I wish I could hang at her house but the dog gets to me too badly so well have to make it an out of house event!

TAEKWONDO CLASS

Jack ha decided he wants to do Karate. I was excited about it and got Colby to agree to sign him up. It took me a month or so to decide on a studio, but I finally did. Although I loved the studio that I attended which was Bobby Lawrence Karate. I opted for U.S. Taekwondo. The Price was right the discipline the clean factor and all the masters are wonderful. The studio is located in Lehi so it’s just minutes away and is spacious in size. He starts as a white belt in the Little Tigers class attending Monday and Wednesday for 30 min at 3:30 pm. It all works out great for us. I make sure I attend every time and pay close attention so I can practice daily with him at home. It is not considered karate it is TAEKWONDO, originating for Korea. The teachers are masters. There is Master Kim, Master Joe and Master Schroeder. They are great guys, they shake the kids hand and end each class with a hug.

Jack loves going which is such a relief. He has taken swimming lessons, baseball, soccer. He liked swimming so that was good, he always complained about practicing soccer with his team mates and hated the games. Baseball he never really got into. But Taekwondo He loves, he throws an ecstatic fit when I say lets go practice he jumps for joy when I tell him to go get his Gee on for class and enjoys every minute there. He tells me that it is his favorite thing in the whole wide world. yes he says that about a lot of thing but things which he truly cares about.



He pays close attention and has helped in all aspects of his learning. This sport is not only great exercise for him but a great learning exercise. He has to complete 2 written book reports a month has a sign off sheet his school teacher has to fill out every month a sheet for me to fill out on how he is getting along with us his friends his brother his attention he is required to do 8 chores a day. So it is hitting much more than just self defense. I would recommend this studio to anyone interested. I’m extremely happy with it and Jacks progress. It is so cute to see him in action. Grandma Kathy and Papa L cam last week to watch a class and went for dinner after wards. Here’s my little guy in action!h a hug. I love to see it. It established that there can be discipline respect and love in a relationship. I was very impressed to see that.