Amy

participated in the school spelling bee a few weeks ago.

She was so excited to make it in. In fact, the last bee they had to determine which kids from her class would go, Marshall and I decided to surprise the kids by taking them skiing. Amy cried. I spoke with her teacher, who assured me that since Amy had won all the other class spelling bees, she was assured a spot, even if she missed that last one. We took care of the important things, like curling her hair, lipgloss and which outfit would look cutest on stage. Unfortunately, she went down on her first word (totally second guessed herself, which I had warned her not to do). And although she was disappointed, she didn't stomp her feet or cry. And she still looked cute!

Oh yes we did.

Chocolate Creme Brulee this time. I actually prefer vanilla over chocolate, as did the rest of the family, but it was still so good. We got some butane so we were able to torch the tops and it turned out so perfect. It's something the whole family loves and the servings are the perfect size. I guess I have to give credit to the French for something.

Tonight we made

creme brulee with the set Amy gave me for Christmas.

Unfortunately I wasn't aware that I needed butane for the torch, so we had to caramelize the sugar under the broiler. It still turned out super yummy. We'll have to try again when I get some butane. I got the recipe from Barefoot in Paris. I posted the recipe on my recipe blog.

In other news, Marshall and the kids are still hooked on Super Mario Bros. It's pretty intense.

New Years Resolutions

seem to have filled up all the treadmills at the fitness center. Luckily I run on the track. By next week they'll all be free again! So what are your resolutions? I always make them for tradition sake, but it's more like a thought than an actual will to accomplish anything. I am trying to take the time to add weight lifting into my routine. Not serious weights, just light and easy. My friend Leslie has resolved to take more pictures of their everyday lives. That's a good one. Maybe I'll steal that one.

New Years was spent at the Ockey's house, as is tradition. So much fun. The kids loved it, and the adults, so it works out perfectly. Though next year it has already been determined that Samantha and Hanna will be attending the stake (church) dance together. I remember those days. So much fun, so much drama.

I must apologize for the Christmas Pics. I organized them so it only had the ones I wanted and then when I posted it, it posted all of them. So, I know it's kind of boring to glance through 100 photos, but I'm way to lazy to change that. Christmas was fun though. German dinner, Bingo, up at 5:15 to open presents, beautiful new dishes and silverware from my mother in law, a new scale that measures your weight in pounds and ounces plus water and fat (seriously considering trading it in for some cookies. It mocks me!) iphones, nintendo Dsi's, basketball hoops, ski passes.....just some of the major gifts. And Super Mario Bros. for the Wii. Santa's idea. I'm not a fan, but Marshall and the kids have set to with gusto to try and conquer it. Scott and Kristina stopped by and the kids had fun playing it with Scott. And the Let's Dance 2. Let's just say I've opened my kids up to the world of early 90's rap with "Jump" by Kris Kross. So funny. Oh, and now I am officially known as Mac Daddy!!!

The day after Christmas we went to Vegas with Marshall's brother to pick up his kids. My kids really like their cousins and they had so much fun with them. Scott and Chris are so funny together. The brother neither of them ever had. We had so much fun. I didn't realize how long it had been since I had been to Vegas. I'm glad we went.

Now it is freezing cold and I am dreaming of warmer weather.

Oh Christmas Tree

After 15 years of having the same decorated Christmas tree we finally decided to update our tree. It was due to the burned out candle lights and broken ornaments. Marshall and I bought some angels and picture frames from Joann's. We tried webcamming with Michelle to get some tips on how to arrange them, and then she did one better. She and Marshall's mom decided to drive out from Vernal to help us get it just right. Michelle has decorated many trees for Vernal's Festival of Trees and is very talented. Right away she knew we needed filler and after debating it with Marshall, (and if you've never experienced two Bukers debating it is something to behold) Michelle won the argument and we went to Tai Pan. After more arguments about the top of the tree, Marshall decided to trust his mom and sister and we came home with what we had chosen, and some white stuff that caused most of the arguing while we were there. We got right to work and after an hour they had it complete. We were amazed at how beautiful it turned out, and we even love the "white stuff." Marshall thinks it's all his doing and takes full credit for the entire tree. But the rest of us know better, and really appreciate Michelle and Shirley coming to the rescue.

So much going on

and I am way behind. My pictures aren't in order and it won't let me move them.






First of all, I wanted to show you the witch I made for Halloween. My super talented friend Channa invited me over to make them and for some awesome chili. Halloween was rainy, rainy, cold and rainy. The kids were soaked through. But lots of candy was eaten none the less. Of course, on the first of November Kate passed away and her funeral was on the 6th. It was so sad. I didn't think I would cry but I bawled my eyes out because of how devastated Scott and Kristina were. It really broke your heart. My birthday was the next day. 37!! I was so exhausted from the funeral that I didn't want to do anything. Marshall made me crablegs and got me 2 German cookbooks from a German Bakery he had gone to in Denver, and then I had ordered two other cookbooks online. "Barefoot Contessa, How easy is that?" and "Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 3". It's kind of becoming tradition to get cookbooks for my birthday. We went to see Harry Potter with Scott and Kristina. Marshall went to the BYU game with David so we gave his ticket to Hanna, and in return received 8 fresh eggs from their chickens. They were all different colors and really good. I would love to have fresh eggs like that everyday. We spent Thanksgiving in Vernal with Michelle and her family. We ate so much food and made it home in time to shop black Friday. I took Samantha out at 5 and she got her shopping done, then I took Amy out. We really had a lot of fun. They are really excited for everyone to open their gifts. I told Marshall it's his job to take Scott. I went to a cookie exchange last week at Channa's and came home with 12 dozen assorted cookies. They were so good, and I really enjoyed visiting with friends. I also read "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" to Marshall and the kids. I love that book and we read it every year. In case I don't get the chance to update my blog before the new year, Merry Christmas!!