Valentine's Day

is one of my favorite days. I think it's great to have a day to show someone you care about, how much you love them. Because it's the worst night to go out to dinner, we have made it a family affair the last few years.
This year I made beef with broccoli and fried rice, which we always eat with chopsticks, and cookie salad. Everyone got chocolate on their plate, plus roses for me and a new cookbook (Top Secret Restaurant Recipes Unlocked). We ate by candlelight , which my kids think is the coolest thing ever, and afterwards we all watched a movie together. It's amazing how you make a dinner that is quite common, at least in our house, but light some candles and set the table nice and it becomes something to remember.

What it looks like today

Utah Valley Marathon

Saturday, June 11.

Wish us luck!

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.