I've been tagged...

I've been watching this "tag" thing on my friends' posts and today I saw my name as next in line, so here goes...

1. Q: Best thing you cooked last week:
I made spaghetti sauce from scratch, chopping garlic (I don't have a garlic press), herbs, the whole nine yards. I don't usually do this sort of thing, but I got a cooking bug and off I went. I also made balsamic vinagrette salad dressing from scratch to put on my salad. It was a good cooking day. And it was AWESOME! The kids inhaled it. Unfortunately, Dave was out of town so only got to enjoy it as leftovers.

2. Q: If time, money, and babysitting were no option, where would you go, and with whom?
I love to travel, and I've always wanted to see Italy (Rome and Florence). But I wouldn't stop there, I think I'd also hit Switzerland, the French Riviera (and Paris), Austria, Germany, Belgium, then on up to the Netherlands and Sweden to see where my family comes from. I've also always wanted to go to Jamaica, but while we're at it I think it'd be great to go on an African Safari and also to see the Great Wall of China. And...(time and money are no object, right?) I was born in Washington, D.C., but moved when I was 6 weeks old and have never been back. And I've always wanted to see New England in the fall. And...you get the picture?

3. Q: When was the last time you cried?
This morning. Dave and I were having a heart to heart about our marriage and spiritual matters and it all came bubbling up. I tend to be an emotional person and it doesn't take much anyway!

4. Q: 5 Things you were doing this month 10 years ago: hmmm...let's see...October 1997...getting Haylee and Tanner's costumes for Halloween, they were both clowns that year, living in a 2-bedroom apartment in Holladay, going walking every afternoon with a neighbor, feeling stir-crazy at home with two toddlers while hubby worked 14-hour days, and scrapbooking--I used to do that when I had 2 kids.

5. Q: 5 things on your to do list today: exercise, drive dance carpool, Cub Scout Den Meeting, Young Women's (I'm Laurel Advisor), and fold laundry. I haven't done any of these yet.

6. Q: 5 favorite snacks: tortilla chips with black bean salsa, m & m's, protein drinks (with muscle milk from GNC...mmm (I know I'm weird!), strawberries, Dove milk chocolate

7. Q: 5 Bad Habits: making a funny noise to scratch my throat when it itches, leaving shopping bags in the doorway instead of putting things away, always wanting to split entrees at restaurants (hey, then you get 2 different dishes!), leaving my shoes laying around the house, and clutter.

8. Q: 5 Favorite Foods: This awesome spinach salad from Village Bakery in West Jordan, Cafe Rio, Stuart Anderson's Black Angus steak house, homemade whole wheat pancakes, and anything my sister Lisa cooks (she's gourmet everything).

9. Q: 5 Places I've been: Israel, Egypt, France, England, St. George

10: Q: 5 Favorite Memories: Reading the story of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday Morning with Dave at the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem, Dave's proposal serenade at TGIFriday's in Holladay, my wedding day, a surprise party Dave gave me for my 30th birthday, standing on the podium being awarded the first place medal for my swimming event the the High School State Championships (winning isn't everything, but it's really fun!).

The 4 people I'm tagging: Janeen, Lindsey, Megan, Tiffany

WOMEN PARTY with Celine IN VEGAS...

A crew of gals headed to St. George and Las Vegas September 20-23, the pinnacle of our weekend being the Celine Dion concert in Las Vegas. We loved it so much and had a ball (How many exclamation points will it take to express HOW MUCH FUN WE HAD? Blogger won't let me insert them, so feel free to insert your own). I drove and I'm not sure pedestrians and other motorists were safe that evening on Las Vegas Boulevard, but we got to Caesar's Palace in spite of all the directions being called out from the seasoned Vegas-goers riding in the back of my van. "Turn here...no go straight then turn at the next light...ok, wait, go back...now go back to the light...flip a U-ie, quick...ok, maybe there's not a parking lot here...I was wrong, don't listen to me..." you get the picture.

Anyhow, we finally got to the concert with literally seconds to spare and exhaled a sigh of relief as Celine took the stage and WOWED us all with a show that was beyond exquisite. We cheered, and cried, and danced (okay, we didn't really stand up and dance because we were in the top section with the deadbeats who were giving us dirty looks, but I know we all danced in our minds), during the stunning show. Celine was absolutely beautiful. I'm a new fan. When she left the stage I longed for her to return and keep singing. The dancers were incredible, the scenery and staging was stellar, and she was beautiful, even in spandex leggings with a wide red belt.

I would go again in a heartbeat, even if it did take me almost a week to recover from the sleep deprivation. Who knew that six Mormon moms from Utah could party all night in Vegas?

So is anyone surprised that Ben can beat me at any GameCube game? Yes, he's all of 3.5 years. Maybe he's a boy genius...or maybe I'm just a slacker mom who lets him play too much. I'll go with the genius option, it's much more fun to think about! Hey, maybe he can figure out why I can't get my new memory card to work! Then I can post more pics!

We're loving the coming of Fall! Highlights so far: Dave traveled to Alaska for a Boys' weekend fishing trip and caughts many large fish for us. My hunter-gatherer has fulfilled his duty! The kids started school again--hooray! Haylee went off to Jr. High with excitement, Tanner begrudgingly entered 5th grade, and Tyson happily returned for 2nd grade. Ben can start preschool, but I'm just not on the ball enough so didn't get him signed up! I'll begin to work on that now that I have some time to think...

June 18-21, 2007

Haylee and Tanner's performing group, the "Young Americans," traveled to St. George and Las Vegas to perform at several venues, including the pre-show at the Tuacahn Theater and the Adventure Dome inside Circus Circus Hotel. I went as a chaperone and we had a terrific time! Tanner's solo was "Under the Sea" from "The Little Mermaid," and Haylee's solos included "Hero" by Mariah Carey and "A Star is Born" from Disney's Hercules. The performers had the opportunity to take a couple of workshops at the Tuacahn Center for the Performing Arts, which was a highlight. They also got to play, eat junk food, stay up late, and talk, talk, talk! We all got great seats at Tuacahn for "Cinderella" and "My Fair Lady."

The kids came home with stronger friendships with their group mates and stronger bonds with their teachers as well. BRAVO!!!