March Madness

Big news around here: Caitlin's turned 8!! This Saturday she'll be baptized and she can't wait! She was nervous about her interview with the Bishop, but it all went well and she's very excited about being baptized! Here's some party pictures!

$5 is A LOT to and 8-year old! Kudos, Winegars- you scored in Caitlin's book!

Her very own mini glue-gun. She thought this was pretty darn awesome!


For the first time ever, I made a pinata (it's the cat head). If I had known how fun it was, I would have made one a long time ago! It was messy & crafty (which =fun), and everyday the girls were eager to find out how much more I had done on it. This being an "even" birthday, it was a "party" year, which means invitations, favor bags, etc. We had her little friends over on a Friday night, and they watched the new Muppets movie, with Amy Adams and Jason Segal. It's hilarious, I loved it!




The family party cake.

This is my Lady Banks' Rose in bloom. It only happend once a year for a week or two, so I had to photograph it. It vines on an old metal chair.

I made homemade marshmallows! These tasted EXACTLY like store-bought ones. It was fun to make, but I can't say I'll do it again. I am glad though to know how to make marshmallow creme from scratch, that's an essential life-skill, right?

Let me know if this video of Haley works: She's 9 months old, can you believe it??? Where has the time gone?

Birthday and random nothings

If I post about an event that happened within the month, I feel like I'm doing pretty good. Here's a few pics from my birthday weekend. Troy and I got a 4! star hotel (for $70 bucks!) in downtown Portland. It was a lot of fun to walk around and find fun restuarants. I didn't take many pictures, I think I don't take many pics anymore since it stresses me out to think of all the pictures I have stuck on my computer that I need to order prints for, then get them into albums. So I don't take pictures, which isn't good. Anyway, the hotel was super nice. Everything was beautiful. We drank Martenelli's in bed and watched movies. For breakfast we went to a cute funky little place called Pudding On The Rice. I guess they used to be in Utah. Anyway, I had an awesome Crepe (above) with vanilla rice pudding and fresh strawberries. It was SOOOO goooood. Mmmm.

There were some neat old churches downtown. It was a little cloudy and sprinkly, but not too cold.

Here's my birthday card wall. Audrey felt the heart added some much needed 'umph' to it. Kate's card was cute with cut out letters. Everyone enjoyed reading it!

So these pictures are very unorganized, but you get the point, another cool old church.

Friday night we went to the temple and did sealings, then afterwards I chose Outback Steakhouse for dinner. I was craving a fat steak. We also got as Michael Scott would say an "awesome blossom, extra on the awesome."

Post temple, checking into the hotel, Zoolander style.

And there's the steak and potatoes. My plate definenently could've used some veggies. But it was my birthday.

Mom sent me these beautiful flowers from Hawaii. Who knew you could do that? They arrived packaged all nice and secure. They smell good. I'm glad they are still alive in our rainy, cold environment!

Dev had fun with basketball the last few months. Next year he is too old to do the city league, so who knows if he'll go out for the 7th (gulp) grade team.

This ice cream is to die for. I highly recommend.

Cameron did this quite a while ago, probably Sept. I thought it was very creative, maybe a little morbid? he was fasincated with the twin towers going down. He loves to create stuff. I should do a post just on that! I have more pics, but must go take a kid somewhere and pick up another kiddo!

Em's bday...continued

I know it's a day late, but I thought we needed a few more pictures of Emily. Hope you had a great bday Em, we love you!!! I'm so glad you're my little sis!!

Happy Day of Birth to Emily!

Although Emily was born closer to the first day of spring, I liked this picture of a couple of years ago on our trek to the Peter Grubb hut! Emily is always fun to have around. She has a tenderness about her that I love. Can't believe my baby is 23! So glad you are a part of lives. We love you.

Happy Birthday Brooke!!

Happy Birthday Brooke!
We are so lucky you are part of this family.
You are a great big sister, and you are so much fun to be around. You are beautiful, smart, caring and you are always up for a good time.
You always have good advice, and you're easy to talk to-
but most importantly...
you make the most delicious treats!!! :)

We love Brooke!

Hawaii cont. . . .

Day 4 at the beach - we did this alot!
Yeah, I know - tough life!
Beautiful flora - hibiscus. Looks like sherbert

Another day in paradise
We had some rain, and beautiful rainbows!

Ahhhh . . . Hawaii!

A strolll on Wakiki Beach after dinner at Dukes!
One of the sunsets we got. Notice turtle and tracks!
Birthday dinner for Jodi and Jamie
Nice little swim hole at Chun's cove.
More turtles- about 3' diameter