Boxtops...

Hey, Happy Halloween everyone! My favorite holiday (that’s sarcasm). I started saving box tops for Mindy, and now that she’s moved I don’t know what to do with them. Do any of you use them, and can I mail them to you?

Happy Birthdays!

Happy birthday to Sara, she turned 2 today! We hope your day was a lot of fun!

And happy birthday to Jose! We hope your birthday was wonderful!

Happy birthday to you both! We love you!!

Pictures from Dave and Tricia

Mom Catching Up

I guess I'd better catch up too. But I'm so old I don't remember anything. First I want to tell you all how much I love the blog. Thanks to all of you and to Nickell for doing it. What a treasure.

I don't remember having any pets. When I was in high school we got Chigger a dog but I don't know what kind he was. After I was gone they got Pom Pom. I think that was Julies dog.

Saturdays when I was little before my mom got on her health kick (that lasted the rest of her life), we would get the Saturday work done and go down to the Provo bakery and get a chocolate malt. Yum, the best ever. It was by where the old library was. That's about all I remember about that. I don't remember if that was weekly, probably not.

I don't even remember having peaches and toast on Saturday nights in our home.

Favorite teachers-of course that would be Bro Monson. He decided I needed counseling so He had many long sessions. I was so shy I wouldn't talk in classes or even do anything social. He's about the only one.

Jeny's Satuday Activities

As a kid my favorite memory of Saturday was cartoons. I loved speed buggy (and had the lunchbox to prove it). I liked the banana splits when I was really young - that was in California. I loved Saturday nights at grandmas house - watching Lawrence Welk while grandma put dippetydoo in my hair to hold the curls in (nasty stuff!). I didn't so much love Lawrence Welk, but I did love grandmas house.

As a teen, Saturdays meant voice lessons with Mrs. Seaman (go ahead and laugh, everyone does) and then ironing (heavy starch) or cleaning her house. I didn't like Saturdays as a teen. I didn't even get to sleep in.

As a mom of young ones I loved bath time. The kids always liked taking a bath, so it was just fun. And now that I'm old I like bathtime for myself - especially with my new bath tray that Spencer made for me. It's wonderful!

Just for Kristi (and anyone else that remembers)

Cigarettes and whiskey and wild, wild women...

Cy Scarborough plays rhythm guitar and does comedy. Cy is the general manager and started the Bar D in 1969

Yes, they're still goin' strong at the Bar-D Ranch and Chuck Wagon Dinner. Little Joe was my favorite!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVtcIjy6SPM

From Lori

Kristi Finally Has Something to Say

As for my answer to the question of the week; I think I would have to just say ditto to Mindy’s answer. I have memories of putting curlers in our hair while watching Lawrence Welk, not Hee Haw. But other than that Peaches and toast and bath time!

Now I have to tell all of you that we went to the school carnival yesterday. There was a local band playing and guess what they were playing? All of the Bar-D-Wrangler songs! Jordan was laughing at me because I knew all of them and he has never heard of the Bar-D-Wranglers but I was having a blast! I wish I would have had a video camera with me so I could share the experience with all of you. What a trip down memory lane! “Cool [water] Clear[water] Water [cool water]”

Heidi's Saturday Activities

Saturdays were our day to get ready for Sundays, so we never had a regular fun Saturday activity. Mindy, the Wonderful World of Disney was on Sunday nights, so I'm not sure what we watched after our baths. Getting everyone clean was a huge deal. Lots of bodies to bathe. Remember that Mom called conditioner cream rinse? My kids would really wonder what I was talking about if I said that. I just really don't remember a lot about our Saturdays except the work. We had our regular daily chores, then our Saturday chores which meant vacuuming, dusting, scrubbing, making the house very clean. Peaches and toast was a great dinner! I recall eating it after the long drive home from Utah once or twice, too. I wish my kids liked peaches so that we could have that every time Jason's on call. Instead, we eat a lot of tomato soup and grilled cheese.

Cassie's First Birthday

Yesterday was Cassie's birthday! Yay for extravagant first birthdays! It was so fun. We had quite a few people show up to see all the work we've been doing. She looked so beautiful in her fairy princess outfit with her castle.

We had hot dogs and a crown cupcake cake, but apparently when you order a 1 year old cake at Wal Mart, they give you a little one for babies to mess up. Cute! Even though Cassie was terrified of it.

While everyone was eating their cupcakes, we opened presents. She had so many presents. By that time she was getting so tired of the party, but she liked seeing what was in all the wrapping.

Here is a random picture of April and me.

And then Derek's favorite part... the pinata!

And finally, all of Cassie's loot!

Holly's Many Answers and Updates

Okay, so I have fallen way behind with answering the questions of the week, and I want to catch up, but first of all I will post a picture of my belly for Lori.

Not a great picture, but whatever.

The talents/skills that I have are mostly the same as all of you. I am not afraid to try and fix anything myself (except for the microwave). I think I have the least amount of skill in sewing of anyone else in our family, but I can still do it, unlike most of the roommates I ever had. I do appreciate Mom teaching us all that very useful skill. Gardening is another thing that comes to mind. I love to see things grow!

As for smells, there is only one that I love that I don't think anyone mentioned, and that is Home Depot. I love walking in the lumber section just to smell the freshly cut wood.

I never had any pets of my own when I was a kid. I shared the bunny with Heidi and Matt, but that's about it. We certainly never had a shortage of animals in our house!

There were a lot of teachers and classes that had a big impact in my life. I will always be grateful to Miss Maykowski for teaching me music theory and sight reading. I see now how lucky we were to be able to learn that skill. There are VERY few people in this world who can sight read! I took a class at Ricks on the fundamentals of scripture study that was amazing. I got a C in that class because it was so challenging, but I still remember the great lessons I learned.

As for Saturday activities when I was a child, I really don't know. All I remember is Mom or Dad waking us up to do our chores and weed 2 rows of the garden. I loved playing soccer or catch in the back yard, and I loved going on picnics to Garden of the Gods. I think that's it!

Nothing is really new here. I have 6 more weeks or so until I deliver, and I'm getting excited to see what this one looks like. Shannon is going to love having a sister!

Happy Birthday!

Today is Cassie's 1st Birthday!!! Happy birthday cute girl! Have a lot of fun at your birthday party!

P.S.

No one should have to be prompted to even just give an update on their lives and what everyone is up to....

Mindy's Saturdays

The main regular Saturday activities I remember were in the evening. We all had our baths, then I got curlers in my hair while we didn't watch Hee Haw. It was great when Disney started doing their Saturday night movie. I remember we usually had peaches and toast for dinner. Jason thought that was so funny when I told him that.

Question of the Week!

Ok, I get it, I need to send a question. See, the thing is, I have to open the window to use the internet (our neighbor's weak signal, which we borrow, doesn't come through the window!) and it's been cold here at night, which is when Jason is home with the computer.

Nickell, I saw that you do a question of the week on your blog. You could write one for ours if I don't get one sent.

Here it is:
What was your favorite Saturday activity as a child?

Brown Update

My in-laws are here and we are putting in 6 more new windows. What a difference they make! That leaves only 2 more windows and the sliding glass door that should be replaced.

The kids will do their primary program this Sunday. Best Sunday of the year!

We have a law student friend who is getting baptized next Saturday. She's great, and it's been fun being a part of her conversion. She has a daughter Dylan's age and a daughter who is 1 1/2.

School is going well for everyone, and I have had a good stream of business. We're all comfortable and happy.

Something Fun...

There has been a serious lack in posting recently. I am not happy with this. My mom sent this to me, so I am posting it, you can either respond in a comment or email me with a new post. It could be fun!

http://www.cakespy.com/

How many have you eaten???



Recently, a website called Very Good Taste started something of an internet fire with a list called "The Omnivore's Hundred", which listed 100 foods which "every good omnivore should have tried at least once in their life." We liked the idea, and inspired by the vegan variation on Hannah Kaminsky's site, we thought--why not make our own Sweet 100!? Like the original, our list includes "fine food, strange food, everyday food and even some pretty bad food"--but in our universe, it's all sweet! (In case any of them are foreign to you, links to pictures and recipes are included; also, for any vegans, feel free to go through the list assuming it's a vegan counterpart). How many have you tried? If you'd like, feel free to follow the same guidelines:



1) Copy this list into your site, including the instructions!

2) Bold all of the sweets you've eaten--or make them a different type color.

3) Cross out any of them that you'd never ever eat.

4) Consider anything that is not bold or crossed out your "To Do" List.

5) Optional: Post a comment here linking to your results--or just post a comment letting us know how many you've tried, or what you're going to try next!

Red Velvet Cake

Princess Torte

Whoopie Pie

Apple Pie either topped or baked with sharp cheddar

Beignet

Baklava

Black and white cookie

Seven Layer Bar (also known as the Magic Bar or Hello Dolly bars)

Fried Fruit pie (sometimes called hand pies)

Kringle

Just-fried (still hot) doughnut

Scone with clotted cream

Betty, Grunt, Slump, Buckle or Pandowdy

Halvah

Macarons

Banana pudding with nilla wafers

Bubble tea (with tapioca "pearls")

Dixie Cup

Rice Krispie treats

Alfajores

Blondies

Croquembouche

Girl Scout cookies

Moon cake

Candy Apple

Baked Alaska

Brooklyn Egg Cream

Nanaimo bar

Baba au rhum

King Cake

Sachertorte

Pavlova

Tres Leches Cake

Trifle

Shoofly Pie

Key Lime Pie (made with real key lime)

Panna Cotta

New York Cheesecake

Napoleon / mille-fueille

Russian Tea Cake / Mexican Wedding Cake

Anzac biscuits

Pizzelle

Kolache

Buckeyes

Malasadas

Moon Pie

Dutch baby

Boston Cream Pie

Homemade chocolate chip cookies

Pralines

Gooey butter cake

Rusks

Daifuku

Green tea cake or cookies

Cupcakes from a cupcake shop

Crème brûlée

Some sort of deep fried fair food (twinkie, candy bar, cupcake)

Yellow cake with chocolate frosting

Jelly Roll

Pop Tarts

Charlotte Russe

An "upside down" dessert (Pineapple upside down cake or Tarte Tatin)

Hummingbird Cake

Jell-O from a mold

Black forest cake

Mock Apple Pie (Ritz Cracker Pie)

Kulfi

Linzer torte

Churro

Stollen

Angel Food Cake

Mincemeat pie

Concha

Opera Cake

Sfogliatelle / Lobster tail

Pain au chocolat

A piece of Gingerbread House

Cassata

Cannoli

Rainbow cookies

Religieuse

Petits fours

Chocolate Souffle

Bienenstich (Bee Sting Cake)

Rugelach

Hamenstashen

Homemade marshmallows

Rigo Janci

Pie or cake made with candy bar flavors (Snickers pie, Reeses pie, etc)

Divinity

Coke or Cola cake

Gateau Basque

S'mores

Figgy Pudding

Bananas foster or other flaming dessert

Joe Froggers

Sables

Millionaire's Shortbread

Animal crackers

Basbousa

Happy Anniversary!!

Happy Anniversary to Mindy and Jason! We hope you have a wonderful day, and congratulations!

Happy Birthday!

Today is Emma's Birthday! Happy Birthday Emma, we hope your birthday is so much fun!

Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to Teresa and Keith, today is their 3rd anniversary! We hope you guys have a wonderful day!

Mullan Trip

Dear Family:

I just wanted to share with you a few of the pictures we took while up in Mullan and Moscow in August. So, here goes:

This is our house in Mullan. My room was the window on the second floor. It was an all-white house then, although Dad had the aluminum roof added, and we worked together to move the porch steps from the front to the end, where they are now.

My high school is directly across the street.

Here is the building where we went to church in Wallace. The lower floor of the red brick part of the building was a tire store as I remember, and we entered through the door on the back right next to the white wall of the building. We had to get there early on Sunday morning because this was a union labor hall, and we had to clear out the beer bottles and cans and the cigar butts before we could hold Sunday School.

How many times have I told you about working at the Economy Grocery. Here are views of the front and back of what used to be the Economy (on the left) and the Silver Dollar Saloon.

There were other buildings on both sides, but they are gone, now. I used to back the delivery pickup under what now looks like a collapsing white roof. The long red building on the left of the picture was part of the old Silver Dollar saloon.

One final picture. This was the first house in which Grandma Lauritzen (my mother) lived as a child. It is the white one.

And, maybe you can see how beautiful the surroundings are in Mullan. Lots of trees. Very pretty.

And, here is Mindy’s new home.

Hope you all enjoy these pictures.

Dad/Grandpa