Still alive and playing catch up

Our 4th grade class is studying the Oregon Trail and took a field trip to the Whitman Mission and Fort Walla Walla.

These are the beautiful flowers that grow just outside our door.  I have no clue what they are, but they're pretty.

 Every year our school has the Missoula Children's Theatre come and help the kids do a play.  During the week of rehearsals the kids get to learn about stage make up.  One of my girls got a "scar" and we had fun pretending the other girl beat her up.

 3rd grade field trip:

 2013 BYU Women's Conference:

 Pictures for Father's Day 2013:

 Last summer Phillip & I were able to go through the temple with our nephew, Jared Smith, in the Sacramento temple.  It was a wonderful experience!

 His siblings:

We went to Seattle for our 7th anniversary:

We gave my mom a puppy for Christmas.  It said "We love you.  Take your medicine!"

 Phillip got a monkey lovey.  Mine was zebra!

Dad on the porch:

The house I grew up in:

Kids on national reading day...or something like that.

We went back to Seattle with Barb, Russ & the kids and went on the "Ride the Ducks" tour.

Women's conference 2014 ended with In-N-Out.  Yum!

Super cute winter cupcakes:

Our visiting & home teaching gifts:

Centerpieces at our ward party:

Santa loved Phillip this year!

Making Beirocs:

Snow!!!

Our neighbor's house, she died this year.

Altered a prom dress.

More pictures of the snow.  These two were taken 30 minutes apart:

We had some massive icicles this year!

Last but not least, my new favorite kitchen gadget! A tortilla press!

Thanksgiving in Washington

I know, it has been a while.  Life has been rather crazy, but if I try to update everything this post will not happen.  My sister's family came up for the Thanksgiving holiday from California.  Aside from freezing, I think they had a good time.  They arrived Wednesday morning around 1a.m. and we let them sleep for a bit.  By 8 a.m. we were all in the car going to Seattle.  Our first stop was the "Ride the Ducks" activity. 

Me and Phillip all cuddled up for the ride

Russ, Sam, Ian and Barb

Joylin sat on the other side of the "Duck" to hide from the family.  I think we embarrassed her.

Going over some bridge...I forget why it was cool.

Out on Union Lake.  The sun came out and it was a beautiful day!

Then we went to City Target (it's amazing the exciting things you can find in Seattle!) to use their free (with purchase) parking while we walked down to Pike's Place.  We watched fish throwing, went to a toy store and got hot chocolate at the "First Starbucks."
Then it was back in the car to get to Ye Old Curiosity Shop for some shopping before we headed back home.  It was a quick trip, but a good one.
Thanksgiving went well.  I had somehow never made Thanksgiving dinner.  We always had been invited elsewhere and I got out of it.  So this year was a first.  We had turkey, potato casserole (funeral potatoes), mashed potatoes, salad, green bean casserole, stuffing, macaroni and cheese, candied yams, and lots and lots of rolls!  We had two batches Thanksgiving day, a second batch the next day and finally I went and bought some for turkey sandwiches.  Here's the recipe for the best rolls in the world!
We finished it off with three super yummy pies: chocolate chip (tastes like a cookie with crust), chocolate mousse, and pumpkin.  Except it wasn't normal pumpkin, it was the most awesome pie in the world and I HATE pumpkin pie.  Here's the recipe. 
Friday was spent shopping, decorating and enjoying each other. 
I have the worlds best sister and was SO happy to spend Thanksgiving with her and her wonderful family!