Captain Allred Visits My Class

Tony came to my classroom to give my kindergartners a fun and educational presentation about fire safety. He did awesome! This kids adored him. He even handed out badges and helmets to everyone. After his visit many of them said that they wanted to be firefighters. And a few of them showed up the next day wearing their badges and helmets again.

New Sandbox

We used to have a pit in our backyard. It was once a sandpit that was put in by previous owners because they were big golfers (we were told there was a little putting green too). Anyhow, it was a big eyesore and we are finally getting around to filling it in. Tony has spent weeks filling it in with dirt, building an attractive brick retaining wall, making part of it a sandbox for Gavin and laying sod on the remainder so that it blends in with the rest of our yard. He is now finished and it looks great! Gavin and I love his sandbox (a small reminder of the beach). I don't even mind all the extra sweeping I'm doing in the entry way and kitchen (due to sand being tracked in). Maybe the next photo I post of the sandbox will have a really cool sand castle in it:)

A Day With Thomas

Today we went for a ride on Thomas the train in Heber. In addition to the train ride they had a little petting zoo, Thomas & friends tattoos, and various toy trains set up for the kids to play with. Tony's family joined us and Gavn had a great time playing around with his cousins: Hayden, Corbin and Libby.

Gavin's 3rd Birthday!

Yesterday was Gavin's 3rd birthday. We had a family party for him at Chuck E Cheese. Gavin and his cousins had a great time eating pizza, playing games and going on rides. Gavin has been anticipating his birthday for months and the only thing he wanted was a Thomas the train cake and green ice cream. Oh, and he wanted to wear a birthday hat. It doesn't take much to please him. The photos above are of Gavin and his aunt Jana, blowing out his candle on his cake, eating cake and opening presents.

Tiffany's Wedding

We had such a great time at Tiffany's wedding last Saturday. The ceremony & reception came together beautifully. And, of course, Tiffany looked lovely. Tiffany really added some unique touches to the wedding. For example, she had guests names and table assignment on starfish with the name of a beach (that has meaning to her and Tommy) on it. When they found the table with the beach name that matched their tag there was a little picture and story telling why the beach was significant to them. Then there was the Sprinkles cupcakes instead of a cake (red velvet, white and chocolate). She also had a candy bar with various candies placed in over sized, stylish Crate & Barrel glass jars with cute labels and bags with stickers that read, "Tiffany & Tommy 5-10-08 Love is sweet". These were just a few of the special touches that made this wedding memorable. It also helped that the setting was so exquisite; The Four Seasons in Montecito across the street from the beach. And to top it all off... Tony, Gavin, and I got to stay at the resort the night before. I'm quite sure that is the nicest room I will ever stay in. And now Tiffany and Tommy are in honeymooning in Tahiti for the next 8 days. Can't wait to hear about that...

Tiffany's Wedding!

I am so excited for Tiffany & Tommy's wedding on May 10th! We are flying to California one week from today! Their wedding is at The Four Seasons Biltmore Resort in Santa Barbara across the street from the beach (photo above). It's going to be gorgeous! Tiffany wanted us bridesmaids to wear chocolate brown dresses and bright pink shoes. I really like mine (it's different from the other bridesmaid dresses). Gavin is also going to be in the wedding (possibly a ring bearer?). He will be wearing the outfit above. He's going to look adorable!

St. George

This past weekend we went to St. George with 2 other couples and their kids. We stayed at my parents' house and had a great time (thanks mom & dad). The weather was wonderful and perfect for hiking in Snow Canyon (where these photos were taken). Gavin loved following Wade and Leslie's 7 year old identical twin girls around and pretty much copying everything they did. He had a hard time telling them apart and even though he could say their names perfectly he just referred to them as "my friends" because every time he attempted to call them by name he would mix them up.

Pillow the Porcupine

This picture and story cracked me up. Tony took Gavin up to Solitude again today (while I was working) and they were lucky enough to see Pillow the Porcupine. Tony has told me about this little guy before and how he hangs out at the mid mountain lodge/outdoor grill (a.k.a the beach). I guess he has become pretty tame and often walks right up to people sitting on the deck to beg for food.

Easter

We spent Easter morning at Solitude Ski Resort for their annual Easter egg hunt & visit from the Easter bunny. It was so cute... The Easter bunny skied down the mountain while about 40 children (& parents watched). After the hunt we hit the slopes. It was about 55 degrees up there and gorgeous. We may have to make a tradition out of it.

Our New Pop-up Trailer

Tony brought home our new Starcraft R/T pop-up trailer today. It can sleep up to 6 and has all the comforts we will need to go "camping" with Gavin. We can't wait to use it and we already have a river rafting trip planned to Jackson Hole in July (with Tony's crew and their families). We may also take it to CA in June and travel up the coast to Big Sur. I'm sure we will get lots of use out of it this summer because we both have a lot of time off.

Gavin's Potty Time

Gavin is really coming along with his potty training. He is very motivated because he has a potty chart that he puts a sticker on every time he goes. After 10 stickers he gets a Thomas the Train toy of his choosing. His Elmo potty chair helps too.

Scrumptious Sugar Cookies

These sugar cookies rival any recipe I've tried before (sorry mom). I made some Easter inspired egg and bunny rabbit shaped cookies (similar to the ones in the photo) and gave them out to friends. The recipe is from Martha Stewart.

Ingredients

Makes 2 dozen

• 2 cups all-purpose flour


• 1/4 teaspoon salt


• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder


• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter


• 1 cup sugar


• 1 large egg, lightly beaten


• 2 tablespoons brandy, or milk


• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract


• Royal Icing for Sugar Cookies (recipe below)

Directions

Whisk together flour, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar; add dry ingredients, and mix until incorporated. With mixer running, add egg, brandy (or milk), and vanilla; mix until incorporated. Transfer dough to a work surface. Shape into 2 discs, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with nonstick baking mats or parchment paper; set aside. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes, and transfer to prepared baking sheets, leaving an inch in between. Leftover dough can be rolled and cut once more. Bake until lightly golden, about 10 minutes; do not allow to brown. Transfer to wire racks to cool. Decorate with Royal Icing, optional.

Royal Icing

Ingredients

Makes 2 1/3 cups

• 1 box confectioners' sugar (1 pound)
• 5 tablespoons meringue powder, or 2 large egg whites

Directions

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine sugar and meringue powder. Mixing on low speed, add a scant 1/2 cup water. For a thinner consistency, usually used for flooding, add more water. A thicker consistency is generally used for outlining and adding details. Mix until icing holds a ribbonlike trail on the surface of the mixture for 5 seconds when you raise the paddle.

Top 10 Reasons to Be Ecstatic About Spring

I am so over winter! I realize that it will officially be here in 10 days, but it cannot come soon enough. Since I am dreaming of warmer weather, spending more time outdoors, and wearing less clothing I thought it would be fun to list my top 10 reasons to be excited about SPRING.

1) My birthday on March 24th

2) Flying to So. Cal. on March 25th for Tiffany's shower, spend time with the fam, & going to the beach

3) Tiffany's wedding at The Four Seasons in Santa Barbara on May 10th

4) Sex & the City movie release on May 30th (to view the trailer click here http://www.sexandthecitymovie.com/ )

5) Tulips (they pop up everywhere in Utah)

6) The last day of school on June 5th

7) More sunshine (I've missed you) and warmer weather

8) Warm weather clothing (t-shirts, capris, sandals, etc.)

9) Spending more time outside (shopping @ the Gateway, parks, zoo, Red Butte Gardens, hiking in Millcreek canyon, etc.)

10) Barbecues

Gavin's first day skiing!

Today was Gavin's first day skiing. Tony took him up to Solitude. It was the perfect sunny day (60 degrees in the valley). Tony strapped on his vest/harness system and used the ropes to guide him down the slopes while he held skied behind him. They went on 3 runs and by the last one Gavin didn't fall once. Of course he loved it. He's been talking about going all winter. And to think that I didn't even try skiing or snowboarding until I was 18! This kid is going to be out-skiing me in a couple of years.

Gavin's New Ski Gear

Today Tony brought home a cool new ski helmet and goggles for Gavin. The helmet came with a bunch of cool stickers that Gavin can put on the snowy landscape picture. He insisted on putting the helicopter on it (Tony stole one of the stickers and put in on his own helmet). Tony told him that every time they go skiing Gavin gets to add a new sticker to his helmet (like Gavin needs incentive to go skiing). Tony also purchased some cool new firebird skis last week. Gavin is now ready to get up on the slopes!

Grandpa Don

My dad flew into town last week for a very brief trip and Gavin was thrilled! He adores his grandpa Don and talks about him daily. While he was here we visited Tony at the fire station. Tony blew up a latex glove (a little trick they do to help calm/entertain children they help). Gavin liked it.