MARRIED TAG

This is my husband and I on Chirstmas Eve 1990, while we were engaged.

For all you married people out there! Tag your married friends that you want to know about!
1. When is your "engagement" anniversary: Nov. 1990
2. When is your "marriage" anniversary: March 20, 1991
3. How long have you known your spouse: 22 years
4. How long did you date/court before you were engaged: 3 months
5. Where did you meet your spouse for the first time: I had known who he was since our first year at Snow, he went out with one of my roommates and I dated some of his friends. I never actually spoke to him until he was home from his mission at the summer ward.
6. What is your spouse's full name:
7. Do you have any children yet: yes
8. How many: 5- daughter, son, son, son, daughter
9. Do you have any house pets: kitten named Muffin we sometimes let inside.
10. Do you own a house or rent: own (its paid off too)
11. Do you live in the country or town: small town
12. What is one of your favorite activities together: doing outdoor things together (running rivers, skiing) and going to movies.
13. Do you have a favorite vacation spot: toss up between Chile and Hawaii. Both were great!
14. How many siblings (including in-laws): I have 2 sisters and 2 brothers, he has 3 brothers and 3 sisters.
15. What church do you attend: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
16. Is this the church you were married in: Manti Temple
17. What town is your current address: Ephraim
18. Do you work or stay at home: I teach a class at the college, but for the most part, I am home.
19. Where did you honeymoon: Brian Head ski resort, and no, we didn't go skiing.
20. Leave a piece of marriage advice: Say "I love you" everyday- that is from my grandma.

I tag you if you need something to blog- or if you want to put up a lovely photo from the past- like I did! Come on, it gives everyone a good laugh!

PRINCESS IN THE FOREST OR PHOTO SHOOT

On Sunday we went up in the mountains to get out of the heat and hiked up a trail. It was a beautiful place and my oldest daughter got it stuck in her head that she needed to take photos up there in her prom dress. So after some arranging, like 'how are we going to get up there?' (it is a 4-wheeler track and we don't have one), and 'what are we going to do with the kids?', etc... we went up and did a photo shoot. It was actually really fun. Here are my faves of the bunch.

Yes, she is the same girl that just did Cottonwood with her dad last Friday. She is so well-rounded, don't you think?

LONG RIVER WEEKEND

We did lots of river running this long weekend. It was pretty good weather (no sunburns and just a few sprinkles) both days. My husband talked my oldest into running a class 4 river with him on Friday. She did great! She is such an amazing girl! Then we picnicked and played in Joe's Valley Res., but my camera's battery died, so I don't have photos. It was lots of fun.

Saturday we did the Sevier (one of our favs). We got in two good runs and had lots of fun!

MORE FROM THE SKETCHBOOK

I am still going painting once a week, but last week I left my watercolors in my husband's truck so I had to draw.

This week's painting is still giving me problems and is definitely nothing I want to share at this point. This is the sketch I did for the painting, so here is proof that I am still working on my goal.

PEANUT MUFFIN

We are in love with our new kitten! She is the cutest. We went and picked her up yesterday, so she spent most of the day walking around whining for mommy.

But today she has perked up and is a playful ball of fluff!

She's so playful she even attacks the table legs. Go kitty, go!

ALL THINGS RED

I am not a happy mother at the moment. My beautiful, darling daughter just spoke in church on Sunday. She did a wonderful job and looked so gorgeous doing it. I was so proud.

Then the next day she comes home with her hair looking like this. YUCK is the word that comes to my mind.

Anyway, moving on... We have a pie cherry tree in our yard. When we planted it, it had an apricot tree tag on it, but low and behold, these are definitely not apricots. None of us even like cherry pie, but my husband can not stand to see something go to waste, so today we picked and washed and pitted for hours. I have no clue what we are going to do with them, but they are ready for something.

The fruits of our labors. We have 3 huge bowls of these. Anybody interested? If you'll come pick them up, they are yours!

RESISTING PROGRESS

Yay! My youngest finally learned how to ride a bike without training wheels. I am so thrilled and a bit embarrassed because my oldest learned before she turned 4. My youngest has a bull-headed streak a mile long. I am not sure why, but she does not like to learn and do new things- especially if Mom or Dad suggest the idea. I am fearing the day she turns 13.

Here is my cute 15 year old helping her. What a sweetheart!

It took her all of 10 minutes to get it. (She's only had the training wheels off for over a year, so it didn't take much). All it takes is getting her to realize it will be fun and then everything is great. Is there a lesson to be learned here for me? I am sure there is, I just don't get it yet : )

SKETCHBOOK PAGE

I am still keeping my personal goal to create some kind of art every week over the summer. Here is proof of the week of the 4th. I took my sketchbook up to Pete's Hole with us when we went fishing for the family reunion.

GRANDMA BLACK'S PUFFED RICE BALLS

We are having an outdoor party tonight and I was wondering what I could make that would be okay in the heat. My sister-in-law had just made some puffed rice balls for our family reunion last week and so I decided that I would do that. This is a generational recipe from my husband's maternal grandma. She was a great cook and I actually use quite a few of her recipes, not just this one. She would always make two different versions of them when we went camping, so that is what they remind me of. These are the carmel ones. Hope you enjoy!

PUFFED RICE BALLS

1 cup karo syrup

1 cup brown sugar

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 square margarine

4 quarts of puffed rice cereal

Combine sugar and syrup in heavy sauce pan and boil for 5 minutes. Add margarine and milk, then boil to a soft ball temperature stirring constantly. Pour over puffed rice, stir and shape into balls. Makes approx. 30 medium-sized balls.

REUNION SLIDE SHOW

Here are LOTS of photos from our Reunion. Hope all you family members enjoy (it may be a little much for those of you that aren't related : )

Make a Smilebox slideshow

RED, WHITE & BLUE

D's patriotic braces.


Our traditional red, white & blue toenails.

I love the 4th of July! It is such a great time to be reminded of the things we are thankful for and the wonderful country we live in. This year was so much fun! We held our Gordon family reunion and it was AWESOME! We had so much fun the whole weekend. Swimming, fishing, paddling on the lake, fireworks, family, BBQ turkey, fireworks, parades, etc... But by far my favorite thing was the giant water slide we made in my in-laws' backyard! Watch the video. The picture is good, but doesn't quite do it justice.


Isn 't that just the coolest!! (The secret ingredient is dish soap!- I'm totally serious.)