"Look What I Can Do!"

So, I am not so smart when it comes to the computer. I have been a stay at home mom for over three years now and it seems I am out of date with so many new and fun things on the computer. However, I have lots of family members that are quite talented and very ... let's just say "up to date." Jamie, for example, has her vinyl company (StudioJK) and can design anything she can imagine. I am always in such awe when I watch her on her computer. Besides the fact that she can draw these things, she can get them on her computer. I feel like it's such a success when I make my scanner work. She actually takes things from her very own brain and turns them into something amazing. So, now that you are curious, check out what I am talking about on her website: http://www.studiojk.blogspot.com/ (there is a link to her store).

Then, we have Alisha. She and Paul were so good last year that Santa brought them both their very own Apple Computers. Wow, huh? Now here is a girl that takes scrapbooking to the next level. Her recent success is, as most of you know, her blog. Every time I pull up her page, there is something new and most impressive. So, since I am so good at mooching, I called her to find out about her page header. Me: "How did you find that page header, Leesh? Did you pay for it on a digital scrapbooking website? Is it from Pyzam.com?" Alisha: "No. I made it. It's just photoshopped." Oh. Ok. It's just photoshopped. Well how bout that! (Like it's easy?)

And, I can't forget Melinda. Her blog has sat postless for a couple of months. So last Sunday I give her the 5 minute run down of how to get your blog moving along. By Wednesday, she has an entire years worth of pictures, videos, and journaling. Not to mention the look of it totally changed.

Anyway, I am jealous of all of my sisters and sisters-in-law. They are all very talented. But, the computer thing is definatley one area I feel I have fallen out of the know how by not being in the work place. The other day I decided to download a sample version of Photoshop Elements 6.0. Without any kind of tutorial, I created the piece of art above. Are you impressed? I couln't believe I created it. I know, I know. I'm the bomb. Now you are all jealous of me, eh? Okay, probably not. But, I thought I would show you what I did.. all by myself.

WARNING: DO NOT OPEN COMMENT BELOW FROM KALAR (SPYWARE)!

Happy Valentine's Day

Look at my happy kids (they're pumped full of sugar). I am so glad that Erin started school before Valentine's Day. She came home today with a bag full of candy and the biggest smile I have ever seen! She was so happy. I love preschool. It's so fun to watch them learn and grow and change. She is suddenly my "big girl." While I love that she is so happy, she is my baby and therefore the whole experience tugs at my heart strings a little. I'm not sure I want her to be big.

So, now, if you look at the pictures of Josh, you will notice the "blue prints" for his Valentine box. He did this on his own. I made a list of household items that he could use. He drew up the blue prints and then we created the box together. He is so creative! And, of course, he had 23 out of 25 votes from his class for the best box!

Emma has had friend after friend ringing the doorbell tonight with Valentine's for her. She is such a social butterfly. Along with Valentine's Day this week, she has two birthday parties. She just needs to clean her room and she can go. Hmm... I am so mean.

I love Valentine's Day. I am so spoiled. Yesterday I got three deliveries! I got a dozen roses.. then my new pink Pearle from Verizon came.. then I got a big box of scrapbook stuff from QVC. (I didn't place any of those orders, mind you.) And today, another box of flowers came. . . with tulips and irises. You'd think he loves me or something. Jer says that when you've been married for almost twelve years you can do that. I didn't argue.

As for Jer, he gets me. I know, I'm as lame as it gets. I had great intentions, but that's as far as I got. I'm a jerk. What more can I say?

Valentine Tradition

One of my favorite things to do this time of year is make Valentine Cookies! And not just any Valentine Cookies, they have to be Grandma Bunn's rolled cookies. I wish I had a picture of my grandma, but without finding one at my moms, I don't have one. I know that seems crazy - to not have any pictures of your grandma. But, my Grandma Bunn died when I was very young. I think I was 2 or 3. Her real name is Florence Ludlow Harrison. I'm not sure where Bunn came from, but that is what everyone knew her by. Though I don't remember a lot about my grandma, I do remember a lot about her cooking. She could make something great out of not much. Anyone who knows our family, knows about grandmas homemade chicken n' noodles. She would make noodles from scratch. I feel very fortunate in that she taught my mom how to make this special dish and my mom taught me. This particular dish is now my childrens favorite. Last time I made it, Emma was up on a chair with her apron on cutting the noodles with the thread. I, like my mom, am working on teaching my children how to make Grandma Bunns chicken n' noodles. Another favorite was her soft boiled eggs. I know, sounds strange. But she used to cook an egg to perfection. Then, to eat the egg, she would cut it in half (shell and all) and scoop the egg out with a spoon. I don't eat eggs like that too often any more, but I do remember them tasting like no other when I was young. And, of course, there are her cookies. The funny thing is that I don't actually remember her making these. She was a diabetic and only ever had the sugar free candies (that I knew of anyway). But, my mom made these cookies and now I do. They are the best sugar cookies ever! I am a huge fan of sugar cookies. I might even call myself an expert in the sugar cookie department. And, I do believe these are the best! I never share one without getting ooo's and ahh's with every bight. So, I have decided to share the recipe. I might regret it. But, then again, maybe it's not just the recipe. Maybe I can cook. LOL. So, with love for my Grandma Bunn this Valentine's Day, I share with you her recipe for Valentine's Cookies. Enjoy.

Rolled Cookies

2 cups granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 cup butter

7 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. vanilla

1/4 tsp. salt

1 cup milk

Preheat oven to 375. In mixer, combine first three ingredients until creamy. Add vanilla. In a seperate bowl, combine dry ingredients. Turn mixer to low and add milk and dry ingredients, alternating. Cover counter with flour. Dough will be sticky. Roll out on flour dusting. Roll thick. Cut. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 8 mins. Do not over cook. Remove and let cool. Frost with desired frosting.

makes 7-8 dozen.

Homemade Frosting

powdered sugar (lots)

milk (tiny bit)

butter or margerine (couple o tablespoons)

vanilla (about a teaspoon)

food coloring (3 or 4 drops)

Finally! A Snow Cave

Josh and Emma have been wanting to make a snow cave all winter. We have had plenty of snow and they got snow suits for Christmas, but it's been so cold! Josh worked on a mountain a couple of weeks ago, but couldn't stay out long enough to get it done. In the last couple of days, we have had snow storms off and on. I had to shovel the driveway yesterday, so I shoveled it all into one big pile. Josh and Emm came out to start digging the hole and couldn't stop till it was done! They were so excited to finally have a snow cave! They didn't enjoy the finished product much yet because it took so long to make it. Maybe today they will actually play in it.

The Best of Both Worlds

WOW! What can I say? I had to check the kids out of school early to see the one and only Hannah Montana .. and Miley Cyrus .. and the Jonus Brothers .. in 3D! It was a movie released in theatres for one week only of the "Best of Both Worlds" concert that came to Salt Lake City months ago. Tickets to the concert sold out in minutes, resulting in a second night at the Energy Solutions Arena (and a lot of very upset parents). The tickets were expensive to start with, but as people started listing them on the internet, the price was upwards of $1500. Thats for one ticket! So, that was a lesson to be learned for many young girls. No pop star is worth that much money. Needless to say, we did not see the concert live. Instead, we payed $15 a ticket to sit in a theatre with 3D glasses and a bucket of popcorn. The kids had fun. Mom had a riot.

Superbowl Sunday

We always look forward to the Superbowl! Not really because of the game - more for the food and friends. But, I have to admit, this years game was a good one. We partied at Brady and Melinda's in Stansbury Park this year. The kids had so much fun together. Can you imagine? Five hours of uninterupted fun? We were worried about the drive home with all the snow we've had lately, but the roads were clear. This year has been so cold and snowy! Church was cancelled yesterday for several stakes. Magna and West Valley, however, seem to get the least amount.

Slumber Party

Who says you can't have a slumber party in the middle of winter with all your cousins? The kids can't ever seem to get enough of each other, so we had them all stay overnight last friday. They are party animals! They watched High School Musical (sing-a-long version), ate caramel popcorn, set up tents, wrote notes to each other, and stayed up late. Too much fun!