2 Weeks

Wow, it's been 2 weeks since I posted.  Part of that is because I haven't really taken pictures, and I like to have pictures to upload with my posts.  Since this blog is also a family record, however, I figure that I better write down what's been going on around here lately, even if I don't  have pictures. 

On the Saturday before Valentines, Cole and I left the kids with Kyle in charge and snuck away for a few hours.  We headed to Outback, one of our favorite places, for dinner.  Of course, since it was Valentine's weekend, they were packed.  We got our name on the list, and our pager, and decided to head over to Target for a few minutes to pick out a little something for our kids for Valentines.  We found the perfect little gifts, and then went back to wait.  Once we got back, we really didn't have to wait too long, and we enjoyed great food and good, grown up conversation.  We always enjoy getting time to ourselves. 

On Valentines day, I got up early to set out the kids' Valentine's from us, and to make pink, heart shaped pancakes for breakfast.  (I am NOT a morning person, so this was a big deal).  I  also found a very, sweet, loving Valentine from my sweetheart waiting for me.  When I got the kids up, they were so surprised and excited with their Valentine's.  The boys each got a new Hexbug Nano, and a habitat to add on to their collections.  Talia got some more Littlest Pet Shop pets to add to her ever growing collection.  They were all thrilled with the pink heart pancakes as well.  It really started my morning out on a high note, and was worth getting up early. 

I spent Wedneday afternoon getting all my housework done, so that I could play all day Thursday.  I spent Thursday afternoon happily crafting with my beads, "borrowing" some designs from some of my favorite jewelry catalogs and personalizing them for myself. 

Friday Cole and I had the day off together.  I got my hair done in the morning, then he and I took Talia out to lunch at Rumbi Island Grill.  We've only been there once before(it's not something that we normally consider), but we had a gift card.  I had the soup this time, and it was soooooo yummy!  I definitely want to go back soon. 

I took advantage of the holiday on Monday, letting Kyle be in charge while I slept in after working.  The kids really did pretty good at getting along...if only they would learn not to talk at the top of their voices all the time. :)

I felt rested enough to mess around in the kitchen that afternoon.  I've been dying to try this cake technique. with this frosting technique.  I made the 2 cakes Monday afternoon, and put them in the freezer.  Yesterday, I pulled them out.  My yellow cake turned out perfect.  My chocolate cake, not so much.  I used our family recipe chocolate cake that is sooooo yummy.  However, I've never baked it in round pans before, and although I cut 8 minutes off the baking time, it was still overcooked.  I pressed on with the technique, however, and although the chocolate cake part was dry, it all came together appropriately.  The Rose Icing technique was super easy, took only about 10 minutes, and looks sooooo amazing!  It's a LOT of frosting...I doubled my mom's basic vanilla frosting recipe (which is still my favorite buttercream recipe) and it barely covered the whole cake.  I will definitely try this technique again, I may just have to use a different chocolate cake recipe (which pains my heart) or watch the baking time a little more closely. 

Today is my last day off this week, and I have plans to digi-scrapbook all afternoon. 

Stolen Afternoon

I got called off yesterday.  I had looked at the hours the night before, so I didn't think it was my turn.  However, someone else's hours hadn't been put in the book, so I was surprised to receive a phone call at 11:45 yesterday.  I took a few minutes to wake up, and then I had an idea...to go afternoon skiing.  After all, the boys were in school, Talia had been at daycare all day, and I was dying to go skiing.  I called Cole, let him know what I was thinking...then I rushed to get my stuff together and get up to Snowbasin. 

I got there at about 12:50.  Perfect timing for about 3 1/2 hours of skiing.  I was a little worried, because it was windy at my house, and from my house I could see the snow blowing off the mountain peak..but up on the mountain it was perfect weather...with 4 inches of fresh powder. 

From February 2011

It wasn't very crowded.  I had the gondola all to myself on this particular ride up...

From February 2011

I went over to Strawberry first...it is usually my favorite place to ski.  However, it was windy on that side of the mountain, and the snow was choppy, so I only did the one run over there.  I did, however, get some pics of the valley...

From February 2011

From February 2011

Despite the sunny day, it was pretty cold, and I decided to wear my hat and goggles.  I have always had a hard time skiing in a hat and goggles (I prefer my earband and sunglasses), but since I have recently come to the conclusion that I really need to invest in a helmet, I figured I better get used to wearing something on my head.  I ended up being really glad...I would have been really cold without my hat. 

I really love the views from the top....

From February 2011

I headed over to Porcupine...my 2nd favorite place to ski.  Up the Porcupine lift was COLD...but worth it, as the Porcupine face had 4 inches of sweet, barely touched powder.  It's been years since I've skiied fresh powder...it was amazing. 

I took my last ride up at 3:50...the lifts close at 4.  I managed to get in 8 or 9 runs, and I had a fabulous time.  Unfortunately, on my 2nd to last run, my earphones shorted out.  Not a big deal, they weren't expensive ones, but I will have to go buy new ones.  I also must have tweaked my right ankle a bit...I didn't notice it until the middle of the night, but it's pretty sore.  The ice pack will be my friend today....

Totally worth it. 

Work in Progress...

Well, a virus has come to play at our house.  Cole and I both had to call in sick to work yesterday for sore throats and fevers.  We had planned to grocery shop today, (and I hadn't been grocery shopping in almost 8 weeks, so our freezer was empty and our food storage was pretty low), so we still went, but by the time we got home, we were both wiped out, and my fever had spiked back up again.  Cole's currently crashed on the couch. 

Since all I feel like doing is laying around, I've been playing on my laptop.  Playing with Photoshop, trying to use my digi-scrapping skills to design my own blog background.  I've got the header down, but the rest is a work in progress...

We're currently hoping that our children won't get this bug from us...

App Love...

I LOVE my iPod Touch.  I LOVE that my wonderful husband insisted I get the one with the biggest memory, so that I could use it as an iPod, a personal organizer, a portable video player, a portable gaming system, and a way to stay connected in the internet world. 

I have a 64 GB iPod, which (after the preloaded stuff) translates to 59.4 GB available space.  I have 34.8 GB left available. 

Of the space I've used, here is how it  breaks down...
1886 songs
42 Videos
67 Photos
100 Apps

I've downloaded some really cool apps lately, and I thought I'd share my favorites.  Most of these were free or $.99...I try not to pay more than that. 

UYH - Use your handwriting.  I downloaded the free version, but I might just upgrade to the .99 version.  It's a to do list that you just write with your finger.  It's got a black background with soft neon writing, and for a basic errand list or small shopping list I'm really liking it both aesthetically and productively. 

PageOnce Bills - Put in your bills, and it pops up letting you know a few days before they're due.  It's great for me, who tends to put paying bills to the back of my mind.  It was free. 

Seize the Day - A more organized to do list.  Lets me put in things that are days and weeks off.  It was free.

LDS tools - All my ward and stake phone numbers and callings at my fingertips.  You have to have an LDS.org account for this to work.  This app is put out by directly from the Church.  I also love the Gospel Library app, free from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 

Today is - A simple calendar in a daily only format.  I'm using this as a workout/goal tracking log.  Free

Netflix - With my subscription, streaming instant movies wherever there is wifi access?  What's not to love? 

Words with Friends - Free version.  My new favorite game, it's basically Scrabble.  Turn based, you make yourself a user ID and then play with your friends.  I've been playing with my mom, my sister, and my sister in law, and it's been so very fun...and I'd love more opponents. 

And of course, I have all the news apps for my area, Facebook, NASA, Discovery, and the Winter X games news apps...I'm a news junkie, and they were all free.