Burn Camp 5K

A last minute addition to our weekend ended up being a high-point for April! Bj loves spending a week each summer with children who survive the physical and emotional effects of burns. This fundraiser has been on his radar and a last minute change in our scheduling allowed our entire family to participate! (Even though Ash and Cars were confused and only ran half of the race) It was fun to participate in this event and rub shoulders with everyday heros who change lives. They also included a raffle and silent auction where we were able to get Aj and Carson a "Flash" and Iron-Man" cape/mask motif, and a water bottle for Ash. 

 

 

Hide and Seek

2-20-17

 

A family that plays together

GG

 

Dinner

On the rare event that we make it to a nice-ish (which means non-drive-through) restaurant, we like to capture a moment. This happens to be at Sizzler's while waiting in line. We rarely go out, but even less often on a Friday night, a rare treat for the White fam.

President's Cup 2017

Downtown in December

Downtown in December is one of the most bittersweet phrases that can be uttered. Although it is beautiful and whimsical, and wonderfully festive... everyone else in the valley feels the same way.  But tonight felt different. 

Why?

They got along. The whole time we were downtown they didn't fight, yell, hit, whine, or complain. Not that they always do... but they always do!  There is nothing more that I love than spending time with these creations of mine, especially when a pre-planned and potentially chaotic evening is in store... and they all get along!!! We went downtown tonight to celebrate the wedding of a young Woman from our ward and made a shopping/lights visit out of it. And even though the night started about three hours later than originally planned, we all had a good time. 

Maybe downtown in December is not so bad after all.

 

 

Hat Bowling

Was there a reason we decided to turn our day-after-thanksgiving-bowling-party into a hat party?

No. 

it just seemed like a good idea. 

And we LOVED it! 

Not necessarily because of the hats, but it added an element of whimsy that seemed appropriate for the activity. 

Thanksgiving 2016

A White family thanksgiving is a highly anticipated event. We have so much fun with each other. Although not everyone could make it, we had a blast with those who could. It was at Jamie's house this year so Adam could join us while on duty.  I didn't grow up with sisters and I love how bjs sisters claim me as one of their own. I love being part of this close-knit, supportive, crazy clan. 

Another Scrumptious Sunday

Sunday dinner at Grandmas is always a high light of the week. We have great discussions, delicious meals, and often, love entertainment. Tonight was no different. Dutch oven pork chops were cooked to perfection, perfectly mashed potatoes and all the fixings to complete the meal including savory asparagus, veggie packed green salad, sweet watermelon, and my favorite pretzel rolls from Costco. Oh, and an assortment of pies for dessert. We are priming our stomachs for thanksgiving dinner.  After tonight's meal I couldn't find mom and went downstairs to find her making pajama pants with her grand daughters. Then I walked around checking out the rest of my family finding so much joy in the serenity of the contentment. So of course I had to capture a few moments. 

I love this family of mine. 

 

 

Tournament of Kings

The kids have been begging for a meal copy-cat ever since we went to the jousting tournament in Vegas this past March. The meal started with dragon soup, then a plate with a Cornish hen, sprig of broccoli, whole red potatoes, and a biscuit. They did not like the dessert, apple turnover, so we did not add that to tonight's menu. We did everything else though, complete with the movie, " A Knight's Tale" for our evenings entertainment. Bj even rearranged the furniture so our dining room table was in front of the TV! Complete with candle light we think this dining experience was a big hit. Aj even commented, "this is the freakin' BEST! You're the best!" (That's about as high a compliment a teenage boy will bestow)

Other than the movie and furniture arrangement, the meal was not any more work than a regular Sunday dinner so we may do this again some day! So, to remember I'm making notes here:

Chicken:

5 Cornish hens thawed (in fridge) and in a salt water brine bath the night before. 

Butter and season red potatoes (small-ish) potatoes and put in oven at same time as chicken. 

Season chicken with olive oil, garlic salt and Italian seasoning. Place upside down (wings tucked under) on roaster in oven at 425 for 20 min. 

Cut and wash broccoli so it is ready to steam. 

When timer goes off use tongs to turn chickens right side up. Cover ends of legs with foil to prevent burning and reduce heat to 350 the. Cook for 20 more minutes. 

Prepare biscuits (mmmmm... red lobster biscuits from Costco) ready to put in when timer goes off. 

When timer goes off butter tops of chickens and raise temp to 425. Put them back in with potatoes and add biscuits to other shelf. Bake biscuits as instructed (red lobsters = 15 min, remove when necessary). While chicken, potatoes & biscuits are in the oven and broccoli is steaming (start when biscuits go in) make dragon soup: 2 cans tomato soup, 2 cans milk or water, 1 T dried Italian seasoning mix, 1 t. Dried basil, heat through. 

Everything should be ready around the same time. 

Serve dragon soup, then plate the main course drizzling everything with butter, then salt. 

Prepare to be flattered. 

 

 

Modern Kaylee

My cute niece Kaylee was in the play, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Jr. Her Jr. High did a great job performing it!  There were a ton of kids in the cast, the set was great, costumes adorable, it was choreographed well, and even though sometimes the audio was hard to hear it was a fun event for the family (well, half of us anyway...).  Aj went under the pretense that we would go to the new West Valley Skate Park, so we stopped there for about 20 min on our way to the play. He didn't complain, and even though I secretly think he found enjoyment in the play, he was supportive and positive. 

So proud of Kaylee!! (and AJ...?)

party time!

One of the best things about holidays is getting together with other people.  I am combining my post about these two events because they happened one day after another.  (Ward party on Saturday night, Castleberry Party on Sunday night)  For our ward party we (members of the ward) were asked to bring a soup or dessert.  If we wanted, we could enter our item in a "Chili cook-off" but for all items.  We got there 20 minutes late so we did not enter our amazing chili in the cook-off, but are pretty sure it would have had a good chance at winning, because it was amazing! I used a firehouse recipe that had 4 meats, then made a second batch using only beans and veggies then combined the two and it turned out great!! (A little too spicy for me, but with enough chips and cheese it was perfect).  In addition to the food, each auxiliary (Relief Society, Young Women, Elders Quorum, etc) was asked to come up with a self regulating activity (unless they wanted to "man their booth".) Angela Howell, our new Mia Maid leader volunteered to bring her two horses and do pony rides! It was the hit of the party and totally represented for the YW.  The only pictures I took were of Ash and Cars on the horses, the last two rides of the night.  We had a great time visiting with some old and new friends.

The Castleberry party was, of course, a blast.  Grandma pretty much did the whole shebang.  She had three soups (and my second batch of Chili), rolls, and others brought a couple salads (and I brought a "Halloween Jello").  She also had a few fun activities: A marshmallow drop, a costume fashion show, trick-or-treating, a kid cake walk, and an adult cake walk.  We had three out sick (Amanda, KJ and Brooke) so we felt a little incomplete, but somehow managed to have a great time.

White Halloween Party

Jamie and Adam Stowers hosted the annual White Halloween party this year at their  new house. As usual, it was an absolute blast!  We had a delicious potato bar and tons of baked goods (really, TONS) and enough treats and candy to last us until the Halloween haul.  Bj and I went as Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf.  The kids were in love with his mask and kept wanting to try it on... except the little ones like Evelyn and Haylee.  Our kids were not seen by us for the night, or so it seemed.  AJ and Garrett went to the local school to practice their "Parkour", Ash and Gracie were who-knows-where doing who-knows-what, and Carson and Jake were in the back yard inventing new ways to enjoy each others company.  Bj and I were enjoying visiting with his siblings (his parents were in Arizona at a wedding) and terrorizing the tiny ones with realistic fangs and a concealing cape.  We look forward to this every year and are already looking forward to Ocober 2017 (where there will be a new niece or nephew to terrorize!)

Cornbelly's

Of course we want the tickets! When BJ was offered tickets at a group rate he only asked me as a courtesy because he knew we would love to go!  We went a couple years ago and have intended to go again since, but couldn't swallow the admission!  This price was too good to pass up and we got our moneys worth!.  We did everything there was to do, and even multiple times! The favorite event was the big burlap bag slide.  They also really enjoyed the corn maze, but were a little bored after 45 minutes.  AJ's favorite was the bouncy pillow.  We were the only ones on it for a little bit and even though the rules say no flips, he did, and even managed to impress himself!  My favorite part was watching my kids get along, and when BJ ran into his friend Rob and they tried to get through the "Right turn only" maze.  They were so perplexed! We had so much fun that we may have to bite the bullet next year and go regardless of a group rate or not.

Firefighter's Chili Cook-off

What a blast!  I have never been to a chili cook-off before and have always wanted to go (because I LOVE chili!).  This event is a fundraiser for the burn camp (Camp Na-Na-Mah) that BJ was a counselor at this past month. Fire departments from all around the valley create a booth and an incredibly large batch (or two) of chili for people to taste.  A small sample (2oz.) is $2, and a bowl (like the kids have) is $5.  BJ bought enough $2 tickets for me to sample a bit from every department except two (one ran out, and I did not realize the other one had chili..?).  After sampling the chili, I took my "Best Chili" ticket and was able to vote for the one I thought was best.  There were many that were quite delicious, but my top two, honestly-unbiased, favorites were the ones cooked by West Valley's Fire Department.  They were SOOOO good! (A close third was the American Fork's Chili, with Park City right on their tail).  Being in the South Town Mall parking lot was convenient because afterward, the kids and I were able to grab a quick birthday for Aj's upcoming celebration. 

After the cook-off, we headed down the road to Carson's soccer game where he scored a goal!  His team-mate, Bobby, set him up with the perfect corner kick and launched it right to Carson where he flawlessly directed it in.  Unfortunately it was the only score of the game, and the opposing team took us out (quite literally... lots of back tackling...).  

Since BJ was on channel 2 news a few days ago, he owed his parents ice cream (an ongoing thing... see him on the tube and he owes ya a scoop!).  We stopped by after the game and were invited by them and Marcie and Don to join them for dinner.  I ran the kids home real quick and met them at Joy Luck.   We had never been there and I really enjoyed it!  It was really nice spending time with them, we don't do it nearly enough.  

It was a very enjoyable afternoon/evening, and makes me increasingly grateful for the ages of my kids that I can leave them home without having to worry about a babysitter!  

What a wonderful life we live.

Go Hawks!

GO HAWKS!! It is so fun watching and supporting this little comp team.  Carson is learning so much and enjoying, mostly, every second.  We even jumped at the opportunity to buy team gear assembled by one of the parents.  

Carson does not get a lot of game time, which we were warned when he was offered a spot on the team.  He is a great player when he wants to be, but doesn't get as aggressive as he needs to be at this level of play.  He is making major improvements and puts a lot of work and effort into this sport.  We will be behind him as long as he wants to keep it up. 

We love our player!!

Labor Day 2016

September 5, 2016

It's hard to see the background in these pictures, but we are at the Bees Game!  Bj was able to get box seat tickets from work and we are so god he did! We shared it with a few other firefighters and their families. We had a blast hanging out in the suite munching on popcorn, chips and sodas. The game it's self was not too thrilling, but enjoyable to watch. We are glad we went and have made a mental note to go to at least one game per season. 

Other Events this Labor Day included a morning stroll to Kneaders for breakfast and a BBQ birthday bash for grandpa Russ. (Although I spent most of the party in the office assembling a girls camp movie). 

We had a great, low-key Labor Day with the best company, family!

bees game

Bj was able to get tickets for the Bees Game! It has been such a long time since we have been that we couldn't resist when they were being sold, and it was even box seats! Chief Fox and a couple other WVFD families shared the box and Fox even sprung for a few snacks! We were beyond pleased with the event and plan to make it less of a rarity and more of the "All American Past-time" it is intended to be!

Shirley Sunday

August 28, 2016

When the Shirley's moved, just over two years ago, we made a plan to get together the 4th Sunday of each month for dinner.  It has happened three, maybe four times.  We are such slackers!  When Michelle called a couple nights ago asking if we wanted to do tinfoil dinners in the canyon we were super excited!  We threw everything together Sunday after church and headed up American Fork Canyon. We were all able to catch up and enjoy some good food, smores, and a dutch oven cobbler (well... cake, not cobbler, according to Lauren, who is technically right.).  Even though they look complacent in the pictures, they actually had a really good time.  I would like to say we want to make it happen more often, but maybe by not saying it I won't jinx the possibility?  Here's to not hoping...?