A quick weekend getaway

On Friday afternoon we headed to Salt Lake City for the weekend.  We ate pizza on the way and checked into our hotel with plenty of time to swim before bedtime.  The pool was great!  The water was warm and everyone had fun.  After swimming the kids were worn out and fell asleep fairly quickly.

Thankfully everyone slept really well so we were all rested and ready to go on Saturday morning.  We went to the Sportsman's Expo and spent the day doing some fun activities and visiting booths.  The first activity our kids did was fishing.  Within just a couple of minutes Rachel had caught her first fish.  The boys all had plenty of bites, but they didn't hook any fish this time.  I quite enjoyed watching the kids learn to tie flies.  They concentrated pretty hard and the guy helping them was really patient.  All of the kids had fun shooting at 3D targets in the Youth Archery area, getting to shoot at a turkey and jaguar.  When they were finished Jason mentioned that I had never used a bow to one of the guys at the booth.  He immediately grabbed some arrows and told me to give it a try.  I did well and was told I should take up the sport, but the best part was when the guy helping me said that I look 17 anyway.  He was obviously joking, but since I turned 30 a few months ago, I'll take it!  And I do want to take up archery.

After hours of walking around the expo center we were exhausted and ready to head home.  We decided to visit Temple Square before leaving and I'm so glad we did.  We walked around outside and even though our kids were plenty hyper, it was still very peaceful and the perfect ending to a great day.

Who knew?

I've found a few cookie recipes that call for white beans instead of using butter or shortening.  Was I intrigued?  Yes.  Willing to try it?  Absolutely not.  I mentioned it to Jason once and he looked at me like I had gone mad.  Then I found this recipe from a website I visit often and couldn't resist just trying it out:  
Golden Carrot Cookies
They turned out great, especially with the lemon frosting!  I made them for family night and the kids kept asking for more.  Owen walked around with his cookie saying, "Mmmmmmmm!"

Tonight I tried this recipe and was surprised and impressed all over again:  Low Fat Chocolate Chip Cookies  They are SO good!

I can't get over the fact that I can make cookies with white beans instead of butter and they taste just as good!  If you've seen recipes like these but haven't been sure if you should try it or not, trust me and go for it!  You won't be disappointed.  

Family Ski Adventure!

Jason and I went XC skiing together last year and I've been dying to go again ever since!  I don't even like taking all 4 kids to the grocery store, so it took a while for me to decide it was time to take the kids with us.  I finally felt open to the idea and the kids were very excited to go along.

BYU-Idaho has a great Outdoor Rental Center.  The equipment is great and the price is very affordable  We rented 5 pairs of boots, 5 sets of skiis and poles, and 1 trailer for Owen.  After we threw all the gear into the car we headed over to Herriman State Park, because we've heard it's a great place for XC skiing.  It was perfect!  Snowmobiles aren't allowed in the park which makes it ideal for skiers.  There was a light snow falling, the temperature wasn't too cold and the kids took to the skis like fish to water.  Jason pulled Owen in a little trailer and he slept most of the time.  I'm very proud of all our kids, XC skiing is quite a workout and there wasn't much complaining from them at all.  Rachel could only go so fast and I kept offering to pull her along, but she refused and trudged along with a huge smile on her face!  I was so impressed!

It was a great day and I definitely want to take the kids out again!

My experiments in the kitchen

I've started a website devoted to my own unique recipes.  I don't very often follow a recipe without changing something, and quite often I change a lot.  I like to make the recipes healthier and taste better.  I've posted half a dozen recipes so far, with many more to come.

Check it out!            Comfort Food Your Way - Reinventing the food you love