Godzilla is an American and a Really Great Recipe

A few days before Independence Day, I started noticed good 'ol Godzilla appearing here and there. Now, this is not an abnormal occurrence, but what WAS strange was that he was carrying an American flag everywhere.



So, in our house, Godzilla is NOT Japanese, but an American. Who knew?

Here's a picture of Dylan and his fake smile before the fireworks started. This is the only smile I got all evening. Poor kid was seriously stressed out. I am DONE DONE DONE with taking him to see the fireworks and ending up having to watch them from the bathroom. He's lucky I love him, that's all I can say about that.


And thanks to Talli Poulsen, I cannot seem to get enough of this yummy pasta salad. The perfect summer salad.


Salt Lake Tortellini Salad

8 oz cheese filled tortellini
1 c broccoli florets
4 oz fresh grated parmesan cheese
1 can quartered artichoke hearts
1 can black olives, drained and halved
1 can garbanzo beans, washed and drained
1 can kidney beans, washed and drained
1/2 red onion thinly sliced
1/4 lb. salami, cut into small strips
1 (16 oz) bottle Bernsteins Cheese and Garlic dressing
1 pint cherry tomatoes
1 avocado

Cook tortellini in boiling salted water according to package directions. Drain well, rinse with cold water, place in large salad bowl. Add remaining ingredients, except tomatoes and avocado. Toss in half the dressing. Refrigerate for several hours. Just before serving add remaining dressing, as desired, and top with tomatoes and avocado.

Seriously - yum. Enjoy.

David Archuleta attends Fresno California Temple

I was just speaking with my sister, and she informed me that David Archuleta attended the Fresno Temple today to participate in some ordinance work.

He was in town yesterday for a huge concert at the Save Mart Center.
He attended with the Heritage Ward (consisting of single adults ages 18 - 30)

I thought that was pretty cool. Proud to be a Mormon Boy!

The Great Beet Experiment

I've made no secret of my imagined hatred of BEETS. I've never eaten one, and never planned on eating one. They just did not appeal to me.


Until Zack recently challenged me to eat one. "Mom," he said, "You always tell me I have to try something at least ONCE."


Darn that boy. I think I liked him better when all he could say was "mama" and "yummmm," and thought everything I did was perfect.


So I tried a pickled beet today. It actually wasn't that bad.

Turns out I was making a big ol deal over a whole lotta nothin.'

Again - - - darn that boy.

I'm Blog-Weary

Forgive me. I love blogging, and I love reading your blogs. But I am fresh outta creativity lately. Blogging will be sporadic throughout the summer. Please don't give up on me, and continue to check back! Matt will contribute to the blog as well, which is always a treat. I'm sure I'll be back, fresh and fabulous, soon.

Plannin' on spending a little less time on the computer, and a little more time lovin' up on my husband.

Nothing wrong with that.

I can see clearly now!

Summer time brings the heat in the central valley. To beat the heat we frequent the water park or go to the relatives that live nearby to go swimming. The boys love to swim, and we try to go a couple of times a week.

A couple of years ago, Z figured out how cool it is to see underwater using a diving mask. He has a mask, snorkel and flippers that he uses to explore around the pool. He has not discovered the true adventure of snorkeling in the ocean and seeing fish and other sea creatures. In due time.

D kept resisting the use of a mask or goggles in the pool. He didn't like how it covered his nose. This summer he said he was going to use his goggles (mask) when he went swimming. After trying it he threw them on the pool deck and was frustrated. I said "Fine, don't use them then, we'll give them to one of your cousins to use at their pool." We went on swimming and the next thing I know he is swimming around with his mask on. He said, "Wow! Everything is closer to me when I look under water." He was excited. He wants to take them swimming all of the time now. Hurray for summertime.

Mom's Weekend Away

Last weekend I took a little road trip over to good 'ol St. George, Utah...better known as "Utah's Dixie." Some old college friends and I had planned to spend the weekend talking and laughing, and that's just what we did! Some of us had not seen each other for (*gasp*) over 19 years, so it was beyond wonderful for everyone to reconnect again.

We're planning on doing it up bigger and better next year, and I was elected (yay) to be the planner for an unofficial Dixie College Music and Theatre reunion for folks who went there for 1987-1990-ish. I am already looking forward to seeing these friends and even more next year!

The gaggle of girls! Top L to R: Lisa, Me, Shelly, Marlo and Heidi
Bottom L to R: Erin and Lanette. I love these ladies!!


The Fine Arts building. I LIVED here, and loved every minute of it.


Shelly and Erin, ready to re-create the re-creation of the falling down the hill scene from The Princess Bride. "Oh my sweet Westley...what have I done!!" Ahh, good times. Good times.


We got lovely matching pedicures. Any guesses as to which foot it mine? Hmm?


We visited the Dixie College campus. Ahh, the fountain! This is Lisa and her sweet little one, Isabella, taking a stroll.


The Wedge! We had to visit the old E-1 apartment, where all the (*ahem*) magic happened. Oh, if these walls could talk! Well...perhaps it's better if they DON'T. (Matt and I had our first kiss in this apartment, way back in 1990. It was delicious. And still is, thank you very much.) The owner of the apartments, who also happens to be Matt's cousin, happened by and let us in to see the old place. Not much had changed. They DID paint over all the stars in Lisa and Erin's room, which is probably a good thing.


Out to lunch at the Pasta Factory!


I am already looking forward to next year! It can't come fast enough! I had a great time, and I am eternally grateful to Matt for still loving me even though I completely abandoned him for Fathers Day to have a get-away. Now THAT'S a good man!

In Memory of The Gloved One

"There are two kinds of people in this world: Michael Jackson fans and losers." - - Seth Green

Cousin Fun

It's summer - which means lots of fun with the cousins! Kade and Dallin are here for the week from Las Vegas, and we've had a blast playing with them so far this week.

Last night we went to the Fresno Grizzlies game. It was a great night. The Grizzlies beat the River Cats, and there was a fair amount of excitement chasing foul balls. We had GREAT seats, as you can see, and it was a fun family night for all. Pictured here: all the cousins except for Zack, who is now cool enough (just barely) to hang with the adults.


After the game I made a somewhat impatient (Really! He was almost rude!) Parker the mascot wait so I could take a picture with the Zack, Dylan and Dallin. He is a funny mascot and quite entertaining, but I wonder...is all the pelvic thrusting while dancing really necessary?


Dinner together at Poppi and Gigi's is always a treat. This dinner was followed by ice cream cones! Kade was certainly enjoying his, with a lovely vanilla flavored goatee. The height of summer fashion.


Dallin is a ham. His freckles are adorable, and his smile is completely infectious. He kept saying "Aunt Nicole! Take a picture of this! Aunt Nicole! Take a picture of me NOW!" So funny.
(See, Rick and Marci! We're taking good care of them!)


And here they are in all their glory. L to R: McKay, Dylan the Statue of Liberty, Kade, Loie the lone girl, Keenan pulling a silly face in the back row, Dallin, and Zack, a.k.a. "He Who Tolerates Them All."


Good times. And summer is just beginning.