Flying the Friendly Skies!

Today I surprised Tyler with a discovery flight! You get an hour with a flight instructor and you even get to help fly the plane. Tyler knew he was getting a present but he was shocked/excited when we got to the aviation building.

Pre-flight excitement

Here is Tyler waiting for the flight to begin!

This is Tyler and our instructor measuring the fuel

Views from the air!

The mountains where Tyler spotted the Elk! Of course he did! And they were bulls too!

Home sweet Home! Our humble dwelling and 650 Komas where I work!

The side of the temple only few see!

Go UTES!

What did I get myself into!

The future pilot back on the ground!

Must try recipe! bourbon chicken

I struggle to cook but here is recipe that you all will love. This recipe is healthy and is so good. There really is no bourbon in it, and most of the ingredients you probably have on hand. We will be making this again soon!

This picture is not mine, I stole it from the site. I made brown rice and steamed broccoli. I also used chicken breasts not thighs.

• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• Dash of ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 Tbsp. apple juice
• 2 1/2 Tbsp. light brown sugar
• 1 Tbsp. ketchup
• 1 1/2 tsp. balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 1/2 Tbsp. soy sauce
• 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
• Two stalks scallion, cut on the diagonal into 1 inch pieces

Combine all the ingredients except the chicken and scallions and mix well. Thoroughly coat the chicken pieces in about 1/4 cup of the sauce and marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to an hour.

Heat oil in a large skillet. Add chicken pieces and cook until lightly browned. Add remaining sauce to chicken and continue frying until chicken is no longer pink and sauce has thickened, about 10 to 15 minutes. Toss in scallions and mix until wilted. Serve with hot rice.

MS can Suck It!

Cammie and I began tossing around a few team theme ideas for the MS walk. We are team tootsie roll but what phrase could adequately describe the frustration of a disease like MS. We finally settled on Suck It MS! I have posted a lot of information about MS over the past few months. This disease is so unpredictable and trying, and my heart truly goes out to anyone who is forced to suffer from it. So Suck It MS!

Raising money for the MS walk has been an amazing experience. We are nearly at our $2,000.00 goal! I have seen so much generosity and concern . I have been overwhelmed by those of you who could have spent this money on other things and spent it on a cause that is so near to my heart. A personal thank you to all of you for your kindness! Please know that your donations not only make a difference to those who suffer with MS, but you are also an example to me of compassion and humanity! You made a difference!

Thank you so much!

Richwood Industries

Tammi Gilson

Bridget Ewell

Heather Culligan

Zacry & Callee Cloward

Brandy Urie

The Beech Family

Tess Brown

Rich and Marci Kulesus

Jennifer Gilson

Alma Rigby

Tiffany Noss

Mckette & Jesse Sitterud

Figueroa Family

The Vasquez Family

Rhonda Baldwin

Josh & Jenn Anderson

April Bingham

Cody and Michelle Gerhke

The Anderson Family

Margo Beecher

Mari Peacock

Anonymous

Lori Allen

Alyssa Peacock

Sorry Dory!

Dory actually got a 5 on the AP test. genius!

Dory Day!

What can I say about this cute little sweety pie! Dory is amazing! She is sweet, fun, hilarious, goofy, and a great little sis!
Dory has a love of the theater and is currently at SUU studying acting. She was recently cast as witch #2 in SUU's production of Macbeth. Below is a picture of her in a drunken scene in thoroughly modern Millie!

Dory loves sunflower seeds, llama's and hanging out with her friends. Dory was born during a Emery High homecoming game and has had a love of the Spartans ever since!
I have to brag on Dory because she is extremely smart. She graduated with a 3.9, earned the presidential schoarship at SUU, and scored a 4 on the AP test (which is nearly impossible) This girl has a brain!


This picture is of Dory and her best buddy Tanner. They have been friends since 7th grade. Dory is a good singer, but even better than that she can quote entire movies. She can also remember anything-she seriously has a memory!

Dory you are taller than me, but I am still wiser! Jk I love you!

Family Fridays! Neal Edition!

Welcome to this weeks edition of family Friday’s (last Friday I sluffed). This week I would like all of you to meet my Dad, Neal!

My Dad is an amazing person who has inspired me in a million ways. The best word to describe my Dad is driven. He puts 150% into everything he does. For the past 25 years my Dad has been living his dream, being an educator.

He spends his days at Emery High school, coaching golf, teaching drama, coaching speech, being the student council ad visor, teaching AP history, everything you can think of! He spends his nights teaching for the college of Eastern Utah, serving as the Mayor of Castle Dale, holding play practice, serving in his church calling, and taking care of his new pet goat! My Dad is also downright funny! He loves telling jokes and making people laugh.

I remember taking amazing family vacations and my Dad always made the trips a blast. We went to California, Seattle, Vegas, the Oregon coast, and many other crazy adventures. Some of my favorite memories are taking hikes with my Dad on the desert. We would discuss the gospel, politics, and just enjoy getting to know each other. It would take me years to tell you all the amazing things my Dad has accomplished. Most of all my Dad has always been an example to me of how to “make it happen.” He has taught me that people are more important than things, that the gospel is true and brings the greatest joy possible, that the best way to clear your head is a trip to the desert, and that family comes first! He loves helping others and has inspired thousands of students over the years. Dad I love you!

Please Help!

My sister in law Jen sent me this information today, and I'm really glad she did. I would never disrespect someone's beliefs and I don't want mine made fun of either.
Here is the info:

Next Sunday March 15th the HBO show Big Love is showing a temple ceremony on national television. I checked it out and it's true, even on the TV Guide the picture shows a girl in complete temple clothing. This is pretty appalling: They hired an ex-member to help create the ceremony, rooms, and clothing. I know you are probably feeling sick to your stomach as I was, but let's do something about it.

Tatum gave me this important link to the church website. Here is what the church is saying about this mess.

http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/the-publicity-dilemma



Please send a message to HBO asking them not to air the show by clicking on the link below.
http://www.hbo.com/apps/submitinfo/contactus/submit.do?title=Big%20Love&questiontype=biglove

I also sent one to the FCC
http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm

-Choose "Broadcast (TV and Radio), Cable, and Satellite Issues" and then click "NEXT."

-Choose "Broadcast programs showing obscene, profane, and/or indecent material" then click "NEXT."

- Click on "ONLINE FORM" Fill out the form with your complaint and submit.

Cupcake Pops

I decided to experiment with an idea I found on another blog. Was it time consuming? Yes. Was it worth it? Possibly. Will I make them again? Probably never. If you would like to try, click here.

They did turn out cute though

I'm In!!!!!

Go cowboys~ Yesterday I received my letter in the mail from the University of Wyoming. I grabbed the letter out of the mail box, ripped it open, saw the words congratulations and screamed out a big woo hoo! I begin my graduate work this summer. When I am finished I will have a Master of Arts in education with an emphasis in adult learning and post secondary studies! (Say that a few times fast!) I can't wait to start!

Does that Make Sense?

Are there phrases that just drive you crazy???? For example, Tyler has a teacher that says "exactly" approximately 50,500 times in one hour. As a trainer I spend a lot of time in classrooms and can't believe the overused ums, likes, and uhs that are constantly used. But the phrase that pisses me off more than anything else is "does that make sense?" Sure in moderation it is a good clarifying question, but it certainly gets over used. Using this phrase too much is really demeaning and rude. The other day I was caught on film using this swear word so my friend Josh made me this video. I hope you like it!