The most amazing cookie you will ever eat and my birthday present...

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

They are as good, even better, than the picture...

I made these today for some drive-by visiting teaching visits (read: I wanted to make cookies but needed an excuse to not eat them all). These are unbelievable, especially  if you are a peanut-butter and chocolate lover as I am. Having said that, you will understand my next announcement.

Tomorrow I begin a birthday present to myself. I am giving up sugar from July 1st until my birthday, August 23rd. Besides giving birth to 5 children, this will be the hardest, most courageous thing I have ever done.

Really.This might actually be harder.

By sundown tomorrow I will be cursing myself -addiction is a powerful thing...

I fully anticipate withdrawal-the timing might be bad- I leave for vacation on Friday...come back for Girls Camp, and head out for another vacation after that.

but, a deal is a deal...
Hey, why don't you join me? Just to prove you can.
And then, on August 23, I will share with you some of my sister's famous 10 pound carrot cake...with beautiful cream cheese frosting.
Oh dear, I'm feeling weak already.

Great Sabbath reading...

If you have a few minutes today read this talk by President Packer. I cried through it- it's timely and inspirational.

Shabbat Shalom.

What to do, what to do...

Closed until July 25th.

Until then? 

Visit one of the other 12 temples in Utah.

Somebody has connections...

I can't even think of anything I would like to say about this picture except, that's my brother, in the back row, blue shirt and tie. Thank heavens he is not the one kneeling at the feet of the president.  :)

The best ever "end of the run" running song...

Try David Osmond's "Heartbeat Melody." 

It works.

The Seventh Day...

The Sabbath feels like this to me.

Somethings are inevitable.

Something new and exciting is happening when I run.

I guess as I got older, I knew I would experience a new phenomenon here and there, but this has caught me off guard, literally. Those of you who know me well, won't be shocked by what is occurring, you will just be surprised by how often it is occurring. In the past 2 weeks, I have fallen 4 times! FOUR! My big, heavy, sleepy size 11 feet just aren't lifting off the ground like they used to, and any unexpected crack in the sidewalk or bump in the road sends me sprawling (Knock it off Alicia-I know what you are doing). Anyhow, you will be relieved to know that the first 3 times no one had to witness this ridiculousness, but yesterday...I was unfortunate enough to have an audience.
It may be a sign that my running career is coming to an end-I may need to find a less dangerous sport... but, after 25 years, it's hard to let it go.

If you have any helpful hints on how to correct this annoying problem feel free to let me know.
No snarky comments please (Alicia). :)

Just in...

The Deseret News had this photo this morning:

Check out Meghan and Bethany in the upper left hand corner!!!!

Humor me one more time...

Deseret Book-mini concert-book signing:
Oh, Archuleta never fails to deliver.
The new, controversial hairdo is much more impressive in person...

Hannah and Kaylie loved the boy up close and personal...this time I stood back and let others do the talking...wise choice I think given our history.
All in all, a good day. Even had a chance encounter with Sheri Dew...but this is David's day...so, another time.

Will's Baptism

Saturday, June 5, 2010, Will got baptized by Grandpa Brown and confirmed by his dad. He was picked up by Uncle Bill and his limo as a surprise. Every kid was whirled around the block in the limo before the baptism. Afterwards, we went to Iceberg for ice cream - Truly a great day!!!

Grandpa and Will

Dad and Will

The whole crew.

Uncle Bill and his limo.

Jake and a mountain of chocolate dipped ice cream.

Daddy and daughter.

Will's b-day cake... can't tell what it is? It's a long story and I am so tired tonight that I can't even pretend to be creative and witty much less tell you what this lovely cake represents. Toodles, and good night!! Tomorrow, I am off to stand in line one more time to have David Archuleta smile and sign his name on the dotted line....speaking of lines, it will probably be a long one... uhg.

Serenaded by David, but not THAT David!

You might be interested in knowing that besides having an amazing voice, David Osmond is humble, gracious, funny, and inspiring. He truly made us feel that there was nothing he would rather be doing this morning than singing with a 6th grade graduating class! He and they were awesome. Happy Graduation Cassidy.