WAHOO!

After 12 years of marriage, another first... snowmobiling!  I was definitely nervous because I didn't want to get stuck or hit anything, so we played it safe and went to the gorgeously groomed trails of Daniels Summit Lodge.  My Hero got the hang of it right away and was tearing up the snow off trail.  I think I was more of a 'cross country' snowmobiler.  I was just taking it nice and easy only taking a couple of well worn off-trail circles.  

Slow and steady wins the race.  Because I was taking it slow and My Hero was hopping off the trail every chance, I got ahead of him and we were separated.  When he caught up with me, I think I wanted to show off a little.  You know, impress my man, so I went off trail and ended up WAY off-trail.  I couldn't make the turn back onto the trail and went over the slope.  I fell off the snowmobile right away as it dropped out from under me and it just coasted down the hill until it finally parked itself in the trees.  Wah-oops!  There was no serious damage to me or the snowmobile, but it was exhausting trying to stamp down 3 feet of snow or use a pine lever to help it out.  Unfortunately, I wasn't much help trying to budge a 500 lb. machine buried in powder.

We finally admitted defeat and headed back to the lodge for reinforcements.  Yikes!  I had been taking it about 20 mph on my own ride, but now I was hanging on around My Hero's waist going his normal speed - 40-50+ mph.  There were some awesome off trail rides he just couldn't resist, so he was tearing it up with me hanging on the back.  Did I mention the snowmobile seat was branded with a picture of two people riding a snowmobile with a slash indicated Do Not Do This?  Well, it's a good thing we did because I got to enjoy some adventure I never would have considered on my own and it was a totally blast despite practically blowing out both of my knees as I tried to stay on.  My Hero actually liked riding with me in the hootchie-mama seat following all of his moves and keeping him warm.

Once we reached the lodge the lovely and wind chapped Jesse came to help us.  What?!  I thought we could just tell him where it was and go home.  I could barely stand.  Evidently, we had to show Jesse the stuck snowmobile guru where it was and then I had to be there to drive it back.  So...I hopped back on with My Hero and braced myself for another ride.  Jesse wasn't just a stuck snowmobile guru, he was also a speed demon like My Hero.  We made it to the crash site in record time.  Two brawny men were able free my ride in about 10 minutes.  It's a good thing I was there.  I had to rev the gas as they pulled it in reverse, very important. ;)  

We were finally on our way again.  I was still cautious on the ridges, but when the trail opened up, so did I.  After all, My Hero had shown me how to do it and the worst of my snowmobiling fears had already been realized resulting in little more than a dented bumper.  In fact, I was loving this adventure.  When I came to the flats, I actually pinned the gas and broke 50 mph on my own.  I saw My Hero take a jump and a spill, but he just hopped back on his machine and continued tearing it up.  WAHOOOooooo!

P.S. I think the reason I don't look as cool as My Hero is that none of the adult helmets fit, so I had to wear a squinky child's size helmet w/o fierce face guard.

Feeding Horses

Today is March 3rd. Today is the day that we, (me, Urban Tangerine, Angelfish, Mermaid, Sparkle and Torpedo) went to feed the horses. First we went to ask permission. Then we went to feed them. The first thing we had to do was climb over a barbed wire fence, which to me is always a little bit scary to do with Torpedo. Next we had to walk on a very short but very muddy path that took us into the pasture where the horses were. When we said we were going to feed the horses, I had thought that meant with a fence in between me and the horses. Instead we were feeding them right there with them walking around us. We fed them apples and threw carrots at them (without hitting the horses). When the horses started coming closer to us, I started running. I was so scared, I was the one holding the bag of carrots and the horses were sort of half following me.  Sparkle had already run out of the pasture for fear too and was yelling "Run for your life!" and guess what, I did! Angelfish, Urban Tangerine, Torpedo and Mermaid stayed back and they fed the horses some more. Finally though we did leave the horses but they followed us to the edge of the pasture which made me think that they might follow us all the way out. But thankfully they didn't.

Posted by Star

Silly Mermaid

Wow! They just grow up so fast.

Squeaky Bean

Welcome to our new niece: Squeaky Bean
We had a scare that she was coming 11 weeks early, but she and her birthMom were able to hold on for another 7 weeks! Amazing. She was clearly worth the wait.

Welcome home, Squeaky Bean!

She's just in time for Curly Fry's baby blessing (with the curly hair) Yes, those brethren will work their biceps holding this big boy in the blessing circle, but it took forever to get his adoption paperwork finalized. We were able to attend his sealing at the end of January. And Curly Fry accommodated Squeaky Bean by getting all his paperwork finalized in time for their family to qualify to adopt Squeaky Bean. Sometimes it feels like it takes forever to get your family. Isn't it nice to know the family can last forever, too?! Especially one as happy as the Loomi! Congratulations!!!

Backyard Adventure

Fun isn't always safe. We'll be smarting from our sledding sunburns for the next few days. Have fun in your backyard!

Brownie Intervention

If you value your health, don't read this post. I'm not even kidding. I was just hanging out with my sister, Plainbellied, and she whipped up these amazing brownies. If you want to try this at home, invite some friends or keep their numbers handy so you can call for intervention in case you're tempted to eat the entire pan yourself. Make sure I'm on your brownie intervention list. Seriously, I'm there for you.

Foster’s Brownies

2 cups flour
1 1/3 cups cocoa powder
1 tsp. Salt
8 large eggs
4 cups sugar
1 lb. Butter melted
1⅔ tbsp. Vanilla
2 cups chopped walnuts
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 325F

1. Lightly grease and flour a 17”X12” pan
2. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, and salt into a bowl
3. Cream together the eggs, sugar, butter, and vanilla
4. Add the flour mixture into the butter mixture and mix just until all the dry ingredients are moist and blended. Do not overmix
5. Fold in the walnuts and chocolate chips and stir to blend. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
6. Bake 35 to 40 min, until brownies are firm to the touch; remove from oven and cool 30 to 40 min. before cutting.
7. Instead of chocolate chips you can add white chocolate chips or peanut butter chips. Pecans can be substituted for the walnuts.

Sunday

Sunday seems to come earlier than the other days of the week. Thanks to technology My Hero carried on with his bishop duties via phone and internet. We even tried a little webcasting with Skype. If you're on Skype let us know so we can webcast with you!!

Sunday night, my family made the reverse trip up the canyon to us for dinner. My Hero was under the influence of Sparkle's raging cold, but I enjoyed a leisurely visit with my family and plenty of good food. It was one of those nights that makes you grateful for a dishwasher. ;) And we finally got to meet Aunt Katie. She was such a hit that even Torpedo was standing in the snowy driveway waving "Goodbye Katie...oh, and you too, uncle...? what's your name again?"