BLISSFUL moments!

Below: Yes! On Jan. 22, 2009 we got to go see The Lion King Musical at the Gammage Auditorium in Tempe, AZ. This was AMAZING! If you ever have the chance please do yourself a favor and see it ;) The costumes, set, design, special effects, acting, and overall performance was phenomenal! I left that evening pleasantly stunned. Also, the story is full of Eternal Truths and leaves you feeling reassured that Good is truly more powerful than evil.

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Below: February 13, 2009 I finally honored a promise that was long overdue. We invited my dear Aunt and Uncle Butler over for dinner. It was such an enjoyable evening! They were so patient too because dinner was not exactly running on time. But my Aunt Marilyn knew me better than I realized and she had even brought her apron to help me finish =) Thank you! We had a tasty dinner if I do say so myself. The menu was simple, but all homemade: Teriyaki chicken, Yummy Green Salad (that everyone should have regularly so the recipe is below-yum!), Fruit salad w/orange zest-brown sugar and I forgot what else, and for desert we had ice cream w/ pineapple-peach cobbler (or Dump Cake if your more familiar with that name).

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We then retired to the family room and watched the DVD of our wedding party with the Polynesian Dance show and the finale of the wedding celebration was my cousin Aaron, my aunt and uncles youngest son, sang "our song" Everything by Michael Buble. We all cried because we miss Aaron

since he has left on his mission. We talked about their valiant children and how blessed we are to have such a rich heritage of immediate and extended family. What a Blissful evening that will be repeated soon!
Below: ...even more Blissful moments! It says it all on the page but I will copy it here so it's easier to read: "June 21, 2009. John and I finally reme mbered to take a picture together. We put an emphasis on the pregnant belly too! (I was about 21 weeks in this picture) After church we went to my sister Mary's house for a family dinner. What a surprise we had! The Birch's, who lived in my Ward when I was serving on Maui on my mission, were visiting Arizona and stopped by to see me! What a great reunion we had! Sure miss and love ya!"

So with that I bid you all a warm ALOHA!!!!!

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Yummy Salad Recipe

1/3 c. sliced almonds (toasted)

1/3 c. chow mein noodles (toasted)

2 tsp. sesame seeds (toasted)

8 c. torn romaine lettuce or spring mix (I've always used romaine)

4 green onions w/ tops (diced)

1 c. cooked wheat berries

5 (or more) bacon slices (cooked and crumbled)

Dressing

1/2 c. vegetable oil

1/4 c. sugar

2 tbl. white wine vinegar (I have always used Distilled White Vinegar because that's what I have in my pantry and I don't know what white wine vinegar is all about=)

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

Directions:

In a baking pan, combine almonds, noodles, and seeds. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 7-10 minutes, or until lightly toasted. Set aside.

In a jar with a tight fitting lid-- combine oil, sugar, vinegar, salt and pepper. Shake well. If left to sit, this will seperate--shake again.

In a large bowl toss lettuce, onions, and wheat berries. Just before serving add the toasted almond mixture, bacon, dressing and TOSS!