Happy Seventeenth Birthday

Rachel had such a fun day yesterday! When I picked her up after school she was not hard to spot; there she stood with a huge bouquet of helium filled balloons, an armload of gifts...

...and a cake a friend had baked and decorated in the shape of a lacrosse stick. So cute! That friend had called me a couple of days earlier to verify the exact color of Rachel's stick, including the frame, netting and handle.

The girls and I then went out for lunch at a restaurant of Rachel's choice--Olive Garden. Yum!

The men in the family didn't join us, they each had their first basketball game of the season. After lunch we did a little birthday shopping, then straight to Braden's game at the middle school. It was great, he started the game, played most of it, and got eleven points, including three free throws. His team easily won by more than twenty points. We then headed straight to CHHS for Kent's game. We got there at halftime and were happy to see the scoreboard which showed the home team ahead by four. They played hard and ended up beating Bonneville with a score of 52-43. Two for two! What a great day. When we were all finally home late that evening we had a little family party for Rachel.

Here's a little birthday interview:

Q: What was the best thing about being sixteen? A: Driving

Q: What are you most happy about being seventeen? A: Becoming a senior in high school.

Q: What was your favorite birthday gift? A: New Moon calendar and Jacob necklace.

Q: Favorite movie? A: New Moon.

Q: Team Jacob or team Edward? A: Jacob! Especially with his shirt off!

Q: What do you want to be when you grow up? A: Something in the medical field.

Q: Where do you want to go to college: A: Utah State in Logan.

Q: Favorite outdoor activity: A: Lacrosse!

Q: Favorite class in school: A: Human Anatomy & Physiology.

Q: Favorite boyfriend: A: George.

Happy Birthday Rachel!

Basketball Has Begun

From November through March my family lives and breathes basketball. Kent's tryouts started on the 9th, after two days he had his varsity team picked and ready to go. He is pretty optimistic and excited about this upcoming season, he says it is the best team he's ever had at CHHS.

Braden had tryouts for the 9th grade team the same week. We were all pretty excited he made the team. He'll have practice every day after school, his first game is next week.

And last week we sat on the 10th row at the Jazz game. The basketball season has begun!

Working Girl

Yay for Rachel! She finally got a job! She has been filling out resumes since June, with no results. Teenager/part time jobs are in short supply in this economy. A couple of weeks ago she got a call from a manager of a local movie theater asking her to come in for an interview. She must have done a great job in the interview because she was offered the job right on the spot. She's been in training all week, she works concessions, box office, and ushering. She will work two or three days a week after school and occasional weekends. There are some pretty cool perks of this job...namely free movie tickets and screenings. What a great first job!

Outstanding Freshman Award

Thursday night we attended a cross country banquet at the high school for the athletes and their parents. Coach Rowe sent me an e-mail making sure we were going to be there, because Braden would be getting a special award. Following a delicious catered dinner was a slideshow highlighting the season. Then began the awards ceremony. Braden was presented with the "outstanding freshman" award, and was given a certificate and a small trophy. Coach Rowe told a funny story about Braden, and said many complimentary words about him. Kent and I were so proud.

Halloween Stew

Every year on Halloween night before the trick-or-treat festivities begin, we eat a special, warm, yummy meal. It is the same meal I've prepared on October 31st for years and years, and now has become a family tradition. My family loves it, they ask for it on other days throughout the year, but I always tell them they have to wait for Halloween. It is the only night I will prepare it. It is called Burger Beef Soup. Also on the menu is a warm loaf of bread fresh from the bread machine, or homemade rolls right out of the oven. Here is the recipe for posterity:

Halloween Stew
(aka: Burger Beef Soup)

1/2 lb. ground beef
1 small onion diced
1/2 cup water
2 cups vegetable juice
1 can cream of celery soup
1/2 teas. dried basil
1/2 teas. marjoram
1/2 c frozen peas
2 c curly noodles

Cook beef and onion, drain. Stir in remaining ingredients, except noodles. Bring to a boil, add noodles. Simmer until noodles are tender.

Halloween 2009

We love Halloween at our house! I especially enjoyed being "princess for a day". As usual, my job was to greet the trick-or-treaters and pass out candy while Kent escorted Stefanie and her friends through the neighborhood.

Stefanie and the neighborhood crew...Rachel & George...

Braden and the gang...

Happy Halloween 2009!