April Showers bring FAMILY from far and wide...

For a surprise to top all surprises, Laura, Molly and her 3 cuties (Quinn, Max and Mae) drove from Rochester, MN to give Ralph the best birthday present ever. They arrived unannounced, as Ralph was pruning the apple tree in the back yard. With balloons in hand, they snuck around the fence and began singing "Happy Birthday." It was such a great moment. And we haven't stopped having great moments for the past 2 weeks. 

We have grilled much food. We have gotten little sleep. We have shared many great conversations. We did a little swimming in outdoor hot tubs in Park City. The children have jumped on the tramp for more hours than we can count. And their trip got over all to soon. 

We loving having family close. Especially when they come from so far. We look forward to the summer where we can relive all this togetherness. 

April Showers bring RECITALS...

On April 15th Ty performed his Senior Recital. He shared his big night with a great friend, and peer who he has studied music with for many years. Robyn and he played some "rockin and beautiful" pieces. 

I love to see him play. He has such a natural ability, and it is fun to have others come to appreciate this. The Whitesides and Mcdonalds were in full force. And it is great to have everyone together. Thanks for all those who were able to make it. We loved having you there. (Sorry there are not more pictures, I was too busy reveling in the talents of my husband to snap photos.....)

Congrats to you Ty! You are well on your way to becoming a college graduate!

April Showers bring PARTIES....

We celebrated my cutest mother's "1st Birthday." Marking one year since she had surgery to correct the aneurysm. We surprised her by having family and friends meet us at Sweet Tomatoes for dinner. It was great to celebrate with her. I am so grateful that she is around 1 year later, and for a lot longer.

We also had many parties to welcome Candace's little one. I met a few close friends at this great bakery in American Fork, Flour Girls and Dough Boys. They had this great back room where we secluded ourselves to eating, talking, opening gifts, and we even did a little creating. Everyone in attendance added a little somethin' to a Onesie for little Josie to wear when she comes. 

We had great fun. I love to celebrate. And I especially love to celebrate my twin. She is such a great friend to me and many other people.

Things are really opening up....

We are feeling so lucky to have things "open" up for us in the past few weeks. 
Our doors are open, welcoming the warm air. We are airing out the old house smell. And it feels good.

Career/Future opportunities are unfolding for Ty. Nothing official but lots of new marketable ideas.

The month of April is already looking good. And it can only get better. I am about to be a twin aunt- in other words, Candace is having her baby. Sometimes it feels like I am because I am so excited for her.

Our summer plans are looking very open. We are starting things off a little early this year. A trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina to see Laura and Marty. Oh, and it is the last week of school. Bad planning you say... no way. All part of the grand scheme. I leave for the last little while and return with only 2 days of school left. I am liking this more and more all the time.

The school year is looking great next year. I have a job. I get to stay in my same grade. And keep my classroom. All things are adding up to make next year much less stressful than this past year.

All this openness means more time to spend with an open book (my reading list has gotten REALLY long), more time with family, and more time to think about all the things that I COULD blog about, but I don't.

Open doors bring such good feelings. Just be ready to close them when the storms come, as they are bound to do. Until them, the Whitesides' door is wide, wide open. So come on in....

Food...

I have a love. A deep love. 

And it is for food.

It may have something to do with the fact that I need it to survive. But there is more to it than that. Not only is it my life source, it is also a great pleasure of mine. I believe it stems from growing up with Gygis, a foodie superstore, as the main source of income for everyone in my family, including myself, at some point in our lives. I love being there. I love the products that are sold. I love the people that come in to shop.  I love the tradition that is shared by so many families. I love pretending that I know everything about food and how it works just because I have sold some tool or gadget that could be used for "that." I love that Gygi's is kind of like a part of me. 

I can also attribute my love to my family. I grew up in a family where good food was appreciated. But not only did we eat it. We celebrated it. Even now when we get together it is generally centered around food. "Where or what should we eat?" is a common question when planning to get together. And now my sisters are among the best of the best when it comes to baking and cooking. I love to see what they will bring to the table. They are gourmet. They are talented. And it is fun to share recipes and ideas with them.

Now that I am married with another family that I love dearly, I have realized that it was not just coincidence that I married a "family" that also has a passion for food. I was secretly planning it all along. It was something that drew me to Ty and the Whitesides from the beginning.  They love food. They appreciate it and look forward to each and every upcoming meal, just the way I do. In fact, I often feel that when we are all together we eat breakfast, clean up breakfast and begin preparing lunch, which is followed by cleaning up lunch and moving right into dinner. Much conversation and activity happens in between. But the things I usually remember best are the food we ate and the words we spoke.  I love that. Some of the best conversations that have ever been had occur around the dinner table.

I look forward to coming home at night. Making dinner is a chance for me to think about the day and "digest" the stress and cares of life. Ty and I sit down, we eat, we talk about what we ate. Each meal is analyzed and discussed. (It helps that I have a professional taste tester for a husband, he really gives me the science behind the food) It is fun for me.

I have taken endless photos of food, and for what reason? To look back and think, "Wow, that was such a good dinner. We should do that again." And that is reason enough for me.

So the whole reason for the post. The inspiration for this wordy message. Ty and I made sushi. And the whole time I thought, "This is so fun. Do other people have this much fun when they cook? Or are we peculiar in this regard?"

So here is a photographic collection of our 1st attempt at making sushi. And it definitely will not be our last.

Is this love? Is this an obsession?
Either way, it is not going to change. In fact, I look forward to the many meals, appetizers and desserts I will make and partake of in my lifetime. Are there others out there like me? 

Arrgh

There are pirates among us... And not the Jack Sparrow sort. REAL pirates, sometimes referred to as hackers. Just teaching a little lesson in internet security! :) sorry about the panic our attack may have caused. Pirates don't have the best judgement at 1:00 in the morning! Enjoy the koi fish pond as a peace offering... It's quite mesmerizing and CALMING...

Whoa...

 

A lot has happened. Here is a little recap....

 First, Thanksgiving

Beautiful Sisters and Ella's first taste of mashed potatoes.

Uncle Ty and the Beautiful Ella

And a Whitesides tradition of Thanksgiving shooting...

 

 I did what  I do best, carved the clay pigeons. Truth is, I know I won't hit them, so this is how I get my hand on them...

Next, Candace and Grant's Wedding....

It was such a beautiful day. Candace has such great taste and it showed at her wedding.

They planned their wedding in less than a month, it makes me think that all engagements should be that long. If you can get that much done in such a little time, why drag it out for three months?

Here is a pictorial sampling of that great day...
{There are a lot, but it was so beautiful, I couldn't leave any out.}

It was a beautiful day. We are so blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful family and we feel lucky to be able to spend time celebrating together. 

Next Up.... Christmas! We can't wait.