Guns Blazing...

We went on a double date with some

friends from our ward,

and since he's a CHP Officer, Instructor, and Range Master (?)

we visited the CHP Academy

for some fun!

First, 

an eye-opening tour of the vault

where they house confiscated weapons-

of which there are a TON!

Second, shooting a variety of weapons including,

a classic single and double action Smith & Wesson-my favorite!,

the gun that officers currently carry,

a teeny tiny model that was so, so hard to shoot,

and Samuel's favorite,

the fully automatic M-something (I cannot remember the name!)

which is illegal in most states-

and for very good reason!

After,

dinner at a Japanese Steakhouse!

Thanks for a wonderful evening!

You have definitely nudged us closer to becoming

proud owners of a firearm!

Maybe.

Some day.

In another universe...

{smile}

Finally: A Corn Maze!

Sounds silly,

but I've always wanted to do a corn maze.

I think it hearkens back to when I was in

elementary school,

and then probably middle school,

when I'd get invited to go with my friends families

and my mom would always say "no!".

Ha! 

Here I go, mom!

{And yes, she was still worried even though I'm plus 30!}

Ooooh,

the anticipation...

My guide!

Who wanted to go slow and consult the map at every step!

I left him in the dust and he

had no choice but to abandon his map and follow!

He he!

Corn Maze Champions!

We made it out in record time,

and even dove back in for another go around!

Good, good times!

When we went to pick up the kids,

this is what we found!

H A P P Y  H A L L O W E E N !

Grueling...Exhausting...FUN!

I'm a huge fan of date nights,

and for this particular date Samuel and I went

ONTO the beaten path for a

little adventure!

Foresthill Divide Loop in Auburn, California is described by

mountain biking enthusiasts as "FUN!".

That's all we needed to hear,

and boy, were they right!

And though the uphills were super-tough,

they were nothing compared to the downhills:

Exhilarating, terrifying,

-literally, a flying by the seat of your pants-

rush!

We loved every minute of it,

and though we took the 4 mile short-cut loop

(verses the complete 11-mile loop)...

We are determined to come back and finish it all!

I have a kooky brother-in-law

that would have dared something like this,

but we've got five babies at home-

not to mention a brother and sister-in-law!-

that would appreciate us coming home in one piece!

H A P P Y  T R A I L S !

Father-Daughter & Mother-Son Dates: Spaghetti vs. Thai

Our elementary school hosts an

Annual Father & Daughter Dance,

and this year was the first year that all our daughters could attend!

Unfortunately,

we couldn't make it.

{sad}

So to make up for missing out,

we created special invites for both the girls AND boys

inviting them to spend an evening with mom & dad.

The girls were delighted to receive THIS invitation

which instructed them to dress in semi-formal attire for this

"grand occasion"

which included dinner & the theater.

Look at all my pretty faces! 

That's more like it!

Owen was convinced his invite would be better,

and of course,

when we opened the front door,

there it was waiting for him!

{truth be told}

With all the excitement of getting the girls ready for their date.

I had forgotten to create the boys invite!

When Owen started peeking out the window,

I quickly realized he was waiting for his "special delivery".

Luckily,

he's easily distracted,

giving me a few minutes to steal some time

on the computer to print one out!

Whew!

Gabriel,

definitely less inclined to be impressed

with something as non-edible as a formal invite.

 

Popcorn!

Now I'm speaking his language!

My sweet, sweet boy.

Just like on real dates,

things can start out so well...



...and then take a nose dive!

Bummer!

My date landed himself on time-out!

If I didn't already know him,

this would have made a horrible first impression!

Lucky for me,

he straightened up,

and a good thing too!

It's time to eat!

While Samuel opted for the menu-friendly Spaghetti Factory,

we went for a noodle of a different sort:

Pad Thai!

Noodles.

An absolute favorite with these two.

Granted,

we need to work on our date-worthy dining skills...



Thank goodness we've got time to practice.

The question is:

How did Samuel fare with his noodles?

{smile}

My Golf Pro

For our date Samuel and I decided to hit the

golf range!

 

Not being golfers ourselves,

we borrowed his brother's clubs and filled up our bucket.

 

I took one,

maybe two swings,

and then sat back to watch the show.

 

Samuel on the other hand,

I think he'd be really great golfer.

But with everything going on

(family, school, life...),

it's just not possible to

hit the greens like he'd need to to get better.

 

So this was a really nice treat for him,

and let's face it,

I needed a good laugh!

 

Granted we were facing the sun,

but every single time he hit the ball it went center-left.

 

But he always looked far right!

 

You definitely had to be there,

but it made me laugh so hard.

 

And all that laughing works up

an appetite for dinner!

 

Now eating...

that's my game!

 

 

 

Temple Night & The Heavy-Weight

Hands down,

one of the things that has brought Samuel and I closer together

is regular Temple attendance.

And we needed that

-and continue to need that-

desperately.

I love my husband.

And I am so very grateful to be his wife...

...for time and all eternity.

 And just as refreshments are crucial
to any successful Family Home Evening,

a date IS NOT a date,

unless you feed me!

Hence,

The Heavyweight Roast Beef Sandwich at

Sam's Hof Brau in Sacramento. 

If you've never been,

GO.

Don't forget...

Get your bun dipped,

order the mashed potatoes (brown gravy only),

and don't even think of sitting down

until you have at least

6-7 tubs
of
pickles!

Samuel's a smart man.

I left a happy woman!

And that means a very, very happy man!



Crazy-delicious Homemade Sushi

So, it's no newsflash that I love to eat. 

And basically, it's so bad that I'm just like the person who gets distracted by something shiny.

If I see, hear, or read about it...

I want it!  

And unfortunatley,

the condition worsens the later it gets.

So once more, it's 9:40 at night and I think:

We can totally make sushi.

Right?

So I get to work (I say work but it's really "play")

preparing the rice and shrimp,

while Samual handles all the veggies,

and... 

Voila!

Sure, they were huge. 

But boy, were they good!

There was even some leftover that had "Olivia's lunch"
written all over it!

So get off the couch and make something!

And then eat...

and get back on the couch!

{smile}

Where There Are Scotchmallows...There Is Love!

Love is in the air!

There are...

  

...valentines to be made...

  

 ...and decadent cookies to bake!

  

 There are faces to smear with pink nail polish...wait...

What?!?

  

 There are pounds and pounds of candy being consumed...

perhaps none more delicious than fifteen-yes, count them, 

fifteen beautiful, beautiful Scotchmallows!

  

I just may cry! 

 Yes, you know you hit a home run...

  

 We dined casually at Plutos and all I have to say is, 

"Where have you been all my life?"

This salad was HUGE and every bite was scrumptious!

Heart garlands are hung, courtesy of...Samuel!

  

The table is set... 

  

...and there are smiles... 

  

...all...

  

...around!

  

 Three-cheese pizzas are baked...

in the shape of-what else?

Hearts!

  And yet, sadly...

  

All good things must come to an end!

Boo!