The Bun

Marathon Blog--Part 7--Ward Talent Show

Kate played "Book of Mormon stories" on the piano. She did a great job. Jackson sang "Take me out to the ball game" with his baseball team. Ella opted out of stage performance this year and displayed a picture she had drawn. It was all fun until Max fell down and got a huge goose egg above his eye and a bloody nose. Good times.

Marathon Blog--Part 6--Ha, I tricked you!

As you can tell, I don't really do so well with the camera but I did make a pretty darn good healthy cookie.

Here's the recipe:

Erica's fabulous low-fat, verbose, flax-seed filled, healthy chocolate, anti-oxidant chip cookie

1 stick of "I can't believe it's not butter"

4oz Low fat or fat free cream cheese

1/2 c sugar

1 1/2 c brown sugar (unless all you have are brown lumps like me. Then substitute some white sugar.)

2 eggs

2 1/2 t vanilla extract

1 c wheat flour

1 1/2 c all purpose flour

2 T ground flax seed

3/4 t salt

1 t baking powder

1 t baking soda

Semi- sweet chocolate chips

Bake at 350 degrees for 9 minutes. NOT 10 minutes--9 minutes. (I'm kidding, I'm sure an extra minute won't ruin your cookies.)

So, while I was throwing healthy things into these cookies, I was picturing a future conversation with Max.

Max (33 years old, 6 kids, independently wealthy, G.A.--you get the idea): Mom, I feel I must tell you that as a teenager I snuck out of the house and toilet papered our neighbors' rose bushes. I promise that is the worse thing I have ever done and the guilt has eaten me alive all these years. I'm so so sorry, Mom. You raised me better than that. (Tears glistening in his eyes at this point.)

Me (undisclosed age): Sweetheart, don't worry. I already knew that! But there is something that you don't know, I put flax seed in the chocolate chip cookies I made for you all during your growing up years. (Chuckling ) I guess I fooled you!

Max: Oh, Mom, you are so clever! I owe my fantastic success and happiness to you and your fabulous flax seed. How would you and Dad like to take a cruise-- on me, of course!?

I'm telling you--these are good! (Okay, so they do taste a little healthy but the kids didn't notice at all!)

Marathon Blog--Part 5--Erica goes to Vancouver

You wouldn't believe how far I made Robert walk so I could see this lighthouse.

It's Apple Cider, okay. But don't I look cool?

Robert's famous frown-smile.

Important business on the ferry.

I was a little worried about Vancouver. I mean, how can you vacation in a place that forces you to find your winter clothes? Where's the beach? Luckily, Vancouver was gorgeous in a chilly, green and lush way. It was every bit the hip city--clean, great food and shopping. Absolutely loved it. Will go back. And your welcome for sparing you the photo of sausages that Robert took. Yes, probably his favorite part of the trip was the discovery of boar sausage, lamb sausage and few other weird sausages at a seaside market. He took a picture because he was so amazed. I was less impressed, hence no picture on the blog. It is my blog after all, so I get to edit.

Marathon Blog--Part 4--The BIG day

Kate picked out the foofiest (made up word but you get the idea) dress she could find. I was worried it would be a little too much. After seeing her friend, I wasn't worried anymore. :)

An attempt at a family picture.

Marathon Blog--Part 3--Happy Birthday, J.

Go ahead, laugh. The cake was suppose to be a Dinosaur. Jackson liked it. I wanted to thank Clint and Cindy for the handcuffs. Just wait until your kids have a birthday! And thanks to Dan for bringing twenty of his closest friends--it made Jackson's birthday very memorable. :)