Kirby and Us!

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

2010-01-23T13:53:00.010-07:00

Looking for ideas for Valentines gifts on a budget. I did this last year and they were a hit. Cheap too, a container of strawberries from Costco and two bags of chocolate chips.
Here are the Steps:

Wash and dry strawberries. (Drying them completely is important or the chocolate won't stick)

Melt chocolate, I used milk chocolate and white chocolate. (I do this in the microwave in 15 second increments)

YUMMY!

When the chocolate is cool, dip the strawberries in the chocolate and place on a lined cookie sheet (parchment paper or plastic wrap will do)

It was delicious!

Finally I drizzled white chocolate over the milk dipped and milk chocolate over the white dipped. I did this by putting the left over chocolate in plastic baggies and cutting off the corner to make a small hole.

I wrapped them in groups of two or three (they were huge strawberries) on a red and white polka dot plate and wrapped it up with cellophane and tied with a cute red ribbon.

Don't blame the Small Stuff

2010-01-23T13:20:00.004-07:00

When I first started up our blog I was so excited that I was going to be part of this new online world of bloggers. I quickly realized that while I was waiting around for big news to write about I was finding a great way to never blog. Pretty soon I didn't write about anything. I am making the decision right now that I am going to blog consistently, even about the small stuff. Because isn't that what life is about, those everyday events that make life more interesting and worthwhile. As much fun as huge life events are they are few and far between, give me the small stuff anyday. So here I come blogging world!

Makayla Mary

2009-04-26T23:36:00.005-06:00

My sister had her second baby on Saturday. Her name is Makayla Mary Smith and she is beautiful. She was born at 4:04 pm she weighed 7lbs 7oz, and was 21inches. It sure makes us want to have some of our own someday. Congrats Meg, Chris and new big sister Alina. She is a keeper. I am already thinking of ways to spoil her and pondering when I can start teaching her to do obnoxious things, that only and Auntie can get away with teaching. We love you May May!

Spring is here, kind of.

2009-04-19T20:47:00.004-06:00

By popular demand another post. I really will get the hang of this regular posting someday. If anyone has suggestions let me know.
I love spring! I love that it is finally feeling warm outside. One of my favorite parts of this time of year is sandals. I love sandals and painted toes. Enjoy your toe revealing weather.

Hooray, a new post!

2009-01-25T00:17:00.007-07:00

We are still not very good at updating our blog regularly.

December: Christmas was great. BEST CHRISTMAS EVER, we got a..... wait for it...wait for it.... a dishwasher!!!!! Anyone who know me knows how I detest doing the dishes, and so does Michael. It is amazing what a dishwasher has done for our marriage, seriously no more nagging each other about who's turn it is, or being forced to wash when you need a spoon to eat your cereal. It is heaven sent. The rest of Christmas was spent making the rounds to see our families, the blessing and the curse of having all of our family so close by is we have a busy holiday.
January: We have been busy with me going back to work and Michael starting a new semester. I am still loving teaching even though I have a class of 28, ugggghhh! Michael is taking a few social work classes at SLCC and of course enjoying them. We have finally got all of Christmas put away, it always takes us a while. We also have new years resolutions to go to the gym, Michael is by far better then I am, but we will keep it up and have a healthier 2009. Have a happy January everyone. We are sure lucky to have such great friends and family who support and love us, and we love you all too.

One Christmas Billage and a Giant Flo-o-oked Tree!

2008-12-19T22:13:00.004-07:00

As the song says:

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your branches green delight us.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your branches green delight us.
They're green when summer days are bright;
They're green when winter snow is white.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your branches green delight us!

Well in response to the song, our tree is not evergreen, but white as snow. I think it turned out very nicely this year.

We also went "Jorgensen authentic" with our Christmas village or as my niece says "billage". The snow is made from taking ivory soap and grating it then nuking it in the microwave and finally whipping it in the Kitchenaide for a long time. It smells good and looks nice, but what a lot of work. My family just used cotton batting for our village snow. It also looks lovely.

Thanks Michael, for all the hard work flocking the tree and whipping the snow.

Kirby vs. Melted Wax

2008-12-18T17:41:00.008-07:00

Kirby - 0 Wax - 1

December 7:
Kirby the "2 year old" managed to knock the candle warmer off of the microwave and cover himself with red wax. (My mom told us it was okay because he looked festive) No he was not hurt, he was so shaggy that it just got all over his fur. After some research on the internet, and yes other people had asked the question "How do you get candle wax out of dog fur?" (that made us feel a little better) After two hours of baby oil, hair dryer, blotting and a few baths we decided to sacrifice his warmth and cut the wax covered hair off. So here is the before and after pictures of our adorable pup. For those of you who wonder why we don't have children, I argue that we do.

The Cabin of Candy!

2008-12-18T17:23:00.004-07:00

December 1:
We got together with my siblings and went to my parents to decorate candy houses. My mom had bought these little kits and LOTS of candy. Michael and I brainstormed what we wanted to do, he of course wanted to memorialize the Millcreek cabin in candy. Tell us what you think, especially those of you who have seen the cabin. I think it turned out pretty cool.

A Very Special Thanksgiving

2008-11-28T17:02:00.004-07:00

This year we spent Thanksgiving with Michael's family. We decided that we would trade off each year, rather than trying to fit in two dinners in one day. However, circumstances this year allowed us to have Thanksgiving with both families because my family moved their dinner to Friday. My Grandma Anderson has been ill, she went back to the hospital on Monday and we knew that she would not be with us for much longer. She passed away on Thanksgiving day. It was such a sweet experience to be with her this week. We as a family have been so comforted during this time and feel so fortunate to have had such an amazing grandma. She was able to have all of her grandchildren come to see her this week and told us of her love. My cousin made it back in town Thursday morning, just a few hours before she passed away. My grandma loved her family and all of us grandchildren. We will miss her and think of her often. This experience has truly given us the chance to pause and reflect on how fortunate we are to live during this time and to live close to family. I will treasure this last week that I spent with my grandma for the rest of my life. I truly feel thankful and blessed for all the tender mercies that I have witnessed at this time. I hope you all also had a special Thanksgiving holiday.

Bear Lake, Horse manure, Hospitals and Halloween!

2008-11-20T22:16:00.005-07:00

We are not very good about posting regularly, so here is me playing catch up. The month of October was busy, on top of full days of teaching school (Amy) and going to school (Michael) we had a eventful month.
The first part of October my Grandma became ill and was admitted to the hospital. She had a pacemaker put in a few days later but there were complications with the surgery. My grandma spent the next week in the ICU and a few more weeks in the hospital. By the end of October she was stable enough to move to a rehabilitation facility for therapy to build her strength back. She worked hard and was able to come home November 19th. We are so grateful that she is home and doing well. I know that prayers are answered and we are able to receive comfort during times of need.
"Kirby and Me"
Mid October Michael and I took a trip to the Bear Lake Cabin. It was time to close up for the winter. It was a little cold, but it was a quiet, perfect getaway. We winterized the house, relaxed and played with Kirby. I thought that Kirby was ready for some off leash play time, boy was I wrong. The second I took him off the leash he took off into the field behind the house. After wrangling the horses, and scaring them into a huddle he rolled in horse manure. Michael was furious at me and the dog so Kirby and I spent the next hour in the bathroom getting him clean. I then spent another hour cleaning and sanitizing. We will do more training and stay away from horses before I take him off leash again. If you have ever read the book Marley and Me, it could probably be about our adventures with this cute dog we call Kirby.
Halloween!
We had some fun parties during Halloween. Michael's grandparents through an annual bash and this year we dressed up. Michael went dressed as a ref and I was dressed as Waldo from the Where's Waldo books. It was a fun costume because I just stood all over the house behind people and in groups of people and waited for someone to find me. Kirby did not dress up because he is a dog, not a person. We also carved pumpkins my pumpkin was Foofa from Yo Gabba Gabba, and Michael's pumpkin was sick, really it was sick, think of pumpkin insides and use your imagination. I had a chance to go to my Grandparents on Halloween day, my Grandparents have made homemade donuts on Halloween for many years and this was the last year. I went and cooked and glazed donuts, what a sad tradition to be ending, but it was time.
That is October in a nutshell. We are going to be better about posting, or at least we will try.

Homecoming Assembly

2008-09-27T16:35:00.005-06:00

Michael's little brother Allan is the Highland High school assemblies chairman. He asked Michael to come back and play with Pete Breinholt for the Homecoming assembly. The best part was that Michael got to play with his little brothers Steven and Allan as well. They played a newer song called Old Paint. Pete is on the Piano, Steven in the middle on the bass, Allan on the drums and Michael on the right playing the guitar. Enjoy the video.

2008-09-25T23:05:00.012-06:00

The Jorgensens

I've always wanted to be on The Simpsons and now I can! This is what we'd look like if we were on The Simpsons. Make your own at http://simpsonizeme.com/

Kirby's New Hair Cut

2008-09-22T08:49:00.008-06:00

He was way over due for a hair cut and he looks pretty sharp now. We used to take him to a place that would keep him all day long and in a kennel for the majority of it. This new place we go does an awesome job, takes only a few hours and lets the dogs wander around.

Here's a good before and after shot. Even with the brush all the time he still looks a mess. Now he looks like a dog and not a clump of hair.

^^ike

First Blog Post

2008-09-18T23:03:00.002-06:00

This is our first blog post. I am getting the hang of things and will probably be slow to start. Check back with us to watch our progress as we become official bloggers.