"RM" speed...

The "RM" (returned missionary) came home from the mission running at what we called "Mach Five". 

He was in a hurry to do everything!

Absolutely no patience. 

So while we are happy to report he is settling into civilian life much better now he is still in his own speed zone. 

Yesterday I came home to this...

And today I found this...

Okay yikes!!!

Not a happy mom (or Taylor, one is her food dish). 

Chill RM, chill!!!!

I still love him!!

Snuggle Buddy

Morgan LOVES to snuggle on Jim's pillow before he comes to bed. 

He doesn't love it.

But it's her favorite time of the day!

I love our snugglie dogs and all the unconditional love they have to offer. 

The yuk!

Pass the Robitussin!

Jim and I both came home from work tonight with the YUK!!!

Everyone has it, so it was just a matter of time. 

And just like when your sick with kids at home, and they get away with everything until your strength is up... The blankets came out and for the FIRST time since we bought the new couch the dogs are snuggled up on them. 

They have been so good acting like "real" dogs and laying on the floor and staying off the new furniture (We'll probably until we walk out the door for work everyday if the truth be known... I've got to get a puppy cam installed one of these days). 

I hope this runs it's course fast!

We thought the RM would stay home and take care of us, but he was outta here like a flash at the first sniffle, hahaha.( I can't say I blame him, poor kid is just barely finally quit hacking up stuff from his lungs since he got home in August only this week). 

Wish us luck!  What's that saying? Starve a cold and feed a fever??

Uggggggg!!!

The family that eats together...

We do have a garage with a really nice work bench!

This is NOT it. 

I love my strong silent mysterious man!  

*To my brother Ralph, you would be proud of me I didn't say one word this time when I heard drilling noises coming from my dining room.   Yep. This is me just going with the flow!

(Besides I'm sure the nice flannel quilt would protect the table from a 1/4 inch drill bit slipping and gouging thru the oak top!  Ah breathe!!!)

That's my Sis!!

I could not be more proud!!
My Big Sister is the best, West Seattle Chamber really knows their stuff!!
Great Picture Sis :)

Lynn Dennis has been hired as the new CEO of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce.

West Seattle Chamber of Commerce hires new CEO and announces 2014 Board of Directors

01/09/2014

Today the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is pleased to announce the hiring of Lynn Dennis as its full-time Chief Executive Officer.

The Chamber of Commerce is the leading advocate for the business community in West Seattle, connecting business owners, providing networking and educational resource opportunities and supporting the vibrancy of the diverse local business community. “The CEO is the first person many new employers, business owners, developers, citizens and legislators contact when investigating the many economic strengths of our region. Lynn has exactly the right skill set to represent the Chamber as we continue to move forward to provide even more value to our members and the West Seattle community,” states Nancy Woodland, 2014 Chamber Board Chair.

Ms. Dennis served for the past year in an interim capacity, with the Chamber, focused on strengthening the Chamber’s infrastructure, establishing systems and setting the stage for future growth.  She comes with more than 30 years’ experience in management positions with expertise in strategic planning, operations management, marketing, community outreach and systems implementation.  As Ms. Dennis moves into the role of CEO, Mary Cropley will continue as the Chamber’s part-time Financial Manager.

“The Chamber is a sought-after voice with local government, community leadership.and our local business community,” shares Dave Montoure, Immediate Past Board Chair. “Lynn’s experience as both a small business owner and in corporate management strengthens the voice of our local Chamber. We know we are in good hands as we work towards bolstering our engagement with local businesses, government and the greater West Seattle community. ”

Spanish Speaking Elders...

The Spanish Elders were finished with splits before it was time to go home because of cancelled appointments, and it was too late to be knocking on doors... so they stopped by to share a sweet message at the Dayleys!

One of the Elders (second from the left) just got off the plane Tuesday, 

so he is really "Green" as they call it.

He was assigned to be the designated driver of his companionship.

And is from Arizona, so not much experience driving in the snow or ice.

He slid into a fence his first few HOURS out, and the previous two Elders had the same last name, Diaz.  

So he is affectionately known as Elder "Crash" now 

(you know to differentiate him from Elder Diaz or Elder Diaz) ha ha ha.

He kept trying to defend it as "not really a CRASH, just a scratch", but even Jacob had to tell him... "give it up Elder" it will be your name for your entire mission now, embrace it and taught him how to say crash in Spanish and Guarani.

Hahaha so funny!

So good thing someone had extra coconut cream cheese dessert on hand!

They LOVED it.

(but note: I do understand this crew is not a real test of how good a recipe is... they will eat anything... however, my strong silent mysterious man IS and he liked it too.  So keep the coconut cream cheese recipe).

I heart Thursdays!

I am loving Thursdays... most of the time I only work until 1pm and get the rest of the day for some quiet ME time before the boys get home.

Lately I have REALLY been craving more ME time than usual.

It's pretty safe to say there is ALLOT of testosterone in my house!

So it was a good day!

My drive to Emmett.

Snowy, but oh so lovely!!

When I got through the dense fog!!  Uggg... do not like driving in fog.

The sun would soon burn it off, I could just tell.

So pretty!!!

One of these days I might not make it all the way to the clinic... I'll just pull over and never go into work again!  Permanent Hooky!

 Probably not, but it would be a country winter sunrise like this that could do it for me.

Then I came home and found this recipe and had all the ingredients to make them and needed something to take out visiting some of the ladies from my church this afternoon.

Coconut Cream Cheese (squares)

So there you go!

I didn't eat any, because I am trying really hard not to.

But I did taste the frosting and it is beyond amazing!!!

And worth making by itself, just to dip apples or graham crackers into, YUM!!!

It was originally supposed to be a sheet cake, but I have this Brookie pan, that makes awesome cookie/brownies and I thought I would try to make some little square cupcakes with this recipe and they all came out of the pan PERFECTLY!!  So it was right on the mark, for wrapping up and taking to share!

A good happy day!

So far....

Look Mom...

Look Mom, I cleaned out all this stuff I haven't been using...

And I actually have some empty space left on the shelf in my craft shelves AND got the filing cabinet out of the room.  

Don't worry, there is still plenty of junk to work with in there :)

I love getting organized, it's so freeing...

It's like I dusted inside my head!!

Yay!

New couch

Yay after 2 years of searching and sitting and trying them on these three bears finally found a new couch that fits just right!

Happy New Year!

We really enjoyed having the Cronin family over for dinner!

We had told Jacob about the famous monkey song and he finally got to hear it. 

So fun, thanks Travis!

And passion is a dog lover so the girls got to come out and snd get in on all the action. 

So fun for our family!  

It was great to see you guys and have this time together. Tell your family thank you for sharing. We hope to be down your way this year visiting our family in AZ so we'll be sure and call!

New Years Eve

New Years Eve we fed the missionaries baked potatoes with loads of fixin's.

They had never had broccoli and cheese on their potatoes until they came to Idaho.

Is that an Idaho thing? 

Who knew?

And some yummo coconut shrimp! 

They don't have a car, so we loaded them up with carbs, ha ha ha... really it was going to be potatoes with smoked pork chops, but my Strong Silent Mysterious Man doesn't really dig pork chops, so he changed the menu on me. 

One of the Elders LOVES rolls, bread, bisquits... so I heated up some garlic cheese bisquits we had in the freezer to try and they were all eaten up.

Like I said carb overload.

And I had a bash of fresh veggies to serve with dip and forgot to put it out.

Oh and there was ice cream too, because were trying to use up the delicious almond roca topping I have left over from the batches of candy I made at Christmas.

Waaaaayyyyy carb overload.

We helped them burn it off a little with some mad guitar jammin' and a game of Farkle.

That the RM (aka Jacob) won, little stinker who has never played before.

And then he was off like a streak of lightning to a New Years Eve party.

I am looking forward to 2014 being a year of healing, good health and happiness!

Happy New Year!