David Archuleta concert

Anyone who knows Ashton very well, knows how OBSESSED he was with American Idol - especially this last season. We used to watch it in NJ every week and then we were moved to Utah for the finals. Every day Ashton would ask what day it was b/c he was waiting for Tuesday and Wednesday b/c those were the nights American Idol was on. It is kind of sad b/c we had no life...but it is what our family looked forward to. Anyway, he liked David Archuleta the very best and each night he wanted to vote for him. Ashton would hear songs on the radio and would say-- this is the song that Syesha Mercado sang, etc... it made me laugh.

The night of the finals when David Cook won- i really worried how he would take it but he didnt seem too sad. It was so funny b/c we watched the finals at Troy's parents house and my parents were recording it on their TV at their house. So, when Ashton saw David Cook win at Troy's parents house, he said...maybe when we go back to Granny's house (my parents) - maybe on their TV, David Archuleta will win. He is so cute. Even though i liked David Archuleta- i was happy to see that David Cook won (but dont tell Ashton that!).

Therefore-- when we saw that American Idol was coming to SLC for a concert, we decided to get tickets for us to go and we surprised Ashton. Just a date with us and him. Now that Seneka is here- we dont get too many opportunities of just us to be with him alone. It was a lot of fun.

Back in NJ- Ashton's favorite restaurant was this Diner down the street from our apt. and he always got french toast. So, he got to pick the restaurant we went to before the concert and he wanted french toast...so it was IHOP. He said the french toast wasnt as good though as the DINER.

We bought Ashton this T-shirt and poster of David Archuleta. He was in heaven. Yeah, do you want to guess how much i paid for the t-shirt? I am kind of embarrassed to admit it but it was $35!!! I know i am a sucker but i justified it b/c there arent too many things that Ashton gets into - so i felt it was worth it.

Ashton totally thought David was reading his signs while he was singing...it was too cute.

The weekend up the canyon

It wasn't planned out this way...but we spent the weekend up the canyon...three separate occasions.

DAY 1: Friday night Troy took me out for my birthday. We first ate at Tepanayki where they cook your food right in front of you on the grill...it was so yummy and fun to watch. They use their big knives and throw things in the air, etc... it is actually very entertaining. And afterward we went up Little Cottonwood Canyon to Snowbird to go on the tram or down the zipline or something fun like that. However, it was too late and those things had just closed. So instead we walked around a bluegrass/Folk festival they had going on and listened to independent people play their instruments, etc.... It was very relaxing and just nice to be up in the mountains.

DAY 2: We decided on Saturday to go back up to Snowbird and take the kids on the tram and just hang out. It really was the funnest day. Sometimes it takes effort to go do things out of the ordinary but you are always so glad that you did it afterward. We rode the tram up to the top of the mountain and walked around some trails and looked at the amazing views. Ashton even got to talk to a couple of squirrels at the top...he was in heaven. They also had a bounce house at the bottom of the hill that Ashton loved to play in. And Seneka hung out on daddy's chest in the Baby Bjorn. She got cranky but after falling asleep on Troy's chest and having a nice nap, she was back to her happy self. It was a wonderful day!

DAY 3: We spent Sunday evening with my family up Big Cottonwood Canyon-for an unofficial bday dinner. We had a nice BBQ all together with chicken, funeral potatoes and dry-ice root beer. It is always nice to be outdoors and be with family. It was a lot of fun!

McKenna, Sheri, Brynne, Kiera, Kayla and Seneka

Dallon, Parker and Ashton

Sheri is always so cute to make me her famous sugar cookies (btw- my favorite kind of cookie) for my bday. MMMM good!

My little fish

Ashton and his cousin Halle took swim lessons this summer. It was Ashton's first time in swim lessons. He loved them!! I was kind of worried but it worked out great. He has always been comfortable in the water but didnt know how to actually swim without a life jacket and i worried what he would do if he just fell in the water accidentally. The lessons lasted 1 hour, 3 times a week for 3 weeks. They learned all sorts of cool things.

Well, we went to St. George after his lessons ended and the last day he started swimming on his own...underneath the water, just like a fish. He even started doing sumersaults under the water. He was very proud of himself...as was I. However, i am realizing over and over again how big my little boy is getting! :(


His favorite part of the lesson each time was the last ten minutes because they each got to jump off the diving board two separate times. He was SO brave...as was Halle. It was fun to watch there smiling faces after they jumped!

The cool thing about where his swim lessons were - was this snack shack that had snowcones and treats. Each day after their lessons they got a treat and then played on these swings that they had behind the pool area. What a fun summer memory for him. He would love it if the lessons lasted all summer long.

Need I say more?

Celebrating July 4th in St. George with the Scotts!

ST. George!!!!!!!!

I had a LONG post written about this trip and some additional pictures but it all got deleted somehow. So, sorry - i am not going to write much again...this is as good as it is going to get! But in a nutshell we had a blast in St. George for July 4th. We stayed at Troy's familys condo. We spent time at the pool, saw Kung Fu Panda (which I completely loved!). We spent time at the park on the 4th. And watched fireworks. The boys went golfing and the girls had a spa treatment (closest to heaven i've ever felt....Ahhhhhhhh).

We really missed Justin and Corinne and their cute boys!

Happy Independence Day!

Brotherly love...

(trying to pop off her arm...well, trying...)




Big kisses from sister

Troy's new job @ Keybank

Troy's KEYBANK building downtown..lots of construction going on in and around his building...

We came to visit Troy at his office this last week and went out to lunch with him. It was fun for Ashton to see where his daddy works. And Troy was able to show-off his kids to all those he works with.

Troy works on the 25th floor. We laugh b/c he is on a higher floor in SLC than he was in his bldg in NYC. I think he has the most amazing view of anywhere in SLC. He can see the capitol bdlg, etc.. and also can see the hills above the University of Utah, etc... Troy is really enjoying his job...he really feels it was a good move for him and his career.

I had to post Troy's spotlight in the newspaper. He was highlighted in the Enterprise (a business newspaper) this last week. Doesn't he look distinguished!!! Of course i had to go find it and buy 4 copies of it to keep. I was proud of my man!

My favorite 10 Restaurants

so i was tagged by Corinne for the top 10 restaurants in my city...so here it goes...

Funny that this is the topic b/c when i lived back East- there were always restaurants that i missed and craved on occasion back in UT. I know that there were probably SOOO many more wonderful restaurants in NYC that we should have taken advantage of more but first, it was hard to know which ones to try b/c there were so many and second, sometimes the same old boring things you're used to taste the best!

1.The Five Alls. This restaurant has always been a Troy and Mistie favorite since we were dating. Even though the restaurant and decor is the same as it has been for probably 30-40 years and it isn't very updated, it has a nice ambiance and we LOVE the food. All the food is served on pewter and the feeling is kind of old-English. It is a 5 course meal. I love the salad and bread. I love the hollandaise sauce that is on the chicken Kiev and on the vegys. I usually get the wild rice. Oh, and the soups are to die for...french onion, cream of broccoli or cream of cauliflower. I also love their brussel sprouts. Troy likes the Fillet Oscar or Fillet Roquefort.

2. Spaghetti Factory. I think the taste of the spaghetti sauce is the best here... even better than many more expensive places that i have had spaghetti. And the mizithra cheese is amazing as well. I always get a root beer with my spaghetti with marinara (and a side of mizithra cheese). And i get the salad with pesto dressing. And I have no complaints about the spumoni ice cream for dessert. It is a great bargain too!

3. Wasatch Broiler (the name has changed I believe). Things have changed since i have been away but they used to have a Sugar House location, one in Murray and one downtown. I love the lemon rice and i order the vegys (that i pick myself) and the chicken - which they cook together-like stir fry.

4.Rumbi. I like their salads...i think it is the BBQ chicken i normally get. And their soup is yummy also (with extra mozzarella cheese).

5. Cafe Rio. I know Cafe Rio can get really old. But when i lived away- i occasionally really craved it. It sometimes just tastes really good! i always get the chicken salad with pinto beans, creamy dressing and no cilantro and no guac. The other day i tried a burrito but it just didn't taste as good as the salad. Oh, and i always need to get a Diet Coke with this meal (with a side of lemons).

5. The Dodo. (Like Corinne) i have only had the turkey sandwich with swiss. It is amazing!!! And the dipping sauce makes the experience better! It always hits the spot.

6.Olive Garden. This is always a favorite. Whenever my mom and sister go to lunch- we always seem to go here. It is easy and it is good food. I usually get the soup salad and bread sticks (Minestrone soup) and i usually get the raspberry lemonade.

7. Chipotle. They had these in NJ and NYC and at the time, they didn't have them in Utah but when we moved back we were happy to see them here also. I love the chicken burrito or the burrito bowl. mmmmm

8. Sweet Tomatoes. I love salad bars and they really are hard to come by. This place has so many great topping for your salad. One mandatory topping is i always need sunflower seeds on my salad (and lots of them). In addition, i love dessert bars (like you get at Sizzler, etc...) that have soft ice cream or frozen yogurt and toppings. They have a really good one here as well.

9. Zupas. I love their soups and salads here as well. I usually get the Nuts About Berries salad and their Tomato soup or their Wisconsin Cauliflower soup. In addition, it is a great place to eat fondue. I have gotten together with friends and just had fondue there as well.

10. Ruth's Diner. It has been a while since i've been here but Troy and I have always loved this place. It is up Immigration canyon.

Seneka getting big!

Our little girl is now 6 months old!!!! We can't believe how fast time flies. She is sitting up and rolling over. She is such a sweetheart. She pulls at all our heartstrings...especially daddy's. It is crazy how your family can feel so much more complete.

Sleeping beauty fell to sleep on daddy

BIG GIRL!!

Seneka loves to watch my moms 5 yorkies...as you can see here- it looks like she got close enough to pull Prissy's hair. Also, she is now sitting up!!! A little wobbly but she is getting better.

(Notice the shirt)..."Princess in Training"

Daddy's girl...

Sleeping on the job

She sure loves the toes!!!

Washing the cars

The boys decided to wash the cars on a Saturday. That is one other luxury that you don't have in apartment-style living. We got a new car a month or so ago. We LOVE it! It is a 2006 Honda Pilot ex. It has 3 rows and the back row folds down in the floor. We have no complaints...

Now we just need to find a house!!!!