- SUNRISE

Just a sampling of what I see from my bedroom window every morning when I wake up. Life is good.

- FAMILY HOME EVENING

Kurt works every Monday night, so we have FHE on Sunday night. Tonight was an exception. Alyssa and Alax came over and we went to dinner and then visited Alax's grandma.

Having a gourmet experience at Jack-in-the-Box.

Alyssa and Alax with his Grandma Helen. I met her 6 years ago when we first moved to Placerville and I was called as Relief Society President. Little did I know, that someday her grandson would be my son-in-law! She's such a sweet lady. She lives in the assisted living center across from our church.

- ALYSSA AND LAURA

Alyssa's best friend Laura spent the weekend with her. They hung out at our house most of the time. Alyssa and Laura have been friends for as long as they can remember. Laura lived two doors down from us in Tracy and is one year younger than Alyssa. She met Alyssa's fiance this weekend and they had a great time together.

Laura is in culinary arts school and she and Alyssa made Oreo truffles together. YUM!

They spent most of their time playing board games - one of their favorite things to do.

- ACHIEVEMENT DAY ACTIVITY

A couple of the Achievement Day girls from our ward came over today and Kurt taught them how to pan for gold down at the creek.

Carissa, Sierra and Kurt with their gold pans.

This is probably Kurt's favorite thing to do. He's been so busy lately - it was a great excuse to relax and have some quiet time.

Carissa looking for a nugget.

Sierra - finally down to the black sand.

They didn't find any gold, but they hit the jackpot back in the kitchen with chocolate chip cookies still hot from the oven.

- NEW PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE?

Hi,

There's an effort to elect an unknown random person as President... and it's someone we know! Watch this online video about the surprising new nominee:

http://www.tsgnet.com/pres.php?id=357563&altf=Ubnj&altl=Dbtqfs

Let me know what you think!

Tami

- FRIDAY FUN

This afternoon I had lunch with my friends Annette and Wendy. They were in my ward when we lived in Tracy. Annette was my Bishop's wife and grew up in Brigham City, not far from where I grew up. Wendy was my visiting teacher and I taught her daughter in seminary. They both moved up the hill shortly after we came here. Annette lives in Cameron Park and Wendy in El Dorado Hills. We used to meet for lunch monthly but we haven't been able to get together for a few months due to conflicting schedules, etc. We had lunch at Maui Taco in Folsom and caught up on each other's lives. It was so good to see them!

Later in the afternoon, Kurt and I met Alax at AT&T where he got a new iPhone. Kurt told the salesperson that we'd like to add our son-in-law to our family plan. Our family is growing! ;)

Kurt and I had a nice night together. We went and saw "Nights in Rodanthe" (my choice). I'd read the book a couple of years ago and was anxious to see if the movie was as good. I wasn't disappointed. It was definitetly rated 5 kleenex though. We did some shopping at Costco and then went to dinner at Red Robin. Kurt just couldn't seem to stay off the phone at the restaurant. Hazzards of being in the Bishopric ;)

We had to try the onion ring appetizer. The only problem was, we weren't hungry when our entree's came. We took most of our meal home with us. Fun night!

- JOB DESCRIPTION

My job title at the dental office here in Placerville is "Schedule Coordinator". That involves scheduling appointments and keeping the schedule full, answering the telephone, posting treatment to the computer, an extensive chart check, and various other duties. Occasionally we need to babysit for patients, but this was something new. A patient brought in their brand new kitten (still bottle fed). It had been left on their porch a few days earlier. We got to hold and feed it while the patient had her teeth cleaned. You just never know what the day has in store!

- HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY KELSEY!!!!!!

Today is our sweet grand-daughter's 5th birthday!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KELSEY!
We miss you!
I can't wait to see you in 3 weeks!!!!!

What a wonderful big sister you are!!

You did an amazing job at your first piano recital earlier this month!

I can't believe you're in pre-school already!

Lots of hugs and kisses from Grandma and Grandpa!!!
We love you sweetie!

- FINALLY!

I finally finished reading "Breaking Dawn" tonight! It's the final book in the Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer. I don't really know why I started reading these books, except that Alyssa wanted me to and all of my friends have been reading them and talking about them. I am DEFINITELY not a fan of vampires, but there was something that sucked me in and kept me reading. This author, a graduate of BYU, is an amazing storyteller.

- LUNCH WITH THE GIRLS

One of the highlights of my work week is lunch out with the girls. We do this at least once a week. We have a few favorite restaurants that have fast service and are close to our office. This is our favorite Mexican restaurant - Tortilla Flats. It's always nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of work and just relax!

- JACK - 3 MONTHS OLD

Angie emailed these cute photos of Jack today. They were taken yesterday. He's almost 3 months old and I've only seen him twice! I can't wait for my trip to Utah next month!

- ALYSSA'S BIRTHDAY BREAKFAST

Another Saturday morning birthday celebration at the Casper's! Alax had a mandatory paramedic class he had to attend - we missed him. Alyssa requested breakfast at home. She was craving German Pancakes, so that's what she got - with all the fixin's!

Birthday decorations before everyone arrives.

Tyler and Alyssa eying the food.

Birthday present time!

Tyler's such a party animal!

Kate getting in on the action too.

Kurt will not be outdone!

Birthday hugs for Alyssa.

Cheesecake time! Saving the best for last!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALYSSA!
We love you!

- BIRTHDAY CHEESECAKE -

Tonight I made Alyssa's favorite dessert - cheesecake. She requested this for her birthday brunch tomorrow. I'm including the recipe below:

TAMI'S NEW YORK CHEESECAKE

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 
  
• 4 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, room temperature
  
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 3/4 cup milk, room temperature
  
• 4 eggs, room temperature
  
• 1 cup sour cream, room temperature
  
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Generously grease a 9 inch springform pan.
2. Wrap pan with several layers of foil to prevent water bath from seeping in.
   
3. In a medium bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter and sugar. Press onto bottom of springform pan.
4. In a large bowl, BEAT cream cheese with sugar until smooth. WITH WIRE WHISK, blend in milk, and then mix in the eggs one at a time, mixing just enough to incorporate. Mix in sour cream, vanilla and flour until smooth. Pour filling into prepared crust.
5. Place pan in water bath in the oven, filled with 1 inch of very hot water.
   
6. Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour. Turn the oven off, and let cake cool in oven with the door closed for 5 to 6 hours; this prevents cracking. Chill in refrigerator until serving.
7. Serve with topping of your choice - i.e. cherry, blueberry, raspberry etc. Top with whipped cream if desired. YUM!!!
   

- HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALYSSA!!!

Today Alyssa spent her 20th birthday at Wright's Lake with her boyfriend Alax. They both took the day off and went kayaking. Later in the day they got dressed up and went to the Sacramento Temple where Alax proposed. She said yes!!! They came over later to show us the ring. We're very happy for them. Looks like we'll have a wedding in February!

- MURAL AT STAKE CENTER

Tonight Kurt and I attended Institute at the Stake Center. The lesson tonight was about Joseph Smith's first vision. We learned about the 13 known contemporary accounts. It was such a good lesson. As we came out of class and walked past the mural on the wall in the foyer (painted by a man in our Stake) I couldn't help but wonder how Joseph Smith must have felt when he saw God the Father and Jesus Christ. I'm thankful for the knowledge that Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers. I'm thankful for the restored gospel. I just feel really thankful tonight.

- NEW APARTMENT

Alyssa and Tyler are moving to a new apartment complex. They are currently sharing a two-bedroom apartment in Natomas. It's about 40ish miles from our house in Placerville. Their current apartment isn't in the greatest area, the parking is a nightmare and although it's close to Tyler's work and Alyssa's school, they're finding themselves putting a lot of miles on their cars and filling their gas tanks quite frequently due to the fact that their church meetings, friends and family are still closer to Placerville.

They found an apartment in Fair Oaks, about 23 miles from our house. It's a really nice complex in a nice area. They've decided to each get their own 1 bedroom apartment this time.

We'll be helping them move in a couple of weeks.

- HOW GREAT THOU ART

Tonight, while Alyssa was visiting, I had her help me with a song I'm working on. I'm trying to learn to play "How Great Thou Art" on the piano. It's one of my favorite hymns and I've always wanted to be able to play it well. I took piano lessons as a child, so I know the basics, but there are so many things I've forgotten..... and boy, am I rusty!
My goal is to play this well enough that I can accompany someone singing it, We'll see.

- RASPBERRY CREAM CREPES

This morning I got up and made breakfast for Kurt and Tyler. (Tyler's been spending the night here on Saturday nights so he can go to church before work). I found fresh raspberries on sale at Safeway yesterday so I just had to make crepes.

RASPBERRY CREAM CREPES

Crepe Batter:

3 TBLS butter
3 large eggs
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup water
3/4 cup flour
1/8 tsp salt

Melt butter in crepe pan. Pour the melted butter into blender; set pan aside for later use.

Into blender, add the eggs, milk and water. Blend until combined. Add the flour and salt. Blend until smooth. Refrigerate batter at least 1 hour. The finished batter should be the consistency of heavy cream. If it is too thick, add some milk or water - 1 TBLS at a time.

Heat the crepe pan over medium heat for approximately 45 seconds (I use 4 to 4 1/2 on precise simmer). Hold the pan by the handle and add 1/4 cup of prepared batter. As you are pouring the batter into the heated pan, rotate the pan so the bottom is completely covered with a thin layer of the batter. The crepe should set into a thin pancake almost immediately. Cook each crepe until lightly browned, about 30 seconds. Flip the crepe over to lightly brown the other side for approximately 15 seconds, using a spatula if necessary. Stack crepes between waxed paper until ready to use. MAKES 10 CREPES.

Cream Cheese Filling:

1 - 8 oz pkg cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1 - 8 oz. container Cool Whip

Mix ingredients together until light and fluffy. Spread cream mixture evenly over inside of each crepe. Sprinkle raspberries over the cream and then roll the crepes up. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and top with more raspberries. Serve on chocolate drizzled plate (I love the new Hershey's Special Dark syrup!)

YUM!

- BIRTHDAY DINNER

Tara treated me to a fun girl's night tonight. It was fun to spend time with her and catch up.

We started in Old Town Folsom, browsing in all of the shops and being decadent at Snook's Chocolates. She insisted that I pick out 1 lb of chocolates for my birthday. What a treat!

I think this is my new favorite place to hang out. I'll definitely be going back soon.

After doing some shopping at Kohl's, we stopped for dinner at Red Robin's - a first for me. It was DELICIOUS!!!! Thank you Tara. I especially loved my freckled lemonade!

Tara gave me the cutest wall hanging with a quote by President Monson and a set of blocks that spelled HOME. She had made them for me. I love them!!! Thank you again Tara!!!! What a fun night!

- BIRTHDAY BREAKFAST

This morning Kurt and the kids took me out for a belated birthday breakfast.

Saturday morning seems to be the only time that everyone is available these days. Someone is usually at work or at school. We usually do birthday dinners, but we're having to be a little more creative lately. Now, if only Angie, Greg and the kids had been here!

I ordered the stuffed french toast. It was SO yummy!
Good thing I ran this morning!

Tyler and Kurt had, what else? Country fried steak and eggs! How original. Kurt ordered the same thing for dinner last night at Buttercup Pantry. Tyler had ordered it at IHOP yesterday too!

It was fun to have Alax join us this year.

Alyssa and Alax gave me the Eclipse hardback set for my library. I'm almost done with
book 4 now.
Tyler gave me a $50 gift card to Old Navy.

Kurt had already given me my birthday present, but also gave me a couple of memory sticks so I can store all the photos on my computer.
Thank you everyone! I loved my gifts!

My handsome son.

He makes me smile.

My sweet daughter....

I'm thinking someone else thinks she's sweet too! ;)