Ahhh...

There's nothing like coming home and putting on my favorite slippers after a long day at the theatre. Seeing Isabelle perform was worth every second, though. Can you say personality?

The whole show was inspirational. Kelli and Thayne (from So You Think You Can Dance) did an improv number that took my breath away, and some of the pieces had me near tears. I love movement and the stories that can be told without a single spoken word.

Tagged...again

Angel tagged me again, but this one is a little different. What the heck, right?

Rules:
1) Post rules on your blog
2)Answer the six "8" items
3)Let each person know they've been tagged by leaving them a comment

8 Favorite TV shows:
- Friends
- Nanny 911
- John and Kate Plus 8
- Little People Big World
- Without a Trace
- Cold Case
- Food Network (except for Rachel Ray and Emeril)
- The First 48

8 Things I did yesterday:
- Ate Red Mango
- Took care of my cute kids
- Taught two dance classes
- Talked to my mom
- Visited with Jamie and held Taylor
- Laundry
- Started reading "The Book Thief"
- Filled my car with gas ($1.86...wahoo!)

8 Things I look forward to:
- Thanksgiving in Logan
- Finishing our backyard
- Paying off our vehicles
- Hanging out with friends
- Seeing "Four Christmases"
- Isabelle's front teeth falling out
- Seeing my kids as adults
- Christmas break

8 Favorite Restaurants:
- Carl's Cafe
- Cafe Trang
- Cafe Rio
- California Pizza Kitchen
- Old Spaghetti Factory
- Famous Dave's
- Happy Sumo
- Red Mango

8 Things on my wish list:
- a blender
- a Presto popcorn popper
- straight hair
- healthy, happy kids
- a trip to Hawaii
- a pedicure
- grass in our backyard
- a great pair of jeans

8 people to tag:
-anyone who wants to participate and is lacking blog material

Red Mango

I'll try to make this quick...

There was a little place called Mill Hollow in Logan when I was young, and they had the best frozen yogurt ever. Peach was my favorite, but every flavor was good. I was really sad when it closed down. But I am sad no longer! Last night I tried Red Mango for the first time, and it tastes just the same as the frozen yogurt of my childhood--it was fabulous. I got original and pomegranate swirled with granola on top. It was heaven. I'm going back tonight.

Long story short--you should try it. You are worth the $4.

Black-Bottom Banana Bars

When the weather gets cold, I want to bake. What is it about a chilly autumn day that does that to me? Dylan and I tried a new banana bread recipe, and it turned out so well we thought we'd share.

Black-Bottom Banana Bars

1/2 C butter
1 C sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 C mashed ripe bananas (about 3 medium)
1 1/2 C all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 C baking cocoa

1. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add egg and vanilla; beat until thoroughly combined. Blend in the bananas. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well.
2. Divide batter in half. Add cocoa to half and spread it into a greased 13x9x2 baking pan. Spoon remaining batter on top and swirl with a knife. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

Makes 2 1/2 to 3 dozen

Tagged

Annie tagged me, so here goes...

I am...April Nyman Larsen
I know...I need to spend more quality time with Izzy and Dylan.
I want...my car to be paid off.
I wish...I lived closer to my sisters.
I had...never eaten pesto until I married Luke.
I hate...being cold.
I miss...being cool.
I fear...something terrible happening to someone I love.
I feel...so grateful to be a mom!
I hear...cartoons.
I smell...black bottom banana bars baking in my oven.
I crave...pork salads from Cafe Rio.
I search...for my phone almost every day.
I wonder...what babies think before they know words.
I regret...not finishing college.
I love...Saturday nights with my kids.
I care...about my friends.
I always...have somewhere to be--I can hardly wait for a break during the holidays!
I am not...a good swimmer.
I believe...everything happens for a reason.
I could...work on being more organized.
I dance...almost every day. What a great job!
I sing...never. I even mouth the words at church just to make sure nobody hears me.
I don't always...make my bed.
I write...short stories.
I win...at Scrabble.
I lose...at trivia games.
I never...get in fights.
I never listen...to people who whine.
I can usually be found...at the Treehouse.
I am scared of...spiders.
I need...diet coke.
I am happy about...gas prices going down!

I tag anyone who is reading this. I am interested to see what your answers are!

Snow Day

It started snowing late last night, and it hasn't stopped yet. I just took a yardstick outside, and it looks like we have just over 7 inches of new snow. The kids were thrilled!

Until Dylan fell down...

I guess this means it's time to get some snow gear. And flannel sheets!

One More...

So sorry--I couldn't help posting this photo. In the video on my last post, you can't really see how cute the kids look. I shot the video with our regular camera, and I know it's pretty rough. Luke just sent this from work, though, and I love that I can see their darling faces.