A Party for Ashley and "What's Her Face"

My best friend Katie and I hosted a baby shower for girlfriend and former BYU-I roomie, Ashley, this weekend in Provo. Ashley is due on May 10th and is having a baby girl. She and her hubby, Ryan, have decided to keep the baby's name a secret until she is born (much to the chagrin of both sets of grandparents :0). As a result, we hosted a party for Ashley and little "What's Her Face". Ashley's mother and sister were able to drive in from Colorado and her mother-in-law and sister-in-law flew in from Seattle. We also had a few girls from Ashley's ward, childhood and college days. After some delicious chicken tortilla soup, with all the toppings, we played the baby shower memory game and decorated the most adorable onesies.

Happy Birthday Coleman

We celebrated Cole's birthday last weekend with a family party in Farmington. My sister, Nicole, was generous enough to let us invade her house for cake and ice cream. Alyssa and I worked very hard on Cole's birthday cake. A little something we like to call Chocolate Brownie Cake Surprise. We made a bottom layer of brownie, followed by two layers of chocolate cake. Once the layers were in place, we used green frosting to make our own version of the a golf green complete with a "golf" ball made of cake as well. Cole was properly impressed and I was grateful to have a chance to honor my favorite guy. I know I am biased but I honestly know I am married to the most wonderful man in the world. What would I do without him?

Let Them Eat Cake

I had the chance to go to Rexburg, Idaho on Saturday to watch my baby sister, Alyssa, perform at her senior vocal recital. She performed a variety of songs including a couple of Italian, French and German pieces. I knew she could sing, but wow, I was knocked out of my chair.

In addition to the performance, we went to visit the Cocoa Bean, an absolutely adorable gourmet cupcake and hot chocolate shop in downtown Rexburg. This place has been open just a few months and they are all ready about to open a shop in Idaho Falls. The owners live in Driggs and they are planning on making this place available as a franchise.

On Saturday night at 10 p.m. the only flavors still available were Grasshopper (chocolate mint), Vanilla-Vanilla, Cherry Chocolate Cheesecake, Butterfinger and Strawberry Shortcake. Being the chocolate whores that we are, Cole and I went with Grasshopper and Cherry Chocolate Cheescake. Both cupcakes were wonderful!

While I am not sure how well this place would do outside of a prominently LDS community, I still think it is a great place to hang with your girlfriends, wind down a date or take care of a serious chocolate fix.

"Freakin Out" for Flatts

With three posts under my belt, this blog is in real danger of becoming maura.blogspot.com. Cole, if you read this, this is your warning! :)

NEWay...Being the wonderful, sweet man that he is, Cole bought us Rascal Flatts concert tickets for Valentine's Day. While it was difficult to be patient, today is the day...I am going to Rascal Flatts TONIGHT.

(Pause for the roar of my country-lovin' crowd)

As an added bonus, Kelly Pickler is tonight's opening act and you better believe I will be sporting my "red high heels" just for the show.


Pictures of our evening to follow.....

Happy Birthday, Randy!

My dad is turning 57 this week and so, as a result, the children gathered in Odgen today for enchiladas, cake and good times.

Mom and Dad just before breaking into song. (My family specializes in a four-part harmony of "Happy Birthday")

My cute brother visiting from BYU. (Watch out ladies, he is single!)

Nicole and Scott (I am not sure what they were up to.)

Cole and I-ready for some cake!

Thanks for the chance to celebrate...Love you, Dad!