What's happening in my playground

Gloria 1942- 2011

2012-01-22T20:52:00.003-07:00

My older sister, Gloria, was 16 years old when I was born. She always said she was embarrassed to have a baby sister at 16, you know, the parent thing, she said she didn't like to think that mom and dad had s e x. But apparently that changed when they brought me home. The story is I was named after my great aunt Mary Victoria Melvin Clayton. Aunt Mary had no children so I was given her name. Gloria said when I came home from the hospital that she didn't want me to be called Mary ... too old fashion for a little baby girl ... so she nicknamed me ... Vicky. Thanks Gloria, I owe you big time!

On December 15, 2011, Gloria Darlene Mullen Thiem Bailey Queen passed away. Gloria suffered for many years from diabetes and heart disease. One of our last fun trips together was to Florida in November, 2006 and she was so happy to be in the sunshine. She celebrated her 64th birthday with us and I am so very thankful we had this time together.

So many times I called Gloria asking for advice... from what to feed Suzanne when she was 6 weeks old to asking for her recipes for Buckeyes and Potato Candy. I cannot put into words how much I loved her, and how much our family will miss her. Your first Christmas in Heaven Gloria I know was a glorious one! We will see you again one day.

Vicky, Gloria, Ann, Clearwater FL Nov 2006

Vicky and Gloria, Dunedin Marina, FL Nov 2006

Rose, Ann, Vicky and Gloria Nov 8 2006, Gloria's 64th Birthday, Little Italy, Dunedin FL

Six Mullen Sisters, 1996 Springfield Ohio

Vicky, Debbie, Annabel

Barbara, Darlene, Gloria

Five Mullen Sisters, 1960 Springfield Ohio

Vicky, Darlene, Debbie, Gloria and Annabel

Saturday Fun with Nannie!

2012-01-22T20:30:00.001-07:00

Allee and I had a great day together....did a little grocery shopping and took a walk in the neighborhood and explored the sites and sounds of a winter's day. We were busy little bees and then it was time to get a few zzz's in before going home to Mom and Dad.

A winter's walk at Nannie's house

Paul's Market has yummy cookie samples...go ahead, put the WHOLE cookie in...

Is there nothing sweeter than a sleeping baby with her pink Mimi (blanket) and beach towel?

Boise State Broncos Basketball

2012-01-22T20:22:00.002-07:00

It's January, it's cold and it was a great day to watch Boise State Men's Basketball take on Air Force. Okay, so we lost. BSU lost their way in the 2nd half. But, Allee had a great time watching the game, ate a little popcorn and cheered for her Broncos in her Grandpa's glasses!

Cherry Chip Cookies

2012-01-22T20:15:00.001-07:00

Do you like soft cookies? I do, and the secret ingredient to making soft (not crispy) cookies is .... instant vanilla pudding mix! My pantry is now stocked with instant vanilla pudding (sugar free) so I can make our favorite cookies on a cold and wintry Sunday like today.

Award Winning Soft Cherry Chip Cookies

Ingredients
2 1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 package instant vanilla pudding (I use sugar free)
2 eggs
1 teaspoon cherry extract (or vanilla if making chocolate chip cookies)
2 cups cherry baking chips (or semi sweet chocolate chips if making chocolate chip cookies)
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional

Preheat oven to 350'. Sift together flour and baking soda, set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar and white sugar. Beat in the instant pudding mix until blended. Stir in the eggs and cherry extract (or vanilla). Blend in the flour mixture. Stir in the cherry chips (or chocolate chips) and nuts. Drop cookies by rounded spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet (I use my Silpat baking mat, it's the best). *** Optional - cookie dough can be rolled in conconut before baking.
Bake 10-12 minutes. Cool few minutes, transfer to wire cooling rack.

Super Bowl Hot Chicken and Cheese Dip

2012-01-22T20:05:00.002-07:00

Sinfully delicious. You will need a sturdy dipper for this hearty warm dip. I used the new Wheat Thins FlatBread Tuscan Crackers to scoop and savor the Hot Chicken and Cheese Dip. Practiced this recipe today for Super Bowl Sunday and it's a hit so I'll be making it again in two weeks for the Super Bowl - February 5th - Giants vs. Patriots.

Super Bowl Hot Chicken and Cheese Dip

Ingredients:

2 boneless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softene
1 (8 ounce) sour cream
1 (8 ounce) package shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chiles
1 jalapeno pepper, finely diced (optional)

Place shredded chicken in a medium bowl, and mix in cream cheese, sour cream, Cheddar cheese, green chile peppers (and jalapeno pepper, if you choose). Transfer the chicken mixture to a medium baking dish.
Bake uncovered in the preheated oven 30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Serve with hearty dippers or bread chunks.

Toddler Girl is a Basketball Superstar!

2012-01-13T20:00:00.002-07:00

The talent gene pool doesn't fall far from the basketball net! Allee it seems has inherited her mom's coordination and focus for shooting a basketball. I love watching this video of 19 month old Allee, "ruffled" up and shooting hoops!

7 Up Biscuits

2012-01-08T19:22:00.000-07:00

These easy and delicious biscuits remind me of Popeye's Chicken famous buttery biscuits. They are super quick to make.

7 Up Biscuits

2 cups Bisquick
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup 7 Up (not 1/2 can)
1/4 cup melted butter

Cut sour cream into bisquick, add 7 Up. Makes a very soft dough. Sprinkle additional bisquick onto a board or counter, and pat dough out. Cut using a biscuit cutter or glass. Melt 1/4 cup butter, pour into a 13x9 pan. Place cut biscuits in pan and bake at 450' until golden brown.

Creamy Hot Cider Nog, A Warm Welcome

2011-10-30T21:22:00.008-06:00

From Southern Living Magazine, Nov 2011. Mull over some cozy, festive cider. Pairs well with a roaring fire. I can taste this on Christmas Eve already.

Hot Cider Nog

Whisk together

2 cups half n half

1 cup each milk and apple cider

2 eggs

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/8 tsp each salt and ground nutmeg

in a heavy saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly 15 - 20 min or until mixture thickens and coats a spoon. Remove from heat; stir in 1/2 cup bourbon if desired. Top each serving with whipped cream, garnish with cinnamon sticks, ground cinnamon and apple slices if desired. Makes 5 1/2 cups.

Source: myrecipes.com via Vicky on Pinterest

Family Fun at Syrup Creek Ranch

2011-10-07T14:37:00.008-06:00

Vinny in his daddy's boots. 40 years after Quinn wore these boots, his son Vinny now wears them proudly!The walking sticks - gotta have them to ward off rattle snakes.

Wild sunflowers everywhere - and Prouty Peak is in the background

The sign pointing to "Prouty Peak"

The Ranch House

The Bridge to Terabithia House
Abandoned car near our gate

Mattie, Ana and Vince off on an adventure

The girls..Dani, Kiely, Jenna, Ana, and in the back Gin and Vicky
Mitch, Fred and Marcus
Fred, Quinnie, Vince, Quinn and Dani
Vince, Quinn, Marcus and Mitch - dinner and dessert!
Ana on the new bridge
Fred's collectibles
The bridge that Quinnie and Fred built...the old one was washed out last winter.

MVP Makeup Artistry!

2011-10-07T14:33:00.003-06:00

This could be my calling...MVP Makeup Artistry! This is a makeup kit of a person at work doing makeup on employees during a commercial TV shoot.

Makeup is like candy...there is never too much!

Idaho State Fair Pictures

2011-10-07T14:22:00.004-06:00

I love taking pictures, and thought why not take a few of my favorites and enter them in the State Fair? I could only enter 3 pictures so it was a tough call - I selected Vinny in his dad's cowboy boots, the yellow flower from Florida, and a beautiful sunset picture in Dunedin on the Gulf of Mexico. The sunflower picture I took at the ranch is beautiful but I figured there would be tons of Idaho sunflower pictures.

I didn't win a single ribbon, but they said they had over 1,600 entries. They did tell me the "cowboy boots" picture was one of their favorites. I had a blast doing it!

Cristina and Karen Lunch Date!

2011-10-07T14:16:00.003-06:00

What a nice nice surprise to see two old friends, Karen and her daughter Cristina. Karen and I worked together in the Migrant Education Summer School program in MH for several years together, and of course through Facebook, have stayed in touch. Cristina and Karen were in Boise for a visit so we had lunch at Flatbread Pizza.

Climbing AND Jumping!

2011-10-07T14:13:00.001-06:00

Allee thinks the hearth and the couch are her new launching points!

I can see YOU!

2011-10-07T14:08:00.005-06:00

Babies are so stinkin' cute when they put glasses on their head!

Allee is 13 months old!

2011-06-17T14:31:00.007-06:00

The "Mini Joys", small shetland ponies, visited St. Luke's on Allee's 13th month birthday. Allee and Suzanne stopped by for a little birthday ice cream, and got a special visit with the ponies.

Nice pony, want to come home with me?

Cancer Sucks

2011-06-17T14:19:00.005-06:00

My dear sister Debbie was diagnosed on May 12 with breast cancer. She had a mastecomy on Jun 13 and is home waiting for the pathology reports to determine her treatment plan.

Debbie has a page where she will journal her progress and invites everyone to read her notes and sign her guestbook. This is a great tool and website to update friends and family of her health updates. Feel free to open this link and leave her a note.

www.caringbridge.org/visit/debshaffer

There are six Mullen sisters, Barbara, Gloria, Darlene, Debbie, Ann and myself. Barb passed away in 1999 from pancreatic cancer. Gloria suffers from heart disease and recently had her leg amputated below the knee due to complications from diabetes. Ann battled breast cancer in 1998 and is cancer free! Now is the time for us to rally around Debbie.

Debbie on the Inter-coastal waterway, Indian Rocks FL May 2011

Ironman Boise 70.3

2011-06-17T13:24:00.004-06:00

Suzanne has always been an athlete, and now she is an triathlete! I am so proud of her, the time it takes to train and the dedication she has for her sport.

The first weekend in June she competed in the "Escape from Alcatraz" triathlon in the hills and water of San Francisco. She kick butted! The following weekend, less than 6 days of recovery, she competed in the Ironman Boise 70.3 triathlon along with 1,500 other athletes.

The Ironman Boise was a 1.5 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and 13 mile run.

Allee, a future Ironman, looking forward to seeing mom at the finish line
Suzanne at the 6 mile marker of the 13 mile run
The finish line! 5 hr 28 min. Way to go Suzanne!
Tim Santos, my high school friend, at the half way point through the Boise Ironman run. Great job Tim, you still have the legs of a 20 year old!

The Mullen Sisters Hit the Beach!

2011-06-17T13:13:00.006-06:00

Four sisters plus a granddaughter met in Clearwater FL to enjoy a week in the sun. We had a week of adventures!

The power of sisters .... Debbie was diagnosed the day after her birthday in May with breast cancer. We literally were all sitting in our beach chairs in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico when Debbie got the phone call from her doctor with her surgery date. We hugged, we cried, and we bonded around Debbie. She won't have to go through her cancer struggle alone.

We also ate, drank and had a fabulous time in beautiful Florida.

Debbie, Vicky, Darlene, Ann at Clearwater Beach
Debbie, Vicky, Ann and Darlene at St. Pete

Sunset on the Gulf toward Caladesi Island

Allee Turns 1!

2011-06-17T11:04:00.006-06:00

Allee's first year has flown by! Allee has changed my life, I didn't know I could love a little baby girl so much! Grandkids are the best and a blessing from God.

Her mom and dad hosted a little family get together with Grandma and Grandpa Haynes who drove up from Windsor CO, Great Grandma Betty, and her Bresnahan and Prouty families.

Umm, a ball and a tiara. That's my girl!
Jeff, Suzanne and Allee with her basketball birthday cake. Sharon Siebenburg made Allee's birthday cake, and also made Suzanne's 1st birthday cake!
Great Grandma Betty, Grandpa Steve and Allee

Allee turns 11 months!

2011-04-19T16:42:00.004-06:00

11 months and growing fast! Suzanne and I treated Allee to Red Robin for a burger (well, truthfully, it was a treat for us, and she had a few jars of baby food and her sippy cup). I want time to stand still, I love this age! Look at the beautiful smile...on both of my girls!

Colorado Rockies and Tulo the Dog

2011-04-13T21:12:00.009-06:00

Hello fans, my name is Tulo. I am a Chiweenie dog and was named after Troy Tulowitzski, Colorado Rockies shortstop. My owners are big Rockies fans and after being rescued from a dock in a pond by my human mommy, they decided on naming me Tulo. I like my name a lot. I am proud to be named Tulo since I drop, dash and run fast like the wind. And chase balls.

Thank you Suzanne and Jeff for the warm bed and yummy treats and not naming me Manny.

Super Moon March 19 2011

2011-03-21T11:27:00.004-06:00

What a sight! The Super Moon rising in the east sky on March 19, 2011. I drove to the desert to find a good spot to view the moon rise. Low and behold, after taking nearly 100 pictures, I have a few that turned out. I also snapped a few through the trees - truly nature's beauty. This is the closest the moon has been to earth in 18 years.
A Texas long horn waiting for the moon.
"Bull Moon" on Canyon Creek Road - the Super Moon is just minutes away.
The rise of the moon - Mountain Home
A bewitching sight from my house!

Allee is 10 months old!

2011-03-18T16:33:00.006-06:00

Our little leprechaun turned 10 months old in March! Allee is busy moving cars with wheels, crawling every which way, singing and making the cutest facial expressions! It won't be long before the crawl turns into a step, then she will be walking. And life changes forever. She won't be a crawler but a real person standing and moving on her little feet and legs! I will miss her crawl and chase game we play!

Sitting and waiting for her nannie to chase her!

Allee's 10th month birthday - having a snack at the hospital with mom and nannie.
My two cute girls - Allee and Zan

Allee enjoying her first rock in her mom's rocking chair, circa 1979. This Jenny Lind rocker was a gift to Suzanne from her Grandpa Mullen. I remember the day like it was yesterday, my dad walked into the house with this little rocking chair for Suzanne, his 11th grand child. He was thrilled he bought a gift for Zan on his own - he was 71 years old, she was just shy of one year.

Spring in Idaho

2011-03-13T16:09:00.002-06:00

No need to say much more - it was windy, raining, and blowing like mad on my drive home from work one night this week. I feel for the kids playing spring sports because the weather is so unpredictable!

Chocolate Lush

2011-03-06T19:23:00.004-07:00

I know, I've heard it before, I have been referred to as a "Chocolate Lush" but it's also the name of one of my favorite desserts. It also goes by Lemon Lush when using lemon pudding. When I write my cookbook I will be sure to include the Chocolate Lush recipe!

Oneida ~ my favorite flatware ~ now, and from the past

2011-03-06T16:42:00.008-07:00

Old pattern that belonged to my dad: top

My new pattern Wordsworth: below

Old pattern: right

New pattern Wordsworth: left

I love really good silverware. Pretty silverware. Ornate actually.

When my dad and I moved to Idaho in 1970, he some how bought a very pretty patterned set of Oneida flatware. I actually noticed it and liked using it even as a teenager. I can also tell you my dad cooked with copper bottom Revereware pots and pans. I still have a few pieces of the Oneida that I cherish, and I am still using 3 of the copper bottom Revere pots.

I've been looking at my silverware drawer and not happy with my mis-matched pieces. I caved in and bought myself a new Oneida 65 piece service for 12, Wordsworth pattern, and I am as excited as a puppy on fresh grass!

It's the simple things in life. Everytime I use my Oneida flatware, I think of my dad.

Lipstick is Back!

2011-03-04T10:03:00.005-07:00

Nothing better than traditional haute couture - I love color and the classics! Coco Chanel and Estee Lauder are bringing back lipstick.

Classics too are back for around the eyes ~ pinks, silvers and black.

"I wanted women to rediscover the pleasure of applying lipstick, Peter Phillips, Chanel creative director for make-up said. " All I see them do is a quick gesture of lip gloss. Lip gloss is like fast food."

Broncos Paddled the Oregon State Beavers 25 Sep 10

2010-09-26T20:55:00.007-06:00

Boise State has 72 wins, and beat the Oregon State Beavers 37-24 before a school record crowd of 34, 137 - 10 more fans than showed up for Oregon last year.

It has been a 24 hour marathon for Bronco Nation. "ESPN College Game Day" arrived in town on Friday, and Suzanne and Allee met the crew at Home Depot (the national sponsor for GameDay). Fans showed up at Bronco Stadium for the 8 am 3-hour TV show being broadcast LIVE from Boise State University!

Allee and her favorite mascot, Buster Bronco at the GameDay Truck

The invisible broncos?

"Blue Man" Broncos!
Orange, Blue and White Out 9/25/2010

Suzanne and her momma feelin' good in orange and blue

Elvis, Jill from Scotland (Crucial), Vicky, Pimp Daddy, and Chris Corbus

Kelsey, Toni and Vicky - almost time to pack it up and head out into the traffic mosh.

Women's Fitness Celebration Sep 25 2010

2010-09-26T20:35:00.007-06:00

Celebrating Fitness in Boise!

Two babies - Allee and Lauren
Two mommies - Suzanne and Andrea
Two nanas - Vicky and Rose

Welcome to Andrea and Lauren! Andrea and Lauren were able to participate for the first time in the Women's Fitness Celebration and what a beautiful Boise day it was! We had the strollers bronco-ed up with orange and blue for GameDay. Even the other little kids in strollers wanted their strollers to look like this!

Allee is ready for the Celebration and Bronco Game!
Bronco Strollers ready for the walk!
At the Idaho Capitol - Rose, Andrea, Lauren, Vicky, Suzanne and AlleeSuzanne and Allee at the train depot (brought back memories of when Zan had her wedding pictures taken there)

Ann Morrison Park after the walk

Allee and the original Nana and Papa

2010-09-26T20:19:00.007-06:00

Allee and Suzanne drove over to attend Mitch and Kristina's wedding reception. It was a beautiful day and was hosted by Gin and Bud in their backyard.

What a sweet sight to see Roni and Hank with Suzanne and Allee. Hank and Roni tended to Suzanne since she was 4 weeks old and I went back to work at the school district. They have been a part of our family forever, and thanks to them, helped me raise Suzanne. We love them both dearly.

Mitch, his little sister Kiely, and his bride, Kristina

I cannot believe I didn't take a picture of my 48 hours worth of cooking for the reception. I made Pulled Pork Sundaes - and they were a hit! I cooked 30 lbs of pork shoulder, 2 huge roasters of BBQ beans, tossed together 5 gallons of cole slaw, and baked 8 trays of home made corn bread.

The Pulled Pork entree was like this...

16 oz. hot cup, fill with
1 ladle of beans
1/2 cup pulled pork
1 scoop of slaw
and topped with a round piece of corn bread.

I printed labels for the cups so the guests would know what was inside the cup of deliciousness. They tasted out of this world! Loved it.

Kiely and her aunt assembling the pulled pork sundaes...

Football Bunco - Sep 2010

2010-09-26T20:11:00.003-06:00

Dawn hosted a fun themed football bunco night. Jerseys were the chair covers, and no doubt with 2 sons and a football coach husband, Dawn had plenty of items to use for decor!

BSU plays Wyoming on Saturday, and even friends can still be friends and cheer for their team!

Fran - Go Wyoming!
Vicky - Go Boise State!

Kris, Dawn, Rose, Toni

Allee celebrates her 4 month birthday!

2010-09-26T20:08:00.002-06:00

Happy Birthday Allee - you are 4 months old now! You are such a sweet baby girl. You wake up happy, and go to bed happy. Nannie loves you a lot.

Air Force Appreciation Day 2010

2010-09-26T20:00:00.003-06:00

Busy Saturday in little town. Rem's team traveled to Mountain Home from Boise to play optimist football, then the parade, and Saturday in the park. Allee's first Air Force Appreciation Day, and she enjoyed it from her nannie's front porch!

Girls...Shopping...and 3 days outta town!

2010-08-22T22:04:00.004-06:00

Lisa, Rose and I planned for a few weeks to go south to the Layton Utah area and shop at Tai Pan Trading, Rod Works, Hobby Lobby, Kohl's, maybe a mall or two. Lisa scored us base housing so we had a room to rest our wearing feet after marathon shopping.

We arrived Friday evening, checked in and found TLF (temporary living facility in military lingo). We walked into a rather dark building, through the water sprinklers, and after we opened the door, realized there was no power. No electricity, with 3 chicks and luggage, and tired of driving and needing our sleep to power shop on Saturday. When given lemons we made lemonade (or in our case, purchased adult beverages at the base shopette). We found a deserted parking lot near TLF with a beautiful view of the lights of the Utah valley, we parked the truck, dropped the tailgate and enjoyed the evening with wine, beer, and Lays potato chips. The power was restored around 1130 pm just in time for us to get in a few zzz's.

Saturday we started early at Tai Pan, and spent 3 1/2 HOURS looking, touching, and making HARD decisions of what we needed. My main goal was to buy for Suzanne's new home since she has had her hands full with Allee and not much time to get her house decorated since they moved in the week before Allee M was born (yes, I was given a budget and prayed I stayed within her budget). We spent 13 hours out and about, shopping, eating and enjoying ourselves! We got back to TLF, tired but continued our girl chats until 1:30 am. We had SO much to talk about I guess, and laughed til our bellies hurt. The plan was to hit a big new mall on the way out of Utah this morning, but after checking our receipts and how much damage we did with our cash, we headed back to Idaho. Happy with our finds, but ready to get back to reality.

Great food, great deals, but more importantly, great friends! It was a great weekend!

The pick-up was loaded, and barely enough room for our luggage. We drove Fred's L O N G bed Ford F-350 one-ton pick-up thinking we had plenty of room...

A treasure found at Tai Pan. If you haven't made the pilgrimage, you gotta go!

The grasses near our tailgate spot, and the lights of the Salt Lake Valley

Tailgate, late night style, and with no electricity.

Lisa scored points with Rose and I for buying the last cork skewer from the product display. Good thinkin' Lisa!

Mitch and Kristina Tie the Knot!

2010-08-22T21:46:00.003-06:00

Mitch and Kristina were joined in marriage, along with their children, at a beautiful front porch wedding at our house on August 14. The porch the perfect setting for a small intimate family ceremony uniting the Kristina and Mitch, and their kids. Kristina was beaming, and so happy to join our family.

Happy 1st Anniversary Jeff and Suzanne!

2010-08-22T21:39:00.003-06:00

A year has passed already, really??? They've been married a year? Wasn't the celebration just a few days ago? So much as happened~ big life changes for Jeff and Suzanne. A marriage, a blended family, a big move to their first home together, a new baby girl, and now the summer is winding down. Happiness and cheers to a wonderful couple!

August with Allee

2010-08-22T21:02:00.007-06:00

Allee... Allee M ... Allee McGrubor... AlleeGator ... the baby has many names. Allee Maree IS the cutest grand daughter I could ever imagine! Allee is 3 months old in August!

Allee and her daddy relaxing

Allee being a wee bit shy...

Allee taking her walk down the burp path

Suzanne and Allee on the night Allee grasped her first object, a cute Garanimal given to her by Aunt Rose

3 Generations - Moon and Bettie would be so happy.

We love Allee's BIG smile!

Daddy and Allee at the BSU BBQ

Allee's a Bronco Baby and attending her first BAA Bronco event in the SUB

Grandpa Fred, Allee and Suzanne with the 2010 Boise State Football team in the background.

Allee - such a pretty girl at 3 months. She's a keeper!

Family Visits Aug 2010

2010-08-22T20:45:00.002-06:00

We had a family party to welcome our Louisanian, Scott and his girlfriend Elaine. It was Elaine's first visit west and we gave her a western Idaho welcome! It was Allee's introduction day as well with many of the Prouty's. Kristina and Anastacia were here as well to meet the family.

Dinner at PF Changs - Quinn, Vicky, Fred, Scott, Elaine, Wesley and Wes

Suzanne, Allee and Grandpa Steve

Robyn, Fred, Scott, Mitch and Quinn

Kristina, Robyn, Vicky and Elaine

Can I Say It's Hot and Humid in Florida...in July?

2010-08-22T20:02:00.005-06:00

I forgot how hot and humid July days (and nights) can be in Florida. But none the less, the week was great on the Gulf of Mexico. The sand was still white, and powdery like sugar. The coast was clear! No oil from the BP oil leak thank goodness. I ventured to the Atlantic side for the first time since 1966, and believe me, the Gulf of Mexico coast gets a 5 star vote from me. I like beaches and sand and water on the Gulf the VERY best!

Garden Tour with the Flower Friends

2010-07-05T20:04:00.004-06:00

Mountain Home puts on a nice annual Garden Tour - beautiful gardens, incredible water features, and a chance to see people since I am gone most of the week!

Vicky, Tammy, Fran, and Rose...yes we are the flower children of the 60's!

We saw a couple of special butterflies today...Rose and I think they were visits from Chris, Rose's brother. Our loved ones have a way of sending us signs they are with us, and truly I believe Chris was hanging around today, just saying "I'm free as a butterfly". We even watched a caterpillar shed it's cocoon, wet with dew, and emerge a butterfly! It was very cool! Thanks for the visit Chris!

Bresnahan Family Gathering

2010-07-05T19:49:00.003-06:00

A beautiful summer day was spent at Janie and Bob's home in Kuna. First time many had met Allee. Celebration was for Janie's retirement as a teacher, Betty's 85th birthday, and June birthdays for Susan, Michelle and Remington. Aunt Norma Hertling was there too. We got to see Jake and meet his wife Tera and baby son Sage who travel from Twin Falls. Was a great party and even better seeing everyone I hadn't seen for such a long time.

Suzanne, Allee and Janie

Suzanne and cousin Jake Sell

Grandma Betty, Suzanne, Allee, and Aunt Norma

Allee, Suzanne and Grandpa Steve

Sweetness

2010-07-05T19:44:00.002-06:00

Baby Allee sleeping...pure sweetness.

Allee's first visit to Mountain Home!

2010-07-05T19:26:00.006-06:00

What a special day for us! First day of summer, and Allee's first trip. Allee, along with her mom and dad, came to Mountain Home for a visit. Allee loved being in her momma's old house, all the smells, all the things we've been telling her about. I gotta a feeling as she gets older she'll be spending a few weekends here and there with us. I can't wait!

Daddy Jeff, Mommy Zan, and baby Allee

Bye Bye Allee...see you soon

So Much Rain!

2010-06-06T18:23:00.006-06:00

Boise has had 8 inches of precipitation to date, average is 6 inches, and last year on 6/6/09 we had 4 inches. Rainy, soggy, mushrooms in the yard. Thankfully, and finally, it's warm!

My flowers are liking the rain but some of the drops are so BIG and weigh down the petals. The flowers are begging for sunshine.

I'd be a happy girl if it would rain every day for 30 minutes and then sunshine for 8 hours. (Florida anyone?)

Wet - Yellow Iris

A mini flood in my front flower bed

Wet - Pink Dianthus

Wet - Purple Pansies

Chris Santos * 9/26/1957 - 5/25/2010

2010-06-06T16:14:00.006-06:00

Adios Chris - you are gone but not forgotten. You struggled with your heart, faced your illness with a strong sense of moving forward not only for yourself but for your family. I will miss you, your smile, your love for the MHHS Tigers and the Boise State Broncos. Your sister Rose misses more than you'll ever know (I know you know this already). God speed my friend.

Rose and Chris * BSU vs. UC Davis game Oct 2009

Treasure Table Find $4.25

2010-06-06T15:48:00.004-06:00

Trash to treasures...I was on the hunt for a table to put at my back door, host for a pretty summer plant or my keys. I spotted this at a yard sale today in North Boise. Price listed $4.25. Another yard sale roamer asked the owner if she would take $3, the owner said no (honestly, why chip her down $1.25 for table) so the person walked away from the table because she wouldn't pay full price of $4.25! She must like the art of chipping down instead of the purchase so I lucked out, paid $4.25 and the table was mine! I put on a fresh coat of Red Colonial Paint, hung my little crystal charm on it, and topped it with a few summer plants I put together.

My gain - the cheap skate's lost.

Eagles - Long Road Out of Eden Tour 2010

2010-06-06T14:50:00.008-06:00

Fred and I started out with plans to go to dinner and a movie in Nampa on a Sunday afternoon. Nampa is Fred's boyhood stomping grounds - born, schooled and grew up on many farms in the Nampa area. We had dinner at the House of Fong, and then remembered the Eagles were in concert at the Idaho Center. Why not check it out and see if there are tickets available? It doesn't hurt to check it out, so we ended up buying two tickets two hours before show time! We've seen the Eagles twice, almost 16 years to the day when they reunited in 1994. We flew into San Diego, planned a long weekend to see the Eagles on the 2nd night of their reunion tour at Jack Murphy Stadium. It was incredible and a stadium filled with nearly 50,000 fans. Fast forward to 2002 and we saw them again, in Nampa at the Idaho Center. And, now again in 2010. We've all aged, their voices aren't quite as high, but man oh man, they are still the best, and classic country rock at it's finest.

A$20 movie date night turned into a $200 Eagles concert!

Real Eagle groupies with their 2010 tour t-shirts pre-concert (we don't know them, just wanted a picture of the t-shirt and saved myself $25)

Don Henley on drums

Glen Frey on guitar

Timothy B. Schmidt on vocals (and he had surgery 2 weeks prior so the concert was rescheduled to May 30)

Joe Walsh on vocals (his face is frozen .. botox?)

The Eagles saying good-bye Idaho. Thank you for a great concert!

Allee's Family

2010-06-06T14:37:00.006-06:00

Babies bring families together, brothers, grandmas, grand daddies, and doggies. Dick and Jan Haynes were in town to see their newest grand daughter and brought with them the family heirloom cradle for Allee. Their two sons, Jeff and Bryan, slept in the cradle, and Bryan's 3 daughters and Jeff's 2 sons all slept in the cradle as babies. Now it's here for Allee M.

Taco night at Jeff and Suzanne's home, with Allee's family.

F: Remington, Mattie, Griffin, Allee, Suzanne and Tulo
B: Fred, Rocco, Vicky, Jeff, Jan and Dick

A smile that made me melt!

2010-06-06T14:27:00.004-06:00

I am not sure it was the big hair day I was having (rainy days and my hair looks like a Ghia Pet), or Allee was actually responding to my voice, but she smiled BIG for me! Precious!

A week in the life of a newborn

2010-06-06T14:15:00.013-06:00

Sleeping, rocking with momma, kisses from nannie, eating, and loving life. Allee is a sweet baby girl, and is very much the center of our universe. I forgot how fast time goes by when you sit and just STARE at the baby. She doesn't have to do anything but sleep, and I love watching her breathe. My grand daughter, Allee Maree.

Suzanne and Allee - my favorite girls

I have a little tear in my eye...I am so happy and full of love for this baby.

Nothing cuter than a smilin' baby

2010-05-20T09:45:00.004-06:00

Dreaming? Maybe she is dreaming of being snuggled next to her mommy. Or maybe being cuddled by her Nannie.

Allee Maree

2010-05-20T09:39:00.005-06:00

Welcome to the World!

daughter of
Jeffrey Allen
and
Suzanne Maree
May 16, 2010
6 lb 4 oz
19.5 inches long

Mother's Day 2010

2010-05-11T14:59:00.005-06:00

Packing, cleaning, scrubbing, and pizza from a box. I loved every minute of it! Getting Suzanne and Jeff moved BEFORE the baby arrives was "mission critical" this Mother's Day. We do what we gotta do right? Right!

Mountain Home AFB Bunco for Breast Cancer Bash

2010-05-11T14:55:00.005-06:00

Lori Lee and the ladies from the Officer's Spouses Club hosted a very fun Bunco for Breast Cancer Bash on May 7th. The club was dressed in hot pink (no Air Force Blue tonight)! I met many new friends, and saw a few old friends.

Nice show Base Babes!

The Club decked out in Pink

Vicky and Toni

Vickie, Lori, and Vicky

Is it time yet?

2010-05-05T10:55:00.005-06:00

My daughter and grand daughter.
The next two weeks will certainly be a whirlwind! The kids are moving, and a new baby is about to make her entrance.

Tulo just waking up...

April in Idaho

2010-04-22T12:14:00.006-06:00

These beautiful images remind me how much I love spring time and the daily changes it brings to our earth. The rainbow was peaking at me on my way to one one morning. The pink tulips are outside the parking garage at work.

The well worn boots

2010-04-18T21:36:00.002-06:00

Who says a girl can't like her cowboy boots AND spring flowers?

Boise...Scenes from the Air

2010-04-18T21:18:00.008-06:00

An air tour over Boise, Arrowrock Dam, the foothills, Bogus Basin, Meridian, and downtown. Some call me "Lucky in the Sky with Diamonds" !

Where I used to work, parking lot is pretty deserted now. Sad. I really liked it there.

Amazing flight crew and staff. A great place to work.

Suzanne and Baby

2010-04-18T21:14:00.004-06:00

Is there still room to grow - and what will she look like? Blonde curly hair? Long legs, beautiful skin tones, wispy eye lashes? The excitement is building for her arrival!
4.16.2010

4.25.2010

Baby's Little Shower

2010-04-18T20:48:00.007-06:00

Suzanne was showered with gifts, love and friendship at her baby shower on April 10th. Melissa Rogers was the hostest with the mostest. We ate, we laughed and watched as Suzanne's eyes got very BIG over how itty bitty the baby clothes were!

Green and pink ... pink and green ... pretty baby shower colors

Future Bronco...

Maria, Helen, Suzanne and Roni

Susan, Vicky, Janie, and Suzanne

Meghan and Suzanne - friends from the womb, and both due with girls just a month apart!

Rose, Tammy and Suzanne

Michelle and Suzanne

Sheridan, Darla and Cheyenne

Snow Day in March, and it's Bloomin' Buds Time!

2010-03-31T16:57:00.002-06:00

One of my favorites, a saucer Magnolia Tree, just outside work during a rain - snow - hail - sleet day! The beautiful pink flower will only last a few weeks.

What a storm!

Foodies

2010-03-17T10:51:00.003-06:00

Some days a girl just has to bake. I made Cake Pops, and White Chocolate / Peanut Butter cookies. Sorry, they're all gone and they went fast!

Cake Pops
Bake your favorite chocolate cake.
Let cool.
Crumble into a bowl.
Mix in 1 can Cream Cheese Frosting
Shape into balls, place on sheet with silpat or wax paper
Chill a few hours
Melt 1 package of candy melts (I used pink) in the microwave
Insert a candy stick into each cake pop, dip into melted candy melt, and set stick into a piece of styrofoam to cool. Can be eaten off the stick, or placed on a tray with no stick.
Enjoy!

Downtown Clock

2010-03-17T10:43:00.003-06:00

Look at our new clock in downtown Mountain Home! Thanks to the Urban Renewal Agency, they purchased a new clock and installed it in Railroad Park. The park will have sidewalks and landscaping, and I can't wait to see it finished. Great beautification projection for downtown.

Mary Jo's Oscar Party

2010-03-17T10:41:00.004-06:00

Mary Jo's hosts her annual Oscar gala and it's so fun to sit in front a HUGE screen TV and watch the Red Carpet and movie stars with a room full of women! Mary Jo has trivia and prizes, and I won a DVD, and Darla was the big winner for the night!

Bunco for Breast Cancer 2010

2010-03-17T08:51:00.007-06:00

The 7th Annual Bunco for Breast Cancer was held on February 27. Our Mountain Home group hosted the spectular and fun event for women from all over Southern Idaho. Our goal: to raise breast cancer awareness and donate funds to help women obtain mammograms who otherwise might not be able to afford the screening. We raised nearly $7,000 and donated the money to the St. Luke's Health Foundation, Boise, Idaho. A big shout-out to everyone - it's everyone's contributions that make this such a great event. It's the dollar bills, the five dollar bills, the fifty dollar bills, and yes, one hundred dollar bills (I was getting coffee one morning and a friend dug into her wallet and donated $100 right there on the spot). It's a tough year, some donors donated less, others donated more, and we are very thankful to each of you.

If you need a mammogram, or know of someone in need of a mammogram, call the St. Luke's Breast Cancer Detection Center, 208.706.2055. They will take very good care of you.

The 2010 Bunco for Breast Cancer Committee
Toni, Bonnie, Tammy, Cortnie, Toni, Vicky, Suzanne, Rose, Fran, Mary (not pictured Lisa)

Survivors - Here's to You!

The Pink Glove Dance - Bunco Style!

Darla and Cheyenne - mother and daughter dancin' it up!

Vicky and Suzanne - mother and daughter celebrating in honor of our sister, our aunt, our grandmother

Rose, Angelina, and Mary - mother, daughter, and daughter-in-law celebrating for PaPa

Klea, Patty and Maxine - mother, daughter, and granddaughter celebrating for Maxine

Ali and Terri - mother and daughter celebrating in memory of Terri's sister Vicki.

A fun group of gals from Boise attended with their Bunco shirts designed just for our event!

Suzanne celebrates her birthday!

2010-03-17T08:48:00.002-06:00

Suzanne celebrated her birthday in March, and looks absolutely fabulous! Her baby bump with the little one inside is so ... precious! Birthday dinner at Flatbread Pizza in Bown Crossing was very yummy.

Birthdays...honestly

2010-02-19T14:07:00.005-07:00

Honestly, birthdays are a day of reflection for me. Usually the night before and the morning of my birthday I think a lot about my mom and dad, and what they were feeling on the day I was born. Okay, I've reflected and the day goes on...

I had a great lunch with my friends Darla, Mary Jo and Rose. They spoil me, and brought me great gifts. A girl always loves girlfriend gifts because they are so.. personal...some make me laugh, and some make me cry. Deb sent me a hilarious card, and a scented car freshner tucked in the card...now I think of her every time I jump into my little Honda. Tammy treated me to lunch on Thursday at the BSU Bronco Zone.

Dinner was celebrated at my favorite restaurant, Pad Thai at Overland and Five Mile. Jenny runs the place, and is always there to greet her customers with a smile and a hug. Birthday cake at Suzanne and Jeff's capped off a wonderful birthday. Thank you to all my friends and families - I love you all!

So far, I don't feel a day over ... let's say ... 50!. Yes, I will just stay at 50.

And who can't but love a bouquet of beautiful sunny flowers from their grand-dogs. Mattie and Tulo sent me some sunny flowers for my birthday. Sweet pooches. See, there is a tiara on my desk too, but can't quite bring myself to wear it at the office. Thanks Melissa!

Just after dinner, and before cake. One of the best birthdays.

Baby Girl * Coming Soon!

2010-02-18T20:24:00.004-07:00

On my 2010 birthday, Suzanne and her little wee one at 28 weeks. My daughter, and her daughter.

See, there she is, under her mom's sweater and inside her little baby cocoon, my little grand daughter! She is expected to make her appearance around the middle of May, perhaps, on my sister Debbie May's birthday (May 11) or my grandmother Florence May's birthday (May 13). Or, just maybe, Suzanne and Jeff's baby girl will create her own special birth.day!

Boise State Wins the 2010 Fiesta Bowl!

2010-01-30T19:45:00.006-07:00

Boise State beat TSU 17-10! Can you believe it? What a great game, and we are so glad we traveled to the land of the sun (Phoenix) to watch the Broncos in their victory.

I have so many pictures and saw so many people the few here are just a glimpse of our journey.

Christmas Eve 2009

2009-12-28T05:21:00.004-07:00

Merry Christmas from our house to yours.
Jeff, Suzanne, Vicky and Fred
Tulo, Rocco and Mattie

Shortest Day of the Year 2009

2009-12-22T21:05:00.005-07:00

Today we celebrate the first day of winter. The days will be a little longer from now until the summer solstice (my favorite day of the year). Old man winter has arrived screaming....wicked commute today as the roads were icy, snowy, and I saw about 5 wrecks in 10 minutes. Very S C A R Y!

Downtown Boise

Christmas Buckeyes

2009-12-22T20:52:00.004-07:00

I have Christmas memories of making a few sweet treats, cutting out sugar cookies on the kitchen table when I was about 4 years old at our Williams Street house, making chocolate swedish tea cakes, and my favorite treat, Buckeyes. Buckeyes are special peanut butter balls that look like a real Buckeye nut, from a Buckeye tree, that grows in Ohio. I made Buckeyes this year at Suzanne's request, and shared them with a few special people.

Here's the recipe Amy!

The Original Buckeye Recipe

1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 t. vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar

4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 T. shortening

1. Mix together peanut butter, vanilla, butter and powdered sugar. The dough will look dry. Roll into one large ball, and refrigerate dough about 30 minutes.
2. Roll into 1 inch balls, and place on a waxed paper-lined cookie sheet.
3. Press a toothpick into the top of each ball, and chill in freezer until firm, about 30 minutes.
4. Melt chocolate chips and shortening in microwave until melted. Stir frequently.
5. Dip frozen peanut butter balls in chocolate, holding onto the toothpick. Leave a small amount of peanut butter showing at the top to make them look like Buckeyes. Put back on the cookie sheet and refrigerate until serving.

Case Christmas Party 2009

2009-12-20T10:27:00.006-07:00

I have great friends. I am very blessed to have 2 amazing women in my life. Mary Jo and Darla. The Case Christmas party is fabulous and I love seeing everyone. Great food, great friends, and good cheer.

Mountain Home Holiday Light Parade

2009-12-18T15:15:00.006-07:00

Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce hosted a Holiday Night Light Parade on Dec 4th. I decorated the Bronco van with lights, wreaths, and tinsel and put her in the lineup with the other floats. Marcus and his friend waved and tossed out candy to the kids along the route, and we had great fun! But, burr, it was zero degrees!

Merry Christmas friends and family, and love and peace to you in 2010.

Oh my stars, Jeff and Suzanne are having a baby!

2009-12-18T10:40:00.005-07:00

Pssst....I am going to be a Grandmother! Nana, Nanni, Grandma, Mamo (gaelic for Grandmother) they are all good! Can I tell you how excited I am to see this new baby? The little one should have it's birth day in mid May, 2010.

Christmas Bunco

2009-12-18T10:33:00.003-07:00

Love our special Christmas Bunco that Toni hosts each year! We laugh, exchange ornmanets, and eat and drink until we are all very merry!

Merry Christmas Bunco Babes!
Front..Rose, Dawn, Dawn, Lisa, Sandy
Kris..going solo in the middle
Back...Vicky, Bonnie, Dorene, Toni, Tammy, Fran, Toni

St. Luke's Christmas Social

2009-12-18T10:26:00.006-07:00

I invited the gals I work with to a holiday social in the Bronco Zone at the Stueckle Sky Center to kick off the week before Christmas. We were so excited to see the city lights of downtown Boise, the blue turf, BUT the fog rolled in and we had no view.

Front: Joanne, Marilyn, Cheryl, Cathy, Sarah, Carol
Back: Melissa, Vicky, Terry, Becky

Tulo is waiting for Santa!

2009-12-15T20:58:00.003-07:00

Tulo's first Christmas. Next Christmas, Tulo will be a dog once more. Dogs are well, dogs, when a new baby takes over the house.

" Clink*Clink " ornament!

2009-12-15T20:48:00.005-07:00

This is my ornament for our Bunco ornament exchange...

and this was my inspiration ornament. I think the inspiration ornament wins the trophy. Simple as pie, take a margarita glass, fill it with glittery snow, and pop the prettiest ornament you have in the 'rita glass.

Boise State is headed to the Fiesta Bowl!

2009-12-15T20:29:00.005-07:00

2009 WAC Champs---Boise State University! BSU is playing TCU January 4, 2010 in the Fiesta Bowl. Phoenix here we come! A few days in the sun plus hitting all the Fiesta Bowl activities. Parade, pep rally and kick off is at 6 pm MDT. Go Broncos!
Kellen Moore, the best Quarterback in the Nation!

Buster, the Best Mascot in Nation!

Tostito's Fiesta Bowl ~ better be ready for Bronco Nation!

Kirby Moore post game after BSU won the 2009 WAC championship game - we all jumped on the field for the trophy presentation.

Shop with a Cop and the BSU vs. Idaho game

2009-11-22T17:25:00.010-07:00

As we were headed out of town to the Boise State vs. Idaho game, we stopped at Sunset C for a Red Bull and Coffee (no, we really didn't need any more hype). The Citizens on Patrol (COPS) and volunteers were collecting donations for our local youngsters to go shopping with a cop before Christmas. We made our donation, and COPS wanted a team picture with the Bronco Van.

Nice work and thanks to the volunteers - I think they made a couple hundred bucks in a few hours for the Mountain Home kids.

My family - the two girls and the two guys

Doug, Kim and Andy ~ always room for orange and blue Jello!

Horizon Airline's Boise State University airplane. The plane did a fly over before the Boise State vs. Idaho game Nov 14 09. Beautiful plane. This is the plane that the Univ. of Idaho AD would not board on the flight from northern Idaho to Boise for the big in-state rivalry game. Funny thing was the BSU Horizon plane didn't make national news UNTIL the U of I athletic director refused to get on the plane which was to take him to Boise. He drove to Spokane and jumped on another flight.

A guy brought his Llama decked out in Bronco gear. Llamas love Broncos - hope that doesn't mess nature up.

Beer Pong on a Bronco Board

And one more Bronco Beer Pong table

NO. 6 BOISE STATE WINS GOVERNOR'S CUP WITH DOMINATING 63-25 WIN OVER IDAHO!

Get out your bread supplies

2009-10-30T22:24:00.003-06:00

I found a delicious bread recipe that is so SIMPLE even I can make it. Using lecithin and yeast, I had dinner on the table in 90 minutes on Sunday afternoon. Try it, your family will love it! Let me know if you want the recipe. This recipe mades 4 batches, next time I'll cut the recipe in half!

Southwest Chicken Braid, Italian Bread, Strawberry/Cream Cheese Braid

BSU vs. UC Davis Victory!

2009-10-30T22:18:00.004-06:00

October 30, 2009...Victory over UC Davis.

Vicky, Suzanne and Rose - bronco nation at it's best!

H1N1 Desktop

2009-10-30T22:12:00.005-06:00

Some of us use the new Windows 7 operating system, this is MY new operating system and what I have on my desk top at work...4 hand sanitizers. I've had my shot so hopefully I am out of the woods.

Check out the sweet card on my desk for those of you who haven't heard the happy news yet.

Only in Mountain Home...at Wal Mart

2009-10-30T22:09:00.005-06:00

would you see this license plate, along with a skulll and feather hood ornament!

Dancing with the Stars Gala Preimere Night

2009-10-25T22:01:00.003-06:00

Rose and I are DWTS groupies...we call and text every week with our expert opinions and critiques of the couples. Rose hosted a premiere night at her home so we all watched the opening night together. Bonnie, Lisa, Tammy, Dawn, Rose and I are all DWTS wanna-bees. Don't forget to vote - our "puppy love" favorite is Donny Osmond!

Women's Fitness Celebration 2009

2009-10-25T21:47:00.006-06:00

Time to Celebrate and Enjoy the Good Times! Rose, Suzanne and I had a great morning - walked fast, ate some good food in the park, and strolled through the Saturday Market and bought a few fun things.

Met an old friend on the course, Suzanne Holl. She is a walking chick for sure! Was great to see her again!

Air Force Appreciation Day 2009

2009-09-14T21:11:00.007-06:00

A very local and very favorite event in Mountain Home is Air Force Appreciation Day. Every year our town says "thank you" to the those that serve in the U.S. Air Force with a HUGE parade, free BBQ, and lots of fun and games in Carl Miller Park.

I remember my first parade in 1970 ~ rode in the back of an American Legion float with Debbie Rist and jr. high friends. Then spent the high school years marching with the MHHS drill team and cheerleaders. As an adult I spent many AFAD days with civic groups raising money at various fund raising booths and had some great times. Now I love to walk around and say hi friends, eat a chorizo, maybe even splurge on a funnel cake, and then walk 1 block back to my house!

One of the fire trucks with a couple of family men on board.

Carl Miller Park on Air Force Appreciation Day

Suzanne Rescues a Dog!

2009-09-14T20:57:00.006-06:00

Suzanne has been swimming and training for the upcoming Alcatraz Invitational Swim aka Shark Fest in San Francisco. She swims in a local pond (yuk, pond water), and a few Saturdays ago, she came across a little pup stranded on a dock. She pulled the little guy from the dock and searched for an owner but had no luck. After several days of posting a "lost dog" ad and checking with the humane society, no one claimed this little puppy.

Lucky little dog now lives with Suzanne, Jeff, Grif, Rem and Mattie and his name is Tulo. Sure looks like a Manchester Terrier. And, Tulo as many of you know, is a baseball player with the Colorado Rockies.

Puppy Tulo weighs 7 lbs 6 oz. Newborn size. Come on guys, he is a puppy and not a baby. I asked for grandkids and I got a grand-puppy! Tulo is adorable and has already had a sleep-over at our place.

Broncos Ditch the Ducks!

2009-09-14T20:30:00.007-06:00

The blue turf is ready. The players throw down the hammer. Biggest game in BSU history. The stadium is packed and the game is sold out! Boise State Broncos vs. the Oregon Ducks. The Broncos cruise to a 19-8 victory over the Ducks and Boise erupts into a victory celebration! Sep 3 2009

I LOVE IT!

Color theme of the game - Orange, Blue and White (looks good on ESPN)

The Broncos take the field - the energy is electrifying!

Mountain Homers - Dawn, Brandie, Denise, Vicky, and Janet

Me and my Bronco Buddy Rose

Bud Light had a great idea - market their beer cans in collegiate colors. I guess they figured it would allow fans to show their school spirit. Here are two cans in the Boise State and Oregon colors BEFORE the stores pulled the cans stating it promotes underage drinking. Helloooo - youngsters are going to drink beer no matter what colors are on the cans!

Boise Curb Cup ~ August 2009

2009-09-14T20:10:00.007-06:00

What a great idea - incredible free entertainment - the first Annual "Boise Curb Cup". Kind of like "Boise's Got Talent" in the streets of downtown Boise. I would guess there were over 100 acts from belly dancers to rock bands to an almost naked pair of singers with their guitars. Big shout to the Mark Rivers, a creative genius who also brought us, yes, BoDo.

Highland BagPipers - Love the bagpipes, don't you?

Only at Moon's Kitchen would I wait 35 minutes for a chocolate shake on a 100' degree day. Yum!

Suzanne and Jeff's Slideshow is now live for viewing!

2009-08-24T22:36:00.003-06:00

A perfect day, a beautiful bride, and a very handsome groom. A mother's wish is for her daughter to marry a man who will love and honor her all the days of her life. My wish has come true.

Jeff Haynes and Suzanne Bresnahan Haynes
Married August 15, 2009

Wedding Slideshow is available at www.idahohaynes.blogspot.com. Leave a note if you'd like and enjoy the pictures from their celebration of love.

Reheasal and Dinner Aug 14 09

2009-08-21T21:41:00.010-06:00

Let the fun begin! Going to the Chapel, and they are gonna PRACTICE to get married!

Everyone has arrived, planes have landed, and guests have checked into the beautiful Hampton Inn in BoDo in Downtown Boise.

Rehearsal was at Christ Chapel then off to Julia Davis Park for a BBQ dinner catered by Goodwood BBQ. No one makes better BBQ sauce with pulled pork, beef brisket, western baked beans, creamy coleslaw and potato salad.

Ta-Da ... it's almost time for "Here Comes the Bride"!

Suzanne and her pretty maids - what a group of great friends!
Crystal, Denise, Kelly, Meghan, Abby, Melissa, and Suzanne

Suzanne and her dads, Fred and Steve

Suzanne and Jeff

It's Chapel Time!

Fred and Suzanne

Rose, MOB Vicky and Gwen

My sisters -- Ann, Darlene, Debbie and Vicky

My soon to be married daughter, and her momma

Friday before the Wedding

2009-08-21T21:36:00.006-06:00

Our Friday morning started early when the 7 Mullen Maniacs drove to Mountain Home from Boise bright and early to pick up two cars for the wedding..a big Chevy Suburban to tote the bride and maids in, and a two door soft top Mercedes for Suzanne to cruise around in and have fun during her wedding celebrations.

No trip to Mountain Home is complete without a stop at our favorite Moxie Java and coffee steamed by our very own Glenn!

Bottoms Up, or make that, Jazz Hands Up!

Two weeks til I DO for Suzanne and Jeff!

2009-08-01T09:43:00.003-06:00

Wedding Website www.mywedding.com/suzanneandjeff

Suzanne's Bridal Shower Jul 25 2009

2009-07-31T16:17:00.006-06:00

Fun day at Suzanne's bridal shower hosted by one of her pretty maids, Melissa Rogers. Suzanne is loved by many - Grandma was there, Aunt Janie and Aunt Susan, cousin Jen, and lots and lots of friends. My only daughter, my favorite daughter, is soon to be married and is SO happy and SO excited to start her life along side Jeff, Grif and Rem.

Suzanne and her Nana, Roni

Suzanne and her sweet friend Melissa, and her maid of honor!

Kristina, Suzanne and Bonnie

Suzanne and her family, Grandma Betty, Aunt Janie, Aunt Susan, Zan, cousin Jen, Vicky

Suzanne, Colby, Kelly

With her friend Megan Glindeman

Wedding Signage

2009-07-31T16:04:00.006-06:00

I found a great idea on the web, and wanted to incorporate signage at Suzanne and Jeff's wedding. Using damask wrapping paper, artist canvas, and a color printer, I made signs for various spots at the reception. Saved buck dollars by making them myself!

We are inviting the guests to stop at the picture booth (near the guestbook table) and have their snapshot taken so I made a "Photo Shoppe" sign.

Happy Birthday Rose!

2009-07-31T16:01:00.003-06:00

Rose, Vicky and Suzanne at Flatbread in Bown Crossing celebrating Rose's birthday. Here's to you Rose!

Kenny Chesney Concert July 14

2009-07-31T15:54:00.004-06:00

Great show Kenny! Thank you for stopping by Boise on your Sun City Carnival Tour 2009!

Tammy and Vicky pre-concert

Spudman Triathlon Jul 2009

2009-07-11T19:23:00.003-06:00

What a finish! What a race! Suzanne competed in her first Boise Spudman Triathlon today! Great job Zan!