Green Smoothies

GREEN SMOOTHIES!!!

Here you go! So many of you have asked how I make my green smoothies and I have taken the time to put together an AMAZING ... descriptive ... post so you can all make them yourself. They are so worth it! Get ready to LIVE ... 

Get ready for Green Smoothies!

Click here for your smoothie instructions

AND ENJOY MY NEW BLOG ... HAPPY COLON CLUB

Caramie and Eimarac ... what cuties!

Caramie and Emmy got their Mommy/Daughter pictures taken. ADORABLE! And guess what, there's another little bun in the oven! We're so happy for them. We can't wait for future pictures of their family with TWO KIDS. And ... we wonder if they'll have a boy named Ivel??? (Levi spelled backwards) ... Stay tuned!

Our Pals the Powells

Dinner with the Powell's always results in laughter, good food and often something interesting and unexpected. Last night Randi pulled out a BUBBLE WRAP iphone game and handed it to my husband ... yes, the one that never plays or advocates any kind of video game. In mere seconds, the man was sucked into the little box and pounding recklessly and desperately. We all watched in awe. There was no more talk ... just a determined Dowdle with fast moving thumbs!  And as you can see, he tied Randi's top score (booyea ... did I just say that). What will this do to the man's principles, habits and character in the future? ....

to be determined ...

stand by ...

time can only tell ...

pray for him ...

Within seconds, Eric ties the mighty Randi in the Bubble Wrap Popping game

We love the Powells ... how could we not. They're adorable!

A little proud of my husband, letting down his guard for a little video game dabble ... and possibly the start of an addiction for play ... yea right.

Steady, sure, determined, conquering ... all characteristics any woman would find sexy in the man for which she shares her children. Sniff ... I need a moment. I'm so proud. 

How are YOU going to finish?

January is almost over. How are you doing on your goals? Last week was a bad eating week for me and my health really took a hit. But today is MONDAY ... a wonderful springboard for getting back up and trying  again. Yippee for Mondays! Whatever your goals ... dreams ... habits ... or just the ability to cope through these trying times ... KEEP GOING and hang in there. Learn to love the U-turn and use it all the time by turning around and getting back on board ... every day if necessary.

Keep going ... the journey can be very forgiving. It's how you finish that really matters. So KEEP GOING.

WATCH ME

click here for an inspirational video clip

"... for I will go before your face. 

I will be on your right hand 

and on your left, 

and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, 

and mine angels round about you, 

to bear you up."

D&C 84:88

Dowdle Fireside

Deb and Eric Dowdle, Eve & Michael Dowdle

We had a wonderful time last night with our friends, Michael and Eve Dowdle. Eric and Mike did a youth fireside on keeping the Spirit of God in our lives and being an example. They did it for the Big Cottonwood Stake in Holladay. The leaders there were very gracious. 

Eric spoke on the effects that art and music has on the Spirit. He told some great stories that had the kids laughing (he wouldn't be Eric if he didn't). He also shared a personal experience that helped everyone see that our greatest masterpieces are found in the lives of our children. It was beautiful and there were a few tears. 

Michael demonstrated through his guitar how the Spirit feels (beautiful!). The Spirit was very strong and the kids got to keep the memory for future reference. He also talked of intelligence (light and truth) and how when we are "in tune", we feel comfort and warmth. He demonstrated an "out of tune" feeling effectively and everyone winced. 

It was a great evening. We feel very blessed to have Mike and Eve as friends, and to have the gospel in our lives.

Claire's Birthday

Claire turned 24 on January 6th. The weather was horrendous so we missed her birthday party. She and Caleb came by later and we spent some girl time together. I love my baby sister!

Happy Birthday Claire!

Ashton is Born!

Please Welcome to the World

Ashton Kade Collins

January 12, 2009 - 7:50 p.m.

6 lbs 11 oz - 21 inches

 Intermountain Medical Center - Murray, UT

He looks like a little teddy bear

One very tired mama-bear ... and one very proud papa-bear

Finally seeing the face of her son

Photo op with Deb's family

Showing little Ashton to the world

A new cousin ... Cody and Audrey are very pleased

"Hey everyone ... check out his big feet"

Kimberly doesn't look so little any more! And she doesn't seem too happy about being replaced as the center of attention.

There's nothing like that feeling you get when you realize you're now a parent

Aunt Jane and Kimmy in the waiting room

Ethan falling asleep in the waiting room ... so cute!

Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Wendy ... waiting ... and waiting ... and waiting ... 

Will makes the announcement that baby is here and Linda jumps into his arms

The third waiting room experience in four months! A lot of babies being born into the family right now. We love it!

Waiting on the other side of the room ... Jaime's family

The doctor has done her job and is very pleased

A very happy Aunt ... Will is the first brother to have a child. Yippee ... you win!

Granny couldn't be happier. She loves her Wiffy!

Deb and Granny wait for their turn to see Ashton

The little kids are well entertained by hours of computer games ... ugh - moosh brain

Cousins, Heidi and Shawn chill and text as they contentedly await their new little cousin 

Grandma Collins ... the squishiest Granny ever! Ashton's going to LOVE her!

Hours of waiting ... but well worth the wait!!!

Congratulations Will & Jaime. You did it! 

You became parents and you're going to LOVE it!!!

Auntie Es had a birthday

Mom and Xoe open a very girly present

Baby Luke taking a very snugly snooze

Happy Birthday Auntie Es! 

You finally got all your babies here. 2009 will be a wonderful year for you ... enjoy a healthy body, your beautiful family, and the next chapter of your life! 

Happy 20th Ryan!!!

Happy Birthday Elder Thompson

20 Years Old!

January 13, 2009

click on the picture for more detail

Ry, we miss you and hope you have a wonderful birthday on Tuesday. Mom made the We sign, Joey made the heart (with a dead guy next to it because he almost died of the fumes), Autumn made the funky Ryan name, and Cody made a picture of you on your birthday (complete with balloons, presents, a sun and animal footprints). Eric, who is still suffering from a back injury laid on the couch and did nothing. He loves you and will draw for you soon. Shawn was with your Dad all day and showed up in time to be thrown in the photo. WE ALL LOVE YOU!

Meat ... both dangerous and delightful

Dad, Cody and Mom

Amber, James and Dan Dowdle

Mark and Niki Dowdle

MORE MEAT PLEASE!

Mark and Niki Dowdle (Eric's brother) made a ski trip to Utah so we snagged them for dinner. Dan and Amber (Mark's son) and their baby James joined us for a carnivorous feast at Tucano's Brazilian Grill. The food was both delicious and deadly. Our favorite carcass was the bacon wrapped turkey and the bacon wrapped filet (hmmm ... there seems to be a pig theme doesn't there?) We surely love our Dowdle family. 

Aunt Irene

Irene Black Wrigley

90 years young

Deb and Aunt Irene make their own photo-op

 

Aunt Irene shows me her jewelry that she hopes to leave to my Mom and Aunt's families one day

Her most cherished necklace, a Relief Society President pendent 

I had the wonderful privilege of meeting my Great Aunt on Friday. Aunt Irene was my Grandmother's older sister, and now the only living member of her family. 

My Grandma Jean died when my Mom was only eight years old and our family hasn't know that side of the family very well. Aunt Irene and I have been e-mailing a bit, which has been a tremendous treat. We finally found a time after the holidays for me to make the drive to Logan where we had a lovely visit. We had lunch at Village Inn and then went back to her studio apartment where we chatted and she told me some stories that I recorded. It was quite the feast for the family history bug that lives inside me!

I felt as if I as meeting my own Grandma for the first time, which made me teary. 

Thank you Aunt Irene for your time and your heart. You are a wonderful and admirable woman!

PLEASE WATCH ME

My Mom sent me this inspiring video clip today and it moved me to tears.

PLEASE WATCH ... click below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcHQ8LOdmYM&feature=related

We all spend so much time wishing for more comforts in life ... a bigger home, a thinner waist, more cheese on our pizza, a faster car, sparklier Christmas decorations than our neighbors, sexier shoes ... 

or even things like, a job, food, and a roof over our heads ...

but this video reminds us so completely where the Savior's desires were (ARE), and where we should spend more of our own thoughts and energy. 

What a beautiful gift to the world is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I feel so blessed to be able to associate my name with theirs!  

Cute Toes

Our adorable friends ...

Kirby & Debbie Zenger

We miss you guys!

Everyone Welcome Luke to the World!

Luke Justin Zonts

January 1, 2009

American Fork Hospital - 4:51 p.m.

7 lbs. 6 oz.

20 in. 

A brand spankin' new baby boy

It's been a while since Eric has seen Jaime ... obviously

Aunt Deb loves her new little nephew

Aunt Jaime, only days to go before her little Ashton is born, takes an adoring peek at cousin Luke

Two sisters are elated to have a baby brother

"Pizza for everyone!" Shawn jumps all over that.

A very tired mom and baby

Dad and Uncle sit obediently

Aunt Jaime and Uncle Will get their turn ... and anticipate their own son 

Es, just wheeled from surgery ... "I can't feel my feet!"

Aunt Jodie gets her turn ... finally

A proud Daddy

Eric tests Es to see if she can feel her feet ... what a nice guy

Aunt Deb and Uncle Eric

Justin chases Xoe down the hospital halls

Congratulations Justin and Esther! We love you.