Inspired by the Olympics, Steve and I deiced to pass the Cookie Night torch last Sunday to Robin and Dan. Hosting Cookie Night has been a lot of fun and I really want to thank everyone who trekked up the three flights of stairs every week to come. We hope to see all of you at Dan and Robin’s house! There are a few reasons why we are going to switch venues. First, with church, eating with Steve’s family at 2:00, dinner with my family at 6, and then rushing home to clean up and make cookies was getting a bit much. Also, with school starting again we both wake up early- that is ok with me, but Steve is not a morning person… We are still be going to Cookie Night because we still love all of you and want to hang out Sunday nights. Thanks to Bethia and Jeremy for starting this tradition, thanks to Dean and Meg for doing it for so long, and to Dan and Robin for taking over. Also thanks to Robin, Mindy, and Moe for bringing treats so often. Here are some highlights from cookie night at our place:

Shanna, Aimee, Laura, me, Megan, Gregg, Tyler and Lacey.

Even better than the cookies is always the music.

I don’t like to pick favorites, but Ellie is by far the cutest cookie night guest ever!

Nerds! Cookie night is not complete without talking about computers.

Dan and Steve doing some male bonding over technology.

Thank you all again. You bring the spice into our lives.

A few weeks ago went to the bachelorette party for one of my best friends T Foxley, and I had no idea what to get her. I don’t ever know what to for these kinds of things- I don’t dare guess at a size for lingerie, I don’t want to get some of the silly novelty thing for shock value that will never get used, and I don’t want to buy anything too crazy. I wanted to think of something practical but fitting for a bacheloreete party. I came up with the idea buying a colander, ladle, pasta sauce, Parmesan cheese, and to spice it up some anatomically correct pasta. Practical and clever.

The idea was the easy part- getting it was hard since I live in Utah county. There are only 2 stores to possibly find this special pasta and I was relieved when the first place I called had some. When I go to the store I asked for the pasta and I was told by the manager that they are no longer allowed to sell it- they have pulled it off the shelf and it is sitting in the back room. Apparently the county came in and demanded that they stop selling anything with reference to the male body. Oh the joys of living in a neoconservative city! It was the centerpiece of my whole gift- without it I would be back to a boring and totally practical gift! Not acceptable. The ironic part is that the store is still allowed to sell bongs and things with marijuana pictures on it… ummm, last time I checked pot is still illegal and sex is not. I was frustrated and the manger had pity on me and finally said, “you know what, it is my last day- I’ll sell you some.” I win, I win! Thanks to the unnamed manager of the unnamed store for being a great American by breaking the law selling pasta to me!

To celebrate 08/08/08 we had an 8 themed breakfast at work– my boss’s idea and Sonya and I took it to the next level. It also was our good bye party for Carol who will be leave to go work at the U of U (traitor!). Here are the highlights of our party!

Notice all the round fruit that make 8’s when they are put together. I even stuck sliced bananas and grapes together with tooth picks to make an 8.

My boss Ed making 8 pancakes.

Sonya and her fancy pancake. Gotta love it!

No party is complete without donuts- which conveniently form and 8 when you have 2 of them together.

The Deaf Services staff of ASD- Carol, Sonya, me, and Laurie