This is dedicated to my family, but especially Caitlin and Tracy (and also to Alyssa whose doubted her Dad in the first place).
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Baking with Mom
I always have a partner in the kitchen, especially when it comes to baking cookies. Alyssa has to dump, sprinkle, and stir all the ingredients, but the most important part is licking the beater. She constantly asks me throughout the whole process if she can lick the beater. Even right after I mix the first two ingredients which is usually butter and sugar. I'm tempted to let her try it. Maybe she won't be so eager to lick it until the end!
We recently made Rolo cookies which are to die for! I received this recipe from Summer a couple years ago and now it is a family favorite! It takes a little extra time to wrap the dough around each rolo, but I have a more than willing helper and it is so worth it in the end! They taste so good!
Here's the recipe if you'd like to try!
Chocolate Rolo Cookies
2-1/2 c. flour
3/4 c. Cocoa
1 tsp. soda
1 c. sugar
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. butter softened
2 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
48 rolos
extra sugar
Preheat oven to 375. Combine flour, cocoa and soda. In a large bowl cream butter and both sugars until fluffy. Add vanilla and eggs then slowly mix in dry ingredients. Shape 1 Tbsp of dough around each rolo and roll around in extra sugar. (You may need to add more flour if the dough is too sticky to work with.) Bake 7-10 minutes until slightly cracked and let cool.
While we cook, Addi is usually busy getting into my cupboards, or playing with her favorite toys. Her usual rounds in the kitchen include taking out my veggie steamer piece by piece, pulling out the tupperware lids, then pulling out a few sterilite drawers in one of the cupboards that hold bibs, and other baby items. I don't know why I even bother picking them up ten times a day!
I cannot believe how much she loves these trains. I don't know what else she'd get into if we didn't have these trains to keep her attention while we're downstairs.
One more thing...I found these cute pictures on my camera that I never downloaded back in June. Thank you Kathleen for these adorable dresses!!
We recently made Rolo cookies which are to die for! I received this recipe from Summer a couple years ago and now it is a family favorite! It takes a little extra time to wrap the dough around each rolo, but I have a more than willing helper and it is so worth it in the end! They taste so good!
Here's the recipe if you'd like to try!
Chocolate Rolo Cookies
2-1/2 c. flour
3/4 c. Cocoa
1 tsp. soda
1 c. sugar
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. butter softened
2 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
48 rolos
extra sugar
Preheat oven to 375. Combine flour, cocoa and soda. In a large bowl cream butter and both sugars until fluffy. Add vanilla and eggs then slowly mix in dry ingredients. Shape 1 Tbsp of dough around each rolo and roll around in extra sugar. (You may need to add more flour if the dough is too sticky to work with.) Bake 7-10 minutes until slightly cracked and let cool.
While we cook, Addi is usually busy getting into my cupboards, or playing with her favorite toys. Her usual rounds in the kitchen include taking out my veggie steamer piece by piece, pulling out the tupperware lids, then pulling out a few sterilite drawers in one of the cupboards that hold bibs, and other baby items. I don't know why I even bother picking them up ten times a day!
I cannot believe how much she loves these trains. I don't know what else she'd get into if we didn't have these trains to keep her attention while we're downstairs.
One more thing...I found these cute pictures on my camera that I never downloaded back in June. Thank you Kathleen for these adorable dresses!!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Alyssa's First Day of Preschool
Alyssa had her first day of school on Wednesday. I was actually so excited for her because I knew how much she would love it. After 2 and a half hours, I couldn't wait to pick her up to see how her day was. The moment she saw me, there was no greeting because she burst out into song. She started singing the new song she learned in class. It was the funniest, and cutest, thing ever. She sung it over and over again. Sorry the video is sideways...
Addi is just enjoying being outside for once while we take pictures.
Show and tell was on the first day too. She chose to show off her Belle Barbie doll. Lys told me that the "naughty" boy said he wanted to hit it and break it. Wow. Sounds like a fun kid to have in class.
Meeting some of the kids
And one more video just for fun. Lys has probably watched this 50 times now.
Monday, August 11, 2008
How we've been spending our summer time
Reading. Just like Alyssa, Addi loves to read! Addi will sit in her room for up to an hour flipping through the pages of her books. Occasionally I will hear her laughing at some of the pages. I love when they sit in the room together and read. This is so nice for me!
More Reading (and some playing too!). Steve has had a lot of reading to get done this first year of his Derm Residency. Addi just likes to be next to him waiting for a break when he'll play with her (which comes often cuz he just can't resist!)
Basket Rides. After I'm finished with laundry, sometimes I'll give the girls a quick ride in the laundry basket. This time, after I was worn out, Alyssa decided to give it a try and Addi loved it! She just kept laughing!
The Ball Pit. After seeing how much Clark loved his ball pit, I had to get one for Alyssa and Addi. We already had a tent that Dave and Cindy gave to Lys for her birthday, so I used that and added a few bags of balls, now it's the perfect ball pit that they play in every day!
Art Musuem. We recently went to the Children's Art Museum too. We went late in the afternoon and were basically the only ones there. Addi found this tiny couch that she just loved to sit on because it was just her size. She probably sat there for 10 min, then left for a min and went right back to it.
Alyssa got to do her favorite thing... arts and crafts in every room! She made a hat, colored plates, did rub drawings with crayons, and a few other things too!
At the Table Manners exhibit, one of the places they taught etiquette was in Japan. Alyssa loved trying to use the chopsticks. You can tell how hard she is concentrating here and she was so proud that she was able to pick some food up with them.
More Reading (and some playing too!). Steve has had a lot of reading to get done this first year of his Derm Residency. Addi just likes to be next to him waiting for a break when he'll play with her (which comes often cuz he just can't resist!)
Basket Rides. After I'm finished with laundry, sometimes I'll give the girls a quick ride in the laundry basket. This time, after I was worn out, Alyssa decided to give it a try and Addi loved it! She just kept laughing!
The Ball Pit. After seeing how much Clark loved his ball pit, I had to get one for Alyssa and Addi. We already had a tent that Dave and Cindy gave to Lys for her birthday, so I used that and added a few bags of balls, now it's the perfect ball pit that they play in every day!
Art Musuem. We recently went to the Children's Art Museum too. We went late in the afternoon and were basically the only ones there. Addi found this tiny couch that she just loved to sit on because it was just her size. She probably sat there for 10 min, then left for a min and went right back to it.
Alyssa got to do her favorite thing... arts and crafts in every room! She made a hat, colored plates, did rub drawings with crayons, and a few other things too!
At the Table Manners exhibit, one of the places they taught etiquette was in Japan. Alyssa loved trying to use the chopsticks. You can tell how hard she is concentrating here and she was so proud that she was able to pick some food up with them.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Alyssa and Addi have been tagged!
Of course Addi couldn't really answer the questions, but here are the answers that Alyssa gave...
What does Mommy always say to you?
I don't know. (me: can you think of something). I love you? (ok that's a good one)
What makes Mommy happy?
Cleaning up (well, maybe when it's all done!)
What makes Mommy sad?
Not cleaning up. (Gosh is that I do?)
How does Mommy make you laugh?
By doing silly things. (me:Like what?) Squirts me with the water bottle, does my hair silly in the bathtub.
How old is Mommy?
3. No, you're not three. Yeah, 3.
How tall is Mommy?
So tall!
What does Mommy like to do?
Clean up. (me: what else?) Sing and Eat. (I don't know where singing came from, but she got the last one right!)
What is Mommy's job?
Cleaning up. (Gee, You'd think my house would be a lot cleaner!)
What is Mommy's favorite food?
Sandwiches. Ham and Cheese ones. (I have one for lunch almost everyday!)
How do you know that Mommy loves you?
This much. (no, how do you know? what do I do to show you?) Then she spreads her arms out wider...This much!
Thanks Leah for this fun tag!!! I tag Tyler, Dave, Carter, and James Nelson, and Derek, Mason, and Aaron Marrs, and Blake, Grace, and London Sanders and Saylor Slade.
What does Mommy always say to you?
I don't know. (me: can you think of something). I love you? (ok that's a good one)
What makes Mommy happy?
Cleaning up (well, maybe when it's all done!)
What makes Mommy sad?
Not cleaning up. (Gosh is that I do?)
How does Mommy make you laugh?
By doing silly things. (me:Like what?) Squirts me with the water bottle, does my hair silly in the bathtub.
How old is Mommy?
3. No, you're not three. Yeah, 3.
How tall is Mommy?
So tall!
What does Mommy like to do?
Clean up. (me: what else?) Sing and Eat. (I don't know where singing came from, but she got the last one right!)
What is Mommy's job?
Cleaning up. (Gee, You'd think my house would be a lot cleaner!)
What is Mommy's favorite food?
Sandwiches. Ham and Cheese ones. (I have one for lunch almost everyday!)
How do you know that Mommy loves you?
This much. (no, how do you know? what do I do to show you?) Then she spreads her arms out wider...This much!
Thanks Leah for this fun tag!!! I tag Tyler, Dave, Carter, and James Nelson, and Derek, Mason, and Aaron Marrs, and Blake, Grace, and London Sanders and Saylor Slade.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
The Past Few Weeks...
I'm finally back to post a few pictures. I have been busy scrapping away and I just finished my eleventh album! Scrap, scrap, scrap it up! And I'm still a year behind. Maybe it's a good thing there are no good shows to watch during the summertime. I'm getting so much done!
Awhile ago, I put Alyssa's hair in a side ponytail for the first time. I thought she looked pretty cute bringing back a little 80's style.
Our Vacation at the Cabin
We went up to the Nelson's cabin in Utah in Sundance and had an absolute blast. I actually had to hold back tears when we left. It was way too much fun and I can't wait to go again!
One the first day, Kathleen sent the kids on a nature scavenger hunt and Steve was their guide. Lys became fascinated and obsessed with worms. She was dedicated to find one everyday for the rest of the week. She was even brave enough to touch them!
She is pulling the sticky worm off and I couldn't believe it. Gross!
We also went to the Alpine Slides. The coaster was my favorite. It was so fast! Alyssa rode with Steve and she loved it! She even had her hands up for a bit.
For the last 3 or 4 nights, Cindy, Kent and I played dominoes (the mexican train version) for at least 3 hours! The games often lasted until 2 am. I could barely get up with the kids the next morning, but it was so worth it. I looked forward to it every night!
On one of the nights, I walked into the bathroom and was frightened by hundreds of moths that came flying at me as I opened the door! I closed the door so fast before I was attacked. The window had been left open and the light was on. Kent solved the problem with the most practical way...use the Shop Vac!
We went to Gondolfo's for lunch one of the days and I couldn't believe that my picky eater was actually eating a regular sandwich with meat in it! Who could pass up Gondolfo's? They need one in Mesa!
Cindy and I went to see Kung Fu Panda with Rex and Lys, while the rest of the family went to see the Hulk. Well, except Steve. He tried to take Addi, but ended up walking Provo Mall. He was so disappointed.
On the last day, we went to BYU to eat, walk around, and to see Kristina and Sara! We were sad that Jeff couldn't make it. Hopefully next time! We had a good time walking the campus and catching up on the last few years. We hadn't seen each other since I was 3 months pregnant with Alyssa! It was sad to say goodbye again!
While I was hanging with Kristina, everyone else went bowling. Alyssa enjoyed her first time.
We had so much fun at the cabin and we look forward to next year!
Fourth of July
We had a pancake breakfast and bike parade that morning at 7 with our ward. We were a little late and ended up missing the bike parade. (They did it first to avoid the heat). I was sooooo sad because we spent the previous evening decorating her bike!! Since many people missed it, we had our own little bike parade afterwards. Alyssa had so much fun decorating her bike the night before and couldn't wait to ride it.
Here she is showing off her bike to Jeramy and Sawyer.
And Lastly, here is Addi with her new found toy. I didn't catch the best part, but she was cracking up so hard every time it would pop. The longer she played with it, she sounded more like a squealing little piggy.
Awhile ago, I put Alyssa's hair in a side ponytail for the first time. I thought she looked pretty cute bringing back a little 80's style.
We went up to the Nelson's cabin in Utah in Sundance and had an absolute blast. I actually had to hold back tears when we left. It was way too much fun and I can't wait to go again!
One the first day, Kathleen sent the kids on a nature scavenger hunt and Steve was their guide. Lys became fascinated and obsessed with worms. She was dedicated to find one everyday for the rest of the week. She was even brave enough to touch them!
She is pulling the sticky worm off and I couldn't believe it. Gross!
We also went to the Alpine Slides. The coaster was my favorite. It was so fast! Alyssa rode with Steve and she loved it! She even had her hands up for a bit.
For the last 3 or 4 nights, Cindy, Kent and I played dominoes (the mexican train version) for at least 3 hours! The games often lasted until 2 am. I could barely get up with the kids the next morning, but it was so worth it. I looked forward to it every night!
On one of the nights, I walked into the bathroom and was frightened by hundreds of moths that came flying at me as I opened the door! I closed the door so fast before I was attacked. The window had been left open and the light was on. Kent solved the problem with the most practical way...use the Shop Vac!
We went to Gondolfo's for lunch one of the days and I couldn't believe that my picky eater was actually eating a regular sandwich with meat in it! Who could pass up Gondolfo's? They need one in Mesa!
Cindy and I went to see Kung Fu Panda with Rex and Lys, while the rest of the family went to see the Hulk. Well, except Steve. He tried to take Addi, but ended up walking Provo Mall. He was so disappointed.
On the last day, we went to BYU to eat, walk around, and to see Kristina and Sara! We were sad that Jeff couldn't make it. Hopefully next time! We had a good time walking the campus and catching up on the last few years. We hadn't seen each other since I was 3 months pregnant with Alyssa! It was sad to say goodbye again!
While I was hanging with Kristina, everyone else went bowling. Alyssa enjoyed her first time.
We had so much fun at the cabin and we look forward to next year!
We had a pancake breakfast and bike parade that morning at 7 with our ward. We were a little late and ended up missing the bike parade. (They did it first to avoid the heat). I was sooooo sad because we spent the previous evening decorating her bike!! Since many people missed it, we had our own little bike parade afterwards. Alyssa had so much fun decorating her bike the night before and couldn't wait to ride it.
Here she is showing off her bike to Jeramy and Sawyer.
And Lastly, here is Addi with her new found toy. I didn't catch the best part, but she was cracking up so hard every time it would pop. The longer she played with it, she sounded more like a squealing little piggy.
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