March 2011

March was a fun and crazy month. We had lots of volleyball as usual, lots of playing inside wishing it were spring as usual, and lots of partying with friends. We had a fun get a way up at Sundance with some of our favorite people, said goodbye to a good friend that was moving, attended Rob's mission reunion, and went to some fun bday parties. We got to have quite a few dates (a rarity especially during season!), visit the children's museum at gateway, and welcome a new soul into the world!

Here are all the boys at Chris' Bday!

What our lazy mornings look like...(btw that balloon lasted at least two months)

Pics of the beloved boy.

If you're happy and you know it...

Clap your hands...

If you're happy and you know it...

Shout hooray!

And the girl...

Being quite the little poser...

Don't tell but I took these while she was on the potty ;)

That's it. That about sums up March. Thanks for all the fun times.

Thanks sis for watching the kids so we could party it up!

Happy Birthday Kennedy, Chris, Katie, Jeff, Taylor, Cameron, Wes, and all the other beloveds.

Congrats to new momma Aubrey who is my new hero.

So fun!

Mommy Maven:Strolling in Style

Ahhh! Just talking about this and I'm so excited.

So I don't know how many times I've had a conversation about the fact that bugaboo has gotten a little behind the eight ball, no double stroller? I mean come on....and...

Bada boom bada bing, they deliver!

This has been rumored for over a year now and it's finally here.

May I present The Donkey

So get this, it expands from a single stroller with a storage case to a double complete with bassinets and toddler seats and all the other goodies we are accustomed to.

Is this totally awesome or a completely unnecessary nonfunctional doing it simply for the need to be new and different sort of thing?

I'm leaning towards totally awesome.

There are certainly times when I have my double and Etta ends up not wanting to ride in it and I end up pushing my monster Limo everywhere unnecessarily and vise versa.

If any of you know me you know I love LOVE my single bugaboo and though have toyed with the idea of selling it (now that we are a bit larger of a crew) but just can't bring myself to do it.

So I don't know about you but I might be a little to anxious to try this ASAP and not so anxious to find out the price tag.

I'm hearing $1200-2000 range talk...yikes!

I'm hoping I can find another half off killer steal of a deal like I did with my Cameleon.

Anyway, whether I just end up dreaming and drooling or if someday I really take the plunge I'll keep you posted.

For now check it out (I love all the videos they do) and tell me what you think about the donkey....btw donkey? Really? What were they thinking...

Happy Birthday to The Boy

So I'm finally getting my pictures together from Liam's little birthday party with my family.

A couple things I forgot to mention about him are that he loves to do "If you're happy and you know it."

My favorite part is when you say hooray! and his arms shoot straight up and he has the biggest smile on his face.

And his word of the moment is Uh-oh. It's so cute.

So I don't remember why he is so sad on this happy day but this is a classic Liam crying face.

Aunt Jacqueline...

The Boy

The other birthday boy, my big bro James.

So the moment of truth. Will he dive in and devour or pick and prod like our little bug on her first.

Hmmmm...

Oooh, that was good...

Alright lets do this...

Was there ever any question with this boy? Devour...

How do I get this goodness in me...

Does it get any better than this?

I submit that it does not.

Wow, how am I going to finish this?

Almost there, just a couple more bites...

Oh, I'm sorry did you want some too? (This pic totally grosses me out by the way)

There I did it.

Did you see me do it?

So pleased with himself.

Then it was time for presents, which Etta didn't dominate at all, no way.

Silly little bug.

The Fam

Well that's all folks. Our little baby's one.

Ready for number three?

Bipolar Me

I am so excited!

I am following Coach to California this weekend sans my tiny humans!

Is it bad that I'm this excited to ditch them with their Nana?

The whole thing about it is that I'm quite sure the second I leave them I'll feel pangs of regret at not packing them along and miss them horribly.

I just have to remind myself that I've done that many times before and I'm nooot quite ready to do it again yet.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, right?

Maybe after missing me for a few days they won't sling food at me and pull my hair.

But then what would make me smile at the end of the day?

I am so bummed!

This weekend is The Bijou Market Handmade Event!

It's Fri & Sat 10-8/10-5pm in Provo and I'm missing it!

It is most assuredly going to have more adorable local crafty little nuggets than you can even wrap your head around.

I'm talking clothes, decor, hair accessories, prints, paintings, jewelry, kiddo goodies and more.

Please go for me...

February 2011...Liam's One!

This month was really fun because Liam turned one! We woke up and have a yummy breakfast...

Then we decided to go do something Liam hasn't been able to do much in his short life. We went swimming. It was freezing of coruse so we went to the Lehi Aquatic Center. It was a little cold but still really fun.

Are you dying over this little boy yet?

Liam at One:

He says hi, mama, dada, dog, and duck.

He laughs all the time...especially if you throw cold water in his face.

He loves any and all foods, he eats ALL the time.

He gets all giddy around dogs.

He crawls around like a maniac but no walking yet.

Goes up the stairs but can't quite come down yet.

He is super ticklish.

He is very cuddly and loves to be held.

He is seriously the sweetest little thing.

He goes nuts over Dad. If dads in the room his diving out of my arms to get to him.

He's a total boy.

Stats:

Head-19in (92 percentile) Haha!

Weight-22lbs (27 percentile)

Height-29.5in (42 percentile)

He took a total dip after his 6 month appt. I guess he's having a lull in growing. He still seems huge to me! We love you so much.

Party post next to come!

January (So close to caught up!)

January was just january. Volleyball season started so we said goodbye to Coach until May. He was gone the first three weeks of the year. We stayed in our PJ's until at least lunch times and frequently longer. And we spent lots of time with Aunt Jackie and Grammie when we weren't sick...also a frequent occurence.

We have tons of music time. The kids play the piano while I play the guitar or we turn on our Raffi pandora station and have a dance party.

And of course we play dress up.

We go to the provo beach resort or the south town mall and ride the merry-go-round and the train.

And play on the rides.

And we find all sorts of indoor playgrounds to frequent.

All in all we just chill and go through loads of hand sanitizer. That's January for ya.

Homemade "Chicken Nuggets" and Ketchup

So my two year old is an extremely picky eater. So I'm always trying to come up with things she'll actually eat. Now I admit these take a little more effort than going through Wendy's but our kids are worth it right? Well most days anyway and today was one of those days.

Generally speaking if I'm going to this much trouble I like it to work for everyone in the family. This one does but it's not a favorite for me but do the kids ever love it. Also if they don't eat them all (which they won't) you can frig or freeze them.

So here it is:

"Chicken Nuggets"

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 slices whole wheat bread
• 3 tbsp milk
• 1-2 chicken breasts (or ground chicken if you want to make it easier)
• 1 small egg
• 5 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley
• 1/4 tsp thyme
• 1 1/2 cups corn, fresh, frozen or otherwise (could be substituted with peas, zucchini, cauliflower, carrots whatever your kids like, corn is sweet and blends in)
• s+p

1. Saute onion and garlic in evoo till translucent and tender, set aside.
2. Soak the bread in milk and tear into pieces
3. Place chicken in a food processor or blender. Pulse for a few seconds.
4. Add everything else but corn and blend for a few more seconds till well combine.
5. Transfer to a bowl and stir in corn.
6. At this point you could store this in your fridge overnight or make it immediately.
7. Put some flour out on a plate. (You could also use bread crumbs or panko) With one hand/spoon scoop a golf ball size of chicken into flour and roll around until coated. Pat softly to remove excess flour and form into "nugget" shape.
8. Heat veg oil in a pan over medium to medium/low heat.
9. Make one fritter to test for seasoning and adjust.
10. Cook about 4-5 minutes per side until cooked through.
11. Serve with Homemade Ketchup.

Homemade Ketchup

• 2 cans hunts tomato sauce
• 1 (heaping) tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1-2 tbsp dark brown sugar

1. Put all the ingredients into a saucepan and bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat to medium/low and cook, uncovered for about 15 minutes.

Christmas!

There may not be two things I love more than Christmas and my family. To get them all together in mass quantities this year just made my little heart burst! I love, love, love Christmas! This year was no exception. We went up to my parents to stay the night on Christmas eve. We enjoyed a delicious dinner, small Christmas program and stories, and Christmas PJ's.

Man do I ever love this baby girl.

Bug getting her Christmas jamas.

She was so excited!

This girl loves Ariel!

Grammy Grams.

Ju-ju.

The Fam

Liam riding our oh so sweet and patient dog Bear, Christmas sweater and all. Poor thing.

Christmas singing although I was completely without voice! :( I look forward to performing and singing carols on Christmas eve for months! I was bummed but it was still fun.

Christmas morning!

Coach opening the calendar we made him.

Bug getting very excited about all her princess paraphernalia.

Nana!

Margaret and Bob came for breakfast that morning. I love Etta lovingly strangling Liam and his face in reaction.

It was a super fun holiday with family, friends, music, and presents!

I love Christmas and all it stands for. I love being reminded of Christ and the reason we're all here on earth. I love being with my family at such a special time. It's just so magical and special and I can't wait till it comes again!