Here's to Success and Failure...

Early bed times and reading with my kids are the best part of the day! So these moments are "successes" around here! Cute kids huh! As some of you know I have been working a few nights a week (in my home) but it required my kids to go straight to bed which would always limit our "talking & reading" time. I happened to be on a walk with Alayna and I was telling her how I wouldn't have to do that anymore and she said, "Oh, fun mom that means we can just snuggle and talk and read books together...I know, I will set up a special blanket and all of us can just snuggle and read together!" I couldn't have been happier with her reaction. Each night she now says, "Mom can we talk?" You know that as a mother you can't ever resist a time when your kids just want to sit and talk with you. I just love this snuggly girl.

Then I think I have passed off the success of enjoying to bake with the little monkies. Thanks to our great neighbors who have been delivering truly the most heavenly sugar cookies this holiday season to us! YUM. (And I don't like sugarcookies or frosting...but let's just say they are DELICIOUS!) So we had to get the recipe and have friends over to help bake them. I love this picture because if you notice in the background there is Jake literally climbing on the table, feet up surfing through all the different cookie cutters! They were in heaven...let's just say clean up wasn't so heavenly but it did allow them to have hours of FUN!

Here's to the failure part of the day...I was baking Grady my bro-in-law some birthday cupcakes...He and I share the LOVE affair with German Chocolate Cake. So I was SO happy to volunteer to make it for him. When I didn't have a box cake I decided to get on my fav website, the food network of course and try out a recipe I once saw made. Let's just say the recipe appeard to good to be true. By the end of the cookie day, cleaning and making this cake I was completely DONE! At his party later that night I told him I would owe him a great cake and one with the heavenly coconut frosting! So much for trying...*I must admit though it wasn't the recipe that was wrong it was me...I realized that later!* So I guess I will try it again!!!

The next success was a bridal shower for my aunt. We had it on Saturday morning and it was SO much fun. I was just so happy to have all the family around to celebrate in her special upcoming day! Not to mention the muffins were a success! I just love it when recipes DO actually turn out.

It's official!

He's on the move! Let's just say we have had to officially put up a stair gate and be aware of what's on the floor. This kid goes everywhere. He crawled into the kitchen and poked his little head around and gave me a look like, "This is so great...I can chase you when you leave me!" He has been found eating bouncy balls, any piece of paper, and pretty much any toy, cord, my lap top and ANYTHING else found on the ground! Oh, the joys of our baby being mobile. Good thing he's so cute.

Crazy about Noodles...

There was probably a reason that Jared served his mission in Italy...because he LOVES noodles. Not to mention that he has shared that love with our kiddos. If you were to ask them what they would like for dinner they instantly say noodles. They really couldn't be happier about eating just plain noodles. Jared happened to snap these silly picts about the kids enjoying their noodles!

Jakey

Caleb is LOVING real food. This kid really eats anything and everything...if you can't tell I think he didn't get a bib put on during this meal! Oh, you have to love messy, slimy, slobbery, dirty little babies!

Alayna

Daddy and Caleb having a fun night together!

Another Preschool Fieldtrip

Here's to the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point. Let's just say Alayna learned a few things about fossils and trying to say all the Dinosaur names. I was able to pawn of the boys to other people so that I could go and just enjoy her. I think the highlight of this for me was actually our car ride down alone. No radio, no other kids, just she and I talking. I took the advice from a dear friend who is famous for asking her kids questions. I thought, now is a good time. So I said, "Alayna if you could change one thing about preschool what would it be?" She paused and thought for a moment, "Well, there is something a little hard for me." Oh, what is it? I asked. She said, "Well, cutting on all the lines is a little tricky for me!" I told her that is so good to know because we can practice that at home so it won't be so hard. After we discussed that I asked her what her favorite part of preschool was and she said, "Playtime...can I say that mom?" Of course! But then she said reading the books, and learning to write. She's so open and willing to share her thoughts and feelings and I just adore taking the TIME to actually visit with her. She's my special little buddy and I really enjoy just taking one on one time with her.

She's posing in front of her picture she colored. Hers is the top picture...I helped draw the outline of the picture and she colored the bodies, teeth, eyes, etc. I think she did a pretty good job. Her teacher saw this and said, "I can't wait for you to see her alphabet dictionary at the end of the year because her pictures are so detailed and darling, she takes her time and really does such a good job." I couldn't agree more this little girl can take an entire morning to work on one picture.

She's trying to scare Jake with this picture.

Now this is where we spent the majority of our time. We rolled up our sleeves and played in the sand and water. She was in heaven. She and I worked together to build our little dinosaur world. We had a great afternoon together. I love spending one on one time holding hands, teaching her little things and just praising her for how wonderful she is. These are the moments I am continually reminded how much I love being a mom.

A little Daddy kid time...

Most of you know that Jared is a Utah fan and our kids are BYU fans. Some would wonder how this can actually happen in a family, but when you have such persuasive Aunts, Uncles and Grandparents than kids can look up to them more than their parents. I dare say I also encourage a little BYU brainwashing from time to time. Sorry, I love the morals and I will encourage them for my kids. Anyways, Jared, Todd, my Dad, and our friend Paul and all the kids went to a BYU basketball game.

Alayna was in heaven...Thanks to Brian and Ashley who provided Alayna and Jake with their t-shirts and pom-poms they looked like your regular BYU fan. Jared's response when he saw them all decked out was, "Of course you would wear those shirts...and what is in her hair?" Hey, the kids wanted to look like real fans and they did! Jared said he cheered for the BYU team but he just couldn't quite pull himself together to sing, "Rise and Shout the Cougars are out!" Alayna told me, "Mom, dad didn't even cheer for them, he hates BYU...he ONLY likes Utah!" Jared keeps trying to tell them he likes BYU but I don't think his convincing is working.

Jared LOVED watching how the kids slowly lost interest in the actually game and began doing gymnastics on the railings. I can tell you that if I was there I wouldn't have allowed this...did he not realize the concrete steps below her head...possibly the fact that she could have fallen off and rolled down the stairs? Apparently not! Oh, well I was just pleased he humored me and took the camera, and actually took pictures!

Now, let's just say that this picture will be framed. Let me introduce you to one of the littlest but biggest BYU fans. This kid references BYU anywhere from sitting on the toilet going potty, to the color blue in his dinner plate, a blue fork, his blue jeans, blue shoes, blue coat, the list could go on and on. And all of these things are referenced the same..."Mom, I want the BYU football blue ____." Jared said that Jake wanted to take his picture by a BYU football "Y" and Jared was pumped that he found this one just on his level. I think because of this picture I want him to grow up and play football for BYU. Seriously, I can see it on the news already when they interview him and say, "How long have you wanted to play football for BYU?"

Happy Birthday to ME!

Yeah, for birthdays! I think I look forward to this day all year. I don't mind getting older because I think I gain a tad more credibility and learning to be more mature. But birthdays have to be once a year because of the great food and birthday cake! Bring on Tuacano's and German Chocolate cake! YUM YUM YUM
*This is my sister Krista celebrating her birthday that was just four days earlier! Happy Birthday to you too!!!

My newest projects...Good Bye YELLOW!

Okay, do you all remember my BRIGHT YELLOW kitchen. Well when we decided to paint it about 7 months ago I thought it was going to be that perfect buttery pale yellow color that would be super adorable and easy to decorate. Well was I wrong. This kitchen gets a little TOO much light to let that pale "MELLOW YELLOW" hang out. So I was in search of tips, color and new decor.

Well, at Jared's work Christmas party this year at Noah's, I fell in LOVE with the paint. I asked around and found out the color and company. I have been told by several people that blue in the kitchen area is a major NO NO. Well, since when have I listened? Oh, never! So I thought I painted the kitchen 7 months ago, here's to trying something new and if I hate it again I can repaint...right? Well, this time I honestly LOVE it. It came on a tad darker than I thought it would so other than it being a little dark I absolutely LOVE it. The camera can't capture the right shade of color, so you will just have to come and see for yourself. I know, a blue kitchen! AHH

The first picture makes it look like a baby blue...which it's not. This picture is fuzzy but it gives more of the color, it's a light blue grey...I love it!

But here are my PRIDE AND JOY! The blue really brings out all the adorable BLACK that I have in furniture and accents, so I had to come up with some curtains...Here they are. I painted the kitchen and then immediatly headed to Hobby Lobby for fabric. I have been working hard ever since! I am just waiting for Jared to hang up my curtain rods so I can actually see all my hard sewing work come out. I can't wait to show everyone my finished project...maybe tomorrow. But yes, this is the reason why I haven't blogged for ever...I have found myself sewing...Oh, how I love to sew! :)

Funny kids...

I apparently haven't taught Jake clearly enough where these go!

Hey, it made for good pictures!

Here is Alayna wanting to be like Jake.

Does it get any cuter than seeing a kid praying? Not to mention that he has his underwear on wrong! Funny kid.

Here's to wishing and hoping...

Here are a few pictures of a little guy that is just wishing he could crawl...Thankfully he has yet to master that technique because we haven't solved the dilemma of a stair gate! We have a banister so we can't do the regular pressure kind, and we aren't to thrilled about drilling holes in the banister...any suggestions?

He's getting close!

He is 8 months next week and I can't believe how fast time flies. Today was a big day for him his very first tooth came through...maybe that could explain the extra crying and drooling? Oh, the joys of teething!

Things I LOVE today...

Okay, what a GREAT day today turned out to be. Simply said, today was wonderful. Jared was home in the morning. We slept in until 8:21AM. I couldn't be more happier my kids played upstairs while we slept! Loved the relaxed morning. I left to do aerobics with my sisters in my sisters basement...have you ever done aerobics while watching the video on a theater screen...well let's just say it was FUN!

Anyways, then I had my sisters and Emily come on over for lunch. I recreated a yummy salad that I had from Kneaders. It's a raspberry chicken spinach salad. YUM! We had a heavenly lunch and sat and talked and talked. With Emily's help we even recreated the raspberry salad dressing...it was pretty close and so good! (Stay tuned I will provide the recipe!)

The sisters left and my kids and Emily's continued to play! We then baked bread because I had no more bread for lunches tomorrow...anyways, I then told her we could make dinner together. So with TWO recipes that I have fallen in love with I have to just post about it! Because really they are WONDERFUL!

Here's a picture of the slaw that goes to the Thai Steak Tacos...Heaven on Earth! YUM...This recipe is worth every different ingredient that it calls for. (You can find all of these at Walmart...really just in the Asian food aisle) YUM...did I say that already. Just so you know this is in my TOP FIVE favorites. (Recipe below!)

Now, let me just explain to you another item that just made making this recipe SO super easy. This is my new Bosch...this is an attachment that hooks onto my BIG new Bosch that I got for Christmas. I don't think I've posted a picture of it yet, but let's just say I LOVE THIS MACHINE!!! Thanks to Emily letting me borrow hers a few times I was hooked...so thankfully Christmas came just a few weeks later I got one. Anyways, we made this coleslaw in just minutes with this bad boy instead of chopping all the veggies by hand.

Anyways, the house is all quiet now and I just wanted to share a few items that make days at home so much more enjoyable! Oh, and what better way to end the night that giving this adorable monkey a bath! He LOVES them!!!

Thai Beef Tacos with Lime-Cilantro Slaw

Steak Marinade:
1 T. sugar
1 1/2 t ginger powder
2 t fish sauce (I use oyster sauce)
1 T sweet chili Asian sauce
1/4 t freshly ground pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced
¼ c. lime juice
2 T. rice vinegar (When I am out I just use regular white vinegar)
1 T. Montreal Steak Seasoning
A few shakes of sesame oil
1 pound flank steak, trimmed (I just use petite sirloin)

Slaw:
1/4 c fresh lime juice
¼ c. sugar
2 T. rice wine vinegar
1 1/2 t ginger powder (or fresh)
1 1/2 t sesame oil
1/2 t chili garlic sauce (I use a garlic ginger sauce)
2 garlic cloves, minced
¼ c. mayonnaise
salt & pepper
3 c packaged angel hair slaw
2 c packaged matchstick-cut carrots
1/4 c sliced green onions
1/2 c chopped fresh cilantro

Remaining Ingredients:
8 (6-inch) fat-free flour tortillas

1 - To prepare steak, combine first 6 ingredients in a large zip-top plastic bag. Add stead to bad; seal and marinate in refrigerator 20 minutes, turning occasionally.
2 - Prepare grill or broiler.
3 - Remove steak from bag; discard marinade. Place steak on grill rack or broiler pan coated with cooking spray; cook 5 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Let stand 5 minutes. Cut steak diagonally across grain in to thin slices.
4 - To prepare slaw, combine juice and next 6 ingredients (through 2 garlic cloves) in a large bowl. Add slaw and next 3 ingredients (through cilantro); toss well to combine.
5 - Divide steak evenly among tortillas; spoon about 1/2 c slaw onto each tortilla. Fold in half; serve immediately.

What kids say...

(Here's to an old picture...the only one on my computer with the two of them. - I just took all the picts off the laptop to free up some room for the next million pictures I take...Anyways, this was over 1 year ago.)

I don't know what it is about the kids lately but I have been appreciating, laughing and enjoying some of the things they say. That phrase is so right on, "Kids say the darnedest things!"

"Way-na" is how Jake says Alayna. We just think it is so hilarious. We sadly think its so cute we answer him repeating it also like "way-na" so we are reinforcing this behavior. Sorry!



"Mom, do we really need Him every hour?" Alayna - Alayna and I were getting ready for church on Sunday while listening to one of my new favorite CD's Nearer it also happens to have one of my personal favorite singers...Sarah Sample...but anyways, Alayna asked that question. It allowed for me to pause a moment and share my testimony with her why in fact YES we do need our Savior every minute.

"Mom...(big breath) Jesus loves us...He does mom, He really loves us!" Jake--I was in the office on my computer and Jake came bounding in the office sliding on the hardwood floor with his socks, he paused and just took in a deep breath and stated it so matter-of-fact and then ran back out of the room just as fast as he entered in.

"Dear Hevwenlwe Fader pray Mommy and Daddy go Oquirrh Mtn Temple, and bless our heads, Daddy's head, Mommy's head, Way-na's head and baby Kay-wubs head, and Jake's head..." Thanks to Jake all our heads are blessed EVERY day MULTIPLE times a day, and he reminds us EVERY prayer as well for Jared and I to go to the temple!

"Sorry Mom, I just hit you with my golf club...Silly Jake!" Jake (Came over with his chubby arm and placed it around my neck. He just bumped my toe...I barely even noticed I had been "bumped" not hit.

"I know what I could do...I could just look at my CTR ring next time and it will help me remember!" Alayna --Alayna was sitting on the toilet going to the bathroom one last time before bed as we were discussing "things we could improve on" the next time we experience them. I'm a BIG believer in role playing and thankfully Alayna responds VERY well to it. So we were discussing how she could react differently when I tell her its time to leave her cousins house. Instead of screaming, crying, kicking, dragging her body when I tell her it's time to go. I'm glad her CTR ring is having this big of an impact on her already! She's only been in her CTR class one time! Oh, we needed this!

"Mom, could you hand me my brown shoes?" Alayna asked. "Sure, where are you going?" I asked...she replied, "On a date!" ---"Oh, fun where are you going?" "To a restaurant and to Disneyland, of course!" she said... ---- Come on, where was I on that one! That's where we all go on dates, right?

"Mom, vegetables are free, fruits are zero and an egg is two points!" Alayna has obviously been over hearing Jared and I talking about weight watchers.

Alayna said, "Mom, we need to get gold..." "Oh, really says who? I asked... "Glenn Beck."

Adorable, Convertible, teeny-tiny are probably some of my favorite words to here Jake say!

And last but not least here is what Caleb says ALL THE TIME....ARHHH...ARHHH in a very high pitch squealer voice! I will have you know he does say, "MOMMA" Yup...he's a fan of his mommy! I love this kid.

My camera has lived in my car ever since Christmas, you'd think one of these days I will pull it out and start taking pictures again!!! Until then, here are just a few fun things to read and one really old picture to look at!

Christmas Day!

Christmas Eve...It was a wonderful night enjoying our favorite dinner...YUM! Thanks to Kierra she was able to fit us all in the picture.

Here's to opening all the new pajama's that Grandma Lou and Papi gave to all the million grand kids!

Here are the 8 grandkids that slept over at Shan & Todd's house. It was so darling to see them all lined up there. Let's just say it took about 3 hours to get them ALL to fall asleep...it was 11:47 PM when they were all asleep...just to have Kierra wake up to go to the bathroom at 2:30AM to wake them all up saying, "Santa came...Santa came!" Todd found them all AWAKE talking and chattering with the lights on...AHH thankfully they all at different times dosed off to sleep again.

The famous lining up on the stairs...let's just say it was impossible to get these kids to smile! Oh, and even look at the picture.

Posing in front of the ADORABLE doll house. Alayna is trying to have a happy face for the picture. She still hasn't figured out if she's happy or sad...watch the video below!

Here is a video of what happened when Alayna thought she wasn't given a dollhouse. For the past several weeks Todd was building these dollhouses in our garage. We had to keep the door locked from all the kids so they wouldn't ruin their FUN surprise. how much better does it get than a 6' doll house? Anyways, at one point of locking the garage Alayna raced to the door to sneak a peek...to our surprise the door wasn't locked. I heard Shandra yell..."Alayna, shut that door right now!" I grabbed her and never mentioned what she saw inside the garage (hoping she would forget). Days went by and she began telling me she saw two things that were green and white. Then later she asked if there would be a "real oven" in it...I asked in what? and she replied in the house in the garage. She asked if there would be one for her and for Shandra's girls, she replied how EXCITED she was to know what her fun surprise was... Anyways so with that in mind here comes Christmas morning...the husbands all decided NOT to bring Alayna's over to Shan's house just for the reaction, but to tell her she had one waiting at home....Well this is how she handled that.

Isn't that the saddest thing to do to a little girl...I think so. After that happened Todd said, "Who's idea was it anyways to leave her doll house at home?" Those mean dads!!! Once we arrived home she was in HEAVEN and LOVES her doll house.

See I told you she LOVED it! Look at that happy smile!

Anyways, after all the emotion of the dollhouse we went downstairs to open up several other fun presents. It really was a great day! Thanks to everyone for sharing in so many fun memories.

Here is Alayna holding her "Tea Party Set" from Santa. She couldn't have been happier about this!

After presents it was off to Grandpa Randy & Grandma Nettie's house. Let's just say they were spoiled! Oh, the list goes on and on of FUN presents. These kids were exhausted at the end of the night. They slept in until about 8:30am the next morning.

Let's just say this little guy received the BEST present ever. Grandma Nettie gave him this adorable basketball hoop. He LOVES it. He puts the basketballs in the hoop and it cheers and he squeals. Jared and I just sit and giggle with him. It really is SO cute! Again, thanks to all who helped this be a great Christmas. If pictures didn't take so long to up load I think I'd post more...maybe more later...but this is enough tonight! Merry Christmas and this week a Happy New Year!