Alex at six months:
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby
I finally took Alex to get his six months pictures - even though he was almost seven months. I wanted to wait until he could sit up and he was too wiggly at six months. Needless to say, in most of the pictures I got, he is not sitting up anyway but oh well. I went to Target this time to save a little money and I must admit that they are not my favorite pictures. He isn't smiling in very many of them and the angles are a little weird. By the way, don't look at the pictures too closely because if you do, you'll notice how Daddy put his pants on backwards during the outfit change! Now I forever have proof that Daddy frequently puts Alex's clothes on backwards! I usually don't mind so much but for his pictures I was pretty peeved. I mean, how hard is it? They have tags just like our clothes. Sigh. Men. However, Alex is adorable no matter to what so I now present to you
Alex at six months:
Alex at six months:
Confessions of an Angry Woman
I think I redefined the definition of Hell this weekend as I had my face about two inches away from the toilet seat while I was cleaning and a Phil Collins song came on the radio. I remember someone asking Eric once what it was like to be married and he replied that there was always hair every where. My reply is, I know I'm not the one peeing around the toilet. I can't help the fact that I shed like a Shetland pony (and I have this long hair for his pleasure in the first place - if it were up to me I think I wouldn't mind shaving it all off) but surely, with practice, he could learn how to aim strait. This is just an example of things that I think about when my emotions are on edge as I experience a visit from Aunt Flo every month. So . . . . in honor of the occassion, I would like to list some of the things that are popular, mainstream, follow the crowd persons, situations, or the like that I absolutely cannot stand. I invite others to stand up for what they believe in and do the same.
1. Oprah
Some may think it's sacrilege to say so, especially since Oprah has allegedly set up her own religion, but I have always absolutely hated Oprah. Praised in years past as one of the most generous people in the world fails to impress as the measely $40 million she's donated pales in comparison with her estimated $2.5 BILLION net worth. But, you may contend, she gives away cars to teachers! Wake up people! That is almost certainly not Oprah's doing but the advertisers who love to have her far-reaching endorsement on their product. But - another arguement - she has little boys with cancer on her show! Yeah - to which she shows about a minute of her sympathy before going off on her new fabulous outfit she wore on the cover of her magazine where SHE IS ALWAYS FEATURED! Yuck! I cannot stand this women and see her for what she really is.
2. Tom Hanks
Note: I did not make this decision based on the rude comment he recently made in regard to the mormons, however, it has just gone to prove that I was right in my opinion of him all along. Tom Hanks is an ok actor as far as one character is concerned. This character is Josh in Big, Scott in Turner and Hootch, and Joe in You've Got Mail. Other than that, his acting skills, in my opinion, are less than marginal. He isn't even handsome! The only thing positive I can say about the man is that he has been married to the same woman despite all his fame - my guess is no one else will have him.
3. Seinfield
Ugh!!!! Can I have just one conversation with someone without them making a reference to the worst show on the face of the planet?! This 90's show of low-life, self-hating, womenizing characters absolutely drives me nuts - probably more than it should considering everyone else in the world seems to think it is the greatest show on earth! Jerry's jokes about riding in the elevator or putting on a seatbelt in a car could have been thought up by my five-year-old nephew. The ugly and stupid male characters are always going out with beautiful, smart women who are supposidely crazy about them and yet the men always find something wrong with them and dump them. The only thing that is a little entertaining in the show is Kramer and even his theatrical symantics get old REALLY fast. PLEASE respect my feelings on this show and don't EVER mention it around me!
4. The Twilight Series
Ok - I'm probably going to make some enemies on this one but I couldn't face myself if I didn't say something. These books (at least the two I forced my way through) are terrible!!! The writing is that of a first-grader, the characters are the most annoying characters ever imagined and the plot is mildly interesting although definitely bordering on sacrilege. But, you contend once again, it's written by a MORMON! Hey - Mormons can be influenced by the Devil too - case in fact, the bishop who was just accused of molesting teenage girls. Think about it - this book is influencing hundreds of thousands of our girls and pointing them in a direction of gothisim, perfection in a mate, and damning their souls for a chance at immortality with a monster. I'm just saying - probably not the best thing they could be reading. Despite the message, I think it's sick that grown women have a crush on a boy who's either 17 or 120 years old. I can see the appeal to teenagers but seriously - wouldn't you be freaked out if someone watched you sleep? That and Bella's endless pining over Edward makes me want to throw up and I consider myself a helpless romantic. It's also very anti-clamatic. In the two books I did read, right before the action they spend time on a boring plane ride where a number of things could have already taken place. I tried, I really did but these books are not worth it as book ends.
5. Josh Groban
His voice is pretty good. Once again, I probably wouldn't hate him if everyone didn't love him so much. The kid has a pretty good voice but that's it. I don't think he's anything new. I don't think he can hold a candle to real opera singers such as Andrea Bocelli and Jose Carreras. Dare I even say that I think David Archuleta is a better singer, although he hasn't had the same level of training. Once again, I think it's gross that grown women fixate on a 17 year old boy (ok, so he's older now but that's when the craze began, right?).
Oh! I wish I could go on forever, but my son has woken up and by the time I can get back to this, I'll probably be done with my period. I might just have to add to it again next month!
1. Oprah
Some may think it's sacrilege to say so, especially since Oprah has allegedly set up her own religion, but I have always absolutely hated Oprah. Praised in years past as one of the most generous people in the world fails to impress as the measely $40 million she's donated pales in comparison with her estimated $2.5 BILLION net worth. But, you may contend, she gives away cars to teachers! Wake up people! That is almost certainly not Oprah's doing but the advertisers who love to have her far-reaching endorsement on their product. But - another arguement - she has little boys with cancer on her show! Yeah - to which she shows about a minute of her sympathy before going off on her new fabulous outfit she wore on the cover of her magazine where SHE IS ALWAYS FEATURED! Yuck! I cannot stand this women and see her for what she really is.
2. Tom Hanks
Note: I did not make this decision based on the rude comment he recently made in regard to the mormons, however, it has just gone to prove that I was right in my opinion of him all along. Tom Hanks is an ok actor as far as one character is concerned. This character is Josh in Big, Scott in Turner and Hootch, and Joe in You've Got Mail. Other than that, his acting skills, in my opinion, are less than marginal. He isn't even handsome! The only thing positive I can say about the man is that he has been married to the same woman despite all his fame - my guess is no one else will have him.
3. Seinfield
Ugh!!!! Can I have just one conversation with someone without them making a reference to the worst show on the face of the planet?! This 90's show of low-life, self-hating, womenizing characters absolutely drives me nuts - probably more than it should considering everyone else in the world seems to think it is the greatest show on earth! Jerry's jokes about riding in the elevator or putting on a seatbelt in a car could have been thought up by my five-year-old nephew. The ugly and stupid male characters are always going out with beautiful, smart women who are supposidely crazy about them and yet the men always find something wrong with them and dump them. The only thing that is a little entertaining in the show is Kramer and even his theatrical symantics get old REALLY fast. PLEASE respect my feelings on this show and don't EVER mention it around me!
4. The Twilight Series
Ok - I'm probably going to make some enemies on this one but I couldn't face myself if I didn't say something. These books (at least the two I forced my way through) are terrible!!! The writing is that of a first-grader, the characters are the most annoying characters ever imagined and the plot is mildly interesting although definitely bordering on sacrilege. But, you contend once again, it's written by a MORMON! Hey - Mormons can be influenced by the Devil too - case in fact, the bishop who was just accused of molesting teenage girls. Think about it - this book is influencing hundreds of thousands of our girls and pointing them in a direction of gothisim, perfection in a mate, and damning their souls for a chance at immortality with a monster. I'm just saying - probably not the best thing they could be reading. Despite the message, I think it's sick that grown women have a crush on a boy who's either 17 or 120 years old. I can see the appeal to teenagers but seriously - wouldn't you be freaked out if someone watched you sleep? That and Bella's endless pining over Edward makes me want to throw up and I consider myself a helpless romantic. It's also very anti-clamatic. In the two books I did read, right before the action they spend time on a boring plane ride where a number of things could have already taken place. I tried, I really did but these books are not worth it as book ends.
5. Josh Groban
His voice is pretty good. Once again, I probably wouldn't hate him if everyone didn't love him so much. The kid has a pretty good voice but that's it. I don't think he's anything new. I don't think he can hold a candle to real opera singers such as Andrea Bocelli and Jose Carreras. Dare I even say that I think David Archuleta is a better singer, although he hasn't had the same level of training. Once again, I think it's gross that grown women fixate on a 17 year old boy (ok, so he's older now but that's when the craze began, right?).
Oh! I wish I could go on forever, but my son has woken up and by the time I can get back to this, I'll probably be done with my period. I might just have to add to it again next month!
Friday, January 23, 2009
My First Diaper Cake
About half a year ago, I was lucky enough to be reunited with one of my best friends from high school. We only really knew each other in high school, but we became good friends very fast. After we graduated, we went our seperate ways and, unfortunately, lost touch. Due to the awesome networking power of facebook (I love you facebook), we were able to finally find one another. We met and reminiced over lunch - I brought my little boy for her to meet and she sported a healthy round tummy. She invited me to her baby shower and since the invitation asked us to bring a bag of diapers, I thought it would be fun to make my first diaper cake. I'm no pro but I think it turned out pretty darn cute. I would have liked to add more to it (like more ribbon and stuff) but when you get done buying the diapers and the extras, it can add up fast. After I had rolled all the diapers, I found out that the more "professional" way to do it is to layer the diapers one upon another. Oh well, I guess I'll have to try it that way next time. The cake included a pink puppy, a headband, a book by Anne Geddes (she can use the cute pictures to frame for the babies room) and a lullaby cd by Celine Dion.
All packaged and ready to go
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Featured in the Tribune!
Three years ago, I joined a cooking group with five other girls. We would meet once a month and one of us would be in charge of teaching the other's a recipe like how to make pies, bread or soup. We would all be required to share a recipe of our own. It lasted for about a year but then, unfortunately, the group had to split up: two of the members husbands went off to law school, we moved to San Francisco, and the other two had babies. However, we have kept in touch through a cooking blog and our blog was featured in the Salt Lake Tribune yesterday! Take a minute to check out our blog - we try to update as much as our busy lives will allow: www.feastingfriends.com.
Here is a link to the article: http://www.sltrib.com/ci_11443175?IADID=Search-www.sltrib.com-www.sltrib.com
Blog appétit
Utahns turn to the Internet to share their enthusiasm for all things gastronomic.
By Kathy Stephenson The Salt Lake TribuneSalt Lake Tribune
Not long ago, when a busy cook needed a tried-and-true recipe for dinner, he or she called mom.
Now, savvy cooks make a beeline for the computer and their favorite food-related blog.
Short for "Web logs" these online journals connect cooks to new recipes, dining experiences and people with a similar passion.
Over the past few years the number of food blogs has grown exponentially, said Cate O'Malley, with the Well Fed Network, a clearinghouse for several food-related blogs. Dozens of those are maintained by Utah residents.
The ability to interact with the author is one of the reasons blogs are so popular. Readers can ask questions, post their own comments and be heard.
"One of the most powerful things about the Internet is that it is a two-way process," explained Stuart Melling, who reviews Utah restaurants on his two-year-old blog, gastronomicslc.com. "You're asking people to join in the conversation."
Melling said being able to write as much as he wants about a restaurant and to show a photograph of every dish he tries is invaluable for people trying to decide where to dine.
"You can make it as expansive as you want," he said.
No matter your interest, there is a blog for you, from baking and entertaining to food storage and even food allergies.
In April 2005, Kalyn Denny launched kalynskitchen.blogspot.com, making her one of Utah's first food bloggers. Since then her site, which offers low-glycemic recipes for those who follow the South Beach Diet, has become one of the country's most popular blogs, especially this time of year when people are dieting and looking for healthy recipes. In 2007, the site was selected as the best themed food blog by the Well Fed Network. It has been nominated for a similar award this year.
Denny said food blogging has evolved. No longer do people want a journal of what you ate for dinner.
"You've got to have a niche," she said.
Laura Powell of South Jordan had been following cooking and recipes blogs for several months when she decided to launch realmomkitchen.blogspot.com in April 2008.
Powell said many of the blogs she followed were well written and looked enticing, but the recipes had unusual ingredients that required an extra trip to a specialty store. That was something Powell, a mother of three -- ages 5, 9 and 12 -- just didn't have time to do. "Any mom in any kitchen could make my recipes," she said.
Powell's blog has resonated with many not-so-skilled cooks who in the down-turned economy have decided to prepare simple meals at home. In just over nine months, the site has gathered enough page views to charge for advertising. "It's amazing to me that all these people in different countries are looking at my little blog here in Utah," she said.
Camaraderie was what prompted Heather Olson and six of her friends to create www.feastingfriends.blogspot.com. About three years ago, the women had been part of a monthly cooking club that experimented with new recipes. But when members got married, moved to other states or started having children it became more difficult to keep the group together. They developed the blog to help maintain their friendships.
"Even though we are all far away," said Olson, "we always feel like our friends are close."
kathys@sltrib.com
Chickpea soup with spinach, tomatoes and basil
» 1 cup dried chickpeas (garbanzo beans), soaked at least 8 hours or overnight in cold water
» 6 cups homemade chicken stock or 4 cans chicken or vegetable broth
» 1 yellow onion, diced
» 6 to 8 cloves garlic, diced very small
» 1 tablespoon olive oil, approximate
» 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
» 3 to 4 cups chopped baby spinach (measure before chopping)
» 2 to 4 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
» Salt to taste
» Black pepper to taste
» Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, optional garnish
Soak chickpeas overnight or for at least 8 hours in cold water. Drain and discard water. Remove any loose skins.
Put chickpeas in heavy soup pot with chicken stock. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until tender, about one hour. Use a spoon to remove any foam that appears.
Heat olive oil in heavy frying pan, add onions and saute about 5 minutes, until soft. Add garlic and cook 2 to 3 minutes more. When chickpeas are tender, add onions and garlic to soup pot along with diced tomatoes. Simmer on low about 30 minutes.
Stir in chopped spinach, adding a bit more water or chicken stock if needed. Simmer 15 to 30 minutes more.
With a hand-held immersion blender, break up ingredients slightly. (Or put about 1?3 of the soup into a food processor or blender and pulse a few times.) Skip this step for a chunkier soup.
Stir in chopped basil and cook 5 minutes. Season with salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste and serve hot. Ladle into bowls and top with cheese.
Servings » 6
Source: Kalyn Denny, kalynskitchen.blogspot.com
Slow cooker Italian beef sandwiches
» 1 1/2 cups beef broth
» 1 cup water
» 1/2 teaspoon salt, optional or to taste
» 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
» 1 teaspoon dried oregano
» 1 teaspoon dried basil
» 1 teaspoon onion salt
» 1 teaspoon dried parsley
» 1 teaspoon garlic powder
» 1 bay leaf
» 1 (.7 ounce) package dry Italian-style salad dressing mix (such as Good Seasons brand)
» 1 (5 pound) chuck roast
» Crusty rolls, split
» Mozzarella or provolone cheese, shredded
Combine water and beef broth with salt, ground black pepper, oregano, basil, onion salt, parsley, garlic powder, bay leaf, and salad dressing mix. Whisk to combine. Place roast in slow cooker, and pour salad dressing mixture over the meat. Cover, and cook on low 10 to 12 hours, or on high for 4 to 5 hours. Remove bay leaf, and shred meat with a fork. Return meat to the slow cooker so meat can absorb some of the juices.
To serve, heat broiler. Place some shredded cheese on bottom half of each roll. Place under the broiler until cheese is melted and bread is slightly toasted. Top with shredded meat and top half of a roll.
Source: Laura Powell, realmomkitchen.blogspot.com
Easy butter bars
» Nonstick cooking spray
» 1 (package) 2-layer-size yellow or white cake mix
» 1/2 cup butter, softened
» 3 eggs
» 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
» 1/2 to 1 teaspoon butter flavoring, optional
» 4 cups sifted powdered sugar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9-inch-by-13-inch pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
In medium mixing bowl, beat cake mix, butter and one egg with electric mixer on low speed until mixture is crumbly. Pat into bottom of prepared pan; set aside.
In medium mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, remaining eggs and, if desired, butter flavoring. Beat until smooth. Add powdered sugar and beat on low speed until well combined. Spread on top of crust in pan.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until filling is set and golden brown. Cool in pan on wire rack. (The filling will fall when it's cooled.) Cut into bars. Store, covered, in refrigerator.
Servings » 16 bars
Source: feastingfriends.blogspot.com
Here is a link to the article: http://www.sltrib.com/ci_11443175?IADID=Search-www.sltrib.com-www.sltrib.com
Blog appétit
Utahns turn to the Internet to share their enthusiasm for all things gastronomic.
By Kathy Stephenson The Salt Lake TribuneSalt Lake Tribune
Not long ago, when a busy cook needed a tried-and-true recipe for dinner, he or she called mom.
Now, savvy cooks make a beeline for the computer and their favorite food-related blog.
Short for "Web logs" these online journals connect cooks to new recipes, dining experiences and people with a similar passion.
Over the past few years the number of food blogs has grown exponentially, said Cate O'Malley, with the Well Fed Network, a clearinghouse for several food-related blogs. Dozens of those are maintained by Utah residents.
The ability to interact with the author is one of the reasons blogs are so popular. Readers can ask questions, post their own comments and be heard.
"One of the most powerful things about the Internet is that it is a two-way process," explained Stuart Melling, who reviews Utah restaurants on his two-year-old blog, gastronomicslc.com. "You're asking people to join in the conversation."
Melling said being able to write as much as he wants about a restaurant and to show a photograph of every dish he tries is invaluable for people trying to decide where to dine.
"You can make it as expansive as you want," he said.
No matter your interest, there is a blog for you, from baking and entertaining to food storage and even food allergies.
In April 2005, Kalyn Denny launched kalynskitchen.blogspot.com, making her one of Utah's first food bloggers. Since then her site, which offers low-glycemic recipes for those who follow the South Beach Diet, has become one of the country's most popular blogs, especially this time of year when people are dieting and looking for healthy recipes. In 2007, the site was selected as the best themed food blog by the Well Fed Network. It has been nominated for a similar award this year.
Denny said food blogging has evolved. No longer do people want a journal of what you ate for dinner.
"You've got to have a niche," she said.
Laura Powell of South Jordan had been following cooking and recipes blogs for several months when she decided to launch realmomkitchen.blogspot.com in April 2008.
Powell said many of the blogs she followed were well written and looked enticing, but the recipes had unusual ingredients that required an extra trip to a specialty store. That was something Powell, a mother of three -- ages 5, 9 and 12 -- just didn't have time to do. "Any mom in any kitchen could make my recipes," she said.
Powell's blog has resonated with many not-so-skilled cooks who in the down-turned economy have decided to prepare simple meals at home. In just over nine months, the site has gathered enough page views to charge for advertising. "It's amazing to me that all these people in different countries are looking at my little blog here in Utah," she said.
Camaraderie was what prompted Heather Olson and six of her friends to create www.feastingfriends.blogspot.com. About three years ago, the women had been part of a monthly cooking club that experimented with new recipes. But when members got married, moved to other states or started having children it became more difficult to keep the group together. They developed the blog to help maintain their friendships.
"Even though we are all far away," said Olson, "we always feel like our friends are close."
kathys@sltrib.com
Chickpea soup with spinach, tomatoes and basil
» 1 cup dried chickpeas (garbanzo beans), soaked at least 8 hours or overnight in cold water
» 6 cups homemade chicken stock or 4 cans chicken or vegetable broth
» 1 yellow onion, diced
» 6 to 8 cloves garlic, diced very small
» 1 tablespoon olive oil, approximate
» 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
» 3 to 4 cups chopped baby spinach (measure before chopping)
» 2 to 4 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
» Salt to taste
» Black pepper to taste
» Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, optional garnish
Soak chickpeas overnight or for at least 8 hours in cold water. Drain and discard water. Remove any loose skins.
Put chickpeas in heavy soup pot with chicken stock. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until tender, about one hour. Use a spoon to remove any foam that appears.
Heat olive oil in heavy frying pan, add onions and saute about 5 minutes, until soft. Add garlic and cook 2 to 3 minutes more. When chickpeas are tender, add onions and garlic to soup pot along with diced tomatoes. Simmer on low about 30 minutes.
Stir in chopped spinach, adding a bit more water or chicken stock if needed. Simmer 15 to 30 minutes more.
With a hand-held immersion blender, break up ingredients slightly. (Or put about 1?3 of the soup into a food processor or blender and pulse a few times.) Skip this step for a chunkier soup.
Stir in chopped basil and cook 5 minutes. Season with salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste and serve hot. Ladle into bowls and top with cheese.
Servings » 6
Source: Kalyn Denny, kalynskitchen.blogspot.com
Slow cooker Italian beef sandwiches
» 1 1/2 cups beef broth
» 1 cup water
» 1/2 teaspoon salt, optional or to taste
» 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
» 1 teaspoon dried oregano
» 1 teaspoon dried basil
» 1 teaspoon onion salt
» 1 teaspoon dried parsley
» 1 teaspoon garlic powder
» 1 bay leaf
» 1 (.7 ounce) package dry Italian-style salad dressing mix (such as Good Seasons brand)
» 1 (5 pound) chuck roast
» Crusty rolls, split
» Mozzarella or provolone cheese, shredded
Combine water and beef broth with salt, ground black pepper, oregano, basil, onion salt, parsley, garlic powder, bay leaf, and salad dressing mix. Whisk to combine. Place roast in slow cooker, and pour salad dressing mixture over the meat. Cover, and cook on low 10 to 12 hours, or on high for 4 to 5 hours. Remove bay leaf, and shred meat with a fork. Return meat to the slow cooker so meat can absorb some of the juices.
To serve, heat broiler. Place some shredded cheese on bottom half of each roll. Place under the broiler until cheese is melted and bread is slightly toasted. Top with shredded meat and top half of a roll.
Source: Laura Powell, realmomkitchen.blogspot.com
Easy butter bars
» Nonstick cooking spray
» 1 (package) 2-layer-size yellow or white cake mix
» 1/2 cup butter, softened
» 3 eggs
» 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
» 1/2 to 1 teaspoon butter flavoring, optional
» 4 cups sifted powdered sugar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9-inch-by-13-inch pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
In medium mixing bowl, beat cake mix, butter and one egg with electric mixer on low speed until mixture is crumbly. Pat into bottom of prepared pan; set aside.
In medium mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, remaining eggs and, if desired, butter flavoring. Beat until smooth. Add powdered sugar and beat on low speed until well combined. Spread on top of crust in pan.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until filling is set and golden brown. Cool in pan on wire rack. (The filling will fall when it's cooled.) Cut into bars. Store, covered, in refrigerator.
Servings » 16 bars
Source: feastingfriends.blogspot.com
Friday, January 9, 2009
Baby's First Christmas
Wow - I have so much to tell you about this past Christmas season. Of course, it was the first time Alex got to experience Christmas and it made it so much more fun for Eric and I. We started off the month by going to the Festival of Trees. Next we took a wagon ride through the exhilirating Christmas lights at Thanksgiving point (and I forgot my camera!) The month also included various Christmas parties with friends and family. One of my favorite traditions is to visit Temple Square to see the beautiful Christmas lights, the various nativity scenes, and the equisite lanterns from around the world. We bundled Baby up like an eskimo and I don't think he could move the entire night. I was surprised at how many babies I saw there without a hat on or just a sweatshirt - it always makes me mad and I want to yell at them, "Duh! If you're cold, what makes you think your baby isn't?" I'd rather have my baby be too warm than too cold.
Christmas Eve is traditionally spent with my family. My mother is German and that is when they always celebrated Christmas. The night includes focusing on the Savior and spending time with family. We always have a ham and rolls and various goodies to snack on. We sing Christmas carols and listen to the Bible story of the birth of Christ and then we open presents from one another. We do a gift exchange with the brothers and sisters and their children, to avoid having to get a lot of gifts, but we usually end up giving gifts to others anyway. The night is always full of entertainment and excitment as I have nine brothers and sisters. That, combined with their spouses and all our children makes for an interesting night. Our family is so big, we're discussing moving Christmas Eve out of my parents 5,500 sq. ft. house next year. I baked all day long for the event making a pumkin pie (thanks to Carrie for the great recipe), a peach cobler (thanks to Heather for the great recipe), and a coconut pie. The pumpkin pie was the most beautfiul pie I had ever made and the sad thing was, Eric dropped it on the ground on the way into the house! I was so upset I could have cried but when I looked at Eric and the sad expression on his face when he apologized, I couldn't help but smile. Nobody really wanted to eat it after that - even though most of it hadn't actually fallen out of the pan, it looked pretty crappy.
Christmas day is spent at our individual homes in the morning and then we usually try to visit with Eric's family. I love being able to have our own traditions for Christmas morning. This year, I snuck down early after Alex woke up and made German pancakes for Eric. I think I will have to keep this as an annual tradition. After we ate breakfast, we had such a fun time opening Alex's gifts with him. We didn't get him much this year since he's so little, but he liked chewing on the paper the best anyway. Then we went ahead and opened our presents to each other. Once again, we didn't get each other much, but I love seeing what Eric decided to get me and how much he likes what I got him. Out of all my presents, I think my favorites were the traditional German tannenbaum candles my sister got us for our tree, the really nice hair straightener I got from Eric (my hair is the bane of my existence), and the metal measuring spoons that belonged to Eric's Grandma McFarland that I got from his Dad. The measuring spoons are so sentimental, I couldn't bare to use them so I decided to tie a string on them and hung them from the tree as an ornament. Thank you so much to everyone else for being so generous - we love you all very much.
I can't wait to start Christmas traditions with Alex, but he was a little too small for most of them this year. I did make sure that he got pj's and a Christmas book on Christmas Eve and that he had his own little Christmas tree with toy ornaments and his "Baby's first Christmas" ornament. In the future, I want to do some sort of advent calendar each day leading up to Christmas, bake and decorate Christmas cookies with him, maybe even surprise Daddy with the Twelve Days of Christmas, and make a homemade gift for someone. What Christmas traditions do you have in your family?
I took so many pictures this last month, instead of trying to post them all, I just made them into a movie.
Christmas Eve is traditionally spent with my family. My mother is German and that is when they always celebrated Christmas. The night includes focusing on the Savior and spending time with family. We always have a ham and rolls and various goodies to snack on. We sing Christmas carols and listen to the Bible story of the birth of Christ and then we open presents from one another. We do a gift exchange with the brothers and sisters and their children, to avoid having to get a lot of gifts, but we usually end up giving gifts to others anyway. The night is always full of entertainment and excitment as I have nine brothers and sisters. That, combined with their spouses and all our children makes for an interesting night. Our family is so big, we're discussing moving Christmas Eve out of my parents 5,500 sq. ft. house next year. I baked all day long for the event making a pumkin pie (thanks to Carrie for the great recipe), a peach cobler (thanks to Heather for the great recipe), and a coconut pie. The pumpkin pie was the most beautfiul pie I had ever made and the sad thing was, Eric dropped it on the ground on the way into the house! I was so upset I could have cried but when I looked at Eric and the sad expression on his face when he apologized, I couldn't help but smile. Nobody really wanted to eat it after that - even though most of it hadn't actually fallen out of the pan, it looked pretty crappy.
Christmas day is spent at our individual homes in the morning and then we usually try to visit with Eric's family. I love being able to have our own traditions for Christmas morning. This year, I snuck down early after Alex woke up and made German pancakes for Eric. I think I will have to keep this as an annual tradition. After we ate breakfast, we had such a fun time opening Alex's gifts with him. We didn't get him much this year since he's so little, but he liked chewing on the paper the best anyway. Then we went ahead and opened our presents to each other. Once again, we didn't get each other much, but I love seeing what Eric decided to get me and how much he likes what I got him. Out of all my presents, I think my favorites were the traditional German tannenbaum candles my sister got us for our tree, the really nice hair straightener I got from Eric (my hair is the bane of my existence), and the metal measuring spoons that belonged to Eric's Grandma McFarland that I got from his Dad. The measuring spoons are so sentimental, I couldn't bare to use them so I decided to tie a string on them and hung them from the tree as an ornament. Thank you so much to everyone else for being so generous - we love you all very much.
I can't wait to start Christmas traditions with Alex, but he was a little too small for most of them this year. I did make sure that he got pj's and a Christmas book on Christmas Eve and that he had his own little Christmas tree with toy ornaments and his "Baby's first Christmas" ornament. In the future, I want to do some sort of advent calendar each day leading up to Christmas, bake and decorate Christmas cookies with him, maybe even surprise Daddy with the Twelve Days of Christmas, and make a homemade gift for someone. What Christmas traditions do you have in your family?
I took so many pictures this last month, instead of trying to post them all, I just made them into a movie.
Have a very Merry Christmas and fabulous New Year!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Happy New Years!
Daddy, Baby, and I had a wonderful New Years Day by taking a trip up to Park City. The weather was perfect- a little overcast but very warm. We walked up and down main street, stopping in a few of the numerous galleries and boutique shops, ate a yummy sandwhich, soup, and fudge lunch on a heated bench and people-watched, and finished it all up with a stop to the Outlets where Mommy couldn't help but get a couple of things for Baby. I love spending time with Daddy because he is my best friend and enjoys pretty much everything I do (except shopping but he puts up with it). We were a little envious of the bundled-up skiers since we probably won't get to go this year (we're on a tight budget) and the last time I skied I was five months pregnant so it didn't work very well (I was very off-balanced), but overall it couldn't be beat. Later that evening we met up with Aunt Stephie and Uncle Jake for an exciting evening of bowling. It was awesome because I bowled my highest score ever - 132 - even higher than when I bowled the highest score for the fenale bowlers in my highschool bowling club one week (I know, I admit I was a nerd). The last time I went bowling I stunk because I was pregnant (another sport for which balance is essential). The second game I didn't try because I was trying to bowl fast because Alex was getting fussy. The sad thing was, I still bowled better than Eric. I think he was pretty bummed about that, but don't worry honey - you can still whoop me at basketball and Pit any day. It was definitely a good way to start the new year.
One of Baby's new faces (I like to call it the "lemon" face)
Mommy and two bears
Our cute little bundled-up family
Main Street, Park City
Gelato in winter?
Hungry boys
One of Baby's new faces (I like to call it the "lemon" face)
Daddy, Baby, and a Moose
Some super-sexy pants
seriously, who would wear these let alone
pay park city prices for them?
Mommy and two bears
Our cute little bundled-up family
Main Street, Park City
Gelato in winter?
Hungry boys
Mommy after a triumphant game
Daddy, not so happy about Mommy's triumphant game
My awesome score!
(I'm SM which stands for Sexy Mama and Eric is KWK
which stands for Krull the Warrior King (don't ask))
First Swim
I finally got to take Alex swimming! I wanted to wait until he was six months old so he wouldn't be too little (that and I wouldn't be caught dead in a bathing suit before)- but I really want him to get used to the water. The perfect opportunity arose when Aunt Nae Nae suggested we go to the Park Center (in Murray) during the Christmas break. I felt a little guilty abandoning Cottonwood Heights, but I must admit that the Park Center was pretty darn cool. The water was about 90 degrees (perfect for a cold winter day) and the playground, river, and waterslide were all in the same area. I might have to return to CHRC in the specialty pool for a little while as I think all the activity was a little overwhelming for Alex but it was fun to watch him take it all in. I wish Daddy could have come with us, but he had to work (if you can call watching a movie work). I tried to capture it on film for him (as much as possible anyway without ruining the camera). We'll just have to go again!
Aunt Re Re and Alex
Aunt Re Re and Alex
(left to right) Mommy, Uncle Lorin, Aunt Janae
Baby Alex and Cousin Lilian
(matching swimsuits from Aunt Nae Nae)
Half a year already?!
Alright, he's actually almost six and a half months, but since he was officially six months on Christmas Eve, I had to make the appointment a little later. I can't believe that he is alreay half a year old! Time has passed so quickly and he is learning so much so fast! He is now sitting up on his own and can roll over both sides (he uses this as a method to get around). He's eating baby food twice a day and I swear he's going to get his first tooth any day now (PLEASE!). His best friend, Julien, came over the other day and it's amazing to see the differences and similarities between the two. Julien is two-and-a-half months older and although that made a huge difference when Alex was born, the gap seems to be narrowing. However, Alex is a really big boy! He is already bigger than his friend in both weight and height. Sigh - I guess I just have to get used to having big babies. He was sixty-eight percentile (18.89 lbs.) in weight and eighty-five percentile (27.76 in.) in height. The only thing of his that is small is his head - thirty-one percentile (17 in.). He gets his height from my family and his weight from Eric's (not that they're fat but they have nine and ten pound babies). He's not quite as tall as the babies in my family usually are (his cousin who is a month older is off the charts in height but only about 10% in weight), but he is heavier (although still not as heavy as he is tall) so everyone in my family thinks he's huge. They're always saying, "he is such a big boy!" Sometimes it's really annoying because he's still just my little baby. I guess I'll have the last laugh when he's the star football player!
Alex and Julien now
Alex and Julien at Alex's birth
Alex and Julien now
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