as close as it's going to come

to pink!

 It's A{nother} BOY!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS from our family to yours.....

A Birthday Party complete with the easiest, yummiest brownies you've ever had!

We finally were able to get the family together and celebrate Easton's 2nd birthday. I've struggled with the "need" to have a birthday party and the pure "desire" to have one since he didn't choose to be born 2 weeks before Christmas, and as friend who has a December birthday said "December birthdays seem to get forgotten" I thought as simple as it may be, we were going to have a party!

And simple is what I did!

We ordered take-out from a local Mexican Restaurant, had chips and salsa and brownies and ice cream!  

Easton wasn't too sure of the whole thing and luckily he had cousins and an older brother to help him unwrap a few presents.

These brownies are the best! Try some..Today.. They are called Symphony Brownies and the recipe is from Paula Dean. In short, here's what you do.

Buy a prepackaged brownie mix

Buy 3 King Size Symphony Bars {I used toffee and almond}

Line a 9x13 pan with tin-foil

Prepare brownie mix as directed. Pour 1/2 in the lined pan, unwrap symphony bars and place side by side {as one big bar, no need to crumble, or break apart}- pour remaining brownie mix over symphony bars and bake! Mine needed a few extra minutes but that's it. LET COOL COMPLETELY- I'm talking hours! Once cool, take brownies out and flip over and remove tin-foil. Cut into bars.

I've had them with the plain chocolate symphony bars and they were good too. Next time I want to try and Cookies-n-Cream bars. Yummo!

He got exactly what he wanted. A few new cars, a scooter and a new Woody! Happy Birthday little man, we love you!

{Happenings}

{Fat Pants and Bell Shaped Shirts!}

In honor of entering my 3rd trimester last week {yeah} I also entered the box of maternity clothes that I have been faithfully avoiding for the past 24 weeks {sigh}

It became a needed necessity when the only pair of jeans I have that still fit were in the dirty laundry {thanks to a puking child with a bad aim} and I had to go out in public. The pajama pants had to be put away and the elastic waist band pants were my only option. Luckily they were cute- so I didn't feel so humongous in them but still.....THEY HAD AN ELASTIC WAIST BAND and were meant to be worn in public!

Thanks to a few people who headed my call to let me borrow their oh so stylish maternity clothes {I have two bins of maternity clothes....in storage....somewhere I can't get to} {double sigh}


So, here they are! Lots of shirts in the shape of a bell!! Oh, happy day! {I have yet to wear a maternity shirt....they are huge and I'll avoid them at all costs but the pants, those I just couldn't avoid.

{CHRISTMAS CARDS!}

Are done.

Are in the mail.

If you don't get one, it means I didn't have your address. Mail me a Christmas card and I'll mail you one:) {or email me your address and you'll get to see our surprising good Christmas photo on an adorable card that I didn't design {thanks Bri Weir}

No letter. No update. Just a picture.....How's that for simplicity this year!


{FACEBOOK!}

Yes, I caved. I joined Facebook. WHY? Several reasons...

1) Jared wouldn't let me log in under his name and search around. He kept it to himself and told me that if I wanted to know and see about it, I could join myself!

2) Dr. Tuft's wife {other dentist in the office} has a facebook account {she's in her 40's} and told me that I was LITERALLY the only one who didn't have one. Even the relief society president in their ward had a facebook account! Wow, how do you compete with that. I don't....I joined.

3)My friend Tara who had a baby before Thanksgiving was holding her new baby's pictures and information hostage on her facebook account. She basically told me that I was the ONLY one who didn't have an account and if I wanted to see her baby, I'd join.

SO, those are three reasons why I joined! 

Do I get it? NO  

Do I have anything on it? NO 

But am I a facebook member, Oh YES, YES I am!

TWO {2} Years Ago, TODAY........

I sat holding a nameless little boy, and instantly fell in love.....again.

Happy Birthday, Easton!

We have been completely and thoroughly blessed with Easton in our lives. He is a happy boy, great sleeper, pretty good eater and we're pretty sure he loves us too!

A few things about Easton at age {2}:

* loves his blanket{s} and won't sleep without them

*will finally drink WHITE milk

*is his brother's shadow, repeats what he says, does what he does

*always on the move. He's wiggling in his carseat, rolling on the floor or running, ALL the time

*loves to color {only a few times on the wall}

*loves WOODY and BUZZ Lightyear {when playing with others}

*when he plays alone, he plays with trucks

*will almost do anything for a "snack"

*climbs in and out of his crib at his leisure. Wants to be in a big bed.

*loves to be outside, weather doesn't matter.

*says {I love you} several times a day

*insists on getting dressed FIRST THING after waking up in the mornings

*won't wear socks and hates to wear shoes

*LOVES juice

*uses the POTTY at least once a day

*has had a diaper rash for over a year

*has finally outgrown his excema

*loves oranges, yogurt, chicken nuggets, cucumbers, peas, apples and french fries.  

*will hold completely still for haircuts

*usually has a bruise or scrape somewhere on his head

*is a creature of habit. Has to do the same thing at a certain location or there is a freak-out. {example: Costco he has to eat a hotdog, Great Clips he has to sit on a chair and hear his name be called}

Easton, our lives our fuller, our days a little more exciting {and busy} and our hearts are bigger since you've been in our family. We LOVE you more than you'll ever know. 

Happy {2nd} Birthday!

Super Simple Snowflakes

My sister-in-law was sporting was one of these necklaces,

as I browsed the site and then the blog, I ran across this blog.

She had this little craft projects for kids and since it was super simple and super cute {plus super cheap}, I thought I'd give it a try.

Here's the supplies you need.

Step 1: Make a snowflake design out out of the q-tips
Step 2: Dabble glue...don't be shy, use lots of glue {Gibson loved this part}

Step 3: Sprinkle with glitter





Step 4: Wait for them to dry {ours our still drying, I think they need about 48 hours to be completely dry}

When they are done, they should look like THIS! Super cute and Super Simple! {Glue .34, Glitter .98, q-tips, already had. So for less than $1.50 {I think the glitter could have made two) I had two smiling and happy boys and at least 30 minutes of entertainment!}

{helpful hints: if making them with your kids friends, cut out a piece of cardboard for them to be made on, so they can go home with that child and dry, otherwise, they'll have to sit at your house for a few days and dry.}

The Answer to our most commonly asked question

One of us knows and it's not me.....

Jared who's never been good at surprises HAD to know, so we put it in an envelope and he opened it. So he's the only one who knows. He PROMISED me he'd keep it that way at least until Christmas.

I told him to go and buy a new outfit for the baby and when I open it and see the color, I'll know and so will the rest of you!

Aren't surprises fun????

Ah, look how cute

We got our family pictures back and here are a few of my favorites!

Thanksgiving Post is coming.....

in the meantime. My afternoons are gone. Easton has learned how to climb out of his crib. Not only that but he has successfully learned how to open doors. 

I need a moment to mourn the passing of my easy napper, great sleeper and my uninterrupted few hours while Gibson is at preschool but I don't have a few moments.

Said child is now on the counter. Rummaging through a new bag of Hershey's Peanut Butter Cups while saying "mom, me."{mom, look at me}

It's a good thing I purchased that bag an hour ago, it's going to be a long afternoon!

Thanksgiving in Review

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. It ended up different than it was planned but at the end of the day, everyone had satisfied stomachs, quality time with cousins and siblings and a smile on their face.

A few days before Thanksgiving, Cassie's {Jared's sister in Idaho} little girl fell about 10ft and broke her femer, right at her hip. Jared's mom was torn since she was scheduled to host Thanksgiving for the bulk of the family but felt that she needed to be in Idaho where Cassie {her husband is away at boot camp} needed her. {we all had to agree with her that Idaho needed her more}

It was decided near midnight on the eve of Thanksgiving that Idaho is where she was needed most and so she woke up early Thanksgiving morning, put in the turkey and then she and Jared's dad drove the six hours to be with Cassie and Katie {who got out of the hospital Thanksgiving day, complete with a full body cast for the next 6 weeks.}

So, that left Thanksgiving up to the siblings to pull off. It was held in Midway at the Condie's {vacation/second} home. I woke up early and drove up to start some of the other dishes. Got everything in the oven and sat down and enjoyed the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade which I haven't watched for years! {I love myself a good parade}.

The remaining 34 people arrived a few hours later and it was full gear with everyone pitching in and our wonderful Thanksgiving feast was served a few hours later.

Kung Fu Panda, Guitar Hero and Football entertained the men and children while the ladies talked and played card games. A few snuck in naps and the pies magically disappeared as did the sun. 

It truly was a wonderful day and I am so thankful for the family that I married into and for the relationships that we have with them.

The picture overload is for Marylou and Rulon whom we missed but were where they needed to be.

I don't do gravy. Luckily, Jared's brother David does! That huge pot of gravy was nearly gone...looks like we all like gravy!

The kids table. All of the kids did so well together! Kung Fu Panda was seriously a secret weapon as they all waited patiently for dinner to be done.

Ah, I'm hungry again. Yumm-o! {Ketchup you might say??? Yes, secret weapon for the kids!}

Easton saying cheese complete with a bite of food in his mouth!

Jared's two brothers. I think David is a bit annoyed that I'm interrupting his dinner.

Renee made this super delicious "salad" and wonderful pumpkin dessert....she's a great cook!

I don't think Abigail ever went to sleep

Craig multi-tasking: Watching a football game AND taking baby duty 

Spencer blowing kisses

The twins who after their Thanksgiving feast took a 4 hour nap!

I think I'm most Thankful for HIM! Love you Jared.

Cute Family that let me practice taking their picture. With grandkids from 19 to 4 months, it's always special when the older kids spend time with us. I'm still perplexed as to when they grew up but thankful that they are family!

Grateful is the word in my heart. Grateful to have what we have. Grateful to be where we're at. Grateful to have such a wonderful husband and two beautiful boys. Grateful for a day to be reminded of it all.

A whirlwind of a weekend

My little people are asleep, the hubby is quietly reading a book, the laundry is washed, folded and put away {miracle in itself} and I? I am taking a moment to recount this past weekend.

It was a busy weekend to say the least. I think the only time I sat down was while being transported from here to there or maybe it was from there to here....honestly, I don't remember.

The weekend was all about my sister Erin. You see, my little sister Erin leaves in 8 days and will be gone for 18 months. {Excuse me while I grab a tissue to wipe my tears that are already flowing from the thought of having to say goodbye.} I can hardly think of it- sadness is too close to the surface for me. Yet, it's hard to be sad when you see how happy and excited she is.

This weekend we completed the last spiritual step in preparation for her to serve an LDS mission. She attended the LDS temple for the first time. For all you non-LDS readers out there, this is a big commitment for our faith and to be there while she made this giant leap, was an incredible honor for us. {No pictures were taken, we were late, she had to be early and we all had to b-line it for our cars afterwards so we could be on time to the next family event}

Which was family pictures! Now, if there's a secret to taking family pictures without the grumblings and eye rolling of the men of the family, I'd like to know that secret NOW! I'd even pay for it {that is if you accept food products, pats on the back or big fat IOU's}- we bribed the kids with a trip to the dollar store and I should have thought earlier to bribe the men folk but we got them taken and if by some miracle, one turns out....well, it will be a miracle! {7 kids under the age of 4 is a little tricky}

It was then off to prepare food, clean house, watch the BYU vs. Utah game and prepare for Sunday's festivities....her farewell talk in church.

One thing about my sister Erin is she is not a shy gal. She makes friends easily and everyone she meets is instantly a treasured friend. If you don't believe me, you should have come to church with us yesterday. She easily had over 100 people there to hear her speak {some drove over 3 hours one way} and all of these people were famished after sitting in church so off to the clean house to eat our well prepared {and delicious} food. It was pure chaos. We had to keep the little people outside just so they wouldn't get trampled with the amount of people filing in and out of the door and through the kitchen!

After several hours of serving, cleaning, eating and visiting we were off to take off the high heels, get into comfy sweats and relax.....but then my phone rang and my dear sweet best friend Laurie and her husband were passing through and made a stop to see us! It took us less than 30 seconds to get back in the car and go and visit with our long lost friends for longer than we both had planned! What a perfect way to complete such a great day!

The nice thing about the weekend was the kids were angels. Playing with cousins to their hearts content and falling asleep the moment their heads hit the pillow. I got to spend some quality time with my dear family members and Jared? Well, Jared figured out that Gibson responds to the word "we", as in, "go tell mom that WE are hungry and need some popcorn, ice cream, pizza, etc."  Gibson thought that was so cool and eagerly anticipated the arrival of such delicacy's.

It was a whirlwind of a weekend but it was worth all the hustle, all the here and there's or maybe it was there and here's......

A believer.....

A few months ago I had a return at Bath and Body Works....I also had a coupon. So, I HAD to purchase something so I'd get a free bottle of lotion {which moving back to Utah has been a necessity, my goodness this state is dry!} The aromatherapy line happened to be on sale and since I have seemed to be having a hard time getting to sleep at night, I thought I'd try it.

Well, I'm a believer. This stuff is great, I'd highly recommend it to anyone having trouble sleeping at night.

See What Happens?

My brother Jason has two daughters {ages 2 and 1, also the only two granddaughters} Princess Addie is Easton's age and is quite the little lady. She's not a big fan of slides, dirt, bouncing in bouncy castles or being dirty......that is, until she starts hanging out with my kids!

A few weeks ago when we went to Moab to visit Jason and his family, we were outside waiting to leave for church. Easton must have given Addie the "come over here, it's fun" look because she was soon helping him stuff rocks into uncle Jason's dirty tailpipe of his truck. Black hands and dirty white tights later.....

Well today was no different. The kids enjoyed playing outside after Sunday dinner, Addie becoming rough and tough with the boys and Cooper {Jason's other 1 year old} was gazing longingly from his mother's arms wishing he was a little bigger and a little more steady on his feet to join in.

As we watched and awed over Addie and her willingness to get dirty, Cooper crawled out the front door and proved that he too could get dirty just like the rest of them. Seems like Cooper's taste for dirt is a strong one and yes, he did prove to us that he can hang with the rest of them and he'll be teaching Addie to get dirty if Easton is unsuccessful. 

As Jason's kids were loaded into their car seats, a good look was able to be taken of the pink tights of Addie.....they were filthy! Jen exhaled and proclaimed "see what happens when she plays with boys. Your kids are teaching her how to get dirty!"

Sadly, dirt is all I know and from the looks of Cooper, I don't think Addie needs my kids to teach her how to get dirty, I think her brother is going to do a fine job in that department!

VTech and Leap Frog???

Are these worth the money and do they do all they say they'll do?

I've been debating one of these for Gibson but they are expensive! I don't want him to become bored with it after a few days or have the battery constantly running out.

Any input or suggestions as to which one {if any} I should get my 4 year old who loves to learn?

summit ward talent show olympics

I originally saw this on my brother's blog and it just made me smile. Then, as I was doing a little bit of blog surfing I was educated that one of these amazing synchronized swimmers is a HS classmate of Jareds, the brother of one of Jared's patients and an esteemed lawyer!

Makes me laugh even more! Better yet, makes me want to have a ward talent show so I can convince Jared to do the same skit! I think it's genius!

Seriously???

There are at least 3 radio stations that are ONLY playing Christmas music. Now, I love Christmas music as much as the next guy but seriously, starting the day after Halloween is a bit much in my opinion.

Halloween 2008

We had a great Halloween this year. Since Gibson got to wear his costume to preschool, he practically wore it all day and couldn't have been happier! Thanks to Aunt Emilee for the "dinosaur" costume {yes, I do believe it may be an Alligator but to Gibson, it was a dinosaur and there was no telling him otherwise!} 

Aunt Emilee saved the day with Easton as well as she happened to have a cow costume just his size. Easton didn't totally understand the concept of trick or treating and since the first candy he received was a sucker, he was practically done. He trailed behind Gibson happily eating his sucker and was thrilled just to be outside.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a huge fan of Halloween. I've never enjoyed dressing up as something I'm not and while I try not to express my un-love for this holiday to my children, I have to admit that having children has helped me enjoy it more. 

There's something that can be said when I see their eyes light up when we pass yet another inflatable pumpkin or ghost or when I hear Gibson trying to explain dressing up to Easton.  Making goodies, carving pumpkins and trick or treating is just more enjoyable when seen through the eyes of our two young sons.

We ventured off to trick or treat as a family and about 34 minutes later we were done! We went to one street, hit around 7 houses and called it a night. We were home by 7:30, the boys were in bed by 8 and our Halloween night was officially done by 8:01!

Now, that's what I call a great Halloween!

I'm afraid he's got the same fashion sense as his mother.

Zippy

I met Zipporah in 2001 when we both arrived in Cleveland for our husbands to begin dental school. We became fast friends. 

I love this girl. She's genuine and never pretends to be something she's not. She's a great mom, a great cook and baker and sincerely cares about others.

I was thrilled when I got to see her a for a few hours while she's in town on vacation.  We had a great time at the park and while our kids got ignored, it was great catching up with her!

FHE

We carved pumpkins for FHE. {when I say we I mean Jared and Papa Taylor.} Gibson thought it was great fun and when I suggested wearing gloves he was all over it {much to Jared's dislike}

The process went faster than I remember it usually going. Papa Taylor is a master carver and had his pumpkin done in no time! 

Check out that concentration. This was serious business! Not to mention a very thick pumpkin!

Thanks Papa Taylor for carving pumpkins with us and for growing the pumpkins in your garden!