Jr. Jazz

Having kids 13 months apart was not easy. Two pregnancies, two c-sections, two kids way too close in age. These two are the BEST of friends and the WORST enemies - it just depends on the day.

We signed them both up for Jr. Jazz basketball this year and they LOVED it. Having dad as their coach was an added bonus. It was fun to watch them interact on the court, pass each other the ball, cheer when the other scored, and even tackle each other out of pure excitement when a basket was made at the buzzer! I love these two kids and am grateful for their different personalities and love for each other!

So grown up...

My little sister, Kelsey, is not so little anymore. She is 18, all grown up, and is deciding where she will attend school next year. It makes me sad to think that Kelsey could soon be a few hours away. I am secretly hoping that she chooses BYU because I am selfish like that and I want to be able to see her as often as I like. She is a great sister, aunt, and friend. This picture was taken last weekend before she left to the Sweethearts dance at the High School. I think we have a similar picture of Kylee and Kelsey before almost every dance over the last few years! They are pictures that I cherish. We will miss gathering at the house to watch her "primp" before the dance. Kylee won't know what to do with herself without the endless trips to Kelsey's room to give her opinion on shoes or steal her lipgloss. I guess we all have to grow up sometime - Kelsey just grew up way to fast! We love you Kels!

Technology Overload

Austin is talking a lot these days and I thought I would document some of his favorite phrases:

"I play X-Box." (He holds a controller without batteries in it and thinks he is playing)

"I play Webkinz." (Kylee is patient and lets him sit with her and push an occasional button)

"I play bubble." (This is a game on Tyler's cell phone)

"Nick being mean." (I hear this at least 20 times a day)

That about sums it up. I think that we are already overloading our son with technology and he is only TWO - what do you expect when he has older siblings?

I don't bake!

Anyone who knows me well knows that I prefer things store bought. Why make my own cookie dough when they sell it in nice little tubs at the grocery store? When asked to make a dessert for a party or Sunday dinner - I bring a typical cake and ice cream and sometimes even step it up and bake cupcakes! My High School boyfriend laughed at my only attempt to bake cookies when they came out flat and burnt...I am not much different in the kitchen today! Well, today I decided to make history and branch out. I am quite pleased with the results for a number of reasons:

1. All the ingredients in this recipe are usually found on the shelf in my pantry. No special trips to the store for crazy ingredients that I will never use again.

2. It is pretty much fool proof. If you can bake a cake without burning it (which I have done) and use a measuring cup you are in luck with this one!

3. Most importantly, it tastes NORMAL and my kids like everything in it.

So, if you are looking for an EASY recipe to spice up your dessert menu, this one is for you!

BOSTON CREAM PIE

1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding
1 cup cold milk
1-1/2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping
1 round yellow cake layer (8 or 9 inch)
1 square BAKER'S Unsweetened Chocolate
1 Tbsp. butter
3/4 cup powdered sugar
2 Tbsp. cold milk

Bake the cake as directed. When cool, cut in half (I used both layers). Mix pudding with milk and add Cool Whip. Put inbetween cake layers. Mix chocolate and butter and microwave stirring occasionally until melted. Add powdered sugar and milk and put on top!

Because I like things simple I even change it up a little. I used both layers of the cake instead of cutting just one...the bigger the better. I also used store bought chocolate frosting, heated in the microwave for about 40 seconds, stirred it up and poured it over the top! It drizzled down the sides and was much easier than melting my own chocolate...one thing I didn't have in my pantry!

30's Not So Bad...

The BIG 30 was not as bad as I thought it would be. It started out with a bang the night before when my girlfriends took me to see New In Town. It was a great movie, nothing nasty or crude but a lot of funny moments that made me laugh. It was a much needed night of relaxing...thanks girls!

Tyler took yesterday off which is always a treat. We checked Kylee out of school early and headed to the mall for lunch...I am easy to please and was thrilled to be surrounded by the kiddos and my mom for lunch at the eatery. I was then treated to a nice and relaxing brow wax at Remedez Salon followed by a "make over" at the Mac counter at Nordstroms. Tyler gave me an allowance to buy myself some good makeup - I was hoping that getting rid of my Walmart makeup might make me feel beautiful and shave a few years off...do you think it will work?
My parents gave me tickets to see WICKED when it comes to SLC this Spring. I am SO excited. I tried to get tickets when they went on sale with no luck but apparently my dad got a hold of two! It was a great surprise and I can't wait to go!!!!
I am sure I put on about 5 pounds as I ate almost every bite of my Birthday Cake Remix from Coldstone. It is my favorite and was much better than birthday cake!
Off to gymnastics with Kylee and to Mountain View to watch Kylee and at least 100 other little girls cheer at halftime. It was a great end to the night!
Thanks for all the Birthday wishes!

Happy Birthday Renee!

Happy Birthday Renee! This is her little sister Sarah...since she did this to me on my birthday I am getting her back! As you all know, Renee is a wonderful wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. She is feeling a little depressed on this BIG birthday but we still think she is amazing pregnant and all at the ripe old age of ___?!?!? Thanks for your example in everything you do! We love you Renee and hope you have a wonderful birthday!

I feel NOT SO pretty...

Okay, this is my time to vent. I have spent the last few minutes "blog surfing" or "blog stalking" as I like to call it and have come across quite a few blogs of expectant mothers. Most of them include updated pictures, side view nonetheless, of their pregnant belly. It must be a first time mom thing because a side few of this pregnant belly will NOT, I repeat will NOT be posted. I seriously feel like I look like I could deliver any minute....my belly is buldging and I feel so YUCK! Maybe it is the 4 bagels with cream cheese I ate yesterday, or the 2 bowls (yes 2) of cereal I had for my mid morning snack. It could also be the Jamba Juice that I just consumed followed by a churro while on a quick trip to Costco....who knows. Maybe it is just the fact that this is baby #4 - my belly is already stretched out making it much easier for the skin to re-stretch and make me feel gigantic. I keep telling myself that maybe the baby is just big, but the ultrasound this week shows she is measuring right on though her legs are 10+ days bigger than the rest of her body. Whatever it may be, I forgot how much I HATE to feel fat. With a good 4 months to go I am hoping that I am just hitting a "growth spurt" like my 2 year old and it will come to a stop quick. Feeling terribly FAT and TURNING 30 all in the same week is just a combination for an emotional disaster. I think I will head to the gas station for a Dr. Pepper...maybe that's my problem!

Still a GIRL...

Kylee went with me to my ultrasound today. She was thrilled to see our BABY GIRL and we are now 100% certain she has no male parts! I love going through this process with older children. Kylee and Nick are both so excited and involved in this pregnancy which makes every second worth it! I can finally start decorating the nursery...yeah for pink!