Good night Birthday Girl

She'll never be too old for me to take these "sleeping pictures".

Today was our Ellie's THIRD birthday! The picture to the left is of her this morning and the one above is this evening. It is so strange to me that she could possibly be three! Of course she acts like a three year old but I promise it was just last year that she was born. Time flies by the older you get and more kids you have. sigh. We didn't do much to celebrate today, we will do most of that on Wednesday when Collin can be here too. But, today she got to chose whatever she wanted to wear, which, fittingly for her was a t-shirt and panties, we played at the park (I made her put pants on for that, 55 degrees or not!) and she chose her birthday dinner, which was, again, fitting for her, pancakes, scrambled eggs and the piece de resistance.... SAUSAGE!!! The girl loves her sausage!

We are so blessed to have our sweet angel Ellie. I often hear others refer to her as irresistible and she really is just that. Something about her embeds itself into your heart and you are hooked on that little voice, that teeny frame and those huge baby blues. She and her sisters are blessings straight from heaven and it's nice to take a special day every so often, like a birthday, and really enjoy them for what they are. How meaningless, empty and trivial life would be without them. Happy birthday Ellie! You are loved far more than you could ever know!

Annual Halloween Party

A pic of the whole group!

Me and my date! ;)

Last night my brother and sister-in-law hosted an annual Halloween Party and it was a lot of fun! Collin was unfortunately unable to attend since he was in Vegas so I brought Emma as my date and costume partner! Emma as you can see, was a cute little bumble bee. She's precious! My first idea for my costume was to be a bee keeper, but that didn't work out. So, the day before the party I got the idea to be a flower, though I wasn't sure how it would look, exactly. I tried, unsuccessfully, to find one of those flower headbands but that turned out to be good because I think this was better and more creative! After having braided my bangs and putting two messy buns in my hair I simply placed my girls flower clips randomly in my hair. Then I drew the vines and flowers on the side of my face and wah-la! Anyway, the party was a blast! So many great costumes, from a nerd couple to a "cereal" killer, a plethora of laughs, great food and fresh pressed apple cider and of course fun games! Gotta love it! And I have to say, it was really nice to come home to sleeping kids!! Thanks for the fun Robin and Tyler!

Rich and Creamy Hot Chocolate... yuuuummmmmm

Ok, as to keep swear words off my family blog, kacee, I am now posting my hot choc. recipe! (you know I'm messing with ya kace, you're my fav!) SO... here it is:

Ingredients
1c. water
2oz. unsweetened chocolate (I use 2 squares of Baker's Unsweetend Chocolate)
1/2c. sugar
2 1/2c. milk
1/2c. whipping cream (enter the FAT)
1/2 to 1tsp. vanilla
Whipped cream topping

Directions:
Melt choc. in water on med high heat stirring with wire whisk. Add sugar, stir with wire whisk. Bring to boil and allow to boil for 3 mins. stirring constantly. Gradually add milk and cream mixing it well, especially after adding cream. Add vanilla (the less you use the more dark it will be. I use 1/2tsp., I prefer dark choc. over milk choc. every time) mix well. Heat to your desired temp, top with whipped cream (more fat) and ENJOY!!

So go try it if it sounds good to you and, seriously, let me know how you like it!! Another thing I like to do with it is kinda strange but I love it. My family picked it up when we were living in Europe so I grew up loving this. If you have some good Swiss cheese, cut a thick-ish strip and dip it in the hot chocolate! Salty and sweet!! Anyway, really, let me know how you like it! Email me or comment under this post!! Happy sipping!!

The Fat of Me!

Every winter for the last few years, I have one recipe I can't resist making and though it certainly wont be the death of me... it may very well be the FAT of me! So, being the good friend that I am, I am considering posting it so you all can join me in the race to gain those "holiday pounds"! I will definitely share it with anyone that wants it, but should I actually post it?! The recipe is for Hot Chocolate. I need to say first that it is VERY RICH and also that it is more on the dark side of chocolate than it is on the milk side! And lets not forget that it is definitely NOT lacking in the fat and calorie content. Like I said, I've been making this for a few years now and have fine tuned it to my taste preferences and I encourage you to do the same thing if you don't like it exactly the way I make it. So, do you want to try it?!?! :)

Primary Program

This Sunday, the 18th, is our primary program. As the Primary Chorister it is a HUGE deal to me! All the songs the kids have learned in primary this year have been in preparation for this program, and let me tell you, it will be amazing! I have been the chorister for the last three programs, this one included, and this one, I think, will be my favorite. The others were simply wonderful too but this years theme, My Eternal Family, is particularly close to my heart. Having lost my mother when I was just three years old my testimony of this gospel began and grew from the song, "Families Can Be Together Forever". When I sang that song in primary as a child it felt so good to me that I knew it had to be true, today I know that it is. And that is still where my testimony is firmly planted. Nothing could ever cause me to doubt that, not ever! And because I know that principle is true, all others of this gospel fall in line... this is the Lords gospel. So the kids in our primary will sing all these amazing songs, including "Families Can Be Together Forever", "The Family Is Of God" and "Come, Ye Children Of The Lord", just to name a few, and they each have their own little speaking parts. While I am, naturally, a tad bit nervous, I can guarantee that no one will leave that meeting not having been greatly uplifted, testimony charged or even planted! My experience is that the testimony of children, sung or otherwise, has the ability to soften even the hardest of hearts, to strengthen even the strongest testimony, and to bring a realization to all who hear that can not be denied. Be sure you make it to your wards primary program.

Ada's Bday Cake

My cute neice Ada turned 5 this week and I got to make her cake for her "Royal Birthday Party"! This cake was, again, super fun, though I did have a few issues with the cake itself, including the fact the cake ended up too short for the barbie, and a couple other things, so I had to be a little sneaky with the decorating! But Ada really liked it and I think it turned out pretty cute! Happy Birthday Ada! We love you!!!

Where's my SPOON?!?!

While I was cleaning the kitchen after dinner tonight Emma began to get a bit impatient, so I gave her a spoon to keep her occupied, as many of us moms do, and as usual, it worked! I went on doing my chores when, a few minutes later, she started fussing again. Really wanting to get the kitchen cleaned in one attempt I just worked faster. But a minute later she was too darn angry and needed my attention. I turned to her to try to distract her from her boredom when I realized why she was so upset... She apparently LOVED the spoon and was TORQUED that it had suddenly and mysteriously DISAPPEARED! After snapping a few quick pics, because, lets face it, this was PRICELESS, I worked my mommy magic and pulled the spoon right out of thin air, putting an end to those frustrated tears while reminding Emma that I really am the coolest! And yes, I was able to finish my less important, non-magical job in the kitchen! OK, maybe I did use a little magic! (thanks Mr. Clean) ;) I'm also posting a picture I took of her earlier in the day, pre-dinner messes, just cuz she is so cute!!