Worlds Greatest Dad

First, this is an old pic, it was taken last November. Anyway, I just wanted to brag about what an amazing daddy my husband is! I couldn't ask for a better father for my girls. He loves them so much and never hesitates to show them. We were out on a walk the other day and a neighbor saw us through their window and came out just to tell me what a great dad Collin is. She said she sees him outside with the girls all the time, walking down the street with girls on their bikes or up at the park pushin girls on swings. Just taking the time to do the little things that kids appriciate so much. It was just nice to hear that someone else out there appriciates how great he is, not that I needed the reminder or validation! I sometimes sit back and look at my family seeing how blessed I am and, with as good as I know I have, it makes me wonder if I'm looking through rose colored glasses. So to hear that from an outside party meant a lot to me. But not as much as the time, effort and love my man gives to us girls of his! A lucky bunch we are! :)

A Little Off Broadway

Any of you reading my blog that are close enough to come to Panaca for a weekend this weekend would be a good one! A Little Off Broadway will be showing Thurs. the 23rd, Fri. the 24th, Sat. the 25th and Mon. the 27. For those of you that don't know what A Little Off Broadway is- Basically every year a few community members get together and perform a show of selected songs from Broadway shows. There is a combination of solos, duets, group numbers, humorus songs, heartfelt songs, patriotic songs and always a classic or two. It's gonna be a great show, perfect family night! The show starts at 7pm and tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for children 17 and under. Hope you can make it! :D

Been a long time

It's been quite awhile since I've posted anything but now it will be more convenient to do so, so I'm hoping you can plan on more frequent updates! For now here is what I'll share:

Emma is 17 months old and just a doll! She is a chubby lil girl, just how we like babies! She doesnt speak hardly at all only saying "Ma" and "Da", oh and "Eye-sh" for Irish. So cute! :) She is constantly going, it is IMPOSSIBLE to keep the house clean as she basically follows me around pull everything out that I put away! We love her to pieces!

Ellie FINALLY started preschool! She has been itching to go since Irish started kindergarten last year! She loves it, especially painting! She is still our chocolate milk addict and LOVES to cuddle! She is the biggest cuddler I have ever known! She is also a very stubborn little thing, always having to do things herself even if that means immediately undoing what mom did only so she can immediately redo it exactly the same way! Never a dull moment! ;)

Irish is a first grader!! I'm so happy for her because she is such an outgoing busy thing and now she finally has a sufficient outlet! I always knew she needed more than what I was able to give her at home and with family and friends! She is a GREAT sister, daughter and friend. Everyone knows who she is and loves her. She is becoming a tall blond beauty... and that scares me! ;) We are certainly pleased with the girl she is becoming!

I started working again this summer at the dentist office in Panaca as an assistant. I love the work but hate being away from my kids. Though loving the work does help the time go by each day I am away! I am currently in a local production called A Little Off Broadway. Its a show that's been in Lincoln County for over 20 years, put on by those of us that live here. It is a combinations of musical numbers from different Broadway plays performed by the member of the cast, consisting of solos, duets and group numbers. It is always a LOT of fun and a LOT of work. Our show this year is in Panaca and opening night is next week! I can't wait! I love the performances as well as being finished! ;)

Collin is as amazing as ever. I am constantly amazed at his dedication and determination. We've been through a rough couple years and through it all he has always kept us going. We are so lucky to have him as ours! He is still working at CYC and doing an outstanding job; and has a reputation of such! Random people have told me how they've heard about the great job he is doing there. Needless to say I am proud to say I am his wife! :)

So there is a quick update(deja vue) and my post will start coming more often again so keep coming back to check up! Hope you are all well! Can't wait to get caught up with your families! Feels like I havent been on blogger in forever!!! ;)

New addition to our family

Forgot to mention our new addition! Meet Stormie! We got her a little over a month ago and she is now three months old. She is an adorable pure bred black lab. We love her, she fits in very nicely with our brood. The girls think she's the greatest thing ever and she seems to think the same thing about them!

Jump(re)start

To get a jumpstart on the updates here is a recent picture of the girls. Emma turns a year old on Tues. the 13. She is a very independent and confident walker already, and she LOVES to eat! Her mind has one setting and it is "whats next to eat"! Ellie is three years old. She is very much like her dad and attatches herself to his leg when he is home! She loves to color and is the sweetest of sweethearts! Irish will be six next month and we are not allowed to forget it! She's a great biggest sister and a huge help to mom. She is one of the top two readers in her kindergarden class and last week got an award for being the most cheerful kid in the class. Her teacher told me she is very social, all the kids really like her and she always makes them laugh. She's just like that at home too! Collin & I are great also. Collin got a job here in Lincoln County last Nov. so we are kinda in our own little paradise being able to be together everyday!

So there is an update! Now, hopfully I'll be able to say on top of things a little better and keep the updates and photos coming!

One step closer!

Dont give up on us! As you can see I'm slowly getting updated! Watch for pictures, hopefully this week! :) Thanks for the inspiration Ash! ;)

Still here!

Things have been extreamly busy in our home the last few months and I've been unable to get on blogger long enough to do things, so I just have avoided the topic completely! But I would like to say that we are still here, and as soon as life gets back to something that resembles normal I'll be back to my blogging ways! Hope you all had a great holiday and that all is well with you and your families!!

Thanksgiving Day Recipe Swap

My super great friend Kacee recently posted her favorite Thanksgiving Day recipe and asked in return that people leave a comment with their favorite Thanksgiving Day recipe! I thought that was such a great idea that I'm cpoying you Kace! :) This is my favorite from last year and as I told Kacee in my comment on her page, I had to make an extra pie after the first one got devoured, everyone wanted another slice! It is sooooo yummy and really quite easy! So give it a try but you have to leave me your favorite in return!! Thanks and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

CANDIED APPLE PIE CHEESECAKE

1 cup crushed Nabisco Ginger Snaps
3 Tbsp. butter, melted
1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. sugar, divided
2 pkg. (8 oz. each) Cream Cheese, softened
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup Sour Cream
2 eggs
1 cup apple pie filling, divided
1/2 cup Walnut Pieces, divided
1/2 cup toffee bits, divided

HEAT oven to 325°F. Mix crumbs, butter and 2 Tbsp. sugar; press onto bottom and up side of 9-inch pie plate.

BEAT cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar and vanilla with mixer until blended. Add sour cream; mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each. Stir in 1/2 each pie filling, nuts and toffee. Pour into crust.

BAKE 35 min. or until center is almost set. Cool. Refrigerate 4 hours. Top with remaining pie filling, nuts and toffee before serving

Crooker Shoes and Pizza Makers

(Long post but worth the read if you like to laugh!)
I love being a mother! No one can comfort the way a mother can, no one gets smiles, hugs or kisses like a mother gets, few are able to vanquish monsters from under the bed like a mother is able and the rewards of a mother far surpass anything I can imagine. The other day I got to enjoy one of those many rewards, the reward of getting a glimpse at the way a five year old sees the world. Any parent out there know that usually makes for a touching moment or a darn good laugh, this time it was the latter! First I have to tell a quick story about Irish. Earlier this week I told the girls they could watch a movie before bed and as it often does, that started a little argument between the two of them. I let them know that if they kept the arguing up much longer there would be no movie and bedtime would be right away. Irish thought about that for a minute and then said, "Ellie, we can watch your movie". I was proud of her and I told her so. I took her hand and explained to her, as I always do when she does these things, that she was being a peacemaker and that Heavenly Father and Jesus were very happy with her and she did a great thing. She literally squealed she was so proud! What a girl!
Now here are the actual things I wanted to blog about. A couple days ago we went to St. George to get some shopping done. Irish is in desperate need of some new church shoes so we hunted down a pair that she couldn't be more thrilled about. They are cute little brown heals. They are slightly higher than most little girl shoes but the thing that makes them seem like mommy shoes is that the heal is a little more narrow than most girl shoes. Anyone that knows me knows that I love to wear high heals (a perk of having a 6ft 5 hubby!). And Irish loves that I love to wear them. She calls high heals Crooker Shoes, for the sound they make when you walk. So cute! So when I showed her these Crooker Shoes in her size she could hardly contain herself! I wish I could have captured her facial expression in a photo to keep forever! And when she tried them on she simply had to walk on the tile flooring at the store... to be sure they were really real Crooker Shoes! Needless to say we got them for her and I'm pretty certain these are her favorite shoes she's ever owned! She's worn them to show her Grandma and Grandpa, Great Grandma Martha, Aunt Robin and Ada. She even tried to sneak out of the house wearing them... to rake leaves!!! Haha, little stinker!
That same day we were at Wal*mart. Collin took the girls to find Up on DVD while I went to get baby food. Apparently, when they were walking to meet back up with me Irish was holding the DVD and Ellie yanked it out of her hands. Irish did nothing, allowing Ellie to get away with being a little booger (which, to our demise as well as Ellie's if we don't knock it off, is really easy to do because she is so dang cute!)! Collin pointed out to her that she was being very grown up by not getting mad at Ellie and letting her hold it, to which Irish responded, "You know what that means..." Collin confused said "No... what does that mean?" Irish, "You know, you roll it, and spread it, and cut it..." Collin still confused just agreed with her at that point. When they met up with me he told me what went on then told Irish to tell me what she was talking about. The rest of the conversation went like this...
Irish- "I let Ellie have the movie, you know what that means mom."
Me- "Tell me what it means, I forgot."
Irish- "You know! You roll it, and spread it and you wear a chefs hat..."
Collin and I were completely lost at this point, thinking Irish had checked out! Luckily she decided she could whisper it in my ear. This is what she said...
Irish in my ear- "I let Ellie have the movie so I am a PIZZA MAKER!"
Collin and I LOST IT! But we didn't want her to feel bad or embarrassed so we both turned out backs to her and tired laughing out sides off silently. Which probably looked pretty strange to the other Wal*mart shoppers since our faces were beat red! All these times I've praised her for being a peacemaker she thought I was telling her she is a pizza maker!! And was excited about it!! And THAT is why I love being a mother!

Loving fall!

I love my ladies!

A Fun Fall Day

Here are some pictures I wanted to post just because I LOVE them! We were in the yard raking and picking up apples and things and just having so much fun that I ran into get my camera and ended up with these priceless pics! All I can really say is... Life is good.

Three Tiers for Three Years!

Here is Ellie's birthday cake that I worked so hard on! :) And let's face it, I made it just as much for myself as I did for my little lady! But I decided a little while ago that I wanted this cake to be my best yet and I think I did pretty well! I have to say I am very proud of this cake. I love the colors on it! I made the cake and frosting from scratch as well as the fondant so it taste really good too! The best part, though, was Ellie's face when she first saw it! I kept it from her while I worked on it (all day) so it would be a suprise and it was worth it! We got the picture above that I just love and it's a perfect example of how excited she was... she made her mommy happy! And I hope on her birthday she felt happy, as happy as a Tinkerbell loving, carefree three year old could possibly feel!

Ellie's Birthday Party

In my last post about Ellie's birthday I said we were gonna have her party on the next Wed. We did and it was fun! Ellie thought it was a blast which is all we were really concerned with. Here are a few pics from the fun filled night! Her cousins all came dressed up in their Halloween costumes as they were invited, but guess who absolutely refused to wear theirs... yes, the birthday girl! It was so strange to us because, since July, all she could talk about was being Tinkerbell for "Hall-a-leen". Really. Even when she met a complete stranger, she didn't tell them her name, just that she was gonna be Tinkerbell! Anyway, we tried hard to convince her but that's not easy with Ellie, so we just let her enjoy her party in the attire of her choice, which, by the way, was a t-shirt and panties. Yeah, we probably should have put pants on her but we were exhausted by that point. Thanks to all the aunts, uncles and cousins for coming and and helping us celebrate!

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!!