Where's Cohen?

There's Ammon.

Wait. Where's Cohen?

Ah. There's Cohen.

Please excuse the mess. They decided to get every toy out within the hour it took them to fall asleep last night.

Cohen is such a rambler in the car these days. Sometimes I am too busy thinking to myself and sometimes I actually listen to what he's saying. He doesn't expect a response. Just likes to hear himself talk. For instance this is what I heard him saying this evening:

"There's a car. Wow, look at the car. Why don't we have a car? I want to get a car. Oh we already have a car."

It was said much slower than it sounds. With little inflections in his voice. As if he were really analyzing the situation.


Rylee is growing up way too fast! She is pulling up on things and she is all over the house. She just seems too young to be doing all of this!I want her stay a baby for a while longer. I have got her down to nursing three times a day and eating solids three times a day as well (all in preparation for the trip). I tried to give her a bottle/sippy cup twice today, with formula in it, and she gaged herself both times. We go to the pediatrician next week so hopefully she will give me some advice!

Couldn't get her to smile! I love that her hair is really coming in now, even though it sticks up all over the place.

this and that

Ammon is sick again. Strep throat. I caught it quickly so he's already on antibiotics.

I have some new friends! I met a girl at the park yesterday and she introduced me to some other young mothers in the neighborhood. They each have two kids and stay at home. It's difficult to find SAHM's around here because it's so expensive to live here that both spouses have to work. I'm really excited to have some friends. Ammon started playing indoor soccer with some of their kids on Wednesday and he loved it.

I got a new haircut a few days ago. I brought the lady a picture of what I wanted and came out with more of a mommy bob. I was looking for a dramatic a-line. It's so frustrating to come out with something different then you planned! Especially when you are paying an arm and a leg. Oh well like my mom says,"the difference between a good haircut and a bad haircut is two weeks."

Wow this top picture of me is hideous! Doesn't my hair look a little uneven?

I love to cook. I love to eat. But I hate trying to figure out what to make. If somebody could just tell me what to cook every night it would be so much easier. So I'm thinking about starting a a new blog. I haven't figured out all of the details nor if I'm fully committed to it yet. But I'm throwing the idea around. Basically any of you who would like to be involved would notify me. Hopefully we would get a decent amount of contributors. Each week a different person would list what they are cooking for 5 days as well as the recipes. It wouldn't have to be anything gourmet. Just quick, easy and yummy dishes. What do you think?

Thank Goodness

So I'm not losing my mind! I did know him from college (the boy on idol). Kristan called me Friday to find out what I was talking about. Turns out she had DVRed Idol last week but hadn't watched it yet. So I sat on the phone while she forwarded to the part of Brooke White. It was music to my ears (no pun intended) when she said, "Yes that's Dave! You totally know him. " Hurray! We are still working out all the details. But alas, I am not going crazy.

My dad came this weekend. He hadn't seen the kids in a few weeks and my mom was in London. He took us to dinner Friday night and Saturday he watched the boys while I threw a shower for a friend. The boys had so much fun with him! Ammon had a hard time letting him leave today and when he finally was able to get in the truck Ammon started bawling. The poor kid. I asked him what would make him feel better and he said, "A cookie." I didn't have any cookies so I said,"How about cake?" It did the trick. At least until he wakes up from his nap. Which literally he just did! Oh no and he is crying. He is sad because Grandpa is gone.

I stayed up until one in the morning last night watching Gone with the Wind. I had never seen it! It was such a good movie. Now I want to buy the book and the movie. I have heard the last line from Rett dozens of times "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn." Now I understand why. Poor Scarlett. She was so beautiful, dramatic and hilarious. I loved it! My favorite line, "Oh great balls of fire."

Idol

I was watching American Idol tonight and swear that I saw someone I know in the audience! It was right after Brooke White (by the way she is mormon and so is David A.) sang and the camera went to her husband and friend. I knew the friend or know him or something. It's driving me nuts! I think I knew him in college? Okay so please help. Someone out there has to know him as well. Kristan? Celeste? I feel like you guys would know this. I hope you watched the show tonight. Please tell me who he was so that I can get his face out of my head and get some rest! I wish we had DVR.

the boys

This is how the boys like the big boy (daddy) to take them to bed. They have so much fun together. The other night Jody took them to see The Spiderwick Chronicles while Rylee and I wandered aimlessly around Target. Since watching the movie Cohen has yet to be seen without his "chronicles book" which is actually a soft bound copy of the Book of Mormon. Last night Jody acted like the monster in the movie and the boys ran around with a book that he tried to steal.

Every night before Ammon goes to bed he likes one of us to tell him a story. Lately if we are too tired to sit and tell him a story he will tell us one. Now Cohen tries to tell us a story as well. I am going to try and get it on video tonight because it is seriously the cutest thing! He starts off, "Upon a time...."

One more thing. Last night after we put the kids in bed Ammon came back into our room and said,"I love you mom and dad." It was so sweet. Okay just one more thing. Ammon likes to give me kisses but sometimes he tries to give me a super long kiss until I am pulling away with all of my might. I always tell him,"Your not suppose to kiss your mommy like that (or anyone for that matter)!" He always laughs and will tell Jody,"Daddy I just kissed your girlfriend. " Well last night he did it again and I asked him why he always tries to kiss me like that and he said,"Because I just love you so much."

she's a mover.

I love this girl.

random

Jody's parents left on Tuesday. I can honestly say that we were all sad to see them go. I am lucky because I really love my in-laws! They are always up for anything when they come, easygoing, giving, loving and spoil their grandchildren to death! They are wonderful.

I recently got a new laptop and am thoroughly enjoying it. I only let myself on it an hour or so a day. I don't want to sit on the internet all day long, which would be SO easy to do (in the past I did a few times). My favorite place to search is Etsy. I love this website/store! I am placing an order for some of these clips. Rylee is finally able to wear little clippies!

I am also becoming quite the little sewer. I've been making receiving blankets, for all of you who are having babies in the next year, as well as burp clothes and some super cute pillows for Rylee's room. I am having so much fun. My only problem is that I start a project and get so excited about the next that I don't finish it! I promised myself that I will not buy anymore fabric until I use everything I have.

Yesterday my sister Lindsey found out that she is having a boy! I am so excited for her, Alan and Izzy. I can totally picture Iz with a little brother. I don't know if a little sister could have taken what I'm sure Iz will be dishing out! What a perfect little family.

Rylee began crawling this week. It's a whole new world for both of us. I have mixed feelings about it. She is enjoying being more mobile but I have to worry about so much more. Oh well it was inevitable!

I am going to a tupperware party tonight and having a visiting teaching brunch at my house tomorrow. It's almost March, which means it's almost my birthday!

fun

The picture says it all!

What a great weekend! Jody's parents are here and we are having a fabulous time! It is going by too quickly. We went to a fair in Cloverdale Saturday morning. We got there before it got busy, took the kids on all the rides and got out just as the crowds were coming. Ammon's definition of a fair is a place where kids have fun.

Cindy and I ran girly errands last night (JoAnne's and Target) while the boys hit up Best Buy and Sports Authority. I love having someone to go places with. I wish they were staying longer!

LOVE

This is what Jody got me for Valentines Day. Of course the names are different but I LOVE it. The discs tuck under each other and don't fan out the way they do in the picture. Melissa and I saw these necklaces in a boutique last weekend and she gave Jody the idea to get me one. Thanks Melissa! I love sentimental gifts.

Today was a great day. The weather has been spring like for the last 10 days and we have been loving our little park only a block away. The boys hop in their jeep and drive up while I push Rylee in the stroller. For Valentines day I made the boys delicious pop up pancakes (once again thank you Melissa for the recipe) and pink chocolate milk for breakfast. Then we ran a few errands and I took them to the park and stopped by McDonald's on the way home.

Jody's parents come tomorrow! We are all very excited to spend the next five days with them. We booked our tickets today. Cabo here we come, kidless!

Cabo

My mom called tonight to invite Jody and I on a trip with her and my dad to Cabo San Lucas. Their friends backed out and they need someone to take their place. The conversation started out with my mom saying, "I wish you and Jody could go" and ended with me deciding that we possibly could go! We can't take any of the kids. Not even Rylee because they are staying in a hotel that doesn't allow children under the age of 16. Aunt Alex to the rescue! I am still a bit worried that she might not be able to handle three kids. Another obstacle is that I will need to wean Rylee. She will almost be 11 months old so I'm not too worried about it. Just sad to even think of leaving her! I'm really excited but a little nervous.

Last week I drove the kids to my aunt's house to say goodbye to my grandparents and visit Jami and Keal. I forgot my camera! I spent Saturday with Melissa. We walked around some cute shops in Danville. I could have spent a fortune. Next time we decided that we will get a babysitter for the boys and so that I can enjoy myself more. Of course I forgot the camera again!

Rylee is almost 8 months old. Her hair is growing and getting crazier every day. She got her first two teeth last week and handled teething very well. She is finally sitting up and can almost crawl. It's amazing how good she gets around the room without crawling.

Cohen recently started calling me mama. Ammon has been calling me mama for the last year but one day Cohen decided to start calling me mama as well and that's all I hear now. It's hilarious. Jody says he's a true southern boy. Ammon and Cohen are so different. Ammon thinks everyone is his friend. We were driving home the other day and I noticed a yard sale in our neighborhood. They were selling lots of baby stuff and I stopped to purchase a few things for a friend that she had been wanting. I asked the guy his name to write him a check and Ammon said,"Mike, that's a nice name." As we drove home he said, "Can we go back and play at Mike's house again?" Um, okay he's not our friend. Cohen is so different. He could care less about people. We sat by the bishop's wife in church yesterday and she kept trying to help with the boys. Cohen was so rude. At one point she rubbed his back and he looked at her with a scowl on his face and said,"Don't scratch my back." He wanted nothing to do with her. At least he loves his mama.

Week in Review

This week went by quickly. My mom arrived tuesday afternoon and stayed until Friday morning. We LOVE it when she comes. She and I went and saw 27 dresses and I liked it so much that I would love to go see it again. Everyone I'd talked to said it was okay but I thought it was hilarious and really liked James Marsden in a romantic comedy. The bar scene was my favorite part.

Jody and I were able to go out one night. We went to dinner and then I got a pedicure while Jody sat in a chair and read a magazine. My kind of date.

On Thursday we picked Alex and her boyfriend Jeff up at the SF airport. We went to lunch and then stayed inside the rest of the day because it was pouring. Jeff is a super nice guy. He and Alex seem to really like each other, they were constantly holding hands, touching, etc. Ammon really, really liked Jeff. He thought Jeff came to play with him. The minute we got back from the airport Ammon got him a pirate hat and they played "pirates" together. Ammon also asked Jeff some pretty personal questions and at one point told he and Alex not to kiss. He said, "I can't kiss until I get back from my mission." He was pretty hilarious the whole time. When they left to drive to McKinleyville on Friday he said, "I'm really going to miss Jeff."

Tomorrow is the Super Bowl and we are going to a party after church. I am making buffalo wings and blue cheese dressing. I got the recipes from All Recipes. In case you need something to make tomorrow here's the recipes. They were both rated 5 out 5 stars by a few hundred people. I am planning on baking the wings. I read numerous reviews that said they were just as good baked.

Restaurant-Style Buffalo Chicken Wings
Rated: 5 out of 5 by 676 members
Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cook Time: 15 Minutes
Ready In: 2 Hours Yields: 5 servings

INGREDIENTS:
oil for deep frying
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup hot sauce
1 dash ground black pepper
1 dash garlic powder
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
10 chicken wings

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat oil in a deep fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). The oil should be just enough to cover wings entirely, an inch or so deep. Combine the butter, hot sauce, pepper and garlic powder in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir together and heat until butter is melted and mixture is well blended. Remove from heat and reserve for serving.

2. In a small bowl mix together the flour, paprika, cayenne pepper and salt. Place chicken wings in a large nonporous glass dish or bowl and sprinkle flour mixture over them until they are evenly coated. Cover dish or bowl and refrigerate for 60 to 90 minutes.

3. Fry coated wings in hot oil for 10 to 15 minutes, or until parts of wings begin to turn brown. Remove from heat, place wings in serving bowl, add hot sauce mixture and stir together. Serve.


Bill's Blue Cheese Dressing
Rated: 5 out of 5 by 275 members
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Ready In: 15 MinutesYields: 12 servings

INGREDIENTS:
3/4 cup sour cream
1 1/3 cups mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Worcestershire
sauce
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black
pepper
4 ounces blue cheese,
crumbled

DIRECTIONS:
1.In a large bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise and Worcestershire sauce. Season with mustard, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Stir in blue cheese. Cover, and refrigerate for 24 hours before serving.

Target

Like many of you, my favorite store is Target. I have some exciting news. Target has just come out with a Dwell Studio line of furniture, bedding, and accessories for a fraction of the cost. This line is for nursery items. If only they would add a line for home.

Target has also started selling Parent Inventors products. Items like Patemm Pads, Diapees + Wipees and Hotslings can now be found in your local Target Store. How cool. Can I just say for the umpteenth time in my life, I love Target!

*Speaking of parent inventors. Jody and I have teamed up with another couple and are working towards hopefully having our very own product on the shelves of Target in the near future. Well maybe not so near. But you never know, right? It's still in the works. We have made some definite progress lately. My husband is a go getter. I hope to be able to share our product with you all in the next month or so.

A Prophet for Our Day

President Hinckley passed away this evening. It saddens me that most of the world doesn't know who he was and what he accomplished in his 97 years. My feelings are mixed. I felt especially connected to him as our prophet because he was the prophet when I was gaining my own testimony of the gospel. I am sad that I won't hear him speak again but know that he is so very happy to be with his wife.

I'm sure most of you remember the conversation he had with Larry King a few years ago. Some of the topics they discussed especially comfort me at this time.

KING: You lost your wife this year after ...
HINCKLEY: Yes, I did. It was a terrible loss.
KING: How do you - how do you recover from - you were married, what, 67 years.
HINCKLEY: Sixty-seven years. Yes. Feel pretty lonely at times.
KING: How do you get over that, because you've become part of each other, right. You finish each other's sentences.
HINCKLEY: Absolutely. Well, you never get over it. Of course you don't.But the best thing you can do is just keep busy, keep working hard, so you're not dwelling on it all the time. Work is the best antidote for sorrow.
KING: She lived a long life, though.
HINCKLEY: She did. Ninety-two.
KING: She died peacefully?
HINCKLEY: Peacefully and wonderfully. But I miss her so much. She was a great lady

Later in the conversation he spoke of death:

KING: What happens when you die?
HINCKLEY: When you die? Well, I'm not fully conversant with that. I haven't passed through that yet.
KING: Well, call me. Knowing you, I'll be there and I'll call you.
(LAUGHTER)
KING: But you do believe that something happens.
HINCKLEY: Oh, of course we do. But we believe that death is a part of an eternal journey, that we lived as spirit children of our father before we came into this life.That we're here in mortality as a part of an eternal living, and that we will go on living after this life, purposefully. And that through the redemption of the Lord Jesus Christ, men will be resurrected. There will come a time of resurrection.And those who walk in obedience may go on to exaltation.

I know that he is with his beloved wife again and I feel that he was more than ready. What a wonderful man. I learned so much from him. Every time I listened to him speak, my testimony was strengthened. I will miss his humor and his squeaky voice. His words comforted me in trials. He was humble, witty and loyal. Everything a true prophet should be.

Obsessed

I'm becoming a cupcake snob. I had some delicious cupcakes at this bakery in Emeryville during the holidays (next time I go I want to try the pink velvet with cream cheese frosting). I couldn't get them off of my mind. So I searched and searched for a similar recipe and think I found one! It is from Billy's Bakery in NYC. The key ingredient is Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla. You can find it at Williams-Sonoma or Sur La Table. It's pricey but totally worth it. Sometimes I am amazed at how much I can spend on food. I've only made them one time because I can't think of a reason to make them again and don't want to eat 30 cupcakes alone. Thank goodness Valentine's Day is just around the corner!

I am having a baby shower for a friend at the end of February. Any cute ideas out there?

Pics

The Fish Factory!

Crazy Hair!

latest

What we've been up to:

Drove to Oakland Temple last Saturday and met my dear friend Melissa and her family for lunch. They came to our house Wednesday night for dinner. I love seeing her. I told her that I feel like we are "real" friends again. Not that we haven't always been friends but now we are actually talking and seeing each other regularly. Love her!

Started watching my friends two kids three times a week. Actually went really well.

Went to McKinleyville for the weekend to spend it with some of my two favorite people Granny and Gramps or as Ammon likes to call them, Granny Goose and Grandpa Chuck.

Met an Apostle. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf. What an amazing experience. A true Apostle of the Lord. Ammon wanted to meet "the guy in the blue tie." My dad introduced them and he bent down to Ammon's level and had a cute conversation with Ammon. SO cool.

Taking the kids to the fish hatchery. Cohen calls it the fish factory. Then Gram and I drove back home on West End Road reminiscing of the old days. Like riding our bikes from Rona's house to Gram's and then sneaking in and scaring her and Gramps. We drove by their old house and I didn't even recognize it. It looked horrible and made me so sad. I had the best childhood and so many of those memories were in that home.

And of course just being back in my parents home and enjoying the weekend with them.

I'll post pics when I get home tonight.

Ah, the gym

Jody got me a membership to the gym a few days ago and yesterday was my first day back. I haven't worked out for at least a year and a half and even then it was hit and miss. I miss my old McKinleyville HealthSport. It was free, because I was still on my parents family pass and it was small but perfect for what I wanted to do and I didn't have to battle a few hundred people to get a turn on the treadmill. I actually went to try the gym out on Tuesday night but after ten minutes of trying to find a parking spot (no I was not being my usual, have to find the closest parking spot, self) , then waiting 5 minutes to check in only to find that I needed my driver's license to "protect my membership", I decided to just look around get myself acquainted and head to a Young Women's activity.

Yesterday was my first day back. It brought back so many memories of going to Gold's Gym in Provo. I hate how they cram as many cardio machines as possible into one room and of course the treadmills are at the front. So as I manage to barely run through 15 minutes of cardio everyone behind me is seeing my saggy butt that is jiggling all over the place! It's horrible to feel your legs and butt shake with each movement knowing that other's can see it. Meanwhile Martha Stewart was on the television baking some delicious oatmeal cookies. Isn't that just wrong to watch at the gym? I wish I had a workout partner.

The experience wasn't all bad. I enjoyed getting out without kids and feeling like I'm doing something for myself that will make me feel better in the long run.

Jody is still going strong on his diet. But he is having major cravings especially for chicken alfredo pizza, cheese and bread. He's already lost ten very visible pounds and looks great but he wants to loss ten more!

I keep forgetting to tell this hilarious story about Jody. A few weeks ago he was leaving a doctor's office and couldn't find his keys. He finally went out to his car to find that he had left them in the car with it running! Who does that? He had been in the office for 45 minutes! He must get it from his mom who was parking her car in her driveway the other day and sporadically pushed the gas pedal sending her minivan into a tree. Just teasing you Cindy. I'm just glad no one was hurt.

on a roll

Wow this is my fourth post this week! I am so proud of myself.

Ammon came home from staying an extra week at my parents house today. I missed him so much. I keep hugging and kissing him but he doesn't seem to feel the same way. So sad. He has accidentally called me Grandma a few times. "Grandma, I mean mommy, can I have something to eat?" I think he was more excited to see our new car and his brother than anything else.

Jody has started this crazy new diet today. It's called a detox diet. I as well as my family think he is insane. He could maybe lose five pounds, if that and so he is going on a diet of drinking a liquid containing maple syrup/lemon juice/Cayenne pepper/water for 14 days! He also has to drink a laxative herbal tea each morning and drink salt water. I think it's crazy. I couldn't go with out chewing something in my mouth for more than a day. In the meantime I cooked dinner and baked cookies tonight for me and the boys. I don't know how he has such willpower.

Next week I begin watching my friends kids three days a week. They are both the same age as my kids and the two older kids (Ammon and Max) will be in school half the day. So I don't think it will be bad. I stay home almost every day anyway and I will make enough money to make it worth it.

You know you're a mommy when.....

You trade your SUV in for a minivan. I have been wanting a Honda Odyssey since before we bought our Yukon. But for Jody's sake we got a Yukon instead. Don't get me wrong I wanted it as well but knew that a minivan would be much more practical for me. Plus when we bought the minivan we weren't planning on having our third child so soon. Well three kids in carseats later, we've bought our first minivan. I must say it is wonderful and so much more easy to get kids in and out of it. When we have teenagers I assume we will get an SUV again but until then I will be a minivan momma!

Oh and yes another white car. That's three in a row. I don't mind white but would have preferred a different color this time. Oh well the white one had the features we wanted on it. I am a very sentimental person and even gave the Yukon a kiss when I said goodbye. It was a bittersweet departure. It seems like all I see on the road now are Yukon's, I get a little said each time I pass one. Here's to a long, happy life Yukon. Cheers!

Ammon's "concert"

Per Heidi's request. I started taping half way through. Ammon is very into his "concerts" lately. I talked to him on the phone yesterday and he told me he's been watching Hairspray and loves to sing and dance with it. What a surprise!

The video's a little dark. Cohen and Izzy were doing their best to be a part of the show.

The Holidays

A wonderful lunch with Melissa and Savy.

Dinner at my house with our family.

Ammon "performing" for us on Christmas Eve.

Ammon and Cohen got a jeep from Santa Claus. The first thing Ammon said when he saw it, "Can I keep it forever?"

We tried to get a picture of all the kids together in their pj's, this is the best we could do.

Mommy Maddy.

Madison and Ammon had a blast riding the jeep around.

The holidays are over. I hate it! We had a great time with our family in Humboldt but missed Kasey and Matt. It rained everyday which left nothing to do except go to the mall. On Christmas Eve we had a Mexican dinner of chimichanga's, rice and beans. After dinner Ammon serenaded us with a few songs as Izzy and Cohen tried to join in. We then read in Luke about the birth of the Savior, sang some Christmas songs and had a white elephant gift exchange. Santa (my dad) gave the kids a phone call and Ammon couldn't wait to get to sleep so that Santa could come bring him his presents. Before he went to bed we left Santa a letter and a plate of food. He was so excited. I'm surprised he was able to fall asleep. Later that night we watched old Christmas videos. They are priceless. My siblings and I used to have a Christmas Eve performance with our cousins. They are hilarious to watch. We would sing songs, attempt to play the piano, and recite poems for all of the adults.

Ammon woke us up around 7 in the morning to open presents. His little heart was beating so fast when he jumped in our bed. The boys ran down stairs and found their stockings and presents waiting for them. We had a wonderful time watching them open presents. I love having kids this age. I will be so sad when they learn the truth about Santa!

I did a horrible job of taking pictures. Poor Jody isn't in a single one and I didn't get one of Rylee in her Christmas dress! I will have to take a makeup one.

I was sad to see Lindsey and her family leave today. I loved having her around for three whole weeks. Izzy and Cohen became best friends. Ammon stayed the week with my parents. Even though he's the easiest of the three kids I feel like we are on vacation with just the two.

Hope you all had wonderful Holidays! New Year's resolution numero uno: do better at updating my blog.