Adele

Who else is loving Adele's music?

I especially adore this song.

"Set Fire to the Rain"

Tuesday!

1. I made THESE cookies today. Instead of Hazelnuts I used almonds and made my very own almond butter in my food processor. It was awesome and the cookies are delish.

2. Yesterday Zoey had her 2 month check-up at the doctor. She weighed 11 pounds! That is almost double her birth weight of 6 pounds 3 ounces. She is doing great!

3. We had friends over for pizza and FHE last night. We never really made it to the lesson, but we had a grand time :)

4. Max celebrated the 100th day of school. I asked him what they did in class and he said they ate cinnamon rolls and he shoved the entire thing in his mouth at once. I have no idea what that has to do with 100, but oh well.

5. We are planning a trip up the coast to San Francisco for spring break and I can't wait! So far the fun includes; biking in Santa Barbara, visiting the aquarium in Monterey, and Ghiradelli and Alcatraz in San Fran!

Happy Tuesday!

January in SoCal

 We have been enjoying some amazing weather this week. I love to be able to spend so much time outside during the "winter".

This enormous RV has been parked out front for about a month now. Our neighbors insist it will be leaving soon. 

Until then it is serving as a fence to keep my kids out of the road.

Cute!

I got new batteries for my camera!
Appearances from the little miss and more coming soon!

A Happy Place :)

I would NEVER leave this room!

NY Times

Have you tried THESE chocolate chip cookies that the New York Times claims to be the BEST??

I put it off for quite a while, because of the ingredient list and chill time that the dough requires. I finally gave in and made a batch. They really are awesome! I would recommend keeping the dough in the fridge and baking up a few cookies anytime you need a fix, or if you are feeling giving, anytime a neighbor or friend needs a few!


(BTW: my little camera is out of batteries until I can make it to the store. Hopefully later today, because we need diapers as well!)

Love!

I love this mug.

It is so very me.

After we put the kids to bed at night there is nothing better than a mug of hot chocolate and slippers and pajamas and Ty :)

Good Stuff

1. I am making copycat Cafe Rio Pork Barbacoa for dinner tonight!

2. I love my new crock pot. It is my 3rd crock pot. The other 2 managed to throw themselves onto the floor and died. I hope this one survives.

3. Wednesdays are early release days for Max. He looks forward to Wednesdays every week for this reason.

4. The wind is back, but this time the trampoline is tied down and I am not planning on it getting away.

5. Baby Zoey went out to dinner with Ty and I last night. She was very good and sat happily in her seat clinging to a Target receipt the entire time. She was sad when Ty took the receipt away.

6. Mia and Zackary are using play-doh, muffin tins, and birthday candles to create a little pretend party. I love that they are happy and busy.

Happy Wednesday!

Zoey

Zoey will be 8 weeks old tomorrow.

She is the sweetest little baby. She is making all kinds of adorable baby noises and constantly melting our hearts. Nothing is better for stress than cuddling this little girl!

She is enjoying all of her cute outfits and trips to the park with her brothers and sister.

We love you baby Zoey!

Zackary

 Zack was tired after lunch today. I set him up on the couch with his giraffe while I washed dishes.

By the time I was done so was he. 

I found him sound asleep.

Such a sweet little guy!

Root Beer

 We had lunch at Chick-Fil-A yesterday.

We just love their dipping sauces, and the boys LOVE Root beer!

Look at those big blue eyes!

Good thing he is seriously naughty most of the time or he would get seriously spoiled :)

They were cold

 They love to play outside and jump on the trampoline.

 They also love to be cozy.

I turn the fireplace on while they are outside so that when they come in it is warm and toasty for them.

 They set the little chairs as close as they can get them.

Cute little people!

We usually have little mugs of cocoa too. We fit in very well in southern California. I don't know how well we would do living somewhere where it actually got cold!

Good Morning!

And happy Saturday! Welcome to the weekend!

So far today the kids have eaten grilled nutella sandwiches, blueberries, and a couple of brownies. It's not even 9:30. Zackary found a lightbulb and dropped it on the tile. It broke and he cut his foot...again, not even 9:30!

Oh well....moving on :)

While Zoey finishes her morning nap I am going to get some cleaning done and then we are headed to Target! 

It is raining and cold so I am thinking an afternoon baking bread sounds perfect!

Have a wonderful day!

Star Wars

This is SO Max :)

Happy Shopping!

Ty and I have been married for 8 1/2 years.  For most of that time Ty has been a student, and for a lot of  that time I was pregnant or nursing, etc. There wasn't a lot of time or money to spend on clothes. This year I decided I needed to really improve and add to my wardrobe. I will be 29 later this year. I have 4 kids now. Ty has a job now. We have money now. All of these things helped me decide that it was time to start dressing a little bit better!

I realized pretty quickly that I really had no idea what I was doing. I didn't know how to shop. I didn't know what to buy. I talked to one of my friends who really knows fashion and always looks good. She agreed to be my personal shopper and last weekend we headed to Cabazon for a flurry of outlet shopping. 

A good amount of cash later and I was home with my bags full of clothes and accessories. I kind of felt like I had been on What Not to Wear. 

This week, full of my new clothes, has been awesome! I love feeling like I look good. I love having more than one or two options! I also have a new found love for Banana Republic and the Gap.

I think all stages of our lives are important and wonderful, but I think I am really going to enjoy the stage where I get to buy cute clothes.

Brownies

I found this brownie recipe on Pinterest. It comes from the yummy morsel blog.

The recipe claims to be foolproof. I have been having a lot of trouble with my brownies lately so I wanted to give it a try.

It recommended lining your pan with parchment paper.  It also suggested that if you are cooking your brownies in a glass pan you need to remove the brownies from the pan 10 minutes after taking them out of the oven to avoid overcooking.

I always cook my brownies in a glass pan and they always seem overcooked! This time I lined my 8x8 inch glass pan with parchment paper. I buttered the paper and poured in the batter. When the brownies had finished cooking I set the timer for an additional 10 minutes and then used the paper to remove the brownies from the pan.

The result...Seriously perfect brownies!

I love it when someone in the know shares their wisdom and the result is better brownies for me.

This one's a keeper :)

Midweek Thoughts

1. The birthday celebration was great! Ty ended up getting the day off and he got to take a special birthday trip to Home Depot! Dinner was yummy. I really wanted Ty to know what a big deal he is to our family. I hope he knows that we really like him!

2. Today I am staying home with the kids and making chocolate chip cookies. Going places seemed like a lot of work this morning. (We did manage to take Max to school!)

3. I have a dentist appointment tomorrow. I HATE going to the dentist. Honestly....I can think of nowhere I would like to be less than the dentists office, but alas, my time has come.

4. Zoey is 7 weeks old now and I think she is the cutest baby ever. I LOVE her. She is far better than the dentist.

5. Mia started working in reading groups this week at school. I love watching my kids grow and learn! 

6. Time to start planning for Valentine's Day I guess......

Have a Happy Wednesday!

Monday catch up and plans for tomorrow

We had a wonderful Sunday! Music time went well, despite my scratchy voice. Zackary is doing great in nursery. Max and Mia love their teachers as well.

In the evening we had dinner at a friend's house and had a blast! The food was delish and the company was even better. Max ended up staying the night. It was his first sleepover and I was a little worried about how things would go. He ended up having a wonderful time. I am glad he has some good friends in our ward.

Today is a holiday. I love a holiday! Ty is working so really it is just a break for me. I have been cleaning and helping the littles with homework, experimenting in the kitchen and planning for Ty's birthday dinner tomorrow night! He is turning 31 and I have some fun things planned. (He is working tomorrow as well! Working on the holiday and on his birthday, poor guy!)

For dinner I am making

Poblano peppers stuffed with roasted pork

 Jalapeno Cheese bread (For my spicy Ty!)

and the cake!

I decided on this chocolate fudge cake.

I can't wait to celebrate! I love my Ty. He is the best and he deserves a wonderful birthday and a fabulous year :)

I think 31 will be great!

Be an Anchor!

"Parents, remember that now is your opportunity. You may feel yourself harassed as you struggle through the days with children, but you are living the happiest and the most golden years of your life. As you tuck them into their beds at night, please be kind to them. Let them hear a kind voice amid all the angry, vile voices that they will hear throughout life. Let there be an anchor to which these little ones can turn to when all else fails. The Lord help you so to do...."

-Harold B. Lee

Peanut Butter and Chocolate

Peanut butter and chocolate have to be one of my very favorite combinations!

I don't think I have to explain why. :)

 The missionaries are coming to dinner at our house tonight and I am making THESE....

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cookies 

from lovin in the oven.

No matter how dinner turns out at least things should end well!

Also...Ty is home today!

Tomorrow is Friday!

I get to eat cookie dough!

Rejoice!

Happy Thursday.

6 weeks and thoughts about mommyhood

Zoey is 6 weeks old!

She is growing so quickly. I am already rotating clothes.

I love Zoey so much! I am so thankful to have her in our home. Max, Mia, and Zackary have been so loving and helpful with her. 

Being a mom can be difficult and less than rewarding sometimes but I am so thankful to have the opportunity to raise these 4 children. They are so beautiful. I am amazed by their huge spirits that are housed inside of their tiny bodies. They are precious to me and I recognize how important they are to our Heavenly Father. I am always praying for help and guidance as I work to teach and love these little people. Every day is another opportunity to try my best and love each of them a little more.

Bittersweet!

You may not be aware that today, January 10th, is National bittersweet chocolate day!

I am a big fan of seriously dark/bittersweet chocolate. I have been buying these chocolate chips in bulk at Costco!

To celebrate the day I am going to pull out the big bag of chips and bake something fabulous.

Happy Bittersweet Chocolate Day!

Monday

1. I tried to go clothes shopping today. My mom even came out to join me. We gave it our best shot but the kids were screaming and crying so we threw in the towel and came back to my house.

2. I'm no good at clothes shopping anyway.

3. Maybe we can all wear matching paper bags in our family pictures.

4. I could really use a personal shopper.

5. I made a big batch of granola and it is awesome.

6. I am good at making granola :)

Little Misses

Mia went to school today.

She worked hard and needed some play time when she got home. Zoey and I joined her for an afternoon of Groovy Girls.

 Mia is a wonderful sister. She is very sweet and kind to Zoey.

 Zoey is almost 6 weeks old now!

She is really starting to wake up.

 And to smile!

I just love my little misses!

Thoughts for 2012

It has been just over a month since little Zoey was born. It was a great month and a very busy one. A new month and a new year are here. The kids are back in school and I am glad for the quiet and the normal that are returning. I have had time this morning to think about what I would like to do this year and what I would like to improve on.

I have fallen into the bad habit of skimming through my scriptures. I come to the end of a chapter and have no idea what I just read. This year I want to remember what I read and do some real scripture study.

This year I want to cook a lobster at home for Valentine's Day. I want to plan and take a trip with just Ty and I.

I want to make dentist appointments for everyone in the family with teeth, and then remember to go to them.

I had so much fun singing Christmas carols with my kids over the holidays. This year I want to teach them more music that we can sing together.

I want to stock my freezer with make-ahead meals and do more meal planning.

I want to say " I love you" more and give more hugs and kisses to my family.

I want 2012 to be great!

Zackary

 School began again today and Max and Mia headed happily off to their classes. I thought Zac was going to be bored but he has had a fabulous morning all to himself. 

I have been busy with baby Zoey and laundry. Zack made himself comfortable on the big chair in our room and sat watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Little Einsteins.

I kept coming in to check on him and he was just so content. He had a couple of cars to keep him company and I kept bringing him snacks and drinks. I'm glad he got to have a little TLC time today.

More of the Boys

 Zack and Max are busy living in their own electronic world.

Max is playing Lego Batman and Zackary is playing games on Ty's phone.

 I thought it was cute that Zac wanted to play his game right next to Max while he was playing his.

I will have to disconnect them at some point. From the games, not each other :)

A Blessed Day

Ty blessed Zoey at church today.

We were so happy to have some wonderful family and friends in attendance! Ty's parents, my parents, Catherine and Ryan, Robyn and Bob, Natalie and Ryan and there three kiddos, Jamison, and Romney, and our neighbors!

 After the blessing we all came back to our house for some fun. I put together a big spread of food and we all sat and talked while the kids played.

Mia got to play with her cousin Kooper. They are the cutest girls. I wish they could play together more often.

We are one blessed family of 6!

So glad Zoey is a part of our lives :)