New Recipe

Saturday I made a new recipe that I got out of my Pampered Chef Recipe Book (29 Minutes to Dinner). It is Sesame Crusted Salmon. I used the last of our Salmon from Alaska and got some ingredients from the store that I haven't used before - but really liked! Here you go! I know the salad looks a little silly, but our kids eat their veggies really well, if they can pick them up. I was really proud of myself, because I have a hard time trying new things. Earlier in the week I made Chicken Cordon Bleu - a great recipe I got from my sister-in-law Cammie. I am trying to be better at cooking from home and having dinner ready when Jared gets home (on the days I don't work). Wish me luck!

Rearranging

Recently Jared's parents gave us a twin bed from their house (they are making room to store things while they are in Russia as Mission Presidents). So Saturday Jared and I moved the furniture around to get Emma her new bed. Which meant we moved her crib, that was set up as a day bed, into Carson's room, which is where the baby is going to go. It was a little sentimental - it seems like only a little while ago that we were getting ready for her to come and sleep in that little crib. And now, It is crazy, are we really going to have another baby - #3? Do we really have TWO cribs in one room!? Two little ones and Emma!? Since we moved things around every time I go into "The Boy's Room" I feel like I am going to hyperventilate! I am in over my head!

On the other side of the wall, Emma loves her new bed! We went to Walmart and let her pick out a bed set and so, of course, we now have a Princess Bed. We still have some work to do, because she needs a bed skirt and a head board, but she doesn't know or care - she is in love it. She has even learned to make her bed and today after her nap she actually made it by herself, even folding her "tag" and putting it on her pillow like I showed her!

Our family is certainly growing and growing up ... when did this happen!

Tiny Dancers

Emma and Carson love to run around and dance. Emma has learned to get on our computer, get to itunes, go to "Emma's songs" and start them playing. Carson however prefers to waddle over to the ipod, point, do the "more" sign and start dancing. Either way, we spend a good part of our day dancing in the kitchen and living room. Our guests are not an exception to the rule, in fact they usually don't even have a chance, because my kids think they need to "entertain" those that come over, not to mention, with their cute little smiles, not very many people tell them no.

Here is Grandma T and Big Grandpa dancing to The Imagination Movers. Love your moves guys!

Carson Cuddling with Daddy

The other night poor little Carson was having a rough go. We didn't know it at the time (even though Jared called it), we found out the next morning he had a ear infection - poor little buddy! But he was so sad and wanted to be held in the funniest way, if Jared tried to adjust him, he would get mad, so he got what he wanted - bummy out and head shoved into Daddy's neck as far as it would go. It was a hard night, but he still was so cute! Don't worry after a quick visit to the doctor and a few helpings of antibiotics, he is back to his nice sleepy baby self and as happy as ever - thank goodness!

Carson's New Hobby

Carson is a climber! Emma wasn't a climber, so this is our challenge with Carson (Emma challenge is getting her to be quiet every once in a while).

He has learned to unlatch the dishwasher, open it and climb in. Originally he liked to just sit on the door and play with the dishes. Now he likes to stand up and get things off the counter or just look over to where we are and giggle, like he won (and he has). We are constantly telling him no and getting him down, but whenever we are out of the way he runs over there and gets in - it is so frustrating. We now have to keep our silverware out of the dishwasher until we are ready to turn it on and we have to empty it immediately, otherwise he will start unloading it for us. Do you love his face in the bottom picture - he is trying to be sneaky - so funny - he is definitely quieter then Emma - but he is a little more mischievous!

Emma's Homework

I am trying to start a little more educating for Emma. We have decided to not do a formal preschool this year, so I am going to get creative. Lucky for me my sister-in-laws (and sisters also probably, I just don't live close to them to find out) are very creative with their kids. Jill especially, her girls are super smart and I think she has to stay creative to keep them from getting bored - she is great!

This is one of her ideas - get a work book, whatever you want your kid working on and tear out the pages, place them in sheet protectors and use dry erase markers to work on it. This is a great idea, because those little work books are not cheap and Emma would just scribble through them in no time - this way she can practice as much as she wants and actually get better. Thanks Jill!

Here Emma is working on tracing some letters - she is getting better already - you can see how proud of herself she gets when it turns out how she wants - already kind of a perfectionist - so funny!

PS if anyone has any ideas for home preschool ideas - let me know please, I would love to hear everyone's suggestions!

The Photos are Here!

I love it! We got it last night.

It is a 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT Special Edition - it has power everything, DVD, sunroof, full stow-and-go, leather and everything I hoped to get in a car.

I love it. I love the way it drives, the way the seat warmers feel on my bum and I love the room between the kids and my seat, as well as how far they are from each other.

I can't wait to drive it more, because of all the snow and a sick little girl, we didn't get the drive time I was hoping for, but we have a PLENTY of time, because I am pretty sure this is my car for the next decade of so... wish me luck!

PS: Did I mention I love it!?

It's Here!!!

I am not going to talk all about it now because I still have a lot to learn about it, but coming soon - all details.

I have no pictures because we got it last night and it was raining, so that wouldn't work. So they are soon to come.

This just an announcement - I will no longer be grumpily waiting (I am not a patient person) - it is now here!

If you are wondering what I am talking about - we haven't talked in a while! This is mainly for those who have been waiting along with me - thanks! Especially to Sherri and Melissa, who had to hear me complain every time we talked that it still wasn't here.

Stay tuned for more pics and info!!!

A Big Milestone!

It has taken about a year but I think (knock on wood that I am not jinxing myself) Emma is finally, totally and completely potty trained! She has gone the last week or so with nothing but her panties!

We started the last part of May last year - we had early success and thought it was going to be super easy, but then we went to Alaska for vacation, she did pretty well there, but when we got home she started regressing and it was like starting over. Then we went though all the weird stages... her being too busy playing to actually go in the potty, her going in the potty but a tiny bit in her panties first, then we went a LONG time (like 4-5 months or maybe even longer) when she was perfect in the day and even during her naps but then at night time she would use a pull up and wake up totally full. But the last week or so she just randomly started being dry at night, in the past when this has happen and I try the panties it's like she gets stage fright and goes that night. But after a few nights of a dry Pull Up we decided to give panties a try at night... IT WORKED!!! So we of course had a big celebration that morning and it has continued!

When I told Jared that she is officially potty trained, he thought I was silly because she really has been close to perfect (during the day) for a long time and he thinks that she has been potty trained for a while. But in my eyes there was still one more hump to get over and I think WE DID IT!!! Not a moment too soon either - we have done it in the past so I know we can do two kids in diapers, but three was NOT going to happen! So lucky for everyone that she finally got it before Baby arrived.

I think it is funny how every baby is so different - I mean my friend Janelle just blogged that her 17 month old (Carson's age) is starting to get interested in her potty and is being successful - Carson on the other hand we are still trying to find a good night time diaper he won't pee through - not to mention I don't even let him in the bathroom most of the time, because he likes to "play in the water". So to me it is even funnier how my kids love to be on the difficult side of that "different", but I will say that... it makes success even sweeter!

Good Job Emma Lou Lou - you are the best, my big girl!!!

Selling Our Car

We have finally out grown the Altima! We have recently purchased a MINIVAN!!! I am so excited - I know there are plenty of people who will freak out over the next comment, but... a minivan has been my dream car since before Jared and I were first married! We should get it Monday or Tuesday and I will post all the fun details about it then - I promise!

Until then - we are selling the Altima! So if you know anyone that is interested in a reliable, inexpensive car - send them to this post, it is also posted on Craigslist and KSL.

It is a 1997 Nissan Altima, it has 168500 miles on it and is has a manual transmission (stick shift). It has power locks, power windows, key-less entry, CD player and new front tires. It is a clean car inside and out. We have had it for about 9 years and it really has been great for us. I think it would be a great 1st car or family car! We are asking $2300 obo. Let me know if you know anyone who is interested!

Thanks!