Sugar & Spice

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The Sugar:

* snuggler/cuddler
* 2 naps a day
* can gnaw anything with his one bottom snaggle tooth
* layed back, easy going, will let anybody hold him
* super smiles, contagious laugh
* plays contently
* can suck a pacy like nobodies business
* has irresistible thunder thighs and squeeshy cheeks
* can't say the word no yet








The Spice:

*does NOT adjust to change well. Example: crying hysterically like his arm was just chopped off due to going in the chapel for primary program practice instead of in the primary room like normal.

* the song Hot n Cold fits his personality to a T

* MUST have a treat while shopping at any store. Tried to ween him of this last week and as a result, a shopping cart half full was left at Walmart because of above mentioned, hysterical crying.

* loves to say the phrases "it's my turn" and "that's not fair"

* insists on wearing the same 3 outfits ever day no matter where we are going.
1. royal blue shamu Sea World shirt with green basketball shorts
2. black Diamondbacks shirt with black basketball shorts
3. is a tie between Children's Place "tiger shirt" or "basketball shirt" with ... grey basketball shorts.

* says mom about a 1,000 times a day. I know, I counted!

* refuses to go or do anything by himself... even in his own house sometimes. I envy parents with social, fearless kids. Hopefully sugar will pull through for me!






It's so important to have the phrase sugar and spice and everything nice as a constant reminder for me everyday. It's funny because I consider Casey and I as Sweet and Salty. I for sure have the sweetest husband... I am most definitely salty! Thank goodness for good mixes. I crave them all!

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The After Shots

Sigh of relief.

2010 family pictures, check.
Officially off the list of things to do.
Best of all, I love every single one of them!

How will I ever choose?

My friend Kacy did a fantastic job as always! Check out her photography website if you want to see more. photosbykacy.blogspot.com  You should totally book your next session with her. You wont be sorry!

Made With Love

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I love Casey.

We have a great relationship. We have a strong relationship of me dreaming up a project and him building it for me. I swear that man can read my mind and build ANYTHING I am imagining.

For family pictures this year I envisioned a lovely porch swing as our main prop. How I dream these ideas up I don't know... but that's what we HAD to have! Trying to find a cute, cheap, one of a kind porch swing is not easy. What do you do when you cant find one that will make the family picture cut? Casey, he can whip one up, no problem!

My knight in shinning armor came to the rescue. He slaved and worked so many hours to make this AMAZING swing. I almost have tears in my eyes just thinking about how he would do anything for me if he knows it will make me happy. Words cannot describe the love I have for Casey...and my new porch swing!

A few bumps along the way. Lane got mistaken for the swing and got a nice coat of ivory.

 As well as the chair and floor.

Testing it out in a pre photo shoot. I nice before picture of us I would have to say:)
We might get lucky if this turns out to be the best one!

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I can't wait to share the after pics!
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Casey wants to put the swing up on Craigslist.

The heck with that. This baby is in the family forever!

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Toro Boy / Peaches R Us

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Casey had his 10 year high school reunion Saturday night.

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Where are the pictures? Let me rephrase.

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Casey had his 10 year high school reunion Saturday night but refused to go! I can't say I'm not surprised by that. I don't blame him either because I will refuse to go to my own next year as well. I guess we are two peas in a pod.

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I like to hear stories about Casey when he was in high school since I didn't know he even existed back then. He was a great baseball player (from what I've heard:) and super smart. He drove a single cab, forest green chevy truck which totally fits him to a T! I can imagine him trying to slip between the crowds due to his shyness but know a lot of people knew who he was due to his great personality and ahem... good looks:)

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Even though we didn't attend the reunion night, I did however send in a bio sheet for the alumni book, which I just received in the mail. It was fun to look through and to see how many different things could go on in ones life in 10 years! I would have to say our bio hit about right around the norm but some really took those 10 years at full speed ahead!

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These next ones gave me a little chuckle

Hmm, I wonder what the next 10 years will bring us?

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Switching gears...

I promise I am not trying to turn this blog into a baking one.

I like (sometimes love if kids aren't crawling up my leg) to cook, so when I find a good recipe I share because I appreciate those who share there lovelies.

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I found this off a blog. It's a little teaser before Fall really hits but since Utah peaches are in, might as well make good use of them!

Behold, the BEST Peach-Pecan Swirl Cobbler... EVER!

Recipe found here.

*I doubled the peach filling ingredients and tripled the pecan rolls to make a 9x13 size. I also peeled my peaches.

Definitely not as pretty as hers but for sure the only way I'll ever make peach cobbler for now on!

Carny's In The Making

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It was fast Sunday.

We had taco salad for dinner, which b.t.w. is my FAVORITE Sunday dinner.

I try to bring over dessert whenever we eat over at my parents or in-laws.

I was thinking of what to make this time.

I like to switch it up in the dessert category.

My mind kept wondering over to funnel cakes.

I have never made funnel cakes before. I eat them only at the State Fair or Sea World.

What the hey, let's switch it up. Right?!

Funnel cakes are the best fresh, hot right out of the oil.

So instead of making them ahead of time I will make them on site.

It turned into one of the funnest (that is a word in my vocab) nights ever!

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Instantly we had batter professionals shouting out the correct

executions of pouring a perfect funnel cake. We of course had to turn it into a

little contest. I think we might be getting calls this October from the funnel cake trailer

asking us to come work for them this fair season:)

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http://www.momswhothink.com/cake-recipes/funnel-cake-recipe.html

If you really aren't counting your calories, drizzle with strawberry puree (defrost unsweetened strawberries, add desired amount of sugar and blend) AND ice cream!

This might just be a fast Sunday tradition!!

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Work It!

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Lanes school is doing a fundraiser by selling

FITNESS WORKS

gym passes for 3 months for $20!

I bought one almost a year ago and loved it so much I signed a longer contract.

The great classes they offer is what sealed the deal for me.

The pass comes with 5 free kid zones which is their day care and 10 free tanning sessions.

You also get a coupon book to places like Golden Spoon, DQ, Subway, etc.

There are 4 different gym locations.

You must redeem by Nov 19. Once you redeem that's when your 3 months start.

Let me know if you are interested!

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Now with all this gym talk I decided to post another recipe. I made it for dinner last night.

Strawberry French Toast Crunch.

I stole the idea from a restaurant we ate at in CA. It's reeaally good!

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Ingredients:
7 eggs
3 cups Honey Bunches of Oats cereal ( I put in ziplock and crushed into smaller pieces)
6 slices bread of choice. Mine was Sara Lee Hearty & Delicious 100% whole wheat
1 1/2 Tb buttermilk

dash of salt
dash of cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla

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In a wide dish like a pie pan mix: eggs, buttermilk, salt, cinnamon and vanilla.
Soak bread in egg mixture then coat with cereal. Cook in buttered skillet on the stove.

Serve with fresh strawberries and

homemade buttermilk syrup (store bought is illegal at our house:)

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Buttermilk syrup recipe:
2 stick butter
1 cup buttermilk
2 cup sugar
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp vanilla

*use a BIG pot for this or else it will puff up and over flow because of the soda*
melt all ingrediants together except vanilla in a big pot. Bring to a boil and stir for 3 minutes. Take off heat, add vanilla. DONE!

(A little tip. Since I only need 1 cup of buttermilk for this recipe, I measure out the rest in 1 c. quantities so I dont waste and freeze for the next time)

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It's even better while eating during a windy hail/rain storm. Where did that come from?!

It was awesome!

... to prove to dad that I'm not a fool.

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Well Lane didn't exactly go back to school last week, he went for the very 1st time!! Yep, our little Laners is a big preschool boy now! All summer long I had some anxiety about this whole going to school thing. I just never thought my turn would come when it came to sending kids to school. I mean, he is supposed to be my baby forever right?! Fortunately he has the most amazing teacher and 2 really great assistance. The morning of school he was so excited to pick out what he wanted to wear and wore his backpack around the house. He ate a breakfast of champs, Eggo waffle with cream cheese and a breakfast smoothie which we should have omitted the blueberries. Purple flecked teeth are so attractive!

A few more pictures with brother than off to school. I could tell he was starting to get a little nervous in the car but hello, it's your first day of school for the rest of your life. It is allowed! There were tears shed when we got to his teacher. Then lots more when I said see you in 2 hrs and walking back to the car. Those 2 hrs flew by fast and when we went back to get him he was more than all smiles! He loved school so much he BEGGED to ride the bus home and even had a melt down when he didn't get to. Totally wasn't expected that from him. The same thing happened the next day so he really, truly wanted to ride that bus!

Today he finally got to ride the bus. Dad even made it home in time to see him. I think it's going to be a good year. I love that he has something to look forward to each week. He has been totally needing something like this for awhile.

Here are some more pics of my little rascals.

There was some silence so when I went to investigate I found a little picnic happening in my kitchen. I love the table, it's like they are on a date.

Snot can be such a drag, let alone double snot.

About once a month I will get in a baking mood and make a new recipe or dessert that is new to me. I made Monkey Bread with a cinnamon roll twist for my dad last week. It was super yummy so I want to share! However, it was a bit time consuming ( I think it's because I doubled the recipe) but well worth it!

Dough:
2 1/4 tsp or 1 packet yeast
1/4 c. warm water
1 1/4 c. warm milk
1/3 c. butter,melted
1/4 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. salt
5 c. flour

Caramel sauce:
1 1/4 c. brown sugar, packed
1 c. butter,
1/2 c. heavy whipping cream
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Cinnamon/sugar mixture:
1 cup granulated sugar
3 tsp cinnamon

In a large bowl dissolve yeast in warm water ( I used my Bosch). Add milk, butter, sugar, eggs, salt and half of the flour (2 1/2 c.) Beat on medium speed for 3 min. Stir in remaining flour until it forms a firm dough. Turn onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic (about 7-8 minutes). Place in greased bowl and turn over to get the whole dough ball greasy. Cover and let rise for about an hour or until dough doubles in size.

In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter and cream and bring to a boil. Stir for about 3 minutes until it's nice and melted together. Pour half into a greased fluted pan.

When dough is done, punch it down and form into 35-40 balls. In a pie pan or shallow bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon. Place melted butter in another bowl. Dip balls in butter, then roll in cinnamon/sugar mixture. Place 20 or so balls in the tube pan. Top with remaining caramel and pecans. Top with remaining balls. Cover and let rise about 40 minutes, until doubled in size again. Bake at 350-degrees for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown (if they are browning too fast you can loosely cover it with tin foil). Cool for 10 minutes, then turn up-side down onto a serving plate.

Now here is how the twist of a cinnamon roll comes in. Frosting baby!
1 stick butter, softened
1 boxes powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
milk
in mixing bowl combine butter, sugar and vanilla. Beat and add milk until desired consistency.
FYI- I made 2 batches but only had 1 bunt pan, so for one of them I used a 9x13 pan and it worked great!

It makes for a good treat, or warmed up in the microwave for an ewy gooey breakfast. Ours only lasted one day though.

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Oh, also... I am *not* pregnant. Stephanie is (my sister Stephanie:)

Oceanside '10

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We love this annual trip. It was a bit different this year with us staying in a new location besides North Coast Village. 1171 The Cottage by the Sea (really, that was the name on the address plaque) treated us very nicely!

We had amazing driving weather the whole way there, even starting in Mesa. Hardly ever turned on the AC.


Church

Games


5 days on the beach... our favorite. Attempting family pics and adjusting to the cold water.

Enjoying the balcony even with the ugly fake bird I was tempted to toss in the ocean every day.

Dinner and ice cream at the Harbor

hangin out


More beach




Sea World

Funnel cake and ice cream, yes please. Off to Shamu Roooocks!

Lunch on the pier

Make shift laundry basket Kan Jam = lot's o stares by onlookers.

"Marcie, I have on my fwippers. Let's go catch sharks!" For some reason we are always in CA during shark week and for some reason that's whats always on the tv.

After high tide would hit we would mosey on up to our backyard beach. Friday night we had pizza in the sunset...sigh

Picking Jefferson up at the airport. He was gone for 3 weeks on the boy scout National Jamboree. He flew in to enjoy the last few days with us.

PHIL'S!!! Need I say more.


The grand boys.

Thank You, Thank You Damnma and Grandpa!!! Each year we love making new memories with you. I think this year would have to include:

*the child proof balconies/stairway and the "close call"

*cramming 10 people into the Landshark the first few days while the suburban was in the shop

*learning to appreciate spinach leafs in our breakfast smoothies
*actually reading an entire book from the first to the last page
*Testimony and Relief Society meetings, CA style:)
*Lane at Sea World walking over to me with a Starfish in hand while I was changing Rusty's diaper on the bench. The looks of horror on the peoples faces was a classic.

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We were sad to leave but Lane made sure to bring home sand in his ears as a souvenir. Still trying to get that out.