Flowers

I love to photograph flowers. It is one of my favorite things to take pictures of. They don't wiggle when you're trying to compose the shot like my other favorite subject, unless it's windy. In the summer, especially when it's so hot, it's hard to find good flowers to photograph. But here are a few I like, the first one is my favorite:

Chocolate and Peanut Butter Clusters

When you are in the mood for a treat, but it's just too hot to turn your oven on, make these:

Chocolate and Peanut Butter Clusters

½ cup light corn syrup
½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
¼ cup sugar
½ cup creamy peanut butter
2 cups multi-grain Cheerios
1 cup Rice Krispies
Powdered sugar, for dusting

Cook corn syrup, chocolate chips, and sugar over medium-high heat until bubbles break the surface. Remove from heat and add peanut butter. Stir in cereal. Drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper. Dust with powdered sugar. Allow to cool.

More Matchy Matchy

Ethan and Lucas weren't the only ones who had matching clothes during our week of fun reunion play:

Miss Alex and Miss Madeline wearing matching pink dresses

Oh so cute!

And matching purple dresses too!

Hmmm, maybe next year, the adults should get new clothes to match as well! Let's go shopping!

...

In other news, Madeline had her 18 month well-check today. She is 33 ½ inches (93rd percentile) and 20 pounds 14 ounces (7th percentile). I was very happy to hear also, that she is doing all she is supposed to be doing for her age and some things beyond her age. This made me happy as she has always been a touch behind up until now. I always told myself it was because she was a preemie, but you can only blame it on that for so long, so I’m glad she’s caught up and doing so well!

Cool Down

When it's REALLY HOT, there are only a few things that are fun to do outside:

1. Go Swimming
2. Throw balls in the pool while swimming for added enjoyment

3. Eat popsicles while swimming

4. For added variety, go to a splash pad

Hmmm, too bad we didn't have popsicles there . . .

Ethan and Lucas

Last week my brother and his family came from California and stayed with us for the week. We had the most insane fun all week long! My favorite part was watching two little boys become two very good friends. And what is it that two little friends do?
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They give each other hugs and laugh themselves silly while wearing matching shirts:

They tell each other secrets and make loud noises while walking in their own little club:
They play ipods together while still wearing their pjs:

I snatched this picture from Lucas' mommy, Emily

They watch shows together while wearing another set of matching shirts:

They also play cars and trains ALL DAY LONG. And go tons of fun places . . . but I'll have to blog about that tomorrow. Ethan just cried when Lucas had to go home. My heart was sad that my son lost his friend. They sure had fun together!

Parade!

Yesterday, the kids got to be in the Primary Pioneer Parade!

Hmmmm, that wagon doesn't look like a pioneer wagon to me . . .

Oh well, they had SO MUCH FUN anyway.

Madeline especially had the whole waving and smiling at the crowds thing down. The pancake breakfast afterwards was great too. It was a perfect way to end a very fun and busy week. Stay tuned to find out more about that . . .

18 Months Old!

Madeline is 1 ½ today! And what a doll she is:

I am getting a little bit tired of this photo shoot Mom . . .

Oh wait, I figured out that if I go behind the backdrop and play peek-a-boo, it's much more fun!

Our Favorite Cracker

I have only one way in which I can successfully make it through car trips and long shopping trips with my kids: graham crackers! Every time we get in the car, Madeline immediately begins to shout, "cacka, cacka!" Ethan always pipes in and agrees that crackers are indeed required. Graham crackers are the cracker of choice too because they can each hold an entire sheet and it takes them both quite a long time to finish it. That way I don't have to keep handing back food and I don't have to worry about a whole bag full of Kix spilling all over the car. But don't get me wrong, graham crackers are definitely not clean. If you don't believe me, just look at Madeline's car seat. I bet the crumbs make up at least a whole cracker! Despite that, we can't live without them.

I Spoke Too Soon!

Well, we've had some major set backs since Stanley joined the crew. And because of this, poor Stanley has been spending a great deal of time in the cupboard instead of playing. But, Ethan got Stanley back today and all I can do is hope tomorrow will be like today. Ethan has been a major challenge with potty training, but I know that somehow and someway it too will work itself out.

Stanley

Ethan is very happy to have Stanley join his engine collection:

Let's be honest . . . I am very happy to have Stanley join Ethan's engine collection because Stanley was the gift I promised him once his did his poop in the toilet for a whole week! He's been doing his business in the toilet since my birthday. The first time he did, he looked up at me and said, "this is the bestest present ever!" Indeed, I had to agree! He's done it perfectly ever since and told me he'd never do it in his diaper again. What happened? A miracle. That is my only explanation (see here).

Naps

Most people love taking naps. I can think of tons of people who live for their Sunday afternoon nap. Most people would probably take one everyday if they could get away with it.

But NOT me. I don't like taking naps. Everytime I take a nap, I wake up disoriented, grumpy, and more tired than I started. Doesn't matter how long the nap is, they just don't work for me. But that's okay, because then when my kids are sleeping, I can work on projects instead.

Adorable Ties!

Cute little model in a cute little tie

My sister-in-law, Laura, just started an adorable business called Baby Windsor. She makes ties for baby boys and they are perfect because you can't find them ANYWHERE ELSE. You have to check out the website, babywindsor.com, where you can order ties for the cute little guys in your life. Also perfect for baby shower gifts. If you're having a little boy, you'll know what to expect from me!

Embarrassing

My sister-in-law, Emily, posted a challenge on her blog to share something embarrassing you did as a child. Here is one example from her blog of what your post could be about: “Did you play some elaborate make believe game that only your diary and a few close friends know about?” The answer to that question for me is, “oh yes! MANY!!!” So for your enjoyment today, I share with you a description of one of my MOST EMBARRASSING make believe games:

When I had sleepovers at my best friend’s house, she and her older sister and I would always play the same game. We would dress up in slips and tube tops, turn the lights down low, collect all the vases in the house and line them up on the piano bench and play bartenders. We’d have music playing in the background and take turns before we began to play describing how gorgeous we were to each other. We would also describe the guys who would be coming in to steal our hearts. They were stunningly attractive as you might imagine. As for the bartending, I can’t seem to remember any specifics but that might be due to the fact that we didn’t know the name to a single drink.

Akkk! Talk about embarrassing. Click on the link to Emily's blog and enjoy reading all the other embarrassing stories!

A Word from Ethan

"Mom, I just think you're sugary! You're sweeter than a bug."

Little Toes

With my new pink nail polish, I decided to paint Madeline's toenails for the first time. I asked her if she wanted her toes to look pretty and she said, "Yeah, yeah!" She held very still and when they were dry, she grabbed her feet and held them to her face and said, "Wow, wow, oh wow!" This was followed by a lot of toe wiggling.

Birthday Cupcakes

I have always loved spice cake, so this year I made my favorite recipe. It's moist and rich. The frosting is a molasses cream cheese frosting and it's garnished with homemade toffee!

On a Whim

Last night I painted my fingernails. I wasn't planning on it, it just happened when I got out the polish for my toes.
I haven't painted my fingernails in probably 13 years! Not even a clear gloss coat for my wedding. I've been natural fingernail girl for a LONG time. Not sure why I painted them, but it was strangely fun. Sort of a funny little birthday gift to myself. Ah yes, today is my birthday. I am 26. Stayed tuned too, because I've been making some pretty awesome cupcakes!

More Vegas Photos

After looking through all the pictures I took in Vegas, I just wanted to post a few more of my favorites:

Miss Maddie

Hi, my name is Madeline! I am 17 months old. I am really tall and reeeeally skinny. I'm mostly body with short legs. Today I am sporting a lovely outfit. Shirt size: 3T. Short size: 9 month. P.S. - I REALLY like my water cup!

Our Trip to Vegas

The Goods and the Bads:

1. Good: I got to see my brother and his family - we had SO MUCH FUN together!

Bad: Maddie pooped out on the drive down to Vegas

2. Good: We went to the best building in Las Vegas - the temple!

Notice Madeline's super cute dress!

Touching the temple

Bad: It was about 30 degrees too hot!

3. Good: We did LOTS OF SWIMMING

Bad: Madeline also pooped out on the drive home.

4. Good: The lobby of the Bellagio was really cool



Bad: We actually had to go on the strip to see it . . . not my type of atmosphere.

5. Good: My pop flash on my camera miraculously started working again! That would have been around $200 to fix!
Bad: My nephew had to go to the emergency room at 4AM. (You can read about that here)

6. Good: Ethan and his cousin Lucas became best buddies!
Bad: Madeline threw up on the car drive back . . .POOR GIRL! Car trips and her don't seem to get along.