Butcher Boy

See these hands?

they belong to this guy.

pretty much the sweetest grandpa

but did you know he own's one of these babies?

which rips apart these with ease

and want to know how long 1 beef takes to process

... 8 hours

it's hard work but worth it

especially when you get to hang with the butcher boy

Introducing...

My new babysitter.

You know how it's common knowledge that you're considered a failure as a mommy if you let the t.v. baby sit your kids? Sounds easy right? Except when you need to get things done then all of a sudden sticking them in front of the tube sounds like not such a bad idea. I have been trying to find better "babysitters" than the t.v./movies but nothing has quite the lasting power until my cousin Steph put me on to this multi tasking, child entertaining thing called.....

the shower.

30-40 minutes of bathroom cleaning, laundry folding and children giggling and getting cleaned all at the same time. We still let Mickey Mouse watch Addy in the morning when the hubs and I want to snuggle in our blankies a little while longer.

Park Play

Well we've had a few cold days here but the last few days have been in the 60's and yesterday we took advatage of it.

Liam loved the park but had to be convinced on the slide.

Last time we went to the park Addy would scream even if one of us went down with her on the slide, this time however within the first few minutes of being there she went down every slide there was, Daniel and I were shocked to see how fearless and grown up overall she was.

Steph and I went to Old Navy clearance this week which wasn't as good of prices as usual :( but I did get a few things and suprised Daniel with Liam's raiders shirt. That was the team Daniel grew up liking though now he couldn't tell you why except that his brothers and brother in law liked them. I just love Liam's goofy smile.

This jacket is just one more instance of how grown up Addy is. I wanted to put a blue jacket on her and was doing so, I had just finished buttoning it when she looked down and said "I can't wear this mom", I asked why and she said it doesn't have pockets. I tried to show her the ruffle collar and other features but no go, she was not wearing a jacket without pockets, she acted like it would be committing the fashion faux pas of the century. So we had to switch. She is so funny, and is continuously making us laugh, even when we shouldn't. I fear she copies me a lot, I often tell her when she's doing something I don't like "Stop that, you're making me mad." Well she turn it right around when I'm changing her diaper or something she says "mom, stop.... you're making me mad mom!" I think I need to remember how to approach things.

Anyways we have lots of exciting things happening (well it's exciting to me) I can't wait to update on them but I will. (and before the rumors start flying no I am not pregnant!)

Goal check

So I wanted to update on some past goals.

for the kids

1. Potty training

2. Sleep in same room

3. Brush teeth daily

4. pick up toys

So for the first one kinda a failure. We have the whole going #1 down pat but #2 no way no how will she go in the toilet so anyone with advice how to convince her its okay let me know. I have down the whole sticker and rewards program which worked great but she still would go #2 in her panties. So hopefully she'll do that soon.

Goal #2

This went so well moving them into the room has been great for sleep schedules and more the spare room is nice for all the toys.

Goal #3 This goal became so much easier on me when we got the electric toothbrushes. Addy does so good I don't even have to do any more after she's done.

Goal #4 The house has become much easier to pick up since we have the playroom. The toys are suppose stay in there and slowly my kids are realizing that

For this year:

Goal 1: Get the potty training done

Goal 2: Get rid of the binky (for liam)

Goal 3: READ more

As for me I am almost to my weight goal, and am continuing with my journaling and scripture study goal. But am really working on attending the temple more! Also being a better housekeeper and having more patience with my children. I have a set plan to help me reach these goals! So here's to 2011 may we all strive to be better people.

Sweet Sunday Shots

Meet Ray

He's a little baby. We babysat him for 24 hours which pretty much entertained my kids for that amount of time.

Besides doggy sitting I got to do something I've been wanting to do for a few years. Get some good after Christmas prices on Christmas decor. I was pretty pleased with my haul from Targets 90% off sale and Walmart's 75% off sale. I am really looking forward to my tree next year :)!

filled a bin for under $25 the ornaments (multiply each one by 5-8)

Saturday night we had our back to the grindstone party! We invited Comet and her boyfriend Dan, McKenzie (comet's sister... remember Addy was her flower girl) and her hubby Lane. We invited Kara and Skyler (but Skyler's schedule got changed) Kara came with sweet baby Ann though. Since Lane, Kenz, Dan, and Daniel were going back to school tomorrow we decided to have a pizza and pasta bar, play games, have a hot cocoa bar and then the boys go and play basketball. It turned out really well. We just got to put our own pizza toppings on, ate pasta and breadsticks while we waited for the pizza to cook. The boys watched a football game then we cleared the table and got ready to play one of the minute to win it games. If I had been thinking ahead I would have got the stuff for lots of the games but oh well the one I prepared for was fun! (BTW if you've never heard of minute to win it google it and have fun the next time you have a party!)

We played Don't blow the joker. TIME: 60 seconds. Object: Without using hands blow and entire deck of cards off a glass bottle leaving only the last card (usually a joker). Sounds easy... yeah right go try it. Though we had a few close calls only Lane managed to get just one!

Later we played kinect on the xbox... hahaha it was pretty funny to watch and I'll tell you a secret. Daniel has been wanting me to play this for quite awhile but I haven't wanted to because I try not to show interest in any xbox game because he'll use it against me to try to get one. I have said no gaming system till he gets a degree. Anyways we used his brother's system and I didn't get up and play until the boys left. Then comet and I were by ourselves and we decided to play it one time before packing the kids up to go watch the game. Oh, it was pretty funny and I had a really good time, but to be honest sometimes the advancements of this technology creep me out!

I think my favorite thing of the night besides the company was how well the hot cocoa bar turned out. I came up with my own flavor and I think it was super deliciouso! And leaves room for so many possibilities. So here's the recipe!

In your cocoamotion (if you don't have one just do it in the pan on the stove)

put some milk I didn't measure but I think it would be about 2-3 cups. Add some Hershey chocolate bar. about one line of the big ones, and 1-2 lines of a big Hershey Cookies and Cream bar. Push the start button and let your machine heat and mix it all up. Add french vanilla marshmallows (or just regular, or whip cream) and enjoy. It really tasted like cookies and cream. YUM! You can use symphony bars, carmellows, nutella, really anything just mix with your milk in your cocoamotion and enjoy!

Well I'll end this with some Sweet Sunday Shots. Basically I loved Addy's outfit especially with her hairband that Bryce's girlfriend BreAnn made for her for Christmas.



I know I am biased but I think she is so beautiful and is going to be a heart stopper when she's older

Oh, and for my sister Lillie, Vaughn thinks that I look like you now with long hair, you know how long I've wanted long hair so here's my progress... Addy really wants long hair too but she has a ways to go.

REWIND

So a week before Christmas we had rushed home to make dinner for our scouts who were coming to do a lesson on manners. 10 minutes before they show up the lights go off! Thank goodness Daniel wasn't at work because he had his dewalt flashlight which lit up both rooms and the candles we had wouldn't have cut it. So we bagged scouts and luckily dinner was already made. The kids went to bed pretty easy, thank goodness it was at night. Anyways we decided Scrabble by candlelight was a pretty good idea. I won! (I cheated :)

Speaking of candle light notice the melted candles... this is due to a surprise dinner made by my sweetheart for our 4th anniversary. I have resigned myself that we will probably have no money for our anniversary due to it's close proximity to Christmas. But for right now thats okay, because my hubby got me out of the house and cleaned the entire place and made yummy chicken with a great salad. It's pretty sweet that he got creative and got a babysitter and everything. That's gift enough for me :) We watched Despicable Me (a christmas gift from Bryce) and we both really thought it was cute! Yeah for making it 4 years!!!

I don't want to be a braggart, but we got a few amazing gifts. Sweet Kara went and took these pics to spell out... well you figure it out I think it's so creative and I LOVE IT!

Our amazing Aunt Roma gave Daniel all these bound family histories and I have enjoyed learning about his amazing ancestors. Such a great idea huh!

The New Year started out great! Especially for Addy she had her first bubble bath (yeah yeah what kind of mom am I?) But this was one kind of bath with the jetted tub at Roma's, she loved it. Liam ended up in there too but I forgot to get a pic!

So this week has been a lot of me trying to keep some resolutions. I am still journaling and reading scriptures. But I added being a better housekeeper and going to the temple more among other things. I am trying to teach my kiddos that toys stay in the toy room and to put things away. I also realize how many times I need to do a general pick up just so things don't get out of hand. Those things plus making sure the kitchen is clean before I go to bed have been going good, but the clean laundry for the kids has just been piling in a basket I need to do some serious rearranging of clothes.

Notice the child labor!

and the kids huge basket of clothes, anyone wanna come fold for me? PULEEEZ

Finally this video shows Liams cute little voice. It's a little long but I just love how he says LARRY! Such a sweet boy, and the best news ever he's in nursery full time now!

A Christmas Day in Pictures

Santa Claus is coming to town

Addy was a little obsessed she even went up twice to ask Santa to help her open a candy.
Liam was nervous not screaming but just nervous. Addy could have been there all day.
Addy loving the Big Guy
Liam a little nervous

Hey guess who we get to spend Christmas with!! This bright eyed beauty. Anyone wishing they could give little A some smooches glad that we get to have her and her parents with us this year.

My oh my Amber Fischer has done it again. She keeps coming up with great giveaways that I really want to win! This one takes the cake though! I just love her stuff and I love her location (hey, so I get homesick once in awhile) But anyways check her skills out!

Big Dose of Holiday Cheer

So playing a bit of catch up, I wanted to post lots of pics from the past weeks to get caught up. Holidays are super busy but Daniel gets done with Finals tomorrow so things will be less stressful after that.

Anyways here's some photos of my grandma who is turning 92 this year! She looks pretty awesome if you ask me!! She is so amazing and healthy, she is sweet and kind and I think I love her kisses the most! She is always so complimentary and has always been that way... the sweetest grandma :) Loved seeing her and my aunt and uncle and a few cousins this thanksgiving. (also she gave me hope because she said Addy has hair just like my Aunt Beth did at that age and my auntie had super long and thick gorgeous hair so hopefully it happens (Addy is obsessed with long hair))

After the visit with family we decided to run up to Smiths Mesa to get a Christmas tree on the Stout family land up there. We always have a good time on Smiths and the views of Zion are unbeatable.

The roads got a little muddy, but this was me happy even though we were sliding around a bit

but this turned into this

when this happened and the windshield wiper fluid ran out... hahaha luckily there was snow on the side of the road.

daddy and Addy going to find the tree

Liam slept in the car we just left him there because it was warm and he was out. He slept the whole time. After some searching I spied this little guy, just the right size we took it.
(getting a real live wild tree isn't about being perfect but about the experience and, we had a fun family bonding time doing it)

(Addy had so much fun it was warm even though there was snow on the ground. We taught addy to build a snow man and throw a snow ball)
When we got home the kids wrestled while we watched the BYU/UTAH game (sad day :) But we felt great about how we spent it.

So we had Daniel's work Christmas party and it's something I look forward to because it's like the one time where you kinda go all out trying to look nice (well the one time for me :) My only problem was I really have nothing that fits me since I've lost weight and haven't wanted to go shopping until I hit my goal so thanks to Steph and Comet, and my niece Ashley and a $4 shirt from Target I was able to put something together, I actually really felt good, and the night went surprisingly well. His work does this fun thing where they have wrapped gifts (that are gag gifts, and a few cheap good gifts) and then the unwrapped gifts are really nice.. like ipads, flat screen, ipods, gps, wii, xbox 360 etc. Anyways they draw out names saying this is for a wrapped gift or this is for the gps. If your name gets called and you've worked there for more than one year you can pass (one pass for every year you've worked) we had a pass this year and we passed on a wrapped gift and were really excited when our name got called for the wii. We were not expecting something good. Of course when we got home I had to kinda convince Daniel that we needed to take it back because we needed the money more plus a gaming system while going to school really isn't that great of an idea. So we took it back, but I did give in and say he can get a gaming system of his choice when he gets his bachelors. One more incentive right?

ME getting ready with my sweet Maiden Boise t-shirt!!! the oufit... and me and the hubs excited to win a prize :)

Just wanted to throw this awesome news out there! Guess who is going to nursery full time? He is such a sweet boy and is always trying to make us laugh. He also loves talking on the phone. I love how both my kids have that "quizzical brow" Love love love him!

Well that's all the update I'll do now. Though a big shout out to Comet for her birthday!!! Love her! And just found out my sister Clara had her first baby tonight at 9 pm. So excited for her and can't wait to meet sweet baby girl :)