3 years later...

... and I'm finally getting around to scrapbooking Henry's first real winter. We had moved around from hot-weathered Houston and Bakersfield before he got to experience his first cold spell while living in Indiana.

I've never thought my children look much alike, but when I look back at my first baby at only 16 months, he and James look quite a bit alike. I'm so happy I was blogging 3 years ago...it makes scrapbooking much easier....I can just look at my blog to find the pictures I liked at the time and copy the journaling. It keeps memories fresh.

I'm in California with Preston on business. My mission is to get Henry a book printed of his first few years of life. I'm just about done, and then I will be moving on to James' 2nd year. I'm 20 weeks pregnant TODAY, and I really need to get my scrapbooking up to date before the next 20 weeks flies by too!

World's Strictest Parents...my TV debut!

My sister-in-law and brother-in-law were chosen by the BBC show "World's Strictest Parents" to host 2 teenagers for 10 days at their home here in Utah. The show has been aired in the UK, and is now available on YouTube in 6 parts.

Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9W3bNbADF0E

Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a3V4xgmhT0

Part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtMOtI-ARRQ

Part 4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ecaJgxICy0

Part 5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDnuSuFkuiA

Part 6 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nA7sJEc-8Gc

My bum can be seen in Part 2 at our Memorial Day BBQ.

If you want a happy chuckle check out the "old fogies" and James at the Beehive Statesman practice found at the end of Part 4.

Way to go, Peck Family (and Janelle)! It looks and sounds like you made a huge impact on Hannah and James.

the sharpie strikes again!

A long time ago Henry found a Sharpie marker and added his touch to much of our upstairs furniture. Luckily, it was mostly sealed wood that we were able to scrub clean He did leave one small mark on my leather couch that I was pretty upset about but decided it could have been worse. Well, we are no longer spared. On Halloween Day (while under the hubby's watch, I must add), James found a Sharpie marker (that the hubby had left on the floor while doing a home-improvement project), and proceeded to draw what looks like a spiderweb all over our leather couch. I have tried hand sanitizer, Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, oil, sunscreen and the list goes on. Basically, we will have a spiderweb couch for as long as our boys are growing up. James' artwork will grace our living room for years to come. And as for the Sharpie markers? They have been shunned.

Am I jinxing myself?

As usual, we are not finding out who will be coming into our home in just 21 weeks. But, it still doesn't stop me from shopping the Old Navy half-off clearance prices sale! And I think we all know that girls' clothes are way cuter than boys' clothes. How can I turn down dresses for $2 and tinsy baby girl shoes for $3? Well, as you can see, I can't.

I really, really, really think this baby is a girl. (S)he is calm in the womb (unlike my boys), gave me some unappetizing feels early in pregnancy (unlike my boys) and gave me acne and excema like I was a teenager again (unlike my boys). I was sure Henry was a girl. I was sure James was a girl. I'm sure this one is a girl. So, I'm pretty sure I'm wrong.

Anyone need some baby girl clothes?

Self-fulfilled Prophecy

Back when we were first married, Preston left this song on repeat on our computer at home. When I came home from work I was greeted by it blaring with a cute little sign on the screen that simply said "I love you". He knew I loved this song (because "if it ain't country, it ain't music", remember?).

As I was listening to it on my itunes today I had to laugh because the words of the song have just about come true.

"There's a carrot-top who can barely walk with a sippy cup of milk"
(This is James to a tee)

"A little blue-eyed blonde with shoes on wrong cause (s)he likes to dress himself"
(Henry constantly has his shoes on the wrong feet)

"And the most beautiful girl holding both of them"
(Do I dare claim this as being me?...I think so)

"I've traveled here and everyone following my job
I've seen the paintings from the air brushed by the hand of God
The mountains and the canyons reach from sea to shining sea"
(That's my traveling man for ya)

"But I can wait to get back home to the one He made for me 'cause anywhere I'll ever go and everywhere I've been
Nothing takes my breath away like my front porch looking in"
(I sure hope this is how Preston feels)

I must have known way back then that this was going to be my life and that's why I loved the song so much. It sure does fit us now. Henry loves it and always asks for "the sippy cup of milk song".

I must admit, it's a pretty good life.

the most asked about appetizer

I'm a lover of appetizers. I would rather sit around a table and munch on a bunch of various finger foods than indulge in a big plate of sameness any day. Whenever I'm asked to bring an appetizer somewhere, I always bring Bronco Bob's Raspberry Chipotle Dip. And whenever I bring it somewhere, I'm always asked for the recipe. So, here it is.

Bronco Bob's Raspberry Chipotle Dip

1 can black beans (rinsed and drained)
1 block of cream cheese
1/2 jar of Bronco Bob's Raspberry Chipotle Sauce (@ SuperTarget next to the BBQ Sauces)

Layer the top 3 in a baking dish and bake in a 425 degree oven for 20 minutes.

It will look like this before you bake it, and here's what the bottle looks like (just in case you go a hunting)...Once the 20 minutes is up, grab the dish out of the oven (with a mitt, of course) and give it a stir to mix everything together. Top the dip with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and return to the oven for 5 more minutes.

{the final product....doesn't look appetizing, but you must try for yourself}

Serve it with tortilla chips, but only to people who want to become addicted.

Thanks be to my sister, Keely, for getting me (and now YOU) addicted to such a delightful thing.

the real deal.....Halloween Night

We had family over for appetizers and the Real Soccer Playoff game, and followed it up with Trick or Treating with neighbors, our annual chili dinner and candy sorting. The weather was perfect, the food was delicious and the kids were festive.

the endless Halloween

Halloween has honestly been a series of 10 events around here. My kids have worn their costumes at least 5 times and gotten at least 5 rounds of candy.

We had a few friends from our street over for a kids Halloween Party on Friday. The mommies each brought a scary lunch item and a game to play. The kids dressed up, ate a few nutritious bites, played games, ran around, and ate a bunch of junk. We had a blast, and I sure hope the kids did too. I think it shall be an annual event.

When your Mom forgets your costume for a Halloween Parade...

...just wrap your head in toilet paper and call yourself a mummy...