.

Amelia's 1st Tooth!

2012-01-21T14:40:00.000-05:00

To be honest, I thought I would have a few months before I would write this post... but Amelia surprised me!

Amelia had been doing more of this (below) than usual lately and it was really starting to concern me. (Yes, my parents Christmas tree is still up!!) I took her to the doctor and found she had an ear infection. She was treated for that but was STILL fussy, Not a ton, but more than her normal self.

So, last Tuesday I called the doctors office again and told them she was still fussy and not acting herself. The told me I had better bring her in because she is still so little. After a peek in her ears and a quick exam, Dr. Berg said she had good news and bad news.

Good News: Her ears were all clear and looked GREAT!

Bad News: There was nothing she could do for me.

Hummm...not a clue what it could be.

So... after some more of this...

and LOTS of this....

I found THIS!!!!

Amelia's first tooth!!!

On Wednesday I could see it... and on Thursday, January 19, 2011 Amelia's bottom right tooth popped through the skin!!

BOY IS IT SHARP!!!

I always said I would stop nursing when my babies got teeth. I didn't think she would get it this early, so we will learn to deal!! I don't want to stop nursing and still plan to go on until at least her 1st birthday!

She bites a lot... mostly my finger... and almost every time I nurse.

Other than a few little shouts here and there, I presume it still hurts, and she is probably getting more she is doing GREAT!!!!

I love my little SNAGGLETOOTH!!!

3 Months!

2012-01-05T18:58:00.000-05:00

Miss Amelia is 3 months old!

She is growing so fast!

Here is my little peanut when she was just a few days old! Just a little reminder of how tiny she was and how fast she has grown into the sweet little girl of my dreams!

Amelia is such a sweet baby! She has been learning lots of new tricks and skills! She also has a pretty strong opinion on the things that she loves!

This is one of her new tricks! She learned how to find her "thlum" and likes to suck on it! She doesn't do it terribly often during the day, but uses it during the night. I have also caught her with her two middle fingers in her mouth like her cousin Ella!

Amelia loves to snuggle her Mama! I love when she curls right up into my neck to nap!

Amelia is a snuggler! She loves to nap with her Papa!

We also discovered the mirror this month! She loves to look at "that cute baby" in the mirror! She loves to smile and talk to her as well! It is SO CUTE!

Amelia LOVES to take baths! She recently grew out of the little hammock and now sits nicely in her tub! She discovered on Tuesday that when she kicks her feet the water splashes out and she gets a reaction from her wet Mama! It was so cute, so Daddy just got a towel to soak the water up from the carpet and we let her kick to her hearts content!!

My water baby!

Even more than the bath, she LOVES to take a shower with her Mama! I have taken her in several times and she gets so excited! She is all smiles! She also gets so relaxed that she even fell asleep once! She loves when I let the water hit her back, and she loves getting her hair washed and rinsed!

Amelia is such a happy girl! She brings smiles (almost) everywhere we go! She makes me smile everyday! She loves to talk as well! Sometimes we just sit and chat! I love the way she moves her mouth when she talks to me! She has such great expressions!!!

We read to Amelia when I was pregnant and I continued reading to her from the day she was born! She loves to sit in my lap and look at the pictures as I read her the story, or sometimes make up my own! She will even sit through long stories! I recently pulled out these touch and feel books and we enjoy feeling them with her hands and feet! She gets so excited! She likes the grass page, the cloud page, and the towel page. She also liked the cardboard page, and thinks the sandpaper page is weird! She will scrunch up all of her toes when i gently rub them on the sandpaper! It is SO CUTE!

My little stinker will do ANYTHING to be able to see the television! It makes me laugh! This picture was taken New Years Eve... she was watching some rapper on the tv... oops!

Amelia loves kisses! Heaven knows she gets so many she better like em! I love to kiss her sweet cheeks and munch on her chin and neck! She thinks it is pretty funny too!

This has been the most amazing past 3 months of my life! Amelia is such a blessing! She is such a sweet girl! She is generally so calm and relaxed! She is so happy and sleeps so well! We usually put her to bed after a nice snuggle around 9 and she will sleep until 5 or 6 in the morning!

Amelia, Mommy and Daddy love you SO MUCH! You have brought more joy to our lives than we could have ever imagined!

We cannot wait to see what this next month brings!

Back to Work

2011-12-26T09:29:00.002-05:00

On Monday, December 12 I went back to work and Amelia started daycare.

It was a sad sad day for me.

I got up early and got myself all ready. I wanted to make sure that I had enough time to get some extra snuggles with Amelia. You can see how "excited" I am to go back. Oh how i wish we were rich and I could stay home with Amelia.

Amelia slept like an angel! She woke up around 4 to eat. So, I kept her in our bed after that. I just wanted to spend as much time as I could with her. Even after we both got up, she continued to sleep soundly in our bed! (excuse the mess)

When I woke her up, she was SUPER HAPPY! We spent some time getting all lotioned up and dressed. She was SO HAPPY and talked to me almost the whole time!

She was SO SMILEY! I think that made it even harder to drop her off!

I was so glad I gave us lots of extra time. She nursed for a while, then we just had a nice long snuggle. I mostly cried, and she smiled at me. I think she was trying to tell me it was all right, that she still loved me, even if I couldn't be home with her all day.

After our snuggle Andrew buckled her into her car seat and we were ready to to.

Mom called me as we were on the way out the door to see how i was doing. I ended up crying so hard I couldn't even talk to her.

Look at my beautiful, happy baby! I missed her SO MUCH all day. I did go in and see her and nurse her every 2 hours, but it just is not enough.

I have now been back to work for 2 weeks. Ann and Crystal are SO good with Amelia and I know they love her! She gets spoiled by them as well as Chelsea and especially Kara (she and Amelia share a b-day!)! It is a little easier to drop her off in the morning, i don't cry anymore, but I still miss her SO MUCH.

My hope is that one day (really soon) I will be able to stay home with her. I don't want to miss ANYTHING.

We LOVE Santa

2011-12-26T09:00:00.000-05:00

We LOVE Santa!

Amelia enjoyed Santa (Papa) playing with her tosies at the

Fayette Ward Christmas Party!

Mama Gets CRAFTY!

2011-12-26T08:56:00.000-05:00

OK... We (I) like "girly things" for Amelia! I love to dress her up and put little bows on her head! One day when she was a few days old I decided I wanted to MAKE her some bows because her head was so small, none of the store ones fit her. I went to JoAnns and got some things to make headbands with. AND... they sat in the bag FOREVER! SO... 9 weeks later Mom helped me and I made Amelia some PRETTY things for her noggin!

This is the 1st one I made. It was simple! But I used white thread... so i colored the top with a Sharpie! Shhhh don't tell :)

This one was fun! I cut apart these little flowers and sewed them together. It "needed" something else, so Mom found these beads! They were PERFECT! This is one of our favorites! She has worn this one a lot!

This one was kind of hard to make. I actually made the flower on this one. It is another favorite though, and she has probably worn this one the most! It went GREAT with all of her cute Christmas outfits!

This one is just like the first!

Thanks for helping me Mom! It was so much fun to get a little CRAFTY and make something for my Sweet Baby!

I Love You Amelia!

2 Month Appointment

2011-12-26T08:43:00.000-05:00

On Wednesday, December 7 Amelia had her 2 month appointment.

She weighs 11 pounds 4 ounces and is 21.5 inches long :)

I cannot believe how much she has grown!

My big girl!

She also got the rounds of 2mo shots.

I was expecting it to be horrible. That we would both end up in tears. But it was quite the opposite. Amelia did SO WELL! She hardly cried at all. The first was an oral vaccine. She drank it willingly. She was tired though, and kept falling asleep while trying to drink it! It was kind of funny! Then she had one shot in her right leg and 2 in her left. She cried just a little after the 3rd shot until I picked her up. Then she was fine. A few hours later she got a little fussy, but nothing that we couldn't handle. I let her nurse a little more than usual to help comfort her and that seemed to work great.

Doctor Berg said to only give her Tylenol if she spiked a fever. She never did, so we didn't even have to give her any medicine. We had a few teary moments, like the one above. I am so proud of her! She did great! She even got 2 shiny silver sparkly band-aids :)

She is HEALTHY and for that I am grateful!

2 Months!

2011-12-05T14:41:00.000-05:00

I cannot believe my baby girl is 2 months old!

Where is the time going?!?!

This is yesterday: December 4, 2011

Amelia is such a happy girl! She is so smiley! Especially in the morning and after waking up from a nap! She loves the changing table, and we get many many smiles there!

She is growing like a weed! I cannot wait for her apt. on wed to see how much she has grown!

I have been SO LUCKY to have spent the last 9 weeks at home with her! I am so grateful for every minute that I get to spend with Amelia! She is truly a blessing from God! Her smile warms my heart every day! She is trying to giggle now! I love to see her grow and develop! Her little personality is really starting to come out! She is such a sweet baby!

I will be going back to work next week, on the 12th of December. As much as I miss my friends and kids at work, I cannot imagine how it is going to go. I wish more than anything and pray every day that I will have an opportunity that feels right to stay home with Amelia (for a little longer anyway)! I am so lucky to work where I do though! Amelia gets to come to the day care where I work. I will get to see her through out the day, as I will be able to continue to nurse her! I am so thankful for that opportunity!

Amelia sure loves her Daddy!

A few other things about this past month in the life of Amelia! She is now sleeping through the night! That makes for a very happy Mommy & Daddy! She often goes to bed between 10-11 and gets up between 5-6 to nurse. Then goes right back to sleep! That makes for a great stretch of sleep for us (even though I get up MANY times a night to check on her)!

She is also my little fashonista! We love to dress up, and will often wear multiple outfits in a day, just for fun! That is more for Mommy than for Amelia... but she is a willing sport!

She has also really started to "talk" to me! I love the way she moves her lips and mouth when she talks! SO CUTE! She loves it when I say "Your Mama's CRAZY" and "Your so freakin cute!"

Amelia also loves her family. She loves snuggles from Mu. She loves when Papa sings, hums, and talks to her. She loves her Aunt Sarah, and kisses from Sophie and Ella!

Amelia is so lucky to have family close by!

We have learned that this Mama makes good milk! She is really starting to chunk up! I love to squeeze her legs and munch on her cheeks!

This has been the best 2 months of our lives!

We just love our little girl so much!

She is.... "so freakin awesome!"

Amelia's Baby Blessing

2011-12-05T13:57:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, December 4, 2011 Amelia was blessed by her Daddy!

She looked so beautiful and Daddy gave her the most beautiful blessing!

We are so grateful to have had some of our family and friends stand in the circle while Andrew blessed her. My dad, Rob Fleming, Edson Appleton, Justin Gahn, Howard Simmons, Jonathan Porchet, & Keith Baker! Thank you all for taking part in her special day!

Amelia wore her fancy headband given to her from her Aunt Sheila. Her dress and blanket were made by her Grandmother (Andrew's Mom) and her slip and bracelet were made by her Mu (My Mom).

I am sad that there is a shadow in this picture, and that Amelia's head is tilted back. Oh well.

Our little Family on Amelia's Blessing Day!

My Mom made Amelia and I matching bracelets! They were beautiful and we love them!

(hint hint... we love them a lot and would like some more to wear to church! hint hint!)

This is the best shot I could get of her in her dress. I will take some more detailed pictured of her blanket and dress and post them soon! They are both so beautiful. Her dress was made from an old wedding dress that was given to Andrew's mother. It is just beautiful and fit her perfectly! The blanket she made was a replica of a blanket Queen Victoria had made for one of her children. The blanket took her almost 5 months to make. When she is finished making it, it has to be soaked and stretched. It is absolutely a labor of love. We are so grateful she uses her talents to bless the lives of her children and grandchildren. We thank you! (we hear that Heather helped as well! Thank you Heather!)

We are so grateful for everyone that was there to make her day so special. Especially for those who traveled! We really appreciate your love and support of Amelia.

We also want to thank my parents for the wonderful luncheon we had at their house afterwords! It was perfect! And to Sarah who helped put it on as well!

We are so blessed to have Amelia in our lives!

Thank you for sharing in our joy!

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-12-05T12:55:00.000-05:00

Amelia's 1st Thanksgiving!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year at Mom & Dad's house! We go there every year, but it seems that Thanksgiving just gets better and better with each passing year!

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and just happened to be my birthday this year too!

I have SO MUCH to be thankful for this year! Especially for Amelia! She is here and healthy and happy! We love her so much, and she is such a blessing in our lives!

Here is Sophie, Amelia, and Ella!

Amelia was being a little crabby, and the girls dealt with her so well!

The love her so much and and she is so lucky to have them as her cousins! We cannot wait for our little boy cousin to come in March!

Dinner was SO GOOD Ella didn't make it through! She fell asleep at the table! So, I brought her to the couch and she snuggled up with the beautiful blanket that Sister Cox made for Amelia!

This was my contribution to Thanksgiving dessert! It is a Layered Pumpkin Pie Toffee Cheesecake. I found the recipe at Our Best Bites, one of my favorite cooking blogs!

Boy was it TASTY!

Toffee cheesecake on the bottom, pumpkin pie on the top... whip cream and toffee bits!! mmmmmm....

Andrew & Amelia didn't make it much past dessert! They were found having a nice little snuggle in Papa's oversized recliner! (don't worry... i didn't leave her with him!)

When we got home, we attempted a cute little family picture!

Our first Thanksgiving as a family!!

What a wonderful Thanksgiving & Birthday!

A BIG Thank You to Mom & Dad for the WONDERFUL dinner and day!!!

WE love you!

Snow!

2011-11-20T17:28:00.000-05:00

On Thursday Amelia experienced her FIRST SNOW!!

As you can see, she was pretty impressed!!

Mommy & Daddy are excited to share all these firsts with you Amelia!

We love you so much!

(Mommy is especially glad we were able to share your first snow and then have it melted when we got up the next morning! Lets hold off as long as we can!)

One Month

2011-11-04T23:15:00.001-04:00

October 4, 2011

I gave birth to the most beautiful, amazing, and perfect little girl.

My life is for ever changed.

November 4, 2011

My baby girl is one month old.

I can't believe how fast she is growing. It is so fun to see her personality coming out.

I love this little girl more than I could have ever imagined! I love everything about her! I love the way she looks into my eyes when she nurses. I love the way she licks her lips and then smacks them when she is done. I love the way her little toes curl, and her sweet baby smell! I love the quiet moments that we have together in a day (and night). I just love to watch her sleep, watch her dream and wonder what she is dreaming about! I love to kiss and munch on her cheeks! I love the look she gives me when I do!

I love to look at her and wonder what life has in store for her. I wonder what she'll grow up to be! I wonder what her strong points will be, and what she'll struggle with. I wonder how I will help her through those times! I think about how lucky she is to have so many people who love her so!

Happy 1 Month Birthday Amelia!

Mommy & Daddy love you so much!

<3 <3 <3

Trunk or Treat

2011-10-29T12:07:00.000-04:00

Last night was the ward Trunk-Or-Treat at Church.

This is one of Andrew's favorite activities, so we dressed Amelia up and took her out.

Here she is right before we left the house. We should have taken her picture before we put her in the car seat. Oops. We did get any really good pictures of her in her costume.

Andrew did take this one. But she is upside down. At least you can see the little skeleton! There is a sparkly bow above her heart! SUPER CUTE! On the way home I was sitting in the back seat with her and I realized it GLOWS IN THE DARK!

Andrew passed dad his clown nose. Who does he look like?!?

One word... OPERATION?!?! :)

Papa giving Ella a "Meep Meep"

Eat a donught off a string? I think not! Ella just pulled hers off!

Sophie was such a good sport! She tried SO HARD and got a few bites! Then we pulled it off for her!

Then it was time to go outside for the Trunk-Or-Treat. So, I bundled Amelia all up and we went outside for a few minutes.She slept the whole time.

TRICK-OR-TREAT!!
Happy Halloween!!!

Welcome!

2011-10-17T10:17:00.003-04:00

Welcome to the world

Amelia-Ives

October 4, 2011

7lb 7oz

19.5 in

PERFECT!!!

Emotional

2011-09-03T09:28:00.003-04:00

Maybe this is why I am so emotional...

2011-08-13T20:33:00.000-04:00

I can't believe I am almost 30 weeks pregnant!

Just 10 more weeks (give or take) until we get to meet our sweet baby girl!

Mommy & Daddy love you Amelia!

We cannot wait to meet you!

Congratulations Sophie!

2011-06-25T11:25:00.000-04:00

On Wednesday, June 22, Sophie graduated from Universal Pre Kindergarten!!!

They had a really nice program where the children put on little plays. Sophie had a STARING ROLL in The Little Red Hen, as, you guessed it, The Little Red Hen! She did such a good job and looked DARLING.

(I would post pictures... but I am not sure if I can because I work there... and confidentiality stuff... better safe than sorry!)

Anyway! Here are a few pictures from Sophie's BIG DAY!

Ella helping Sophie with her cap!

Sophie the graduate! With her diploma!

Sophie with Mu & Papa!

CONGRATULATIONS SOPHIE!!!

Off to Kindergarten in September!

Grr...

2011-06-25T11:15:00.000-04:00

I am SO MAD.

Ok, so Gerbera Daisies are my all time favorite flower. I just love them! I usually get one every year from either my mom or my sister. I usually end up killing them and then I'm sad.

WELL... This year I got one for Mother's Day from my Mom and Dad! In this cute yellow pot. It lives on my front porch and by some miracle I have managed to keep it alive! Oh yes, and it continues to bloom.

So, a few weeks ago I noticed that one of my blossoms had been broken off. I naturally blamed it on Andrew, I thought maybe he hit it with the hose while watering or something. (not very nice of me, huh)

It was ok though because 2 beautiful new ones came out! They were big and yellow and wonderful! They made me smile every time I walked out of my front door!

UNTIL THIS MORNING....

I walked out and THIS is what I find....

WHO DID IT?!?!

We must have a bunny with an issue or something. I mean REALLY? COME ON!

If you are going to be a jerk and get them, at least have the common decency to EAT IT!

grrrrrrrrrr........... so IRRITATED!

Sunday Afternoon

2011-06-05T19:05:00.000-04:00

I spent this afternoon making turtles for Sophie & Ella!!

I think they turned out REALLY CUTE!

for instructions on this project... and many others check out...

www.makeit-loveit.com

Happy 2nd Birthday Ella Bean

2011-05-31T17:07:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday Ella Bean!

Ella turned 2 earlier this month, so we combined her birthday party with our Memorial Day picnic!

Ella blowing out her candle...

She waited and waited for this cake... mmmm

She ate it so carefully, I don't think she missed a crumb!

She opened presents!

...

Happy Birthday Ella!!

I love you right down to your grubby little toes!!!

Hello Belly...

2011-05-29T13:59:00.000-04:00

HELLO BELLY!

19 weeks today! Almost 1/2 way there!

My belly is a growin'! .. I am lovin' it!

I have also started feeling Amelia move!

I had Pepsi at Sarah's last nigh... HELLO!

Pretty sure Amelia was throwing a party in there!

It is the most amazing feeling! I cannot wait until they get more intense and regular!

This is the view from up here!

Hahahaha!

Have a WONDERFUL DAY!

Bonus Post

2011-05-27T18:49:00.002-04:00

And her name... for now... (and if it's up to me ... always) shall be...

Our Sweet Baby

2011-05-27T18:43:00.001-04:00

OK... So for those of you who don't know... we had our anatomy ultrasound on Tuesday!

We are having a Baby Girl!!

The ultrasound went really well! My appointment was at 2:30, so I was really bummed when I was in the car, on my way (with a FULL bladder) when the called and said it needed to be changed to 3:15.

So, when we got there at 3:15 we started the ultrasound. The very first thing we saw was a little arm and hand waving to us! It was amazing! I immediately started to cry! Then she checked her heart rate, and she was at 160 bpm! Very strong! Then she started checking her out!

We were able to see just about everything. Her brain, all 4 chambers of her heart, her bladder, kidneys, stomach, spine, and of course her legs, feet, arms, and hands! She is amazing, she is perfect, and she is ours!!

She is PERFECT, and she is BEAUTIFUL!

It is so amazing to me how fast you can fall in love with a tiny little person!

Our little girl was being stubborn for the ultrasound technician! She did NOT want to show us what was or was not between her legs! She was very modest! The tech kept bouncing the probe on my belly trying to get our little one to move or roll over... or SOMETHING! She just responded with a punch or a kick! It was kind of funny to watch! She had her little legs crossed at her ankles... it was SO CUTE! The tech was FINALLY able get get a glimpse between her little legs... and told us that she was 80% sure we were having a girl!

I think Andrew was a little bummed at first... he was quite sure we were having a boy! I had no feelings either way and was STOKED when she said girl!! I think Sophie and Ella are going to have a wonderful time with her! It will be so nice for them to grow up so close in age and location! (all about 2.5 years apart!) And how lucky are they all to live so close to their grandparents and family! (We just wish Jamie and Stephanie would live a little closer!)

Anyway... we are so lucky to have a stubborn little girl because it means we get to go back in 2 weeks and peek again!!! The tech was not able to check the bottom of her spine. So, we will have another ultrasound in about 2 weeks to check that, and double check gender, and prob. check on a few more things! The tech said she will be bigger then and we can do some more 3d shots!

Well... we couldn't be happier!! She is growing well and looks to be healthy!!

We couldn't ask for anything more!

IT'S A.....

2011-05-24T13:52:00.000-04:00

.......... ..........

Sorry... just practicing!!! 40 more minutes until the ultrasound!

PLEASE PRAY FOR HEALTHY BABY!!!

EXCITED!

2011-05-13T17:58:00.000-04:00

I had a doctors appointment yesterday!

Everything measured and sounded GREAT!

I also made the appointment for our anatomy ultrasound!

I am SOOOO excited to find out what we are having!

SO...

I just posted a poll... on the right, under the "baby ticker" for you to guess what we are having! I am excited to see what everyone thinks! After you have voted, please leave me a comment... so I know who voted what!

EXCITED!

BOY or GIRL?!?!

My Mother's Day

2011-05-11T17:26:00.000-04:00

Mother's Day was pretty awesome this year!

First of all, my mother is AMAZING... and that is all there is too it! I am so lucky to have her! She means the world to me! She has taught me over the past 26 years what it is to be a Mother. I hope that I can live up to her example!

Thank you Mom!!

Andrew was so good to me on Mother's Day! Apparently he decided that pregnancy counts and I needed to be celebrated! He got up early and made me breakfast in bed. Yummy bacon, egg, cheese on a bagel. Fresh squeezed oj, kiwi, strawberries, and banana! I could not eat even eat it all! Lucky for me, he was right next to me to pick up the slack!

mmmm....

He knows how excited I am to get both vegetable and flower gardens in this year! So, he got me some hand tools for my gardening adventures!

He also got me a dozen pink roses... that smell AMAZING! I woke up to them on my bedside. There was a cute little note stuck in them.

"Happy Mother's Day to my BEAUTIFUL Mother-to-be.

I love you so much. Thank you for ~~for growing~~ carrying our baby.

Love Andrew"

This is kind of a joke between us. In our prayers he always refers to me "growing our baby" ... and I always tell him how weird it is... that he should say "carrying our baby"... lol!

PLEASE EXCUSE MY HAIR! I look RIDICULOUS.

The thing I am most grateful for this particular Mother's Day (other than my rockin' awesome mother) is that I get to be a mother soon myself. It is something that I have always wanted, always dreamed of. Finally it is becoming a reality! It is crazy!

I love this little one! I can't wait to meet him/her.

Here I am at 16 weeks.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

to my AMAZING mother (& to me)!

I'm Still Here...

2011-05-07T20:30:00.000-04:00

Yup, I'm still here... and I have been really horrible at updating this blog. Many people have asked recently why I have not updated... I have no excuse really. Sheer laziness? Who knows.

Things are progressing well with this pregnancy, which I am very pleased to say! I passed my "Yahoo Day" about two and a half weeks ago. My "Yahoo Day" is the day that marked me being pregnant longer than ever before! It was a good day!

I had a doctors appointment the Friday before last... the 29th I guess it was. There was a big uproar because according to much chart I had lost 14 lb. in 4 weeks. My doctor and the nurse were baffled... and I told them that I thought maybe the previous nurse had recorded the number wrong. I mean, I know I am still losing weight, as a matter of fact, I knew that I had lost 4lb in that 4 weeks. None the less, Doctor Hight was concerned that I was still losing and I was told to eat more and come back in 2 weeks. If only it was that simple. It would help if things sounded good to me. It would also help if I could stop throwing up every morning. Oh well, I have no control over that... so I will take it with stride and do my best!

My doctor said that despite my weight loss the baby was growing well. The top of my uterus is just below my belly button! Baby is moving up in the world! He checked the heartbeat, which sounded AMAZING at around 150 bpm. Seriously, I cannot hear that sound enough!

So, here is a picture taken on our trip to Canada last weekend... this is just shy of 15 weeks. Hello baby bump! I can call it that because I can no longer "suck it in"... trust me... I tried!

I am even bigger now (again despite the weight loss)... maybe I will take another picture tomorrow... when I will officially be 16 weeks! Whoo Hoo!

Oh, things are busy busy busy. By the time I get home from work I am exhausted. There is so much work that needs to get done... eh... I'll get there! I did like 100 loads of laundry today... since it didn't get done last weekend! I am trying to catch up.

I will try and be better about posting. I guess now that my belly is actually growing, I will have something to post about! Being pregnant is hard work! 3 cheers to all the women out there who have done it! Even though it is hard work, often painful, very emotional, and a crazy time... I couldn't ask for anything more. I am just SO GRATEFUL that Heavenly Father has given me this experience. And for the experiences that led up to this one. I have learned to take NOTHING for granted, for life is too short. I love this baby SO MUCH! I cannot even put into words how much I love him/her! It is such a strange new feeling. One that I am eternally grateful for!

I am optimistic, I am full of hope, I am happy!

Scary Night

2011-04-09T21:53:00.000-04:00

Ok... so here is the story...

   Last night when I got home from work (about 4:30) I plopped myself on the couch to read. I was so tired, but was feeling ok. At 6:00 I went to pick up Andrew from work. When we got home, we both plopped on the couch. I picked my book back up, and Andrew was playing DS. I started to get really nauseated, which is not totally abnormal for me, so I closed my eyes. I slept from about 7:00-7:45 and woke up with a sore throat. Now this was kind of odd, but there are several sick kids at daycare, so I was not terribly surprised. By now I was very nauseous and wanted dinner. Andrew cooked dinner and we ate shortly after 8:00. I barley ate my meal because I was not feeling well, and starting to get a headache.
   All of a sudden I smelled something funny. I knew it was gas. So I told Andrew that I thought I smelled gas... and he told me I was crazy. I told him again a few min. later, and again, he blamed my "pregnant nose." A few minutes later, just before I gave up and went to bed, I told him I was serious and he needed to get up and check it out. He did, and just as he admitted to smelling it the Carbon Monoxide detector went off. I started to panic and called Dad. He told us to get out of the house (which we were doing already) and to call NYSEG. So, Andrew grabbed Lily and I grabbed a NYSEG bill and my purse and out we went. We sat out in the car and I talked to NYSEG. The lady made me feel really stupid, and said that someone would be there shortly. This was at 8:45. At 9:05 they still were not there and I was worried about the house exploding. So, I called 9-1-1 at 9:05. By 9:07 I had almost every volunteer fireman and a firetruck sitting in front of my house. The street was blocked off, and they were inside. (Did I mention that 1/2 of them live on my street...lol!)
   They have a detector they use to well, detect natural gas or carbon monoxide, or both, I don't really know. As soon as they opened the door I could hear our detector going off, and they went in. One came out shortly thereafter and said to Andrew and I, "Look, I am not going to sugar coat this, your house is registering at 91. That is a lethal level. If you had stayed in a few more hours, you would be dead. You are very lucky you have that carbon monoxide detector." It really saved our lives. If it had not gone off, we probably would have gone to bed and never woken up. That just makes me ill to think about.
   My neighbor asked me how I was feeling and I told him that I was nauseated and tired, but that I was pregnant, so those were "normal" for me. They all got really nervous and called another fireman over who is also an EMT. He called an ambulance to come and check me out. The ambulance came, and I climbed into the back of it... which was kind of cool, I had never been in one before. They tested my oxygen, blood pressure, and pulse. They said my oxygen was ok, but my blood pressure and pulse were high. (Of course they are!) They recommended that I go to the ER and offered to take me. I politely declined their offer and told them I really didn't want to pay for the ride. Haha... I told them I would call my OB and see what he said, and if he wanted me to go, then Andrew could take me.
   While I was in the ambulance NYSEG arrived and all the firemen left. Andrew was in the house with the NYSEG guy when I finished. It was about 9:30 and that is when I called my OB. Doctor Clair was on call, and she wanted me to go the "nearest ER." OK OK... I'll go! Andrew was busy with the NYSEG man, so my neighbor offered to take me. It was very kind of him, but I told him my sister would take me, and he gave Lily and I a ride up there. I dropped Lily off, and Chris dropped me off at the hospital.
   I checked in some time around 9:50. Andrew arrived at the ER around 10:45 leaving Chris with the NYSEG man at our house. At 11:10 I was given a room. At 12:00 I saw the doctor. He was really not very concerned until he found out I was pregnant. Then he wanted to run a blood test. At 1:00 I had my blood draw. At 2:30 the doctor came in and thanked us for being patient. At 2:40 the nurse came in and said that my blood was all good. But she needed to call Poison Control before she could send me home. She came back at 2:45 and said she could not get a hold of poison control and wanted to know who my OB was. She tried to call him, but Doctor Clair was on call, so she answered and cleared me to go home. At 3:00am I was discharged from the hospital. It was kind of crazy.
   On the way home we picked up Lily from Sarah & Chris's house and went home. We climbed into bed at 3:15am. WAAAAY
   And THAT was our VERY LONG, VERY SCARY NIGHT. I don't think that it would ever sit well with a person when they said had you waited a couple more hours, you would be dead. That is the second time in my life I have heard that (1st was with my ectopic pregnancy) and it just not jive with me. I am still a little shaky about the whole situation. Every time I hear a beep, my heart jumps and my stomach drops.
   As scary as it was, I learned a few things. First of all, NYSEG is SLOW. Second, I was impressed with the speed of Geneva's Fire Department, especially the volunteers. They were fast, and very kind. Yes, it helps that half of them were our neighbors. And probably another 1/4 of them I went to high school with. Third, I have AMAZING neighbors. I am not even kidding. My neighbors across the street are wonderful. They were so good to me. Offering me to come inside, bringing me a chair, offering a blanket, etc. They also visited with me, which helped me calm down. My dad was not there, and I would have to say, having Chris (my bro-in-law) & Mr. Baxter was the next best thing in the moment. We just feel SO BLESSED to have such great neighbors who watch out for us.
   Lastly, I know that we were being watched out for. I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for us. We feel so blessed to be alive because we very well could have died last night. I am also very grateful that the baby is ok. They did not check the baby at all last night in the ER, which really bothered me. I have a home doppler though, and was very grateful I had it when I got up this morning. (I had a little spotting, and with all that happened last night I HAD to make sure). I was able to find the heartbeat rather quickly at 160-165 bpm. Music to my ears.
   I apologize for the length of this post. It is more for me to be able to remember later on... even though I know I left a TON out. But if you made it through, thank you so much for your love and support. And
OF YOU DON'T HAVE ONE... GET A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR. It saved our lives last night, and it could save yours too.
WE LOVE YOU.

Addition to my bathroom...

2011-03-18T18:24:00.001-04:00

I think thing about getting this for my bathroom... what do you think?

I just thought, since I spend much of my morning here... on my knees... that it would give me something to look at while emptying the contents of my stomach.

Oh the joys of pregnancy!

In all seriousness though, "morning sickness" ... which is a stupid name for it if you ask me, considering it lasts ALL DAY... is kind of awesome. Yes, I am strange... but it gives me this sense that everything is ok! Whatever works!

3 cheers... or fish... to morning sickness!

big scare... big relief

2011-03-14T17:06:00.000-04:00

I swear this blog is going to end up being all about this Little Pumpkin Blob, who we love so much. I guess babies start to stress you out long before they make it into the world...

BIG SCARE: On Saturday evening I started spotting... more than any woman would feel comfortable with. And I got scared. Our first little one died sometime around 8 weeks... and I was sure that it was happening again. I cried really hard, and then decided I was not helping anything. So, Andrew gave me a blessing which helped calm my immediate fears. Then I decided the best thing I could do was relax. So, I spent the rest of the evening and all of Sunday relaxing. We stayed home from church and Andrew waited on my hand and foot... he is WONDERFUL. There is no way I could do this without him... (really no way... I guess I wouldn't be at this point without him anyway... lol)

BIG RELIEF: I decided to wait it out until today. I called my OBGYN this morning and he was able to work me into his schedule. Come to find out it was part of his lunch hour. I was so grateful. He ordered an ultrasound which I had to wait 2 hours for. I went in at 2:15 in hopes to get in sooner... nope... went in around 2:40... and had the ultrasound done. The tech was WONDERFUL! She showed us everything!

ALL IS WELL!!!!

The baby is growing really well! Last Thursday the baby was measured and a due date of October 24th was given. Today, the baby was measured and a due date of October 22nd was given!

GROW BABY GROW!!!

She also let us listen to his/her little heartbeat!!

It was AMAZING... just AMAZING!

On Thursday the heartbeat was 160.

Today the heartbeat was 176.

She even turned this on... not exactly sure what it was, but you could see the blood flow in the heart. If was red/blue beating... SO NEAT. So.. that little read thing in the middle of our Pumpkin is the heart!

I am SO GRATEFUL for modern technology which made it possible for me to see our baby today and calm my fears. I am grateful that we were once again able to see and hear our baby's heartbeat! I am so thankful for an amazing tech who saw our worry, and turned on the sound again so we could just listen for a minute! And mostly I am grateful for the opportunity I have to grow this little life inside of me! I have never felt a love like this before.. it is so different, so new.

October can't come soon enough!

WE believe...

2011-03-10T17:07:00.000-05:00

In MIRACLES!!!

We cannot wait to meet our little Pumpkin!

Coming sometime around October 24, 2011

Asparagus

2011-02-26T18:28:00.000-05:00

Do you like Asparagus?

Andrew and I went and did some grocery shopping today at Wegmans. Being a Saturday afternoon there were a ton of people, and also sample time.

We tried this Asparagus soup that was AMAZING! I HAD to make it!

Wegmans Asparagus Soup

1 small white onion (dice)

1T pure olive oil

32oz Vegetable Stock

1lb asparagus (cut into 1in)

salt and pepper

1/2t Vogel Herbamare Herb Seasoning Salt (Nature's Marketplace)

1. Add diced onion and olive oil to a stockpot on medium/low. Cook for about 10 min. until the onions are soft and translucent.

2. Add vegetable stock and asparagus.

3. Season with salt and pepper

4. Bring to a boil on High then reduce to simmer for about 5 min. until asparagus is tender.

5. Remove pot from heat. Puree soup with a hand blender (I used our Ninja) until smooth. Season with the herb seasoning.

5. Garnish with Creme Fraiche or Parmigiano-Reggiano.

This soup is AMAZING!!! It was SO EASY. It only took me less than 30 minutes start to finish. I realize the picture looks kind of nasty... but it was the best I could do!

Mmmmm.... tell me what you think!

Fun with Picasa!

2011-02-05T13:17:00.000-05:00

I have FOUND PICASA!!

I accomplished something today...

2011-01-29T21:21:00.000-05:00

My Aunt Lynda gave me this for Christmas! It is SO CUTE!!! It was hard to find a frame for it though because it is such a strange size... but alas... I FOUND ONE!!!

It goes PERFECT in my kitchen!!!

Thank you Lynda & Joe! I LOVE it!

Side note: I stopped at Sarah's tonight and Sophie gave me a "sticker" ... hahahahaha... or a "mommy diaper" as she calls it!!! I love that kid! She is pretty awesome!

Thanks for making me smile kid-o!

Suzanne and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

2011-01-29T11:11:00.001-05:00

Do you ever have those days? Those days where you feel like crap and nothing is going right?

I am having one of those feel sorry for yourself days... it has been "terrible, horrible, no good, and very bad" and it is only 11:00.

UGH.

Lily still has her days and nights confused. She runs around like she has had 10 cups of coffee starting around 5:00am. She runs up and down the halls, in and out of rooms, up on our bed, jumps on my chest/stomach, plays with my hair and DRIVES ME NUTS! I love her... I do... but this sweet addition to our family is NOT my favorite at 5:30 in the morning. ESPECIALLY on a Saturday morning...

Now she is peacefully asleep on my bed.

I like it COLD when I sleep. When I say COLD, I mean COLD. I like to turn down the heat to 50 at night. So... I do. This morning my well meaning husband must have turned it up...65? COME ON! He must have thought that it would be nice and warm when it was time to get up and that I would be happy. Well... at 6:45 am when it is 62 in my room and I am under a down comforter and most of all... AWAKE... I am NOT HAPPY!

I decided to get up and work out. Cause that is what I do everyday when I get up... I work out. Saturday is weigh in day in my house. So... I step on my dear pink friend. SHE HATES ME! I swear to you SHE HATES ME. I have been working SO HARD for a month and a half to shed some pounds, and I get NOTHING. NOTHING. NOTHING. Not even 1 lb lost.

WHAT THE HECK!

Andrew came home on his 10 min brake so that we could trade off and I could have the car. It is FILTHY... I hate what the winter does to my car. All that salt and dirt... NASTY. And the car is just as filthy on the inside as it is on the outside... I HATE having a dirty car....

This is the current state of my laundry room. AHHHHHH... When I went to go out the back door I glanced over and what do I see? THIS! Andrew's response... "It was 6:30 in the morning and I couldn't find my shirt" OK... so take EVERYTHING out of the dryer, pile it on top, and LEAVE IT THERE!

On my way back from dropping off Andrew I decided I wanted to stop and get myself a treat. I had not yet had breakfast and was STARVING. I thought it would be quick and easy to stop and McDonald's and get their new Fruit and Maple Oatmeal. I always ask for it without cream because it cuts the fat content in half and cuts the calories ... and it tastes the same. I get home... excited for my oatmeal...

DOES THIS LOOK LIKE FRUIT AND MAPLE OATMEAL????

YES... it is ONE OF THOSE DAYS... I wish I could just climb back in bed and start all over. On second thought.. maybe I will...

(not really... this girl can't sleep in the day time. So.. I guess I will go fold some laundry and clean out my car...)

Winter

2011-01-29T10:40:00.000-05:00

Winter Wonderland.... that is what I see when I look at this.

Isn't it beautiful?!?

Can you see it?

Can you see the cold trees, the tall grass? The landscape?

Can you see it?

In fact... it is just my garage door...

I love the way the ice has formed...

I just wish I could get a better shot of it!

Happy COLD day to you!

Friendly's

2011-01-28T19:50:00.001-05:00

Just wanted to give a shout out to Friendly's who now has a menu with more healthy options!

Andrew and I decided we wanted to go out to dinner tonight for our date night. Seeing as though I am trying to change my life style to a healthier one, I find eating out difficult....

Friendly's now has a

"Meals under 555 calories for $7.99 or less" menu!

There are many options... including this

Sweet & Spicy Grilled Shrimp

Which is what I chose to have for dinner tonight!

It was a reasonable sized portion that filled me right up! Plenty, but not too much that I felt over stuffed and gross when I left. It has 490 calories.

I was REALLY careful today though with what I ate because I knew that we would be going out. I deserved a treat... right!

THANK YOU FRIENDLY'S!!

Andrew actually asked the waitress (who was so sweet to comply) for their nutritional information. She brought out this huge blue binder with a ton of information in it! She busted on Andrew a little about it too... which was really funny!

He decided to have what he originally wanted...

Kickin’ Buffalo™ Chicken Salad

BUT he was "smart" and had the blue cheese on the side, and only used a small portion of it. My opinion: after looking at the nutritional information on this... i don't know why ANYONE would want to eat it. (just in case you are wondering...it has 1180 cals with the dressing... seeing as though Andrew didn't use all the dressing, I am figuring it came out to be about 900 cal... YIKES!)

ANYWAY... I am still going strong and feeling GREAT! I finally feel like I am taking control of my life and the choices I make, especially when it comes to food and exercise. I wish I had learned this lesson sooner. I feel so good. I have more confidence, I am happier, I have more energy! I just all around feel much better about myself... so even if the number on the scale is not what I want... I feel good... and that makes me happy!

Dear Wii...

2011-01-17T18:00:00.000-05:00

REALLY??? My Wii is now giving marital advice! COME ON!!!

Let me just say... my Dearest Wii... I am not "paying enough attention to Andrew" because I am hanging out with YOU all the time!!!

And by the way... thanks for all the support you give me in my workouts. I really like when I step on you and you go "ow" or "oh" or any other painful sound. And my favorite... the thing that really makes me feel good about myself is when you say, oh so enthusiastically, "that's obese" ... thank you, thank you.

And because of all this positive reinforcement, I will continue to not pay "enough attention to Andrew" and you and I will continue our relationship until you no longer say "that's obese"...

Sorry Andrew. I DO love you!

Ice Skating...

2011-01-16T17:27:00.000-05:00

Today we took Sophie ice skating for the FIRST TIME! She is such a sport! We went kind of late and only really had about 45 min to skate... which ended up being just about right for us!

Here is Sophie right before we went out on the ice...

She was pretty scared, but with a little (or a lot) of help from Mommy and Zanne... she made it around one whole lap! This little walker was HILARIOUS... but a total life saver! We would not have made it around with out it!

Here is Sophie and I. This is pretty much the position I was in the whole lap.. my back will let me know all about it in the morning... We "chased" Mommy. I skated behind her and said, "come on old lady... let's catch your Mama!" and "are you ready to bite the ice? umm yummm yummm"

She ended up having a really good time! Every 5 feet or so she would go "STOP STOP STOP" and we would stop and rest for a minute. She rocked! What an awesome kid!!

Next time we will have to take Ella too... I don't even think she would use one of the "walkers" ... we probably wouldn't be able to catch her!

Till next time... :)

HELP!!

2011-01-13T18:53:00.003-05:00

I think I have a problem....

Is there anything for paint addicts?

Painters Anonymous??

Anyway... I got out of work a little early on Tuesday and decided to paint the laundry room. I HAD to... when I did the kitchen I had to keep going with the yellow paint into the laundry room. Once there was that amazing yellow on the one wall... the others looked so sad... so blank.

Ahhh.... a new canvas for my addiction...

So, on my way home from work I stopped at Lowe's. I found a few shades of orange that I really liked. I looked at them with the samples of yellow and red from the kitchen, and came down to 2 shades that I loved. They were really close in color... so, in honor of my brother and his wife (Jamie & Stephanie) who are currently residing there I chose....

ARIZONA SUNSET!

I realized after I took these that they are not at the same angles... Oh well... you get the idea!

I LOVE IT!!!

Randomness from the Mission..

2011-01-10T17:55:00.001-05:00

OK... this is a whole lot of randomness... more for me than anyone else! I just went through my planners from my mission (http://asdupuisfamily.blogspot.com/2011/01/memories.html) .... I flipped through a few pages in each planner and wanted to share some of the random awesomeness from them! These are all from the "Notes" section of the page.. that sweet little box on the right side! ... some of the things I want to remember FOREVER!!

Transfer 1: Greeley

Service sweetens life.
Make love your driving force.
Trying is a noisy way of doing nothing.

Transfers 2,3,4, & 5: Boulder

Who puts the leaves back on the trees after they fall?
Presidents letters should be "long enough to cover the subject, but short enough to keep it interesting!" (anyone else remember THAT ONE!! hahahaha!) -President Montague
It's about love: your companion, your ward, the people...
your success depends on your commitment- live it, love it!
Note to self: don't meet with a satanist on Halloween.... BAD IDEA!
I'M AN AUNT! Sophie Elise 4lb 9oz 16.5 in!!
"We are here to tell you that you are a child of God!"
"When we are young we build monuments to ourselves-later we tare them down and give them away... piece by piece. It is when we start handing out pieces which is important." -Dad

Transfer 6,7,8,9,10, &11: Fort Collins

Procrastination is the thief of Eternal Life
"Pray Harder" -Pres. Montague
Be a "Gospel Sharing Family"
Throw out ALL peanut butter...
Incredibles is not a "G" rated movie...
There are no expiration dates on promises from the Lord!
HENRY B. EYRING!!! ... Be better than your best, do not ask personal questions, Pres. WILL throw his shoe at you!
The Lamplighter is CREEPY!
You miss 100% of the shots you never take...
You have no right to complain!
Help people prepare for Eternity!
"I will be with you every step of the way!"
"I think this is HARD WORK!" -Sister Prince
100 travel books can't compare to 1 real trip
Insanity- doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result! -President Montague
Talk with them.. not at them!
It is not in the Lord's plan for us to learn, gain a testimony, and then turn on cruise control.
Get Sister Miskimins cinnamon roll recipe!!! to die for!!!

Transfers 12 & 13: Loveland

You should work so hard on your mission that they have to take you home on a stretcher! -Sister Gilchrist
MIRACLE DAY!
Mission Fast <3
Do you have any friends you want to get rid of??
We are the study guide for the Book of Mormon!
HOME!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE having the opportunity to serve!

COLORADO DENVER NORTH MISSION

June 21, 2006-January 8, 2008

KITCHEN!!!

2011-01-08T18:34:00.001-05:00

This morning I woke up and started my normal Saturday Routine... with a few extras! I woke up and took Andrew to work... checked Facebook... The I worked out for about an hour and 15 min or so. Then I stared some laundry and cleaning. As I was finishing the dishes a thought popped into my head...

PAINT THE KITCHEN!

So, I set off to work!

I precoded to wash all the walls, pull out the fridge, stove, etc. move EVERYTHING into the living room... and after some consultation with my dad I headed to Lowe's. I ran into a friend from church and she helped me decided what I wanted. I bought my paint and headed home.

By then it was close to 1:00... could I finish before I had to get Andrew at 6:00???

I got to work!

Here are some BEFORE pictures...

Here is Andrew coming home... He was SO SURPRISED!!!

He couldn't believe that I did it all by myself!

I am so excited! I LOVE IT! I have NEVER done anything like this before!

I think I did a REALLY GOOD JOB!

My own version of:

WHILE YOU WERE OUT!!!!

Egg Roll Adventure

2011-01-04T17:11:00.000-05:00

I have been craving egg rolls like nobody's business as of recent. About a month ago I saw a recipe on a cooking blog that I follow for egg rolls... it's been all down hill since then!

The blog I am talking about is Cheeky Kitchen found at http://www.cheekykitchen.com/ . I really like this blog because not only does she had GREAT RECIPES, but she has wonderful pictures and is absolutely hilarious!

So... moving on to the EGG ROLLS...

Here is the recipe and directions...

1lb. ground chicken

2T olive oil

3C shredded cabbage

1C grated carrots

1/2 yellow onion, diced

5-6 bunches fresh scallions, chopped

2T soy sauce

1 pkg. egg roll wrappers

1 1/2C canola oil for frying

Step 1: In a large skillet, heat oil. Add chicken and cook. Toss in cabbage, carrots, and onions and cook on medium-high until softened, about 5-6 minutes. Toss in scallions, soy sauce, mix well and remove from heat. Should look something like this... set aside.

STEP 2: Place 2-3 tablespoons of the mixture on the center of an egg roll wrapper.

To roll up, bring the two tips of the diagonal toward the center...

then roll tightly like a burrito. Place a dab of water with your finger at the top point and finish rolling.

Should look something like this...

This recipe will make about 20 egg rolls! mmmmm...

STEP 3: Heat a 1/2inch-1 inch of oil in a large skillet on medium. Use tongs to place egg rolls into hot oil.

Flip after about a minute until each side is lightly browned... place on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any extra oil.

Enjoy with your favorite sauce!!!

They were delicious!!!

Memories...

2011-01-02T17:57:00.000-05:00

I spent the better part of New Years Day cleaning/organizing our STUFF!

And we have a LOT of it...

As I was cleaning off the book shelf I came across our Missionary Planners. Mine and Andrew's. Which of course I couldn't just pass by. I started looking though... which brought a flood of memories!

I think about people from my mission often... my mission president, fellow missionaries, companions, ward members, investigators, random people on the street...etc.

I miss them. I love them.

Anyway, I had so much fun looking through the days, the weeks, the transfers... ahhh... memories! There were good days, bad days, and mostly days filled with miracles and blessings.

I love to read the little notes I had written... the first one I opened... one day in October of 2007, I was in Fort Collins, and we went on splits with the Loveland Sisters. Sister Prince stayed in FC with Sister Bunk, I went to LL with Sister Lima. Notes: Tracted 3 doors... S. Lima = Amazing! Little did I know shortly thereafter I had the blessing and opportunity to be Sister Lima's companion in Loveland!

After a while I got back on track... and organized them by transfer! If was fun to look at them like this.. progressively more colorful and worn! The edges dirty and torn from daily and hourly use... our missionary lifeline perhaps!

I present to you... my planners!

I kept pictures on the backs of my planners... to remind me of those I love.

(Many of my pics were of Sophie! She was born while I was out! She did and always will hold a special place in my heart! I couldn't wait to meet her!)

When they were all good an organized I placed them in this box that I had gotten at Michaels. Mine are spine up, Andrew's spine down... both in chronological order!

In just 6 short days it will be the 3rd anniversary of my coming home. Maybe on that day I will share more of those "little notes" from my planners!

How I loved Colorado!

CDNM!

First Post...

2011-01-02T17:37:00.000-05:00

WHAT HAVE I DONE?!?!?!

Ella and I hung out on Saturday... when she woke up from nap this is what she wanted to do...

Scary thing is... she is REALLY GOOD!

She even beat one of MY high scores...

What the heck!

She is getting SO BIG!!!

I Love You Ella Bean!!

Last post of 2010

2010-12-31T16:04:00.000-05:00

I just looked through all my posts from 2010! It was so much fun! All the good times... and memories! I am grateful for a place to share them with you!

Anyway... as I was going through them, I realized that I had a lot of anniversaries and "firsts" this year... or things I started doing seriously! And lots and lots of moments that I just want to remember forever! There was something pretty much EVERY MONTH...

I though that I would share some of those anniversaries and firsts with you...

JANUARY:

1/8/10... the second anniversary of coming home form the Colorado Denver North Mission.

http://asdupuisfamily.blogspot.com/2010/01/2-years-ago.html

FEBRUARY:

I started baking! Now I love to bake! I love to try new recipes and share them with family and friends! A new found love!

http://asdupuisfamily.blogspot.com/2010/02/look-what-i-did.html

MARCH:

Andrew turned 24!

http://asdupuisfamily.blogspot.com/2010/03/happy-birthday-andrew.html

APRIL:

I went to Time Out For Women in Pennsylvania with my Mom and some Amazing women from Church!

http://asdupuisfamily.blogspot.com/2010/04/tofw.html

MAY:

I got SERIOUS about couponing!

http://asdupuisfamily.blogspot.com/2010/05/ok.html

JUNE:

We bought our first house!!

http://asdupuisfamily.blogspot.com/2010/06/ours.html

JULY:

I went to MAC'S Drive-In for the first time! LOVED IT!

http://asdupuisfamily.blogspot.com/2010/07/i-love-macs.html

AUGUST:

We bought our first gaming system... a Wii :)

http://asdupuisfamily.blogspot.com/2010/08/happy-hubby.html

SEPTEMBER:

I made applesauce and canned for the first time!

http://asdupuisfamily.blogspot.com/2010/09/applesauce.html

OCTOBER:

Went to my first Campbell Jam (that I can remember!)

http://asdupuisfamily.blogspot.com/2010/10/campbell-jam.html

NOVEMBER:

We took Sophie to see her first 3D movie... Tangled!

I also turned 26...

http://asdupuisfamily.blogspot.com/2010/11/how-stinkin-cute-is-she-yesterday-mom.html

DECEMBER:

We got our first pet as a married couple! Lily!

http://asdupuisfamily.blogspot.com/2010/12/meet-lily.html

Not only these things, but I spent much needed time with my family! They are my world! I love them so much!

2010 sure has been a GREAT YEAR!

Here is to 2011 being EVEN BETTER!!!

Tradition?

2010-12-31T15:24:00.000-05:00

This morning Andrew and I got up to go and watch the last sunrise of 2010. I had previously selected this spot, thinking it was the perfect overlook to watch the sunrise!

We got up and ready. It was supposed to rise at 6:37, so we got there between 6:15 and 6:20.

Then we waited... and waited... and waited...

Th sun rose behind the clouds this morning... and so there was nothing to see...

I had high hopes of a BEAUTIFUL picture of this, the last sunrise of 2010... but no, this is all I got...

A beautiful picture... if I do say so... but not what I had imagined.

Oh well, maybe it should be a tradition... getting up to watch the last sunrise of the year... who knows!

Talent

2010-12-31T15:16:00.000-05:00

My dad is SO TALENTED!

For Christmas, I asked my Dad if he would make me a rolling pin...

and HE DID!!!

Isn't it BEAUTIFUL!!

Such nice handles...

And my favorite... a sweet little "I love you"

That is my favorite part!

This will be a cherished piece in my kitchen for ever... to be passed down for generations I am sure!

I am SO GRATEFUL for the skills and talents that my dad has! Especially when he uses them to bless our lives!

THANK YOU DAD!

I LOVE YOU!

(By the way... a little bird told me that he was going to make some to sell... so get in line!!!... and be jealous.. cause I got the 1st!)

Neighbors...

2010-12-21T21:50:00.000-05:00

My parents have such amazing neighbors! Seriously! The other day my dad said that the neighbors stopped by and asked if they would be home Tuesday night, that they wanted to come down and do some caroling! Of course my dad said yes! Then Dad invited us to come out and be there when they came. I was expecting just their neighbors, but when we came out on the porch this is what we saw....

There had to be at least 45 or 50 people. You cannot see them all in this picture. I am pretty sure their whole congregation came! Even the kids were singing!

(the second from the left is my parents neighbor!)

What a neat experience. No one has ever come and caroled to us before, and then to have so many! They had the voices of angels! I am not kidding! There was just such a sweet spirit there as they stood to sing Christmas Carols to us!

I loved EVERY MINUET of it!

When they were finished dad passed around a bowl full of caramels he had made earlier in the day!

They even brought a plate of cookies!!!

So nice to have such GREAT neighbors!

pictures?

2010-12-18T06:52:00.002-05:00

Is anyone else having trouble seeing the pictures I post? My mom said she cannot see them anymore...? The last 3 posts have been pics from my cell phone... that is why I wonder?

PLEASE LET ME KNOW!

Lily

2010-12-17T17:16:00.000-05:00

Horrible picture...I took it with my phone...

I think Lily is finally starting to like Andrew...

Look what she left on his pillow!!!

Hahahahahaha!

It's her toy mouse.

That's right... cause we have NO REAL ONES!!!

Pissed

2010-12-17T17:13:00.003-05:00

Yeah... so... the other night I was at Sarah's helping set up for our Holiday Open House. I drove up there because it was like
-115 degrees... and parked on the side of the road. Andrew called and wanted me to come get him for his dinner break. So, I ran down to the Hospital and picked him up. Then he left me back at Sarah's to finish what we were doing.Then I got a call from Andrew...

"What happened to the mirror?"

"I don't know... what are you talking about"

"The mirror. The drivers side mirror is smashed"

"That's not funny"

"I know"

"Are you being serious"

"yes"

"COME ON!!!"

So, I had my first experience filing a police report.

LAME. There is no other damage to the car... so the cop filed it as "criminal mischief"... I was SO PISSED. When I got back to Sarah's I looked where I was parked and there was pieces of my mirror all over the ground.

So... whoever you are.

You SUCK.

Thanks a lot.

Merry Christmas jerk.

Meet Lily!

2010-12-14T17:31:00.000-05:00

So... as many of you know Andrew has been BEGGING me for the last 2 years to get a kitten. 2 years! I decided that I was going to surprise him for Christmas! I was going to get a litter box and cat food to give to him under the tree, and then let him pick a kitten from a shelter.

Well, yesterday we were out and about. We went to Michaels in Canandaigua to get some Christmas things. As I was parking Andrew says, "let's go look at the cats and dogs at Petco"

me: "they don't sell cats and dogs at Petco"

Andrew: "yes they do..."

me: "no they don't..."

pause...

me: "fine, we'll go in and I'll show you that they don't see cats and dogs at Petco"

In we go, and immediately to our right there is a thing that holds 6 cats. The Wayne County Animal Shelter was there with cats for adoption...

(for the record: I WAS RIGHT... Petco does NOT sell cats and dogs :) )

We looked at the 3 cats that were there and both IMMEDIATELY fell in love with this cat!

We spent a long time there petting her and talking to Debbie, the volunteer.

Lily's previous owners could not afford to take care of her. She was just 3 months when she was dropped off at the shelter. She is now 7 months old. She is healthy and beautiful!

This is Lily!

We are so excited to have her as part of our family!!

Welcome Home Lily!

Ridiculous

2010-12-13T12:39:00.000-05:00

I am feeling pretty ridiculous. This morning Andrew woke me up and told me he wanted to take me to the Water St. Cafe for breakfast. (It is our anniversary, and we both took the day off!) So we got up and went! I was looking forward for a wonderful morning with Andrew.
Neither of us had ever been to the Water St. Cafe so we were excited for a new adventure. We got there and sat ourselves. Our waitress came out and took our drink orders... OJ... of course! As we were waiting the phone rang and the lady who took our order gave it to the owner. She took the call in the back of the restaurant. All of a sudden she was jumping up and down, and crying. All eyes were on her. When she got off the phone she started screaming... "we are having a baby! we are having a baby! I'm going to be a grandmother! we are having a baby." Everyone in the whole place was so happy for her... except me. What is wrong with me???? It was ridiculous. I wanted to get up and leave. Seriously... not because I was mad, I was just upset and I didn't want anyone to notice. The tears started to come... and I told Andrew to change the subject. I started digging in my purse... for nothing. I just had to keep my head down and let it pass. It was horrible. I was so embarrassed. I didn't know what to do. I feel like such a jerk.. why can't I just be happy for this complete stranger!

I am starting to worry that this will be my life. Forever longing...

Tangled

2010-11-27T11:49:00.001-05:00

HOW STINKIN CUTE IS SHE!!!!

Yesterday Mom & Dad took Sophie to see Tangled for her birthday! They let me tag along!!! We had a blast!! We all loved the movie! Even Dad said it was really good, but at the end his eyes watered a little bit... but it was "from the 3D glasses" ... uh huh!

I cannot believe how big Sophie is getting, and how grown up she is!

I love you Sophie!

Happy 4th Birthday!!

Sweet!

2010-11-13T17:50:00.000-05:00

My Aunt ROCKS!!!

I had such a sweet surprise today! My Aunt Lynda called and said she had "a little something" for me! It "wasn't much" she said... She came in to deliver my "little something" and this is what it was....

Everything I need to make German Pecan Drop Cookies

This is more than "a little something" and the PERFECT gift for me!!

Here is everything that was in it... Right down to the cookie sheet!

What is that little red box you ask?? It is "1 dozen home made German Pecan Drop Cookies to enjoy until you have time to bake your own"

Oh yeah... that's what I'm talking about!!

What a TREAT!! Thank you SO MUCH Aunt Lynda!!

You MADE MY DAY!!!

Kiddos

2010-11-08T20:33:00.000-05:00

Oh, how time flies...

This picture was taken September 15, 2009

This picture was taken September 23, 2010

Almost exactly a year apart... they GROW SO FAST!

Sedum

2010-11-08T20:18:00.000-05:00

We had sedum plants across the front of our house...

I didn't like them at all...

They were big and bushy and attracted tons of bees and bugs to the point that I didn't want to use my front door. Granted these are beautiful plants, they are just not something that I like...

SO... AWAY THEY WENT!

Dad came over and helped Andrew dig them up. They are going to go live at my parents house! Then they pulled up the plastic and worked the ground to prepare it for next year.

One step closer in our "home improvements!"

Thanks again Dad! You were a HUGE HELP!!!

Going, Going...

2010-11-08T20:02:00.000-05:00

GONE!

Your voices have been heard!

My Playlist is...

GONE!

Thank you all for your input! I was pleasantly surprised that people actually stop by and check on my blog! I actually didn't really care about the music. I often found myself shutting it off for the same reasons as most of you!

Thank you everyone!

Stay or Go??

2010-11-07T16:00:00.001-05:00

My dearest followers... hahaha... just kidding... I don't even know if anyone follows me! BUT... if you are out there... LET ME KNOW!!!!

Stay or Go?

No... I am not talking about my blog... I am talking about the music that plays automatically when you visit me.

Stay or Go?

Is it fun? Annoying? What?

Do you just scroll down and turn it off as I often find myself doing?

Stay or Go?

(CONFESSION: I also kind of want to see if anyone even reads my blog)

GUTTED

2010-11-04T09:49:00.001-04:00

So... Last Wednesday, October 27, I was GUTTED...

I had surgery to remove both my gallbladder and my appendix.

They both had STONES in them.

Recovery is going well. I have been doing my best to get up and be moving... which has helped. I still feel like someone picked me up and shook me as hard as they could, displacing all my organs...and I guess removing some too! I have 7 holes in my abdomen...

http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/images/ei_1901.gif

http://www.porthuronhospital.org/diw/images/ei_1902.gif

I have been SO LUCKY to have such AMAZING people around that care SO MUCH! My Mom stayed by my side practically from 6:30 Wednesday morning until 6:30 Saturday night. She was the one who made sure I got up and moved, and took my pain meds (which I HATE)... THANK YOU SO MUCH!

I have also had so many people call and check on my, come visit, bring dinner, and their babies to make me smile!

All in all, surgery sucks... but I have people around who make it ok!

THANK YOU!

Lucky 13!

2010-10-25T17:09:00.000-04:00

We had SO MUCH FUN this weekend!

Saturday was Justin's birthday and we wanted to do something fun to celebrate! Joe & Jodi came with us last year to Long Acre Farms... and that is what we decided to do!

TRADITION!

So... here is a picture of this years maze!

LUCKY 13

From the website: "The Amazing Maize Maze is much more than a walk through the corn. It is a 5 acre game with 2 1/2 miles of paths, music piped throughout, 2 bridges, a tower, 12 hidden mailboxes, 12 "Kernels of Knowledge", and of course groups of people having fun."

TEAM WINNERS!

TEAM LOSERS!

Yes... the boys decided to cheat again this year! We were in the middle of the maze when we got a phone call from the boys saying "we accidently found the end... but we didn't collect all the pieces..." Well... they wanted to be done. Granted it was dark and raining... but still! We collected more pieces to the map, this making us, the girls, the WINNERS!!!

SO MUCH FUN!

Justin, I hope you had a GREAT!

Happy Birthday!

Love

2010-10-22T14:15:00.000-04:00

I LOVE this little girl!

This was nap time at my house yesterday!

How CUTE is this little BUM!!

And my FAVORITE... look at her little FEET!

I LOVE YOU BEAN!

Spice Rack...

2010-10-22T14:10:00.002-04:00

So... when i was registering for our wedding, I decided we just couldn't live without this SPICE RACK! I really like it! It spins and everything!

Well, we got it!! And it immediately took place on the kitchen counter!

There it sat... and sat... and sat... I NEVER used it!

(ok... that is not true... I used it a couple of times)

I was heart broken... I love this thing, and my cousin paid good money for it... I couldn't get rid of it or give it away...

SO... I decided to give it a little lift!

I took all the jars out. Emptied their contents... washed and sanitized them and their lids... and got them ready for their new life!

You all know I love to bake... so I made it into a

SPRINKLE RACK!!!

Getting everything ready...

my funnel would not have fit... so i just cut a paper cup, which ended up being really nice because I could then squeeze it and pour the rest in!

Side view!

LOOK AT THESE COLORS!!!!

Ahhh... I just can't wait to make something!!

My SPRINKLES... Colored sugar, hearts, polka dots, black cats, regular sprinkles, metallic sprinkles, pearly white sprinkles!!!

And here is the finished product!!!

From SPICE RACK to SPRINKLE RACK!!!

I LOVE IT!!!

now, I just need to make cute labels for the tops!

DUM DUM DUMB

2010-10-16T21:13:00.000-04:00

This is me...

I am SO DUMB!

Yes.... I am feeling pretty stupid tonight.

Last year I surprised Andrew with a MEMORY FOAM Mattress for our bed. I was so excited and wanted to get it on the bed really fast before he got home to surprise him!

My mom helped me get the cover on in and set it up!

Ok, I have to admit... I thought it was pretty comfortable! Really... I was impressed! It was a great improvement from what we were sleeping on.

So... time passes... life gets busy.

We move. I roll up the Memory Foam and take it. I set it up in our new hose. Bed continues to be comfortable.

Today I came home from the Women's Conference in the mood to clean. I stripped the bed and threw the sheets in the wash. Then I decided I could probably handle pulling that cover off and washing it. (please don't think I am nasty... i never thought to take it off before... it was always covered with a sheet... ugh.)

As I pull the cover off I noticed something interesting. The mattress is 1/2 yellow & 1/2 blue. YES... it is 1/2 FOAM and 1/2 MEMORY FOAM! ...

FOLKS: WE HAVE BEEN SLEEPING ON THE FOAM.

That nice blue memory foam has been sweetly cushioning our mattress... not our bodies...

can you believe it?

WOW!

So here is the direction we are facing now... MEMORY FOAM UP!

I CANNOT WAIT TO SLEEP IN IT TONIGHT!!!

It will be our FIRST NIGHT on MEMORY FOAM!!!

Quick Stop

2010-10-16T20:24:00.001-04:00

Sarah stopped by with the kids on their way to the PLAYGROUND today...

I just couldn't resist taking their pictures... they are just too stinkin cute!

ELLA BEAN

SOPHIE

I am actually pretty impressed with this picture... I think it turned out really neat. Different!

Women's Conference

2010-10-16T20:20:00.000-04:00

This weekend we went to the Palmyra Stake Women's Conference!

It was so nice to get away and be physically & spiritually fed and uplifted!

I was a little worried about the weather... it was rainy and cold... but there was a nice fire blazing!

I am so grateful that I was able to spend the time with my Mom! She is so amazing... and truly a "Spiritual Giant" as Sister Beavers pointed out this weekend!

A view of the lake from the camp. Today was sure a BEAUTIFUL day!

Mom pointed out this mushroom. Isn't it cool?!?!

Friday night we had a CHOCOLATE EXTRAVAGANZA!!!

I am not kidding... EVERYTHING was chocolate. Chocolate fountains, cake, candies, you name it... it seemed to be there. I had one of these chocolates... isn't it neat!!

What a wonderful weekend!

Amazing presenters... amazing food... amazing company...

Do we REALLY have to wait 2 more years for the next one????

Happy Birthday Chris

2010-10-16T18:21:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday Chris!

I hope you enjoyed YOUR day!

Campbell Jam...

2010-10-16T18:17:00.000-04:00

Last Saturday was our Campbell Jam Family Reunion!

The last Campbell Jam was in 1985or1986 from what I understand... it was WAY PAST time to have another!

We had a really nice turn out... It was WONDERFUL to see everyone! Especially those who I have not seen in YEARS... and I am talking 13 years or more!

It was great that Andrew was able to meet my Mother's side of the family!

We just had an EXCELLENT time!

Thank you Cater & Libby for all you did to make this happen!

CAN'T WAIT FOR NEXT YEAR!!!

Weekend Fun

2010-10-04T16:57:00.000-04:00

Mom is a sore loser!!!

While the men were at the Priesthood Session, Sarah, Mom, and I played Blockus3D ...

We were having tons of fun... but Mom was losing... so she knocked it over!

Hahaha!

On Sunday afternoon we went to the playground!

Look at these BEAUTIFUL GIRLS!!!

(Poor Sophie has a cold...)

Ella Bean

Pumpkin Roll

2010-10-04T16:44:00.000-04:00

*I apologize in advance that there are SO MANY pictures... *

So, I found this recipe again on one of my FAVORITE Cooking Blogs...

LICK THE BOWL GOOD

http://lickthebowlgood.blogspot.com/

Sometimes I want to send her my recipes to try before I attempt them!

Libby's Pumpkin Roll

(http://www.verybestbaking.com/recipes/detail.aspx?ID=32372)

CAKE

1/4 cup powdered sugar (to sprinkle on towel)

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 large eggs

1 cup granulated sugar

2/3 cup LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin

1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)

FILLING

1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, at room temperature

1 cup powdered sugar, sifted

6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Powdered sugar (optional for decoration)

*My rantings/tips are in red*

FOR CAKE:
PREHEAT oven to 375° F. Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan; line with wax paper. Grease and flour paper. Sprinkle a thin, cotton kitchen towel with powdered sugar (USE A TON... and DO NOT use terry cloth).
COMBINE flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in small bowl.
Beat eggs and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl until thick.
Beat in pumpkin.
Stir in flour mixture.
Spread evenly into prepared pan. Sprinkle with nuts. ... I did NOT do nuts...
BAKE for 13 to 15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched.
Immediately loosen and turn cake onto prepared towel.
Carefully peel off paper.
Roll up cake and towel together, starting with narrow end.
Cool on wire rack.

FOR FILLING:
While cake is cooling (about an hour) make the filling...
BEAT cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until smooth.
Carefully unroll cake.
Spread cream cheese mixture over cake.
Make sure you go all the way to the edges... so every bite has that cream cheesy goodness!!
Reroll cake.
As I rerolled I pulled it from the cloth. You can see in my picture that I should have used A LOT MORE powdered sugar. The more generous you are with it, the easier it will come off of the cloth.
Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour.
Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.
Who doesn't desire powdered sugar!?! Come on!!!
Also, the powdered sugar is a GREAT way to hide any imperfections in your cake!

ENJOY!!!

Cupcake Helpers!

2010-09-30T14:34:00.000-04:00

The theme of Sheila's baby shower was

"Come Celebrate Sheila's Little Pumpkin"

So... I thought maybe I would make these cute "pumpkin" cupcakes...

Miracle... a picture of ME... not a great one... but still...

Sophie helping...

Ella helping...

And the FINAL product!

I think they turned out pretty cute... if I do say so myself!

Sheila's Shower!

2010-09-30T14:21:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I drove over to Buffalo for my Sister-in-Law Sheila's BABY SHOWER!

It was so much fun! I am so glad I was able to go!

She will be having a BOY, due October 16.

(I am rooting for a 10/10/10 baby! See what you can do about that... K?)

Sheila opening the card I made her!

Gifts... she got lots!

Gift from Katie (next to her) :)

Yes, Baby Boy, your mom is HOT!

She is going to KILL me for this one... but I think her belly is ADORABLE!... and this is the only shot I got!

(You'll thank me later!)

One of my favorite decorations...

The Pumpkin Fleming Family!

Sheila has some amazing friends in Buffalo! The shower was BEAUTIFUL! There was a great turn out, and she got a lot of great things for the new baby!!!

Congratulations Rob & Sheila!

Can't wait to meet your little boy!!

(Remember Little One 10/10/10 would be a pretty awesome birthday!)

OOMPA LOOMPA KIDS!

2010-09-25T09:48:00.000-04:00

These are for you Sarah-

I hope you get to watch them soon!

LOL!

So Ella Tried!

2010-09-25T09:42:00.000-04:00

These kids are HILARIOUS!!!

Video Message ...

2010-09-24T15:02:00.000-04:00

For Sarah... & Alexis!

Love, Sophie

Dear Nap Time,

2010-09-24T13:36:00.000-04:00

Dear Nap Time,

I LOVE YOU!

Yours,

Suzanne

**This one is for you too Sarah!**

CAUGHT YA!

2010-09-24T07:17:00.000-04:00

Look what I caught... little FAIRIES running around my house at 6:45 in the morning!

Caught this little one in the kitchen!

CUTE LITTLE FAIRIES wanted their Mama to see these....

These are for you Sarah!

THANK YOU~

2010-09-24T06:55:00.000-04:00

THANK YOU SO MUCH

MOM & DAD!

Many Many great meals and desserts will be made!!

I LOVE YOU.... and CREAM CHEESE TOO!

Cupcakes...

2010-09-11T21:19:00.000-04:00

Ummmm..... I think I need this one too!

for the last hour... I have been watching videos of these people making cupcakes on YOUTUBE.

I want to try them all!!!!

ADORABLE!!

Applesauce!!!

2010-09-11T18:25:00.000-04:00

Today I made and canned applesauce for the first time!

I am pretty proud of myself!!

Apples: Cut up and boiling to soften them

Dump apples into the top of the Victorio Strainer...

Crank out some APPLESAUCE!

Waterbath Canning... Tall pot!

Ahhhh!!!! LOOK WHAT I MADE!!!

OK... I am pretty proud of myself!

Left is regular applesauce... no sugar or anything added... just apples.

Right is cinnamon applesauce... apples and mixed in red hot candies!

Mmmmm....

I HAVE to have this!!!

2010-09-11T07:37:00.000-04:00

Yesterday at work I was assigned to work in the School Age Program for the afternoon... when I got there I saw THIS!

It belongs to one of the teachers in there... I looked through EVERY SINGLE PAGE!

PRETTY SURE THIS WOULD BE THE MOST

AMAZING ADDITION TO MY COLLECTION!!!

WHO WANTS DESSERT?

I HAVE TO HAVE THIS BOOK!!!!!

DANCE!

2010-09-06T10:49:00.002-04:00

I can't believe I forgot about this!!!

Hahahahaha!!

This is from when we were in Buffalo with Rob & Sheila!

We were at a garage sale, and Andrew was being SO SLOW!

He stopped to look at some headphones for the hearing impaired... hum...

We all went to the car... and here is what happened next :)

I LOVE YOU!

DNA

2010-09-06T10:43:00.001-04:00

SOPHIE ON DNA:

Smart huh!!

One Reason...

2010-09-06T10:28:00.003-04:00

why I LOVE ANDREW!!!

This was my dinner last night! He made SHRIMP SCAMPI.

He made up the recipe all on his own!

It was SOOOOOOOOOO GOOD!

THANK YOU HUNNY!

I LOVE YOU!

The Great New York State Fair

2010-09-06T09:53:00.004-04:00

Saturday Mom, Sarah, Sophie, Ella, and I went to the Fair.

We had tons of fun!

Here is Sophie & Ella waiting for Mu & Mommy to get out of the bathroom so we could go in...

Sophie got to hold a baby chick in the 4H building. She was so cute with it! She even kissed it on it's head!

Mom in her cute hat!! She was looking at the baby pigs... her favorite part of the Fair!

Ella wanted to walk everywhere... here she is coming out of the cow building! Ella is having a blast!!! Mom looks a little nervous!

2010 Butter Sculpture: DAIRYVILLE

Ella zonked out half way through the day!

Sophie followed shortly there after!

2010 Sand Sculpture: The Beatles

Sophie went on her first ride and LOVED IT!!

Just in case you were wondering!!! ....

Right before we left we fed the giraffe! Sophie was scared of it... but Ella wasn't!!!

TONS OF FUN!!!

Can't wait for next year!

Happy Birthday Daddy-O!

2010-09-06T09:49:00.003-04:00

AUGUST 24

Happy Birthday Daddy-O!

On August 24, Dad celebrated his 66 birthday!

Here's to many more!

WE LOVE YOU!

Rob & Sheila

2010-09-06T09:37:00.003-04:00

A couple of weekends ago we went to Buffalo for the weekend to visit Rob & Sheila!

We had a BLAST!

Unfortunately I didn't take very many pictures :(

Oh well. We went to a Scottish Festival! It was fun... but we didn't stay long.

We went to Fudruckers!!! It was SOOO GOOD!!

Sheila & Rob

Andrew & I

THAT IS THE GOOD STUFF...

We also went bowling! Rob kicked us all! Check out 9 & 10 .... 4 STRIKES IN A ROW!!!

Now that is EXCITEMENT!

We stayed over night, and I remembered how much I love air conditioning!

Went to church in the morning, and came home to a WONDERFUL Sunday dinner! Amazing!

Thank you SO MUCH Rob & Sheila for having us! It is always such a blast to be with you guys!

We cannot wait to do it again ... well, I guess we'll have to!

Lazy Bones

2010-09-06T09:17:00.003-04:00

LAZY BONES

This is me... and I am LAZY.

I am lazy about a lot of things:

cooking, cleaning, picture taking....BLOGGING

I CONFESS: I AM LAZY

I am SO LAZY, I couldn't even find a picture of myself... just me... so this is what you get... me and and ice cream. Ahhh... lazy and a HUGE ice cream...

SO: Because of my laziness... I have not blogged the last month of my life...

SO ... here goes NOTHING...

it's CATCH UP TIME...

Find a penny...

2010-08-12T20:27:00.002-04:00

pick it up... and when you have 28 of them... you can get THIS!!!

http://zannescoupons.blogspot.com/2010/08/it-doesnt-get-much-better-than-this.html?spref=fb

Blueberry Lemon Shortbread Tart

2010-08-09T22:07:00.003-04:00

So... obviously I don't come up with all of these recipes on my own... I follow several cooking blogs!

I have recently found a love of baking!

I love to see people's reactions when I try a new recipe and they taste it for the first time!

I love HONEST criticism!

I love making people happy in this small way!

I love to BAKE!

OK, SO, one of the blogs that I follow is: Lick the Bowl Good

http://lickthebowlgood.blogspot.com

Every recipe I have tried has turned out GREAT!

(this is the same as the Cowboy Cookies!)

SO... here we go!

http://lickthebowlgood.blogspot.com/2010/08/by-pound.html

*I would highly recommend checking this blog out! Her pictures are amazing... and she gives better detail to this recipe as well as a printable version!*

BLUEBERRY LEMON SHORTBREAD TART

3 cups blueberries

Shortbread Crust:

14 Tablespoons unsalted butter (almost 2 sticks)

1/2 Cup Sugar

1 1/2 Cups Flour

Lemon Custard:

3 Eggs

3/4 Cups Sugar

1/4 Cup Flour

2 Lemons... the zest & juice

Powdered Sugar (for the top)

*Set oven to 400, wash blueberries and set aside to "dry"

1. Make crust: combine flour, sugar, & butter. I used my food processor. Press into a 9in Spring-form Pan.

2. Bake crust until golden brown.. about 20 min.

*When you remove the crust turn the oven down to 325

3. Top with blueberries.

4. Make Lemon Custard: combine eggs & sugar. Beat. add flour. add lemon juice & zest. Beat.

5. Pour over blueberries!

6. Bake until the custard is set. Recipe says about 30 min. Mine took 50 minutes. It is kind of hard because it doesn't brown. I just checked it until it wasn't jiggly anymore!

7. WAIT... let it cool completely! That was the hard part, cause it smelled AMAZING! I used a knife around the edge of the pan to release it.

**I also cut a circle of parchment paper and put it in the bottom before the crust so it slid off easy. I don't like to cut on the base of my spring-form pan!

8. I cut and served it with a dusting of powdered sugar!

This is a WONDERFUL recipe! Everyone LOVED it!

Let me know if you try it! What did you think?

Happy Hubby!

2010-08-08T14:34:00.002-04:00

My husband is the proud new owner of...

a Wii!

(Yes... it's BLACK/SILVER)

He is so excited he can hardly contain himself!

So, as most of you know Andrew got a second job so he could buy himself a TV (if you don't know that story... let me know... it's a good one!

Well, Friday night after he cashed his paycheck he came home and said that he needed to go to Wal-Mart RIGHT AWAY... because he wanted to buy a Wii.

I got him calmed down, and the mean wife inside of me told him to do a little research, think about it, then sleep on it and if he still wanted it Saturday night, then we would go get it! (He would spend the $$ he was saving for the TV, and I wanted to make sure that was what he really wanted.)

Friday night he found a great deal online and thanked me for stopping him from spending so impulsively. I smiled, and humbly patted myself on the back... followed by a "and that's why you love me!" ... ahh... I've got this humility thing down pat!

Well, Saturday comes and Andrew calls me from work.

A: "Do you love me?"

Me: "of course... what did you do?"

A: "I want the Wii..."

So.... we went and got the Wii...

and I have a VERY HAPPY HUBBY!

It's been nice knowing you Andrew!

Picnic & Croquet

2010-08-06T18:00:00.003-04:00

Last night Lynda & Joe invited us over for a picnic & croquet! We had SO MUCH FUN!

I didn't get a TON of pictures, I got some, then for some reason the rest were fuzzy. My lens cover does not close all the way... that may have something to do with it... grr...

So, here are a few that were good :)

Mom and Dad walked from across the street! The girls ran to Papa.. it was so cute!

Ella's new favorite game. Step up and down on the chair.

Now this is what PICNICS are ALL ABOUT!!!

The food was EXCELLENT! Joe made really yummy cheeseburgers! Lynda made her amazing potato salad, coleslaw, and brownies! Mom made baked beans with bacon! And I made bean salad! Sarah brought the drinks! Mmmmm... I could eat all of that again tonight!

Joe, enjoying a cheeseburger!

Then a game of croquet! We LOVE croquet!

Again, pics were fuzzy, but I had to add this one! Sophie is a great helper!

Thank you SO MUCH Lynda & Joe!

Amazing Easy Pizza

2010-08-04T21:24:00.003-04:00

So, my coworker told me about this pizza she has been making! She said it was easy and yummy... so I HAD to try it!

AND... she was RIGHT!

EASY & YUMMY PIZZA!

Betty Crocker has a pizza dough, just add hot (not boiling water) Follow the directions on the package. By the way... they are less than a $1!

I made 4 packages for 2 lg. pizzas!

Here is the dough!

Then I melted a stick of butter and added 3 cloves (pressed)... wisk...

Chop up some fresh basil (thank you VAL!)

After putting the crust in the STONE, paint the butter/garlic mixture over the WHOLE THING... even the outer edges. Oh yeah... I also painted the bottom of the stone with it before I put the dough on. It browned nicely and came right off!

Add mozzarella cheese and fresh chopped basil...

I added chopped tomato to this one...

To this one I added a fresh chopped green pepper from my parents garden and some onion I had left over in the fridge.

Bake at 450 for 12-17 minutes. I did them both at the same time. Took the green one out after 13 minutes. Moved the red one up to the top shelf and cooked an additional 4-5 min!

I liked the red one a lot, it had a crispier crust! yummo!

Anyway... that is that! It was super easy, super fun, and super yummy! Thanks for helping me Mom! And THANK YOU VAL for the idea!

Oh and a BIG thanks to Sarah, Chris, Sophie, Ella, Mom, & Andrew for eating with me! Sent the leftovers home for Dad... can't wait to see how he liked it!

Darien Lake

2010-08-03T22:40:00.003-04:00

Didn't do so great at taking pictures... but I did get a few!

Last week Andrew and I went to Darien Lake. That is what we did on our first date, and we were close enough to that "anniversary" to go!

They have a new "Splash Town" water park area. See that BIG funnel thing... SCARY... that is all I have to say!

Andrew's tattoo. Hahaha...

And one on the Ferris wheel!

I LOVE YOU!

The most AMAZING parade EVER!

2010-08-03T22:10:00.006-04:00

On our way home from the ZOO, Dad called and said that there was a Parade of "Old Cars" that he wanted to see. So, when we met up with him, it was sprinkling. Then RAINING! My wise and creative father brought us "rain gear" ... I LOVE YOU DAD!

Here is Mom in her handmade Rain Poncho!

Ella and I shared! Hahaha... she didn't think it was funny!

Sophie even wore one, made out of a Wal-Mart bag because she would have gotten lost in the big ones!

Let the Parade BEGIN!

Mr. Bagpipes!

Oh yeah! GO KART!

3 cheers for DeSales High School! Can you see their pom poms out the top of the window!?!

The little "cemetary"...

And here is a video of the rest of the parade! If you look towards the end, you can see the entire parade in one shot! YEAH!

I love that the band is playing "Singing in the Rain"

And a cute picture of Sophie & Papa!

That's it! Oh, I am SO PROUD of our town!

ZOOOO!

2010-08-03T21:49:00.005-04:00

Last weekend we went to the Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester! It was so much fun!

Andrew was like a little kid! This was his FIRST TIME at the Zoo!

Ella called these Rhinos "Poop" :)

Sophie & Ella! Matching!

Ella really enjoyed it!

Oh Sophie! You are getting so BIG!

My cute husband! Such a kid at heart!

Sophie & Ella watching the Polar Bear!

I just HAD to add this.... this one is for you MOM!!! I LOVE you!

Sophie and Ella are getting SO BIG! Here is the link to last years trip to the ZOO! Look how much they have grown!

http://asdupuisfamily.blogspot.com/2009/07/zoooooooo.html

COLDSTONE

2010-08-03T21:38:00.002-04:00

HURRAY!!! We have a COLDSTONE!!!

I am SO EXCITED!

We went to Coldstone on it's opening day!

Not quite sure what kind of face this is!

Mom & Dad enjoying Coldstone!

Andrew, Me, & Sarah! LOVIN Coldstone!

Oh yea!

Experiments

2010-08-03T21:08:00.002-04:00

I have tried 2 new recipes this weekend!

The first are these: CHERRY LIMEADE BARS

(from http://www.cheekykitchen.com/2010/07/cherry-limeade-bars.html)

They were a complete DISASTER!

This is what they were SUPPOSED to look like:

And this is how MINE turned out:

SO... I tried to double the recipe.. BAD IDEA!

These are also EXTREMELY sugary!

If anyone tries this recipe PLEASE let me know if it turns out. I think I am going to try them again because I liked the IDEA of them, but the recipe will have to be doctored quite a bit to fit my liking! (a LOT less sugar!)

A couple of people tried them... I think they were all being nice when they told me that they were good. Ummm... NO!

The second recipe I tried was COWBOY COOKIES!

(from:http://lickthebowlgood.blogspot.com/2010/07/clean-oven-cookies.html)

I made these with Sophie and they were REALLY GOOD!

SOOO Good... that this is the only picture I got!!

We had a lot of fun! Thanks for helping me Sophie!

I did not add the nuts to the recipe above. I also cooked them on my Pampered Chef Stone. They were amazing! If you need a stone.. contact my sister who is a Pampered Chef consultant!

Try them!

The Lady in Granite

2010-07-19T20:44:00.002-04:00

Last night Sarah, Chris, Ella, & I went to see the "Lady in Granite" ... a local legend that I had never heard of. Pretty cool though...

The legend is as follows:

"The Lady in Granite is located in Lakeview Cemetary in Penn Yan, New York. This is the gravestone for the Gillette family and the ghost is believed to be that of Matilda Gillette. The image of her reclining head appeared on the dark grave and nothing has been able to remove it, even repeated polishing of the stone. Legend has it that over time her whole image will be formed and she will be free to haunt the local community."

"The story I heard as a child was that the Gillettes were a happily married couple who made a promise to each other that when one of them died the other would remain unmarried. When Matilda Gillette passed away, Francis Gillette did remarry and as a result of breaking his promise, he found that his wife's face appeared on the tombstone. His was horrified by this image and being unsuccessful in trying to remove the image by polishing the stone, he ordered a new tombstone to replace the original one. Matilda's face appeared again on the new tombstone."

"I did asked some local historians about this legend and they felt that there are no facts to support the validity of the stories that have been told about the Gillettes. There is no documentation that the stone was ever replaced. When we visited the grave to take pictures, my children and I also noticed that the side graves indicate that Francis Gillette died seven years earlier than Matilda Gillette. That does put a bit of a damper on this story. Even so, the image is real and myths that form in a young child's mind can be compelling."

This is taken from: http://incenseandspices.com/gillette.htm

Here are some pictures that I took at the cemetary! The first is the front of the Gillette family stone...

Next is a picture taken from a distance. You can see the face... the light spot towards the top of the stone.

Lastly is a close up of the "Lady in Granite" ... please excuse the flash...

What do you think??