and then there were five...

Someday these will embarrass him.....but for now they make me smile

2009-02-15T21:59:00.005-07:00

Brothers

2009-02-12T21:32:00.002-07:00

Fischer has to do everything just like big brother. Everytime Beckett goes potty Fischer has me undo his diaper and he has to sit on the potty, even though he never actually goes. Everytime Beckett goes to pre-school Fischer has to put on his backpack too.

The other day I let Fischer come into Beck's pre-school so I could pay his tuition. He hung up his backpack and walked right into the class with the other kids. When I took him out he was so extremely mad, a huge tantrum followed. He will do anything to be just like his big bro.

Family fotos

2009-02-10T12:00:00.000-07:00

We had these pics done several months ago (thanks Jer!) If you need some awesome pictures done for almost nothing, check out http://www.jeremyjohnsenimages.com/. We love our pictures! I am just sorry it has taken me so long to post some of them.

25 Random Things - aka I'm back - sort of

2009-02-10T00:30:00.000-07:00

Facebook has replaced my blog as of late, so I will post this here as well as there. Feel free to participate on your own blog!

I am ashamed to admit that I LOVE to watch the Bachelor. It is trashy and cheesy and brainless, the perfect way to de stress.
I love to cook. It is a stress relief for me for sure. Too bad that eating is also a stress relief for me! If I had an unlimited budget we would be eating like kings (and queens)!
I hate getting ready in the morning. The bad part is that I cannot go a day without showering and blow drying my hair. Something happens at night that transforms my hair into a very scary sight. I am jealous of those girls that can just pull their hair back and go.
I love sushi! I don't get to eat it nearly as often as I like, but it is definitely a favorite food of mine.
I have a problem/phobia when it comes to trash. Let me explain. Mixing trash is totally unacceptable, i.e., putting a banana peel in the bathroom trash or old dirty socks in the kitchen just cannot happen. I can't function until that trash is taken out! I thought that this was normal until several people told me how weird it actually is. Whatever!
I speak Spanish but am very self conscious about it. The more time that goes by the more nervous I get about my accent and ability to communicate in Espanol.
My parents are awesome! Our house growing up was always know as the cool house and fun place to hang out. They always accepted all my friends and made them feel at home and comfortable. I really hope my kids feel the same way about our house someday.
When I was in 5th grade, I asked my teacher Mr. Dixon if Washington D.C. was one of the 50 states, and he said "if you don't know the answer to that you don't belong in this classroom". I secretly think he didn't know the answer either.
If I had the chance to go to The Biggest Loser ranch and workout with Bob or Jillian, I would hands down choose Bob. I think that Jillian would push me harder, but I can't deal with her psychosocial analyzing of everything. It would totally either freak me out or make me start laughing if she pulled that biz on me.
Neil and I graduated from Weber State University on the same day in 2004. Him in Sales and Service Technology and me in Human Resource Management. It was also the day we told everyone that I was preggers with Beckett.
I didn't kiss a boy until my first year in college. It totally grossed me out, partly because he had facial hair and partly because he himself was kind of gross. We never kissed again.
Two of my younger sisters got married on the same day a few years ago. It was special to me because I got to be an escort along with my mom in the brides room at the Salt Lake temple. Helping them get ready is something I will never forget.
When I was younger I had stick straight hair. Then all of a sudden it went like mega curly. Everyone thought my mom gave me a perm, but she claims we went to the beach one day and the water did something magic to my hair. It stayed really curly until I started having kids, and now I have to use a lot of gel and scrunching to get it to curl.
My first job was at Wendy's. It only lasted a few months, but I saw some things that you probably don't want to hear about. My one bit of advice: don't be rude at the drive up window, it will come back to haunt you.
I was on the girl's basketball team in Jr. High, and once scored a basket for the other team. It only took me 3 rebounds to accomplish this unthinkable task, but after that it was nothin but net!
Growing up I always thought that I would have to marry someone pretty boring to keep me under control. Turns out that I am the boring one who is always trying to reel in my super high energy husband.
I worked as a stock broker for 7 years. I learned some pretty awesome stuff about money management. I quit when Beckett was 1, and it is the greatest blessing ever to be home with my kids.
I sometimes snort when I laugh. It has to be something pretty funny, but it is embarrassing none the less. My sister Corey and my mom also suffer from this snorting syndrome and I hope to pass it on to my daughter.
I ran the St. George marathon twice before I had children. I don't enjoy running, but I am addicted to the "runner's high" that comes after the pain of the run. I don't think that I will ever do it again, but it is one of my greatest accomplishments.
My favorite musician will forever be David Gray. If you haven't heard him you simply must give it a try. I NEVER get sick of listening to him and have seen him twice in concert.
I have an unhealthy obsession with celebrities and their personal lives. I visit http://www.people.com/ daily and have had multiple dreams about hanging out with Jennifer Aniston. Neil thinks I am a psycho.
My favorite board game is Ticket to Ride. We play about twice a week with our good friends Tony and Jessica. We are all pretty good so it has gotten ugly more than once. All is forgiven in Love and Train, or so Tony says.
I love Diet Coke, but there is a secret. It has to come from a fountain, more specifically RB's gas station on Gentile. The recipe is 2/3 ice, 3/4 diet coke, and a 3-4 second bomp of regular coke. Ahhhhhhhh, refreshment.
When we lived in San Diego, my sister's and I along with a neighbor had to be "rescued" at the beach by a lifeguard. Apparently we were stuck in a riptide and didn't know it. My dad got a ticket by the beach police for not being attentive enough (sleeping on the beach) and we were asked not to come back.
I have the greatest family ever. My kids and husband are the best thing that ever happened to me. I can't wait for our little girl to join the crazy clan!

A Vacation in Every Bite

2008-10-23T17:29:00.003-06:00

On our last trip to Costco Neil talked me into getting these Island Way Sorbet treats. Now, those who know me at all know that I am normally no fan of Sorbet or anything like it. Well, these little delights truly are a "Vacation in Every Bite!" just like the package says. I now find myself looking forward to enjoying one of these babies right before bed as the highlight of my long day. So if you need a pickmeup, head to Costco and treat yourself, you won't regret it!

things I appreciate

2008-09-15T21:22:00.006-06:00

So, a few things in life have been less than ideal for me lately, so I decided to focus on the positive and list a few of my favorite things, in no particular order, and with lots of pictures:)

Carousel rides with Foo at Hogle Zoo

Playing sidewalk chalk outside with the boys.

Bike rides with the boys (The first ten minutes are awesome! After that things start to go downhill fast)

This face

and this one

And the fact that my dad carried foo in the backpack because Neil had a sore back.

The muffin tin lunch that I shared with the boys today, try it, it's so fun!

The boys riding together in the dunebuggy, Fischer thinks he is the shiz.

The sweet husband who left this on my desk today (except mine had pomegranate pieces and it is so delicious)

Sweet Giveaway!

2008-09-14T19:11:00.003-06:00

My good friends over at winborg design are hosting an awesome giveaway this week at I love Giveaways. Check it out and enter for your chance to win this gorgeous canvas print. I promise it is even cuter in person (if that is possible!)

A New Family

2008-09-10T23:32:00.003-06:00

So the other day at Wal-Mart B kept asking for every treat he could spot. Doritos, oreos, kool-aid, lunchables, yada yada yada. Although it was tempting to buy all that deliciousness, I knew that the majority of it would eventually be consumed by yours truly, and that could be devastating to my healthy eating efforts. So, being the mean mommy that I am I said no to all of it. In the checkout line Beck was visibly upset at me and said matter of factly:

"If thats the way your gonna be, I'll just get a new family"

Later in the car once he had gotten over it he said "Mommy, I decided to stay"

I am so glad he did. I just don't know what I would do without my boys. Most days they have me wanting to tear my hair out and run for cover, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Les quiero muchisimo!

Time to start bidding!

2008-08-28T02:00:00.002-06:00

I am hosting an auction on my wordcandy blog. It is for a great cause. Be sure to check out all of the other auctions going on today at Design Mom.
Don't forget to click on over to see whats up for sale by my good friends Jessica and Megan.
Happy Bidding!

Help for Nie

2008-08-26T21:13:00.004-06:00

When something horrible happens to someone else, whether I know them or not, it causes me to reflect on how blessed I am and how fragile this life really is. A fellow blogger, NieNie, was in a horrible airplane crash with her husband. You can read all about it here. Both she and her husband were severly burned. They have 4 small children. I have thought a lot about their family since I heard the news, and even though I don't know them, I am compelled to do something to help. Design Mom initiated a silent auction to be held Thursday. I will be auctioning off some vinyl and sending the proceeds to the Neilson Family. Be sure to check design mom tomorrow for a list of all that are participating, and join in the fun and help someone in need. If you want to you can also donate by clicking the link on the right hand column of my blog.

New Project!

2008-08-17T21:09:00.002-06:00

As most of you know I have a vinyl lettering business, WordCandy Vinyl. For the last few months I have been working on a new project. I am so excited to announce that I have partnered with Megan and Mendy of Winborg Sisters Design for some great new vinyl designs! Megan and Mendy are super talented artists who have had their work featured multiple times in Pottery Barn Kids. Check some of it out here, here, here, here, and here. Isn't there stuff great!! Well now you can decorate with their art using vinyl. I hope you love it as much as I do! To purchase some of this amazing art, visit my Etsy shop. You can also check out the link on the side of the blog.

Guacamole and Tiliapia

2008-08-17T16:03:00.005-06:00

So, I haven't been posting much lately, the summer is flying by and I just cannot find a good balance to maintain this blog and get all my other stuff done. If you know a secret that I don't, please fill me in.
One thing that I always have time for is food. Last night I found the best guacamole recipe EVAH. I was watching the food network's Barefoot Contessa (Ina Garten) and she made the most amazing guac. We made it too and it was awesome.
Here is the recipe:

Guacamole
Copyright, 1999 The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

4 ripe Haas avocados
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (1 lemon)
8 dashes hot pepper sauce
1/2 cup small-diced red onion (1 small onion)
1 large garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 medium tomato, seeded, and small-diced

Cut the avocados in 1/2, remove the pits, and scoop the flesh out of their shells into a large bowl. Immediately add the lemon juice, hot pepper sauce, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper and toss well. Using a sharp knife, slice through the avocados in the bowl until they are finely diced. Add the tomatoes. Mix well and taste for salt and pepper.

We had this with one of my all time favorite fish recipes:

Mexican Baked Tilapia

4-5 Tilapia Fillets (about 1 1/2 pounds, I get mine in the freezer section at Costco)
1 Cup of your favorite salsa (We love Jack's Special Salsa from Costco, it is divine)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup crushed tortilla chips

Preheat your oven to 400* and arrange Tilapia fillets in a casserole dish sprayed with pam. Top with Salsa, then Cheese, then Crunched up chips. Bake for 20 minutes. Top with avocados or guacamole and lime wedges when serving. YUM! My kids even like this one.

Fun with Good Friends

2008-07-28T01:13:00.002-06:00

We were lucky enough to get invited by the Johnsen family to the Bees game a few weeks ago. We had a sweet BBQ and watched the game, but mostly visited with our friends. Jeremy took these great pics of they boys and the last one of Tony, Jess, and little Indie. They definitely need to frame that one, it is so sweet! Thanks for a fun time guys!

They gave these cute hats to all the kids at the game.

Beck had fun with the binoculars.

Mr. B Rules the World

2008-07-20T00:40:00.003-06:00

Today Beckett came to me asking specifically for the following items:

a tissue box

3 rubber bands

an empty toilet paper roll

tape

I asked him why and he said:

"I'm going to make a guitar"

So, I know that he probably just saw it on tv, but HOW CUTE IS THAT?

So we got the stuff and made it, and it looked something like this:

One more thing mostly to tell him when he gets older, the other day I put him in time out in his room and when I went to get him out I could hear him singing Coldplay's "Viva la Vida" through the door "AND THAT WAS WHEN I RULED THE WORLD......"

Someday buddy, someday.....

Thanks!

2008-06-15T23:06:00.001-06:00

For being such a great Dad, we love you!!!

Happy Birthday Maddie!

2008-06-08T08:01:00.003-06:00

My sister's baby girl was born yesterday on 6-7-08. How cool is that? I can't wait to meet her! Don't they both look beautiful?

3 degrees of Rick(y)

2008-06-04T22:25:00.003-06:00

So, when I was a little girl I had an undeniable crush on the Rickster. I am talking about Ricky Schroeder. I mean, who wouldn't love a guy who had a train in his house and slept in a race car bed, and was best friends with Jason Bateman? My crush was only nurtured by the fact that I almost came face to face with him on a trip to universal studios in Hollywood on a family vacation. Our tram stopped and there he was, waving right to me. I knew that we would someday get married.

We all know that didn't happen, but something more than fate drew Neil and I together. Yes, he too has a bromance with the Rickster. Ever since he appeared beside Sipowicz on NYPD Blue, we have shared a common crush.

Well, to get to the point of sharing this whole history, I went to see my sister Sara last month in Iowa. It turns out that she has a best friend out there who is actually RELATED to none other than Rick(y)! Yes, her husband's little sis is none other than Mrs. Schroder. Well, it gets better than that if you can believe it. You see, Sara is about to birth a beautiful baby girl, I mean, literally any minute now, and this precious babe will be clothed in the same designer diggs that little Rick(y)'s baby girl wore a few years ago. Sara's bff was kind enough to lend her the baby clothes that Rick had given her for her daughter to wear. I mean, I knew we would have a connection someday, I just had no idea that it would be this awesome.

That, my friends, is 3 degrees of Rick(y)!

favorite things swap

2008-06-01T16:04:00.001-06:00

I'm playing, you should too!

Iowa revisited

2008-06-01T11:00:00.000-06:00

I never got around to blogging about the rest of my trip to Iowa to see Sara, Ryan, and Isaac. I had such a good time with them. Here are a few more pictures:

Sara and Ryan live just a few blocks from some fabulous houses like this one.

The Nauvoo Temple, it was so beautiful!

We took this picture on the bank of the Mississippi at the spot where the people of Nauvoo crossed in the winter when they were forced to flee their homes.

This is Carthage Jail, that was my favorite spot of the trip to Nauvoo.

Isaac and Fischer just happened to have the same shirt from the greatest store ever, SUPERTARGET!

Favorite pics of Fischer

2008-05-26T20:45:00.000-06:00

I love this picture!

Happy antime there is food involved!

This balloon made him so happy!

Chillin with Grandma Kathy

My own coke whenever I want

2008-05-25T20:54:00.004-06:00

Beck in Heber last week when we rode "Thomas the Train".

At the "I am a Child of God" exhibit at the Church History Museum.

More inside Thomas the Train.

Last night I was reading a primary book that talked about missions to Beck and I asked him if he wanted to go on a mission. He said, "No, I don't think I want to go." I asked him why and his reply was "I want to get a job just like daddy, drive my car to work everyday, and have my own coke whenever I want."

Me Like Pudding

2008-05-25T20:24:00.002-06:00

Do I have something on my face?

See Allie Run

2008-05-22T23:28:00.003-06:00

Last Saturday I had the chance to run a marathon relay in Ogden. There were 5 legs, a 7 mile, 6.1 mile, two 5 miles, and a 3 mile leg. Mine happend to be the 2nd - 6.1 miles. It started in Huntsville and came down through Ogden canyon to 25th street. My leg was gorgeous (not my legs for those of you thinking I was being vain), part of the way winding around Pine View dam. It was so fun jamming on my pod to Pink, KT, and of course a little Sexyback.

Here I am with 2 of the "runner girls" as our team was aptly named. Let's face it, the best part about running is afterwards, especially at a marathon. We got the hookup from sponsors like Jamba Juice, Great Harvest Bread, Creamies, McDonald's apple dippers, smuckers uncrustables, and powerade. Neil and the boys came down to see me at the finish - thanks for the support guys! It was a good time and I am so glad I was invited by some neighborhood runners to join in!

wishes

2008-05-20T17:42:00.000-06:00

# 1 - Modbe Suit

I.must.have.this.suit!

#2 - Garmin Forerunner GPS for runners

Garmin’s Forerunner 305 is nothing less than high tech personal trainer. It includes a wireless heart rate monitor and can alert you based on time, distance, pace, and of course heart rate. To make your workout more interesting the Forerunner 305 integrates smart features. For example you can download a previous course on to the 305 and compete against it. If you don’t want to compete against your previous performance you can give the “virtual partner” a try. Virtual partner is a digital runner and you can race with it based on time, pace, or distance. And if you get the holographic add-on you can see him/her running right next to you :)

#3 - This, or any dress from Shabby Appple.

I love all the dresses on this site, they are so so cute! They have adorable little girl dresses too!

Well, that should keep me savin for a while!

Eight

2008-05-19T15:05:00.004-06:00

Eight years ago I married my best friend, and I am happy to say that he still is. 8 things I love about Neil:
1. He can carry on 3 conversations at one time.
2. He makes friends very easily (anyone want to run the St. George marathon?)
3. He loves our boys so much.
4. He works very hard every day to support us.
5. He is never boring.
6. He explains a lot of things to me that I don't get (mostly about tv shows and movies).
7. He supports my pursuits.
8. He has a good heart.

TQ mucho!