double birthday party!!

Konn is now a whopping 1 year old, and I well, I turn 25 on the 20th.

We celebrated both our birthdays together this year.  Friends and family came over to our house for a BBQ of sorts, to eat, hang out and just enjoy the great summer we have had so far.

Just a few snipits of the whole shabang...

Grandpa H and Kon

Konnor's Lego cake..  

The birthday kids :)

Jack had to help with every present..  this was Konnor's favorite.

 All the kids diggin into the delish cake made with Autie Angels cream cheese frosting!  

Konnor after a few minutes into his cake...  sugar rush getting to his head i would think

Uncle Hunter and Buck having cupcake comps. (who can shove a whole cupcake in their mouth..  I think this was #3)  Oh and his audience in the background...Mike, Jb and Jared

getting guiltless with the cake now...  "All or nothing baby!"

Me and prego sis Nic!  Yeah, more babies!

Another unwrapping, Justin as in the background the whole time, but I wanted to get a few of him in the post.  Daddy watching from the sidelines.

 Konnor and Jack still going at it!  All the other kids gave up but they held strong.

HA!  Did I say a few snipits?  

Anyway, it was fun! lots of people, lots of laughing and an awesome time watching all the little chicklets dig their little fingers in the birthday cake. ..  Don't worry there were cupcakes for everyone!  ( they didnt have to eat the cake the kids destroyed.)

Give us a break!!

Is it impossible for us to catch a break!  MAN!  You think when things are going well, and everything is caught up.......BAM!  something happens to where you are right back in the hole you used to be in.  I would think that after all we have done, and how hard we have tried to get things in order and in control, life would give you mercy for more than a minute.  Well I guess we are back to square one trying to dig us out of a hole that was just filled.

bringin it back?

So I was listening to pandora and boyz 2 men came on.....  I was it Jr. High again!  I loved them when I was younger and when this some came on it was like I was 11 again.

Anyway, funny and random blast from the past.

Our song..

  Hourglass

Mindy Gledhill
© 2010 Blue Morph Music (BMI)

Little boy, when you speak
I cant help but kiss your cheeks
I love the way you grab my hands
And tell me all about your plans
Rocket high, comets fly
You and I could hitch a ride
And fly away to Neverland
And give our best to Peter Pan
                      When you reach for the stars
                     Don't forget who you are
                     And please don't turn around and grow up way too fast
                     See the sand in my grasp
                     From the first to the last
                     Every grain becomes a memory of the past
                     Oh, life's an hourglass
                     Life's an hourglass
Story's read, prayer is said
Close your eyes sleepyhead
While angels linger in your dreams
And hold you in their feathered wings
Just like you, I was small
Not that long ago at all
I wish you all the happiness
That God gives freely if you ask
                         Chorus






I have found a song that I am totally in love with and have decided that is would be a perfect song for me and my boys.  Of course they are younger so they don't really understand that, but I guess its mainly for me.  I was thinking bed time lullaby.  I love my boys and this is such a great reminder, plus it has the sweetest lyrics.

I Love you Jack Jack and Kc

Jessica:  "I can't seem to keep our house under my wing!"

Justin:    "Thats because you don't have any wings."


Thanks for the laugh babe :)

"Can i give him hugs mom?"

Yes, the picture seems a little mean, but most of the time Konnor will just grin and bear it.  This time, not so much.  Jack sure was happy though.

Handsome Man!!

This handsome, wonderful and strong man carried Mr. Jackson up and down Angels Landing this last weekend.  Except for maybe .2 miles, this kids was on dads shoulders a whole 5.2 miles.  I love you sweet heart and appreciate everything you do.  You carry a huge load on your shoulders (in this case literally) and I can't express how lucky I am to have you.  

Love you babe!!

lego time

Now that Konman is getting bigger, him and Jack have loved playing with each other.  Konnor thinks Jack is the funniest at everything he does or says.  I have loved it now that they have been able to do things together.   Jack was always wanting to play with Konnor, but he hasn't been able to hold his ground to him.  He now can "talk" back, hand each other things, and run/crawl around with each other.  Love It!

  Love my boys!

what a sweet surprise...

     Justin just informed me that next year we will be going on a cruise for our fifth Anniversary.  It was the cutest thing when he brought it up too.  We were talking about family vacations with our extended family, and he stops me and says.. "We'll we won't need to worry about that next year because we will be going on a cruise.  You deserve a vacation, and i will just tag along."  (Okay sweets, I know I have been the best mom i could be, and you have been the best husband and daddy we could ask for. So give yourself some credit.)

     Yeah!  A vacation with the hubby!!  The last one we had with eachother was our honeymoon.  Crazy to think that is has already been so long, but this will be a fabulous trip for ourselves.  Now I am told to do my research and figure out a place I want to go, so that we can get going with all the planning.  Yes, our 5th is next March but we can go before or after... That the fun about being the one to plan the vaca. 
I love my JB so much!  I am IN LOVE with him more and more each day, and we are due for a romantic time together. 

Thank you My Love!

I have never been on a cruise or anything close to it, so this will be a fun experience.
Where should we go?  We have already decided against Mexico or Hawaii, so are there any other places you would recommend?

... empty bed tonight

This little guy loves him Uncle Way Way!  His Uncle and Mel came and got him this evening to have a sleepover.  With a big smile and hugs and kisses, he leaves with his backpack, mcqueen sleeping bag, his elephant pillow, and baby bear, he gets in the car clinching tight to his pillow, waving goodbye...

Our sweet little Jack Jack isn't with us tonight, and it feels empty and weird.

The only good thing that comes from letting him have sleepovers with his aunts and uncles is that when we finally get to pick him up, he loves us more than ever, and is such a great kid that day.

Good Night my sweet heart, I love you! Sleep tight

We have arrived!

We have lived in our home a little over 2 years.  When we bought it there was no yard at all.  Just after we moved in, we put in 2000 sq. ft in the front and side yard.  Then with life happening, we finally were able to get 4700 sq ft. of grass, and finish what was left.  Man, does it feel good to have it all done and almost ready to play on and have a yard to do things with!  Many parties, BBQ's, playtime and tent sleepovers await!

Prepping the dirt...

...still prepping

"Layin the down the law..n"

... and it's finished!!!

love the feeling under our feet

Another view..  

With having no yard for so long, getting a yard and grass feels amazing.  Until now, I took for granted things like this that just seem to "come with."  Usually a yard comes with you home, so to not have one for so long and then finally getting one, I have come to appreciate the little things more.
Anyway, we love our back yard and can't wait to do the rest of whats in store..

Next project is the garden

Perfect Summer Salad!

So, you may have noticed I put up lots of food posts!  I love food, trying new things, plus I can forever and always find the best recipes and stick it in one place...  My blog!

This time I have found a great refreshing salad that can be used for any time of day, and any occasion.  Plus its super, super yummy!

Waldorf Salad (Source: 1st Traveler’s Choice Internet Cookbook)

Ingredients


5 red and yellow delicious apples, diced (unpeeled)
One 8-ounce can pineapple tidbits (drained)
1 cup seedless red or green grapes cut in half
1 cup chopped walnuts
For the Dressing:
1/2 cup sugar (or substitute with Splenda)
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup cream or evaporated milk
2 Tablespoons butter
1 Tablespoon flour
One 8-ounce carton Cool Whip whipped topping or favorite whipped cream

Directions:
Mix sugar, flour, cream, butter, and juice. Cook until boiling. Cool and then refrigerate. Fold in whipped topping or whipped cream. Mix with fresh fruit until it covers to suit your taste. Add nuts just before serving to avoid turning fruit dark.

Enjoy!  

I am a fruity person.. ha ha sue me!  I could eat fruit in anything, anytime, anywhere.  This is one of my favorite of all time.

Good munching!

... I wonder...

Maybe Justin feels this way about me sometimes...

Prove me wrong!

This recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies is the best!  If you doubt me, try them.  You will become a believer. :P  (or prove me wrong)... I dare you!  

Do you have a better recipe?  If so, lets make it fun!  Give it to me, and I'll try it out.

 Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Cooks Illustrated  from Ourbestbites.com

2 C plus 2 T flour
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
12 T butter (1 1/2 sticks) melted and cooled until warm
1 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
1/2 C granulated sugar
1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
2 t vanilla extract
1 1/2 C semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate chips

Heat oven to 325 degrees. Adjust oven racks to upper- and lower-middle positions. Mix flour, salt, and baking soda together in mediumbowl; set aside.

Either by hand or with electric mixer, mix butter and sugars untilthoroughly blended. Mix in egg, yolk, and vanilla. Add dry ingredients;mix until just combined. Stir in chips.

Take about 1/4 C dough and form into a ball.  Break ball in half and place dough on cookie sheet with broken edge facing up.  (Or just use a standard sized cookie scoop). Bake until cookies are set around outer edges start to hardenyet centers are still soft and puffy, 13-15 minutes.  Cool cookies on cookie sheets. Serve or store inairtight container.

April 2011 Conference Weekend

This post is a long one, but it really was an awesome weekend with our little family!

 Watching daddy work so hard

 Getting ready to put in grass.  Can't wait to have all this dirt covered with green!

 Watching Tangled with the cousins during the Priesthood session of conference.

 Making colored eggs

 After working outside in 70' weather.  We knew it was supposed to rain but never thought it would get cold enough to snow.  Surprise!

 Loves the cape!  "Mom no pictures!"

 Homemade cinnamon rolls.. rising..

 ... with homemade cream cheese frosting!  Delicious!!

 Konnor and his beloved cookies..  Just can't get enough

 Playing together as always, and loving every minute of it

 My little brother Hunter spending conference Sunday with us..  

 Finally able to get a picture of my man.  Honey you look good, now get over it!  Love you!

The boys and I just before dinner.  Love these two to pieces

Well, in the past two days a lot has happened for us, and we enjoy our time together and take it whenever we can. On conference weekend, we especially love it, because it brings us closer together as a family, and closer to our Heavenly Father.  All the great talks given during the 5 sessions this conference has really given us the chance to remember, grow and try to do better in our daily doings, whatever they may be.   

Bryn Alexandra Interiors

BRYN ALEXANDRA INTERIORS

http://brynalexandra.blogspot.com/

is hosting a giveaway from

10 stacks on 5 one yard pieces of fabric.  (shown above)

For more info, go to her website.  Again its  http://brynalexandra.blogspot.com/

She is an amazing interior decorator.  See for yourself

Fabulous Giveaway..

Many giveaways from http://littleblueprints.blogspot.com/ including this one. 

 How amazing are these pillows?  Great fabric and colors!  It's like fate!  These are the colors in our bedroom.  These amazing pillows are from http://www.etsy.com/shop/woodyliana  She opens her "doors" this spring with amazing stuff.  

Aren't they adorable?

My baby boy!

 Sleepy

Curious 

Growing so fast, and loving every minute of it!

LA Lakers @ UTAH Jazz Game

Justin had an opportunity from work to go to another Jazz game.   Always great seats, and to think that this is not the best seat he has sat in.  I'm glad he has a chance to enjoy some time for himself with "the guys."

Love you babe!  To bad the Jazz lost at home.  But a Laker/Jazz game?  Cool!

searching...

Searching for a new car sucks!!  Just appear and be the right one already!

Projects for the near future..

I have been trying to find ways to spice up our boring wall, and I think I have found my answer!  These pictures I have found are the techniques I will be using but not in these colors.

This first picture, you can see part of the ceiling.  This is a stencil which creates a damask type pattern.  This particular person used it on her ceiling.  I am taking this idea and going to do this in our master bedroom.  since we do not have vaulted or high ceiling, the color will be more neutral so it doesn't make the room seems shorter.

This is a close up of the pattern.  The one I have chosen will not be so busy, but a little modern.  I will be saving that pattern for the end.  

This picture is kind of hard to see if you don't really know what to look for.  This is what I want to try and go for.  Okay, on the wall behind the headboard, you can see they have painted a very subtle horizontal stripe pattern.  I will be doing this in my hallway and bathroom.  I know many, many people LOVE the crisp clean white, but for some reason, I can't.  I feel cold.  Plus with having boys, I think a taupe will hide there cute little prints a little better.

 I don't know for sure whether I will be doing horizontal or vertical stripes yet, but I am excited either way.  (My loving hubby and I have yet to agree with some details :)  )

I have yet to convince Jb that it won't look weird or close up the hallway, but I think once it happens he will okay with it. 

Leave opinions, thoughts or judgments or any kinds...  The input is great!

12 week plan to "happiness"

I have decided to start running.  I have some ladies in my neighborhood that have been running together, so I figure if I am going to run with them.  I have to actually start running.  One of my friends has amazing book with this week plan carefully made and tested to make running easy by building up.  They swear by it so I decided to do it.  Wish me luck!    Oh, and I swore I would not become one of those crazy psycho chicks that does zumba religiously, but I will be starting zumba on Wednesdays, going once a week.  Just away from the kids, some music, some friends, and an hour of exercise all in one.  

Week 1

Session 1 (36 minutes):

Run 1 minute.  Walk 2 minutes.  Do this 12 times.

Session 2 (27 minutes):

Run 1 minute.  Walk 2 minutes.  Do this 9 times.

Session 3 (33 minutes):

Run 1 minute.  Walk 2 minutes.  Do this 11 times.

Week 2

Session 1 (44 minutes):

Run 2 minutes.  Walk 2 minutes.  Do this 11 times.

Session 2 (30 minutes):

Run 1 minute.  Walk 2 minutes.  Do this 10 times.

Session 3 (40 minutes):

Run 2 minutes.  Walk 2 minutes.  Do this 10 times.

Week 3

Session 1 (50 minutes):

Run 3 minutes.  Walk 2 minutes.  Do this 10 times.

Session 2 (36 minutes):

Run 2 minutes.  Walk 2 minutes.  Do this 9 times.

Session 3 (45 minutes):

Run 3 minutes.  Walk 2 minutes.  Do this 9 times.

Week 4

Session 1 (40 minutes):

Run 3 minutes.  Walk 2 minutes.  Do this 8 times.

Session 2 (28 minutes):

Run 2 minutes.  Walk 2 minutes.  Do this 7 times.

Session 3 (35 minutes):

Run 2 minutes.  Walk 3 minutes.  Do this 7 times.

Week 5

Session 1 (40 minutes):

Run 3 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Do this 10 times.

Session 2 (30 minutes):

Run 2 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Do this 10 times.

Session 3 (36 minutes):

Run 3 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Do this 9 times.

Week 6

Session 1 (48 minutes):

Run 5 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Do this 8 times.

Session 2 (36 minutes): 

Run 2 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Do this 12 times.

Session 3 (40 minutes):

Run 3 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Do this 10 times.

Week 7

Session 1 (55 minutes):

Run 10 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Do this 5 times.

Session 2 (40 minutes):

Run 3 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Do this 10 times.

Session 3 (48 minutes):

Run 5 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Do this 8 times.

Week 8

Session 1 (44 minutes):

Run 10 minutes. Walk 1 minute.  Do this 4 times.

Session 2 (32 minutes):

Run 3 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Do this 8 times.

Session 3 (42 minutes):

Run 5 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Do this 7 times.

Week 9

Session 1 (58 minutes):

Run 10 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Run 20 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Run 15 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Run 10 minutes.

Session 2 (44 minutes):

Run 10 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Do this 4 times.

Session 3 (48 minutes):

Run 15 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Do this 3 times.

Week 10

Session 1 (61 minutes):

Run 30 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Run 30 minutes.

Session 2 (44 minutes):

Run 10 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Do this 4 times.

Session 3 (47 minutes):

Run 20 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Run 15 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Run 10 minutes.

Week 11

Session 1 (61 minutes):

Run 40 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Run 20 minutes.

Session 2 (44 minutes):

Run 10 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Do this 4 times.

Session 3 (47 minutes):

Run 20 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Run 15 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Run 10 minutes.

Week 12

Session 1 (50 minutes)

Run 50 minutes.

Session 2 (33 minutes)

Run 10 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Do this 3 times.

Session 3 (47 minutes)

Run 15 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Run 15 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Run 10 minutes.

Week 13

Session 1 (40 minutes)

Run 40 minutes.

Session 2 (33 minutes)

Run 10 minutes.  Walk 1 minute.  Do this 3 times.

Session 3

Event:  See you at the finish line.  Or run 60 minutes.

I will be writing randomly for my own benefit, to keep me motivated, or remind me why I never started running.  We shall see...

If only, If only!

I think I have said this before, but I would kill for a walkout porch that leads to this...

  One wonderful thing that Justin and I have in common.

One day...

Another sick day

With baby getting over his sicknesses, and Jack getting what he had, Justin and I have had our hands full this weekend.  But with everything that has gone on, we are still able to get some cuddles in every now and then.

Konnor finally taking a nap. I couldn't help but take a picture of our lil' chub

My boys, gotta love it when they need you. 

Peace...

Life Happens

Well, so far we have been liven and lovin the life we have been so blessed with. Our 2 sweet little boys are growing up to be not so little. Jack is a little over 3 and KC has just turn 7 months. Time flies and sometimes It feels like you have missed it.
With being in Utah, we have to deal with the weather, which means little time outside to play because the tempuratures can get so low. So with the time we can to chill in our house, we try to make the best of it, and have loved the time we've had to spend with each other. Now if we can only pray for the winter season to pass, we can start our more exciting adventures outside.
Our computer has had some difficulties, so no pictures yet. Once we resovle our little problem, I promise there will be a slew of post of us and the kids. Meanwhile, we are alive and well. hope everything is well with all ya'll everywhere else and hope to hear from everyone soon.
Love, US

Valentines Day!

I have recently been put into young womens as the beehive leader, which means activities!!!  I am loving YW, and I get to do girly things none the less.  For our class activity we have planned to do something for valentines day, and one of my friends found this:

We are totally doing this!  If you have any girls, this would be the cutest activity you can do with them.
http://onecharmingparty.com/2011/01/19/valentine-gumball-necklaces/  Check it out!

Okay.. Here's a post!

So, I have been told by many that I need to get another post on my blog.  Well, for the last little while I have not had a camera, but life still goes on.  Its saddens me to have no camera no take pictures of my sweet little boys.  Konnor is 6 1/2 months old now, and I have no idea where the time has gone.  When Jack was born, I had taken seriously a thousand pictures a month, and with Konnor I am lucky enough to get ten.  Poor little guy.  Anyway, a lot has been going on and many things have happened in the past month. 
This is the sum of the past month has been the most tiring, saddening, happy, confusing, upsetting, exciting, relieving, and most of all In Love.  I am not going into detail about alot, but all I know is that I have never thought that so many inportant and life changing things can happen all at once.  I have definetly lost some of my streak, but have gained alot more courage. 
I love my baby boys and especially my sweet husband. 

Well, until I have my camera, I will not be able to put up any pictures.  Sorry :(