Friday Night Kid Bliss

Josh and Jack FELL IN LOVE with the Discovery Gateway Museum!

(good thing we are moving closer to it, right?)

It was a great date night with the boys.

Jack had no problem making himself at home in this land of toys for the short.

Josh also had a great time, and really didn't want to leave... (oh the screaming!)

We could barely contain Josh to be able to even take a picture. And, it was like pulling teeth to get him to stop running around to take a potty break!

It was as if they knew Jack was coming... the water was perfect!

Sending the ball up the shoot was Jack's very favorite part, even more than the water. Every time one was sent up the tube, he would raise his arms and yell "WHOA!"

I had to include this picture. This is what Jack's hair looks like every day after nap time. I can't stand to cut it, so I probably won't!

If Rachael Ray...

...had kids, she would know that there is no such thing as a "30 minute meal!" (except from a can) BUT, I am trying them anyway, despite the constant interruptions by two tiny people who live in my house, and these are what I have captured for your appetizing pleasure...

The 2 on the end are those tiny people who live with me and extend my cooking time, and the big one in the middle is just so lucky that I cook these amazing meals for him!!

This was an INCREDIBLE dinner that took us 3 days to finish eating. (we love left-overs!)
Shrimp Scampi Pizza

When Dan walked in on this one, he called it a "man meal!" The onion rings came recommended by my friend Tanya, who got it from THIS site.
The main dish is called Sloppy Porchetta.

This was a seasonal recipe that I did during the fall, but LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it!!
Turkey-Thyme Meatloaf with Mashed Sweet Potatoes
(for those who know how I cook, those are all my fave ingredients!)

These yummy treats are actually a recipe given by a neighbor in my ward. It think they are called Scottish Kisses, and are caramel-covered marshmellows. Dan and I had so much fun at the stove, where you have to work as a pair to get the caramel mixed and stirred. We waited until the kids were in bed so we could do this alone, and maybe enjoy them alone as well!!

Thanks to Jamie, who gave me the magazine subscription for Christmas! I am totally using it weekly.

2009 Highlights... so far

You think that while I am off track, I would be able to update my blog a bit more often. Luckily, we have been staying busy and having fun. Here are just a few things that we have done or celebrated since mid-January:

* Josh's 3rd birthday!! (included a visit from CA grandparents)
* Our 7th wedding anniversary
* Draper Temple open house
* Josh is now POTTY-TRAINED!!!!!! (not pictured)
*Dan started back at Wells Fargo (downtown)
*decided to move back to Sugar House
* made bird feeders, painted pics for dad, played with playdough, watched movies, fed the geese at Liberty Park...

I love how sneaky Josh looks in this picture, like he's going to spring at the cupcakes at any second. Josh had a birthday celebration with g-ma and g-pa Goates, and got some new pj's and church clothes. He loved spending the night!
We also had granny and g-pa from CA come for the weekend, and again, Josh was spoiled with some fun toys and games. We love their visits.

Since Jack got a puppy-dog cake for his b-day, I tried to make some fishbowl cupcakes for Josh. (he was the one who got to name our 2 fish)

During our grandparents' visit, we took a "trip" to Cabela's. Interesting. But, we did find something for the boys to enjoy for a bit.

Dan and I have 7 amazing years together, so far. Considering our VERY short courtship, I would say that we have grown closer and stronger than others may have thought possible! I was going to post a wedding pic from the beginning, but this one tells much more about who we are all the time: silly and having way too much fun together!!


The boys and I were able to attend the Draper Temple open house with Grandpa Russ. It was a beautiful building, with some incredible art work everywhere. The boys were SO good during the whole hour-long tour.

Happy Valentines Day!
(BTW, this is the yummiest sugar cookie recipe I have ever made/tried)