Dessert anyone?

I am a girl who loves to cook and bake. And I like trying new things. So one day I was blog hopping and I found this recipe. I will never eat rice krispies treats the old way anymore. I wish I could remember who's blog I got it from because I would give her props. So here is what you do.

Crispy Chocolate Roll
10 oz marshmellows
1/4 cup butter
1/4 c peanut butter
5 1/2c Rice Krispy Cereal
1 1/3c Chocolate Chips
3/4c Butterscotch chips

Line cookie sheet with wax paper and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Microwave covered marshmellows, butter and peanut butter until melted (about 2 min) Stir in cereal. Spread on cookie sheet. Microwave uncovered chocolate and butterscotch chips until melted (I didn't have butterscotch chips so I used white chocolate chips and we loved it. Only the white chocolate didn't melt as fast as the chocolate chips. But the were good not totally melted) Spread on top of cereal mixture to 1" of edges. Roll from short end. Refrigerate one hours and slice.

I made this for Family Home Evening 2 weeks ago and my family couldn't get enough of it.

Now this last family home evening I was wanting to make something new again and my friend Jen had this recipe that was also to die for. Now if you read her blog you have probably already have seen this recipe but I am going to give it to those who don't read her blog.

Oreo Truffles

Crush 3 sleeves of oreos
1- 8 oz pkg. cream cheese
dipping chocolate

Beat oreos until fine in a blender or food processor. Add cream cheese and beat until blended. Form into balls and place on wax paper lined cookie sheet. Freeze until easy to handle.Dip in chocolate and refrigerate until ready to eat. Delicious!!

Jen used organic oreos and tofutti cream cheese. I used the Joe Joe's from Trader Joe's and I had Tofutti cream cheese on hand. I am sure you can use regular cream cheese but using the Tofutti made you think they were a little bit healthier.

These two recipes are so easy and so good. They are worth trying. I would have taken pictures but they are all gone.

Just Because!!!

I really have nothing to write about but I just wanted to put up some cute pictures.

Both of my older girls like to look fashionable. They each have their own style though. Here is an outfit that Karley chose one day. I seriously loved this outfit. She has more fashion ability in her little pinky than I do in my whole body. In fact, so does Mckenna.

Here we are in the backyard and I just started taking pictures. Karley really wanted to wear this ballerina outfit.

Mckenna has turned into the master hula hooper. She taught herself and I am not kidding she can go forever.

Here is Karley trying to do it. I love this picture because she looks so sassy.


Mckenna loves riding her bike.

I love having girls. I grew up with only brothers so this is very different and very fun.

We Love Halloween!

We really do love Halloween. I think it is my second favorite holiday. Who thought of going house to house and knock on someone's door and they give you free candy! That is awesome! We had quite the fun filled day. We took Mckenna to school and of course Karley wanted to dress up to.


Mckenna's school had a parade of costumes. They march to all the rooms to show off their costume. She loved doing that. The two little girls and I went to help out at Mckenna's school party. When that was over we went to a shopping center by our house and they have the kids go trick or treating to all the stores. That was the girls favorite part. Then of course when it got dark, we went trick or treating. Only my girls don't like that part. When ever we walk up to someone's home they are afraid they have a dog. My girls are terrified of dogs. It is quite annoying. Maybe they need to get a puppy for Christmas. So we only went to a handful of houses and we were walking up to one house and Mckenna said that she thinks this house has a dog. I just laugh and tell them to knock on the door. They won't do it. So I walk up to do it and Mckenna yells "mother" and then runs off. I thought it was hilarious. We went home after that and they enjoyed answering the door and looking at all the costumes. Having kids makes holiday's way more fun.

AWFUL!!!!

When my baby was 2 weeks old, the doctor found that she has a heart murmur. I know that it is really common but to hear that is kind of traumatic especially after giving birth 2 weeks prior. My doctor told me to look for certain signs which one of them were the baby isn't thriving. Believe me, my baby is thriving. So yesterday we went for her 6 months shots and the doctor checked her heart and the murmur is still there. So she sent me to get her chest x-rayed today, then we will see a cardiologist. She just wants to make sure everything is ok. She is a good doctor. I didn't think getting a x-ray would be a big deal but let me tell you with a baby it is. They take us to this room and put her in this contraption. She had to sit in it. Then they asked me to hold her arms up so that they could put this contraption around her. I understand why they had to do this. They didn't want her to move. But her screaming was awful. I wasn't allowed to comfort her because I wasn't in the same room as her. I can hold it together when my kids get shots but this was way different. At least with shots, I can be right next to them and try to calm them down. But I couldn't do that. She screamed so bad and loud that I started to cry. I was trying to keep it together because my 4 year old was with me but I couldn't. I called Ryan after and just balled. I know I sound like a baby but honestly it was awful. My heart goes out to those parents who have sick children and who have to deal with this kind of stuff all the time. I hope that I never have to do that again.

What A Week!

We had quite the eventful week. First off, it was Ryan's birthday last Monday. He worked that day but came home early. He wanted carne asada for dinner and a skor's cake. It was fun. We always get a picture of him blowing out his candles with the girls.



Then on Wednesday it was Karley's birthday. She is quite the character. In our family, on someone's birthday they don't have to do any work. Not even make their bed. Let me just say, Karley loves this part of her birthday. If I happened to forget and ask her to do something, she quickly reminds me that she can't. For her birthday dinner she wanted spaghetti and hot dogs. So that is what we had and she loved every bite.

She wanted to wear this princess hat all day.

Here is Mckenna trying to get into the photo too. She is our poser. She loves to have pictures taken of her. But you can see why. She is so dang cute.

Karley wanted a chocolate cake with pink frosting. Here is a tradition of them licking the bowl.

I just love this picture of her.

So then this weekend, my parents took the two older girls so that we could have a break. It was so nice. Yeah, we had the baby but having just one with us wasn't that much work. So we went to my parents on Sunday to pick up the girls and Mckenna started throwing up. That was a nice welcome back. Luckily for me, I was holding the baby and so Ryan went in the bathroom to help her. I was grateful for that. So it was quite a week and we had fun - other than the throwing up part.

Apple Picking

I am going to start this entry by saying that when I think of apple picking, I think of a cold, brisk day. A day where you need to wear a jacket. A day where you want hot chocolate. But I guess when you live in California, you don't really have those days. So we went apple picking on Saturday and yes, it was warm but it was so much fun. The girls loved it. We decided that it will be one of our traditions. It was something new. And the girls really loved pulling the apples off the trees.

On Sunday we made caramel apples. The girls loved that even more. It was my first time making them but I have a friend in my ward who gave me guidance. They turned out beautifully. But once again I didn't take pictures of the wonderful caramel apples. I need to be a better blogger and to remember to always take pictures. I will try better next time.

I love this picture because she was laughing so hard.

We had to squat down so that Mckenna could take the picture. It was her first time and I think she did a pretty good job.

I love her little round face and her chunky arms.

The Best Day Ever!

I know that as a fellow blogger that I should have my camera with me at all times but I didn't take it this time. I will try to do better next time.

So last night Ryan calls me and tells me that his company has an extra room at this hotel in Laguna Beach at the Surf and Sand. His company had customers fly in for meetings and their happened to be extra rooms. Of course we took one. This hotel was beautiful. It was right on the sand so you heard the waves crashing all day and all night long. Ryan was already there for meetings and I had to pack for me and my 3 girls. I was sweating by the time I was done packing. But let me tell you, it was so worth it. We woke up this morning and went to breakfast. Then Ryan worked in the room and we went swimming. We showed the girls where Ryan proposed to me. That was really fun to show them. Mckenna got down on one knee and tried to act it out. But then I had to tell her that her dad didn't get on one knee. His excuse was that we were on the dirt and he didn't want to get dirty. Whatever! No just kidding. He proposed on the cliffs of Laguna Beach. It was beautiful. Ok, back to the story. We went shopping to get a belt for Ryan because I for got to bring his. It is hard to remember everything. I usually have a list and I had no time to make one. So we went to Fashion Island we got his belt and me a ring. My wedding finger was feeling naked. If you haven't kept up on my blog, go the post titled "What a Morning".

When we returned to the hotel, Ryan had to get ready for his dinner meeting and so I took the girls swimming again. They loved it. Then we ate at the restaurant in the hotel. It was awesome because we were right on the sand and the ocean was so close. Then we headed home. What a wonderful day. The girls and I were talking about it on the way home and Mckenna said that it felt like we were there more than one day. She said that it was the best day ever. I agreed with her. The next time we have the best day ever, I hope I remember my camera.

Rice Cereal

So our little one had her first taste of rice cereal. Now let me tell you when my other two girls tried it for the first time they didn't really like it. They made faces and spit it out. Now when Olivia tried it, she loved it. She couldn't get enough. I had to post every picture because she is just so cute.

Desserts!

I am a true believer that if my kids eat a good dinner they can have dessert after. There have been times that one didn't eat a very good dinner and they didn't have dessert. But that is another story. Now when they have the dessert, they truly enjoy it. I happened to catch Mckenna going to the bathroom to wash up and this is what she looked like.


I ran to get my camera and capture this moment and when she saw that, she tried to run. So Ryan caught her and she was fighting it. She had a tofu chocolate ice cream bar (I know it sounds nasty but seriously it is so good. My kids can't tell a difference) and it somehow ended up all over her face.
Finally she just gave in and let me take the picture. The girl loves her desserts!

What a Morning!

I know it is unusual to see 2 new blog posts in the same week from me but it has been quite a week. So this morning I woke up and noticed that my ring finger was massively swollen. I thought that I could just take my ring off and everything would be fine. But the ring wouldn't budge. Immediately I became claustrophobic and and started to panic. How was I going to get the ring off! Now if I was a truly dedicated blogger, I would have taken a picture of the finger but I guess I am not that dedicated. So I tried to use soap, lotion, butter, etc. Nothing worked. So I went online to see what I could do and again nothing worked. I think me trying all these things to try to get it off made it more swollen. So then I thought that I am going to have to get this ring cut off. Only it's my wedding ring. I don't want to cut my wedding ring. Isn't that bad luck or something?! So after I dropped my daughter off to school, I went to urgent care to have them cut it off. When I got there, they told me that my insurance is not covered under them and that I could spend $75 to have them cut it off. I guess I am too cheap to pay that kind of money to save my finger, so I left. I decided to go to a jewelry store and see if they can do it for me. It was 9:30 am and they didn't open until 10. I was a wreck! When they opened I went in and there was one lady in front of me. I cut in front of her and showed the guy my finger and started crying. I was seriously in pain. The lady held my baby while he cut my ring. Let me tell you the relief was welcoming. I thought I was never going to get it off. And to top it off, the guy didn't even charge me. I am so glad I didn't pay $75 to have urgent care do it. When I came home, I looked online and found other people who had this happen to them. I have a platinum ring as did these ladies and they said they are allergic to platinum. I wonder if I am allergic. I have had other reactions before but not swelling like today. I don't know if I should go to a doctor to be tested or if I should just get a new ring. All I know is that I am glad to have my finger back.

First Day of School

Well Mckenna started first grade. It was kind of hard to take my oldest to first grade. I took her to her line and watched her walk away from me for 6 hours. She was so excited. The hard part for her to get used to was going for the whole day. She was used to kindergarten which was only 3 hours. But she was excited to eat in the cafeteria and even more excited to have 3 recesses.



Now Karley didn't start school until the next week. She was totally excited because she wanted to be a big girl and go to school like her sister. We were in the car going to school and I was talking to her about how big she is getting and how I didn't want her to get any bigger. She then said to me that Heavenly Father and Jesus are the ones making her bigger but not President Monson. What a cutie! So yesterday was her first day. Now this is where it began. First of all, has anyone ever had those school dreams where you are not prepared but everyone else is. I have had dreams like that every time before I started school. This wasn't a dream. So I take Karley to school and we are anxiously waiting for her teacher to open the door. As I look around, I notice that every single parent has a white sheet in their hand. All of the sudden I start thinking "oh crap". So I turned to one parent and asked what it was. It was a sheet they gave us when we signed our kids up. And we needed to have it the first day so that our kids would be able to go to school. Now I just had a baby 4 months ago so I was going to use that excuse but there were 3 other women there with younger babies and they had those white sheets. So I just figured I would talk to the teacher about it. Then I notice that all the little girls had toys with them. So I turned to another parent and asked why her little girl had a toy. She told me that it was girl share day. What! How did she know this and I didn't! It was only the first day. So now Karley didn't have anything to share. I probably looked like the loser parent. And believe me, I felt like one. Luckily, I went in and talked with the teacher and she gave me all the paper work and told me it was ok not to have a toy. But you know she was really thinking I was a bonehead parent. I wanted to explain myself and reassure her that I am usually on top of things but I didn't. I hope this doesn't happen again but I know it will. And I will feel like a bonehead parent then too.

Just Because

I thought I would put these pictures on our blog just because they are so dang cute. We have been on a vacation but I am waiting for some pictures from my mom. So here are the girls.

I decided to put Olivia in the girls Elmo chair and she loved sitting up by herself.

The girls can't get enough of Olivia. They are always kissing her and talking to her. It is so dang cute!

I love when Olivia gets the shy smile.

Time Goes Too Fast

Last night I was just laying in bed thinking how fast time goes. I just finished feeding the baby and I realized she was already 3 months. It seems like yesterday that I just had her but then that also seems like a lifetime ago. She has changed so much in that 3 month period. She is more interactive and smiles all the time. I also started thinking how fast my two other girls have grown. I know they are only 3 and 6 but where did the time go. I realized that I need to enjoy the passage of time. I need to stop stressing out about every little thing and enjoy the time with my family. Because before I know it, they will be teenagers. And I can only imagine what that will be like. I already get the eye rolls.

Here is Mckenna at 2 years old. Isn't she so cute!

Here is Karley. She is just a little older than Olivia is right now. I love those big brown eyes.

Here is Olivia. She is just a cutie pie.

This is my life. This is my family. I have a wonderful husband and 3 great girls. I couldn't ask for anything more. So I am committing myself to enjoy my family more. Create more memories for them and me. So when the time comes and they are older, I will know where the time went. Spending it with my family.

What a Trip!

As I said in my last entry, my parents took our 2 older girls with them to Idaho. Then Ryan and I went to go pick them up later that week. I was hoping Ryan would have fun because the last time we were there it was just okay. We really had a fun time. My parents have a house on the golf course. So Ryan and my dad went golfing 2 days. My sister-in-law also came with my nephews. They were escaping all the fires from N. Cal. When my family gets together, we really do have a fun time. This was no exception.

These are our nephews and our girls. Aren't they cute!

Now Ryan and I love the movie "Napoleon Dynamite". So we decided that while in Idaho, we needed to go to Preston and check out all the movie sites. It was totally worth it. We wanted to stay longer but had to head back to Utah.

This is the front of the school.
"You know, there's like a boat-load of gangs at this school. This one gang kept wanting me to join because I'm pretty good with a bow staff."

Here is Pedro's house.
"You got like three feet of air that time."

This is the pole where Deb and Napoleon play tether ball. The pole is different but it is the spot. Check out the back ground.

"I Caught You a Delicious Bass"

This is the bowling alley where Uncle Rico and Kip discuss their business. We had a hard time finding this. Mckenna (our oldest) actually saw it first.

"We also need some way to make us look official, like we got all the answers." "How bout some gold bracelets? " "We need like some name tags with our picture on it, all laminated and what not. I mean, we gotta look legit man. "

This is not in the movie. It is the Cuttin' Corral. It is only mentioned when Napoleon says he gets his hair cut there... "I already get my hair cut at the Cuttin' Corral."


Here is Napoleon's house. I don't how they chose this house for him. It is so far from anything. We had a hard time finding it.
"Grandma just called and said you're supposed to go home."
"She didn't tell me anything."
"Too bad, she said she doesn't want you here when she gets back because you've been ruining everybody's lives and eating all our steak. "
"I'm not goin' anywhere, Napoleon."
"Get off my property!"
"It's a free country. I can do whatever I want."
"Get off my property or I'll call the cops on you.'
"Well then do it! Go on!"
"Maybe I will, GOSH!"

The one thing that we wished we had found was Uncle Rico's van. We have some friends who think they found it. They said it looked like it. They just found it on the street. That would have been the perfect ending to this great trip.

What A Wonderful Day!

Today we had the blessing for our 3rd little girl, Olivia. Our family and friends came to help participate with such a wonderful day. When we blessed our other two girls, they cried through the whole blessing. Olivia just cried at the very end. Then we came back to the homestead and had quite the feast of sandwiches, chips and fruit salad. When we were done gorging ourselves, my parents took my two older girls with them to Idaho. So right now it is just me, Ryan and the baby. What are we going to do with all this extra time!? It is nice to have a break but it is nice when they come back. Pretty soon I will start to miss their little voices.

Our little family

All three of our girls wore this blessing dress.

I love this picture.