Catch Up..

Father's Day was great. We had Stake Conference and Elder Bendar was visiting. It was amazingggg. That is for another post.

Kate colored a card that we made for Matt. It was really sweet.

Matt REALLY loves to get gifts!
They are inlove
I am inlove



Kate has been making this face a lot.
And pulling funny faces when the camera comes out.


We just finished up swimming lessons! It was a long two weeks, but we pulled through!




Those two top teeth are giving us a run for out money. She was up at any given hour all last week! Thankfully, she has gotten back to sleeping all night. She slept in until 11:20am this morning!!!!
Love my little Munch.

Helllooooo?

I did it! Are you here? Did you make it over? Check in!

Now that I am "private" I might start posting bikini pictures. Watch out.

Kidding. So kidding.

Night Downtown

Free concert at the park?
Yes please.
Taco Bell. Kettle Corn. Big Band. Matt. Kate. And a dance floor.
Just my kinda of summer night.

Kate cut in. It is ok. I understand he has two girls now.
Us three.
Love this face. I kiss it 100 times daily.
Kate likes quesadillas mucho.

Goodnight, sleep tight. (Yeah right)

I toss, I turn.
Fan on, fan off.
Feet out, feet in.
Pillow, no pillow.
Sheets, no sheet.
Snuggle, no snuggle.
Stomach, then back.
Fetal position, to flat out.

You would think after 24 years of sleeping I would know what works. I wake up tired and all my muscles tight. A headache.

Matt is going crazy. I move all night long. He says I "jump" when I turn over.

When I do finally fall asleep, I am never really all the way asleep, because the mother in me, is always listening for crying in the next room over.

He would snuggle all night long if he has his way. I get too hot in a matter of minutes, and sometimes within seconds with my very own werewolf, Jacob, I mean Matt.

The bird. Oh how I hate the bird. Specifically the crow that makes the worst sound in the world and wake us up at 5:30 am.

When the top sheet is on, my feet are squished at the bottom of the bed all night. I wake up and I feel like I have been doing ballet for 9 hours.

Are my nights full of sweet dreams and deep sleep over?

really love this girl of mine

Listen up...

I am taking advantage of all my mama readers out there, yet again. Tips and advice appreciated.

1. All the sippy cups I have bought- LEAK or she hates them.
2. We are taking swim lessons, and she just freaks when I dunk her. Do I keep doing it? She has to learn right? But I don't want her to be scared of getting in the water everytime! I might have to call Dr. Laura about this one.
3. All of a sudden she only wants one nap! Are the two-a-days already over?
4. Baby Einstein's signing video is getting a little old. Any good ones to suggest?
5. She won't drink milk out of anything but a bottle. WHY?! I am so over those things.
6. She has started waking up at night. Whyyyyy?!
7. Does your heart eventually just burst? I love her more and more everyday..how is it possible!?

checkin' in.

I am busy doing nothing.
And by nothing, I mean, nothing really exciting.
Just the stuff that makes our life go round.
Ya know...laundry, dishes, changing diapers, swim lessons, house hunting, cartoons, reading to kate, snuggles, dates with my lover.
That kinda stuff.
The good stuff.
I like this kinda busy.

Remember...

when Matt and I, use to be the star of this blog?


Saturday night we were bored and decided to try out our tent.

We ate popcorn.
We watched a movie.
And we slept (on an air mattress) while it rained.
It was the perfect campout.
All in the comfort of the backyard.

Kate at 1 year

Kate is still my best little friend. We have figured each other out. We work well together. I can make her happy, and she can send me over the moon. I love my little girl (baby!).





She...
is beautiful
loves to be close to her mama at all times
is starting to get picky about food
25 pounds
is getting her two top teeth and is not very happy about it
crawls on her hands and knees
loves walking along the furniture
hates going to the doctor
getting less chubby (sad)
loves going down the slide at the park
sleeps in "child's pose"
loves her brown and pink blankie and clear nummy
will not drink milk out of anything but her bottles
has silky light brown hair that is growing so fast
only likes one type of sippie cup
shakes her head "no" when she doesn't want something
signs: baby, more, and kinda of mama and dada
says: mama, dada, DOP! and sometimes repeats some animal sounds
loves to be outside
has the softest skin
wears size 2T pants
size 4 diapers
pooped in the bathtub this week, yuck
might be allergic to cow's milk
loves avocados, eggs, orange juice, corn, beans, and anything sweet
doesn't like: raspberries, and Cheerios
has the cutest laugh
is the most happy at 6:30 when Matt drives up
goes to bed at 7:45/8pm and wakes at 8:00/8:30pm
takes two naps, two hours each
is an angel

Kate...

She is on the move*!!! My job just got kicked up a notch!

Is there a pay increase?
Yes...
Wet, wet, slobbery, licky kisses from Kate, with an occasional "love bite"!
I'll take it!

*Crawling on knees (finally!), but prefers to walk with help. She took 3 steps alone last night!

The Party People!

Now, to the best part! It was so fun to have everyone over to celebrate Kate's First Year!

Here is the Birthday Girl! She has just woken up and was in total amazement of all the people and decorations. She has this look on her face pretty much the whole time!


She figured out how to use the noise makers! Matt was so proud!
My pretty girl! Look at those lips!
She loved the frosting, but didn't want it on her hands. I had to hold her cupcake!
Then she got a little more into it!

Here are some of Kate's guest:

Grammy and Grandpa Bewsey
Uncle Nate and Aunt Jamie
Uncle Dave
Her cute cousins
Mops
Dawn and Spenc
Brooke, Ashlyn and Bryant
Grandma Pam and Aunt Michele
Aunt Dawn and Uncle Bob, and Addie Goose
The Edmonds
Naners

And our little family!

Baby Dane

Do you love the fuzzy back and the tiny rolls on his arm?
For a few more, click here.

The Party: Food (always the best part)

The kids especially loved the peanuts to snack on before dinner was served.

The pasta was amazing, if I do say so myself. My mom's fresh mint made the lemonade somethin' special.

And my Lemon Basil to add fresh to the pasta!

Mops' (my grandma) Homemade Vanilla Icecream was perfect to go with our cupcakes.
We made 85 cupcakes, we had about 25-30 people at the party, and there was 4 left over!
Red Velvet, Lemon Cream, and Chocolate. I gained mucho lbs. in one day.

My mom's silver added a dainty touch, don't ya think?


Lemon Pasta
(The Lemon Pasta turns out pretty light tasting, even though it has a lot of cream. It is so yummy,easy and a great summer pasta.)

1 T. Olive oil
1 cup cream
3 lemons (juiced an zested)
4 garlic cloves
Salt and Pepper
Basil (however much you want)
Cherry tomatoes, cut in half
Parmesan cheese

Saute garlic in olive oil on medium heat.
Add cream, lemon juice and zest.
Add kosher salt and pepper, to taste.
Let simmer until thickened.

Cook pasta, add sauce and toss with basil, tomatoes and Parmesan cheese!
(If too tart, add cream, and I added a little sugar!)

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato, Roasted Red Pepper, and Artichoke Pasta
(Matt's aunt gave me this recipe and it was everyone's favorite! It is a little spicy, which I love!)

4 Servings
30 Minutes, 10 minutes prep

1lb bow tie pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 cloves garlic, pressed
1/2 cup onions, diced
3/4 cups sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
1 (7oz.) jar roasted red peppers, drained and chopped
1/2 cup basil, chopped (firmly packed)
5 green onions, sliced
1 can water-packed artichoke hearts
1/2 cup asiago cheese
1 cup whipping cream
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 cup reserved pasta water

Cook bowties according to package directions
Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water
Heat Oil in a large pan
Add garlic and onion, cook until translucent
Add tomatoes and roasted peppers
Cook for 3 minutes, stir in red pepper flakes
Add artichoke hearts and cook 3 minutes
Add whipping cream and asiago cheese
Allow to simmer until it starts to thicken
Stir in basil and green onion
Season with salt and pepper
Toss with bowties
Add 1 cup reserved pasta water to make saucier


Red Velvet Cupcakes
(Who doesn't love a Red Velvet Cupcake? These were yummy)

Makes 30 (1 cupcake) servings.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes

INGREDIENTS
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
1 bottle (1 ounce) Red Food Color
2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract
Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe follows)

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt in medium bowl. Set aside.
2. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Mix in sour cream, milk, food color and vanilla. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until just blended. Do not overbeat. Spoon batter into 30 paper-lined muffin cups, filling each cup two-thirds full.
3. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted into cupcake comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire rack 5 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely. Frost with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting.

Lemon Cream Cupcakes
(Everyone's favorite cupcake! I crave these everyday! I added way more lemon zest)

INGREDIENTS
* 1 cup butter or margarine, softened
* 2 cups sugar
* 3 eggs
* 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 2 cups sour cream
* FROSTING:
* 3 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
* 2 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
* 2 tablespoons lemon juice
* 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1/4 teaspoon grated lemon peel
* 1 tablespoon milk

DIRECTIONS

1. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add lemon peel and vanilla; mix well. Combine dry ingredients; add to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream (batter will be thick). Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups with 1/4 cup of batter. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. For frosting, cream butter and sugar in a small mixing bowl. Add lemon juice, vanilla, lemon peel and milk; beat until smooth. Frost cupcakes.


Cream Cheese Frosting
2 3-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature
.5 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
.5 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
.25 teaspoon pure almond extract
2.5 cups sifted powdered sugar


In a mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese, butter, vanilla extract and almond extract until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in 1 1/2 cups of the powdered sugar, beating well. Gradually beat in as much of the remaining sugar as needed to reach a comfortable spreading consistency.

It was a long couple days in the kitchen, but it paid off!