Family Fun

My side of the family are all in town (22 of us in all), and we had (almost) everyone over for dinner yesterday. Missy and Little Dude are getting spoiled non-stop with all of the attention from their cousins. They LOVE having cousins in town. Here is a run-down of our fun day yesterday.

Making sugar cookies for the kids to decorate.

Eating dinner at the kids table.

There was lots of kissing

and lots of rocking out. This game is soooo much fun and addictive!

Baby Belly loved rocking out to John Denver with Uncle Dave.

Happy Holidays!

Most Dangerous Recipe

I hope that I am not the only one who, after the kids are tucked into bed, runs to the pantry in search of any yumminess I can find (not everynight... usually). Yes, I am a night time dessert hoarder. I found the below recipe from a friends blog, and just had to share. So this recipe, is for all of those who sometimes find themselves desperately needing a little yumminess - and quick.

Most Dangerous Recipe in the World

Chocolate Cake in a Mug

1 hot chocolate mug

Add & mix well with a fork:

4 tbs flour

4 tbs sugar

2 tbs cocoa

Add & mix well

1 egg

Add & mix well

3 tbs milk

3 tbs oil

little vanilla

3 tbs chocolate chips

Put the mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes on 1000 watts. Cake will rise to the top - but it won't flop over. Cool a little, and dip onto a plate. The chips sink to the bottom.

***My note: I thought it was a little too rubbery with 1 whole egg. So I doubled the recipe EXCEPT the egg and put it in 2 mugs. Not bad for chocolate cake in 3 minutes!! ENJOY!

Christmas Lights

We made our annual trip to see the Oakland Temple Lights on Friday with the youth in the ward. We had a fun time eating pizza, visiting with friends & youth, seeing the new bronze scuptures in the Visitor's Center, and drinking hot cocoa. Last year while we were there, there was a small earthquake. Luckily no earthquake this year!

One of these things is not like the other...

This is a picture of a typical day in Missy's room. Her room is stuffed with papers, notes, and things she collects from around the house. Before she was 2, she had earned the nickname Clepto Callie because of her love to take things and stuff them in her room. If I can't find something or it's missing, the first person I ask is Missy :) Organization doesn't come naturally for Missy.

This is a picture of a typical day in Little Dude's room. His queen size bed always made and toys never left on the floor ( I'm a little surprised there is a pillow on the floor actually). Little Dude can't stand to not put away things after he uses them, and will ask his friends before they leave to help him clean up. ( I don't think he's this great at cleaning up at other's houses though.... ). Organization and cleanliness is his thing.

Since these two are such opposities.... I'm wondering which one Baby Belly will follow... I know which one I am hoping for :)

Cher's Birthday Top Ten List

I had such a wonderful birthday. Thank you to everyone who thought of me and made me feel so wonderful!!! Here is my birthday top ten list (in no particular order):

10. Jeff making me breakfast for dinner the night before my birthday because he couldn't make me breakfast on my actual birthday. (raspberry waffles with cream -yum!)

9. My friends surprising me with the biggest, yummiest, chocolate cake the night before my birthday at my vinyl night.

8. Going to a movie matinee and lunch with my husband. A middle of the day date is so awesome!

7. Seeing Twilight with Jeff :) (besides from some bad acting, freaky Jasper, and some awkardness it was pretty enjoyable).

6. Getting homemade cards from my children with their "Favorite Things about Mom" listed in them. (these made me laugh! There were a couple that surprised me.... like " she lets me vacuum" and " she decorates the house" )

5. Lunch with my friends the day after my birthday. Birthdays need to be celebrated all week we decided.

4. All of the cards, phone calls, and gifts from family & friends.

3. Running clothes and perfume from Jeff.

2. My birthday note from Jeff ( it made me cry.... but it was a good cry :)

1. Feeling so loved, spoiled, and thought of on my birthday! Everyone should feel this good on their birthday.

Say Goodbye To My Little Friend

I have become addicted to this magical elixir. It has become my best mid-afternoon friend. It all started about month 5 of my pregnancy with Baby Belly. I learned that I had gained 7lbs in one month from drinking Gatorade almost every day for a little energy boost. I only gained 17 lbs total throughout the pregnancy, so 7 lbs in one month resulted in many tears after hearing the doctor tell me I needed to watch what I eat. I immediately started looking for something else to give me a little pick me up during the day, without packing on the pounds. Soon my love for Diet Pepsi was born.

Why am I now stopping? I have completely become addicted to it. I crave it throughout the day, and rarely go a day without having some. Some days I drink more Diet Pepsi than water. (Yuck I know!!) So I am saying adios to it once and for all. Hopefully I won't go back to the Gatorade :)

Thanksgiving Week

We had a great Thanksgiving Week. We had a fun visit from Rebecca and Peter. Missy and Little Dude loved playing with their cousins and Uncle Peter. It was great to see you guys!