Dress up with Waimea (Lizzie's BFF!!!)

Don't the jewels bring out my eyes?

Playing dress up

Do you like my Bling?

Mandi brought out some of her jewelry that her sister is making and what did the girls do? Go crazy for it!!!! Lizzie LOVED putting all the different necklaces and bracelets on, she was in girl paradise. Lizzie wore the necklaces for about an hour she kept taking them off, and then putting them back on. I guess I need to get her some dress up jewelry. Waimea and Lizzie always find the fun in every situation!

Thanks Elkington's for the super fun day!

Hooray for Lizzie!!!

Lizzie is a BIG GIRL today!! She went pee in the potty!

*Thanks to her BFF Waimea for showing her how!

FHE with The Parkers

Driving to FHE...so excited to see cousins
Lizzie and Stephanie coloring
Parker is the only one I could get to smile.. figures...

The Parkers from Lake Forrest came up to party with us for FHE. We had a great time playing with the cousins, and learning about the temple. Lizzie and Stephanie loved coloring their pictures while eating brownies.

SICK KIDS ARE NO FUN!!!

Let me just start this off by saying that when Lizzie hits Kindergarten she will NEVER get sick since your immune system will dodge all the yucky sick bugs out there. Lizzie since she was born it seems like she LOVES to get sick... Every time we take a trip in to see Dr. Shah he is amazed that we are back again. Lizzie has been sick since the 13th with a high fever, runny nose, and cough. Dr. Shah keeps reminding me that her lungs sound clear even though she sounds horrible. Plus, this time when we went in to visit him he noticed a vast amount of ear wax in her right ear. So he started digging it out, and cleaned the lil bugger out. I read today that a high fever means that the immune system is working harder which is good thing when fighting a cold. I just feel bad when she is sick so long and isn't her happy self. I keep thinking she is teething her back molars, but who know. I just want her fever to go away already it has been over a week already!!!!

*But the positive side of this post is that she LOVES to cuddle when she is sick, and I rarely get moments like that when she is her happy self. Thanks goodness for sick days!

I'm so grateful!!!!

Let me just start off this post about how grateful I am to have AMAZING friends. For those who watch Lizzie for me, Bring me soup when I am sick, bring me sour cream since the weather is horrible and Lizzie is too sick to take out of the house, bring over a spring form pan so that I can make a certain type of dessert for the missionaries coming over tonight, dropping off papers so I don't have to drive all over town to get the information I need for Primary or any other calling I have had in the Church, a listening ear when I just can't take it anymore, going out to lunch just for fun, making treats together, and always a shoulder to cry on. Thanks to ALL the women out there that have done a nice deed for me!

I'm extremely grateful for you in my life!

Bacon and Potato Soup

*Have you been looking for the perfect soup for that cold night? Here it is!!! Trust me it is amazing!


What You Need
1 Tbsp. butter or margarine
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped celery
1 can (14-1/2 oz.) reduced sodium chicken broth
1-1/4 cups milk
2 baking potatoes, baked, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
8 slices OSCAR MAYER Center Cut Bacon, crisply cooked, crumbled and divided
3/4 cup KRAFT Cheddar CLASSIC MELTS Cheddar & American, divided
2 Tbsp. green onion slices, divided
1/4 cup BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream


Make It
MELT butter in heavy saucepan or Dutch oven. Add onions and celery; cook and stir 5 min. or until crisp-tender. Add broth, milk, potatoes, salt and pepper; bring just to boil, stirring constantly. Slightly crush potatoes with back of spoon. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 5 min., stirring frequently.


RESERVE 2 Tbsp. each of the bacon and cheese and 1 Tbsp. of the green onions for toppings; set aside. Add remaining bacon, cheese and green onions to soup just before serving; cook until cheese is melted, stirring constantly.


SERVE topped with reserved bacon, cheese, green onions and sour cream.

Valentine's Weekend with my Hubby in Vegas!

Let me just start this post off with telling all of you in the blogging world that I have the most AMAZING husband! He planned a getaway weekend for us to Vegas without any help from me. I was ONLY in charge of finding a place for Lizzie to go. I knew David would do a great job, since his surprises are always a lot of fun. We started off the weekend by dropping Lizzie off with my parents so she could spend with weekend with Gigi, Steve, the kids, and my parents. Lizzie had a great time playing with her cousins and visiting everyone up the mountain even though she was sick the whole time.

THANKS TO EVERYONE TO WATCHED OUR GIRL FOR US!

So David got us reservations at The Luxor... I have always wanted to stay there so I could ride on the inclindators (The elevators they go up the sides of the pyramid) Let me just tell you they are a lot of fun! When we checked in I asked if we could stay in a room where we would be able to ride them, she did a quick switch-a-roo in the computer and we were up on the 19th floor. It was really high! Our room overlooked the freeway and New Orleans Hotel, but it was still a pretty sight at night with all the Vegas lights going... Then we headed over to the RIO, and ate at the LARGEST BUFFET (I think in the World if I got that right?) Let me just tell you the food is AMAZING!!! There is food from every country, plus they have a Gelato bar... what more could you ask for? David and I were stuffed so we headed back to the hotel.

The next day we headed down the Strip to see what we could find. We were going to see a show, but we didn't want to stand in line for tickets so we just took in the sights. I was SUPER hungry all morning and I needed to eat but EVERY place was packed full of people and the wait was FOREVER!!!! So we ended up talking to an employee at the Paris Hotel, and they gave us directions to Ellis Island Casino and Bar. It is behind Bally's, and the prices of their food were way reasonable and you got a ton of food for the price. (A Little secret of Vegas check it out next time you are in town)

So we headed back to the Strip and ended up back in the Paris Hotel since I wanted a Peanut Crepe SUPER BAD!!! let me just tell you, they aren't as good as the one's I had in Paris, France, but they are the best I have found in the States! (*Another hint: Next time you are in the Paris Hotel go into the bathroom! Trust me you won't be disappointed!!! Over their PA system they teach you pick up lines in French! What more could you need? I was dying... so I text David and told him to check them out too)

Maybe someday we can visit the REAL Eiffel Tower together in Paris, but this will have to do for now...

The Arc De Triumph.. .Why aren't there 21 streets trying to attach themselves to this round-a-bout like in Paris?

After a great day on the Strip (we had more adventures, but too many to name) we headed back to our Hotel to get ready for the Valentine's Dinner David had set up. He told me the restaurant was around Planet Hollywood Hotel and the only restaurant I saw I was PF Chang's, and I was excited about that, but that wasn't where he was taking me. David took me to PAMPUS Brazilian Grill, and let me tell you it's out of this world!!!! Super yummy! It is located in the Miracle Mile Shops connected to Planet Hollywood Hotel.

Sunday we headed to church and found some ward in downtown Vegas. The Young Men of the ward spoke and it was really good. One of the Young Men talked about how he was struggling with the Gospel and how one of his leader gave him a scripture to read, and how he never gave up on him, and now he is preparing for a mission. It is amazing to see how each leader in the church are examples to our children and youth even though sometime they think we are dorks, we really are there to help lead and guide them. Changing topics now it was making me crazy though cause everyone had their kids there, and I was missing Lizzie so BAD! David and I just watched the little kids do such cute things, and we both looked at each other and smiled knowing how much we missed our girl.

Thanks Hunny for the AMAZING getaway!! You are always so thoughtful and loving and make me feel like a Queen! We hope you had a great Valentine's Day too!

FHE Valentine Style

FHE this past week was a lot of fun. We had sticky chicken, rice, jello, veggies, and rolls. Then for dessert we had Valentine Sugar cookies made by Marla! Since Lizzie, Jarren, and Ashlyn finished their dinner they were able to decorate the cookies for the family. I think they turned out pretty good... look at those decorators go! I especially LOVE this picture of Ashlyn! She is growing up so fast, and before we all know it she will be in High School. I just love moments like like this... A family that decorates cookies together... stays together!

Then for our lesson Marla and Josh made homemade valentine's for the WHOLE family where we were able to write down someone we LOVED about each person in our family.

I WON!!!! I LOVE PBS!

So the other day I was watching PBS with Lizzie.. oh wait that is an understatement I watch PBS with Lizzie EVERYDAY, but to get back to my point... and PBS has a NEW website for Parents now. I wanted to check it out to see what it all involved, and I came across the SuperSisters Blog. So I quickly scrolled down their blog and noticed that EACH DAY they raffle prizes off if you post on their blog. So I did it not thinking I would win, and what happened... I WON a Jay-Jay Jet Plane movie and some other fun stuff. PLUS they are giving away a FREE Printer and some other cool prizes!!!

ALL MOMS should check it out!!!! http://www.pbs.org/parents/supersisters/

WE HAVE BEEN ATTACKED!!!

So this morning David and I woke up to the sound of rain, and I just love these kinds of morning when you can turn on the fireplace and drink some hot chocolate. Well David got ready for work and I laid in bed like all mornings. Well David came back and got me out of bed to look at the front door. I was thinking " OH no we have water all the way up to our front door... FLOODING!!!" but instead I found this!!!! Thanks to whom ever heart attacked us!!! We sure feel special!!!

Parker's 4th Birthday

So the day finally came... Parker is OFFICALLY 4!!! I can remember when he was just little, Marla probably feels like her little baby is now a BIG boy! Thanks to Chani and Marilyn for a great pony party. The kids got so excited when the pony showed up and they each were able to get a ride. Lizzie LOVED the pony she did really good holding her daddy's hand as the pony walked around the backyard. The weather really cooporated too, it didn't start raining until all the kids were on their second ride. Mr. Birthday Boy on the pony

Lincoln and Lizzie enjoying some snacks waiting for their tur with the pony

Mommy and Lizzie enjoying the nice weather Momma... Look at me!!! David the cowboyChecking out the ponyMy all time favorite.. Lizzie giving a thumbs up... Papa would be so proud of his little rider!

Getting ready for Valentine's Day

Well since Christmas baking didn't happen since I was so sick as most of you read.. I decided to adventure this Valentine's and do a little baking. It is a family tradition in our family to make homemade sugar cookies and decorate them and leave them for Santa. I was sad that I didn't get to partake in that tradition so instead I think I'm going to start a NEW tradition for Valentine's and make the cookies then. They are super yummy and moist.. and are all that a cookie should entail. This was the first time Lizzie has tasted one, and let's just say she LOVED THEM!!! Instead of lunch we ate cookies and frosting.. the BEST lunch a girl could ever have.. right?

Lizzie can do it!!!

The other day Kera, the kids, and I took a trip over to Cawston Park in San Jacinto. It is a cute park in the middle of a quaint neighborhood, and I thought it would be the BEST place for the kids to play. Let me just remind you it was 80 degrees outside just a week ago. Well at this park there are 2 different playgrounds one for younger kids with smaller slides and climbing equipment, and then there is the BIG KID playground with the BIG twisty slide and swings and climbing equipment. Well I guess Lizzie thought since Kera's kids were playing on the BIG KID equipment that Lizzie should too. So there she goes climbing the HUGE stairs up to the BIG twisty slide. I asked Kera if she would stand at the bottom to catch Lizzie... and let me just tell you she LOVED IT!!! She must have done it 8 times. She thought she was so BIG!!! I was so proud of her!!!! She is only 14 months and going down the BIG SLIDE... she is growing up way too fast. Then we took a trip over to McDonald's so the kids could get a snack and play a little more. Lizzie once again thought she should play with the BIG kids and climb up the tree towards the slide. Well Lizzie can climb stairs well, but she can't come down them. SO here is a picture of Lizzie at top of the tree, and not knowing how to get down.. Thanks Kera for climbing up the tree and getting Lizzie down, because there was no way I could have done it.

LIZZIE'S RANDOMNESS

I want you!
CHEEEEESSSSE!!!

Lizzie loves to eat her snacks right here!!! It is in front of the kitchen sink, not the greatest place for when I'm cooking

Look at that pose!!! I love my girl!! check out that hair

The clothes she mostly wears.. you got jammies!!!!


THINGS LIZZIE LOVES

SHOWS:

1. Elmo's World/ or anything Elmo
2. Blue's Clues
3. Super Why
4. Sid the Science Kid

FOOD:

1. Mac and Cheese
2. Twisler's
3. Gummy bears
4. Veggies
5. Captain Crunch
6. Fruity Pebbles

TOYS:

1. Ball Pit
2. Putting toys in something and then taking them out (repeating action)
3. Dominoes
4. Ball Popper

ACTIONS:

1. Dancing
2. Loves giving Kisses to family. friends, books
3. Blowing kisses to strangers
4. Running
5. Doing the moon walk
6. Playing with her friends
7. walking sideways

"SAYS":

1. Dada
2. Momma
3. YES!
4. I did it!
5. Baba- the only animal sound she can make
6. Papa
7. Night-Night

MY HUSBAND IS GENIUS!!!!

Sorry to the blogging world for neglecting you. My husband had such a GENIUS idea, that is another reason why I married him. We were talking one morning before Church about how I lost the cord for the camera. He was confused and lead me into the office and showed me the USB Compact Flash Reader, and asked if this is what I was looking for. I TOTALLY forgot about that. So now I am able to upload pictures that are on my Cannon so now I just need to tote that along where ever we go now!!! HOORAY WE ARE BACK!!!!