Savannah's Secret Spot

Savannah has a secret hiding place for things she loves. I never realized how funny it was until I saw it from the other side. She will put treasures in the windows next to the front door (behind the shutters) to hide them. Here are some pictures.

All About Olivia

In honor of her being 7 months old, today is all about Olivia!

Likes:

• Savannah



• Daddy


• Mommy


• savannah's crocs



• toes (hers and anyone else's)
• her pacifier
• her blankie
• crawling

• smiling
• her walker
• baby food

Dislikes:

• being alone
  
• teething


• getting diaper changed


• too many savannah hugs

A Night Walk

One of our family favorites is to go on a walk around our neighborhood in the evening. We did this on Monday night. It is getting chilly (not cold) so we know that our walking days are numbered! It makes me sad. During the summer our whole neighborhood comes alive. On our walks we see friends and neighbors that go into hiding when the weather cools off! Eric thought the girls looked so cute, he went back into the house to grab the camera. I think this was a first! It was a fun walk not a lot of people out but it was still a good time.

The Sound of Music

One thing we found out in St George over our last visit was that the kids love the Sound of Music. Okay, so they don't love the whole movie. I was watching it since it was on ABC Family and I love it, when it got to the marionette part of the movie Savannah walked in. She LOVED it. And all the other kids loved it too! I think we played "the puppet show" several hundred times for all the kids! Funny how the simple little things make kids the happiest. I remembered "the puppet show" last night when Savannah didn't want to get her jammas on, so I offered it up. She put her jammas on all by herself in no time and was ready to watch it! I have a feeling "the puppet show" is here to stay!!

My Getting Ready Theory!

Okay, I have been meaning to post this for a whole week and well I just haven't! I have no excuses at all. I have this theory. It started while I was a student at the U of U. I shared it with friends and they would agree. If you get ready and look cute you will see no one! I mean you may run into people you see all the time but not really anyone you haven't seen for a long time. If you choose not to get ready (wearing sweats, no make up, hair in pony but not really combed) you will run into some one you haven't seen for quite some time! This happened last monday to me. I decided to run to Sonic, I needed it and I hadn't gotten ready that day. I was home with the kids for most of the day and I knew I was going to make jam that night. Nothing really pressing and it is nice to have a day off. I thought who would I see at Sonic except for the blonde boy who will bring me my drink. WRONG! I was ordering and right behind me pulls up a dear friend that I served in the Young Women's with in our first married ward. (She was YW president) I see her here and there. Well, once again, my theory was proven. This has not been the only time this theory has been proven. In fact, I think that it has been proven so many times that I am almost positive that is the reason I try to at least put make up on every day. That way I am faking the getting ready part of my day!

A little late but REALLY worth the wait!

My mom always makes something for her daughters for their birthday. This year was no different. I may have only recieved this a week ago but I have to say that it made my birthday extra special! We found this fun material that is in the middle at Pine Needles at Gardner Village. I loved it instantly. It is bright and fun! I think this is one of my favorite quilts that my mom has made me. Thanks Mom for a great gift! She got lots of compliments from her quilt group about it. One person even thought that another it was another lady's quilt! My mom was very flattered! I love the fact that my mom, who could probably buy anything and spoil us that way, will make us a gift every year! So much talent and love goes into everyone of her projects! Thanks again Mom! I love it!

A Few Crafts I have done

This is an earring holder (or a memo board) that I made for Nicole. I thought she needed a little pink in her life!


This earring holder is for Jacque. She has a really colorful bathroom complete with a stripey shower curtain that I gave her!

This is a J that I should have taken a better picture of. It is for our wall. Love the lime green!

Tagged!

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car)
Mitzi Explorer
2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fav ice cream flavor, favorite cookie)
Carmel Sugar
3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name)
N Jor
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)
Pinky Dolphin
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)
Josie Cerritos
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)
Nat Jo (funny huh? guess I have known it all along!)
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink put “The”)
The Sprite Blue
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)
Johnny Hiram
9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne, favorite candy)
Marc Jacobs M&M
10. WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names )
Belle Brent

I tag the following:
Ashley
Katherine
Leyla
Danielle O.
Anyone who is lurking and too afraid to start their own blog!

I made jam!

I made jam. I think this is the first time in about 10 years. I used to help my mom and dad make jam all the time. I loved to make raspberry jam. I have never done the whole process on my own. ( I did do strawberry freezer jam once.) But this is real jam! It was Peach Strawberry Jam. I got the recipe from my sister Kris and she had gotten it from her friend Cami. It is yummy! It was a lot of work to peel the peaches and stuff but I enjoyed it. I am quite proud of the fact that I am trying new things everyday. I also wonder if the Utah girl is me is coming out. Canning and what not. I never thought I would be a mom who would be all into this kind of stuff but I do enjoy completing a project and making things that can help us save money and live a better life. Okay maybe that is taking it too far, Jam & Salso won't necessarily save the world, but it will help me save a few pennies later on!

Olivia is Teething!

After a few mornings and late nights of Olivia screaming, we have found out what is the problem. We always suspected teething and we were right! This morning I saw two little white lines about to poke through her gums! I just love teething! NOT!! Poor Olivia is just miserable. She screams out in pain!! We are trying everything...so send suggestions our way! I need more sleep!

Yummy FIsh

Here is the recipe that I made the night I burned my hand. It has onions so I don't think this is for danielle but since she doesn't like fish I really don't need to worry about that!

2 T. Butter
1/2 cup green onions
1 cup mushrooms
1 t. ground thyme
4 pieces of fish

Dry fish, and salt fish. Put in a oven safe pan.
Melt butter, add onions, mushrooms, & thyme. Cook until softened. Pour over fish. Bake at 425 for 12 -18 minutes.

I doubled the recipe and eric still thought it needed more mushrooms. It was so good and so easy. Just beware of the clean up. You can use any type of fish. We used salmon but I want to try in on halibut. Enjoy!

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom & 911

Many have done it. Kami has done it. Liz has done it. Danielle's friend Joslyn wrote about it on her blog. Now I have done it. All of my family (except me) has simillar cell phone numbers beginning with 913. I was calling kris in a crisis over a book, that Lexi and Savannah were fighting over. Lexi brought her book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and Savannah thought it was hers and I couldn't find hers. I got the first call right to Kris. Then I went to call Eric. Being frazzled and just trying to get 2 girls ready for preschool, I misdialled. I started to call Kris and wouldn't you know it the second 1 stuck. I called 911. I tried to hang up but it started ringing. I hung up anyway. The operator was nice enough to call back. I explained the situtation and avoided the patrol car visit. I tell you these numbers are painful and embarrassing! The book was found on the kitchen counter and crisis was over! I just wish I hadn't had to involve the authorities!!

Burns & Aloe Vera

Last night we had fish for dinner. Found a great new recipe for baking fish. More on that later. So I put the fish in the oven to start baking. And I was cleaning up a little before actually eating, forgot that I had the burner on the stove on and was wiping up some green onions up that had fallen. You guess it! I wiped my bare hand over the burner that was still hot! (We have the smooth surface stove top!) It hurt so bad! I iced it for about 30 minutes. I was laying down because the pain was just so intense. I am not being whimpy but it really hurt!! I had Eric get the home remedies "Bible" that his mom gave us after we got married. I looked up burns and it said to put aloe vera on it. I tried it . Immediately the pain started to go away. The burn just seemed to be soaking up the aloe. I kept applying for a couple of hours and soon it no longer hurt and could actually move my hand! I never would have thought of this on my own! i just think of aloe for sunburns and not much else! So next time you have a kitchen burn use aloe vera! It also makes me wonder what else is it good for?

No time to blog!

Sorry, I haven't been blogging lately. I know you have all missed me so much! I just have been doing so much around the house. Okay, Ihaven't been cleaning. I know that is what I should be doing. I have done lots and lots of laundry! It seem like Savannah goes through 3 or 4 OUTFITS a day! I have been finishing craft projects and stuff like that. I will update you all on what is going on in our little lives and post pictures of what I have been working on!

Salsa Time!

Every fall since I became a stay at home mom, I have been making salsa. It is a great way for us to start the harvest season out and to eat A LOT of chips! On Friday Evening, I decided to start my salsa. I was going to wait until Mondaybut after gathering all the ingredients from the Farmer's Market on Friday morning, I decided to get a move on it. That and my mom offered to do the canning process on Satuday night if I had my salsa all done. This is the first year that I did most of it (excluding the canning part) at my own house. I usually go and spend the day at my mom's and do it there!! I did the tomatoes and all the peppers,onions, etc all on my own. The only part my mom helped me with (besides the canning) was she cut the onions up so I could put them in the food processor! I feel like I accomplished so much! My mom has been doing salsa for close to 30 years(since the moved to Utah) and she has had help (wanted or not) from my dad! They have perfected the recipe and it gets better every year!!! Thanks mom for teaching me how to do this!

Two Birthdays & A Wedding....

The twins turned nine yesterday. It is hard to believe that 9 years ago, we were all waiting at LDS hospital for them to arrive. I still remember when it all happened. I was at the dentist getting a filling or something. I had my cell phone on my chest and the dentist (old family friend) knew what was happening so he let me answer it any time it would ring. He would stop working and the whole office was waiting to hear what was happening. They arrived that day, 3 months early to a whole family excited for their arrival. We are still excited for their arrival and they still create quite a stir where ever they go! We love these special girls in our lives.

Jacque's good friend Kaati got married on this day. When I heard that she was getting married on this day, I knew it was a good thing! It was a beautiful wedding. I felt lucky to be included in such a special day! Danielle was my date. They wedding took place at Rose Sachs Gardens. It is located a few miles up Parley's Canyon! It was really pretty. The weather couldn't have been better. It was fun to be with a fun group. It was also nice to hang out with Jacque and her friends. We saw lots of people that we hadn't seen in a long time. It was like a mini sorority reunion! Thanks Kaati & Rich for a great time!





On a side note. September 8 is also Pat's birthday, a friend from single days. He once told me that I was the second coolest mormon he knew. And Givin, a dear friend from Tri Delta Days, had a baby boy, Dylan. This goes to prove the point that good things happen on this day!! (Congrats to Amber who had her baby boy on September 7th and missed this day by a few hours!)

Bar B Que Pins

I did Lexi's hair today and she wanted a bun. I sent Savannah to get the bobby pins out of the hair drawer. She brought them back to me and said, "Here are the Bar B Que Pins". Thanks Savannah for making be laugh! I don't know if I will ever be able to call them bobby pins again!

First Day of Preschool

It seems like lately we have a lot of firsts. Today it was preschool. We were ready early, despite Savannah's reluctance to get dressed. She had a good breakfast of pancakes. We took the first day of school picture by the front door. I remember these from my days of school. We left a few minutes early and coordinated with Kris and Lexi so they could go into class together. We walked into class and immediately sat down at a table. She was so content, I felt like I wasn't needed at all. We saw some friends whose daughter is going to be Savannah's classmate. It was a low key drop off. Kris shed a few tears at the school. When I saw Kris do it and I knew I had to be brave. I took a few pictures and then I left Savannah putting spots on Spot the dog. I then had two whole hours for just me and Olivia. Driving home I called Eric and told him how it all went well, then I pulled into the driveway and my tears came. My Savannah was at school. She is so big and on her own (kind of). Well, a few peppers and a feeding later. (I ran up to help my mom with her food processor and then stayed to help with her salsa!) I went back to get her. As the group of anxious moms grew, I notice a little pair of striped leggings sitting on miss emily's lap. (i went to preschool with miss emily) Sure enough, Savannah was having a hard time. It was breaking my heart. I wanted to run in and grab her and hug her. I waited patiently until the teacher opened the door and out came the cute little 3 year old preschoolers. I had a hard time not choking up. Miss Emily brought me Savannah. She explained that it was just at the last minute she was having a hard time. Heart still breaking. We started to leave and her teacher Miss Sue and Miss Darcy said, she was great, she really loves her mommy! I felt good and bad.. my little girl did need me!! So we made it through the first day. Savannah loved it. She showed me her papers and talked about eating dog food. (Combo of preztels, popcorn and something else) She told me about Spot the Dog. She said she wants to go back tomorrow. I guess she had fun. She is growing up. I know it is just preschool but it is amazing to think that 3 years have gone by so fast. I just want time to stop so we can enjoy these little moment longer.

the saddest day of the year...

To me the saddest day of the year is labor day. I know of some people who love fall and can't wait for Halloween and everything that comes with the season. I am not one of those people. I love not wearing socks (even if my feet are dried and cracked). I love the barbeques and the night walks and sitting on our tiny front porch (in our next house we are having a porch we can sit out on!). I love it all. I am not sure if it has to do with my birthday being in the summer or that there isn't a lot of structure to my day. I just love it. I like fall okay. I used to love being on campus at the U in the fall with the crisp days and starting of a new school year, but lately I just mourn summer until it comes again and I can take off my socks and not worry about whether I need a jacket or not. I am just happy that the weather doesn't know that today is labor day and it was still in the 90's! Good bye summer! I can't wait until we meet again!