Retro Trike

This week is sunny and COLD! The heater in our house is working overtime and I'm worried it's going to break. Lilly, Anisten, and I escaped the indoors for a few minutes outside in an attempt to get some Vitamin D from the sun's rays. We also were trying out Lilly's new retro Radio Flyer dual-deck tricycle equipped with streamers and a bell. So far the only part she knows how to operate is the bell, but the rest is coming. She is working on learning to steer, and her legs aren't quite long enough for the pettles. I bet by this spring she will be a danger on the road.

Momo's House

Last weekend our family packed up and headed over Snoqualmie pass headed for Prosser WA, to Momo's house. I enjoyed the slow pace, visiting, looking at old pictures, Papa's scrapbook, playing games. My aunts Sally and Amber visited with us. Lilly, aka Speedy Gonzales, had fun dodging and running away from Momo who was attempting to get Lilly's socks on her. Anisten melted into Sally's arms and took what seemed like a 3 hour snooze. Rylan did a lot of snoozing for that matter. I was nursing a minor wound and am doing much better now. Momo made the best Sunday dinner, pork roast, mashed potatoes, the whole bit. I got to see my best girlfriend Abbie who was in town for her brother Dane's wedding reception. Abbie is 7 months pregnant and looking fabulous. On the drive home we were getting close to Kirkland. I told Lilly we were almost home and she would be sleeping in her own bed. She started to cry and through sobs repeated many times "Momo's house, me". Lilly wanted to go back to Momo's! I LOVE this photo of momo brushing Lilly's hair, Lilly looking in to the mirror.

Momo (my mother's mother)

Amber, Sam, and Travis

Groovy Girls


Layne and Abbie

Bill waiting for grandbabies.....

Anisten's 3 Month Photos

Anisten has discovered her hands! Her little pink sausage fingers are constantly in her mouth, or attempting to grab at toys. She continues to be the easiest baby ever, sleeping most of the day. She smiles and laughs, such a happy girl. She brings our whole family so much joy.

Grandmas Love Babies

Dress-Up

We are finding out that Lilly loves to play dress up, change her clothes mid-day, and/ or just plain take all her clothes off. Ahh, the life of a two-year-old.

Too cool

Princess

What'll it be?

Shepherd

Christmas Day

Merry Christmas from Anisten

Giggles

Anisten laughs and smiles all the time. You tickle her and she giggles, it's so cute.

Tummy time, not her favorite. She is rolling over sometimes from tummy to back. She is getting stronger and has good neck control.

Tagged

Corinne tagged me and I have to post 7 random/weird things about myself and then tag 7 other people at the end of the blog, and if possible in the comments section of their blogs. I must be weird because it was easy to come up with stuff. Here goes...

1) I'm a closet sewer. I have a sewing machine and randomly make things, mend things, hem things. Shh, don't tell.
2) I have an angel collection. How old lady-ish is that. Each year I display them during Christmas. I find myself admiring them more than I should. I buy more to add to the collection at the after Christmas sales.
3) Rylan and I were on the verge of obsession for the last two seasons of So You Think You Can Dance. We watched every episode, called in to vote for our favorites, checked the website to read up on our favorite dancers. I attempted to buy tickets to their tour, but they sold out in the first 11 minutes, I never got more than a busy signal. And most recently, we are signing up for a West Coast Swing class so we can be just like Benji and Laci!
4) I just recently took a Wood shop class. Basically everyone in there were middle aged men. Although I was an oddball in the group the guys were very helpful, nice. I felt a little awkward the night they invited me out to the bar for beers after class. See post below for a picture of my project.
5) I do a good Michael Jackson impression. It's not what you think, I don't grab my crotch, twirl, and yell like a little girl. It's my nose. I'll have to post a picture....
6) Um, I should probably shave my legs more frequently than I do. I have blond leg hair and think I can get away with not shaving for longer periods of time. One summer I was exploring the earth mother in me, I didn't shave for like three months. He he.
7) I'm the only person I know that doesn't like blueberries. They are gritty and taste like dirt. Huckleberries are my fav. I'm also very picky about the taste of milk. If it tastes weird, or tastes like plastic, I'll dump it down the sink. I'm basically down to one brand that I'll buy, Organic Valley. Great, now I sound like a picky eater.

I don't know 7 people with blogs...
The following people are tagged: Abbie Rufener, LeighAnn Beard, Rylan Evans, Brittany McCulloch, Kristen Evans, Kevin Evans.

Woodworking Class

I got this crazy idea that I could make a wooden child's size kitchen. My dad made one for my sisters and I when we were little. I remember what it looked like and have memories playing with it. I signed up for a woodworking class, bought the materials, and draughted my own design. I missed the first class because I was in the hospital delivering Anisten. I didn't miss a class after that. I was one of the only women in class, the rest were middle aged men. I learned to use a table saw, jigsaw, band saw, miter saw, router, drill, nail gun, and others. I loved having a project to do. It came together relatively well. I'm still working on the details, knobs, sink, faucet, burners, and am putting a clear varnish on that accents the wood. Shhh, it's Lilly's Christmas presant. Finished picture to come...

Here Comes Santa Clause

Lilly asked "Danta" for a puppy. Oh no! These were taken at our ward party on Dec 7. This was the third Santa's lap Lilly had sat on, spoiled girl. She was afraid of the first one. Anisten was a little angel wearing her pink Santa suit, we called her "Santa Baby" all evening. Cheers.

Lilly's 2 Year Old Pictures

Lilly would not hold still for these photos. I'm shocked that any of these turned out. All the poses are Lilly just being her self. She was running all over the background. What a carefree age eh?

Snowy Almond Bonbon Cookies

I got this recipe from a relief-society thing this year. These cookies are delicious and are easy to make. They take a little longer to make but are worth it! They go great with hot chocolate as an after dinner treat. Almond paste is hard to find, I prefer it in the can and at Safeway, it is near the baking chocolate or evaporated milk. These cookies are small, so double or triple the batch for a large party. I wish I had a picture to post...

Snowy Almond flavored Bonbon Cookies

INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 C Flour
1/2 C Softened Butter
1/3 C Powdered Sugar
2T Milk
1/2 t Vanilla
1/2 package Almond paste
Sugar sprinkles
Almond Frosting

Almond Frosting:
1 C Powdered Sugar
1/2 t Almond Extract
roughly 4-5 t Milk

DIRECTIONS
1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
2) Mix flour, butter, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla with an electric mixer. Cut almond paste into 24 even pieces. Shape cookie dough around each piece of almond paste forming small balls.
3)Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 10-12 minutes, or until set and bottom is golden brown.
4)Whip up almond frosting, make it on the thin side
5)Move balls to wire rack and let cool completely. Roll in almond frosting. Sprinkle top with sugar sprinkles. Let them set out so frosting forms a semi-hard shell.