One Year Check

18 lbs 12 oz
29 inches
Head off the charts---over 100%
(Gracie was the exact same at this age--big head too; Ava was 20.6)

Doc suggested I give him Pediasure. What the heck? Why can't my kids hit the 20 lb mark at a year? Yet, they have these massive craniums!

Breck finally decided to act like a normal kid and cry for his shots. I was actually relieved thinking "Wow my kid can feel pain!"

A Good Time.....

Was Had By All!

The only present Breck got from Santa. Santa decided that Breck would have more fun playing with wrapping paper than a bunch of expensive toys......Santa was right! Good thing he's got Grandpa and Grandma Shepherd to spend their money on the fun toys.

Two girls are VERY excited about their cameras. They'll be broken in no time. Good thing Santa has an endless supply of money...ha ha!

Couldn't resist doing a black and white pic.

Happy Annibirthary

The weird title reflects the fact that we got married on Ryan's 22nd birthday so every year we celebrate our annibirthary. It's quite annoying really. I always feel like Ryan gets the shaft, and it makes me feel bad. It just makes it awkward. It's like, "Hmm...maybe I'll get up and make Ryan breakfast for his birthday." But he is thinking the same thing. "Hmm...maybe I'll get up and make Rachel breakfast for our anniversary." So please all of you readers that aren't married, don't get married on your fiance's birthday. Maybe we will start celebrating 1/2 b-days or something.

But to get to the juicy part.....well there was no juicy part, because the other part of the equation is that this all takes place three days before Christmas so there is usually never any money to celebrate. I kept teasing Ryan all day about the "7 year itch." ;-)

A lot has happened in the last 7 years, but it has flown by. It's been great! The next 7 years will bring many more changes and good times I'm sure.

I decided I couldn't bear to put on a picture of Ryan and I kissing because PDA is a HUGE pet peeve of mine.

Who Fun!

Gotta love the Who hair huh? We shipped the kids to Ryan's parents for a few nights. When we went to get them today Ryan's mom had done the girls hair like a Who. They have so much fun with Grandma! They were even kind enough to take a picture of it and print it off for us. She stuck rolled up card board in the middle of their pony tail to make it stick up......genius!

Ava N' Santa

Santa came to the library for story time on Wednesday. He read 'Twas The Night Before Christmas' to the kids and gave them a candy cane. Gracie was at preschool, and Breck probably would have flipped out, but Ava got to let Santa know what she wanted. I didn't hear what she said, but I'm sure it was a doll.

*Thanks to my friend Annika for bringing her camera.

Bunk Bed Buddies

I had to add these to my list of blog posts this month. Gotta love the expressions in these pics. I took these awhile ago and totally forgot about them, but came across them today. I love when my kids have a good time together....it makes up for all the fighting they do!

PJ Day

You people are starting to believe I have a ton of extra time on my hands huh? I don't actually. But I treat my blog as a journal so I have to update it regularly or too many fun moments will pass me by.

I have actually been a good girl lately and have been hitting my homework really hard. I have learned one critical thing thus far.....working for an ophthalmologist would be INCREDIBLY B-O-R-I-N-G! Working for an OB/GYN or typing ER reports would be much more pleasant.

Anyhow, on to my post. Gracie was supposed to wear her jammies to preschool today. This is her last day before the Christmas break. I thought I would take a few pictures. What a lucky little girl....preschool as a kid and pictures. It's o.k Mom. I understand I was the youngest of 50 kids...no money, no time right?

They are pretending to be "Rudolph."

Ava is such a crack up!

Temple Square

We decided to go to temple square for F.H.E last night. The kids were bundled up like crazy; it was so cold. We saw a homeless man. It was so bitter. I felt bad for him. He was dressed pretty well, but still..........I got to come home and have a nice warm bath afterward and thought of that man, and all the people in the world that are struggling. SAD!

We saw the statue of the Christus, and went to the top of the JSM Building to look at the temple. Of course it reminded me of my YW days going up to see the lights.

We came home and had PB & J sandwiches and rootbeer floats.

I forgot my camera as you can tell. :-(

Potato Soup

Ingredients: 6 cups potatoes, cubed 2 cups water 1 cup sliced carrots 1/2 cup chopped onion 2 tsps dried parsley flakes 1 tsp chicken bouillon granules 1/2 tsp pepper 1/4 cup flour 2 cups milk 1 package (16 oz) Velveeta cheese, cubed 1 cup cubed ham 5 strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled Directions: Combine first 7 ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cover. Simmer for 14 minutes or until potatoes are tender. In another small sauce pan combine remaining ingredients and heat until cheese is melted. Combine both saucepans and simmer another 10 minutes until thickened. Ryan made his mom's homemade rolls with this.....YUM! I did make the soup. I have to get some credit, considering Ryan is the cook in the family.

My 1st Birthday!

This is a picture of me on my first day at home. My cousin/aunt Jackie bought me a preemie outfit and it actually fit pretty well! This is me a year later! I always hear my Mom say how cute I am. She says I am her most snuggly baby so far. She loves having a little boy! Mom decided to save money and bought me this birthday present for $4.00 at D.I. I am thinking that is her favorite store.

At first I thought it was edible......

But soon discovered it had other uses.

I know. I know. You are all beginning to wonder if Mommy ever wears make up! Well no, not usually, but I sure love snuggling with her anyway! My mommy says I look extra handsome in this picture. She told Daddy probably ten times to admire me, while he was trying to watch some lame show called "RV."

Well until next year.....ROCK ON!

My First Time Out.....

I picked up this Eddie Bauer jogging stroller for $6.00 at D.I yesterday! I'm not even kidding! 6 bucks!!!! So I decided to go outside and jog for the first time in my life! Well I have jogged outside on the 5k's but never just normally exercising. Let's just say that COLD THIN air is not fun! I was dying. I took Ava with me. She kept saying "Let's race." which means "Jog mom---you are walking too much." I admit I only jogged about 40% of the way. Asphalt is much harder than a treadmill.

Bavarian Meatballs

On our way to a playdate yesterday, as I was mindlessly hefting the kids in the wagon, I saw an unopened can of Bud Light by the side of the road. I knew that was a sign that it was time for me to break out my Bavarian Meatball recipe, so I picked up the can and brought it home. Today Ryan threw it all in the crock pot and we had it for dinner. We LOVE this recipe. BTW- Did I mention that Ryan is off for 12 days straight?! Yeah for us!

Ingredients:

Frozen Italian meatballs (About 20-25)

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 envelope onion soup mix

1 can of beer or nonalcoholic beer

Optional hoagie buns and Swiss cheese

Directions:

In a crock pot combine all above ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or until heated through. Can be served with toothpicks as an appetizer or served on hoagie buns sprinkled with Swiss cheese. Broil in oven until cheese is melted.

Another Pic From 1st Year Pics

Forgot to add this one. Yes, my muslin is WAY wrinkled. I had just pulled it out of the dryer, but didn't iron it. It is huge and would take all day. Of course no really big smiles for Mom. I guess he is saving those for the annoying feather duster in his face at Kiddie's!

Breck's 1st Year Pics

Well I considered going to Kiddie Kandids and getting my free 8x10 for Breck's first birthday, but thought better of it. I know I couldn't be strong like Jackie and just stick with the 8x10. Oh no, I would have to get a package. And I would leave like $120.00 later. Anyway so I thought I would just try and take my own of Breck. I know he might be getting a little old for naked shots...but man he's cute naked! At first I thought he was grabbing the bear in the top pic, but I am really thinking he is grabbing himself. Oh well! So now it will cost me all of about 10 bucks to print out what I want. YEAH FOR ME!

My Cute Neighbors

I took pics of my next door neighbors the other day. The older girl is the Mom's, the younger girl is the Dad's, and then they had the baby together. They are such a cute family. The Mom (Heather) is such a help to me. My kids are always over there playing. She has a puppy as well so not only do our kids play, but our dogs always play together too. She is a teacher, but is taking the year off to be with her baby. I'll miss her when she goes back to work.

I Love Orangutans...And Thumb Monkeys!

G, A, and I love googling baby animals and seeing all the cute pics. We were looking up jaguars and came upon an orangutan. We typed in baby orangutans and all these CUTE pics popped up. I have told Ryan for years that I would love to have a pet baby orangutan. Of course about every 6 months I'd have to get a new one cause they'd get too big and ugly. Actually what I would really love is the thumb monkeys pictured at the top. I am so serious. What animals do you guys love? I mean besides the typical cat, dog. Ok I will start Annie out.......elephants.

This picture is the cutest thing I have ever seen.

Santa

We happened by the Santa at Walmart the other day. They both told him they want a scooter, a camera, and a doll. Ava wants Chou Chou Doll which is 40 bucks (ouch!). Gracie wants a water baby. I looked all around and couldn't find one, but I was at D.I looking at patterns (while G was at preschool) and Ava picked one up to show me. I snatched it right up, brought it home, washed it, filled it with water, and hid it. Now I just need to buy some doll clothes and a bottle and she will never know her doll cost $39.00 less than Ava's.

p.s I know, I know....the pacifier ruins the smile. Believe me we're working on it! Now the cowboy boots with sweats......sorry but I only make my kids wear what I pick on Sundays. ;-)

Spaghetti Squash W/ Cheese N' Croutons

Ingredients: 1 (about 3 lb) spaghetti squash, cut in half lengthwise 1-1/2 cup garlic-onion croutons (or any croutons that are garlic flavored) 1 cup grated Cheddar cheese 3 Tb minced garlic 2 tsp olive oil 1 red bell pepper, coarsely chopped 1 (about 2 lb) head cauliflower, trimmed into small pieces 1 cup chicken broth 1/2 tsp salt and pepper each 3 Tb parsley flakes Directions: Place squash, cut side down, in a large microwavable dish. Microwave about 15-18 minutes or until tender. Meanwhile, combine the croutons and cheese in a bowl; set aside. Heat the oil in a medium sized pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until golden. Add the bell pepper and cook until softened. Add the cauliflower, broth, salt and pepper. Bring to boil and then reduce to simmer, cover and cook until cauliflower is tender. Turn the squash cut side up and let cool slightly. With a fork scrape out the pulp/seeds. Fluff up squash with a fork until spaghetti-like consistency is achieved. Add cauliflower mix on top and top with cheese/crouton mix. Microwave an additional 30 seconds to melt cheese a bit. Enjoy! This recipe is really good. I am not one of these people that eats bran for breakfast and loads of veggies for dinner, so don't get me wrong, BUT this really has a great taste to it.