Zoey's Christmas Gift

Every year we choose a family outing to do for Zoey's gift in her stocking. This year we were able to get two night in Seaside. We have a timeshare that has a resort in Seaside and we got a call from a rep in Dec. to offer us two nights for an owner update. We decided it would be a great getaway for the girls. When we got to seaside this last Sunday, I was shocked at how nice and warm it was. We got there early to bum around and went right to the beach. The girls had a blast getting all wet and sandy. After check in, we went right to the pool. Eva had been waiting all weekend to be able to swim. We all got in. The pool was nice and warm. But once you got out the wind hitting you from the beach, you started to freeze fast.

The next morning Eva got up at 5am.. Yes I said 5am!! I have no idea what was up with that. But we got dressed had breakfast and were on the beach by 8am. It was a little chilly but really not that bad. The girls walked with me for a good 45 minutes of course stopping every few feet to inspect something in the sand or play in the water. Then we slowly walked back trying to spot Todd who went for a run on the beach. We were probably out there for a good hour and a half before everyones fingers were freezing. Then it was time for some hot chocolate and of course the pool again!

The sun was coming up and hitting the beach just as we got out there! It was sooooo beautiful!

We spent so much time at the pool. Went to Astoria for lunch on Monday. Tuesday before we left of course we had to hit the pool one more time. This time Todd and I wised up and let the girls get in by themselves.. They did great.. I was wrapped in two jackets and two towels around my jeans!! It got cold that last morning. The girls were the only kids in the pool! After checking out we headed to the arcade to play some games and have lunch before we headed home. What a weekend! It could not have been any better!

Feeling better

This last week I have been feeling so much better. The morning sickness has almost gone away completly. Which is sooo nice. My energy is starting to return. I find myself tired around 7pm instead of all day now. So what do I do.. I have been in the kitchen cooking a lot this week. I have had blackberries in my freezer since summer. I have about 8 bags full.. So I took one bag out and decided to try a cobbler. I have never made one before and Todd loves them. So I found a recipe and went for it.

It turned out great. I loved the smell of blackberries in the winter. Made it feel a little like summer! I am glad to almost be back to my normal self.

Bread or Cookies??

So I was in the baking mood today. I made some sugar cookies to practice decorating. Then I made several colors of royal icing. Then I looked at my bananas in the fruit basket and boy did they look sad.. To sad to eat. So I decided to make banana bread. Now this is something I can do in my sleep. Todd loves my banana bread. Well I remembered I had chocolate chips also,,, So I thought.. ohhh I will jazz them up and put chocolate chips in them. Well I already had out my baking sheet and silpat and decided to experiment a little. :) I decided to try them in cookie form. And what do you know?!? They turned out great.

I started out with only 6 cookies, just so I would not waste all the batter if they flopped!! Eva volunteered to be my guinea pig and she tried the first one!! LOL I also tried one and to my suprise they tasted really good.

Now finding the cooking time took awhile.. I timed it for 10 minutes at first. Then had to keep checking on them every 2 minutes.. In total the baking time is about 18 to 20 minutes for this size.

Now Todd will be the final vote to see if they pass his taste test!!

Safari Sams

This last sunday we decided to go do something fun with the girls.. We went to Safari Sams. They played for 2 and half Hours .They had a blast.. Kia had no fear! She went right in and headed up the long rope ladder to make it to the second level.. Eva did the "black diamond" run several times with her Daddy! Kia met a new friend who must have been a little older, she just took Kia's hand and led her around the entire place.

Organizing... organizing!!

Ok.. So this is what needs to happen in order for me to clean out a closet... I have been taking one closet every few days and completely reorganizing it.. I have two left to do!! My office, scaaaarrrrry, and my bathroom closet.. other than those, I have cleaned out 4 including the garage!! This is my closet in the laundry room. (side note: we did not even know this closet existed till after we moved in and were painting the laundry room.. I turned around and wow.. one more closet to store crap in!! LOL You dont see it because when you open the door to the laundry room it is hidden behind that door.!!

Oh.. now I wish it would stay looking like this!! This is after pulling all that stuff out!! leaving only a few things that I knew did not need to be pulled out. Ok so I really should have taken a before picture of it all stuffed full of that stuff. but really.. You would have been shocked that I let something get that bad!! Trust me.. LOL It was bad!! And soooo not me!!

And Voila!!!! Look how nice and organized this is!! And room to put more stuff!! LOL And look up top.. one whole empty container.. I also later labeled everything!! It is a must!!

All right.. Now I have to say THANK YOU to Kirstin for turning me onto these lovely containers.. Which I have decided I need atleast two more for my baking stuff.. These are awesome. They are Snapware containers.. They are at Target and Jo-ann's and Walmart carries them also, but only in a two tier container pack.. Have not found them anywhere else yet.. I am trying to find ones that are deeper for a few taller baking items I have!

Happy New Years!!

Oh.... New Years Eve!! I got out the horns, noise makers and hats.. The girls spent a good hour blowing on these things.. Then they got to settle down and snuggle under their blankets and watch a movie..

They were in bed by 8pm........... Todd and I were in bed by 9pm.... And asleep by 10am... I know.. that is what pregnancy does to you.. makes you tired!! LOL I was awoke twice.. Once by a text message at 11:59..(thanks fireman!!... I will get even for that one.) and then again... really startled at 12:10am by fireworks on our block.. I thought our house was being bombed till I looked at the clock.. So... that was our new years eve... Next year hopefully we will make it to 12 midnight.. Maybe I need a party to keep me up!! LOL

Christmas morning.

After we ate breakfast we were ready to open the office doors.. The girls were clueless.. They had no idea what was behind the door! And that is why I love putting the tree and gifts in the office. I know it wont last long.. Eva is about at the age were she will catch on and head right for the office christmas morning.. but we are loving it while it lasts.

As they ran for the santa gifts they both screamed in delight.. It was awesome. Eva hopped right on her new scooter..
Kia loves her new house and all the dolls that are just her size.

Do you see Eva was not letting the scooter get to far away from her.. as she played with there tea set that is for both of them.
And now the madness begins.

The Princess doll stuff was from Grandpa mac.. Kia and Eva both got these. Thanks Grandpa

Look at Kia.. WOW what a morning. She is just laying there is toy overload!! LOL
It was a great Christmas.. I cant wait to do it with three kids!! It will really be a mad house then.

Christmas morning

Oh.. How I love this age!! They actually slept in till 8am that morning.. never do they sleep in.. We started by opening our stockings.

They were very excited to do this. Kia took her time.. Mainly cause someone wraps gift with way to much tape!! :)~

That would be sleeping beauty..

And Kia was excited to also get a "princess" movie.. Anastasia..

After opening up stocking we always have breakfast.. which is cinnamon rolls!! I never make those except on special occasions.. (I on the other hand had to have eggs with bacon!!) the cinnamon rolls would have spiked my sugars way out of control! I did get one bit of one though. It was heavenly.

Cookie making

A week or so before christmas I decided to have a few friends over to try out cookie decorating again.. we hade raindeer and frosty the snow man. They really did do a good job.

Poor Ainsley.. she was sick afterwards from too much candy eating.!! poor girl. But boy she has the praying to the porcelain god down very well after being sick last month! Very impressive.

some snow pics

At the top of our road someone built this ramp... The girls loved going down it.. They would go pretty far.

Time to go home.. They went down that thing for about an hour.. We were freezing cold.. and poor Kia with her socks on her hands.. she just would not keep gloves on!!