Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Catching Leprechauns...



On St. Patrick's day Gracie came in from playing outside and asked me the steps to trapping a Leprechaun. I told her to set a trap and put some gold in it and they might catch one. So she built a little trap in her Aunt Joni's backyard who lives next door. A few hours later, Joni came over and said that there were green footprints all around the trap and the gold was gone! Gracie and Abi thought it was so cool, they had to take pictures. What a cute & sneaky aunt they have!


Baby Cole

I have so many posts to do that I am getting a little overwhelmed, but I thought I would post the most important one for now.

My cute little sis and her hubby had their second son last Monday. He was almost a month early and is a tiny little guy. He has been in the NICU and is working on gaining some weight and getting the whole eating thing figured out. We haven't even got to hold him, but I did get to sit with him for a little while last week and he is so sweet. I just love babies, I could eat them up!

Here are a few pics of the little guy, I'll post some more later when he's home and not looking like he's on an alien spaceship or something.

Love you Jaimie and Chase! Congrats!

Cole Ray Bawden --- 4 lbs. 8 oz. 18 inches long.


Friday, February 25, 2011

Winter Escape...



Durke and I have been in desperate need of a vacation, so for Christmas we decided to book a cruise. We booked a Mexican Riviera Cruise with Princess and went February 12-19. It was the most amazing trip and one we will never forget! We are having such a hard time adjusting to life again. Here are a few pictures and some of the fun things we did.

Neither of us had ever been on a cruise, so just being on the ship was so great. We ate a lot, sat in the sun, ate a lot, danced, watched movies, ate way too much, and just enjoyed being together!

We saw so many ocean animals and it was amazing. The whales are migrating right now so we saw them almost everyday. When we were in Puerta Vallarta on a small boat we got really close to theh whales. We also saw seals, turtles, and tons of dolphins.





Here are a few pictures of some of the amazing sunsets and views we saw everyday on our ship.







(I have a thing for lighthouses!)

We also got to spend Valentine's on the ship. Our Valentines are usually spent with the kids, so it was quite nice! They made a big deal. We had dinner, went to a show, and dancing. It was great!





We had a lot of fun when we went into the ports. Our cruise stopped at Puerta Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas. Those of you who know Durke, know he is quite adventurous so that means I am always doing things that I am not so sure about. We (he) thought it would be fun to do the Zip Line and Rappelling in Puerta Vallarta. It was a little crazy but really fun.

When we first got off the ship, they took us on a speedboat out into the ocean for about 20 minutes to this little village in the jungle, then they put us on these crazy trucks and hauled us into the mountain, THEN we got on mules and rode higher into the mountains, then they sent us on all of these ziplines and we rapelled waterfalls. I couldn't take my camera so these pictures are from the website. It was so fun!











After Puerta Vallarta, we stopped in Mazatlan. This wasn't my favorite port. It was a littler scary, but we still had fun. We had a VERY interesting cab ride and got to play on the beach and shop.




Our cab!




There were some crazy guys cliff diving of this rock for tips. It scared me just to watch! It was so shallow and rocky, I really thought they were going to get killed!

Our last stop was Cabo San Lucas. I immediately fell in love with this place. It was SOOOO beautiful and clean. I definitely would love to go back there soon! We (again, Durke) decided to do the Rhino ATV adventure. It turned out way fun, a little wild, but we had a blast, and the beach was amazing!






After the ride, we shopped in a way fun market and bought all of our souvenirs. They had beautiful clay pots that were handpainted. I bought me a bowl and me and the girls some fun sundresses and bracelets.







We had such an amazing time, and it was really hard for us to come home, but we missed our kiddos and family and it is good to be back. I think!

I suggest a cruise for everyone! It is the best way to travel!!!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

I've made a list and now I'm checking it twice....

Halls Decked CHECK


Christmas Tree CHECK



Christmas Lights Up CHECK


Cards Sent CHECK


Presents for everyone Bought and Wrapped CHECK CHECK


Thank heaven's for Amazon!

Baking, baking and more baking CHECK CHECK CHECK



Christmas Carols sung, stories read, and movies watched CHECK CHECK CHECK




Christmas parties, Dance Recital and School Christmas Program
CHECK CHECK CHECK




Snow CHECK





Yup, we're ready! We made it!

Merry Christmas

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Can I put myself in time-out?


I really need one. Not because I have been naughty, well maybe a little, but because the quiet, peaceful moment of just sitting sounds nice. I have been so overwhelmed by everything going on in my life lately. I am constantly on the go, pick a kid up here, run another one there, this one needs a nap, lunch time, groceries, help in her class, teach this class, and the list keeps going and going. I remember this poem my cute friend Julie gave me

The Girl in the Whirl

By “Dr. Sue” aka Vickie Gunther

Look at me, look at me, look at me now!
You could do what I do if you only knew how.
I study the scriptures one hour each day;
I bake, I upholster, I scrub, and I pray.
I always keep all the commandments completely;
I speak to my little ones gently and sweetly.
I help in their classrooms! I sew all they wear!
I drive them to practice! I cut all their hair!
I memorize names of the General Authorities;
I focus on things to be done by priorities.
I play the piano! I bless with my talents!
My toilets all sparkle! My checkbooks all balance!
Each week every child gets a one-on-one date;
I attend all my meetings (on time! Never late!)
I’m taking a class on the teachings of Paul,
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all.
I track my bad habits ’til each is abolished;
Our t-shirts are ironed! My toenails are polished!
Our family home evenings are always delightful;
The lessons I give are both fun and insightful.
I do genealogy faithfully, too. It’s easy to do all the things that I do!
I rise each day early, refreshed and awake;
I know all the names of each youth in my stake!
I read to my children! I help all my neighbors!
I bless the community, too, with my labors.
I exercise and I cook menus gourmet;
My visiting teaching is done the first day!
(I also go do it for someone who missed hers.
It’s the least I can do for my cherished ward sisters.)
I chart resolutions and check off each goal;
I seek each “lost lamb” on my Primary roll.
I can home-grown produce each summer and fall.
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all.
I write in my journal! I sing in the choir!
Each day, I write “thank you’s” to those I admire.
My sons were all Eagles when they were fourteen!
My kids get straight A’s! And their bedrooms are clean!
I have a home business to help make some money;
I always look beautifully groomed for my honey.
I go to the temple at least once a week;
I change the car’s tires! I fix the sink’s leak!
I grind my own wheat and I bake all our bread;
I have all our meals planned out six months ahead.
I make sure I rotate our two-years’ supply;
My shopping for Christmas is done by July!
These things are not hard; It’s good if you do them;
You can if you try! Just set goals and pursue them!
It’s easy to do all the things that I do!
If you plan and work smart, you can do them all, too!
It’s easy!” she said…and then she dropped dead.


It seems like we as women have so much expected of us and we are pulled in so many directions. I don't know how to do it all and I surely don't want to drop dead. I have decided that I need to take some time for me or things aren't going to be so good.

I have had a gift certificate for a massage sitting on my desk for over a month and can't seem to find the time to do it, I think I need to make that appointment and schedule one weekly for the entire year.

I feel myself being incredibly grouchy and snappy with everyone around me. I think it is very important to take time for yourself and I am going to make it a goal to do that or I don't think I will have much to give.

A friend of mine had this link on her blog to this great article on the importance of "ME" time. I am going to try to implement some of the things into my life. I think it's important.

http://healthy-lifestyle.most-effective-solution.com/2008/09/10/the-importance-of-having-quality-time-for-yourself

I guess what I am trying to say, is take time for yourself.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010




I have had a hard time deciding what recipe to do this time. I have a really yummy butternut squash recipe and a pumpkin chocolate chip cake, oh what the heck, let's go for the sweet and fattening!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cake with Maple Frosting
(Source: Two Peas & Their Pod)

Ingredients:
2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 1/4 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground allspice
Pinch of fresh nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups canned pumpkin
3/4 cup well-shaken buttermilk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs
Chocolate chunks or cholate chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a bundt pan, then dust will flour.
Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice, fresh nutmeg, and salt in a bowl. Whisk together pumpkin, buttermilk, and vanilla in a separate bowl. Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until creamy. Add in eggs one at a time, while mixing on low. On low, add flour and pumpkin mixtures in batches, begginning and ending with flour mixture. Mix just until combined, don't overmix. By hand, stir in the chocolate chunks. Spoon cake batter into pan. Pound the pan on the counter to settle the batter. Cook 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean in the center of the cake. Cool cake in pan for 15 minutes. Cool completely before serving.

Maple Brown Butter Frosting
3 cups sifted confectioners sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup milk
2 teaspoons maple flavoring

Directions:
Sift sugar and set aside. Melt butter over medium heat until golden brown. Watch closely so it does not burn. Add butter to sugar, scraping all the butter into the bowl. Add milk and maple flavoring. Stir until smooth.
If too thick, use a splash of milk to thin it out.