Girls Trip

Really? Does it have to be over? Our girls trip was

so much fun - I don't even know how to explain how much fun it was! I laughed SO hard, so many times. And the shopping, OH the shopping - I went nuts! I don't think I have ever shopped like that in my life. The whole trip was too much fun. Little Claire was such a trooper...even though I had her there with me, I was still able to relax and enjoy myself because of how easy going she is.

The Highlights:

*My Massage. I was in heaven.

*Laying by the pool.

*The "girl talks". We didn't stop talking the entire flight over. It was rather funny.

*Our hotel. SO NICE.

*As mentioned before...the shopping.

*Laughing at Anna. "CODE RED!"

*Laughing at everyone, really.

*"I am not sure if I have it on backwards".

*"Oooh they have a roasted beet salad!"

* The yummy restaurants.

* Sleeping in.

* "How long do we have to lay there?"

I could go on and on and on about how wonderful the trip was. I missed everyone when I woke up this morning. We are all going to save our pennies, because we can't wait to go back.

Dad, thank you so much for such a wonderful trip. I love you.

Cute Anton did so well with Lilly while I was gone. They had such a great time together - that made my trip even better. And, my sweet mother-in-law made the trek up from St. George to help out with Lilly too. She and Lilly have such a sweet relationship - it is really cute. So, thank you thank you Deb and Anton!!

(p.s. i had my old ghetto camera with me...so that's the reason for the lack of pictures.)

A Scare

"Claire Bear" has given us a good fright lately. 4 times so far, she has stopped breathing...as though she is choking on something. It has frightened me so bad. And, of course, my worst fear is that she is going to do it while she is sleeping. Her pediatrician wanted to see her right away, and they checked her out and mentioned several things that may be causing it. I was sent home with some drops to help clear her nose and such, but they were very stern when saying if it happens again, she will need to be taken to the ER at Primary Children's. She is so fragile and so precious. I know she will be just fine, and she just needs to mature a little more, but it is still so frightening.

We love you little bug.

Remember

So, remember when I said having a two year old around was so funny? I am going to say that again. In fact, as I am typing this post, I am laughing. These pictures crack me up.

Sweet Diaper!

We took Lilly for her 1st ice cream cone the other night. She was holding it with one hand, and scooping it with the other. She also really wanted her bunny to "Try it!!"

Probably my favorite picture. Ever.

Pure Evil

These cookies are pure evil. They really might be the most delicious cookies ever made. If you like peanut butter, and peanut butter cookies - this is your kind of recipe!

Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies

Yields 18 2-1/2” Sandwiches

Cookies:

1 1/3 cups unbleached all purpose flour

2/3 cup cake flour

½ teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

¾ cup unsalted, softened butter

¾ cup smooth, processed peanut butter

½ cup granulated sugar

½ cup light brown sugar, firmly packed

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 large egg

Heat the oven to 350’. In a medium bowl, sift together the two flours, baking soda and salt. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter, peanut butter and sugars with paddle attachment until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and egg; continue creaming until smooth and fluffy (about 3 minutes). Stir in the flour mixture by hand just until it’s incorporated. Drop heaping tablespoons full of batter onto lined baking sheets. Bake until cookies are puffed and golden (about 12-14 minutes).

Filling:

1 ½ cups confectioners sugar

6 tablespoons unsalted, softened butter

¾ cup smooth, processed peanut butter

3 tablespoons heavy cream

¼ cup coarsely chopped roasted, unsalted peanuts

¼ cup mini semi sweet chocolate chips

(I added more nuts and chocolate chips and 1 teaspoon vanilla to round out the flavor of the frosting. I also just used milk instead of heavy cream…I may have added more powdered sugar to play around until the texture was right)

In a small bowl, cream the sugar, butter and peanut butter until smooth. Add the heavy cream; continue creaming until smooth and fluffy. Stir in the chopped nuts and chocolate.

When cookies are cooled, turn half of them over and frost one side. Set another cookie on top of each filled cookie, pressing gently to spread the filling.

Yum!

2 Months

How is Claire two months already!?!

Weight: 11 lbs. (56%)

Height: 22 in. (55%)

Some things I never want to forget:

*She loves to snuggle - particularly under my chin.

*Is learning to suck her thumb.

*She hums along in her sleep quite a bit.

*You can ALWAYS get a smile out of her in the mornings.

*She "coos" at Anton when he talks to her.

*Starting at about 7:00 at night, all she wants is to be snuggled with.

I really have no words to describe the love I have for Claire. She has brought nothing but pure happiness into our lives. What a joy!

p.s. Lilly did NOT like the doctor hurting her baby sister today. She was so concerned it made her cry the little sweetheart.

"Silly Girl"

Having a 2 year old around is so funny. She is killing me lately. She loved these goggles yesterday, along with the bright yellow headband she insisted on wearing...on her forehead. On Sunday, she insisted on wearing her bright pink underwear on the outside of her pants.

Loving how funny she is lately.

She liked it

When it was all said and done, this is how Claire felt about her special day...

The Blessing

Today was Claire's special day. It was special indeed.

*Anton did an amazing job on the blessing. It was so touching.

*Claire was on her best behavior during the blessing.

*Lilly was not.

*So people we love came to support.

*My cute mom made Claire's gorgeous dress for her. What a keepsake.

*Yummy food at our place afterward.

Such a perfect day.

Memorial Weekend

We had a fabulous trip down to St. George for Memorial. It was so fun to spend time with Anton's family. Lilly absolutely LOVED, I mean LOVED playing with her cousins. She has not stopped talking about them. Every day, she asks to talk about Prentice and Truman and the cactus aka: "pokies". It is really cute! We stayed in my parents home, and that is always such a treat. I always feel so pampered when I stay there. Claire was a dream on the trip - she slept well, ate well, and was just easy! One funny thing...she had a total love affair with the fan in our bedroom. Every single morning, she would goo at it and smile great big. It was so funny! Lilly on the other hand was a MONSTER. I don't know what it was, but she was a stinker the entire time. When she wasn't playing with her cousins, she was whining or crying. Thank goodness she is back to herself because I was a little worried there for a while! We love St. George and can't wait to go back down there soon!

Claire

I am so in love.