Pampered with a Pedicure

I just got back from getting a pedicure with my friend Luci. I forgot my camera as usual, so I decided to just take a picture of the finished product. She is being induced tomorrow, so she had a reason to go...I on the other hand had no good reason, other than it sounded like a good idea! It was such a nice break from the kids and one heck of a massage from the chair. I felt disabled trying to stand up after I was all finished, it was great! Thanks for letting me tag along Luci...good luck tomorrow!!Don't look too closely at my webbed toes :(

Where did my babies go?

Maddie had her first primary activity today. She was sooo excited! She kept asking if it was just the big kids that were going and not the babies. I guess she wanted to make sure it really was JUST for the big kids, making her feel oh so proud. Here she is below, eating the cookie she decorated after doing "service" for ward members.

She even shared with Cam, who was so sad when she left him.

My big girl.

Notice her haircut...she's been begging to get it cut, so we did. Then just today she asked to get her ears pierced--we'll see about that one!

My big boy, saying "cheeeese".

He's recently started to talk more. We are so excited about this, except it makes him seem less and less like a baby and more like a big kid.

I guess I keep saying "where did my baby go?" to Camden. Maddie keeps going up to him, saying the same thing. It sounds cuter coming from her. Here he is doing his funny smile.

bag tag.

i decided to bag tag myself. i know, i'm so corny! but i'm just so excited about the new bag i just got. so, i thought i would share. i've got spring fever pretty bad and was wanting something to fit my mood and needs a little better. so, here it is--it's springy and has more compartments for my things. i hate digging for my phone & keys all the time! i just love how you can walk into target for some milk and soap and come out with a great new bag. so, here's whats in it as well.

i now tag kim p, kellie k, lauren b, and kenna s. (if you want to of course) and anyone else who wants to share their bag and whats inside :)

Family & Fun

My mom was in town this last week from Virginia, which is rare occasion in our neck of the woods. She was here to pick out tile and such for the house they are building in Washington. We all had so much fun getting together just about every night to eat, play games, and have fun. Here are a few pics from her trip...

Playing Scatergories, which I may have won. I can't remember for sure :)

The kids enjoyed the Wii.

My sis Stephanie, Ryan, me, and my mom

Grandma Gayla (which we learned is her preferred name from the grandkids), sis Stephanie, sis Laura, and myself
Maddie hamming up an injury to the head from a flying heavy doll. Go figure it would be her downfall...she's always loved dolls SO much.

(guilty doll not pictured)

One of many yummy dinners...soups & rolls.

And of course dessert every night! I think I gained a few pounds over her stay. Featured this night was death by chocolate...yummy and pretty too.

happy valentines day.

beware. bragging ahead...

when i woke up this morning...this is what i found:

(please excuse my slippers..and a few other messy things)

these led from my side of the bed into the bathroom
this was what i found in the bathroom

(it was prettier, i messed it up a little before i thought to take a picture)

how sweet is my husband! it brings me back to our younger years together for sure!

he was asking me a little bit ago what i wanted for valentines day and i told him it didn't matter, i just wanted him to put some thought into it...and that is exactly what he did. it was perfect! when i opened the gift however, it definitely took me by surprise...and was a little confusing (see below). i called him up at work to ask if there was hidden meaning behind the gift and he said it was kinda a joke. well, i suppose it was a little funny, but mostly just confusing....i guess it really is the thought that counts, not the actual gift. anyways, it was a fun way to wake up.

the bob villa set of tools that was supposedly my present.

Baby Shower!

Yesterday some friends and I threw a baby shower for our good friend, Luci. It's always fun to make it back to Wymount and see old friends. We ate three different kinds of fondue (cheese, chocolate, and caramel) and cheesecake. Here are some pics:

Thanks Lauren for letting me use all your cute stuff and ideas!

Cute Luci opening presents.

Me, Luci, and Ashley (my usual girls night out buddies..plus Steph- not pictured)

Me-eating way too much caramel fondue...so yummy! Thanks Steph!

Here are the recipes for the caramel and cheese ones, those were our favorites:

Hot Caramel Dip

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1 cup brown sugar

1 can sweetened condensed milk

Apple slices, pretzels or whatever you want to dip!

Mix together all ingredients in saucepan. Bring to boil. Pour into crockpot. Set on low. Dip away!

Cheesy Fondue

2 c. (8 oz) sharp cheddar cheese

2 (3 oz.) pkgs. cream cheese, softened

1 1/2 c. sour cream

1 c. diced, cooked ham

1/2 c. chopped green onions

1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

2 T. vegetable oil

1 T. butter, melted

Mix together ingredients until smooth. Microwave 1 minute to soften ingredients. (I did mine longer, maybe 5 minutes, in 1 minute intervals). Place ingredients in fondue pot to keep warm. Serve with broccoil, pepper strips, cauliflower, celery, carrot sticks, mushroom caps. We also ate it with zucchini slices and french bread cubes. Yum!

The joys of being a momma.

Today we had one of those fun "mom" moments in public. I was in the process of trying to get our new car registered with my kids in tow. I had given them both a snack to keep them occupied while I did the paperwork at the DMV. Soon after my number was called, Maddie comes running up to me at one of the stations. Before I continue, let me direct your attention to the spacing of Maddie's teeth. Yea, they are just asking for food particles to get stuck in them, I know. The following conversation then took place (Maddie is a loud talker for those of you that don't know):

Maddie: Mommy!!

Me: What?

Maddie: I have something stuck in my teeth!

Me: What's stuck in your teeth?

Maddie: Ahh...get it out!

Me: What? Where is it? (inspecting her mouth)

Maddie: It's a booger! Get it out!!

Me: Where is it, show me. (so embarrased!)

Maddie: Where my tongue is touching, get it!

Me: Shh!...I don't see it. Open wider.

Maddie: You didn't get it. Get the booger!

Finally, we did retrieve the nasty little thing and she went back to her seat, with everyone watching of course. Let me just say that Maddie is not usually a big booger eater (is that even how it's spelled?)...at least that I know of. However, she HAS gotten these specific things stuck before, just never in public, yelling it out for everyone to hear. Oh the joys!

Clark Car Lot

Those of you who know the Clarks well, know that they go through a lot of cars. Ben and his brothers buy them through auctions and fix them up. Which can be good b/c you can get great deals...but also not so good sometimes b/c you don't always know what you'll get exactly until you see it in person. We've been married almost 5 years and have had 8-9 cars that I can think of...and we've had our Passat for over a year I believe, so it's about time for change. Just a few weeks ago I was menitoning to Ben that it might be time to upgrade to a larger vehicle when another baby comes along (no I'm not pregnant, I'm just planning ahead). I told him a pretty white, tan interior, smaller SUV would be nice. And poof...a week or so later this is the car he bought....a 2008 Ford Edge. I'm pretty excited about it, especially since it is so new and clean. I try to not care too much about wanting nice cars, but this one is a little exciting for me. Along with the Edge was the purchase of an Elantra (white middle car), which he thinks he can fix up real quick and sell. However, this causes a bit of a traffic jam in our driveway...here they all are (except the Edge, which was honored with a nice cushy garage spot).
Yikes, anyone want to buy a car?