Life with the Dixons!

My girly girl

2012-01-22T22:28:00.000-08:00

Sienna LOVES getting her nails painted. We had a "girls day" the other day and she went crazy picking out the perfect polish for her toes and her fingernails. Of course she had to pull out every shade of pink and then picked between the pinks. She a little diva and just loved staring (and pulling faces) at herself in the mirror of the caboodle. Yes, don't be jealous, that is the real thing (the caboodle, that is--Thank you, Melissa!). Oh, and Sienna is OBSESSED with braids (I think that's because of our cute nanny Ashley!). Lately, it's the only hairdo she wants--piggy tails with braids. Pretty cute if you ask me, just not much diversity these days!

So I was chastised tonight by my sister-in-law Debi for not updating my blog or facebook with pics of the kids. She's said she's not sure they're even alive, so here's the proof. Here are some photos from Christmas at my parents. Since my in-laws are on their mission, we ended up just staying at my parents for a few days. It was nice hot running back and forth, but we missed the Jeff Hanson family and all the Dixon clan!

This is my little guy 99% of the time. He's such a happy baby. I'm so lucky. I love that he gives his smiles so freely. He smiles and makes you feel like you're the only one for him. LOVE this kid.

Uncle Rob & Luke just chillin'

As you can tell, we are still trying to figure out how to get our 3-year-old sit still and actually look at the camera for just one family photo. Soooo frustrating!

LOVE my kiddos in these cute stripey jammies.

Sienna lost her favorite puppy Coconut . By the way, Coconut is a dalmation puppy who she named coconut because of all the "coconuts" he had all over him. She now gets that they are "polka dots", but the name has stuck! Anyway, she lost him so she started asking Santa for a puppy for Christmas. I was always grateful when she would clarify that it was not a "real puppy, just a pretend one". Well, we found Coconut, so I thought we didn't need another puppy. A few days before Christmas, suddenly she was asking for a puppy again. I was pretty certain (100% certain) that Santa was all done with Sienna's Christmas presents and she may not get a puppy. Fortunately for Sienna, she has an amazing Grandma who saved the day and hooked the girl up with a pretty cool puppy. He comes in this cute purse/doctor's bag. You push his paw and he coughs and sneezes and his nose turns bright red, so you get to pull out the "telescope" (stethoscope), a tissue to wipe his nose (which makes the light/nose turn off). He also nibbles on a bone, sucks from a bottles, gives a sigh of relief when you give him a shot, you can write prescriptions, etc... He is super soft and super cute. Can you tell Sienna is in love? Oh, and she named him Sonny, after the dog I had growing up. Oh wait, I've been calling it a "him". She told me she needed to name it a girl name like "Sunny". Little does she know "Sonny" was a boy! Oh well!

Too bad this girl isn't spoiled. She's got three single aunt/uncles and she and Luke are the only Grandkids in Utah, so she gets spoiled rotten. Check out all her loot!

It's funny, for being such a non-cuddly baby, this little girl has turned into such a little cuddle bug. She loves giving hugs and snuggling!

Oh, one more thing I don't want to forget. On Christmas Eve Sienna finally started to get really excited about Santa, so she could not go to sleep quickly enough. She typically she wants us to lay with her and bargains for just "4 more minutes" and "1 more story" or "I'm thirsty" (like all kids do, just trying to delay the inevitable). Not this night. Dan tucked her in and she promptly said, "Can you please get out of my room now, so Santa will come?" Then I went to kiss her goodnight and she said the same thing to me. This is the first year Sienna has really understood or been excited about Santa, so I had forgotten to set out cookies for Santa, etc... So when I tucked her in, I asked her if I should set out some treats for Santa. She got all excited and said yes, and that I should set out some cookies and milk for Santa. And then she followed it up with "and some ham." Ham? I was laughing so hard and said, "Ham? We should leave Santa some ham?" And she said, "ya, in case the reindeer get hungry, too." So, apparently, reindeer just love ham. After all these years, how could I not have known this?

A few faves...

2011-12-17T01:03:00.000-08:00

So I get so behind on blogging that I get discouraged posting anything at all. I don't have/make time to download my pics, to edit them, the upload them, yaddi, yaddi, yadda....but finally did. I decided to just post them without editing any of them. Get over it.

Luke's trying to bring back the mullet. Nothin' like a little business on top and party in the back. We think it's hilarious.

Definitely cuter from the front. :)

Here are Luke's two little bottom teeth, which broke through around 4 1/2 months! We were definitely not expecting that!

Sienna is the queen of dress ups. Definitely not one of her best pictures, she looks a little drunk. :)

Luke is loving the exersaucer these days. It totally keeps him entertained and happy.

Sienna loves her little "Lukey, scmooky, pooky, boo boo...". She loves to hold him, snuggle with him, read to him. She's such a good big sister. She loves him to pieces.

This is to document Luke's eczema There are times this kid wakes up looking like he slept in a lion's den. No matter how often or carefully I cut his nails, he manages to find ways to scratch. Poor little guy. It's definitely gotten lots better since we started using cortisone and aquaphor.

He's now almost 5 months old! We just started rice cereal. He likes sitting in the bumbo, but is not sure about the rice cereal.

This is my happy little guy. He really is such a sweet natured baby. Can't get enough of this boy!

Sienna had a little friend over the other night and they were in their pj's, with dress-ups over them and wearing sun glasses as they watched "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas". She is such a fun, spunky little thing, never lacking in personality!

Sienna-isms

2011-12-07T20:11:00.001-08:00

There are so many things Sienna says that I don't want to forget. I need to be better at writing them all down.

The other night Sienna and I were telling secrets (like "I love you to the moon and back!) and she whispered in my ear "I'm so happy that we get to be together ALL the time." Then she followed it up with "Don't tell dad!". Since she is such a daddy's girl, it's nice to know that she actually does like me, at least some of the time! :)

She's been getting all tongue twisted when she tries to say "Sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite." Tonight she said "Sleepy night tight."

I love that Sienna still says "Sorget," instead of Forget.

Oh, and tonight she said "Dad, Luke is a baby rock star." Not sure where that came from. She's always keep us laughing!

Black Bean and Pumpkin Chili

2011-11-20T20:11:00.000-08:00

Don't be scared by the name of the recipe. I promise, it's super tasty! You wouldn't even guess that it has pumpkin in it. It's very hearty and it's healthy! We had it tonight with corn bread and it was perfect!

Black Bean & Pumpkin Chili

1 Medium Onion

1 Yellow Bell Pepper

3 Garlic cloves minced

3 C chicken broth

2 cans black beans - rinsed and drained

1 lb ground turkey

1 (15 oz) can pumpkin

1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes

2 tsp. parsley

2 tsp. chili powder

1 1/2 tsp. oregano

1 1/2 tsp. cumin

1/2 tsp. salt

Saute meat, onions, and bell pepper until cooked. Add garlic and spices and cook. * Add everything together and simmer for 15-20 mins. (*You can also transfer to a 5 quart slow cooker, stir in remaining ingredients, cover and cook on low for 4 hours)

Luke is 4 1/2 months old!

2011-11-14T09:47:00.000-08:00

Guess who rolled over today? Yep. Luke is 4 1/2 month old now. Time flies, huh? He is such a mellow, happy baby. Well, most of the time. He definitely has his moments where he tests out his lungs to make sure they work well. Generally speaking, he is a very happy, easy going baby. He sleeps through the night and most mornings I find him laying in his crib, cooing and smiling up at me.

He does have some eczema, which is no fun. He is usually covered with scratch marks, since his skin is so itchy. We've started covering him head-to-toe with aquaphor and then covering his red spots/the areas that itch with some mild cortisone cream, which has done a world of good for him. I just can't seem to keep his finger nails short enough! He still manages to find some little corner that he can gouge his face with. Poor little guy.

As you can see, he has turned into quite the little thumb sucker. We have tried to turn him onto the binkie, but he's just not nearly as much of a fan as he is with his thumb. I have to admit, it's super cute and super convenient. I just know I won't feel the same when he's 5 years old (which was me!). He loves this play mat. Seriously it's like Disneyland for the kid. He gets all tuckered out from playing so hard.

Sienna is three years old and the best sister in the world. She couldn't love this kid more. Anytime he is around she's climbing all around him, loving, hugging, holding, practically suffocating the poor little guy. She's hilarious. We need to get more of it on video. She'll get right in his face, so intensely, and say "Hi, little guy. Hi there, little Lukey, mookey, pookey....my little boo, boo, my goo, goo." So, now she calls him her "Goo Goo" and says to him, "You're so cutie."

I find it so interesting that Sienna did great for the first 2 months, but then the last couple of months she has really struggled. Anytime I'm feeding Luke she wants to sit on my lap, or wants me to hold her. She will stand in the doorway of her room, completely melting down, saying that her legs don't work. I try to be patient and show her lots of love, since I know her world has gotten completely rocked, but, man, it's tough. She really tries my patience these days. She adores Dan. She can't get enough of him, totally prefers him to me. I'll be honest, there are times when it's super convenient, but most of the time it's just annoying. You just can't take it personally, but sometimes it's just frustrating when you think of the fact that you were the one who suffered through the pregnancy, gave birth to them, watch them all day, every day and care for all their needs, and then you're really just chopped liver. But then there are moments where she is the sweetest thing ever, and turn to me and say, "Mom, I just love you so much." or "Mom, you're so pretty."

She says the funniest things. She knows I hate Max and Ruby, so she'll always ask me, "Mom, do you like Max and Ruby?" and I'll say no. The other day she asked me and then said, "Well, dad does. A little bit." Then she's laying on the couch and says, "Mom, Ruby has lots of great ideas." I don't know what she's talking about, since I think it's the least creative, most boring cartoon out there.

The other day Dan was shaving and asked her if she liked his goatie and she said, "Nope. It has too much texture." What 3 year old says something like that? The girl cracks us up!"

"Mom, see? That is what my tummy likes...when I eat french fries, it makes me healthy and strong." Hm...not sure where she heard that french fries makes you healthy...

For over a month we've had this Sleeping Beauty princess dress and shoes picked out for Sienna's halloween costume, then a few days before Halloween she told me she wanted to be a superhero princess. Sweet. And I could be a rainbow and Luke could be a little cloud. Oh, and Dan could be a superhero like her and grandma could be a butterfly. You gotta give it to her for creativity! Luckily my neighbor saved the day and let us borrow her Supergirl costume, which was super cute. And, no, I was not a rainbow.

She is still quite the little hoarder and carries around bags, purses and buckets filled with anything and everything she can pack into them. She also loves her stuffed animals. Dan's parents gaver her one of their stuffed animals to look after while they are on their mission. She loves her black doggie "Cola".

We started a joy school with a few friends in the neighborhood and she loves going to "school" and thinks she is such a big girl. She loves, loves, loves books and really likes to learn. I hope she always has a love for learning.

Pumpkin Curry Soup

2011-11-09T10:53:00.001-08:00

This is a yummy soup, so I thought I'd pass it along! It sounds a little weird, but the flavors are sooo good. Trust me. Enjoy! :)

Pumpkin Curry Soup

2 c. canned pumpkin
4 Tablespoons butter
1/2 c. onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, pressed
4 cups of water (you can also add 1-2 extra cups of water, which is what I did and I liked the consistency/flavor)
6 small chicken bouillon cubes (or 3 large cubes)
2 cups half and half
2-3 chicken breasts, seasoned, baked and cubed
1 bay leaf
1 1/2 tsp curry
1 pinch nutmeg
1/4 tsp pepper
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 to 3 cups cooked rice

In large saucepan, melt butter. Saute onion and garlic until tender. Add everything else except the half and half and the rice. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Add rice and half-and-half at the end and heat through. Add any additional seasonings (Salt, pepper, curry, etc...). It is very filling and serves about 6. Makes make great leftovers!

Luke Newborn pics

2011-08-16T15:41:00.000-07:00

My friend Emily VanDyke is an incredible photographer and as a baby gift gave me a newborn photo shoot. She took these fantastic baby pics of our little guy. I'm in love with this first one...and the next one, oh, and the last one...Ok, I love them all! Thanks, Em. You are the best!!!

Don't want to forget....

2011-07-08T15:52:00.000-07:00

Our little Sienna has turned into quite the creative little thing. She has an incredible imagination (and memory) and is totally into story telling these days. She has lots of imaginary friends, including a dragon who lives downstairs. She has names for all her friends/dolls/animals. It's hilarious because she makes up these names that I've never heard of. I've jotted down just a few of them--Kika, Asha, Shalla (her baby doll), Shamdem (her bear), Shassa (her duck), Alla, Anna, Buffola, Zulee.... Where did this kid come from? She's so funny.

Here's a few funny things she has said recently.....
-"I was a superhero when I was two years old."
-"When I'm a superhero I lift heavy things over walls."
-"Mom, I sorgot to tell you somesing" (sorgot is forgot)
-"Mom, will you say sorry to me?" "Why do I need to say sorry to you?" "Because you hurt my feelings." (I get this just about every day. She's a little drama queen). "How did I hurt your feelings?" "Because you put a baby diaper on me." (She thinks she's a big girl when she wears a pull up).

Sienna has adjusted so much better than I anticipated since we came home from the hospital. She just can't get enough of Luke and is such a good big sister. She is now sleeping in her "big girl" bed and has stayed in bed every night since we put her in it. She even still takes her naps, so we are grateful. I've heard so many horror stories about transitioning from the crib to the bed, but so far, so good! She is a great little helper and loves giving Luke hugs and kisses. She'll say, "Mom, Luke wants to hold me." It's so cute. She's really sweet and tender with him.

Introducing Lucas "Luke" Daniel Dixon

2011-06-30T14:44:00.000-07:00

Lucas "Luke" Daniel Dixon

Born June 20th, 2011 5:40 p.m.

American Fork Hospital

I'll post more details and pics later, but here's some of my favorites that my good friend Emily Van Dyke took while we were still in the hospital. I love them! (Nevermind the fact that I'm still in my hospital gown looking ever so hot!)

Tomorrow's the big day!

2011-06-30T14:12:00.000-07:00

6/19/2011
I'm getting induced tomorrow. It's crazy to know exactly when this baby is coming. I can't wait to meet this little guy! It's so crazy to me how different each of my pregnancies has been. This time week 4-26 were so incredibly miserable for me, with no relief from the morning-noon-and-night sickness, but then the last couple of months have been so much better than my last pregnancy. With Sienna I had such bad ligament pain (which started at week 19, right as the morning sickness ended) that it hurt just to walk, and that lasted until I delivered. I also had horrible back pain and had to see a chiropractor every week for the last several months of my pregnancy. I probably could have stood to go to the chiropractor the last couple of weeks, but this time it's been much more bearable. And really it's only been the last couple of weeks that I've gotten really uncomfortable. Now I feel the stabbing ligament pains and feel like this kiddo is going to fall out of me when I walk, but I'm grateful it's only lasted a couple of weeks this time around. I guess the trade off has been being diagnosed with gestational diabetes. I didn't have it with Sienna, but this pregnancy 2 out of the 4 glucose tests came out 7 points above normal, so they treated me for gestational diabetes. I've had to be super careful with my diet, balancing my carbs evenly throughout the day and have had to check my blood sugar 4 times a day. I am grateful that I have been able to maintain normal blood sugars with just diet and exercise and didn't have to take any pills or insulin. It was super daunting when I was first diagnosed. I read the risk factors associated with gestational diabetes--preclampsia, premature baby, stillborn baby, having diabetes later in life, baby having diabetes, 9+ pound baby. Pretty scary list. But my dietician and doctors were quick to reassure me that if I was really careful and able to keep my blood sugars within the normal range, then all those risks go away and I'm at the same risk as anyone else. I've had to check my blood sugar (finger prick and all) four times a day for the last few months, and have been able to keep my blood sugars under control, which hopefully means we will have a healthy baby boy! And hopefully once this baby comes life will go back to normal! Stay tuned!

2011-04-05T09:25:00.000-07:00

My friend Jen over at icandy homemade has made the most adorable little Fancy Nancy dress for her daughter and is hosting a Fancy Nancy Book Give-away on her blog. They have the cutest crafts/ideas on their blog (and always make me feel super untalented!). Check it out....

http://icandyhandmade.blogspot.com/2011/03/tutorial-giveaway-fancy-nancy-dress.html

Pregnancy update and Sienna-isms

2011-03-22T09:54:00.000-07:00

So, week 26 and I'm finally back to the land of the living--just in time to enter the 3rd trimester, the huge and uncomfortable stage. I still can't believe that the "morning(noon and night)" sickness lasted for so long-- around week 23ish. And since it started so early this time, it was like having the flu for nearly 5 months. Blah! I'm SOOOO glad that stage is over. I'll take any amount of heartburn, sleepless nights or labor over the nausea any day. I don't know how women do it, when they are sick the entire time. I don't think I'd ever get pregnant again!

I'm just so grateful to feel like I can function again. I never thought I'd appreciate cooking and cleaning so much, or brushing my teeth and opening the fridge without dry-heaving. One thing I've been totally avoiding while being sick is potty training my little Sienna. So, now I feel like I don't have an excuse and today is number 2. Definitely not my favorite thing in the world, not gonna lie. That's a whole different post on its own. (I wish it looked as fun as this picture makes it seem, but it's very, very deceiving...)

Sienna is 2 1/2 and such a little character these days. She is definitely a strong-willed, spunky little thing. The other day she turned to me and said "Mom, you're driving me CRAZY!" I have no idea where she got that from, I'm sure I've never said those words before. ;) I can totally see what people mean when they say that it's not terrible two's, it's the three's that's the toughest. It seems like the closer she gets to three, the harder she gets. She is certainly a little drama queen, and the tantrums are starting to become more frequent. But it's a trade off, because she's also more fun now. She cracks me up. She's always been a good talker, but now it's really fun to hear the things she comes up with and the way she puts sentences together. And it's fun to see her get so excited about things. I love feeling like we can do things together as a family that we will all enjoy.

My little drama queen.

*This is her sobbing uncontrollably because her puppy Coconuts was left in Dan's car and wouldn't be home for 5 whole mins. "I just miss him SO much."

A little Sienna update......

She wanted us to do magic, so she gave Dan a magic wand (a pen) and told him to turn her into a "callepiller". He was doing it incorrectly, so she gave him specific instructions how to say "abbadabba" and "bippity boppity boo". Which he did. She dropped to the ground and started crawling on the ground saying "worm, worm, worm," which is apparently the sound that a "callepillar" makes. Who knew?

She's been saying words like precious and wonderful to describe everything lately. I love hearing it. Yet, she hates being called anything other than Sienna. If I call her sweetie or my girl, she'll say, "NO! I'm Sienna."

She's still a little pint-size thing. Two and a half and a whopping 27 lbs! I said to her the other day that she has a cute little bum and she said, "NO! I have a BIG bum!" Since she's a "big girl," apparently everything has to be big! I'm thinking, girl, you better appreciate it while you can! It may not always be little, so enjoy it now. She's definitely in the "I can do everything by myself" stage and wants to do all sorts of things that she can't do by herself. Great that she wants to be so independent, but super frustrating for her not-so-patient mom.

One of my new favorite words she has come up with is "spreckle". She discovered a "spreckle" (aka freckle) on her leg and was so fascinated. Now she points out all the "spreckles" she sees on anyone.

So, I may or may not have a little road rage. Well, when I was kindly talking to a couple of other drivers who were acting like idiots on the road, Sienna pipes up from the back seat "Mom, you can't talk to them". "Why can't I talk to them?" "Because they are cars, they can't hear you."

She loves watching her "shows"--Mickey Mouse and Dora the Explorer are still her favorites. She also loves Bolt, Toy Story, Happy Feet and anything with a princess. She loves playing dress-ups and making food in her kitchen. Dan and I both think Sien may have a hoarding problem--she will shove anything and everything she can find into buckets, purses, etc...and just carry them from room to room. She'll have 4 different purses jam-packed full of things that she'll lug around with her. She's also obsessed with rocks. She loves collecting them. I love it when I discover that she's found some new rocks, because they turn up in the washer or dryer.

Sienna is a very social girl, very friendly and always wants to be playing with friends. She is obsessed with her friends (twins) Addy and Emery and talks about them every day. They love going to the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point.

A book lover, Sienna wants us to read her books all the time and she is just starting to discover the art of story telling. Typically her stories start out "One upon a time" and include a princess (Sienna, of course), a river, a castle, a witch and a mean, scary dragon.

She's still a crazy picky eater, and refuses to eat "table food" and any kind of meat but at least she'll eat tons of fruits/vegetables/dairy, so it's hard to complain too much. Broccoli and apples are her favorite foods of choice these days. It's just frustrating to be giving a 2 1/2 year old finger food all the time, rather than the dinner that I make. (I know many moms go through this...) But, seriously, what child refuses to eat mac-n-cheese, pizza, ramen noodles, chicken nuggets? Meal time is pretty exhausting with Sienna, since we have to turn everything into a game to make her eat. "I'm gonna eat that!" or "Show us how you take a big dinosaur bite". It gets really old, really fast. But at least she's staying on the same growth curve, so her pediatrician isn't too worried and said she'll just grow out of the phase eventually.

She's always loved all things girly, which means she also loves going shopping. She calls every store, the "shopping store" and would love it if I took her shopping every day. Sienna loves to dance. We frequently have dance parties in our living room. She loves to twirl and spin and shake her booty. She's also obsessed with make-up, particularly lip gloss and chapstick and has them with her at all times.

Yes, this is her covered in my mascara. You should always be worried when everything is quiet.

Yes, this is lip gloss she decided to put all over her face. "Isn't it SO beautiful, mom!?"
Yep. SO beautiful.

2011-02-14T09:40:00.000-08:00

Dan and I went out of town this weekend and so we shipped Sienna to a few different places for the weekend. My sister Janelle (AKA "Aunt Nally"), my sister-in-law Kate and my parents were all so great to help out and watch our little rugrat (Thank you, thank you, thank you!). Sienna has so much fun playing with her cousin Ella, so I'm sure she was in heaven! Kate sent me this picture of the two of them taking a bath. I think it's so cute! I love that these two cuties will grow up being little buddies.

Baby news....

2011-01-16T21:11:00.000-08:00

So, I just found a stack of Christmas cards that somehow did not get sent, so if you didn't receive a Chrismtas card from me, just assume that yours is in this stack that I'm too embarrassed to send out this late, and feel the love. We sent our Christmas wishes and announced the exciting news that I'm expecting and due this June. We should find out in a few weeks what we are having, so stay tuned!

I have not been good at journaling at all this pregnancy, so I'm going to take a few minutes to journal about this pregnancy. I'm not posting this for sympathy, just for record-keeping purposes (and to remind me to NEVER do this again.....kidding!). I'm not going to lie, it's been super tough. I thought I had it bad with Sienna and thought THAT was what I was signing up for, and this has just been so much worse. I've had constant 24-hr/day nausea (and occasional vomiting) from the minute I wake up until the minute I close my eyes at night. With Sienna I felt pretty good in the morning and the nausea didn't really kick in until around 11ish, so I at least had some relief. I definitely wasn't prepared for this. The nausea started even earlier this time--around week 4-5. I'm now almost 17 weeks and still feeling really awful. I've tried just about everything to get relief--preggy pops, ginger chews, vit b6 and unisom, zophran, phenergan, gingerale, sprite, even acupuncture. I really haven't found anything that seems to help--oh, other than Diet Coke. Pretty funny, since I haven't had soda in about 13 years. My Diet Coke addict friends are loving the fact that I always seem to have a diet coke in hand. It doesn't seem to do a whole lot, but it does a little something.

Needless to say, I've been just counting down the days until I should be feeling better. With Sienna nausea ended around week 18, which is just around the corner. When I was pregnant with Sienna after the morning sickness ended I had about a week of feeling great, and I remember going running on the beach and just loving life, then at week 19 I started getting these horrible stabbling/ligament pains when I walked. They lasted until I delivered. I remember my MD that it was just how I carry and she told me that they would started earlier and be more painful with each pregnancy, and wouldn't you know it--they showed up last week (week 15ish). So, it's definitely been a double-whammy, having the morning-noon-and-night sickness and the ligament pains. Let's just say that I have sucked at life for the last 3 months....and just ask Dan, it's been a LONG 3 months--for all of us.

I'm just not good at this pregnancy thing. And I am definitely not one of those who suffers in silence or who does this gracefully. I'm sorry for those of who who have had to be around my miserable self the last few months. I really have felt like I am just barely surviving. It's hard to feel like you are just doing the bare minimum in every aspect of your life. I just feel like I'm a horrible mom, wife, friend, employee....the list could go on and on. I'm so grateful to live in a time where I have Mickey Mouse and Dora to help raise my child. And I'm grateful that she's young enough to not remember what waste of a mom I was for these few months.

I have so much admiration for women, for mothers, especially for those who struggle through trial after trial during their pregancies. Pregnancy is just not for wusses. I keep saying that this kid better be cute (therefore being worth the trouble)! And then I get scared that maybe Sienna got all the cute genes.

I know that this is all temporary, and that it's worth it, and that I have so much to be grateful for. But, that doesn't mean I have to like every bit of it, though, does it? I am grateful for this new adventure and excited for what the future holds. Can't wait to meet this little one. I have a feeling he/she is a strong, feisty little one who is just showing me early on who is boss! :)

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas (long overdue!)

2011-01-16T20:17:00.000-08:00

So, I know I've been a little MIA from the blogging world for the last few months, so I have lots of catching up to do! I wouldn't even have done this post had I not been able to hijack most of it from my cute sister-in-law. Thanks, Carolyn! :) We had dinner at The Pie in SLC. Don't worry, my dad ordered us TWO, not just one of these ginormous pizzas. He's crazy. I think we took home 3-4 boxes of pizza.

After dinner, we went to This Is The Place Monument in SLC. They have something called a Candlelight Christmas--lots of little houses in the villages, live reindeer, Father Christmas, and a live Nativity.

The whole fam minus Rob and Dan. Carter is doing his 'blue steel' face.

Uncle Brad and the rugrats. He's a great uncle.

Sienna was obsessed with her cousin Carter. She just followed him around everywhere. He was such a trooper. He didn't seem to mind. Most of the time, anyway. Every once in awhile he'd act annoyed and then would ask "where's Sienna?" or he would go find her. Sienna just loved having cousins around to play with.

Sienna going for a little "ride"

All the kids just loved the train ride. Little Kate was making funny baby noises and Sienna was looking around everywhere, asking where the goat was.

Love Sac Love. Tommy and Carter "slept" in the basement with Uncle Brad. Let's be honest, it only lasted a few hours before the kids were up in bed with their mom and dad.

Cute little Kate, or as Sienna likes to call her, Baby Cakes.

Kate's first ponytail. This is a big moment for any girl!

What happens when things get too quiet around the house.

Fake Christmas Dinner with Jeff & fam, since they weren't with us for the real deal. Of course I brought Christmas Crackers to carry on some of the English traditions I learned on the mission.

Sienna was in love with all of Kate's gifts and couldn't get enough of this cute little purse.

The whole crew at dinner at La Jolla Grove. Has anyone been to the Riverwoods since they renovated? Super fun. It's more like the Gateway now. They have some great restaurants as well, including La Jolla Grove. It looks a little fancy schmancy, but the prices are really reasonable, the food is fabulous and the service is great!

Mom and Dad. Good peeps.

paper, but....

2010-12-18T16:56:00.000-08:00

Had to post this funny little Sienna story while I remember it. The other day she was trying to color on something that she wasn't suppose to (like my work documents...) and I said, "Sienna, you can't color on that PAPER, BUT you can color on this coloring book..." She started laughing so hard, and kept repeating "You said paper butt! You said paper butt!" It was so funny. I have no idea where she learned that butt was a funny/naughty word or why that phrase would even be funny to a 2-year-old, but it was hilarious. And she was laughing so hard, a total belly laugh. She couldn't stop giggling.

Bye Bye, Binky!

2010-11-01T00:43:00.000-07:00

It is now day number 10 without the binky. Sienna's done pretty well, way better than we expected. I might miss it more than she does, since it's such a convenient "plug" particularly when she's tired and grumpy and melting down in public. Occasionally she still asks for it, but typically only once. What we have discovered is that bedtime was much more fun for us with a binky. Sienna now fights bedtime and cries when she goes down and just can't self-soothe as easily without the binky. We've always been spoiled with Sien, since she's just a really good sleeper, always has been, for the most part. I don't know how much of it is the new binky-less routine, or if it's just the fun of having a 2-year-old, or maybe a little of both? Well, it's been fun to hear all the excuses she comes up with when it's time to go to sleep. She'll say "Mom, I want to cuddle." Sienna has never been much of a cuddler, so she knows this will get to us! Or we'll get the usual "I'm hungry" or "I'm thirsty" (which she probably is, since she's a horrible eater). She'll also run to her room and close the door. She'll even say "I'm going to go close my door" and run and close it and come back. Not sure what she's thinking there....will we forget where her room is? Will we not be able to get into her room if the door is shut? She's so funny. Last night was my particular favorite. She yelled, "Daddy, I want to watch the game with you!" What dad can resist a little girl who wants to watch the game with him? She's a sly little one, I tell you! Already figuring out how to wrap mom and dad around her tiny little finger!

My Little Pumpkin

2010-10-28T03:10:00.000-07:00

Every once in awhile I actually take a picture or two of myself and Dan. This was NOT one of those times. :) Actually, I did take a couple, I just don't love them. Sienna's way cuter. Sorry, Dan.

Dan and I took Sienna over to Cornbelly's at Thanksgiving Point last week. She had so much fun. She loved bouncing on the giant pillows, playing dress-up in Princessland, going down the huge slides, sitting around the campfire listening to Halloween stories and of course eating french fries and chocolate cake. It was such a fun night with our little family.

Chicken & Spinach Soup with Fresh Pesto

2010-10-28T01:40:00.000-07:00

I have a ton of vegetables, so I was wanting to make a soup for dinner tonight. I finally found this recipe that sounded good, and made a few changes to add more veggies to it. It turned out great! I even used canned chicken, so it was pretty easy.

Have I mentioned that I LOVE soup weather??

Chicken & Spinach Soup with Fresh Pesto
Adapted from http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/chicken_spinach_pesto_soup.html

5 servings, about 1 1/2 cups each
Ingredients

2 teaspoons plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 sweet potato, diced
1/2 onion, diced
1 can stewed tomatoes or 1 tomato, diced
1 large boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 8 ounces), cut into quarters (or 1 can)
1 large clove garlic, minced
5 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 teaspoons dried marjoram (I didn't have any...I used rosemary and basil)
6 ounces baby spinach, coarsely chopped
1 15-ounce can cannellini beans or great northern beans, rinsed
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup lightly packed fresh basil leaves
Freshly ground pepper to taste
3/4 cup plain or herbed multigrain croutons for garnish (optional)

Preparation

Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add sweet potato, onion and chicken; cook, turning the chicken and stirring frequently, until the chicken begins to brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute more. Stir in broth and marjoram; bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through, about 5 minutes.
With a slotted spoon, transfer the chicken pieces to a clean cutting board to cool. Add spinach, tomatoes and beans to the pot and bring to a gentle boil. Cook for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
Combine the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, Parmesan and basil in a food processor (or use prepared pesto) . Process until a coarse paste forms, adding a little water and scraping down the sides as necessary.
Cut the chicken into bite-size pieces. Stir the chicken and pesto into the pot. Season with pepper. Heat until hot. Garnish with croutons, if desired.

Lake Powell October 2010

2010-10-19T22:52:00.000-07:00

Here's my favorite picture from our Lake Powell trip. My mom and I were talking about how October is Lake Powell's best kept secret. Seriously, it is the best time of the year to go. We had the most amazing weather--not too hot during the day, not too cool at night. It was perfect. We went with my parents, their friends and our good friend's, the VanDyke's. I have a million pictures to edit, so when I get a chance to edit them, I'll post some favorites. For now, this one picture of my little cutie will have to do. Ok, fine, here's one more.

P.S. Sien started saying her last name and today kept saying "I'm Sienna Dixon". It is THE cutest thing.

Happy Birfday Aunt Nally!

2010-10-18T10:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday, to my favorite (and only!) sister Janelle. She turned 27 on Oct 7th, 2010. We decided to take advantage of the great fall weather and head up the canyon with the fam for some dutch oven birthday fun. We had yummy dutch-oven enchiladas, corn bread and chocolate cherry cake. Everything was soooo good. Why is it that anything you dutch oven or cook over the fire tastes so great?! It was great weather and we had a fun time with the fam. Sienna is so spoiled to have an aunt and 2 uncles who aren't married (and don't have kids of their own) so she just gets super spoiled and lots of TLC.

Janelle is 5 1/2 years younger than me, so when we were younger, she was the annoying little sister who followed me around and wanted to wear my clothes. Let's just say I wasn't always the kindest older sister. I love that now that we're older, we are super close. She's not only a great sister, but a great friend and the best aunt in the world. There's no one quite like Janelle--she's beautiful, driven and ambitious, spiritual, a little (lot) high-maintenance and has a whole lot of sass. She keeps things lively in the Hanson household. We love you, Nelly!

Betty Crocker....

2010-10-14T07:39:00.000-07:00

Or is it Martha Stewart? I forget. Basically, I'm super domestic. So, I did a little canning last night. I've only done it once, we did salsa with some friends last year(I think?). (So I'm totally kidding when I say I'm super domestic, I'm a complete amateur). It was a ton of work, but there were lots of helping hands and the salsa was great. Somehow I forgot the work involved and slaved away (by myself...Dan chopped 1/2 an onion) all night long and ended up with 6 little pints of salsa and 4 little containers of strawberry-peach jam. I'm just trying to remind myself that it's 4 jars of salsa that I don't have to buy! (Since most of the ingredients were free from family members). It better taste good! :) I think it's a keeper, if so I'll post the recipe so I don't forget it! It's definitely got lots of kick!

Rugrats....

2010-10-11T22:09:00.000-07:00

It's been fun to take the kids up American Fork Canyon to play. Of course the kids are always drawn to the dirt hills, which is why they all look like homeless little rugrats.

2010-10-11T21:39:00.000-07:00

I saw this print today on etsy and I love it. This is a little phrase Sienna and I say to each other everyday. Wouldn't this be cute framed in her room?!

Colorado River Trip

2010-10-10T22:01:00.000-07:00

In September we met up with a bunch of friends from Southern California for a little canoeing trip on the Colorado River. We met up at the Hoover dam, stayed at the Hacienda Hotel (nothin' but classy) and went on a 2-day canoeing trip. It was so much fun. A few highlights--camping, cliff jumping, canoeing, hiking, campfires, "floating" the river, amazing food (Thank you, Jensen's!)...and our favorite part was just catching up with old friends. It was a quick trip, but we had a blast! P.S. Thanks to everyone who watched Sienna so we could go on this trip! (Kate, Mom, Nelly....).

Me and Steph Jensen. LOVE (and miss!) this girl!

On the River...

Me and Dan hiking

A bunch of people from the group had waterproof cameras and took tons more pictures, so I need to steal some of the group shots!

A Few More Family Pics....

2010-10-08T09:30:00.000-07:00

My good friend Emily VanDyke took our Hanson family photos this year. She did a few of our little family, Sienna was totally melting down, so we didn't spend too much time on our family pictures. This was taken up near my parents home in Woodland Hills. The lighting was perfect....now if only I had lost those 20 lbs before the pictures!!! Someday......

Eight weeks to a better you...

2010-10-07T12:39:00.000-07:00

So in case you're wondering why I've been so much better at blogging for the past 1 1/2 weeks, it's because of a kind of wellness challenge I'm doing. It's an 8 week challenge. All the participants paid $15 to the pot and the winner gets 75%. The other 25% is a random drawing. So, even if you don't have the most points, you have a chance of winning something. Anyway, there ended up being somethings crazy like 117 people doing it. So, the pot is big, though I'm sure there will be some ties, which means the money will be split. They also do weekly drawings for other little prizes. My friend Jeannie emailed me about the challenge. I LOVED the idea. I love that it's not about weight loss, it's about developing healthy habits, physically, emotionally, spiritually. I really needed motivation, on so many different levels. And this seems to be exactly what I have needed. I just cut/pasted below the blurb they had posted on the blog which describes the challenge. It's definitely a little intense, but I like that you have some flexibility to define things best for you, like the no junk-food and no sugar. I'm sure there are people who are interpreting that as nothing processed, while others feel like sugar-free jello is their saving grace. It hasn't been as hard as I thought, and I love that it just makes me prioritize my time better, and think twice before I do something or eat something. I've never thought about reading my scriptures while on the bike at the gym, but it's been a good time for me to get some scripture reading in. I think the hardest things are not eating after 8 p.m. since we often eat late dinners since Dan works late, and the getting 7 hours of sleep. As far as the nutrition piece, I'm doing surprisingly well. I've always eaten fairly healthy, and don't drink soda, but I've never had a ton of will power when it comes to sweets, so it feels so good to be at work and not eat any of the donuts someone passes around. I'm just so much more aware of what I'm eating, and making my calories count. I've realized it just takes planning ahead and having healthy, nutritious food and snacks on hand. I've been working out consistently and reading my scriptures more diligently than I have in so long, which just feels great. It ends right before Thanksgiving, so I think we'll take a little break over the holidays (because that would just be cruel to do something like this over Christmas) and then start up something similar in January (on a much smaller level...). I figure if I win a few bucks, great, but there are plenty of rewards you get along the way--spiritually and physically--to make it well worth my $15 investment!

8 WEEKS TO A BETTER YOU

As a participant, you will have the opportunity to earn points every day by following a list of requirements. At the end of every week, you will total your points then record them to the "8 Weeks to a Better You Points Bracket". All the participants will receive access to this online spreadsheet, and we trust will be truthful when recording their points. On you honor people!

Here's how you earn points...

Physically Better Yourself

1. Exercise at least 45 minutes a day!

2. Get AT LEAST 7 hours of sleep a night (if you are short a little just squeeze a nap in to make up for it).

3. Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day

4. No Sugar-there are different ways to do this. We prefer eliminating sugars and white flours (which turn into sugars) to get the most bang for your buck. But if you would like to just do without sugars then you can make that call.

5. No Soda or Junk Food Yes that means no Diet Coke ladies or fast food! Ya we know that will not be an easy point to earn...but you will love yourself and how you feel if you do it.

6. Eat at least 2 servings of fruit and 2 servings of vegetables

7. No eating after 8 p.m.

Emotionally/Spiritually Better Yourself

8. Write in your journal EVERY DAY.

9. Complete at least 15 minutes of uplifting reading or scripture study.

10. Complete an act of service or random act of kindness. Whether it be a small one or a big one, do something kind for someone else that is out of your normal routine.

You receive 1 point per item per day, so that's 10 points a day you can earn. There will also be 1 bonus challenge every week worth extra points. It could be anything from cleaning out your fridge to donating your time or money to a charity or worthy cause.

Now we know this is not easy so to help out you get a FREE DAY where you get the full 10 points whether or not you complete all the requirements! You can choose which day of each week is your free day each week, but you cannot choose different days for different points. The only exception to this rule is exercise. Your free day from exercise can be different if you choose. For example - you may choose Saturday as your free day but choose to workout that day and take Sunday off from exercise.

Like this quote....

2010-10-05T20:37:00.000-07:00

We got a puppy!

2010-10-05T18:29:00.000-07:00

She is adorable, a little, yappy, hyper thing. Her name is Sienna. Seriously, this child is obsessed with puppies right now. She crawls around all day, barking and panting, begging for food, wanting me to pet her. When she is with friends they take long necklaces and put them around each others necks as a leash. I love this stage. One minute she is a princess, a puppy the next. Definitely a phase I don't want to forget. :)

General Conference

2010-10-02T22:42:00.000-07:00

I love this time of year for many reasons--I love all things pumpkin, the weather, eating soup, wearing sweaters, the list could go on and on. Being LDS, I also really love having General Conference, which is a time where I just feel spiritually rejuvinated. I know I've mentioned this before, but my mission mom (Sister Bonnie Parkin) always gave us an "equation" for General Conference. 1. Listen with an open, prayerful heart 2. Search for your personal message 3. Apply it in your life, an watch Miracles happen! I love it and have followed this formula many times and know that it works. Give is a try.

Baby Heaven....

2010-10-01T23:54:00.000-07:00

We were lucky enough to be able to have a visit from Dan's sister Debi, her husband Jared and their adorable 7-month old twins. Could they get any cuter!? Seriously!!! Debi is a rock star, she gave birth to these little chunkers--Bethany was almost 9 lbs and Isaac was 8.6 lbs...I think? Give or take a few ounces... Insane. Deb and Jared waited a long time for these kiddos, so we are just so thrilled that they have such cute, happy, healthy babies. It was super fun to have them here and get to know them. Sienna really was in baby heaven. She has such a crush on Isaac. She likes Bethany, but she LOVES Isaac. She could not get enough of him, and she still talks about him every couple of days. LOVE these babies. Deb and Jared are ok, too, I guess....Funny, how before kids, I actually had a few pictures of my friends and family, and I was actually in a few pictures....

Then we got to spend time with my brother Jeff, his wife Carolyn and their cute little kids. I (finally!) got to meet my new niece Kate. I think she is the smiliest baby I've ever seen. What kid smile like this for every picture!? Oh, Kate does. Isn't she beautiful!?? Sienna just couldn't get enough of Baby Cakes.

Sienna-isms

2010-09-28T22:38:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to write down a few of the sweet/funny things Sienna has said lately. She has recently become obsessed with 101 Dalmations. She calls it "Doggymations". Makes sense, right? I love hearing her say it, it cracks me up.

On Sunday night Dan said the dinner prayer and he said something about being thankful for the Holy Ghost. Sienna has since become fascinated by the Holy Ghost, asking all sorts of questions. She started telling everyone that the "Holy Ghost is nice".

The other day she put her purse over her shoulder, put on her princess shoes, put her baby in her stroller and said "Bye, mom. I'm going shoppin'." So I asked her where she was going and she replied "don't know." So I asked what she was going to buy and she said "I'm gonna go buy you some new clothes." I love my girly girl!

I know I've posted before that she calls polka dots coconuts, right? Well, we never correct her, since we think it's so stinkin' cute. But I knew the day would come when she would figure it out....Well, she is now part-way there and has started calling polka dots "cocodots".

I LOVE this stage, all the new words and phrases, and just watching her discovering life. She has such a fun, spunky little personality. LOVE this girl so much!

So Cal trip August 2010

2010-09-27T22:18:00.000-07:00

I don't have enough energy to do journal about our August California trip, so for now I'll just post some pictures. Just know that we had an amazing time--the weather was perfect! I'll post details soon....

Ok, can not get enough of Syd in her zebra print bikini. Those thighs are amazing!

CHEESE!!!!! Sienna was a little obsessed with Christy. She totally preferred to hold Christy's hand over mine. She loves her Auntie Christy.

I love this picture of Dan and his brother Jeff. We had a fun day playing at Tamarack beach in Carlsbad.

And how sad is it that the only pictures of the Syed's I got was of Tracie's feet...but hey, they are good looking feet, right!? We snuck away from the boys to get pedi's.....so nice! I miss good, cheap pedicures! And I don't know why I can't get this picture formatted. Weird!

San Clemente, one of our favorite places on the planet!

My little dancing queen!

Sienna and one of her favorite people in the whole world, her daddy!

Happy Birthday to you, Dan!

2010-09-27T21:49:00.000-07:00

I wish I would've gotten video of Sienna singing Happy Birthday to her dad. It was so stinkin' cute. She's now obsessed with the song and sings it pretty much every single day. For Dan's bday, he chose a low-key bday dinner at Chili's--the big 3-5! I'm officially married to an old man :) Here's just a few pictures of his birthday week. He milked it and got out of many a diaper changes because it was his "birthday week". We also had fun celebrating with both of our families. Sienna and I are so lucky to have such an amazing father and husband. Love your guts!

Having too much fun with the camera

My not-very-good-angry-face since Dan kept taking pictures of me

For his birthday I surprised Dan with tickets to a REAL soccer game. I told him that I had a work party that night, but I don't think he believed me. Apparently I'm not a very good liar. Here is Dan looking bored as ever...only he's not bored of the game, just bored of me taking too many pictures! It was such a fun night--good friends, dinner at Smash Burger and a great REAL game!

Dan imitating the Referee. I love his face.

Moon and Back

2010-09-22T23:40:00.000-07:00

The other week I said to Sienna "DO you know how much mom loves you?" And she confidently said "MOON AND BACK!". My heart melted. Seriously, how cute is that!?

Anyone else love this book? I think it's so cute. And at least I know she's listening, right!?

Sienna pretty much says it every day now.

I DO love this beautiful little girl, all the way to the moon AND back!

All Things Work Together For Good

2010-09-22T23:15:00.000-07:00

I stumbled across a blog of a young family who recently lost their 18 month old daughter. I just sat and cried, just imagining what my life would be like without Sienna. My heart ached just thinking about it. Anyway, this sweet young mom posted this talk and spoke of the strength and peace that it has given her. I think it is filled with such simple, powerful truths. As I read it, I just kept thinking about how many friends and family members struggling with different trials--death, divorce, financial stress, loneliness, relationships problems, depression, health problems, faith/testimonies being tested...the list could go on and on. I appreciated reading this talk because it really helped me try to understand things from a bigger, more eternal perspective. Rather than feeling like a victim, completely powerless, it provides you with practical ways to try to cope with your trials. Hope you can find a few minutes to read it. It's good stuff, I promise. Nothing that we haven't heart before, but it was a really good reminder for me.

All Things Work Together for Good

By Elder James B. Martino Of the Seventy

James B. Martino, “All Things Work Together for Good,” Liahona, May 2010, 101–3

We may never know in this life why we face what we do, but we can feel confident that we can grow from the experience.

When I was young I looked forward to the spring of the year. As the weather warmed, I was ready for baseball to begin. Like most young boys, I would wish that I could become a great baseball player. I am reminded of a story about a very young boy with similar dreams. With the desire to become the next mighty ballplayer, he decided to go outside and practice. He held the baseball in one hand and the bat in the other, and he threw the ball into the air. With a wish to hit the ball as far as he could, he took a great swing, but the ball fell to the ground without even touching the wood of the bat. Not to be denied, he went at it again. As he was about to throw the ball in the air, his determination grew as the thought of a powerful hit came into his mind. But alas, the results were the same. The ball lay on the ground. But as any good ballplayer knows, you have three strikes before you are out. He concentrated even more, threw the ball in the air, and gave the mightiest swing he had ever attempted. As the ball again fell to the ground, the tears began to swell in his eyes. Then all of a sudden a great smile appeared, and he said, “What a pitcher!”
Each of us will face trials and tests, and as in this simplistic example, it is how we react to those difficulties that will determine our success and happiness. Each of us will face adversity no matter where we are. We are taught in the scriptures that there “must needs be … an opposition in all things.”1 We will each face times of difficulty, and the question is not when we will face them but how we face them.
The Apostle Paul taught an interesting lesson only a few years before the Saints in Rome were to face some of the most violent persecution of any Christian era. Paul reminded the Saints that “all things work together for good to them that love God.”2 Our Heavenly Father, who loves us completely and perfectly, permits us to have experiences that will allow us to develop the traits and attributes we need to become more and more Christlike. Our trials come in many forms, but each will allow us to become more like the Savior as we learn to recognize the good that comes from each experience. As we understand this doctrine, we gain greater assurance of our Father’s love. We may never know in this life why we face what we do, but we can feel confident that we can grow from the experience.
Now, I realize that it is much easier to look back when a trial is over and see what we have learned from our experience, but the challenge is to gain that eternal perspective while we are going through our tests. To some, our trials may not seem great, but to each of us who are passing through these experiences, the trials are real and require us to humble ourselves before God and learn from Him.
On this Easter Sunday, we remember the life of our Savior. It is He whom we desire to emulate in all of our actions. May I mention five things that we can learn from those last hours of the Savior’s life on earth that can help us to face our own trials.
First, He sought not to do His will but only the will of His Father. He remained committed to His sacred mission even through the trial. As He fell to His face in the Garden of Gethsemane, He asked, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”3 Sometimes we pass through pain and sorrow that we might grow and be prepared for potential trials in the future. I ask a question to you mothers: “Would you ever do something that would cause pain and bring tears to your children when they have done nothing wrong?” Of course you would! When mothers take young children to the doctor to receive immunizations, almost every child leaves the doctor’s office in tears. Why do you do that? Because you know that a small amount of pain now will protect them from possible pain and suffering in the future. Our Father in Heaven knows the end from the beginning. We need to follow the example of the Savior and trust in Him.
Second, when we are faced with trials, we must learn to not complain or murmur. Nephi, after a great vision of the Savior’s atoning sacrifice, told us: “Wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men.”4 We must always attempt to correct the problem and overcome the trial, but instead of asking “Why me?” or “What did I do to deserve this?” maybe the question should be “What am I to do? What can I learn from this experience? What am I to change?”
Several years ago while my wife and I were serving in Venezuela, our youngest son left the comfort of his high school to join with us. He did not complain, but it was obvious that he struggled as he went to this country where everything was new to him; but in an amazing turn of events, the experience went from one of trial to a huge blessing in his life. He accomplished this by changing his own attitude and developing a determination to succeed.
Third, when we face our challenges, we must seek greater help from God. Even the Savior of us all found a need to pray “more earnestly” as He was in the Garden of Gethsemane.5 We can learn to gain great faith if we do this. We must remember that often the answers from our Heavenly Father do not remove the trial from us, but instead He helps strengthen us as we pass through the experience. As He did for the followers of Alma, the Lord can “ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs.”6 In our trials, let us not become bitter or uncommitted, but let us follow the Savior’s example of becoming more earnest, more sincere, and more faithful.
Fourth, learn to serve and think of others even in our times of trial. Christ was the epitome of service. His life was filled with examples of helping and serving others, and His greatest gift of all was what He did for us. As He said, “For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent.”7 We must repent and then follow His example of service. When we serve others, we forget our own problems, and by working to relieve the pain or discomfort of others, we strengthen ourselves.
In our last general conference, our beloved prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, stated: “I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish—and in effect save their lives.”8
Fifth, forgive others and do not seek to pass the blame of our situation to them. Sometimes we like to say, “If they had not done this, then I would not have reacted the way I did.” There is a tendency for the natural man to pass blame to someone else so as not to be accountable for his or her own actions. The Savior looked at those who had nailed Him to the cross and pled with His Father in Heaven to “forgive them; for they know not what they do.”9 Can we not be more forgiving?
As we pass through the trials of life, let us keep an eternal perspective, let us not complain, let us become even more prayerful, let us serve others, and let us forgive one another. As we do this, “all things [will] work together for good to [us] that love God.”10 I bear a solemn and certain witness that our Father loves us and He sent His Son to show and pave the way for us. He suffered, He died, and He was resurrected that we might live, and He desires that we “might have joy,”11 even in our trials of life. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

My Baby Girl Turned Two!

2010-09-07T08:05:00.000-07:00

I can't believe my baby is already two years old! Her birthday was on August 12th. We didn't even know if we were going to be around to have an official party for her, since we had family reunions going on, but we threw together a last-minute pool party for her with mostly family and a few friends. Sienna got spoiled with all sorts of great presents, she loved her new books, clothes, dress-ups, her "'puter" (leapfrog computer) and her new table....but most of all, she loved the chocolate cupcakes! It was a fun day, even though she was a sassy little thing. She told people for weeks that she was the birthday girl and was "two" while holding up 1 finger. Pretty cute. She certainly knew it was her day!

I can not imagine my life without Sienna in it. Dan and I are so grateful to have a healthy, beautiful little girl. I'm even grateful for her sass. :) Sienna brings so much joy into our home. She is so much fun. It's hard to even remember what life was like before she her. She has totally turned into daddy's girl and just can not seem to get enough of her daddy. Every once in awhile it's frustrating, but most of the time it's rather convenient. "Sorry, Dan, she wants YOU to change her diaper" or "She won't let me give her a bath". She has always known what she wants, which we are hoping will someday be a great thing. For now she's just super spunky and stubborn as can be. She is still a picky little eater and is basically a vegetarian. No mac-n-cheese, no top ramen, no pizza, fast food, table food, etc... I guess I shouldn't complain, but it's not always super convenient, so at times it gets frustrating. We had major break-throughs when we finally got her eat PBJ's and occasionally some Mickey chicken nuggets.

What else? She is such a little chatter box. She is a cuddle-bug now, which is so fun. It doesn't last too long, but she loves giving hugs and kisses and doesn't really shy away from anyone. She rarely stops talking and has turned into our little parrot. She just copies everything we say. It's funny to see such a little one talking so clearly. I think it really helps dealing with the fun times of a two year old, because we can communicate pretty easily. I love my little drama queen. Sienna loves all things girly. Among her favorite things in life are jewelry, makeup, shoes, purses, clothes, babies, tea parties, dolls, ponies....the list could go on and on. She is definitely a girly girl, but she also loves to play in the mud and kick a soccer ball.

We love you, Sienna Marie!

Dixon family pictures 2010

2010-08-31T08:37:00.000-07:00

2010-08-27T00:18:00.000-07:00

Jack Johnson concert August 2010....such a good concert. Usahna is a great venue. I like Jack's music, but I really like people watching at concerts. There were all sorts of peeps out that night. I especially loved watching the oh-so-very-white-boy dance moves in front of us. It kept us completely entertained the entire time. Dang! We should have gotten pics. And I loved being able to chill with Melissa and Matt & Company that night. Good peeps.

REAL GAME on July 24th with Tiff & Jake and the kidlets

Sienna's World

2010-07-27T11:05:00.000-07:00

These are a couple of pics my brother Brad took of Sienna when we were at my parents house Sunday night for dinner. She stripped off her clothes and built forts and played hide and seek with Uncle Brad. She also suckered people to get her into my dad's water feature to go "swimmin". I love this pic of her wearing my mom's reading glasses. She certainly is a spunky little thing these days. I guess I'll write down a few things I don't want to forget. She is a little chatter box and just doesn't stop. She speaks in full sentences and can pretty much communicate anything she wants. When I give her lunch, she'll hand something back to me and say "cut it." So, now we're just working on the "would you please?" part. Actually, she says please and thank you more than any other kid I know. It's pretty cute. Speaking of food, she is still the pickiest little eater, though it's hard to complain because she will eat fruits and veggies. She just won't eat any meat and not really much table food. No pizza, pasta, mac-n-cheese, grilled cheese, quesadillas, etc....which makes it super tricky if we're out and have to get something at a restaurant or drive-through. Well, we have made a breakthrough and in the past few weeks have gotten her to start eating PB&J's and Mickey Chicken Nuggets. And she loves chocolate milk, her "shake". I swear I'm the only parent who is excited when their kid will eat this kind of crap. But at least she's getting some protein and we have a couple of "meal" options. What else? Well, she loves to play with "claydo" and go swimming. Last week my mom taught her the "Hit the road, Jack" song and she sings it all the time, shaking her head and waving her finger back and forth when she says "and don't you come back, no more, no more, no more". It's pretty funny hearing a song like that come from such a sweet little voice. I need to get it on video. It's pretty stinkin' cute. My little Sienna who has not been a cuddler, suddenly turned into a little cuddle bug. She wants hugs all the time, and will say "I need a hug....and a kiss?" We started giving "fish" kisses, and now she'll go through every other animal she knows, "doggy kiss, horsey kiss, cow kiss, froggy kiss" though they are all exactly the same! She's a funny little thing. Sienna is also obsessed with the potty, but she doesn't how to go potty, and she doesn't tell me when she goes potty, so I don't really know how to start the whole potty training thing. She will sit on the little pink toilet, with her diaper on, grab a couple of squares, wipe and then hop off and say all done. She still seems so young, since she's not even 2 years old yet, but I've heard that often girls are earlier than boys. Any advice, friends?

Powell Dance Party

2010-07-26T23:41:00.000-07:00

Sorry, Nell, I couldn't help it... :)

Lake Powell July 2010--Scenic Shots

2010-07-26T23:39:00.000-07:00

Thanksgiving Point fun

2010-07-26T21:04:00.000-07:00

We had a little play date with friends in our neighborhood and went to Thanksgiving Point. Since it's so close we got a season pass to Thanksgiving Point, which has been super fun. In July it was the bday bash at the dinosaur museum and they extra activities like dinosaur oregami and face painting. The kids had a blast and of course didn't want to leave! I need to do better at taking pictures of my friends. We had fun too! :)

Emery & Addy, two of Sienna's BFF's.

Such a curious little one...

This was our weak attempt at a group shot.

The kids in action...

Second Chance Charm Huge Kids Consignment Event!

2010-07-22T16:45:00.000-07:00

My friend Melanie is hosting a huge kids consignment event (one in Provo area and one in Ogden area). I love the idea of being able to both sell and buy things for a great deal. It's also a great idea if you have a business and want to be a vendor. Here's some of the details....

Our semi-annual event is an opportunity for you to sell your unwanted HIGH QUALITY used items such as kid clothes sizes 0-16, shoes, toys, kid furniture, sports equipment, baby accessories, strollers, cribs, exersaucers, etc.

It is also a great place to shop and save a lot of money on many items you have been wanting for your family! Its better than a garage sale because everything you are looking for is in one location!

Here's a direct link for the info...http://www.secondchancecharm.com/Event-Information.html
Spread the word!

Girls Can Grill Gourmet Club

2010-07-04T22:58:00.000-07:00

My friend Kim and I hosted our Gourmet Club this week. We decided to take advantage of hosting it in the summertime and do some grilling, so we called it "Girls Can Grill". I like what Kim said later.

She said we should have called it

"Girls Can Grill"

(but boys should!)

We held it at my in-law's house, since they have an amazing yard,

which was the perfect setting for a gourmet BBQ.
(I wish I could have had it at our new house but unfortunately we still don't have a yard!).
Roger and Deanne were so kind and were such a big help in getting the yard ready and helping get things cleaned up. Thanks, Dixon's!

The place setting.

The table. We had an awning of yellow and white stripped fabric hanging above the table but didn't get to take pictures of it.

These fun pin wheels were the name cards and bigger ones all over the yard and accenting down the rock stairway into the backyard.

Appetizer table (minus the grilled pizza)

Appetizers -

Grilled Cajun Pizza

Grilled Bruschetta with Strawberries and Mascarpone

Salad - Basil Cous Cous Salad

Main Course -
Honey/Lime Flat Iron Steak
Orzo with Roasted Veggies, Basil, and Feta
Grilled Pineapple and Raspberries on a Sugar Cane Skewers

This is the best steak ever. Seriously should try it!!!

(And it's a great marinade for any steak. I love it on flank, skirt or flat iron)

I'm not gonna lie, the main course ended up being a little tricky. The butcher at Smith's had highly recommended the Flat-Iron Steak, he was raving about it and suggested it over the flank. So, despite my better judgement, I got the flat iron steak, which I had never cooked before. It took so much longer to cook, so it kinda threw our timing off, but oh well! We just had several little mishaps (like having to bag my sugar cane skewers because the pineapple and raspberries kept breaking, then last-minute using skewers that we forgot to soak so they caught on fire...minor detail!) that made things take longer for the main course, during which I said to Kim, "Maybe girls CAN'T grill!". It actually turned out great, the problems we had were pretty minor. It's just when the timing doesn't work out perfectly that you get frustrated!

Dessert - Grilled Pound Cake with Raspberry Sauce

This pound cake is DIVINE. Seriously, I think it's the best I've ever had. And I love the idea of grilling the cake. I was shocked that even after grilling the cake, it's still the most moist, delicious cake ever.

The take home gift was a pink basting brush and a jar of "Best BBQ Rub Ever". This rub is so tasty. It's great on any meat--pork chops, chicken, steak, just about anything. I think it's the perfect amount of sweet and spice.

We forgot to take a shot from up above before it got dark, but we had hung this darling white and yellow striped fabric canopy over the table. I'm so sad that we didn't get a better picture of the canopy. I know it may look effortless in this photo, but do not be deceived. It was a little tricky. The picture below was kind of our inspiration. It's where we got the idea for the yellow/white striped canopy, which actually turned out really similar to this photo. So glad our efforts paid off. It ended up looking super cute!

LOVE these girls!

(We always have to get a little creative in taking pictures of our group, so the groups shots--via the self-timer--are always a little random!)

Check out the MENU and the yummy recipes below.
If you want more recipes or fun ideas for entertaining, check out www.slcgourmetgals.blogspot.com

The Menu

Appetizers

Grilled Bruschetta with Strawberries & Mascarpone

Grilled Cajun Pizza

Drinks

Lemon Spritzer

Raspberry-Mint Lemonade

Salad

Basil Cous Cous Salad

Main Course

Honey-Lime Flat Iron Steak

Orzo with Roasted Vegetables, Basil & Feta

Grilled Pineapple & Raspberries on Sugar Cane Skewers

Dessert

Grilled Pound Cake with Raspberry Sauce

The Recipes

Grilled Bruschetta with Strawberries &Mascarpone
www.sophistimom.com
1 baguette, thinly sliced on an angle
3 tablespoons butter at room temperature
3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup (120g) mascarpone cheese
1 pint (300g) strawberries, washed, dried, and sliced
Butter one side of each slice of bread. Mix together cinnamon and sugar, and sprinkle on top of the butter. Place the bread, cinnamon and sugar side down, in a nonstick skillet (or a grill) set over medium heat. Watch them carefully to ensure the sugar doesn’t burn. Remove from pan when the cinnamon and sugar caramelizes. Allow to cool slightly on a cooling rack. Spread each cinnamon toast with 2-3 teaspoons of mascarpone cheese. Garnish with 3 slices of strawberries.

Pizza Dough
Everybody Grills Cookbook

¼ cup cold milk
½ cup hot water
2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
Pinch sugar
2 ¼ tsp kosher salt
1 T extra-virgin olive oil
¼ cup cornmeal
2 ¼ cups flour

Combine milk and water in a large bowl. Add yeast and sugar; set aside until yeast foams. Stir in salt, oil and cornmeal. Gradually stir in flour until soft dough forms. Turn dough out onto floured surface; knead until smooth and shiny, about 10 minutes. Return dough to greased bowl; cover tightly with oiled plastic wrap; and let rise about 2 hours or until doubled in size.
Press dough down gently and proceed with your favorite grilled pizza or grilled bread recipe. Yields two pizzas.
TIP: be sure to work on a well-floured surface and to flour rolling pin to prevent dough from sticking. Shape pie as evenly and thinly as possible but not so thin that holes appear in dough. When set on grill, dough firms up immediately and thickens slightly. Not all pies will conform to a perfectly round shape. Free-form shapes are completely acceptable when making homemade pizza.

Grilled Cajun Pizza
Everybody Grills Cookbook

1 pizza dough recipe
1 clove garlic, minced
2-3 Tablespoon butter
1 pound Andouille sausage (or hot ground sausage, cooked)
2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
½ cup scallions, grilled chopped
1 cup roasted peppers, chopped
½ tsp. ground thyme
½ tsp ground coriander
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp cumin
1 T dried parsley
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Tabasco sauce to taste

Prepare pizza dough. Sauté butter and garlic. Transfer pizza crust to grill. Grill uncovered over high heat for 1 to 1 ½ minutes. Flip crust onto baking sheet, cooked side up. Brush with half the butter garlic mixture. Top with half of sausage, mozzarella, scallions and roasted peppers. Mix next six dry ingredients together in a small container, shake well to blend. Sprinkle half of seasonings on top of first pizza. Top with a few drops of Tabasco sauce to taste. Transfer pizza back to grill and cook for another 3 minutes or until cheese melts. Repeat process for second pizza.

Raspberry Mint Lemonade
1 12-ounce package frozen unsweetened raspberries (about 3 cups)
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1 cup fresh lemon juice
1 1-liter bottle (33.8 ounces) chilled sparkling water or club soda
Ice cubes
Mint sprigs
Fresh raspberries (optional)

Combine frozen raspberries, sugar, and 1/2 cup water in medium saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves and berries thaw. Increase heat and boil 3 minutes. Strain raspberry mixture into bowl, pressing on solids to extract as much liquid as possible; discard solids in strainer. Chill until cold. Stir raspberry syrup, lemon juice, and sparkling water in large pitcher to blend. Fill 6 glasses with ice cubes. Pour raspberry lemonade into glasses. Add fresh raspberries to each glass, if desired.

Lemon Spritzer
5 quarts water
2 cup sugar
1 tsp. lemon extract
1 tsp citric acid (*found at any pharmacy)

Add all ingredients and mix well.

Basil Cous Cous Salad
3 c. spinach/Euro mix lettuce
1/3 c. dried craisins
1/3 c. grated Asiago cheese
1/3 c. toasted pumpkin seeds or pine nuts
2 c. white corn
1 pkg. couscous, olive oil & garlic flavor (prepared per package instructions)

Dressing:
1 c. fresh basil leaves (roughly chopped)
1 c. mayonnaise
½ shallot, chopped
1 c. buttermilk
2 Tbs. red wine vinegar

Add ingredients in a blender and blend well. Salt & pepper to taste.
Toss with salad just before serving.

Honey-Lime Flat Iron Steak
Adapted from Serious Barbecue: Smoke, Char, Baste & Brush Your Way to Great Outdoor Cooking by Adam Perry Lang
& Huntington Beach 4th Ward Recipe Book

Ingredients
2 lb flat Iron, flank or skirt steak
5 cloves of garlic, chopped
2 T. grated fresh ginger
3 T. fresh lime juice
¼ c. soy sauce
¼ c. olive oil
2-3 T. honey
2 T. kosher salt
½ tsp. pepper

Finishing Dressing ingredients
Olive oil
Lemon zest
Freshly squeezed lemon juice
Finely chopped chives
Fleur de sel (or any sea salt)

Directions:
In a bowl, mix together garlic, ginger, lime juice, soy sauce, olive oil, honey, salt & pepper. Pour over steak and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Place steak on grill rack or broiler pan coated with cooking spray for 5 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness, basting frequently with marinade mixture. Drizzle olive oil on a cutting board. Add the zest, juice, chives, and fleur de sel. Top with the meat and let it rest for 5+ minutes. Cut steak diagonally across the grain into thin slices, dredging them in the dressing. Sprinkle with fleur de sel (or any sea salt).

Orzo with Roasted Vegetables, Basil &Feta
http://deliciouslivingmag.com

Serves 4-6
1 small red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 small orange bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
½ red onion, cut into 1/2 –inch pieces
6 thin stalks asparagus, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 pint red grape tomatoes, halved
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 cup orzo
1 1/4 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
2 tablespoons sliced fresh basil
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 425°. Toss bell peppers, onion, asparagus, tomatoes, and garlic with 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large baking dish. Season with salt and pepper. Roast for 25 minutes, turning once or twice with a spatula. Vegetables may also be grilled until soft using a grill basket, skewers or tinfoil.
2. Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat in a large saucepan. Add orzo and stir until lightly browned, 2–3 minutes. Add chicken/vegetable broth and season with salt and pepper. Lower heat, cover, and cook for 12 minutes, until liquid is absorbed.
3. Add roasted vegetables to orzo. Add lemon juice and toss lightly. Let cool to room temperature and add feta, pine nuts, and basil. Top with grated lemon zest.

Grilled Pineapple Kabobs on Sugar Cane Skewers
Adapted from www.melissas.com
Ingredients
*6 Sugar Cane Swizzle Stix (found on amazon.com)
1 Pineapple, cut into large cubes
12 Raspberries
1 Vanilla Bean
1/3 cup Brown Sugar
1/4 cup Water
1 teaspoon Unsalted Butter

Directions
Preheat a grill to low heat. Peel, core and cut pineapple into large chunks. (May use other fruit, such as strawberries, bananas, nectarines, etc..) Split vanilla bean and scrape out the seeds. Add the seeds, pod, sugar, water and butter to a small saucepot. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly and simmer for 2 minutes or until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat. Place the fruit on sugar cane skewers alternating fruit, if desired. Baste with the vanilla sauce and grill on medium-low heat until you get nice grill marks, about 2-4 minutes on each side.
*Can also use traditional wooden skewers. Soak in water for 20 mins prior to grilling.

Grilled Pound Cake with Raspberry Sauce
1 c. butter
3 c. sugar
6 eggs
3 c flour
1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1 c heavy cream
2 t pure vanilla extract
Cream together butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, mixing as you go. Add dry ingredients and mix until well blended. Add cream and vanilla and mix. Pour in bundt pan. Don't preheat oven. Put in oven and bake at 325 for 1 hr 15 min or until toothpick comes out clean!!
Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-low. Brush the pound cake slices with the melted butter. Grill until the cake is toasted, about 2 minutes on each side. Spread the warm sauce on dessert plates, place cake slices on each plate and top with additional sauce. Serve with cream and extra raspberries

Raspberry Sauce
2 heaping cup raspberries
Juice of ½ lemon (1 Tablespoon)
2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 ½ teaspoons cornstarch
In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the berries, the lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of the sugar, the vanilla and 1/4 cup of water. Cook, covered, until the berries are softened, about 10 minutes. Stir the sauce, partially mashing the berries. Taste and add the remaining sugar if the mixture is tart.
In a small bowl, stir 1 tablespoon of water into the cornstarch, then stir the mixture into the berry sauce and continue cooking, uncovered, until thickened, 2 to 3 minutes more. Remove from the heat and cover to keep warm.

Best BBQ Rub Ever
www.recipezaar.com

1 2/3 cups sugar
¼ cup paprika
½ tsp cayenne pepper
2 tsp chili powder
¼ cup salt
2tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder

Directions: Combine all ingredients and use as a rub for any barbecue meats. Apply a thick layer on to each side of meat, about 1/8th of an inch should be sufficient. Rub and press the mix over the meat. Wrap meat in foil and store in refrigerator overnight, or for a minimum of 1 hour. Apply a second coat just before grilling. Great on steak, chicken, ribs, pork chops, etc…

Sienna-isms

2010-07-04T21:53:00.000-07:00

We threw a baby shower for a friend and I brought home some balloons. Sienna pointed up to the balloon and said "coconuts". It took us a minute to figure out what she was talking about--well, she was pointed to the balloon with the polka dots, or otherwise known as "coconuts". She'll point to her little dalmation stuffed animal and say "coconuts". She's very consistent too, it's so funny. And it's definitely one that we don't want to correct, since it's so cute!

Today while driving home from my parents, Dan was trying to keep Sienna entertained with questions, "What does a cow say?" "MOOOO!!!!" "What does a horsey say?" "NEIGHHHHHH!!!!" So, I said, "What does Sienna say?" And she cheerfully and quickly replied "HI!" (Which is so perfect, since that really is Sienna's favorite word and she says it over and over again. all. day. long!) I love the stuff this kid comes up with.

Sienna is such a little chatterbox. She pretty much talks in full sentences these days. It amazes me how quickly her language has developed. I think it was around Mother's Day when she first started putting sentences together, and now she just chatters non-stop. There are definitely times when I can't figure out a word or two, but for the most part we can communicate pretty well. Every time we walk in the house, she'll yell "Where are you, daddy?" She can tell me what she wants/doesn't want (which can be helpful and annoying). And she is constantly saying "I love you, mommy/daddy". She is still obsessed with Mickey Mouse, chewing gum, being outside, and being a "big girl". Sienna is my little DIVA in training. The other day she saw me put my makeup on and then had a complete meltdown, screaming, "I want makeup!! I want makeup!! I want earrings!!!" She is constantly walking around the house in my high heels and loves to wear chapstick and lipgloss. Seriously? She's not even 2 years old yet. Should I be nervous?!

Happy Fourth of July!

2010-07-04T21:38:00.000-07:00

A few friends and I made these flag shirts for our kids for July 4th. We just picked out some cute white, red and star fabric, then cut/sewed the pieces together. We ended up burning the edges for a more vintage look (though it did feel a little weird burning the "flag"). We were planning on sewing them on onto the shirts, but actually liked the look better of just using liquid stitch (especially because of the uneven burned edges). We made the matching clips as well. Fun little craft project (though I think the funnest parts were the trips to Walmart and Joanne's to pick things out!). I think they turned out really cute.

Dancing Queen

2010-07-04T21:14:00.000-07:00

I've got many a picture of this little lady shakin' her little booty. This is just one of my favorites. She loves music and loves to dance and twirl. And she's definitely got some moves you've never seen before. I need to post a video one of these days, so you can get the full effect.

Great quote!

2010-06-28T23:52:00.000-07:00

"If you must look back, do so forgivingly. If you must look forward, do so prayerfully. However, the wisest thing you can do is be present in the present....Gratefully." ~ Maya Angelou

I just read this and had to share. I hadn't heard it before....good stuff!

A few new faves

2010-06-16T22:25:00.000-07:00

I just snapped this tonight and I'm in love with it. I love that little smirk on her face.

Sienna's new BFF "Baby" (who is now surgically attached to her arm). "Mommy, baby needs a bib...baby's hungry....baby needs to go potty.....change baby's diaper....baby's thirsty..." A little annoying at times, but super cute. Baby has to sit in the highchair next to her for every meal.

Chatter Box

2010-06-04T09:41:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I did an update on Sienna and I don't want to forget all these fun little facts about my baby girl. Sienna is now 21 months old. She is at a really fun stage (despite the tantrums). 12-18 months was much harder for me. I think it helps that she's able to communicate so much better. On Mother's Day Sienna was sitting at the table at my in-laws. She peaked across the table at my niece Taylor and said "I can see you!". It was so cute. Since then she has been talking in sentences non-stop. It's amazing how quickly things can change in just a few weeks. It's so cute. Her favorites are "I wanna hold you" (she manipulates me into getting her down from the highchair this way, since it's so cute. She doesn't really want to hold me, she just wants down) and "wanna hold your hand," "Wanna go outside," "Don't want to," "I'm hungry," "Wanna watch a show," "I want shoes on," "help you," "I'm a big girl," "wanna go downstairs". She will repeat anything we say, and most of the time, you can understand her. It's pretty fun. Now I just gotta watch what I say!

What else?

She calls cereal "ceri" and says "hap" for hat.
Her favorite show is Micky Mouse, which makes me so sad since I would much rather watch Backyardigans. I'm in love with that show.
She also just started tiptoeing and sneaking up on people to tickle them. She tiptoes so dramatically and practially does a full-on squat with each step.
Sienna has never been a huge cuddler, but she loves to give kisses and will give cuddles and loves to be "sqeezed".
She's still a ridiculously picky eater, and is basically a vegetarian. What kid doesn't like mac-n-cheese, chicken nuggets, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, pizza, etc? Oh, mine. She won't touch them. At least she eats fruits and veggies, right? (And she loves milk and most breads). She ate anything until she turned one, so I'm hoping it's a stage she'll grow out of.
She loves sweets, and will down any kind of dessert. She loves to get snacks of anyone she can find in sacrament meeting.
Still obsessed with her lovey and her binky. I know I need to start weening the binky, but it makes her so happy and it makes my life easier, so I'm lacking motivation.
Sienna is a lover of all things girly--shoes, purses, dolls, makeup, clothes, jewelry, chocolate...
She LOVES to color and read. Her current favorite books are "Goodnight Moon," "That's Not My Monster," "Princess Baby," "The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear" and "Just the Way You Are".
She still loves phones, and will chitchat on the phone (pretend or real) for ages.
I can't wait until we have our yard in, since this girl LOVES to be outside. I also can't wait for our community pool to be completed, since she's a little fish.
She also recently started saying prayers. For awhile she would just fold her arms and babble as you prayed, but now we can help her say prayers. Sometimes she loses interest but always screams "amen!" at the top of her lungs when we're done.
She loves nursery and playing with friends.

Anyway, that's a little bit about our girl. I'll post some recent pics later. Sienna challenges me in ways I never thought possible (especially at 1 1/2!) yet she brings more joy into our lives than we ever thought possible. I can hardly remember life before she came along and I can't imagine our lives without that cute little rugrat!

Junk in her Trunk

2010-06-04T09:17:00.000-07:00

My friend Brooke's little guy was swimming when we stopped by the other day, so of course Sienna jumped in with her clothes on. I stripped her down to just her diaper and let her get in for a few minutes. I've never seen a diaper fill up with so much water, she had so much junk in that little trunk that the tabs on the side looked more like a string bikini. She and Boston would stand up and "shake it". I love that Brooke got some pics. It was awesome.

The Divinity of Motherhood

2010-05-29T13:57:00.000-07:00

My friend Heather wrote this on her blog. It:s beautifully written, filled with amazing insight and thought-provoking profound quotes. It really touched me, so I stole it and wanted to share with you. Hope you don't mind, Heather! :)

Divinity of Motherhood

There is a tree outside my window that has caught my particular attention – it is a beautiful flowering tree that transformed this spring. The passing of the seasons reminds me of the passing of the years. Some mornings I can’t believe I am in my late thirties, have 4 children and have been married for 8 years – and wonder where the time went.
I am reminded of a scripture in Ecclesiastes (the Preacher) Chapter 3:1
“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven”
This flowering tree reminds me of the change of seasons – or as close as we get to the change of seasons in California. The seasons of my life have passed so quickly, and this season, the season of motherhood, is perhaps the most challenging and most rewarding of all. Today, I hope to talk about the divinity and importance of being a Mother.
In some ways, I can’t remember what I felt or even what I thought before my eldest daughter, Skylar, was born. When she entered my life, the entire world changed in an instant and my purpose became crystal clear – all I was before didn’t matter. I existed to care for and nurture this little soul and would give everything I had for her happiness. When she arrived, even with the scariness and the pain of delivery, it was the most spiritual moment of my life and I have never felt closer to my Father in Heaven than at the moment he made me a Mother.
Elder Foster of the quorum of the seventy once said:
“Perhaps the reason we respond so universally to our mothers love is because it typifies the love of our Savior”
Kennedy, Phoenix and Deveraux soon joined our little family – and each has been such a blessing and reminder of the gift of motherhood. When each of these babies was born, I felt in some very small way, what the Savior must feel for us, and my life has never been the same.
I thought I knew what being a mother meant before my girls arrived, but then reality hit. Sleepless nights, colic, nightmares, fevers, tears of pain, moments of panic – what I would call the “downside of being a parent”. The funny thing about being a mother is that most of the time – you don’t even know if you are very good at it!
However, now that I am raising you children, I start to realize more and more that this statement by David O’McKay is absolutely true:
“The most important thing you will ever do will be within the walls of your own home”
In this season of my life, I have learned to cherish the role of being a mother. But it is only when I embraced this role that I began to see how the world views the role of a mother and how different it is from ours.
My almost daily pilgrimage to Wal-Mart is always an interesting experience. Between losing children and losing my mind – I try to get out of there with the least amount of damage possible. One particular and frazzling day, I ran into a woman in line who looked over me and my girls and asked innocently “Are all of these children yours?” Of course, I couldn’t resist a little sarcasm – “No, I picked up a variety pack on the aisle next to the chips and cookies.” She looked puzzled - so I gave her comfort by admitting I did have all four girls. “You’re brave!” she responded and to that, I quipped “It is the best job I will ever have.” – and it is.
The world tends to undermine and undervalue the role of the mother. Children have become accessories and motherhood is outsourced. In our society, self fulfillment is more important that sacrifice – and it is common that everything, including the children’s well-being, is placed on the sacrificial altar in pursuit of comfort and success. This corrosive drift leads only to unhappiness. More and more, children feel no real attachment, are not taught righteous principles and become lost to the voices of the crowd.
As mothers in Zion, we must stay close to the Savior in all we do. His example sets the course for all mothers to follow: unconditional love, kindness, patience, teaching, nurturing. If we embrace His example and follow Him – we will lead our own children until eventually, they will lead themselves. Proverbs 22:6 reads:
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Tom Perry once said about the roles of parents:
“Parents must bring light and truth into their homes by one family prayer, one scripture study session, one family home evening, one book read aloud, one song, and one family meal at a time. They know that the influence of righteous, conscientious, persistent, daily parenting is among the most powerful and sustaining forces for good in the world. The health of any society, the happiness of its people, their prosperity, and their peace all find common roots in the teaching of children in the home.”
Teaching gospel principles is essential, but we should be involved in all aspects of our child’s education. The recent teacher’s strike was a reminder of how important our role is as a teacher. When the word first came down of the potential strike, I was filled with dread – how in the world am I going to watch my own children all day long?

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed teaching and how much my girls enjoyed learning! It was an unforgettable memory and a reminder of how important it is that we, as mothers, are our children’s primary educator.
Even when they enter the stage when they know everything, and I mean everything, we should continue to teach and educate our children – for the Lord will call them when the time is right. Elder Ballard once remarked:
“The home is the most important place to prepare the youth of today to lead the families and the church of tomorrow.”
If I could be a young mother all over again, with new babies, I would make a very small, but very important change. I would make an extra effort to enjoy each moment as it comes. Sometimes, I spent far too much time worried about a clean house, an orderly life – when I could have savored the sweetness of those tiny babies learning their world. Author Anna Quidlen reminds us not to rush past the fleeting moments:
“The biggest mistake I made is the one that most of us make…I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear not that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of my three children sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day. And I wish I could remember what we ate, what we talked about, and how they sounded and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been such a hurry to get to the next big thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less.”
Cherish those babies and those quiet moments now – because one day, they will be able to talk back!
My own mother is a wonderful example that I hope to emulate in my life. When I struggled with handwriting, she sat with me and taught me penmanship. When I broke my leg, she took care of me and nursed me to health. In all my activities, sports, violin, and school – she was there. She taught her daughters how to sew (thought none of us are artists like her), to cook, to work and most importantly, to laugh. Her personality was always positive and as good as a mother as she was – she is even a better grandmother. I will always be grateful for her example and love.
In ending, I was particularly touched by this beautiful thought by President Gordon B. Hinckley on motherhood:
“Most of you are mothers, and very many of you are grandmothers and even great-grandmothers. You have walked the sometimes painful, sometimes joyous path of parenthood. You have walked hand in hand with God in the great process of bringing children into the world that they might experience this estate along the road of immortality and eternal life. It has not been easy rearing a family. Most of you have had to sacrifice and skimp and labor night and day. As I think of you and your circumstances, I think of the words of Anne Campbell, who wrote as she looked upon her children:
You are the trip I did not take;
You are the pearls I cannot buy;
You are my blue Italian lake;
You are my piece of foreign sky.
(“To My Child,” quoted in Charles L. Wallis, ed., The Treasure Chest [1965], 54)
You [mothers] are the real builders of the nation wherever you live, for you have created homes of strength and peace and security. These become the very sinew of any nation.”

Things Work Out

2010-05-25T07:36:00.000-07:00

Last night I came across this quote from the former prophet of the LDS Church, President Gordon B. Hinckley. It's always been one of my favorites. He was an incredible man, so full of hope, faith and optimism.

"It isn’t as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don’t worry. I say that to myself every morning. It will all work out. If you do your best, it will all work out. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsake us. … If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers"

--President Gordon B. Hinckley,

Priesthood Session of Jordan Utah South Regional Conference, March 1, 1997.

Starfall.com

2010-05-18T10:05:00.001-07:00

My good friend Emily told me about this website awhile ago--Starfall.com. Have you heard about it? It is such a great resource to help your kids to learn the ABC's and learn to read. It's amazing. Sienna's almost loves it as much as she loves Mickey Mouse. Give it a try!

Sienna's first easter egg hunt!

2010-05-17T20:52:00.000-07:00

Dixon cousins easter egg hunt--Claire, Taylor, Cassie, Ella, Sienna

(Clockwise from top left)

I tried to do less candy in the easter basket, since I knew she'd have plenty from the easter egg hunt. She loved this super bubbles pack and her princess keys.

Despite having pictures of just Sienna, we did actually spend time with both of our families and had a great time. I really need to do better at taking pictures of the rest of the fam at family get-togethers.

Jiffy Porcupines

2010-05-15T13:29:00.000-07:00

This is another meal from our freeze-a-meal swap. I'd never had them before, but they were a super quick, filling meal.

1-1 1/2 lbs ground beef
2/3 cup minute rice
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp pepper

2 Tbsp oil
2 8 oz. cans tomato sauce
1/4 cup water

Mix beef, rice, onions and seasonings. Form into 1-1 1/2 inch meatballs. Brown lightly on all sides. Drain fat. Add tomato sauce and water to pan. Mix well. Cover and simmer about 20 mins.

Thaw and reheat on top of stove. Serve with corn, garlic bread and a green salad.

Cream of Tomato Soup

2010-05-15T13:24:00.000-07:00

I know we getting over soup season, but this recipe is so good I had to share. We did freeze-a-meals with some friends and my friend Joanne made this recipe. It froze well and tasted so good. Thanks, Joanne!

Cream of Tomato Soup
2 T. butter
1 chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
2-28 oz. cans of dicced tomatoes
9 oz can chicken broth
2 T. sugar
Pinch of baking soda
1 T. Basil
1 T. Italian Seasoning
1 clove garlic
2 cups cream

Saute celery, butter and onions. When finished add all other ingredients EXCEPT CREAM in large pot. Simmer for 1 hour, with lid checking. Puree and then add warmed cream. Do not boil after cream is added.

***To freeze--do not freeze with cream. Freeze soup and once thawed, reheat and then add cream.

Happy Birthday To Me!

2010-05-14T11:07:00.000-07:00

I'll have to write more and post more pics when I have time, but just wanted to say thanks to everyone for making my birthday so great. I really got spoiled this year. Who knew that 32 would be such a great birthday!? Lunch, brunch, dinners, Jack Johnson tickets, the bench I've been droiling over, a new camera lens, fun accessories, gift cards,and a surprise party! I got ridiculously spoiled. I'm so grateful for such amazing friends and family who shared the love. It was a great day, actually more like a great couple of weeks, it was definitely a birthday that kept on giving!

Daddy's shoes

2010-05-14T10:55:00.000-07:00

More pics of Sienna's shoe obsession....

So funny!

2010-05-07T11:05:00.000-07:00

We went to Thanksgiving Point with some friends for little (actually no-so-little, he has the cutest chunky thighs you've ever seen) Hudson's 1st birthday party. After seeing all the animals, riding ponies, etc...the kids all settled down to eat birthday cupcakes. Sienna and some friends were at a little plastic table, as you can see from the picture below. Wait, where is Sienna? Well, her little buddy Boston was kind enough to push her off the seat. Look closely and you can just see her little feet up in the air. Such a perfect shot! I love the looks on the other kid's faces. So classic!

Discovery Gateway Museum

2010-05-06T21:15:00.000-07:00

Sienna and her little friends at the Discovery Gateway museum. She could have stayed in the play house (in the kitchen) forever.

The only time that wasn't so fun was when we had to leave!
Apparently I'm the meanest mom in the world.

Sienna & Ella

2010-05-06T21:13:00.000-07:00

Sienna and her cousin Ella. They are just 1-2 months apart. I'm excited for them to be little buddies.

House Pics!

2010-05-06T20:05:00.000-07:00

This is for all of you who keep asking for me to post pics of the house. Please keep in mind that it's only been a month, so it's still a work in progress. I took these pics a few weeks ago, so we actually now have blinds, some curtains, etc... I'll post more pics later.

2010-04-30T11:11:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter 2010

2010-04-30T11:04:00.000-07:00

Our little fam on Easter Sunday

2010-04-30T10:35:00.000-07:00

This is what happens when Dan gets Sienna

ready. Poor little rugrat.

So he's not the best wardrobe consultant, but he's an amazing dad. Sienna adores this guy.

Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas

2010-04-21T21:11:00.000-07:00

My friend Kim made these the other night---sooo tasty! I had to post the recipe so that I wouldn't forget about it.

Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas

1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup lime juice
2 1/2 tsp. chili powder
2 cloves garlic or 1/2 tsp garlic powder

8 Uncooked Tortillas
1 lb. chicken (approx. 2 breasts) cooked and shredded (the chicken tastes the best if you cook them on the grill, but you can boil them or cook them in the crock pot too)
2 or more cups shredded monterey jack cheese

14 oz. can green enchilada sauce
3/4 cup half & half

Mix the first four ingredients and add to the chicken.
Let the chicken soak while you prepare the tortillas.

Cook: (in frying pan) the fresh tortillas

Fill tortillas with some chicken and some cheese and roll up. Place in baking dish.
Mix the enchilada sauce and half & half together (and any remaining honey lime sauce*). Pour over the enchiladas and sprinkle with more cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes, uncovered. Serve with quacamole, spanish rice, refried beans and chips.

*I used 4 chicken breasts and 12 tortillas and the same amount of the honey lime sauce...there was no sauce left over to mix with the half & half/enchilada sauce; so I used 1 1/2 cups half & half...I also used lots of cheese...it was yummy!)

Sienna new obsessions...

2010-04-15T22:22:00.000-07:00

Being naked. Sunglasses. Clothes--Trying on clothes (or just holding them in place when she can't figure out how to put them on!), taking them off, "helping" fold clothes or put them away. Her daddy. Reorganizing my kitchen. Shoes, shoes, and more shoes. Her belly button.

Lovin' the belly button

2010-04-13T11:07:00.000-07:00

Roasted Tomatoes with Shrimp and Feta

2010-04-08T20:49:00.001-07:00

5 large tomatoes, cut into eighths

3 Tbsp olive oil

2 Tbsp minced garlic

3/4 tsp kosher salt

3/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1 1/2 lbs medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

2 Tbsp. lemon juice

1 cup feta, crumbled (I use low-fat feta)

Preheat oven to 450. Place the tomatoes in a large baking dish. Spoon the olive oil and garlic over the tomatoes. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper to taste. Place on top rack of oven and roast for 20 minutes. Remove baking dish from oven and stir in the shrimp, parsley and lemon juice. Sprinkle with feta. Place back in the oven for another 10-15 minutes or until the shrimp are cooked. Serve warm over brown rice or cous cous and with crusty bread.

Liz's Cranberry Salad

2010-04-08T20:35:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to get all my favorite recipes on my blog so I don't lose them and have them all in one place. This is my sis-in-law Liz's yummy cranberry salad (definitely more like dessert!). SOOOOO tasty!

2 bags cranberries
1.5 cups sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
2 medium green apples, grated
1 cup orange juice (I use pulpless)
1 20 oz. can crushed pineapple (thoroughly drained)
3 small packages raspberry jello
2 8 oz. packages cream cheese
1 pint whipping cream
1 cup hot water

Chop cranberries (I use the pulse setting on my food processor. You could also use a Pampered Chef chopper).
Pour sugar over the cranberries and stir to melt the sugar. Add grated apple and pineapple. Dissolve jello in hot water (very hot water) and add the orange juice. Combine the jello with the cranberry mixture, cover, and thicken in the refrigerator. YOU SHOULD COMPLETE THIS STEP THE DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING; THE JELLO HAS TO SET UP.

To prepare the whipped cream mixture, whip the cream cheese with a little sugar and vanilla. Once it is sufficiently soft, add the whipping cream and whip until stiff.

In a serving bowl, alternate layers of cranberry mixture, creamed cheese/whipped cream mixture, and chopped pecans. End with a large layer of whipped cream on top. Garnish with half pecans.

White Chicken Chili

2010-04-08T20:24:00.000-07:00

White Chicken Chili

4-5 chicken breasts (cooked, shredded or cubed)

1/2 onion

1-2 cloves of garlic

4 cans white beans drained

2 small cans diced green chili

1 1/2-2 packages of McCormick's white chicken chili seasoning

3 cans of chicken broth

Dash of Cayenne pepper (I forget this sometimes and it still has a kick)

1 1/2 cup of sour cream

2 cups heavy whipping cream

Cook chicken and onions (or boil chicken until done then shred). Add everything but the creams...if needed add another cup or 2 of water and 2 chicken bouillon cubes. Cook in crock pot on low for 5-6 hours. Add sour cream and heavy whipping cream about 30 minutes before it’s done. (I also thicken it with cornstarch and water to make it a heartier chili).

Great deal on kid's crocs!

2010-04-06T13:49:00.000-07:00

For all you mom's out there, I just came across a great deal on Crocs. Here's the link http://www.crocs.com/crocs-kids-athens/10027,default,pd.html
I'm not a fan of them for myself, but I know lots of moms who love them for their kids. I wish they had little ones for Sienna to wear at Lake Powell. Anyway, Crocs Kid's Athens Flip-Flops are normally $24.99. Right now they are on sale for $9.99. But when you enter the COUPON CODE: KATHENS599 you can get them for only $5.99 a pair. If you choose economy shipping, the shipping is free. Just thought I'd spread the word!

Fabulous jewelry giveaway

2010-04-01T19:18:00.000-07:00

I'm a jewelry lover, so I was excited when my friend Emily at Sass and Savvy jewelry decided to do a jewelry give-away (It's about time, Em!). You get to pick any item from her etsy shop. I love her jewelry--well-made, unique and super classy! Check out her blog at http://www.sassandsavvyjewelry.blogspot.com/ to enter. Her etsy shop is http://www.etsy.com/shop/sassandsavvyjewelry. These are just a few of my favorites. I hope I win. I need another one of these rings! And maybe a locket....and a bracelet....

Sienna's new favorite obsessions...

2010-03-30T22:57:00.000-07:00

It's ours!

2010-03-30T21:49:00.000-07:00

We are finally homeowners! I can't believe how fast it came. We started building less than 3 months ago. Crazy! I need to post some pics of us with the house. I promise I will when life slows down! We closed last Wednesday and moved Thursday and Friday (Saturday, Sunday...that's the bad part about not really having to be out on a specific day, it's easy to let things linger...). Work has been pretty crazy for both of us, so we haven't had much time to feel settled quite yet. It's funny, though. It definitely feels like we're just playing grown up. I'm sure I won't feel that way once we pay our first mortgage. We LOVE the house. McCarthur has really done a fantastic job with the house. It's beautiful. We are really loving the finished basement. It's Sienna's toy haven. I love not having my living room look like an explosion of toys. Sienna has adjusted so well and just loves it. She runs around banging on every cupboard and shelf she can get her hands on. She already knows where everything is. It's really cute, she loves turning on the master bath tub and ripping her clothes off. Anyway, we are slowly getting settled and unpacked. I can't wait until we are all unpacked and decorated. Patience is definitely not my strongest point! I just can't wait until we can actually entertain and have people over. It's been a long time since we were in a place where we really had the space to entertain. I've missed it. Anyway, just wanted to post a little something. I'll post more pics and details later.

Yummy, yum yum....

2010-03-02T21:12:00.000-08:00

I made these yummy oreo truffles awhile ago and have been meaning to post the recipe. I use the term recipe loosely, since they have such few ingredients and are super easy! (Though a little messy). They are so tasty. Has anyone had the oreo truffles at Blue Lemon in Highland!? My friend Amber introduced me to them--they are divine! These taste fairly close, but don't look nearly as pretty as theirs. ;) Here's the recipe. Enjoy!

Oreo Truffles

Ingredients

1 lb Oreo cookies (3 sleeves)
8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla (you could also use mint or coc)
1 lb milk chocolate
1/2 lb white chocolate

Directions

Using a food processor, grind oreo cookies to a fine powder. With a mixer, blend oreo cookie powder, cream cheese and vanilla extract until thoroughly mixed (there should be no white traces of cream cheese). Roll into small balls and place on wax-lined cookie sheet. Refrigerate for 45 minutes (or put on the back porch for 5-10 minutes on a Utah sub-zero winter day). Line two cookie sheets with wax paper. In double-boiler, melt milk chocolate. Dip balls and coat thoroughly. With slotted spoon, lift balls out of chocolate and let excess chocolate drip off. Place on wax-paper-lined cookie sheet. In separate double boiler, melt white chocolate. Using a fork, drizzle white chocolate over balls. I like to mix things up and dip some in white chocolate, some in milk, then drizzle with the opposite chocolate. Sprinkle with a few oreo crumbs for a finished look (and so no one can see the messy job you did dipping the chocolates!). Let cool. Store in airtight container, in refrigerator.

***FYI, I think it's easier to melt chocolate in the microwave. You just have to watch it carefully. Make sure you use a microwavable dish and that you melt for 30 seconds, then stir, melt for 30 seconds more, then stir, until melted. It works great!

18 months old!

2010-02-27T11:31:00.000-08:00

It's been way too long since I blogged. I have a bunch of catching up to do! Here's a few fun pictures of Sienna. Most of these are from December & January. She's already looking so different to me.
She loves her bath-time, but hate, hates, hates getting out of the tub (and getting her hair rinsed!).
Here's Dan working hard putting together Sienna's kitchen--a Christmas gift from her Grandma and Grandpa Hanson. She is loving it! It's so cute to see her putting pots and pans in the oven and filling up her glass with "water". The stove even makes sizzling sounds and glows red. Super cute! I wish I would've taken a before and after picture. This baby came out of the box in a gazillion little pieces. Dan was a trooper!

This is Sienna when she insisted on trying on her aunt Nelly's knee-high leather boots. She really was trying to walk around in them. That girl cracks me up!

Sienna is certainly Miss Independent these days (18-months-old). It's fun, and completely frustrating at the same time. She is currently loving purses, cell phones, shoes (my friend Emily says she has a major shoe fetish...should I be worried!?), "brushing" her teeth (sucking all the toothpaste off), fruit snacks, her blankie, and dancing, being outside, eating out of a bowl, with utinsels, the i-touch... Another cute quirk is when she is done eating and you get her out of the high chair, she has to turn around and buckle the seatbelt. She also loves counting to three and "jumping" (though she gets NO air at all). Pretty stinkin' cute, though. I know this picture may not seem like much to you, but I had to document the day when she sat still for about 3 minutes watching the television. Finally! I've been waiting for this day. I promise I'm not planning on parking her in front of the tube all day, every day (though I'm sure there will be those days), but I am looking forward to having just 5 minutes to take a shower or make a phone call without Sienna wanting tugging on my leg, crawling up into my lap or pounding on the bathroom door.

And since we're talking about tv, let's just talk for a minute about The Backyardigans. Who else loves this show!? It's so cute. I'm not gonna lie, there have been times I've caught myself watching it when Sienna has long since left the room. "Riding the range, riding the range, let's go, riding the range, yahoo!" (Our personal favorite!).

What else am I forgetting? Sienna's also a little chatterbox. She will sit and repeat nearly anything we say. She's even saying words like blueberries and pirates booty. Other new favorites are cheese, milk, sippy, mommy, daddy, i wan go, all done, more (while she signs it), nelly, Emy (my friend Emily), mimi, papi (for papa, Dan's dad). It's pretty entertaining. I can already tell we've got a little drama queen on our hands. Well, really we've known since about 1 year. The other day I got a good taste of it. Sienna had some fruit snacks, which I don't typically buy. Sienna loved the fruit snacks. Sienna wanted more fruit snacks. Mom wouldn't give another pack of fruitsnacks. Sienna proceeds to sob huge alligator tears (snot running down her nose) and pound on the pantry door, begging and pleading for more fruit snacks (pounding, alternating with "more" sign language and screaming "more"). I vowed never to buy fruitsnacks again (though I do understand that this isn't about fruit snacks and that the battles are only beginning!). Let me just tell you, it was lovely. I was a nightmarish little toddler, so this is totally pay-back time for me. I'm so in trouble. Sorry, mom!

We're getting there...

2010-02-24T22:50:00.000-08:00

The brick is done, the stucco is complete and they painted the inside today. I can't believe how fast they are doing all the finishing work. We were thinking we'd be closing the first week of April and now they are talking possibly mid-March. So crazy. I'm not going to lie, even though it's super exciting, I'm starting to freak out a little bit. Home ownership....kinda scary!

"Fun & Easy" Paneling Project

2010-02-20T14:58:00.000-08:00

My friend Kristi just did this in her formal dining room. It turned out so cute, I just had to share. I love how she makes it sounds so simple. Maybe one day I'll get ambitious! HERE's the link with all the instructions.

It's starting to look like a house!

2010-02-02T16:44:00.000-08:00

It's amazing how quickly the framing has gone. It's actually starting to look like a real house. They put all the windows in and completed the plumbing today, and by the end of the week they should be done sheetrocking. It's exciting how fast they are building the house, yet that also means we're closer to making mortgage payments (which doesn't sound nearly as fun!)

Before we know it, it should look something like this!
*with stucco rather than the siding, and with a brick wainscot all the way across the bottom

Just because

2010-02-02T08:40:00.000-08:00

Uncle Brad taking Sienna cruising on Grandma Tink's walker. She was loving it. Cute little rugrat. (Of course she's holding onto that lovey for dear life!)

New Vocab

2010-01-12T19:03:00.000-08:00

So we've been working on learning new words today. It was hilarious. Sienna repeated almost everything I said today, only it was gibberish, interspersed occasionally with a recognizable word like "mama" or "ball". Isn't it hilarious to hear how they interpret what we are saying?

We were working on family names today. Here are just a few that Sienna came up with today.
Grandma-Daydo or nana
Nelly (aunt Janelle)-Ya-ya
Grant (cousin)-Rant
Rob (uncle)--Roey
Brad (uncle)-Bad
Taylor-Taytay

The foundation is in!!!

2010-01-10T18:30:00.001-08:00

Hooray! The foundation was poured last week! It definitely makes it feel more real. Should be done in 3-4 months. Actually, let's just say 5 months, so it's a pleasant surprise if it's done early! We took a couple shots of us at the site, so I'll have to upload when I feel more ambitious. This is the picture our builder (McCarthur Homes) sent us.
P.S. Lots are still available and we are currently have try-outs to be neighbors.
Check out our neighborhood HERE

Sienna update

2010-01-07T22:12:00.000-08:00

I just realized today how much Sienna has changed in the last few months and I haven't been as good at capturing the little things she does and says that make me smile (and drive me crazy!). Sienna is almost 17 months. For the past couple of months she's been tooling around our house, busy as can be, climbing, dancing, getting into anything she can get her hands on.

Here are a few of the things she currently loves/hates.

She loves....
attention (ALOT of it), purses, her binky, squeeky shoes, her baby doll, grandma's and grandpa's, aunt's and uncle's, her lovey, pushing a stroller, giving kisses (on her terms)--big, fat juicy ones and blowing kisses with a "Mwah!" sound, trying on shoes, anything really girly, doing things herself, being chased, music, dancing, getting into mom's purse and work bag and unloading everything, opening drawers, stacking toys, crayons?coloring, climbing stairs, milk (in her sippy cup), freeze-dried fruit, drinking from a straw, anything sweet--chocolate, ice cream, candy canes (thanks to my parents and siblings!), wrestling with her dad, hiking with her mom and dad, being outside ("'side"), reading...

She hates....
sitting still (ever), getting her hair done, cuddling, naps, going to bed, getting her diaper changed, sitting still, watching tv, being put in her high chair, when mom and dad leave, gold's day care gym, sharing, being put in her car seat, putting clothes on, church (sitting still), watching tv/cartoons for more than 1 minute, normal table food, sitting still. Can you see a pattern here?

Favorite words of the season:
baby, mommy (mommy, mommy, mom, mom, mommy, mommy, mommy....all...day...long...), da (dad), ball, puppy, uh-oh, no or no-no, go, go, go, 'side (outside), whusat? (What's that?), Iwango (I want to go), up, da (dad), Other tricks...She responds (on her terms of course) to the following questions: "What does a doggy say?" ("wuff"), "What does a monkey say?"("Oo, Oo, Oo" in a high pitch), "What does a kitty say?" ("Meow, meow, meow"). She knows where he nose and her belly button are.

She used to eat anything in sight, but has now become a much pickier eater. She eats lots of healthy food (fruit, veggies, etc...) but refuses to eat most normal table food, which make it kind of a pain." Lately she thinks it's super funny to sit in her high chair, hold her arm straight out with food in her hand, purposely drop it and then say "Uh-Oh!".

She is definitely at the phase where she has her own little language going on--complete gibberish. She sounds like an ewok. Sienna is a strong-willed little child and knows exactly what she wants. She just started copying most things we say to her. She can't quite get the words right, but she tries and we can tell that she's trying to copy the word. Today I showed her a picture of her cousin Grant and said his name and she said "rant". She also said "Nelly" for my sister Janelle. She loves to read, but has the shortest attention plan on the planet and can rarely make it through the whole book. She loves it when Grandpa Dixon reads to her. She has really turned into a little drama queen. (And yes, I know that it's only getting worse!)

Sienna's hair continues to grow like a weed. Seriously, where is the happy medium?! With Dan and I as her parents, thick hair was inevitable. I'm not complaining, but I think everyone would rather have a happy medium between the two (thick or thin). I've been trying to decide whether to grow out her bangs, so she's been a real rugrat. I think I just decided to chop her bangs again, and stack the back of her hair again. She looks super cute that way.

What's amazing to me is how much she understands. I can tell her to go do something or to pick something up and bring it to me, and she totally understands and can follow instructions. This stage is also super frustrating. She understands so much that it's frustrating when she throws these temper tantrums all the time, but I know it's because she can't communicate.

For the record, for any of you who were envious of my angel baby, who slept through the night at 6 weeks and ate anything in sight, took scheduled naps, was sweet as pie, be assured that Sienna is definitely no longer the angel baby I gave birth to 17 months ago. I told Dan the other day that she is 30% adorable/fun and 70% nightmare these days. Maybe it's 40/60....actually, no, I'm pretty sure it's 70/30. Regardless, it's a good thing she's super cute!

2010-01-04T00:12:00.000-08:00

I'll admit it, it's my guilty pleasure. Get over it.
(Mostly just a great excuse for a girl's night!)

Any other Bachelor fans out there? So, what are you thinking about this season's Bachelor? I'm not going to lie, I love me some good mindless entertainment, but I'm a little worried I'm not going to be able to stomach Jake's cheesiness this season. Way too guy-smiley...

Anyone else with me?

My new BFF

2010-01-04T00:05:00.000-08:00

Dear Canon EOS Rebel TLI,

Sorry that I haven't paid much attention to you yet. I promise I will be much more faithful and devoted and spend more quality time getting to know you better!

P.S. I'm super excited about my new camera!

December 2009 Sneakpeak...

2010-01-01T09:59:00.000-08:00

I don't have much time to add text right now, but here are some highlights from December 2009. I'll do the journaling later...
Sienna has discovered the joy of hats. She looks super cute, but of course it doesn't last long! And she never leaves on the ones I want her to wear and then ends up looking like a rug rat. What can you do?!

(Like this one!)

Zoo lights with Bagozzi's & friends...

Christmas morning!

The discovery of a candy cane...

This is the newest member of our family, Boo. You may have seen her in Monster's Inc...

Jazz game with Hanson Fam

Happy New year!

What-Shall-We-Give?

2009-12-20T00:28:00.000-08:00

Here's a great video that will get you in the Christmas spirit...

Wha t-Shall-We-Give?

Christmas Devotional Quotes

2009-12-19T23:45:00.000-08:00

The first week of December, the LDS church always has a Christmas Devotional. It's such a nice way to start the month and really gets you thinking about the true meaning of Christmas. My friend Melody posted some quotes from this year's devotional on her blog, so I stole them. Thanks, Mel! It's good stuff!

President Uchdorf

"One sees clearly only with the heart, anything essential is invisible to the eyes." (quoting a french story) -I love love this!

What some men esteem to be of great worth, others trample under their feet.

-All of the spectacular displays of Christmas that compete for our attention can be beautiful and uplifting but if that is all we see we are missing something that is in plain sight.

-Despite our best intentions, we become preoccupied with responsibilities, commitments and stress of our many tasks that we fail to see with our hearts that which is most sacred.

Sometimes when we read about people who could not see the Savior for who He was, we marvel at their blindness. But do we also let distractions obstruct our view of the Savior—during this Christmas season and throughout the year? Some are external distractions—the gifts we worry about, the decorations, or the clamorous advertising—but often it is what is inside us that blinds us from seeing the Christ.

Some may feel a certain level of intellectual aloofness that distances them from Christ. In an age when vast amounts of knowledge are at our fingertips, the familiar story of Jesus the Christ can get lost amid the flood of scientific advances, pressing news, or the latest popular movies or books.

Some are so caught up in the details of running their lives that they don’t make time for much else. They might pay lip service to the things of the Spirit, but their hearts are so focused on the world that they cannot see the Christ.

Some, like the Pharisees, seek for the Christ, but their hearts are so set upon their own theories, spiritual hobbies, and opinions that they fail to recognize Him. In spite of their good intentions, they miss the transforming revelations of the Holy Spirit and thereby miss the only way to receive a certain testimony of Jesus Christ.

This is a season of rejoicing! A season of celebration! A wonderful time when we acknowledge that our Almighty God sent His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem the world! To redeem us!

It is a season of charitable acts of kindness and brotherly love. It is a season of being more reflective about our own lives and about the many blessings that are ours. It is a season of forgiving and being forgiven.

But perhaps most of all, let it be a season of seeking the Lamb of God, the King of Glory, the Everlasting Light of the World, the Great Hope of Mankind, the Savior and Redeemer of our souls.

I promise that if we unclutter our lives a little bit and in sincerity and humility seek the pure and gentle Christ with our hearts, we will see Him, we will find Him—on Christmas and throughout the year.

President Thomas S. Monson

My brothers and sisters, finding the real joy of the season comes not in the hurrying and the scurrying to get more done or in the purchasing of obligatory gifts. Real joy comes as we show the love and compassion inspired by the Savior of the World, who said, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these ... ye have done it unto me.”³

At this joyous season, may personal discords be forgotten and animosities healed. May enjoyment of the season include remembrance of the needy and afflicted. May our forgiveness reach out to those who have wronged us, even as we hope to be forgiven. May goodness abound in our hearts and love prevail in our homes.

As we contemplate how we’re going to spend our money to buy gifts this holiday season, let us plan also for how we will spend our time in order to help bring the true spirit of Christmas into the lives of others.

The Savior gave freely to all, and His gifts were of value beyond measure. Throughout His ministry, He blessed the sick, restored sight to the blind, made the deaf to hear, and the halt and lame to walk. He gave cleanliness to the unclean. He restored breath to the lifeless. He gave hope to the despairing and bestowed light in the darkness.

He gave us His love, His service, and His life.

What is the spirit we feel at Christmastime? It is His spirit—the Spirit of Christ.

How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is giv’n!
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heav’n.
No ear may hear his coming; but in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in.⁴

With the pure love of Christ, let us walk in His footsteps as we approach the season celebrating His birth. As we do so, let us remember that He still lives and continues to be the Light of the World, who promised, “He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”⁵

President Eyring

We can choose this Christmas and every day to create a small part of the Christmas story in our own lives. We can accept the invitation of living prophets to help those who are lost along the pathway, and have wandered, to come back to it. We can offer the gospel, which is the only way home, to all we meet along the way. We can lift up those who are tired and hungry and lonely, as the Savior did and now invites us to do with Him. As we do, they can feel how much the Savior loves them and wants to lead them on the way to the God He loves.

In the stories of Christ’s birth, we can see and feel who He was and who He is. That lightens our load along the way. And it will lead us to forget ourselves and to lighten the load for others. That can make every day feel like the best of our Christmases past.

You can watch it and hear the beautiful Christmas music from the motab at www.lds.org

Merry Christmas from the Dixon Family!

2009-12-18T11:46:00.000-08:00

Rally for Rafe!!!

2009-12-07T00:01:00.001-08:00

http://www.rallyforrafe.blogspot.com/

Our neighbor and friend Rafe has been battling cancer. He is an incredibly good man, with an amazing wife and three beautiful little boys. Many of his friends and neighbors have been rallying together to show Rafe we love and support he and his family at this time. In order to help alleviate some of the burden associated with his extraordinary medical expenses we are conducting an online auction. Any support you are able to give will be put to great use and much appreciated. The online auction will begin on December 7th (TODAY!) and will end on December 14th at 5:00 p.m. Please check out the blog for more info and to bid on items. There have been tons of amazing items and services donated, so check out www.rallyforrafe.blogspot.com and start feeling generous!

Please cut/paste this post into your own blog, and help us spread the word! (Make sure to include the blog address, since it's not on the flier). Thanks!!!

CMT Music City Madness competition

2009-12-04T08:19:00.000-08:00

CMT's Music City Madness is the ultimate online search for singer-songwriters. Dan's cousin Chance McKinney has made it to the finals in this competition, which is really exciting. It all comes down to this round where two finalists battle in head-to-head competition. VOTE now for who you want to win Music City Madness and check back Dec. 15 to see who wins. The winning entry will travel to Nashville to record their own CMT Studio 330 Sessions, play a private showcase with A&R executives at Valory Music and have a once-in-a-life backstage experience with country superstar Reba.

Please take a few minutes to vote for CHANCE MCKINNEY (You can vote as many times as you want, so open a few windows and vote a few times while you're at it!). Here's the link that will take you to his video...you just watch, then vote. THANKS!
http://www.cmt.com/interact/music_city_madness/vote/bracket.jhtml?quad=2

2009-11-30T10:14:00.000-08:00

My friend Emily is having a jewelry open house on December 8th. She has some really great stuff, which make fabulous gifts. I love the interchangeable earrings sets that she has. I've given them to several people for birthdays, etc...and everyone just loves them. Anyway, let me know if you want to join me and I'll get you her address. Since my blog isn't private, I thought I shouldn't post her address. :)

Need your help

2009-11-29T00:16:00.000-08:00

Dear friends and family,
We need your help. Our neighbor and friend Rafe is battling cancer. He is an incredibly good man, with an amazing wife and three beautiful little boys. Rafe's cancer has spread to multiple organs, including his brain. He has undergone chemotherapy, radiation and most recently, a surgery to remove a large tumor from his brain. During the surgery the surgeon found two more tumors. They are planning on doing radiation again to his head, in an attempt to shrink the tumors. You can imagine the financial strain that this has placed on their young family.

Their family has been very private in their struggle and have had a difficult time asking for help from others. They are independent and humble, yet gracious and kind, the type of people who would do anything for anyone. Although this will remain anonymous, many of Rafe's friends and neighbors have been rallying together to show Rafe that we love and support him and his family at this time. In order to help alleviate some of the burden associated with the extraordinary medical expenses we are conducting an online auction. Any support you are able to give will be put to great use and much appreciated. The online auction will begin on December 7th and will end on December 14th at 5:00 p.m. Please check out the blog for more info at http://www.rallyforrafe.blogspot.com/ about the auction.

Dan and I have decided to forgo neighbor Christmas gifts this year and will make a donation (via paypal on their blog http://www.rallyforrafe.blogspot.com/) to their family instead. There are many ways that you could help make a huge difference to this family. You could forgo neighbor gifts as well, and write a note or card to friends letting them know that you made a donation in their name to a family in need. OR if you have a special skill, talent or product that you could donate for the online auction, please do so. Here are some ideas just to get you thinking....jewelry, haircolor/cuts, photography, timeshare/condo stay, free tax service, clothing, products, massages, discounted services, gift certificates, Jazz or BYU tickets, hair products, body lotions, home decor, quilts/sewing, handmade items (i.e. cards, aprons, purses, hair accessories), tutoring, video games, piano or guitar lessons, party planning, graphic design, invitations, baby products (nursing covers, slings, hairbows, beanies, clothing), etc...(By the way, if you received this it's because I believe you have talents and skills!). No donation is too small. Also, if you know someone who might have something they could donate, please forward this email to them. Or simply post a blog or facebook message with the blog website http://www.rallyforrafe.blogspot.com/ and encourage people to donate raffle items or to bid on items. Once again, the online auction will begin on December 7th, so mark your calendars and check the blog on that day to see the list of items up for bid. The auction will end December 14th at 5:00 p.m. Even if you aren't able to donate, please spread the word about the online auction!

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I can't imagine how difficult the past year has been for this family (and even more difficult during the holidays). I hope that we can all pull together to make things just a little easier and to provide some hope for this incredible family. Please let me know if you have any questions or if you have anything you would like to donate. In order to make things easier, I'd be happy to coordinate on your behalf. Thank you!

All the best,
Holly & Dan Dixon

Orange Almond Wassail

2009-11-23T17:45:00.000-08:00

Isn't it the perfect time for wassail? I wish I had all the ingredients, I'd make this right now. I'm not about to brave the cold again today, so I'll have to give this a try another day. If you're looking for a yummy wassail recipe, this is the one. It has such an amazing flavor. It's the perfect drink for the holiday season. I've never had almond extract in wassail before, but it really seems to be the secret ingredient in this recipe. My friend Sunny said she added even more than the recipe called for, and will add even more next time, so use a heavy hand with the almond extract for a little more tastiness!

Orange Almond Wassail

Makes 12, 6-oz. servings

- 2 cups water

- 1 cup sugar

- 1 large cinnamon stick

- ½ tsp. whole cloves

Boil and then simmer for 30 minutes. Then add:

- 6 cups water

- 1 6 oz. frozen orange juice

- Juice of 1 lemon

- ½ tsp. almond extract

Pour into crockpot and keep warm

Yummy biscuits & amazing salad recipes!

2009-11-23T17:41:00.000-08:00

For gourmet club last month the girls made two different kinds of biscuits--pumpkin & buttermilk, served with cinneberry and orange-pecan butters. I'm totally going to have to steal this idea for a dinner party. The biscuits just melted in your mouth. And the butters had just the perfect amount of flavor. Sunny also mentioned that the biscuits are great alternatives to rolls for Thanksgiving dinner (and you don't have to wait for them to rise!), so if you're looking for a fun, new idea for your turkey dinner, give these babies a try! You'll love them!

Pumpkin Angel Biscuits

***Use a light hand when working with this dough to ensure that the baked biscuits will be tender.

Makes about 24 biscuits. Prep time: 30- min. ₊chilling. Baking time: 12 – 13 minutes.

- 2 ¼ tsp. active dry yeast, room temperature. (1 pkg.)

- ½ cup warm water (105 degrees – 115 degrees)

- 5 cups all purpose flour

- ¼ cup sugar

- 1 T. pumpkin-pie spice

- 1 tsp. baking powder

- 1 tsp. baking soda

- 1 tsp. table salt

- 1 stick cold, unsalted butter, cubed

- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree

- 1 cup buttermilk

- Melted, unsalted butter

Dissolve yeast in warm water in a small bowl; set aside.

Whisk together flour, sugar, pumpkin-pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Using a pastry blender or two knives, cut the 1 stick cubed butter into the dry ingredients until butter pieces are the size of peas.

Stir together pumpkin puree and buttermilk; add to the flour mixture along with the yeast mixture. Stir just until ingredients are moistened. Cover bowl with plastic wrap; refrigerate at least 1 hour or overnight.

Preheat oven to 450°F. Coat two 9-inch round cake pans with nonstick spray. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead dough lightly 4-5 times to incorporate the flour.

Roll dough to a thickness of ½ inch. Cut dough with a 2-inch floured cutter to form 12 biscuits. Place biscuits in one of the prepared pans. Gather remaining dough scraps, then gently roll out dough again. Cut 12 more biscuits and place in second pan.

Brush tops of biscuits with melted butter. Bake biscuits until lightly golden, 12 – 13 minutes.

Turn biscuits out of pans and serve warm.

Make-Ahead Directions:

This dough will keep for 2 – 3 days stored in the refrigerator. You even can cut the dough into rounds and place the rounds into the prepared pans. Cover biscuits and chill them up to 1 day before baking as directed.

Buttermilk Biscuit Option:

You can replace the cup of canned pumpkin puree with an extra 1 cup of buttermilk. Omit the pumpkin-pie spice. No matter what version you choose to make, these biscuits taste fabulous as a base for mini leftover turkey sandwiches!

Cinnaberry Butter:

Combine 1 stick unsalted butter (softened), 2 Tbsp. chopped dried cranberries, 2 tsp. sugar, ½ tsp. ground cinnamon, and ½ tsp. kosher salt in a bowl. Scoop mixture onto a piece of plastic wrap; roll wrap around butter to form a log. Twist ends of plastic wrap tightly to seal. Chill log in the refrigerator until butter is firm. Store butter, sealed, up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator or freezer.

Orange-Pecan Butter:

Combine 1 stick unsalted butter (softened), 2 Tbsp. chopped toasted pecans, 1 tsp. honey, 1 tsp. minced orange zest, ½ tsp. kosher salt in a bowl. Scoop mixture onto a piece of plastic wrap; roll wrap around butter to form a log. Twist ends of plastic wrap tightly to seal. Chill log in the refrigerator until butter is firm. Store butter, sealed, up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator or freezer.

This salad is a recipe from Stacie's grandmother (who is German). I'm seriously in love with this salad. It had the most amazing flavor! I agree with Sunny who said that it just looks like an ordinary salad, but tastes anything but ordinary!
German Family Salad

- 2 bunches of Romaine lettuce, chopped

- 1 large Gala apple cubed

- 1 ½ avocado cut up

- CCaesar or Garlic croutons

- pPine nuts

Dressing for German Salad:

o ½ cup olive oil

o 1/3 cup rice vinegar

o 2 T sugar
o 2 cloves garlic

o About ½ - 1 Tablespoon of “Season All” salt. (I use 1 + even a little more. It’s what makes it.)
o Pepper to taste

More good recipes!

2009-11-23T17:32:00.000-08:00

I really post recipes more for myself than for anyone else. I just forget about so many great recipes, so if I have them here on my blog, then I have easy access to them and I don't forget about the keepers! Here's some from gourmet club that I have and need to make. In fact, I'm going to make these sweet potato fries for dinner tonight!

Sweet Potato Fries with Garlic and Sea Salt
*These were AMAZING!!! The best sweet potato fries I've ever had!

• 2 lbs sweet potatoes
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 3 tablespoons parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves, chopped
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• Course sea salt

Preheat oven to 450. Rinse and dry sweet potatoes. Cut sweet potatoes into batons about ¼ inch wide and 3 inches long. Mix the oil, mustard, and lime juice in a large bowl or ziplock bag and toss with the sweet potato batons to coat. Spread sweet potatoes on a large rimmed baking sheet and roast, stirring with a spatula midway through baking time, until tender and browned on the edges, 20-25 minutes.

In a large bowl, mix parmesan, parsley, and garlic. Add warm oven fries and mix gently to coat. Season to taste with additional salt and serve at once.

These panini's were amazing....so amazing it makes me want to buy a panini maker just so I can make this!

Farmers’ Market Panini

Tart apples such as Granny Smith, chopped
Red onion marmalade
Brie Cheese, rind cut off and sliced
Roasted Turkey Breast, sliced
Hearty Wheat Bread, sliced
Brush one side of each bread slice with olive oil. Lay the slices oiled side down and spread the top of each slice with the red onion marmalade. Sprinkle the apples on top and place sliced turkey over the apples. Arrange a couple slices of brie on top. Top each sandwich with a bread slice, oiled side up.

Place the sandwich on a panini press, close the lid, and cook until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer the sandwiches to a cutting board and cut in half. Serve immediately.

Moist and Tender Turkey Breast
From Recipezaar.com
Ingredients
1 (5-10 lb) fresh or frozen turkey breast (thawed)
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 (10 1/2 ounce) can chicken broth
1-2 tablespoon mayonnaise

Directions
1. Place turkey breast in a roasting pan.
2. Combine melted butter and chicken broth.
3. Pour over turkey.
4. Rub mayonnaise all over turkey's exterior. Salt lightly if desired.
5. Roast at 300°-325°F until internal temperature reaches 170°F on an instant read thermometer.
6. Remove from oven and let sit for about 30 minutes before slicing.
Note: because the butter and broth are for making gravy, if you need to make a lot of gravy, double the amount of both.

Red Onion Marmalade
4 ½ pounds red onions
4 garlic cloves
1/3 pound butter
4 tablespoons olive oil
¾ cup sugar
1 tablespoon fresh thyme
375 ml bottle red wine
375 ml bottle red wine vinegar

1. Halve and thinly slice the onions, then thinly slice the garlic. Melt the butter with the oil in a large, heavy-based saucepan over a high heat. Tip in the onions and garlic and give them a good stir so they are glossed with butter. Sprinkle over the sugar, thyme leaves, and some salt and pepper. Give everything another really good stir and reduce the heat slightly. Cook uncovered for 40-50 minutes, stirring occasionally. The onions are ready when all their juices have evaporated, they're really soft and sticky and smell of sugar caramelizing. They should be so soft that they break when pressed against the side of the pan with a wooden spoon. Slow cooking is the secret of really soft and sticky onions, so don't rush this part.
2. Pour in the wine and vinegar and simmer everything, still uncovered, over a high heat for 25-30 minutes, stirring every so often until the onions are a deep mahogany color and the liquid has reduced by about two-thirds. It's done when drawing a spoon across the bottom of the pan clears a path that fills rapidly with syrupy juice. Leave the onions to cool in the pan then scoop into a container. Can be eaten straight away, but keeps in the fridge for up to 3 months.