When I told Olivia today was Julie's birthday she gasped and said, "yeah, we have a party at grandma's house?!" Ha ha not this time, sorry hunny.
Happy Birthday Baby Julie!!
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Orange Cream Cupcake
This is the best recipe! I made these tonight right after I put the kids to bed. Olivia could hear me cookin away in the kitchen, but she just laid there quietly, left her pajamas on, didn't get into the blinds, or Cody's crib, she just behaved.
2 T vanilla
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I wipped up the frosting, and then just stared at the orange coated beater ........ I wasn't going to lick it clean, I shouldn't even be making cupcakes! I new there was only one person for the job! She did a mighty fine job. When she was done she went straight back to her bed ( I made it very clear that was the rule!) Totally made my night.
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Cupcakes:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 T citrus olive oil
1 cup sugar2 T vanilla
2 eggs
Zest of 1 orange2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking soda1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line muffin pans with paper liners. (This made 16 cupcakes for me.)
Combine butter, olive oil and sugar and mix on medium high speed about three minutes until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and eggs and mix about one more minute until well incorporated. Stir in orange zest. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Separately combine heavy cream and orange juice. Add 1/3 of the flour mixture, followed by 1/2 of the cream mixture and repeat, finishing with the flour. Mix until just incorporated after each addition.
Scoop batter into prepared liners, filling about 2/3 of the way full. Bake about twenty minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pans about five minutes and then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
Orange Buttercream:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/8 - 1/4 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
Zest of 1 orange
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar
Beat butter on medium speed until light and fluffy, about three minutes. Add orange juice, zest, and vanilla and mix until well combined. Add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing until incorporated to reach desired consistency. Whip on medium high speed about two minutes until smooth and creamy. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with desired tip and pipe onto cupcakes.
I don't know how to take a picture of my food and make it look good, but you get kinda get it.
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Article 22
Did Olivia, Cody, and I get to take a 3 hour nap? Yes we did! The overcast weather may have helped! Lets hope it helps get rid of the three sore throats, and stuffy noses.
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Last week Cody went shopping without his car seat. He is slouching here but he did really well. He lasted way longer this way too. Are they not the cutest!
Isn't he sweet.
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Article 21
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Article 20
While I was in the shower Olivia wrapped the entire bathroom including Cody in toilet paper. I told her she needed it all cleaned up by the time i got out. When I got out she said,
"Mommy I did it, I can go the distance, and Cody can go the distance too later."
Maybe a little to much Hercules.
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Date with Olivia
Tonight was the best date ever! We got a babysitter for Cody and took Olivia out on the town. First we went to a new pizza place for dinner, it was FABULOUS. I love our main street! Jacks Wood Fired Oven is right in the middle, between a cute little Salon and my favorite Barber Shop, King Hair which is ran by two old men. All the old timers get their hair done there, including Dr Worley, my favorite guy in Logan.
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Before we went to the movies we stopped at Cal Ranch to visit the baby Chics, and Duckies. Olivia jumped up and down, screamed, and covered her face with her hands and laughed she was so excited.
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We took Olivia to the movie theatre for the first time. SHE.LOVED.IT. We saw the Lorax with a large popcorn sitting right on Olivia's lap. She behaved so well. When the movie was over she said "Again! let's watch another one" Sorry Olivia only Mom and Aunt Julie can stay at the movie theatre all night and watch 3 different movies. :)
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He is CRAWLING!
Oh how I have been waiting! This little man has waited till he was 11 months old to crawl. To be honest I was getting worried. I haven't really updated much on him because... well...... he really hasn't done....... ANYTHING, lol. Don't get me wrong he is a GREAT baby, just not so active up till this point. which has been easy on me really. He really loves his mommy. Loves me to hold him, kiss him, snuggle him, even just LOOK at him. Yes we are in love. Yes Joel is jealous. I make him have a lone time, same as Olivia, before they take their naps in the afternoon, and I think this has helped a lot with him being able to entertain himself and to be a little more mobile. Olivia is so great to find his binky if he cries, and get his toys if he can't reach, but he is learning to do it himself now.
He loves Olivia so much. She gets him laughing so hard. I don't think he has ever turned down a chance to kiss her.
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My little baby is going to be 1 year next month. I can't believe it. He is sooo sweet. He may have been a little bashful at first, but ever since he was born I have always felt like when he would look at me, he understood everything I was thinking and feeling. I had a mature soul looking back at me. He was sent to me, and I am so great full for him. Cody Clark!
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Blankets From my Aunt Patsy
Today Julie and I were at my moms house just cause. We went shopping for Moms food storage, got a little lunch in honor of Ellie's Birthday. We got home and found four packages sent to moms address from my Aunt Patsy. Julie and I both secretly hoped they were for us girls....... which they were! Along with a very cute note saying how much she loved us. We Love you too Aunt Patsy. She made 4 blankets for the new babys in the family. They were all so cute!
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Easter Morning
Easter morning was so fun to see how excited Olivia was. She has been anticipating the Bunny bringing presents to her for a LONG time. Not the most important part of easter but to a two year old, ya it's important.
After church we went to my moms for dinner and an easter egg hunt. There were so.many.eggs! Chad and Shari were so so nice and left all the easy ones for the little kids.
These three love each other so much!
At the end of the day, 2 pee pee panties, one dirty panty, lots and lots of chocolate, after yelling at Aunt Ruby, breaking her new bracelet then stealing baby Julie's, this is what my Angel looked like.
we ended the day with rides on papa's motorcycle.
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Leading up to Easter
The Sunday before Easter we went to Joel's parents for dinner and introduced Olivia to her first easter egg hunt. Of course she loved it. All the grandkids went home with big easter baskets new outfits and lots of candy. Very spoiled! I think the best part for Olivia was playing with her cousins. She loves Grayson and Kaydence. I feel bad I didn't get any pictures.
The next weekend we headed to Morgan for the city Easter Egg hunt. All growing up Joel went to the egg hunt and then to his Grandma Carrigans. This is the first time we have gone up since we have been married, and I am so glad we did. Olivia, Cody, and Kaydence found winning eggs and turned them in for big baskets full of toys and candy.
Then we headed over to his Grandma's house for lunch outside. Olivia LOVED all the little girls her age, petting the horses, and just roaming free.
My sweet boy :)
After lunch another egg hunt. I can not believe how much candy was just thrown on the lawn for the little kids. It was so funny because Olivia still had a hard time finding the stuff just laying on the lawn. Look at all those great grandkids!
Grandma always reserves the bowling ally for all of us to go bowl.
Look at that cute little body! The second we got in the car to go home both kids were OUT! They both ran non stop all day! The only thing Olivia had to eat the whole day was candy, not even exaggerating.
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Tortellini with Garlic Sage Butter Sauce
This is super easy and super good!
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 6 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1/2 teaspoon ground sage
- 1/8 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
- 1 pound fresh or frozen tortellini
- 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley ( I used dry and it taste just fine)
Preparation
1. In a medium frying pan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring occasionally and mashing the garlic with the back of a wooden spoon, until it is soft and golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in the sage, and pepper.
2. In a large pot of boiling, cook the tortellini until just done, about 4 minutes for fresh and 12 minutes for frozen. Drain the pasta and return to the pot.
3. Add the butter and parsley and toss over low heat until the pasta is thoroughly coated with the butter, about 1 minute.
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The Kids
Olivia saw Top Ramen in the cupboard and HAD to have "Nooodles!" for lunch. Of course as I was cooking Cody had to be on my hip. He was watching the noodles boil and was so excited for them he was clenching his legs around me so hard. He could hardly wait for me to blow on them them, I finally served them in the bowl, he picked it up and dumped it into his lap. So I grabbed the bowl and picked up the noodles. This made him furious. He threw his head back and cried so hard he was silent. When he finally realized I had given him the bowl back he dumped the noodles back into his lap and happily slurped them up. Sheesh! I thought it was pretty cute, his little tantrum.
Olivia loves to push strollers. I watched her push it out into the yard, then just sit. I think she sat there for 10 min. I am so happy she is self entertaining.
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You be OK
Olivia has a cute friend in nursery that "got hurt real bad" She is the cutest little thing. She was helping in the kitchen and in a split second she plugged in the blender and got her hand in it. She had to have plastic surgery to repair all her fingers, and tendons along with one broken finger. My heart ached for her and her mom. Olivia and I felt soo bad and wanted to do something nice for her. So Olivia picked out some balloons and Swedish fish, and we walked it down to her. Olivia was so dang sweet and said "Sophie you be ok." When it was time to go Olivia had gotten pretty attached to this present. So we left with one balloon and half a bag of swedish fish.
Doesn't this picture say, I march to the beat of my own drum?!
We walked down to Aggie Ice Cream with Dad and Cody.
Olivia Dazzled us with her chalk art. HOW GOOD IS THAT! haha Proud mom right here!
This little man was just happy to be along for the ride, and drunk on ice cream.
That night we thank Heavenly Father for the safety and health of our kids, and mentally noted to be extra safe this summer.
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Memorial Day
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I will do better tomorrow.
I took her to Mcdonalds and let her play with the toys, eat fries, and drink juice. I forewarned her that when it was time to go I wanted her to listen and behave. Well, she did not. I left carrying two screaming kids, very embarrassing. She was disciplined.
I put her down for a nap. She played and got into the blinds. She was disciplined.
I asked her to be nice to Cody, she replied "NO" and pushed Cody. She was disciplined.
As I made dinner I noticed my garlic press was covered in crayon. I just sighed and looked at her crying on the chair. I kinda smiled to myself though. I love finding evidence of their existence randomly through my house.
I laid Olivia down for bed and told her I did not want to hear one sound from her! She new I meant it. I didn't hear a peep. A half hour later I found myself missing her. I was so mad at her all day, I finally had relief from her but I missed her. So I went into her room and walked over to her. She was laying very quietly.
O: (very softly and timid) Mommy, can I say something to you?
M: ( a little stern)Yes
O: ( a little teary) I Love You So Much!
M: ( a little teary) I love YOU so much! Today was kinda rough, and you acted naughty but we will do better tomorrow.
O: ok I will do better tomorrow.
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summer 2012
I am not ready for fall. I tuned into summer about half way through it. The whole first half was all about sickness. Cody had bronchitis, chicken pox, ear infections, sinus infections, and was teething a whole lot. Olivia skated by with a cold. I had Mono, ear infections, pink eye, and sinus infections that kept reoccurring. Joel luckily stayed nice and healthy and literally kept us a float.
Cody had his first birthday. Everyone came up and had cupcakes. It was cold!
Cody had his first official haircut, the candy held him still pretty well. He learned to crawl at around 14 months, and then started walking around 16 months. FINALLY. Isn't he cute!
Here is the mono, sorry if you just spit up a little.
I was inside sleeping, he is the best dad.
4th of July
we always try to take self portraits, and they NEVER turn out. yikes
This is one of my moms guest rooms. Isn't it so cute! We had lots of sleepovers at grandmas house, even if they weren't there.
yes, that is us in their bed. The picture of us in their tub would just be inappropriate.
Olivia shared her birthday with Graysen. My parents came over to Grandma and Grandpa Hoelleins for dinner and cupcakes. We also went to Provo and did cupcakes with Russell for his first birthday. Witch was fun cause Ellie cut my hair and we just hung out at Rubys all day.
Lots of visits from grandparents.
We went to a Raptors game, 7 peaks a couple of times, swang on grandmas swing set, jump on the tramp a lot, got lunch several times, had little camp fires, went to the splash pad, and just sat around and talked.
Olivia would ask just about everyday "can we go to grandmas?" She didn't care witch one she just wanted to go. Witch ever one had cousins there, she LOVES all the cousins.
This is about how they looked after long days of playing.
We slept in a lot and stayed in our PJ's all day.
Shari read the book of mormon all the way through so Joel told her she could stay with us for a couple of days. We went fishing, ate at Chilis, went to the batting cages, and did yard work.
we didn't catch any fish but Olivia wasn't upset at all because we sure did catch a lot of WORMS!
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Whistling
This was much earlier this summer but I thought maybe my dad would like it.
I am not sure why I sound angry ha I was kind teasing but it didn't sound like it, oops!
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First night through!
Last night Joel and I were sitting in bed talking, the kids had been asleep for several hours at this point. Olivia just started crying out of the blue. We went in to check on her and she was standing there holding her "princess" dress. She wouldn't go back to bed or stop crying until we let her change out of her jammies and into this dress. Once she was in the dress she started rummaging through the closet for her "princess panties" (her pull ups) Up to this point she has always worn a diaper to bed. When I got her a pull up she started crying even more and said no my real panties. She didn't want to wear a diaper anymore. So I took her potty and put her panties on. I told her that if she needed to pee she needed to get up and go potty, and that first thing in the morning to go into the bathroom. I prepared myself to wash the sheets in the morning. We turned off the lights and all got into bed.
A few minutes later Olivia starts crying again and I can hear her opening her closet. So I go in there and she was upset because her jammies that she changed out of were on the floor and she wanted them put away. Once she got them put away, she got into bed and went right to sleep.
In the morning I woke up to her whispering very loudly, standing in her door way "mommy can I go into the bathroom?!"
I was so stinkin proud of her, she had dry undies and dry sheets. Once she went potty she climbed into bed with Joel and I and just laid there for about 20 minutes. It was so nice. Then she started romping around stepping on my hair and I new it was time to get up!
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A few minutes later Olivia starts crying again and I can hear her opening her closet. So I go in there and she was upset because her jammies that she changed out of were on the floor and she wanted them put away. Once she got them put away, she got into bed and went right to sleep.
In the morning I woke up to her whispering very loudly, standing in her door way "mommy can I go into the bathroom?!"
I was so stinkin proud of her, she had dry undies and dry sheets. Once she went potty she climbed into bed with Joel and I and just laid there for about 20 minutes. It was so nice. Then she started romping around stepping on my hair and I new it was time to get up!
This is the famous princess dress.
She is holding a cup with a potato bug, leaf, and rock in it. :)
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I don't know if I should thank Aunt Amber for it, because it is favorite thing in the world. She sleeps in it, plays in it, TWIRLS in it, does everything in it 24/7. Or if I should be upset with her because it is the cause of many struggles. Although I have convinced Olivia it is NOT a church dress. I don't know how I could ever top this dress in Olivias eyes.
She is holding a cup with a potato bug, leaf, and rock in it. :)
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Pears
I didn't bottle a whole lot this year, but I did enjoy my little helpers.
Olivia was so cute helping out. She loves to help dad "work."
Cody loves it too. I think they like his tools and being outside.
When I took Cody off the 4 wheeler he straightened his body and arched his back and screamed until I put him back on it. This is his face when I put him back down. So got to stay outside with dad, and just sat there, happy. He is kinda stubborn. It's funny at 12 months, Olivia would reason with me, it spoiled me. I have a little bit of a learning curve with my Cody boy. He knows no reason, ha
Olivia actually picked the pears, and ran them to the garage.
Cody was more interested in throwing them. He is OBSESSED with balls, and throwing. It is pretty cute but kinda dangerous. Anything he can get his hands on he is throwing.
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Olivia's toe nail,
I ran into Olivia's big toe with the shopping cart. It literally blew it open, her foot was really bleeding. I left the store with Olivia on one hip, Cody on the other and all three of us were crying. I felt so awful.
We got home and cleaned it up and kept Band-Aids on it as the toe nail slowly dried up and eventually was hanging on by the cuticle. So I put her into a hot bath, and then laid her head on Joel's lap and I clipped it off. She was just fine, I was a mess. I cried. I mean really cried, like ugly face cry. I think Joel thought I was crazy, but what if it doesn't grow back nice and smooth?!. I will never be able to put acrylic toes on her, polish will be ridged. I mean not the end of the world, but it made me really upset. Her little body is perfect and she is just to little for permanent ouches. I am sure it will be fine though.
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So I got over it, we bought her some new glitter shoes to protect her feet, and Grandma Griffiths even bought her a present, some Teddy Grahams, and Mary Poppins. The gift bag was the best part for Olivia, she used it as a purse for several days. ha
When I took this picture I had told Olivia it was to cold for her to wear her princess dress anymore. She came running out of her room and said " I know! I can wear my jacket!" Clever, Clever.![]()
We got home and cleaned it up and kept Band-Aids on it as the toe nail slowly dried up and eventually was hanging on by the cuticle. So I put her into a hot bath, and then laid her head on Joel's lap and I clipped it off. She was just fine, I was a mess. I cried. I mean really cried, like ugly face cry. I think Joel thought I was crazy, but what if it doesn't grow back nice and smooth?!. I will never be able to put acrylic toes on her, polish will be ridged. I mean not the end of the world, but it made me really upset. Her little body is perfect and she is just to little for permanent ouches. I am sure it will be fine though.
When I took this picture I had told Olivia it was to cold for her to wear her princess dress anymore. She came running out of her room and said " I know! I can wear my jacket!" Clever, Clever.
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