Carreon Luggage

Hubble

2010-08-07T20:55:00.001-07:00

On Father's Day we dropped Duncan off at the airport to go to Utah for a week of Football Camp at BYU on our way back home we drove past a Pet Smart and saw him....

It was love at first sight, and we took our Hubble home that day. Hubble is a Bassett/Ridgeback mix but you can tell just by looking which gene is dominant. He was born on March 9th, 2010. He is a great addition to our family and we cannot imagine our lives without him. I will post some better pictures later on in the week.

Starting Over.

2010-08-07T16:38:00.000-07:00

I am not really going to recap the past 5 months it would be too long and I am sure like a Soap Opera you have not see in a few years, a couple posts and you will be completely up to speed.

I will start with today. Today is Saturday and today our good friend Ed Zdeb, and our Elders Quorum from church moved from Ed's yard across the road, to our backyard 18 yards.. yes 18 yards of rock! It was a site to behold all these wonderful people giving up their Saturday morning to help us out. It was amazing to watch the energy being expended on our "little" well moderately sized back yard and the transformation that took place so quickly. We had so many people show up that in 4 hours we went from

this......

to this!

Now all we have to do is put some sod in the middle (that will be a Edric and Kelsey project 2 weeks from now) our backyard will be done until we start our projects next year. What will those projects entail you ask? A Pergola to shield us from the beating sun that prevents any of us from venturing out to our backyard from 1pm until sunset. A rolling shade that will be attached to the pergola. As sidewalk that will stretch the side of the house and of course more plants, and hopefully a garden that thrives, not just eeking out a few small tomatoes.

Edric took 2 days off work so we could prepare for all the rock and the week prior Duncan pulled all the weeds out of our backyard. It really was a "family project" even our Ward Family helped out with trucks, shovels, wheelbarrows and a constant smile and eagerness to help. We are indebted to them for the time they took and the willingness they showed to help us out. I just hope we can do the same for them sometime in the future.

A New Chapter

2010-03-30T06:50:00.000-07:00

Back in April 09' I was concerned about Aurora and her lack of speech. I knew that Christina had speech delay due to her seizures and thought to myself maybe it was just a hereditary trait that Aurora had picked up in the genetic sweepstakes.

I called up Christina's previous SLP therapist Leslie, who had also become a good family friend. Leslie told us to call NEIS (Nevada Early Intervention Services) and schedule an assessment. I was familiar with NEIS as Christina had gone through them for her Speech Therapy before she turned 3. We got in rather quickly for an assessment. During the assessment it was shown that Aurora's speech was a little behind it became secondary to a larger red flag. As a precaution during these assessments a person will ask you about your child. The test is called an CHAT. It is a standard criteria that most parents go through now a days with Autism being so prevalent. Aurora did not pass the assessment. I wasn't concerned at the time and knew that her speech might be the reason and in the back of my head I knew she would sail through the 2nd assessment a few months later when she was speaking more.

The next few months her speech was still behind but it started to EXPLODE when we went to Seattle in July 09' She saw large bodies of water for the first time and loved it! WaWa (Water) was everywhere she looked. We were visiting with family in Portland and Seattle so she was forced to use words to communicate with them instead of her typical gestures which we understood and complied with. (we have since learned we should have ignored them to make her speak)

Aurora had always been an anxious baby but early on in the trip really it was really magnified how attached she was to me, and how anxious she was in strange situations. The first night of our travels we were on the road. We had been driving for 6 hours which Christina and Aurora seemed to enjoy. They were both magnificent car companions. (Duncan had the privilege of flying from UT to Portland as he was at football camp when we left) We stopped in Medford OR about 11:30 at night and the screaming began. She would not sleep in a port-o-crib she would only sleep with me and her arms had to be pulled as tightly as possible around my neck. After a restful (not for me but for Aurora) sleep we headed to Portland.

Our First night in Portland was a hectic one. I was going to a Coldplay concert with my sister Jenny, and her husband Trent was taking Edric and the kids camping with his family. Jenny and I headed out to the concert. Edric got lost getting to the campsite (blame google maps) but in the end Edric and Trent found each other. Aurora some how figured out in the middle of all this that I was not around and that she was going to be sleeping in this port-o-crib thing and not her bed at home. I think that is when she snapped. She became so inconsolable that Edric called me at the concert. I missed his call but when the concert was over we talked and agreed he needed to go back to Jenny and Trent's home and wait for me.

Duncan and Christina were more than happy to stay with Trent and their cousins so Edric headed back. After a long time of getting out of the parking lot at the concert we were on the road and home. I walked into Jenny's house to a very upset baby. I picked her up and within 10 minutes had stopped crying and was back to her sweet little self. She slept in between Edric and I that night. The next day I was never from her site. Jenny and I ran a few errands and she went with us. We headed up to Seattle the day after that and as long as I was in her view she was fine. Aurora had always been attached and everyone kept saying she would outgrow it but it was just not happening. I could handle a speech delay I knew all about that but this constant companionship was starting to take it's tole on me. Don't get me wrong I love Aurora, but I felt like she was more of an extra appendage at times than a toddler.Seattle was more of the same but the language explosion she was having was extraordinary. I could not wait to get back and let Leslie know.

In August a NEIS worker came to the house for a short visit and administered the 2nd Autism test to see where Aurora was. The interview which the first time lasted at least 45 minutes lasted only 10 and I was told Aurora was fine. (I would later find out that this interview was flawed on so many levels. )

While Aurora's speech was exploding it was still behind she was not conversing, but labeling everything. She could still not communicate to us that she was hungry, thirsty, tired etc. She was also sleeping way too much. She was, and to this day still does, taking (2) 3 hour naps a day and sleeping 12 hours at night. Aurora's therapy finally began and Leslie who was her speech therapist and Tanja who was her Developmental Specialist got me in to se the NEIS pediatrician Dr. Kinman. We spent the appointment talking about Aurora and her sleep patterns and Dr. Kinman was alerted to Aurora's disinterest in all of us and what was going on. She decided that the 2nd Autism test needed to be readministered and Aurora did not pass. I sat there in shock. Not knowing what do to but get the information they gave me and absorb it I put a smile on my face and pushed whatever worries I had aside. I didn't have time to deal with the ramifications of the diagnosis, I just wanted to start Aurora on the right course of therapy and get her going in the right direction. I came home and told Edric and explained what was going on. I called Granny and Papa Haddow and started being to busy to over think it.

Dr. Kinman told us about The Mind Institute at UC Davis in West Sacra

mento and we got her enrolled in their Autism Phenome Project. A longitudinal study that is looking for genetic markers for Autism. After Christmas we scheduled our time up there Granny Haddow made arrangements to come out and watch Christina and Duncan and all was well. Aurora was doing wonderfully, and her therapy was really making a difference.

My family is very supportive and knows that we have our children's best interest at heart and have really been a beacon of strength for our family. Edric's family does not believe the diagnosis and there has been a lot of resistance to the diagnosis and to make sure that we know that this didn't come from anywhere in their genetic family line. I don't say this to criticize I say this because these are both common reactions. You will have the family members that embrace the diagnosis and do whatever they can to help and then you have the family members who resist and tell you that there is nothing wrong. Both are done out of extreme love for the child. I know that both sides of our family love Aurora with all their hearts. I think it is easier for my family because they have had to deal with my Epilepsy as a child and Christina's. My family has also helped my mother and her struggle with Auto-immune deficits over the years and know that just cause you can't always see it doesn't mean it is not there. Edric's family has such an immense love for our children that I am sure it is hard for them to see anything wrong with Aurora. It is hard enough for them to recognize Christina's epilepsy that Autism is just not in their realm of thinking since in Aurora's case is not readily apparent by her appearance.

On the outside Aurora is a beautiful 2 1/2 yr old. she is cute and does cute things and is relatively quiet. When you truly sit down with her she is still cute and quiet but you start to notice the funny little way she arranges her fingers and holds them there. She does not engage you until you force her to, she will not make eye contact with you (unless food or a favorite toy is involved) and don't even think of touching her stuff. Purple Blanket, Wall-E, Eve, etc. It is hers and hers alone. She loves Sleeping Beauty and wears a green tinkerbell dress everyday and constantly sings the song "Once Upon A Dream" from the movie. The other day I counted and she sang it over 45 times.

Singing and Dancing for Granny Haddow

In her mind she is "Princess Aurora". We have viewed Sleeping Beauty and Wall-E more times than we can count but it is what makes her happy and when you find something that can stop a melt-down in less than 2 seconds you stick with it. Aurora can work an Ipod easily and is always taking Edric's and telling him it is "Aurora's Ipod" taking the Ipod away is like taking food away from a starving dog. You might get bit.

Aurora has therapy 2x a week and we go to play group 1x a week. When Aurora turns three she will most likely go to pre-school at Christina's elementary school and she will have therapy at home also. We will continue with playgroups and other social/sensory activities that force her to interact with her peers. Aurora is extremely bright, she is very advanced in some areas, the areas that are most difficult for her are social and emotional. It wouldn't surprise me to see Aurora turn into a bookworm as she gets older instead of going out to play with friends. Well maybe one friend and that is Meadow.

Aurora and Meadow as babies

I must say through all this we have been blessed with the presence of Meadow. Meadow and Aurora were born 11 days apart and are best friends. Meadow is typically developing... and in a lot of way much more advanced than any 2 yr old I have ever met. She has been wonderful for Aurora. Meadow challenges her and loves her and is the best therapist Aurora could ever ask for. I have the wonderful job of watching Meadow 3 days a week and when Meadow is not here you see the difference in Aurora. I believe without a doubt that it was no accident these two girls were born at the same time. They are opposites in ever way you can imagine (just take a look) but if you saw them interact you would think they were sisters. In fact when I go out with them a few people (not very bright people, but a few) have asked me if they were twins. LOL

I think the other day was the first day that I really sat down and took a moment for myself in all this. It has been a few weeks since we went to the MIND Institute. We did a slew of behavioral tests, medical tests, we even did an ERP and an MRI (which they were able to get Aurora to sleep through- undrugged) It was an amazing experience and I am so glad that we could contribute. Aurora will continue to go back for various tests and MRIs over the next 8 years.

This past Friday we received the behavioral analysis from the MIND Institute. I think in the back of my mind I was hoping and praying that they would not see anything and that Aurora would not have Autism even though I knew she did. It was the second opinion that I could not dispute because of the expertise of the people giving it. I knew Dr. Kinman, Leslie and Tanja were right but I wanted them to be wrong. In the conclusion of the analysis they concurred with her previous diagnosis and there is was in black and white that Aurora was autistic. I felt a wave of emotions come over me and I wept. I wept for Aurora and even though I know how bright she is and how far she will go in life, I wept for the struggles she will have socially and have because of how the label of "Austism" is perceived. We all want the best for our children and I felt responsible for this diagnosis, just as I felt responsible for Christina's epilepsy. I know it takes two different genetic codes to make a child and that both sides of our genetics played a role in Aurora diagnosis. Even though I know all this, I still could not stop crying. I think I was letting out a ball of emotions that I had been keeping inside since her original diagnosis. I didn't want this for Aurora. I talked to my sister Jenny a bit and then my friend Leslie. I felt better and was ready to move on to the next step. I am sure I will have a few more weeping moments but I know I have people I can go to.

I think one of the things that I have realized over the past few months and I know Edric has too is that Aurora is special. Everything about Aurora was planned. Her conception, her birth (c-section) We chose to bring this little girl to Earth to be part of our family. We knew before she even came that Aurora was supposed to be here with us. On the other hand Aurora's life has not gone as planned. She is constantly throwing us curve balls and we are constantly readjusting. One thing about Aurora though, everything , and I mean everything that we love about her is a result of her Autism. Her silly fascination with Wall-E and Sleeping Beauty. Her little anxious tics, the way she holds her hands and folds her fingers. The way she only talks when necessary to really get her point across. The way she dances and sings her Sleeping Beauty song over and over. It is all those things that make Aurora into who she is and I wouldn't wish for her Autism to just go away if we were to lose those things that make Aurora into her quirky little self.

So we start this new chapter in our lives of therapy, fighting insurance companies for coverage for therapy ( and no it is not covered in that crazy Health Care bill, trust me I checked), filling out form after forms to get grants for uncovered therapy, finding patience through all the tantrums and hard days, and enjoying the sweet little girl that is smarter than just about anyone I know and helping her along her way.

O Christmas Tree

2009-12-14T15:28:00.000-08:00

We put up the Christmas Tree and it ended up looking pretty nice! It is a fake tree that our dear friend Linda gave to us last year and the ornaments I got last year the day before christmas from Costco. They had been $30 and I got them for $8.94. It is not pre-lit but lights are cheap. I think all in all the entire tree cost us about $15. Not bad in my book.

Who is going to do the dishes now?

2009-12-14T15:10:00.000-08:00

My dish boy is out of commission for the next 3 weeks minimum! Merry Christmas to him. I must have been put on the naughty list though I am not quite sure what I did to deserve it.

Duncan has played football for 4 year and has never even had scratch on his body. On Monday Nov. 30th he was in gym class playing dodge ball. He was running for a ball when a girl who was playing volleyball on the next court decided it would be "funny" to grab his leg and trip him. His hand broke his fall. I thought at first he had just jammed his fingers but after 4 days the swelling was still there and his whole hand was starting to bruise. We took him in for an x-ray and he broke the 3rd and 4th fingers on his left hand (he can still write thank goodness) and broke the growth plate beneath them. He has a cast for 3 weeks, he will then get a new x-ray to make sure if everything is healing okay. If it is all healing correctly he will get a soft cast for 3 more weeks. If there is still damage to his growth plates he will have to have surgery. Thrilling!

Here are some pictures of the casting process... (since this is the first time anyone in our family has broken a bone this was probably more exciting to us than most people.)

I have really been enjoying my dishpan hands!

This is the first layer, a soft guaze

2nd layer is a cushiony type material

I made him choose red, it is christmas after all

At home for a close up

The final product.

You Get What You Get

2009-11-19T12:36:00.001-08:00

and you don't throw a fit.... That is what Christina always chants to Aurora and Duncan. Apparently it does not apply to her.

*Turn down your volume..

The Girls...

2009-11-18T08:34:00.000-08:00

Just because Aurora had a completely awesome outfit on the other day....

Just because Aurora had a completely awesome outfit on the other day....

Good things out of bad.

2009-11-18T07:55:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I took Aurora to the Neurologist for a very long EEG session so that we could catch one of her seizures on record. The morning went smoothly I got up early baked a batch of Madeliene cookies for the staff at the Dr.'s office, was able to get the diaper bag ready, get Christina ready for her field trip and dress Aurora without any screaming. We arrived on time and went into the EEG room. Aurora was fine with the rainbow belt they put on her and then it all fell apart. As soon as the green cosmonaut hat was put on the screaming began. The next 45 minutes was nothing but screaming, kicking, pulling the hat off, hitting, and trying to bite me. We finally gave up and decided that other measures needed to be taken to get an accurate EEG. What those are exactly we are not sure. We do still have options but none of them is going to make little Miss Aurora very happy.

After the Dr.'s office I decided since I was in Reno I should stop by Home Farbrics. It is this amazing fabric store that has excellent fabric for really low prices. I took my mother last time she was here and even she was impressed. I found some killer fabric. I would describe it but only a picture will do it justice. Even a picture doesn't quite capture how beautiful this fabric is!

I also found another great fabric that I am going to finish up the girls curtains with.

I fell in love instantly when I saw it and I can't wait to make duvet covers out of it. For some reason finding this fabric made all the bad things that happened this morning fade away and all was good with the world again.

Germs Germs Germs

2009-11-16T10:48:00.000-08:00

The only time I care about germs is when they are the kind that make my children sick. Church in the winter time is a haven for them. All those sniffly children and adults in small confined spaces that do not seem very well ventilated at times. I have always been a strong advocate for staying home if you or your child is sick. The rest of the family can go with out you and lessons and other things will be taken care of. I tend to keep my girls home more often than not in the winter not because they are sick but because of the people that went to Church who are sick.

Today Christina has to stay home from school because of something she picked up at church yesterday.

My girls are fever prone. If Aurora gets one she keeps it for days, no other side effects thank goodness, and if Christina gets a fever she usually ends up with a seizure or two and spends the next two days exhausted. I feel so badly for my girls when they are sick and I know that other mothers feel the same for their children. My own mother has a compromised immune system and has to stay home on Sundays much of the winter months because people will just not stay home.

I feel it is a common courtesy to remain home, I mean really do you want everyone to feel as miserable as you or your child does. This was not instigated by the H1N1 virus I have felt this way for years.

I say this year we all stand up and promise to decrease the number of colds and bugs that are spread at church. Do you really want to be responsible for Old Sister Bell catching a cold that turns into something worse or those cute little twins catching a bug that keeps their already exhausted parents up all night with worries and steam baths.

If you aren't sick then wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands so you don't get sick.

A Lesson Learned

2009-11-15T16:56:00.000-08:00

Never be late to church.... ever again. As I type this my daughter has a piece of bread which she tore into little pieces and got herself some water to go along with it. Those of my readers who are LDS can probably see where this is going... those who are not I will explain further.

We were actually ready on time this morning when it dawned on me that Christina had to give a small talk in Primary. I had gotten a call the previous day reminding me but still it slipped my mind. The talk took me 5 minutes to write and we were still on our way to being at Church on time. Then it happened, I fell and it was not graceful. I was putting on my boots. I had been standing but realized that this was a job better done sitting. I decided to sit down at my computer chair the one with wheels (yes we can see where this is going) I didn't quite make the chair but instead simply pushed it back and I went down and hit the back of my head on it. IT HURT LIKE @#%@#@#$.... I felt a small bump and Edric said it was red. He keeps telling me I took a dive Pete Rose style (what ever that means) I could feel the headache coming fast. It took me about 10 minutes to get my bearings and get some Excedrin to ward off any pain that might be coming my way.

We got to church just as they were finishing up passing the Sacrament Christina was very upset by this. Not crying upset, instead she gave told us that we kept her from taking the Sacrament and she had really wanted it today. I felt about 2 inches tall. I have felt lightheaded since and my head is aching. I am not quite sure if what I am typing is even making much sense.

What I do know is that my daughter (without the prayer lol) made Sacrament for herself lol. She did eat the entire piece of bread and drank a large glass of water. When she was done, she informed us that even though we were late she still made sure she got the bread and water. I don't think she truly understands the meaning of why we take it but the fact that she knows it is important is a good start. I think I will take this moment as a teaching lesson for Family Home Evening this week. I am now off to lay down and close my eyes... my head still hurts. But like I said I know for a fact that I will never let that girl miss the Sacrament again.

Surfing the net....

2009-11-12T09:11:00.000-08:00

So I was surfing the net and found this... I hate high chairs.. we have one we got at a garage sale but it is constantly dirty and crustated. I can't stand it. Aurora is big enough to sit in a chair now but she still has a tendency to fall out. I went looking for a low cost alternative and found this...

Cloth High Chair

Yeah I am going to attempt to make this next week... I would do it this week but take a look at this...

All those little tabs mean an activity... it go so busy that I had to resort to them as my hand writing can be atrocious at times and this way if something changes I just take it off.

I can't wait to go back to the fabric store next week and find some cute fabric that screams Aurora... I think I might be ready to start on their room also which means great curtains. Don't you hate that feeling when your head is spinning with ideas. I think I need a notebook with post its too.

Kung Fu Fighting

2009-11-11T09:41:00.001-08:00

Wonder Woman

2009-11-11T07:06:00.000-08:00

I didn't take any pictures on Halloween because I am lame and didn't charge my camera battery and I was out of regular batteries for my small camera. I know worst mother of the year award will be sending me a nomination any day now. I did take these pictures of Aurora though and I must say she is the cutest Wonder Woman I have ever seen.

I could apologize but I won't because I don't feel bad

2009-11-06T15:48:00.000-08:00

I don't feel bad or guilty for not blogging. I have been living life to the fullest and now things are settling down and I can share. September and October were uneventful and full of events all at the same time. We woke up everyday got dressed or didn't get dressed depending on where we were going, cleaned or lounged, worked and played, cried and laughed, and didn't feel the need to eat our young or call an attorney to find out the price of a divorce. We are still a family that loves each other and the past two months has been the most rewarding, scary, busy, tasty, illuminating, faith and testimony building, and wonderful since I can last remember.

September filled our week nights and weekends with football. It seemed like everything we did revolved around football. We worked around it and Duncan was successful. The rest is a blur.

October was full of traveling, pumpkins, football (again) Dr. visits, therapy, prayers and blessings, Wonder Woman, Fairy Princesses, and wonderful weather.

I went to Virginia for the first time in 5 years. No kids just John and Kathy's originals were invited. It was great. I slept in a nice big bed without being woken up by the chatter and knocking of children, sat for 2 hours at an Indian restaurant with my sisters eating, laughing, talking about everything and nothing all at the same time. I saw my sister Beenie as an adult for the first time in my life.. yes it took me seeing her working at her office for this to happen... sad I know. It takes FIVE GUYS to cook the perfect burger. I learned that my sister Jenny is better than any make up artist at the mall and the best part is that her services are free of charge and she doesn't expect you to buy everything on the counter and you walk away feeling beautiful and refreshed. Heather should never talk on the phone and drive at the same time (thank goodness there are no red light cameras on Hooes Rd.) I have decided that I hate rain, love all songs by Franki Valli and the Four Seasons (go see Jersey Boys) Big girls should not wear shirts that say "Big Girls Don't Cry" and my parents and the Penns have my dream kitchen. I baked and baked on Saturday night and enjoyed every minute of it. I missed Virginia but I love Reno. I can't way to go back with the kids and visit again!

We kept meaning to buy pumpkins to carve but it never happened. I felt guilty for about 5 minutes before I realized that my kids didn't care. I love hearing Aurora say Tik - o -teet" and running from door to door. Yellow hair spray does not look good on someone with dark dark brown hair (it comes out green). Wonder Woman costumes look the best on 2 yr olds.

Winter in Reno usually hits around the last weekend in October this year it has yet to come knocking.. I have not had to use the heat or A/C once in October and I am very appreciative of that especially after seeing my NV Energy bill. WOO HOO!

A lot has been going on with Aurora.. we had a scare with her White Blood Cell counts and I know more about WBCs and what is normal and the possibilities of what abnormal means than I want to. She is fine btw. Aurora is having Absence seizures and was diagnosed with High Functioning Autism but those are things we can handle and work with and they don't scare me one bit. It was reaffirmed to me that blessings and prayers do make a difference work and Heavenly Father is aware of us.

Christina started Karate and achieved her white belt, can kick super high and has found her voice on the karate mat. Football is over for Duncan. Not only did he lose his game on Halloween but got back too late to go out and scavenge for candy.

It is now November we are healthy, happy and ready for the holidays to begin. I will get around to posting pictures later on this weekend or next week. This weekend I am taking Christina to Disney Princess's on ice so I am sure there will be a ton of pictures from that.

Inspiration... German Chocolate Bites

2009-09-10T06:45:00.000-07:00

It had been a few weeks since I had taken out my cupcake tins and started baking... my family was craving something sweet so I decided satiate their hunger.

I don’t know many people (besides the crazy ones) that don’t like German Chocolate cake but an entire cake can be daunting when it is so rich with flavor and coconut goodness. I decided to decrease the size and enhance the taste with a smaller bite size version of this delectable classic.

German Chocolate Bites

Coconut Frosting/Filling

3 Egg Yolks beaten

1 can Evaporated Milk (12 oz)

1-1/4 cups of Brown Sugar ( I use light or golden brown)

1- 1/2 sticks of room temperature butter ( I break it up into pieces with my hands)

2 tsp of pure Vanilla (it really does make a difference it you use imitation)

¼ tsp of Salt

1 14 oz bag of sweetened shredded coconut

2 cups of roasted pecans chopped into small pieces

(I originally got this recipe from Martha Stewart but I altered the measurements for taste purposes)

 Combine egg yolks, evaporated milk, and brown sugar in a saucepan. Add butter, and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thick, about 10 minutes. Pour through a fine sieve into a bowl.

 Stir in vanilla, salt, coconut, and pecans. Let cool completely. Frosting can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 day; bring to room temperature before using.

German Chocolate Cake Recipe

This recipe was on Food Network during a show down with Bobby Flay. I preferred the “Make My Cake” Recipe

4 ounces baker’s chocolate (recommend: Baker’s German Sweet Chocolate)

1/2 cup water

2 cups cake flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 pound unsalted butter, room temperature

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

4 eggs, separated

1 cup buttermilk

Directions

In a micro-safe bowl, melt chocolate and water together in microwave or over a double boiler. Stir until smooth and set aside. In a separate bowl, sift together the cake flour, baking soda, salt and baking powder. Set aside.

In the bowl of a standing mixer, cream together the butter, vanilla extract, granulated sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add egg yolks 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Blend in melted chocolate. Add the flour mixture and buttermilk, alternating, until everything is combined.

Using an electric mixer beat egg whites, in a small bowl, until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whites into the batter.

Pour batter into 3 (9-inch) cake pans or 2 (12 capacity) cupcake tins. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven to a cooling rack and allow to cool completely before filling and frosting.

To Assemble the German Chocolate Cake:

Start with a layer of cake, top with a generous layer of the caramel/pecan frosting, place the other layer of cake on top of the frosting, frost that layer with caramel/pecan frosting

Around the outside of the entire cake, spread dark chocolate frosting (secret recipe) to cover.

Since her Chocolate Frosting recipe was “secret” I came up with my own a couple of weeks back... I don’t even like frosting and I could eat this by the spoonful.

C.A.K.E.D Chocolate Frosting

4 sticks of Room Temperature butter (unsalted)

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

3/4 cup boiling water

1 cup of powdered sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1 bag of great semi-sweet chocolate chips melted and cooled.

Melt Chocolate chips and set them aside to cool, combine the cocoa powder and boiling water and mix together. In a separate bowl mix butter, powdered sugar, and salt. Beat on high until light in color and airy. Scrape down the sides and add in the cocoa and water mixture. Add in the melted chocolate chips and beat together. NOW GET FROSTING, or grab a spoon and start eating. This frosting is very soft so if you want to harden it up a little you can stick it in the fridge.

Almost over...

2009-08-21T19:09:00.000-07:00

Every June I look forward to school ending and being able to spend some time with my kids. This summer we took some great vacations and really got to spend some quality time as a family. Now it is August and I cannot wait for School to start again. I know there are many that say... hold on to this time you will miss it and so on... but for now I can't wait until Aug 31st. Children are not hardwired to be cooped up in a house hanging out with their mother and I am not wired that way either. Duncan goes out and has a good time but lately the weather has been so hot that going outside is not really an option. I must say though that Aug 31st is a double edged sword for me. Duncan starts school, but that is also the first day of Christina's one month break! I think there is a conspiracy against me!

I must say though I do enjoy having my little shadow at home. Christina loves to do what I do. If I am sitting there folding laundry she wants to put it away and if I am mopping the floors she will try and assist in any way possible. I have become a fan of year round school because it breaks up the time when Christina is home. Next year when Aurora is in pre-school I will have them off track during different months which will be really nice. It will afford each of them some one on one time with mom. The Jr. High and High School are on a traditional schedule that goes from August to June which is perfect for Duncan and his plethora of Summer camps and activities.

To get back on topic though... while I love summer I seem to enjoy the end just a little bit more. I feel like I can get back on track and get a better schedule going for the whole household. I stick to my grocery schedule and bedtimes are never compromised. I do think the reason I enjoy the back to school week the most is because of all the supply shopping. I love shopping for pencils and pens, crayons and markers, paper and notebooks, and most of all things to organize a student all year long. There is something relaxing and almost therapeutic about it.

So say farewell to summer and Hello to crisp fall mornings and light sweaters and class holiday parties that never seem to end from Late October until January. I welcome it all.

Daddy's girls

2009-08-17T14:11:00.001-07:00

Edric had ice cream and the girls came running...

Aurora tried to be cute to get it.....

and it worked out just as she planned

then it was time for some wrestling and then....

ring around the rosies..

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!!!!

2009-08-17T13:02:00.000-07:00

The Football season has officially begun at the Carreon House. Actually practices began back in late July but Duncan and his team the Spanish Springs Cougars had their pre-season scrimmages on Saturday and will have their first game on August 29th at the Spanish Springs HS field. So if you are in Reno/Sparks area come one out and cheer!!

Duncan is #9 this year and is playing the position of tight end which according to all the men I have talked... this is the perfect position for someone with Duncan's stature.

Duncan explaining to Dad what he did in the first game... something about getting into someone's head...

Duncan and Dad

Duncan listening to his coaches

Duncan is #9 (the person in all white first in the line all crouched down)

Duncan wondering what the heck the Quarter back was doing... he was supposed to throw to Duncan who is wide open and instead ran the ball to be sacked bad.

One goes and they all go

2009-07-27T14:00:00.001-07:00

Whenever Christina goes to time out I don't have to look very long and Aurora is sitting there beside her usually talking and smiling with her arm around her Sissy's back. We have started time out for Aurora and lo and behold Christina does not abandon her sister but hangs out with her also...

Such sisterly love..

July was BUSY!!! and tons of fun!

2009-07-27T09:09:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since my last post and my friend Abby's post today (see Idle Prattle to your left) prompted me to update.

Lets see where did we leave off.. Haggling and Wall-E..

July has been our busiest month yet. We had a family reunion with Edric's family that went well. We celebrated the 4th in a very low key way... dinner as a family and since our town was the only one within about 40 miles having fireworks we opted for PBS and watched the ones at the Nations Capital which made me terribly home sick. Edric promised a stellar Halloween full of decorations and even a party if we could avoid the 100,00 + crowd in Sparks... so I caved.

Duncan flew off to Utah on July 5th for BYU speed and power camp, thanks to our Dear Sweet Jenny O for picking him up and driving him down and our Dear Sweet Ryan R for picking him up and taking him back to the airport. Duncan had a great time and increased his vertical jump, his speed and from what I see on the scale out the Cannon center out of all their food.

On July 9th Edric and I headed off with the girls (Duncan got to fly to our destination) to the Northwest. We drove through beautiful Mount Lassen National Forest and enjoyed all the greenery that Oregon and Washington have to offer. Living in Nevada for 5 years, you almost forget what the color green really looks like.

My wonderful sister Jenny bought some Coldplay tickets for my birthday. July 10th my actual birthday we went to the concert while Trent , Edric and all the kids went camping in a Yurt. The concert was amazing (we had 3rd row center) and I had flash backs to my first Coldplay concert in SLC with Edric, Jenny, and Jimmy.

Chris Martin Rocking out!

When we got out of the concert I got a call from Edric that to our surprise Aurora did not like camping (not really a surprise lol) Edric drove back to Jenny's house and we met up where I got some great birthday snuggling from my little girl... it was more like she was holding on to me for dear life and scream at me for leaving her with the masses.

The next day Jenny and I ran around with Aurora running errands, Trent corralled all the kids from the camp site and Edric got some much deserved sleep. It was followed by an evening of boating for the dad's and older kids and Edric and I tasting the most delicious burgers in the world.... FIVE GUYS!!!! I am hooked for life.

On Sunday afternoon we headed out of Portland (we hope to be back soon) and were on our way to Seattle to visit Edric's brother Edmon and his wife Julie. You name it we did it! We went to pikes of course, we shopped downtown, we took the ferry to Bainbridge (we hope to eventually move there) we ate the most delicious gelato on Bainbride from Mora's iced creamery . We went to an adorable yarn shop, and a cute fabric store... it is what my dreams are made of.. all within walking distance. We had Ivars clam chowder on the Ferry, fed the seagulls and watched for jelly fish.

The boys on the Ferry to Bainbridge

Sharing Ivar's clam chowder on the Ferry

Aurora and Dad chowing down at Honey Court

There was a lot of eating on this trip, we tried Malaysian food which is wonderful, we had excellent Dim Sum and Chinese, and we went to a place call theLunch Box Laboratory their burgers are amazing!!!

A Lunchbox Lunch!!

Edmon and Duncan at Lunchbox

We of course tracked down a FIVE GUYS and ate there too. We had an awesome lunch at Essential Bakery, soo good.

Christina and Julie at Essential Baking

The best place we found was thanks to Shay Wotring a face book friend of Edric's she told us to track down Molly Moon's so we did and ice cream will never be the same to me.... Salted Caramel has now ruined all other ice cream... I can't go back now!

Molly Moon's (it is worth waiting in line for)

We went and saw Jim Henson's puppets at sat on the stoop at Sesame Street and we visited Bruce Lee's grave. We went to Lake Washington's beach with the family and the Museum of Flight for the boys. We had excellent filipino food at Edmon's in-laws, we played video games, we swam in the pool, the boys had a few male bonding nights out and then before we knew it we were traveling through Mt. Shasta 3 hours from home.

Bruce Lee's Grave

We know how to get to Sesame Street

The Wright Brothers.

Building Sand Castles

Lake Washington

Christina started school the day after we got home, Duncan started football practice too and things have been full steam ahead ever since. July was amazing and one I hope my children will remember because I know I will.

The only thing I regret was missing my Dad's 60th Birthday party but we were driving home that day. There is even a happy ending to that thought.. I get to visit VA in October (with no children) I think for the first time in a long time my parents will have all their girls back in their home... which means for some good times!

Haggle, why don't more people do it.

2009-06-24T09:09:00.000-07:00

Ok so I was talking to my sister Beenie yesterday I was relaying my latest bargain. She told me I needed to blog about my adventure so here goes...

I went to Home Depot on Father's day weekend looking for a Grill for Edric. The one I really wanted was a Brinkman 4 burner grill with a burner on the side for beans, corn.. pretty much what ever you could put in a pot. It has all my specs but was still a little out of the budget I has set for myself.

When I arrived (courtesy of my friend Emilie) I was a row of ready built grills for the model I wanted but out of the corner of my eye I saw a similar grill for $149 it was a tad smaller than the Brinkman on sale for $199 but it would do the job just fine. I found an associate and told them that I wanted this grill but I needed it assembled (they do that for free!!) I was informed that the assembler was not in and that an assembled grill would take about a week to receive. I looked at the guy (his name was Joey) and said with a smile and a laugh in my voice "Joey are you telling me that on Father's day weekend you have no grill assembler in the store?" I walked over to the Brinkman grill and said

" I see you have a large amount of these grills already put together.. what kind of deal can you give me. I really need this for Father's day and I for once in my life am really going to be able to pull off a surprise for my husband."

J - "Let me think about it for a minute.... I can give you $40 off....

K- "Come on Joey you can do better than that... I know I can drive over to Lowes and get that grill for $149 and still have some money to burn.... what can you do for me?"

J - "Ok I can give you $40 off and include the propane tanke... but you have to promise to by the cover for the grill too."

K- "I can handle that, you have a deal!" --- btw the grill cover was $19.99 and I would bought it eventually anyways.

So after all was said and done I got a $199 grill for $159 plus a free propane tank full which would have cost me $42. I did buy the $19 grill cover but like I said I would have bought it down the road eventually.

Stores like Home Depot, Lowes, Best Buy and others just want to make a sale. I got my $90 cordless phone for $60 at Best Buy and also my $200 Blu-Ray Player and HDMI High Speed Cable for $150 at Best Buy also. I have haggled with big items even at Costco. When Edric and I bought our mini-van .. we traded in our car for $4500 (they matched that amount) and we still walked away only owing about $10,000 on a $27,000 car. (that was in early 2007 before the Auto industry went kaput)

I am nice and sweet and very matter a fact about what I want and how much I can really pay. I don't get snippy or rude (you get more flies with honey than vinegar) I am not taking advantage of the economy... I just realize that in this economy retailers just want to sell, they still want to make a profit but everything is priced so that discounts that are made don't devastate their bottom line. I have a tight budget like most everyone I know so next time you are out buying a big item... furniture, things for the home and what ever else (maybe not groceries unless you are at the farmers market) see what price you can negotiate it never hurts to ask and you may be surprised at what the answer might be. If there is an option to not pay the asking price and pay less don't you want to be the person paying less.

WALL-E

2009-06-17T07:03:00.000-07:00

Aurora does not like many things... she does not like new people (the Wrights being the exception), small places, stuffed animals, loud noises, etc, etc. One thing Aurora loves is WALL-E. She could watch WALL-E all day everyday. For her birthday (not until July but...) she got a huge WALL-E from Granny Haddow. She loves it.... it goes with us everywhere as doe her WALL-E blanket, her purple blanket and EVE. It is like her American Express card.. she never leaves home without it.

The things we never leave home without.

Watching Christina closely to make sure she doesn't come near her stuff

Can we guest what movie she is watching?

Poor Christina

2009-06-17T06:52:00.001-07:00

Christina had a rough day with her seizures about 2 weeks ago. She assumed her favorite position on the couch and pretty much slept the whole day. That is until Aurora tried playing Nurse Maid to her. Aurora tried to snuggle with Christina and comfort her but she basically ended up trying to scoot Christina off the couch and commandeer her spot. (Aurora did not win that day)

Aurora and Meadow

2009-06-17T06:46:00.000-07:00

I just love these two girls and they love each other!!

Curtain update

2009-06-17T06:36:00.000-07:00

I finished one panel of the curtains and was starting on the next one when my sewing machine broke. Luckily I found the part I needed online and I will have it just in time to finish a few more curtains before Edric's family arrives for the big reunion....(GULP)

Doing the top of the first panel

The bottom of a finished panel

The entire panel finished.

Curtains For The Kitchen

2009-06-01T11:56:00.001-07:00

So I am making new Curtains for the sliding glass door in my kitchen. A few weeks ago we go this rug for our kitchen to go underneath our table.

I was never a real fan of French blue and Chocolate brown but I fell in love with it when I saw this rug. I know I am a bit behind the times and this color combination is probably on it's way out but I don't care. I love it. So I bought this material from Home Fabrics . We have a store here in Reno and I love it. It is definitely the goto place when you want to find a great design and pay a little price.

I am making 2 panels with the fabric and there will be a Chocolate Brown border along all four sides of each panel. I am considering tab top but I am not sure yet. I am also lining the back of the curtain with white fabric to keep out the sun. This part of the house gets a ton in the afternoon.

I am going to make a curtain for the small kitchen window also to match. I chose a fabric that has more blue than brown to keep things light and to bring out the blue in the rug.

Why I love Etsy

2009-05-29T08:24:00.000-07:00

So in August I am decorating the girls room and I found these great pictures to put up!!! Every time I see them I just smile at how much they remind me of Christina and Aurora

I went to Tummy Mountain on Etsy and fell in love!!!

These are some of the pictures I am going to get for the girls room

There are a few more but you get the idea.... I just love them....

Pictures

2009-05-28T19:43:00.000-07:00

Our friend Mike Carpenter went to Provo and got us this great picture of the Provo Temple where we were sealed.

I ordered this picture a long time ago for the girls and I finally framed it... I love it. I got it off Etsy.

May Recap

2009-05-28T19:25:00.001-07:00

So May was a pretty non-eventful month (just the way we like it) We played a lot and got sick a lot (we all spent one week with a horrible stomach bug). Christina always looks the most pitiful when she is sick. She loves to just lay on the floor and sleep until she feels better.

Aurora spent a lot of time in the play area under the steps this month. Having the toys organized has really increased her interest in them. Aurora cannot stand clutter what so ever. It is a tight space but if she has room to play around she is happy.

This was taken on Tiara Friday of course....

Duncan is working on finishing up 7th grade and he keeps growing like a weed! I cannot keep that boy in pants and shoes to save my life. I would have pictures up but he seems to hate the camera lately.... GOTTA LOVE TEENAGERS!!

God cares if you don't listen in church

2009-05-01T10:57:00.000-07:00

Just ask Christina! She was walking down the hallway after being rowdy during Sacrament and BOOM!! She fell right on her face! (j/k) she tripped and fell some how and ended up with a nice fat lip!

Christina's 5th Birthday Party

2009-05-01T10:49:00.000-07:00

The Cake to beat all Cakes ... introducing the Princess Castle Cake!

2009-05-01T10:23:00.000-07:00

So I made an amazing cake (if I do say so myself) for Christina's birthday Party. It is a Princess Castle Cake. The towers are white plastic but the tower tops are purple gum paste with edible glitter. There were over 200 flowers on this cake and I made them all. It was a lot of work but the look on her face when she saw the cake was priceless!!

Granny came to town!!

2009-04-30T09:48:00.001-07:00

Granny came for a visit and we got a few pics of our adventures with her and Duncan documented their day together. She took the kids to see monsters vs. aliens, and they went to Scheels and rode the Ferris Wheel in the store (it is a big store). Duncan and Granny also went and saw Knowing and made a quick stop at GameStop for some video game shopping. On Friday we went to Build a Bear for Christina's birthday and Granny and Christina created a pink unicorn decked out in Hannah Montana gear. On Saturday Granny, Christina and I made a run to the Fabric store and made a cushion for the bench and some curtains for a few of the windows. WE had a great visit and even Aurora warmed up to Granny. We can't wait until she can come and visit again. (picture of Queenie the Unicorn coming soon)

Granny and Christina hanging out.

Granny in front of game stop.

The kids trying to help Granny

Bench in the Front Entry Way

Laundry Room

Bathroom

can you believe this fabric was only $3 a yard!!!

Entry Way

Duncan at Game Stop with Granny

And now some art work by Christina... Photographed by Christina

2009-04-27T13:43:00.000-07:00

Pictures taken by Christina and artwork done by Christina.

Easter

2009-04-27T11:47:00.001-07:00

Easter was so fun this year... Christina was really into and she even made sure that Aurora had some clue as to what was going on this year. The Easter Bunny was the topic of conversation at almost every meal for most of the month of March. We had to have a few conversations as to what the real meaning of Easter was and at the end of Easter Sunday she seems to get the point that we were really celebrating the resurrection of Christ and that the Easter bunny was fun but he was not the reason.

I also participated in Kari's (Disco Mom) EBX 09... I got a great basket and enjoyed every minute of opening each wrapped surprise.

On Sunday we went to church in the afternoon and the Easter Bunny visited while we were at church.... The kids were pretty happy with the results and later that day we had an Easter egg hunt with our neighbor's Brooklyn and Addison and a few of Edric's work friends.

I also made some Easter cupcakes... because what is a holiday without cupcakes or cake.

VENT!!!

2009-04-09T12:19:00.000-07:00

Ok so you can be rude to me all you want, I can take it and I can defend myself, but when you are rude to my 4 yr old that crosses the line!!

So we made these Easter Cupcakes yesterday. Christina really wanted to give one to her Bus Driver this afternoon. She was so excited and held the cupcake with complete joy and excitement. Her bus came and she was getting on and the bus driver immediately tells her in a stern voice "YOU can't bring that on the bus" Christina says, "It's not for me it's for you we made them" She was so proud! The Bus Driver rolls her eyes and says..."What am I supposed to do with this?!" and throw it in her garbage can. Christina saw this and looked so sad. I was so shocked that I couldn't even speak! The door closed and off she drove. Maybe if she spent less money bleaching her hair, turning her skin a leathery brown and less time at the nail salon she would have time to develop manners and understanding how precious a gift from a child is!!

Excuse my language but who the HELL does this lady think she is! Christina's expression when she saw the bus driver throwing away the cupcake devastated me! It all happened so fast I didn't have time to get over the shock to even react. If I did I would have ripped the cupcake out of the garbage called the bus driver an Ungrateful @!*@! and taken Christina off the bus.

UGH why do people have to be so mean!

Best Buddies

2009-04-09T07:10:00.000-07:00

As most of you know Aurora has had a little friend since before birth her name is Meadow... her mom and I were pregnant together and actually delivered 11 days apart! I remember holding Meadow on the day she was born, and she has had a place in my heart ever since. I am really fortunate to spend time with this Blonde Bomber 3 days a week and Meadow and Aurora are like two peas in a pod. Meadow is adventurous and out going and Aurora is funny and timid. Aurora lets Meadow try everything first and then after seeing if it worked out then and only then will Aurora try it. They could not compliment each other more. They are almost complete opposites that fit together perfectly like two puzzle pieces. They even look opposite.... Meadow with her fair skin and blonde hair and blue eyes and Aurora with her olive skin, almost black hair and dark brown eyes. It has been amazing to literally watch these two grow up with each other. I can't wait to see what they will do next.

Conference Weekend

2009-04-06T16:05:00.000-07:00

This weekend was General Conference for our Church or as Duncan likes to call it "Pajama Church" we watch our leader speak to us via TV and KBYU. It was a great weekend and the kids loved watching all the sessions. I made cupcakes for the Saturday afternoon session and we made a big breakfast for the Morning session. Edric took Duncan to Priesthood Session and his friends spent the night and watched the Sunday morning session with us.

Our Ward gave Christina a conference packet which she had fun filling out and Aurora enjoyed conference the most when she was watching from her high chair stuffing her face with cupcakes.

Dress Up Queens

2009-04-06T16:00:00.001-07:00

Christina loves to dress up and that passion has now hit Aurora. They love to dress up and dance around the house. Sometimes Aurora even goes so far as to try and fit into the Build-A-Bear clothing... as you can see it doesn't quite fit.

Houston Part 2

2009-03-30T07:20:00.000-07:00

While we were in Houston Heather took us downtown to where her office is. She has an amazing office!! It is on the 52nd floor and is decorated amazingly (Notice I took a picture of the bathroom since because I thought is was soo cool!!)

We then went to a place called Discovery Green.. The kids at lunch and then they played at the big sprinkler and also the playground there. Christina made a friend while we were in Houston her name is Jamie and they were best buds by the time we left. I have more pictures that Heather posted and will put them up, but for now here is a glimpse (notice how Sammy loves to have his picture taken with Christina!!!)

Addison's Cake

2009-03-30T07:15:00.000-07:00

I whipped up this cake the other afternoon for Christina's little friend Addison.. I didn't realize her birthday had been the day before so we made her a little cake to show her how much we love her and wished her a happy Birthday. This cake was small so the whole thing (after baking) took about 30 min... but it turned out pretty cute and she loved it!

Weekend Warriors

2009-03-30T06:54:00.000-07:00

So we are working on the house this spring... there are many things we are doing... Planting a garden and finishing up the backyard, getting the house ready for Granny's visit and Christina's birthday party, and just the run of the mill weekend warrior stuff.

The Garden is coming along... we bought all the peet pots to get the seeds growing, we now have planted 1 apricot tree, a plum tree, and 2 blueberry bushes. The kids and Edric planted the bushes into planters... he started the pots and they finished... I must say they did a great job!

We bought decorative trees for the front porch of the house, they trees we got from Costco and loved them instantly... they ended up looking great!

We also went to the JC Penney outlet and got a bench for the entry way so people can take off their shoes with comfort (except Papa Haddow of course). A nice Ottoman for the guest room so our guests can relax and read a book, or just plain relax after a hectic day with our family. All in all it was a great weekend and a ton was accomplished.

Birds

2009-03-27T07:28:00.000-07:00

Can I just say that there are birds everywhere in Houston... I don't mean a few here and there I mean everywhere these massive groups of black birds... check out this electric wire (apparently this is nothing compared to an area down the street from Heather.

Houston Part 1

2009-03-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

I went to go visit my sister Heather and her family in Houston last week and I had a blast. The root of the trip was to help her organize her upstairs which I think we were pretty successful at! She was switching around all her kids rooms and that can be a daunting task for anyone! After the upstairs was looking good Heather decided it was time for some fun and we went to Galveston! The girls had never really been beach goers so I wasn't sure about how they were going to feel about sand and surf but they had a great time.

This sand Mermaid was there to greet us!

Christina checks out the water

Still not sure....

Run away, Run away!

Aurora in true Carreon style began cleaning up all this "dirt" on the beach...

one handful at a time... except her hands kept getting dirty

Christina telling me about the water

(notice Aurora in the back still cleaning a handful at a time)

Aurora taking the "lets get the shells out of here first" approach

one handful closer...

Aurora informing Sammy that it is not time to play it is time to clean

Contemplating the vastness of the job before her

Aurora has now given up her clothes and is writing about her battle with the sand!

Christina hanging with the boys (she really missed Duncan)

Aurora tries to make a break for it but Laura stops her

Christina really loved the beach!

She even became comfortable with all the water.

Aurora decides it is time to just give up and become one with the beach.

not sure if she wants this "oneness" recorded

what the heck... I am cute and look at my belly!

A very tired and spend Aurora!

Winter Wonderland

2009-03-26T12:31:00.000-07:00

Ok the pictures totally do not do the mess that was made any justice but lets just say there were small pieces of paper EVERYWHERE!!!

Something to brighten your day

2009-03-26T06:59:00.000-07:00

Hello Kitty

2009-03-25T07:40:00.001-07:00

Christina loves to draw. Lately Hello Kitty is her muse! Here are some of her Hello Kitty Drawings.

Sunday Best

2009-03-25T07:34:00.000-07:00

Christina and Aurora were excited to show off their dresses the other Sunday. Christina's was new and Aurora's dress used to be Christina's (I love seeing her in Christina's former clothes because it brings back the greatest memories!)

Strumming away

2009-03-08T09:17:00.000-07:00

Duncan got a guitar for his Birthday. We were pretty excited to watch him pick one out. He has already learned a bunch of cords and out friend Michael Carpenter said he would come over and help him on the days that he and Edric trained for the RTO (more about that later).

Duncan also got an iPod Nano from his dad in Kansas. He love that Nano it is really funny to watch his tastes change and move from Legos to more sophisticated things. Duncan's really sweet nature shined through though yesterday when he went to Best Buy to use the gift card that Granny and Papa got him. He went in with Edric while I stayed in the car with the girls. When he came out he was very happy with his Blu Ray Star Wars the Clone Wars movie but I noticed he had another box in his hand. He had a little extra money and got Christina the new Wonder Woman movie ! What a great brother. Christina and Duncan are always thinking of each other like this. They are amazing kids. Duncan is such a good example to his little sisters!

Duncan's cake

2009-03-06T14:34:00.000-08:00

Ok so here is Duncan's cake (can you tell who was right on top of me while I was writing the lettering...( thanks Christina!) I was going to do some more things on it but we wanted it done by the time Duncan got home from school at 2:30.

Duncan is 13!!!

2009-03-06T12:43:00.001-08:00

I can't believe that 13 years ago today I gave birth to such a tiny baby. Duncan was 5lbs 12 oz when he was born. 13 years later he is taller than me and Edric! Duncan is growing into a wonderful young man and I am very proud of him. No he is not perfect but what kid is, I still wish I could figure out the missing assignment dilemmas and the huffing and puffing when a chore is assigned but those are typical from what I have seen. Duncan is a great big brother, he loves his sisters and even when they annoy the heck of of him he still is patient and somewhat tolerant. Duncan loves church and is the Deacon's Quorum Pres in our ward. He takes his calling very seriously (sometimes to a fault) but he is learning at ton.

Every Birthday starts off with Donuts (even though Duncan had already left) Aurora eats her donut obviously thinking of Duncan

What I have done so far on Duncan's cake (I will take pics of the final product)

Duncan before he heads off to school.... A good looking kid.

We Interrupt this Blog for a Moment with Christina

2009-03-06T11:59:00.000-08:00

Imaginary Friends.

Recently Christina has been playing with an imaginary friend. I had this conversation with her the other day and felt it was worth repeating.

M= Mom C=Christina

M: Christina what is your friend's name

C: John, he is my best friend

M: Why is his name John?

C: Because I like that name

M: Did you know that was Papa's name...

C: IT IS???? It is a cool name.

M: What is John's last name

C: Haddow

M: Where did you get that name from?

C: Hold on I will get the book... she runs upstairs and brings me the Dr. Suess book DO YOU KNOW HOW LUCKY YOU ARE flips through some pages and reaches the page about poor Harry Haddow who had now shadow. "From this page mom, I really like that name"

M: Did you know that that is Papa's last name, his name is John Haddow

C: Well it is an amazing name! I think John would like Papa.

So there you have it... John Haddow comes with us everywhere, to the store, church, school etc. Christina always makes sure that his seatbelt in the car is buckled and that he always has a snack when she gets one. John is her best friend.

It is a total mystery to me how she put these two names together since the only way we refer to my dad is Papa, but it is sweet and wonderful that she did.

40th Birthday Cake

2009-03-02T09:54:00.001-08:00

I made this cake for a Friend's friend who turned 40th this weekend.

Sisters

2009-02-26T13:21:00.000-08:00

I think this picture totally describes the relationship that Christina and Aurora have... and here are some extras because I think they are cute.

Playing in the Backyard

2009-02-26T12:41:00.000-08:00

Even though the grass is not in and the plants have not been bought the kids love playing on the patio.... well not today but most days. Today the winds are upwards of 35 mph and Aurora would blow away if she went outside. Aurora and her little friend Meadow have a wonderful time together getting dirty and being kids.

The Fashion Diva is wearing off on her Sister

2009-02-16T10:10:00.000-08:00

So Aurora loves her pink corduroy polk-a-dot coat (it used to be Christina's) Aurora wears this coat around the house and outside the house everyday. If I don't want it to be worn I have to hide it well. I obviously did not do that before Church on Sunday... and this is how she went... headband, necklace and jacket over her church clothes. She was happy and content so we didn't mess to much with it.

Art in Motion

2009-02-16T10:06:00.001-08:00

So Christina created an piece of Art for us the other day... I am not sure where her inspiration came from or what her thought process was but she called it "HELLO KITTY COUPONS". The girl never ceases to amaze me.

(Edric let this Art project sit there for a whole ten minutes before he had it cleaned up.. I was impressed with his patience)

CURE

2009-02-16T09:26:00.000-08:00

I was reading the news and found a great organization (yes I am late in the game) but I came across an article in PARADE Magazine about a woman and her daughter's struggle with Epilepsy. As many of you know when I was little I had Epilepsy, and Christina has it also.

CURE is an organization that is dedicated to helping fund new research for epilepsy. It affects over 2,700,000 people but as you can see the funding does not match up. Only $39 is spent per patient for Epilepsy.

Christina is taking a drug called Keppra now which has subsided most of her seizures. She is a little grumpy since she takes it (one of the side effects) but it is worth it. With more research the ability to pinpoint seizures will increase. They have never been able to find where Christina's seizures are originating from but this is not uncommon.

I encourage all of you to take a look at CURE (link is above) and see how you can help or if you know of anyone who has a child that suffers from Epilepsy let them know.

Thanks so much!!

Valentines Day

2009-02-14T09:06:00.000-08:00

Christina's valentine from Daddy

Christina's Valentine from Granny and Papa

Duncan with his Valentine from Granny and Papa

Aurora inspecting her Valentines Presents

MMMM for Chocolate

There are many reasons why I love Valentines but the 1st reason would be my gift from my father. I love that he takes the time to buy each of us (my sisters and I) a box of chocolate. This year he even went above and beyond and didn't get us our typical box of Godiva (which we love) but he got us a new brand called Nuehaus.... This chocolate is amazing! It is soft and creamy, full of flavor and you feel like you stepped into a little bit of heaven with each bite. Daddy you totally topped yourself this year!! ( I would show a picture but it is in hiding away from the children)

My mom sends little boxes of chocolate to all the grandkids too. Of course they are not the premium boxes of chocolate that we get but children don't quite have a proper appreciation of chocolate to deserve those. Duncan and Christina know the chocolate is coming each year and this year Aurora will begin to figure out this tradition. (I am sure Edric will have the bath water ready to go)

This year my mother also included an activity for our FHE. WE made foam hears with messages on them. The kids loved it. It was fun and messy and we could not have had a better time. On Thursday we also made and decorated Valentines cookies. We did the typical heart shapes and this year we added in some X's and O's.

Edric and I are of course going out to a small dinner and will come back and watch a movie I am sure.

I love this holiday and so do my kids. I think the greatest part is (of any holiday in our house) is that no holiday goes unnoticed by Granny Haddow. There is always a card and a treat, Valentines day, St. Patricks day, 4th of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving.... of course Christmas. Even though my parents live 2600 miles away, my kids have a very close bond with them.

This morning we made heart shaped pancakes for breakfast with cinnamon and vanilla syrup. So once again a successful holiday but it only 11:30. LOL

The Fashion Diva Strikes again!

2009-02-12T09:30:00.000-08:00

Christina the Fashion Diva had her Valentines Party at School today and she wanted to look just perfect and at the same time she wanted Aurora to look perfect also. Christina and Aurora have a few outfits that match and this is fine for Christina but sometimes she wants to personalize the outfits according to who is wearing. They were dancing to music on the TV while I was taking pictures.

Sisterly Love!!

In Memory of Uncle Bob

2009-02-10T06:38:00.001-08:00

On Wednesday February 4th Edric's Father Berniel Jackson passed away. He was not Edric's biological Father but he was his father in every other sense. Edric's mother Aurora came from the Philippines to Reno in the mid-80's to work and make money to send back to her husband and 5 children. She worked at a small restaurant in Sparks NV that her Aunt owned. Things had been strained and distant with her husband in the Philippines for quite sometime. She met Berniel and a short time later they were married. Berniel brought Edric and his 4 brothers and sister to the United States. From the moment they met him they called him "Uncle Bob". We learned a lot about the amazing life Uncle Bob led at the funeral, he left home when he was 14, he later enlisted in the Navy during WWII and he received the Golden Glove award for boxing while in the Navy. He led a very full and wonderful life and we are so blessed to have him in Edric's life.

Here is the link to his Obituary in the Reno Gazette Journal

Here is what Edric said about his Father at his Funeral on Saturday. (It is kind of long but very heart warming).

As I’ve been thinking about what I can say about Uncle Bob I realize that there is a lot about his history that I don’t know. From what I do know of him my father lived a long life. And during his life there are many who have had an opportunity to know Berniel personally and may have a perspective unique on their own. I would like to give my own personal experiences of Uncle Bob. My family has called Berniel Uncle Bob since the moment we got off the plane from the Philippines. He never tried to replace my Father in the Philippines, but he exemplified every aspect of what a Father is.

One of the memories regarding my father that I will always remember was his strong hands. They were always calloused and showed the wear of time. My younger brother and I were just discussing several days ago how his fingers were so strong while tickling you it would hurt and make you laugh at the same time. I remember the times he would attempt to play catch with me in front of our house to prepare me for my baseball games. I was beyond horrible but he came to my games and always cheered me on. I remember in high school he would always buy Trix cereal for my brother and I. It wasn’t until now that I realize that he did this repeatedly to show us he cared about what we wanted. I remember him coming home from the gas station with his hand cut up because he put to much air in the tires of our scooter and the tires exploded. I remember the day I told him that I will not be receiving my Eagle Scout award do to my laziness and he being disappointed because he expected more out of me.

He was a simple man who loved watching Matlock, eating cooked rice mixed with milk, butter and sugar and always needed to have the recent copy of TV Guide. In one thing we may all be able to agree on is that Berniel was not perfect. At times he might have lacked the sophistication of language to express how he felt. But despite all of this, I will always remember him as being the kind of man that I wanted to be, and the person that that I wanted to be for my children.

My father exemplified the meaning of the word “work”. He showed me at a young age that the only thing the Lord only asks of us is to roll up our sleeves and give Him all that we can. There was nothing more than brought him joy than seeing my brother and I happy.

I also saw at a young age how much Uncle Bob loved my mother. I remember distinctly when he was home from the railroad him making pancakes for my mother while singing her a song expressing how much he adored her. I remember him speaking kindly and sweetly of his first love Mildred. I will always remember the toll it took on him when he had to bury a second wife due to cancer. I will always remember how much Uncle Bob missed my mother after her passing. Uncle Bob made sacrifices to make sure that my younger brother and I would be taken care of after the passing of my mother , sacrifices that I saw and that happened in the background. Even after all the trials that life beset him he never complained or uttered a negative word to my brother and me. He accepted this as the will of the Lord and moved forward while a simpler man would have buckled under the pressure. My father did not compare one family with each other. He loved all of us. He cherished the moments he had with us. All that my family has accomplished came to pass due to a stranger opening up his heart and home to my brothers and sister.

When I was 10 Uncle Bob gave my family an opportunity that changed our lives forever. After marrying my mother he brought Teena, Edwin, Edgar, Me and Edmon to the United States from the Philippines. This act of kindness changed the lives of our entire family for the better. As I mentioned before everything my family has in this life we owe to Berniel. We would not have the families we now have and the lives we all live without him. He took us in as his own children and even when my mother passed away he never stopped being our father. He showed us love and kindness and what it was to be a good husband and provider even in the toughest of times. This is especially true for me and my younger brother Edmon. We were just 10 and 9 when we came to the states and spent our formative years with this great man.

When it was time to go on my mission my father taught me all the things I needed to be prepared. He taught me how to tie a double Windsor knot with my tie. He taught me basic plumbing maintenance in case of emergencies to be used while on my mission. Even during my mission he would send me letters with tips on how to pick a ripe cantaloupe and would close expressing his love for the church, the Lord and the scriptures. I know that the heavens are a little bit better since he has come home to his Creator.

After my mother passed away Berniel took my brother Edmon and I to the Oakland temple to be sealed with he and my mother. This experience taught me how important it is to be an eternal family. I am thankful to have this connection with a man that I love and admire and am proud to call my father. He exemplified what it means to be a stalwart servant of the lord. As I raise my own children and interact with my wife I try and remember his example. I try and show my wife and children how much I love them each day by simple little acts of kindness like Uncle Bob showed to me. It was not until I married my wife Kelsey and became a father to her son that I realized one of the most important lessons that Berniel taught me. It was to love unconditionally. I look at Duncan as my son like my father looked at me as his son. I never questioned his love for me as I hope my son Duncan never questions my love for him. I am so thankful for that example.

In 2005 right before I moved back to Reno from Utah my family and I drove down from Provo to visit Uncle Bob in St. George. I wanted my son Duncan and my daughter Christina to meet my father. I knew that he probably would not remember me due to his illness but nevertheless I wanted my children to meet him. It was hard to see Uncle Bob in such a fragile state. We visited with him in his room and the day room and ate lunch with him in the dining room. He did remember me on the second day when we visited and I made sure to tell him how much I loved him and how much he meant to me. This was the last time I saw my father. I did call to see how he was doing over the last three years, but I wish I could have seen him one more time. Unfortunately sometimes we never recognize how significant someone was in our lives until they pass away. In all it brings us joy knowing that he has been released from the crippling hands of alzheimers and is now with Mildred and Aurora. In retrospect as we all think about our own experiences with Berniel, I am thankful for my unique experiences ahead with this wonderful kind man as my example.

TADAAAAAAA

2009-02-03T14:02:00.000-08:00

So we still need to add grass, our garden, our herb garden, and misc plants and shrubbery... but this is the beginning of our back yard.... Christina informed me that our patio looks like a big purse... which I can also see... I like!!!

More of Day 2

2009-02-03T12:44:00.001-08:00

Day 2.... the concrete

2009-02-03T10:46:00.000-08:00

Today they are laying the concrete and stamping the patio!! We will be able to use it by Wednesday evening!! I took these while standing in my kitchen... so they are kind of dark.

The End of Day 1

2009-02-02T14:58:00.001-08:00

So they finished laying out the patio and they are coming to pour and stamp tomorrow and by Friday evening we will be good to go ... 10 to 1 my husband wants to BBQ and eat outside no matter how cold it will be!!!

A place to relax in.....

2009-02-02T10:06:00.000-08:00

We are getting out back patio done this week... I am so excited!!! Here are some pictures so far

LETS GO STEELERS

2009-02-01T21:47:00.000-08:00

So my kids are (especially Duncan) are die hard Steelers fans as we have already established... They were thrilled with the game tonight and there was tons of yelling and cheering at our house.

Christina and Duncan Cheering on their team!!

Duncan explaining the game and some of the plays to Christina

Kick Off

2009-02-01T15:01:00.000-08:00

So we did a few things to prepare for today's game... besides having a very SICK Steerers fan. Poor Duncan had a fever and a very upset Stomach.

I made some Steelers cupcakes... they are not by best by any means but they turned out pretty cute. I will practice before Duncan's birthday (he is getting a Steelers Helmet cake for his Birthday)

It's the Most wonderful time of the year!!

2009-01-29T10:09:00.000-08:00

It's the most wonderful time of the year
When Fans will be yelling
And everyones screaming for their team to win
It's the most wonderful time of the year
It's the hap-happiest season of all
With those tickets for selling and Jersey's for wearing
When friends come to call
It's the hap- happiest season of all

There'll be parties for hosting
And Nachos for toasting
And Jumping in front the of TV
There'll be scary Hail Mary's
And tales of the glories of
Super Bowls long, long ago

It's the most wonderful time of the year
There'll tons of high fiving
And some will be crying
When Touch downs are made
It's the most wonderful time of the year

There'll be parties for hosting
And Nachos for toasting
And Jumping in front of TV
There'll be scary Hail Mary's
And tales of the glories of
Super Bowls long, long ago

It's the most wonderful time of the year
For some will be crying
And some will be saying
well maybe next year
It's the most wonderful time
It's the most wonderful time
It's the most wonderful time
It's the most wonderful time of the year GO STEEELERS!

So it is that time of year again... the day that Edric and Duncan look forward to the most, by the end of the day they have cheered and yelled, they are stuffed from eating too much and in the end they are sad. Super Bowl Sunday is better than Christmas in our house. This year is great for Duncan his beloved STEELERS are heading to the Super Bowl again and if they win they will hold the record for the most Super Bowls won.

We were invited to our friend Theresa's house for the Super Bowl but she has a house full of animals and with Edric's allergies and the girls intense fear of anything with 4 legs it would have been miserable. So we are opting to stay at home and watch it on our great HD TV that we have been paying our respects to every Sunday since August.

Our house is a potpourri of team favorites. Kelsey likes the Redskins, Edric is a 49er's fan, and Duncan sings the praises of the Pittsburgh Steelers. This year is Duncan's year to shine. He is a Big Ben fan and we like the Steelers Head Coach because he looks like Omar Epps from House.

So what will we be having for our Super Bowl feast.... Edric has requested Super Nachos (ground beef, jalapenos, tomatoes, cheddar cheese (the canned liquid kind... not my favorite but they love it), cilantro, Tortilla chips, and some Salsa) I call it death on a plate!

I will be making Steelers cupcakes for Duncan, and I am sure some other foods will find their way into Edric and Duncan's mouth that are not planned yet. Duncan is taking Home Economics this quarter in Middle School and he learned how to make Orange Julius so you can guess what he and Edric are drinking.

I will put pictures up of all the food and the yelling and screaming at the TV. Christina says she likes the Steelers too so we will make sure to have all the kids in black and gold for Granny and Papa.

Baby Rhodesbud

2009-01-26T17:27:00.000-08:00

Ok so my friend Abby and her sisters are doing an amazing and wonderful thing for their sister who is having trouble conceiving.

Go to Idle Prattle

And you can find out more and and get some really crafty things that will make your heart skip a beat with joy!! It is a win win... you get great stuff and all the money goes to helping Abby's sister!!

Moving Forward

2009-01-26T12:44:00.000-08:00

Ok so last year was not the best for my little blog and instead of recapping (not much happened during November and Decmeber besides a ton of eating) we will start with 2009!

Christina is still enjoying school. She loves her teacher and has a massive love/hate relationship with a little boy named Christopher. Christina loves to clean... on a daily basis she comes to me to let me that she has reorganized her toys, shoes, or if I have forgotten made my bed. If she could just leave her poor sister alone for five minutes then I would say she was perfect.

Duncan's teenage years have hit our household three months early. He is full of normal teenage angst and is suffering though, like many of us did, the trial of middle school. He takes it all in stride and is a good big brother. Football is still (and I think always will be) first and foremost in his mind. He is very excited to have the Steelers play in the Superbowl and I know he wishes he were in VA to watch it with some true Steelers fans Papa and Aunt Beenie.

Aurora is walking (more like running) and talking up a storm. She loves to say Hi, Eyes, Kitty, Mine, ME ME ME, Duncan, Sissy, Daddy... but she never seems to say MAMA. Aurora loves to climb on everything especially on the steps. She is a Blues Clues addict (we might need an intervention soon). Aurora loves Duncan and Christina and gets very excited when they come home from school. She just started nursery at church and has not quite decided if she likes it or not. She is the only girl in a sea of boys which is hard for her.

Edric and I are pretty much doing what we always do, working, cleaning, taking care of kids and trying to find a moment to relax after 8pm.

Here are some pictures to tide you over until my post next week. (or if Christina says something to funny not to write)

A rare moment of peace between brother and sister

Edric and I on our 5th anniversary!

Christina showing off her new clothes (no she is not wearing makeup)

Aurora vacuuming away

hanging out at the the Dr.'s Office

We interrupt this regularly scheduled post for...

2009-01-06T14:53:00.000-08:00

A MOMENT WITH CHRISTINA.....

Christina: Mom where is Dad

Mom: He is at work

C: He needs to stop going to work and play with me.

M: Do you like your house?

C: yes:

M: Do you like your new Hello Kitty Doll?

C: OH YES

M: Do you like the food in your tummy?

C: yes

M: Well then Daddy has to work...

Christina slowly processes what was said...........

C: Mommy I think Daddy needs to work MORE... I want some more clothes for my Hello Kitty Doll.... you can work too if you want.

Aurora's side of the Pumpkin Patch Experience

2008-10-26T11:50:00.000-07:00

Hi, for those of you who don't know me I am Aurora... let me tell you a little about myself. I am a small and pretty darn cute 1 yr old. I don't like too many people... I pretty much only like my mom and on a good day my dad and my brother and sister might get a hug and a smile from me. This whole experience at the Pumpkin Patch is one that I would rather forget. First of all my older sister Christina dragged us around the entire Patch for what seemed like hours throwing pumpkins in and out of MY wagon. I thought the first two she put in were just fine but apparently I was wrong. I had just about had enough when I hear my mom say... finally we have our Pumpkins.. thank goodness was all I could think!! Then all of the sudden I was being pulled in my wagon to a new part of the Pumpkin Patch.. I smelled something similar to my diaper after a good nights sleep and then I saw them... the most horrible thing I have ever seen... there were these creatures everywhere... horrible creatures on 4 legs with dirty faces and evil eyes!! There were even ones with 4 horns!!! Where was my mother taking me and why was I not surprised that my older sister seemed to be the reason we were even venturing towards these horrible beasts! We stopped by these things called pigs and they had killed some of the pumpkins... there were pumpkin shells everywhere. I was ready to leave, if they could do that to the hard outer skin of a pumpkin imagine what they could do to my soft beautiful baby skin! I decided I had no other option.... I began screaming in absolute terror until my mother and father got the picture and high tailed it out of there. Do these people not know me at all! Don't worry I made them pay for it later... I threw my dinner all over the floor for them to pick up.

Approaching the animals

all that is between my sister and those pigs is some wire fencing!! not acceptable!

My last resort.... screaming until we get out of there!

Away from the animals and on our way home!

Pumpkin Patch 2008

2008-10-25T09:56:00.000-07:00

We went back to our favorite Pumpkin Patch to pick our Halloween Pumpkins. As usual it was quite an adventure. Christina has become our family consultant on most things now. She loves to tell me if what I am wearing is okay and if my hair is up to her standards, etc. Well it was no different with the pumpkins. We originally wanted to get 5 pumpkins for our family but we settled on 2. Each pumpkin had to pass the Christina quality test. She tested first by if the pumpkin was orange enough, no scars or blemished skin, then it had to pass her stem test, a lifting test (was it too heavy or too light). As you can guess picking 2 pumpkins took about an hour and a half. We settled on the two and announced we were done.

On the Hunt

Enlisting help from Kuya

Could this be the perfect pumpkin.... wishful thinking!!

Aurora agreed to hold on to the Pumpkins

Taking a break on a pumpkin that was not approved for purchase by Christina

Newest Creation

2008-10-22T15:54:00.000-07:00

It is our friend Ed's Birthday so we made him a cake. I think it turned out well and thought I would share. It is a vanilla cake with Whipped Frosting.

For Beenie-- Mormon Synchro

2008-10-22T10:30:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine sent this to me and I thought of Beenie when I saw it! Let's call it Mormon Synchro!

A new Recipe for the Fall

2008-10-18T11:05:00.001-07:00

Speaking of cooking. I came up with a new recipe for Pumpkin Pie Waffles this morning. Edric and I were making waffles and I noticed that we still had half a can of pumpkin puree in the fridge. They turned out really well, but I would top them differently, but all we had this morning was syrup.

So here is the recipe:

2 cups of flour (one white and on whole wheat)

2 TBSP of Sugar

2 Tsp of Baking Powder

2 pinches of salt

put all dry ingredients in one bowl

6 eggs

1 cup of milk

2 tsp of vanilla

1/2 cup of veg. oil

3/4 cup of pumpkin puree

3 tsp of pumpkin pie seasoning

mix all wet ingredients together

pour the wet ingredients slowly into the dry ingredients mixing as you do it

Spoon onto a very hot Waffle Iron and there you go.

I think it would be good with some Whipped Marscapone Cream.

Add 1 cup of Heavy whipping cream

and 2 TBSP of sugar (or more if you want it really sweet)

1 tsp of vanilla
Beat until a meduim to stiff consistency

add 1/2 cup of Marscapone cream and fold it in.

top the Waffles with the whipped cream and top with a little bit of fresh nutmeg.

(Edric says to serve this with Bacon as a side) you have to love him!

Cooking 101

2008-10-18T10:56:00.000-07:00

So Christina has been copying just about everything I do lately. On Friday she decided it was time to take it up a Notch. Aurora and Meadow were meandering around the house and before I knew it Christina had them sitting on the floor cooking. I had not realized that 10 minutes prior she had been "writing " in her Hello Kitty Spiral. She apparently wrote down a recipe and was teaching the girls how to make Cupcakes. I must say it was one of the cutest things I have ever seen. (If you look you can see the notebook open next to her.. she kept referring to it for directions and ingredients)

September Run Down in Pictures

2008-10-03T08:25:00.001-07:00

I have been a bad blogger

2008-10-03T08:06:00.000-07:00

I want to apologize for neglecting my blog... it seems that a bigger house means bigger chores!!! So here is an update and I will also post pics later on today....

Duncan.... his voice is cracking, you heard it hear first... it is funny to listen to him talk. He is loving football this season. His team has yet to win a game but Duncan is getting a lot of play time. His coaches are pretty disorganized so hopefully next year when he moves up a league the coaches will be better and he will be able to bring the experience he learned from all his playtime this year. He loves 7th grade (I never remember liking middle school). His father has decided to show up after 9 1/2 years which has thrown Duncan for a loop but I am sure it will all work out in the end.

Christina is doing great, she is making great progress with her Speech and Language teacher at school and we are not sure what the final result in regards to Kindergarten will be but that is still a long time off.... Apparently Kindergarten is not required in Nevada.... I was very shocked and none to pleased when I heard that , but she will be going to some sort of pre-K, D-K, or reg. K next year. She got her hair cut and keeps complaining that she liked it better long. I told her it would grow back and she would have long hair by next summer.

Aurora is our roamer. She roams around the house humming and talking to herself about what is in her hand or what will soon be in her hand. She loves her little playmate Meadow they are a fountain of entertainment to each other and are very fun to watch together. Aurora already has all her molars and there was little fuss getting them so I feel very fortunate. Aurora has figured out that if she hits Christina she will get her to either 1. Leave her alone or 2. Get what she has. This is a tactic we are trying to dissuade her from but she seems very pleased with this new knowledge.

Edric is in heaven with football season in full swing. Between Sunday, Saturday, and Duncan's games he is the happiest man alive. The man loves football more than anyone I have ever seen (except my Dad). He carpools to work now and loves only having to drive one week out of three. Besides helping with the kids and keeping the house clean... to watch all the football he can is his major goal right now.

Kelsey: Well I have been baking up a storm and coming up with cupcake recipes to share. This past month I made a Boston Cream Cupake, a Tiramisu, and I am working on a Peppermint Ice Cream Cupcake just in time for Winter. This week we are doing Pumpkin Chocolate Chip with Marscapone Icing. Edric's co-workers love me! lol I am doing the normal things, laundry, cleaning, cooking, kids, typical but always fulfilling.

October is here and it is our favorite month to celebrate. We love decorating for Halloween and this year we are going to try and get to Apple Hill. I am sure the kids would have a blast.

I will have pics of the cupcakes up later this week and pics of the kids up tonight.

Upated

2008-09-04T07:24:00.001-07:00

*Edric has finally updated his blog so be sure to take a look.

Carreon Compartment

Labor Day

2008-09-02T15:09:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since we all went out together just our family so on Labor Day we took the kids to Grand Sierra Resort a local Hotel/Casino. We went to the Fun Center first where the kids got a good dose of arcade games, skee ball, and Christina accumulated enough tickets to get herself a spinning top, two smarties candy, a chinese paper wand, and a bracelet. She was in heaven. We decided to go bowling next.

The kids love bowling and it is so fun to watch Christina drop the ball and endure the slow roll down the lane to the pins. Duncan and Edric were teasing each other incessantly over each other's misses and gutter balls. I made three strikes in a row and continued to hit strikes. If I didn't make a strike then I missed every pin. After bowling we went to the $3 movies in the Hotel. It is a pretty neat set up , they have love seat couches that you sit on instead of individual chairs. We watched Kung Fu Panda. I missed about 90% of the movie (Aurora was having none of it) but Christina, Edric and Duncan had a blast watching it. By the time all was said and done the kids were exhausted and hungry and it was 6pm so we went hope had dinner and hazelnut crepes with fresh bananas and strawberries and some excellent homemade whipped cream. It was a great day with very little whining and drama and I am sure the kids will remember it for a long time.

Notice the final score Mom 96 , Dad 92, Christina 73 and Duncan 56 (GIRLS RULE!!!)

New Cake

2008-08-30T17:50:00.001-07:00

My Mary Kay Lady Chemane saw Aurora's cake and wanted me to make one for her son's birthday. He wanted a Superman, Batman, Spiderman Cake!! YEAH!! Here is the results. The cake is a devils food with chocolate butter cream icing, chocolate pudding filling, and colored fondant on the outside. Edric painted the superman logos in red food coloring on the yellow emblems. The batman emblems are fondant as well. The bottom is 8" double layer, middle 6" single layer and the top is a cupcake with candy spiderman face and webs.

The Cake

2008-08-26T16:19:00.001-07:00

I always make a community cake and and an individual cake for the kids on their 1st birthday. Here is Aurora eating hers (with the help of her older sister of course).

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Aurora celebrates the big #1

2008-08-26T12:47:00.001-07:00

Aurora turned 1 while we were moving and we didn't get a chance to celebrate. We made sure to do it up big for our last baby. I made a cake and we had family and friends over.

Our good friend ( and one of the few people that Aurora lets hold her)

Ryan came to visit us just in time for the party.

The Princess

Christina and her cousin Ethan playing Wii

Edric helping Aurora blow out the candles

Aurora spent about 2 minutes opening presents

(once she saw a purse she was out of there)

the rest of time we were chasing her down for picture.

As you can see she is fast!

Pre-Season Football

2008-08-26T12:21:00.000-07:00

Football is underway in our home. This creates much excitement with the natives. On Fridays they work themselves into a tizzy waiting for any upcoming games that weekend. Duncan is on the Sparks Wolfpack this year and he is a starter on the Defensive line. Edric and Duncan went to the "Jamboree" for pre season games on Saturday. Duncan's team tied the Reno Patriots and another team ( i will find out the name) and they lost to the Reno Ravens (Duncan's old team)

Duncan has two good friends Nathan and Jordan Hale playing on his team with him. They are from our old ward up in Northwest Reno. Nathan and Jordan are always around so Christina looks at them like more older siblings that she must annoy. Here are some pictures of Nathan, Jordan and Duncan at our house and at the fields (btw the fields these kids play on are so nice they are Astroturf and the nicest part is that they are less than a 1/4 mile from our new home)

DUNCAN IS #99

Watch out Mr. Quarterback Duncan has you in his sights!

Around the blocker he goes

Waiting to line up .

Nathan, Duncan, Christina Jordan

Dead Fish( I will explain later)

Duncan and his Dad

Duncan's Team

Deanna (Jordan and Nathan's mom) putting black stickers underneath Duncan's eyes.

The House

2008-08-25T06:18:00.000-07:00

We had a "House Warming" Party along with Aurora's Birthday on Saturday. Family and friends came over to help celebrated our two "Firsts" - First House and Aurora's First Birthday.

I took some pictures of the house so far.... it will be a work and progress for many years. I am sure in a few years we will long for the empty space that we have now.

Family Room

Kitchen

Living room/ Dining room (no furniture yet in the "living" area)

Dining Room (yes it needs some work lol)

Stairs

Entry Way

Stairs going up stairs

The Girls room

Duncan's Room

Laundry room (upstairs)

Duncan in the upstairs hall way (I am standing near my room when I take this picture)

Master Bedroom

The master Tub

( I thought I took one of the bathroom but forgot so I will do that this week)

It's been a long time coming!

2008-08-22T06:20:00.002-07:00

Ok so I greatly apologize for the long pause between updates.... what can I say moving is hectic.

Before I get to the pics that everyone is waiting for (those will be coming on Saturday or Sunday Morning) I thought I would share what the kids were up to, and some of my new baking results.

Aurora is walking everywhere now. She toddles here and there and only crawls now when Christina wrestles her down and he has to get a way really fast. She said her first word..... it was PURSE... yes purse. She is a woman after many of my friends hearts!

Duncan has started football practice and has his preseason day this Saturday. They play three teams in 1/2 hour games so that everyone can get an idea of who they are playing and if they need to step it up or change plays and such before the real season starts in two weeks. Duncan officially starts "MIDDLE SCHOOL" on Monday the 25th and I am pretty happy to send him back and I am sure he is happy to go.

Christina.... well she started school the Monday after we moved in... Aurora is a fan of Christina at school. She loves her teacher and her new class. She still misses her old school but she adjusted to the change pretty easily. She recently had picture day and told us she needed a new outfit so off to Old Navy we went. Aurora kept trying to grab every purse in the store and Christina was none to happy when she noticed that Duncan was getting something also. (It was a fun trip).

Our new house is coming along just fine. We are putting up all the curtains this weekend that were so lovingly donated by Granny Haddow. This weekend we are having a "House Warming/Belated 1st Birthday party" at the house. We invited friends and family so I will take pics of the house before everyone gets here. There are still a couple of empty rooms but those will fill up over time I am sure. What did Edric say... anyone who has a problem with our empty living room can buy the furniture for it! (I think that was directed at a particular member of his family lol)

It's been a long time coming!

2008-08-22T06:20:00.001-07:00

Internet, Direct TV, and Carpools oh my!

2008-08-13T07:41:00.000-07:00

Well we have been in our house 14 days and I must say it really feels like home. There have been some slip up along the way with Internet, and Direct TV but those are to be expected. Our Internet was supposed to be up a few days after we moved in but they forgot to place the order. I called to find out the cause of my jitters (Internet withdrawal) and they were so apologetic that they gave me a $50 credit towards my bill for the slip up. I could wait a few more days for that (hey everyone has a price and mine seems to be $50 when it comes to the phone company).

Direct TV has been a really great story! We had them scheduled while my father was out visiting and we ended up missing the appointment. We rescheduled for Sunday since we knew that church was probably going to have to wait another week. The Direct TV guy shows up and proceeds to tell Edric and I that he is going to have to drill holes all over our house and that we will have black exposed cable in our bathroom and across our fire place. Well I feel that this "guy" (I would use another word but this is a family blog) has no clue what he is talking about is if he drills from the outside of my house in he will void my insulation warranty. NOPE NOT HAPPENING!! We reschedule with Direct TV and they promise to send out their lead technician. We figure out that the builder has not sufficiently wired the house for a Direct TV DVR box and that since there is only one wire and not too I am in a real dilemma. They are very eager to keep me happy and I have a very eager husband who is missing his ESPN (I must say on a side note that the reason they are so willing to help is because when PaPa Haddow was here in October he called his friend's office who happens to be the President of Direct TV and his secretary called down to schedule our appointment).

So Direct TV is coming out today with a new system called SWM (Single Wire Multiswitch) they usually only give it to new customers with 5 or more boxes in their homes (of course PaPa Haddow has this in his home) I certainly don't have 5 or more TVs in my house but they are making an exception to the rule for me. So I know have Internet, I will have Direct TV by the end of the Morning and the best part of everything Edric starts carpooling on Friday. He will carpool with 2 other people which means he only has to drive every three weeks (Hollah for the gas savings!!) .

Everything is falling into place and it will be even better when School starts for Duncan and he is off to his new 7th grade adventure. We will keep you all updated on that one.

I promise pics are coming soon!

Just Some Thoughts

2008-08-01T04:26:00.000-07:00

As I sit here in my new surroundings with boxes encompassing me I am taken aback by the magnitude of this move. Duncan and I have been very nomadic, moving from place to place. First with Duncan's biological father when he was in the military, and second after my divorce moving cross country, a few places within a state, back across the country only to return to Utah at the end of an internship and even then a few more places in Utah. We counted and Duncan went to 7 different schools from Kindergarten through 6th Grade!!

When I married Edric I realized that the moving was slowing down - thank goodness. Edric brought a stability and sense of direction to the life that Duncan and I were leading. Now after 4 1/2 years of marriage we are settled. We have moved into a home that can accommodate our family for years to come. I can see the entry way as I sit and I can already see the countless times Duncan, Christina and Aurora will come in that door from school ready to tell me about their day, the many wonderful family events we will have, the kitchen I will try to make memories for my children in and instill in the the importance of being together as a family for meal times. The dining room which eventually will be filled with a table and chairs that will be the host to many holidays and special dinners "just because".

I am so grateful for this house and all the memories we are yet to have, and are making right now. I finally feel like I can relax and enjoy the present for the first time in more years than I can count. I am sure there will be more houses in our future but for now this is our true "HOME" something that I have desired for my children but especially for Duncan for so long. The blessing that has been bestowed upon us to receive this home can obviously be repaid monetarily but in my mind is priceless, and I believe is something that I will be so grateful for each time I see the look in my children's eyes of stability and peace.

Duncan will always remember the many places we lived since he is older, but Christina most likely will only have vague memories of our previous residence and Aurora will not have any, this will always be "home" to her. Aurora is already much more comfortable and I can see how relaxed she is as she awkwardly walks through the maze of boxes.

For Edric, I know this house is something that he has wanted for such a long time. This is truly a huge marker for him. He grew up in very modest conditions and always wanted better for his children as all parents do. I see the joy and peace in his eyes as he unloads boxes. Even though there is much work to be done he is calm and very methodical about how to do it and has not once been frantic or overwhelmed.

I will have pictures up soon, but for now I am so grateful for our new surroundings and the days ahead of us.

A lesson in Faith

2008-07-27T08:49:00.001-07:00

So this is our last weekend in our current house. During our time here we have had a few nagging problems that have not gone away and try as he might our Landlord has only been able to put temporary fixes on them. The kids bathroom has a toilet that has a major attitude. You never know when it will work and when it won't! So using this toilet has become like playing a game of Russian Roullette. The toilet will overflow and we will fix it and then it lulls us back into a false sense of security and BOOM... when you least expect it water will come flowing out of it again.

Well our Toilet with an Attitude could not let us leave this cramped, hot house without giving us a parting shot. On Friday night I was in the family room with the girls and Edric was in the bedroom. Duncan has used said toilet and went into our bedroom to watch TV with Edric. About 30 minutes later Edric told Duncan to go take a shower and get ready for bed. Suddenly we hear "OH MY GOSH" which in our house is never a good thing. Edric and I come running and there is water EVERYWHERE!! It is halfway out into the hallway carpet and working it's way into Duncan's room. I immediately step into the watery abyss and turn off the toilet water. We gathered all the towels in the house began working to get the water up as fast as possible!! During this time Christina thinks it is all a game and begins trying to play in the water sitting on the bathroom floor and slips and of course falls! I have no sympathy left in my body for her so I pick her up and stick her on the other side of the dining room chair we have blocking Aurora from getting involved in the clean up. We stick all the gross towels in the dryer that never seems to dry anything (seriously we have to run the dryer like three times to get a load dry) We should have just washed them then dried them it would have used up the same amount of time. But I digress.

So we have water soaked carpet and unhappy children. We decided to do as much as we could call the night over and go to bed. When we woke up in the morning we still had a wet carpet but now we had a gross smell permeating the house. We decided to get back to work on the carpet and do as much as we could. Throughout the night we had a fan blowing on it to help dry the carpet out. Duncan had to be at a birthday party at 10:45 so I drove him across town while Edric cleaned. When I got home we were both exhausted and decided it was break time. I stayed in the family room with the girls and Edric watched a show in our room. I feel asleep but the girls were blocked into the room and I was light sleeping so I could still hear them playing. Yes I know that many of you are having your Bad Parent alerts go off but oh well. LOL

I opened my eyes about 10 minutes into my catnap and noticed that my child (Aurora) was without a diaper. It took a minute for it to register. I got up to get her and noticed something more horrifying... those with a weak stomach stop reading NOW

Aurora was covered in Poop!! She had pooped and was rolling in it. Let me say that Aurora has discovered how to take her diaper off so she either has to be clothed at all times or you have to put the diaper on backwards. I had forgotten in all the chaos to do both. I quickly yelled OH MY GOSH which is our house is never a good phrase so Edric of course came running. He hopped in the shower with the PoopMonster and I cleaned up the mess. By this time we were fed up and realized that this house was out to get us and possibly our daughter so it was best to get out of the house and in a public place. We left the house did some necessary shopping. While we were in Target Christina decided it would be a good idea to take off her glasses and set them down in some random place. We get back to the car and realize that the glasses are missing. Edric goes in and looks while I sat in the car with the girls. Christina asked if we could say a prayer that we would find her glasses and I willingly obliged. I pretty much had been praying all day and night that nothing else would go wrong so another prayer could not hurt. Edric came out without the glasses after 1/2 hour of searching. I decided that maybe if Christina was looking with me she might remember so we went in the store. We retraced our steps going backwards. Within 5 minutes we had the glasses (next to the ipods where she was trying on headphones) and as we were walking back she said. Daddy didn't pray but we did so we found them. I smiled and was suddenly grateful for the past few days that even though they were trying were helping me teach my children faith and patience go hand in hand.

We met up with Edric's family for dinner (no way I was cooking tonight) and got home in time for all of us to go to bed. Moving is stressful and worrisome but I know in the end we will be in a nice new house where eventually other things will go wrong and we can have more adventures but for now we are looking forward to the peace and quiet!

went to a Casino buffet for $7.77 per person (a very good buffet by the way) with Edric's family and pretty much stayed out of the house until 10pm. We went to sleep

Memories....Light the corner of my mind...

2008-07-24T08:07:00.000-07:00

My sister Beenie has this on her blog so I thought I would put it on mine too, I think it is a good idea.

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

Those were the official rules (wherever they came from), but I don't really care if you ever post it on your blog or not- if you even have one. I just think it will be fun to see what memories people come up with. What do YOU remember?

Quick Announcement

2008-07-22T09:57:00.003-07:00

AURORA IS WALKING!!!

*Christina and Duncan are now on high alert**

Ice Cream Cup Cakes?!

2008-07-18T11:13:00.000-07:00

My Birthday was last week and my sweet friend Monica brought me a Red Velvet Ice Cream Cake mmmmm sooo good! Well her husband Sam has a birthday today so I thought I would reciprocate and make him a ice cold goody. I thought an ice cream cake would be to daunting but Ice Cream Cupcakes... those I could do... (a good idea if I do say so myself). Sam's favorite Ice Cream is peanut butter and chocolate so I bought Peanut Butter Cup ice cream and Devils Food Cake Mix.

So here is the whole pile up when it is done... a layer of Devils food, a layer of peanut butter cup ice cream, a layer of devils food (the top of the cup cake) and peanut butter icing with chopped up peanut butter cups on top! Yes very over the top and decadent but hey that is what birthdays are supposed to be.

I started off making the cupcakes. I didn't use paper cups in the cupcake tin, instead I greased and floured them.

I then added the mix (I use an ice cream scoop so that each cup gets roughly the same amount) Bake them for 20 min and then I let them cool for 10.

I then CAREFULLY take each cupcake out and set them on a flexible cutting board and stick them in the freezer so harden a little so they cut in half easier)

While the cupcakes are baking I thawed the ice cream and spread it out on a cookie sheet and put it in the freezer to harden up again.

I also made the peanut butter icing.

Here is the recipe:

14 TBSP of softened (not melted) butter *use real butter trust me

1 3/4 cups of creamy peanut butter

3 1/4 cups of powdered sugar

1/2 cup of milk

Mix the butter and peanut butter together with a mixer until creamy and mixed well. Add in the powdered sugar a cup at a time. When the sugar is completely mixed add in milk a little at a time until the frosting becomes creamy enough to spread.

When the ice cream is hard again take it out of the freezer and find a small glass that is similar in diameter to the bottom of the cupcake use this as your cut out tool. Cut out the ice cream.

Grab a cupcake that you already cut in half and spread a little bit of frosting on the the top and bottom insides (this is like your cement to keep the cupcakes together.

Place the ice cream disc on the bottom half and place the top back on. (work quickly because the ice cream will melt quickly. I make six at at time and place the ice cream back in the freezer to harden a little.

Also stick the cupcakes in the freezer as you make them so the ice cream can harden again. when they are somewhat hard I open the freezer and stick them in aluminum and paper lined cupcake papers so that they have a more finished appearance.

It sounds intensive but once you get going it is fast.

When the ice cream in between the cupcakes is hard again take them out quickly and frost them with the remaining frosting and top with chopped up peanut butter cups. Serve when ready!

New Traditions

2008-07-15T12:41:00.000-07:00

Since we are moving into a new house I feel that it is time to start some new traditions. Some might be kind of hokie but they will be fun and I know they will create great memories. The first tradition we are starting is...... TIARA FRIDAY.

I was recently out with some of my girlfriends at a place called the Chocolate Bar. It is a fun place to relax have some fondue and just talk. Well there was a group of girls there trying way to hard to make an impression on any man that might walk past them. They caught the eye of my group. We were making our little remarks about the desperation in their eye and then we noticed one girl was wearing a Tiara. It struck us as odd but we figured hey it is pretty impossible to have a bad night if you are wearing a Tiara. A conversation ensued about how if you are wearing a Tiara a good day is pretty much guaranteed and if not guaranteed then most likely.

Jamie one of our fondue companions mentioned that at work (oh I must digress and say that all the women I was with work at Intuit with Edric and they are extremely fun to hang out with) they should implement a mandatory Tiara day where once a week they all wear Tiaras. I don't think Edric would go along with it, but I would have gotten him a crown for a King or something similar.

I came home and didn't really think about it until a few weeks later. I was talking to Christina and it dawned on me... Christina does not have school on Friday's and since that is a free day for her we should adopt it as a special day for just the girls. When we move into the new house we will immediately begin our "Tiara Fridays". I am going out this week to buy Tiara's for Christina and I. We will also be including Ms. Aurora and Ms. Meadow so I will make them some stretchy headband Tiaras (we are pretty sure they will only tolerate these for a few minutes but eventually they will learn to love it) I know this sounds corny but I really think that it is something that the girls and I will learn to love and will make lasting memories for all of us.

Duncan and Edric have decided to opt out of the Tiara wearing but have promised to support us in our endeavor to brighten the world with our rhinestone hair pieces. In the long run the more I think about it the better of an idea I think it is. It will get us up, dressed, hair done (you can't wear a tiara with messy hair). I do think the adage will be true, it will be very difficult to have a bad day while wearing our tiaras. I will definitely be posting pictures of our Friday tiara adventures. We are even going to make style some tiaras for Duncan's football games on Fridays so that we can still be tiara happy and support his team. (the colors are silver and blue, it couldn't be more perfect)

Now this is too much!!

2008-07-15T12:00:00.000-07:00

While I was online searching for tiaras I found this..... it is made for a child.... I guess the question is who in their right mind would put this on their child!!

This one is for Kim

2008-07-14T09:29:00.001-07:00

Having a little girl I obviously had to find out which Disney Princess I would be. I don't think Christina was very happy with the results... she kept telling me I am Cindrella (probably because I spend most of my time on my hands and knees cleaning up after her and her sister....hmmm I am beginning to see her logic. Well I took the test and this is what my results was.....(drum rolll please)

You Are Pocahantas!

Free-spirited and wise. You have a strong passionate spirit that touches and changes all who know you. The wisdom and common sense that you have is really what guides you through life. Even so, you also have a very playful side that loves adventure and excitement.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

My new saying for the month

2008-07-11T22:26:00.001-07:00

IT IS ON LIKE SIMON LE BON!!

that is all

Happy Birthday to Me!

2008-07-11T15:46:00.000-07:00

So July 10th was my birthday... yes one of the most glorious days of the year! J/K I have noticed that as I get older I want to to less and less on my birthday. Here is how the day went. Meadow the little girl I babysit came over like usual (btw she is one of the cutest kids I know) After she left we cleaned and cooked. We (Christina and I) made Southern Pulled Pork (this is a no fail recipe .. I use a crockpot instead of the dutch oven) for sandwiches, coleslaw, and corn on the cob. We had chocolate cupcakes with white vanilla roses on the top. The missionaries came over for dinner and my wonderful friend Monica stopped by with a red velvet cake from Cold Stone (we didn't share that one with the missionaires) and a post secret book (I love post secret I read it every Sunday morning before anyone gets up)

It was a pretty low key night which was nice. Christina is taking me to see Wall-E on saturday as my birthday present and Duncan got me the most comfortable flip flops in the world (Edric said he is still planning so we will see).

Here are some pics of the food since it was better looking than me lol....

I am usually not a frosting fan but I added a little extra vanilla extract to the

frosting and it turned out great! I recommend having central air and not making roses in a kitchen where the temp reaches 89 degrees!!! (did I mention I can't wait to move)