Happy Birthday Baby!

Today is Derik's 1st Birthday! I just wanted to share with you how cute he was with his cake on Saturday night!

This is Derik blowing out his candles! Derik just getting started!

Getting the hang of it!

Messy Baby!

Too Cute!

Washing it down!

I hope you have A great Birthday Derick! We love you so much! Happy Birthday Baby!!!

The Weekend Wrap Up..... A Little Late!

Because my computer has been in the shop I haven't been able to blog. I finally have it back and it's running better then ever. So lets get started, shall we?........

Friday~ We had our ward Halloween Party on Friday night. It was a chili cook off and trunk or treat! We also got to wear costumes and there was a costume contest. Darrin and I dressed up as the Mad Hatter and Alice in Wonderland! We won the costume contest for "Best Theme" This is the second year in a row, now the pressure is really on for next year. We weren't allowed to wear face paint so Kaiden was a faceless Joker. Everyone wanted to know what he was, we were sad the face paint is what really makes the costume so great! Madi was a devil egg! And Abby was Bat Girl! They looked so cute. Here are some pictures, hopefully we will have more to come.

This picture is actually of the kids on Saturday, but it was the only one I had of all 3 of them together. We painted Kaidens face that night, but did it in 5 minutes. His aunt Karen will do it on Halloween, so it will look much more realistic and actually have the scars on his mouth.

Saturday~ Derik was having his First Birthday Party! It was a Halloween themed party, you could wear costumes, but not to many people did. There were a lot of people there. The kids got to decorate cookies. They were really creative, mostly just putting on as much frosting and candy as they could.Darrin's dad got a new motorcycle. Of course Darrin couldn't resist taking it for a spin all dressed up in his costume! Everyone was honking and waving. It was so funny!

Derik got so many presents! I'm sure Santa wont need to visit him this year!

Derik and Madi, and Derik and Darrin! What a cutie, look at those cute little {or should I say chubby cheeks!}

Happy Birthday Derik!
Hey is that the Mad Hatter?

I'm Back!

Yippee!!! I finally got my computer back! I can't wait to start blogging. I had a fun weekend, so even though tomorrow is Wednesday I'm still going to do a weekend wrap up. Check back soon!!

7 Random Things About ME!

My friend Leisa tagged me so here it goes~
Here are the rules. You start with seven random facts about yourself. Tag seven people and list their names. The people who are tagged need to write on their own blog about the seven things and the rules. {Don't forget to leave them a comment that they have been tagged and to read your blog.}

1~ I'm a "Laundry Nazi" I wont put anything away until it has been ironed. I iron almost everything and sometimes I will iron all day. Everything I fold has to be perfect, even if it's the kids under ware. All my hangers have to match, and everything I hang has to be a certain way on the hanger and all the hangers have to go the same way!

2~ I'm addicted to reality tv. You name it, and I have either seen it or am currently tivoing it {is that even a word?} I don't know how I ever went so long without tivo? Now that we have it I'm in love, I think I just might die if someone was to take it away!

3~ I have OCD! Everything needs to be done a certain way. I wipe my kitchen table down 2 times after every meal, first to get all the crumbs and stuff off, then I disinfect and wipe again. I always start and end at the same place. Every time someone eats at the table I have to wipe the floor down by hand {this always has to done after the kitchen table is cleaned off} Chairs always have to be put in just the right spot, they also have to be wiped down after each meal. I always wipe the garbage cans out before I change the liners. I like everything to be organized, even the cereal boxes, big to little!

4~ I cant stand when people have a dirty microwave! It's so gross to open up the microwave and it's covered in old food, Disgusting!!! I clean mine after every use.

5~ I love the Disney channel, Hannah Montana, Wizards of Waverly Place, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Camp Rock, and High School Musical. I also love watching any and all of the holiday cartoons. I love it when all the shows you watch have a special Halloween or Christmas episode, even cartoons!

6~ I care what people think. I hate when my kids leave the house looking like orphans! I think it totally reflects on me. I hate it when they want to pick out their own clothes, or do their hair themselves. Sometimes I have to just bite my tongue and let them go, but trust me I don't like it, and try not to let it happen too often. Even with Madi, and she's 12! I have although, become a lot more relaxed as my kids have gotten older, I think it just gets to be too exhausting trying to care so much all the time.

7~ I'm not really a people person, I'm trying a lot harder but that's just not me. I love family parties and gatherings, but their family and I'm comfortable around them. I'm not one to just start up a conversation with someone I don't know very well. If we have a ward function, I'm much more comfortable going to them with someone I know. I hate going alone, and usually won't. Some people might think I'm a snob, but I'm really just waiting for you to talk to me.

This ones really random and just for fun!
8~ When we go to the movies we always buy the large refillable popcorn. We usually never refill it, so I take the bag home with me and take it with us next time we go to the movies, and then refill it for 50 cents, it seems cheap, but who pays $5.75 for popcorn and doesn't feel jipped? By the way, we also bring in our own treats and drinks, but who doesn't? I guess I'm just cheap when it comes to that kind of stuff!

Now I tag Tammy, Sarah, Sarah P., Karalee, Ally, Elisabeth, Madi, and Shauna! Also anyone else who wants to play along!

With Drawls!

Last weekend my computer got a bad virus. When I went to turn it on the next morning everything was gone. That is why I haven't blogged for so long. I have lots to post and talk about but my computer is still being fixed and updated. While I'm at my moms I will try and post some stuff. As soon as I get my computer back I will be back to blogging, until then I'm having serious with drawls!

My Little Superhero...... & Her Villain Brother

So what do you think my frilly twirly, oh so girly, pink princess wants to be for Halloween this year? A princess? A fairy? Maybe a butterfly? Nope..... she wants to be Batgirl, yep you heard me right! So I guess we are taking a break this year from all the fluffy fancy pink stuff, and transforming our little princess into a spunky, sassy, twirly, Batgirl. Now I know you all might be wondering just what a spunky, sassy, twirly, batgirl might look like? Well even I'm not exactly sure, but I have bought a costume from Lillian Vernon and I will be changing it up a little to fit Abby's personality. You know I could never just settle for a plain old store bought costume, so that's were my creativity will have to come in! I will post some pictures as soon as the costume is ready.Now what fun would a superhero costume be without a Villain? Kaiden has decided that he wants to be the Dark Knight {Joker} from the new Batman movie. We have been working on his costume {mostly my mom} and it is looking so good. This is the first year that I have to paint one of my kids faces and I'm a little nervous. I want it to look perfect, but I'm pretty sure it will just be a lot of stress. Madi has chosen her costume, but I'm not sure if she wants me to reveal it or not. If she does I will post that later. Me and Darrin have an awesome costume planned for this year!!! Some of you know what were going to be, but many do not. I want to keep it as much as a surprise as I can, so if you know, shhhhhh! Our house is bubbling with Halloween spirit! We can hardly wait for all the parties and Halloween excitement! Happy Almost Halloween!!!

A Day at Grams!

Yesterday was my kids first day of fall break. We decided to spend the day at my parents house, so that we could work on the costumes. The kids were bored so we went to the store to buy stuff to make caramel apples and dinner. My brother , his wife, and their kids were also over. When we got back I started making dinner. We made potato soup and scones with honey butter! My mom decided to try out a new cheesecake recipe, It was so good, but then again I have yet to find a cheesecake recipe that I didn't like! I will post the recipe soon. The kids got busy making caramel apples. We decided just to buy caramels and melt them down that was a mistake. Once we heated the caramel as much as we did it started going hard. {note to self; next time make the homemade caramel} We wanted to try and make the apple pie apples that you get from Rocky Mountain Candy Company, so we dipped them in white chocolate and rolled them in cinnamon and sugar. I was hoping to take a really good picture of these amazing caramel apples that we made, but they didn't quite turn out that way! They still taste ok, but you have to heat them a little before you eat them! The kids had fun and I guess that's all that matters. Next time we will just pay the darn $4 and buy them! Good times!

This is the yummy orange vanilla cheesecake my mom made!

Madi, Kaiden, and Abby showing off their caramel apples they made!

Abby and Breann enjoying the finished product!

Kneaders Creamy Pumpkin Spread

Ingredients
1-15 oz. can pumpkin

8 oz. thawed Cool Whip, regular or fat free

1-3.4 oz. box instant vanilla pudding

1t. pumpkin pie spice

Directions
Combine pumpkin, Cool Whip, pudding and pumpkin pie spice in a large bowl; chill. Serve! We like to serve ours with Kneaders pumpkin bread. It can be served with bagels, graham crackers, or fruit

These Boots Are Made For Walking~

I have been searching for a new pair of brown boots to add to my fall and winter wardrobe. I'm loving these boots from Tracy Porter. I'm not one to sport the cowgirl look, but I think I could totally pull these off?! What girl doesn't secretly long for a pair of cowboy boots right? Oh, if I only had $520.00 me and these boots would be a walking!

Waiting for the Weekend.....

Things I'm looking forward to this weekend~

~A weekend with good weather...Finally!

~Spending some fun time with the kiddo's while they are out of school for fall break!

~The pumpkin patch!

~Date night with my hubby on Saturday!

~Sleeping in!

Wishful Thinking

Just in case this chilly weather comes again soon.....
I should be prepared. This jacket is perfect for the transition from fall to winter. I could wear it all year long! After all a girl can never have to many jackets, right? {just ask my husband}

The Snowy Weekend Wrap Up

Saturday morning we were up again bright and early. Madi had a volleyball game they won, and now the playoffs start tonight! After volleyball we went to my parents house to work on costumes. They are taking more time than my mom expected because we have to change the patterns so much to fit and look right. They are coming along though, Kaiden's pants are done, and she is getting close on the jacket. Mine on the other hand is a totally different story, we are hoping to work on them more this week. The weather was cold on Saturday, but Darrin and Kaiden still wanted to go to the BYU game. I bundled them up, and off they went. It didn't snow or rain on them, but it was cold. BYU won! {are you surprised?} When they left for the game the girls and I headed home, I had to teach the lesson on Sunday so I needed to finish preparing and studying. When I was done we went and got some dinner and then back home for baths and showers. Sunday morning we woke up to this......
It was cold! The kids wanted to go out and play in the snow, I told them no way, but gave in for a second and let Abby put on her boots and go outside! It only lasted about 2 minutes and she was back inside. While I was getting ready for church Kaiden had wiggled out another tooth! He was very excited, and there were no tears! We finished getting ready for church and we were out the door.{on time} During sacrament I was released from my calling as young women's 2nd counselor, and then recalled {thank goodness} Our president Angela asked to be released. It was so hard letting her go, we have become such good friends while serving together! To make matters worse they are moving, our family will miss them more than they will ever know. It was nice to finally get my lesson over with, It always stresses me out when it's my turn to teach. Angela came in after my lesson and bore her testimony, it was hard, we all cried. When church was over we rushed home and changed clothes and headed to my parents house for dinner and a movie. Dinner was so yummy {thanks mom}. We watched Iron Man, and it was actually pretty good. When it was over we got our stuff together and headed home. It was straight to bed for the kids and we watched a little tv before falling asleep on the couch. This week we are excited for the kids, they have fall break and were hoping to do some fun things. Will keep ya posted!

My Favorite Salad

This is one of my all time favorite salads so I decided to share the recipe. The secret to this salad is the dressing. It's a homemade version of Cafe' Rio's it's not exact but its yummy!

Dressing

1~2 cloves of garlic

1 jalapeno {I take the seeds out but you can add them if you like it spicy}

2 green onions

1/2 bunch of cilantro

3 tomatillos

Blend above ingredients in a blender or food processor. Then add

2 cups mayonnaise

2 cups sour cream

1 package of Hidden Valley Buttermilk Ranch & the juice from 1 lime

continue to blend until smooth. This can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 weeks.

Salad

2 bunches of romaine or green leaf lettuce chopped

1 can of corn

1 can of black beans rinsed and drained

grated cheese

tortilla chips crushed and sprinkled on salad

Rotisserie chicken {we buy ours from Costco and just pull pieces off or shred to put on salad}

the following ingredients are optional

salsa

tomatoes

guacamole

olives

Just put everything you like on a plate and then top generously with the salad dressing! Another option is to buy the tortillas from costco that you cook at home and then make your salad on top of that. I'm still working on different versions of the dressing, if you have one you use that you love or think it tastes more like Cafe' Rio's I would love to hear it. Try this one soon and let me know what you think!

I'm not very good at the plate presentation, so once I put the dressing on it looked like this......You get the idea!

Happy 80th Grandma Olsen!

This is my sweet grandma Olsen. Monday was her 80th Birthday! She had an open house up at her house with her family and friends. It was so good to see all the people that came to show their love for her. She is the best Grandma ever! One of my favorite memories of her is when we were younger my grandpa would go out of town. When he did she would invite me and my cousins over for a sleepover. We would always have a little tea party. She had a real mini tea set that she would make hot chocolate in, and then she would make us some toast to dip in the hot chocolate. I loved it! She would almost always let us take a bath in her big tub, and she would always let all of us sleep in her bed and she would go sleep on the couch! I will always remember those fun sleepovers! She is also famous for making my whole family's adorable Christmas socks. She would work on them all year long and then at our Christmas Eve party's she would fill them with lots of little presents and give them to us. They are amazing, she would work so hard on them. She made one for every one of her grand kids and many for her great grand kids. My kids just happen to be her favorite so she made one for each of them! j/k by the way! Anyways we still have all of them and they are in great shape. My Christmas sock will be celebrating it's 32nd year!!! {mine was the first one made} I love my Grandma so much! She is such a sweet lady, and only gets better with age. We are so glad that she is feeling better, and we enjoy every moment we have to spend with her. We love you Grandma Olsen!! Happy Birthday!!!

The Weekend Wrap Up

Friday night was just one of those lazy relaxing sort of nights. Darrin came home from work and I had made our favorite mexican salads {recipe to come soon} We ate dinner and just hung out. We noticed are neighbors working in their garage so we went and chatted with them for a while, then it was back home to watch some movies we had rented. Saturday morning we slept in a little, then we setteled down to watch General Conference. When the first session ended we made the kids some lunch and then it was out the door to Madi's volleyball game. They played a really good team and ended up losing, but Madi played her best game so far this season! After the game we were headed to my moms house. I made a quick stop by DI to look for some items we needed for our Halloween costumes. I found the perfect jacket for Darrin, so it was a success! When we got to my moms house we were planning to watch the second session of conference and work on making Kaiden and my Halloween costumes. The kids were just way to wound up so we didn't hear much. Thank goodness for TIVO! Later that night we headed back home to try and watch the rest of our movies. Sunday morning started out the same as Saturday. We made french toast for the kids and egg mcmuffins for us. We finished just as conference was starting. I really enjoyed the speakers in conference this year. It seems as though they always know what I need to hear. Do you ever just feel like some of the talks were written just for you?! I definitely do. After the last session we ate some dinner and then headed over to our friends house {the Peterson's} to play some games and have peach cobbler. Thanks guys it was so good! Today is my Grandma Olsen's 80th Birthday! When the kids get home from school and after piano we are off to celebrate! So another weekend has come and gone, what did you do this weekend?

Mommy Tag~

This is a fun little tag my friend sent me. I decided to ask Abby the questions because she is the only one home with me during the day!

1. What is something mom always says to you?
To move out of the way, so the other kids can see the tv.

2. What makes mom happy?
When I go to the store with you.

3. What makes mom sad?
When I have to go to school and your home alone. {little does she know!}

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
Your funny dancing.

5. What was your mom like as a child?
You liked Halloween a lot.

6. How old is your mom?
16, {that's just how old I act!}

7. How tall is your mom?
8 feet tall!

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Going shopping with me!

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
Dance and go shopping!

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
Meeting Hannah Montana, Even though I never have?

11. What is your mom really good at?
Making me yummy food!


12. What is your mom not very good at?
Building a house.


13. What does your mom do for her job?
Make activities?


14. What is your mom's favorite food?
Sweet and sour meatballs {actually that's her favorite food}


15. What makes you proud of your mom?
Cause you cook!


16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Dora, because you have the same color of hair?


17. What do you and your mom do together?
Go Shopping. {anyone else noticing we might shop a little to much?}


18. How are you and your mom the same?
We have the same underneath shirt and the same white pants!


19. How are you and your mom different?
I have long hair and you have short.


20. How do you know your mom loves you?
cause you help me get my stuff down if it's really high!

Now I tag Amanda, Sarah P., Tammy, Shauna, Amy, and any one else that is a mom and has kids that can answer these fun questions!!!

Kaiden's Last Soccer Game

Kaiden had his final soccer game of the season on Wednesday. He has been playing since kindergarten. This was the first year that he had a excellent coach. They had practices 2 nights a week and 1 soccer game a week. This really helped Kaiden become a better player. This year they really worked with him on being their head goalie. This seemed to be where Kaiden would really shine. He was so good at it. The ball hardly ever got by him. At first I didn't really want him to be goalie, because based on the last couple years all they would do is stand around. This year was different, they played on a bigger court and there was always a lot of action for the goalies. We are so proud of him! He put so much effort in to soccer this year and it really showed!! They won their final soccer game 4~1. Way to go Kaiderbug!!!

Look At That Kick!

Gotta Look Intimidating!

Great Stop!

Abby's Last Soccer Game

Abby had her final soccer game of the season on Tuesday. This is her first year playing soccer. She actually really liked it. At first I don't think she was to sure what was going on, but after a few games she was really in to it. She would get right in there and really go after the ball. It was a lot of fun to watch! Abby would usually play really good unless you would cheer for her or tell her what to do from the sidelines, then she would get all embarrassed and sometimes completely forget she was even playing soccer. Abby only made one goal for the season, but we are really proud of her! She had a great coach! They won their final soccer game 5~1. Way to go Abby!!!

Kick Like Ya Mean It!

Look At That Hustle!

Friends

Abby~Jakyell~Hadley