Here comes another BOY!

Christmas was fabulous.
Scott's parents, sister, and sister with her family came to visit.
We hung out, made gingerbread houses, toured the Science Center, drove around Forest Park, ate food, talked, saw the train exhibit at the Botanical Gardens, shopped, opened presents, and enjoyed each others company.
Of course, right before everyone came, Bubs got sick along with his cousins who live here. The day after everyone arrived, I got sick too. So it was lots of going and playing and trying to act like I was feeling alright, which I was, sometimes.
Then the day after everyone left, I started feeling much better. At least it didn't last long! (I attribute it to chiropractic care, downing vitamin C, taking calcium, sipping apple cider vinegar, eating 4 grapefruit, not eating treats, chugging water, and trying to rest)

The most exciting part about this past week? We found out we're having another BOY!!!

I'm 20 weeks along now. I've been feeling great for about 5 weeks. The first 15 weeks I was more tired than I've ever been in my life and nauseous all the time. I only threw up 2-3 times, which isn't bad, so I consider myself lucky. Now I'm feeling wonderful, as I did in the 2nd Tri with Bubs, but I'm still fighting the mental battle. I started feeling the baby around 15 weeks and now I feel him all the freakin' time! I don't think he ever stops moving.

I'm really excited to have another boy. Although there are some things I'm a little distraught about, it's nothing to worry about right now. I love having a boy and I have had so much fun with Bubs! He will absolutely love having a brother to play with (and so will I!). I'm also grateful it's a boy because it will be so much easier financially: we already have tons of boy clothes, along with all of our other baby stuff, and toys. Plus, I don't know that Scott could restrain himself from spoiling a baby girl, so it's better to start with boys when we have no money!

I also feel confident that I can raise boys well. I feel like we've done an amazing job with Bubs, though we still have a long way to go, and although every child is different it'll be easier raising two boys than switching to girl mode. Though I will admit, I really want a girl for our third, whenever that happens!!!

It's taken me quite awhile to be really excited about this pregnancy, but now I can honestly say that I'm thrilled and SO excited to have another baby!

I found this little gem while searching through pictures to put on our walls. I just love both of their faces!
Yes, Bubs was about 7 months old and yes, they are going down a water slide.
Another reason I love my BOYS!!!!!

Cinnamon Ornaments

Ah, Cinnamon Ornaments.

I remember making these as a kid and hanging them on our tree. I always loved unpacking them every Christmas because they still smelled yummy. 

So, here we are, several years later, and I enlisted the help of my cutie pie to make these heavenly smelling decorations. 

Mixing and making a mess.

The recipe said to roll out between plastic wrap. I thought "what the heck, I'll use wax paper." 

Note to self: follow the recipe. 

The dough stuck to the wax paper pretty bad and that caused a rough texture. 

Almost ready to be cooked.

I'm not patient enough to wait for them to dry overnight or for 2 days, but I've heard there is less cracking and better results when left to air dry instead of bake. 

Make sure to poke some holes in the top if you're going to string ribbon through!

Also, remove any excess dough that doesn't belong. See the clump by the snowman's hand? I removed it.

While the ornaments were baking, we dipped pretzels.

Bubs loved eating the pretzels plain!

Then he realized they had chocolate on them.

From that point on he dipped a pretzel, sucked off the chocolate, and put the pretzel on the paper. 

Smart kid.

Finished product!!

So pretty and delicious smelling.

I'm actually really proud of how these turned out! I may make it a yearly tradition. It was really fun and Bubs enjoyed helping press the cookie cutters in the dough. 

The recipe doesn't call for glitter, but I love a little glitz, so I added a tablespoon or so of Martha Stewart glitter. I think it looks fabulous!! Also, some recipes called for glue. I made one batch with some Modge Podge and one without. I couldn't tell the difference except the smell when I was mixing dough.

One last note, the recipe says to roll the dough pretty thick and I wish I would've followed that closer. I rolled mine a little thin and they don't feel as sturdy as I'd like them to. But, for my first time, I'll take it!! These ornaments are really inexpensive too! For about 25-30:

Cinnamon: $0.50 at Walmart (used 4)

Applesauce: $3 at Walmart (used less than half)

Ribbon: $1 at Walmart (needed more than what I bought)

Glitter: $5 a bottle at Michaels (still have tons left, this stuff lasts a long time)

Cookie Cutters: $2.88 for 3 (since I didn't have any)

Cinnamon Ornaments 

adapted from McCormick Recipes

3/4 C. applesauce

1 C. cinnamon, plus extra if the dough is too sticky

1 TBL. glitter

Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Mix the cinnamon, applesauce, and glitter in a small bowl. Use your hands to knead the dough into a ball. It should not be too sticky and not crumbly. Place the dough between two pieces of plastic wrap (waxed paper will stick badly and cause a rough texture on top). You may need to sprinkle the plastic and the top of the dough with cinnamon if your dough is too sticky. Roll to about 1/3-1/4 inch thickness. Cut shapes with a cookie cutter. Place shapes on a cookie sheet and poke holes in the top with a drinking straw or dowel if you want to hang with ribbon. Bake for 2 1/2 hours or allow to air dry for 1-2 days. 

Menu Monday: Holiday Goodies!

I've been thinking of ways to vamp up my blog lately, so I'm going to try a couple new things out. The first thing is "Menu Monday." Hopefully, every Monday I'll post a recipe or two and talk about food! I'm still working on remembering to take pictures, so bear with me.

For my first Menu Monday post, I'm thinking about Holiday Goodies! One of my most favorite things to do at Christmastime is make an insane amount of treats and deliver them to friends, family, neighbors, and anyone else I feel like needs some holiday cheer. My brain usually out thinks the other side of my brain and I go a little overboard.  I'm thinking that will be the case this year...especially since our friends seem to keep multiplying. Oy. What a unfortunate disaster.

I'm kidding.

So here's what I'm planning on making this week! Hopefully one day I'll get some pictures so you can see the deliciousness for yourself. In the meantime, just trust me. Have I ever led you astray with a recipe that was awful? I don't think so. If you need some visualization, here are some pictures I found that look very, very similar (if not identical), with very similar (or identical) recipes that I use. Click on "source" to see their version.

White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn


Source

White Chocolate Chex Mix


Source

Magical Mint Kiss Cookies


Source

Dark Chocolate Peppermint Cake Bites



Source



Sugar Cookies


Source

In addition to all these treats, I'm going to attempt to make Cinnamon Ornaments! I remember making them as a kid and that they smelled delicious for several years. I have an ornament exchange this week and thought it would be perfect. Plus, my house will smell amazing.

Merry Christmas and happy baking!!!

Last Post for 2011

Wow. This is my last post of 2011. 

Kinda mind blowing how fast the year went. 

I am truly grateful for all the incredible experiences I had! 

Since I'm in the mood for pictures, and because it makes sense during the Holidays, here are some more.

Our ward Christmas party. Both of us were just getting over the Attack of the Stomach Bug, so we weren't feeling spectacular. Despite this, we still got out on the dance floor and had a good time.

Grandma D. sent this amazing Christmas outfit for Bubs! We love it and it was perfect for Christmas and family pictures!

Oh yeah, the pants don't quite fit yet. 

No biggie.

Remember that one time Bubs got in a fight with a chair?

The chair won, in case you were wondering. 

Just another "boy mark" painted on his sweet forehead. 

I think that's number 493 since he's starting walking... 

Oh, and by the way, he now has 2 molars.

No joke.

His teeth total is currently: 10

Of course we had to take pictures of ourselves.

Yes, I do gangsta lips when I take pictures of myself.

Yes, my husband has a very large tongue.

Yes, we're awesome.

Our brother in law (to-be) wanted in on the fun.

Somehow he positioned himself perfectly,

And the camera thought it'd be better to focus on his face.

Go figure.

We made Amish bread.

Lots of Amish bread.

3 double batches of Amish bread.

Way too much Amish bread.

Most was given away. Thank Goodness.

Our last day in KC we had a little cake eating practice run.

He did not like that hat.

He couldn't quite figure out what to do with the cake.

We had to help him a little bit.

A lot actually.

He started to get the hang of it, but I'm not sure he actually really ingested anything. 

I guess it's better that way, right?

For Christmas this year, I think everyone decided I need to cook.

Or maybe they thought I really enjoy cooking, which I do, so they got me cooking stuff.

I got the Our Best Bites Calendar (with recipes) and Our Best Bites cookbook from my brother.

I got a super cute apron and Our Best Bites cookbook from my mother in law (yes, that's 2 of the same cookbook).

Mister Man and I got a KitchenAid from my parents. 

Needless to say, I was thrilled! 

Still am, actually.

The cookbook looks incredible. Every. Single. Recipe. looks amazing!

(my sister took the extra copy so now we can be cooking buds)

And of course, we cannot forget this:

I used it for the first time last night to make cookies. 

Love.

Though it will take some time to figure out how to work with it. 

I may or may not have had flour all over everywhere during the process of cookies.

Who cares? Not me!

Highlights of 2011:

-having a baby boy in January!

-finally overcoming the post baby roller coaster of emotions.

-surviving an insane season of Tornadic activity in the Midwest

-first trip to Arkansas.

-Fair St. Louis and fireworks on 4th of July

-countless trips to the zoo, Forest Park, surrounding parks, botanical gardens, and city gardens

-making really great girlfriends and getting together for lunch dates and craft nights

-Mister Man finishing 4/10th's of Chiropractic school!

-visiting my parents in KC many, many times

-having Mister Man's parents visit here 3 times

-a trip back to Utah

-enjoying the company of our in laws only 20 minutes away!

-and so much more!

May 2012 be an even better year! I'm counting on it. Are you?

Happy New Year's Eve, everyone! Hope you have a wonderful, safe, holiday! 

Christmas week

Well, life happens sometimes. I can't really comprehend the fact that my last post was dated December 12 and it is now December 26. I can only think about everything that has happened in that space of time.

Some of the things include:
-a 24 hour stomach bug that hit hard and fast. First me, then my man. Bubs didn't seem too affected by it.
-Mister Man finished finals and started his break until January 10th (yay!)
-we made lots of Christmas treats, wrapped lots of presents, and packed for our trip
-I gave the Christmas lesson in YW the week before Christmas
-And lots of other random things I can't remember.

Then we left for our trek across the state to visit my family for Christmas. It rained.
For 2 1/2 straight hours of driving.
And when I say rained, I really mean poured.
Not. Fun.

Since we've been here, we've been busy doing all kinds of crazy things.
-cooking more treats
-shooting guns at my aunt and uncle's
-shopping, shopping, shopping (while I stayed home with the boys)
-two days of different people getting hit with the stomach bug (we were exempt)
-lots of Halo playing (for the boys)
-a visit to Santa at the mall
-a paintballing trip for the boys
-a pedicure trip for the girls
-Christmas!!

After visiting Santa.

Pictures of that to come.

Getting ready for paintball!

80's Flashback!

None of the boys came prepared with paintball-able clothes, so they pulled out some of dad's old stuff.

Bubs likes Oklahoma Joe's too!!

The whole Fam Damily at Okie Joe's on Christmas Eve.

So. Delicious. 

Better than Pappy's.

By a long shot.

Nothing says Christmas like a Halo game in the background.

I've never seen so many presents under a tree before. 

And they were all opened Christmas Eve.

Yes, we're non-traditional.

It's been a fun, crazy, busy, trip and we've enjoyed almost every second of it!

Now if we could just remind Bubs that he knows how to sleep for 12 hours straight without waking up to eat, we would be even happier. 

Merry Christmas!!!

Mind-Body-Spirit Challenge. Who's with me!?

Well, I'm back.

I'm not sure where I went.

Or what I've done.

But I'm back.

I do know that Thursday night was spent shopping. Mostly it was Mister Man who decided to stay out all night. He's a party animal. At least he got a free $100 gift card to Sports Authority! Made it all worth it. 

All our Christmas shopping is done. Woot!

Thanksgiving was delish. I'll post recipes later. I promise. I think...

And now we enter the Christmas season!

Cloudy skies.

Cold air.

Christmas music.

Christmas decor.

And more.

I've been thinking alot this season about giving.

Mostly because I had a very selfish week and was called to humility by God in a way that I was not expecting. 

I'm still overcoming my selfishness and desire for wanting new things and more things. 

But last night I had a stellar idea that I thought would help me focus on what's more important. 

Enter: Mind-Body-Spirit Challenge

From now until Christmas I will be focusing on challenging my mind, body, and spirit. 

Here's how it'll go down.

Mind- De-junk and de-clutter our apartment. Get rid of any excess stuff that we don't need or don't use. Donate all of it to a needy shelter or charity in the local area. Also collect some canned food and goods to donate as well.

Body- Exercise 5-6 times a week before starting my day. Strive to eat healthy, smaller portions, and not eat any excess sugar. If there's a get together, church activity, friends activity, etc then it's okay to have a treat, but not 3 or 4 or 10. Limit myself and have control over my false "needs." (this is especially needed right after Thanksgiving, right!?)

Spirit- Our Stake President challenged us to start and finish the Book of Mormon in 90 days. Well, I was already reading and deep in Alma, but I started over. I've only been reading one or two chapters a day, which is not enough, so now I'm committing to reading at breakfast, before bed, and any other time I can find in the day. I want my testimony to grow and my spirituality to increase.

So, who's with me? 

Would you like to join me in my quest to be better?

I would love to have you working side by side me and have someone to be accountable to.

If you don't want to do the whole thing, and you're in the St. Louis area, why don't you join me in de-junking and donating? I can collect everything you don't want (or you can collect it and go with me) and take it down to a shelter or somewhere else in the city that is in need. The more people get involved, the more we can donate, and the more we can bless the lives of others!

I promise you'll feel better.

Your house will probably feel better too.

And it's a perfect time to get rid of stuff before more presents and toys make their way in in 4 weeks.

If you want to join my challenge, leave a comment with your email address or email me (karissadodds at gmail.com) and I will send an email out every day motivating and reminding you about the challenge.

Good luck my friends! Here we go!