Another Freebie! Dress from Shabby Apple

Hey everyone! We have another business wanting to do a give away on our ForSaleByMormonblog: Shabby Apple is giving away this dress to a lucky winner. Wanted to invite my girls to get in on it if you're interested. Just click here to get to the blog and see the details. Wish I could enter! So Cute.

Free Give Away Fun

Hey everyone! BJ and I have started a blog for the website we've put together: ForSaleByMormon.com (a place for LDS business owners, bloggers and members with classified items to have a place to advertise, purchase and communicate with one another). The blog is dedicated to announcing favorites, what's new and free give aways. We've had some really amazing give aways so far and there is one going on now from this adorable shop called "Mary Poppins Presents". The owner sells such unique, fun and adorable handmade items. I wanted to let you all know in case you want to enter to win. Super easy to enter, just go to the blog and post a comment (see blog for details). There is a give away almost every week from businesses that want to get a little more advertising. The next one is from Shabby Apple (SUPER CUTE dresses). Anyways, I wanted to invite you to come over to the blog and to subscribe by e-mail or "follow" to get the automatic posts on free give aways!! The Mary Poppins Presents give away ends tomorrow.

Love ya!

The secret is out....pregnant!

Hey everyone! Just after the new year I discovered I was pregnant and as hard as it was didn't announce it to everyone because of my recent miscarriage last August. But, I've just begun my 2nd trimester (14 weeks) and feeling a little less anxious. So! We are excited to try again for number 5. I'm still a little anxious. I just can't help it because of having my first miscarriage last time around. But, I've had an ultrasound 4 weeks ago and listened to the heartbeat this past week and everything is going great. My due date is Sept. 5th, but that doesn't mean much since I've always been 2-3 weeks early. We'll see what happens. I've been really trying to take it easy...well, most of the time!

I've been a little sick, mostly gaggy and exhausted. I am lucky to not be like those women that can't keep anything down for weeks. My worst symptom really this pregnancy has been my enhanced sense of smell and wanting a nap when I couldn't get one! Not too bad. :) I'm already showing, to me at least Not everyone can tell yet but I'm sure in a week or two it will be obvious. Gone are the days (when I was pregnant with the 1st or 2nd) and I could get away with not showing until after 20 weeks! Oh well. :)

My kids finally have the go ahead to tell their friends and teachers at school this week. They have been dying!! Jake is still rooting for a boy and Loren for a girl (because she thinks that will mean she'll get to take over the office for her bedroom). Lindsey calls it "Loren's evil plan". Lindsey say's if it's a girl we can just get another bunk bed! Allie say's, she just wants to be a big sister and doesn't care. We'll see. In 6 weeks we'll find out what we're having. Pretty fun.

We've had some fun and busy weeks. Lot's of basketball with Loren and Jake the past several weekends. BJ has coached Loren's team again and they've had fun. Jake's bball shot is "money" and he's loving being old enough to play in real games. Lindsey is having fun learning new tricks at gymnastics. Right now she's working on a back handspring on the beam (ah!). Allie is loving preschool and playdates with her friends. She can write her name and is learning how to read...little by little. She is still mommy's little cuddle buddy. I love that. She is so sweet and imaginative.

We got to go up to N. California to see our brother in law get baptized (Such a neat experience...not many dry eyes) and Aunt Brookie's 1st baby shower a few weekends back (yay, another cousin!). It was fun to tell our baby news because now there will be a set of cousin buddies born in the same school year! It was such a great weekend, a whirlwind as always, but so worth it. Gotta download my new pics to the computer...

Hope you all are doing great. Love ya.

Happy New Year!

First of all, Happy New Year! I'm excited for what 2010 holds for our family. We had some really hard times and some really great times in 2009, all experiences that helped us to learn and grow. Last year made me realize even more how thankful I am for the family and friends that we have in our life. We truly feel blessed. 2010 is well under way but I wanted to share a few pictures of what we've been up to the past few months. First off, Christmas was relaxing and magical...the best ever, the kids said. Well, Santa brought some pretty great things to our house. He must have really found some amazing deals. Yes, he did! Allison got her own little tricycle...no longer will she need to ride around the hand me down spiderman scooter. She was obviously thrilled, especially because it was pink.


The favorite gift was the wii. We finally have joined the ranks of family wii 0wners. Screaming deal to say the least..thank you Craigslist. It's been a hit for the whole family. Ours came with some downloaded games, so good old super mario bros (which I dominated as a kid) has become Lindsey's new favorite game). Loren and Jake love Mariokart.


Ahhh...Loren's favorite gift...new boots/slippers. She loves planning out her outfits and accessorizing. Always a willing shopping partner!

When Jake opened up this skateboard he ran, I mean RAN over to me and gave me the biggest hug and thank you. He...was...so....excited! That pretty much made my Christmas morning.

So, when we had asked the kids what they would rather ask from Santa, a wii or a new tramp (since ours had broken about 5 months earlier). Unanimously the kids said, "Wii!!!!" Mom and Dad really wanted another tramp so the backyard would get used again. Well, I think Santa hit some major deals because we were spoiled to get the tramp too. It was a beautiful, sunny, short sleeve weather Christmas in southern California. BJ and I spent a few hours of it that morning putting together the tramp!


Lot's of fun jumping, playing and being together... a great Christmas. The next morning we drove to UT and froze!




This was the main reason for the trip. BJ gave me a great Christmas present, a trip to UT to see Natalie's new baby Adelyn (Addie for short) and be there for the blessing. We got there the night before the blessing. Here are my sisters and I and beautiful, sweet Addie.


We got to stay in the beautiful condo of my brother Aaron and sister in law Amy and were minutes away from Temple square and all the Christmas lights. Wow, it was freezing and my kids were in heaven. Every little peice of ice was kicked...every patch of snow was investigated and stomped in or tasted. This was probably the first time Jake had ever played in snow. We were bundled and enjoyed all the sights of temple square.


Almost 12 years ago we were married here. It sure has gone by fast.



The fam.

Of course we went sledding! Our pals the Ostlers took as out to a favorite spot and the kids had a blast.

Do you see this? Yes, backwards. Jake tried everything. Daredevil! He was all over that hill, trying every position he could and having a blast.

Hey Hollywood!

We got to stay with my other brother Connor and his wife Amara and cousin Aiden and Liam. I think Aiden wanted us to stay there forever! He loved having his cousins to play around with!
I don't have any pictures of it but we had a fabulous new years with family and friends. Only wish we could have been able to connect with all our family and friends. It was a wonderful trip!

Once back to Cali within another couple of weeks me, Linds and Allie drove to Vegas for the final gymnastics meet of the season...a total fun meet. It was a multi-state meet with all levels of gymnastics there. Our level 4 team got 1st place and Lindsey got to take the trophy home for the weekend. She got 1st place all around. Pretty fun. A great end to a fun season. We got to stay with my cousin Steve and his wife Marnie and family. They were the best! Besides living minutes from a Cafe Rio..ahhhh.... we got to catch up and hang out. They only lived about 10 minutes from the hotel where the meet was and Steve and one of his sons came to watch Linds. We have a great family.

Here is Linds and her coaches, Ola and Jeff.

As soon as the meet was over we hopped back in the car and made it home in 4 1/2 hours. Whirlwind trip! We've been getting back into routine here, lot's of homework, speeches and activities. Jake and Loren started basketball again. BJ is Loren's team coach. Life is busy and fun. This weekend we had BJ's mom in town. She knows just when we're needing a little visit... and help. Lindsey had probably her first real asthma issue in 2 years this weekend, and Jake came down with a fever and body ache, I caught a cold and Allison seems on the edge of something too. When sickness happens, it really happens! I don't have a picture from this weekend...but thank you Mom2 for all you do for us. Love you! New Years resolution: blog more frequently :) Hope you all are doing wonderful.

Recipe for Chocolate Hau'pia Pie!

Okay ladies...I got some requests for the recipe of the Chocolate Haipia Pie I made for Thanksgiving so here it is! But, before you print this off you must swear to not change or "healthify" the pudding. This is my Grandma V's treasured recipe (chocolate pudding and banana cream pudding--not Hau'pia) and she only gave it to me after I came over to watch it made and promised not to substitute ingredients and call it hers! It's been something I make at the holidays and for BJ's birthday for over 7 years now. It's too yummy to keep to myself but if you're going to make the chocolate or banana cream pudding you must give credit where credit is due... Megan's grandma V. and if you change it in any way, don't call it hers! With that said, remember "Making pie is love" :). Remember that as you stir and stir and stir and stir! Love you all!

1 1/2 cup sugar
2/3 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 cups whole milk
2-4 oz. Unsweetened Baking chocolate (I've found that 2 oz. is perfect, 4 is really rich)
6 slightly beaten egg yolks (prepare this before you start and set aside)
4 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons pure vanilla
1 large baked pastry shell (you can make two 8 or 9 inch pies or one large--which is what my Gma & I do--meaning an 11 inch. pan--I'll often double the recipe and make two 11 inchers plus one 8 or 9 incher). I got my 11 inch pie tins at Sur La Table at Gateway in UT...they are hard to come by but they make the pie.

In saucepan combine sugar, flour and salt. Stir in milk. Add the desired oz. of chocolate. Cook and stir over medium heat until bubbly Cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir small amount of hot mixture into egg yolk. Immediately return the yolk mixture and cook 2 minutes. Add vanilla and butter. This is the exact recipe for the Banana Cream pie pudding as well, minus the baking chocolate.

So, onto the Hau'pia pudding

2 cups coconut milk
1 cup whole milk
6 tablespoons sugar
5 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 tsp vanilla (if desired)

Preparation:Pour one cup of coconut milk into a saucepan. Combine sugar and cornstarch stirring into coconut milk. (Add vanilla as desired) Heat over low stirring consistently until thickened. Add remainder of coconut milk and whole milk and continue to heat until thickened. Pour into 8 inch square pan and chill until firm.

Once you have made your favorite pie crust and it and your two puddings are chilled layer with the chocolate pudding first, then Hau'pia, then heavy whipping cream on top. I add 1/4 cup of sugar or so and 1 tsp. vanilla to the heavy cream and let it whip until stiff. I'm planning to make one for Christmas probably on the 23rd...any takers who want to learn? Good luck and enjoy!!!

Happy Late Thanksgiving

I can't believe it's Dec.1st. It really feels like a few days ago that we were taking a trip to the pumpkin patch, which Allie loved. I am amazed every year at how fast fall comes and goes. Don't get me wrong...I love Christmas and love bringing out the tree, lights and presents but it comes up so quick! It's a busy busy time of year. I'm excited and hope to be all done with all the preparations early this year!

We had a great Thanksgiving up north with BJ's family. I brought the pies, as always. This year I did banana cream, chocolate cream and chocolate haipia cream (if you've been to Oahu...I was attempting the famous Ted's Chocolate Haipia pies!). Haipia is a coconut pudding. I must say... it was a success! Pie for three days was lovely. Every Thanksgiving I think of my gma who taught me how to make pie. BJ arranged for us to have family night at gma's house years back so we could learn how. She would make it for the holidays and then surprise BJ with one for his birthday because she knew he loved them so much! It has to be BJ's absolute favorite dessert. I love to say that making homemade pudding and crusts is pure love. It's a process and can't be rushed, but really rewarding. I'm so grateful that I learned how (so is BJ!). It's something passed down from my sweet grandma. I always think of her as I'm stirring that pudding! I didn't take any pie pictures this year but I have in the past. Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and if there is anyone local dying to learn how to make pie...I'm going to teach a few how sometime this month!

Gymnastics State Meet

Gymnastics season is officially complete. We had state last weekend in Long Beach and Linds did awesome. She got 7th all around competing against 8 years olds with an all around score of 36.975, which is so great. She got 9.35 on bars, 9.35 on beam, 9.25 on floor and 9.050 on vault. Tough, tough competition. To give an idea, there were 695 gymnasts that competed that weekend, levels 4, 5, and 6, aging 6-14 or so. Lindsey ranked 66th of the 695 in total all around scoring. It was exciting and fun.

Jake happened to have the onset of a fever and sore throat at the meet...which later was diagnosed a few days ago as strep! Poor guy. We have been hit hard with sickness at our house the past few weeks. Jake got the flu first a few weeks ago, then I caught a horrible cold, worse cold I've had for atleast a few years, then BJ and Loren caught a variation of my cold. Lindsey has had a nasty cough too...then Jake got strep. I've been watching Allie ...just waiting for what's next. She's still in the clear...but there has not been much sleep going on over here! Happily, Jake got back to school as of today and is ready to be there! We're hoping to have a healthy Thanksgiving! Hope you all are healthy and have a great week!

Here are videos of Linds at state so Gmas and Gpas can see!