PUPPY TEETH- UPDATE!

Ryder has now lost FOUR baby teeth!

Alex pulled out tooth number 4, so that I could have one to keep (I promise it didn't hurt him- it was hanging by a thread!)

But.....

then Ryder jerked his head and swallowed his tooth! Darn!

Finally a New Laptop!

I got my first laptop in the summer of 2004 just before going off to college. It's been a pretty good computer and I have had little problems with it. It stopped working well just after I finished my student teaching in the winter of 2008. It must have know that its purpose was served! Since then I have been using Alex's computer (yeah he has not been a fan of that). In May I got my iPhone which for the most part has taken care of all my internet and email needs over the past 6 months.
We both thought that now was the time for a new laptop, so Alex and I headed to Best Buy (in Portland, of course- NO TAX!) to buy a new computer! Here's what we got...



This laptop was one of the ONLY ones under 1,000 that had the 10-Key and that really sold me!


It's soooooo wonderful to have my own computer again and to not have to share anymore. MY backgrounds.... MY pictures.... MY documents! :o)

Thank you Mom and Dad for my very first laptop. I loved it, but it served her purpose and now I must move on!

Puppy Teeth!

Ryder has now lost 3 baby teeth! I was so excited to see this and also very sad. He's growing up way too fast! He has another loose tooth and I am determined to find it when it comes out so I can keep it! :o)

I'll keep you posted.... if any of you actually care about my puppy and his missing teeth! LOL

55 Days!

Until.....

New Years Eve in Leavenworth, Washington!

They Grow WAYYYYY Too Fast: Part Two

Then....



Now...

Happy Halloween

Can I try to take they 2 cuties out trick-or-treating? I want candy. By the way these really aren't costumes, these 2 bros like their clothes!

Bath Time!

It was time for my stinky boys to get a bath today.



Ryder looking for water in the tub.... Simon wanting to escape from the shower.

Ryder sitting and waiting for big brother to get out of the bath...


Ryder after a bath...

Simon after his bath...

Clean boys!

They Grow WAYYYYY Too Fast

3 Pounds at 5 Weeks Old

9 Pounds at 8 Weeks Old

28 Pounds at 15 Weeks Old

Mary Kay Holiday Open House

Mary Kay
Holiday Open House
Hosted by Kristina
When: Saturday, November 14, 2009 from 5-8 PM
The first 10 people to RSVP will receive 20% off their ENTIRE purchase!
Come see a full display of all the products Mary Kay has to offer including new holiday gift ideas. Come try before you buy! All items are in stock ready to take home and gift wrapping is available.
Bring a friend and get an added bonus!
I hope to see you there!

First of the Season!

I did my first Pumpkin pie of the Fall!
They are my favorite. I can't wait to taste it!

Long Beach and Seaside - October 23-25, 2009

Off we go! Simon in the baby's bed. :o)

The boys running and fetching on the beach.

"Throw it Dad!"

He ABSOLUTELY loved the beach!


Ryder liked to dig up the beach!


Ryder and Daddy

These three boys are my life...

The ocean and our truck.

Not even afraid of the water!

Sunny Saturday!

The boys loving life at the hotel. They have such a hard life!

The ride home!

Pumpkin Carving Festivities!

Alex and I decided.....
okay let me try that one again.
I decided that it would be a fun idea to go pick out pumpkins and carve them this year. We don't do anything for Halloween other than maybe hand out candy, so we thought we'd get into the spirit a little this year. I took a few pictures, so I thought that I would share!

Alex with his pumpkin!


Me with my pumpkin


Me again....


My finished product! (Missing an eye that I cut out...oops!)

Alex's finished product! (It looks fabulous!)

All lit up!


On our cute little porch!

Noooooooo!

This is what happens when a 3 1/2 month old puppy escapes from his pen....


no good!
My poor house!

Happy 2 Years!

It was 2 years ago tonight almost at this very moment that Alex asked me to marry him at the top of the Seattle Space Needle.
I was thinking about it this afternoon and it's amazing how far we have come in 2 years.
I have finished college....
Alex has finished college...
I've started teaching...
Alex has gotten a ton of promotions and is making more than double what he was at this time 2 years ago...
Planned a FABULOUS wedding...
We've gotten married...
Bought a house....
Got a puppy....
Got another puppy...
Went to Hawaii...
Saved and bought a new truck...
Went to Las Vegas...

Our life is amazing. I am so blessed!

I LOVE Chocolate Chip Cookies!

So many people ask about how I do my chocolate chip cookies, so I thought I would share....
I have a few gadgets that I couldn't do without!

My handy dandy cookie scoop. It gives the perfect size cookies.

My Martha Stewart Baking Mat. I have the red one. You can't see from the picture, but on the other side it has circles on it to show where to place the cookie dough and you never have to grease it!

My Oxo Good Grips Silicone Cookie Spatula! With this the cookie comes off the baking mat sooooo easily!

Of course the cooling rack!

And the finished product....



Big Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 Cups of white flour
1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup softened butter
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup of brown sugar
1 table spoon of vanilla
1 egg
1 egg yolk
2 cups of chocolate chips

Set oven to 325

Stir together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In another bowl beat together butter and sugars. Add vanilla, egg and egg yolk. Stir in choclate chips by hand.

Bake ABOUT 14 minutes.... I usually set the timer for 12 or 13 and keep a close eye on them!



Chocolate Chip Cookies (Kristina's Easy Recipe)

2 1/2 coups of white flour
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup softened butter
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup of brown sugar
2 teaspoons of vanilla
1 eggs
12oz package of chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375.
Mix everything. but chocolate chips into one big bowl. beat well with mixer. Stir in my hand the bag of chocolate chips.
Bake 10-12 minutes.

* Makes 3/12 dozen

MY BLISS...

I realized that MY BLISS is easy to find....all I have to do is look at my family, my friends, just to look at Alex, they are MY BLISS....

YOU ARE MY BLISS.....

That's all for tonight.
Good Night!

All I want for Christmas is.....

an Espresso Machine! No really.... I do!
I know, I know you are thinking that I really don't drink coffee...and you are kinda sorta right. But... I have an addiction. Let me share it with you.

A Venti Non-Fat EXTRA Caramel, Caramel Macchiato. I would even prefer it with an extra shot as long as there is enough Caramel Sauce to mask that coffee flavor! Hee hee

I think I want an espresso machine because I'd like to try to make my own drinks at home in the mornings. It would save me time, gas and money! I have the recipe (I think) so I think I want to try it. I don't need anything fancy. Just something small that I can store, so I can brew up some Caramel Macchiatos.

Ingredients:

* 2 tablespoons Starbucks' Vanilla Syrup
* 1/2 cup fresh brewed espresso
* 8 ounces steamed milk
* 3 to 4 tablespoons Starbucks' Butter Caramel Sauce


Cooking Directions:

Add caramel syrup to 16oz glass. Add steamed milk and then a shot of espresso on top and drizzle (or how I like it dump) caramel sauce.

I'm not sure if you can go into Starbucks and buy the vanilla syrup or caramel sauce, but I'm sure a store brand would work just the same. This could save me $5 a day!

But..........
I kinda have this other addiction that goes along with my Caramel Macchiatos and that is....
The Chonga Bagel with Cream Cheese from Starbucks. This is a match made in heaven, it's the perfect pair! I've tried others and there is just NO way of getting around it. Starbucks is the ONLY way to go on this!


I guess a $1.30 a day bagel stop can't break the bank can it?