Amy's 33rd & good CLEAN fun

The kiddos surprised me with carrot cake on Wednesday...yum!

Mommy wait! You have to make a wish...what are you going to wish for? We can't wait! Mommy what are you thinking about? What do you think you should wish for? Hurry, Mommy hurry!

Hurry Mommy hurry! Make....................a..................wish! Sam approves...the carrot cake is goooooood! Now outside, time to run, play, get dirty, play at the park, backyard, sand, dig in the dirt, more running, more, more, more!

Madeline! You weren't supposed to leave me here!The little ones distracted by a lady bug...counting spots...this one had 5. It doesn't get any better than this...

In a fire I would grab...

What a gift.

I'm not even sure where to start in my thanking process. My relationship with my grandparents is quite a special one, I'm sure a lot of folks feel that way...if they are lucky. In this case I was able to live with mine for awhile. Even though as a senior in HS a curfew of 8pm was not ideal & certainly not the 'norm'. My oldest & dearest friend Diana & myself love to reminisce about those times. We quickly got into the hang of making plans well before dark, because if it was 7-7:30pm there was no way I would be able to leave for the evening-after all, nothing good comes from kids with last minute plans after 8PM....even if those plans were with a little Mormon girl. I wouldn't change a thing. So with that said, my grandma who knows me so well, knows how much this means...

What I do think I need to get across-is how thankful I am for all the help in the cookbook process! My Grandma solicited help from all family sides & boy was it received. People were wonderful about sending recipes & stories...now my lucky hubby/kiddos will be rewarded!

All this hard work! Those old & new pictures in just the right places...
This is one of my favorite pictures of Matthew-

Just when I think I've read every line from every entry something surprises me & makes me smile. This recipe from 'Senora Caroline Schau' for example...with pictures of the entire process in her kitchen, from starting ingredients to freezer bags for storage!

Enough said...I need to start cooking!

**********************************************

2009 MS Walk

The weather Saturday worked out perfectly; it stopped raining right as the walk started-in fact it warmed up enough to even get a little muggy for walker #2135. It was successful, fun & the company couldn't be beat!
So far (and we will get the final totals at the end of Summer) my team has raised $2,750...awesome; if I do say so myself! Sam gave his end-of-the-walk medal to a very deserving walker...
I have to say; it is so refreshing even exhilarating to be part of something so much bigger than myself & my own little circle of life...

Spring & Sushi

Madeline kicking @*# and taking names...

Rob & Noah...
Wolverine vs. Sushi... Noah Baker...Spring!

Madeline leaping into Spring! Grandma's Easter Eggs...

Madeline's secret box of treasures...

From Madeline's Bakery

The little kids decided to make a pumpkin pie. It is after all Sam's favorite dessert, Madeline reminded me. And he IS the owner of Sam's Diner, where all her best bakery items are sold...

Madeline 'reading' the directions...

Noah Baker & Madeline gathering ingredients, stirring eggs (10 eggs), utensils in hand.Madeline trying to decide how much Vanilla to put in (16 Tablespoons) Noah Baker pouring in his sugar (78 cups)

Stirring in the salt with the eggs (8 teaspoons of salt)
Madeline stirring (23 cups of brown sugar)
My turn to stir! (His 16 bowls of pumpkin)
So carefully pinching the bottom crust

Almost ready to go into the oven! (for 85 hours)
Smells great!

Sam tasting the very first bite...YUM!

Madeline's Pumpkin Pie

10 Eggs
78 Cups sugar

8 Teaspoons salt

23 Cups brown sugar

16 Tablespoons Vanilla

56 Cups milk

16 Bowls of pumpkin

Bake for 85 hours
Let cool down for 34 seconds...

So sad...

Thursday seems like a million years ago.

Thursday I started spotting. Bright pink; I told myself it was probably nothing. However late in the afternoon there were ultrasounds. The final one was unlike any ultrasound I've ever had. The tech was silent, we did not exchanged looks or words. Just this poor girl clicking away at the screen, unable to tell me the bad news . Finally after what seemed like an eternity I said through tears-'if this wasn't awful there would be a different tone in the air...right'? She squeezed my arm & told me she was sorry. Sigh. It was so awful. I just wanted it all to be over with. I wanted to know why. I'm in my 2nd trimester, I've had three healthy babies, I've never been healthier than I am now, the odds of this happening statistically are so slim. Finally the Dr. came in & gave me my two options. I was too far along for this to complete itself naturally; so they could start an IV that would 'complete the process' or have a D&C in the morning. That was it, I was excused. I called Rob, my mom & sister; calmed down enough to drive & started for home. Thursday night I started bleeding & almost lost my composure. I didn't want to go through this here at home and have to complete it the next day with surgery. The night finally turned into morning & with heavy hearts Rob & I walked in to ambulatory surgery Friday morning. My friend Margie works at the hospital and was with us most of the day, it was just the distraction both of us needed. Next week I go back in & at that time we will know what went wrong.

Now we just have to decide when/what we are going to tell the kids.

I know that thoughts & prayers have been sent our way...thank you.

Izik

Izik... 1996-2009

When Rob & I moved up to Seattle we brought Izik home when he was just a super fluffy kitten. He was such a good cat, always keeping my feet warm in bed & would follow Rob around-more like a dog than a cat; he also kept Rob's lap warm most of his kitty life. He moved around with us several times over the years & within the recent months started losing weight at a drastic pace. We know it's good that he's gone, he was so sick at the very end. Sam is thankful that he can finally be with Ewok-his best kitty friend who died right before the move to Maryville two years ago.

Sick boys & my duck!!!

Poor Sam & Noah Baker, they were so sick over this last weekend...Noah until just a day or so ago. The tummy bug is YUCKY!

Noah said that the frog that was in his ear (from his recent ear infection) had jumped out of his ear and into to his tummy & booty... :) Madeline with a GIANT icicle! We hope the last one of the season...


My duck! It finally arrived! Sam has been telling me all about a special duck he was making in art class. I've been waiting & waiting...it's finally here!

sun & music

Miss Madeline enjoying a leisurely day at the park...Sam playing the Bongo at Grandma & Grandpa's church last Sunday. It was 'Beach Sunday'-thus the swim trunks @ church! He's really got rhythm! Madeline really wants to take piano lessons...she's trying her luck on the keyboard for now.

Noah Baker enjoying the park-he is so excited that he's almost THREE! He has big plans for a dinosaur birthday and birthday cake!