The Not-So-Quiet Life of The Crossleys

Ham Pot Pie

2010-10-14T23:00:00.000-07:00

My husband is a super "comfort foods fan." It only took me, like, 10 years together- 5 of those married- to figure this out. Don't get me wrong, Mike pretty much just enjoys food in general, but I tend to try for the exotic. It was only recently, when I made something that I would consider "boring" that he told me of his love for things that remind him of being a kid. Go figure, that's why I like ethnic foods or things with "pizazz;" my dad was a super experimental cook. This Pot Pie is something I had played with last year, and finally decided to write it down.

A great way to use up left overs... This is a super easy recipe and something that can even be prepared the night before. Typically, I use the lazy man's frozen crust, but this time around I looked up a really simple one online... http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Ruths-Grandmas-Pie-Crust/Detail.aspx. This was easiest to use with the dough WELL chilled.

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup flour

1/2 cup diced onion

2 tsp minced garlic

2 cups fresh or frozen peas and carrots (guess which route I went!)

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp celery seed

1 cup chicken broth

1 cup cheddar soup (concentrated)

3 cups diced ham

In a large pan:

Melt butter over medium heat. Add in diced onion and sautee until soft. Add garlic. To butter mixture: combine flour, salt, pepper and celery seed. Mix well and allow flour to briefly cook. Afterward, add in chicken broth and soup. Stir, then allow mixture to come to a boil. Add peas, carrots and ham and allow to simmer. In a 9" pie pan, use one crust to fully line tin. Pour mixture over crust. Fill as much as possible- to heaping if you can. ( I had about a 1/4 cup of left over goodness) Cover with second crust and pinch down sides. Cut multiple slits in top to vent. This pie can then be stored in the fridge or baked immediately.

Preheat oven to 425

Bake for 30-40 min or until crust is golden brown and insides are nice and bubbly. If crust darkens too quickly, you can cover with foil. If the bubbliness gets out of control, place foil or a cookie sheet underneath pie tin to protect your oven. Allow to cool 10 minutes before serving then call your fatty, I mean husband, to dinner for some home cooked comfort food.

Moments of panic.

2010-04-13T09:51:00.000-07:00

I've been blessed with two children that sleep VERY well. Most nights, Gigi is in bed by 9:30 with a "thank you, mommy" and "lub you too, mommy." I typically don't hear a peep from her until after 8am. Gabe is a little harder to get to sleep, but he's been getting into a better routine lately. More nights than not, Mike likes him to sleep with us. You may think that's weird, but Gabe is a great cuddler and Mike is a super softy. It has happened- more than a few times- that G will go to bed in his room and Mike will go get him when he goes to bed and bring him in with us. I don't mind too bad either; it reminds me that he's still my "first baby".

Last night wasn't completely out of the norm. Mike was at work and I had a meeting to go to, so I left the kids with a sitter around 7:30. When I got home at 10, the kids were both asleep in their respective rooms. I checked on Gigi, tucked her blankets back up and closed her door- like I do every night. I peeked in on Gabe, brought him an extra blanket, left his door open a foot or so with the hall light on, then went to bed myself.

To say that I'm a morning person is a SEVERE overestimation. I am SLLOOOOWW to wake up. BUT, I do have mom ears, and thats the specific reason I close Gigi's door at night - I typically wake to her turing the handle of the door and always to her closing the door behind herself (like she usually does). When my alarm went of at 6:50, again at 7 and finally at 7:10, I pulled myself out of bed and headed down the hall to the bathroom... where I stopped in my tracks and stared at Gigi's open bedroom door.

Now, at this time in the morning, it takes a lot of effort to get my wheels turning and I start playing scenarios out in my head:

Think, Carly, what time is it? It's 7 am... is anyone awake in the house? No, it's quiet.... Well, maybe Mike checked on her when he got home from work. That has to be it... why didn't he close the door? Oh well, go check on her again and close the door- if you are real quiet, she won't wake up and you can still go for your run... this is actually a good thing because that jacket I wanted to wear is in her closet... is she even?...uhhh... where the hell is she? She's not in her bed... at all!

Panic sets in, I look in Gabe's room- not totally unusual for him- he's sleeping sideways on his bed, feet hanging over the edge. I run into our room and around to Mike's side of the bed in case she fell asleep on the floor or something... I yell to Mike, "Gigi is not in her crib!" He jumps up and we start searching.

The first thing I do is run downstairs and make sure the front and back doors are still locked. Then I check the pantry because, well, to be honest, she's a total fatty and if she was gonna HIDE somewhere... well, the pantry would be her go-to spot. She's not in there, or in the garage, either of the bathrooms...

Mike calls down to me, finally, that he found her. She had crawled in bed with Gabe and was completely cuddled up to him and under his blankets. While Mike's busy oohing and ahhing about how cute they are and how sweet it is that they love each other so much, I'm busy trying to swallow my heart that made it's way into my throat.

NOW, I can think how cute and sweet it is that my kids wanted to cuddle. Now. It took a good 4 miles of hard running to get that stress out. Phew.

Spring Special

2010-03-28T22:32:00.000-07:00

New Clients, pay attention! I have a great new special for April and May! And, to my AWESOME existing clients? Pass it on and the referral rewards still add up for you!

I promise, my next post will be of my babies.... or maybe a new recipe, however I would need to actually COOK for that one...

Salon Update

2010-03-21T14:48:00.000-07:00

I've been back at the salon now for a little over a month. Things have been going great; I feel right at home and would like to thank all my new and existing clients for coming down to support me. I'm truly so lucky to enjoy what I do and to get such satisfaction from the creative outlet- everyday is new.

I can't believe how quickly I BLEW through my gift bags! Oh my goodness! I also donated a gift basket to the Fife Booster Club Auction including a $150.00 gift certificate, an ADORABLE mini flat-iron and a handful of styling products for the event yesterday. I am still running all the other promotions:

$20 off COUPON

Referral Rewards- $10 for EVERY person you refer.

(side note, the referral rewards are good for $10 off for them, too...but it can't be used with the $20 off coupon. YOU still get credit, but they forfeit theirs if they bring in the other coupon too.)

Punch Cards- 7 services and receive your 8th haircut FREE

I'm also updating my client data base. I'm in need of home addresses, email, and birthdays. I will have different promotions both through the mail and email as well as birthday specials!

I often feel like my blog is written solely as an online journal and that nobody really reads this... so, if anyone actually does read this, PLEASE, pass the word on! I can't thank you enough!

Appointments can be scheduled in many ways: email me at cecrossley@gmail.com, call the salon at 253.891.1301, or by text/call to my cell 253.347.0390

And, because this is a question I get asked constantly, Here is a current price list

NOOOOOO!

2010-03-01T12:18:00.000-08:00

It's a sad day in my world. My baby reminds me daily that she is growing up and this weekend proved to be a BIG step into big girl land. Gigi has learned how to get out of her crib!!!

NOOOOOO!

When I call Gianna my "good child," it's not that Gabe is a "bad child" (... all the time) it's just that Gigi is a really EASY baby. You ask her to go to bed, she says, "ok." You lay her down and tell her goodnight, she says "thank you, lub you." Seriously, she's an angel.

Usually after naps, I hear my little chipmunk calling for me, "mommmmy, peas? mommmmmy, help me?"-My little dollbaby. However, on Saturday, Gabe and I were down stairs when I heard a door click. In our busy house, I don't usually pay much attention to this, there are far to many people to be concerned about that. A few seconds later, however, I see my little girl appear on the landing of the stairs, holding her baby. She holds up her arms and proclaims, " Ta Daaa!" I kid you not. Ta frickin' Da.

My reaction was more like, "Oh no."

She's been pretty good with her new found skill, using it whenever she wakes up. She did get out one time each before both nap time and bed time. Sigh. We'll see how it goes.

My only consolidation is that Gigi, almost 21 months old (!!!!), is almost 6 months older than my monkey man Gabe was when he started crawling out of his crib, at 15 months.

It's a sad day when your baby is no longer a baby. I think I need a new one.

baby Gigi, 9 mo old

Pretty girl, 2/2010 20 mo

2010-02-26T10:36:00.000-08:00

Fun times with growing babies....

Anyone who knows Mike and I know that our number one parenting goal is teaching good manners. Both children can be heard saying "Please" and "thank you" or "your welcome" (almost) always without provocation. We work VERY hard with this subject and are most often rewarded by them doing it with strangers, too. (Which most parents of little kids know, they never seem to "perform" when we really want them to.)

Our most recent step in the manners division is to reply "yes, ma'am" or "yes, sir" even when they don't particularly want to say so. This is a difficult concept to explain to a three year old, but he IS getting it... slowly.

However, last night, I told Gabe it was bedtime and, like everynight, he didn't want to go... He said (even better because he always refers to himself in the third person), "Gabey don't want to go night-night! Gabey watch TV!" To which, I replied, "No, buddy, sorry but it's time for bed." Then G said, "No mom, you say 'yes man!'" It took me a second to realize what he was implying, but he wanted me to say "yes, ma'am" to his demand to stay up. I had to try to explain that it doesn't quite work like that, but I give him credit for trying.

This is just a cute little snippet from my blissful car ride the other day. What's really funny? Mike sleeps the exact same way.

cheeseballs

2010-02-24T20:41:00.001-08:00

I love my silly babies.

iHeart Stacy.

2010-02-07T22:20:00.000-08:00

This is just a taste of the Valentine's pics that the Fab-U-Lous Stacy took for us.

BIG THINGS!!

2010-02-01T18:59:00.000-08:00

This has been a long time coming; I have FINALLY made a decision to go back to a salon. I've been thinking about this seriously for over a year now, and the time is finally right for me to do it. Mike and I are so lucky to be in the position we are, and I very blessed to be able to make this choice out of want instead of need. I will only be working part time, Tuesday, Wednesday and every other Saturday to start, but I think it will be really good for me.

You see, I LOVE me kids, but sometimes... day after day... week after week... let's just say, I've earned my grey hairs. Fortunately, Mike and I are in the position for me to be able to work WITHOUT NEEDING DAYCARE! Yay for daddy time! I don't know if he really knows what he's getting himself into, but he offered!

I am also thrilled that I have kept a good relationship with my former salon-mates and will be rejoining them in their new (new to me) location in downtown Sumner. My first day will be Tuesday, February 16th. To kick things off, I'm going to be doing some BIG things.

First of all:

That's right, $20 off your next service! Simply print and bring in! But that's not all.... (enter cheeseball announcer voice here)

The FIRST 25 CLIENTS will ALSO receive a gift bag with over $20 worth goodies including lip gloss and treats!

AND, there's still more... Refer a new customer, either by passing on the coupon or simply sending them in with your name, and YOU will get an ADDITIONAL $10 OFF! These can be added up and saved or used whenever you like!

Last, but not least, I am also starting a punch card program.... 7 services and get a haircut free! Appointments can be scheduled either through the salon starting February 8th or through me, as soon as you'd like. I get a creepy feeling blasting my cell number over the internet, but email me or send me your email and we can go from there.

cecrossley@gmail.com

A little note to all my loyal "in home" customers over the past few years... I WILL continue to do the occasional house call, so don't be afraid to ask if that's what you prefer!! I have really loved the simplicity of my work for the past few years, and I never want anyone to forget that! Thank you so much for supporting me!

And.. a little shout out to my favorite photog in the world, The incredible Stacy Jacobsen is opening a new STUDIO also in down town Sumner. She's having a little party on Saturday to celebrate!

Pretty, Pretty Princey

2010-01-23T13:32:00.000-08:00

Not to be out done, Princess Gianna needed her own post!

G to the B

2010-01-22T17:25:00.001-08:00

My handsome boy is getting to be SO GROWN UP!!! He was cheesin' for me today! "Mommy, take my picture? Gabey smile for you?" He's such a good lookin' kid! I tell him- almost daily- that if he ever does anything to that perfect nose that I won't be a happy mommy. (G to the B is the evolution from "Gabey Baby" to "G.B." to finally "G to the B"...)

Turkey Meatballs

2010-01-22T16:54:00.000-08:00

Over the last few months, I have taken a preference to cooking with ground turkey over ground beef, especially in the instance of meatballs or meatloaf. I've become partial to both the flavor and the leanness of the turkey. I love making meatballs as an appetizer for parties served both warm and cold or for sandwiches and pastas. I've made several variations of these, usually determined by what I have in the house at that given moment, and what I love is that they are so easy and always turn out delicious! Fun ingredients such as pine nuts and sun-dried tomatoes are great for a unique flavor, but since we've been counting calories, I decided to keep these fairly simple...

Ingredients:

1 package (1.25 lbs.) Jennie-O Ground Turkey Breast, thawed (I feel like I should get paid for all the shout outs I give, but they are consistently lower in calories than other brands)

1/2 cup grated carrots

1/4 cup grated yellow or white onion

1 Tbs minced garlic

1/4 cup apple sauce

3/4 cup canned diced tomatoes

3 Tbs egg whites

3 slices Sara Lee 45 calorie per slice bread

1/2 cup turkey pepperoni, minced

1 tsp salt

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp basil

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

Dehydrate your bread slices. I like to put them in my oven heated to 170-175 and forget about them for a good 30 minutes to an hour.

Combine all the ingredients into large bowl and get good and dirty! Crumble bread slices as best as possible. Use your hands to thoroughly mix.

Shape them into balls- larger than golf ball size, maybe 1.5 to 2"- and place on a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until internal temp reaches 165 degrees.

Yield: 24 meatballs, at 41 calories a piece!

Try serving 2, sliced in half, with 1/4 cup of marinara, 1/4 cup part skim mozzarella, open faced on a slice of toasted 45 calorie bread and you have a yummy meal for only 237 calories!

Wow. 2009, where did you go?

2009-12-29T21:20:00.000-08:00

Christmas was awesome this year; my husband spoiled me and my kids are amazing... all the typical blog gushing. We had an amazing season- a great end to a great year, with the exception of the very untimely and unexpected passing of my wonderful sister in law, Shelby's, mom this last week. My heart goes out to Shelby, my brother, Sam, and all the the Ratto family.

This next year promises to bring lots of excitement. Aside from the everyday miracles in watching my own children grow, the coming year has blessings around every turn. Gabe and Gigi are expecting their first AND second cousin this April. Two of Mike's sisters, Cassi (expecting a boy) and Kelsie (expecting a girl) are due within two days of each other. It's an exciting and emotional time for the whole family. There are also the weddings of my TWO best friends this year. Mariah and Travis are getting hitched in May, and Jen is eagerly awaiting the return home of her husband, Justin, so they can have their wedding ceremony in November.

On the down side, I'm fat. I need to get my chubby butt in good shape for all these weddings I'm in. I hate being out of shape. I feel better when I exercise and my clothes fit... but I REALLY HATE making new years resolutions. They never mean anything to people... most people quit the first day and the rest within the first month. Regardless, I WILL start exercising. My wonderful husband bought me the most wonderful gift ever: a new stroller! I've needed and wanted one since Gigi was born, 18 months ago! But, I'm not doing this because it's a New Years Resolution, instead, because I've always loved to walk and run... I just took a 6 month break, now I'm back, and, hopefully, my back will be back.... or something like that...

Holiday Goodness

2009-12-22T15:22:00.000-08:00

I'm not a very big drinker, and I'm definitely not a RUM drinker, so when Mike asked me to make Hot Buttered Rums for our Christmas party, I figured I wouldn't even taste them. I found a recipe online and it got great reviews, so what do I do? I change it. I did try it as it was called for, but I REALLY liked how mine turned out. (You make a mix that goes in the fridge or freezer then you mix it with the alcohol later.) They were the hit of the party and then Mike asked me to make a ginormous batch for the bar and I had people who had sworn their recipe was the best ever ask for MINE. They said it was their new favorite! So, since I've taken to putting different recipes to my blog, I thought I'd add this one, too! I forgot to mention, I ALSO made this drink with vanilla vodka and that was more my style, but I don't know what you'd call that... Hot Buttered Vanilla Vodka...??? It doesn't quite have the same ring to it.

Anyway.

AMAZING HOT BUTTERED RUM

1 stick unsalted butter

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp molasses

1 1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp (plus a pinch!) of ground nutmeg

pinch of ground cloves

pinch of salt

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup vanilla ice cream (softened)

Dark Rum (or Vanilla Vodka)

Hot water

Whipped cream or Cool Whip (optional)

Cream together softened butter, sugars an molasses. Add in Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves, Vanilla and Salt. Beat until well mixed. Add softened ice cream (too cold and it hardens your butter!) Beat well and then store in fridge until set.

In an 8 oz glass:

Put one heaping ice cream scoop worth of mix into glass. Add 2 oz of rum. Boil your water and remove from heat to slightly cool. Pour very hot water into glass and fill. Stir until melted. Top with whipped cream or Cool Whip and a sprinkle of nutmeg. You could also garnish with cinnamon sticks!

yield approx 6-8 drinks

Monkey and Banana Cookies

2009-12-15T20:32:00.001-08:00

A great and inexpensive party favor, I've done sugar cookie treat bags for the past two years on Gabe's birthday. This year, I had a little left over dough, so I thought I'd share how I did it.

Sugar Cookies

3/4 cup shortening

1 cup white sugar

2 large eggs

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (for easter cookies, I use 1 tsp lemon extract!)

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

2 1/2 cups flour

Thoroughly mix shortening, sugar, eggs and flavoring. Blend in baking powder, salt and flour.

Cover and chill for at least one hour... or overnight.

Heat oven to 400 degrees.

roll dough 3/8" thick (1/4 " if using cookie cutters) I just started using powdered sugar in the place of flour to powder my work surface. It doesn't keep things as "sticky-free" but it does keep the dough from getting that pasty taste it can get after multiple rolls with flour.

I DO NOT have any fancy baking equipment. To make both cookies, I used a large glass (which doubled as my rolling pin), a medium glass and the top to a sprinkles container.

Cut your face shape out with medium sized glass. After cutting my medium circles and placing them on my ungreased cookie sheet, I used the perimeter of a circle as my guide for cutting the ears out. Using the round top to my sprinkles, I cut two 3/4 circles for each head.

Fit them onto the head. 10 and 2 works well, higher and you get mickey mouse...

This picture doesn't do much justice, but you then "score" the pieces together. To do that, using a toothpick or another fine, sharp impliment, scratch fine lines from one piece to the other. I will usually pat down the area and then score again.

To make the banana shape, I made a full circle with the large glass then cut into that with the medium to make a crescent moon shape. Consider making your "moon" slightly more narrow than your desired final result because you cookie will grow :)
When I transfer onto the cookie sheet, I bend the shape into a more obtuse angle and then cut the points off either end.
Icing for sugar cookies is all about consistancy. Too thin and it becomes transparent and then crunchy when dry, too thick and it gets dry and powdery looking and doesn't stick well (especially important when you are putting as many sprinkles on as these cookies have)

I like to use:

1/2 stick butter (1/4 cup) softened

3-4 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

4-6 Tbs milk

mix together with beaters adding sugar gradually and one Tbs. of milk at a time. This seems anal, but consistency is so big to me, I alway will take the time. Your icing should be light and fluffy but have a slight satiny look to it.

To make the flesh color, I tint the white frosting with cocoa powder. It does give it a slight chocolate flavor, but it is very light. Frost the whole cookie with this color.

Using construction paper, draw a circle close to the size of the head and then draw the shape of the face. Also, cut two gum drop shaped pieces of equal size to fit in either ear. Cut these out and poke a hole in them with a tooth pick.

Fit these pieces onto the cookie being careful not to push the toothpicks too deep into the ears. If they happen to crack, use some of your icing to "glue" them back together. It really does work (trust me, it happened a few times!)

Sprinkle generously, lightly pressing into the exposed frosting. Remove the patterns and use a toothpick to cover the toothpick holes and move any loose sprinkles.

Use more sprinkles for the nose and two white chocolate chips for the eyes- upside down and pushed in.

I used more frosting, darkened to a rich brown with lots of cocoa powder and additional help from red, blue and green food coloring. It should end up being about the color of Hershey's chocolate. Put into a baggie with a tiny bit cut off the corner, I used this for the piping... dots on the eyes, the mouth and the outlining on the banana.

Allow to dry for 24 hours (preferably out of the eyesight of 3 year olds.) The less handling the better as the sprinkles can become loose.

Vanilla Mini Cupcakes...

2009-12-15T15:27:00.000-08:00

I LOVE CUPCAKES and am constantly trying new recipes...I really like how these turned out, light, but not too crumbly, sweet but subtle and the tops have a nice, light crisp to them. I, also, really liked these in the mini size for the party. They tiny size totally justified having two...or three...

Vanilla Mini Cupcakes

Here is the yummy cupcake recipe I used...

Makes approx. 4 dozen mini (about 2 dozen regular)

1½ sticks butter (softened)
1¾ cups sugar
2 large eggs
2 1/2 tsps vanilla
½ tsp salt
2½ tsps baking powder
2½ cups flour
1¼ cups milk

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Line mini-muffin tins with paper liner

In a large bowl: cream together butter and sugar. Add in eggs, vanilla, salt and baking powder- beat well. Add in flour in three batches alternating with milk. Mix until very smooth.

Fill paper liners to the top, but not overflowing for the best size. Bake for 13-16 min until the edge of the tops are light golden brown and toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.

Cool on rack completely, at least 30 min to an hour. (If they are still warm, your frosting can melt!)

Delicious Cream Cheese Frosting:

This is my favorite frosting... more flavor than buttercream and subtler than most cream cheese...

1 stick butter

4 oz cream cheese (half package)

1 1/2 tsps vanilla

4-6cups powdered sugar

approx. 1/4 cup milk

Cream together softened but not warm butter and cream cheese. Add 2 cups of powdered sugar and one tablespoon of milk at a time until desired sweetness and consistency. Frosting should be very thick but smooth. For this particular cupcake, I prefer a sweeter flavor to a strong cream cheese, so I tend to add more sugar. It's easier to thin the frosting while keeping your desired flavor than to thicken it up without making it too sweet so I ALWAYS add milk in slowly and sparingly.

(For a more "crystally" finish to your frosting, you can add Bakers Sugar which is a VERY fine granulated sugar. There is a bit more of a texture, but it's not grainy like regular sugar. You will still need to use powdered sugar.)

Cupcake decorating for the cheap... I put my frosting (typically colored with food coloring) into a plastic baggie and trim off a corner. I start on the outer rim and swirl my way to the inside.

Count To Three

2009-12-14T11:22:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, we celebrated Gabe's birthday. We had friends and family over for a pasta feed. I LOVE when I get an excuse to cook for people, because otherwise, I rarely do it.

Gabe was well behaved and Gigi stole the spotlight, like normal. He got some great presents: clothes, a few toys (including a new Woody, RC from Toy Story, a drawing board, and some books), some movies and even a sled! And, Gabe, the master of enthusiasm, said things like, "Oh my gooooodness! Thank You!" and "So cool!" for every gift.

Thank you so much to everyone who came out to celebrate!

I took a few pictures before the party started, but didn't pick my camera up again the rest of the time.... ooops.

(watching the snow fall.... "come make 'snose'man, daddy!")

(treat table)

(monkey and banana cookie party favors)

(the mini cupcakes were a hit! I tried a new recipe and loved how they turned out... they were moist and soft in the middle with a slight crisp to the tops! YUM!)

We've been working on teaching Gabe how to answer basic questions... What's your name? How old are you? etc... He's doing so well! He sticks out his hand and says "My name is Gabey!" (we are working on, "it's nice to meet you"). When we ask how old he is, he says, "count to three!" It's too cute to correct.

Keeping the season alive...

2009-12-13T21:58:00.000-08:00

I've never really seen Christmas through the eyes of a child... until now... and, wow, how amazing it really is. I have never enjoyed the season as much as I do right now.

For the first time, Gabe is really into Christmas. I mean, REALLY INTO CHRISTMAS. It has been such a joy. We watch Christmas movies on a loop. "The doggy movie" ("The Grinch" (he loves Max)), "The Choo Choo Movie" ("Polar Express"), "Frosty," "Santa"....the list goes on.

(They NEEDED "tickets" for the "Choo Choo Movie")

Gabe also LOVES our trees. He takes EVERY SINGLE PERSON who comes in to see them. "Come see Christmas! Come on! Christmas, this way..." He is so awesome.

(We came upstairs to find Gabe asleep here...)

(looking facing through the railings....)

(...right at our Christmas tree)

Mike and I have started taking the kids "Christmas Lighting," as well. We bundle the kids up, grab some cocoa, drive around town and point at houses. The kids' enthusiasm levels NEVER drop. 30 minutes later, Gigi is still exclaiming, "WOOOOW! PRETTY! COOL! YELLOW! BLUE!" And, Gabe is squealing, "LOOK, MOM! CHRISTMAS! SEE CHRISTMAS?! SEE SANTA?! MORE CHRISTMAS, MOM!" It's an absolute blast.

I hope every year is this exciting.

This is just an audio clip, but you get the idea.

Christmas preview!

2009-12-04T17:50:00.000-08:00

It's safe to guess, my parents don't know about this blog. So, with that, I am so excited to post part of their Christmas presents! Last weekend, the absolutely fabulous Stacy Jacobsen met up with us to take some pics of the kids! Mike and I even snuck in for a few- the first time since we got married 4 and a half years ago! As always, I am in awe of her amazing work! Thanks, Stace!

Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

2009-11-29T14:52:00.000-08:00

It'a the MOST wonderful time of the year....

Christmas has hit at the Crossley house! We made our annual trip to the tree farm this year the day after Thanksgiving. The drive to Belfair is SO worth the selection. Mike took the usual hour to find the first tree. And, yes, I said first... "We" decided that we needed TWO trees this year.

(dancing to the Christmas music piped around the farm)

(Sweet babies, Gabe almost 3- Gigi almost 18mo)

(pretty girl)

(mountain man)

(carring tree #1 back)

(G Helping with my turn on tree #2)

(as my dad (classy man) would say, our Fam Damnly)

(Yeah, that's a big tree)

(The "small" tree in the living room)

(The big tree fills our dining room.... it's over 13ft if you were wondering.)

The absolute best part of the trees? Each morning since we've put them up, when Gabe and I go to get Gigi in the morning, he tells her, Come see Christmas, Gigi!!" We are SOOO STOKED about how excited the kids are this year!

Things that make me smile.

2009-11-28T15:52:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving

2009-11-28T15:01:00.001-08:00

I hope everybody had a great Thanksgiving; I know we did. This year was a new experience for us. Now that we live with Cassi and Jamie, Cassi and I often try to find ways to host guests. Being that this is the first year they've been home for the holidays in 6 or 7 years, their families were eager to spend the time with them. She and I had this grand idea to host Thanksgiving for all our moms (Mike and Cassi's, Jamie's, and mine).

Making the guest list, we watched it grow quickly as spouses, siblings, and even a few aunts and uncles joined the group, but we were up to the task. Cassi is the ultimate delegator- so much better than I- and had her little spreadsheet that matched guests with things to bring. When Thanksgiving arrived, it was really very stress free (even with a table set for 23!)

Everything went great and we are already planning the next social event here... probably my sweet baby Gabey's 3RD BIRTHDAY next month.

(even my kids were good! They helped out with the cleaning before everyone arrived!) ((sorry it's sideways, my iMovie hates me today))

I love you, Christia!

2009-11-22T15:46:00.000-08:00

And, I miss you already! Thank you so much for wanting to spend the weekend with us! I'm lucky to call you my friend! There's no one I would rather have watched New Moon with than you! I hope your flight was fast and safe and that your boys are happy to see you! I love you!

New frickin' Moon

2009-11-18T23:09:00.000-08:00

I have been bottling up my excitement for going on three months now, but this Friday is going to be an amazing day! I can't wait for some great memory-making time! Seriously, pee your pants excited.

So grown up.

2009-11-06T10:50:00.000-08:00

Every Thursday, I have an adorable little guy by the name of Jett come hang out with the kids and I. He is four years old with the energy to match Gabe. The kids have a blast and I love that they are completely WORN out by the end of the afternoon, however, so am I!

This week, after he left. I was antsy to get out of the house. Mike works Thursdays so I'm usually bored/free to do something...anything. We made a quick stop to say "HI" to Mike at work then swung by my mom's. Now-a-days, with it being SOO dark out SOO early, I was almost bummed to realize it was only 6pm after all was done.

I wasn't quite ready to head home for the night so I decided to take the kids to McDonalds to play on the toys. It wasn't too crowed and eventually cleared out completely. The crazy part was my BABY GIRL!

Now, I know Gabe was getting regular play dates at the park at her age, but he's always seemed more.... physically advanced. Gigi has always been my klutzy, scaredy cat baby; NOT YESTERDAY! My little girl climbed through the play place all by herself- numerous times! She didn't cry or get stuck once (which is a good thing, because I DON'T climb in play toys) She did, however, figure out the way through the toy to the slide and she did that a dozen times!

I was also proud of G. Ever the big brother, I could hear him saying, "This way, Gigi.... Good boy, Gigi.... I wuv you, Gigi." the whole time they were playing.

My kids are all grown up. It's a sad day for a mom.

Spokane, Teriyaki and Pee.

2009-11-04T16:14:00.000-08:00

There aren't three things with less in common...

Except in my life.

Mike and I were very lucky to be able to go to Spokane last Sunday for a day trip. I know, "Spokane" and "day trip" don't really belong in the same sentance, however, it was well worth the hours and miles put on the road.

We've been blessed with an amazing couple that is both friend and mentor to us. They were so generous as to open their home to us and a few others for a couple hours of amazing fellowship, inspiration and dream building.

(Mikal, Brad and Hakeem)

(Me, Cassi, Julie and Angela)

(my favorite, $900 Loubs)

(this is only SOME of Julie's shoe collection. If you can't tell, there's a second row behind all of those. Take THAT, Mariah Carey.)

The heart and the word that were shared with us, along with the tough love and motivation is worth more than enough to drive 10 hrs everyday for.

Thank you, Brad and Julie and Steve and Ang!

Teriyaki...

Mike and I have always enjoyed going out to eat. Our love for food is matched by my laziness in the kitchen. When G was little, we ate out probably 3-4 nights a week... then he turned 1. He suddenly was no longer as interested by the food in front of him as he was the the salt and pepper shakers or the whatever-it-was across the room.

We quickly ended family dinners out.

By the time Gigi was born, we were in the routine of being home for dinners. Our time out was only when we had babysitters for the kids. With the exception of lunch when Gigi was 3 or 4 WEEKS old, we have never had both kids in a restaurant at the same time.

We decide to try for the first time, last night, with a quick trip out for Teriyaki. We, literally, sat in the car outside and debated whether we should carry out or dine in.

25 minutes later and with full bellies, we happily finished our first family dinner out. The kids were reasonably well behaved; Gabe only crawled onto the table once and Gigi only yelled for a few minutes until her food came.

We both considered it a success.

Pee...

In the very recent past, when Gabe was asked if he wanted to use the potty, his reply was, "no way!". I was SURE that Gianna would be the first to potty train given that she has gone numerous times and the ONLY time Gabe had ever gone was ONCE when Lindsey was babysitting.

Yesterday, during one of his attempts to change the subject whilst getting in trouble, he said, "go potty on the potty, mommy!"

I almost didn't fall for it because his deception tactic is commonly used during punishment or things he doesn't want to do.

Thank GOD I took him in!

Gabe went 3 times yesterday and 4 times already today! I feel like we've FINALLY crossed over the threshold and we can start the official training. Even better, I think Gigi will be there right along with him! Fingers crossed, I could have two potty trained babies in the early New Year.

In this town we call home, everyone hail to the pumpkin song

2009-11-02T10:00:00.000-08:00

This is Halloween. This is Halloween. Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween!

Holidays are amazing with my husband. He is suck a big kid; there is no detail spared. This Halloween was no exception.

This year, we made our annual trip to the pumpkin patch. After a few years, we returned to Maris Farms (the first time with the kids) and we really had a blast! What a HUGE event! Monster truck rides, corn mazes, pony rides, bouncy toys, canons that shoot pumpkins! There was so much to do! Unfortunately, we got there a little late so we didn't get to do EVERYTHING, but the kids had a really great time and were SO good.

For Mike, holiday spirit is helped along by great themed movies. In the past, we've looked for them on TV, but this year we decided to add a few to our movie collection. The Nightmare Before Christmas and Monster House are two of our favorites, so I was stoked to find them!

The movies were on full blast while we had our Pumpkin Carving Party. Hot apple cider, roasted pumpkin seeds and hours of carving really got us in the mood.

We were worried that Gabe might be afraid of the scariness that is The Nightmare... creepy things, red eyes, severed heads. What were we thinking? ... Gabe's not scared of anything. ;) To the contrary! HE LOVED IT; watching it over and over again, memorizing the songs, reciting the whole movie. He's such a fun kid.

We were SO ready for Halloween to get here. We practiced saying "trick or treat" and they wore their costumes for the 2 days before just to add to the excitement. With all that, Halloween night was no disappointment!

We kept with the tradition of the last few years, driving to grandma and grandpa's house as our first stop.

(mommy taking a picture of Gigi taking her own picture...she's SUCH a diva)

(My own personal Space Ranger)

(I guess you could call her a "leopard ballerina", but "Cute" works, too)

We also made a surprise stop by my dad's house, which he seemed to appreciate. He doesn't get to see them very often.

Keeping with our tradition of the last few years (even before babies of our own), we met up with Mike's parents and his little brother and sister (now 9 and 7!) and went trick or treating around Tapps Island.

The kids were SO good, the weather was a PERFECT Halloween night, and the candy gettin' was good!

Gabe quickly got into the groove; knocking, "trick or treat"ing, and, most importantly to mom, "thank you"ing!

What I didn't expect, which -in hind sight- I CLEARLY should have, was Gigi's love for all things trick or treating. She walked up to almost as many houses as Gabe and said "thank you" (or, her version anyway) almost everytime... but my little piggy, Gigi, was only satisfied if she had candy in her mouth- at all times. Literally. She ate through wrappers, stole, whatever it took.

Sugar high-ing

Trying to eat a Reeses wrapper off... (and, Yes, Mike has black contacts in)

We had such a great time this year; I can't wait for next! But, first up... THANKSGIVING! YAY for HOLIDAYS!

Mom's really DO think their kids are the cutest even when they're not

2009-05-17T10:20:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time, I might have been offended by the "chubby" remarks that were constantly given to Gabe. I would think, "He's really not that chubby!"

Whoa, was that a mother's bias. I came across some old Gabe pics, from just after his first birthday, and, MAN, he was a SOLID DUDE!

I compare that to A Day in the Life of Gabe:

He still has cheeks, but everything else has slimmed down SO much!

Gianna

2009-04-15T09:28:00.000-07:00

Here are the afor promised Easter pics I managed to take of Gigi in her dress. Gabe, true to form, wouldn't look in the camera. His outfit was super cute though.

Moving, Easter and everything else.

2009-04-12T23:45:00.000-07:00

Yay for moving!

Mikal and I have moved a TON over the last two years, but never have I looked forward to a move as much as this one.

Our last place served it's purpose. It was dirt cheap, allowed us to pay off lots of debt, and was super close to Mike's work. However, it was SOO tiny! We were busting at the seams in that place. Gabe's toys took over every tiny room, and Gianna was left sleeping in the kitchen.

We took more time finding a place than we ever had before. We, finally, had a specific criteria in which to fill. Thank you, God, for three bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a garage, and storage, storage, storage!! What a relief to finally have room to put things away!!

It's been, almost, two weeks since we got the keys, and we are mostly unpacked. I still need to put together Gigi's crib, but I can't wait to decorate their rooms for them!

The kids, the dog, Mikal and myself are all adjusting great!

The commute is a bit longer for Mike than the four blocks he's been driving, but he's handling it like a champ and says he "actually enjoys the quiet time in the car." Our new address puts us in South Hill, which could be a traffic nightmare, but from our location, is not bad at all. We are within blocks to accessing the back roads that take us off Meridian to the other ways to cut across the valley. And, lucky me, we are right next to the new "Sunrise Village" which has a Target, PetSmart, The Ram, and much more. Not to mention, the newer WalMart, and all your other major grocery stores including Winco...WOOHOO! I don't ever have to battle South Hill Mall traffice... unless, that is, I'm actually going to the mall;)

Gianna, my good child, is adjusting flawlessly. Never even a bad moment in her room on the first night. She quickly learned how to maneuver stairs from watching her brother and has now seen a baby gate for the first time in her little life. She's really coming along with her walking; getting braver everyday. She only chooses to crawl if she's in a hurry.

Gabe...ahhh Gabe, has SO much personality. He, too, is enjoying the new place. He loves the freedom of going places that Gigi can't get to. He teases her from the other side of the gate. He has also been granted "big boy status" and gets to eat most meals sitting at the table instead of the high chair, which he thinks is pretty cool.

The first few nights here, he was allowed to sleep with us. You may or may not know, but this just DOESN'T happen with us.

Now, before you think I'm mean, it's not us who say "no" to him, it's him that REFUSES to sleep with us. Mike would absolutely LOVE for him to sleep with us on a regular basis, however the kid can live off, seriously, NO SLEEP. Whenever Mike tries to bring him to bed with us, we spend an hour telling him to lay down, 30 min tackling him and trying to pin him down and and the next 30 trying to settle down the tears that come from the wrestling. By this time, usually Mike has fallen asleep and I get sick of the struggle and put him in his own room. OR, we both fall asleep, and he gets up, puts on a movie in the living room and starts to play. Then, he climbs in Gigi's crib and tries to wake her up. NOT Fun.

Anyway, after 3 nights of this, I was more than ready for him to be in his own bed. Then came the question, "to duct tape or not to duct tape?" The next 3 nights involved me laying in bed with him until he fell asleep, usually singing 90's Disney songs to him. (He probably fell asleep to get away from my horrible voice and missed lyrics.) But, like I previously stated, the kid can stay away FOR-EV-ER! So, laying in bed often lasted 45 min-1hr and on the third night, I actually fell asleep, too.

Enter, "The Spoon." Again, don't hate on me for being the meanest mom in the world. I spank only when my kid deserves it. I have been super frustrated with his temper tantrums and have been reading up on ways to deal with "The Strong Willed Child" (there is a book by that title. I highly recommend it.) My child needs structure and discipline. Not only will it make my life easier, but it helps him to be a happier, more well adjusted and socially behaved child and adult. (and, come on, that's what parenting is really all about, not my sanity...that's WAY down the list.)

The first night of the spoon went fairly well. He was very tired and didn't put up much fight anyway. He slept, for the first time in a full year, with his door open!! (He started crawling out of his crib at 15 months old.)

Night two was a different story. He was grumpy, Mike was gone, and I was stressed. It was a two hour battle. And, please, don't think that I spent two hours beating my child. It would start with ten minutes of attempted cuddling. To which, he would push me away or throw a pillow at me. I would then lay him down, yet again, kiss him good night (while being head-butted) and walk out of the room.

I held his door handle for 25 minutes, and he never stopped screaming or kicking the door. Never once. Then, I'd go back in and try to settle him down again...

At the hour mark, I broke out the spoon. I stood beside his bed, and everytime he stuck his leg over the side, towards the ground, he got a swat on the thigh.

This was a long hour.

I don't like spanking him, in fact, it breaks my heart to hear him cry, but I was determined to make it work. Once he was in bed, with both feet up, I would slowly back towards the door. If he tried to follow, I'd go back in and swat his leg. I'd make it out the door and wait for him there. This took so long, and I was afraid I'd lose it. Thank God for Christia, who by the hand's off God, was awake at 1 or 2 am in Iowa, and let me vent my frustrations to her.

After two FULL hours of G screaming and crying, he finally wore himself out and I was able to tuck him in, one last time, and scratch his back, for 5 last minutes, until he fell asleep.

I was DREADING bed time again. But this time, a miracle happened: Gabe respected The Spoon! It took 5 min and 3 swats and he was in bed and asleep in minutes!

I know, SHUT-THE-FRONT-DOOR!

I was so shocked! And, get this, he's done that EVERY SINGLE NIGHT SINCE! No duct tape. No severe screaming, and no 2 hour bed time routines! I, simply, carry him upstairs (in tears, still) and lay him down. We do a quick bed time routine that involves a Lion King/Little Mermaid song or two and the tucking of the blankets. I kiss him good night, which is where he starts to freak out and I have to be very careful of avoiding fat lip causing head butts. Then I take out the spoon and start to back away. He starts flailing and kicks all his covers off, but if he sticks a leg over the side, he gets a swat. Now, however, after one, he pulls his legs up if he sees me coming. Then I back out of the room, door open, and he calms down within 30 seconds. He then pulls up his own covers, rolls over and FALLS ASLEEP!

I am SO amazed at how well it has worked for him. I love that, eventually, bedtime can be a nice time for he and I, and it might not be too far off.

Tonight, I heard Gigi fussing on the monitor and went to check on her. He heard me, sat up and said, "hi," but when I told him to lay back down, HE DID, without a single peep!

I feel so much better about him right now, I was started to get pretty down on myself.

On a COMPLETELY unrelated note, I am SOSOSO excited to go with my bestest BFF, JEN, to her BIG ULTRASOUND this week! Yay, Yay, Yay! I'm so happy that she lets me be so involved with everything. She really lets me play my annoying know-it-all role without complaint! I can't wait to find out what's she's having and then impose my over-opinionated names upon her. ...and then there's the shower to start planning.... so much to do!

Soon, I'll post some of the super cute pics of Gigi from Easter!

Gigi walks and Gabe talks...kinda

2009-03-30T17:15:00.000-07:00

Kids are so fun...most of the time! More days than not, I question myself whether I'm doing a good job with them.

Ok, to be honest, "them" is Gabe. He is a TOUGH kid. I'm sure there are other's that can compete, but he is one strong willed boy. And, I do question if I'm doing what's right.

I am nothing, if not consistent, with my "techniques," but there are times when I falter on my ground and wonder if I should give in.

He is notorious for throwing public temper tantrums. I try, as hard as I can, to not worry about what other people think, but when you have your two year old thrown over your shoulder in a fireman hold while he is screaming and crying while trying to buy diapers at Target, it's hard to not glance around at the gawkers.

Regardless of that, I KNOW that I am trying as hard as I can, and It will be worth it. That someday... even though it's already been 6 months... I will be able to remove the duct tape from his door because he will stay in bed when I put him down.

On the positive side, the good times are great times and I LOVE seeing the development.

Gigi surprised us on Friday and started walking. I WAS NOT encouraging her. In fact, I was hoping she would wait much, much longer, but none-the-less, she did.

Jen and I were sitting on the floor of her living room and Gigi just decided that she was ready and took four steps from the couch to me.

We were shocked, and she was so proud of herself.

I didn't catch the very first time on camera, as it was so unexpected, but I did get her doing it again later that night.

(I know I have apologized for the crappy quality before, but again, I'm sorry.)

Gabe is not the horrible kid that I often make her out to be. He is, 90% of the time, a fun, happy boy. I believe, he is simply 100% Mikal's clone.

Most of his talking is a little more clear than this...

Little Einstein's is his one of his favorite shows and he "sings" this song to us ALL day long (as well as the others). He usually gets a few more of the attempted lyrics in there...

His other favorite show is "Handy Manny" and that was what we decided to name the puppy, Manny. After four days of asking Gabe what he wanted to name him, to which his reply was, "cars." We finally settled on Manny and Gabe loves it!

Finally, some news to share.

2009-03-23T20:15:00.000-07:00

I actually feel like I might just have something to say....

For one, my baby fever has been cured. We brought a new addition into the family this weekend, and we are so happy! Our yet-to-be-named little guy is a Jack Russell Terrier. He weighs in at almost 3 lbs and is 10 wks old. He and Gabe were immediate best friends and are still in love. GiGi, true to form, is a bit prissy and doesn't care for his exuberant kisses, but she is quickly warming to him as well. He is very sweet and cuddly with enough JRT toughness that he can handle being carried from room to room by Gabe without complaint. We are very happy with the little guy and potty training is going well! If only it was this easy for G! I'll let you know when we pick a name!

Secondly, I'm in talks with my old salon to go back part time. Typically, a lessee pays a monthly rent and is then able to work as many or as few days as they would like, making their own schedule. When I've been asked back before, it was at the full lease rate. Being that I'm only interested in very part time, it wasn't worth it to me when I could do, basically, the same thing from a kitchen somewhere. But this time, they offered me an unbeatable price that would allow me work from a salon and but still be very profitable. I am thinking of working Thursday, Friday and every other Saturday. Those days, Mike is home to babysit, adding to his SuperDad title. Fear not, fellow mommy-friends. I think I will still leave a day a week to do house calls. I know how much easier it is to not have to load the kids up or set up a sitter and I enjoy being able to bring my kids along for playdates.

Funny moments

2009-03-17T21:47:00.000-07:00

There really hasn't been anything exciting going on in our lives lately. Same old, same old. The only thing I ever have to share is baby stories, because they are the only ones I interact with. (with the exception of the one hour a week a get to play volleyball- YAY! Playoffs start tomorrow!)

Gianna has been cracking me up lately. She turned 9 mo old yesterday and has so much personality now! I've taking to watching her more closely to try and figure out what is going on in her little head. In contrast to Gabe, she is SOOOO girly!

She is very dramatic. If she wants something and isn't getting it, she throws her head back and "cries" (aka, whines without real tears) in this pitiful, sobbing way like it's the end of the world.

If she knows you are watching, and she falls down or hurts herself, she completely melts down and has to be held and soothed (where as G was over it before you could get to him to pick him up) If she doesn't know you are watching her, she just gets back up and keeps going like nothing happened.

The funniest thing is how she manipulates her daddy!!

Mike and I typically use our computer while sitting on the couch....in easy reach of baby fingers. GiGi loves to sneak her long, skinny fingers around the side and and touch the keys. When she does this to me, and I tell her "No," she smiles and does her devilish little cackle; over and over again, never upset.

Yesterday, however, Mike was working on the computer and she came up , all sweet and sneaky like and touched the keys. Mike, very politely, said, "No, Sister..." and moved her fingers.

That's it, he didn't yell, he didn't do anything, but say "No..."

She looked him square in the face. Went serious. Then to a full downward frown. Then every so slowly, into the saddest cry I had every heard...it was like an entire 5 seconds for the transition. I started laughing immediately because it was so different from how she acts with me, but Mike was heartbroken. The funniest thing is she did it THREE times in the 20 minutes he was working on the computer. Each time, totally exaggerated but sooo sad! Mike, the sucker, had to pick her up every time and kiss and cuddle her and tell her how "unfair" it was for her to do that to him.

She already has her daddy completely wrapped around her finger!!

Gabe has really been trying to talk lately. "Trying," by meaning that nobody but me can understand most of the things he says...

Some of his favorite words are:

ditter (sister)

Nah-na (Gianna)

Hungry

Eat

a-boo (movie) I don't know

Hey Buddy

Yeah, Sure, Ok...

banana

gook (milk, cup, drink)

juice

truck

oh-nooooo

wooooow

daddeeeee

there you go

thank you

and quite a bit more.

He also is super funny with his animal sounds, he makes them very realistic. Instead of "moo" for cows, he does an incredible impersonation of a real cow. His cat "meow" sounds like a real kitten and his pig "oink" is a real snort. SO FUNNY!

::sigh:: FIne, Kara.

2009-03-11T13:11:00.000-07:00

Here you are, Kara. The 6th photo in the 6th folder. However, I doubt that even 6 people read this, and Sam is, for sure, not playing tag...

Just one of the 3 million pics I take of the babies... GiGi being super excited to eat. Taken maybe 2ish months ago... The odds of finding a pic of me are beyond slim.

2009-02-12T12:08:00.000-08:00

I'm a horrible blogger!

Life has been crazy lately. I guess, it's always crazy at our house.

My babies are nuts. Gianna started standing a few weeks ago and now she never sits down....unless Gabe decides to nudge her over. He is usually very discreet about it... never an obvious shove, more like an unassuming, look the other way and lean on her or a strong kiss to the head... with enough force to make her fall over. It is really funny and I have a hard time keeping a serious face with him. She still thinks the world of him, though. She follows him everywhere and he thinks it's hilarious. She'll go into his room with him to play and when I try to follow, he shuts the door on me and says "No no dada!" (I'm dada too) Then I sit outside the door and listen to the two of them cracking each other up. Love them!!

However, Gabe is still definitely a 2 year old in SO many ways. He was kicked out of the YMCA daycare twice last week for not calming down after I left. The first time, I got 45min but the second time I only got in 15 before they came to find me.

Monday, I decided to take advantage of the drier weather that I love so much and went for a walk. I get all sorts of motivated this time of year to be outside so I decided to hit up 5 Mile Drive. It was chilly, but beautiful as usual. I got about a mile in before G started to get a little restless.

I've really been trying to work with him on his crazy energy instead of against him. He has been responding fairly well to it and I love seeing his development. So, instead of worrying about my "time" or the intensity of my workout, I let him out of the stroller to walk with me. He is easily distracted, but he likes the freedom and is doing pretty well with "Hold mom's hand, please," when necessary.

After about a half mile (in a very uphill section) he got tired and wanted me to hold him. I obliged for a little while, because when he wants to be held, he is so sweet about it and gives constant kisses and pats on the back (literal). But, anyone with the stroller/hearse from hell like I have knows that it's hard enough to push with two hands let alone one while carrying 30+ lbs of boy. After another 1/2 mile or so, I gave him the option (like I said... work with him) to either walk again or ride.

Enter terrible twos.

Gabe, it seems, did not like either of my options. When I put him down to walk, he sat on the ground and cried. I walked away. He stayed and cried. I called to him. He stayed and cried. I had to go back and get him because of a car and he clung to my leg. So, I put him in the stroller, buckled him down, and started to walk again. I should have known to turn around and go back because I wasn't quite half way. But I did not. He screamed, twisted, flailed, threw the lovely snacks that I had prepared for him, etc. for the ENTIRE remainder of the walk.

Not that that wasn't enjoyable enough to endure. With about a mile to go, GiGi had had enough of Gabe screaming in her face and she decided to join in. I spent the last mile talking to myself about how I'd really like to kill myself or maybe an animal will come attack me...

Yesterday's walk was purposely scheduled for nap time.

Mikal and I are doing well, as always :) Last Saturday, we got a real date night! Mikal was craving the Outback for their bread and steak, so we hit that up. It is so nice to sit and enjoy a meal and not have to rush! We were there for almost 2 hours, and loved every second of the time spent together. Cassi and Jamie met us for dessert and then we went and saw "Push" afterwards. I definitely have a thing for superheros, and when Mikal said that the main guy is his new workout inspiration, I was happy to encourage it! Which brings me to our contest!

We are in a weight loss contest with each other! It's my 25lbs to his 40lbs. I hate that I'm super worried that he'll win! The winner gets a shopping spree. The competition is nice for us, we have fun doing it together. More than anything, we both really want to be healthy. Two babies, two+ years of an Italian restaurant and now 2 years into the bar and we are both carrying around some unhealthy extra weight. It's funny (and disturbing) to think that we used to argue about who had the better abs and now we argue about who has bigger "squishies."

My side goal is to be in better shape for my 25th birthday than I was for my 20th. That is no small feat either! At 20, I was training for a triathlon (which I chickened out on) and working out everyday, sometimes twice a day. I know with kids, that isn't always possible, but now I know the difference between "work hard" and "work smart." I really want to compete in a Tri this summer. I hope by posting my goals, I'll feel more inclined to do it now that I've told the world. Anyone who wants to join is welcome! And anyone with experience in training would be my best friend!

The best things in life

2009-01-16T20:32:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to share a few seconds of my life. I'm so thrilled that my babies are the best of friends! Nothing makes me happier than watching these two together. I'm sorry the video sucks. It's from my normal, photo camera and our living room is super dark. Still, I HAD to tape them, because they were making me laugh so hard!

It's a new year...

2009-01-02T13:33:00.000-08:00

Mike and I had a great time working at the DL on New Years Eve. It was busy, but not crazy busy and the crowd was fun and energetic. For the most part things went very smoothly. We were able to kiss at midnight for the ninth year in a row and we had many of our good friends there to celebrate as well. Mike did get in a little scuffle (and by that, I mean an actual, physical fight, haha) with a customer who was rude to me, but it was mostly chivalrous on his part...we laugh about it now. In all our years together, that has never happened! Ahh, the life of working at a bar.

I spent a quiet New Years Day at home with my babies. I love those two!

G is such a crazy little monkey! He is better entertainment than any movie or book. We cuddled and drank cocoa and played with toys all day. He is totally obsessed with his Buzz Lightyear he got for Christmas. We play hide-and-go-seek with it and see how long it takes him to find it...he's so proud when he does!

GiGi is growing so fast I can hardly keep up! It seems like it was yesterday that she started rolling and now she's army crawling. She also, literally, two days ago, has started pulling up to her hands and knees doing the little rocking thing. My quiet days are long over and the ease of a baby that is stationary is a thing of the past as well.

Umm, and what's with the snow today? I thought that was over. I guess I'm in my own world sometimes because I was, more than a little, surprised to wake up to 3 inches on my car this morning!

This picture of G is from a few weeks ago, but it never fails to make me laugh. He is such a nutter!
My pretty baby girl! I used to think G was the prettiest baby ever, but now I'm not so sure... I think GiGi might have him beat!

Christmas Week

2008-12-30T18:18:00.000-08:00

Yeah, so I knew I'd be terrible at updating this regularly.

Christmas was great, we are totally spoiled. My children have more toys than any normal children should ever have, and they both got entire new wardrobes. Mike and I got plane tickets and a hotel room to go to Minneapolis in a few weeks. (Don't hate, before you ask, "Why would anyone in their right mind go to Minnesota in January?" It's because we have any awesome business meeting and, hello? ... Mall of America!) We also had a really great time hanging out with all of our families and went to see a couple movies as well. We saw "Bedtime Stories" Christmas afternoon and Mike saw "Valkerie" that night. I went with Christia, Angela and Tera (among others) to see "Twilight"...again... I love my friends and family.

The snow truly lasted forever and I'm glad to be getting back to normal. We can actually use both cars again!

Mike and I worked at the bar the Saturday after Christmas and it was super busy! (woooo lots of tips!) That will also be where we spend New Years Eve as well. I can't believe that this is our 9th consecutive New Years Eve spent together... to think, the first was spent as a fifteen-year-old in Jen's basement. Wow, I feel old.

We also got another amazing surprise this last week; Cassi and Jamie (Mike's beautiful sister and her incredible husband!) are moving back from California in a matter of weeks! We are so excited to have them around. They are such great friends and Gabe and Gianna need to know them better!

I'm super bummed that my time with Christia is practically over! With the stupid weather and then family obligations thrown in, we didn't get to see each other nearly as much as I had planned. I'm really gonna miss her and I know G will miss Julian too!

I've been trying to think of some New Years Resolutions I would like to make, but nothing has come to me... nothing new at least. I'll keep trying.

Entering the 21st century... almost 9 years too late

2008-12-18T14:42:00.000-08:00

So, I'm gonna try this blog thing out. I can't guarantee that I will be any good at this; it sometimes takes me weeks just to check my email. I think I am inspired to do this, however, for one, by the many friends I have who, without blogs, I would have no idea what was going on in their lives, and two, I'm kinda proud of my cute kids and awesome husband and I like to show them off. :) So here goes...

LIfe has sure been in fast forward the last few months. Here we are, less than a week away from Christmas already. This week I celebrated, not only, Gabe's second birthday (which was easier to handle than the first, but still made me feel old) but also, GiGi's 6 month "birthday." They are growing up so fast!

On Sunday, we had a party for Gabe and I was so proud of him! He played, shared, ate cake and was generally a super happy kid! We are so blessed to have such a great family and SOOO many amazing friends; he was truly spoiled by everyone! It was so fun to have all the kids there. I am thrilled that so many of my friends have wonderful kids that, not only, do I like to have my children around because they are such great kids, but that I am also able to ask lots of parenting questions of my friends because I truly respect them and their opinions so much!

Top: G. Middle: Mason, G, Eva Bottom: Julian

We also woke up Sunday to the first snow of the season! I love Bonney Lake because it always gets just a little bit more than the other areas. I was surprised to leave the hill and realize that the valley had none! It was also unusually cold all this week, which I don't mind either, as long as I don't have to drive my babies around in it! It's been fun, today, watching Gabe run to the window every ten minutes and say "Cool!" or "WOOOOWWW!" with as much enthusiasm as the first time. As I speak, my crazy, overgrown child of a husband is planning a massive sledding adventure with a handful of our great friends.

Backtracking just a little... Yesterday was G's actual birthday and I was absolutely thrilled that Christia and the boys were able to join us for lunch! I have missed them so much, but it's crazy how, together again, it's like no time has passed (except for how much the little babies have grown!... 5 months is along time for the under 1 crowd). I was slightly worried that Gabe, being a few months younger than Julian, wouldn't quite remember him, but I was pleasantly surprised (as I often am) that within 30 seconds of their reunion, they were hugging each other like the best friends they are! We had a fun, and always classy, time at Mcdonalds. The big boys played their little hearts out and the babies held hands :) The days are passing by too quickly while they are here... They will be gone again before we blink :(

Possibly backtracking even farther... A small catch-up on the peewees...

G, obviously, is two now. He is starting to grow out of his "chubby-bubby" stage that defined him as a one year old. He's still what I like to call "solid," but he's definitely stretching out now. He is an animal! 100% boy! He climbs. He jumps. He runs. He dives. He wrestles. He prefers to eat with his hands, loves the dirt, trucks and balls. He is amazing! I am so proud of him. God couldn't have blessed that kid with a better heart! He loves his "be be" and wants to hug and kiss her before either Mike or I in the mornings. He walks around our house and finds pictures of babies (some are GiGi and some are him that he thinks are her), "dada" aka "ki-kal" (which Mike reminds me, every time, to "stop calling me Mikal in front of him!" Oops. Anyway, he finds pictures of the baby, Mike, Auntie Cassi and Uncle Jamie, etc. and kisses them and says "awwwwww." He's not a big talker, but he's a HUGE actor. He mimics the characters in his movies, from facial and hand expressions to laughing and crying. Mike and I just watch him for hours. He is very artistic (a mother's bias), and is also FREAKISHLY coordinated. The kid can walk 4x4's like a balance beam and jump on a bosu ball like a trampoline! I used to freak every time he climbed onto a chair or out of his high chair, but I gave up after a while. He has been sleeping in his big boy bed now for about 4-5 months. He picked out Spiderman sheets (which surprised us with his obsession for Lightening McQueen) and doesn't even need bumper rails! Potty training might not be right around the corner, but at least he loves to take baths. He sometimes asks 2-3 times a day to take one! I am so proud of my little man!

top: January 08 Bottom: December 08

Gianna, while not quite doing as much, understandably, is growing like a weed herself! I love seeing more and more of her personality everyday! She, in contrast to G, is ALL girl. She talks all day long, flirts with anyone who will look at her and positively beams when anyone calls her "pretty." She rolls everywhere... ends up under the Christmas tree, in the kitchen, half-way under the couch... She is also sitting up now (not getting there on her own, but staying up, unsupported for 5+ minutes at a time). We have started her on some solid foods now and she loves them! The only challenge is getting her to stop talking long enough to eat! She's a kisser and a toucher and loves to play with her big brother! Her first laughs were all because of him and she continues to light up whenever he is near! Mike can't wait for another year from now when they are both running around at full speed, playing like crazy, but I am content to take one day at a time and cuddle my little girl for as long as she will let me.

GiGi 6mo

Christmas is sneaking up too fast on us! For the second time in this blog, I am gonna call my husband a "overgrown child" but it's meant with the warmest of connotations. He simply LOVES Christmas with all of his heart and has helped to thaw my, at one time, slightly bitter self. Christmas trees are a must and they are usually up the day after Thanksgiving, but this year it was the day before because the holiday was so late. Decorations are also and event including an outing to pick out a few new things every year. Christmas movies are on constantly as well as the permant tuning to 106.9 for their holiday songs. Some of our favorite movies are "Elf," "The Grinch," and "Polar Express" as well as grown up faves like "The Holiday" and "Love Actually." Every year, it is a tradition (and it HAS to be after Thanksgiving) that we watch "Polar Express" and drink hot chocolate (which, by the way, I have a Awesome recipe for homemade cocoa for adults with Bailey's Carmel or Mint) I love my husband for his love of the holidays and even more for his love of family. He absolutely cherishes all his family, which is gi-normous, and we have some great plans with all of them, my family too, coming up soon. The only downfall is, like kids, we get so worked up for the holiday that we kinda have a "bluesy" time coming down from it. I think he and I are already starting to feel the anticipation wearing off. :) None-the-less, we will make the best of what is to come.

So, this is WAY longer than I will usually ever be able to type, but I feel I had a duty to catch up. I love Everyone!