Still Alive

I am still alive, just too tired to post anything. Still recoverin from my wonderful baby shower that some fantastic friends put on for me, and the midnight showing of "Twilight."(Not enough energy to post my review) Hopefully I will be back to my normal, miserable self in a few more days.

Marshall's Birthday Video

Happy Birthday Marshall

I know this post is a little overdue, but I wanted to be sure to give Marshall some airtime. Last Monday was Marshall's 8th Birthday! We started off the day with traditional coffee cake, of course. We did some school, not much choice there, and then went shopping for his present. I had to take him with me, along with the other 2 boys, because I didn't have anywhere else for him to go. We met up with Jeff at CPK (California Pizza Kitchen) for dinner. Marshall had gotten a coupon for a free kids meal and sundae during the month of his Birthday. It was a great time with just our family. Marshall got his own steel-tip darts, with case, from Max and Simon, and a weather station from Jeff and I. He also got a set of SuperStructs "Wacky Machines" from Grandma Pam and Grandpa Mike. After dinner I took him to Kate and Zach's house where he had a surprize sleepover with his cousins. He was so excited about that! They gave him 4 puzzles-Marshall loves puzzles! It wasn't anything over-the-top, but I think in the end, it was a great birthday! Marshall is getting baptized on December 6th, a Saturday, at the Buffalo/Robindale Stake Center. We are going to have a little party for him after, back at our house. Marshall is such a smart and fun kid to have around. I can't even begin to imagine how boring our life would be without him. We love you Marshall!

Max Update

Went to the doctor's today. Platelet count at 33. Doctor want to wait until next week for WinRho so that his next treatment will come 2 weeks after the baby is born. Sorry Max!

(almost) Eight Weeks and Counting Down!

I know it seems rediculous to start counting down already, but man, is this the longest pregnancy ever! Aside from that, I have finished painting the baby's room and have all the stuff that I have, out and orgainized. I love the look of girly pink clothes hanging on white hangers in the closet that is painted PINK! So different from what I am used to seeing. My poor husband is just about finished with me. I am so grumpy and tired and don't do much but complain. He has been a real trooper-even making a delicious dinner tonight! Thanks honey! My boys are really taking the brunt of it. My frustration with not being able to easily bend down to pick stuff up has sent me over the edge. I feel like all I do is snap at who ever is closer, and demand things to be done right then! We will all be relieved the day this is over and we can finally enjoy our little girl. And for all of you who may be wondering about the name.....nothing yet. But I'll be sure to let you know as soon as we know. Please, pray for me and my family that we can all make it through this alive and still together as a happy family!

Missing Husband

I got an "email forward" from a friend. I loved it so much I thought I would share it with you all.

Rick was in trouble. He forgot his wedding anniversary. His wife was really angry. She told him Tomorrow morning, I expect to find a gift in the driveway that goes from 0 to 200 in less than 10 seconds, AND IT BETTER BE THERE!!'

The next morning Rick got up early and left for work. When his wife woke up she looked out the window and sure enough there was a box gift-wrapped in the middle of the driveway. Confused, the wife put on her robe and ran out to the driveway, and brought the box back in the house.

She opened it and found a brand new bathroom scale.

Rick has been missing since Friday. Please pray for him.

The Chi Machine

Here are Marshall and Simon getting their "chi" back in line.

The boys were busy!

While we were gone, the boys had so much fun! They carved and decoraged lots of pumpkins, helped grandpa with the chores outside, and did lots of raking and jumping in the leaves.

Finally a Vacation

Jeff finally took some time off from work, being that it was the last week in his billing year, and he had more than enough hours.  We stopped in paragonah for a night and did some fishing.

We took off for Salt Lake with an empty van.  How sweet it was.

We stayed with our friends Ben and Noelle's house in Alpine, and thoroughly enjoyed a few nights without the wild boys.   Tuesday night Jeff and Ben went to a Ray LaMontagne concert, and Wednesday night we all went out to dinner at Flemmings and then to a Joshua Radin concert.  It was in this tiny dive of a night club with only a couple hundred people there, if that.  To most people, these two artists are totally unknown.  Jeff dug them up almost 2 years ago and we are both big fans.  Click on their links and check out some of their music.

Happy Halloween!

We tagged along to Kate and Zach/ Greg and Whitney's Halloween Trunk or Treat. Here are the pictures of the final costumes. Simon was done being a boxer and took off his costume before I could get a picture. Here is a good shot of his black eye. The funny thing is, only 1/2 of this was makeup. He really did get a black eye about a week before while playing at his cousins house.

Fun with Friends

My highschool friend Heather, who lives in Chandler, AZ, made a last minute trip to Vegas.  It was so great to see her and her cute kids.  I think it had been 4 years since I saw her last! Crazy! She looks fabulous, her kids are hilarious, and their bar is doing well.  You would think that living only 5-6 hours away we would see eachother more.  WRONG!  It was great while it lasted and can't wait to see her again.

Happy Birthday Grandma Pam

(If you can't open it click on this link.)

Max Update

7 weeks post WinRho and Max's platelet count is 86. So crazy that we can never predict what it will be. In the first 4 weeks it dropped from 500's to 150, then 3 weeks later went from 150 to 86. At least it is slowing down for now. We will see what happens. All we can do is wait.

Simon's Amazing Alphabet Adventure

I was talking to some friends about this book I got Simon last year for Christmas. Here is the link.  It is absolutely hilarious!  A bit more pricey than I remember, but worth every penny!

Bread Part II

I had some requests for the recipe so here it is. It is not my mom's recipe, but my friend's mother-in-law's. She has been using it for years and it never fails to get rave reviews. I altered it a tad, so I will post my version (only difference being 1 cup of white vs. wheat flour)I had some requests for the recipe so here it is. It is not my mom's recipe, but my friend's mother-in-law's. She has been using it for years and it never fails to get rave reviews. I altered it a tad, so I will post my version (only difference being 1 cup of white vs. wheat flour)

2/3 cup oil
2/3 cup honey
2 Tbs salt
5 cups HOT water
~mix~
4 cups whole wheat flour
~mix~
2 Tbs yeast
~mix~
4 cups whole wheat flour
~mix~
*****upto 4 cups white flour*****
*****This is where you are on your own.  Depending on where you live and what the weather is like, this part will change.   The first time I made it I only used 1 1/2 cups, the second time was 2 1/2 cups.  It will vary every time you make it.  You want to add it a little bit at a time until the dough pulls away cleanly from the sides of your mixing bowl (I am using a Bosch, NOT hand kneading).

Mix on medium speed for 10 minutes(yes it seems like a long time but is necessary)

Keep covered and let rise for 1 hour.

Using non-stick spray on counter and hand, form into loaves.

(using flour will make your bread drier.  This takes away all the stickiness and makes the bread incredibly easy to handle)

This will make 5 - 1lb. loaves

(I use kitchen scale to be sure my loaves are all uniform.  I don't have 5 -1lb. pans so I make 2-1lb. loaves and 2 -1 1/2lb. loaves.)

Cover with damp towl and let rise 1 hour, or until 1 1/2 inches above pan.

Cook 1lb loaves for about 30 minutes.**

Cook 1 1/2 lb loaves for about 35 minutes.**

Let cool on cooling rack for 10 minutes before removing from pans.

Cool completely before putting them in storage bags.

**The time you bake them will differ depending on where you live.  My Grandma Edie taught me a way to check if your bread is done.  Lick your finger and quickly tap it against the bottom, center  of the pan.  It should give you a good sizzle sound.  To be sure, I carefully tip the bread out briefly to be sure the sides are nice and golden brown.  If not, back in it goes.

You can't rush goodness.  Let it rise and bake and be patient.  If you rush it you won't be happy with the results.  I allow myself 3 hours start to finish.  Not too long for a little taste of sweet heaven, hot and fresh from the oven.