Fondue, Friends and Fair Weather...Finally!

I am in charge of a Relief Society cooking group in my ward that meets bi-monthly. This month I decided to plan a fondue night to try out my new fondue pot and some new fondue recipes. It was so fun. We had quite a spread that included a chocolate fountain, Chocolate Butterscotch fondue, S'mores Fondue, and White Chocolate Fondue. We also had two savory fondues...a Bacon Cheddar one that I made and a Chili Fondue that was spicy. For dipping, we had french bread, veggies, donuts, pound cake, strawberries, bananas, pineapple, Oreos, marshmallows and pretzels. I was in a sugar coma after not eating sugar for a month!





I invited my friend Jaime who used to be in our ward to come and was glad she did. Please disregard my chin (s) and my off-center necklace.




This weekend I got a visit from one of my old dear friends from high school, Lisa! We hadn't seen each other in about seven years. Her and her boyfriend Todd were in Boise and stopped by for a visit. It was so fun to see her and catch up. Why do I look like I'm pregnant in this picture? I'm posting it anyway to prove that she was here.





Lisa and Todd




Spring has finally arrived here in Meridian, Idaho! She's a temper mental woman, though...last week it snowed one morning and two days later it was 7o degrees. Those warm days have been beautiful. One day last week my friend Kaydee and I put our babies in their strollers and went for a nice, long walk.


Here's her six week old, Ethan. Isn't he precious?




And of course, Miss Addy Waddy:

She's gazing heavenward like a little angel...or more likely plotting her next ill-timed diaper blowout. She's been doing that often lately.

It's tax day today...are yours done?

And the winner is...

Tawni! Tawni will receive a package in the mail from me as soon as she emails me her mailing address. Thanks to all of you for your advice on which dress to purchase for Addyson! Because of your comments, I've narrowed it down to either Dress #1, or Dress #3.

Thanks for playing!

Happy Happy Joy Joy!

These last few days I have had three reasons to do a happy dance.

First, I booked a flight for Addyson and me to SLC to visit my family! We are going in less than three weeks and are staying for almost a week.

Next, I received some fantastic good mail yesterday from my friend Kelly in Arizona. She's going to start a blog soon. (Right, Kel?) She sent me this adorable pink dress for Addy and a Target gift card. It was so nice and thoughtful..and even better because it was unexpected! Thanks, Kel! (I'll post a picture later.)

And the grand finale...

Remember this post? Well, I tried on some of my pre-pregnancy jeans today and THEY DID UP! Woo hoo! I am thrilled to report that I have been doing great in this area. I have been working out faithfully and not eating sugar, and just eating less in general. It seems that eating sugar only fuels your appetite to eat more...and not eating it helps you eat less and make better food choices. I still have a ways to go but this progress has remotivated me! I have been starting to run again...today I went out jogging/walking and I did 4.2 miles (I clocked it in the car). I would say that I ran 3/4 of the time. I am just loving being active again! It feels great.

And on that note...I'm off to a fondue party. Hey, I'm only human!

Baby Couture and Blog Giveaway!

My sister-in-law Emily is getting married this June. Her wedding colors are red and black. Of late, I was given some news which sent me into semi-panic mode. I was told that she wanted Addyson and me both to wear red dresses for the reception. We are not going to be in a line, and I am not a bridesmaid--she just wants us to match for the family pictures. Seeing as how it is now Spring, this poses a bit of a problem. There are no red dresses to be found in any stores! It is practically impossible to find myself a decent, modest, semi-formal dress in ANY color during any season. Finding a red one in Spring (that is also flattering to my post-baby shape) is going to be a Herculean task. I hope I'm up to the challenge.

However, I did a search online for something for Addy to wear. I was pleasantly surprised to find there are a bunch of websites that offer semi-formal baby dresses in a variety of colors and styles. I figure I can take some creative license as long as I stick to either red or black, seeing as how I was given short notice in the off season.

Here are my favorites.


Dress 1:



No, it's not all red, but I love the polka dots! Doesn't it look sort of summery, too? (It also comes in black polka dots and bow.)


Dress 2:


Classic, right? I'm worried it is too wintery for summer.


Dress 3:


The sash comes in any color (red, black?) and I think the rose is a nice touch.


Dress 4:

I love the pattern on the bottom. Is it too much black? Plus, no red.


Please leave me a comment and let me know which dress you like best, or if you don't like any of them. I will put all of your names in a bowl and draw one out randomly to be the WINNER of a fun package in the mail from me (it may include a children's book, some treats and some of my favorite beauty products). I will draw the winner on April 12!


THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR INPUT! GOOD LUCK!

I'm Lovin' It!

Recently my mother-in-law told me about this story. I forgot all about it until I was in the Mickey D's drive through with my mom when she was here (we stopped to get her a Diet Coke). I told my mom about it and she scoffed! She said something like "As if that would ever happen, the chain going on all day? Come on!" I believe that this story really could happen and it irritated me that she wasn't a believer! Just to prove her wrong I told her, "Okay then. I'm going to pay for the person behind us." Behind us in the drive through line was this huge, nice truck with a family full of kids. I was praying that their bill wasn't $50. When we got up to the pay window, I told the worker I wanted to pay for the car behind us. He was so confused and said he didn't think he could do that. I talked him into it and he reluctantly charged my debit card for their order. I wanted to pull up to the second window, take the Coke and drive off quick before they were told what happened. But alas, the line was SO slow, and we were stuck behind a car waiting for their food while the truck pulled up to the pay window. We watched them as the worker told them their food was paid for. The wife got this huge grin on her face. They kept looking at us in amazement like "Do we know them?" They looked so confused yet so happy at the same time! My mom and I were trying so hard not to laugh and kept straight faces as if we didn't know why they were staring at us. Then we took off as fast as we could. I don't know if they paid for the people behind them in line, but it was so fun. It made me feel so good! It was like a runner's high that lasted all day.

Today I went to the grocery store. I loaded my groceries in the car, put Addyson in and was heading over to return the cart to the cart return ( I hate doing this with her in the car, alone--I have to lock the doors first). This nice woman saw me load Addy in and came over and took my cart and told me she would return it for me. This was no huge deal, but it made a big difference to me and made me smile. It made me think about how random acts of kindness really can have an impact on people! Imagine if everyone did one RAK a day! Wouldn't the world be a better place?

I love this quote:

"Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves. " ~James Matthew Barrie

Dear Addyson...

You are now five months old! I can't believe how fast the time has gone. Here are some recent observations about you.

1.You have recently started rolling from your back to your front (but only over the right side). In fact, you won't stay on your back at all! You immediately flip over to your tummy.

2. You are close to being able to sit up on your own...but not quite!

3. You love holding things in your hands, especially your colorful little linking rings.

4. You are so much fun to dress up! I would rather buy clothes for you than for me!

5. You are still super roly-poly! At your four month dr. appt, you were in the 80th percentile for weight and weighed about 15 lbs. I love the rolls on your arms and legs-and your chubby little cheeks!


Trying on a 12 month swimsuit...it's way too small!
( I had to take it back and get 18 months.)

6. People constantly comment to me about what a good, content baby you are. Most of them say that they have never heard you cry or fuss. It's true! You rarely do either.

7. You love your naps and get excited when you know I'm putting you down for one. I know this because you smile and kick your legs and flail your arms!

8. You love making squeaking noises and when I answer you back.

9. You smile often and sometimes laugh.

10. Your eyes are still a brilliant blue. I guess they're staying blue? We don't know where you got them (my eyes are brown and daddy's are green).

Addyson, I love you. I can't even tell you how great it is being your mom! You are such an easy child and I am so grateful for your sweet disposition. I can't imagine life before you were here. You have brightened my life in the best way possible. Thanks for coming to join our family.

Love,
Mom

Would you rather....

melon-ball your left eye out...

OR

break your own fingers, one a time?

Just wondering.