15 months

What a big boy I have on my hands. 

The past 15 months have cruised by!

Last week we went in for Tyler's 15 month well child check up and he was a whopping 

22 lbs and 31 inches. He is only in the 20th % for weight and 40% for height. 

Guess my little chunky monkey isn't really all that chunky, huh?

Here he is enjoying a nice bowl of Ravioli's. :)

Potty training has taken a hiatus. 

Now that he can reach the floor he tells me "done" and is getting up as soon as I sit him down. 

We are still working on it but he only goes about once a day/every other day.

I don't want to force him because I don't want this to be a negative experience. :)

Right now Tyler still has the same 8 teeth. 

I am actually glad he has not gotten anymore yet because he has such a hard time with them coming in.

He is at a run these days and not showing any signs of slowing down. 

I love watching him all over the place!

When he hears dad get home he stands at the baby gate and screams, "dada!"

It is really cute how much this boy loves his family. 

He gets excited when Zach comes home from school, but shouts out, "bubba!"

Tyler loves to eat, but has pretty much lost interest in you feeding him. 

He has been self feeding for quite some time, but the occasional "mom give Tyler a bite" is not happening. 

He wants to be completely in charge. 

He also has a new favorite word... No. 

Luckily so far he doesn't "tell me no"

He just uses it when you ask a question.

"Tyler, do you want to go swimming?" "No."

"Tyler, do you want some water?" "No."

Zach asking, "Did you have a good day today, Tyler?" "No."

It's actually pretty cute right now, but I know that will change!

We are working on Yes! 

Some of his newest words besides "no", are yes, thank you, yes please (together), and cracker.

This boy is just a sweetheart. I think I wrote before that he loves to give "loves" and to give kisses, but now when he gives kisses, he says, "muah". It's very cute. :)

Gypsy love :)

I have been working on my scrapbook like a crazy woman this month, 

but I have to say that I had a small damper put on it. 

My Gypsy that I got for my birthday last year went belly up a few weeks ago. 

Maybe right around the first week of the month or so. 

Luckily after talking to customer service

they sent me a label and had me ship it back and they sent me a replacement.

Thank God! 

A couple of things are a big fat bummer with this:

First, when you "link" your cartridges to your Gypsy, they can not be loaded to another Gypsy. 

(So you can share with your friends if they have a Gypsy too)

And second, because of the errors I was having, all of my saved projects are gone. 

That is huge because I probably had at least a couple hundred projects saved. 

The good in all this? 

They were able to give my new Gypsy the same serial number so I can relink my cartridges, 

the bad thing?

I sold a ton of my cartridges! Oops!

I knew better. I knew that if something happened I would be out those carts.

And here I now am, about 15 cartridges less than before. 

Another thing is that some of those cartridges I had sold were my favorites! 

So what have I learned?

Not only will I never sell another cartridge again, 

but I now will be backing up my files from my Gypsy.

I got my new Gypsy today. 

I heard the door bell, looked outside to see the FedEx truck, 

and was thinking, "What did I order?"

But when I picked up that box and saw it was from Provo Craft, 

it was one of my happiest scrapbooking moments! :)

Now I am getting it set up. 

Which takes forever!

But I can't wait to play with my Gypsy again! :)

Samoa Bars

Pinterest has done an amazing thing for my life. 

It lets me organize all my recipes online

Along with storing all kinds of other super fun things! 

These Samoa bars looked fantastic!

And they were pretty good! 

There are a couple of changes I will make in the future and will post about that in a few. 

Cookie Base:
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 large egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt

First, make the crust.
Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan, or line with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, cream together sugar and butter, until fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla extract. Working at a low speed, gradually beat in flour and salt until mixture is crumbly, like wet sand. The dough does not need to come together. Pour crumbly dough into prepared pan and press into an even layer.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, until base is set and edges are lightly browned. 

Cool completely on a wire rack before topping.

Topping
3 cups shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened)
12-oz good-quality chewy caramels
1/4 tsp salt
3 tbsp milk
10 oz. dark or semisweet chocolate (chocolate chips are ok)

Preheat oven to 300. Spread coconut evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet (preferably one with sides) and toast 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until coconut is golden. 

Cool on baking sheet, stirring occasionally. Set aside.

Unwrap the caramels and place in a large microwave-safe bowl with milk and salt. Cook on high for 3-4 minutes, stopping to stir a few times to help the caramel melt. 

When smooth, fold in toasted coconut with a spatula.

Put dollops of the topping all over the shortbread base. 

Using the spatula, spread topping into an even layer. Let topping set until cooled.

When cooled, cut into 30 bars with a large knife or a pizza cutter (it’s easy to get it through the topping).
Once bars are cut, melt chocolate in a small bowl. 

Heat on high in the microwave in 45 second intervals, stirring thoroughly to prevent scorching. 

Dip the base of each bar into the chocolate and place on a clean piece of parchment or wax paper. 

Transfer all remaining chocolate (or melt a bit of additional chocolate, if necessary) 

into a piping bag or a ziploc bag with the corner snipped off and drizzle bars with chocolate to finish.

Let chocolate set completely before storing in an airtight container.

Like I said above, these were really yummy. 

But, I thought the shortbread base was a little thick, and took away from the rest of the cookie.

The next time I make these I will either put them into one bigger pan, 

to thin out the base, or maybe even put it into 2 smaller pans. 

Try them out and let me know what you think!

Peanut butter balls

There is quite the process to these, but they are delicious. 

If you LOVE peanut butter and chocolate as much as me, you will love these!

These are different that the ones with rice krispies, so if you don't like those ones, try these!

This is another Pinterest recipe, and I stared at this, intimidated because it's a lot of work. 

But I decided to try. It IS a lot of work, but they are worth it! 

And it makes a ton, so be prepared to share!

3lbs powdered sugar

1 lb margarine

4 cups peanut butter

3 packages chocolate chips

1/3 cake paraffin wax

(I didn't use paraffin wax. Instead I added a spoonful of 

crisco to give it what smooth shiny look and it worked just fine.)

Heat the chocolate chips and paraffin wax in a double boiler until they melt. (I melted them in the microwave, but make sure you stir it about every 30 seconds or the chocolate will burn!)

Combine the powdered sugar, margarine, and peanut butter in a large bowl and mix them with your hands until everything is well blended. 

Chill for 1/2 hour. Roll the dough into balls and chill them. 

Then, dip the balls into the melted chocolate, and cool them on wax paper. 

Store the peanut butter balls in the refrigerator  

Pretzel kisses and Peanut butter bars

These pretzel kiss sandwiches are a quick and easy sweet/salty fix!

Lay out your pretzels and put a Hershey kiss on top of each pretzel.

Bake on 200 degrees for 2 minutes.

Pull pan out and put another pretzel on top. 

Enjoy!

Peanut butter bars: from Pinterest

Cookie Base:

1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® peanut butter cookie mix

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 tablespoon water

1 egg

Filling:

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

2 cups powdered sugar

2 teaspoons milk

Frosting:

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/4 cup butter 

 Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray.

 In large bowl, stir all Cookie Base ingredients until soft dough forms. Press dough in bottom of pan using floured fingers. Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

 

In small bowl, beat all Filling ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. 

Spread mixture evenly over cookie base. (No pic of this step)

In microwavable bowl, microwave all Frosting ingredients on High 30 seconds; stir until smooth. 

Cool 10 minutes; spread over filling. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until set. 

For bars, cut into 9 rows by 4 rows.

Pecan Pie bars

Another Pinterest recipe!

I love Pecan Pie!

So to have another way to eat it is fantastic!

1 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent rolls
3/4 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
2 Tbsp butter or margarine, melted
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg, beaten

 Heat oven to 350°F.

Unroll dough and press in bottom and 1/2 inch up sides of a 9x13-inch pan.  

Firmly press perforations to seal.  Bake 8 minutes.  (I forgot to take a picture of this step)

In medium bowl, mix remaining ingredients.

Pour filling over partially baked crust.

 Bake 18 to 22 minutes longer or until golden brown.

Cool completely (about 1 hour) Then cut into bars. 

Enjoy! These are yummy!

Salted Caramel Popcorn

I love trying the recipes I find on Pinterest!

And I love Caramel popcorn! 

I remember when I was a kid and my aunts, who lived out of town, 

would send our family a box of goodies for Christmas.

Lots of home made cookies, popcorn balls, etc.

So I decided I wanted to do that my my sister and her family. 

I talked with my mom and sister in law about making some goodies to send in the box too! 

I wanted to try some recipes from Pinterest that I have been pinning to try later! 

Here is what I made:

Samoas (yep, like the girl scout ones)

 Peanut butter bars

Salted caramel popcorn

Pretzel kiss sandwiches

and Peanut butter balls

So here is how to make the Salted caramel popcorn!

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup corn syrup
• 1 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk
• sea salt 

 Combine all caramel ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. 

Bring to a boil, stirring to melt and blend all ingredients together. 

Reduce heat to low and continue a slow boil; stir constantly to avoid the caramel from burning. 

Caramel is done when it reaches the soft ball candy stage (approximately 10 minutes at slow boil). 

While still hot, pour caramel over a big bowl of popcorn, mixing well to coat. 

Sprinkle liberally with the sea salt, again, mixing well for even coverage throughout the batch.

Also, the recipe Did Not specify how much popcorn to use so I had to work on that myself.

What I did was made 2 full batches of popcorn using seeds and my popcorn popper. 

I ended up using one full batch, and another 3/4 of the 2nd batch.

I didn't take pictures during the process, but here is my final result!

Don't let this picture fool you. 

This was just the little batch I was snacking on while making the rest of the treats! 

It made a huge amount!

White Chicken Enchiladas

These White Chicken Enchiladas are one of those amazing recipes I found on Pinterest! I love Mexican food and this was a fun take on the regular enchilada I make.  It was delicious!

10 soft taco shells

2 cups cooked, shredded chicken

2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese

3 Tbsp. butter

3 Tbsp. flour

2 cups chicken broth

1 cup sour cream

1 (4 oz) can diced green chillies

 Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 9x13 pan

 Mix chicken and 1 cup cheese.  Roll up in tortillas and place in pan.

In a sauce pan, melt butter, stir in flour and cook 1 minute.  Add broth and whisk until smooth.  Heat over medium heat until thick and bubbly.

Stir in sour cream and chilies.  Do not bring to boil, you don't want curdled sour cream.

Pour over enchiladas and top with remaining cheese.

 Bake 22 min and then under high broil for 3 min to brown the cheese.

 These were seriously amazing and a great twist for our normal enchiladas!

Mid January update

A few mornings ago I was standing at the kitchen table working 

on a scrapbook page and I hear Tyler say, "mama".

I turn around to see this:

Yep, Tyler standing on his firetruck! 

Greeaaattt.... 

So I snap a quick picture and then tell him he can't stand on the firetruck!

Fast forward 15 minutes. 

Standing at the kitchen table working on a scrapbook page

when I hear, "dada, dada, dada!"

I look over to find this:

 Tyler looking for dad out the window!

Again, snap a picture and get him down!

We have been working on sitting on his tush because he'd rather stand on his rocking chair!

So when he stands up I will tell him to sit on his tush and he usually will sit down. :)

We also tried to get a family picture the other morning before heading out to do some errands...

It was pretty much a fail. :)

Tyler doesn't like to look at the camera, 

but instead look at us to see what we are doing!

This last one might not have been half bad if I didn't look like I just woke up! 

I have been working like crazy on my scrapbook and I have far surpassed my monthly goal of 11 pages.

I have currently finished 23 pages on my 2011 album! 

Super pumped about that!

I have ordered the pictures to do Tyler's first year album

and will probably start that this weekend since I need to get it finished by the end of February! 

I CAN DO IT!!!

Tyler, Oh Tyler!

This kid is just one of the sweetest kids I have ever laid my eyes on. 

These days he is so lovey one moment, and independent the next.

Tyler loves to give kisses to us and his teddy bears.

When he hugs you, he'll even pat your back. :)

"Potty training" is still going good. 

He is still going 3-4 times per day. Sometimes more. 

He has even done a #2 several times. (And thinks it's VERY funny!)

Clapping when he is "all done"

If he poops in his diaper, he sometimes tells me "poo poo" 

and will walk toward the bedroom where he gets changed.

So we are on the right track, for sure!

He loves to play with all of his new toys he got for Christmas! 

He got a lot and sometimes I think he doesn't know where to start! 

He really loves the airplane he got from our friends,  Kim and Dalton, for his birthday.

He pulls it around the island in the kitchen.

Going around and around! 

But for Christmas he got a puppy that barks and wags its tail. 

So now he pulls both. :)

A couple of weeks ago I put shoes on Tyler for the first time since he started walking. 

He sat on the floor and threw a little temper tantrum for 25 minutes in the spot
where I put the shoes on, refusing to get up!

Needless to say, he was not happy!

But now he has gotten used to them.

So this past weekend we went shopping for a new pair.

You can't see them very good, 

but yesterday Zach and I joked that he looked like he was going out for a run, 

with his little tennis shoes, and running pants.

Tyler gets so involved in playing with his toys.

Yesterday was one of those days.

Loving on his teddy bear :)

Climbing into his toy box

Stuck: Half in, half out! 

Calling Mom for rescue!

This morning he was busy playing away while I was working on a scrapbook page.

I look over to him grabbing the blanket off the couch.

He brings it over and sat on the floor next to me.

I say to Tyler, "Are you ready for a nap?" 

He nods his head yes, gets up, and heads for his bedroom.

Sleepy boy. :)

I go lay him down and come back to the front room.

This is what I see:

This is what it looks like after a boy has been Hard at Play!

Big Mac Love!

 Zach had been asking to have a Big Mac meal for a looong time!

Since we don't go to McDonalds often, and when we do we rarely get meals, 

we usually say no. But this day he was asking, 

and reminded me that he had a gift card that he'd gotten for his 8th birthday. 

(Yes, almost 2 years ago!)

So after our errands we headed for McDonalds 

and Zach got his Big Mac meal.

I tried to warn him against the sauce, and the weird piece of bread in the middle, 

but he still wanted it!

The results?

He loved it!

And the crazy part? He ate every bit of that meal! 

I can't even eat a full meal!

My baby is growing into a boy. 

Happy New Year!

This year Zach spent New Year's Eve with his grandparents and cousin Korey. 

So since it was just Trav, Tyler and I we hung out around home!

We got a pizza and a couple of movies, 

and play some Scrabble in between.

Tyler laid down a little later than normal, about 8:30 pm.

But around 11:30 the (illegal) fireworks started up. 

Thanks idiots for waking up my baby at 11:45 at night! 

It turned out okay because Tyler got to stay up and ring in the new year with Mom and Dad. 

 Here we are! Just rang in the new year!

Tyler liked watching everything that was going on on TV!

Me and my little monkey! 

Now lets head for bead because it's waay past my bedtime! 

The next morning we got a few more pictures!

Zach came home in the afternoon and we got a few family pictures.

Tyler isn't very interested in looking at the camera, but more at us as we say "Cheese"

After a few takes, we got a pretty decent one.

We had a very blessed 2011!
And I am so excited for 2012 and what is in store!

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS!

Christmas Day pictures!

It just occurred to me that I never posted pictures from Christmas day... So here ya go!

Oh! Christmas Tree!

The boys patiently waiting while Trav gets his coffee

6am is EARLY for this sleepy head!

Tyler getting a start on his 1st present!

Admiring what he got!

Zach is SUPER excited that he got a new DVD player since his broke.

Zach happy about his new goodies!

A great view out our living room window!

Zach trying out his new straw/goggles. Thanks Aunt Katie!

Tyler rockin in his Rocking chair from his Grandmas.

Zach making a volcano from his new science lab

Tyler pulling his puppy dog

Surprise! As I came around the corner to get him!

My guys on Christmas

My family. :)

Tyler enjoying his book with his puppy

Zach painting his volcano

Travis trying out Zach's straw goggles. :)

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!