Yeah, not so much . . .

Thank you to those of you that actually think I am talented enough to paint, or even stencil something like this. I wish! They are vinyl decals that I bought at Target. $14.99 for the entire set. They have some really cute ones, you should check them out. :)

One year, 4 months, two weeks and 5 days later . . .

Sasha's room is finished!

First Hair Cut

Yesterday Sasha got her very first haircut! It only took us 16 months to have enough hair to cut, but that's okay. We're lucky to have Pam in our family. She is a most wonderful SIL and hairdresser! I think since Sasha knows her it made her more comfortable when Pam came at her head with scissors and a comb. She did so great! She sat pretty still and let Pam work her magic. It was just a little trim, but it had to be done. I can't wait until she has more hair that I can play with!

Before . . .

During . . .

After . . .

She really was a natural in the chair. I think she'll take after her mommy and LOVE to get her hair done.

I have to give props to my BFF Amberly . . . without her, my hair could not look this fabulous!

Post Tax Season Weekend

It's official, I have my husband back!!! For some reason this tax season has been very hard on all of us, much harder than past years. Probably because Josh started working 12+ hour days in the beginning of February. Those don't usually start until the end of February. But the tax fairy came early, I guess. But it's good because it means that the firm is doing well, despite the crappy economy.

Every year when TS (tax season or tough sh**, take your pick because it my book it stands for both) is over we like to get away for the weekend. This year we decided to head to Park City. We were hoping (okay, Josh was) to take Sasha skiing but we have Deer Valley passes and they decided to close last week instead of this week! Pooper Scoopers! But we still had fun. We got up there Friday night and Sasha and I went swimming while Josh slept and let his brain unravel some more.

This girl is silly. She kept making funny faces everytime I got the camera ready to take a picture of her. :P
Saturday morning we went to my favorite place for breakfast in PC- The Eating Establishment. If you have never been there, you must go! The Not So Special House Specialty is my favorite. But each time its a toss up- bacon or sausage? I love my pork products and this is a place that happens to do both very well. So it's always hard. Oh, and their fresh squeezed OJ is the best!

Some good things about PC this time of year- the weather was absolutely perfect! The sun was shining and it was warm, but there was still some snow on the ground. Also, all of the outdoor shops up there are getting rid of all their winter gear so you can find some great deals! We got Sasha a new Spyder coat for $50 (normally $95) and some Obermeyer snow pants for $28 (Normally $89). This girl is set for next winter!

PCMR was still open for the weekend so we had to go and play in the snow just a little bit, even if we couldn't ski.

(Yes, that is me wearing flip flops at a ski resort. My defense? It was 73 degrees!)

My cousin Dane got married on Saturday and their reception was in Heber City- another reason to stay the weekend! After the reception we went to Main Street Pizza and Noodle- another PC favorite, though we haven't been there in years. Oh, the other REALLY GREAT thing about PC this time of year? Since most of the resorts are closed, there were NO CROWDS! Easy to park on Main Street, get right into restaurants without waiting, it was awesome! Normally Main Street is packed on the weekends in the winter and summer, but this was perfect!

If you are ever in PC on a Sunday I highly recommend bruch at Cisero's. It's on Main Street as well. For $20 you get an all you can eat brunch buffet with some really yummy food! I think this has replaced Little America for our favorite Sunday brunch, since LA only does brunch on special occasions now. :( But Cisero's is SO YUM! I haven't eaten there other than breakfast, but I'm sure the rest of their food is just as good.

So nice to have my husband back! Next up . . . . MOAB!!!

Belated Easter

Okay so I know the bunny came a couple weeks ago, but he made an appearance last weekend in our neighborhood. A repeat performance for most kids, I'm sure.
On the real Easter weekend we had Josh's family over for breakfast (at 11 am. Is it still breakfast at that point?) then had a little egg hunt in the backyard with the three youngest grandkids. I was not on picture duty like I usually am so I only got a couple. At this hunt Sasha didn't quite grasp the concept of the egg hunt . . .

. . . once the neighborhood hunt started it took a couple of houses, but I think she picked up the idea. Then she got greedy. There were about 50 eggs (or treat bags) in each yard and she didn't understand why she could only have one! She insisted on picking up as many as her tiny hands could hold and putting them all in her bag. Mommy had to do a discreet unload in each yard so that all the kids would have enough. I'm just glad to say that I wasn't the only parent that had to take this approach!

These are all the kids that participated in the egg hunt. About 25 or so years ago a couple of little girls in the circle came up with the idea and they have been doing it ever since. The original kids are now bringing their grandkids. This year there were about 50 kids! We all pitch in and meet for breakfast, and take a picture of all the kids. (Sasha is in the very back, held by one of her favorite babysitters, Vanessa) Then they split the kids into two age groups and send them in opposite directions around the circle. This way we avoid the bigger kids trampling over the little kids to get to the candy. Each house that participates ties a balloon to the mailbox and puts out treats in the front yard for all the kids. It's a really fun tradition and just one more reason I love my neighborhood!

This girl loves her Grandma Lilly! She cried when Josh or I tried to take her from Grandma to go do the egg hunt! And you know how most kids cry when their mothers leave for work? My kid blows kisses and waves me out the door, then cries when I get home from work! On the days she is with Lilly she has so much fun and she just loves her Grandma. She literally climbs up and claws at Lilly just to get away from me. It is nice to know that she is so well taken care of. That has certainly made it easier being at work.

Dancing Queen

This is only a small piece of the dancing Sasha did last night. Unfortunately I couldn't get to my phone fast enough for the really good dancing, but this is still pretty funny, I think.

I think we have a dancer on our hands!

Savory Bacony Goodness!

Since its storming tonight I decided it would be the perfect time to try out this Loaded Baked Potato Soup recipe that my friend Nola gave me. Its from Cooks Illustrated Soups and Stews. One word- YUM!

8 slices bacon, chopped
3 pounds (about 6 medium) russet potatoes, scrubbed
1 large onion, chopped
2 medium garlic cloves, minced or pressed through a garlic press (about 2 teaspoons)
2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
4 cups low sodium chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 sprig fresh thyme (you can use 1/4 tsp dried thyme)
1 pound sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (about 4 cups) plus some extra for garnish( I used a mix of mild and medium cheddar)
1 cup sour cream, plus extra for garnish)
Ground black pepper
3 scallions, sliced thin

1. Cook bacon in Dutch oven over medium heat until crisp, about 8 minutes. (I did everything in my stock pot since I don't have a dutch oven). While bacon is cooking, use vegetable peeler to remove potato peels in wide strips; reserve peels. Cut peeled potatoes into 3/4 inch pieces. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towel-lined plate. Add reerved potato skins to bacon fat in pot and cook until crisp, about 8 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer potato skins to plate with bacon.

2. Add onion to fat remaining in pot and cook over medium heat until golden, about 6 minutes. Stir in garlic and flour and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in broth and cream, stir in thyme and potatoes, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover pot, and cook until potatoes are tender, about 7 minutes.

3. Discard thyme (if you used fresh) and transfer 2 cups cooked potatoes to a bowl (this is optional, if you want your soup to be a little chunky). Puree remaining soup in batches until smooth. Return to pot and warm over medium-high heat. Off heat, stir in cheese until melted, then whisk in sour cream. Return reserved potatoes to pot (if you removed any) and season with pepper. Ladle soup into bowls garnishing with bacon, fried potato skins, scallions, cheese and sour cream.

The more bacon the better, in my opinion! This soup really is yummy. I hope you enjoy it!
FYI- it took me about an hour from start to finish, but I'm a slow cook, especially when trying a recipe for the first time.

More Spring Love

I only wish I had taken these pictures this past weekend, but I'm glad I took them two weeks ago! Hate the crap weather we have been having, but every year I get more numb to the teasing that our lovely Utah weather gives us. :)
Sasha's Grandma Lilly bought her the cutest dress a few weeks ago, so it became her Easter dress for this year. Sadly we had to add the jacket cause it was still pretty cold.

Couldn't get the darn snack cup out of her hands! But I do love this face. Her personality gets more evident every day!

My little fashionista!

One quick one without the jacket!

Easter was not real eventful. The neighborhood breakfast and egg hunt got moved to next weekend so we get to extend the festivities! Hopefully it will be sunnier and I can get some cute pictures of her then. She got to hunt for eggs with the Lakin cousins in the backyard, but she still doesn't really get it. But its okay, holidays just get better from here!
With the holiday and Josh's family coming over on Saturday I didn't listen to as much conference as I would have liked. I did catch part of the last session and listened to the first session today while at work. A lot of the messages felt like they were for me and me only. I'm sure a lot of people feel that way during conference, but this time it just seemed like all the talks I have listened to so far were tailored for my family and my family only. It was kind of crazy! I haven't experienced that to such a high degree before so it was pretty cool.
I'm such a lucky person. Blessed, actually. Yes, I am blessed. I have a wonderful husband who works extremely hard for us and we play just as hard, which I love. My daughter is the most beautiful girl in the world. I can't quite imagine what it will be like to have more kids that I love this much (no, not announcing anything!) but I can't wait for it. I spent a few years being angry at the world and just can't believe I wasted that time. Well, no more! There is just too much to be joyful about in this world.