P-Dub Love

The Pioneer Woman and I are very good friends. She may even be my long lost twin. So maybe I'm not a photographer, and maybe I'm only a novice when it comes to cooking, but we do have something very important in common- salad dressing (or as I call it, sandwich lubricant). I knew Ree was at least as good as family when I read this quote from her "My Most Favorite Burger Ever" recipe:

"Real Mayo, baby. Please don’t use Miracle Whip for the following two reasons:
1. Miracle Whip is from the devil.
2. Miracle Whip is from the devil.
Thank you for your cooperation."

Couldn't have said it better myself.

2010 Family Pictures

Thank you again, Laurel! We love them.

Confession

Sometimes I Internet shop.

It's really not a big deal. I peruse the merchandise that randomly popped into my head- a PW Cookbook here, a fancy pair of flats there, or a Shabby Apple clearance item that is only a click away from those fancy flats I mentioned only a second ago. The problem? That little shopping cart in the corner of the screen gets full really fast. Then, before I even know it, I have spent over $120 on dresses. Have I mentioned that the last dress I purchased was probably in my pre-teens? It's about time I owned one besides my wedding dress, but did I really need to blow my budget on it? Too late now. The very, very cute Shabby Apple dresses are hanging in my closet. And they can't be returned because they have already been worn to church.

It's all good, Dallas. I dumped my Amazon.com cart earlier today that was totaling $46.28.

Do any of you find yourself totally loading your Internet carts and then dumping them at the final check-out screen? You know, right before they actually charge your card?

Dear Internet,
You are a tricky fool.
With much distaste (and occasional joy),
Amylee

Does the Lord have a sword?

I love kids. They provide no end of entertainment and humor. We were having family scripture study the other day. We were reading about how the Lord was going to help Nephi to obtain the gold plates from Laban when Will pipes in saying, "Does the Lord have a sword?" Dallas and I just kind of looked at him for a second. I nodded and said "Yes". I then told him how Nephi was protected by the armor of God, and how we, too, can be protected by it. Will's response: "Cool". Yes son, it is really cool.

Nine Months

Lately Annie is, well, frustrated.
At.... not being able to crawl,
her two front teeth that are working on coming through,
and her Mommy that still makes her eat rice cereal mixed with every kind of pureed fruit/veggie even though she avidly spits it out at every feeding.
She still manages to be very...
cute with that awkward baby hair of hers,
sweet in the morning with her energetic kicks when she finally sees my face above her crib,
determined to do all of those things that she wants.

At nine months Annie is:
16 lbs 15 oz (15%)
28 in (65%)

Adventures in Logan

Will had his first real sleepover last weekend! One of my favorite memories as a kid was having sleepovers with my cousin, Laura Wilson. We would stay up late eating all kinds of weird food (dry ramen noodles, saltines with melted cheddar cheese...) I look forward to the memories Will is going to make with his cousin sleepovers as well.
They were all sleepy and ready to go to bed....

Then we heard squealing and giggling and went downstairs to find this:
One obedient child fast asleep.

Two very naughty monkeys under the bed!

I also had to include this picture from our weekend in Logan. This is what happens when you let your husband babysit:

We were lucky enough to have our family pictures taken by our friend Laurel Hansen. I've only seen a sneak peek so far, but they look so cute! I can't wait to see the rest. I'm so lucky to have such talented friends.
One surprise during our little getaway was running into my old friend Leslie (Fitch) Judd at Cafe Rio! She was just as sweet and beautiful as ever. I'm so grateful for blogging so that I can stay in touch with old friends like her.

T-R-A-I-N-E-D!

After an entire year, countless accidents, and many, many, MANY frustrating moments, Will is finally potty trained! After keeping his bed dry at night for 3 weeks, we surprised him with a new bike. He has spent nearly every waking hour on it over the past few days. Remember when you were a kid and you would ride bikes for the entire summer and it never got old? It's great to see Will experience that same sort of tireless joy. We are so proud of him! (And so relieved...)

Teaser

The sun the last few days has been enough to lift our spirits and allow us to enjoy a little teaser of spring. We used the first moderately warm day as an excuse to go on our first family jeep ride of the season. Fresh air in our faces and the sun in our eyes couldn't have been more fulfilling. I was even surprised that Annie enjoyed the excursion; she let us know with squeals of joy every minute or so. For a baby that doesn't get excited very easily, she sure loves the jeep!

Robin Hood

I like movies. Sometimes this is a love/hate relationship as most of the good movies are rated R. (I know to some it would seem that that statement doesn't make any sense at all, but it's the truth.) Film can be such art. It reflects and studies life. It makes you feel. One of my favorite pastimes is catching a movie with my brother Sam. We usually have the same taste (except when it comes to sci-fi or girly films), so it is fun to go to the theater together. Every time I see a preview I get so mad when the blurb gets my heart pumping and my adrenaline going only to end the preview the the giant R. I hate that letter. But now, there is cause to celebrate. I've been telling everyone that Ridley Scott's film Robin Hood that is due out May 14th is not rated R. I really had no idea what it would be rated, but today, I did my research, and it's good news people; ROBIN HOOD IS PG-13. Or, as Sam would call it- RG, for really good. Let's hope so because it comes out just in time for my birthday. Happy Birthday to ME! Is it a date Sam?

Full House

Dallas' family came down for a visit this last weekend. This means two things: 1)We stay up really late, and 2)Our house is in chaos. It is always fun, and always crazy. I guess that's what happens when you get 18 people in one place. Highlight? Twilight isn't just for girls :).

Also, this fabulous quote from Will: "I accidentally spilled the juice on purpose, but don't worry, I cleaned it up."

Dear Dallas,

Remember that one time when you got 92% on your Calculus 2 test?
I do.
Awesome.
Love,
Amylee

Daddy's Little Girl

Annie prefers her Mommy over anyone else. She follows me around and will flip her body to make sure she is facing me if anyone else is holding her. However, no one makes Annie laugh like her Daddy. I will go all day trying to make her giggle, but never fail, Daddy comes home and that unbridled laugh escapes her chest. It's the greatest. I don't know what we would do without Daddy. A laughless world would be very sad.

"Oh, Annie. How can I resist that smile? You can have whatever you want."- Dallas
I think Annie is going to learn, very early, who she should ask when she wants something.

Dear Will~

I love you, even when you:

• Climb underneath my skirt during the sacrament and announce, "Hey Mom! You forgot to wear pants!"
• Tell me you don't like me because I won't let you have any chocolate chip cookies before dinner.
• Get me up in the middle of the night because you need to use the potty, but don't want to wash your hands with soap and water because you would rather use the "hanitizer".
• Jump all over the couches after I tell you no only to sit down quickly and say, "Oh. I forgot."
• Torment Annie by trying to hold her hand, even when she is protesting loudly that she doesn't want her hand held.
• Yell "Hi Kyla!" in the middle of the sacrament.
• Tell me you have a "bully ache" when eating your dinner because you would rather play than eat.
• Scrunch up your face and tell me "No" when you don't want to clean up your toys/use the potty/take a nap/go to church/eat your dinner/do your chores/brush your teeth.

... because one day, you are going to thank me for everything.