Handmade Ornaments

My heart has been softened and I wish I could take back everything I ever said about handmade ornaments. Early this year I told Kurt how much I love perfect Christmas trees. I love walking into boutiques and looking at the matching ornaments, color coordinated ribbon and the nice expensive decorations. It doesn't stop with the tree, I also want the whole house to be perfect from decorations to the candle scent. I can't help it, I'm just that way, and it's a dream I'll probably have until I die. Back to the handmade ornaments, I even went as far as saying that I didn't know what I was going to do when our kids bring home ornaments that they made at school and want to hang them on our tree. I know, I know, I'm a terrible mom. Well that day came, and I have to admit I was taken back and so touched by the little red sled made out of popsicle sticks with Sadie's school picture glued onto to it. I melted and let her put it where ever she wanted to. I still want a perfect tree, but now I want one with perfectly beautiful handmade ornaments.

FYI: At this very moment we are getting dumped on and my poor husband is out there plowing away and will probably be doing so for the rest of the day. Thank you Kurt for working so hard for our family!!! Also a big thanks to our neighbor Scott who has used his snow blower to clear our sidewalk every time it has snowed. I really do appreciate that.

What I want

About a month ago I went to the Christmas Show at the South Town Expo and fell in love with a few items. My latest want would have to be the Lily Sling made by Mod Mum. I've had three kids and wished I had one of these slings and now that I'm pregnant again I'm pretty sure I'm going to have get what I want. So here it is my newest want.

Secret Santa

To our surprize we received a gift from Secret Santa the other night, a gingerbread choo choo train kit. The girls were so excited and are convinced that they received this present because they are the "goodest girls ever". We had so much fun putting this train together and I know we'll have even more fun eating all of the candy off of it. Thanks Secret Santa!!!

Kurt and Sadie decided to have fun with the left over frosting, kind of gross if you ask me.

Pooh On U

I'm down to the last of my Pooh On U shirts and Onesies. If you need a last minute gift or something for a white elephant exchange, check out my etsy shop @ http://www.wiggleworm.etsy.com/and see what's left, there are a couple of adult sizes and a handful of onesies. I just got done selling the majority of our items thanks to the Daily Herald listing these on their Christmas wish list. If interested just give me a call or send me an email at kurtessa@yahoo.com

Weekend In Park City

This past weekend we were able to get away for the night up in Park City. Let me just say I LOVE Park City. We arrived a little early and went to the Olympic Park and watched the ski jumpers practice. It was amazing to me to see these young men between the ages of 16-20 jumping 90-120 feet down a mountain side. I just couldn't imagine taking that jump. After that we went to the Westgate Resort and listened to their long presentation in order to stay the night there. We survived and didn't give into their spill and then used their money to eat at two of the restaurants, one for dinner and the other for breakfast. I know I am so cheap but hey it was fun and I loved ever minute of it. I wish we could get away more often....someday.

Here are the jumps at Olympic Park, too bad that is mostly man made snow.

Who knew that Kurt was such an amazing skier?

Kurt's dessert, can I say GREAT presentation!!!

Let's do that again.

Cute Hair Accessory Party

Kind of last minute but just wanted everyone to know I'm hosting a hair accessory party this Wednesday night @ my house from 6-8pm. My friend Britt makes all of her pieces and they are the best I've seen. These cute hair clips, bows and headbands make great stocking stuffers or baby shower presents. Bring any outfits that you need to match.

Thursday's Hero

On Thursday our family had the coolest experience. Let me just explain by using an email...

Monday November 17, 2008

Kelly,

On behalf of the BYU Football program, we would love to invite you to be this weeks Thursday's Hero. We have heard of the trials that you have had to face in your life and definitely look at you as one of our heroes. For that we would love to have you come down to our practice on Thursday so that we can recognize you.I just need a few things from you including your age, shirt size, current home address and a recent picture of yourself.

I have been briefed on your situation, but if there is anything else that you would like us to know about you before your visit, please share.We will be expecting you on the 20th of November, at 4 pm in the Student Athlete Building (SAB-located on the West side of campus). The football office is located on the second floor of the SAB through the double doors.We are very excited to meet you all on Thursday. Family and close friends are welcome. If you have any further questions feel free to contact me.We wish you best on your tests today.

Thanks,Cort Trejo

Assistant Director of Football Operations

Brigham Young University

In reply...

Mr. Trejo,

THANK YOU so much for your invitation. I am not exactly sure who my sponsors were, but am so grateful for their efforts and the BYU Football Program, and graciously accept your invitation.
I will give you a little more information and feel free to use what you like.

Two of our four sons attended and graduated from BYU. Thus began our family's true-blue dedication to BYU athletics! Our family plans baptisms, baby blessings, and mission farewells around BYU football games. My wife and daughter-in-laws never miss the BYU Football Women's Clinic. We have been the proud owners of season tickets for the past four years, and only brain surgery can keep me from a game. We have followed the Cougars to Las Vegas for the Bowl games the last two years and have been in the stands at many away games.

My fight with renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer) began September 17th, 2007. I went to work one day feeling fine, and ended up in the hospital with numbness and slurred speech by 2:00 PM. After extensive tests the word "CANCER" took over my life. My battle to live "one more day" began. However, I have not fought alone. I have a loving family, with four sons who have sent me to every sporting event imaginable this past year. From the BYU Bowl game to the Mountain West Tournament, to the NCAA tournament and the NBA playoffs. I have a Ward Family who has spent days fasting and praying for me constantly. I have a loving Heavenly Father who has spared me pain or sickness while treating this formidable opponent. The most humble calling I have ever received occurred just one month ago. Although I have Stage 4 Renal Cell Carcinoma, I was called by my Heavenly Father, to be the Bishop of our newly created Ward in Lehi. Although I feel inadequate at times to be called to such an important calling, I know my Father in Heaven and Brother Jesus Christ has a plan for me to complete while I am here on this earth. I know there is at least one of HIS children who needs me at this time, and I am grateful to serve.


As I reflect over the past year, I find myself counting hundreds of blessings in my life, with only one cross to bear. I have learned:
EVERY MINUTE IS PRECIOUS and YOU CAN'T GET ONE MINUTE BACK!
YOU HAVE TO LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST WITH NO REGRETS!
WITH THE LOVE AND SUPPORT OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY, NO BATTLE IS TOO HARD TO FIGHT!
PRAYERS ARE ALWAYS ANSWERED!
AND...NO MATTER THE OUTCOME...THE PLAN OF SALVATION IS A PLAN OF HAPPINESS!

Thanks again!

I cannot express how much this opportunity to meet such valiant young men and Coaches whom I so admire, means to me.

Bishop Kelly Edwards

And so it began and many fun pictures were taken, here are only a few of the 200+ that were taken by the whole group.

Kurt sitting at Bronco's desk.

Kelly receiving hug from Bronco.

Ka Ma Tae

Give me the ball Max.

Looking back, I was totally shocked and impressed with BYU's football team this past week. Our family was taken in by young men who not only play football but who genuinely care about others. The tour of the facility was awesome, but to have the entire football team surround Kelly and then give him hugs and words of encouragement had to have been the highlight. Kelly was given a few BYU items from the team including a hat, jersey, and a flag signed by the entire team. He also got to sign the flag that is taken out onto the field on game days. I was also very impressed with Max Hall for taking time to throw several passes and routes with the boys (young and old). Overall it was a very special day for our family and we will always speak highly of BYU's football program.

Exfuze Seven

Check out Kurt's new website

http://www.tryexfuze.iexfuze.net/

Goody Goody Gum Dwops

We had a huge breakthrough last night with Jessica.....she can now say her "k's" and "g's". We were visiting Grandma Donna and Grandpa Kelly and started singing a song which makes all of the sounds of the alphabet with Cassie, then we turned to Jessa and asked her to make the "k" sound and she did it. We were all so excited! We gave Jess some M & M's and after that she ran around the house saying every word we asked her to repeat with the "k" sound. Then we stepped it up a notch and asked her to say the "g" sound and sure enough it came right out of her little mouth perfectly. With all of the excitement we started the phrase of the night with goody goody gum drops, however for Jessica it came out "goody goody gum dwops". We still have to get that darn "r" sound down, but until then we'll take the dwops.

Traditions

I love traditions!!! Before Kurt and I got married, we talked about traditions that we wanted to have with our family. We decided on annual vacations, BYU football :), one on one time with kids, holiday stuff, and my favorite...to have homemade beef stew and rolls on the first day of snow. So last night we had our 9th "First Day of Snow Beef Stew Dinner". Because our kids hate soup, it was just Kurt and myself, so we dressed it up a bit with candles and our nicest bowls, (one day I'll actually have china and the whole shebang, but for now what we got will have to do). It definitely is something I look forward to and I hope we can create more fun traditions. Please tell me some of your favorite family traditions, I'm always looking for fun things to do with my family.

FYI: that is not a picture of my beef stew just one I found on the internet, but it looks pretty darn close to what mine looks like. I would have included the recipe but I don't exactly know what I do, I just throw a bunch of stuff in and let the crockpot do its thing.

We LOVE Fall!!!

Last night we took the family to the BYU blue & white scrimmage. After the game we went outside and found leaves everywhere. I think the girls had more fun trying to cover each other in leaves than watching the game.

It's A BOY!!!

I don't know who was more nervous going into the ultrasound, Kurt or myself. I do know that Kurt was ecstatic after the results came back in his favor, he couldn't stop smiling all day long. So now it's off to the store to buy some boy clothes, cause you know we've been buying pink way too long. Sorry girls nothing wrong with pink.

Yummy!!!

Ok, so yesterday I made the best Apple Crisp ever and I have to share it with everyone. I came across this recipe on the internet and after reading all of the reviews and the suggestions made I tweaked the original recipe and came up with this one. I pre made the filling and let it marinate in the fridge all day long and then quickly put it together when our good friends invited us over for a get together. (Thanks Carters, we had a great time!!!) . I also used store bought caramel sauce instead of making the sauce myself. I think this will become a family favorite.

Best Ever Caramel Apple Crisp

Apple Filling:
6 large baking apples - peeled, cored, and sliced
1/2 cup white sugar
1 1/2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoon lemon juice
Dash of nutmeg
Dash of Allspice
1/8 cup water

Crumble:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup quick cooking oats
1 cup butter, softened

Caramel Sauce: may use pre made caramel sauce
1 (14 ounce) package individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped
1 (5 ounce) can evaporated milk

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 F (175 degree C).
2. In a medium size bowl (suggestion: pour filling into a ziploc bag, add apples and let marinate while you finish with the rest of the recipe. apples and sauce can even be made the night before and refrigerated.), toss apples with sugar, flour, cinnamon, lemon juice, and water; spread evenly into a 9x13 inch pan.
3. In a heavy sauce pan over low heat, melt the caramels with the evaporated milk. Heat , stirring frequently, until mixture has a smooth consistency. Drizzle the caramel sauce over the top of the crumble. May use ice cream topping caramel as well.
4. In another bowl, mix together flour, brown sugar, oats, and butter; spoon mixture evenly over apples and caramel.
5. Bake in preheated oven for about 45 minutes (apple mixture will bubble and topping will be golden brown).

I'll post a picture of the final project when I dish myself up some tonight.

Pictures

Since I haven't posted in awhile I thought I would just put up some pictures to show you what we've been up to.

Kurt and I at the BYU vs. Utah State game in Logan.
The girls and Kurt in Great Grandpa Peden's truck.
Our cute little Cassie!!!Sadie got to go to a PHS cheer leading camp, here she is showing us how brave she is
Three adorable girls
Cassie doing her favorite thing...escaping up the stairs


Team pictures, thanks Coach Daddy Kurt for being an awesome coach!!!
Pre-game BYU vs. UCLA taking a rest in the "best seats in the house".

Need a great Christmas present for your kids?

Ok, so I just bought my kids the coolest toys for Christmas and I gotta share the info. I first saw these Wiggle Cars at the What Women Want Expo and decided that my kids would LOVE these after Heather and myself took them for a spin. I would post pictures but my kids are way to smart and if they saw this post they would start begging. So anyway, these cars move by wiggling the handles and they spin on a dime. They hold up to 200lbs so your kids can ride them forever, not just a summer. The booth at the expo sold these cars for $65 or two for $55 each, at OverStock you can get them for $37.99 + $2.95 for shipping. So if you like to buy presents early like myself check this site out sooner than later because they'll go fast. If they are out of stock just enter your email address and they'll notify you when they have them back in stock. FYI: As of today there are 100 days until Christmas.

Last Chance

It's already been determined, there's no going back, we just have to wait and see what the ultrasound says. This is our last chance for a boy!!! Well atleast that's what we have in mind. I'm 14 weeks along, due March 8th, and we should be finding out what the sex is around Halloween. We are definately prepared for a little girl; however, I think the whole world will know if the ultrasound shows up different. I'll just say...we are feeling the pressure.

1st Day of Preschool

Taking Jessica to preschool was so much easier than taking Sadie to kindergarten. She was also way excited to go to school and couldn't wait to play with the toys she had previously scoped out when she went to her back to school night. Jessica is quite a bit more shy than Sadie; however, once you get to know her she is the loudest girl you will ever meet. We are hoping that Jessica can make some new friends in preschool this year and maybe become a little more independent.

This little video is of Jessica singing the song that the kids learn on the first day, but because Sadie sang it every day for about 3 months after she started preschool last year Jessa was singing it before she left.

1st Day of Kindergarten

The first day of school...we have all been waiting for this day to come a long time. Sadie's birthday is Sept 13th and she missed the deadline by 13 days last year, this did not make our little girl very happy, especially when she watched all of her friends get on the bus last year. So to be able to go to school this year was very exciting.
After our school's back to school night two weeks ago, Sadie met her teacher and was also giver her first homework assignment which was to be brought back to school on the 1st day. We had soooo much fun making this doll look like Sadie. I hope all of her homework will be this much fun and crafty. You know I pulled all of my craft stuff out to help.
On our drive over to the school, (yes we live just far enough away that we don't get a bus = 1.6 miles) Sadie was singing her own little song about how she was excited to go to school, which then got Kurt and myself singing with her. We got to school and she found her friend to sit next to on the mat. She couldn't stop smiling and looking around taking in her new classroom. I too couldn't stop looking around the classroom, this is where my child is going to be for the next several months and I wanted to see everything and everyone that Sadie will be involved with.
Mrs. Sarkady read The Kissing Hand to the students and their parents and then had us trace our hand and our child's hand to exchange when it was time to leave. Sadie was the first one done and was so excited to sit back down on the carpet. So off she went as excited as can be. I found a mother in our ward that I started talking about car pooling, while Kurt watched Sadie situate herself into her colored square. Then out of nowhere to my total surprise, I hear Sadie crying and sobbing to Kurt... "Don't leave me Daddy, don't go!", over and over again. I was doing so good until that moment. I lost it, I lost it bad!!! I was one of those mother's who had to leave the room and find my own little space out in the hall. Kurt calmed her down and with the help of her teacher she was back with her friends and in her square while Kurt was out in the hall calming me down. Thankfully, when I picked her up from school she said she loved school and had so much fun. Let's hope she keeps that attitude for a long time.

A little behind!!!

I am WAY behind. Happy Birthday Jessica!!! Jessica turned 4 on August 11th and we had so much fun celebrating her special day. We took her and her friend to her favorite place.... Jump On It. Then we came home for a pizza party and of course cake and ice cream. Jessica we love you so much!!!

Fall soccer started last week and this year both Sadie and Jessica are playing and on the same team. I am now the team mom with Kurt as the coach. Sadie has turned out to be quite the little soccer player and Jessica is well on her way. My favorite part about their game is when Kurt had the team in a huddle at mid field and I looked over and saw Jess laying down in the goal. On our drive to the soccer field we had a little Q & A for Jess, here's a little sample: "If you fall down Jess, what do you do?" Her response was: "I'll get up and never give up!" That's what we like to hear.


Here's some footage of the first game...

I'll never give up!!!

Sadie's first goal.

I can't wait until the next game!!!

BYU Women's Football Clinic

Last night we headed off to the 4th Annual BYU Women's Football Clinic and loved every minute of it. We ate a light dinner, listened to the coaches and players during the question and answer session, took tons of pictures, toured the facilities, and even went out on the field to do some drills. It was so much fun getting to see the coaches and players in a less formal and non-competitive atmosphere. I am so ready for the 2008 football season to begin, GO COUGARS!!!

Here we are sitting in the QB's lockers

Look at that form, go Heather

Watch out here I come.

Having too much fun!!!

Best seats we'll ever get.

Picnic in the Mountains

On Saturday Kelly and Donna invited our family to have a picnic with them up in the mountains. Kelly oversees the Lehi Stake campsite up in Heber Valley and needed to check on a few things before this weeks girls camp. Thanks for getting us out of Utah County.

Caught

I just had to post this picture. I went upstairs to go to the bathroom and on my way back downstairs I could hear Cassie getting into something. Based on the sounds of dropping plastic I thought she had found her favorite drawer of tupperware, but I was obviously wrong.