I'm back!

So, I can't believe how long of a break from blogging I've taken!! It was unintentional, but I have been busy with life!!

Bryanna had her dance recital at the end of May, she really loved her dance class this last year. I did, too, it was close and convenient!

Smiles!! Among other things

Here she is, Ear to Ear!!

The kids are crazy about her...can you tell?

I think I forgot to mention a funny. The first week Cali was home, Bryanna said to me, "Mom, I wish you could die so that I could take care of baby Cali!" Thanks Bryanna....at least I know you love you sister!

A few weeks ago, I went on a walk with my sister with my kids and our dogs...we came to feed the ducks, and our dogs almost got a snack out of it, too! They jumped into the water and swam after the ducks!!

My mom and I went to Michael's and bought some beautiful silk flowers to arrange in this gorgeous vase I have, just something fun for Spring and I don't have to worry about watering it!

Maddox got into my mom's dental chair to get his teeth cleaned...but alas, I was the only one who walked outta there with a sparkly, clean mouth!

He's just too cute sitting in the chair.

Home improvement segment:

When we got our new TV, the media niche shelf had to be knocked out and moved up to fit everything. I have to say I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy to have a new cabinet to hide all our electronics with their cords...no more an eye sore!! And to make it even sweeter, the plant on the right side I bought at Michael's. Guess how much I spent? Well, the tag was $39.99...and yes, I was willing to fork out 40 bucks to get it. Well, it rang up for a whopping $1.99!! The lady at the register didn't believe it, rang it up for different times and called management up just to make sure...they gave it to me for 1.99...it was my lucky day, and happened to be my birthday weekend anyway!!

Another wonderful thing Mark finished recently....before we had wooden spindles. Thanks to Bryanna, she kicked one out and let's just say it was a safety issue when Cali would become mobile. So we didn't get mad, but actually thanked the big sister so we could use that as an excuse to do what we've been wanting to do all along! Iron!

Here it is stained and finished!

8 weeks

Baby Cali is growing and getting so big!! She is such a joy and a sweeheart to have in our home. Bryanna and Maddox love her and now that she is smiling, its so much fun to see her sweet little face light up! And not to mention her cute, chubby rolls on her leggies!!! Now, with all her cuteness, if only she were sleeping 8 hours! She regularly gets 6 hours in the first block at night, but boy! Wouldn't I be a new woman if I got a continuous 7-8 hours??? Mark would definitely agree!!

Oreo Cheesecake

My infamous Oreo Cheesecake!! I made this for our Mother's day dinner last Sunday. I pull this one out on holidays, otherwise it would be too dangerous to keep around!!!

CRUST:

2 cups oreo cookie crumbs (take out the filling of the cookie before you crush them in the food processor)

6 Tbsp. melted butter

4 Tbsp. sugar

FILLING:

5 pkg (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened (or 2 1/2 lbs)

1 cup sugar

3 Tbsp. flour

1 Tbsp. vanilla

1 cup light sour cream

4 eggs

3 cups crushed oreo cookies

1 tube cream cheese frosting

12-15 whole oreo cookies for the top

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Mix crumbs, sugar and butter, press firmly onto bottom and up the sides of a spring form pan. Bake 10 minutes.

Beat cream cheese, sugar, flour and vanilla in electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add sour cream, mix well. Add eggs mixing on low speed after each addition just until blended. Stir in crushed oreos. Pour over crust. Bake 1 hour 10 min. or until center is almost set. Cool completely, keep covered in fridge for 4 hours or overnight until ready to frost, decorate and serve. Frost cake with cream cheese frosting and decorate with whole oreo cookies.

Makes 16 servings, one slice each. ENJOY!!

My New Life

Mother's Day weekend

I have been getting the royal treatment for 4 days now!! It all started on Thursday at Bryanna's Preschool...

They sang beautiful songs to us, and we got some yummy treats along with a book about Bryanna's favorite things she knows/likes to do with me.

A few of the funny things in the book...

Q: How old is your mommy?

A: 6 1/2 yrs. old....Thanks Bryanna!

Q: What is your mommy's favorite thing to do?

A: Feed Cali

Q: What is your mommy's favorite treat?

A: Chocolate...you guessed right sissy!

Q: What is your mommy's favorite food?
A: Yogurt

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On friday, Mark scheduled my first ever facial!! It was heavenly, and that won't be the last one, either!!

And to top it off, Mark cleaned the carpets in our entire house....it's just so clean now!!

He got me flowers, chocolate and some really cute cards!!

Saturday, we went over to a friend's house for a "weed pulling" party and swimming party afterwards! It was so fun and it was Cali's first time in a pool, too! So we had to document it on camera!

Her belly looks so cute in the swimsuit...she loved hanging out in the jacuzzi! We kept getting splashed by her brother and sister, and she still didn't mind. I only minded the wind bothering my allergies...my eyes were killing me that day!

Four reasons that make motherhood the best ever!!!
1. Bryanna

2. Maddox

3. Cali

4. Married to my best friend! Thanks babe for making this day fantastic!

Cali's blessing and a very happy birthday

Yesterday was such a special day!

Baby Cali was blessed and it coincided with my 31st birthday!! It was truly a magical day!

We had lots of family come into town to celebrate with us, and it was a beautiful day. Mark did such an amazing job with her blessing, the spirit was so strong and we both were so emotional before, during and after the blessing. We were both teary even through the opening song of sacrament meeting, usually I'm the one with the watery eyes!

Here are some pictures to show off Cali in her blessing dress.

She was really giving us a show for the camera...what an angel she is!

Mark and my parents with baby Cali, Mrs. Brown and Bryanna

Uncle Casey and Aunt Katie came down for the blessing. Casey is Mark's buddy from the mission, and he is more like a brother!

Here's the whole gang!

Pres. McCracken and my Nana

Sister McCracken and my sisters and nieces and nephew

DD and her kids, we love them!!

Maddox with his favorite person in the whole world...his Mimi, and my neighbor growing up who watched us to help my mom out while she was working...Mrs. Brown, a saint sent to my mom! Mrs. Brown is 86 yrs old! She will always be a part of the family.

Beckie & Jared

Older, Wiser...another year gone by. Yesterday was so wonderful, I feel so blessed to have Cali in our family and we know she is loved so very much. I know the Lord watched over her while I was pregnant with her through all the complications. It is such a relief to know that she is healthy and strong, and perfect!

Anniversary dinner

We went to Brio's, an Italian Bistro in Town Square...a favorite place to dine and shop. We had a blast...the food was fantastic and so was the conversation! Can't wait to go back for some crab cakes!!

Prom and 18

My cute, adorable, lovable, outgoing, friendly, smart, hard working, social, happy, beautiful, blonde BABY sister turns 18 today!! I can hardly believe it!

And here she is in her Prom dress on Saturday!
I think she is stunning!