It's a Kitty Birthday!

Princess Carlee has finally turned three! She absolutely loves kitties (too bad she's allergic!) so we decided to give her a kitty birthday.

We started off the morning with kitty pancakes.

When she saw them she acted like she was being shy. She even hid her face under the counter.

Eventually she started eating them but only after her "princess" side kicked in. Her royal highness had to be fed the first few bites.

The Brewer's came over that afternoon to surprise her with an adorable stuffed tiger. He even roars when you squeeze his paw which made her jump the first time she heard it!

I wanted to make her favorites for dinner which of course had to consist of hot dogs and mac and cheese. I found a yummy corn dog recipe that we could make without eggs (which I'll post on my food blog). Little Miss Carlee couldn't wait for the corn dogs to cook though so she got away with eating a plain hot dog on a stick.

Grandma Christensen had to make her cake of course since she is the most talented cake decorator out of all of us. She made an applesauce cake (eggless of course) from scratch. It turned out sooooo good! Thanks mom!

I actually made the kitties out of fondant and gumpaste. They turned out okay for my first try...I think! Carlee loved them and that's all that matters.

She had fun blowing out her candles. Grandma Christensen just gave her the entire top layer of the cake as her piece!

She just wanted to eat the kitties and frosting though. Uh oh. She's turning out like her brother!

She loved her dollhouse we got her. Especially since she could make them go potty and take a bath.

She actually found out about this present before she was supposed to. The other kids were looking at it and left my bedroom door open so she wandered in and found it. We shushed her outta there but when Grandpa Jensen came over she grabbed his hand and made him take her back to see it. We decided to just let her have it early.

Grandma Brewer always brings the best gift. Who doesn't love balloons? (Plus she sneaks some cash into the balloon before it's blown up.)

Her cousin Metny gave her a cute cabbage patch doll with a brown horsie. Mom had fun playing with her hair. I'm a big kid, I know.

Collin gave her a stroller for her dollies and was rewarded with a hug.

Carlee didn't really want to open all her presents and retreated for snuggles with Grandma Brewer.

Playing with grandma Jensen and the dinosaur she got her.

Collin, Carlee and Kaitlyn

Granny and Gramps Christensen gave her a little people's learning town and she was so excited by all the noises it made. They played with it the entire next morning before school.

Thanks to my family for sharing her birthday with us. The best present was your company and love!

Grandpa Jensen giving rides to the kids...

...and to the dolls?

Up Pass Creek Without a Paddle

Saturday morning we decided to take a quick trip up to Pass Creek to see the fall colors. Carlee was just itching to get outside anyways. I thought at least she should get outside and be in nature instead of playing in our yard full of dirt.

It was a little bit gloomy and we forgot our umbrellas. I was just hoping we didn't get rained out again! The last time the kids and I were up here we raced to the car before the rain started dumping on us.

It was a beautiful drive through the canyon. I just love seeing nature change and different colors emerge!

Carlee was having a blast!

We stopped at the creek below swinging tree and took a few pictures with the vibrant yellow leaves.

Collin wouldn't put down the cup he found. He was tossing it into the creek and watching it float down. When it got stuck he grabbed it and started over again.

Eric and Collin

Collin up towards swinging tree.

Gotta love that water!

Carlee's favorite toy in the wilderness is a stick of course!

What a fake smile Collin!

Collin spotted this chipmunk so I had to take his picture. I almost didn't see him since he was so small.

I started taking a few pictures outside of the mountains on the way home when Eric spotted antelope. They were running out on the road in front of us. I wish we were closer.

Carlee on the ride home. Again with the thumb!

Collin was exhausted. At least he had fun! We only got a little sprinkled on too so it was a fun adventure.

Swinging Tree!!

Friday Fill-Ins

1. October is the window to winter. I don't want the cold weather!! But at least in October I get pumpkins, Harvestfest's, costumes, candy and all things spooky!

2. Movies where people hide in or under a car scare me!

3. Leaves are falling all around, it's a beautiful sight to behold. The colors are beautiful, truth be told. Swirling, twirling and twisting to the ground. Rake 'em up into a grand mound. Run and jump, yell with glee. Crunch with abandon like a child of three!

4. My favorite horror movie is Chucky because I remember watching it at a sleepover with my girlfriends and we had to hide all of our dolls during the middle of the movie. Thinking of that movie reminds me of how much I miss being that young!

5. Making sugar cookies with my mom= good memories.

Cookies I made for Collin's birthday!

6. It was a dark and stormy night, perfect for snuggling in a cozy blanket and watching a movie. The popcorn is popping, the smell intoxicating. The kids are both snoring as I settle onto the couch and push play. The story unfolds into a whirl of colorful images. I get distracted when out of the corner of my eye I see the back porch light flicker on. I peek out through the blinds but the porch is clear. Must be the wind, I tell myself and continue watching the movie. The hero is just about to rescue the damsel in distress when I hear a creak in the foyer. It's nothing, you're just hearing things, I mumble as I squeeze the blanket tighter around my body. The brave hero carries his mistress off into the sunset. I sigh, Why can't real life have more romance like that? I click the TV off and the screen goes black but the reflection left on the screen sends chills down my arms. A dark image of a man holding a knife over the couch where I lay is transfixed on the TV.




Suddenly the knife plummets towards me as I scream. AHHHHHHHH!!! Got ya!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to making fondant kitties for Carlee's cake, tomorrow my plans include who knows, might have to get firewood and Sunday, I want to watch conference, stay in my jammies most of the day, and celebrate Carlee's 3rd Birthday!

Wanna play? Go to http://www.fridayfillins.blogspot.com/

It's my Blog & I'll Cry if I Want to...

Carlee in one of her new school outfits.

AHHHHHHH!!!!

It is almost here...I've had the final meeting with Carlee's new preschool teacher. Only a couple more days and my sweetie will be a school girl. The ONLY thing that has been helping me get ready for this transition is buying my baby new adorable school clothes. Hurts the checkbook but helps me get a tiny bit excited. I even had to buy her princess gluesticks. Probably overboard but oh well! Now I just need to get her some new shoes and I think she'll be set. (Uh oh, me in a shoe store is NOT a good idea!)

I've had a little trepidation for her because of her food allergies and eczema. The teacher assured me they would do everything they can for her including smoothing her down with vaseline during the day to keep her skin moist. They are also going to pull her out for speech therapy during the class snacktime. That way my baby can eat a snack that won't make her breakout and she won't be tempted to sneak any of the other kids food. They'll even work on potty training which is awesome. I hope once she sees all the other little girls using the potty it will encourage her to do the same.

I just can't believe that she'll be in school. She's still too little! I just hope I don't breakdown when I take her to school on Monday. :(

Unique Meme

The rules: Just copy and paste the 200 statements then bold the ones you have done! The idea is to highlight the things you have done out of the 200 items on the list.



1. Touched an iceberg
2. Slept under the stars
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
4. Changed a baby's diaper
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Swam with wild dolphins
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a tarantula
10. Said "I love you" and meant it!!
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Bet on a winning horse
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Taken an ice cold bath
28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Ridden a roller coaster
31. Hit a home run
32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking!!
33. Adopted an accent for fun
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment
36. Loved your job 90% of the time
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Watched wild whales
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach
41. Gone sky diving
42. Visited Ireland
43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited India
45. Bench-pressed your own weight
46. Milked a cow
47. Alphabetized your personal files
48. Ever worn a superhero costume
49. Sung karaoke
50. Lounged around in bed all day
51. Gone scuba diving
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Done something you should regret, but don't
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Been in a movie
60. Gone without food for 3 days
61. Made cookies from scratch
62. Won first prize in a costume contest
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Been in a combat zone
65. Spoken more than one language fluently
66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone - verbal not physical
67. Bounced a check
68. Read - and understood - your credit report
69. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy
70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did
71. Called or written your Congress person
72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
74. Helped an animal give birth
75. Been fired or laid off from a job
76. Won money
77. Broken a bone
78. Ridden a motorcycle
79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph
80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing
82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
83. Eaten sushi
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read The Bible cover to cover
86. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
87. Gotten someone fired for their actions
88. Gone back to school
89. Changed your name
90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands
91. Eaten fried green tomatoes
92. Read The Iliad
93. Taught yourself an art from scratch
94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
97. Been elected to public office
98. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
99. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
101. Had a booth at a street fair
102. Dyed your hair
103. Been a DJ
104. Rocked a baby to sleep
105. Ever dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all four
106. Raked your carpet
107. Brought out the best in people
108. Brought out the worst in people
109. Worn a mood ring
110. Ridden a horse
111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap
112. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe
113. Buried a child
114. Gone to a Broadway (or equivalent to your country) play
115. Been inside the pyramids
116. Shot a basketball into a basket
117. Danced at a disco
118. Played in a band
119. Shot a bird
120. Gone to an arboretum
121. Tutored someone
122. Ridden a train
123. Brought an old fad back into style
124. Eaten caviar
125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need
126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant
127. Published a book
128. Pieced a quilt
129. Lived in an historic place
130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage
131. Asked for a raise
132. Made a hole-in-one
133. Gone deep sea fishing
134. Gone roller skating
135. Run a marathon
136. Learned to surf
137. Invented something
138. Flown first class
139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite
140. Flown in a helicopter
141. Visited Africa
142. Sang a solo
143. Gone spelunking
144. Learned how to take a compliment
145. Written a love-story
146. Seen Michelangelo’s David
147. Had your portrait painted
148. Written a fan letter
149. Spent the night in something haunted
150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane
151. Ran away
152. Learned to juggle
153. Been a boss
154. Sat on a jury
155. Lied about your weight
156. Gone on a diet
157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget
158. Written a poem
159. Carried your lunch in a lunch box
160. Gotten food poisoning
161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission
162. Hiked the Grand Canyon
163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks
164. Gone to the opera
165. Gotten a letter from someone famous
166. Worn knickers
167. Ridden in a limousine
168. Attended the Olympics
169. Can hula or waltz
170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books
171. Been stuck in an elevator
172. Had a revelatory dream
173. Thought you might crash in an airplane
174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert
175. Saved someone’s life
176. Eaten raw whale
177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint
178. Laughed till your side hurt
179. Straddled the equator
180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing
181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival
182. Sent a message in a bottle
183. Spent the night in a hostel
184. Been a cashier
185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
186. Joined a union
187. Donated blood or plasma
188. Built a camp fire
189. Kept a blog
190. Had hives
191. Worn custom made shoes or boots
192. Made a PowerPoint presentation
193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course
194. Served at a soup kitchen
195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube
196. Know CPR
197. Ridden in or owned a convertible
198. Found a long lost friend
199. Helped solve a crime
200. Responded to a NJP newsletter


There's so much I still want to do!! Especially ride in a helicopter, travel, visit historic sites, publish a book, and win money! Just as long as I never have to go without food for 3 days. I would literally die!!