Halloween Party Round 1

Last night was our round 1 of Halloween celebrations. To stick with our tradition, I fixed a Halloween dinner. Our only chance to have dinner together was last night because Phillip got off from work at 4pm and the rest of the week he would be working until 9:30pm. I was in a hurry because I also had to get the girls and myself ready for a party that started at 6. Phillip couldn't come with us because he is back in school for the next year and he had to stay home and do school work. He was able to study the whole time we were gone.
This year Maya chose to be a princess, it didn't surprised me. She chose to be Jasmine. Addison was a cute owl and I was the wicked witch of the west. We had fun, the Petersons know how to party, they had a great turnout.

Today we have another party with my Achievement Day girls and tomorrow is our church's Trunk or Treat. It should be a fun week!

One Last Time

 Maya became really good friends with Rachel. They moved from Salt Lake to Bakersfield a few months ago. A few weeks ago her dad found a really good opportunity to open up his own restaurant at the University of Utah, so they will be moving back to Salt Lake city. On Wednesday,  Maya had her last play date with Rachel. They had so much fun together. They always played so good together and always said to each other, "you are my best friend, I love you." I was sad for my little Maya. She truly loved Rachel, every time she knew Rachel was coming she would get so happy and excited. They loved to played dress up. Maya would always let Rachel pick her princess dress first. My little girl will for sure miss Rachel. I hope that whenever we go to Salt Lake, they can get together and play and pick up right where they left off.

Some time last week when I came back from my run I found these two like this:

While Tia Kristi was Here

I love having Kristi so close to us. We have seen her more often than ever before. I just love to have family over. She came to finish working on some wedding stuff. We got to see her wearing her bridal gown, she looked like a barbie doll (so jealous). She worked her magic making her own veil. This lady has serous talent. I can't wait for her wedding day, she will look beautiful.

While she was here we had fun doing some birthday shopping and buying a few things she needed for her wedding. Maya had fun with Tia too. One night Maya couldn't sleep and she came out of  her room. Tia Kristi swaddled her like a baby and put her to bed. It was funny because Kristi could barely lift her and Maya kept making baby sounds. After she put Maya to bed, she didn't come out again!

FALL

This is my favorite season. I love how cozy it feels to be in bed, covered in soft blankets. I love going for walks when the weather is not too cold and not hot at all. I love the different color leaves and how they decorate the sidewalks and grass.  I love to sit next to Phillip, cuddled up under a blanket and watching shows at night when the kids are in bed. It is the season for bike rides all around the neighborhood. I just love Fall. I love how awesome it feels when I run, I am not hot at all. I love the smell of pumpkin and cinnamon when I walk in the store. I love to see my girls wearing their footie pajamas and piggy tails. Their little cheeks are so warm in the morning when they wake up, they come to me and give me big hugs and kisses with their warm little bodies. Addison likes me to hold her for a few minutes before she can start her day and her running around. I am so grateful for the all different seasons. When is so cold outside I can't bear it any longer, I think of how awesome our springs are. Summer is way too hot and I would gladly skip that season, but then it just makes me even more excited for fall and winter.  Now if you will excuse me, I must take off. Our morning walk is awaiting.

Source: witanddelight.tumblr.com via Sarah on Pinterest

  

Sesame Street: Elvis Costello & Elmo - Monster Went and Ate My Red 2

Maya and Addsison LOVE this song.

The Pacific Northwest

Here is our picture diary from our road trip adventure. Seattle was breath taking, and the I-5 north was just beautiful.

Not a peanut anymore

Yesterday the girls and I went to see the little one via ultrasound. Maya was so scared and Addison had no clue what was going on. It was weird because Maya was so excited to see the baby, but once the tech turned off the lights she faked a stomach ache and covered her eyes. Oh well, at least I enjoyed it. It was moving so much.  Finally "it" is looking more like a human than a peanut. I have another appointment with my OB again on Monday. We will see how it goes, for sure the scale has gone up. I didn't eat all the clam chowder in Seattle for nothing. Oh... it has taken me all this week of clean eating to feel like a normal human being again. My bowels had just had it.

Here is Baby #3:

Such a Beautiful Bride

 

 Pictures were taken from FB.

 I had not been to a wedding since I was a little kid. This past Saturday we were able to be present for my sister-in-law's wedding. I had the honor to get my sister in law ready for her big day. It was special.  I wanted to do a good job and I wanted her to be happy.  Heather is so easy to please.  She is not only beautiful on the outside, but the inside as well. I admire her so much! She is just such a transparent person. She is a great mother and has such a beautiful relationship with Greg, her now husband. They live so far away we only see them once a year. But when we see them it really is such a treat. Heather, I love you! You are an amazing woman, just like your mother and sister.

Kristi sent me this picture and another one that she took after Ragnar on our way back to San Francisco. We did this, while they drove. We are such babies!

Almost 1/3 done

This little one in my uterus has been baking for almost 1 trimester. I get very anxious, I feel like time goes by so slowly. I am trying to enjoy every single part of pregnancy, the nausea, the varicose   veins (they are starting to burn and hurt) that are all over my right leg; the acne all over my face, shoulders and back, the mood swings, the chubby looking belly, Maya rubbing my belly all the time and expressing how excited she is to have a little brother so she can play prince and princess (we don't know the gender yet, she will be happy either way), being able to keep my running, and the list goes on.  I am so thankful for my easy pregnancies. I realize a lot of women have it really hard when they are pregnant, mine are probably a cake walk. This might potentially be our last pregnancy and I want to have good memories of it no matter how much or how little I am struggling. Some days I find my self being so positive, sometimes I find my self thinking negative things that just ruin my heart. I am not perfect. Sometimes I feel like I am selfish. I was expressing to Phillip how I feel like I have had to put a couple things on hold that are special and important to me, school and running a marathon. My time will come, and I always pray for Heavenly Father to help me be patient and enjoy where I am right now, to love my life now and to love myself now. I am not perfect and sometimes  I have my bad moments when I think so little of myself. But then I remember how divine and special my jobs of mother and wife are. I have the opportunity to teach my children. I am home to cook meals for them and my husband and sit with them at the table, say prayer and eat together. I am grateful I can watch the girls play with each other and develop their friendship; I can make sure the girls' teeth are clean, that they have bed time stories every night, and I can count on a good night hug and kiss from them. These little every day things are so important to me, they really are. I want my children to remember those little things later on. And I hope they forget the bad ones when mom just completely loses it. I just realize this post is all over the place. At first I was just thinking of writing a little something and posting a low quality picture. Oh well, I guess I needed my therapy.

Little Addi

Today Addison had a visit with her Doctor. She did great! She didn't even cry when she got her shots. She is 27lbs 10 oz. She is in the 80th% for weight and 90th% for height. She is repeating lots of words. She eats like a champ and is super, super active. She loves to give kisses and loves to bother her sister. She likes to follow and do all the things Maya does. She take at least one nap a day, for the most part she takes 2 naps. She loves to wear a pair of Crocs that are not my favorite.

  She tells me, "I want food" when she is hungry. She loves cereal, pasta, she dislikes all meats ( I think she doesn't like the texture), she loves all fruits and some vegetables. She loves this like a true Mexican.

I love you little Addi. Stop growing so fast.

The Best Dish for a Pregnant Woman

I found this recipe on Pinterest. You should check out the  Flourishing Foodie's blog. Her stuff is amazing for those who are interested in vegetarian recipes. You will love them! 

VIETNAMESE NOODLE BOWL RECIPE (print)

makes 4 large salad bowls

INGREDIENTS

1 package of firm or extra-firm tofu

1/4 cup canola oil

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 head romain lettuce, chopped

1 cup bean sprouts

1 carrot, julienned

1/2 english cucumber, julienned

1 red pepper, julienned

1 package of rice noodles

chopped peanuts for garnish

1 small bunch cilantro for garnish

1 lime, quartered

SAUCE INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup warm water

1 garlic clove

1 tbsp brown sugar

2 tbsp soy sauce

2 tbsp lime juice

1 tbsp rice vinegar

2 tbsp Thai sweet chili sauce

Remove the tofu from its package. Press it between your hands to remove any excess water. Chop it into 1x1 inch pieces. Heat a frying pan with 1/4 cup of canola oil on medium heat. When the oil is hot, place the tofu into the pan and season with soy sauce. Mix the tofu with a spatula allowing even distribution of the soy sauce. If all the pieces have not been covered with sauce, add more until they are all dressed. Fry the tofu until golden brown and crispy on the outside. 

While the tofu is frying, chop all of the vegetables. Place them into small serving bowls and set to the side. 

In a food processor, add the sauce ingredients. Pulse until the garlic has been minced. Adding the ingredients to the processor, will allow stronger flavors from the garlic to be absorbed. 

Once the tofu has fried, place it onto a paper towel to soak up the excess oils. 

Bring a pot of water to a boil. Once it has boiled, remove it from the stove and add the rice noodles. Cover the pot and allow them to soak for a couple of minutes. Keep an eye on the noodles. You do not want them to become over hydrated and start to break down into mush. It should only take a few minutes in the water for them to become soft.

Prepare 4 medium salad bowl, by placing chopped lettuce in the bottom. Place a small handful of noodles on top. Add the tofu and the rest of the vegetables. Pour a generous serving of dressing on top, and garnish with cilantro, lime, and chopped peanuts.