Everything but the kitchen sink cookies...

This recipe was sort of result of a couple of recipes put together...they are really good though...and, I think you should try them! They are super simple and the best part is...my kids won't eat them because of the cranberries...More for Chris and I!!!


Cranberry Oatmeal White Chocolate Chip Macadamia Nut Cookies...Whew!


1 c. butter
1 c brown sugar
2 eggs
2 c. oats
2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 bag Moana Loa Premier White Chips with Macadamia Nut pieces
1 c. sweetened dried cranberries


Cream butter, sugar and eggs. Add rest of ingredients and scoop out with the Medium pampered chef scoop on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 10-12 minutes. YUM!

Mama called the Dr. and the Dr. said...

So I called the Dr. yesterday and he called me back at around 7:00pm...he's so cool! I love that he always calls me back...anyways, we talked about things and what is going on and he suggested MELATONIN too...he says it's perfectly safe and very effective...Who Knew? I have always loved melatonin so I had some on hand but didn't know I could give it to my kids...DuH? I only had the 3mg ones and he said it would be fine...YAY! So we gave her one last night and I let her read the label that specifically says...REDUCES STRESS AND HELPS AID WITH SLEEP!!! She was out like a light in 20 minutes...

He also suggested that we take Jenner out of her room for awhile to see how that works...for now I am sticking with the Melatonin because setting up that crib is a BEAST!!!

And HEATHER...I will gladly buy your lunch cuz You Never Eat Anything...no wonder you're so SKINNY!!!!!!! Hahaha

Shoes, and I need some Advice...

So my cute little Jenner is such a fashionista...she especially loves shoes. This is common for toddlers but she is unusually obsessed...like when she threw a FIT because she wanted to wear her black patent leather shoes (Yeah, the Christmas kind)...in 80 degree weather...with shorts and a t-shirt...much to my shagrin...and I gave in and let her do it! Or take last night for example...she again threw a FIT because she wanted to wear her sandals to bed...and we let her...she has now had them on for over 24 hours...crazy kid! She will even find her shoes that are too small and wear them...even when you can tell they hurt her when she walks...what do I do...LAUGH I guess!!!

Now for the advice...If you know my Taylor than you know that we have had some issues with her...she has a little anxiety and she can't communicate her emotions very well. This has resulted in her not being able to go to sleep and when she does...she sometimes sleep walks. We have tried some herbal supplements for the sleep thing like Calm's Forte for kids and sometimes Benedryl. Basically it's all in her head and she wants to take a pill to make her sleep. I think she's too little to be taking pills but when it's 11:00pm at night and she still isn't asleep...what do you do? This issue has become quite a big deal around here...she is grounded for the whole day today because of it...and I made her do extra chores around the house...in hopes of her deciding that it's not worth it and to just go to sleep...When she walks out of her room 3-5 times a night whining that she can't go to sleep, it completely infuriates me...she usually gives herself 15-20 minutes to fall asleep and then bawls because she can't...we think she isn't giving it enough time. We have even talked to her on numerous occasions about it and given her ideas and such but, it's still going on and I am literally at the end of my rope...Anyone want a 10 year old girl? Anyways...if you have any advice, ideas or a fresh outlook on this...PLEASE HELP ME!!!

Cravings and a Recipe...

My raging pregnancy hormones have me in quite a frenzy lately...not only do I CRY all of the time...over totally lame things...even while laughing...I am really craving a lot of foods too!!! With my other babies I would crave a few things here and there but with this one...I have a multitude of cravings...maybe she'll have some hair when she is born...

Such cravings include:

Broccoli - steamed with salt...I could have it with every dinner
Cheeseburgers - not those wimpy McD's ones but the ones loaded with fry sauce, pickles and lettuce...yummm!!!

Also, I hate to cook when I am pregnant...totally HATE it...I would rather the kids just eat cereal while I go and get a cheeseburger...everynight...and with every baby, I have always loved sandwiches...

Scones - I have been really craving these lately and I found a great recipe online...it follows. Fun fact about scones...most of the recipes I researched online all came back to roots in UTAH...must be a mormon thing!




German Fried Scones...

2 packages dry yeast (roughly 2 tablespoons)
1/2 cup warm-hot water
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup boiling water
1/2 cup butter
2 teaspoons salt
3 eggs, beaten
4 1/2 cups flour

Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup water and then add 1 Tbsp. sugar. Pour boiling water over other 1/2 cup sugar, butter and salt. Mix well...add eggs. Add yeast mixture and 2 cups of flour, mix well. Add rest of flour. Cover and let rise for 1 hour. Fry in hot oil. Can be refrigerated overnight.

Honey Butter

1/2 cup softened butter

1/2-3/4 cup honey

2-3 Tbsp. powdered sugar

Mix together and serve with scones.

Southwestern Chicken Egg Rolls...

Southwestern Chicken Egg Rolls...

6 chicken tenders, cooked and diced

1/2 can diced tomatoes

1/2 can black beans

1/2 can corn

Chicken taco seasoning (enough for taste)

Mix all together and place filling into uncooked tortillas with a little cheese and roll up egg roll style...seal with a little water. Fry in hot oil until golden brown. Enjoy with your favorite Cilantro Ranch Dressing...either from Cafe Rio, Bajio's or Costa Vida. I have added 1 avacado to 1 cup dressing and blended it up and it's delicious!

Ultrasound Pictures...

I finally was able to scan in my ultrasound pictures from May 1st...it's definately a girl!!!

Welcome to the NutHouse...

It's official...Chris and I have lost our minds...We let the kids buy a Hampster tonight...but, not without consulting Grady's Dr. first about his allergies...apparently he's okay to have a hampster...Here she is...her name is Louise!

We'll see how the next couple of months go...

Jenner has gotten quite fond of otter pops lately...she can even handle it all by herself~

Allergy Testing...

We went to an allergy specialist today to test Grady...this is what happened. They tested him for 20 different things (one being the control test) and he was allergic to 17 of them. When the nurse came in to check on him, her only reaction was "WOW"...and the Doctor said the same thing...he is very allergic to alot of things...poor kid! We have another appointment set up for tomorrow to discuss treatment...I'm pretty sure we're headed for weekly shots...poor kid again!

Happy Freakin Mother's Day!!!

Happy Freakin Mother's Day to me...my day started at about 6:00 AM to the ever so beautiful sounds of Chris puking his guts out (among other things) and this has continued on for the entire day! I know, I know...you're thinking...WOW, what an amazing woman I am to not complain or be upset about my DAY being ruined...well...I am amazing and I will not complain at all...well maybe just a little...cleaning up after someone else's bodily functions have erupted isn't as fun as it sounds...just ask me!

I was however, able to get some cute video of Jenner singing to me...I like to think she was dedicating her entire song to what a wonderful mom I am...cuz I am!

Anyhoo...Happy Freakin Mother's Day to you too!!!

Pics...

Some Easter pictures that I shamelessly stole from Jodi's facebook page...she's so nice!!!

Big Belly

A couple of you out there have asked me to show my preggo belly...and as reluctant and as shy as I am...I will still fulfill your dreams of seeing the most perfect preggo belly ever...remember, I am no little girl and so this picture might be a bit much for you faint at heart...but I will tell you that I am so flattered that so very few of you wanted to see...thanks, it was a real boost to my ego...not that I really needed it but still...brace yourself...










I never realized how hairy I was until we took this picture...and mind you, the hair covers up my boo boo's!!!

Why? and a Pot Roast to DINE for!!!

Why is it that whenever I am asked to do a favor for someone something CRAZY happens...take last night for example...our cute neighbors Dave and Michelle just had their cute little squishy baby girl and asked if I could help them out with their older son Sammy...Sure I could...I can definately do THAT...right??? Well Lo and Behold this morning when Jenner woke up (in my bed) she had this weird crusty reddish orange-ish crap all over her...hmmmmm...I wonder if she threw up and I didn't even know it!!! Nothing in my bed....hmmmmm....so I head on over to her crib in Taylor's room and I see nothing....until I pull up the blankets and there is SPEWWWWWW all over the place...really? I pull up all of her bedding (including bumper pads) and then I give the call of shame to Dave....um Dave? My baby threw up and I can't help you this morning....SORRY? I feel sooooo bad!!! Thanks to my other neighbor Hollie for saving the day and taking Sammy this morning....again SORRY!!!


So the moral of this story is...why do these things always seem to happen when I am trying to help someone out...or go visiting teaching...or be visit taught...things like this happen all the time and I tell ya, I have yet to figure it out!


On to the POT ROAST TO DINE FOR!!!


My genious brother in law, Brandon, is a wiz in the kitchen and his recipe for Pot Roast is soooo good...I suggest you try it this Sunday!!!


1. Rub Pot Roast all over with Lowry's seasoning salt
2. Place roast in slow cooker
3. Pour 1 can of either beef broth or chicken broth into cooker
4. Sprinkle 1 packet beefy onion soup into broth and whisk until blended
5. Cover and cook on LOW for about 12-18 hours...put in the night before


To make mashed potatoes taste Oh so Heavenly...add some butter, sour cream, s&p, and my secret ingredient...Parmesan Cheese...gets em' beggin for more!!!


And to make the EASIEST gravy ever...use the drippings from the meat and add some Cream of Chicken soup to it...warm on stove...YUM!!!


I know what I am having for dinner SOON!!!

What's in a name?

Now that we know we are having a GIRL (and we are VERY excited) the first thing out of everybody's mouth is...."What are you naming her?" My response is..."How should I know?"

A name is sooooo important and I feel like it is one of the hardest things to do...I mean, this little girl will have her name forever and she has to like it...it's really hard to decide these things. With Jenner...the kids started calling her Jenner before we knew she was a girl and just like that...a name was born...Chris picked Taylor's name...I picked Rhett's (my parents almost named my older brother Rhett and I have always liked it)...and I picked Grady's name when I was about 6 months pregnant...only to have Chris say "That is the stupidest name I have ever heard"...and then proceeded to pick it out of a book on our last day in the hospital! MEN?!?

A few names that we have liked in the past are...Millie (after my grandma), Avery, Afton and I really can't think of anymore...

My question to you is...What would name MY baby?

Pink or Blue?????

Well...Everything on the Ultrasound looks Perfect!!!

If you are still wondering...36% of you were right...we are in the PINK!!!

Introducing...

Our very own.......ZAC EFRON....Rhett has been growing out his hair for awhile now and the other night he let me comb it like the 'Cool' kids do...I think he looks pretty cute and he promised me that I could do his hair like this for school the next day...I was only dreaming because he retracted that promise as soon as he made it!

And, on Idol last night and tonight I was still AMAZED and I think I will always be AMAZED by this genious...but I do have one thing to say about him...I think that he is very very good, BUT I don't think he can be a radio star...I think you have to WATCH him to get the full effect of his Genious-ness...He such a great performer and that is what makes him sooooo good! I guess I will have to wait and see...

On the flip-side...Kris is my 2nd favorite and I think he has the potential to be in the TOP 2...along with Adam of course...I think that crooked little smile he has is the cutest thing and I just love his voice...it's sort of Jason Mraz-ish...and I love Jason Mraz! Anyways, I can't wait to see what happens...and I don't vote!

Funny thing happened tonight...Chris gave Jenner some cookie dough to enjoy and let me tell you...she didn't like it one bit...she gagged, dry-heaved and almost blew chunks over the cookie dough...are you kidding me? Is she even our child? I don't know...I think the texture kind of freaked her out a bit...

Oh that HAIR!!!

Here's my little Jenner...and her beautiful Red Hair! Not a day goes by without some random stranger stopping me to tell me how RED her hair is...you would think I didn't know or something...but, I do love that people are always so nice and so forward to say so...I love her hair! When I was pregnant with her I begged Heavenly Father to send me a baby with Red hair and Dimples...and I got both...am I so lucky or what?!

She is growing up so much lately and she is so smart...she can do the actions to 3 Little monkeys sitting in a tree; Head, shoulders, knees and toes; Popcorn popping on the apricot tree and Eentsy weentsy spider...she can also say a ton of words...her favorite being No No No...and Yay! She is so cute and we are often puzzled about what our life was like before her...she is like having a first baby all over again and has been so much fun!

Oh, and don't forget to vote on my poll above...Pink or Blue?

A Date with Taylor...

Taylor and I went on a much needed 'Date' tonight...a girls night out!!! We went to Costa Vida for dinner and then headed to the movies for some Hannah Montana. She was so excited to see the movie and quite frankly...I was too!!! It was really cute and had a good story...and funny of course. I do have one question for you...is it normal to CRY during a Hannah Montana movie? I guess I can blame it on the hormones or something...and I will admit, it is kind of nice to have that excuse...lately I cry over everything...and I forget everthing...

It was a fun night and I hope to do more of these girls night out date's with her in the future...we needed it!

Is it Summer?

This is the million dollar question around here...Is it Summer?

To me, summer can be summed up in a few things like...

The first time I make macaroni salad...

My first tan line or should I say BURN line...

Food all of a sudden tastes better...

Staying outside until it's waaaaaay past bedtime...

The smell of dirt on the kids...although I hate that smell...

That feeling of extreme coldness when you have been swimming all day in the hot sun...one of my favorites...

When dinner consists of some Doritos, some grapes and a diet Coke...or just cold cereal...

Hot dogs and Hamburgers on the grill...

A fire in the evening...mmmmmm...another favorite...

Generally really HAPPY kids...

Sitting in the driveway watching my kids play....Ahhhhhhh...

These are just a few of my favorite summertime reminders...I can't wait!!! It is literally just around the corner now!!!!

Dear Lupita...

Dear Lupita...

My kids were talking about Guitar Hero today and they said something that totally made me giggle...I think you will relate...

Taylor said, "My uncle can do the 'difficult' on Guitar Hero..."

Rhett said, "Yeah, Jason ROCKS it!"

The idea of 'Jason' and 'ROCKS' in the same sentence had me in stitches...

Love, Amy

Dear Ashley...

This is Ashley...my SIL and I love her! She is amazing, so I thought I would write 'just' to her...if you know her at all then you have felt of her love and kindness...she is a great example to all!!!

Dear Ashley...

I just wanted to drop you a line because I think you are soooo cool...I know my brother can be an 'airhead' sometimes and you are so forgiving of this Belnap trait that you need to be commended for it...He is lucky to have you and believe me...he knows it...he just doesn't talk much (in general)...I am lucky to have you...your neighbors and friends and people you just happen to run into at the store are lucky to have you...you are so giving and compassionate of yourself and often put your own needs on the back burner...if only I lived closer so you could take care of me...Lord knows I need it sometimes...my mom and dad are especially lucky cuz you definately take real good care of them...and they know it!!!

Anyways, thank you for everything...today especially for the clothes and shoes for Jenner...most people just think I am an amazing parent to dress my little one in such fashionable clothes...but what they don't know won't hurt them...it's our secret! And thank you for marrying my brother to keep him in line...And thank you for feeding my parents and helping my mom with her 'projects' and for taking care of all of the other things...(too many to list)...

You are AMAZING!!!

Love, Amy

Again...

Again I am AMAZED by this kid...he is soooooo talented and I don't have the words to describe how good he is...I am in AWE!!! I will definately be going to see HIM in concert...in the future!! And, if I am lucky, I will dream about him too...hehehe