He's one of "those" kind of fans....

This is my chance to make fun of my husband for being one of "those" kind of fans...you know the kind...thirty something alumni who wouldn't miss a home game if their job depended on it, leave at least two to three hours before kick off, deck out in BYU gear, yell calls to the refs like they can really hear them and worst of all...listen to AM radio while watching the game. When I was a student at BYU I couldn't stand those guys (How did they end up in the student section, anyhow?) Little did I know I would someday be married to one!

A Burn, a Rash, and a Bad Case of Croup

I have a lot to be thankful for, but this past Thanksgiving weekend, healthy children was not one of them. We spent almost the entire week in Park City. Luke burned his hand on the glass fireplace door, Lauren spent way too much time in the hot tub and got a red rash all over her body, and Nate came down with a horrible case of croup. I guess after this weekend I have to say I'm most grateful for my incredibly even tempered, intelligent, pediatrician husband. And of course my family that helped care for our children so we could still make it to the BYU/Utah football game!

My VT Testimony

I will forever have a testimony of Visiting Teaching because of this amazing woman! We got paired together as companions while in Columbus, Ohio. I don't even really know how it happened but we became fast friends. We both admit we're complete opposites...I love to bake, cook, decorate, swap recipes and have been known to tell a few labor stories. Andrea is ambitious, intelligent, down to earth, supportive, funny and too many other things to list. Her family was visiting Utah and stopped by our house for dinner. Jon cooked up an amazing steak on the grill (we usually don't make our guests cook, but Jason was running late) and we had the best time. I didn't want them to leave. Andrea is an amazing wife, mother and soon to be attorney! I'm so lucky to call her my friend.

Best Muffins Ever!

I am on a major pumpkin kick lately. I made these muffins this week and had to send the majority of them with Jason to work so I wouldn't sinlge handedly consume them all myself. These are so good I almost hate to share the recipe. But in the spirit of thanksgiving and gratitude, I guess I will. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

3 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground cloves

4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

4 eggs

2 cups pumpkin

2 cups sugar

1 1/4 cups vegetable oil

8 ounces brown sugar/cinnamon spice cream cheese spread

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
Chopped pecans/walnuts , optional

Preheat oven to 350. Mix together the sugar, eggs, oil and pumpkin. Combine dry ingredients and spices and add to wet mixture. Stir in chocolate chips. Grease or line 24 muffin cups. Fill muffin cups half full. Spoon approximately 1 tablespoon of cream cheese into each muffin and top with more muffin mix (just enough to cover). Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon chopped nuts. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean from the muffin part (not the cream cheese). Let cool in pans for 5 minutes, then remove to racks to cool completely.

16 years

It's been sixteen years ago today since Doug passed away. I thought that this blog would give me a chance to post a little tribute to his memory. There's hardly a day that goes by that I don't think about him. Some funny memory the kids want to hear again, a certain food, old Maryland friends...we miss him still.

Hard at work...

I was getting ready to leave the house yesterday afternoon and couldn't find Luke. After a short time around the downstairs I found him hard at work in the kitchen. I guess Lauren talked him into doing her Thursday kitchen chore for her...again.

Friday's Festive Recipe

I just found this recipe not too long ago and made it last week for company. It was super easy and I was able to make it the night before which always helps. I realize not everyone is a "pumpkin fan" as my husband likes to remind me, but this has so little pumpkin in it you may be pleasantly surprised if you fall into that group. My food photography is really lacking, sorry. Enjoy!

Gingersnap Pumpkin Pie

1 1/2 cups finely crushed gingersnaps (about 32 cookies)

1/4 cup butter, melted

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 tablespoon sugar

1 1/2 cups whipped topping

1 cup cold milk

2 packages (3.4 ounces each) instant butterscotch pudding mix

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Additional whipped topping, optional (but not really!)

In a small bowl, combine cookie crumbs and butter. Press into the bottom and up the sides of an ungreased 9 inch pie plate. Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes or until crust is lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. For filling, in a small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Fold in whipped topping. Spread over cooled crust. In a small bowl, whisk milk and pudding mixes for 2 minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft set. Stir in the pumpkin, pie spice, vanilla and cinnamon. Spread over cream cheese layer. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Garnish with additional whipped topping. Makes 6-8 servings.

Recipe Tip: Use a small measuring cup to press the gingersnap crumb mixture into your pie plate and up the sides. This helps to keep the crumbs in the plate instead of eating them as you go along.

It's in the Genes...

So those that know me pretty well know I have a little fainting problem. I'd rather call it my low blood pressure complication or something even more sophisticated like a vasovagal response (four years of Jason in medical school, I had to pick up some cool lingo). For as long as I can remember I have fainted. The first time I remember fainting was when my brother Doug was getting stitches removed. It was just way too much for my weak little seven year old stomach to handle. And from then its just became a lifestyle. I have fainted while getting my hair cut, in the movie theater (twice), at work, in the shower, while getting my blood drawn (several times), during my insurance consultation for my wisdom teeth removal, while watching television...to name a few. And tonight one of my worst fears came true...I would be the catcher, not the fainter. Lauren fell off the kitchen chair (which has become quite a normal occurrence for our children ever since we invested in a counter height kitchen table), spilling a bowl of applesauce on the way. Now Lauren has gotten stitches twice in the back of her head from similar falls so I was expecting some type of injury. I knelt down on the floor as she walked over to me in tears, a mouth full of spewing food, to examine her back. And then it happened. Her knees buckled, she fell limply into my arms and she didn't respond as I forcefully called her name. I didn't know what was happening but my heart was racing out of my chest. I was trying to think of what number I should call Jason on...cell, office, pager, when she finally came to. Immediately she told me that her stomach hurt and that was when I knew. She has officially inherited my weak vasovagal response, if its even really genetic. Poor girl. All I can say is it might get her a few free movie passes and a legitimate excuse to forgo a medical career.

Burn 'Em and Eat 'Em

So the kids and I made a late trip to Walmart for a few items while Jason was on his way home from work tonight. It never fails that the kids ask for something while we are at the store. Actually, I would think something was seriously wrong if they didn't. Tonight Lauren couldn't resist the big bag of fluffy white jet puffed marshmallows on the end cap. She came running after me (because it wouldn't be a trip to the grocery store if the kids actually stayed by your side like you ask them to) to see if we could roast marshmallows. I caved. I usually do on at least one item them ask for (sorry honey). Nathan, who also came running up from some other isle in the store, asked "is that when we burn them up and then eat them?" Classic. Even the lady standing with me in the isle laughed. So after dinner, for FHE night we incorporated a thought on patience as we burned up marshmallows over the grill. Now that is my type of camping. Roasting marshmallows over something that only took 30 seconds to get started and being only 2 feet away from a warm couch and cold diet coke.

Friday's Fabulous Recipe

Okay, I admit it...I'm a recipe junkie. I love trying new recipes even though I fail (as my husband can attest) more than I succeed. But it seems when I succeed, it's definitely a recipe I want to share. I've emailed this to a few people already to make sure it wasn't just me that loved it and turns out they liked it too. Enjoy!

BBQ Chicken Burritos

1/2 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 1/2 cups julienned green bell peppers
1 cup chopped onions
4 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
4 flour tortillas
Sour cream, shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chicken, green peppers, and onion in 2 tablespoons oil for 6-8 minutes or until chicken juices run clear. Stir in BBQ sauce. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, simmer for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle cheese down the center of each flour tortilla; top with chicken mixture. Fold sides and ends over the filling and roll up. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown burritos in remaining oil on all sides. Serve with sour cream, lettuce and chopped tomatoes.

RECIPE TIP: I had some cooked chicken left over, so I reduced the oil to 1 tablespoon to cook the onions and peppers. Then I just tossed in the cooked chicken and proceeded as instructed.

I passed a recipe along to a friend once that had a lot of chopped onions in it. I asked her how she liked it and she told me she did except for having to chop all the onions. I thought EVERYONE knew about frozen chopped onions. They are usually around $1 for a bag and they are invaluable. Now, some things just need a fresh onion...but in my opinion...not very many!! You can find them with the frozen vegetables.

Hot Juicy Burger!

A few pictures from Halloween. I hate to say Jason got the most attention!

Touchdown!

It just wouldn't be right, if one of our children by the age of one had not been taught the "touchdown" signal. We are happy to report that in addition to clapping and playing peek a boo, Luke can successfully make the touchdown signal on cue. Go Blue!

Happy Birthday Baby!

Our Halloween baby turns 1!

It is hard to believe that Luke is already a year old...wow that went fast. I'm not sure if it's because we have had so much going on this past year or because he has been the easiest baby on the planet (for us anyway!). He is so much fun, so happy and of course SO CUTE! We celebrated his birthday a few days early because we didn't think our kids needed cake and ice cream in addition to the mounds of candy they would be getting for Halloween.