Kiera Turns 3!!

My baby is 3!
It seems like just overnight she turned from baby to independent, opinionated, sassy little princess who's favorite words are, "I can do it myself!" with a flip of her hair. Lil' Miss Pink knew she was turning 3 for a couple of months and everytime anyone mentioned anything of the sort, she would say, "Yes, I will be 3 and I'm going to have a Pink Princess Party!" After trying hard to sway her otherwise, I knew I had lost the battle and started preparing for a Pink Princess Party. The thing is that her favorite princess is Snow White, who is anything but PINK. But she didn't care, she wanted to dress like Snow White and have a Pink Princess Party. It made sense to her so we went with it.
I purchased some tiaras, wands, heart sunglasses, and lip gloss rings at Walmart after Valentine's Day for 75% off (making them $.50/package or 4 of each). Dang good deal! I finally was able to use all the scrapbooking paper to make her invitations with my Cricket machine (which I love). I talked my sister-in-law into dressing up as Snow White and helping me with the party(she was AWESOME)! I had most of the decorations from previous parties except for pink balloons. So, I only spent $25 and it was a fabulous party!

Chinese Ginger-Orange Chicken (Vickie Smith)

Got this recipe from one of my friends blog. It was awesome!

Dump into your pressure cooker the following:

2 T oil
4 boneless chicken breasts
1/2 c orange juice concentrate
1/4 c hoisin sauce
3 T lemon juice
1/4 t hot Chinese-style mustard
1 T ginger
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 T brown sugar
1/4 t cinnamon

Now set to low heat for 8 minutes. Serve over rice or noodles!

One of the Happiest Pictures of Me!

Giveawaytoday.blogspot.com is giving away a photography book that I desparately want! For three entries I have to find a picture of myself that shows me happy. So, after looking through all our pictures I realized that I either don't smile in pictures or I dodge having my picture taken too much! It's made me realize that my kids are going to feel 'gypt' when they don't have any pictures of me when they are older. It's taught me a valuable lesson and maybe I'll change my ways. But not today!
In this picture, Kiera was about 3 months old and my mom, grandmother and I had just spent the day together. We were all dressed similar and so my Uncle Matt took pictures of us. It will always remind me of that wonderful day with my wonderful Grandma! I love her so very much!

Couldn't let this recipe pass us by!!!

Peanut Butter Fudge Cake


Ingredients
1 box (18.25 ounces) devil's food cake mix
3 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 cups chopped chocolate-covered peanut butter cups (about 8 ounces), plus more to garnish
8 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

Directions
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat two 9-inch round cake pans with nonstick cooking spray. Line with waxed paper; coat paper.

2. In a large bowl, beat cake mix, eggs, buttermilk and vegetable oil on low for 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium-high; beat for 2 minutes, scraping down side of the bowl after 1 minute. Fold in 2 cups of the chopped peanut butter cups.

3. Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 34 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let layers cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Turn out cakes onto wire racks and cool completely.

4. Place chopped dark chocolate in a medium-size bowl. Bring cream just to a boil and pour over chocolate. Whisk until chocolate melts. Add peanut butter and whisk until smooth.

5. Trim top of cake layers flat with a serrated knife. Put 1 cake layer on cooling rack and place on a baking sheet. Pour 1 cup frosting on top; spread evenly with a spatula. Top with remaining cake layer. Pour remaining frosting over the top, allowing it to spill over the sides. Smooth top and sides with spatula. Refrigerate 1 hour to set. Transfer cake to serving plate and garnish with chopped candy, if desired.

Singing in the Rain!

Bless his heart. He loves to sing in the shower, I know he will probably kill us one day for doing this to him. But we just could not help it! It's priceless!

Win Something Made By Me For You!!

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me!
My choice.
For you.
This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It'll be done this year. (ha! 10 whole months :)
4. You have no clue what it's going to be.
It may be a story.
It may be poetry or an article on properly cleaning your face before a masque.
I may draw or paint something.
I may bake something and mail it to you.
Who knows?
Not you, that's for sure!
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.
The catch?
Oh, the catch is that you must re-post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog.
The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS
homemade gift by me!
I do promise fabulosity here folks...

The Week With Dr. Monkey

This last week, we hosted Dallin's Preschool Class Pet, Dr. Monkey. We did a scrapbook journal for him to take to school. It was fun!

6th Picture Challenge

1. Go to the photo folder in your computer
2. Go to the 6th folder of photos.
3. Go to the sixth picture.
4. Put the picture on your blog and description of it.
5. Invite six friends to join the challenge.

This is a picture of Dallin with his cousin's, Katelyn, Nathan, Steven, and Christine at the park down the street from my parent's house. It was the week of July 4th 2006. Dallin was still in diapers and because it was an impromptu water playing time, we let him play in his diaper. Talk about your cryptosporidium! We changed his diaper before he got in, so it was reasonably clean. Anyway, when we were ready to leave, his diaper was hanging so far down his legs that he looked like he was wearing it on his ankles. That was one full diaper!

The Art of Reading Books

I'm speechless and can only say one thing...

At least she loves to read.

Dallin's First Valentine's Box

With Dallin in Preschool, it gives us as parents a lot of "firsts". First day of school, first show and tell, first halloween parade, etc. Well, he had to make a Valentine's Box for school and his teacher asked that it be a family activity. So last Family Home Evening, we started working on this Box! Well, Daddy didn't think we should just do some ordinary box and suggested we do a dog somehow. We found a 3 liter Shasta bottle, some fur left over from the sheep costume I made, paint, and a glue gun. It was a little shakey at times but this is what we came up with! It was the hit of the classroom. Dallin said he was going to keep his Valentine Dog for next year and every year after that! He loves it, we did it as a family, and had fun. That's all that matters!

What the...!

The other day, I came downstairs to our unfinished basement to find this! Now many of you look at this picture and say, "Oh, what cute kids". Well, my first reaction was, what were you two thinking! But, I have to say, I'm sure glad I didn't look past their face and miss the joy and pride they had in their eyes! They were so excited to show me their 'fort' they had spent so much time making. My frustration quickly turned into a chuckle and I ran to go get the camera! After I took a few shots of the new addition to our basement. we had a "party" in our new fort with Ritz Crackers and Strawberries. I think about that day now and realize that I wouldn't have that great memory with my kids if I had looked past their faces to the mess that lay beyond! Thank heavens for far-sightedness!

Big Brother

Yesterday Kiera fell off the couch, this is not unusual, and her toe caught on the corner and ripped her pinkie toe away from the others. We bandaged her up but she was still in a lot of pain. After we gave her a little Motrin she sat on the couch very dejected-like. Then, Dallin had a great idea! He decided that for the day, he would carry around his little sister on his back. You can see he is not much bigger than her. But still, he took her to the potty, her room, the table to eat, even to his room to play a little. She doesn't know it yet, but she has one great big brother!

First Snow

The other day it snowed! The kids have been waiting so long for this day! The instant they woke up, we had to get all bundled up and go play. Kiera didn't have as much fun as she thought it was going to be. It was really cold that day, maybe when the sun comes out it will be more fun! Roo however, is having the time of her life!

Presenting... The Little Entertainers!

I just have to share with you the great kids I have the privilige to spend time with each week. We are right in the middle of our Christmas Performances and they ARE bringing the Christmas Spirit to my Christmas time! Love you guys!

Hear Say?

Since my children could talk they have repeated and mimiced us as parents. It hits really hard when you hear something come out of their mouths that you obviously say quite frequently! Like "NO!" or "Just a Second!" or "I'm counting...3...2...1...timeout!" or "Dangit!" or even worse for that matter! All you can do is cringe and think to yourself, "I've really got to stop saying that so often!."
Well, today it happened again! As we sat reading our 24 Days of Christmas Advent Book (I wrap 24 books and number each and put them under the tree, they open up one each day, taking turns of course), and Kiera looked over at me and kissed me on my cheek and said, "Oh man, Mommy, I love you so dang much!" I realized that even though I have quite a few things to work on as a parent, I still might be doing somethings right!

What is Our Niche in This Bloggin' World?

I have been wondering lately what types of things I want to write on our blog. You know, the things that will really be interesting to read. I'm sure you aren't out here to read about my overpacked, crazy life. And then it happened at 3am (which is when it always does). I will share all our Taylor'disms OR in other words, You Know You Are a Parent If...thoughts. There are so many of these that happen to each parent and they end up being some of the most memorable things in our day. I want to remember these in years to come. So, I will memorialize them here in the Taylor'd Crew Blog. Should be a good time! Stay tuned...

Family Pictures...Finally!

Yesterday we had our first family pictures taken after 4 years! Yes, Kiera is now a part of the family! We were pleased with how they turned out. It will be good to not have Kiera ask me everytime she sees our family picture, "Where is Keira? She is not here."

A Dog! WHAT?

Well, here I am, true to form and getting back to this blog thing after a year!
Most current news: About 3 weeks ago, we added to our family. Roo, a very energetic beagle/heeler mix, has been a great addition to our family and we can't imagine life without her. Even though she is still peein' on my carpets every-now-and-then AND chews at everything in sight, we still love her and find her quite entertaining. Besides, it sure has helped the kids not to be bitterly afraid of 'live' animals. She's getting bigger each week and I wonder how big she will get. I guess we'll keep you posted!

To Blog or not to Blog, THAT is the Question!

Well, here I go! My first Blog. I have never thought of myself as technically unsavvy. But I guess life without Blog would classify me as such. I love to read other blogs and enjoy the information on them. I just hope that this blog is as informative or entertaining. Well, I'm sure it will be more entertaining than informative!
So, here I go!