Growing up..

I have so many mixed emotions right now. Henry is 10 months old and growing way too fast. I feel like this is a bitter sweet moment for us.

LAST TIMES.......The last time in the "baby"car seat, his "baby" swing, and the "baby" chair... that he now surfs on instead of sits.

Our little baby is now taking on the world!!! Exploring!! Since it is my last baby it makes me want to just keep him small longer, hold on a little tighter and treasure our night time together.
I love when he hugs my neck and snuggles, I just want to treasure all these special moments. I know they grew so fast.

See what I mean... bitter sweet....On the other hand I'm having fun watching his sweet "growing up" moments that he is having... I just adore this little guy.

Henry sleeps like this in the car,,, he is so stubborn, when I move his head back up he just kicks his feet, and puts his head back down. (his toes are soo hanging over the seat) :)

Surfs up mom!!!This kid is strong!!

This was the last time in his swing ( it would barely move... he is so heavy)!!

22lbs.. at 10 months this kid is a beast!

Not cool when the baby can put his foot down and stand in the swing.. it is soooo time.

And NOW!!!!!

Now Henry is busted!!!! Busted getting into everything his little heart can explore and see what moves, what he can put in his mouth and what makes noise.

Now... crawling everywhere, he follows me around the house and goes into Hunter's room to play. He is even pulling mommies plants off the shelve. The world is a pretty cool view from down on his level.

Here comes HENRY!!

Henry Loves... PANCAKES!!!

Smiling...

Big Boy Trains....

AND Eating Spaghetti with his HANDS!!!

Henry loves playing with his big brother... Hunter was teaching him how to play "monster trucks".

Soooo Busted!! He has that... "really mom I didn't do it" look!!

Laughter...

Bowling Buddies

Friday night Bowling with the Sim's Family.... Hunter and Cohen are buddies!! Steve and Bryan got to watch the FSU game on the BIG SCREEN, and the girls got to chat it up. We all had a great time.

Yummy PIZZA!

Hunter's Bowling Face.... HUNTER WINS!!!!
The boys had some serious decisions to make on which bowling ball to use.

I think this is a pretty cool picture... thy have the same face profile... way to go dad, teaching Cohen to bowl. Mommies big boy! Hunter had a great time bowling.
Steve was pretty serious about bowling.. he was fired up that Hunter won!! Steve was really trying. :)

So sweet! Cohen and Dawn..
My Guys!!! Cute!

"See" A Good Day Challenge - Day 4

I was having a pretty good day... read my scriptures, listened to a talk on BYU TV, even read an article in the ensign while Hunter was at school... (THIS IS NOT A NORMAL DAY.... I barely get to do one of those in a day) I was on a spiritual high, it was a good day...that was until I opened the mail box and found an unexpected bill to worry about....

P O P!!

There went my happy bubble! Have you ever had one of those days!!?!?!?

We all know being an adult can be stressful, overwhelming, a huge headache... paying bills and being responsible for someone else besides yourself can make you worry.

My happy day went from being pretty dang good to, stress at a high level and then I remembered something I read in the ensign talk that day.

It said "even though we are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints that does not mean we are exempt from trials". Alma 38:5 "As much as ye shall put your trust in God even so much ye shall be delivered out of your trials, and your troubles, and your afflictions, and ye shall be lifted up at the last day".

The real blessing of being a member of the church is that the lord provides ways to help us walk that path... hand and hand with him.

I saw his love for me that afternoon when I started to almost doubt, ask why us ... and as I remembered the talk, I KNEW that the Lord had "prepared" me with a morning of spritual uplifting...for that exact moment when I got the "mail" and my trial began. I was given just a little extra boost to be reminded that .. IT IS GOING TO BE O.K.! I could see why I should read my scriptures and the articles... it is almost like my "vitamins" for the day. I will get an extra boost to fend off the "germs" of the world. Today I felt the lords warm embrace, through small simple messages.

Some of Alicia's Fav's

"See" A Good Day Challenge - Day 3

I have noticed something with my son Hunter, my relationship with my boys and my family. When I have my priorities straight..focus on my family, be that "fun" mom, LOVING mom, compassionate wife and really listen to Hunter taking the time to PLAY with him. Our day goes so smoothly, we don't have timeout, we have laughter, and we have a good energy in our home. I have seen the rewards of just changing some of MY patterns during the day.

One afternoon, Me and the boys got to go on a bike ride. Hunter loves to ride fast, fast, fast, and then "go off the trail".. skid and CRASH basically! While we were on the ride he stopped when he saw these flowers and he said "mommy, these flowers are for you and daddy because you are special to me"... Really, REALLY can this kid get any cuter and sweet. It sure made me smile.
"Listen earnestly to anything [your children] want to tell you, no matter what. If you don't listen eagerly to the little stuff when they are little, they won't tell you the big stuff when they are big, because to them all of it has always been big stuff."
-Catherine M. Wallace-

Happy St. Patricks Day!!

Yummmy and cute idea's... now which one to do with the kids!? Fun "Betty Crocker" ideas.http://www.bettycrocker.com


1 pouch Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 egg
1 container (1 lb) Betty Crocker® Rich & Creamy vanilla frosting
1/4 teaspoon green gel or paste food color
24 large marshmallows
24 small (1-inch) chewy chocolate candies
12 small green gumdrops

In medium bowl, stir cookie mix, butter and egg until soft dough forms. Roll dough in 24 (1-inch) balls. On ungreased cookie sheets, place 2 inches apart.
2. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until until edges are light golden brown. Immediately place marshmallow on each cookie. Remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.
3. In microwavable bowl, microwave frosting on High 30 seconds. Stir; frosting should be a thick spoonable glaze. Stir food colori into frosting, adding more if needed to achieve desired color. Spoon warm frosting over each cookie, coating completely and allowing excess to drip off. Let stand 20 minutes to set.
4. Roll chocolate candies into ropes. Flatten with rolling pin into 1/8-inch-thick ribbons. Cut into strips with scissors to resemble hat bands; arrange around base of marshmallow on each cookie. Cut gumdrops crosswise in half (reshaping as needed). Press cut side onto hat band. Lift cookies onto serving platter with pancake turner, leaving excess frosting behind. Store in airtight container.




Crust
30 fudge mint cookies, crushed (about 1 3/4 cups)
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
Filling
4 oz semisweet baking chocolate
3 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
4 eggs
1/3 cup green crème de menthe liqueur*
Topping and Garnish, if desired
Sweetened whipped cream
Crème de menthe thin rectangular candies for garnish, unwrapped, cut in half diagonally

1. Heat oven to 300°F. Wrap foil around bottom and side of ungreased 9-inch springform pan. In large bowl, mix crust ingredients with fork until crumbly. Press in bottom and 1 inch up side of pan. Bake 12 minutes. Cool 30 minutes.
2. In small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate on High 45 to 60 seconds, stirring once halfway through microwaving, until melted. If necessary, continue to microwave on High in 15-second increments, stirring until smooth. Set aside.
3. In large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar with electric mixer on medium speed, scraping bowl frequently, until smooth and creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until smooth after each addition. Stir in liqueur. Pour filling evenly over crust.
4. Drop 8 to 10 tablespoonfuls melted chocolate randomly onto filling, allowing chocolate to sink into filling. With table knife or small spatula, cut through chocolate and filling to swirl for marbled design.
5. Bake 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes or until set 2 inches from edge of pan. Remove from oven; run knife around side of cheesecake to loosen. Return to oven; turn oven off and open door slightly. Cool cheesecake in oven 1 hour. Remove from oven to cooling rack; cool at room temperature 1 hour. Refrigerate 3 hours.
6. To serve, remove side of pan. Spoon whipped cream into decorating bag with large star tip; squeeze bag to pipe cream around top edge of cheesecake. Garnish with candies.


So simple.. cupcake with "lucky charm" cereal on top.

"See" A Good Day Challenge - Day 2

Today I got to "SEE" A good day through a camera lens.

I saw my children having so much fun.

Henry swinging in his big boy swing for the first time and laughing so hard at his brother.

I could see there fun personalities coming out, how amazing these two little people are.

So full of life and so loving, we won't forget Fiesty!

I saw and truly understood what my Patriarchal Blessing meant about "Your Greatest JOY will come to you through your Children and Posterity in the future", as I smiled when they giggled at each other.

I just felt so much happiness at that moment.

I got to see Hunter master his flip on the trampoline and climb the "OUTSIDE" of the "fort". He is so adventurous and loves to explore new things pushing the limit for sure.

But most of all I got to reflect on knowing that these children are sealed to me through the temple covenants I have made. The eternal blessings we are promised. I feel so blessed to be trusted from a loving Heavenly Father to allow me... ME... to be there mom! Ohh I just adore these boys!

This was a Good Day!

Little Boys

Little boys come in all shapes and sizes,
Shy and adventurous, full of surprises,
With misshapen halos and mischievous grins,
Small dirty faces, and sweet, sticky chins.
They'll keep you so busy, and yet all the while
Nothing can brighten the world like their smile.
And no greater treasure has brought homes more joy
Than a curious, active, and lovable boy!

A Girl Can DREAM!

I love new outfits, shoot really I just love clothes... I use to wear these kind a amazing outfits to work, 4 yrs ago....... now I wear workout clothes or totally casual. Ohhh how I love ANN TAYLOR!!! I Only own one article of clothing from Little Miss Ann, but I sure do love this line of clothing. So beautiful!
LOVE IT!



I have been day dreaming about a POOL in our yard ONE DAY! These are a little over the top.. but a girl can dream can't she.



I love seeing people's tablescapes! How creative, colorful and beautiful. Now I just want to know, do people really have that many DIFFERENT sets of dishes....?
Easter/Spring
I love the color Teal.

Happy St. Patricks Day!

Happy 4th Of July!

A Real Big Target....

O.k. so really... why can't my son aim his pee in the toilet... it is a big ROUND OPEN Target! He always misses and it goes all over the floor, wall, and now my silver bathroom organizer is rusted.... NICE!

Oh I'm so in for it with a house of MALES!