Labor Day zoo trip

Over the Labor Day weekend in September we took the boys to the Dallas Zoo. It was the perfect day to go since the weather was finally cool. We had fun seeing all the animals and just spending time together as a family.

I'm not sure which part was Levi's favorite. He was so excited to see every animal! I think we will have to become members of the zoo so we can go back more frequently.

By the time we left the zoo the boys were just so tired. We all came home and crashed! I love fun family days like that!


Levi was so curious about the penguins.


There's a gorilla down there napping.



Jax loved the elephants. This was his view from the stroller.


Pumba!


I love this picture!


The last thing we did before we left was let the kids ride the carousel. Levi and Jax both loved it. A very nice person gave us their tickets to ride the carousel so it didn't cost us anything. Levi was not happy to get off!

Our Utah trip

Back in August we had the opportunity to go to Utah for my husband's cousin's wedding. We decided to drive all the way out there. We're crazy, I know! It really wasn't that bad it was just a lot of driving. A LOT....A LOT!!

On the way out to Utah we drove up to the panhandle of Texas, over to Albuquerque, NM, through a small corner of Colorado and up through southern Utah. On the way back we went through northern Utah, over to Wyoming, down to Colorado, over to Kansas, down to Oklahoma and back to Texas! It was over 3000 miles that we drove!

We had an amazing time and we were able to see family that we haven't seen in several years. Here's some highlights of our trip out west!

Outside the Albuquerque Temple





There were these big and beautiful rocks that were so randomly placed along the road. So cool!

When we got to southern Utah we stopped at Arches National Park. This place is so awesome. I have been there before but my husband hasn't. I haven't been there since I was a kid so I don't really remember much of it. The park was about to close so we didn't even get to scratch the surface of this park. But at least we can now say we've been there and will remember it.

Levi just wanted to throw rocks the whole time. This is the perfect place to do that!

Matt and Levi climbed up to the top of this rock. Levi was so excited to be so high!


The arches are amazing to look at.


After the wedding we ate lunch at The Pie in downtown Salt Lake. Look at that pizza! All the toppings and the dripping cheese! Oh my glory it was so good! If you are ever there you MUST go to The Pie!


In Provo we saw Mader! How awesome is this thing?!? This is a real truck that someone actually made to look like Mader. I saw this and even though it was pouring rain I had to take a picture. Levi was scared to stand next to it so the picture I have of him with Mader he is crying. Oh well...it was still fun to see.


We were also able to go jet skiing in Flaming Gorge in Wyoming with Matt's awesome brother and sister in law. There wasn't anyone out on the lake and it was so peaceful and quiet! We had the whole lake to ourselves. I think that is me with Levi on the jet ski. It was a blast and a great way to finish our trip.

We love our family and can't wait to see everyone again!

A peach: 13 weeks

It's crazy how fast the time has gone. The first trimester is just about over! I'm slowly losing sight of my toes and shaving my legs is getting more and more difficult. I still haven't felt the baby move yet. Sometimes I think I feel something but then I just figure maybe it's gas! Hehe! I've had two sonograms and everything looks perfect. The baby is measuring right where she should be.

Did I say she?? That's right! We found out yesterday that this little baby is a girl. That is an answer to so many prayers. I have wanted a girl for so long now. I needed a girl so that she could rescue me from all the boys running around. I have such dreams of playing barbies, shopping trips, manicures and pedicures together and then some day waaaayyy long in the future her wedding! So here she is!

Where the line is drawn, that part of the baby is flat or pointed down. That indicates that the baby is a girl. If that part was pointed up then it would be a boy. No shocker there! I will have another sono around 20 weeks to confirm that the baby is 100% for sure a girl. The doctor I went to has accurately predicted our boys and I was only 11 weeks for them. So I'm pretty sure this is a girl!

I'm feeling fine and still pretty tired all the time. I don't figure that will change much since I chase around Levi and Jax all day. I can't wait to meet her!

Baby at week 6

We have made it another week in pregnancy. Baby is the size of a sweet pea. I already feel so bloated! My face feels puffy and it's only going to get worse. I try not to sleep on my stomach but I just can't help it. I'm a total stomach sleeper. It is so comfortable to me and I have to enjoy it as long as possible.

I'm hungry a lot!! I try to supress my cravings and I try not to use the "I'm pregnant" excuse to eat whatever I want. I'm hungry now but I have to control this hunger. We'll see how long that lasts.

We still haven't told anyone yet that I'm pregnant. I'm too nervous to tell anyone because I don't want to say anything and then have something horrible happen. I know it's in the Lord's hands and I pray that everything will be ok.

We love you baby and just keep growing and we'll see you in 34 more weeks!

At 5 weeks

I discovered today that I am pregnant. I am filled with mixed emotions right now. I am super happy to expand our family but at the same time I am filled with sadness for the baby that I lost earlier this year.

What can I do different this time? Nothing, I'm sure! I don't want to have to go through the sadness and heartache again. Heavenly Father has a plan for our family, I know he does. I want this baby to make it and I want to hold this child. For some reason we lost Taylor and we can't wait for the day when that baby will join us again.

I can't wait to meet you Baby. You will be greeted by two older brothers who will love you and protect you. They will probably not share their toys at first but they'll warm up to you eventually. Levi is protective of his stuff so watch out for that. Jax is very care-free so I wouldn't worry too much about him. Either way, you're coming to a wonderful and loving family.

My expected due date is April 28, 2012. I'm five weeks along and the baby is about the size of a sesame seed.

According to the Chinese calendar this baby should be a girl too!! Fingers and toes crossed that it is!

So this will be a tough few weeks for me to get through. But with a lot of prayer I know everything will work out as it should.

Yipee!! Let the craziness of pregnancy begin!

Buffalo Chicken Lasagna

I made this lasagna last night and it was very good! It's a fun twist on the usual taste of lasagna. Enjoy!

Image and recipe courtesy of Prevention RD

Printable version

12 whole wheat lasagna noodles, uncooked (I used oven-ready lasagna noodles)
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed or shredded (canned chicken would even work)
3 cups Hunts Four Cheese Spaghetti Sauce
1 cup mild buffalo wing sauce
1 1/2 cups water
15 oz non fat ricotta cheese
1 egg
9 slices Pepperjack cheese

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Cook chicken over medium high heat for 4 minutes or until almost done. Stir in sauces and water. In a small bowl, combine ricotta cheese and egg. Spray a 9 x 13 pan with nonstick cooking spray. Spread 1 cup of sauce in the bottom of the pan. Arrange 4 noodles over the sauce. Spread more sauce, then a layer of ricotta mixture. Add another layer of sauce, and repeat the whole process until you end with a layer of sauce. Cover and bake 70 minutes. Uncover and place cheese slices on top, then bake for another 15 minutes uncovered. Let stand 10-15 minutes before serving.

A quick tip

Cleaning my oven is not fun. If I would just do it after it has cooled my life would be so much easier. I got in a cleaning mood and finally scrubbed all the gunk and junk off my oven. I have a smooth surface oven and I discovered the best way to clean it. I thought I would pass along a helpful tip if you don't already have a great solution.

Here's my oven in all its glorious filth.

Sad! Horrible! My mother would be horrified! She raised me better than that!


This is my secret ingredient. What is it? Baking soda!! Cover the top of your oven with it and let it sit for a few minutes. I'm not sure how much it helps to let it sit but I tell myself by letting it sit, that's when the magic happens!! I usually let it soak in for about 5-10 minutes.

Then I take my sponge and start scrubbing. Depending on how much gunk you have on there you may have to really put some "elbow grease" into scrubbing. But it's worth the work in the end. I use the rough side of my sponge. It doesn't scratch my oven either.
After scrubbing just a little this is what the first burner looks like. A million times better!


Keep going because when you're finished you will be able to see your reflection. Ta da!!

What do you think? It looks brand new again. I do use window cleaner to polish the oven up to a pretty shine. This makes me happy! My total time spent cleaning this was about 20 minutes. Well worth it too!