A Las Vegas Christmas

Yup, in my book they are the best because it's warm {well not below freezing at least}

and no snow on the ground.

This past weekend our little family took a trip to the Ethel M Chocolate/Mars factory here in town. They have a cactus garden that is all decorated for Christmas. It wasn't Temple Square by any means, but it was decent. We bundled the kiddos up and they seemed to have a good time.

There was caroling and free chocolate. How could it get any better?

Oh yeah, Santa was there too hearing wish lists and handing out M&M's to the kids.

We didn't think Jensen would sit on his lap so we went for a family picture instead of an eighteen month old boy throwing a fit picture.

They also let you go inside the chocolate factory. We weren't in time for a real tour, but you could still walk around. I couldn't help but think of the "I Love Lucy" episode with Lucy and Ethel eating all the chocolates. It has to be one of the best episodes ever.

I think this is my new favorite saying. . . it would be funny if it wasn't so true!

Pizza Anyone?

Our bearded pizza boy!

Lucy @ Two Months

13 lbs of cuteness!

Lucy's Special Day

Lucy in her beautiful blessing dress that was given to her by

Grandma and Grandpa Knudsen.

Lucy was blessed by her father on December 6th 2009.

We are so grateful for our family that traveled to be with us on her special day.

Lucy was so good during the blessing and was even called an angel by a couple of people.

She really has been an angel!

Quincy's Family

Jessie's Family

We had a busy weekend with family from both sides in town. My parents, sister with her girls and brother with his wife and kids came from Utah for the blessing. Quincy had a brother from Idaho that had a conference in town and just happened to be the same weekend as Lucy's blessing. His other brothers were in town due to a nephew playing in a basketball tournament.

My family had a great time (except for Jensen) shopping at Cowboy Christmas and the outlets. Quincy and Jensen left shopping to go watch his nephew play ball. Of course the night ended with yummy cheesecake.

What's For Dinner?

My family was here this weekend and noticed my cute menu chart. This was one of my favorite Christmas gifts from a friend last year. Yes, I actually fill this out most weeks because it keeps me organized. I fill it out before I go to the grocery store so I know what to pick up. Plus if I don't fill it out it's five o'clock, Quincy is asking me what's for dinner, and I only have frozen meat with no plan. Those nights we head to Taco Bell. Maybe I shouldn't fill it out every week.

One meal my family asked about was lettuce wraps. I got the original recipe from Picky-Palate, but have made it even simpler. If you haven't visited this site you are missing out. I kind of don't like her because she is skinny and makes some yummy desserts. How do some people do that?

Here is my simpler version of her yummy recipe.

Step one: Heat oil in skillet. {Sorry no picture}

Step two: Dice onion and heat in pan.

Step three: Cut precooked chicken into small cubes and add to pan. Let cook 3 min or so. I use this chicken from Costco. Love it!

Step four: Add broccoli slaw to pan. I have found this at Albertsons or Fresh and Easy.

Step five: Add cup or so of Yoshidsa's Teriyaki sauce. You can also find this at Albertsons or the big bottle at Costco. Let simmer 5 - 10 minutes.

Step six: Wash a head of lettuce. Cut top off.

That's it. Dinner in 20 minutes tops! Make sure to have napkins on the table. They can get a little messy!

Even my picky eater loves it! He was the last one at the table tonight eating it.

Mama Bear Isn't Happy

Ouch!

The culprit

He in big, big trouble!

It's a good thing I got her blessing pictures taken on Saturday.
{I'll post them soon, I just haven't found time to scan them.}

Three Years Down. . . Eternity to Go!

Quincy and I celebrated our third anniversary last Tuesday, but since we had other responsibilities that night we actually celebrated it on Friday night. I arranged the babysitter {thanks McCoy family} and Quincy planned the date. He surprised me with tickets to Phantom of the Opera. His co-worker plays the trumpet in the orchestra and hooked us up with a friends and family discount. We were on the fourth row! Quincy had never seen it before and I was worried since musicals are not his thing. He did end up enjoying it {I think the shortened version helped}.

After the show, Quincy's friend took us for a personal tour behind the scenes. The fifty million dollar theater is amazing. Here are some highlights.

We caught a quick picture with the Phantom and Christine. He said that there are three different actors that play the Phantom in the show. Two of them are stunt men, like the one that hangs from the chandelier during the show.

This picture is hard to see, but it is of the three different parts of the chandelier that come together at the beginning of the show.

The sets are all stacked up on top of each other three or four levels high. The actual stage floor has over 100 openings that make the actors appear or disappear in seconds.

This was on the Masquerade stairway. It is three different parts that come together during the show.

This picture is also hard to see, but it is of the ceiling on the stage. It is of all the backdrops one after another.

This is the wig room if you couldn't tell. Each wig costs around $3,500 and each character has three wigs they rotate.

Quincy did a wonderful job planning our anniversary. I think I will let him be in charge again next year. I hope he has another co-worker that can hook us up with Cher tickets!

Quick Utah Trip

Yikes it’s been a while since I last blogged. I am still getting use to this mommy of two business. Most days I do have an hour or two of me time when both kiddos are asleep to shower, blog, be crafty, or sleep. Let’s say 95% of the time that my bed is calling me. So I hope you appreciate my sacrifice to blog about our past activities.

Mid-October we took Lucy on her first trip to Utah. It was a very quick trip but was great to see the family {especially these little babies}. They are going to be the best of friends when they get a little older.

Ella, Lucy and Kadence

One of the main reasons we took this quick trip was for Quincy. His fantasy basketball league was planning on doing a live draft in Lehi. Two of his brothers were in and that meant we were on our way to Provo. He had a great time and hopefully they keep this tradition up so I get a trip to Utah in the fall. I love visiting Utah this time of the year. It’s so pretty with the mountains all red and yellow. It’s when those mountains are white, then I know I don’t belong there.

One of our outings was to Gardner’s Village to see all the witches and do a little window shopping.

Our first family photo.

{I didn’t want to post this pic but this is good motivation for me to diet. My before picture.}

Lucy got to meet lots of family on this trip even her Great Grandma Ivie. She was a little hungry in this shot.

Another reason we went to Provo was for the BYU football game. It was our first date without two children. Too bad they lost to TCU that night. We drove home after the game. I told you it was quick!

Jensen is Eighteen Months

Jensen turned eighteen months on October 30th. Normally this isn't such a big deal but in Mormon terms this means one thing . . . nursery! Which I am so ready for now that I have another baby to tend to.

The nursery leaders told me to bring him in about a month early so he could get used to it. Of course I listened and took him in but could only do it one week since I had Lucy.

Let's just say Jensen isn't ready for nursery.

First, he wouldn't leave my side. It's like he knew that Mommys and Daddys abandoned their kids in there.

The kids in there sat in chairs and played with toys. Jensen just threw them off the table. Plus he doesn't sit in a chair unless he is restrained with a tray followed by food.

Then came snack time. The kids nicely ate goldfish crackers, teddy grahams, and pretzels. They also drank water from small dixie cups. Jensen not liking anything they had to offer threw them on the floor. Plus he knocked his drink all over himself and me.

We left shortly after.

I felt like I failed as a Mommy to get him ready for nursery. So now I have Jensen in Nursery Training 101!

He did go with Daddy last week and seemed to do better {still threw his snack though}.

Other things about Jensen at eighteen months.

He still drinks from a bottle. We have tried to give him the sippy full of milk but somehow that doesn’t pass. He takes one sip and throws it on the floor. Plus he looks up at you with those big blue eyes and how can you say no? We have nicknamed him Puss n' Boots.

He has found his baby sis. He likes to not so nicely touch her head. One day he did play with her feet, but of course I was just a second late with my camera. He doesn’t like it too much when I sit down to nurse her but he is getting better about sharing the attention. Well if Einstein is on.

He loves being outside and looking at the dogs. He often goes for a walk with his dad when he gets home from work. He gets cabin fever more than his mama lately.

He still only has four teeth. We wonder if there is more coming since he has been a little moody lately. We hope it is teeth and not early terrible twos!

Halloween Activities

Our Lil' Monkey

Our Not so Wicked Witch

Her hat was too big plus it covered her cute hairbow.

She's not too sure if she likes this Halloween stuff.

Aren’t these the cutest shoes? Her Aunt Melissa made them for her.

Trunk or Treat was on Friday night so we headed to Logandale on Saturday to celebrate Halloween with the cousins. Of course Jensen loved playing with Snickers the “D”.

Jensen hanging out with Yoda (aka Cousin Bryson).

Jensen did go trick or treating with them but only lasted one house. It wasn’t worth the hastle of getting him in and out of the car (we’ll stick to trunk or treat). Plus his parents would just end up eating all the candy anyway. We had fun watching the cousins though.

It wouldn’t be Halloween without a “It’s a Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”. This year our Linus even enjoyed watching it.