Month: July 2009

Categories
Personal

Hugginkiss

We had to say farewell to this beloved, sultry lady the other day.

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Yes, my first college roommate—we had SUCH a good time together from the start (back in ‘02)! And now she’s headed home to the Golden State to continue her life’s adventures. 

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One of the qualities I love about Amanda: She’s always so amazing/patient with the little children. After Charlotte was born, Amanda took Chase on a special excursion to the mall and got him this turtle stuffed animal from Build-A-Bear. Chase promptly named him “Car,” I think because Chase got to ride in Amanda’s car, and he thinks Amanda’s car is really cool.

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Before Amanda got to our house, Chase decided to make her a goodbye card, in which he told me to write, “I love you Amanda”—short & sweet. Things have changed a lot over time, but we still manage to get together to laugh & cry (literally) about all sorts of things. We think of you often, Amanda, and wish you the best of times back in Cali!

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Categories
McRecipes

Chocolate Caramel Love (I mean CAKE)

(Background Info: The only time I’ve made this deliciously moist cake was just a few days ago! My mom made it a few times when I was young, and I LOVED it. I loved it so much that it has stayed in the back of my head ever since. I remember helping Mom unwrap the yummy caramels, and I would get to eat one. I think she made this cake for my birthday once. My mom was –and is– great at making our birthdays exciting and special for us kids.)

Chocolate Caramel Cake Recipe

1 box chocolate cake mix (+ oil, milk, & eggs to make it)
50 caramels, unwrapped
1 c. chocolate chips
1 c. nuts (optional)
5 oz. can evaporated milk
3 T. regular milk
1/2 or 3/4 c. butter (recipe says 3/4 c. but I say 1/2 c. is enough)

Melt caramels, butter, & all the milk in double boiler (or in a pan sitting on top of a pot of boiling water). Meanwhile, mix up the cake mix as directed on box. Put only half the batter in 9×13 pan and bake at 350 degrees for 13 minutes. Remove from oven, then pour the caramel sauce over the slightly baked cake. Add chocolate chips (& nuts if you want), and the rest of the cake mixture. Bake 18-20 more minutes in the 350 degree oven. Serve warm, with homemade whipped cream.

Categories
McVideos

Bath Time

Charlotte only likes taking baths with Chase. If she is by herself she only lasts a minute. I’m tired and that’s all the intro you get.

[flashvideo filename=”../mcvideos/bathtime.flv” link=”../mcvideos/bathtime.flv” /]
Categories
McVideos

Fun time

Categories
Family Fun

Cousin Luke Comes to Town!

We got to have Pace’s cousin Nada and her son, Luke (from Tennessee) here for 2 days! Tiffany & Kyle picked them up at the airport, then we had a little play date with them before taking Nada & Luke home with us. Here are the second cousins (Kyle, Chase, Charlotte, & Luke):

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I didn’t know how the boys would play together, but Chase LOVED having a “little brother” around! Luke kept talking to Chase, and repeated “Chase… Chase… Chase” all day long. Here are a few photos of them together. (Chase wanted to make a “serious face” for this photo:)

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We took them up north to be with Daddy Darin, which was the end of all the fun around here! Chase keeps saying wistfully, “Luke moved away. Aw, sad!” Maybe we’ll get to see them again sometime within the next couple weeks while they’re still in the area (no pressure or anything, guys)!

Categories
Charlotte

Keeping ’em on a schedule???


Charlotte is such a sweetie babe, and I just “eat her up” every day. I’m enjoying this easygoing baby so much! I’m glad she’s happy and healthy. I just have this one question lately… HOW do you keep a baby on a consistent schedule? I have read Babywise, Healthy Sleep Habits, and many other sleep books, but none of them seem do the trick for this girl staying on a good schedule. One thing that I think is helpful is that I don’t nurse her to sleep, like I did for Chase, so she doesn’t rely on that to get back to sleep.

I try to keep things regular (nap in the morning, nap in the middle of the day, and nap in the late afternoon, & regular bedtime). But then, she’ll randomly wake up really early in the morning, bright-eyed and smiley, which is indeed quite endearing. But this early waking throws everything off for the rest of the day (usually she wakes early because she has to poop or something). She’s also been having some short daytime “naplets” (especially when we go anywhere in the CAR), therefore needing to take more “naplets” to make it through the day, which messes everything up for night time. At night she gets up 2-3x per night, which I know is nothing compared to what Chase used to do… I’m noticing a recurring theme around here with my children! I mean, come on guys, I know I’m lots of fun to be around, but it’s okay if we don’t see each other all night long! 🙂 Ideas/similar experiences/comments/advice?

Categories
Family Fun

Pioneer Day Festivities

One thing that I love about Utah is that there are so many kid-friendly activities going on for special occasions, especially in the summer time. I think this has been the best summer we’ve ever had as a family, because none of us has been sick or pregnant or anything! Also, Chase is old enough to enjoy all the games, crafts, and shows they have going on at these events. Today was a state holiday, but unfortunately Pace had to work anyway, so I asked Nathan and Rachel to come with us to a park in Provo that had all sorts of free activities going on.

There was an antique car show, including this sweet fire engine that we were able to sit on. Chase got to crank the old siren, too. I perhaps FORCED Nathan and Rachel to wear the cute little hats for this photo op!

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We also enjoyed the Pioneer town, where there were people dressed up like pioneers, with realistic cabins, a blacksmith, etc.

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Chase also liked the petting zoo and crafts, but didn’t play any games because we didn’t feel like standing in the long lines… sorry, Chase! He was consoled by the J-Dawgs & frozen yogurt we got afterwards, though.

We missed having Pace along with us, but it was fun having Rachel and Nathan to hang out with. They’re quite entertaining, and always SO helpful with the kids. Glad you came with us, N & R!

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Categories
Tech

LAN party from afar INSTRUCTIONS

Alright, who’s ready for this!? Ryan has setup the VPN and he and I have played a test game. It’s freaking AWESOME! So this Saturday 8pm-12pm EST we are having our first Warcraft III lan party from your own house, (or at your own mini party). If you want to play or if you think you’ll ever play in the future, leave a comment on this post so Ryan knows to make you some login credentials!

What do you need?

  1. Computer + network connection
  2. Full version of Warcraft, ROC and Frozen Throne, RUN UPDATES before playing!!
  3. Mic + Speakers

Mac OS 10.5:

  1. Download VPN software, Viscocity (30 day free, $9) or Tunnelblick (opensource).
  2. Download TeamSpeex app, drag to apps folder (install)
  3. Run your VPN software. Import connection settings from config file Ryan provides (each person has their own special credentials). I’m trying viscocity, so I go to preferences and click the plus sign, import connection, select ryansvpn.conf where I left it from downloading. Close prefs.
  4. Connect: click icon in menu bar and click Connect ryansvpn. You are now on the local network.
  5. Run TeamSpeex app, enter server: 10.14.80.98, put in your name and join. By default you join the main chat, if we play team games and only want to talk to teams you’ll have to bounce over and join the appropriate team channel. GAME ON!

10.4 or lower users, see comments

Windows

  1. Download VPN software, OpenVPN (opensource).
  2. Download TeamSpeak & install
  3. Run your VPN software. Import connection settings from config file Ryan provides (each person has their own special credentials).
  4. Connect: click connect to ryansvpn. You are now on the local network.
  5. Run TeamSpeak app, enter server: 10.14.80.98, put in your name and join. By default you join the main chat, if we play team games and only want to talk to teams you’ll have to bounce over and join the appropriate team channel. GAME ON!

Please post any question or concerns in the comments, Ryan and I played for about 30 minutes running teamspeak and it was SO fun to be able to talk and play sheepseekers. This is going to be AWESOME!

Categories
Deals

Free Arbys Wed!!!

Don’t forget to stop by your local Arbys and ask if they are participating in free food wed. Today is a free roast burger (the best thing I’ve tasted in fast food) with purchase of a drink. Go get em!

Categories
Ranting

I can make it to Friday