Kangaroo Zoo and Thanksgiving Point

Pics from our recent adventures with Sophie and co. The Ancient Life Museum was awesome, although quite crowded on Two Dollar Tuesday. However... TWO BUCKS is the perfect price to pay (Sam and Z were free!). And... Kangaroo Zoo. The best place to wear out your child. Matt had a blast too.

(ps... i would still LOVE to hear what you're making for dinner this week...see below!)

Menus?

Hey Ladies... (and Gentlemen if any male population out there ever reads blogs without their wife's insistence)

I'm looking for menu ideas. So what are you cookin' up this week? Leave me a comment.

My menu:

Spinach Lasagna
Cobb Salad
Lemon Pasta Primavera
Salmon and Broccoli
Double Decker Quesadillas with all the fixins

Random Thoughts

Thought #1 - "Two Kids and a Camera"

Now that I have two kids, I never take pics. Well, not never. But hardly ever. I imagine I'll be better once Z is a bit older and a bit more able to be on his own. These days, anywhere I go, I always think, "Do I REALLY want to lug this thing around with me???" The answer is usually no.

Thought #2 - "Booty Camp with no Desserts is Impossible"

Leese and I have started Booty Camp. Details have yet to be defined, but we have gone off dessert... of sorts. I had to allow fruit popsicles and reduced cal fudgsicles. And maybe one dessert day a week. Hmmmm... How strong am I? (Read: How addicted to sugar am I?)

Thought #3 - "I love my sisters"

Yep. Lindz too, although this goes mostly for Leese and Bel. I love that Bel called me on Friday at 4ish and said she was coming up to spend the night and hang out with us on Saturday. Three cheers for Bel. I LOVE when Bel comes up. And seeing Leese at random things like Thanksgiving Point and Kangaroo Zoo (pics to come) is the best.

Thought #4 - "Line Upon Line"

I love this card website for you mormies. (Thanks Leese). www.lineuponlinecards.com. Check it out. One of my favorites reads: "How are you? How's your family doing? Is there anything I can do for you?" and the inside reads: "Consider yourself visit taught. See you next month!"

Esophawhat Part Two

Sorry for the delay... with two little ones around, my ME time is precious and rare. The esophagram showed that his esophagus is normal. There is probably something yet to be defined wrong with the something in the function of swallowing, but there isn't a stricture (narrowing) in his esophagus.

...and the best part? Primary Children's is AWESOME. They were so good with Sam. We brought all sorts of prizes, treats, etc., and I was allowed to stay with him in the room. With my help and theirs, Sam survived with only a few tears.

Highly recommend Primary Children's to anyone who has to have a medical procedure done with a 2 year old.

Esophawhat???

Tomorrow morning, I'm taking Sam to Primary Children's for an esophagram and a swallowing study to determine the extent of dysphagia. Yep. Sam's swallowing issues (and eating issues in general) are about to be officially medically addressed.

Now, will anyone tell me how to get a 2 year old to swallow barium? or to hold still for multiple x-rays for that matter? Wish me luck...

An ode to PANCAKES

(Disclaimer... Blogger is having some issues once I post. My apologies if the font / text size are wacky...)

Anyone who has been around me recently, knows that I am on a quest to find the PERFECT pancake recipe. Yes... food (cooking/baking) has become one of my favorite things. I love finding FABULOUS recipes and I love trying new ones.

So, here's the verdict. After trying many many recipes, here are the winners. Post your favorite pancake recipe if you think it will beat mine. Or just post your favorite breakfast recipe! I promise to try it. :)


Winner #1 - Delicious, light, fluffy, and 100% whole wheat. Yep... I said light and fluffy in the same sentence as 100% whole wheat. Impossible? I thought so until I tried these...
Deluxe Hotcakes (thanks Leese)
1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1 T. baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
3 T sugar
2 egg yolks
1 1/2 c. milk
3 T oil
2 beaten egg whites (stiff peaks)
Mix in order. Gently fold in egg whites last. These are divine and healthy! Therefore they win.


Winner #2 - Buttermilk is the key here. Beautiful puffy yummy goodness.
Basic Buttermilk Pancakes
Whisk the following in a large bowl:
1 1/2 c flour
3 T. sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
Whisk the following in a separate bowl:
1 1/2 c. buttermilk
3 T melted butter
2 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla
Pour wet ingredients over dry ingredients and gently stir until combined.

Runner-up. I tried this recipe based on pure disbelief that they would turn out anything like pancakes.... and they are delicious! These are rich and melt in your mouth. Definitely not healthy though.
Silver Dollar Hots
Lightly beat:
2 large eggs
Whisk in:
1 cup sour cream
1/4 c flour
1 1/2 T sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
Spoon one tablespoon onto the griddle for each pancake, nudging the batter into 2 1/2 inch rounds. (That's important or else they won't cook through all the way!)


That's it! Let me know if you have a fabulous pancake recipe you think might rival mine...

Ferber is my hero

Now... it's only been ONE day... really only TWO naps, but I love my new life. (Gaylynn, are you listening???) :) Zack is taking to this ferbering much faster than Sam. 15 minutes of crying for nap 1, about 7 minutes for nap 2. And voila! A sleeping baby! SO MUCH BETTER than the 20 minutes it was taking us to rock him to sleep. I'm a big fan.

A new forever family...

On Saturday, I was lucky enough to meet this friend
and this friend
at this place
to see this little girl
become part of this family forever.
Loved being there! I'll miss you Jen... are you SURE you have to move out of state this weekend??? I love these girls...
From our adventure at Cabela's. Thanks for the pics, Jen!

Matching...

I'm not usually a fan of dressing your kids in matching clothes... but with Sam's insistence, I couldn't resist. And then I couldn't resist taking pics. How stinkin' cute are these boys???

"The New Farrah Fawcett" or "We Miss You Bopie"

Soph- we miss you. From your 90's rock band groupie hair...


...to the way your hair FLIES as you run... (this pic TOTALLY cracks me up)..to your different funny faces and the way you make your parents crazy sometimes...




...to your zest for life - and FOOD (I still can't believe how you scarfed down thai food!)...
... and your fun little personality. Come back soon! Sam misses his favorite buddy!