Wednesday, March 7, 2012

801

since moving to utah, a few months ago, there's been so much change we've had to get used to. most importantly, let's talk about the weather. going from california to utah is a nasty shock, even though this has probably been the mildest winter, honestly i think utah just skipped winter. hey i'm not complaining, i can't stand the cold. we've had more indoor activities than usual, but since it's been so nice we've been able to be outside a lot. eli has a little bike and we ride to parks, the library, around our neighborhood, around with friends. it's so fun, and he's getting really fast so we got him a little bike helmet, sooo cute and he loves it!

we're still getting used to the snow, when it does come.


sometimes we wear gloves inside. we're amateurs.


some indoor activities include making candy

lining up cars perfectly

making treats just because

doing puzzles, eli's gotten really good and does them by himself after a few times with help.

coloring. look at that cute bum.

bathing is always a good indoor activity, so is color coordinating your bath letters.


we also venture out and stay out of the cold other ways. like story time at the library, we live close to the provo library so that is something we do every week. cute eli can wash his hands by himself, so kid friendly.

eli is not one for noise, which is weird because he is super loud and talkative. but heaven forbid anyone else be too loud for him.

and as a last resort, we find a cupcake store. ok fine it's not as much a last resort as our intended destination, but who's judging.

sometimes eli and i go on lunch dates together. let me correct myself, we USED to go on lunch dates together. this picture was taken at guru's. we LOVE guru's. we live very close to them so we've been a handful of times. well this time we went, eli yelled as a worker walked past our table "is that my daddy!?" i was so embarrassed especially since there was no other adult with me i could laugh with, i just was awkward and red with my kid who doesn't know who his father is. awesome.

the children's museum in salt lake is also great, it's attached to the gateway mall so both eli and mommy can have a fun day.

we will visit with friends. eli loves quinn, as you can tell from their intimate hug in the above picture. they were watching 'fox and the hound' and were scared. so naturally, they consoled each other.


sometimes we will skip naps and the little boy just gets too tired.



ahh the aquarium. i like it for a number of reasons; eli loves it, it's cheap, it's not too far from us, and it is not very big. we can spend an hour maybe and hour and a half in there and we're good. we don't have to make a day trip of it, and eli can still be home to nap. that makes us both happy.


like i said, this winter has been almost non-existant. most days are beautiful, sunny, clear and perfect for being outside.


and just for a sweet ending, a few valentine's day treats. the cupcakes are from 'cupcake chic' in orem. soooo good. yes, all three of those were for me. yes, i ate them myself. yes, they were gone the next day.

Friday, August 19, 2011

benjamin button

what better way to kick off a crap load of recaps, then with a baby announcement! haha no, not me. cassie and josh's littlest one was born saturday august 6, i'll let her fill in all the boring details, but i had a couple pictures so i thought i'd put them up myself since she probably never will. i'll get more of the little peanut and post them up, i feel a photo shoot coming on!

benjamin paul giddings

Thursday, April 28, 2011

lunch

i made this salad the other day and it was deeeelicious. i actually made it for dinner with grilled cheese sandwiches, but had leftovers for lunch everyday for three days. i also found this delicious piece of heaven to have with my salad one day. it's this really good drink from england that we always get loads of whenever anyone goes or comes from there. it comes in a concentrate so it lasts a long time, but i saw this at the store and just had to try it. even if it was a buck fifty.

now for the salad. it is really good and pretty simple, but i will warn you it has a very strong lemon flavor. if you like that then great, mike really liked the lemon. i would advise to just use less lemon, but i'll still post the recipe as it reads. feast your eyes.
Chicken and Arugula Salad with Lemon-Garlic Dressing
1 lb. chicken tenders or skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-in strips
3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice, divided
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil leaves, divided
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 small clove garlic, crushed or grated
1/8 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
6 cups lightly packed arugula leaves
1 medium tomato, cored and cut into thin wedges
1/2 small avocado, peeled, pitted, and cut into thin wedges
1/2 cup thin slivers of red onion
1 Tbsp. pitted and chopped Kalamata olives

*heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot enough that a drop of water sizzles. Coat with nonstick cooking spray. Add the chicken and cook, turning, until golden and cooked through, about 2 minutes per side when thawed. Add 1 Tbsp. of the lemon juice (less if you'd prefer) and 1 Tbsp. of the basil. Stir to coat and set aside to cool.
*whisk the remaining lemon juice, the oil, garlic and pepper in a large bowl until blended. Add the arugula, tomatoes, avocado, onions and the remaining 1 Tbsp. of basil and toss to coat evenly.
*divide among four plates and divide the chicken on top of the salads. Sprinkle with the olives.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

speaking of bunnies

the easter bunny dropped a basket at our house on sunday. it was filled with fun toys and candy. eli was so excited for his new stuff, he kept saying "ooohhhh wow!" every time he pulled out something new, and giggling that giddy little laugh kids get when they can't contain their excitement. it was a fun morning with this little one. after we spent the morning with peter rabbit, we went to the park for a bbq and easter egg hunt. it was eli's first easter egg hunt, if you don't count the one he had at his birthday party last year, which i don't. he was one, he didn't know what he was doing. well this year was a different story. well, kind of. he didn't get it at first, he grabbed the first egg he saw, opened it and wanted to eat the candy. i basically walked around pointing eggs out for him to put in his basket. however he got those eggs, the end result is the same. mission accomplished.











he opened every single egg he found before putting it in the basket. just to double check he wasn't getting ripped off, i'm sure.




the kids played together all afternoon. they played in the water fountain, pool and chased bubbles. it was perfect.




funny bunny

a conversation eli and i just had:
i said to eli "i love you babe"
he said back "i love you babe"
i said "i love you sweetheart"
he said "i love you sweetheart"
i said "i love you pookie"
he said back "i love you poopie"
nice

Thursday, April 21, 2011

eli and kaycee

we were outside playing the other day and i got out my camera. eli and kaycee were playing in the dirt and eating snacks. you'll notice eli's favorite jacket and favorite pair of shoes.