My Happy Lil' 9 Month Old

Liam has passed the 9 month mark!  It's hard to believe.  He is crawling everywhere these days and is my little shadow.  He loves hide and seek when he is in the mood and is pulling himself up on things.  His favorite thing is to eat and to watch others eat.  He will make you feel really guilty if your eating in front of him and not sharing.  He gets this sad longing look in his eye as if to say, "please can I just have a little?"  Its heart wrenching.   I have been a lot braver lately letting him try new foods in small pieces.  I'm trying to let him at least taste everything I eat and at this point he likes anything and everything.  Including dog food and bones...) :  He loves to chomp things with his little teeth like rice crispies and he especially likes it when you pretend to share his food.  I think that is a good sign.  He is starting to slim out a little because of all the crawling.. I know what your thinking but yes he has leaned out a little!...a smidgen...ok it's hard to tell especially when holding him but there has been a decrease in rolls.  Anyway Happy 9 months handsome Liam!  

San Diego

So the day before I left for San Diego this is what it looked like.  Many feet of snow and Cache Valley had some of the worst air quality in the nation.  Jas and Mozzie made the best of it though!

That being said I was pretty excited to arrive to this...

Traveling with a baby gives me a great deal of anxiety.  Especially because Liam had one of the worst break downs I have ever seen the night before at my parents house.  He usually goes to bed so easy but he was off and on crying for about 2 hours before he finally calmed down enough to fall asleep.  I was terrified to get on a plane the next day but the thought of sunshine and fresh air was too much to pass up.  Liam wont usually nap unless he is in his crib, car seat, or stroller so I tried to get him to sleep as much before the flight as possible so he wouldn't be too cranky.  Also I nursed him during take off and landings so his ears wouldn't hurt from pressure changes.  We had a lay over in Vegas that I was dreading because I thought it was just going to make this ordeal so much longer but it turned out to be a good thing.  During the layover we put Liam back in his stroller and he got and hour nap before the next leg of the trip.  It worked out great and overall Liam did amazing!   I couldn't have done it alone so thank goodness my mom was there but he still did great.  It is no easy task keeping a very active 8 month old content on a plane.    

People watching at the airport.

Here are some of the fun sites we love to see when visiting San Diego...

San Diego Temple

We checked out the aircraft carrier the Midway.

Here is Great Grandpa with my Mom and Aunt.  Grandpa did a world tour on an aircraft carrier when he was young so it was fun walking around and hearing his stories about what he remembers.  He was in the band on the carrier and loved it because he got to eat first, and their living quarters were bigger so they could all practice in there.  

Liam with Great Grandpa at Sea Port village.

Enjoying cupcakes and sunsets at Sea Port.  

Pt. Loma Lighthouse

Jason and I are absolute foodies when we travel.  Our trips usually revolve around good places to eat more than sites to see.  We found one that has become one of our new favorites.  It's called Hodad's and if you like burgers and are ever in San Diego you have got to go there!  It was delicious!!!  Also just a fun fact, a Hodad is someone who pretends to be a surfer and hangs out at the beaches but definitely is not.  

I love finding restaurants like this because they are so fun.  This place was small, crowded, and the staff  are a little scruffy but it made it that much more entertaining.  For example in the picture below on the left can you spy my diaper bag???  Because of the lack of space our waiter asked if I wanted him to put my diaper bag somewhere?  I was assuming a coat rack or something so I gave it to him and watched him walkover to the other side of the restaurant and toss it on top of the half a van sticking out of the wall.  My mom commented, "well i guess that works."  

Liam did surprisingly well here too with how loud and crowded it was.  He loves to watch people!

Check out this monstrous burger!  Mmm and the Onion rings were amazing too!  Just in case your wondering Jason did finish that entire thing.  I was very impressed.  

Our visit to the beach was sadly colder than hoped for but still beautiful and I love the smell of the ocean.  I couldn't believe how many people were still surfing though.  brrr that pacific water is cold!

Liam loved getting to spend so much time with Aunt Janene and Grandma!  They sure do love him!

Liam getting to know his Great Grandpa.

Dropping Daddy off at the airport. We got to spend another day there before heading home.

Such a fun trip and glad to be home now!  

Sea World

On our recent visit to San Diego we went to Sea World.  It was Jason's and Liam's first time which is always exciting.  We also picked a great day because there was barely anyone there!  It felt like we had the whole place to ourselves and was a lot of fun.  

I'm not sure Liam loved this Otter character but at least he didn't freak out...He does have a pretty tight grip on daddy though.  

 Feeding the Rays is one of my favorite thing to do at Sea World.  It is a little slimy with the sardines but I absolutely love them sucking it out of my hand!  They are amazing creatures.  Just FYI a Ray is different than a Stingray because they don't have the barbs that sting.  Yup totally learned that from the lady at the side of the exhibit.  ( :

I could have done this all day!

 Handsome Liam watching the Dolphins. 

 Handsome Dolphin watching Liam.  He's in aww of Liam's cuteness!  

 My other favorite thing to do is play with sea enenimies.  I love touching them then they close up..then they open and i do it all over again!  so fun!

 Don't you just love that hat?  ha it cracks me up but he looks cute, and he obviously can't get enough of the ties.  

 Oh hello there Mr. Turtle!

and the one eyed Sea Lion! 

 and the flamingos!

 Time for some sun screen...

 Watching killer Whales fly out of the water doing all sorts of tricks is always amazing but it's a little bitter sweet.  I love having the opportunity to go learn and see these amazing animals but I think I would prefer them all to be in the wild.  As big as those tanks are they don't even come close to the magnitude of the Ocean.  It would be like living in one small room your entire life when your accustomed to traveling the world!  

 This Sea Lion would be great on Drill Team!  My coach would love if we all could have lifted our heads like that when performing and called to attention!!!

 Liam enjoyed the Shamu show

 Liam with Auntie Janene and his new Penguin she and Grandma Joan got him.

Obviously I had to come back to the Sting Rays to say goodbye.   

 And we found this little monster on the way out and just had to buy him he is so darn cute and cuddly...well kinda cuddly...when he's tired....or asleep ( :

More of our trip to come...

Recipe Back Up Plan

My recipe binder is organized chaos at the moment..I have sticky notes and random pieces of paper stuck all over it with recent recipes I have acquired.   By recent I mean over the last 4 years...  There are a few I absolutely love though and I am afraid I am going to lose them so I am adding them to my blog as sort of a back up!

This first one I got from my friend Arianne and her Mom..It is absolutely delicious and if you divide it before you add the noodles you can freeze it then add the noodles when your ready to eat it.  It makes a TON so I would recommend this if your not serving a small city! There are more delicious recipe's on their blog! http://squiresfamilyties.blogspot.com/

                                     

GRAMLEY’S MIXED UP TACO SOUP

1 ½ LBS.      sweet Italian sausage

1-3               chicken breasts, cooked and cut up

1                  med onion, chopped

1                  red pepper, chopped

2-4               garlic cloves, minced

3-14 oz         cans diced or stewed tomatoes

2-3 c.           bowtie pasta

6-7 c.            chicken broth

1 T.               sugar

Fresh basil, thyme to taste (you can use dried)

1 can               mild Ortega enchilada sauce

Dry taco seasoning mix to taste

1-2 cans          black beans or kidney beans

1 bag               frozen corn (I like sweet, white corn)

Remove casings from sausage and break into pieces.  In a big pot, brown sausage.  Drain sausage drippings.  Saute onion, pepper, garlic until tender.  Add all ingredients except for pasta and corn.  Cook for at least 25-35 minutes.  Add corn and pasta and cook until pasta is tender. 

Garnish with grated cheese, sour cream, avocado, fresh cilantro.  Serve with tortilla chips.   

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This next one is My Mom's Chili and is so stinking easy and delicious I love to make it!  

Mom's Easy Chili

2 Cans Bush's Chili Beans 

1 Can Tomato Sauce

1 Can Kidney Beans (drained)

1-2 Bay Leaves

1 lb cooked hamburger Meat (saute with Onion and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder)

Let Simmer for 1-1 1/2 hours.  I like to add fresh chopped onion and grated cheese on top!  Also really good in bread bowls.  

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Apple Crisp

4 cups sliced pared tart apples (about 4)

2/3-3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup flour

3/4 tsp cinnamon

3/4 tsp nutmeg

1/3 cup butter or margarine 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Place apple slices in pan.  Mix remaining ingredients and sprinkle over apples.  Bake 30 min.  I usually bake in an 8x8x2 size pan.

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Grandma's Sugar Cookies

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup margarine

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup sour cream

1 t baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

3 1/2 cup flour

I don't have the rest of the recipe but I just make these like you would a typical cookie.  Sugar and margarine first, than the egg, vanilla, sour cream.  Then slowly mix in the dry ingredients.  You don't want your dough too sticky or they will be flat.  It takes some practice getting the right texture but these are a great soft sugar cookie and I usually just get store bought vanilla frosting if I don't have a lot of time.  

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Apple Dip

1 package cream cheese

1 cup brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup heath toffee bits

Mix and enjoy!

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My friend Abbey gave me this easy recipe that is delicious!!!  Its one of my new favorites and you can turn it into a freezer meal by just leaving off the toppings and adding them when your ready to bake it.  

Cowboy Casserole 

1 package (8-1/2 ounces) corn bread/muffin mix

1 egg

1/3 cup milk

2-1/2 cups cooked taco seasoned meat

1 can refried beans (16 ounces)

1 cup sour cream 

1-1/2 cups shredded cheese

1/4 cup chopped onion

1 medium tomato chopped

1 cup shredded lettuce

1 can sliced rip olives drained (opt.)

In large bowl, combine the corn bread mix, egg and milk until blended.  Spread into a greased 9 in square baking dish.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.  Combine taco meat and beans; spread over corn bread.   Combine sour cream, 1 cup cheese and onion; spread over meat mixture.  Bake for 20-30 minutes longer or until heat through and cheese is melted.   Sprinkle with the tomato, lettuce, olives and remaining cheese.  

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Steph's yummy cake frosting

1 pkg. cream cheese

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 bag choc chips (mini)

1 tsp vanilla 

whipping cream or tub of whipped cream

Opt. Peanut butter

Mix and spread.

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Melodys Wheat Bread

This is the first bread recipe I have ever learned to make and it is delicious.  I like it best with honey and jam.

6 cups whole wheat flour and 5-6 cups white flour

2 T dry yeast

1 Cup buttermilk or yogurt

4 Cups hot water

1/3 Cup oil

1/3 Cup honey

1/3 Cup Molasses

1 1/2 T salt

In mixer combine 6 c whole wheat four and dry yeast.  Pour buttermilk into hot water.  Add to flour mixture.  Mix well for 1 min.  Turn off mixer, cover bowl and let sponge for 10 min.   Add oil, honey, molasses, and salt.  Mix well.  Add remaining four (white) 1 cup at a time until dough cleans sides of bowl.  Knead for 6-8 minutes (mix on high).  shape dough into four loaves and place in greased bread pans.  cover with towel and let rise till double (around 25-30 min.)  Bake 350 degrees for 30 to 35 min.  makes 4 loaves.  

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This next one is my absolute new favorite bread recipe!  It is a little more difficult but if you can get it right it is soft, rich in flavor and amazing fresh out of the oven slathered in warm better and your favorite honey or Jam.  I still haven't mastered it on my own but hopefully with practice I can get there.  My friend Susan has brought it to me a few times and gave me the recipe.  I butchered it so I had a first hand lesson just this morning on how to do it.  I can't believe how much I learned about wheat that I never new.  What makes her bread so delicious is she grinds all of her wheat so its fresh.  She uses a combinations of spelt, white wheat and read wheat that gives it such a good flavor.  To be perfectly honest I had never even heard of red wheat or spelt before I got this recipe so I was a little overwhelmed at first.  Now that i have seen the difference between my bread using store bought wheat flour and hers I am sold on grinding your own wheat if you or someone you know has a wheat grinder.  Also she uses pure honey and we are lucky enough to have Cox's Honey in town where we can get the good stuff for cheaper than the store stuff.  I guess the store bought is cut with corn syrup and that's why there is a bubble in it.  You don't want bubbles in your honey.  Also if your honey is crystallized don't throw it away just heat it up in the microwave or hot water!  whew! what a mouth full, onward to the good stuff!

WHEAT BREAD

6 c. warm water

2 TBS SAF Instant yeast

1/3 c. honey

1/3 c. oil

½ c. applesauce

2 TBS. dry Dough Conditioner

3 TBS. vital wheat gluten

14-16 c. wheat flour, (½ white wheat, ½ red wheat, or may use 3 c. spelt)

2 TBS salt

Combine water, oil, honey, dough conditioner, instant yeast and gluten in Bosch, with 6 c. wheat flour.  Beat well.  (1 min.)   Let raise 15 minutes in Bosch bowl, with both lids on. Remove small top lid, and add salt and remaining flour to make dough kneading consistency. Knead 8 minutes in mixer, or by hand.  Divide into loaves, 4 or 5 equal portions.  Form into loaves.  Put into well greased bread pans.  Cover, and raise until rounded.  Bake in preheated oven at 375^o   25 minutes for 5 loaves, 30 min for 4 loaves.  Remove bread from pans, cool 5-10 min.  Brush warm bread lightly with butter.  If you butter it while hot, the crust bubbles.