Sadie's Blessing

A couple of weeks ago we had Sadie blessed in the Wilshire ward (our last ward) which just so happens to also be my sister Lindsey's ward, so we were able to have both of our babies blessed on the same day. We had a big entourage with us that day. My sister Alyssa and her family had just flown in from Texas the night before as well as my grandma and Nick's brother Skyler and his wife. It was so special to be able to not only have all our family there but also be with such good friends.
Another thing that was special about the blessing was Sadie's dress. Our friend Peggy Curtis from our home ward here in Boston made Sadie the most unbelievable dress. It was absolutely beautiful, thank you Peggy!

If you click on the picture below it will take you to the album with all the pretty pictures.

This week Nick and I left Andrew with grandpa and brought Sadie along on a date out to Catalina Island. It was a perfect 80 degree sunny not a could in the sky day and we had a blast. (And from what I hear Andrew did also, thanks Dad!) We took a boat out from Marina Del Rey and two hours later we were on the island. I was kind of dreading the ride because I have a history of sea sickness (got sick twice on our honeymoon) but it actually went pretty smoothly.
Since we had Sadie we couldn't do a lot of the activities like kayaking, zip-lining or snorkeling but we still had a great time. We went to the museum which told the history of the island from the Native Americans to the Wrigley family who made the island what it is today along with great photos and stories of old films that were shot there. We then walked up to the botanical gardens and around the town. We ended the day with a great meal (because with me it all comes back to the food) and on the boat ride home we saw a Blue Whale and a big pod of dolphins (it had to have been at least 50-60 in the water). we definitely will do it again but will probably spend a night and consider taking the boat from Long Beach for a 1 hour trip or the helicopter which is a 14 minute trip.



View of Catalina from the boat




View from the Wrigley Monument




The next day I went to work and left Nick to be Mr. Mom for the day. He took Andrew to the park and had a little photo shoot and of course said that the kids were absolutely perfect all day.

What we've been up to

Nick has been busy working

Jamie has been busy chasing

Andrew has been busy playing

and Sadie has been busy growing

Here are some pictures to prove it...














*I know this is lame post and maybe one of these days I will feel like doing a real post again, but for now this will do.

My kid is seriously cute...

Notice that when he realizes that he can see himself he starts to make faces. He is pretty funny not to mention a great dancer.

packing and cleaning

Wednesday we're flying back home and will be hanging out with friends and family by Thursday. Its crazy that its already here, this year has gone by so fast. The other day we realized that Andrew has lived in Boston longer than he had lived in L.A., but we are hoping that doesn't mean he's a Celtics fan.
Anyway, all we are doing today is packing and getting the house ready to be vacant for the next two and a half months. We are really excited but to be honest I'm also feeling a little sad. I thought when the summer came I'd be jumping out of my skin to get back to California but I'll miss our apartment and our friends and maybe even the kids in nursery. But I am so excited to meet my new nephew and have everyone be able to meet Sadie. I also have my husband back from the dead (finals). It has been a very long couple of months and I am in need of a vacation and I have made that known to Nick, so hopefully we'll be able to get away this summer for a couple of days and relax a little.


This is what I found today when Nick and I were both busy doing various chores:



Andrew had found some lipstick and thought he'd see if he liked the color. Meanwhile Sadie was asleep in her bouncer like the little angel she is:

Our little girl...

My talented friend Kristen took these amazing newborn pictures of Sadie. Here are a few of my favorites. I still need to upload pictures from my camera. Hopefully I'll get that done sometime before she turns one.

Two weeks already?

Where has all the help gone?

For the last two weeks I have had nothing but help around here. First my wonderful Mom came a couple of days before Sadie was born and stayed for a little more than a week. I loved having her here (and not just because my house was spotless and I had yummy food cooked for me) It was so fun for me to have her come out and see where we live and spend some time with her before the baby got here. Andrew was in love with his grandma and loved every second he was able to spend with her. Thanks Mom for helping me so much and for being the best mom ever! I love you!




On the day that my Mom was flying out, Debi (Nick's Mom) came into town. She spoiled us as well with cooking and cleaning and of course smothered ("you never hear of anyone being sfathered"- Modern Family) her grandchildren with attention. As a bonus Nick's Dad Martin was able to come into town for the weekend and enjoy the new baby while spoiling Andrew with trips to the park every morning (something I think he got used to when my Mom was in town)



Unfortunately, they had to leave and we are getting back to normal around here. I found myself looking around the house today wondering how in the world it could've been so clean for two weeks and after one day of us being alone I have so much to do. I didn't lift a finger yesterday, instead we hung out in our p.j.'s all day and cuddled on the couch. Andrew actually wanted to just cuddle and so how could I turn him down? It was a great day to spend as a family with just the four of us. I loved it, and if I had it my way that is how every day would be. But now it's back to reality, which basically means cleaning, laundry, cooking and learning how to be as good of a mom to two kids as I was with one. I'm looking forward to it!

the last few weeks

These last few weeks have been pretty eventful for us. We had Nicks spring break and took advantage of it by heading down to Mystic, Connecticut. While there we visited a great aquarium, which Andrew absolutely loved and for the first time since we moved had good Chinese food. On our way home stopped by Newport, Rhode Island. We spent the day there window shopping and driving around the amazing mansions. We can't wait to go back there when its not off season and we can actually go inside of them.

Then my friend Rachel threw me a nice little baby shower (which was great because I hadn't really bought anything for this little girl) and it was just so much fun hanging out with the girls. And the rest of the time has been spent going to doctor appointments (twice a week) and getting the house ready to welcome our new addition. This is probably the last time I'll be posting anything until the baby comes, and I figure that if I wait any longer these pictures may never get up here, so enjoy!






Andrew and I hanging out by the Whales






Rachel has the majority of the pictures on her camera but I think you can get the idea. Everyone was so generous, me and this baby girl felt very loved, which is nice when you're so far from home.



This is his "look", he gives us this look and then cracks up. He thinks he is pretty funny.



I can't get over that smile!

Long over due...

I have been such a big slacker when it has come to blogging lately. So I feel like I need to place a "WARNING": This is not going to be a great (or even a good) post, but I thought that it's better than nothing.

Saturday was one of the best days in a long time. To start off with it was a sunny 55 degrees which meant that we were actually able to get outside and enjoy ourselves. Saturday was also the first official day of Nick's spring break and it is great to not see him stressed out or really to see him at all. In the morning Nick and Andrew made a fort in the living room, I'm not sure who had more fun but it sure was cute watching them play together. Then we decided to get out and explore the south shore a little bit. We drove down to Scituate because we have heard from several people that there are some charming stores and nice restaurants. We first went to the harbor where we had lunch and window shopped, then we headed up to North Scituate where we had remembered seeing a nice playground, which Andrew ended up loving. You can definitely tell that I am a mom to a toddler because I got so excited about this playground. A lot of the playgrounds are on the bigger side for Andrew still, but this one was made for toddlers. It was so cute, we ended up staying for a couple of hours until Andrew had to tell us he wanted to leave by repeatedly walking over to the fence and pointing to the car, he then promptly fell asleep for the drive home.


The boys doing their thing


At the playground


Nick and Andrew looking at the ducks


This ramp kept Andrew busy for a good 20 minutes while I went in to all the shops I wanted. He was really sad when we left it.


Andrew and Elliot playing in his crib (one of their favorite activities)

I made these delish sugar cookies today with my left over Ricotta cheese. Heres the recipe:

Ricotta Cheese Sugar Cookies
Makes 3-4 dozen

1 c. butter, softened
2 c. sugar
1 16-oz. container whole-milk ricotta cheese
2 eggs
3 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
4 c. flour

Glaze
1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
A few drops almond extract (optional)
2-4 Tbsp. milk, half-and-half, or cream
Sprinkles or colored sugar, for decorating

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Using a mixer, combine butter and sugar until well blended. Mix in ricotta, eggs, and vanilla. Add baking soda and salt. Then mix in flour.

The dough will have the texture of mashed potatoes that have been sitting out too long. In fact, it looks like that, too. But it tastes very different, I assure you.

3. Drop teaspoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet.

4. Bake 12-14 minutes, until cookies are golden on the bottom but still very light on top. Remove from pans and place on cooling racks.

I then made a lemon icing (powdered sugar, lemon juice, and a little milk until consistency you want) and dipped them or drizzle icing on top.

Sunday Funday

So, the day started off to a good. We woke up, got ready and got out of the house by 9:30, which meant that we were running about 5 min. early to church.

Maybe a little background is needed.... when we got home from California we needed to immediately take our car into the shop to get it looked at. It was making odd noises and the oil light was on (even though there was plenty of oil in the car). So, we had it towed to this auto shop around the corner but unfortunately he couldn't help us because he didn't work on engines so he recommended another guy in the area. The so called engine guy was very nice but he also couldn't help us because he didn't work on Toyota Corollas, but he recommended that we take it to the dealership to get a diagnostic done, which we did. The dealership informed us that it was the starter and battery (even though we had very recently gotten a new battery) and said that all was fixed and we were good to go, that is after we pay the bill of $500.

That was about a week and a half ago and these past few days our car has sounded like a diesel engine and the oil light comes and goes as it pleases. We've talked to Toyota and had an appointment to bring in the car Monday morning.

This morning we are driving down the freeway and all of a sudden the engine started acting odd and even though Nicks foot was on the peddle we started losing speed, then it started making a crazy high pitched whine with weird smells, and then Nick put then car in neutral and we lost power.

Luckily we were right next to the exit where the Toyota dealership is, so we got off the freeway and almost made it. If it wasn't for the hill it was on we could've costed the whole way to the dealership. Unfortunately, Nick and I both had left our cells at home and no one was at Toyota. But we were conveniently right next to the T station (thank you Boston for your public transit) and were able to hop on and get home.

So, now our car has been towed once again to the dealership and we will hopefully know what the problem is tomorrow. Update to come...

Kennebunkport

*Christmas is still to come. I need Nick around for longer than 10 min. so he can help me with the video.

This weekend we were able to get away to Kennebunkport, Maine for our 6th anniversary, thanks to our great friends and neighbors the Blanchards who watched Andrew for us.

I was really looking forward to getting away with Nick and having some alone time and we really picked the best place to go. Kennebunkport is about an hour and a half away and quite charming. We left our place at around 11:30 and planed on stopping and getting something to eat on the way up. We had never made the drive and were disappointed when we were about 45 min in and realized that there was NOTHING for miles. So we decided to wait until we got into town and I'm glad we did. We got there at about 1 o'clock and checked into our cute bed and breakfast Captain Fairfield Inn. When you are booking online you never really know what you're going to get. People can take a picture of something that is mediocre and make it look amazing, but I am happy to say that the Inn and our room lived up to every expectation. Upon ariving we checked in and Finn (the owner) recommended a great place to eat that was a short walking distance. By the way, this was the perfect weekend to get away because all day Saturday New England was having a heat wave at about 47 degrees. ( I know did I really just say heat wave?) Anyway, we took advantage of the nice weather and walked into town. We ate at Alisson's which did not disappoint. I had a lobster roll and a bowl of clam chowder (how more new england can I get?) and Nick had A Fish Called Wanda, which was just basically a really yummy fired fish sandwich. While we were waiting for our food the tables had Trivial Pursuit cards and so Nick and I took to quizzing each other. I must admit that this game is not my strong point unless it is the 90's version which I rock at.

After lunch we walked around town and window shopped (for the most part). I ended up finding snow boots which I needed desperately (Ugg's I have found are not good in the snow) but never wanted to get because they are all so ugly. But I found a boot that fits my needs and is not bad to look at. I also got a really cute $5 scarf and a hat for 1/2 off. On our way back to the Inn before dinner we stopped into a gallery that is attached to the painters home. Nick had already made it clear earlier that stores/galleries or anything really that either looks like a house or is attached to a house creeps him out. (I know, he is strange) We went in anyway and were charmed by the whole thing. It was the gallery of a W. Robert Paine and he was there to show us around and answer any questions that we might have had. His paintings are not my style but I can certainly appreciate his talent and I have become a fan of him. He treated us as though we were his grandchildren and was telling us all kinds of stories about his paintings and his life. He is also friends with President Bush (41) and was telling us how Barbara is a spitfire. He was commissioned to do a painting of them for the Bush presidential library in Texas and showed us a drawing of a painting that is hanging up in their Texas home. The Bush's have a home (or compound) in Kennebunkport and they had Mr. Paine paint their back yard/view of the ocean so they can see it all year round. Anyway, he is a very interesting man and I asked him if we can come and visit him when we are in town again. That is how much I loved this guy.

Well, after that we headed back to the Inn to take a look at the menus of the different restaurants around town. We ended up deciding on Bandaloop because Nick was feeling steak and they had a steak that sound amazing. And it was. We both ended up getting the steak and for dessert I had I think the best creme brulee ever and Nick had the fruit crisp. It was simply delicious and I could barely move afterward.

The next morning we woke up and realized that we didn't have to get a crying baby and feed him, no we can lay there and be lazy all we want. So that is exactly what we did, until we got hungry that is. We went downstairs to find breakfast waiting for us. It is a pepper sautéed pear with an arugula and gorgonzola salad with candied walnuts. I have never had a salad for breakfast before but let me tell you it was great! Then they come out with this homemade scallion biscuit (you should've seen Nicks face at this point, it was priceless.) He thought that the pear and salad were it as far as food went and he got so happy to find out there was going to be more. They then had us choose between a yummy buttermilk waffle with a cranberry reduction or eggs benedict. How do you choose??? We didn't, we got one of each and they both were so yummy. After breakfast it was time to get ready and pack up and we were checked out by 11. We drove by the Bush compound (although it is not as big as you would imagine with people using the word compound you expect something a lot bigger) and Nick had his GPS so we did some much needed geocaching before heading home.

It was a great little getaway and we look forward to heading back for a day trip in the warmer months with the kids (wow, I still can't believe that I will have more than one here in a couple of months)







Me with the one and only Captain Fairfield (don't be jealous)




The Bush Home




Nick doing what he does best... geocaching. Notice that he has on a short sleeve shirt and it is probably 33 degrees out. He said that he was using the temprature as his timer, if he hadn't found the cashe before his hands went numb then he would leave.

we're not dead

I just haven't uploaded any video or pictures from the holidays yet. We took last week to get settled home again and then we all got hit with the stomach flu and everything else you can imagine. I promise to update by next week (not this week because my house is a disaster and Nick and I are going away this weekend for our 6 year anniversary!) But we had a great time being home for the holidays and we'll tell about all the festivies soon (if you even care)