My Wild Boys

Is it just me or do boys tend to get more dirty than girls?? It's probably just me...
I do remember always being outside in giant mud puddles or in the sandbox as a wee one... But Cash & Bentz are getting dirty INSIDE and insist on taking baths multiple times a day... They literally start taking off their clothes and whine/cry at their bathroom door saying their word for "give me a bath woman" ... About 95% of the time I comply and they have a grand ol'time ;c) Maybe they will be Olympic swimmers!
(insert video once youtube and my tablet start communicating)

**That took far too long**
Or maybe they will be competitive eaters?!?
C & B, you guys can eat as much as one adult! Dad and I just make enough for three and you two split it! I bet you think Cash eats more since he is a smidge bigger....NOPE, Bentley dominates and always eats a bit more...

Let me pause a moment and just say I just adore your little mohawks! I can't wait to see your hair grow out more... maybe then they will be fauxhawks ;c)

 I was also thinking about you two joining the circus?!?  kidding... But I certainly think you could get your own show! Disney's people need to meet you ASAP! You could be the next Zack & Cody!

Whatever you two choose to do I will support you if it makes you happy!

I love you both equally and more than anything!

Water & Sand Table from Grandpa Marty

Although I am a bit sad Christmas is over, today I was greatly reminded of the gift of giving to others when three boxes showed up from my Dad to the boys...  I must admit it has been like Chanukah getting so many packages this month from all my online ordering and gifts from afar! haha This was what came today... 

A water & sand table complete with umbrella for those few sunny days we get here in the NW ;c) In addition we received 25lbs of white sand! Sounds like a lot but when the kiddos dump at least a dust pan worth of sand on the ground I can see why they stay in business ;c)

How did we come to own this dream or nightmare of a toy depending on who you are... Last summer when we went to California to visit my Dad and the boys spent most of the daylight hours in a giant tub of water! My pops had originally offered the complete set of 'Your Baby Can Read' but as a wise woman once said to me "Who wants their baby to read?!"-My Mother haha Actually I just don't think I have THAT high of a patience level for the thing... Instead a water table seemed like the best possible idea!

Now you might think i'm a bit naive and have no idea what I have gotten myself into... However I did use to work at a preschool and know EXACTLY how messy  it is, but I also know the absolute joy it brings to kids. Being the best possible mother is my number one goal and I will do just about anything to make them smile.

So your Dad thinks it should be an outside toy, I say NO WAY JOSE! This video is a quick glimpse of why I will always allow it inside ;c) Besides i'm the one who will inevitable be cleaning it up...

Thank you little men for making me enjoy cleaning up sand and puddles of water in the house!
Thank you Dad for such a wonderful gift for your grandsons!
Cash Ryland & Bentley Jax, I love you equally and more than anything ;c) 

Christmas 2011

Cash and Bentz, it is finally THAT time, Christmas morning after Santa delivers a massive mound of gifts leaving only cookie crums behind! Unless I get you 'Your Baby Can Read' I feel confident I will not ruin your belief in Santa.... SO, this is behind the scenes of Christmas 2011 at our house ;c)

Like I said in the last blog, this year we didn't get through everything on the check list... Including visiting Santa.... For fear of a breakdown and the extreme stress of standing in a long mall line, I decided to fake it with help from photoshop... Its not like you would remember anyways haha

----Christmas Eve----

We spent a nice quiet evening at home with take-out Chinese in little boxes... It was JUST what I wanted!  Call me crazy but I've seen too many movies where the anti-Christmas folks eat take-out alone.... I decided to reclaim the cute little white and red boxes to make it a family affair! It was delicious and my new favorite place!

After stuffing ourselves to maxium capacity we made Christmas cookies for Santa and Gingerbread men for decorating! 

It was then time for opening the traditional one gift... 

Parents get to pick and just a hint, it will always be new (washed) PJs! haha What is better than new jammies for Christmas morning?! This goes for everyone in the fam...

After you fell asleep it was the moment i've been anticipating all month! It was an absolute JOY setting out all of the wonderful gifts in beautiful paper and bows...

 Making everything just perfect for the morning with you Dad was such a special memory....

After finishing up and taking a few pictures we called it night... 

---Christmas Day---

The next morning was PERFECT! I have more than a few videos of you ripping paper and playing with new toys...

Stockings went well, I knew you would like the light up bouncy balls, cars, tictacs (to shake) and big boy underwear! That is right little men, it is time for potty training! 

Shopping carts and mini brooms were a hit ...

Mom and Dad made out pretty well too! Dad finally got the red KitchenAid mixer with attachments he has always wanted! Plus a griddle, tool set, drill, shoes, booze and more! Me? I finally got a SodaStream and can have sparkling water with extra fizz whenever I want! Plus a tripod/monopod, zebra throw, Adele CD,  booze and more...It was everything I had imagined for Christmas morning and so much more!

After destroying the house with new toys we got ready to visit Grandmother's house for Christmas dinner. Gosh you guys are cute in sweater-vests!

As soon as we arrived uncle Maddox helped you open your new Radio Flyer mini bikes! WOO HOO! We exchanged gifts and had a few snacks before dinner...

 Giving gifts is always better than receiving ;c) Everyone seemed very pleased this year! Remote control car, Xbox points, disc golf dics and fingerless gloves from Etsy with matching hat!

Thanks Mom for the great gifts! Can't go wrong with alcohol and accessories! Rabbit aerating system plus pink zebra duct tape, tiny containers and ornament frames in a reusable pink/green bag... SCORE!

 Dinner was delicious as always! My mom is a fantastic cook, the chicken was PERFECT and she is a vegetarian! I was distracted slicing the bird and forgot to get a picture :c/ I was especially fond of the purple potatoes among the veggies! YUM...

After din-din and a few cocktails we put together the bikes so you could ride around with uncle Maddox! He got an industrial trike which Cash was obviously more interested in climbing...

I decided to bring my tripod for a family picture! I think it turned out very well all things considered haha

I also edited another picture with both of you looking at the camera and smiling (other family members had their eyes closed) The background is picture of the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis ;c)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 It was a spectacular occasion and I enjoyed every single moment! I am so lucky to have such a wonderful family! I miss everyone that I was unable to hug this holiday season and hope to see you soon! 

Cash Ryland & Bentley Jax, always remember that Christmas is about giving and family!

 I love you both equally and more than anything!

Jumping Fire Trucks & Cooking Sweet Treats

Cash and Bentley, Christmas is soon approaching! Santa will be here in just two more sleeps! I feel like this month went by WAY too fast! We didn't get through the 20+ Christmas movies I recorded on the DVR or host an 'ugly sweater party' ... However I did get in more baking than i've ever done in my life haha 

While I am baking the yummy treats the two of you are all sorts crazy! You get into anything and everything of course (karma)...Today Yesterday you were jumping the riding fire trucks and giggling.. It was too cute!

I was making knock you naked brownie/cupcakes...

 After cutting them out and wasting about 1/4 of each, I covered them in powdered sugar and called it a day ;c) **I've had no complaints...

Most of the time you are in/out of the cabinets spreading pots, pans and tupperware around the house ;c) Recently you discovered a way to get behind the slide out drawers... Gross... 

**That cabinet has now been closed indefinitely...

Another random place you like to be... inside laundry hampers...the tall kind! Which means I have to take you in and out...in and out... Its not my favorite but if it makes you happy, what can i do?

The other day Cash cut his finger bad enough for a band-aide (multiple)... Needless to say you were not happy you couldn't take it off...

More you say??? Okay this is today yesterday while I was finishing up the Caramel apples ;c)

I had an inspired idea to dip and drizzle a few apples in melted white chocolate... They didn't turn out exactly as planned but still look delicious! 

Later in the day???

 Trying to climb over the ONLY baby gate in the house which leads to the hot water heater and furnace...

LATER yet?? Stacking holey circles together on-top of a table in your room... How can I disrupt such cuteness??

We always have a splendid time together ;c) Yes, everyday is as eventful! 

I love you both equally and more than anything!

Chewy White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies...YUM!

Wondering which cookies are my absolute favorite?? I know its shocking... I dislike most cookies, cakes and candies... BUT every once in a great while particular cookies make my mouth water... The white chocolate macadamia nut cookies from Mrs. Fields are by far the best i've ever tasted... I decided to google a recipe and see where it took me...

PERFECTION!

Ingredients 
 1/2 cup butter
 3/4 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt **I added a sprinkle of salt once they were placed on the cookie sheet**
I cup white chocolate chips
I cup macadamia nuts chopped

Directions:  Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Stir in the egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt, stir into the creamed mixture. Finally, stir in the white chocolate and nuts. Drop cookies by heaping teaspoonfuls onto an greased cookie sheet, about 2 inches apart. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until lightly browned. Cool on wire racks. When cool, store in an airtight container.


ENJOY!

Holiday Thai Food Party

Sunday we were invited to our friends Jeff and Christy for a holiday party featuring some delicious homemade Thai food! For anyone that loves Thai food this was an absolute dream come true and I can only hope one day Jeff will  teach me a thing or two...

It was wonderful to be around good friends and delicious food! On the menu was chicken satay, cucumber salad, lemon chicken, fried rice, shrimp, tender steak and sweet/sour pork... Complete with sweet chili sauce and two different peanut sauces...  I was in absolute BLISS...

I did manage to learn how to make PERFECT spring rolls and made sure I took one home for later ;c) Now I need to learn how to make the yummy sauces...

The two of you had no complaints about the food...  I was a little worried you would damage their beautiful tree and open the shiny presents under the tree... You only managed to take off the bows and rip a piece of one gift... At least you didn't damage the gigantic 3D TV! Oh and thanks J&C, I'm so glad I watched the Bon Jovi music video in 3D haha

It was cute to watch you smell instead of touch of the tree, thank you boys... 

This holiday party was nice and quaint with just 6 adults and the two of you little men... It was sweet to watch you interact with new people and of course you both LOVE Christy! Especially you Bentz ;c)

For dessert Christy gave you guys a rice crispy treat and Cash my friend, you devoured it! 

I did attempt to take pictures in front of the perfect tree... BUT I was having trouble with you sitting still while I took pictures without a flash... As a result the tree lights cannot be seen and you were not in the mood anyway ;c)

**You guys need to learn to hang on or I wont be holding you two at the same time for much longer ;c)

Around 10pm we called it night... WHEW you didn't break anything or have any major meltdowns... just a minor bloody lip...

After getting back you guys didn't waste any time trying to get out of your dress shirts..

Time for sleep?? haha

It was a FANTASTIC evening, thank you Jeff for making a spectacular dinner and thank you Christy for being such a splendid pseudo MOM! We can't wait to get together again soon!

 I was also thrilled we were able to get a picture of the four of us in front of a Christmas tree!

NOTE TO SELF: Do NOT wear neon yellow socks to a house where you take off your shoes ;c)

Christmas Pictures

Mission accomplished... well half way haha Gosh you guys are CUTE!

I picked up some Christmas dinner apparel the other day and figured it was PERFECT for a holiday photograph!

What does it take to get a perfect picture?!?

Lots of attempts, laughs, playing and sometimes fighting... In the end it is all worth it ;c)

I love you equally and more than anything!