The Vincent Family Blog

Christmas 2010

2010-12-27T20:53:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer: Bailey was not feeling well the whole Christmas weekend, and when I took her to the doctor two days after Christmas she had double ear infections... What I'm really trying to say is...please ignore her terrible hair! It's kind of embarassing, but the poor thing just wasn't feeling that great so I didn't want to subject her to hair styling...Now posting pictures, I kind of regret that decision! =) Josh loves Mario anything, he loves Yoshi. And he has had a stuffed green Yoshi toy for a while now that Bailey has been coveting. So, Christmas morning brought Pink Yoshi for Bailey. She went right for him!

Here is the highlight of my Christmas, and yes, it's kind of for me as well as Bailey. Isn't it the cutest kitchen set you've ever seen! It's so pretty... And my mom made her the cutest apron to go with it. Bailey is a lucky girl!

Again, can you see the sickness pouring out of her? But she had just enough energy to give us a thumbs up before heading downstairs to see what Santa had brought.

Here are the cousins after opening their one present on Christmas Eve, and of course you know what it was... pj's.

Spending a lot of time at Grandma's and Grandpa's this week.

She's just so cute I can't handle it!

Andrew playing with a giant train track at Grandma's. Grandma and Grandpa's house is the best!

Christsmas begins...

2010-12-21T21:08:00.000-08:00

So the few of you who check my blog may have noticed that it has been a long, long, long time since I have posted anything! We haven't been taking many pictures lately... But I remembered to grab my camera as I was walking out the door to go play at my moms house this afternoon. My sister Maren and her boys Brigham and Benjamin arrived yesterday, so of course we needed to do a little time out in the street riding bikes, scooters, and motorized vehicles. There is a Jeep, a golf cart, and a pink car... Fun for everyone.

Joshua is saying " I'm number 1!"

This is Andrew suddenly being amazingly old, he totally can't fit in the Jeep anymore, I can't believe he is going to be 9 soon!

Benjamin is sure lucky to have so many people loving him so much! =)

My mom and I. Somehow Maren missed out on all the fun traffic directing we did outside...

Is Bailey just the cutest ever? She is growing up so fast!

Hope you enjoyed the quick update. Hopefully I will be posting more Christmas soon.

Merry Christmas!

Paradise (Hawaii)

2010-06-20T15:02:00.000-07:00

Aloha! We just got back from Maui and it was such a fun week that none of us wanted to come back to reality! We spent most of our time in the amazing pool at the Grand Wailea or a few feet away at the beach. We went snorkeling, surfing, and some of us golfed a lot. Being that we were in the water all the time we hardly took any pictures! But here are the few we did get.

This is the boys doing shaka, which Joshua pronounces "shotgun," and we didn't correct him enough times I guess.

Here is one of our only group shots, and we are missing Daniel and Emily. They left one day earlier than we did so they could get to Connecticut for Daniel's brother's farewell.

The kids did a lot of fish feeding, it seems that every restaurant would hand out fish food to throw to the giant fish in their ponds.

The cousins had a great time playing together. Josh is the leader here with Brigham, Bailey, and Benjamin. It was fun that Bailey and her cousin Ellie can finally play together, Ellie definitely needed a girl to play with cause boys are crazy!

Some of the men, they golfed many times, I think this might be on the island of Lanai where Tobi has wanted to play golf for years, and he finally got his chance. Brian is not here because he and Maren and their boys went over to Oahu for a night to go to the P.C.C.

We took some Hula lessons, it was interesting... lets just say we are not dancers in our family!

The newlyweds, they are so cute and we love Daniel! I think "Daniel!" was the word said most by all the kids, they were all in love with him. He fit right into our family, no adjustment period, I feel like he has been a part of the family forever. Good choice Emily!

At dinner one night Brigham who is three, was sporting the napkin bandana and so all my kids wanted to try it. Brigham is going to be a trendsetter!

Goodbye Hawaii, we'll miss you!

Nothing in Particular

2010-06-07T19:48:00.001-07:00

So I have sort of lost my desire to blog, and it has been almost 3 months since I posted anything so I thought I would put up a few pics for the couple of you who want to see what we have been up to! Tobi's mom Dolores came to visit us for the weekend. We love Grandma Dee! We had a fun time just hanging out, not doing too much. We did go miniature golfing and to Andrews baseball game.

Andrew is 8! I can hardly believe it. He got Baptized on May 1st. He was so excited!

I don't know if any of you will see it, but I can see the stress on my face. A baptism day should be stress free and wonderful right? Well I had had a really terrible week and then done a bridal shower the same morning as this baptism and by this time I was ready to give away all my children. Seriously, I was spent.

Andrew played baseball for the first time this year and he loved it! It is his favorite sport so far. And I really enjoyed it too. It was great to be able to watch him individually, catching, throwing and hitting.

This is random. So Andrew sometimes gets up at night and doesn't really know what he is doing. This sometimes means that Tobi and I come up from downstairs around 11 pm and find him sleeping like this at the top of the stairs.

Emily got married last weekend and it was so fun. She looked gorgeous and we love Daniel and his family. I don't have any pics yet, maybe I will get those posted in less than three months!

D-land 2010

2010-03-13T20:39:00.001-08:00

It was time for our Spring trip to Disneyland, and here is the crew this trip. If you know us well, you may notice that we are missing two children! I left Bailey home, and Maren left Benjamin at home. As a mom I should probably say that we missed them, and of course we did, but it was so nice to have two less children to push around in strollers! It was great to just have Josh and Andrew and be able to go on pretty much every ride. And if you haven't seen me lately, you may be wondering where I am in the picture! Well, I have had a midlife crisis and decided to cut my hair and go dark. I have to say I actually like it, but I don't know how long I can keep up with the upkeep. Going every month is crazy!

Doesn't Andrew look old? I can't believe he is almost 8!

I got the kids these flashing necklaces at Safeway, that they wore at night, that way I didn't have to listen to them wanting those glow in the dark things they sell there.

Grandma with Josh, Brigham and Ellie. Ellie is cuddled up in Josh's sweatshirt, which he refused to wear. He hardly ever gets cold.

Is Anrdrew trying to choke Josh or help him?

I love Brigham's face, he is really trying his best!

It was a great trip, can't wait for Fall!

My Princess is 2!

2010-02-13T14:44:00.000-08:00

This is her new smile for the camera, squinty eyes, hmm...

I can't believe my baby is 2 years old already. She is talking up a storm, getting into everything, and has some two year old tantrums, but I still think she is the cutest thing on earth. She is so precious to me, I am loving every minute of being her mom. I am so lucky! We had Grandma and Grandpa over for presents and cake. It was a fun night! We got a new camera for Christmas and haven't really figured out how to use it, so a lot of the pictures we took didn't come out that well, so we just have a few so you can see what Bailey looks like right now. Now I need to figure out how to use the camera...

BYU vs Fresno State

2009-12-13T15:19:00.000-08:00

Living in Pleasanton means we don't get to go to that many BYU games, so when they are playing within a reasonable distance, we always go. This weekend it meant driving to Fresno, which took us 2 hours and 15 minutes. It wasn't bad. Tobi had planned a bunch of things to do but it was raining all day Saturday, so that changed our plans a bit. We did eat some good mexican food, and played glow in the dark miniature golf, which the kids loved. Not that we had to drive to Fresno for that, but we did what we could with the rain. The game was really fun and the Cougars won, always good for morale. The next day we hit a great breakfast place and came home. The kids favorite part was staying in a hotel, who knew?

Disneyland

2009-12-10T12:56:00.000-08:00

My friend Ashley was already making a trip to Disneyland with her mother-in-law, so Josh and I went down and met them for a few more days at the park. The first day we were supposed to go to D-land, it rained the whole day. So we had to improvise and went to Chuck E Cheese for 4 hours, the longest I have ever been there! But the kids had a great time playing and the moms had a great time talking. Two of Ashleys friends came and it was fun getting to know them better. The next day at Disneyland was great, if a little on the cold side. We stayed with Ashley's Aunt and Uncle, who were so nice to let us stay there. Josh, Weston and Luke had a great time together, as did Ashley and I. Next time it's Andrew's time for his own trip! Can't wait to go again!

Happy Halloween from your favorite Superheroes

2009-11-02T13:58:00.000-08:00

Originally Andrew had wanted to be Wolverine, and Josh wanted to be Spiderman. When the costumes showed up, there was a small problem. Andrews Wolverine costume was just a touch snug, and the Spiderman was way too long for Josh, so the poor kids had to switch costumes. They weren't too thrilled, but that's what happened. And who do you think is in my favorite costume? Of course it's Bailey in the Supergirl costume. Is it cute or what? And the pink boots from Target completed the look.

D-land!

2009-10-21T17:45:00.000-07:00

So it was time for the girls in my family to do our annual, or sometimes bi-annual trip to Disneyland. There were 7 children 7 and under, and 5 adults. It was a little crazy at times. I am thinking of trying to leave Bailey home next time and just take the two boys, who can ride almost everything. It was insanely busy at Disneyland, who knows why. But it is a LDS vacation, so we saw tons of BYU gear around. Apparently some schools were out in Utah, and BYU was playing at San Diego State, a bad combination. So, not the best trip to D-land but still fun.

I love the effort that Andrew is exerting here.

The boys did a lot of this, and consequently I did a lot of yelling at them to get down.

Does it look like Bailey is enjoying the teacups?

Here is the whole crew, three double strollers, that says it all.

BYU 14 OKLAHOMA 13!

2009-09-07T14:40:00.000-07:00

We just got back from a weekend in Texas, if you know Tobi, you know why we were there...BYU FOOTBALL! The first game of the season, and we got to play the Oklahoma Sooners. Our friends the Zollingers now live in Texas. They are one of these three couples that has moved away from us. All the husbands are huge BYU fans, so of course we met up in Texas, and Joey and Steph were so nice to let all of us stay with them. We had a great weekend! The girls shopped, and got pedicures. The guys played golf, and watched lots of sports. The highlight of the weekend of course being BYU's amazing win. This is the only picture I have, we used several different cameras over the weekend, so hopefully the other girls will post pictures that I can steal! Here we are on Friday night. And what do you think we did as couples after dinner? Played golf of course. Scott and Angie, Lauren and Dave, Stephanie, me, and Joey.

Last of our Washington Trip

2009-08-23T12:23:00.001-07:00

So we went to the beach a couple times, (which is really the river.) I love Bailey's swimsuit, it has a tutu on it! Girls are so fun I just can't handle it!

Molinda's fiance T.J. and Uncle Philip give Andrew a little toss, but wait for Josh...

Visiting with Grandma and Grandpa

Grandma Dee with three of the grandkids. That is their cousin Alexiss in the middle.

We always go to Sharps when we go to Clarkston, it is one of Tobi's places.

Josh, Joseph, Tobi, Andrew, Alexiss, Lydia

More from Clarkston

2009-08-23T12:10:00.001-07:00

The main reason we went to Clarkston was for Joseph and Hailey's wedding, so here we are, six weeks later and I am finally posting the pics!

Most of Tobi's family, Micah, Philip, Molinda, Hailey, Joseph, Dolores, Tobi

Harley was the cutest flower girl ever! Hailey's dress was so gorgeous! She looked Beautiful.

These two were the ring bearers, does that scare anyone out there? If you know the boys, I am sure it does. Would you let them be ring bearers? Crazy. But they did a great job, we practiced the day before. Andrew was holding a pillow that didn't actually have any rings on it, but no one else knew that! And he was holding the flower girls hand. Josh walked down the aisle first ringing some bells. There was no running, pushing, yelling, or any of the usual mayhem that these two cause. They behaved themselves for once in their lives, at least until the ceremony was over.

This is at Hailey's bridal shower.

Me, Tobi's sister Molinda, Hailey, Tobi's mom Dolores, and Aunt Sherry.

If you have two crazy boys, and then a girl...

2009-08-11T20:06:00.000-07:00

THIS ONE...

Ran into this one...

And this is what happened!

That's right. My one and a half year old has a bright pink, up to her diaper, CAST!

At least Josh didn't do it on purpose. He was running by her and I guess was a little too close. She fell down and apparently got a tiny fracture of her left leg, just above the ankle. She has had the cast on for 2 weeks, and we have 1 more week to go. I have already accepted the fact that we were going to have a lot of trips to the ER, I just didn't think it would be for my little princess!

Only Boys Allowed

2009-08-01T13:33:00.000-07:00

So a few weeks ago Tobi's brother Joseph got married. Tobi wanted to go up a week early and do a little camping and a lot of golfing. So our agreement was he would take the two boys, and I would come a few days later with Bailey. Let me tell you, this was awesome! I got so much done at home, and Tobi had a great time with the boys. I think we need to do this kind of trip every year! So while it was just him and the boys, they stayed at his brothers Philip's house, and his other brother Joseph came and they golfed a lot! Thanks to Tara, Philip's girlfriend who took care of the boys! Then they went to Clarkston and went camping with his mom and dad. The boys LOVE going to Clarkston and spending time with Grandma Dee. They can't wait to get there and then talk about it constantly when we get home.
More from our Clarkston trip coming soon...

Hawaii # 3 - The Last Hawaii Post!

2009-06-05T22:34:00.001-07:00

My favorite activity while we were in Hawaii was learning to surf. We went twice and it was so much fun! Andrew was a pro and Josh could do it too! If you ever have the chance to try surfing, you have got to do it!

Hawaii #2

2009-05-31T20:54:00.001-07:00

We did a lot of this...

and this...

We had some family pictures taken. A pretty interesting experience with 9 adults, a 7 year old 4 year old, 2 two year olds, and two babies. Pretty crazy...
We don't have any prints from the photographer yet, but Emily also took some pictures with her sweet camera. So here is a little preview of what our Christmas card will probably look like, or close to it.

I love this dress Bailey is wearing, she looked soooo adorable. Can you see that smile under the Binkey?

Some of us went on a submarine. Grandma is the lucky one to sit next to the two boys...

When the submarine was going down, Tobi told Josh he had to hold his breath, and Josh of course obeyed his dad...

Here we are at Cheeseburger in Paradise, Tobi and I also went here on our honeymoon, 9 years ago. Crazy that we have three kids now, time flies.

The tattoos. Tobi really wanted to get henna tattos for the whole family, including me and Bailey. Let's just say that didn't happen. We drive over to get tattoos, Bailey falls asleep in the car. Tobi takes the boys in to some outdoor market to try to find somewhere to get the tattoos. An hour and fifteen minutes later, Bailey wakes up. You can be sure I was not too happy sitting in the car for this amount of time. We go in to find out what they could be doing, we find them, and they are "almost done." Sure. Great. He gets the boys each a shirt, and pays a large amount of money. Well, too much in my opinion. The next day, the wax stuff comes off, and there is no henna tattoo underneath. You could barely see them they were so faint. I was pretty angry. Not only did I have to wait in the car forever, we wasted a lot of money too.

8 Days 8 Nights

2009-05-27T21:50:00.000-07:00

I have been a really bad blogger for several months now. I have had many things I was planning to blog about but just never got around to it, but now you are in for it. There is going to be way more pictures than anyone really wants to see. But this vacation deserves at least several posts. We went to Maui with my entire family, and spent 8 days there. It was so perfect, we had the best time. As soon as we got back to our house, after taking a red eye flight, Josh said, when are we going back to Hawaii? And he meant, in how many minutes, not how many years. Anyway, these pictures are in no particular order because there are just too many!

Obviously swimming is a big theme here, but there are also pictures from our car ride to the airport, Bailey playing at the airport, and a few from the aquarium on Maui.

Andrew is 7!

2009-04-02T20:56:00.000-07:00

Today is Andrew's birthday! I can't believe I have a seven year old. Andrew has the most energy of any kid I've ever seen. He never runs out of it, but when it is time to go to bed, he is out like a light. All his energy is a little overwhelming at times, as most of you know, but usually he uses his energy for good. He is a really happy kid, and friend to all. He may not know the kids name, but he will play with anyone, anytime. He loves his brother and sister, and really helps me out a lot. We are so lucky to have him in our family!

My first baby! It seems like sooo long ago!

When he turned 1. I can see Bailey in this picture.

His first haircut at age 2.

When he turned 3 he loved Thomas the Train.

When he was 4 he wanted to run in a race like mom does. He was so excited.

When he was almost 5, and attended Gingerbread preschool, he fell down on the cement at school, and broke his arm. The doctor took his cast off thinking it was healed, the next day he fell down at the church while we were there for a ward activity. This time he needed pins, so he had to have surgery and a cast for 8 more weeks.

Andrew turned 6 while in Kindergarten at Fairlands. He loves school! He is very social. Probably a little too social if you ask his teacher.

Here he is at his birthday party this year. Happy Birthday Andrew! We love you!

Did you go green?

2009-03-18T13:22:00.000-07:00

So yesterday was St. Patrick's day. We pull into our driveway after school and I see something on the front porch. I immediately knew there was something fishy going on around here. On our front porch was a box of these

Some super nice leprechauns had left it on our doorstep! These specific leprechauns are so thoughtful and fun! My kids were so excited to find a surprise waiting for them on St. Patrick's Day. Thanks leprechauns!

Last year for the first time, I made corned beef and cabbage. Let me just say it was not a huge hit. We all thought it was terrible! So this year I decided to have a green dinner instead. I made shepherd's pie for the main dish, I guess it's Irish right? Basically it's meat with gravy on it, then a layer of vegetables, I put corn in mine, then a layer of mashed potatoes. We all thought it was pretty good. Then we had various green things: green kool-aid, edamame, caesar salad, artichokes, green grapes, and green jello jigglers.

Dessert was easy, my kids favorite ice cream is mint chocolate chip, so there you go!
Hope you had a great green day.

Happy Birthday Josh!

2009-03-15T21:15:00.000-07:00

Today my second child turned 4. On my kids birthdays I usually think back to the day I delivered them... and Josh is my least favorite delivery. I just remember lots of pain. I had no drugs with this child, not that I didn't want them! I will always have bad feelings for Kaiser Permanente and their crazy rules about epidurals. But I guess supposedly we forget the pain and that is why we have more children right? Of course it was worth the pain though, Josh is such a fun, happy kid. He makes us laugh every day.

Baby Josh, not exactly sure how old. But somewhere around a couple of months...

Josh at 1 years old. Gotta love the perma mohawk from his double cowlick swirly things. Most people have one. Having 2 is very unusual. Doctors always comment about it.

Josh at 2

Josh at 3

This year the boys got a Wii for Christmas. Since then they are totally into the Wii. There hasn't been a lot of tv watching going on, but lots of Wii playing, so we made a Wii Josh and put him on top of his cake.

We had dinner with my parents. Josh is against potatoes and rice, so I make a lot of pasta. My mom has a hard time making a meal without potatoes, but today we planned around Josh. We had beef tenderloin, pasta roni (his favorite), and homemade bread and butter, plus a vegetable but Josh didn't eat any so I won't mention it.

Josh got a air hockey game from my dad, it is really for both boys. He also got that sweet helmet he is wearing.

Overall it was a good birthday for Josh. Only one more birthday to go, Andrews birthday is April 2. Then we are done with birthdays until October. Thank goodness.
Bailey is in February, Josh is March, and Andrew is April. I am always glad when we are done till next year...

Grandma Dee and Aunt Mo

2009-03-12T14:24:00.000-07:00

All of us have been really excited for Tobi's mom (Dolores), and sister Molinda to come visit us. The kids love their Grandma Dee and Aunt Mo. They are so fun! Molinda is a teacher and it was her spring break, so they came out for a few days. Molinda just got engaged and we are so excited for her and TJ.
We did lots of fun things so I am going to do a few installments of pictures. Some of our first highlights were going to Benihana for dinner, and the zoo.

Molinda's birthday was last week and Josh's birthday is this week, so they both got to have birthday ice cream.

Andrews favorite part is when they make the volcano out of the onion.

We went to the Oakland Zoo. It is a great zoo for kids. Not too big, and a fun kids area.

The boys were in a little contest to see who could do the biggest frog jump.

To be continued...whenever I have time to post again!

Happy Birthday Mom (Grandma)

2009-02-17T20:36:00.000-08:00

Today is my mom's birthday. While Josh was at school, Bailey and I went up and hung out with my mom at her house. For dinner we went out to our favorite sushi place. Andrew, my mom and I, LOVE California roll. It is one of Andrew's favorite things to eat. At least several times a week when I pick him up from school, his first question to me is, Did you get sushi? After dinner, my mom and dad came over to our house for cake and ice cream.
My mom is the best mom there is. She is so giving and selfless. She helps me in so many ways. She is a really hard worker. There isn't anything she can't do. I am so lucky she is my mom!

Rainy Day at the Vincents

2009-02-16T18:30:00.000-08:00

The following is what happens when my fourth child, (oops, I mean my husband) stays home from school, (I mean work.)

Josh taking his turn

Do you see those towels blocking the drain? Yes... they made a dam.

Check out these outfits. Josh put on his swimsuit over his pajamas, and a swimshirt over his t-shirt. Apparently he thought these would protect him from the water. Josh is a little O.C.D., not really, but if he gets a drop of water on any of his clothes, he has to strip them off immediately.

This is how they fueled up before the rainy, wet, splashing in puddles bike riding. Tobi made pancakes for breakfast, yes there is a pancake under there! He then let them put gobs of candy, chocolate, and whipped cream on top. His other specialty breakfast item is smashed up oreos in milk. What can I say? I grew up on M&M's in my cheerios, and that is how my kids eat it too.

The boys had a great day! Tobi is such a fun dad. I love it that he lets them do these fun crazy things.

Happy Birthday Bailey!

2009-02-09T22:20:00.001-08:00

Today is Bailey's birthday. I can not believe my baby is already one! Time is going by too quickly, but I have loved every minute of it. She is my little princess, and I am so thankful to have her in our family. Her little personality is starting to come out. It's such a fun time!

My princess needed two days of party, so we started out yesterday by having cake and presents at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Today, I made little bundt cakes just her size. She wasn't too interested in eating the cake, only in squishing it. She must have noticed that it wasn't chocolate...

Here she is opening her present from Grandma Dee. Thanks Grandma Dee! We miss you!

Date Night

2009-01-24T08:01:00.001-08:00

Last night Tobi and I went to dinner by ourselves...this almost never happens. For some reason having a third kid has made going out even more infrequent than before. It was so nice to go out by ourselves without the kids, even if it was just for an hour and a half. And we went to Tomatina's, I could eat there everyday.

Tennis

2009-01-24T07:55:00.000-08:00

So Andrew started taking Tennis lessons last week. Tobi played tennis in high school and has been taking the boys over to our tennis courts to practice. They both really enjoy it. I don't have a picture of Andrew playing tennis... but I guess the next best thing is Josh and Bailey waiting for Andrew to get done... This is Bailey's first baby pony tail, or whatever you call it. Who knows, I am knew to all this girls stuff.

A Real Vacation

2009-01-10T18:14:00.000-08:00

Christmas was such a busy time, we didn't really feel like it was a vacation. I am sure a lot of you feel the same way. So today we just took it easy. All of us were in our pajamas pretty much the whole day. We watched BYU basketball, ordered pizza, and played a lot of Wii. Some of us took naps, and some played tennis. It's nice when you have a Saturday with nothing on the schedule!

Christmas in Cali

2008-12-27T21:25:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas! We stayed here for Christmas this year with my family. My parents had a full house. My brother Barrett came with Ashley and Ellie, my sister Maren with Brian, Brigham, and Benjamin, and Sipho and Emily. It was such a fun week. Maren and Emily are still here for a few more days, but everyone else has gone back to normal life. Just a few highlights...

Grandma with all her grandkids.

Andrew

Josh

Bailey with her new doll that my mom made for her. When we were little my mom made all of us dolls, so this year she made them for the grandkids! Very special.

We finally joined the Wii world.

The boys, Brigham, Josh and Andrew. Grandpa always buys the best presents! The adults enjoyed this one as well!

Most of the girls! Poor Ashley was sick most of the week, so I think she was napping during this shot.
We hope you all had a great holiday!

Cheesesteak and Cheesecake - A Good Day

2008-12-03T23:00:00.000-08:00

Today was Tobi's birthday. He got to come home early for work, and my mom watched the kids, so we went to see Four Christmases. It was pretty funny. We picked up Cheesesteaks for dinner, they were so good! He wanted cheesecake with cherries on top for his birthday cake. Then we watched the BYU basketball game which was on tonight. A great b-day for Tobi. It was a really nice day. Love you Tobi! Hope you had a great b-day!

Josh and Andrew were excited for Tobi's birthday. They each got to pick out a balloon to give him. Josh decorated our room with toilet paper. He thought he was decorating. It was so cute.

Andrew was the photographer here...

So Cal Trip

2008-11-10T21:19:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago we went down to southern california for a long weekend. We hit Legoland and then Disneyland. This is the Legoland installment of pics, next I will post the D-land ones.... Sorry about the order of pictures, they didn't go up in the order that I wanted, and I am too tired to fix it now...

Our first stop along the road was Harris Ranch. I love how Josh is looking at me in this one.

Tobi entertaining the kids at Legoland.

All that steak at Harris Ranch put Josh right to sleep. Ahhhh...Peace and quiet.

Andrew and Tobi with the steak.

At the end of the day the boys played in this water area, they had been waiting all day to go in it. They had a great time, but if Josh were in this picture, you would see his teeth chattering and his lips blue. But of course he didn't mind at all.

A little late, but, Happy Halloween!

Do you ever want to do this to your kids? I do. Often.

My Fairytale...

2008-11-01T21:09:00.000-07:00

A Knight, a Dragon, and a Princess

The night before Halloween we were planning to paint our pumpkins, but Tobi and Andrew ended up drawing on them instead. Andrew put some serious planning into his design.

It's that time again!

2008-10-18T20:50:00.000-07:00

This is our pumpkin patch experience this year.

My mom came with us also, but she is taking the picture!

Andrew has been asking me for 2 years if we could go on "the cow train." He rode it two years ago, but last year we went to the pumpkin patch during the week, when the cow ride wasn't running. So he has been waiting for this day for quite a while.

This is Josh's first pony ride.

Andrew doing his favorite cannonball into the corn.

I hope all of you had a great time getting your pumpkins!

Conference Weekend

2008-10-08T17:06:00.000-07:00

We had a great weekend. We started off by going to superfranks, the boys love the glow in the dark miniature golf! Sunday we went to my mom's house to watch conference. Then we got out the halloween box and the kids tried on lots of fun costumes.

Love this one of Josh at Superfranks!

My mom makes the best cinnamon and orange rolls! I ate six! They are just so good I can't help myself.

This is trying to listen to conference with three kids!

I always have to have a picture of me and Bailey...

Halloween is so fun, the kids love playing dress up.

Love this one! Bailey is eight months and so cute right now.

Over the Hills and Through the Woods...

2008-10-05T08:46:00.000-07:00

My mom is the best grandma ever. Seriously! She had the boys up to her house for a campout in her backyard. She had it all planned out. She and the boys set up the tent together. Then...

They cooked outside using camping stoves and the grill. They had some mountain house chicken and rice, which I think is a dehydrated meal you pour boiling water into and then wait 5 minutes, and it's ready. She cooked fresh corn on the grill, and hot dogs.

They had smores for dessert, of course.

She had planned a treasure hunt with clues, and when they got to the prize, it was games,puzzles, flashlights, and fun things they could do that night and in the morning.

Having fun in the tent...

Faking or actually asleep?

They woke up at 6:30 because it started raining and they got wet! So they came in, watched some cartoons with grandpa and had homemade french toast! Pretty much the best night of their lives.

Sunday Afternoons at Grandma's House

2008-09-21T21:02:00.000-07:00

Now that we have afternoon church, and my parents have morning church, we go up to their house for dinner right after church. (When we have morning church, they come to our house). Andrew and Josh were really excited about this change because they LOVE Grandma's house. And who can blame them when this is what they get to do there! My dad bought the golf cart for Andrew when he was about 2. Then when Andrew outgrew it, it became Josh's and Andrew got the jeep. Sometimes Josh rides around in the jeep with Andrew, and sometimes he drives his golf cart. Grandmas house is so fun!

I love this picture because of Josh's funny face, and Andrew's gun and holster!

UCLA and 30th b-day

2008-09-17T13:40:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we went to Utah for a number of reasons. BYU was playing UCLA at home, Scott Fuller was turning the big 30, and my sister just had a baby. Thursday Tobi, Joey and Dave kept Scott out of the house so us girls could get a big surprise party ready for Scott. We cooked, while the kids had a great day of jumping on the trampoline and playing at Angies moms house. Scott and Angies families were both there, along with the Zollingers, Warrens and us. Plus a few special guests. We had a great dinner, the kids got to swing at a pinata, and the adults all played games in the backyard such as throwing the football, knocking down milk bottles, and a basketball shoot out. I think Dave won two medals, and Joey got one. Friday we hung out with my family, went to the Training Table, (I love their cheese fries)went swimming and bowling in the Wilk. Saturday we all went to the football game together. I had to leave after the first quarter to go rescue my babysitter from a screaming Bailey. So I missed out on most of the game. We went to the Chef's Table with my family that night. It was a really busy tiring weekend, but it was so fun to hang out with all our old Pleasanton friends, and family.

All of us ready for game day!

All the guys. The guy on the far right is Harvey Unga, an awesome running back for BYU. He is friends with Angies brother,and you know Tobi and Scott just love to be in his presence.

Tobi gave Scott a BYU helmet for his birthday.

Belle, Tyler, Andrew, Josh, Maci, Bryce

Joey, Tobi, Scott, Jeff

Steph, Angie, Me

Benjamin Robert Wilcox Arrives!

2008-09-01T14:27:00.001-07:00

My sister Maren was due September 4th, but her doctor kept telling her she was going to deliver early, so I took advantage of the holiday weekend and went up to Utah just in case she had the baby early. I got to be there when she delivered her first son Brigham, and I really wanted to be there this time as well. So I flew up Friday night, and had Cafe Rio for dinner, the important part of the trip. Saturday, nothing was happening with Maren so the rest of my family and I went to go to the BYU game. We were at the Stadium about to go in and Maren called to tell us it was time! So we hopped in the car and drove to Salt Lake. We made if with plenty of time to spare. Benjamin was born at 9:08. He weighed 7 lbs 7 ounces and was 19 and 3/4 inch long. He has dark hair and is so adorable. Maren did an awesome job. It was so fun to be there for the birth, along with Brian of course, my mom, Emily, and Bailey too. I had to come home so Tobi can go back to work tomorrow, but we are going to Utah again next week, so I will get to see my nephew again soon. Congratulations Maren and Brian!

Doesn't Maren look too good to have just had a baby!

All of us in our BYU attire ready for the game

Brian was watching football for a good portion of the labor. Too bad it wasn't BYU, the hospital did not get the right channel!

Of course I had to put in a picture with Bailey in it

Good Weekend Plus Carpet

2008-08-15T21:18:00.000-07:00

So the first picture here is for Maren. We got new carpet in our family room a few months ago and Maren has asked me several times to post a picture of it. And a picture of just carpet would be boring right? So I had to get a cute model to pose ON on the carpet!
We had a good weekend which started out with us going to Tomatina's with my Dad and brother and his family. We then stopped at Baskin Robbins and got ice cream. Saturday Tobi took Andrew to the new Clone Wars movie. Andrew is REALLY into Star Wars, so he loved it. Tobi also took Andrew and Josh golfing with my Dad and brother and sister-in-law Ashley. Then we finished off with a BBQ at my parents. My sister came home from BYU yesterday also, so it was so fun to have her home. We are going to have a very fun week doing girl things I'm sure.

Happy Birthday Emily!

2008-08-12T13:06:00.000-07:00

Emily is eighteen today! She is almost done with her summer term at BYU. I can't believe she is old enough to be there! I was 11 when she was born, so of course I was so excited to take care of her, babysit, and be her second mom. She has always been really special to me. When I was 16 and she was 5, we lived in Anaheim Hills, so I would take her to Disneyland just the two of us. She was only 6 when I went to BYU so I missed some of her growing up years, but I am so glad that we moved here to Pleasanton so that I could be around for her junior high and high school years. I got to watch her play lots of volleyball, see her with her dates for dances, and know her cute friends. Even though she is 11 years younger than me, she is one of my best friends. I am really going to miss her while she is away at BYU, but hopefully in a few years she can talk her husband into moving back here! Don't worry, I'm not rushing her, just talking in the future! Emily is so much fun to be around, and is so nice. I don't think she has a mean bone in her body. She has great fashion sense and I wish I could always look as cute as her! She is my favorite shopping partner. I hope you have a great birthday Em! Remind mom to give you your present from me! Love you!

The Fullers Reunion Marathon Weekend

2008-07-28T19:57:00.000-07:00

Our good friends Scott and Angie Fuller moved away from Pleasanton two years ago. We have been lucky enough to see them fairly frequently since they moved to Las Vegas. This last weekend they made the drive to come and stay with us. They arrived Wednesday and left Sunday, but we crammed a whole lot into those 4 days. The husbands played basketball, went golfing with the kids, went golfing alone, played football, played pingpong multiple nights, and went to Batman. Angie and I got to run together every morning, which I know some of you are like, that is fun? But it is for us. I really miss my running partner! Our husbands even watched all the kids, including the babies, while we went to the mall for a couple hours, got pedicures, and had a girls night out at the Cheesecake Factory! We also had family park night and a great bbq at the Fishers. Thanks for inviting all of us, Fisher! The kids all had such a good time playing together, we couldn't ask for better friends. We had such a good time! We just wish they would move back here to Pleasanton! But until then, they just need to come back to visit more frequently!

Tyler Haley Kate Angie Maressa Bailey Josh Andrew
Do you see how Bailey and Kate are holding hands? Friends already!

Josh and Haley warming up in the shower at the pool

The weather was really nice so we spent quite a bit of time at the pool. The boys had an especially fun time playing with their dads. Andrew, Josh, and Tyler probably spent more time flying through the air above the water than they actually spent in it

Angie and Kate at the pool

Don't these two make the cutest couple?
Have you ever seen a more gorgeous 2 year old! She is so cute I can't stand it!

This is wildlife photography at its best. These kids slowed down only once during the weekend. For this picture! That's it

Scott and Tobi were watching a documentary on tattoos so the kids decided that they each needed one. Tobi gave Haley a smiley face, Josh a Darth Vader, Tyler a bat, and Andrew a lightning bolt and a bat ray

Angie and I with our adorable girls

Look at these two already following in their dads footsteps

Tyler and Andrew played dress up for a long time! They were train conductors trying to keep the trains running on time

We only got one picture of these two. That's how often Angie and I saw them over the weekend. Sunburned, tired, sore, and totally happy

One of the highlights of the weekend, GNO!
Me Angie Christine Michelle Kerry

It's always a great party at the Fishers!
Michelle Janine Stacey Christine
Me Bea Angie

Adam's Peanut Butter Cup Fudge Ripple

2008-07-20T15:21:00.000-07:00

For the Crust:
4 1/2 cups crushed Oreo cookies
1/2 cup melted butter

For the Filling:
3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1 cup sour cream
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup chocolate fudge topping, divided
6 peanut butter cups, cut into small wedges
6 butterfinger, chopped

Crush Oreos in a food processor. Add melted butter and mix well. Press onto bottom and up 1" sides of a 10" springform pan. Bake at 350 for 6 minutes.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and sour cream until smooth. Add eggs and beat on low speed till combined. Stir in vanilla. Pour half of cream cheese batter over crust. Microwave half of the hot fudge topping till pourable, but not hot. Drizzle this over the cheesecake batter. Sprinkle with half of your peanut butter cups and butterfinger. Pour the rest of your cheesecake batter over the peanut butter cups and butterfinger. Then top with remaining peanut butter cups and butterfinger, pressing down on them a little.

Bake at 350 for 55-60 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen but do not remove sides. Cool 1 hour longer on wire rack. Microwave remaining fudge topping and drizzle over top of cheesecake. Refrigerate overnight. Garnish with more peanut butter cups if desired.

This is sooo good! Add as much hot fudge, and peanut butter cups and butterfinger as you think looks good. I think I added more of each of these ingredients. Enjoy!

Who needs The Cheesecake Factory???

2008-07-17T08:26:00.000-07:00

So the title of this post is obviously a joke, OF COURSE I still need The Cheesecake Factory. I think it is my favorite place to go for girls night out. I get to drink diet coke, eat salad, and have a huge piece of yummy cheesecake. But I did make a knockoff version of the Adam's Peanut Butter Cup Fudge Ripple. And it turned out pretty much like theirs, to my surprise. Now I can have my favorite cheesecake at home AND on GNO!

Fun times

2008-07-14T16:53:00.000-07:00

We have been having a fun summer so far. I love summer, I feel like being outside, and bbqing every night, and that is pretty much what we have been doing the last couple of weeks, so I have been slow on the posting. Tobi finally taught Andrew to ride a two wheeler. I have been nagging him to do it for at least a year, and last weekend it actually happened. We also have been swimming a lot, went to Pebble Beach, and went to the fair.

Andrew and Josh did this tractor pulling race and both won their first ribbons at the fair!

This was what Tobi made Andrew wear for his bike riding lessons. J/k, he didn't have to wear the football pads. But he was outfitted with elbow and knee pads, and wrist guards, plus the helmet of course. Tobi didn't want Andrew breaking another bone!

Here they are, my three crazy boys. Josh loved riding his fire bike too, (it has flames on the side).

Here is Tobi trying to make our kids play football while we are at a park with a playground. Of course the kids would rather play on the playground, but they humored Tobi for a few plays. Give them a few more years right?

I just love these pictures of Bailey. She is 5 months now. Time is flying by. She is so fun! I am so grateful that I have her.

Don't call social services

2008-07-09T22:08:00.000-07:00

If you know Andrew, then you are not surprised by this picture. Just another day in the Vincent household. Andrew somehow got beat up by a chair. It smacked him in the face the other day at the pool. At least we weren't at the emergency room right? Andrew has been to the emergency room 3 times already I think. When he was 15 months old he swallowed a watch battery while we were on vacation in Boston. We had to go find a hospital and get him x-ray'd, and sure enough the battery was in there. But apparently, as long as it doesn't stay in there, there is no problem. This is good to know! Although I realize that for many of you, it's highly unlikely that your kid would swallow a battery. His next trip involved him falling off a pool slide about 5 feet down and landing face first on the concrete. He split his lip open and broke a bone in his cheek. He needed stitches that time. Next trip, he broke his arm at preschool, had a cast for 6 weeks. They took off the cast and 3 days later at a church party he fell on some stairs and rebroke the same spot, then he had surgery to put in pins, and the cast returned for 8 more weeks. I think that is it for the emergency room. Luckily Josh has not followed in Andrews footsteps, at least not yet.

Pebble Beach

2008-07-07T18:00:00.000-07:00

We went down to Carmel for the 4th of July. It was just us and my parents. I like Carmel and Monterey and everything, but going down there is definitely the highlight of Tobi's year. He and my dad golfed at Pebble Beach and at some other awesome course that I can't even remember the name of right now. I'm sure Tobi will be disappointed in my golf knowledge. But anyway, they had a great time. My mom wanted to go to some used book stores, so while she did that I took the boys to the Dennis the Mennis park. What a fun park! We walked around a little in downtown Carmel of course, and went down to the beach there. The boys love the beach no matter what temperature it is. I however, was not loving the beach on this particular day! It was freezing! When we got back home it was 90 degrees, and we were loving it! We went straight to the pool. Carmel is nice and all, but when you are freezing on the 4th of July, something is not right.

Do you see the pain in my eyes? I was just waiting for someone else to say, okay, it's cold, let's go! Bailey is somewhere under all those blankets.

Tobi communing with nature.

My mom bought the boys some fun new toys at the cool toy store. They kept them entertained at breakfast.

This is my summer

2008-06-22T14:16:00.001-07:00

I have been dreading Andrews last day of school. I know I only have one kid in school for 3.5 hours a day, but to be able to go do errands, or shop, with only 2 kids instead of all 3, is so much easier. I always used Andrews school time to be out somewhere, whether it be Safeway, Costco, the mall, or any other of my favorite stores. I am a shopper, and would really like to go at least somewhere everyday. So, thinking about having all three kids home all day was really getting me worried. (I know I am a big baby compared to some of you out there with more kids!) Anyway, I am slowly but surely getting used to this 3rd kid thing. Another part to my worry, was swimming. I wasn't sure how it was going to go now having Bailey. Andrew has only been out of school for 1 week now, and we have been swimming almost every day. Andrew is a good swimmer now, so he can go in the big pool all by himself. My community pool has a toddler pool which is where Josh swims all by himself, and Bailey and I get to sit on the side in the shade. It has worked out perfectly. So I can tell this is going to be my main activity for the summer. Ashley H. has been with us and the boys have a great time, and of course it is a lot more fun for the moms too!

Weston and Andrew in the kiddie pool.

We need to get one of these tube, raft things, they had a great time playing with these older boys in theirs.

Isn't this the cutest picture of Bailey? I love her face.

One of me and Bailey. She is only 4 months old, but already we have slowed down in our picture taking. I hope all of you were swimming this week too. It was too hot to do anything else!

New Post for.....

2008-06-17T14:29:00.001-07:00

I know that I have not had a new post in a while, but I just didn't have any new pictures on the computer yet and nothing too exciting had been going on. Anyway, so yesterday I get a phone call. I look at the caller id, it says the Hiltons are calling me. Obviously I expect it to be Michelle. I pick up and say hello and a little voice says, hello? I say, is this Caleb, and he says yes. So then I proceed to ask him all the questions I can think to ask Caleb about his day. After I run out of my normal questions to ask 4 year olds, I pause for a second, trying to come up with another one. And Caleb says..... WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO CHANGE YOUR BLOG???? I started cracking up. Up until this point I had assumed he was calling to say can I play with Andrew tomorrow, or something of that nature. It was hilarious. So this post is for CALEB HILTON! He is one of my favorite kids.

Andrew is now officially a first grader. Last week he was in a kindergarten program which was so cute. This is his teacher Mrs. Dean. She was a great teacher for Andrew. I am so thankful that he had her. Maybe Caleb will have her next year!

The kids sang What a Wonderful World. I knew they were going to sing this song because I had heard Andrew practicing at home in the bathroom. They all drew pictures to represent a few of the words of the song.

This is just a random picture to throw in . Our trees have not been trimmed in a few years and are huge! The tree outside Baileys room has been scratching on her window. So yesterday Tobi decided that he was going to go trim it off. I love having a husband that can do that outside and inside handy stuff. Don't you love Josh with his "noculars?" And don't worry, the saw was not plugged in.

Thanks Caleb for encouraging me to change my post! I hope you liked the pictures.

Memorial Day Continued

2008-05-31T15:01:00.000-07:00

We went over to Alameda to check out the USS Hornet. It was actually pretty cool. Normally I am not thrilled about history things, (Tobi is) but this was really neat and the kids loved it.

Our last day with Grandma D we drove over to Halfmoon Bay. I had never been there, but have been wanting to go for sometime. The Fishers gave us there expert opinion about where to get some lunch. We picked up some sandwiches, and they were excellent. The downtown area looked really cute, but we were not there for shopping, so I need to go back there sometime to walk around. The beach was a little on the cold side, but not nearly as cold as I expected. I was prepared for a blizzard, which drove Tobi crazy as he was packing the car with my winter coat and Ugg boots. But I am always colder than everyone else, so I like to be prepared. Plus I had Bailey to think about right??? The kids had a great time playing in the water and sand with Grandma D. Let's just say Andrew and Josh are much more oblivious to the cold than I am.

It was such a fun weekend with Tobi's mom. We are so glad she could come visit. She is such a fun Grandma and will get right in with the kids, whatever they are doing, whether its looking for bugs in the dirt, or digging in the sand, or getting soaked at the beach!

Memorial Day

2008-05-27T16:30:00.001-07:00

Tobi's mom came to visit for the weekend. It was so great to see her. My kids always love when we get to see Grandma D (Dolores). We did so many fun things over the weekend, so this is just my first installment of pictures. Tobi always says I post too many pictures, but I am all about pictures on blogs. That is what I like. So sorry if there are too many for some of you! But I also kind of count this as my scrapbook, so I want to get everything in! The first day she was here, Tobi and Grandma D took Andrew over to the 9 hole golf course inside the race track at the fairgrounds.

Then after Andrew went to school we all went bowling. Josh and Andrew loved it.

This is how Andrew and Joshua waited to see how their shot turned out.

On Saturday we went to the Exploratorium in San Francisco. It was one of my favorite science places we have taken the kids to. Afterwards we went to the Fog City Diner and had some Asiago Truffle french fries, sooo good. And some chocolate banana bread pudding. Mmmmmmm!

The Cutest Headbands EVER!

2008-05-23T18:42:00.000-07:00

This post is for all of you out there who have girls, or know someone who has a girl. That should pretty much be all of you. Do you need a baby shower gift for someone having a girl? If you do, you have got to get them some of these headbands. They are the cutest headbands I have seen anywhere. A friend of a friend makes them, and her sister makes clips. I don't need the clips yet, since Bailey probably won't have hair until she's two. But I will definitely be getting some in the future. They have just started a website where you can get these adorable headbands and clips. Check it out at www.rubysclips.com . They are so comfortable and stretchy, they don't make any marks on her head. Doesn't Bailey look cute modeling them?

I forgot!

2008-05-23T17:52:00.000-07:00

I accidentally left off my favorite picture from our park night last week, just the girls!

Ashley, Angelique, me, Michelle, plus the three babies of course and one on the way.

Saturday was a great day because....

2008-05-21T12:28:00.000-07:00

My sister had prom on Saturday night, (I guess they call it senior ball here.) So I went up to my parents to see her in her dress. Doesn't she look gorgeous? I can't believe she is graduating and going off to BYU. I am really going to miss her. She went with Topher Mitchell, Debbie Mitchells son. If you live by me, you probably know her as the woman who makes the twisted silver jewelry. Emily wore all Twisted jewelry to prom. She looked great. She had this great cuff bracelet on.

Then we decided to do a last minute park night. This is one of my favorite things about summer. We bring some dinner to the park, eat, talk, and play. I think it is so great for all ages. The kids love it, the men love it because they always play some kind of sport, and the girls get to sit around and talk. It was a small group because it was so last minute, but it was really fun. The guys even helped the kids play a game of softball.

Look at Andrew and Caleb, aren't they cute? They always have a great time together!

Mother's Day

2008-05-17T21:47:00.001-07:00

On their way home from the father and sons campout, the boys went mothers day shopping. They got me these beautiful flowers, a balloon, a cake, and lots of chocolate! Andrew even picked out the perfect pink card for me. Andrew also gave me a cute picture frame he had made at school. Sunday morning they wanted to make me breakfast, but trying to get three kids ready by 9:30, doesn't leave time for anything fancy. So they made hot chocolate and toast, and we ate it upstairs in my bathroom picnic style. It was a great mothers day. I am so happy to be a mom to my three beautiful kids! Its the only thing I ever wanted to be.

Father and Sons

2008-05-17T21:38:00.001-07:00

Tobi took Andrew and Josh to the father and sons campout last week. They had a great time. They ate some food, threw a lot of rocks, and came home filthy! So that must mean they had a great time right? I just wanted to post a few pics of all my boys. While the guys were gone, we girls got to go to Cheesecake Factory! What a great thing that the guys get to do every year, especially if we get a girls night out!

Disneyland

2008-05-14T16:18:00.000-07:00

I am kind of behind on my blogging, so here is my post for when we went to Disneyland last weekend. I had decided that I was not going to go on our semi-annual Disneyland trip because I thought three kids would be a little much for me, but I just love Disneyland too much to miss out. So Sunday morning, I decided I wanted to go. We went to church, then came home, packed super fast, and left. We drove down with my mom and my sister Maren, and her son Brigham who is 15 months. My brother Barrett, his wife Ashley, and daughter Ellie 14 months, met us down there. We had a great time. It was pretty crazy with all the kids, but only once did I regret going, and that feeling only lasted a few minutes. Bailey was great the whole time, you would think it would be the baby that made things hard, but no, it was Josh. Lucky for me I had my great family to help out with the kids. We did Disneyland Monday and Tuesday and drove home Wednesday.

DVD in the car, sooo nice for the long trips!

Isn't my mom so stylish in her sunglasses??

My sister in law Ashley, me, my sister Maren.

My brother Barrett, Ashley and Ellie

Josh eating his free tortilla from the factory in California Adventure, has anyone else had these fresh tortillas?? They are so good!

Sometimes they have the most fun playing, not even on a ride!

Michael Mina

2008-05-03T09:41:00.000-07:00

My sister Maren is here for a few days. Tomorrow my mom, Andrew, and Maren and Brigham are driving down to Disneyland. I am very sad I am not going, but I wasn't quite ready to take three children to D-land. Unless someone wants to volunteer to keep Josh for 3 days. Anyone, anyone????? Anyway, last night we went into the city to have dinner at Michael Mina. It is in the St. Francis hotel right on Union Square. It was really really good. Look at the plating coming up, it was amazing. My favorite part was the dessert of course. I had to go change Bailey's diaper right as the dessert was arriving, so I missed everyone else eating, so when I came back everyone else was done. Still, there were two full desserts left and parts of other peoples. I was in heaven. I was like a kid in a candy store. Tobi and Emily were laughing at me because I was giddy trying to decide what I was going to eat first. I think I missed my calling in life, I should have become a pastry chef. It was a very fun night. We left Andrew and Josh and my nephew Brigham with a babysitter. Dinner at a fancy restaurant without the boys! It was great!

This was my Maine Lobster Pot Pie. It came out in a big copper pot with the flaky pastry covering the top of it, then the waiter plated it at the table. They take off the pastry and put it on the bottom of the plate, then they reconstructed the lobster on the plate! It was so yummy.

Maine Lobster Pot Pie
• Brandied Lobster Cream, Seasonal Vegetables

I also had the scallops as a first course.

Dayboat Scallops ~ Spring Vegetables
• English Peas, Nantes Carrots, Onion Soubise
• Fingerling Potato, Young Leeks, Black Truffle
• Fava Beans, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Pork Jus

This was Tobi's beef tasting.
Premium Beef Tasting ~ Steakhouse Sides
• Grass-fed Rib-eye, Creamed Spinach, Sauce Au Poivre
• American Kobe Short Rib, Horseradish Whipped Potatoes
• Japanese Kobe Sirloin, Pickled Mushrooms, Bordelaise Vinaigrette

Tobi's Dessert
Mission
• Tres Leches Cake, Guava, Coconut Espuma
• Caramel Flan, Cajeta, Mango
• Mole Pudding, Horchata Ice Cream, Cocoa Nib

Maren's Dessert
Breakfast
• Yogurt Mousse, Lemon Cake, Poppy Seed Granola
• Cereal Ice Cream, Huckleberry, Cornflake
• French Toast, Maple Custard, Yali Pear

We also had these desserts

Root Beer Float
Warm Chocolate Chip Cookies
Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich
Sourdough Ice Cream, Peanut Ganache, Brandied Bananas

Everything was awesome. Sorry if this was way too much food information, but you can tell I love food!

Favorite Recipe of the Week - Apple Dumplings

2008-04-28T08:51:00.000-07:00

I have made a ton of desserts lately, and this is everyones favorite. It only takes a few minutes to put together, and has a few basic ingredients. I am not a huge fruit dessert person, but this is sooo good. You all need to make it! You will love it. If you want to see step by step instructions with pictures, go to the pioneer woman cooks website and look for apple dumplings. It is listed under my favorite cooking blogs. She has some good recipes!

Apple Dumplings

2 Granny Smith Apples
2 cans regular crescent rolls
2 sticks unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tsp vanilla
cinnamon
small can mountain dew

Peel and core apples. Cut each apple into 8 slices. Unwrap crescent rolls. Roll one apple slice into one crescent roll and place in a buttered 9 by 13. Use all crescent rolls and apples. Melt butter in a saucepan, when melted add sugar and barely stir. Add vanilla, stir, then pour over apple roll ups. Pour some mountain dew around the outside of the pan. You don't need to use all of it. Maybe about a 3/4 of a cup. Sprinkle cinnamon on top. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes. You can serve this with ice cream and spoon some of the extra sauce over it.

Our Anniversary

2008-04-23T21:36:00.000-07:00

So Monday was our 8th anniversary. We got married in the Salt Lake Temple April 21, 2000. Tobi is glad we got married in 2000 so he can always tell how many years we have been married. My parents watched all three kids so we could go out to dinner. We went to La Vite, an Italian place in Pleasanton. I really liked my food, but Tobi not so much. It was really nice to go to dinner without any children! I can't believe we have been married for 8 years already. Time flies by. And three children later here we are! It's been a great 8 years.

New Bailey 10 weeks

2008-04-23T21:31:00.001-07:00

Just a few more pics of Bailey of course. I can't stop taking pictures of her! You will notice that she had her first pedicure last week. =)

Bailey's Blessing Day

2008-04-14T20:28:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was a very special day. Tobi gave Bailey a blessing, he was joined by my Dad, Bryan Kenitzer, and the Bishopric. My Grandma is here visiting, so it was so nice that she could be here for this special day. My Aunt Gayle, and my cousin Mark Hollingshaus came, along with my cousin Bruce Edwards and his new fiance Kristy. After sacrament meeting, we may have left a tad early to go to my parents house and have brunch. I made some yummy food, and I plan to post some recipes soon! All I want to do lately is cook and bake! We had a nice afternoon with my family.

Bailey wore a dress that my mom made for me to wear when I was blessed. My great grandma tatted the lace that is on the botom hem of the dress. I wore this dress, and so did all my siblings, yes, including my brother! Tobi did not go for Andrew or Joshua wearing it, so I am so glad I finally got my girl so she could wear it.

Back row is: Tobi, Josh, my dad, my mom, cousin Bruce and fiance Kristy, cousin Mark.

Front row: Me and Bailey, Andrew, my Grandma Edwards.

Andrews 6th Birthday

2008-03-30T20:11:00.000-07:00

Andrews 6th birthday is in a few days, and our friends the Warrens are moving on Tuesday, so we decided to have a combined b-day/goodbye party. We are really going to miss the Warrens, but we wish them luck in Utah. Now Dave will get to go to all the BYU games. This would be the only reason Tobi would ever consider moving to Utah.

I can't believe Andrew is turning 6! I am getting so old. Andrew is really into Star Wars right now, so of course we had to have the Star Wars party. We made a Millenium Falcon cake and the kids fought with plastic blow up light sabers. Andrew thought it was great. We made all the kids little shirts with Star Wars pictures on them. Tobi was going to make me and him shirts but we didn't get to it, so I did my hair in a princess Leah like fashion.

Here is Andrew and Josh with Weston Henrie. You can kind of see the shirts, Weston hadn't put his on quite yet.

This is all of them. From the left, Luke Henrie, Andrew, Austin Shelton, Ava Kenitzer, Belle Warren, Josh, and Weston Henrie. JT and Nolan Thomas were also there, but we didn't take the picture until after they left.

Isn't Lauren Warren cute! She has about 6 weeks left to go I think. They are having another little girl, so fun!

This is Ashley Henrie and her cute boys Weston and Luke.

We took turns in the bouncer so that the big kids didn't smash the little ones.

Here is Andrew and Weston trying to take down the offensive lineman (Bryan Kenitzer.)

Recipes of the Week

2008-03-26T16:03:00.001-07:00

Since I had Bailey, I have really been in the mood to bake. So I thought I would share a few of the yummy recipes I have made this week.

The picture above is Deep Dark Chocolate Cake. It is our families favorite chocolate cake that we make for everyones b-day.

2 cups sugar
1 3/4 cups flour
3/4 cup cocoa
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup boiling water

Heat oven to 350. Grease and flour 2 9" round pans, or a 9 by 13. In large mixing bowl combine dry ingredients. Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 25-30 minutes for round pans, 30 to 35 minutes for 9 by 13. Cool rounds 10 minutes, then remove from pans. Cool completely.

Buttercream Frosting

6 tbsp butter softened
1/2 cup cocoa
2 2/3 cup powdered sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla

Cream butter, add cocoa and powdered sugar alternately with milk. Blend in vanilla.

The picture above is the Deep Dark Chocolate Cake with Oreo Filling and Chocolate Glaze. It is soooo good! We finished the whole cake, and Tobi even kept going back for more pieces, which he never does. He usually eats one piece of something, and then doesn't feel the need for more. You really need to try this.

Oreo Filling
8 oz cream cheese softened
3/4 cup shortening
3 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs whites
12 oreo cookies crushed

Beat all ingredients till smooth. You may need to add more powdered sugar.

Once you have filled the cake make the glaze.

Glaze
4 oz. semisweet baking chocolate chopped
4 tbsp butter

Melt these two together, the microwave is fine.
Pour the glaze on top of cake and smooth.

I made theses cupcakes around St. Patrick's Day. The cupcake part was okay, but I really loved the mint icing. So I decided next time I am going to make my above chocolate cake recipe, or cupcakes, and put the mint icing on them. Here is the mint icing recipe.

4 tbsp butter softened

2 cups powdered sugar

2 tbsp milk

1 tsp peppermint extract.

Mix ingredients until smooth.

Okay, one more dessert recipe. They are caramel brownies, I don't have a picture today.

1 box german chocolate cake mix
1/3 cup milk
6 tbsp butter melted
1 cup pecans if you wish
14 caramels
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup choc chips

Mix the first 4 ingredients. Press half into 9 by 13, or 7 by 11. Bake at 350 for 6-8 minutes. Melt the caramels and sweetened condensed milk together in a double boiler. When brownies come out of oven, pour caramel mixture over, then press other half of cake batter onto caramel. Bake 12-15 minutes more. When it comes out of oven, sprinkle 1 cup choc chips. Once they have become soft, use spatula and spread them around.

Happy Easter!

2008-03-24T16:56:00.000-07:00

Of course I had to post a couple of recent pictures of Bailey. The one below is on Easter Sunday. Can I just say again how fun it is to have a girl to dress up? Then there is a picture of my sister Maren holding Bailey. She came to visit a few weeks ago. We had a great time, it is always fun when Maren is here. We shopped till we dropped! She brought her son Brigham who just turned one, and he is the cutest kid. My boys loved playing with him.

On Friday night we went over to my parents to color easter eggs. It's nice to live by family for times like these.

My Grandma is here visiting for a few weeks. She lives in Southern Utah and doesn't come very often. The last time she was here was when Josh was born (3 years ago).

This is Andrew and Josh on Easter morning. Josh picked up his new football and didn't want to look at anything else in his basket. Andrew was clearly excited about a hot wheels car.

After church on Sunday, we went down to my Aunt Gayle's house in Fremont to have dinner and a big Easter egg hunt. Several of my cousins were there with all their kids, so it was pretty crazy, but fun. Emily, nice Aunt that she is, helped Josh open and sort his Easter eggs.

If you can see Andrew in the background, this is classic Andrew. He is running around sweaty and with a red face.

Did you wear your green today?

2008-03-17T22:16:00.000-07:00

Andrew has been really excited about St. Patricks Day. It's funny the things they start learning about once they are in school. He has been reminding me for weeks that he needed to wear green on St. Patricks Day. So I decided to try to make an Irish dinner. I had never made any special meal before, so I thought I would go for it. I made corned beef and cabbage of course. I was expecting it to be pretty terrible. I will not say that I loved it, but it wasn't awful. It was edible. We also had green kool-aid. That was Tobi's contribution. He loves kool-aid.

Then the boys and I made a green cake using pistachio pudding. Andrew loves to help me cook. He is my sous chef. Andrew and Josh mostly love frosting, they usually eat off all the frosting and leave the cake.

This is Bailey and I in our green clothes. Andrew kept telling me this morning that I was not wearing green and that the leprechauns were going to pinch me or bite me. I guess he got that from school.

Josh Turns 3!

2008-03-17T15:49:00.001-07:00

Saturday March 15th was Josh's birthday. Tobi was still on his man trip in Las Vegas with Scott and Joey, so we waited till Sunday to celebrate. My parents came over and we had a great dinner, and then of course cake and ice cream and presents. We made this Diego cake. Diego is Josh's favorite right now. I made my favorite chocolate cake, and put Lindas fudge icing on it. It was so yummy!

I decided we should take a family picture, since we haven't taken any since the hospital 5 weeks ago. So Andrew will be 6 in 2 weeks, Josh is 3, and Bailey is 5 weeks. I have decided that the more children you have, the smaller the chance is that you will get a single good picture. This is the best picture we could get!

I had a pretty bad week last week, with Tobi being away. Bailey, who had previously been a good sleeper, decided to stop sleeping while her Dad was gone. My mom was so helpful. She took the boys to her house so I could sleep. And one night she even came down just to help me get all the kids to bed. My mom is the best! I am so lucky to have her nearby.

Bailey's Room

2008-03-09T20:04:00.000-07:00

If you know me, you know I am a shopper. So you can imagine that I can't wait for her to fit into some of her shoes! So far she can't wear a single pair. And yes, I realize that I am out of control with the shoe buying, but it is so fun! I am so happy to have a girl! And I guess the timing was perfect . Lucky for me, Juicy started making binkies and blankets just in time for my new girl. So cute.

Baileys room is finally finished!

So my mom made the three floral pillows, and the bedskirt. She is also going to make one more pillow. I am so lucky that my mom sews and is always willing to help me with crafty things, since I am not crafty at all.

Tech Museum Trip

2008-02-26T22:11:00.001-08:00

This is a robot that can spell your name in blocks.

Here is Andrew typing in his name.

And here is the finished product. The boys thought this was pretty neat.

It was a fun day. We also went to an Imax about Tigers. The boys favorite part of the movie was the popcorn, sprite, and skittles. My mom and dad came along too.

Emily is going to BYU!

2008-02-26T22:04:00.001-08:00

My sister Emily got accepted to go to BYU. She is going to summer term, so that means she leaves right after she graduates in June. I am excited for her, she is going to love living in Provo, but I am also going to miss her so much! I am so glad we live here so that I could be around for her high school years. She is my shopping and lunch partner.

We had a bbq to celebrate her acceptance, and without Emilys knowledge, we decorated the house, and all wore BYU apparel. Tobi of course really got into the decorating.

Bailey Has Arrived!

2008-02-26T21:11:00.000-08:00

We had a"celebration dinner", which was actually really good! Who knew hospital food could be good?

Of course Tobi had to have her wear a BYU hat home from the hospital.

Look how blue her feet were, they stayed like this for about a week.

Her first picture with Grandma. I am so lucky to have my mom live so close. I don't know what I would do without her.

Pre-baby

2008-02-24T22:07:00.000-08:00

This is me at the hospital before the pain started! They started the pitocin at 10 am.

This is me after having contractions for a few hours, pre-epidural.