Like Father Like Son

I know a guy and he's a catch but he's married to me so that's too bad for you unless you're his employer.  A while ago Jake was sent on a business trip far away (think 16+ hours plane ride).  He booked an economy flight knowing full well that he could've gotten a business seat.  Afterwards, his boss asked him if he had bought a business ticket and said to him "I would if I were you."  And I, being concerned about his comfort, asked him why the heck did he not book business class and to this he replied "I want to save money for the company."  Where do you find such an honest employee, I ask you.  You might think him a fool but I am glad to have married such a man.  Guys like him are pretty hard to come by these days I'd say.

On the side note, I'm sure you're aware what a nerd my husband is.  He got a Leatherman when we were first married and carried it everywhere with him.  Think Dwight.  Sigh...  It's kind of annoying but I have to admit that it does come in handy sometimes.  Think pregnant me trying desperately to get into a bag of chips.  Anyway, it was time for an upgrade and the day the new Leatherman came in the mail, the mini was thrilled.  I think he was hoping for a hand-me-down?  No such luck.  Sorry baby.  Maybe mommy will let you carry a knife on your belt when you turn thirty if you so choose to be a nerd.

Dear Ethan

Dearest Ethan,

You are such an angel baby.  Words fail to describe how happy and blessed I feel to be your mother.  You're thirteen months old now and such a joy to be with.  You're happy, mellow, curious, and extremely smart.  You are very cautious with strangers and new environments, but the serious look on your face never stops strangers from approaching us and complimenting on how cute and handsome you are.  Mommy is starting to worry that this might become a problem when you're older.  You understand a lot, both what I try to communicate to you and what goes on around you.  You're a very easy baby who rarely cries or complains.  Just like today, we had to run many errands, four times we came home after each stop and then got back in the car to go somewhere else, but you never fussed or showed any signs of impatience.  Mommy has no idea what I have done to deserve an angel baby like you but thank you for being so patient and happy all the time.

For a long while, you've learned to clasp your hands together and to tuck them right under your chin when we tell you that we're about to pray.  You usually lose interest not long after we say Dear Heavenly Father, however, you've been doing something really cute lately.  You stare at mommy, the ceiling, daddy, and then the carpet throughout the prayer, but whenever you hear us say ...in the name of Jesus Christ, amen... you immediately clasp your hands together again and then look at us with a knowing mischievous smile on your face.  Mommy is constantly surprised by how much you understand and learn just by observing us.

Another cute thing you've been doing is to cover your nose up when you hear me say stinky and when we change your diaper.  You also do the same thing when you laugh, or blow a kiss, or sign thank you. It's a very useful motion to have mastered my dear.

Thank you for making my everyday life worth living.  I love you.

Yours always,
Mama

Conference Weekend and More!

Conference used to feel so much longer when I was young but this conference weekend was gone before I knew it.  I love spending time with my little family, to be inspired by the talks and to feel the Spirit in our home.  

One of his favorite things to do lately 

is to stick his foot right in front of my face and demand that I give it a good sniff.

He thinks it's the funniest thing when I make a disgusted face and pronounce it stinky.

Just learning how to use all four of my limps!

Contemplating the meaning of Costco...

Post-vomit.

He threw up all over me as well but I will spare you the revolting image.

Praying.

He never paid much attention to the TV 

and probably never knew (or have forgotten) that it turns on until this weekend.

Watching Daddy put our new chairs together at the new house!

We hope that you had a wonderful weekend and were able to spend it with your loved ones as well!

Who Does Ethan Look Like?

Ever since Ethan was born, most people have been telling me that they can see both Jake and me in him.  I guess that's a good thing because he can blame or give credit to the both of us for his looks when he gets older.

When E was a little younger, I was a little concerned about his ears.  Although they're perfectly shaped and absolutely adorable, I also felt that they were a little big.  But look at Jake in his baby pictures!  His ears were huge on that tiny baby head!  That gave me hope.  Here's to hoping that Ethan will grow into his ears like his father did.

Look at the picture below.  Do you see what I see?

Favorite Fall Nail Colors

Wouldn't it be fun if I shared with you my favorite nail colors for Fall?  I think it would...

I've given up painting my fingernails since Ethan was born because it's just not worth all the time when you know that they're going to look horrible with chips on day three.  I just can't stop it from happening when I'm chasing a one year old around, picking up legos all day long and what not.  BUT.  It's an entirely different story when it comes to toes because they last for days and sometimes weeks (If you squint just right, that gap at the base of my nails could be almost unnoticeable)!  So I indulge myself every now and then and make my toes pretty.

And some of my favorite colors for Fall are...

Revlon Perplex.  I'm not too crazy about this color when it's on my fingernails.  It's just a little too much for my personality, but I love it on my toes.  The formula is good.  It doen't streak.  You know they say this is a dupe for Chanel's Paradoxal ;)

Essie Case Study.  Here is a link for better color reference.  I love Essie polishes.  This is a pretty nude color.  I personally think that nude nails are very pretty and, if you don't mind some PG-13 vocabulary, sexy.  Some Essie polishes are very streaky but this one applies smooth and creamy.  I like this a whole lot.

Butter London Mariner.  This is another color I will only put on my toes.  It's a very dark teal-navy blue.  The teal is most noticeable on the first coat of application.

OPI Tickle My France-y.  Oh my gosh I don't think I could ever love another nail polish like I love Tickle My France-y.  Who would've guessed that any human being could have such strong feelings toward a nail polish!  If I could only wear one nail color for the rest of my life, it would be this or Essie's Demure Vix.  I would probably still pick Tickle My France-y just because Demure Vix is iridescent.  Tickle My France-y is a beautiful nude-ish color with a hint of purple to it.  It's very wearable.  I wear it any time of the year, all the time.

OPI Ski Teal We Drop.  A lovely teal color.  Perfect for Fall and Winter.

OPI You Don't Know Jacques!  This is a taupe-gray color with a slight plum undertone to it.  It's very pretty on the nails both fingers and toes.

And I can't forget to mention my favorite top coat while we're at it.  Seche Vite's Dry Fast top coat is my very favorite top coat out of all the ones I've tried.  This makes my nails very shiny and I've never noticed it chipping with the coat of nail lacquer underneath it like some of my other top coats have done.

Ethan September Attempted Photo Shoot

I call it an attempted photo shoot because I'm an authentic pretend photographer.  How do you like that oxymoron?  These are leftover pictures from the day when I got Ethan to stand up for the camera.  Are you ready to be bombarded by pictures of my beautiful son?  Ready or not, here it comes...

His grouchy face cracks me up.

Apple Crisp

I don't think I've ever been this excited for Fall my whole life.  Moving to Arizona really adds another point of view when it comes to this whole weather thing. All my life I'd always thought that weather talk is only appropriate when you're standing in line for the cashier, but ever since we moved here I've noticed myself commenting on the temperature constantly!  Especially when the temp drops from the 110s to the 100s, I can't stop myself from pointing it out to my husband again and again how nice and cool it feels!

Anyway...

Janssen from one of my favorite blogs Everyday Reading is asking her readers to share their favorite Fall recipes.  It only took me about 0.0008 seconds to choose which recipe to share.  I call this my lazy or "alternative" apple pie recipe.  It's so easy and quick to make, but those are not its most worthy  attributes.  You'll know what I mean when you have your first bite of this warm and bubbly apple crisp...

{ Apple Crisp }

From allrecipes.com

10 cups all-purpose apples, peeled, cored and sliced (I use Granny Smith)

1 cup white sugar

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 cup water

1 cup quick-cooking oats

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degree C).

Place the sliced apples in a 9 by 13. Mix the white sugar, flour, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg together, and sprinkle over apples. Pour water evenly over all.  Mix well with a fork.

Combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and melted butter together.  Crumble evenly over the apple mixture.

Bake for about 45 minutes or until sauce is bubbly and topping turns a golden brown.