Sweet Baby G Turns Three

This little boy melts my heart.  Three years ago I got to be there when he was born and can't believe he is so old already.  He is so excited for the baby, he calls him Rudio.  Every time he sees me wants to kiss my belly and then tell Rudio to come out and play.  When his mom asked him last week what he wanted for his birthday he said "a big present for baby Rudio".  He will be the greatest cousin.
In the spirit of full disclosure, I do have to say that he can be a total rascal.  He is mischievous and smart and can get into more trouble, more quickly, than almost any kid I know.  He is definitely all boy but with a face like that, it's hard not to just laugh at his antics.

Trifle

I volunteered to make dessert for Easter dinner.  Not really a big deal because dessert is my favorite, but I wanted to find something extra good.  I follow a blog called Real Mom Kitchen and found this strawberry and lemon trifle.  The blog is basically recipes and food ideas, but is the kind of food that I make and that usually doesn't need fancy ingredients.  Kind of like a good ward cookbook but even better.  Her photo of this trifle was much better than mine, but who cares what it looked like, it was delicious!

Fresh Strawberry and Lemon Mousse Trifle

• 1 (4 3/4 oz) pkg. Strawberry Danish dessert (found by the gelatin)**
• 2 1/2 cup cold water
• 1 lb. fresh strawberries, sliced
• 1 1/2 cups whipping cream
• 1/2 cup milk (I used skim)
• 1 (3.4 oz) instant lemon pudding
• zest of 1 lemon
• 1 (14 oz) angel food cake, cut into about 1 inch cubes
• extra strawberries for garnish (optional)

1. In a large microwave safe bowl, whisk together the danish dessert and cold water.  Cover the bowl with a piece of waxed paper and microwave for 6 minutes, stirring every two minutes.
2. Remove from the microwave and allow danish dessert to cool for 1 hour.
3. In a large bowl, whip the whipping cream and milk until soft peaks form.  Add the dry pudding to the cream mixture and  beat until stiff peaks form.  Then fold in the lemon zest.
4. Once the danish dessert has cooled for the 1 hour fold in the fresh strawberry slices.  It will look like a strawberry sauce.
5. In a trifle bowl or large glass bowl, layer 1/2 of the cake cubes followed with 1/2 of the strawberry sauce and the 1/2 of the lemon mousse.  Repeat the layers with the remaining ingredients.  You can pipe on the last layer of lemon mousse to make it decorative.  Chill for at least 3-4 hours before serving. Serves 10-12.

Easter

Not sure how it happened, but I don't think I had a single piece of Easter Candy yesterday.  Clearly I was not on my A game when it came to hunting.  I spent most of my time following kids around, picking up dropped eggs, and playing "I spy" to find the really tricky eggs.  Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure there is a bag of Cadbury eggs hidden at home.  My favorite!

 Gavin's basket was a little overwhelming.

 You would not believe how much effort it took 

To get a shot with both boys looking at me.

I look like I ate a few too many treats.

Park City 2012

For the last several years since we met, Tim and I have gone to Park City every year for my birthday.  We usually just wander around Main Street for a little bit, then have dinner at Baja Cantina and treats from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.  This year we went a little earlier.  Since the little man is supposed to make his big appearance on my birthday, it is unlikely we will get to Park City on that day or any day close. Dinner was amazing, minus the waiter with no personality.  I saved my caramel apple to eat at home while we watched Moneyball, perfect!

The moose on Main Street, apparently there are a few.  I thought if I had my picture taken next to a moose, it would make me look smaller.  Not sure that it worked.

While on Main, we wandered into a gallery for Michael Fatali, a photographer.  I had never seen his work before but we both loved it.  It's all landscape, but what makes it so unique is the lighting - apparently he will camp out for weeks waiting for the exact right light.  He had this quote on the wall of the gallery.  I thought it was quite profound

Here are a few of my favorites:

Dreams of Chicken

Last night I had a dream about eating chicken.  Someone served me a dish with chicken and I didn't realize what I was eating, once I did, I was sick and couldn't figure out how to get the taste out.  Seems strange?  Since getting pregnant the thought of chicken makes me nauseated  - just typing this is doing it.  I didn't realize how much chicken I ate and cooked, and how prevalent it is in restaurants until I stopped eating it.  The funny thing is that I can eat (and crave sometimes), McDonalds chicken nuggets.  Crazy!  I went to bed last night feeling sick to my stomach, maybe that's what got the dream going.  Although who knows, lately nearly everything I dream is crazy.  Last week I dreamed I forgot to feed the baby for four days - ummm, luckily my dreams are rarely based in reality.  They have always been wild and vivid, but right now, it is truly night time entertainment.

38 weeks...and counting

Maybe I should consider taking these pictures when I have been awake for more than 5 minutes.  Nothing but my finest.  My mom has decided that today would be a great day to have the baby, April 4, 4-4.  I'm thinking another week or two would be just fine.  He's pretty easy inside.

We Bought a Zoo

Have you seen this movie?  If not, grab your Kleenx and go.  Actually I think it is out on DVD so you can enjoy it and be emotional in your own home.  The movie is based on a true story and was, for lack of a better work, so sweet.  The family has just lost their mother to cancer and in the process of trying to cope, end up buying a small private zoo despite zero experience or knowledge about the animals.  The director seemed to avoid the temptation to try to make the story too Hollywood, it felt very real which is probably why it was so easy to relate. 

As I watched the movie though I kept thinking that I have definitely gotten old.  Matt Damon is the star and he is a little frumpy and a frustrated dad, but I don't think he has ever been more attractive.

Yes, I can still appreciate him as Bourne, and other action heroes, but there is something about him playing the role of a great dad that just makes him all the hotter.