Happy Diego Birthday Phoenix

This year Phoenix had a "Diego Birthday". His birthday was actually on Dec 9 but I didn't have time to do blog the Christmas stuff and his birthday so here it is: The cake only made it about an hour before little finger licks started appearing in the frosting. He got a Diego shirt and some Thomas the train stuff. He thought it was fabulous. He's finally old enough to understand what is going on. I love having a boy they are so different.

Jubilation

Phoenix could hardly contain himself when he realized that ALL the presents (in his pile) were for him. He threw his arms in the air and jumped around. If that isn't excitement I don't know what is!

Poppy is posing here with a new tooth brush and some presents that Santa left. They had to wait till Daddy got home to open anything. The anticipation was almost too much.

Christmas Eve Poppy gave everyone the new sweat suits she picked out for them. That way nobody had to get dressed on Christmas morning. Just jump out of bed and ready to go.

Dinosaurs and Thomas the train were a hit with Phoenix this year. Poppy got the Island Barbie Princess that she asked for. Poppy also got a doll from American Girl but it seems like the Barbie was all she needed. I took the American Girl out of the box to play with.(I couldn't wait any longer) Willow got Hannah Montana stuff and a Zune (which her Dad loves), it plays music like an MP3 and holds movies. Dave has had fun getting it all loaded up for her. Dave got a new dress shirt and tie and will get to pick out a new gun. I got a big digital Photo Frame that holds a ton of pictures and a new Patricia Cornwell book. We are grateful that our children are still small and that they are easily pleased with Barbies and Dinosaurs!

Christmas Spirit or Bah Humbug!

This is the winning Christmas Tree project! YOu can't see but it has real lights on it. Willow's class voted it the best in the class. All the work she made me do paid off. NOte the star on the top has her picture on it. Nice touch I thought.

Poppy decorated this little tree with Monsters Inc ornaments, and one to remember her big sister Willow.

Phoenix is posing for the family picture. He looks so intense. I wonder what he's thinking?

Wierd Santa. Why do we put our children on strange old men's laps each year? It's a little creepy if you ask me. No wonder they cry. I would too.

This year I am torn between having the Christmas spirit and just being a Bah Humbug. I enjoy the lights and the festivities most of the time... but I hate all the traffic and craziness about the season. I know I'm supossed to say it's the most wonderful time of the year, but when it's past time to get the cards out and the ever expanding gift list gets rolling I cringe. The kids are excited and they really only want a few things, so for that I am thankful.

The new baby is growing well. This week I think it must be a boy because I have those weird hormone headaches. You know the ones you can't get rid of. The room is shaping up. The crib is almost ghetto painted (spray paint). I have looked at the crib mattress and I think a new one is in order. I am working on a castle bumper that will suit either a prince or a princess. Phoenix is doing great in his new big boy bed. Actually he doesn't get out of it once I put him down for the night! Poppy and Willow are liking their arrangements so we are all snug like bugs in a rug.

Dave and I are talking about where, and what we will move into when Mom and Dad come home. It varies by week. Some weeks we are going to buy a (another) house and put in a pool and get what we want. Some weeks we are renovating another house. We vacillate between selling the houses in Utah to keeping them. Some weeks we are renting, and some weeks we are building. The location of the house varies just as much. Yesterday we went from Hemet, to Temecula, to La Quinta, to Corona, to back to Utah in a matter of an hour of conversation. I wish I could look into the future to know where to go. That would be a lot easier.

Park City Snow

This pregnancy isn't the most flattering. I am 26 weeks here. Baby Snow#4 had lots of yummy things to eat.

The girls had fun shopping in Park City. We met in Salt Lake for a Taylor girls weekend. Christina came down from Idaho, Aleca came in from Wisconsin, I came from California, and Catherine tried to come from Colorado. Wierd we all live in different states! Of course it was the biggest storm of the season so far in Park City! They got tons of snow! Catherine couldn't make it over the mountain. We shopped and ate. We missed Catherine and dedicated our meal at Macaroni Grill to her. All weekend long it felt like we were missing our 4th wheel.

Sunday Fun

Today was a typical Sunday for the Snow Family. We got ready and then went to Church. Willow had a talk in Primary so she practiced all morning long. I can't believe that Phoenix and Poppy will be in Sumbeams in just 4 weeks. I asked again if they could hold Phoenix back a year but the answer was still no. I went in to nursery today with them and Poppy was quite-put off by the fact that Phoenix would not sit down for the lesson. She kept yelling at him. I think she better get used to that.
She thinks that I should name the baby Tater Tot. I don't know where that came from, but it is unisex. Phoenix thinks that Clifford is a good name and even calls the baby Clifford (like the big red dog). I guess Cliff (ie. ledge, or crevace) could be considered with the theme of names we got goin' on. Willow thinks River. I think it's a girl this week, so I don't think most of those will work.

Better than Sex Cake

This cake is sooo good. My mother-in-law has made it before and then when I saw it on the back of the cake mix box I thought I'd try it. It's really easy. What could be better than chocolate cake floating in sugar sauces topped with candy bars. It covers all the main food groups. Chocolate, chocolate, and sugar.

Ingredients:
German chocolate cake mix (Duncan Hines has this recipie on the back)
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/2- 1 cup caramel or butterscotch syrup/sauce
1 container Kool Whip
2-3 SKOR or Heath bars broken into little pieces


1. Bake the cake like it says on the box
2. When cake is still warm from oven prick it with a fork all over
3. (While warm) pour about half a can of sweetened condensed milk over the top and
let it settle into the holes.
4. Then pour caramel sauce over the top and let that settle in (it won't settle all
the way in)
5. Then refrigerate. When ready to serve frost with Kool Whip and top with crunched
up Heath Bars. I'm sure you could use whatever your favorite candy bar is. I
thought Reese's or Snickers would be tasty too.

Gobble Gobble Gobble

This year for THanksGiVing we went to MIMI's house. I guess Papa lives there too, but he doesn't get much credit. Dannette and Mark (Dave's sister and her family are down from Utah to celebrate with us!) We are so excited to see the cousins. The kids were up at 5:35 on Thanksgiving getting dressed to go so that they would get a full day of Barr goodness in.


From left to right Jade 15, Poppy 3, Willow 6, Chase 8, Tatum 9 mos, Phoenix 3, DeLane 10
No snow or cold here in California only fires. I put the kids in pants, but by the end of the day they were all wearing shorts and short sleeves. I wish it would get a little cool at least...Maybe not 25 but in the 70's would rock!

Here's the newest snow in the bunch. This is Tatum he's 9 months. Isn't he cute!!

Phoenix, Dave, Papa, and Chase all had birthday cake. Their birthdays are all this month or next so they get to celebrate when we all get together. Phoenix's main goal was to get a party hat. This improvised paper plate seemed to appease him.

Willow is helping Phoenix blow his candles. This cake was delicious. It's called "Better than Sex Cake" and boy they aren't kidding. (Sorry Dave)