Baby Shower

The count down continues and so does the fun.  Last week I was on set up kick.  We got out the bassinet, swing, car seat, bouncer etc., organized and washed the clothes we had, and other miscellaneous things for the baby.  It was a long day but worth it.

Today Latisha, my mom, and my mother in law threw us a baby shower.  We were so blessed by many friends and I can officially say we have lots and lots of blue in our home.  Latisha was so excited to throw a shower for her baby brother and did lots of cooking and set up, with help of grandparents, Aunt Tami, and friends, but mainly she just took off.  It turned out wonderful.  Sierra and Danika helped in the set up too and were such a blessing.    We played a game comparing prices from the last time I had a baby boy (20 years ago) and today.  It was fun.  In general we found the average prices in the US are much higher then here.  I feel so blessed by those who came and blessed us.   The baby is moving quite a bit and the kids have got to feel him.  It is all such a miracle and to have the support of so many is wonderful.Here are some pictures.  Hope you enjoy.  Have a great day and God bless.

cupcakes, cake, and blueberry cream cheese bread, yum!!!!

fruit, veggie and snack table

the inside of the cake was checkered

cute signs and decorations

cute diaper cake

wonderful presents

fun games

Lots of presents

Valentine 2013

Happy Valentine's Day!  Oh to traditions.  We had our day of Valentine breakfast: pink chocolate chip pancakes, pink eggs, and pink juice, then dinner: dress up dinner, with yummy food and chocolate.  I even got to talk to my sonshine Valentine (that would be my son).  :)  Thought I would share some pictures and recipes.

Heart braids, worth the drama :)

My pretty girls. 

Candle light dinner.

Mocha cheesecake

cheesecake with toppings.  Ohhhhhh so good.

Mocha Cheesecake
Preheat oven to 325.
2 cups crushed grahm crackers
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
   Mix
1/3 cup melted butter Add
Press into greased spring form pan.
In mixer beat 3, 8 ounce packages cream cheese (softened) till fluffy, add but do not stir till end...
1 cup beaten eggs,
1 cup semisweet melted chocolate,
2 tsp vanilla,
1, 14oz can Sweetened Condensed milk,
1/4 cup strong coffee
Mix just until combined.  Pour in pan.  Bake in water bath for 50 minutes, or until all but 3 inches in middle set.  Turn off oven let cake stay in oven for 1 hour.  Refrigerate for several hours until chilled through or until you are ready to eat.  We like to top with chocolate and Carmel sauce.

My Valentine!

Got jelly beans from a friend, David got his girls chocolate flowers, and I made some Oreo truffles that are amazing!

Oreo truffles

1 pckg crushed Oreos
mix with 8 oz softened cream cheese
Refrigerate for 2 hours
roll into balls.  Dip in melted Almond Bark.  Drizzle melted semisweet chocolate chips.

We used left over melted chocolate for dipped strawberries and drizzled the left over almond bark over the chocolate strawberries.  My favorite way to melt semisweet chocolate is in a double boiler on medium low to medium heat.  Stirring carefully until chocolate is melted.

Hope you all had a lovely day.  God bless
Alicia

The Naming Game

Here we are, time for count down.  One of the most important things a parent has the privilege to do is to name their child.  Yikes.  It can cause a little stress.  When David and I were expecting our first child we decided that he would name the boys and I would name the girls with the approval of the other.   This was a little more complicated than we had expected.  So many choices and what's in a name, a rose by any other would smell as sweet, right?  A name sounds good, and then you think of the meaning or someone who has that name that you would not want your child named after.

With Sierra, I was taking my morning walk and her name just came to me.  I was at a women's retreat when the speaker spoke of her daughter Danica, I thought if I have another daughter I will name her Danika.  Then before we were pregnant with Cassandra I asked David what he thought of the name "Cassandra" as we were driving on vacation.  On the way home I couldn't remember the name and asked David if he remembered.  Then a car drove in front of us and the license plate said "Cassie."  That was it I screamed.  The funny thing with Danika and Cassandra is I was pretty sure I was going to have a boy.  But when we had the ultrasound I wasn't surprised to find out they were girls.  God knew even before they were created.  I fell in love with the name Isabella.  Then we found out unfortunately it was the vampire in a popular book at the time.  I didn't know that, but people assumed that was where we got the name.  We almost changed it but it was too late, the girls and I really liked the name.  And besides it ended in an a.  It wasn't until after Danika that we realized all our girls ended in a's and Alexander begins with an a, so you can't change a good thing, right?

With this one we have a few names that begin with A's that we are considering.  No great conclusion yet.  I wish we had one.  It makes it so much nicer when we pray over the baby to use a name and not just "baby boy."  But we will get it.  It is such an honor to name a child.   What will be the name?  Guess we'll know soon.  Until then baby boy is doing great and I'm getting so excited to meet him.  I actually found some adorable the boy bedding and our mothers got it for us, what a blessing.  It is so exciting to have baby boy blankets again.  We are so blessed to have our girls and boys.  God is good and may His name be exalted above all else.  Have a blessed day.

Alicia

David and Alicia lovin the belly and the baby within :)

Carmel Popcorn and Movie

Tonight it is just the younger ones and I.  David has the Sierra and Latisha at a Youth function and so...  one of my favorite indulgences is carmel popcorn and what better than a movie to go with it.  The little ones got all scrubbed up and I made the popcorn.  I thought I might share the recipe with you.   The popcorn is very gooey and rich.  

Carmel Popcorn
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup with karo syrup
bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium high.  Boil 2 minutes
Add 1/2 cup butter- boil 2 more minutes
add 1 can sweetened condensed milk, boil 2 more minutes being careful not to scorch. Pour over popped pop corn (1 cup unpopped).  Mix well and enjoy.  Place left over in a ziplock baggie.  Tastes even better the next day.