Saturday, October 30, 2010

Halloween

So, not that I am a big expert on doughnuts or anything (considering my last doughnut post), but we made doughnuts for Halloween and these were melt-in-your-mouth dang delicious.  I mean seriously seriously good.  And the glaze ... WAY better than store bought doughnut glaze.  Here's the recipe.  I would definitely look for an excuse to have people over and make them.  Also, it is nice to be able to do the oil outside if you have a camp-chef or something.

Doughnuts
1 1/8 cup whole milk, warm
1/4 sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons (one package) Instant or Active Dry Yeast
2 whole large eggs, beaten
1 1/4 stick unsalted butter, melted
4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
canola oil

Glaze
3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cups cold milk (or water, but I would definitely do milk)


While the doughnuts were baking we carved pumpkins for our Monday night Halloween activity with Jared's family.  I think Cooper liked the pumpkin guts better than anyone else.

Yes, Cooper is sticking his hands in everyone's pumpkins grabbing out the innards.  He was in heaven!

Isla watching the pumpkin carving activities


Aaron, Estee, Sam, and Cooper

Isla winking in her cute Halloween kimno from Ami.


Monday, October 25, 2010

No Relation

Okay,  have a bunch of thoughts and some pictures, really nothing relates other than that I have been thinking about these things at the about the "same" time I was taking the pictures.
First of all regarding the pictures, it has become painstakingly clear to me that we need a new camera.  Preferably one that takes great video and action shots.  Every time I try to take pictures of Isla they are blurry because she is such a wiggler as all sweet infants are.  So, I hope you enjoy the pictures with all their inadequacies, but I can't help it.  I think she is so stinkin' cute I just have to take pictures.  Plus, we are so amazed and excited about how strong she is getting. I just want to show her off to the world.  And a friend from the ward just brought over some baby clothes from her daughters and though most everything won't fit her until next summer I did find a gem that will fit her now.  Precious little thick knit tights!  I have been wanting some that fit her ever since she was born.  And these are finally tiny enough.  They are so adorable I don't even want to wrap her up when she goes down for a nap 'cause I just want to keep looking at them.  I wish I had a dozen pair so she could wear them every day.  The other pictures are her again on her tummy, but in this adorable little dress my mom gave her.  And yes, they are way blurry but it is the best I got.
As far as other thoughts go regarding Isla, naps do not seem to be her forte`.  We are working on it, but most every book I have read really can't give you much as far as pre-three-months.  Guess they are still working allot out mentally, physically, and socially up and till that point.  So, I think we have found that a super dark room and the rhythmic ticking of the swing chair (though she is sleeping in her crib), really helps.  I am now looking for a cheap, used, noisy, metronome to replace the swing chair.  Needless to say, that old phrase "sleep like a baby" has taken on an entirely new meaning.
Jumping to a new subject, I was thinking about pregnancy since I have so many sisters/sisters-in-law and friends expecting.  Being pregnant in my opinion is a really wonderful thing.  It comes with challenges, but it is so fun to feel a little baby kicking inside and to be able to feel like you are gently holding it and giving it little pats and rubs when you rug your belly.   Plus, having a big old belly and it not being fat is sweet.  Almost freeing.  It is automatically cute to have your belly totally hanging over your pants.  I am also amazed at how it has changed me.  Sure the little things have changed like I still am not crazy about banana's a strange aversion while pregnant,  still gotta go light on the onions and garlic - just makes me feel funny, and I still crave spicy thing.  But my amazement and respect for the human body and women has immensely grown.  Not that I didn't love or respect the body before, but experiencing so much of it all gives me a greater ability to respect and stand in awe at the miracle of a child growing from cell to person.  It almost always brings me a bit to tears really.  It is so incredible.  I feel so blessed to be a part of starting a family.  No matter how they start, it is just a pure miracle every time.  No matter how you become a mother, it is a wonderful and overwhelming embankment and an indelible gift to the world.  So, yep, that's what I have been thinking about.






Wednesday, October 20, 2010

So strong

Isla is getting stronger and stronger every day.  Even though these pictures are blurry I had to share because I was so excited.  Plus, not all of you have gotten to see her smile so, I wanted to share too.  So, just imagine that they are really nice, in focus, etc. etc.

Tummy time



 All smiles ...




And an old one that I forgot to post.  This was one day while Jared was holding Isla and the sun started shinning through the window but she was trying to sleep.  Maybe it was unintentional, but it was pretty adorable.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Baby Blessing

Isla Ann Watts was blessed October 17th in the Logan 4th Ward building.  The same building where her grandfather went to church as a little boy.  It was also the day after we celebrated our 2-Year Anniversary.  Jared gave her a beautiful and special blessing and we were so grateful to have so much of the family participate.  After the blessing we all enjoyed chili (red and white), cornbread, pumpkin cheesecake, and apple bars.  Here are some pictures from the get-together.