Find Your Happiness

Snickers Chocolate Fudge (Semisweet chocolate with caramel layer and Snickers chunks) For Christmas, we made several types of fudge to give away as gifts. We made Dark Chocolate, Chocolate Peanut Butter, and Creme-filled (Oreo) White Chocolate fudge. They were relatively easy to make and every one who received them said they were delicious. Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures of the fudge (and they were so adorably packaged too!) and the leftovers were eaten pretty quickly. But we had a few melting chocolate leftover and my Mom bought caramel so Dean decided to experiment with the recipe. He made "Snickers Chocolate Fudge" (see above picture) and "Hodge Podge Fudge" by combining all the leftover chocolate and mixed with crushed Oreos. Hodge Podge Fudge (Semisweet, white, and peanut butter chocolate with slightly crushed Oreo cookies) Here is the basic recipe from All Recipes . The instruction stated to melt the chocolate chips using the microwave but we...

I better post these now before it becomes so last year. Hahaha! I crack myself up sometimes :) 12.12.10 Christmas Party at Hubby's work Nathaniel's first encounter with Santa Claus. He refused to smile but I guess at least he didn't cry!   "Hi, Daddy!" Christmas Eve We spend Christmas Eve at my Mom's and usually wait to open the gifts until after midnight. But since we now have little children, we opened the gifts after dinner and a quick game of Apples to Apples . By ten-thirty in the evening, the boys have had enough excitement and were ready for bed. I look at these pictures and could easily tell how miserable Nathaniel must have felt because of his four molars and stuffy nose. Poor thing :(  My adorable nephew Only five months apart... Can I say, future partners-in-crime? :) Hugs! Christmas Day We spent Christmas Day with my husband's family.   Opening his birthday present from Auntie Kari...

Nathaniel's first birthday party was last Wednesday. Even though we had a little get together on his actual birthday a week earlier, we still wanted to have a little party for him to celebrate his birth with our family and friends. (He was originally wearing his Daddy's old sweater and I realized too late that someone had taken it off. Now, wouldn't it be hilarious if he really did become a quarterback in the future?) Cake made by Mommy & Daddy 6-inch Orange Supreme cake with buttercream icing and homemade marshmallow fondant 8-inch Dark Chocolate cake with buttercream icing and homemade marshmallow fondant The Guest of Honor     "What is this?" Luckily, my husband does not get charged luggage fees.

The last few days have been very hectic. Between planning Nathaniel's first birthday party last week, Christmas, spending time with family and friends, and Nathaniel's molars continuing to bother him (think constant crying!), there's barely any time to do anything else. Now that I think about it, I think the earliest my husband and I have gone to bed since this vacation started is 0130. My mom, who took two weeks off of work, has been a great help by letting us sleep in a little bit longer but since Nathaniel is sick, he only wants his mommy and daddy. I am reeeally looking to the day when this one year molar-situation is over. Right now, Dean is sitting next to me, holding Nathaniel and watching Sports Center . I have been up with the little one since five this morning. He caught the sniffles a few days ago from his cousin Daniel so now we are dealing with a stuffy nose, too. Christmas Card, 2010 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,        Tho...

We bought Nathaniel his first "big boy" shoes yesterday. In that past, we haven't really cared as much about what brand, type or style of shoes he wears. But now that he is beginning to walk, we figured it's time to invest on some nice, good-for-the-baby's-feet shoes. My husband and his siblings grew up wearing Stride Rite shoes. His cousin Daniel learned how to walk in them and loves it. Overall, we have heard good reviews about Stride Rite so we decided to use his Christmas money from Great-grandparents Smith and buy him a pair. He even have enough left to buy a (big) treat!   Size 4.5

It was snowing earlier this evening so I quickly took a few pictures of the snow from my (old) bedroom window. I am very excited to play in it with Nathaniel tomorrow!   ISO 800 18mm f/3.5 0.5 sec Not bad since I didn't use a tripod! ISO 800 18mm f/3.5 1/4 sec I used to be taller than that Evergreen tree!   ISO 800 18mm f/3.5 1.0 sec

Nathaniel's hair was getting so long people were starting to refer to him as a girl. We knew he needed a haircut but we wanted to wait until we are here in Indiana. There is a haircut salon here called Cookie Cutters and they cater specifically to little children. Nathaniel did really well and fussed only a little when they used the razor. My mom and hubby's parents were there too to witness this Baby's First moment.   With Oma   We chose the old fashion car Getting his hair wet Busy watching Dora the Explorer Saving a few strands of his hair for the certificate He already looks like a pro!          

Nathaniel had his one year old well baby visit yesterday. I was really hoping he will finally break the 20-lb mark but I guess we just have a long, skinny baby. Our pediatrician also had to reassure me that it is alright to give Nathaniel some Ibuprofen to help alleviate the pain from his one-year molars. I know it's perfectly safe to do so but I try not to medicate him as much as possible and just give him extra attention and cuddling. But after receiving three immunization shots, two almost out there molars, and a week of fussy, clingy, forget-your-routine,-Mama! baby, I finally caved in. Nathaniel was a bit happier yesterday and ate more solids than he had in days. However, he still woke up twice last night (one and five thirty in the morning) to breastfeed and cuddle. He is doing a lot better today and is currently happily and loudly playing with his Daddy. Here are the stats! (Compare his last visit here ) Weight: 19 lbs 13.5 oz (10th percentile) Height: 29 1/4 inches (40t...

Nathaniel is one year old today! This past year definitely had its share of very high highs and some scary lows. But I have never felt happier. God has blessed me with a great family. His humongous birthday cake: plain, white, and boring you say? But, ah! The surprise is inside :) Rainbow cake (sans Indigo) 10-inch white cake with cream cheese frosting  Violet, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, Red Getting ready to blow the candle on his smash cake We had to keep his smash cake in the refrigerator because of the cream cheese frosting so he didn't want to touch it at first! What a cute mess :) Happy first birthday, pumpkin face.