Sugar and Spice

It's A Girl!!

I really didn't feel like I knew the gender this time and it really didn't matter... but when they said it was a girl I was so excited! Luci kept asking in disbelief, "is there a really a sister for me in there?" Elijah calls her "the girl baby". The kids and I went and picked out this cute little diddy for her right after the ultrasound. We are all pretty smitten with her and her cute little kicks. Everyone wants to feel my tummy all the time.

Honestly though... while I am excited. Number three seems pretty intimidating. I don't remember feeling nervous with the other two... but I am this time. Explain that?

Eat. Sleep. Repeat.

Four (almost five) days of heaven. We went on a cruise to Cozumel, Mexico. 

The kids stayed with Grandma and PaPaw Dean :) Thank You!!

The weather was perfect except for one day... Oh I was so sick, and it wasn't just the prego lady. Lucky for Jacob his stomach is stronger than mine on an extremely rocky boat.

 Cozumel was fantastic. It rained in the morning, but the rest of the day turned out wonderful. We explored our way to the perfect, quiet little beach. Our friends rented snorkel gear and we all took turns. I couldn't believe how many amazing different kinds of fish there were. 

Jumping off the pier into the clear water was also a highlight for more reasons than one, especially for Jacob. (wink wink)

 We met some forever friends at our dinner table. We hung out together on the beach in mexico... notice everyone else got sun except for us. Even Jacob looks darker than me! Oh well, less wrinkles right?!

Did I mention the food was wonderful! I ordered at least two desserts every night. Sometimes two appetizers including a desert to start out too. Cruising while pregnant definitely has it's perks! I was still hungry most of the time :)

The kids did great! They were pretty excited to see us and their new maracas :)

Just Can't Hide It!

I'm pretty excited today... not only do I have a new do all straightened by someone else, 

I also have CONTACTS for the first time! Woo hoo!

Oh and there is something else,

but I can't tell you

HA!

Don't worry you will see soon enough :)

Be Happy!

Happy Wednesday

Weekend

  Little Luci turned 4 yesterday...

She chose a ballerina theme this year. I have to admit I probably had a little too much fun making everything pink... It was my favorite color first you know :)

The Double Strawberry Cake was pink inside and out. 

And it was delicious, anyone want some leftovers? 

This girl is so big. I can't get over what an amazing little girl she is. She is so thoughtful of others and is constantly trying to choose the right. If ever she has a moment with Eli and I mention her actions being selfish... she quickly changes her mood and tries to be kind. 

During conference yesterday she really wanted to open an Easter package that I am saving for next week. I told her to wait. I noticed that she got down on her knees a few minutes later and said a very intense prayer. I wish I could have heard her! Then about 5 or 10 minutes later she looked at me and asked, "Mom, is Heavenly Father talking to you? Or is Jesus helping you do anything?" I said, "Yes, he is helping me feel the spirit while I listen to conference." Then she looked over at her Easter package and said, "oh, well I really wish I could open that Easter package." I quickly realized what she had been praying for...

 Luci snapped this one of Eli. Such a good photographer!

Our General Conference Feast was delicious and satisfying. I made fondue with lots of fruits, veggies, and best of all... pretzel rolls! These are so yummy! 

Jacob has been waiting so patiently for the day that the kids would start pampering him. He announced yesterday as they combed and sprayed that fatherhood just became 10 times more worth it.

Now, I'm off to plan my menu...

 

Big

How big are these two?! Big enough to become a big sister again, and a big brother? Yup! You guessed it,  we're welcoming another little Dean baby in September. Hooray!

We are all so excited! We feel so blessed. 

And I... well I feel big too... and really hungry...

Here's one of my favorite things to eat for every meal and snack these days...

Spicy Beans

picture from here

I adapted this recipe from the Pioneer Woman and my favorite BYUtv guy Chef Brad. You can do it in a pressure cooker or a big pot, it just takes longer. It is so worth it though. I have done it both ways and there is nothing like a big pot of beans simmering on your stove. Serve them over fresh cornbread, in a cup with sharp cheese, or in burritos and wraps... lots of possibilities! And did I mention that kids love them?

3 cups dry beans, black or pinto
¼ cup uncooked millet, optional but a very nutritious grain
handful of cooked bacon, diced ham, or a ham hock (which I never have)
9 cups water
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 whole yellow onion, diced
1-2 tbsp diced jalapeno with most of the seeds removed (I use pickled usually)
2 tsp salt
1-2 tsp black pepper
2 Tbsp Olive oil


Cook the beans, millet, pork, and water in a pressure cooker for 25 minutes, turning the heat down to medium-low when full pressure is reached and it is screaming and sputtering at you... unless you have an awesome electric pressure cooker which I covet every time I make something in my stove top one. Anyway, Bring down the pressure and add in the pepper, onion, and jalapeno. Cook for another 20-25 min. Bring down the pressure again and add salt, pepper, and oil. They should be tender and juicy and deliciously packed with flavor! Enjoy!


If you are using a big pot bring the beans, water, millet, and pork to a boil and then simmer for 2 hours covered. Add in the veggies and simmer another 2 hours. Add more water as needed, you want them juicy to the max! At the end add in the salt, pepper, and olive oil. Cook for another 20-30 min if needed.

2 Years

This handsome little man of mine turned 2! I'm pretty sure he's still my baby and so is he. All he wanted for his Birthday were Elmo cupcakes. He's probably only seen Sesame Street one or two times. What is it with kids and Elmo??  We put balloons in his room while he was sleeping and he pretty much loved it. He is so easy to please. Elijah also fell in love over the weekend... My good friend Kelsey was in town and he can't stop asking about her :)

Elijah is my cuddler. He loves giving me kisses and sometimes I can't get him to stop. He loves trains, building with blocks and legos, chocolate, huge bowls of oatmeal with molasses, his sister, his bow ties, daddy's car, downtown, the museum, puppy's,... hmm. He loves big trucks, especially ones with lifting buckets. He calls them "man trucks". His favorite books are Goodnight Gorilla, If You Give a Moose a Muffin, Tails, and Thomas the Train.

I don't know what I'd do without my little Boog. 

Love this kiddo.