It's Done (Almost)! Now we need a Buyer!!

Here's the finished American Fork house. Everything is basically done except for the framed bathroom mirrors that are being made as we speak, installing a few doorknobs, and a bit of cleaning and touch-up paint.

Entry with Stairway that opens to both the front and back side of the house.

Family Room

Arch that Separates the Living and Dining Rooms

Kitchen (there will be a microwave installed above the double ovens)

Master Bath (framed mirrors are still coming)

Master Bath

Master Shower (You can't tell from this picture, but there are 3 shower heads in this shower. I REALLY wish I could move into this house!)

Master Closet

Master Closet (there will be hooks above the bench for hanging robes, etc.)

Bedroom

Bedroom with Bonus Area

Anyway, it's nice for the house to finally be done! It's beautiful and I'm sad not to be able to live in it, but I'm more excited about what we're doing here in NM, so I think it's a fair trade. We were initially planning to make a good profit from this house when we sell it, but we are just ready to be done with it so that we can move on. So if you know anyone looking for a fantastic home at a steal of a price, send them my way!

Another Lame Post!

Yes, I realize that I have not posted on anything interesting in a while, and today's post will not be any better! Sorry! But I am wanting your ideas for fun things your kids like to do. Cecily is 2 and I am terrible at thinking of new things for her to do--and I think the poor girl is getting bored with me! So let me know what your kids like to do. I'll take anything from field trips to crafts to games, etc.

Vegetables, Anyone?

Derrick and I are trying to incorporate more vegetables into our diet. Does anyone have any good recipes or ideas that you use in your own home that you'd be willing to share? Also, I'll take any tips you've found that work with getting your kids to eat veggies!

A Calorie Free Piece of Heaven

Okay, so that's totally not true--at least the "calorie free" part! But here is another yummy family recipe that I don't think got put into the cookbook a few of us participated in recently:

Caramel Marshmallow Balls

1 lb Caramels
1/2 cube butter
1 can sweetened condensed milk (enough to thin the above mixture. I have to add more periodically the longer it sits on the burner)

Melt together, dip large marshmallows in caramel mixture, then roll in Rice Krispies.

Pretty easy and WAY GOOD! They are actually better if you let them sit for a day before you eat them. But honestly, who can wait?

I have tried to think of a way to add some chocolate to this recipe. I mean, what goes better with caramel and marshmallows than chocolate?

Recipes Just Don't Do It...Or So Says My Husband

Derrick told me that I need to update the blog because "recipes just don't do it." So I guess I'll give an update on what's going on with us.

The Restaurant:

The signs are going up! Progress is being made! The fire sprinklers went in last week, and the drywall is going up. Our head chef and Manager finished their training in Utah, so now we've got to get the rest of our crew hired and get this place open! We have been working on our plans for the grand opening, and are getting excited! Good Job Derrick for getting all of the many tasks on your list completed.

Our American Fork House:

A few of you may remember me writing about the home we were building in Utah before we decided to move down to NM. It's pretty close to being completed. Here are a few updated pictures. I'll get some better ones of the inside of the home the next time I go up there. It should be complete in about a week or so.

Cecily:

What can I say about my favorite girl? I took her on her first official "Play Date" today, and she had a great time. She loves being around little kids, and she actually shared when I told her she needed to share! (I was so proud!)

Cecily has started sleeping in a big bed. We had started having her sleep in our guest bedroom bed, because she was getting so crowded in her crib with all of the toys she brings to bed with her (as well as the fact that she is just getting so big!). So when Grandpa Tornow came to stay with us a few nights ago, she was a little bugged that she didn't get to sleep in "her" bed!

She loves to play with her big legos.

She loves bean burritos.

My favorite thing she says: "Oh, thank you, mommy!"

She has these miniature Disney princess dolls, and Belle is her ABSOLUTE favorite! She takes her with her EVERYWHERE! To bed, on walks, to her cousins house, to church, to the grocery store, everywhere! She is a total mommy to her Belle doll. We had dinner at Mike and Ivy's house (Derrick's brother & sister-in-law who live here in Farmington), and as we were leaving Cecily absolutely went to pieces when we put her in the car. It wasn't until we were almost home that we realized that she was saying "Belle" (not ball, like we thought). I had forgotten that she had taken Belle to their house, so we felt REALLY bad that we caused Cecily's baby to be left. And that's exactly how Cecily felt about it! Bebe Numero Dos:

We went to our appointment earlier this week to hear the baby's heartbeat for the first time. Dr. V couldn't find the baby's heartbeat, so he sent us over to the hospital for an ultrasound. Everything is fine, but the baby is just measuring smaller than the 13 weeks they thought I was at (which is why my due date has changed on my counter. The new estimated due date is March 8th). It was really fun to see the baby. He was moving his arms and legs like crazy. It's so amazing that something so small can be so developed! I'm in love with this kid already!