Let it Snow....

(outside our window)

I never thought I would say this, but I love the snow.

Here, in Heidelberg.

I don't know why, but I think it's the fact that I have never been in Europe in places that it actually snows. It feels magical.

Life with Bear and Smith is great. It is so funny because I am constantly looking for signs of any sort of diffrence with Bear. I will tell Bryce, "He hasn't looked at me today...do you think he is alright?" and Bryce always reassures me everything is fine. Bear has been different than Smith. But since Smith has had newborn qualities his whole life, I think Bear and Smith are similar. Only time will tell. But so far, Bear can lift his head, he is not hypotonic, he opens his eyes, looks at me and around, and he can track things with his eyes. All I know, is that when I look at Smith, Bear and my Bryce, it is proof that God loves me. They are my gifts from Heavenly father. Life is a lot harder with two kids that can't walk, can't talk, need diaper changes, need baths everyday, need to be fed by me, and carried by me, but life is a lot fuller and happier too. Life always gets easier and always gets harder. I think I will focus on the easier things today.

Oh and by the way, yep, by many requests, The Kitchen Chronicles are back! I am cooking and blogging again yay!!!

This was so cool, Sarah Muller, a former investigator who got baptized from Bryce's mission, came to visit us. Her daughter was so cute and they were fun to have over. Do you like how blurry I am?

Happy 5th my Bryce!

Happy Anniversary to me and my Bryce!!

The week of my due date, (which was November 16) I had a dream that I gave birth to our little Bear on our anniversary (which is November 18).

When I awoke from the dream, I was mad. I didn't want to share that date with anyone but Bryce. Even my unborn child, (at the time). I am a little obsessed with my husband and I look forward to our anniversary more than any other holiday in the year, because we have always stayed the night somewhere no matter what.

1st Anniversary- The Homestead Restort, Midway Utah, I LOVE MIDWAY!!

2nd Anniversary- The Marriot, Salt Lake City Utah, apparently the cleanest city in the world

3rd Anniversary- A private cabin above Heber, thanks to one of Bryce's students families

4th Anniversary- The Johnson Mill Bed & Breakfast, Midway Utah!!

5th Anniversary- Salem Hospital, Heidelberg Germany

What I thought would be bittersweet, turned out to be nothing but sweet. I loved giving birth on our anniversary. Two very special days of my life occurred on that blessed day. How lucky we are to share it with Bear, and Bear with us.

So, that being said, we finally actually celebrated our anniversary! Yeah.

We went out to eat at a thai restaurant on the main street that runs through old town. Then,

Bryce writes me a song every year and then puts on what he calls, "his favorite concert of the year," where he sings all of them for me. I cried and felt oh so special, then we watched a movie. Notting Hill. I love that movie. It was a night dipped in chocolate with a cherry on top. I love when all you are thinking about is that person you are with and how much they have changed your life for the better. And of course, always eating delicious food is a must on your anniversary.

Yeah for Awesome Husbands!!!

Me waiting with my buddies for the bus to come whisk us away to thai food...

Love him.

Now I understand people taking pictures at restaurants. It is a HUGE deal to get out with kids!!!!

the camera made this look so gross!!!!! but it was DELICIOUS! Pork satay

And if any of you want a delicious and easy holiday treat that will go over oh-so-well with any holiday feast. Try my freezer pumpkin cheesecake recipe. You can add a cup of chopped chocolate and make it freezer pumpkin chocolate chip cheesecake, you can add whipped cream and caramel topping and make it caramel pumpkin cheesecake, anyway you eat it it is a crowd pleaser. The best thing about this recipe is you don't bake it! Yes, so easy.

this recipe was adapted and created for my sister Lauras birthday. She wanted a cake with no eggs and little to no gluten. But the crust has a bit of gluten, that's okay, it's still a rich and delicious thing.

FREEZER PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE have mercy!

• FOR THE CRUST

  • 1-1/2 cups finely ground gram crackers
    1-1/2 cups toasted pecans, finely ground
    1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
    1/4 cup butter, melted
    

FOR THE FILLING

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 4 ounces mascarpone cheese (1/2 cup), room temperature
• 4 ounces cream cheese (1/2 cup), room temperature
• 2 ounces soft fresh goat cheese (1/4 cup), room temperature
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 cup heavy cream

Directions

1. Make the crust: Coat a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray; line bottom with a round of parchment. Stir together cookies, butter, sugar, and nuts, press evenly into bottom of pan. Refrigerate while making filling.
2. Make the filling: Beat pumpkin puree, 1/3 cup sugar, the cheeses, and pumpkin pie spice with a mixer on medium speed until very smooth, about 4 minutes. Whisk heavy cream and remaining 1/3 cup sugar until medium peaks form; fold into filling mixture, and spread evenly onto crust. Smooth top, and freeze until firm, at least 2 hours. Refrigerate for 45 minutes before serving. Place a cinnamon stick on top to garnish if desired.
3. Run a knife around edge of cake; release sides to remove from pan, and transfer cake to a serving platter.

Christmas Market

Boy do they know how to celebrate Christmas in Heidelberg!!

The Christmas market in old town Heidelberg is BOOMING with Christmas goodies. They even flooded part of the street and made it into an ice skating rink.

After our first pediatrician appointment we decided to stop by the Christmas market, and I was dazzled. It was so cute to see Bryce pushing our babies. I love having two. Having multiple children is so fulfilling. I thought it would be stressful, (it is), but it is not the over riding emotion attached to multiples, there is a stronger sense of family, and a stronger desire for me to better. I don't know why, but I guess with these 3 amazing men in my life I have a lot to live up to. We had to come home from the Christmas market a little early... I am still recovering, and by the way, putting lavender essential oil in your bath water does wonders after birth, just so you know. Well, again, merry Christmas as I take you on a highlighted journey of the CHristmas market in old town Heidelberg.

I started out buying these delicious beauties, They were hot and singing to me.

Ready for the pediatrician? Europe is always fun for the trips we take using public transportation, never a dull moment.

They have delicious stands that sell brats, steak brochen, french fries....and so much more!

Fruit skewered and dipped in chocolate yumm, yes please.

Beautiful paper.

Germans know their Candy and Chocolate.

A Christmas MErry Go Round? Are you serious? This is so cool.

Loved these trinkets.

Hey Buddy! I'm sorry you got tired, your missing out!

boy number two, down.

I could just gobble these three boys up...yum yum yum. I love them so so much!!

This ceramic is made in Poland I think, anyway, my grandma is a huge fan of this particular ceramic and I think it is pretty awesome too. They had a huge stand of this beautiful ceramic and it made me miss my Grandma Smith!

Can I get that baking dish on the shelf please?

walking back to our bus stop....

Christmas Countdown Jar

I love love love love love love love....did I say LOVE? CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This time of year is nostalgic and full of life. You would think the end of the year would be a little dreary and kinda sad, but it is the opposite.

So I decided to make a Countdown to Christmas Jar. Every little piece of paper has something to do until Christmas. Not anything huge, examples; make cookies, drink hot chocolate etc.... there are 24 days until Christmas and I am geared up to have a great time until then.

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Merry Christmas!