Easter Egg Hunts

Sophie enjoyed hunting Easter eggs at both sets of grandparents' houses yesterday. She was very excited to see what the "Easter Wabbit" brought her.

The boys had fun too.

And, here's Sam in his Easter outfit.
Cute scrunchy-faced kid.

The Boy Loves to Sit

Whether he's sitting on the ground . . .

being picked up . . .

laying down . . .

or being tossed around . . .

you will more than likely find this child in a sitting position.

Foodie Friday #17 - Ruth's Chris Steakhouse

Welcome back to Foodie Friday.

(for an explanation of the ratings, see here)

Ruth's Chris Steakhouse
Locations Nationwide

Price: $$$$$$ (that means over $100 for 2 people)

Taste: * * * * *
S&A: * * * * *
Value: * * *

As I mentioned last week, for our anniversary we went out to dinner and breakfast. During the last year, we were gifted with 2 generous gift cards to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. Neither of us had ever been, so we thought we'd give it a try. At Ruth's Chris, you order each part of your meal separately. Generally, you would order your own meat, and maybe one side each. The sides come "family sized" and are meant to be shared. However, they're running a winter deal right now for either $39.95 or $49.95 (depending on your meat). It's a limited menu that comes with a soup or salad, meat choice, personal side choice, and dessert. Jake and I both ordered off this menu.

I started with the Caesar Salad. It came with Romano cheese on top and it was very tasty. Jake got the Seafood Gumbo. It was light and flavorful, but we both liked the salad better.

For my meal, I ordered the filet. It was tender and juicy and thick and peppery and absolutely delicious. Jake got the ribeye and it was spectacular. While my filet was the best piece of meat I had ever tasted, Jake's was even better.

The only thing negative thing I have to say about the evening is our side dishes. I thought both were lacking. If we were ordering off the main menu, I think we both would have chosen different things, but from our choices, we ordered the mashed potatoes and the corn pudding. I didn't think either were anything special, and I personally like my corn pudding better.

As an added bonus for the night, since it was our anniversary, we were treated to a complimentary dessert to share. Since our dinners came with a dessert (mini carrot cakes and chocolate mousses), we had those wrapped to go, and shared the most creamy delicious creme brulee. It had a super thin crispy layer on top and was divine.

One tip I have for you is to only order as much meat as you can eat while at the restaurant (well, order slightly more than you think you'll want cause it's really yummy). But it's a million times better eating it fresh than it is trying to warm it up again as leftovers. Seriously, a million. And go for a special occasion to take advantage of the free dessert!


Overall Rating: 4½ Stars

A Little Independence

Sophie & Tommy playing

In an effort to help our 3-year-old gain some more independence, Jake told her she could pick out her outfit for church. He showed her where all her Sunday dresses were, and let her choose.

Sophie stood in front of the closet for a couple seconds, contemplating her decision. Finally, she said, "I think Tommy would like if I wore . . . . . . this one." and chose a dress.

I think we'll keep her independence to a minimum for a while longer.

Foodie Friday #16 - T.C. Eggingtons

Back by popular demand, it's Foodie Friday! I can't believe I haven't done one of these since before the baby was born. Crazy. Anyway...

Welcome back to Foodie Friday.

(for an explanation of the ratings, see here)

T.C. Eggingtons
1660 S. Alma School Rd. Mesa

Price: $$

Taste: *
S&A: * * * *
Value: * * *

Jake and I celebrated our 6th anniversary last weekend. I was in charge this year, and chose an overnight stay at a local hotel, and dinner and breakfast out. No kids allowed. After reading great reviews online, I decided to go to T.C. Eggingtons for breakfast. Neither of us had been there before but lots of people like it, and several even named it their favorite east valley breakfast spot.

The first problem I encountered with the place was that, while their menu looks extensive, it's actually like the same 4 dishes repeated three times each with a different way to prepare the egg portion of the dish each time. For example, they had a ham & mushroom omelette, ham & mushroom skillet, and ham & mushroom fritatta. Same goes for a veggie dish, and a chorizo dish. So we had a hard time finding 2 different things to order.

To start, we got a liter of fresh squeezed OJ to split (we went all out since we were celebrating). It was good, but I've had better from here. Jake got the "Crack O' Dawn Parlour Creation" (ham & mushroom skillet). He thought it was just plain average. It tasted fine, but there was nothing special about it, and not worth coming back for.

I spent like 3 times longer than usual trying to decide what to order because I didn't want to feel like I was getting the exact same thing as Jake, and ended up with the O'Pear Grenache Omelette because a couple people online mentioned that they liked it. I hated it. I was a little worried ordering it, but I'm always up for trying new things. I'm not sure exactly what I didn't like about it - maybe almonds in an omelette just doesn't do it for me. Also, both our dishes came with a side of breakfast potatoes that were just awful. They tasted like plain unseasoned potatoes cut into cubes and baked in the oven.

Sorry T.C. Eggingtons, we won't be back. I guess we'll have to try someplace new next time we go out for breakfast.


Overall Rating: 2¼ Stars

Alphabet Wall

Last fall, I saw a blog featuring an alphabet wall (here), and I knew it was exactly what my playroom wall needed. So after searching thrift stores, e-bay, etsy, and my own house for the past several months, I have finally completed my own alphabet wall.

I love it.

Name That Tune

Name That Tune:

(note: she really is easier to understand than this usually,
but she learned this song a long time ago,
so her old ways of saying those words have just stuck)

Sunny Afternoons

It's February in Arizona.

It's beautiful outside.

This is how Sam has spent his afternoons this week.

Babbling loudly and watching his big sister ride her bike.
And bouncing like crazy if anyone talks to him.

Yogurt Yo' Way

It's delicious, and right now - it's free!
(I recommend the cheesecake. Mmmmm.)

Get your BUY 1 GET 1 FREE coupon.
Free yogurt for bloggers, click here for details.

Sophie's Valentine

Today and tomorrow, our local Safeway is selling little conversation heart cakes that you can customize yourself.

It might not be $2.00 worth of cake (we haven't tried it yet), but it definitely was $2.00 worth of fun. Sophie loved helping with the letters and adding her own decorative touch to the bottom.

Oh Goodie Goodie

Robin and I have ventured into the world of Handmade Etsy.

Presenting Goodie Jar.

We sell really awesome scarves and headbands at extremely reasonable prices (more stuff to come soon). It will be your new favorite shop! And if you have a blog and if you like me even a little bit, it would be awesome if you casually mentioned your new favorite shop on your blog.

He Sits, He Eats

He Sits.

He Eats.


And he's a little bit cute.


Just a little bit.
(notice he's in the exact same position as the first picture, just tipped 90 degrees)

Mobile Modification

I made Sam's mobile. It's part of a tree branch from our back yard with stitched felt birds suspended from it. I love it because it's simple, it matches his decor, and because I love birds. But even more than all of that, I love it because for some miraculous reason, Sam loves to look at it.

But

He especially loves to look at it if you get it spinning a couple times and he can watch it rotate.

So

I bought a spinning motor. And he's in love.

Proof:

So It Turns Out...

My bedroom door lock is keyed.

Wanna know how I figured that out? Sophie locked the door on her way out this morning. And, we no longer have any of the keys that came with the house, because we rekeyed all the exterior doors when we moved in (didn't think to check bedroom doors).

Windows: locked
Door Hinges: inside bedroom
Door Knob Screws: inside bedroom
Jake's Drill (I hear you can just drill through a lock to bust it open): inside bedroom
Baby: in his own room (did I scare you?)

The door opens into the bedroom, so the frame blocks any chance of using a credit card, etc to get in. So now we're waiting for a locksmith. To open my bedroom door. Seriously.

One of the worst parts: we just got all new interior door handles for Christmas. We just haven't installed them yet. They're on our massive to-do list.

Sam's Favorite Game

Giggle Ball

Object: Baby giggles.

How to Play: Grab a chunky baby's feet, push up toward his chest, and twist slightly back and forth. This will cause his entire body, now in the shape of a ball, to rotate, and his head to wiggle.

Then everybody wins.

2009: Year in Review

2009 was an eventful year at our house.

Here's a recap of my year:


January
Jake has a LUMP removed from his eye

February
I create some MONSTERS


March
We celebrated 5 YEARS together


April
We own a new HOME


May
Sophie now needs to do things BY HERSELF












Before .............................................................. After
June
Lots and lots of REMODELING


July
A new KITTY


August
We get a new baby SAM


September
Goodbye giant TREE


October
APPLE PIE seems appropriate for a 3rd birthday


November
DISNEYLAND

December
We enjoy a fun CHRISTMAS


And here's to 2010!
How was your year?


(visit my 2006, 2007, & 2008 if you wish)

Christmas 2009

Merry Christmas from our house to yours!

Lots of family, lots of food, and lots of fun.

All last week, Sophie wrote a letter to Santa daily, asking him for a ball. When she found one under the tree, she grabbed it, yelled "YAY!!!" and ran around the house with it.

At Grandpa's house, she was surprised with a new Big Wheel. It's a good thing she has those long legs, cause she can already ride it like a champ.

As for Sam, he enjoyed days of being held constantly by various relatives.
Just what he wanted.

Bear?

Sophie was (is) such a blanket lover.


I think this time around we may have a bear lover on our hands. He's currently holding this bear, jabbing its eyes. True love.

Sibling Love

Today we're just hanging out at home.

Here's Sam

I have the hardest time taking a picture of Sam. For some reason, I can't capture him as he really looks in real life. (I've always wondered if I have the same problem with the camera, because I usually hate every picture that's taken of me.)


But today, I finally have pictures of Sam that look like he really looks. Thanks (again) to Ashley, I can finally have documentation of this little cutie.

It's Not Just the Hair

He's cute with a hat on too.

Sam Had Other Plans

My plan for this morning:

1. Feed Sam
2. Snuggle with Sophie
3. Lay Sam on my bed for Step 4 of my plan
4. Set up movie for Sophie & get her some warm milk
5. Give Sam a bath
6. Put Sam down for a nap

Sam's plan:

1. Eat
2. Lay on Mom's bed while she gets Sophie some warm milk
   
3. Fall asleep

The bath will have to wait.