Corbin's 6th Birthday

So, my tradition has been to throw a “bigger” party for the kids birthdays every four years. Initially I started Audrey with 4, 8, 12, and 16, but a couple others snuck in there with the boys. So, we celebrate in the following fashion: Three years old – Chuck E. Cheese. Five years old – Party. And then 8, 12, and 16.

Well, Corbin turned six this year and he was disappointed to be having a “family” party. I didn’t want him to think it was a dud, so I still bought the gear to decorate and make it special.


Plus, we had Aunt Janet and cousins Chris, Jess, and Hannah come over. He wanted a transformer theme. Way over the top for a "non" party year, but it's just too fun. :) For dinner he requested pancakes and bacon, his favorite. Dad's recipe of course with a "secret" ingredient. There are certain things I don't make, because Brandon can. :)

Corbin's so funny. When we got up and sang to him in the morning, he was embarrassed and hid around the corner. And when he complained about "just a family party", I was surprised that night when he left dinner to go watch T.V. You can tell he's not one that craves the spotlight, just wants to feel special. So, his emotions were a bit elevated during the song and blowing out the candles. The tears sprang up pretty quick when Drew beat him to it. (Corbin's trying to push Drew away as he watches his flames go out.)


Fortunately he recovered, made his wish, and blew out all the candles.


He had a blast opening presents like it was Christmas morning. (Some were for Drew since we didn't haul them to Chuck E. Cheese.)


Corbin we love you! You are the nurturer in our family, the kindest and sweetest (when you choose to be) and a daily reminder of how blessed we are to be parents. You have learned so much in school this year we are amazed! You are such a good friend and good help with your younger brothers. Thanks for being a part of our family!

Drew's 3rd Birthday

For months, Drew has been requesting Chuck E. Cheese for his birthday. In fact, a couple months ago, he woke up one morning and decided it was his birthday. “Birthday, Presents, Go to Chuck E. Cheese? PLEASE????” That was a long day. But, he did indeed reach 3 years old and we celebrated in grand mouse style. Drew was so excited. That is, until the mouse himself made an appearance. Drew rejected the birthday crown and any physical contact initiated by Chuck E. Cheese. Drew put the crown on himself.


When CEC got the message, he turned and walked away. Drew jumped up, chased him, and started pounding him from behind. ☺ I’m attributing his behavior to the lack of real food, cake, ice cream, and jacked-up stimulation that only CEC can create. Sadly the night came to an end and he’s been asking for his birthday and to go back to Chuck E. Cheese since.


This is Drew's favorite ride. It simulates a roller coaster or an airplane or I think a train ride. He loves the roller coaster and will put coins in turn after turn and stare at the screen. The best part is when the chair starts to shake and his cheeks jiggle up and down. It's hilarious.


Here's the party animals at the end of the night. Drew, Corbin, cousin Hannah, and Audrey. By this time I had taken Jake home to bed. That place will put any sane person right over the edge...and I'm not sane. We had to get out of there!

Birthday Mania

The tail end of February and the first part of March is birthday mania in our house. Between a week and a half, I have my birthday, then Drew, and finally Corbin. I am exhausted. I have so many posts I want to do, and yet they all take time that I refuse to give to the computer. These days my bed has a stronger magnetic pull. So, I putting in place holders and will fill in as the time allows.

And now that I look back, I never posted anything in honor of Brandon's birthday (January). Poor fella.


His cake was awesome, thank you very much, but we were lacking in candles.

Math took on a different set of values for the day. 3 5+1 = 36. Ooooh, the downslope to 40 begins.

Shade Blog - Post #2

Today my second "post" is featured on Shade's blog. It's a dinner idea for Valentines...something to do with the kids that they LOVE!!! I've done it twice now so I could take picture for the post, and they were thrilled. The first time I didn't even let them help. It was Brandon's birthday and I had too much cooking! :) But they oohed and aaahhed over the heart shaped pizzas. Next time we made pizza's, they begged for hearts. Cute. Anything to change up the the mix. Although, I had to "fix" Drew's pizza. I didn't think he would eat it with everything he put on it. :)

If you read a little further down, as I did, I saw that I was "FEATURED." Crazy! It's kind of weird and fun at the same time. I don't consider myself a guru in any sense. In fact, the feature has me feeling a bit of pressure to perform. At least she mentioned fast and easy recipes. I've got lots of those. Hope I don't disappoint when I throw in a bit of flare. After cooking so much, most recipes ARE easy b/c you are so familiar with the terminology, even when the recipe doesn't give you the step by step.....Oh well. They mentioned my cookbook. Wonder if anyone will buy it off Amazon.

If you haven't ever made the BBQ pizza, try this recipe. I was pleasantly complimented when my Aunt asked me what restaurant I got it from. She thought it was pretty good.

My Favorite Cookbook

It's been almost five years since I self-published a cookbook, titled "Kitchen Thyme." Hard to believe it's been that long ago. And, just like childbirth, the memories of the painful experience have been fading and I may even follow through with the second book. But, I'm not making promises. :) When I finished the first, I posted signs behind my computer that read, "Remember what went into publishing this book. DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT DOING ANOTHER ONE ANY TIME SOON." Yet, I'm already at that point where I have recipes scattered everywhere. My computer, random notebooks, shoved in a drawer, in my purse, and on and on and on. Not to mention, friends and family submitted many more recipes a couple years ago when I thought I would start the second book. That was before we moved, had another baby, and got pregnant again! Hormones sure do affect my productivity. :) That and little ones under my feet or on my lap as I type at the computer.

I still consider it progress that I re-ordered "Kitchen Thyme." I have not had any to sell for a few years and didn't want to re-print a book that had so many errors! Besides, I don't mind selling the books, but I don't want to go through the effort of packaging and shipping the books several times a month. Shipping packages at birthdays and Christmas is bad enough. But, after Deseret Book turned me down last year to publish it, I settled for fixing the errors and doing another self-publish. But the best part of all was the book was accepted by Amazon so it is now being sold on Amazon.com and shipped from their facilities. YEAH!!!

I love this book. I love that for the most part, the recipes everyone submitted are practical. They are realistic for families or even throwing parties. I love that I know everyone who submitted, even if I had to pull teeth to get the recipe. It really helps me feel connected to my friends and family that I no longer live close to or see often. But most of all, I love that the recipes I use daily, are in one spot. I cook a lot, but my memory is fading fast!!! I can't remember the measurements and ingredients for nothing! I love when I travel and feel like cooking, I have my recipes at hand - because everyone I visit has the book. I know they are rather selfish reasons, but that's how Kitchen Thyme was born. I hope everyone who has the book has loved it as much as me. And now they can share it with their friends and families because there are plenty to go around!!!

As for book two? I will have to re-read the talk, "Good, Better, Best" by Dallin H. Oaks, to make sure my priorities are in check for this stage in life. :) STILL, if anyone wants to send recipes my way, I'll put them in my electronic file for the next book. It will happen some day.

Guess what? I was asked a couple months ago to be a guest blogger on Shade's blog. For those of you unfamiliar with Shade, let me explain. They started as an undershirt company about 5 years ago. The concept was to design shirts that would provide modesty in the ever growing trends of an immodest world. My friends started the business out of their homes and I have been amazed at how big they have grown. Congrats SHADE!

Now for the blog. I really don't know why they have a blog, but they do. And as of yesterday, they have "re-vamped" their site. Quoting..."We want this blog to encompass all parts of your life, from your 2.5 kids, to cooking quick dinners, to decorating your living room, to breaking down your favorite TV show. And we think we've cooked up a great way to accomplish that goal (seriously, how many resolutions have you kept so far this year?). For the rest of 2010 (and beyond) this blog will host 9 fascinating people with expertise in all sorts of interesting stuff, including advice and tips to make all our lives a little easier. We'd love for your life to be based around your Shade wardrobe, but we realize you have other things going on too, so hopefully this blog will be a new resource for helping you with all those other little things your working on. Check this blog from here on out for fresh ideas and pretty pictures, all of which will give you a boost in some part of your life."

Well, I'm the "cooking" gal they selected. Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month I will feature a recipe. Today is the first post. Check it out. http://yourlifeinshade.shadeclothing.com/2010/01/cooking-dixie-williams.html

Sledding at Tibble Fork

During the holidays we went to Utah to get together with my family. As I am sure it is with any family with several members young and old, planning events that everyone will enjoy is a challenge. On this particularly cold day, we went sledding, with 3 prego's, 2 six- month olds, 4 two-years olds, and 8 other kids, eight-years and under. Gratefully the sun was shining to ease the bitter 12 degrees outside, but for the young ones, even that was not enough.

Here's my mom with Drew, Corbin, and my nephew Conner (Daren's son). This picture was at the onset of the sledding fun. Everyone is still smiling. :)

I'm pretty sure Drew didn't know what he was getting into with his dad. That extra weight really carries you down the hill! I think it was after this run Drew called it quits and sat in the car, watching a movie while eating caramel popcorn, completely content!!!

Corbin had a good time. He's finally old enough to put on all his snow gear by himself and carry his own sled up the hill. Happy day for me AND him!

Here's one of the prego's. She did manage to get herself up and pull Cohen around a bit. :) This is my sister Raelene, her husband Josh, and their little boy, Cohen.

This is my brother, Ryan, and two of his kids. Cai lasted a little longer than his sister, Kooper.

Ryan is considered the reckless one out of my siblings and he is apparently training his children to be the same. I was impressed with Cai's ability to hang on and even appear to be having fun. :)

Ryan's wife Natalie camped out in the car with her 6 1/2 month old baby girl, Ryalie.

Here's Audrey with some of her friends, Grace and Anika. Now Grace's mom had good foresight to put a helmet on Grace. However, the helmet became a bit of a liability during crashes! Audrey ended up with a bloody nose while Anika got a good knock on the head.


This was my one and only ride. The run was so ice packed that it felt like I was falling on my tailbone, over, and over, and over again. I literally could not stand up when it was over. My back is still recovering. This picture was taken BEFORE the ride.

I think my dad won for the most runs. As long as there was one grandchild braving the chill, so was he. Up the hill, down again. Up the hill, hold on for dear life. Up the hill...are you still alive?


Finally, here is my other brother, Daren, with one of his daughters, Kayla.

And his other little girl, Hailey.

Amanda (Daren's wife) was the other prego. I can't believe she braved the trip. And I'm amazed she got her pants to fit at 38 weeks pregnant!!! I probably would have played the "disability" card and stayed home. She's a trooper. Of course she doesn't know I'm taking this picture, and that's the beauty of my new zoom lense. No one knows I am even shooting. I love it! Pure candidness.