Friday, December 26, 2008

Too Many Christmas Cookies. . .

So I have been wanting to make these Neiman Marcus/Mrs. Fields cookies for a while now, so I figured I would make them for Santa. 
The Recipe is quite Large it makes 112 cookies. So I started to read the recipe 2 Cups of Butter. Ok so thats 8 Sticks of butter? Who knows What I was thinking I don't know. So I doubled the butter but not everything else. When I was done mixing it all together the dough looked a little wet I read the recipe more closely and then thought about what I had done. The Word C R A P passed my lips, With Savannah following it will "We don't say Crap  mommy, We don't say Crap mommy, We don't say crap mommy!" She thinks because she is telling me that we don't say it, that's it ok for her to say it over and over and over again. At least 10 times. 
Back to the cookies. So I then proceeded to double the rest of the recipe.  Much to my dismay the doubled batch did not fit in my kitchenaid 6 quart mixer. Who knew I would ever need one of those restaurant style mixers. 
So I finished it by hand and then proceed to roll and bake all 224 cookies. That is a lot of cookies.  I just wish we had taken a picture of the pile before we started to give them away.  If you are interested here is the recipe. . . 

(Recipe may be halved): 

2 cups butter 
4 cups flour 
2 tsp. baking soda 
2 cups granulated sugar 
2 cups brown sugar 
5 cups blended oatmeal (measure oatmeal and blend in blender to a fine powder) 
24 oz. chocolate chips 
1 tsp. salt 
1 8 oz. Hershey bar (grated) 
4 eggs 
2 tsp. baking powder 
3 cups chopped nuts (your choice) 
2 tsp. vanilla 

Cream the butter and both sugars. Add eggs and vanilla; mix together with flour, oatmeal, salt, baking powder, and soda. Add chocolate chips, Hershey bar and nuts. Roll into balls and place two inches apart on a cookie sheet..Bake for 10 minutes at 375 degrees. Makes 112 cookies.. Have Fun!!!

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Christmas time is here . . .



Just in case I don't have your address for  Christmas letters here is ours for this year!


2008 has brought a lot of joy and happiness.

We moved into the house on Christmas Eve last year and are still working on it. What’s the saying? “A carpenter’s house is never finished.” We hope that we can get the final details finished in 2009. For Thanksgiving we traveled to Cedar City, Utah and spent a few days at the Petersen family reunion. It was great to catch up with the family and meet all the new additions.

Savannah turned 2 in October and can spell her name, identify her colors, count to 20 and recite the alphabet. She loves to sing “Once There was a Snowman,” “Happy Birthday” and “The Wheels on the Bus.” She talks non-stop identifying landmarks on drives in the car, asking where friends and relatives are and what they are doing, requests her favorite TV shows by name and is into cars, animals, princesses, makeup and Christmas. A few of her favorite phrases are: ”I don’t think so” at bedtime, “We just look, we don’t touch decorations” and “How ‘bout....” to negotiate for what she really wants. Savannah loves to spend time with her grandparents, and cousins. Cousin “Mal Mal” (Mallory who is six weeks younger) is her absolute favorite to play with.

Shaleah continues to work 3 days a week for Dr. Sylvester’s dental office. The other days are full of household chores, shopping and playing with Savannah. She also finds time to make bows and is starting her own website: MommyMakesBows.com

Scott took a test for the Stationary Engineers Union and placed 13th on their 1300 person waiting list. If the economy ever turns around they will start hiring again. For now he remodels bathrooms and maintains restaurants.

We hope that this Christmas Season finds you happy and healthy. To keep in touch the other 11 months of the year, email us at: sssimpson@hotmail.com. We have also started a family blog at: ssssimpson@blogspot.com. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Scott, Shaleah and Savannah Simpson

Sunday, November 23, 2008

reasons for not blogging . .

so I got into the twilight books and now I am on book 4. Every chance I get I read and when I am not doing that I do have a daughter, husband and house to take care of. I know I need to update my blog but hey. . . it's not my fault the books are so good!  I promise soon I will be done! 

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Happy Birthday Savannah

Savannah turned 2 yesterday.
She really got into opening presents and enjoyed blowing out the candles.  We got here a small fish tank since she still really loves Finding Nemo.  Most of her gifts were clothing and dress up accessories and like most little girls she was really thrilled.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

MY HAIR (part two)





Well this is before . . . 





AND. . . NOW. . . . 





My Hair. . .

So I have had my hair the same way for I don't know EVER!!!! At least 8 years (Thank you Shauna). I have changed the color a few times and color doesn't scare me. I have done red, dark brown and  blond. But the Cut has always been the same. It's a safe Cut I can put it up and out of my face for work. I can leave it down. I have choices with this cut. 
I have a hair appointment today and I wanted to be different. I finally talked myself into going SHORT!!!! My best friend Amy has her hair cut short and in an A line fashion.  I wanted to try something to that effect. Anyways my dear sweet sister (who makes everything look perfect on her) (Love you stef) came to my work yesterday and her hair was cut the EXCAT way I wanted to cut mine. I was shocked and in disbelief when I saw her. Now What do I do. Do I copy my sister and look like twins or do I just leave it the same way it has been for ever???? My appointment is at 12:30 today. I will let you know! 

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

More pictures from Utah. . .

Paul and Angie on their Sealing day! 

Savannah with Uncle Paul and Auntie Angie

My favorite picture, a reflection of the SLC temple.

Savannah Running
My Beautiful Daughter! 

Another Month has slipped by...




Is that my daughter or what???

Well a lot has been going on. Let's See if I can catch you up. I am still working out almost every day (except Sundays). But still no weight loss per say. I have lost some inches but my scale says the same number. 
Savannah is half potty trained she is really starting to understand the concept I have her in pull ups that have princesses on them and she tells me "pee pee on the potty not the princesses." She is really starting to understand to much. Scott and I are already starting to spell things around her. The other day Scott wanted to put on Nemo for her to watch. I said no more N E M O and then Savannah piped in and said N E M O. It is just crazy how smart she is.  
Speaking of nemo Savannah has her Halloween costume and it is Nemo. I figured this might be the last year I pick for her. Next year she might want to pick one herself. I know she is going to be into the Disney princesses before you know it. 
Scott is doing great!!! He has a  new job. Not a steady job yet, he is out on his own again. The flooring business was just not working for him. The business was sold to another owner and Scott decided to go in another direction. He is remodeling bathrooms for friends and also doing handy man type stuff for a restaurant here in the bay area. He has applied for a stationary engineer job and passed the test. He is ranked #13 out of 1,300 people. So as soon as they have a job open for him he will be ready to accept that.  Even though he is not sure when and where his next paycheck is coming the stress of the previous job is no longer going to give him a heart attack at 35. I don't know if I have ever seen him as happy as he is now. 
We just returned home from a weekend in Utah. Scott's brother Paul was sealed to his wife Angie on Saturday September 27th 2008. It was an amazing weekend. We could not be happier for Paul and Angie. We love you both!!! 
Savannah had fun on the Airplane. She was so excited until the plane got too high and felt the need to inform the flight attendant that the plan was too high.  I tried to explain to her that we have to be really high, that's where the planes fly is really high. 
While in Utah I was able to attend The RS Broadcast at the conference center.  First of all I called to 1800 number to get tickets because my sister in law (because she lives in Utah) was unable to get tickets. They sent a parking pass with the tickets. My sister in law thinks I a so Awesome. The parking pass allowed us to park across the street form the conference center. The tickets were on the floor. She said she has never gotten such great seats EVER. She was quite impressed. I think I was more impressed with the hush that fell over the crowd when our prophet walked in the room. We all stood up and there was not a sound in the room. I could not believe how quite it got. What a Spiritual experience to be in the same room as the Prophet of the church. I was over come with the spirit. What a great conference. 
Scott Had Savannah while I was at the conference and was able to spend time with his Brothers. What a great bond they have with each other. 

Well I think that takes care of all that is new. I have some new pictures of Savannah. Since her birthday is coming up next week I am trying to put together an announcement with her photos. She is so funny if you ask her when her birthday she will say "October Eleven". And if you ask her how old she is, she will say  "TWO!!!"
I just can't believe how fast the last two years have gone by. Scott has also taught her what 3.14  is.  We ask her "Savannah What is 3.14??" She is answer with "Pie!!!"

Thursday, August 21, 2008

So . . . Ya it's been over a month. Where does the time go. 
We have been busy working at work and at home. And here we are at the end of august. I will have some more time on my hands over the next two weeks. My boss is out of town so I am off for two weeks. My two goals is the get the rest of the trim painted in the house and to get savannah potty trained. If anyone has any good ideas that worked for you I would love to hear them. I know she is ready and I don't want to miss out on the opportunity to make this work. 
Savannah is growing like a weed I just can believe my eyes.  When she talk's I can't believe my ears. She has so much to say. I am looking forward to two weeks at home with her. 

I will have to take some new pictures this week so you can see how big she is. 
I hope I have some fun things to post over the next two weeks! 

Monday, July 7, 2008

Bows for Sale!!!






So in making bows for Savannah I have a lot of supplies and ribon. I have made a bunch of extras and have been selling them. I just wanted to get it out there if anyone who reads my blog wants to buy hair bows for much cheeper than they are in the stores. I have them for sale!

the weeks just keep flying!

I know I am not the best at keeping this updated but here is the last few weeks all wrapped up into one blog. 

It turned out that we had about $2,500.00 or so stolen from Scott's truck. Every time he is looking for a tool or working on a project it seams he finds something else missing. 

On July 1st we celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary. I can't believe it has been 8 years. Two maybe but not eight. We got a sitter for Savannah (thank you Gretchen) and we went to dinner. If you ever get a chance and want to have a fun dinning experience you have to try Simply Fondue. It was so great! It is located in livermore, what a neat place. My friend Shauna told me about it. Not a kid friendly place but a great adult evening.  

The house is coming along, I was hoping to get some final painting done this week but Scott worked on the outside this weekend and not the base board and trim. Someday I will not live in a construction house. (I HOPE!!!) 

My walking is going great. I still have not lost any weight per-say but my clothes are fitting a little differently. If anyone has words of advice for helping the weight loss process or other exercise's that I should be doing please let me know. 

Other than that we are all happy and healthy. What more can you ask for?

Sunday, June 22, 2008

What a week or two . . . I lost count

I know I am not so great at this blogging thing. 
Thursday June 12th, Savannah had a Dr appointment today. She is 25 LB 2 feet 9 in and her head is 19 in (it keeps getting bigger). Before the Exam her Dr asked me a few questions, one of was, "how is her vocabulary, does she know at least 20 words." I had to stop for a minute and think. My response was, "Yes she knows about 100 or so."  This girl can TALK!!! She repeats everything I say. It is crazy how much she picks up on. Next time you see her ask her to say her ABC. . . because she can. Ya all of them. she is not even two yet. Sorry that is just me bragging!  One really funny game that her daddy likes to play with her is to ask her really hard questions about what color something is . . EX: What color did the union solders wear in the civil war? Savannah hears "what color"  waits for Scott to stop talking  and answers Blue.  He then follows up with "what color is behind the stars on the flag. . . And you get the idea. She always answers blue. So scott only asks questions where blue is the answer. It really gets people at first but by the third question they figure it out. 

Moving on My walking and exercise is going great! I have not lost anything to write about yet but I am feeling so much better that it makes me want to do more. I have high hopes. My friend that I walk with suggested that we make a half way goal, I really like that idea and I need to come up with something.?? Who knows?? 

In other news, don't be alarmed but we were robbed today while we were at church.  We did not notice it until scott was putting out the trash cans for trash day tomorrow. Our recycling bucket is missing, the lock on the truck is broken and some tools are missing. What is this world coming too?? It is just crazy!!! We met a very nice police man that very impressed with the house and has seen us working on it over time.  He took a report and that is that. 

Friday, June 13, 2008

Check out my Slide Show!

Photo was taken by Auntie Puff. Savannah just loves to smell flowers
Posted by Picasa

Saturday, June 7, 2008

The Weight Challenge

I know that I will never be as thin as i was the day i got married but, hey there is hope. I was talking to Scott the other day and I told him, "I need an incentive to lose weight!" He asked me what I wanted. I told him if i lose as much as I want to I will need money to buy new clothes. He was quite for a while then asked me how much I wanted to lose. I responded with Somewhere between 30-40 LB. Again with the silent treatment. Then he responded, "I will pay you $30.00 for every pound you lose between now and your birthday (Jan 25th 2009)". YOUR ON!!! I have excepted this challenge with hope that I will be buying myself a new wardrobe for my birthday! I have a friend who came up to me the next day and asked me if I wanted to start walking on my days off. I jumped with joy and have walked 3 days this week. She is a great walking companion to have. She asked me the second day we walked if i was ready for some hills. I kindly reminded her I have not exercised since before i was pregnant with Savannah. Her response was . . "don't worry it will only hurt a little, you will get over it!" She really pushes me and that is what i need. I will keep you updated on my progress but, my fear is unless i cut off my breasts and a leg this weight will never go away!

Sunday, June 1, 2008

I HATE Sundays!

I know the title is a bit harsh but, I dread Sundays.  Savannah is a great sleeper and I am proud of that. I have her on a Schedule. The problem is Church interferes with that. We are the lucky ones that have Church from 1:00-4:00. YUCK!!! So we have a backwards schedule, sacrament is last. She is in Nursery now and that is GREAT!! That is if we make it to nursery. More often than not she is sleeping and we will just go to church late. I'm sorry but sleep is important to my daughter. I just don't like to looks and the comments when we come late.  Oh well life goes on. We are already in june and that means just 7 more months then we can have the 9:00 time back. I never thought that I would be happy with 9:00 church. Man, having a baby does change EVERYTHING!!!!

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Savannah's ABC

Savannah is starting to really form sentences. Her vocabulary just makes me smile. The other day we were moving her foam alphabet mat from my room to her room. We said all the letters when we placed them down on the floor, and she would jump from one letter to the next. A few hours later when Scott came home Savannah was so excited she took her dad into her room and said "daddy look. . . L, M, N, O, Q!!!" She was so proud of herself. So now instead of asking her where are  her ABC we say, "Where are your L,M,N,O,Q's?" 

Monday, May 26, 2008

Ok Ok OK ....

I know everyone is in to this blog thing. I will try to see what i can do. I can't promise much but I will try.