Caitlin-isms that make me smile :)

These pictures were taken the other day... i love how her outfit wasn't complete until she had the 'star wand'...
the gloves are so big on her... cracks me up!

I was just sitting her updating my Blog... when Caitlin brings me a bowl... and says

"More pickles, Mommy..."

Then i said... "Oh, more pickles...? You're going to turn into a pickle... Are you a pickle?"

She responds... "No, I not a pickle... I Cake-in"

HA! Kids... one minute they are small little babies... next they are walking around eating pickles and speaking truth...

I love being a Mommy!

Twilight Teazer!!!!

OK OK OK OK OK OK OK OK OK OK OK OK.... (breath Amanda!)

LIKE... AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Kate, your amazing... Thanks for sending this to me!

I MUST share with EVERYONE!!!

Really, I can't wait till December!
Twilight

Mix and Match Healthy Dinners

By Amanda Cracroft
Goal is to have ½ of our plate be veggies, ¼ lean protein, and the other ¼ good carbohydrates.
1. Pick a Protein:(Note: we buy these in bulk bags that are frozen from Sam’s or Costco, it’s nice to always have on hand. To thaw: just place fish or chicken in Ziploc bag, and place in bowl of cold water in the fridge.
-Tilapia- usually very thin cut fish, so it’s a quick fix cause it doesn’t need to be cooked very long. Cover the bottom of your frying pan with water, then add small amount of butter bring to a simmer and then add fish. Season with Salt and pepper and cook it for 3-4 minutes on each side until fish ‘flakes’.

-Chicken- Place Chicken in baking dish and spread favorite BBQ sauce on top. Bake 350 for 35-40 minutes. Super good and so easy!

-Salmon or Cod Loins-Thicker fish like these can be baked for 35-40 minutes 350 degrees. Brush with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, thyme, and or Citrus Herb*. (Another great secret: mix up a box of Instant chicken or turkey stuffing, and place on top of fish before baking. (they have a new low sodium stuffing, same great taste!) This adds a fun ‘breaded’ goodness to the fish! Or bake Salmon in a Yoshida’s Sweet and Savory sauce and serve with brown rice and veggies! Love it!)

*Spice Islands has a salt free Citrus Herb seasoning that is delicious on all of these!
2. Pick a Side dish:

-Roasted Red Potatoes (or Sweet Potatoes) – wash then cut red potatoes in (bite size pieces, and sweet potatoes in long thin strips) place on cookies sheet drizzle with olive oil and salt, bake 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes (toss with spatula at minute 8 or 10). Squeeze fresh lemon on Red Potatoes after they come out of the oven and serve.

-Steamed Veggies – Again I buy a frozen already mixed veggies, Broccoli Normandy (Flav-0-Pac) I steam them using Ziploc’s Zip N’ Steam microwave bags! A full bag of frozen veggies only takes 6 minutes for perfect steamed veggies!

-Asparagus (or Green Beans) - These are best fresh, but you can use frozen or canned. I love to cook asparagus and green beans on the BBQ, but they taste just as great if you Roast them (like the potatoes.) Can also cook them on the stove top in frying pan (that has a top), lightly drizzle with olive oil. Cook for 4-5 then top with slivered almonds and cook for 2 more minutes.

-Long Grain Wild Rice or Brown Rice
3. Make a Gorgeous Salad That Even a Man Can’t Refuse:
Romaine lettuce mixed with Ice berg lettuce, spinach, sprouts, cucumber, carrots, avocado, tomatoes, craisins, red onion, radishes, red and green peppers… (Really, whatever your heart desires and it doesn’t have to be fancy every time.)

If you read this... you've been tagged! haha!

5 Things on my To Do List:
(I'm trying to decide what to put here... because i have a lot more things to do than JUST 5... (more like 50.) SO, are these the things that 'i can't wait to do' or the 'things on my list that are not done because I really don't have the energy to do them...?' Guess I'll do a little mix of both...

1- Laundry
2- Unload the Dishwasher
3- Organize my craft room
4- Mother's Day and Baby gifts
5- Get milk at the store


5 Snacks I Love:
1- Yogurt, kashi and berries :)
2- Cottage Cheese w/ Peaches
3- Keebler, Fudge Shoppe Grasshopper mint cookies!! (100 calorie, right bites)
4- Apple w/ peanut butter
5- Popcorn! yum!


5 Foods I Love:
1- Cafe Rio's Grilled Chicken Salad, black beans, creamy dressing! :) yeeah!
2- Olive Gardens' Fettichine Alfraido (sp. sorry)
3- Baked (or Grilled) Salmon
4- My Moms Lasagna
5- Pei Wei's Lettuce Wraps


What would I do if I were suddenly a billionaire?
1- Um... Scream!
2- Pay off our house... bull dose it down, re-build a new gorgeous house (that fits the neighborhood, of course!)
3- Travel, Everywhere!!
4- Invest some money.
5- Give money away to people who need it more than I do.


5 of my FAVORITE anythings!
1- My darling Family! (Justin, Caitlin, and Wilbur! Oh, Pepper too!)
2- Beautiful clear days, slight breeze and 72 degrees
3- Chocolate cake with my name on it!
4- Musicals and plays, any and all! yeah!
5- Flowers!!


5 Places I have lived:
1- Monrovia, CA
2- Lititz, PA
3- Beuna Vista, VA
4- Holliday, UT
5- Layton, UT

Favorite Quote:

"Happiness is like Jam, you can't spread it without getting a little bit on yourself!"


who to tag....??

haha, Everyone who reads this... i wanna see it up on your blog... and soon!

YUM-O!

Chocolate Lovers’ Favorite Mint Brownies

Brownies:2 cups sugar
1 cup butter, softened
4 eggs
4 (1-ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate, melted and slightly cooled
2 ½ cups flour
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup broken walnuts or pecans (optional)

Mint frosting:4 tablespoons butter, softened
2 tablespoons evaporated milk
2 cups powdered sugar
½ teaspoon peppermint extract
Few drops pink or green food coloring

Glaze topping:
6 tablespoons butter
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 teaspoons vanilla

In a large bowl, cream together sugar and butter until fluffy. Beat in eggs until well-blended; then add melted chocolate. Mix dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture along with vanilla and nuts. Spread into a greased 9” X 13” pan and bake at 325 degrees for 30 – 35 minutes, or until no imprint is left when touched. Do not over bake. Mix mint frosting ingredients until creamy and spread on brownies. Refrigerate 1 hour. For glaze, combine butter and chocolate chips in top of double boiler; add vanilla and blend thoroughly. Pour gently over pink or green frosting and spread by tipping pan. Refrigerate.

LINDSEY GRADUATED!!!

Just wanted to share the fun news that Lindsey graduated from BYU last week!! She now holds a degree in Family, Home and Social Sciences!!! Way to go Auntie Lou! We are so proud!!

Lindsey and her special someone, Keith! Cute, Cute, CUTE!!

Justin, Pops-Dave, Linds, Jonny, Nans-Terese, Parker, Nana-Carole, Papa-Lynn

Where Did Panda Go?

Hey Palz...

Sorry for falling off the face of the earth for like a week. I had a nasty case of the flu or food poising on Saturday night and most of the day Sunday... Umm, not my finest day and a half... (You know...it's just hard to bring yourself to do anything but lay flat in bed...) I told my sister I was so sick I didn't even feel like blogging... she said " Wow, you must really be sick!"

Haha...

Monday I woke up feeling like it never happened... well, atually by mid morning Monday... I felt my normal peppy self! Whoo- go me!!

So, stay tuned for a weekend update...

Happy Birthday Ewee!!

Emily- Today is your birthday... WE hope it's the best yet! You are an amazing Mother, Sister, Wife and Friend... you bring Joy to those around you, Especially your family! You are Strong and Beautiful, and Encourage us to be our Best. We are all better people because we have YOU in our lives!

Much LOVE and Best Birthday Wishes: J, A, C, and W

Adams Family- Birthday Girl wearing Red jacket and white scarf- Dec 2004

Emily... Just found out she's going to be an Aunt to Panda's baby!! Aug. 2004

B's graduation dinner- June 2004

A Beautiful Made of Honor, for sister Amy... Feb 2003

HeHe

75%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

Happy Brithday to The BEST "Papa John" in the World!

Daddy - Daughter Dance, at my Wedding Reception:August 2002

Panda and Dad, Trying on my Bride's Mid dress for Amy's wedding, Feb 2003
B and Dad, at B's Graduation dinner, June 2004

Papa with Caitlin, June 2005 - sporting the same hair do!

Enoch's Halloween Costume: Oct 2007. He Thinks it's SO hilarious that he's not smiling... i don't get it, But I love you anyway Dad!!

**In High School he'd always try to embarrass me... esp, when i had Friends over. This one time... my buddies and i were hanging out in the basement... and He thought it would be funny to come out wearing his working boots ducked taped to these wooden 'stilts' about 2 feet high... (he made these special shoes so he could hang sheet rock on our basement, I'm still in awe, that he didn't fall and hurt himself.)

The 'joke' was: that you knew it was 'Amanda's' Dad because he was the one with the 'tall shoes' (because i had a bunch of platform shoes... to make me taller... cause in case you didn't notice... I'm pretty short.)

**There was this other time... when Justin and I first started dating... For Christmas break I flew to UT to meet his family and to visit with my family! (Grandparents, Aunt and Uncle, and Sister Amy!)

When we flew back together to the East Cost and my Dad picked us up at the Baltimore Airport... he got there early (as usual!) and parked the car. Then he was waiting for us by the baggage... he saw us.. but decided to have us 'paged' over the loud speaker...

"Will Justin and Amanda Cracroft please report to the baggage area!"

(mind you... we'd only been dating for 2 months!)

All of a sudden... we hear laughing and screaming... Good friends of ours from school were in the air port at the same time... and came running... "You got MARRIED???"

um... no!

I look back on Both of those times, and just laugh! With my Dad around there is never a dull moment!! Happy Birthday Daddy! LOVE YOU!

Yesterday Was Your Day!! (Sorry I'm slow! I'm sure you know that by now...)

Sua with Grandma Adams, Feb 2003

Sua with Caitlin, Feb 2006

Sua with Micah and Enoch, hum... not sure when that is.

Happy Birthday Uncle Sua!!

Sua married Amanda's sister Emily... He's officially the family 'baby whisperer' All the babies LOVE him... They sit play and cuddle with him all day long! And he is such a great dad! WE are so happy to you are part of our family! We LOVE You!! Hope you enjoyed your day!!

Our Little Snow Bunny!

Last Saturday, Justin, his bro- Jon and his dad- Dave... took Caitlin skiing for the first time! These are a few of the pictures Jon took to capture this fun event! We can't wait until next year when we can all go again!! (Mommy and Will included!)

Caitlin with Daddy riding the rope tow

Caitlin with Jonny!

Great job on the pictures "Unka Jonny!" (Check out more of "Unka Jonny's" work at http://www.jonathancracroft.com/ )

Ms. White... in the Study... with... a NEW chair??

Yippy! Justin decided to up-grade his "Study"... with this stylish brown leather chair! It helps him endure all the long hours spent studying for school! (and I must say... this is a lot nicer than what he was using before! see below!)

Yeee- Hawww! Round up Yu'r books, lets study some business management!

Fellow "Twilighters"-- Check this out!!

Click on the link below, for 4 cool video clips for 'behind the scenes' on Twilight movie!!!
Ahhh, 12-12-08!!!!

http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?id=1585900&vid=224215

Watch This!!

Hey Pals, My little bro entered a music video contest... he made this video for a local (PA) band, and the video that has the most views get's $500.

Watch and have your buddies watch too! My bro is the one in the video, What a handsome guy!!

(click here if you'd like to leave feedback or watch it directly off youtube!!)

Thanks guys!
-Amanda Panda

Day at the Zoo!

I took the kids to the Hogle Zoo and on Friday... it was such a beautiful day for it too! There were a lot of people there, so I was lucky I got there at 9:40 and got a good parking spot. It was nice that there wasn't a lot of pressure see everything that day... you know... to get our money's worth... we'll go a lot more this summer I'm sure, (Daddy got us a season pass!!)

This is a really cool ball fountain, that is right at the entrance... the kids could stay here all day long... and we almost did. You know Caitlin and water...

American Family Insurance, had a doggy that Caitlin just fell in love with... i was really surprised she gave it a hug... Will, decided he was a little too manly for hugs...

This was the high light of our trip, and Caitlin is still talking about it... (she even had a nightmare about this crocodile last night...) but she's funny, she loves it even though it scares her... First time though... He was a sleep under the water... then second time... all of a sudden He came up out of the water... like it was going to eat us...

Ahh, the Monkeys! Oh and a real monkey in the back ground there...
I didn’t take a stroller, i knew it would only get in the way. I really had to watch Will because he kept running off when Caitlin was 'making friends' with all the animals. It was a bit challenging... and my arms are killing me by the time we left. Will's not the best about holding hands when he wants to run off in the other direction... etc... but there was no way he was going to sit in a stroller...

In this picture (above) Will was about to go go rade someones stroller for snacks while all the moms and kids were busy looking at the monkeys! What funny kid he actually grabbed a bag of fish crackers and headed off into a corner to open and eat them... ahh!

The giraffe on the right is a baby...

Before we left, we had a picnic on the wall just outside the Giraffe house... Poor Caitlin didn't want to leave and it was just the end of the world. She wanted to stay... "and sleep with the animals and take care of the Rhinos..." All I said was, "we'll come back next week... and I'm sure they will not forget you..." She cried all the way home!

This is funny...

So, on our way home I was at the intersection of 21st South and 21st East... And I saw this little gray fuzzy shag of a dog... just strolling up the sidewalk and then weaving it's self in and out of traffic... I thought...

'Oh no... He’s going to get hit...' So, I pulled over and approached him... he was so happy to see me... (Yeah, he was also SO smelly... and no identification...)

So I picked him up... put him on the floor of the passenger side of the car... (he was really good, calm and happy...)

Oh, boy... Caitlin and Will's faces lit up with joy... they were so happy! A new puppy to have and enjoy! (Yeah, this dog would need a serious bath... for me to even consider keeping him... Caitlin must not have a good sense of smell... because she just loved this dog. Eek.)

We got home... and I left 'Fuzzy' in the garage and called Justin... asked him what I should do... he went on the Internet... and read 'what you should do if you find a stray' (Internet is great!) He told me that keeping a stray is like 'steeling' (I didn't know that. But if no one claims him... you can adopt him later, if you want...)

So, he told me I did everything right... but the next step was to call Animal Control with in 24 hours, so I did and they came and got him. (Bye, bye Fuzzy!)

So, after all that adventure... I was so beat... I had to take a nap... ahh. What a day!!

Appetizer that will make you want to throw a party!!

Celebrate spring with this tasty treat and trust me... your party guests will want this recipe...

Fruit Salsa!
1 apple, cut into very small pieces
2 kiwi, cut into very small pieces
1 cup frozen mixed berries, thawed and put in blender just enough to break into small pieces. note: i use a blend of Raspberries, Blueberries and Blackberries
Sugar (to taste- maybe a few tablespoons)
Mix all together in a bowl and let “marinate” for a few hours in refrigerator before serving
ChipsFlour tortillas
Margarine or butter (can also use a spray bottle and use water)
Cinnamon
Sugar

Butter the tortillas and sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar, then cut like pizzas. Bake in the oven until slightly crispy. 350 degrees, 5-8 minutes.
So yummy and SO EASY!!!

Salt Lake City's getting "Wicked" April '09

CONFIRMED!!!

I saw this in Sunday Paper... (which i just happend to read... only 3 days late!) Anyway... and got the info off line... HOW EXCITING!!! Justin and I cannot WAIT to see it AGAIN!

'Wicked' is coming to S.L. in April '09
By Erica HansenDeseret Morning News
Published: April 6, 2008

Broadway Across America is bringing one of the biggest Broadway blockbusters to Salt Lake City during the 2008-09 season.

"Wicked," the story of Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, and Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, is the back story to "The Wizard of Oz."

It follows the two witches as they grow from young girls to college roommates. What happened? When did the two become enemies?

Filled with melodic, singable Stephen Schwartz tunes, "Wicked" has become a musical phenomenon, winning over critics and audiences alike worldwide.

"Wicked" will be at Capitol Theatre April 8-May 3, 2009. Single tickets are not available for purchase until later this year.

Salt Lake Deal or No Deal Casting on April 12!!!

OK, A friend of mine... (who has alot more faith in me than she should...) sent this to me... and said i should totally try out for this! I just laughed... and then actually concidered it! What fun would this be!!

Anyway, If i didn't have like a million and a half things going on that day... AND my two adorable children... i would be all over this. I thought i'd spread the word... to all my Utah friends... You should do this if you get a chance...

Any-Hoodle here is the link with all the info... Go for it!

BAG IT!

Hey, I found this cool site on my friends blog... to learn how to make a bag. I've wanted to try making one ever since Christmas when my sister Emily made me the cutest bag!! She said it was easy. PLUS I've had this really cool button I've wanted to put on a bag for as long as i can remember... and i just love this fabric (two best colors, green and blue...) This is a different pattern from the one my sister made me but it's way cute and is pretty simple...

So, i thought I'd try it... I made it yesterday, and it was so easy! What fun! Now I've got another cute bag to add to my collection! This one of course will carry my new TAP SHOES!!

(Oooo, That's right... My new skill that i'm learning is Tap Dancing.... that story to come later.... with pictures, and maybe a youtube... haha. Yeah, so pat yourself on the back if you guess right!)

Try making your own bag... it's fun!
(the last picture is the inside of the bag!)

The Ultimate Gift

This is a GREAT movie! Justin and I saw it with my family over our Christmas vacation in PA... and we loved it so much we bought it! We watched it yesterday inbetween conference sessions... and i was just reminded what a wonderful movie it is... you laugh, you cry, and it's just SO great! Good FHE movie for the Fam.

It's also based on the novel 'The Ulitmate Gift' by Jim Stovall, great for book groups