Still in Utah

And we're having a great time. Seeing lots of friends and family, eating far too much, and going to sporting events such as last night's BYU basketball game.

It was like Grayden had died and gone to heaven.

I've since decided that the short attention span we all think babies have is a crock. My nine-month-old sat for over half an hour barely moving, watching the players warm up and the cheerleaders cheer and the loudspeaker boom and the crowd yell. He barely blinked. The only time he looked away was to hold his hand out for some popcorn, and as soon as a small piece was safely in his hand his eyes went straight back to the court before it even got to his mouth. I wish I had a video, it was laugh-out-loud funny.

Once the first half hour was over, he spent the next 2.5 hours in total bliss, looking around, clapping his hands, stomping his feet, watching the game, flirting with the people behind us, and mooching every last bit of food he could get his hands on. Popcorn, pizza, red vines, snow cones. He really had the time of his life. You never would have guessed it was two hours after his bedtime when we finally left the game, he was still in such high spirits. Possibly a sugar high, but still.

And we also won. So it was a good night all around.

Ticketless...times four.

I've never gotten a speeding ticket. That doesn't make me special, I'm sure there are many people in the world who can claim the same thing. However......I have now been pulled over while speeding FOUR times and have never been given a ticket. Without crying. What is my secret??

Honestly, no clue. But since it keeps happening I want to document my experiences. Maybe y'all will learn something you can apply in those stomach-sickening siren-induced moments.

The first time I got pulled over was right by the Provo temple. The officer told me he had been following me since the marriott center. Um, okay, I totally didn't see him behind me until I turned at the MTC to drive up the south side of the temple. Anyway, he said it "looked like I had been going too fast, and a pedestrian (not in a crosswalk, mind you) had been about to cross the street in front of my car and I didn't stop for him. Did I miss the part in driver's ed where you are supposed to throw on your breaks in the middle of the road for some punk student who is sauntering across the road into oncoming traffic? The truth is, I hadn't seen anyone even trying to cross the street, and I told him so with my most innocent look on my face. He asked me how fast I was going. I said 35, even though I really had no idea.....what did he expect me to say? "I was flying, man! Must've been going 55!" I'm no dummy. So then he stuck his head into my car through the open window.....yep, you heard me correctly....and said, "Are you listening to loud music?" I had turned the radio down a little when he pulled me over, not to be sneaky but I figured it was nice manners since he was going to talk to me, so it was at a nice quiet level. I said "no". He said,"Well, um, okay then, just be careful driving through campus. OK! Later! That was my first escape.

The second time was also on campus, driving under the bridge walkways towards the Wilk. I actually had to pull into that little drop-off drive thru area and the cop pulled up behind me. He asked me if I knew the speed limit. I said it was 35, and I had been going 39. He said the limit was 30. Oops. I honestly had thought it was 35. I told him so. He asked if I was a student.....and here's the part I'm ashamed of. I said I used to be, but I wasn't currently because I was leaving for my mission soon. True? Yes. But pulling the mission card is still shameful, especially when I knew he wouldn't give me a ticket if I mentioned that. And I was right. He smiled and asked me where I was going and what language, etc. Shame, Shame. He wished me luck and reminded me the speed limit was 30, and I was off. Number two.

The third time was driving from Phoenix to Utah. I was alone, but it was after I got married, and I can't remember why Nate wasn't with me. I was getting close to my destination, and I was getting antsy. So, yes, I was probably going ten over. I was driving my Altima, that only had plates on the back because in AZ that's okay. I guess it's against the law in Utah, though, because I got pulled over about 30 minutes south of Springville and when the cop came to my window he said he had pulled me over because when he saw me coming I didn't have plates on the front of my car......here's where I wanted to say, "And when you got behind me and saw that I did have plates and they are AZ plates and I am therefore breaking no law you still decided to stop me? Bored much?" But instead I laughed kindly and said, oh, I didn't know that law was different in Utah. Bat, bat. He told me I looked like I had been going pretty fast, what was my speed? AGAIN, officers of the law, I appreciate what you do for society, but seriously, if you don't use your little blow dryer speed checker and can't prove someone's speed, chances are we are not going to deliver up any self-incriminating information! Now, here's where I was kind of lucky....my Altima had a digital speedometer that reset itself every so often, and when he asked me what my speed had been it hadn't reset itself yet so it said 81. I pointed to it. :) He said, 81? Why the big hurry? I smiled and with a guily little laugh told him I had been driving almost ten hours and was almost home. He smiled back and said it's not worth getting in an accident and never getting home, to which I gave an understanding side-smile and nod and agreed I should go slower. Mandy, 3. Cops, 0.

And finally, I was pulled over most recently on Monday while driving to Utah, just a few miles before reaching St. George. My parents were in the car behind us because we were going to be meeting for lunch. Even at age 27, it's no fun getting pulled over right in front of Mom and Dad. The officer said I was going 84 in a 75. Then he asked if I had been aware of my speed. I replied with a resigned look on my face (I was positive I was getting a ticket), "Yeah, I was aware, I wasn't really trying to go super fast, but......(trailing off)" Then when he got my license he asked if that was still my address. Well, it's not, and it hasn't been in almost four years, and I was so nervous I mumbled something like," Uh, we still live in Phoenix, but um, not there, eh, we don't live there anymore, but, uh, cause we moved, and I just......(trailing off again). He said he was going back to "run my information". He was gone for a long time. Nate was enjoying mocking me and saying now I can't gloat that I've never gotten a ticket. (He has gotten several). But, when the officer came back he gave me my paperwork and said, "There is a lot of traffic on the road today, be really careful and watch your speed, there's lots of cars on the road." I said we would...but then, because I was still nervous and shocked I kept talking! "We were just following my parents to St. George." He replied, "Well, they weren't going 84." And I laughed nervously and tried to joke.."they totally were! (Then I caught myself and gained some composure. Shut up, Mandy.) No, I understand completely, we'll slow it down." And he was gone. I give the credit for that one to Nate's BYU hat, maybe the guy was a cougar fan, because I had totally lost my cool.

So, that's it. My dad is a retired police officer and always taught me that if you are kind and apologetic you have better chances. His advice seems to work. Here's to number five, whenever that may be.

I surrender.

I totally give up on trying to make my blog cute. Surely there's a blog award for the world's ugliest blog?

I don't often think about how computer illiterate I am. Thank you, blog, for reminding me. So, until I get the strenth to try it again, it's a froofy-pink-and-salmon-colored-cork-board-valentine-nightmare at the Kolbaba blogspot.

Maybe I'll give it a go around the next big holiday.

UPDATE: After a loving and supportive pep talk by my husband, and a (ahem) mostly loving and supportive comment from a .....friend.......I'm being forced to spend some more time on this wretched thing. For those of you who missed the chance to see the horror before it was (hopefully) fixed, thank your lucky stars.

February so far.

It's the second of February, so with that as the title of this post, nobody can be expecting much. I just have some funny pictures of my kid to share.

HAPPY VAMPIRE BABY

SAD VAMPIRE BABY

Dirty baby. We let him loose outside and he had the time of his life. I won't even tell you the things he tried to put in his mouth........

Let's hope the following picture is no indication. That is my son's grubby hand, and stuck to it is a bird feather. Yum!

Also, my sister-in-law gave me some soynut butter, so I can give Gray PB and J sandwiches without the actual PB. (Allergies run in Nate's family). It's wonderful to be able to make him a meal so quickly.

Update

Sorry, I guess I could post the recipe. Duh. It's nice to have good friends to point out when you're an idiot.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 2 ounces semisweet chocolate (or 1/3 cup chocolate chips)
• 1 cup sugar (2/3 cup & 1/3 cup, added separately)
• 3 tablespoons plus 1/3 cup Dutch-processed cocoa
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 11/2 cups hot water
• Whipped cream or ice cream

Instructions

1. Coat the inside of a 2 1/2- to 5-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. (Note: the cake's cooking time and final appearance will vary depending on your crock's size.)

2. Whisk together the flour and baking powder in a medium bowl and set aside. In a large bowl, melt the butter and chocolate in the microwave or over a pan of simmering water and mix well.

3. Whisk in the 2/3 cup of sugar, 3 tablespoons of cocoa, vanilla extract, salt, milk, and egg yolk. Add the flour mixture and stir until thoroughly mixed.

4. Pour the batter into the slow cooker and spread it evenly. In a medium bowl, whisk together the remaining sugar, cocoa, and hot water until the sugar is dissolved.

5. Pour the mixture over the batter in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 1 to 2 hours, depending on the size of the crock pot.

6. Even when done, the cake will be very moist and floating on a layer of molten chocolate, but you'll know it's ready when nearly all of the cake is set and the edges begin to pull away from the sides of the pot. (As you check, try not to let the condensed steam from the lid drip onto the cake.)

7. When it's done, turn off the power and remove the lid. Let it cool for 25 minutes, then serve it in bowls topped with whipped cream or ice cream. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

   
   

   
   

   
   

   I think it would be great with raspberries and whipped cream :)

   HERE'S THE MYSTERY. It isn't very clear on when to add the brown sugar, so I added mine when it says "remaining sugar" and dissolved it in the water with the granulated sugar. If you feel the need to add it to the cake batter instead, please let me know how it works out for you. I'm curious. I also used a 6 quart crock pot and it needed at least 1.5 hours, maybe two to be sure. It needs to look very done on the top. Enjoy!

I promise I'm trying to average more than one post per month. Yesterday, I made a chocolate cake from scratch. In a CROCK POT. Has anyone tried this? It's a little piece of decadence. It's similar to those lava cakes, only you don't have to make them separately. I found the recipe online and mine turned out to be pretty close to the picture they showed, so I was proud. Keeping in mind I just have a crappy little camera and I'm not a professional photographer, compare the following:

Not bad, right? Well, it was yummy and only took about 1.5-2 hours to cook. The prep time was simple as well. I usually hate chocolate desserts from scratch because to me they taste like cocoa and aren't sweet enough. But, this one I'm adding to my collection.

Twenty Ten

I seriously can't wait to see what this year has in store for us. We haven't had a dull year yet, why should our fifth year together be any different? Bring it on, I say.

December was so full of fun times, and it was also a very big month for Grayden. New teeth, waving hi, scooting and crawling, learning new sign language and consonant sounds, (a favorite trick of his was to make the "f" sound every time we showed him the fish tank. He got great reactions for that one), pulling himself up and walking along furniture, and enjoying his first sledding experience. I have so many pictures from that month it deserves about five different posts. But, as my blogging history suggests, that's not my style. I would much rather post one giant conglomeration of pics with as few words as possible. You know you only want to see pictures anyway.

First thing in December, we decorated the tree. Grayden helped a little, but mostly wondered why I kept taking pictures and stared at the Christmas lights. This first picture is my favorite, I think he looks like he belongs in Who-ville.

This picture is Nate's favorite because he says Grayden's square jaw makes him look like one of those Lego action figures.

He loved playing tug of war with Daddy and the lights. Daddy won.

Next on the agenda was Disneyland. I was finally able to go with Nate to Carlsbad for the week and we stopped by D-land for the evening.

Twinners!

On Dumbo he went right for the controls. It was a bumpy ride.

Loved the Carousel. I think he looks a lot like his cousin Trent in this picture.

We loved the Carousel so much we petted the horses for a little bit.

Ok, here goes. Please don't report me to Child Protective Services, okay? I realized the error of my ways after it was too late. We thought this would be such a cute picture. Little King Grayden pulling on Arthur's sword, probably the most well-known photo op in Disneyland. One of us hid behind him to hold him up there safely and the other took the picture:

Cute, right? Well, what we didn't consider was the fact that babies of this age always seem to do the same thing with stuff put into their hands.......oh yes, make no mistake. The following is my son's mouth on the dirtiest, most touched surface in the state, probably in the country. I shudder.

The people who were watching thought it was a riot, I think I saw a couple get out their own cameras. Anyway, that was Disneyland. Gray hasn't come down with any rare and horrible disease yet. We'll keep you posted.

Finally, we spent Christmas in Chicago with Nate's family. Other than the sleepless nights of teething babies, we all had a great time.

The Boys.

The Girls. (Yep, that was the best pic we got.)

My boys. Grayden sported that funky smile all night, I think he could sense the excitement.

Grayden learned he could stand up with his back propped up against the couch and not hold on. He was so thrilled he stayed like that for a long time. I took about 30 pictures. I won't bore you with all of them. Here he's waving hi.

Looking around.

Wondering why he's getting such a big reaction from the room.

Our little Phoenix boy getting ready for the snow. At first he was okay...

Then he wasn't okay.

As soon as we got outside, however, he recovered immediately and loved every minute of it. Can you tell we tied off the feet of his snowsuit with rubber bands? He looks like an amputee.

We didn't send him sledding by himself, this was just for the pictures.

This was after Nate took him down the "hill", which is the two flights of stairs leading down from the deck to the backyard that the boys tried to pack with snow.

They are so handsome! That picture is my favorite, I think it belongs on a magazine cover.

Happy New Year to everyone :)