Oh boy!

More like dough boy! I made these babies for my visiting teachees last night and my oh my they are rich and fabulous! When I told David about a the recipe he said he'd rather just have an oreo or a chocolate chip cookie. WHAT? Sometimes I don't even know who he is?!? Anyway that suggestion was quickly overruled and my beloved cookies were fresh out of the oven! Gotta love that picky-palate...I swear every kid wishes she was their mom.  BTW these cookies are gigantic...and a little sticky to work with but I somehow persevered! 

2 sticks softened butter

3/4 Cup packed light brown sugar

1 Cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 Tablespoon pure vanilla

3 1/2 Cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

10 oz bag chocolate chips

1 bag Oreo Cookies, I used the double stuff 

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.   In a stand or electric mixer cream butter and sugars until well combined.  Add in eggs and vanilla until well combined.

2.  In a separate bowl mix the flour, salt and baking soda.  Slowly add to wet ingredients along with chocolate chips until just combined.  Using a cookie scoop take one scoop of cookie dough and place on top of an Oreo Cookie.  Take another scoop of dough and place on bottom of Oreo Cookie.  Seal edges together by pressing and cupping in hand until Oreo Cookie is enclosed with dough.  Place onto a parchment or silpat lined baking sheet and bake cookies 9-13 minutes or until cookies are baked to your liking.  Let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.  Serve with a tall glass of milk, enjoy!

Makes about 2 dozen VERY LARGE Cookies  

Pobo....

I am going to safely assume that I am not the only one who has wonderful childhood memories boxed away....favorite board games, movies, Barbies, trolls etc. There have been numerous times I've pulled out my collections or watched movies with David only to discover that maybe they weren't as cool as I thought, or even worse I can't really describe to David how adorably cute my cat looked in little bonnets being pushed in the stroller. It's hard to relive the past.

Well I am here to say that being back in Provo has exceeded all expectations. Infact it's almost better this time because I'M NOT IN SCHOOL!!!! Don't get me wrong I really loved my classes and being on campus day after day but this whole "spouse thing" is a pretty sweet gig if you ask me! David actually prefers this to undergrad as well! 

For example, I have a student ID just like the "real" students so I too can get discounts around Provo, sporting events and have access to the weight room. (btw when did they remodel that and what the heck took so long?) I love that I can walk around campus and not have to worry about printing things off for class or rushing around. And it seems like everyone vacations in Provo so it's nice to be able to go visit with old friends and not have to juggle school/work. Yesterday we met David for lunch and I took Grant through my old building and about started to cry when he touched his hand all along the hallway. It reminded me of Pres. Monson saying "when you touch the temple, the temple touches you." Ok I'm only half serious but I just had such a wonderful experience at BYU that I want Grant to recognize what a great place it really is. If you are jealous of my super awesome life, don't be! I'm basically living in a mailbox and eating beans and rice everyday....which would be fine if I was a missionary in Brazil but us "state-side member missionaries" prefer a little luxury every now and then;)

Granty pants loves the games, and mainly the fight song! 

 Carly was our little bud during the game and wanted to be in the picture too! I'm so glad she was there to play with Grant!

 strenuous day of being carried up to the "Y"-take a break dude, you deserve it!

Obsession

I would say someone enjoys stickers just a tad too much!

I hate playing catch up!

Ok so let's see.....waaayyy back in July, we (and my awesome parents) packed up our apt in CO and the next day David loaded Grant up in the "big yellow truck" and headed for his parents. I went the opposite direction with my parents and flew to AZ for my niece's baptism. I didn't have my camera with me but Kaitlyn looked so pretty that day. It was nice to see my family and not have to chase Grant around the whole church and worry about sleep etc. It seemed like Grant had just as much fun without me. In fact when I opened the door to see him he started screaming "NNOOOO" and ran in the other room. Why thank you Grant, I appreciate that! (once he saw me holding the new little baby cousin he quickly remembered that I was HIS mama and nobody else better sit on my lap!)

We stayed a few days in Craig and snuggled up with my new handsome little nephew, then drove to Provo and saw my cute niece up in SLC...then drove back to Craig THAT NIGHT! My dad was such a huge help to come drive/unload/clean etc. We relaxed in Craig, did some fishing, helped finishing projects around the house, oh and Grant pretty much ran into every parked car on the street. The poor kid was terribly sleep deprived, pair that with being attacked by mosquitoes and having swollen eyes, yep he looked like riff raff!

We've been in Provo about 2 weeks and things have been going great. David started orientation last week and can already tell that he is going to have a lot of fun. It's nice to be back in Provo and we feel very blessed with the major turn of events that have happened over the last 2 years. Yes things are still up in the air and scary but I'm glad that David and I can work together to complete this goal of his. I think we're all going to be very happy here.....especially once it cools off, since I don't have a/c!!! Grant lovingly refers to our ahem "new" apt as "Pobo House"-yep our teeny tiny apt contains ALL of Provo. We lovingly refer to Grant as the "Pobo hobo" since that's what he looks like most days;)

Things have been pretty busy and school hasn't even started yet! The Spouse Association....I suppose you could call it the 'First Wives Club' has done some fun events and we've met some really great people. It's been nice to have family/old friends around and a handful of WI friends to count on. Yes I think we are going to love it here!

I should be packing.....

We're loading up the moving truck ToMoRrOw so why in the world am I blogging? Because I hate packing and this just seems so much more important right now:) 

Can you believe it's the LAST week of July? Seriously 2011 where oh where have you gone?!?! We've had a fun summer-lots of trips to the zoo, many days at the pool, parks parks parks, playdates etc. I'm sad summer is coming to an end. 

In June Grant and I spent a few days in Craig while my sister was in town. We crammed as much in as we could-hikes, riding horses, fishing, swimming....we love our families!

A few weeks ago we visited Molly and Juergen in Colorado Springs and had a great time. We spent a couple hours at Garden of the Gods and Grant of course loved running and climbing on everything!

Red Rocks in Morrison

I'm happy that we were able to get out and enjoy some of the beautiful Colorado scenery this summer! 

minor detail.....

Oh did I fail to mention we're moving??? THIS WEEK!!!! Yep, the rumors are true-we are Provo bound and super excited! We've loved being back in Colorado but Utah does have a Bajio so this will work out just fine!

Last fall David decided to start studying for the GMAT to get into grad school. After hours and hours of studying he was accepted to BYU and Texas A&M both starting fall 2011. Well what can I say we love our COUGARS! It's nice going back to a familiar place. We're lucky to have family and friends it the area that will help make the transition easier.

Grant and I are trying to enjoy our time with David since we know he will pretty much just be a roommate the next two years! Yes the unknown is scary and yes it's hard to leave a job in this economy but we're excited and feel good about our decision. I'm really proud of David and all the hard work he has done just to prepare for school, I know he'll do great! Wish us luck:)

Granty pants

I feel like this blog is all about Grant but I seem to forget to really write down all the cute things he does. His vocabulary is really starting to take off and I love it! It's funny to hear his little voice trying to say new words. Our favorite thing is when he says "oh cool, so cool" and "happy birthday" especially over our dinner.

He is in a really fun stage right now, likes to share, clean up his toys (I know-lucky mama!) help cook, clean, fix things. He loves to be outside exploring. This week we've pretty much worn the stroller tires out-all day I hear "wak...outsie.....wak...." yep we've gone on like a bazillion walks together. I normally love walks but it's been so stinkin' hot (and humid for CO) out I feel like we're inside a dishwasher for hours and hours! When it's time to come back inside he just whines and whines until I take him back out. I swear he's part dog...speaking of dogs he will come up and sniff us like one. Weird? Funny? Cute? Yes, yes, yes!

He still is a great napper and willingly sits down and folds his arms for bedtime prayers. It's as if he knows he is going to bed so he turns on the charm so we will want to play with him longer....doesn't really fool us though!

He still enjoys playing/watching Thomas and playing with his cars. He likes doing puzzles, especially his numbers puzzle. This kid is a number/letter fool! So weird-he'd rather just look at the alphabet or a bunch of numbers than read the actual book. He knows almost all of the alphabet and I never get sick of listening to him point out letters to me.

(I know this picture is blurry but I think it's oh so funny. The kid hates to wear hats but he will wear this one of David's all day.) 
He prefers bananas, yogurt, grapes, peeled carrots or peas but eats pretty much anything which is so nice for me! Oh and it's basically WWIII to brush his teeth so I guess I'm glad he doesn't want too much sugar all day!

Ernie the hernia is still hanging around and Grant is pretty darn happy that it's warm enough to wear non-zip jammies so he has 24/7 access to him!

I feel lucky to know he is mine! What a fun blessing!