By Popular Demand. . .

Ok, here's the recipe for the Cheesecake Filled Chocolate Dipped Strawberries. They look impressive, but are SO EASY!

INGREDIENTS:

-strawberries -- the Bigger the better!

-1 8 0z cream cheese

-1/2 large white chocolate bar melted (I used white chocolate chips instead)

-1 large container extra creamy cool whip

-2 tablespoons of sugar

and

-1 large bar of MILK chocolate (melted) to dip them in.

DIRECTIONS:

First, cut the top off the strawberries and use a paring knife to carve out a portion of the inside to make room for the cheesecake filling.

NEXT:

Cream the cream cheese and sugar together and set aside. In a plastic bowl (glass will make the chocolate go hard. . . not melt) melt the white chocolate. Whip up the cool whip until soft peaks form. Then add the white chocolate to the cream cheese mixture and cream well. Next, blend in the cool whip--- YUM!

Now, it's time to fill the strawberries. . .

The first time I made these I spooned in the filling, but the second time, I wised-up and piped it in using a cake decorating bag and tip-- this was MUCH easier, quicker, less messy and looked a lot better! Be generous when filling the strawberries! After all the strawberries are filled, melt the milk chocolate and begin dipping. Let them dry on wax paper. Once dry they need to be refrigerated.

Hope you enjoy this YUMMY treat!!

Baby Bloopers
Now that I'm in my 3rd trimester of pregnancy, my growing belly has become a hot topic in our house. Here are a couple funny examples:

Story #1
Yesterday, Grant comes up to me, pats my tummy and asks looking up at me: "Mom, is baby all done yet?" Just as he does when anxiously waiting for cookies to come out of the oven. "No," I reply "not yet. He still needs to grow some more." Not willing to accept my answer without further investigation (he is 2 1/2 after all AND my belly IS getting quite large), He proceeds to lift my shirt, poke my belly and say "hmmmm, yeah, not yet."

Story #2
As the kids were eating their after school snack on Thursday, they decided to play a game of "I Spy". After taking a few turns spying and guessing, Sierra says "I spy with my little eye something round." Grant guesses "My dinosaur ball!" "Nope!" Sierra replies. "I know," says Dallin with a smile, "Mom's baby belly!" "YES!" Sierra giggles, and everyone (including eavesdropping me) begins to laugh. Clever, very clever. :)

Sierra's Day

Thursday was a special day for our little girl. We registered her for kindergarten that she is super excited to attend this fall and she had her end of the season party for her first season of soccer. We went straight from Kindergarten Round-up to McDonalds where we met up with the "Bulldogs" (Sierra's soccer team) to eat, play, and hand out trophies. We had a lot of fun with her soccer team this season! She had a great coach and the kids were all entertaining and adorable on the soccer field. Here are some pictures of the "party".

After eating and playing for a while, it was time for the trophies to be handed out. How do you round up 10 little kids in the McDonalds play area? After coaching these little ones all season, Coach Coleman knew just what to do-- he began tickling and wrestling with one of the kids and in a matter of minutes ALL of the kids were dog piling him. And ready for the Award Ceremony to begin.
Sierra and Coach Coleman

Sierra and her first trophy!!!

Congratulations Sierra! We love you! You sure are growing up fast!

Passion

Grant loves sports, but lately he has become especially fond of baseball. Every morning he grabs his little baseball hat and puts it on (still in his pjs) and runs to the backyard to practice. Most of his day is spent playing ball or trying to convince me, or anyone who is willing, to play baseball with him. This morning was especially cute-- he knows baseball players wear helmets while batting and since he doesn't have a batting helmet, he used the next best thing-- a knight's helmet from our dress up box. He is too cute!

2009 Rice Family Garden Update

Well our first family garden is showing early signs of success. We have already been able to enjoy strawberries and radishes. We also have carrots, broccoli, lettuce, squash, onions, peas, beans, tomatoes, and peppers. With the exception of a couple plants given us and two strawberry plants that we purchased the remainder of the garden has been grown from seed.

I was surprised on the success we have seen so far and expansions up the hill to our garden next year are already in the planning phases.

Bee Update!

For those of you who have been wondering: Yesterday (Day 11 with our backyard "guests") our bee friends decided to move on. I guess we were a little too hospitable-- since the "Beeman" said they should be gone in about 4 days! Thankfully, after a week and a half of being kept inside, the kids get to play in the backyard again.

Eavesdropping

Here is a conversation overheard in the car between Dallin and Sierra:

Setting: In the car, we just passed a movie theater advertising Monsters VS Aliens

Dallin: "Monsters Vs Aliens. . . oh, the Monsters will definitely win!"

Sierra: What about Monsters vs. school bus? (we just passed a school bus)

Dallin and Sierra : Giggle, giggle giggle giggle

Dallin: Yeah, the monsters would eat the bus!

Sierra: And all the people on the bus!

Dallin and Sierra : Giggle, giggle, giggle, giggle

Dallin: What about Mommy vs Daddy?

Dallin and Sierra: Giggle, giggle, giggle, giggle

Sierra: Daddy would win-- he's bigger!

Dallin: I think Mom would win. She's smarter.

Sierra: (thinking for a moment then says--) "Yeah, she would probably TRICK him!

Dallin: (Agreeing) Yeah.

Me: (Laughing in the drivers seat) thinking: "At least they understand the way women work."

Our New Pet

When Sierra was about 2 1/2 she befriended Little Mouse, an imaginary friend (mouse) that created several humorous (and frustrating) occasions at our home. Dallin never had an imaginary friend, so that was all new to me. Well, it seems that Grant (now 2 1/2) has a new "friend" who appeared this week and is already creating a stir in our home.

His appearance:

Last week I walked into the kitchen as Grant was finishing up a grilled cheese sandwich. "More please!" He exclaimed holding up his plate with only the crusts remaining. "Wow." I thought. "He ate that quickly!" Then I looked on the floor. Beside him on the ground was the other half of his sandwich-- untouched. "Grant, why is half of your sandwich on the floor? Here, just eat this" (I handed him the sandwich) ***Side note: Ok, obviously I'm NOT a germaphobe. I mean, really, it was a perfectly good sandwich and the floor was pretty clean. Plus, I was NOT about to turn the griddle back on and make another sandwich. *** "NO MOM!!!! That's the puppy's food!!" He informed as he took the sandwich off of his plate once again and gently set it on the floor. "Grant, we don't have a dog." I told him. "No, mom. . . Puppy." He corrected. "Well, we don't have a puppy either, and I'm not making another sandwich." "Ok." he said clearing his plate (leaving the puppy's food on the floor) and going to play. I think. . . "hmmm, maybe that's why so much food is left under our table after mealtimes."

The next day I was walking through the living room and noticed that the couch cushions were all messed up. I quickly rearrange the cushions and turn to go into my room when Grant comes running from the front of the house yelling and crying "Noooooo! MMMMMOOOOOMMMMMM! NOOOOOO!" He screamed. "Grant, what's wrong?" I asked-- thinking he was hurt. In between sobs as he moved the couch cushions frantically I was able to decipher: "This Puppy's house, Mom!! Puppy sleeping! This Puppy's house!" Ummm, ok. I let him keep the cushions arranged as he had them for an hour or two, until he wouldn't let anyone else sit on the couch, then we had to negotiate and Puppy's home was relocated to a portable firetruck fort.

I accidentally stepped on Puppy while walking down the hall the other day (in my defense: it's hard to see those imaginary dogs!). And Grant has lost him at nap time twice (very convenient when little boys don't want to take naps).

I'm sure these are the first of may adventures we will have with our new pet.

**This picture is of Grant and Deacon, Grandma's old dog. I wonder what kind of dog "Puppy" is?

In Our Lovely Deseret

This afternoon while getting the kids an after school snack, I glanced out the window into the backyard. "What is going on?" I thought to myself as I walked closer to the window. HUNDREDS and HUNDREDS (I later learned that it was actually about 4,000) of BEES were swarming all over our backyard and porch!!! I quickly ran and opened the blinds to every window that lined the back of our house-- we were surrounded!! But, none were in our neighbors yards. After about 15 minutes from the time I first noticed them (who knows how long they had been there!!!) I no longer saw them swarming around our house. Sigh! Thank goodness! Then, I looked a little closer out the window. A football-size mass was now attached to the side of our swingset. . . yep, they have all settled down for the night in our backyard. . . YIKES! Apparently (according to the "bee man"), these bees have split from their original hive and are in search of a new home. 90% of the time in 4 days or less the swarm will be on their way. So, the best thing to do until then is let them be and not bother them. If we try to have them removed now we risk the chance of making them mad (apparently now they're "friendly"?) and provoking them enough that they may take up permanent residency just out of spite. So, for the next few days (HOPEFULLY) we will be hosting several thousand bees at Our lovely deseret, as they search for theirs.

Happy Easter!

Here are some pictures of the kids on Easter morning:

The Easter bunny brought new hats and sunglasses for the kids-- which they LOVE!

Digging through their Easter baskets. . .

Grant opening an egg with chocolate inside! I wish I had a picture of his face when he first picked up the egg, shook it, realized there was something inside, opened it, and out came CHOCOLATE--- it was pure surprise/elation!

Look, mom! I found one!

Sierra, jumping for an egg.

While most had chocolate and candies inside, some eggs were filled with coupons for a trip to the dollar store to pick out a surprise, or a date with Mom or Dad!

Cool kids in their Easter outfits, ready for church.

Without the sunglasses this time.

Kids say the darndest things!

The following are conversations I've had with the kids this week. The pictures have nothing to do with the conversations, other than to show who the conversation was with. I just figured you'd be more likely to read if I included pics of the kids. . . I'm right, aren't I?

The Setting: Walking past the baby section at Walmart.

Sierra: "Oooooh! Mom, isn't that just SOOO cute!! (pointing to a baby girl item)

Me: "That is cute." (not really paying attention)

Sierra: "But that is for a baby girl, and we're going to have a baby boy. That's ok. Mom, how about next time you have a baby girl."

Me: (finally paying attention) "How about we take it one baby at a time?"

The Setting: At the Zoo (sorry, no pics!) walking past displays with NO animals present

Grant: "Mom, the animals all gone?"

Me: "Yes, there is nothing in there right now.

Grant: (thinking for a moment) "Oh, they need a new one? They need to go to Wal-Mart."

Me: thinking. . . hmmmm. . . do I go there too often?

The Setting: In the car after baseball practice

Dallin: "Mom, where are we going?"

Me: "I thought we'd go to the store to get you some new pants." (he has worn out ALL of his pants over the past month, and it's still a little to cool for shorts all the time)

Dallin: "What kind of pants?"

Me: "Jeans."

Dallin: "SWEET! I LOVE jeans!! They get the BEST grass stains!!!"

Me: "WHAT?!?"

Dallin: "At recess we see who can get the best grass stains. And jeans ALWAYS work the best."

Me: (thinking---Yeah, that explains A LOT.)

Take me out to the Ball Game!

Today was Dallin's first baseball game of the season. Thankfully it was MUCH warmer (80 degrees) than last weekend's opening day parade (wind chill of 27 degrees. . . he FROZE!). The Pirates took on the Sidewinders and Dallin did a great job! He was first to bat and hit a solid line-drive on the first pitch-- way to start things off!! He was pumped after that. He batted twice during the game and ended up scoring both times. The last time he even slid home. . . just because. He's playing third base this year and is excited about the rest of the season (so are we!).

Rice -- number 10.

Up to bat.

On first, getting ready to run.

Dallin playing third base--- look at that concentration!

Oh, Baby!

Today we found out that this summer we will be welcoming a BABY BOY into our family!! We are VERY excited!

Mommy. . .?

Last night after putting the kids to bed, a head peeked around the corner of the couch where I was sitting. "Mommy. . .?" The small voice asked. "Mommy, I hold you?" Now as mom I get asked a TON of questions everyday from my kids, but this question (phrased JUST like that -- "I hold you?") wins my heart over every time. So, rather than sending him back to bed, I snuggled in with my not-so-little two year old and fell asleep during the first fifteen minutes of American Idol, content as can be.

PS. I posted this picture of Grant so you can visualize the sweet eyes and face that accompanied his question (minus the sticky yellow lollipop residue smeared on his face-- although maybe it's just me, but I find that equally as charming).

FINALLY!!!!

After 6 1/2 years of "mommyhood" I am VERY EXCITED to announce that I am now OFFICIALLY a SOCCER MOM!!! As crazy as it may sound, I have dreamed of this day for a long time. Sierra had her first soccer game today and she did great. She was a little timid at first, but she got in there, did great and had a ton of FUN! I don't think I've ever laughed so hard watching a sporting event. I had a smile the whole time. 3 and 4 year olds playing soccer--- does it get any better than that? Sierra's coach was adorable with them. He literally would just pick them up and move them into position. I'm glad her first soccer experience has been a good one so far. She has sat at many sports classes and baseball games for Dallin over the years. . . waiting her turn to play, and she's been asking to play soccer for a while now. Ooooohh! I can't wait until it's my turn to bring the treats! My only problem now will be keeping Grant on the sidelines-- it's torture for a sports-obsessed 2 year old to be dragged around to baseball AND soccer practices and games and NOT get to be out there playing.

Sizing up the competition. Look how tall Sierra is! There are a few other taller players on her team, but she is DEFINITELY one of the tallest.