How have I not blogged about this yet? Justin Bieber has released TWO songs from his Christmas album and I love them both. Christmas music AND Justin Bieber? How could it get better? I’ll tell you… his whole album is being released in less than a week and it is going to be great.
Plus, our little Justin is growing up and his voice is changing! He doesn’t sound so much like a 14 year old anymore (although I was fine with that).
Now, watch the Mistletoe music video over and over again until you love it as much as me.
https://katiederrick.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/logo.png00Katiehttps://katiederrick.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/logo.pngKatie2011-10-27 12:28:332011-10-27 12:28:33Wise Men Followed a Star, the Way I Followed my Heart
T.J. and I were meant for each other because of how excited we get for Halloween. We love throwing Halloween parties, dressing up in creative costumes, eating delicious Halloween themed treats, carving pumpkins, watching creepy (not scary) movies, and really getting into the Halloween spirit.
So, when I got a Groupon email last month for tickets to a boat-ride down the Provo river with pirate attacks and a hundred jack-o’-lanterns, I knew it was for us.
We went there last night on a double date and had a great time. It was completely dark outside except for the stars shining overhead through the trees and the many lit pumpkins lining the river. The captain told corny jokes and then recited a Halloween story that was pretty impressive. There was a “simulated pirate attack” that made me feel like a bunch of little kids just threw this together one year and never stopped living their dream.
Anyway, if you get the chance, you should go! It’s down by Utah Lake at the Clas Ropes Course on Center Street. (Good luck getting there, by the way… there is so much construction!)
https://katiederrick.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/logo.png00Katiehttps://katiederrick.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/logo.pngKatie2011-10-15 13:31:372011-10-15 13:31:37It is Halloween
As soon as I got back from Danica’s sealing on Friday, I picked up T.J. and we headed off for St. George. Our sound system in the car has been broken for quite a while and we keep saying we’re going to fix it, but it’s hard to spend a couple hundred of dollars on that when we have other expenses, ya know? So, my creative mind finally came to work and realized, we could just hook up my portable iPod speakers to my iPhone and we could still listen to music! It was brilliant and I don’t know why I didn’t think of it earlier. Granted, it doesn’t get as loud. But it made the trip much more fun.
The trip down there was beautiful. We pulled into St. George right at sunset, when the sun was hitting the red rock perfectly. Man, I love that place. I know it’s hot, but one day I hope I can live there. We stayed at T.J.’s aunt and uncle’s house, missed the pool party unfortunately, but played lots of card games (such as Blink!) and hooked up the Kinnect to their ginormous TV.
We woke up on Saturday early, ate the most delicious pumpkin waffles made by T.J.’s aunt Karen, then headed down the road to Enterprise for the Pioneer Day festivities.
The parade made me chuckle a couple of times. I just loved how “Mormon” the floats were. Check some of these out:
After the parade, the whole family got together for a family photo. This is the first time I’ve ever experienced this. And yes, I say “experience” because it was just that. It wasn’t just point, shoot, done. It was a large process and by the end, I was laughing in all the photos because the babies wouldn’t stop crying, the toddlers were running everywhere, and everyone was getting so tired and anxious. Oh boy, it was so funny. Next year there will be seven new babies, so I’m hoping we won’t have to do it again or else I’ll have to hold my squirming little one too.
Those pictures of the whole family are coming soon, from T.J.’s sister Lacey. Until then, here are a couple I took. I love the one with Mark and Kelly with Kelly’s grandpa who is 102.
After that, we just hung around the house, had a delicious BBQ, and played some games. I talked to T.J.’s great-grandpa (the one pictured above) and fell even more in love with him. He is such a cute old man and I am so amazed at how sharp his mind is still. I talked to him about when he was Bishop of the town. He told me it was 64 years ago and he was over 800 people. Now there are many wards in the city so it’s been amazing for him to see the city and congregation grow. He also told me about the promise an apostle made to him that he shared with the people of Enterprise. As long as they were righteous, they would always have water. I asked if they were always righteous, and he laughed and said, “I guess so, we always had water in the reservoir.” I hope Leland is around another year so our daughter can take a five-generation photo with him! She is going to have a great-great-grandfather!
To end the night, we headed over to the rodeo. I was not feeling that great and sitting on the wood bleachers started getting to me, but overall, it was a blast. I took a couple of walks around the place, pet the donkeys, and watched the disgusting and large bulls in their pins. I wish I taken more photos over the weekend, but Lacey had her camera out so I figure I’ll steal some of hers soon.
https://katiederrick.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/logo.png00Katiehttps://katiederrick.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/logo.pngKatie2011-07-26 22:29:502011-07-27 08:26:33Make do or do without
If you’re LDS, then I’m sure you’ve heard that story. But it gets me every time. Especially to hear it told by President Hinckley. I appreciate all the pioneers who made those sacrifices so that we could worship freely. They were so brave and so strong. I don’t know how they did it, but I’m sure glad they did.
I don’t have direct ancestors who crossed the plains or were early Saints in the church, but I do have parents who were, in a sense, “modern-day” pioneers. In their early 20s, they both converted to the gospel, against their families and friends wishes. They sought out the truth and because of it, were married for eternity. It changed my family’s life for the better and I am so grateful that they took those brave steps of conversion. I am grateful for them and hope that I can also live as a modern-day pioneer to follow in their footsteps.
So, since this practically sounds like a Relief Society lesson already, I want to ask YOU… How are you going to become more like a “modern-day” pioneer?
https://katiederrick.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/logo.png00Katiehttps://katiederrick.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/logo.pngKatie2011-07-21 15:50:252011-07-21 15:50:25Pioneer Day
I love Utah. One reason is because we get Pioneer Day off of Work. Okay, I guess that’s just BYU. But nonetheless, it makes for an automatic awesome weekend. So, to start it off right, I’m going to a wedding! Rehearsal dinner tonight, and the sealing tomorrow! It will be wonderful. I am so excited for Danica to get married AND I can’t wait to see her in her beautiful wedding dress. I got a sneak peak so I know it’ll be amazing.
As soon as that’s over (unfortunately I have to miss their reception full of Sammy’s shakes), T.J. and I are hitting the road for a full-blast pioneer weekend extravaganza. We’re spending the weekend in St. George and Enterprise. Pool parties, children’s races, parades, picnics, family photos, and of course, a rodeo.
https://katiederrick.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/logo.png00Katiehttps://katiederrick.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/logo.pngKatie2011-07-21 15:29:452011-07-21 15:29:45Everybody's lookin' forward to the weekend...
I got on my google reader Tuesday morning and was surprised by how many 4th of July posts there already were. All the bloggers in the blogosphere were really on top of it, and now my post is going to sound like old news. But whatevs. It was a great weekend so I have to post about it.
Friday night, T.J. took me to Old Navy to get me a pair of maternity pants that I could wear to work because I’m slowly growing out of everything and they were having a sale. So, that was a great start. I then proceeded to wear them all weekend. IOIAP (It’s okay, I am pregnant).
Then we met some friends at the Freedom Festival downtown Provo. We watched a man play with parrots, listened to some loud music, and walked around the different booths a couple times. Nothing feels more like summer than an outdoor festival, am I right? To end the night, we went to a rooftop concert a block away and then shared YouTube videos with each other.
On Saturday, as usual, we headed to Seven Peaks with our lunches (I pretended all the food was for me), and then we watched the Stadium of Fire fireworks by the Marriott Center. I’ve got to say, that was quite the show. And to think, next year we will have one more member of our family joining us. Hopefully she’ll love the fireworks as much as us!
On Sunday, we went to church (had some great lessons, by the way, about motherhood) where I cried because I was so jealous of all the parents there with their darling babies dressed in 4th of July attire. And then hung out with T.J.’s family. And then on Monday, we had a family party with T.J.’s family and his aunt’s family. Ate some great food, drew with sidewalk chalk (well, I just watched T.J. draw that awesome shark), put water balloons down T.J.’s pants, and watched Indiana Jones.
All in all, it was a great weekend. I wish I could have gotten up on time and felt good enough to see the parade and the hot air balloons, but that will have to wait until next year!
https://katiederrick.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/logo.png00Katiehttps://katiederrick.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/logo.pngKatie2011-07-07 14:53:152011-08-02 14:24:05Ev'ry heart beats true 'neath the Red, White and Blue
Holy cow, I cannot believe it’s been a year since last 4th of July OR that the summer is already half over. At least I’m not taking classes in the fall, so it’s not as sad it usually would be.
We have a fun weekend ahead of us, starting with a free outdoor concert tonight, waking up bright and early tomorrow to see the many hot air balloons floating in the park, watching fireworks from the mountain tops, going to Seven Peaks once or twice, a family picnic with croquet, and lots of festive red/white/blue outfits. Hopefully my medicine will kick in immediately so I’m feeling good enough to do all this, so cross your fingers.
Happy 4th of July to all of you and I hope you have a great weekend!
A teenager in my boss’s congregation makes these lil’ miracles of cake for people and gave one to Wendy. Then Wendy gave some to us, the students. I’m usually not much of a flan fan (Haha, flan fan), but mixing it with this ultra moist chocolate cake and a touch of dulce de leche, it really takes the award for one of the most delicious desserts I have ever eaten.
So, hopefully I’ll have a picnic this weekend to bring this delightful treat to and maybe, just maybe, you’ll get a slice.
Guys, you need to stop whatever else you’re doing and read the this recipe, then either make it for yourself or make it for me, your hungry little pregnant friend.
I have been getting photo requests of the baby bump, so here’s a current one at 18 weeks. There’s not much going on, but there’s definitely something. I hold/rub/feel my belly almost all day long because it makes me feel close to the baby (is that weird? it sounds weird now that I write it down).
That being said, I think I felt her kick last night while laying on the hammock. It’s really hard for me to say, but it felt unlike anything I had felt and was like a little fluttering. Who knows, maybe it was nothing. But, it made me cry, so we’re just going to stick with it being an actual kick and not some strange bodily function.
I found a pair of capris that still fit me. Miracle? Yes.
I went to Seven Peaks with two coworkers/besties last night and it was an absolute blast. I’ve already used this pass four times, far surpassing it’s worth. What a deal. Plus, I treaded water, so it was practically a workout. Yep, I’m counting it as an official workout.
Also about Seven Peaks, I’ve got the WHOLE system figured out for maximum enjoyment. What was an embarrassing breakdown has now turned into a blessing, because I just tell the security guy I’m pregnant, they let me bring in food. I bring in a water bottle and the food people fill it up with ice water, I don’t bring in my wallet so we don’t have to rent a locker, and we park on the street so we don’t have to pay for parking AND I get an extra walk in. Next on the list is how to use a tube for free.
I can’t wait for the 4th of July and for the Freedom Festival on Center Street this weekend. BTOML.
Will someone PLEASE go camping with us on Friday night? Or how about you just come to our house for s’mores and tin foil dinners instead?
T.J. has been calling me “sweetheart” lately. Although, part of me likes it only because it reminds me of my maiden name, “Swainhart,” most of me hates it. I’ve already told him this, so it’s not like I’m going behind my husband’s back here. But now, he has been calling me sweetheart and sweet pea ALL the time. He thinks it’s funny/precious or whatever, but I think we should just stick to calling the baby those terms of endearment, and not me.
I’ve got to make this list an even ten since I already thought of eight items. Oh, I’ve been trying to lift a bit, working out my arms, so then when the big babe comes I actually have enough muscle to carry her.
I {kind of} apologize for talking about my pregnancy so much. I will try to hold back, but as you know, and my mom has pointed out dozens of times, I just can’t hold anything back and want to share everything with everyone. That being said, a little fact about me is that I am not exactly the best secret-holder.
In our office, we have “Treat Tuesday” and last night I was really in the mood to bake. But I know baked goods can really pack on the pounds during my pregnancy, so I decided to make something and bring it to work instead. So, I found a recipe for homemade strawberry cupcakes, whipped up a batch (yes, I even pureed fresh strawberries), tried to frost them (although I’m a very bad froster), and brought them into work today. Oh, and bonus, they’re festive for 4th of July
You should make them for your 4th of July picnic this weekend (recipe yields 12):
Ingredients
2/3 cup whole fresh or frozen strawberries, thawed
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 cup whole milk, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
2 large egg whites, room temperature
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners; set aside.
Place strawberries in a small food processor; process until pureed. You should have about 1/3 cup of puree, add a few more strawberries if necessary or save any extra puree for frosting; set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a small bowl, mix together milk, vanilla, and strawberry puree; set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter on medium-high speed, until light and fluffy. Gradually add sugar and continue to beat until well combined and fluffy. Reduce the mixer speed to medium and slowly add egg and egg whites until just blended.
With the mixer on low, slowly add half the flour mixture; mix until just blended. Add the milk mixture; mix until just blended. Slowly add remaining flour mixture, scraping down sides of the bowl with a spatula, as necessary, until just blended.
Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups. Transfer muffin tin to oven and bake until tops are just dry to the touch, 22 to 25 minutes. Transfer muffin tin to a wire rack and let cupcakes cool completely in tin before icing.
{I just made some buttercream frosting for the top, but I think cream cheese frosting would be delightful.}
