New favorite pictures of Dorie

OK here's the real favorite pictures of Dorie....however they are about 5 months old now. She just keeps getting bigger and I really need to go get new pictures taken of her. These were some shots that my sister took of here when we stayed in Logan for a few weeks, last fall. I love these pictures because they show her personality at that time, like the "what's that pose," and it shows her beautiful red hair (for all of those non-believers, it is red and it will stay red dang-it)!! They other ity-bity is India. They are kissing cousins, or at least someday will be and will really like each other, but as for this stage, Dora mostly likes to take whatever India happens to have, sit on whomever's lap India is on, and mostly terrorizes the poor thing--but that's what I get for having a red-head. PS I took the liberty of editing these pictures...don't' know if I like them or not, but that's how they turned out.

Family Hike

Last Friday I woke up to a phone call from my sister-in-law saying that everyone was going on a hike up Stewart Falls, which is above Sundance and Aspen Grove, so I quickly got ready, found a pack I could use for the baby from a neighbor and off we went. I was so not ready for what was in store... I realize that my baby is 15 months old so I certainly cannot use her as an excuse for being out of shape anymore, but then I realized that I wasn't in shape when I got pregnant either so basically I'm just lazy when it comes to exercising these days. The hike that we thought we take no more than a 2 hours, took 4 but it was fun and well worth it.

We had a really fun hike (most of the way) there were a few parts that were really hard and I thought I was going to be sore for a few days, which suprisingly I wasn't. Adora loved her ride on my back, I borrowed the cadilac of packs and she could see everything. The best part was when we finally got to the falls, she had so much fun playing in the water and splashing around. I can't tell you how cold the water was and she refused to get out. I could barely stand to be in it...her feet were like ice cubes by the time we got out. She fell asleep on the way back out.

I love this picture of Adora...she was so excited.

I also had a flash back to high school while we were there. When we came around a bend and I got my first view of the falls, I realized that I had done the hike before but had gone a on a different trail. In high school I went on a double date there with Tyler and Melanie. It brought back the greatest memories of Scott Bell. It made me laugh right out loud. I can hardly believe that was 7 years ago...time flies.

Housing Woes...

This last week we found a house that we love--it needs some work and some major TLC but it really has some great potential. I found it online, we went and saw it that same night and then the next day we put an offer in on it. The problem is that it's a short sell and the bank has to approve the offer which could take weeks or even months. So for now we are just sitting around waiting and praying that we get it. It would be perfect for us. It's really big and has a huge yard plus is has an apartment in the basement which we could rent out. I don't love the exterior but when you have Dan as a husband you know that anything can be changed to look just like you would like it. We have so many fun ideas for renovating it, if we can just get it. Here's a few pics..but remember it really needs some work.

Congrats to the Newlyweds!!!!

We had a great trip two weekends ago to Cedar City!! We went for Jack's (Dan's dad) wedding. We left Friday night and stayed in a hotel and then they got married Saturday morning. I was a little worried about the drive down there because Dora hasn't been on that long of a trip since she was little, but she did great and luckily we had Dan sister, Amy, in the car with us to help entertain her. I also got to see one of my dearest companion, Morgan Niemann. I hadn't seen her since the day I left the mission so it was so awesome to get to spend some time with her reminiscing about the mish.This is Dan and all of his siblings: Emily, Andrew, Amy, Dan, Jack, Kerrie, Carrie, John, JulieDaddy's little girl...of the girls had matching hair things...they all looked really cute

This is Dora's girl cousins, except her favorite Lucy.

Olivia, Kylee, Hattie, Anna, Katie, and Layrn. Dora was too busy to take pictures.

Adora was so tired by the time the day was through that she feel asleep before we could even get the car seat buckled and she didn't wake up until we got home. What a trooper. We are so excited for Adora to have another grandma and for Jack to have found someone to share the rest of his life with.

Memories...

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

I have loved seeing this on other peoples blog and totally want to play along

Better Late then Never

I have to just say a little something about the 4th of July. We had a really fun day..my parents came up to spend the day with us. We also had a BBQ planned for that afternoon with Dan's family so they just came along with us. The BBQ was really fun and we got to meet some of Kerrie's family.



OH...I don't think I have ever announced on the blog who Kerrie is.... we are so excited to be getting a new member of the Powers family. Jack (Dan's dad) is getting remarried!! They met on ldssingles.com at the end of April...they had so many things in common and new too many of the same people for this to be a coincidence. They both lost their spouses to cancer about 3 years ago and are just so happy to have found each other. And we could not be happier for them. I have never seen Jack so happy ever nor have so much ambition. He's come alive again. They are getting hitched on August 2nd in Cedar City!!!



anyway, back to the 4th. We had a great BBQ..the kids had a great time on Grandpa's four-wheelers, tramp and slides. My sister-in-law took some great pictures which I will post when I get them from her.... After the BBQ we took off with my parents to Park City to try and get some shopping at the outlets in, but by the time we got there they had already closed so we decided to go to a movie. What was I thinking taking a 14 month old to a movie...I ended up walking around a health food grocery store for 2 hours because it was the only thing opened that late. But everyone else enjoyed the show...I have now seen the previews and first 4 minutes of the movie Hancock. Then it was back to Heber just in time for fireworks. Dora loved them and just laid on mine and my moms lap staring with amazement. It was fun to see her little eyes light up and say "WOW" "oohh ahh" GREAT DAY!!



The real point to this post are these pictures...Dora was a cheerleader for the USA. She looked so cute...I can't tell you how many people stopped us and complemented on how cute she looked!! and of course as her mother, I have to agree. (for some reason I can't rotate the pictures, but you get the point)

We are alive...

..I was so relaxed by the vacation that I haven't blogged in weeks. We did make it back from Mexico and had a fabulous time. I think we would've enjoyed a more authentic Mexican experience...we were still too close to the border and was much too touristy for our us. The town we stayed in really catered to the 18-25 year old spring break crowd, if you know what I mean. There was a lot of loud music, drunk kids and crazy driving...which wasn't what we were really looking for with our 1 year old daughter in tow. But we definitely realized how good we have it in the States. I haven't been across the border since I was a little girl and it was amazing to me how immediately things were different. First of all driving was insane...Dan did an amazing job. I would never have wanted to drive there at all. I thought we were going to die so many times, plus our GPS didn't work in Mexico, the roads were closed that we had directions to and we just were amazed by the crazy maneuvers people would pull. We got lost on our way back from the zoo for like an hour driving around in circles just trying not to get killed. We decided after that we would just stay in Mexico for the rest of the trip.

Top Five Highlights of the Trip

5. Dora at the Beach- she couldn't get enough of the water..until she tried to drink it..nasty

4. Riding Horses on the Beach.

..at first she was really scared but then she could see what the guide was riding and then she figured out that's what she was on and she couldn't stop giggling. My arm was sore for like 3 days from holding on to her so tight. Doesn't Dan look good on a horse. By the way, on Day one he fried his legs and had to wear his only pair of pants for the rest of the trip....his legs just stopped peeling like 2 weeks ago

3. Having absolutely nothing to do while Dora took her naps everyday...

We would just watch TV, nap ourselves or I would go pool side and lay out. It was so nice...I don't think we ever left the condo until 1:oo pm. We probably would have done a lot more if we hadn't taken Dora but it was so relaxing we didn't mind. We also learned that we need to get a King size bed...after a week on that thing a queen just won't do.

2. USS Midway:

We had some time to kill before our flight home so we toured the USS Midway which is a huge air craft carrier docked in the harbor. It was a neat tour-we each had a head phone set and listened to personal stories and facts as you walked through. We could have gone to Disneyland for the price of this tour, but we felt it was well worth it and would do it again. In fact, we really want to go back to San Diego on our next trip...there's so much to do there and the weather is perfect

1. San Diego Zoo...

This is an incredible zoo. The animals have awesome enclosures...they have animals that I had never even heard of or seen...like weird crosses between different animals and such. The greatest thing was the double stacked buses...you could essentially see everything sitting down and could get off and on if you wanted to see things up close. They have a really fun kids zoo where you could pet and roam around with goats, horse, etc. It was a really fun day and we got to eat at In and Out burger...which I hate to admit but was my favorite meal of the trip. The food in Mexico wasn't everything I had dreamed about but luckily didn't get any of us sick either.

A big shout out needs to go to my dad for being our taxi driver to and from the airport and to Aaron, Carrie, Nickle, Jack, Lucy and Tank for watching Buddy for the entire week. He was naughty dog too...ran away like 10 times a day and almost had the pound called on him for disturbing the peace...

Relaxation

This is what I'll be doing for the week: watching the sunset over the ocean with my wonderful husband and sweet daughter. Pure Joy.

What happens down in Mexico...

The count down has begun...we will be leaving for the sunny beaches of Rosarito, Mexico in just 20 days. If we can only make it until then. If ever anyone needed a vacation it's us. Can't wait for lazy days by the pool sipping margiritas and riding horses on the beach...ahhh...

Salad Recipe exchange...

This is something one of my friends started on her blogs. If anyone wants to join in that would be great. Just post your favorite recipe for a saladon your blog and make sure to leave a comment on mine so I know you've put one up. I thought all of you that are away from Utah and those who aren't would love to have this recipe...Cafe Rio Pork Salad. It takes some time to make everything but it is so worth it...I love to make it when we are having guests over!!

Café Rio Salad
Build your salad using the following ingredients in the order given.
You can use disposable pie or cake pans to make these salads.
1. Large Flour TortillasUse homemade or buy the uncooked ones and cook them on a griddle. Sprinkle some cheddar cheese on top and cook until the cheese is melted. Place the cheesy tortillas in a cake pan.
2. Spanish Rice (Recipe below) (or cook a packaged Spanish Rice Mix)
3. Black Beans (Recipe below)
4. Meat of your choiceI, shredded chicken (recipe below) or shredded pork (recipe below)
5. Romaine LettuceWash thoroughly, and cut into large squares.
6. Pico de Gallo (Recipe below) (or buy some)
7. Guacamole (Recipe below) (or buy some)
8. Lime Wedges
9. Grated Cotija cheese
10. Cilantro sprigs
11. Crispy Tortilla Strips-Just cut some corn Tortillas in thin strips and quickly fry until crisp. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with a little bit of salt.
12. Creamy Tomatillo Dressing (Recipe below)

Suggested recipes:Cilantro Lime Rice
3 c water
3 c rice
3 chicken bouillon cubes
1 tsp salt
¼ cup lime juice
1/2 small onion
2 cloves garlic
1/2 bunch cilantro, remove large stems
1 small can green chiles
Place water, rice, bouillon, and salt in pot. Bring to boil. Place lime juice, onion, garlic, cilantro and green chilies in a blender and puree. Stir into rice. Simmer, covered, for about 25 minutes.
Black Beans
1 can black beans, rinsed
2 Tbl finely mined onion
2 cloves minced garlic
1 tsp ground cumin
1 cup tomato juice
3 Tbl chopped Fresh Cilantro
1 tsp salt
Fry onion, garlic and cumin in a small amount of olive oil. Add beans, tomato juice, cilantro and salt and heat through.

Cafe Rio Chicken
3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 bottle Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp chili powder
2 cloved minced garlic
Cook for about 4 hours in a crock pot. Shred chicken with a fork.
Cafe Rio Pork BarbacoaPork Roast: Put it in a crock pot with a little water and cook until very tender (about 8 hours on low). Shred pork and add:
1 can enchilada sauce
2 cloves minced garlic
1 small can diced green chilies
1 can Coke (not diet coke)
1 cup brown sugar
salt to taste
Cook for one more hour.

Pico de Gallo
4 ripe Tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped white onion
1 jalapeno, minced (remove the seeds and veins if you don’t like a lot of heat)
1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped
lime juice, to taste
salt, to taste
Mix everything together.

Guacamole
2-3 ripe Avocados
1-2 Tbl lime juice
1/2 tomato, finely chopped
2 Tbl finely chopped
onionsalt, to taste (or use garlic salt)
Mash avocado and lime juice with a fork. Fold in the tomato, onion, and salt.

Creamy Tomatillo Dressing
1 package Ranch Buttermilk Dressing
mix1/3 cup buttermilk1 cup Mayonnaise (I use half mayo and half sour cream)
3 fresh tomatillos
1 cup fresh cilantro
2 cloves garlic
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
Just put everything in a blender and puree.Refrigerate for a couple of hours and if you need to, adjust the thickness by adding more buttermilk to thin it out, or sour cream to make it thicker.

First Steps

For the past week or so Dora has been standing up on her own and clapping for herself because she knows that makes her really big and then last night for the first time, she took three steps!! She was like so shocked and proud of herself and I couldn't have been more proud either...it was so cute. I almost started to cry because that for sure makes her big. Dan was at Young Mens so I texted him the big news...he was excited too and sad he missed but I'm sure she'll do it again.

Some of my other favorite things she's doing right now are:
1. We have to pray like 30 times a day because she loves to fold her arms and then throw her arms up in the air for "amen." It is really cute...
2. She loves to say "uh oh" and throws just about everything on the floor possible during dinner so she can say a million times.
3. She loves to go up and down the stairs and is pulling herself up to everything.
4. She's trying to figure out how to work a spoon and fork. She tries so hard and eats so cute.
5. Whenever she looks at her new puppy book, she says "bubba" for buddy the dog, and then whoofwhoofwhoof.. it's really really cute.
6. She loves to look surprised and puts her hands up, like "what is that mom" every time we hear a strange or different sound...

alright, I could go on but won't bore you anymore. all in all being a mom to this little darling girl is the best thing ever. She just melts my heart and I love her so much...

Birthday Party

We had a pretty good party for Adora last Sunday. I say only pretty good, because the presents we had ordered online for her weren't there and my parents got stuck by all the crazy accidents in both Parley's and Provo Canyons. They tried so hard to get here and I felt really bad because they spent the majority of the day sitting in the car, wondering when the roads were going to open up. Kuddos to them for trying though. So we ended up having Carrie, Aaron and kids, Amy, John and Grandpa Jack there. We had good food and Adora loved being the center of attention. I made a birthday cake just for her and she was so confused that I was actually going to just let her dig in and eat it. It took her a while to get going but I couldn't get her to move for about 45 minutes and she just worked on it. She was so funny... she got some fun books from her cousins and a darling outfit from the soon-to-be new Grandma Powers. It was a great day. I just can't believe how big she is getting. Happy Birthday Noodle we love you.

JULIE

OK.. Julie, I really want to hang out with you when you are in town but I can't view your blog so I can say hi back...so if you read this please add me to your blog alright...I really would love to see you and catch up... or email me kelsiekay04@hotmail.com !!

Adora's big day

Today is a big day in our house. Adora is one year old. We can't believe that much time has gone by. She is such a sweet and loving little girl. While she was a surprise to us, we would never trade her for anything in the world. She is doing so many fun things now and is learning more and more every day.
Just in the past week she as learned to go down the stairs (thanks Dan for teaching her that one), get off the couch by herself and how to throw a royal fit to get what she wants. She is standing up by herself, but a little hesitant to walk, I really think by next week she'll be all over the place. She gives me the best hugs and kisses after naps and in the mornings. It's like she just wants to crawl inside of me--for about 30 seconds and then she's off exploring. She loves to throw things on the ground and say "uh oh" but the cutest part about it is she makes the funniest, most expressive face. Like she is so shocked every time. She puts her hands up in the air all the time, like when some one comes to the door or if she can hear Buddy but not see him. Every time music comes on she dances and moves her little hands up in the air (hard to believe with me as her mother). I think her favorite song right now is the theme song to "The Golden Girls" as this is what we watch first thing in the morning as she's being fed. I know that it's about time to stop nursing her, but I can't bring myself to do it. I have loved that bond with her, but I know it'll be a good thing. I keep hoping she'll ween herself and then I won't have to do it but we'll see.
Dorie has four teeth and two more coming. They are so darling. She has the most mischievous looks and she is so curious about everything. She loves to be read to and look at pictures. Her favorite book right now is my scout book for some reason, she'd sleep with it if I let her. Well as a bragging mother, I could go on for pages but I won't. I can't believe how my life has changed in the last year..Dora I love you forever.

P.S. my cousin took these pictures...aren't they to die for

farewell...

I found out a few weeks ago that one of my dearest childhood friends had taken his own life. I have thought about him constantly for the past few weeks and just wanted to say a few words about him. Marshall was a beautiful person with so much to offer life. He was so smart and such a good friend. He was called to bare more trials in his life than almost anyone I have ever met. Watching Marshall deal with these things forever changed my life. I think my ability for compassion and to truly love others came from him. I don't think I am a judgemental person, you can come as you are when you're with me. I learned this from him...he was always different then everyone else. I remember getting in fights in Jr. High defending him from those who didn't understand. I could say so much about him, but most importantly just that I love him.

In thinking about his death I feel peace. I know he is in a better place, with a much better perspective on his life and his relationship with the Savior. I know he can now know how much he was loved in this life. I know that his soul is precious in the sight of our Heavenly Father and that he was received with open arms. I wish him well in his spirits journey and pray that he will find the understanding he searched for in this life but could not find.

I love you Marshall and will never forget you.

MY MAN

Man he's hot. I realized that with all the bragging I do about Adora on the blog I have neglected my sweet husband. I love this man. He has so many talents and abilities. First of all, he can handle me which in and of it's self is a miracle. Secondly, he is so funny and quite the jokester. Something I didn't know about Dan for a long time, is that he loves to gab. He would stay for hours after church, if I would let him and chat with everyone and anyone in the halls. He does this at work too. He talks to people so easily. He's non-judgemental, has no desire or intention to keep up with the Jones', and makes people feel at ease. He's almost honest to a fault and considerate of others feelings. Dan is really good with kids of all ages (I quite frequently come home to him playing in the yard with the neighbors kids or letting them help him in the garage).

Daniel is a carpenter extrodinere. He has an amazing ability to see something in his mind and then build it. He's amazing. Everything he makes is beautiful. He is quite the handyman and many a woman in town call him frequently to make custom furniture, finish work, cabint work etc. I am so proud of him and what he does for a living. He helps to build the most beautiful homes.

Of all the things I love about Dan, I love watching him be a daddy the most. He loves our little Adora so much and is willing to work sooo hard so that I can be home with her. He literally works like 50+ hours every week because he knows how important it is to me to stay home. I couldn't ask for more in a husband and friend. I love you babe.

We've made it two whole years...

Happy Anniversary to me and Dan!! Yesterday was our anniversary and to be honest it wasn't that great of a day. Dan came home sick as a dog and I spent almost the entire day going to Provo for a doctors appointment. We enjoyed subway for dinner together at Carries' house (Dan's sister) so there you go...real exciting. But that doesn't change the way I feel about my wonderful husband and how happy I am to be married to him. Dan really is a wonderful man and I am so grateful I get to spend the rest of my life plus eternity with him. Some of you may not know "our story" so here goes:

We met the first day of my mission. Elder Powers was at the bus stop to meet his new greenie and to show me and my companion where our apartment was. His first recollection of me was that I had way too much luggage and all of it was way too heavy. He was right...I must of thought I was going to a third world country and would need a years supply of tootpaste, shampoo, etc. Anyway, I don't really remember remembering him for a few weeks. I recall watching him at District Meetings, hearing him bare his testimony and work with one of our investigators (who was a teenage boy). I was so impressed by him. On the 5th of July we played freezbie in the park for p-day. We ended up talking for hours over freezbie about our families, why we were on missions, what we wanted to be when we grew up. He became a really good friend and a support to a new struggling missionary. We saw each other off and on at a few zone meetings at that was it.

So anyway... many moons later Dan's time was up in the mission field and his parents were coming to get him. By this time I was serving in the Kirtland Historic sites. All the departing missionaries get to go there one more time and before heading to the mission home, so when he saw me there he asked if I would take his parents on tour the next day. So I did. To make a long, emotional story short...there was just something there that day. His parents and grandparents were wonderful. The spirit was so strong and I just felt a connection to him and them. Later we would find out that his mom whispered to his dad, that she felt she had just met their future daughter in law.

When Dan got home he wrote me a letter thanking me for the tour, I wrote back. We wrote every week from then on. A year later I came home, a few days after his mom passed away, I'm so grateful I got to meet her in Kirtland. Five weeks later we were engaged, 4 months later we were married. Three months later we were prego, 9 months later we had a beautiful little girl. Almost a year after that I am so in love with my amazing husband and so thankful for a Heavenly Father who knows me better than I know myself. He was the master planner of our relationship.

I LOVE YOU DAN!!!

My little girl

Last week when I was in Layton, I went to the beauty supply store and got tiny little velcro rollers for Adora's hair. Her hair is already curly but these's crack me up. They make her look so crazy cute. I also got a her first hair clips and such. She won't wear a handband bow anymore- she just rips them off her head. When I put her hair up in a dubob for the first time I almost started crying because she looked like a little girl instead of a baby. She's growing up and it makes me sad.