Oh, Hey

I'm sure that some of you may have noticed that I haven't really been on here much lately. (Ok, ever.)

But I've been pretty sick these last few weeks. Nauseous. Throwing up. And just generally having a rough go of things.

Good thing I've had this cutie to keep me company.

Tyler thinks I need to be more specific.

Happy 2013!

Cousin Time in California

When you are a little boy, suddenly being immersed in half of your extended family all at once can be a little overwhelming. Traveling to different places and seeing all of these different people--all who want to lavish you with attention--can be exhausting. But Rich is handling it like a champ.

Two cousin memories I want to remember forever:

We got to hang out with the Brock and Erin family earlier today, and Rich LOVED seeing someone his size (their daughter Violet, who is almost two). He still did his own thing, but every now and then would wander up to his cousins to check out what they were up to. Note to Violet: Rich owes you one for pushing you off the ottoman earlier today. (I don't think Rich intended to push her off, but push her off she did.) You can use it as leverage when you're older to get something you want from him. I'll back you up on it.

Later, we went to visit the Logan and Amy family, and again, Rich thrived with all of the other kids. But, he is a bit of an explorer, and managed to pull a fireplace grate on top of himself at one point. He was more scared than hurt, but he just kept crying. Jonas (who is three-and-a-half) went into his room, got one of his shirts, and gave it to Richie to comfort him and help him stop crying. It was absolutely the sweetest moment. One little cousin trying to help out the other. And you know what, that little present actually did help.

Anyway. We are so loving being in California with family. (I'll try to remember to get some pictures of my own this week.)

(So happy to be with family!)

A Cookie Compliment

I don't know if you guys will remember a post I wrote AGES ago about my lack of cookie-making skills, but I have always felt like making good cookies has been a sore spot for me. It's only very recently that I feel like I've learned how to make cookies that are decent enough to share.

Our ward is having a Christmas party this weekend, and I thought that I would ask our Relief Society president if there was anything they still needed help with. So when she paused for a moment, then said, "We still need cookies, and I hear you have a great cookie recipe," I was thrilled. I mean, sure, it's not MY recipe. And Tyler came up with the best part of the cookies (half chocolate chips, half butterscotch chips). But still. It made me feel like I've accomplished something. I went from terrible, un-shareable cookies to delectable, respectable cookies. Maybe it's silly. But it still made me feel really good. People like my cookies. They've heard I have a good recipe. It's almost like I'm a legend. (Ok, maybe that's a little too far. But it is cool. And like I said, it really did make me feel good. Even though, again, I can't really take credit for how good these cookies are.)

Anyway. I posted the recipe for these cookies awhile ago. It's here, if you want to check it out. Tried and true. Relief Society approved.

Looks like I'll be making these babies again this week. (Note: Tyler actually made the cookies in the photo above.)

PS, if you love cookies, you should check out my friend's blog. Ashley is a cookie-making genius. Every now and then she posts about some of the incredible cookies she makes. I mean, talk about talent. (I hope it's okay that I'm linking over to your blog, Ashley. Whenever I think of cookies now, I think of you. And your amazing cookies. If it's not okay, I'll take this post-script down.)