Bow's and Bling Holiday Boutique

My friend Kristin Cole and I are doing a holiday boutique this weekend the 12th and 13th at her home, which is for sale and vacant, in Meridian. We are so excited, we have over 20 vendors and are expecting and great turnout. I would love for you to join us along with your friends and family. It is the 12th, Friday from 4pm to 9pm and the 13th, Saturday from 10am to 6pm. It is off of Victory between Locust Grove and Meridian Rd. Follow the signs. Please come join in on the last minute Christmas shopping.

If you are interested in being a vendor comment on this blog or email me at kassielou11@yahoo.com or of course call at 866-8583 and I will get some more info to you. Hope to see you there.

www.bowsandblingboutique.blogspot.com

Cake disaster!!

The landslide of frosting!!

I love to bake and have always thought that I can bake pretty good, not as good as some, but decent I guess because I have never disasterized a recipe before. Well, I guess there always has to be a first. My dad's birthday was last week and he LOVES German Chocolate Cake, well, I decided to make him one once again, but this time completely from scratch. Well, it didn't turn out so well. For the cake I had to have 3 eggs and for the frosting I had to have 3 eggs, well guess what, I only had 3 eggs. I looked online and they said that a substitute is 1 tbsp of applesauce per egg, so i decided to try it. Well, the cake was so moist it fell completely apart when I tried to remove it from the pan to the cake stand, so I tried to piece it together. Then I made the frosting, with the 3 eggs, and it wouldn't thicken for some reason, so I let it cool and it still didn't thicken. So I just tried to spread it with what I had, well, it was soup like and just went everywhere. It completely fell apart and looked like a big blob. Though it was delicious, it went straight to the garbage. On Sunday I made my dad the cake again, this time with eggs in both recipes.

Blow Out City!!!

You didn't know that these are the diapers that are in style now. ha ha

If you get easily nauseated by talking about poop, I advise to not read on. Ok, so about 1 week ago Kenzie was a "pooping machine." It was a day that my mom was watching her while I was working. I gave her plenty of diapers for the day, so I thought, but she went through all but 1 diaper in just the morning alone. When I came to pick her up after work she hadn't pooped again. Then she had a little poop, so I changed her. We were sitting there talking to my parents and she pooped again. Well, I knew we didn't have anymore diapers left and I needed to feed her before we went home so I hurried and went to feed her. Well, much to my surprise I go to grab her back and she is covered in poo all the way up to her neck. I didn't have any diapers might I remind you. My mom came to the rescue and we cleaned her up and put her morning pj's back on and then we made a cloth diaper with one of her burp rags. I hurried and put a blanket under her in the car seat and got home as fast as I could. I went to go put a "normal" diaper on her and she already got it wet. Thank goodness for mom's who know the old ropes huh!!

Kenzie is Smiling!!!

Mom I'm trying!!

We are so excited. Kenzie had her first smile and now she never stops. She is so much fun to play with and interact with now. We love having her, she's the best thing ever.

This last week she had her first round of shots. Oh boy, even though I am a nurse and give immunizations everyday, it is completely different when it is your own child. I was so glad Steven was there so that he could be the one to see her eyes when they poked her. She barely even squealed though which made it a little easier. She's been doing fine since then. Below is a little video of Kenzie smiling.

Halloween 2008

This is our house decorated for Halloween. We had these cool lanterns in our windows, witches and a pumpkin.

This is Steven's pumpkin he carved. He's so good at it. Each year he gets better and better.

Steven was a Mauri/Samoan guy. He wore this pain on his face to work, pretty funny huh.

This is McKenzie and I. She was a chili pepper and I was a 1940's flapper girl.

This year was fun for Halloween because we got our first trick-or-treaters. We just stayed home and enjoyed the kids coming to the door. We did attend 2 parties, so we weren't total party poopers.

McKenzie's Blessing

Steven's parents with Kenzie. We haven't gotten one with my parents yet, but we will.

Steven's side of the family. Lots of them huh?

Steven and I with Kenzie before we went to church. She wore the same dress and bonnet that I wore when I was blessed.

I'm starting to laugh at myself because as soon as we had a child our blog is now infested with her. I would always think when I saw other people's blogs, "why is everything about there kids?", now I am starting to understand. Oh wait, when you do get a kid that is what your whole life is about so what else is there to blog right? I just find it funny that I am "just one of them" also.

Well this last Sunday we blessed McKenzie. It was amazing. All of Steven's family was here except his brother Andy and his wife Johanna because she is due with a baby any day. It was so nice to have them all here and we are grateful for the sacrifices they made to come. We feel very loved and blessed that we have a family who will support us. Also, my whole side of the family was here except for Scott, Jamie, Ella, and little Cole who is only 2 days younger than McKenzie. We missed them very much and we thought about them often during that special day. We know you guys were here in spirit. Our house was full of over 40 people. I didn't know we could fit that many people in our home. It was crazy with many kids running around in and out of house, but it was great to have them all here. The weather cooperated and it wasn't too cold.

We had TONS of left overs from our baked potato bar. This is a problem of mine, I don't know how to cook for the right amount of people. Steven and I always have left overs for the next day because I have no clue how to cook for only 2 people. Just like last night, I made homemade mac and cheese and I made way to much cheese sauce so I cooked more noodles and ended up begging my brother's family to take it because we already had left overs from the first batch. I guess I'm just preparing for the larger family right? ha ha. It was all around a great day and I loved every second except when everyone had to go home.

The next day was my first day back at work which went really well. I was sad on the way driving there but when I got there it felt good to be back in an atmosphere that I am familiar with and love. I love being a nurse and seeing my patients again. I kept saying all day "I feel like I have an identity back." It's not that being a mom takes away my identity, just being a mom isn't familiar to me and I am still learning, where as being a nurse is familiar and I know what I'm doing I guess. I of course missed Kenzie but she is in very good hands, which makes it easier. I love being a mom and cherish each second I get to be with Kenzie. She is such a blessing in our life and we're so glad she's ours.

McKenzie's Blessing

Since blogging is a way to keep in touch with all those you care about we just thought we would let you know that we are blessing McKenzie this Sunday November 2nd @ 1pm @ the Locust Grove Stake Center (the building that is closer to Chinden). We would love to have your love and support!!!

Pumpkin Patch

We went to Linder Farms this year which was a blast. They even had a petting zoo this year and my nephews loved it. My nephew Jeff couldn't get enough of the geese, he just stood there laughing his head off. It was a blast as always and yes we managed to get another pumpkin that was over 30 pounds. We're excited to carve them tonight and the annual October hot dog roast/bonfire at my parents house was a blast. Steven taught Kade how to do it the "real boyscout way." I hope we don't regret teaching him how to build a fire ha ha. He might end up a pyro like Steven.

McKenzie's First Photo Shoot!!

My friend Mandie Anderson (www.capturedmomentsbymandie.blogspot.com) came over this last week and did some awesome pictures with Kenzie. They turned out really well, I'm very excited.

She's already 1 month old!!!

She has this really cute Boise State outfit. We'll be decking her out soon in it. Go Bronco's.

We went to our first Halloween party at my cousin Michelle's house. It was a lot of fun, and Kenzie looked adorable in her chili pepper costume.

She loves her bouncer. She'll stay in there while I do dishes and get showered. She's such a good baby.

Grandma Robbie gave her this cute cat Halloween shirt, we thought it was pretty cute on her.

We love how cute she is when she sleeps, she always has to have her hands by her face when she sleeps, and since she was breech she loves to be on that particular side because that is how she was in my stomach.

Her first REAL bath after her umbilical cord fell off. She loves her bath time. She doesn't cry at all the whole entire time.

I loved this picture. She fell asleep on the bobby, I loved her hands...so cute!!

OH MY!!!

So a month has already passed. I can't believe it. She gets bigger and cuter every day. We just can't get enough of her. She's a very happy and healthy baby. She's already 10lbs. 6 oz. Life is good here. I am going back to work in 2 wks and feeling very nervous about it, but thank goodness I only going back 2 days a week and Steven and my mom will be taking care of her. We love being parents and have enjoyed the blessing of this little one in our home.

More McKenzie Pictures!!

So can you tell we're a little obsessed with her. We're very excited to have her in our home. We are continually smiling and loving every little thing she does. She very healthy and sleeping quite well. Feel free to come and meet her!!

McKenzie Katherine Cook Has Arrived

McKenzie Katherine Cook arrived this morning around 8:09 am. She was 9lbs. 5oz. and 19 inches long. Kassie is doing great. She and Steven couldn't be more proud. Both of them had a wonderful experience with the birth of their first! McKenzie is so beautiful. She already has some chub. We all can't wait to get to know her. Kiley (Kassie's sister-in-law posted these so everyone could see. Kassie will fill everyone in when she comes home from the hospital!)

Baby update!!

This pic is from when my family and Steven and I went to the Twin Falls open house in the end of August.

So not much has changed. I went to the doctor on Wednesday and she is still breech but a little different. She is side to side instead of head up and butt down, so she's moving, but we'll see what she does. She's been moving a lot the last few days. I did go to the chiropractor yesterday and he did a few things that might help my hips and ligaments to loosen up a little bit so that she might feel like she can move and turn head down, but I have come to the conclusion that I don't care how she gets here weather a regular delivery or by c-section...I'm just ready to be done being pregnant and want her here healthy and happy. We're still sitting on the 18th for a scheduled c-section but if she has turned and is head down they will just induce me that day so no matter what...we're having a baby on the 18th...we're pretty stoked!!!! Steven and I are so excited to be parents and meet this little miracle or ours. I remember how we tried to get pregnant for 18 months and it just felt like forever and here we are starting our family after 4 years of marriage, I wouldn't have it any other way. It just shows that Heavenly Father has a lot to say in our families and when and how our children come. We are so blessed.

She's gonna be a stubborn one!!!

So this morning we went in for them to flip our little girl because she is breech, and she would not budge for anything. She likes just where she is at, and is sitting very comfortably. Dr. Armstrong tried very hard to get her to move but she just wouldn't. The aversion wasn't as painful as I anticipated, but still pretty uncomfortable. So we're scheduled for a c-section on the morning of the 18th. 2 more weeks, seriously!! Maybe I'll be able to talk him into something a little sooner at my next weeks appointment. Wish us luck!!

Way to go Steven!!

Steven started working for NAPA Auto Parts in February. They hired him with the intentions of him becoming a manager of one of their stores. We never knew we would be so blessed and it would come so soon. Starting the beginning of August Steven has become the official Manager of the NAPA store at Vetran's Parkway and State Street. He has been doing awesome with catching on so quickly since he was put into this position with little training and little notice. I am so proud of him and grateful for how hard he works for our family. Though he works a ton more hours now, I can't complain because I will be able to stay home and only have to work 2 days per week after our sweet baby girl is born. Steven will be able to take care of her on Monday's and my mom will on Tuesday's. We are very blessed. Way to go babe!!

Landscaping is finally done!!!

My nephew Kade loves to help Steven. He really is a good helper. We're so glad we live so close to Ryan and my sister-in-law Kiley and their two awesome kiddo's.

This is our back yard if you were to look straight forward from our back patio.

So we moved in our house in the end of March and since it was winter until like the middle the June we couldn't do our landscaping. Finally in the end of July, in practically one weekend, we finished with all of my wonderful family's help. My mother and I designed it, Steven, my Dad, and my brother Ryan put it all it themselves. They did such an awesome job. My nephew Kade and sister-in-law Kiley helped us put in the sod. I couldn't do much with being prego and all so we are forever grateful to my family and for all of their help. I am very happy with how it turned out.

This is the spot to your right when you walk up to our front door.

We are the house on the right.

Our house is the one on the left. This is our side yard. I love that boulder that hides that ugly electrical box.

Baby Shower's!!! I sure was showered on!!

We have been truly blessed with having this baby. We have had several showers and received almost every single thing that we needed. I am grateful to those who have thrown them for me and for those who have come to the showers. You all will be a large part of mine and this new baby girls life. Here are some pictures from some of the showers.

Sparkle and Shine here we come...

So I had something really awesome happen a few weeks ago. I have a good friend of mine at work that got married in July. She asked me to make her own jewelry and her bridesmaid's jewelry. They turned out quite well I thought. Well when she went to do her last fitting at the bridal shop where she got her dress, she wore her new jewelery I made her. The lady that owned the shop loved her jewelery so much that she asked my friend to have her have me call her ASAP because she wants to put me to work. I met with her and I get to make custom bead jewelery for her bridal shop called Heartfelt Bridal. I am so excited that I get to turn a hobby into side job. I'm very excited, because she already has 3 brides and their bridesmaids set up for me to do some jewelery sets for them. Yoohoo!!

This is the closest picture I have of her jewelery and the bridesmaid jewelery. I didn't know at the time that I would need more pictures of her jewelery.