We went with our good friends to go see the temple lights last night.  It was so beautiful seeing everything lit up!!  I think the highlight of the evening was seeing Sam’s reaction to Jesus Christ.  He couldn’t stop staring, pointing, and oohing over him–as it should be.  Of course I forgot my real camera, but luckily the iphone does a great job…

..however I am a bit disappointed Jesus got cut off, cause these pics are just beautiful.  He loved His hands.  He loved His feet.

I hope he learns early that he can always turn to Jesus Christ.  He is our rock, our constant, our best friend.  He will always be there for us.

And the instagram pic of the night…

I’d go for Bieber, but that’d be a little too cougar-ish.  Mr. Micky would be way more fun to meet up with under the mistletoe anyway.

Sam has really gotten into guitars.  His golf clubs are now used more as guitars, and the other day he threw a fit over a clothes pin cause he wanted to strum it.  And the tupperware as headwear, I’ve got no explanation for…

I made these for a cookie exchange I never made it to.  The cookies are unusually soft for gingerbread cookies, and the dip will keep you double-dipping.  Trust me, this is an amazing combo!!

Soft Gingerbread Cookies

3 cups flour
2 tsp. Ginger, Ground
1 tsp. Cinnamon, Ground
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. Nutmeg
1/4 tap salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1 egg
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract

Mix flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg and salt in large bowl.
Beat butter and brown sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy.
Add molasses, egg and vanilla; beat well. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until well mixed. Press dough into a thick flat disk. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges of cookies just begin to brown.

Spiced Pumpkin Dip

1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree
1/2 peeled orange
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tbs pumpkin pie spice
1/4 teaspoon fresh ginger
2 tbs brown sugar

Place all ingredients in blender in order listed.  Blend until smooth.  Viola!  The most deliciously sweet dip!
(I also like to use this with sliced apples or as a spread on fruit quick breads)

The other night a few girls went over to my good friends’ house to help her set up Christmas.  Alma is a single mother fighting cancer right now.  Her courage, strength, and outlook are truly inspiring and contagious.  We arrived with cookies, hot coco, and Christmas music and were busy little elves trying to bring the Christmas spirit to their home!

We had a great weekend with the perfect amount of activities and relaxing.  Finding babysitters here in the city is a hard task; and when it’s December it’s even harder!  I was lucky to reserve one for Friday night.  I had this nice date planned with Mick and I, but some friends invited us to a show so we opted for that instead.  We had a lovely evening catching up with friends and laughing our heads off at the comedy show.

Saturday we had another party with a Santa encounter that went as expected.  I’m hoping next year Sam will be excited?! And later in the afternoon we relaxed with football watching and fort building.  Kind of perfect.

Thank you all for sweet congratulations.  We are really excited for our little girl to come.  We’ve agreed on the name and once Christmas is over the bow making and dress shopping will begin. :)  Wahoo!!

I realized I may have come across as a scrooge when it comes to decorating for Christmas.  While we don’t have a real tree, I do like to get something fresh so I can bring the smell of Christmas into our home.  Depending on the year it’s either a wreath, garland, centerpiece, or all. :)  This year it’s a fresh evergreen garland that sits awkwardly upon our mantel.  I’ve always dreamed of having a fireplace…and we’re slowing getting to one.  This year Santa will be coming down our furnace and stuffing the stockings.  Let me tell you, there’s nothing more romantic and festive than cuddling up in front of a decorative fireplace listening to the roar of a furnace…

Sam woke up to a newly decorated fireplace and some serious bedhead.  I think this is the one time he’s actually worn a hat.  Perhaps it was the new decor that distracted him (hand-me-down stockings from my mom.  Mick thinks their too old school.  I love the beautiful needlepoint work)…

or perhaps it was the oatmeal cookies…

Just don’t try and take them away.

At twelve weeks we were told our baby is a boy…with 95% certainty.  Six weeks later we come to learn our baby is actually a GIRL!!  It’s a pretty big twist when you’re mentally preparing for two little boys and then all of a sudden be told it’s a girl.  Little Sammy is going to have a sister, I get my girl!!!

Thanks Nicole for the cute idea.

We’re back in San Francisco and getting all settled in from a long trip.  I wanted to get the tree up quickly since we’ll only be here a short bit before heading to Arizona.  I’ll admit, I was pretty reluctant putting up the tree: I didn’t think Sam would be into it, it takes up a lot of room in our little space, and I’m too cheap to buy a real tree for a short time–and aren’t real trees ten times better?  These stipulations usually don’t stop me every other year.  But this year, I just have too much going on to stress me out more.

Turns out I was wrong about everything.  Sam is way into the tree and lights, having a big-extra-thing in our house isn’t that bad, and real or not–Christmas trees are beautiful.

Isn’t Christmas awesome?  It’s a time we celebrate and focus more on Jesus Christ.  Songs are sung about peace on Earth.  People are giving, and loving, and cheerful.  It’s a time we’re with family and friends.  Here’s to Christmas!

We had a lovely Thanksgiving with Hagens.  Lots and lots of food.  I don’t know if it’s from all the food I’ve been eating, but my belly sure has popped while here.  I’m really starting to look the pregnant part.

I’ll start with the crying picture: another screaming Sam.  To quote Mick, “He really didn’t want to put on that pilgrim hat.”  And indeed he didn’t.  Nor did he want to sit with all his other cute Indian and Pilgrim cousins.  This was our family attempt to get all the cousins for a pic.

But we did have some pretty cute little happy Indians…

And when Sam’s not being forced to sit by humans dressed up, he is a tad bit cooperative for our family pic.

{Here I am thinking my belly was too big to cuddle in with my boys.  Still pretty big though…}

It’s amazing how much malls cater to moms and kids these days.  It’s actually a really good idea.  Carousels, indoor play places, trains…all perfect little breaks in-between the moms’ spending spree.  The only spending spree I had yesterday was on the kids activities (and in reality, my BFF kept spotting me since they only took cash.  So embarrassing).  I love old friends.  Libby’s mom and my mom are best friends, we are best friends, and our sons are surely to become best friends.  I mean, they really do look a lot like each other–they could totally pass as brothers.

***”Look mama! Buttons!!”

***Before Colin arrived Sam was in heaven: car, dog on the shoulder, and plenty of buttons to push.

***Hitler Ketchup Stash.  Can’t really drink ketchup Sammy boy.

***Cute little BFFs

***Aunt Libby took the boys on a train ride through the mall.  So sweet.

***Not so sweet?  The moms forcing their kids to take a pic with Santa.  Picture of the century. This one is going down in the books.

I know it’s Thanksgiving week, but Sam’s grandma keeps nagging asking me to post these.  Although the hood didn’t stay on very long, Sam was still the cutest little monkey on the block.

Speaking of blocks, we went trick-or-treating down the most festive, beautiful Halloween-spirited street in the Bay.  No really, I think we did.  People drove from all over to go in this area.

After going to a handful of houses, we stopped by our friend’s place (who happened to live on the block) for chili and treats.

It’s funny, Sam was always drawn to my favorite candies…

Sam and Shrek had an epiphany…

An afternoon at the park turned out to be a bit chilly.  But then as the sun started to set, it warmed up and was so beautiful.  The leaves were golden and the mountains a majestic purple/gold/and everything in between.  I’m glad I had my sweet mother in law and camera to capture some fun moments.

Sam’s first BYU basketball game was such a proud moment for the Hagen family.

We even got to meet Cosmo! Although Sam was a bit apprehensive…

In Cosmo’s effort to get Sam to look at the camera, he threw a cup of popcorn in the air…unbeknownst to me.

Having about half of it fall down my shirt.  We’ll have to work on that one Mr. Cosmo.

In addition to our wedding anniversary, there was a celebratory Zinch party that brought us to Utah earlier than planned.  It was fun celebrating with everyone that helped make Zinch what it is today.  And what would a Zinch party be without kid-friendly grilled cheese and hired babysitters there to allow the adults to mingle?  There was a fun hip-hop band there that Sam had WAY too much fun dancing to.

You know it’s a good party when cupcake is left on the lips all night…

When Sam gets high on cupcakes and hip hop his dance moves result to The Carlton.

Oh Sam, I love how it’s the simple things in life that make you *so* giddy and excited.  Doggies, balls, and fresh air.

We made it to Utah! And surprisingly enough, I was able to get everything checked off my to-do list.  Now I can spend these next two weeks (hopefully) relaxing with friends and family.

We are lucky enough that there are still a few tress with their beautiful fall leaves on them.  On one of my morning runs I felt so invigorated breathing in the crisp, fall air and hearing the crunchy leaves under my feet.  The fact that I didn’t have to run up any steep San Francisco hills was a huge plus too…

We celebrated our five year anniversary with a small little getaway to Park City.  And boy was it needed!  It’s amazing how two days together away from any responsibilities really does recharge oneself and subsequently our relationship.  We may have overindulged ourselves with dining and spa treatments, but it’s part of the experience. Right? I can’t tell you how I’ve been longing for a relaxing, romantic weekend with my honey.  Here’s to another five years!!

Hellooo!! We are alive, just suuuuper busy.  And sometimes the blog gets pushed to the back burner when things are crazy.  I hope to be back blogging soon.  In the meantime, head over to The Color Issue where I guest posted.

And did you know they’re giving away a HOBO wallet?  The easiest, cutest mommy-wallet out there?  Perhaps you should enter their giveaway too. :)

Love ya!

Be back soon.

We heart the discovery museum.  What turned out to be a torrential downpour (hence the museum day), turned out to be a gorgeous day!!  Woot! Woot!

More iphone pics…

We’re back from a much needed trip to Arizona.  Lately I’ve been so, so stressed with everything going on in our lives.  We have so many grown-up decisions to make, people to take care of, and responsibilities that I’ve just been overwhelmed.  Perhaps Sam can sense the stress, cause he hasn’t been the easiest kiddo on the block.  Tantrums, and whining, and being demanding.  All things I like to think any young toddler goes through…right?

With all these grown up things, I decided to run away from my problems and go to who else?  My mom.  I love the way going home feels.  I didn’t even grow up in this house, but there’s something about visiting mom and dad that make everything better.  (and it’s not the massages and facials.  although those are quite relaxing) It’s something I hope to provide my kids one day: comfort, strength, love, guidance.

Sometimes my mom can be pretty matter-of-fact with things, or a give little tough love.  Whenever I complain to her about something with Sam she’d usually just reply, “That’s just how kids are!”  She’s raised seven kids—I like to think she knows a thing or two.  But hearing her say, “Boy, he really does fight you on everything!”  or “Rachel, he’s playing you.  Just ignore him.”   Was actually really comforting to hear.  Sam has been draining lately.

I’ve decided to come back to our home with a fresh look on things.  And so far (first day back), things have been good.  Today we did our weekly outing: Pet Store, Grocery Store, and FroYo.

It seems my old little Sammy is back too.  He squealed with excitement watching the gross little rodents run around in their cages.  As for the fish, he’s learned to pucker his lips and make kissy faces (not how you really make a fish face.  That’s pretty hard).  It’s the one time he’s quiet, so I know to look down and see his trick.  There really is nothing better than seeing your child so happy.

Speaking of happy.  I received a package in the mail today from a friend.  I really only try to complain to Mick  :) , but I think she sensed my spirits and sent the most thoughtful package.  I can’t explain how surprised and special I felt.  The package had a few activities for Sam and I… but it turns out the box is way more fun.

I ended the day by dropping off dinner for an ill friend.  Talk about a kick in the pants.  I’ve been feeling so overwhelmed with my own life, and I’ve always known there is so much I have to be thankful for that I start feeling guilty for not praising and thanking God for all that He’s given me.  It’s a vicious cycle I tell ya!  Truly the devil is behind my glum.  Anyway, there’s nothing like spending time with friends who have real issues (like, fighting cancer issues) that get you back on track.

I’ve lightened my load with my responsibilities, and I hope to be able to focus a bit more.  Here’s to a simpler life.