AUTHOR: NYCmom
TITLE: Christmas 2008
DATE: 1/24/2009 05:56:00 PM
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BODY:
Christmas this year seemed to come and go faster than in other years. We were able to spread it out a bit by celebrating in Utah in the middle of the month, but Christmas eve and Christmas Day were over in what felt like an instant. In the Jorgensen family, we always opened all of our presents from family members on Christmas Eve and then all the presents from Santa on Christmas morning. This tradition has continued, so this year Brad & Connie's whole family, Scott & Pam and their kids, our family, and Grandpa & Grandma all gathered on Christmas Eve for a big ham dinner and opened all the presents we gave to one another. It was CHAOS! You can see the tree. There were SO MANY presents! The present opening started as a free for all, but we decided the spirit of the season was being lost in the mountains of wrapping paper, so we slowed down and gave proper attention to the thought behind each gift.
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AUTHOR: NYCmom
TITLE: sending some love
DATE: 1/20/2009 11:03:00 AM
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BODY:
Meet Marcia. Marcia has been a family friend since well before I joined this family. She was a second mom to me, growing up. Her home was a fun escape from our house and Marcia was always a willing playmate. She, my mom and I would take shopping trips all over and I loved it when Marcia would pick the hotel because there was sure to be a pool and she would always take me swimming. I loved spending time with her and her husband, Dave. I would go to their house and take naps in their big, blue bean bag with their little poodle Nicki. Marcia always had yummy treats and fun make up.
Marcia and Dave have since moved to Medford, OR. They continue to play an important role in our lives though. They were at my wedding (pictured above) and came to visit Jake and I in New York. I've heard they have a beautiful home there in a wonderful city, but they are sorely missed here in Moberly, MO. A few years ago, Marcia had a battle with breast cancer. A battle she won and has been cancer-free. But recently, she discovered that the cancer has returned. My heart is so full when I think of all that Marcia has done for our family and how much she and Dave mean to us. So this is my effort to reach across the miles and give her a big hug and tell her how much I love her. We're praying for you Marcia!!!
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AUTHOR: NYCmom
TITLE: Little Stinker #2
DATE: 1/16/2009 01:55:00 PM
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BODY:
Jackson was a skunk for his first Halloween. Sydney never got to wear the skunk costume. But Kate...Kate was lucky enough to don the precious, monochromatic suit...and I think she made a cute little stinker!
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AUTHOR: NYCmom
TITLE: The Big 3-2
DATE: 1/16/2009 01:04:00 PM
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BODY:
Is it ok to call each birthday "the big x-x"? I suppose I shouldn't call it that. After all, there is nothing big about being 32. It feels no different than 31. I guess I do like being a nice, even number. In general I like the number 32 more than 31, but as an age, it's not significant. It did occur to me that it's been 16 years since my 16th birthday. I remember that birthday was such a big deal and it couldn't come fast enough. And now I'm TWICE that! There is something still magical about a birthday, just as there is with New Years. I get to start a new year in history..."when I was thirty two I..." I'll let you know when I have something interesting to complete that sentence with...but it's gonna be great. At least that's my plan! (FYI...this post was another "catch up." My birthday was actually on December 14th and we celebrated it in these photos on the 7th because we were in Utah on the 14th.)
This is the amazing cake Jake made for me. It was FABULOUS!!!!
Here's evidence of the yumminess on the inside...chocolate cake layered with stabilized cream...all seven layers!!!
The kids LOVED it!!!! Are you surprised??
I know you're all wondering about the recipe for this delightful cake, so here it is:
Chocolate Cream Cake
from Lion House Classics Cookbook
1 package devil's food cake mix
Chocolate Frosting (below)
Stabalized Whipping Cream (below)
Follow package directions, prepare and bake cake mix in two 9-inch round pans. Cool and split layers horizontally. (the original recipe only uses 3 of the 4 layers of cake and instructs you to freeze the 4th layer but we used all 4 and had PLENTY of cream) While cake is baking, prepare Chocolate Frosting and Stabilized Cream.
Chocolate Frosting
4 T. cocoa
3 C. powdered sugar
4 T. butter, softened
2-3 T. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
In mixing bowl, mix cocoa and powdered sugar. Add softened butter, milk, and vanilla. Beat until smooth.
Stabilized Whipping Cream
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
1/4 C. cold water
3 C. heavy whipping cream
3/4 C. powdered sugar
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
In small saucepan, combine gelatin with water, let stand until thick. Stir constantly over low heat until just dissolved. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly but do not allow to thicken. In large mixing bowl, whip cream, sugar, and vanilla until slightly thick. On low speed, gradually add gelatin, then beat on high until cream is thick.
To assemble cake: Place one layer of cake on serving plate. Spread evenly with half the Stabilized Whipping Cream, to within half an inch of the edge of cake. Place another cake layer on top of cream, then another layer of cream. Alternate cake and cream for a total of five layers (we made 7), ending with cake layer. Gently press down on top layer to set layers together. Frost entire cake with Chocolate Frosting.
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AUTHOR: NYCmom
TITLE: Utah
DATE: 1/06/2009 07:11:00 PM
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BODY:
Jake's sister Wendy surprised us all at the end of October and announced she would be getting married December 12. Jake and I were able to take the trip our there with our kids to see it all go down, along with the birth of our nephew, Porter (Joe & Heidi), Josh's birthday, my birthday, a baby shower for Tricia and a Skousen family Christmas party. Whew. Yep...it was a fast and furious trip, but a lot of fun.
Me & Kate at the temple waiting for pictures.
Sydney posing in her new jumper grandma and I made for the girls.
Kate and Sydney riding in style.
Brittany and Jen wait with Sydney for Tim & Wendy to come out of the temple.
Aunt Liz and Kate at the Reception.
Kate and Ben, er, Ben's son, Reagan.
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AUTHOR: NYCmom
TITLE: Edible Art
DATE: 1/06/2009 06:53:00 PM
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BODY:
Having kids is such a great excuse to make yummy sugar cookies. They love to decorate cookies with frosting and candy...and conveniently, I love EATING cookies decorated with frosting and candy. MMMMmmm....perfect.
One of our cold weather projects has been marshmallow/toothpick robots. Jackson thought it was very important that they be able to hold hands. It looks to me like he's been playing too many "Wow wow wubbzy" games on the computer!
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AUTHOR: NYCmom
TITLE: We're not dead yet
DATE: 1/03/2009 03:45:00 PM
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BODY:
So yes, we've been MIA, but we're still kicking. Give me a couple days and we'll have a plethora or updates to catch you up on the Skousen family! I know you're on the edge of your seat....
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AUTHOR: NYCmom
TITLE: Land-locked
DATE: 12/05/2008 03:26:00 PM
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BODY:
Yes, I grew up in the midwest. But lately I have been feeling really land-locked. I knew I would be sad leaving New York, but as we enter the holiday season (probably my favorite time in the city) I'm feeling really sad. Sad like crying while I'm watching the Macy's Parade on Thanksgiving. I had a lot of complaints about our life in New York, but mostly just because we were doing it all juggling 3 babies. Sadly, it seems like a small price to pay now for all we were able to find right out our front door. I remember last leaving the house and walking to the subway, getting off the 2 train at 34th street Penn Station, just so I could call my mom and tell her I was standing in Herald Square looking at the Christmas window decorations at Macy's. Or even better, standing under the gigantic tree at Rockefeller Center watching people ice skate, drinking hot chocolate. I really hope we lived there long enough that I'll always have these memories. Or even better...that we get to go back and live there again some day. I "heart" NY!!!
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AUTHOR: NYCmom
TITLE: Mommy look...
DATE: 11/22/2008 11:21:00 AM
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BODY:
I cut my hair! Harrowing words for any mother to hear from her 2 year old daughter with scissors in her hand. Sydney has always had super straight, wispy hair, but we usually kept it looking cute and girly. Well, she took care of that. I'm very proud of myself. I didn't yell...I was really just sad. I started to get a little teary and Jake immediately asked about my blood sugar, assuming that I had to be low to be so sad about this event he found so hilarious. I assured him my blood sugar was fine, I was just mourning the loss of my girly girl who loves pigtails and curlers. If it weren't for dang Gilmore Girls, this never would have happened! Jake and I were in the SAME ROOM with Sydney while she did this. I was watching Gilmore Girls and trying to explain to Jake why the Gilmore Girls are so wonderful. Sydney is very stealthy and snuck in and cut her hair all under our radar. I can't really blame Sydney...she sees me cutting my own hair all the time...and the hair of everyone else in the house. It was only a matter of time. It definitely could have been worse. Those are the things I keep telling myself. The resulting look isn't that bad...it's kinda cute actually...right?!
The carnage
Mom is NOT happy
Trying to fix it
Happy, cute girl...who will wear very girly clothes so no one asks how old my son is!
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AUTHOR: NYCmom
TITLE: sending some love
DATE: 1/20/2009 11:03:00 AM
-----
BODY:
Meet Marcia. Marcia has been a family friend since well before I joined this family. She was a second mom to me, growing up. Her home was a fun escape from our house and Marcia was always a willing playmate. She, my mom and I would take shopping trips all over and I loved it when Marcia would pick the hotel because there was sure to be a pool and she would always take me swimming. I loved spending time with her and her husband, Dave. I would go to their house and take naps in their big, blue bean bag with their little poodle Nicki. Marcia always had yummy treats and fun make up. 
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AUTHOR: NYCmom
TITLE: Little Stinker #2
DATE: 1/16/2009 01:55:00 PM
-----
BODY:
Jackson was a skunk for his first Halloween. Sydney never got to wear the skunk costume. But Kate...Kate was lucky enough to don the precious, monochromatic suit...and I think she made a cute little stinker!
--------
AUTHOR: NYCmom
TITLE: The Big 3-2
DATE: 1/16/2009 01:04:00 PM
-----
BODY:
Is it ok to call each birthday "the big x-x"? I suppose I shouldn't call it that. After all, there is nothing big about being 32. It feels no different than 31. I guess I do like being a nice, even number. In general I like the number 32 more than 31, but as an age, it's not significant. It did occur to me that it's been 16 years since my 16th birthday. I remember that birthday was such a big deal and it couldn't come fast enough. And now I'm TWICE that! There is something still magical about a birthday, just as there is with New Years. I get to start a new year in history..."when I was thirty two I..." I'll let you know when I have something interesting to complete that sentence with...but it's gonna be great. At least that's my plan! (FYI...this post was another "catch up." My birthday was actually on December 14th and we celebrated it in these photos on the 7th because we were in Utah on the 14th.)
This is the amazing cake Jake made for me. It was FABULOUS!!!!
Here's evidence of the yumminess on the inside...chocolate cake layered with stabilized cream...all seven layers!!!
The kids LOVED it!!!! Are you surprised??
Me & Kate at the temple waiting for pictures.
Brittany and Jen wait with Sydney for Tim & Wendy to come out of the temple.
Aunt Liz and Kate at the Reception.
Kate and Ben, er, Ben's son, Reagan.
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AUTHOR: NYCmom
TITLE: Edible Art
DATE: 1/06/2009 06:53:00 PM
-----
BODY:
Having kids is such a great excuse to make yummy sugar cookies. They love to decorate cookies with frosting and candy...and conveniently, I love EATING cookies decorated with frosting and candy. MMMMmmm....perfect.
--------
AUTHOR: NYCmom
TITLE: We're not dead yet
DATE: 1/03/2009 03:45:00 PM
-----
BODY:
So yes, we've been MIA, but we're still kicking. Give me a couple days and we'll have a plethora or updates to catch you up on the Skousen family! I know you're on the edge of your seat....
--------
AUTHOR: NYCmom
TITLE: Land-locked
DATE: 12/05/2008 03:26:00 PM
-----
BODY:
Yes, I grew up in the midwest. But lately I have been feeling really land-locked. I knew I would be sad leaving New York, but as we enter the holiday season (probably my favorite time in the city) I'm feeling really sad. Sad like crying while I'm watching the Macy's Parade on Thanksgiving. I had a lot of complaints about our life in New York, but mostly just because we were doing it all juggling 3 babies. Sadly, it seems like a small price to pay now for all we were able to find right out our front door. I remember last leaving the house and walking to the subway, getting off the 2 train at 34th street Penn Station, just so I could call my mom and tell her I was standing in Herald Square looking at the Christmas window decorations at Macy's. Or even better, standing under the gigantic tree at Rockefeller Center watching people ice skate, drinking hot chocolate. I really hope we lived there long enough that I'll always have these memories. Or even better...that we get to go back and live there again some day. I "heart" NY!!!
