Tspoons

For my birthday, which was a few weeks ago, Ian got me a couples cooking class package that we were able to go to last night. It was so fun. Although, I don't cook a lot (as you can see from our blog, we are not home much), when I do, I love to try new things and constantly watch the food network for new ideas. Our chef was T, that's her name, just T, and there was one other couple in the class. Our first course was Crispy Shrimp Spring Rolls accompanied with an Avocado Citrus Salad with a Mango Dressing. In the end it looked so pretty. I felt like I was eating something off of "Top Chef."
Here is Ian hard at work.
Our main course was Chicken Roulade with Spinach, Julienne Carrots and Black Forest Bacon with a Mushroom Marsala Sauce. Here is the aftermath, it was obviously pretty good.
Dessert was by far my favorite. We made a Tahitian Vanilla Creme Brule with Strawberries and Chocolate. It was amazing, and who knew it was so easy to make Creme Brule. There is just four ingredients, creme, sugar, eggs and vanilla. That's it. I also got to experience for the first time using a torch on my food. That was fun. I might just have to go to Home Depot and buy myself a torch.
We scraped the bowls, it was so good. I will definitely be trying this again at home.
Thanks Ian for a great night and thinking out of the box on this one! Tspoons offers a variety of cooking classes, so if anyone wants to do another with me I would love to do it again. Next on my list is an appetizer or dessert class, hopefully in the near future I will make it back!

OC Fair

Here are a few pictures of the fair last night. We go for the food, it is our one night a year of gluttony. We ate corn, fried Australian potatoes, tortas, ice cream, funnel cake, and a cinnamon roll to name a few (yes, there was more). I paid for it this morning when I stepped on the scale.

Oh Earl!

So, for those of you who don't know Earl, here is a small glimpse of the character. Yes, he did decorate a boat as a Viking ship and dress my older brother and sister up as little Vikings. For years as kids, we were equipped with swords and horned hats.

This is him during World War II, apparently protecting his home.

And this is Earl today. He is 88 years old and has since upgraded this 4-wheeler to a new faster one that travels faster than 60 mph. Mind you, he is legally blind and can only see peripherally.

He is the coolest. A true Norwegian. There is no shortage of good stories about him.

It's a BOY!!!

Ian is beyond excited and I am still wondering what I am going to do with a boy! Please forgive me if I dress him in pink. Ian already told me I that he is not allowed to model my dresses. He will make sure he is a boy through and through. My Grandpa said it best today...he told me it is a good thing we have a boy following up Addison, because you can't get any cuter than her. Not that I am biased, but I definitely agree. So, baby Von it is. The middle name will be Erik after my Grandma's maiden name Eriksen. Von Erik Clawson. Has a nice ring. I am trying to set him up to be a true Viking just like my grandpa Earl. You can't get any more Scandinavian than him!

Jimmy Eat World

We were able to see Jimmy Eat World this weekend, they were great. We are becoming groupies with all the concerts we have been going to lately. I feel so old, though, at them. If this were five years ago, we would have been in the mob of people trying to get in the front row. Now, we are happy sitting up on the balcony watching. It was the last show of their tour, so we got "the kitchen sink" as they described it. Needless to say, it was a late night, but definitely worth it.

Memory Lane

I don't usually do stuff like this but I thought it might stir up some good memories as it did for me when I saw it on D's blog. Here are the directions:
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! I guess good or bad, but be nice!!!!!!!
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

What will it be?

We find out on Monday what we are having (Addi is hoping for a puppy). Any ideas? I am hoping for another girl and Ian a boy. My lunar calendar and my medicine man (a.k.a. my acupuncturist) says I am having a boy. I am hoping they are wrong. We will see...

Potty Training

Potty training Addi has officially begun today. I don't know the best way to do it, I just kept her naked all day and kept reminding her not to pee on the floor, while taking her to sit on the toilet every so often. She held it all day, and let it loose when I put a diaper on her to take a nap. We did have one success right before bed, which was the encouragement I needed to continue this process. Thank goodness for M & M's. That girl will do just about anything for a little chocolate. I have helped potty train toddler clients in the past with success, so I am hoping this will be much easier and quicker. I will keep you posted.

Studio 5 and Photo Shoot

On Wednesday, I flew to Utah for Shabby Baby. On Thursday, we were on Studio 5 modeling women's and little girl's dresses. So, for those of you who have wanted to see m growing body, check it out. Addi had a bit of a breakdown about 5 minutes before we were supposed to go on live, and the only way she would stop crying was if she was eating. So, you will see her on TV chomping on a bag of Ritz crackers. Even with a mouth full of food, she is still pretty cute. My sister, Katie and her daughter McKinley are modeling too, so to see us cut and paste this http://studio5.ksl.com/?nid=58&sid=3721920
Here are some pictures od Addi and Kinsi making funny faces in the mirror of the dressing room.

Then, on Friday we had our photo shoot for our fall line. Addi and Kinsi were the two models. Addi loved having her picture taken for most of the shoot, but of course freaked out after the last clothing change because she got a scratch on her foot and all of the M & M's in the world could not calm her down. Why is it that my daughter is the high maintenance one? Here is a picture of the two of them in one of our new dresses, we think it is pretty cute and of course Addi has her mouth full of chips.

4th of July

For the weekend we went up to the cabin for the weekend with the fam. We spent the weekend watching movies and reading and saw the fireworks show on the lake. We had Gidget (or "Jiget" as Addi calls her) with us. Addison loved dragging her around the village.

Megan's visit

So much catching up to do...Last week, my good friend and old roommate Megan came into town. We look forward to her visit every summer when she comes with her family. Addi and I met her at the beach in Laguna to play in the sand and water. Addi did so good with the waves. She is usually a total wimp in the ocean. And as you can see, she spent the better part of our time there chomping her apple and of course chasing birds. What a fun day at the beach!