Tonight I made a red velvet cake with raspberries and cream cheese frosting for our dinner party with friends tonight. It turned out really great. It's pretty much a chocolate cake with red food coloring. I love how beautiful the colors are, and so festive!! I'll definitely be making it again. Recipe at http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Red-Velvet-Cake-with-Raspberries-and-Blueberries-108256

Note on recipe: To make it more moist I added 3 T cup more butter and 1/4 cup sour cream. Because I hate dry cake. I used three smaller pans (6 inch?) as opposed to two big ones. Because I like tall cakes. I also added an extra T of cocoa powder. Because I like things chocolately.

So New York ended up being quite the blast! I enjoyed myself relaxing and just being with Aleksandra and family. I found myself bored at times because I am not use to not doing nothing all the time. I need to learn how to relax and not having to do something at every second. Maybe it's a good thing I have a job or I would go crazy staying home all day. Anyway our NY trip was ten days and we played in the city, we went to the Cake Boss in NJ, went to the diamond district got my rings adjusted FINALLY, we had an amazing Thanksgiving in the city, I ate tons of NY pizza and Dunkin Donuts ha ha, and all in all just enjoyed being with my family. Aleksandra and I had a great time hanging out with Grandpa and Grandma De Rosa. She loves them so much and we where both so sad to leave them. We where excited to see Mike but the sad we had to come back to reality. Aleksandra instantly clung to her Grandma I think because she looks a lot like Mike and of course she is amazing too. And ever time she saw her Grandpa she would light up with a smile. We really wish we lived closer to our family but life has placed us in Utah for now. One day we will return to the city! But we are so thankful for our family and the love they show us. What would we do with out them?

Good bye Utah, Hello Big Apple

On Saturday, baby and I are heading to NY for ten days and we are really excited. I really do love NY but I don't I love Yankees I just want to make sure know no one gets that confused. We get to stay with Mike's parents and enjoy ourselves. I know Aleksandra will love spending time with her Grandma and Grandpa De Rosa. And plus the east coast in the fall is magical! And running around the city and just enjoying our self will be a blast! See you soon NY we can't wait to see you.

BFF moments

You always need a friend that you can eat leaves with. Miss Fin and Alek playing in the leaves.

Too Fast

Here is Aleksandra now at 6 months


Here is Aleksandra at 2 weeks old

Aleksandra has gotten to big to fast and now weighs in at 14 pounds 4 ounces, and is 27 inches long. Her head is huge, she gets that from Dad and is in the 86% for her head ha ha love it. She never ceases to amaze me, she is smart and so happy and friendly. She is always smiling and giggling and it makes me happy she is so happy! Hey why wouldn't her life be happy. Someone feeds you when you cry and changes your bum and rocks and holds you. It sounds like a pretty sweet life, I am jealous! Aleksandra's new thing is trying to figure out how to crawl she gets up on all fours but hasn't figured out how to move her hands and feet. I am sure this girl will figure it out soon. I am truly blessed to have her in my life and me and Mike think the world of our little girl.

Finally new pacifiers from Nuk. I am so excited because there are so many new kids and they all seem to have the same pacifier so hopefully this way Aleksandra won't get her pacifier mixed up. We got the cute pink, and yellow animal faces. It's funny the simple things as a mother that make you excited.

Baby Play

So here are some photos from Halloween, the park, and the zoo. Aleksandra really loves to be on the go and sometimes naps get missed because she would rather be playing. She loves the park digging in the sand well actually eating the sand is really her favorite thing to do. The moment you take her away from the sand she gets so mad. She loves to swing the moment the swing is no longer in motion she cries. And I am one wiped Mom and i keep pushing her on the swing. When we go to the zoo she screams when we get into the giraffe house and it's probably because her voice echos. Next time note to self avoid the giraffe house. Our days are busy which is nice and then time flies faster and the week just slips bye. Life with Aleksandra is the best and make so day so much better.

Happy 28th Mike

Man time really does fly now days. And now my amazing husband is older and it reminds me how lucky I am to have him in my life. He has brought me such great joys, a cute healthy daughter, the most selfless and amazing in-laws in the world and the love for one another. He creates such a calm environment, a place were I can open up and tell him anything. He is a hard worker and dedicated to our family. I am happy I married this man.

Food & Friends

Here are some photos our from our crock pot dinner with our good friends. It's crazy how close in age all these kids are, a matter of weeks and months inbetween them all. And cute Malakai is the only boy and I am sure he will adventually realize how lucky he is. We are just hoping Katie Wasson has a boy so those two can have a chance against all these girls. Thanks for coming friends. And we are sad for the ones who couldn't make it! And Welcome Lyla into this world, you are so cute!

10 A.M tomorrow The Bliss Begins

YES, tomorrow Mike and I are getting a couples massage! I honestly, couldn't be more happier. I have been anticipating this for weeks now and can't wait! The massage starts out with a 30 minute foot rub, and then off to an hour massage. Then to sum it all up. We get to sit in a huge soaking tub and enjoy having cheesecake being served to us! And we get to be alone, I don't think that has happened since Aleksandra has been here. It will be weird leaving Aleksandra I probably will just think about her the whole time. Anyway let you know how it goes!

Hacksaw's Law: Do What You Can, Live With What you Cannot.

My new theory is life is going to be Hacksaw's Law, it's brilliant and simple! And especially with a full time job a a 5 month old baby my out take on life and things I use to deem important have changed. I use to think a clean home was the most important task of the day and now I find that chore has long since past! Now my most important chore is Alek. My favorite part of the day is when she cries after waking up from a nap, and you get to go get them. And when your child sees you they smile and are so happy to see you, it's pretty much the best feeling in the world. So if you think to ourself why is Hollie so lazy with blogging you will understand , life is too busy anymore, well and plus i am lazy!

I am starting to realize a trend and it seems I blog every 2 months or so but I am thinking it makes the times I do blog so much more fun! The things our families have done lately and most recent was go to Yellow Stone. It was a great trip and went by all to quickly.

Here are some pictures from the trip. We are glad that we where able to go and enjoy friends and relax! The drive up to island Park is 5 hours and it is exhausting. I didn't even to the driving and by the time we got there I was ready to go to bed. It was fun getting to the cabin at 2 a.m. but then still being greeted by everyone. We went to Yellowstone the first day and played there ate lunch and just enjoyed ourselves. From there we ended back at the cabin around 6 p.m. and had an amazing dinner provided by Nicole and Les. Lets just say that on this whole cabin trip we where all fed great. The next day we hiked to some waterfalls and had a easy day. The Sunday was he day of relaxing and then the awful drive home. But we made it safe and really enjoyed ourselves. I really wish that our good friends from the ward could of came but what can you do. My new plan is to rent a cabin in PC so it's closer for everyone. You will all be getting an invite about that next trip soon.

We have made it 3 Months

Here our her 3 month photos. We are quite the proud parents and are so blessed to have her in our life. We couldn't imagine life with out her, just like I can't even imagine 8 hours of sleep! I am so grateful for this little one coming to our family. And looking forward to the next 3 months.