What's In A Name?

With lots of discussion and prayer, and with Caleb's blessing I have decided that it's time to jump in with both feet and officially start a cookie (maybe cupcakes too) business. Ever since I became a stay at home mom, I've had an itch to still be able to contribute (however small that contribution may be) financially to our family. Caleb and I have had many discussions on what I could do that wouldn't interrupt our family time and dynamics and would still allow for life to continue mostly as is. Many ideas have been thrown around, and I may look into more ideas once the kids are in school (several years from now), but right now the cookie idea is looking to be a perfect fit. Really, the idea took off before I even knew what hit me.

Over the past year or so I have been playing with recipes and had a lot of fun making and decorating cookies and cupcakes. It started with the ladybug cookies that I made for Ellie and Reagan's 3rd birthday. I simply had fun making them and got lots of compliments on them at the party.

Sorry this picture really isn't great.

These were my first attempts to make decorated sugar cookies and I've gotten much better since. :)

Then, when we were planning Olivia's (my cousin's now wife) wedding shower, my mom didn't want to pay the expensive price tag for cupcakes. I asked my family if they would trust me to do my best and make the cupcakes myself. Again, I just had so much fun searching for recipes and making and decorating the cupcakes.

Then, about a month after that, my mother-in-law asked me if she could hire me to bake sugar cookies for her BIG 60th birthday party. She wanted the same cookies that I made for Ellie's 3rd birthday-except she wanted daisies instead of ladybugs. Of course I was more than happy to do this and told her I would not quote her a price and that she could just pay me whatever she felt comfortable paying me. She was so sweet to support this idea I had been playing with.

After her party, I posted these pictures of the cookies and before I knew it, I had 40 something "likes" on facebook, several very sweet and supportive comments, and someone asking if they could order some cookies for an upcoming party. I was beyond thrilled! It helps to be surrounded by so many loving and encouraging people.

So now here I am a few weeks later and I've decided that maybe God is leading me to jump in and do this thing. I don't know how successful it will be, but it's something I enjoy and every little bit helps.

So, here's where you come in. I need a name for this new adventure/ business of mine. Do you have any ideas? Once I have a name, I'm going to see if my oh so talented sister Jenn will help me design a website and get this thing officially up and running.

Here are some ideas that have already been thrown out. You can vote on any of these, or I would love to hear if you have any new ideas.

Christine's Sweet Treats
How Sweet It Is
Christine's Confections
Cookies and Cakes By Chris
For The Love Of Sugar
Colorado Sugar Creations

You get the idea. Please Help. Thanks all,

Another Random Post

I decided to do another random post since none of these subjects really go together.

Life has been good lately. I'm really enjoying our fall but unfortunately it seems to be zooming by. I don't know where September went and we're already almost half way through October. Crazy!

All of my sisters and I blogged about how much we love fall goodies so we decided to actually get together and bake some. This past Saturday my mom and two of my sisters got together (Courtney already had plans-sorry Court, hopefully next time) and we baked some pumpkin bread, almond cake, and frosted gingerbread cookies. We frosted the cookies with red, yellow, and orange icing just to make it feel more fallish. :) We had a great time and we're all very much enjoying the goodies.

Caleb says every time he opens this tupperware it smells like the holidays. :)

I had my hair dyed this past weekend and I decided to go back to my natural brunette color for the fall and winter. My family was not happy with me because they're always saying that they like me better as a blond. If only I didn't have to pay to be blond. :)

What do you think, blond or brunette? I actually like changing it up a bit with the seasons.



I've been feeling baby move more and more lately and I LOVE that feeling. There's nothing like it. I can't wait until I can feel baby every day. I also can't wait until we name this baby so I can stop calling it baby. Ha! I've been trying to get Caleb to sit down with me and pick out boy names and girl names but due to his CRAZY volleyball schedule I think it might have to wait until after volleyball season is done (about mid-November).

Speaking of volleyball, I can't believe there's only 2 weeks left of the regular season and then it's time for the long road to State! Again, where has the time gone?

I don't know what it is, but it seems like Elliana is looking and acting so much older lately. My baby Ellie is gone and she's developing into a little girl.



One of her latest things is that she has to pack her own "purse" anytime we leave the house. She'll grab a small gift bag (or any bag for that matter) and she'll fill it with her toys, books, play phone, just about anything that's hers. It's adorable.
Here Ellie is with her "purse". Doesn't she look SO grown up here? It makes me sad.

This Wednesday is a FREE zoo day at the zoo. So, we're getting together with a bunch of friends and going. It should be lots of fun and the weather looks like it's going to be perfect! I'm really looking forward to it.

Now if only I can find a day to take Ellie to a pumpkin patch and/or corn maze. I don't know if she would enjoy it but I definitely would. :)


I love this girl's smile.

I think that's it for now. I'll be back after my 15 week OB appointment this week to give an update on the pregnancy. I can't believe I'll be 15 weeks along already.

2009 Highlights

We had a wonderful, crazy, busy, blessed Christmas. I hope the rest of you did too. Sadly, our camera battery died on Christmas Eve, so I have no pictures to show for it. :( I'm a little depressed about that.

Since 2009 is coming to a close, I thought I'd write out several highlights from the year.

-Welcoming my sister Courtney, and her husband Jeremy home from their honeymoon.

-Maternity leave and learning how to be a family of 3 with our newborn Elliana.



-Getting to have the same months off with my sister Jenn, who also was on maternity leave.

-Our short but fun trip to Phoenix, Arizona to watch my Uncle Andy and Aunt Christina get married.




-The birth of our nephew, Nehemiah Duncan. He is SO cute!!



-Watching Elliana's unique relationship with each of her cousins. She loves all of them.





-Watching my mom come full circle, and eventually recover completely from her Guillain-Barre syndrome that hit her last year around the holidays.

-All of the healthy births of our friends and family. There was definitely a baby boom this year.

-After working long and hard, Caleb comleting his Masters degree. I'm so proud of you, babe!

-4th of July




-Enjoying Caleb's family cabin. His parents have dreamed of a mountain cabin for so long, and their dream finally came true this summer.




-Our trip to Washington for a family reunion on Caleb's Mom's side of the family.




-Various visits from out of state friends.



-Seeing Wizard of Oz onstage at the Candlelight Dinner Theater.




-Beginning this blog. :)

-Going to the Brad Paisley and Dierks Bentley concert with my sister-in-law, Shamree.

-God providing a way for me to be a stay at home Mom!! Thank you Lord!

-Watching Caleb's volleyball team and their very successful season that eventually lead to State where they took 2nd in State!




-Beginning the What's For Dinner blog with my sisters.


-Our first Halloween with Elliana (she was a bunny).



-Celebrating the first homes bought by Caleb's brother Josh, and his wife Shamree, and also my sister Courtney and her husband Jeremy.

-Thanksgiving.

-All of Elliana's milestones, and celebrating her first birthday. God is so good.




-The honor of getting to sing a solo for our church's Christmas Eve Service.

-Christmas day, spending time with my family and singing and worshipping with my very talented sisters and cousins.

-Spending the days after Christmas with Caleb's family at the family cabin.

Whew! I think that covers all of our highlights (or most of them). We're headed to Jackson Hole to spend some time with some long time friends. We'll be there over New Years.

Happy New Year everyone!!

What A Day!

My sisters Jenn, Courtney, Alli, our mom, our friend Annie, and I spent all day yesterday cooking and baking for our Holiday recipe exchange.

Who knew a day of cooking and baking could be so exhausting?!

As tiring as it was, we also had so much fun and ended up with many delicious holiday recipes. We can't wait to share them with you.

Here is a sneak peek at what we made:



Don't forget to check out the Holiday recipe exchange tomorrow!