The Staley's Do a 5k

Sofia, Stormy, Ryan, y Sydnei

We live in one of the cutest towns, Tigard, OR. Yes, it's a suburb of the Portland Metroplitan area yet it maintains a pretty cozy feel. Having lived in Beaverton just next door it's a "small town" compared to that place! Not really, but that gives you an idea of the proportions.

Satuday, September 13th, Tigard hosted its' 4th annual Family Fest. There were activities at the library, a treasure hunt, CAKE, a family/dog 5k walk, and fireworks....did I mention cake? LOL. Anyway, we chose to participate in the 5k walk (3.1 miles) and had loads of fun. A 5k walk is 3.1 miles. So we woke up (late, of course) threw everyone, the double jogger, and a bunch of water into the Vue and off we went. We arrived at City Hall, checked in, put on our Family Fest t-shirts and off we went. We had a blast and even though we were almost dead last (since we got off to a late start) we completed the course. Sofia would ride and then walk and actually mastered getting on and off the stroller while it was moving quite well. Sydnei looked around at all of the great views her front row stroller seat had to offer. We talked, laughed, and did a little jogging per Sofia's encouragement. It was a lot of fun to do as a family and get some exercise all at the same time.

We arrived at the finish line excited for what awaited us there: a full breakfast spread. Yes, I know, the food wasn't what one would typically expect to find at the finish line but we weren't complaining. Especially since we hadn't eaten before we left. At least we burned off the calories before we consumed them all over again! Here are some of the highlights!

Nearing the finish line, Sofia makes one last dash.

There I am in all my chunky-ness and glory!

Ryan, all smiles. Go #540!!!!

Enjoying breakfast.

The school bus ride back to city hall.

I think the bus ride was probably Sofia's favorite part!

Sydnei's Baby Blessing

Sunday, August 17, 2008, we blessed our Sweet Sydnei. It was a very special day for our family. We had many family members and friends in attendance to share this special moment with us. We can't thank each of you enough for traveling distances and making the sacrifice to be here on this special day. As a mother, I was overhwhelmed with joy and love for our sweet Sydnei. We love you, Sydnei!

Here is a slideshow of Sydnei in her GORGEOUS blessing dress. This dress was handmade by Sydnei's Nana, Ryan's mom. It's nothing short of breathtaking and will definitely be a special heirloom for Sydnei as she gets older. You just can't buy something this beautiful. It exudes purity and beauty. Just looking at it one can see all of the love and effort Clarissa put into making it. Thank you, Nana.




A few family pics of all that joined us for Sydnei's special day.

Ryan, Great Gpa & Gma Holgate, Sydnei, Stormy

Auntie Darci, Sofia, Stormy, Sydnei, Ryan, Cousin Careese, Uncle Bub, Cousin Josh, Auntie Maria, Cousin Allison, and MaMa

Gpa and Gma Great Staley with Sydnei

Gpa Staley, Auntie Tristyn, Cousin Jordan, Uncle Kristopher, Nana, Gma Great Staley, Sydnei, Auntie Carlee Sofia, Papi, Mami, Gpa Great Staley, and Sofia

Daddy-Daughter Love

BFF's For-EVA! Mami, Sydnei, and Tia Tori

Stormy, Sydnei, and Super Awesome Friend, Rebecca

CAKE! Some things never change...

What is a LDS (Mormon) Baby Blessing?
For those of you not familiar with a Baby Blessing in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I will explain. The precedent for blessing children was set forth by the Savior, Jesus Christ, in Palestine: see Mark 10:16 and the new world, see the Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 17:21. The blessing of a child is not an infant baptism. It's a special blessing that first gives a name to the child to be recorded in the records of the church and then pronounces special blessings and promises for the child as revealed through revelation. The blessing is given by a man who holds the Melchizek Priesthood.

Tagged...

I've been tagged many a' times and finally need to do this! Here goes:

10 Years ago:

I had just finished my first two years of college and moved back to Portland, Or, temporarily. There, I worked at the Warner Brothers Television station in Portland, Oregon as a National Sales assistant, the Portland Opera selling season tickets, and Lane Bryant for the holiday season. I had three jobs because I had decided 3 months earlier to serve a mission and needed to pull together some funds to go. I hung out a lot with my stellar friend, Michelle. We even worked at the Opera together and had a lot of fun laughing at our boss, Christopher HYink. I was getting pretty pumped for my 21st birthday only a few months away. Life was good and busy. I talked incessantly about where would I be sent on a mission. I had a standing date with my parents to watch Law & Order every week!


5 Things on my To-Do List today:

1. Make Pancakes for Sofia's First day of School/Take Sofia to School
2. Set up my new hot red Shuffle with some sweet workout playlists
3. Hit the gym
4. Play with my girls, read them a story, and teach Sofia a primary song.
5. Laundry, laundry, laundry...this is an eternal to-do list item.


5 Places I have lived:

1. Portland, OR
2. Houston, TX
3. Taragual, (a tiny town in Honduras)
4. East L.A., Californ-I-A
5. Salt Lake City, UT


5 Jobs I have had:

1. Grants and Contract Officer
2. President of a Non-Profit Organization/Chapter
3. Assistant Bank Manager
4. Admin Officer
5. Lifeguard/Swim Instructor


3 of My Bad Habits

1. Procrastination
2. Not going to sleep when I should.
3. Worrying about things I can't control. (Amy-this is one of the many areas we align :D )


Things I would do if I were suddenly a billionaire:

I'm not a materialistic person at all...so I wouldn't naturally go out and buy a bazillion new things. There are a few key items I'd happily use the money for: a new house, probably a bigger car, pay off student loans, I'd invest a lot, and help anyone in my family go to college. Oh, and we'd go on a sweet vacation touring Latin America...and then Europe!

Things people don't really know about me:

1. I fractured my hip doing the cabbage patch dance when I was 15. Yes, it is possible to do, I'm living proof!
2. I'm pretty self-conscious when I speak Spanish even though I'm fluent. (probably because Ryan speaks the language perfectly!...not really, I was this way before I met him. I guess I just hate the idea of speaking incorrectly)
3. I won Champion at the County Fair and then went onto "State" (Oregon State Fair that is) with an award-winning eggplant I grew when I was 10.
4. I can do long multiplication and fractions in my head pretty dang fast.
5. My favorite musician growing up was Kenny G and my favorite pop-star was Debbie Gibson.

Warm and Fuzzy Baby Giveaway: Lavender Beanie

Here is another one of Vermillion Rules' great giveaways this week. It's an adorable lavender beanie by Warm and Fuzzy Baby. Click here to enter. Check out all of their adorable items!

Lovey Duds Giveaway: Awesome Baby Wraps, Slings, and Nursing Covers

Vermillion Rules is featuring some awesome giveaways. This week she's giving away a Lovey Duds wrap. The wrap is worth $40! Click here to enter. Hurry, deadline for all entries is Saturday, September 6th, midnight--pacific time.

Vermillion Rules: Custom Baby Clothes Memory Quilt

Thanks to all of the NieNie supporters, I've linked to some stellar blogs and shops. One in particular is Vermillion Rules. The first thing that caught my eye about her blog was an item she auctioned for the NieNie recovery fund. It's a custom one of a kind baby quilt made of your favorite childs' baby clothes. I love the idea of being able to preserve the memory of your little one in such a unique way. They're being sold in two sizes. Click here to view the larger sized quilt for $150 and here for a description of the smaller sized quilt for $70. Super Christmas gift idea; check it out!!

"$100 Bucks goes to the First Person who...

...dares to clean our kitchen." Those were Ryan's words tonight as he walked through a kitchen that seems to have been on a cleaning strike for, oh, say a week?!?! The only other unfortunate souls who have been privy to such a sight are my Mom because she came by yesterday and fortunately found time to unload the dishwasher--THANK YOU! And, my BFF, Tori, because she was here last week when I cleaned it.

Yes, I do love a clean house and generally need it to remain sane. It just didn't make the cut this week. Fine!!! I'll go clean it now and stop blogging about it. Ry, does that mean I get a hundred bucks!?!?!? Certainly, I'd still be eligible? Tell ya what, Ry: ...we do it together and I'll split the money with you (as a one time courtesy, of course) What do you say?!?!? Are you in?

Praise from Sofia

Sofia: "Mami, thank you to make this delicious dinner!" Big smiles. Yes, I love it when my kids enjoy my cooking. The nice thing is we didn't have anything fancy for dinner, good old fashioned grilled turkey and cheese sandwiches + beef/barley/vegetable soup. I think Sofia thought the barley was like little pieces of pasta as she devoured the soup. No wonder she loved it!

Family Prayer Moment

Sofia: "Dear Heavenly Father, please bless Sydnei to grow up to be like me and please bless everyone can be a family."

A Learning Curve

I knew when we decided to have #2 and all through my pregnancy that we were in for a whole new world of challenges. After all, it's been awhile--4 years in fact, since we had a newborn and we'd need to learn and re-learn a thing or two or a hundred. Not too mention getting used to managing dos bambinos with two very different sets of needs. Lately, I have felt so overwhelmed and sometimes incapable of being a good mother to both of my children and meeting their needs as best I can. One second, Sofia is content as can be and the next second it's meltdown city. One moment, Sydnei, is fed, changed, and sound to sleep, the next minute she's awake and whaling. While trying to juggle the girls I'm also thinking about the house cleaning that needs to be done, the garage that needs organized the 50 errands I still need to run...the list goes on and on.

My feelings of being overwhelmed have induced this utter sense of inadequacy. Thoughts have surfaced like: how in the world did my Mom do this? Why does that Mom seem to have it so together? And then it hits me, it's not automatic. Yes, most mother's are born with a keen sense of intuition but so much of our ability to love, nurture, and provide come with learning, practice, and time. So, that's where I am right now and that's okay. Gratefully, the perfectionist and inpatient side of my personality decided to buy into this concept this morning. What a relief. Thankfully, I feel a "little" less stressed to start my day and while thoughts continue to come to my mind such as: "Will I ever get the hang of this?" I remind myself to be patient and while I won't have motherhood 100% figured out today, guaranteed, with the right perspective and lots o' love we'll do just fine.

Sofia and I on the Willamette River Cruise
August 15, 2008

Sydnei and I on a train ride through the Oregon Zoo

August 19, 2008

Humbled? Yes. More grateful for the example, sacrifices, patience, and love of my own mother? Definitely. It's amazing what a little reality check and perspective shift can do.

NieNie Dialogues

A few months back when my good friend Lindy was visiting, she introduced me to a pair of blogging sissy's, NieNie and CJane. I was instantly sucked in as I began to read their dialogue, commentary, life experiences, and so on. They have a keen and witty way of expressing themselves and sharing their lives and perspectives.

One of the sisters, NieNie, was in a private airplane crash with her husband six days ago. While the pilot did not survive the crash, she and her husband are in the burn unit listed in critical condition at Maricopa County Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. Their prognosis is still so unknown but will definitely include many surgeries, skin grafts, infection fighting, and body temperature regulating--to name a few.

StephaNie and Christian Nielson Family
(this is my most favorite family picture of theirs, NieNie looks so sheek and hip in a 1920's kind of way)

NieNie is the mother of four precious children: Clair, Jane Bronwyn, Oliver, and Nicholas (Gigs). I can't express how the tragedy of a family I know of only through blogland has effected me. Since I heard about the crash, NieNie and her family have persisted in my thoughts and prayers. The thought of them fighting for their lives while their children and extended family watch, wait, hope, and pray is overwhelming. NieNie's sister, CJane, continues to update her blog on their progress.

Nielson Family: June 2008

First I want to invite each of you who read this blog to offer up your own faith and prayers in behalf of the Nielson Family. I know that the kindest of thoughts and faithful prayers of people one knows and those they don't know, are heard and help more than anything else can. The faith of others is far reaching and as one who has repeatedly benefited from the same of others, I invite you to join in on behalf of this sweet family. Additionally, some donation accounts have been set up to help contribute to the cost of their recovery. Their recovery will be costly, well into the millions. Should you want to do more, you may click on the Nie Recovery Button at the top of the right side bar to learn of many ways to support various fundraising efforts including but not limited to craft sales, silent auctions, and donations. All proceeds will be used to pay for medical bills and their household management as they recover.

Thanks to each of you for reading and offering your support. My best wishes for this sweet, dear family.

Careese Gets a New "Do!"

Sweet Careese

Our niece, Careese, age 12, has been helping us throughout the summer with the arrival of Sydnei. She is such a gem and so much fun to be around! We've really enjoyed spending time with her and no doubt, Sofia has as well. Sofia calls her--her big sister and talks about growing up to be a big girl like Careese--when "she gets taller." Careese is funny and loves to learn new things. She really enjoys cooking and baking and so of course, I've been teaching her everything I know. :)

MaMa Thompson always gets her grandkids' haircut for the start of the new school year. Careese inherited the long, thick, gorgeous black hair of her Mom, Maria. It's to die for! There is so much she can do with her hair. I took her the other day to see Andrea (Sofia's hairstylist) and she chose to get layers. What resulted from her appointment was awesome. Careese went from kid to young woman and I couldn't be more proud! Since her appointment I've been teaching her the ropes of using a flat iron and some molding wax so that she can actually do her hair the way it's meant to be styled. She is picking up fast and looks awesome. Careese is headed to the 7th grade and young women's this Sunday and she is definitely ready to turn some heads. Here are some of the great pics from our silly niece, Careese. (That rhymed)!

"Miss Thang!"

"...um yeah, so like, anyways!"

"Check me out, you know I'm hot!"


We love you Careese!!!!

p.s. Lime Green is her FAVORITE color!

Happy 7th Anniversary!

Engagement Photo, 2001

Wedding Day, August 4, 2001

Today marks 7-years since I married Ryan. The day I married him, I felt so lucky and blessed and I feel the exact same today. It's hard to believe how many years have passed--we're only three years away from our 10th anniversary! This last year has been an awesome year with the birth of our second child, Sydnei, Ry's acceptance to graduate school, Sofia finishing her first year of preschool, a move to Tigard, Oregon...OH! and the purchase of our very first complete set of furniture! What accomplishments!! (especially the last one--lol). While they may not seem like a big deal to anyone else, they definitely are to us!

Wedding Reception, I still remember the cake fondly ;)

Ryan, te amo con todo mi corazón. Gracias por amarme siempre. I love you a 100 trazillion red and yellow roses. :)

Here's to another stellar year for our family!

~Storm

Texas Sheet Cake: Southern Hospitality in a 9x13-Inch Pan

Most of you know that I am the daughter of Southern parents. While I was raised in the Pacific Northwest I was inculcated with the southern culture of my heritage. I have the sweetest Mom in the whole world, born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. She is the epitome of southern hospitality: warm, friendly, always welcoming of anyone she meets, generous, and never fails to appropriately address those with whom she interacts as ma'am or sir. Additionally, Southern cuisine and treats figure highly in Southern hospitality. When I was a kid, anytime someone would be coming by or family and friends would gather, out came the killer southern delicacies whipped up by my Momma. One of our family favorites is the Texas Sheet Cake and can I just get an AMEN for this one?!?! It's been described as delicious, decadent, sinful, and down right goo-ood!!!

In the last several weeks just before Sydnei's birth and after, my Mom has been here to help us. (Thanks, Mom!) Well, her presence has brought back the Southern cuisine, more specifically, the Texas Sheet Cake. (darn--wink wink) We've made them together over the last couple of months and shared them with friends and family. It's been fun to do this with my mom and reminisce of her sweet treats and good times growing up.

There are many versions of the Texas Sheet Cake recipe; I'm going to share our long-time family version with you!

TEXAS Sheet Cake
by Carolyn Thompson

2 cups Sugar
2 cups Flour
1 cup Butter
4 tbsp Cocoa
1 cup Water
1/2 cup Buttermilk
2 Eggs, slightly beaten
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Cinnamon
1 tsp Vanilla


Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Sift together sugar, flour, baking soda and cinnamon. In a saucepan, combine butter, cocoa, and water and bring to a boil until butter is melted. Pour into sugar/flour mixture and stir. Add buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla. Mix well. Pour into 9x13-inch pan and bake for 25-30 minutes. Cake is done when a toothpick inserted comes out clean.


Just before the cake is ready to come out of the oven (about 5 minutes) prepare the hot fudge frosting:

1/2 cup Butter
4 tbsp Cocoa
5-6 tbsp Milk
1 tsp Vanilla
1 lb. Powdered Sugar


Combine butter, cocoa, milk, and vanilla. Simmer until cake is ready to come out of oven. Remove from heat. Add powdered sugar. Stir vigorously and well until it reaches a fudge like consistency. Using a fork, punch holes throughout the top of the cake. Pour the hot frosting over the cake immediately.

Note: it will seem when pouring in the powdered sugar all at once that it's too much, just keep stirring and the frosting will develop.


It is delicious served warm with ice cream or cold with a glass of milk! Enjoy!

Happy 1-Month Birthday, Sydnei

We can hardly believe a month has already passed since you came into our lives. Your presence brightens any room and anyone who meets you falls in love instantly. We love your striking blue eyes and dimples. We love to see you smile which for now is only when you're dreaming sweet dreams.

You love tummy time and you can already turn yourself over from your belly to your back. You even prefer sleeping on your belly over any other position, although for now, we only let you do that when we are watching you. Mami especially loves to stick her tongue out at you and watch you reciprocate. Papi loves when you make an 'O'-shape with your mouth and look all around you, it's precious. Your big sissy, Sofia, loves to pick you up the minute you wake up and carry you through the house. So far she hasn't broken you so not too worry you're in good hands (even though MaMa has a heart attack each time she sees Sofia carrying you)! Sofia loves to help feed you and shower you with hugs and kisses, she is so proud of her little sister. We're so grateful you have joined our family and are excited to watch you continue to grow.


Love you so much, Sydnei~
Mami y Papi

The One Semester of Spanish Love Song

This is freakin' HILARIOUS!!!!!!




Have a great weekend everyone!

Sydnei's First Week Home

Here are a few sweet pics of Sydnei taken her first week at home. Isn't she absolutely precious?!?!?! We are so in love!

Sound to sleep in her papasan chair, this picture is my absolute favorite

Sydnei enjoys a ride in the swing

Sofia loves to stay close by Sydnei at all times to make sure she is "ok"