Rocky Road for the Road

Yesterday Dyllan and I made a big batch of rocky road to pass out to our new (not so much anymore) neighbors.  I figured it was about time we actually get out and meet our neighbors- and Im so glad we did.  We met some nice and interesting people.  The people who live behind us- a family of 4- just got a new puppy- a 10 week Dalmatian pup named Isabella.  I told them we would love to babysit any time.  The people on the right hand side happen to be camping in Yamba the same time we are (just after christmas) and have offered us to use their kayaks.  The family a few doors down have kids- and the son is the same age as Dyllan (plus they have a trampoline and swimming pool- score!) as well- the husband is on the school board and has offered to put in a good recommendation for Dyllan to get into the Kindy program (the wait list is more than 5 times the allowed number of students).  We ran out of rocky road before we finished the street.  And as always- my intentions were good- and I thought I'd have time to make another batch and finish the block.. but its not looking promising.  Today we will be packing for our big trip down south (10 hour drive) for Christmas to be with Dan's family at Marianne and Lauries new home.

I am bringing my good camera- so Ill have some fun photos to share.

Wanna make some rocky road yourself?  Its really easy to make, but be warned.. its very addictive.. and you can't stop eating it.  So my advice is to bag it up quickly and either freeze it.. or pass it out to friends for xmas.  Enjoy!

The Ultimate Rocky Road
Easy to make pink and white marshmallow and chocolate fun for any occasion!

Prep. Time Cooking Time Serves
Skill Level
what you need

20 minutes 5 minutes

11⁄2 cups PASCALL Marshmallows, halved
1 cup peanuts, chopped
3⁄4 cup red glacé cherries, halved
220g CADBURY Dark Baking Chocolate, chopped 220g CADBURY Milk Baking Chocolate, chopped 150g shortbread finger biscuits, broken  

** I can't follow a recipe ever- and I changed it.  I added some ghiradelli chocolate chips instead and i used a different kind of cookies.  oh and i did salted mixed nuts.   Also instead of saving some for the top- i just mixed it all in- then sprinkled crushed mixed nuts on top.  I dont think you can go wrong no matter how far you stray from the recipe. 
make it
1. COMBINE 1/3 each of the marshmallows, peanuts and cherries and set aside.
2. MELT together the milk and dark chocolate in a glass bowl over simmering water, making sure the bowl doesn’t touch the water.
3. STIR the biscuits and remaining marshmallows, peanuts and cherries into the melted chocolate. Spoon mixture into a lined 18cm × 30cm slice pan. Gently press the reserved marshmallow mix into the top of the slice. Chill until firm and then slice into squares to serve.
To view this recipe online, please visit
http://www.cadburykitchen.com.au/recipes/view/the-ultimate-rocky-road/1/ 

Christmas in the Park

I am so lucky to have a new friend who is a photographer.  Here are the photos she took of the girls the other day at our park Christmas party.  

Santa and his helper

Santa Photos 2011

I know I have been MIA lately- and all for good reason.. a new post maybe tomorrow?!

But for now- before I head off to bed- here are our 2011 Santa photos!  HAHA- you are gonna die of laughter... a preface:  We waited over an hour to sit on Santa's lap.. well into Dyllan's nap time- on the other side of town.. post face paint, and dancing in the street.. so as you can imagine- Dyllan Bug was exhausted.. but Dan and I rose to occasion and in an attempt to hype her up- we told the elf behind the camera that she liked bubbles.. so - as they blew bubbles.. Dyllan lit up (a little).. but not as much as her dad!!!  Um, Dan.. WHAT are you doing?!

Haha, Dan is overly excited, and Santa is overly over it!  (in fact, he made sure to tell us he was "off" in half hour- can you tell he's had enough?!)

Our friend David loved this photo of Dan so much that he ordered a copy- cropped... of his own, in a snow globe to put on his office desk (yes, he works in the same office as Dan)

Dyllan- Belle and I getting face paints.. I asked the lady for a small lady bug - just something small that wouldn't get all over her white furry vest... she insisted that the rainbow was much easier- as she painted away.. and promised me that if Dyllan held still- she would add a little bug on the rainbow... well this is what we got... 

HAHA!! Dyllan was so good.. but didn't get any lady bugs.. just a GIANT rainbow.. with tons of crazy flowers!!  As long as Dyllan was happy.. as you can tell- she was pretty pleased.. Mom wasn't too thrilled.. ummm what happened to the small lady bug I asked for?!  I dint ask for a face mask- rainbow for our Santa pictures!  haha.. oh well.

David's snow globe - a paperweight for his office

Just two dads waiting to see Santa... (David and Dan)

Photo from David's iPhone

and just a little payback to David for the snow globe.. we made him into an elf- with the addicting iPhone app "face in a hole" 

 

Lost in holiday spirit

Wow- I can't believe I have been so slack at posting.. I think the lack of computer time is due to several things... first- the holidays are just around the corner- and although most Australians don't celebrate Thanksgiving- didn't mean I wasn't going to host a turkey chicken feast!!  Second- Misses Bug has demanded much more of my full attention lately- thanks to a friends recommendation of a book (Brain Rules for Baby by John Medina)- Thanks Kirty!- now I feel like allowing Dyllan to watch TV/movies is like drinking wine just after finding out i'm pregnant! And third- is for some crazy reason- our social calendar is jam packed with BBQ's, beach parties, art walks, play dates... it must be summer.  And holiday season.

Just to recap- I did make a decent attempt at recreating a Thanksgiving feast.  We had Dan's middle brother- Brenden and his wife Libby over for dinner Thursday night- and I decided to whip up a Thanksgiving feast- last min- and without going to the store (honestly!).  I made crasin (cranberry, right?) and feta stuffed chicken breasts- quinoa with sautéed crasins an onion (thanks to Jessica for this recipe here) - warm edamame (kinda like green beans)- sweet potato fries- and Libby made asparagus, and broccolini with herbs, lemon, walnuts and goats cheese (she's the best cook!) - and bread rolls.  Although it was no deep fried turkey- stuffing and garlic mash with pumpkin pie for desert (this is making my mouth actually water.. especially the pumpkin pie part- which they DONT have here)  - the feast was actually impressive- for not having gone shopping at all.  We ate our thanksgiving feast- while playing board games- a perfect combination for me (but not Dan's cup of tea... don't worry- slowly I will ease him into a board-game player...)

Like I mentioned before- Misses Bug is becoming more time containing- partly- Im sure- cause she is entering the TWO's (yikes, almost 2!!) and is naturally more inquisitive, independent- yet totally reliant, demanding, and active- like i'm sure most (almost) two year olds are.  This means any second I turn my back, deviate my attention, or brush her off for something else (like the computer) - she has a mental breakdown.  And now- thanks to Kirty's book recommendation (the book was actually really interesting- and written by a fellow Seattleite- scientist)- I can't turn to my number 1 babysitter- her DVD player- or the TV.  AND- just for the record- I am not a child-raising-book-reader- in fact this is only the second book I have read (i'm not a book reader) - the first one was "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" by Marc Weissbluth, MD - which I HIGHLY recommend (if I haven't before)- it was our Bible to Dyllan's sleep schedule.  It actually made out life super easy- even in the early months!  So--thanks to Kirty's book-  this past week or so- I have been in what I call "nanny mode".... I have nannied for years... and years.. and I gave each kid I nannied for 100% focus, attention, education, outdoors time, socialization... never once turned on the TV or sat around.. because that was what i was getting paid for!!  Now- not only am I earning a paycheck- take my good salaried work load and... throw in laundry (and when I say "laundry" I mean at least 2 loads a day and line drying everything.. even teeny-tiny baby socks, and underwear!!) vacuuming, cooking, and believe it or not... showering!!  Its way more than any nanny job I've ever had.. AND I don't even get paid!

Having said that.. I do consider my job worth monitory recognition.. I went to the dry cleaners yesterday to drop off 2 dresses and 2 jackets.. 3 of which needed specific "dry cleaning" washing.  After the lady told me the 2 dresses and 1 jacked (actually, more of just a piece of thin cloth with buttons) were going to cost $56... I took the "professional dry cleaning highly recommended" suit-jacket home with me- and figured my 15 min of time was worth WAY more than $25!!  So chalk that onto the minimal free time I have these days--- HOW did housewives do it back in the day?!?!?!  No dry cleaning?  Hand-washing-line-drying....Ironing and hemming?!?!?  6 kids?  Perfect hair and make up?  Tons of friends...  Don't get it.

Anyway- here are some pictures from life in the Newton family.. lately

Just a native parrot- in a native tree
(is it bad that i wanted to capture it and take it home for a pet?!)

Brenden and Dyllan boogying to some beats while we fixed Thanksgiving dinner

Our Thanksgiving feast (yes, thats ice in my wine glass... its HOT here right now)

The Chefs- Cheers!

Our Dining room.. 

Manly beach on Sunday.. I think summer has hit.  Beach was packed.  Volley ball tournaments- surf competitions.. old men in speedos yep- it summer in Manly.

Sunday BBQ at the Langridges (where we used to stay- before we found our new place)- Isabelle, Frankie (under water) , Dyllan and Dan- this is also the place we will be ringing in the New Year (costumes and all- but thats another blog post)

Surfing Dyllan

Saturday night- we went to Dan's High School friend - Jordan's wedding at Coogee Beach Baths (Carlye- I think of you every time I go to Coogee!!)

Rockstar (this morning)

After stopping to pick EVERY flower on the way home from gym/kids club- she decided to pick/kiss/cuddle the ONLY flower we have in our front entry.. 

Helping mom set up our (fake) xmas tree- definitely more than we bargained for- separating each fake branch... then tying each ornament string.. we are close- but not quite done!!  Dyllan got way too impatient for this project.  

Best Christmas

It seems as though the anticipation for Christmas this year is bigger than most.  Everyone seems to be so excited for Christmas- and totally in the spirit.  You know the feeling when you are really excited to see the persons face whom you are giving a gift to?  or the excitement of putting the ornaments on the tree and lighting it up for the first time of the season?  Or all the warm sugary vanilla cinnimony smells that float through the air.. there is just something about Christmas that brings back great memories.  Dan and I have both said- that this Christmas seems especially exciting.  Maybe its that we are spending time with close friends, or that we are looking forward to reconnecting with friends/ family in the next few weeks as we head down to LA then to Australia.. or maybe its that its Dyllans FIRST Christmas...

I have to say.. its so much more fun experiencing the excitement through her eyes.. even though she isn't quite old enough to really understand what Christmas means, or that its an exciting time of year- its still fun thinking back to childhood and what imagination brings to those curious enough to wonder.  Although Dyllan still hasn't sat on Santa's lap yet (yikes, I guess tomorrow is our last chance!)- I think she is beginning to understand that its a time where her family and friends come around to hang out- people are in a good mood and happy to play, things slow down, and most of the focus is on her... We took Dyllan to see Santa 2 weeks ago- got her all dressed up in her Santa clothes (we dressed up too!)- and she fell asleep (passed out!) on the way there.  We made the mistake of taking her swimming just before her Santa picture.. so naturally she was exhausted.  We decided between waking her up and standing in the Santa line- it was best to bring her another time.  So- tomorrow is the day.  Hmm... Dan is skiing tomorrow with the boys- so it looks like it will be just Dyll Bug and I.  Maybe just the Bug...

For now- I will leave you with some photos from tonight.  Jessica, Ellen and Emily came around to help pack and make dinner.. drink wine, and get in the holiday spirit.

Eating Christmas lights..

Santa Claws

Ohhh bother...

Santa's Helpers

Andy came around with presents for the Bug!  Lucky Girl.. its not even Christmas yet.

"What... I drink where I want!"

Anthony came around with a wide variety of beers for sampling. Awesome.

Goodbye Seattle

Well the time has come for us to say goodbye to Seattle and "G'Day" to Sydney.  Yes, we are moving to Australia!  We are very excited to start this next chapter in our lives.  Dan has taken a job with Fitness First as a cluster manager and is eager to get back into the health and fitness industry- while Dyllan and I can't wait to hit the beach and spend some quality time together (tanning, surfing, catching up on the latest celebrity gossip, sucking on lollies).  We are very fortunate to have a great home to move into as soon as we arrive.  Dan's parents just bought the house behind them (talk about good timing) so Lionel (Dan's youngest brother) Dan, Dyllan and I will rent it out starting January 19th- when we arrive in Sydney!

Things have been pretty busy/crazy around here lately- trying to tie up all loose ends, finish work, spend quality time with friends and family and prepare for the holidays.... but things are coming together nicely.  We will spend Christmas here with the family- Christmas eve up at Robin and Karen's house (with cousins, aunts, uncles, etc on mom's side) and Christmas morning with the Thorsvigs for our annual Christmas brunch and lots of Cinnamon rolls.  Then early the 26th we will head off on our road trip down to LA - Mylo, Dan, Dyllan and I in Dad's truck (thank god for the truck- we have a lot of gear!)  We plan to pop in for a few days and visit Debbie in SF which is something we have wanted to do for quite some time now- then head down to grandpa's house. 

For New Years we are heading down to the OC to our friends Jake and Colby's house where we will ring in the new year - house party style (are we getting old?!) with Jake, Colby, Teri and Danny.  Lucky for us- Dyllan Bug can sleep in the guest room while we have dance parties, and play games.  Sounds like the perfect NYE to me!

We are so excited to spend some time in California before we leave for Australia.  We had such a great time at grandpa's house over the summer- running along the bluffs, bike rides along Hermosa beach, happy hours in Manhattan, sight seeing with grandpa.. getting the cousins together with Dyllan Bug.  We cant wait to return.

We will be making 2 more stops- we plan to head over to Borrego Springs to see Borrego Bill and Elaine.  We have wanted to see their desert oasis for a while but haven't had a chance to make it out until now.  Bill and Elaine  we will be forever indebted to.  They have so generously offered to take Mylola Maria Sussex- Newton for a few months while she waits for her permission to enter quarantine in Australia (5 months !! then 90 days in quarantine in Australia!)  Lucky we have such a great Aunt and Uncle- they are lifesavers.  I hope Mylola is on her best behavior.  We can't wait to go mountain biking, take Mylo on walks, work on craft projects, catch up, make good meals, and explore the desert. 

From Borrego we plan to drive over to Phoenix and see Teri and Danny - one last time.  We will  spend a weekend with them before heading back to LA.

Phew.. that's what we're up to in a nutshell... I will update more regularly from now on.. as you can tell- we have been very busy.  Now off to do some packing before bed.