Best Chocolate Chips Cookie Recipe Ever

Norah looooves to help in the kitchen, and of course her favorite thing to make is cookies! I've been making cookie dough and freezing it so we can have freshly baked cookies any time we want. Currently, we have oatmeal, chocolate chip, and M&M cookie dough just waiting to be baked into warm, sweet goodness. Here's the recipe we used for the chocolate chip cookies:

Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 cup real butter
1 tsp vanilla

Mix together

Add:
3 cups flour
1 tsp soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup chocolate chips (I usually just add the whole bag)
1 1/2 cup nuts (optional)
1 cup coconut (optional)

Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes

Of course, it's hard to resist sneaking some of the dough...

And waiting for the cookies to finish can be torture!

But once they're done, it's only polite to share

Norah definitely approves! Oh, and how adorable is her apron? Made for Norah with love by her Grandma Elder ... or as Norah says, "Dumby."

Norah

Dear Norah,

I am convinced you are perfect. When your daddy and I decided to add a baby to our lives, we had no idea we would be so blessed. Watching you learn, develop and grow in every way is such a joy. You bring a light into our lives that we never knew could exist. I love the way you call me "Mama" and how you are so delighted to be my best friend and shadow. I love getting ready with you in the morning, and letting you pick out what we're both going to wear for the day. Your smile brightens everything around you, and your funny little personality makes me melt. Pretty soon you are going to be a big sister and I am so excited for you to have a little buddy. I hope you know how much your parents love you!

Love,

Mama

Photos taken at our recent outing to Thanksgiving Point, we love spending time there as a family.

Four Years

Four years ago today we were married in the Manti temple. Since then it's been nothing short of perfect, I really couldn't be happier.

We've had many adventures together,

And I look forward to many, many more!

A brief update

Jason: Working hard at being a dad, provider and excellent husband. He doesn't even get mad at me when I wake him up in the middle of the night and ask him to cuddle me when I have a nightmare.

Jessie: Working hard at being a mom, photographer, cheer coach and wife. Dinner may come from the freezer more often than it used to, but I can assure you it's microwaved with love.

Norah: Hardly having to work at being the cutest baby ever (it just comes natural). Not only survived, but was a champ on her first airplane ride. Had so much fun visiting cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents and great-grandparents in Arizona. A HUGE thank-you to Grandma Vance for playing with Norah while mommy shot a wedding.

At first, Norah was really afraid to fly on the airplane ...

But then her daddy calmed her down, and told her how much fun she was going to have ...

And since there were 70 empty seats on our flight, the flight crew let us carry on her car seat. So we buckled her up safe and sound ...

And we flew safely off into the sunset!

We were also able to see and spend some time with my grandpa who also happened to be visiting Arizona at the same time. It's always so nice to visit with him, and I loved being able to show off my beautiful baby!

Made over

After reading this post, my mom went shopping with me and helped me pick out cute clothes. Really, I couldn't have done it without her. She and the sales lady had me trying on outfits I would have never considered in my wildest dreams. And I ended up buying a lot of them, sorry bank account. But ya know what? I'm really not that sorry ... because how cute is this shirt?!



Thank you Mom for all the fashion advice!! (and thank you Carlie for taking my picture)

Tickled Pink

On Tuesday we threw a gender reveal party for our family and friends so we could all find out the gender of Baby Evans together. Tuesday morning I had my ultrasound and when it came time to check the gender, we closed our eyes and had the technician write down the gender and put it in a sealed envelope ...


The sealed envelope was taken to a baker who baked either a blue or pink jelly belly inside the yummy cupcakes, depending on the results of the ultrasound

Jason and I made fudge

Pink and blue M&Ms

Yummy fruit! Baby Evans has LOVED fruit so we thought it only fitting that we serve it at the party

Who doesn't love water from a pretty dispenser?

Baby Evans also love celery

Again, more pink and blue!

Time for the big reveal ...

It's a girl!!

Grandpa couldn't be more excited :)

On growing

Thank you thank you for all the excitement over our big announcement. It's hard to believe that on June 30th (or some time around) we will be a sleep-deprived but blissfully happy family of three.

This past year has been a huge year of growing up for Jason and me. In July, after trying for quite some time, we bought a beautiful home.

On October 21st, again after trying for quite some time, we found out we were going to be parents.

On December 9th, we received further confirmation that there is indeed a little baby Evans on his/her way

And today I experienced the result of the literal growth that comes with pregnancy. As I attempted to get dressed for church, I realized sadly that none of my skirts fit and most of my dresses have ties around the waist that are very uncomfortable. Yes, this made us late to church and no, there is no picture to document this growth.