kimberly franzen

My week is up tomorrow. I'm down 4lbs. — not too shabby. The entire week has actually been pretty fun. Experimenting with new foods–spaghetti squash pasta, raw unsweetened coconut chips from Trader Joes (yum!), and roasted brussel sprouts. I found a FANtastic new market Superstition Ranch Market. I got a whole cart full of fresh fruits and veggies for under 25.00! Cost was somewhat of a concern when I initially debated about a paleo trial, but I was under my grocery budget thanks to my new market. Even the kids have tried a few items. Baby Coral loved the spaghetti squash and all the kids ate the curry chicken. I'm loving the Nom Nom Paleo app and am really excited to see what we come up for this next week.

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I 100% absolutely adore Annie's Eats food blog. Everything I have made has turned out wonderful. I book marked her Pumpkin Whoopie Pie recipe awhile ago. Yesterday after dropping off Aliza at preschool the littlest munchkin and I gave it a try. Bonus, I also got to use my new silicone baking mats. Yippee.

Here is the link to the recipe. Be warned these will disappear fast. This recipe made 30 pies.

http://www.annies-eats.com/2012/09/28/pumpkin-whoopie-pies/

Some photos:

My assistant

Mixing the dry ingredients with the pumpkin

Maple cream cheese filling

Cooling halves

Finished.

In other news I decided it was time to try and get rid of the belly pudge (hey I just helped eat 30 Whoopie pies lol) So I challenged myself to attempt to go 1 full week on the Paleo diet with the help of the Nom Nom Paleo app. Wish me luck!

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We slept late and didn’t get out of our pajamas until 11:00.  Kailee and Dylan headed out with Grandpa and Grandma Franzen to see Cavalia Odysseo.  I’d never heard of this show, but both kids really enjoyed it and the video clip I watched online looked amazing.  Aliza was initially teary eyed for being left behind (I know she wouldn’t have sat through a four hour show), but her feelings were soothed with a McDonald’s happy meal courtesy of thoughtful grandparents.  After lunch the littles and I headed out to our very favorite place.  Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe.  I adore this shop for two reasons. 1. They give you store credit for used books.  2. They have the best stuff.  Tons of adorable books, vintage style toys, jewelry, scented candles, and they are connected to a Wildflower Bread Co. bakery.  To top off our fabulous afternoon we grabbed take-out from Yupha’s Kitchen. Yum!

2012 was such an amazing year. In january we spent an amazing weekend in a cabin in Greer.

We welcomed our fourth and final baby Coral Adele Franzen in March

In April Jason's brother moved from Indiana to Arizona with his family. The kids have had so much fun playing with cousins ever Sunday. Big crazy family get togethers have become our norm.

We spent a long september weekend in Carlsbad/San Diego celebrating Kegan's marine graduation

Then in November we had a fantastic time in Disneyland. This was the first year Aliza could remember going. She's been begging to go back ever since.

I can not wait to see what 2013 has in store for us.

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Some fun holiday pictures. Apparently visiting Santa for a holiday picture is very uncool when you are 11 years old, but in the end they both gave in. I love this picture because it's real. Sometimes holiday photos aren't picture perfect.

Pajama party at preschool

Yummy gingerbread house

Phoenix zoo lights. So much fun but highly suggest not going the week before Christmas

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I can not believe Christmas is only eight days away. I'm caught between über excitement and the stress of my never ending to-do list. I've finished shopping, but nothing is wrapped–and poor Jason only has about 900 items that need to be put together. Our “You've been Elfed” posters are still sitting by the computer- never mind the fact that I haven't actually made the treats to accompany said signs. Strangely though I know everything will get worked out and we will have a fabulous holiday.

I have watched this movie three times this week

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I am so excited to enter blogger-world. I hope to use this space to journal about our every day life in Arizona, and share my passion for cooking, vintage thrift store finds, shopping, and creating wonderful memories for our family of 6.