Fire Station! Fire Station!

As you probably know, we are frequently at the fire station to visit Brett.  What you don't know is that it never gets old to the kids.  As soon as we turn the corner and the station is in sight they start screaming, "Fire Station!" at the top of their lungs.  When we dropped off the cookies today for Brett we got another tour full of life lessons and lectures.

Just slightly dangerous.

Proof that Emmett was there!

Ahoy Mateys!

Lecture!

Ahhh, Mizuno.

Ahhh, like deep sigh of relief.  Not Ahhh, like screaming.  :)  They have arrived, my new running shoes!  Love them.  I was fitted for them at Foot Zone in Redmond and then found them for cheaper online.  Boo-yah!  I gave them their first test run (ha ha ha) on Friday and whether it was new shoes or renewed motivation I completed a 5K in 35 minutes.  Still not the fastest, but I am getting better.  If you are in the market for a new running shoe and have a high arch, give them a try!

Mizuno Wave Creation 12's

Sous-Chef's

Introducing my adorable Sous-Chef's Brooklyn and Jameson.  I not sure they are the most helpful but they have fun and that is all that matters.  Yesterday we made surprise cookies for Brett because he came home from the fire station to save our day by opening the Suburban for us...we had locked the keys in it sometime on Sunday and I didn't figure it out until this morning..when he was already at work.  Super.  In the baking process, I learned that Jameson thinks flour is tasty and enjoys eating butterscotch chips more than helping.  Brooklyn was more helpful but was annoyed that Jameson was taking up "her" space.  Today we'll be delivering the delicious morsels to our personal super hero!

Family Pictures are Up!

You can find the preview of our Saturday session here:
http://mandychiappiniphotography.blogspot.com/.

Enjoy!

Hot Tub

Super Model Poses.

As if Easter wasn't busy enough we decided that yesterday was a great day to throw the kids in the ol' hot tub.  I am thankful that this didn't bring all that sugar right back up.  Brooklyn and Jameson FINALLY (they have been waiting forever) got to try on their new suits from Grandma Joan.  While Brooklyn's fit and was adorable...Jameson insisted on wearing his up over his bellybutton.  Way up.  So attractive.  They had a blast in the tub.  Lots of giggles and jumping.  Jameson loved going under water with his eyes and mouth open.  He is such a little goob.  Can't wait for it to STOP RAINING so we can go in more often.  There better be some super beautiful flowers in May with all this April rain.

Thumbs up - J isn't quite sure what that means.

Just kept hikin' them up.

Easter Weekend

We had such a fun-filled Easter Weekend.  Saturday morning we headed out early to meet Many Chiappini, an Issaquah based photographer, for some pictures of the kiddos.  The last time we tried to get pictures, Emmett wasn't even born, and it was still too much for me.  Mandy was great and the outdoor setting was much better than a studio.  There were no tears this time around!  Should have pictures back in a few weeks, I can't wait!  She even took a few of our whole family, a rarity these days.  :)

Fairy Bunny from Ramfuse's.

Ramfuse Bunny!

After we wrapped up the photoshoot we headed over to Jessica & Brett's house for some Easter fun.  The Easter Bunny visited Ramfuse Creekside (their adorable house on the creek) earlier that morning and brought Easter baskets for the kids and later hid eggs in the yard.  I am not sure what the kids were more excited about...the abundance of candy or the worms.  Yep, they found worms while visiting their house.  The men were out working in the yard while Brooklyn and Jameson collected worms in a Starbucks cup.  Hey, whatever keeps them entertained.

Eyeballin' more candy!

After we had thoroughly exhausted the kids, we headed to Renton to see Lindsay and Ryan's new house.  It is so perfect and we can't wait to see the finished result - they are doing a remodel before moving in.  The house boasts a perfect backyard for BBQing and we can't wait to invite ourselves over this summer!  The kids approved the driveway as they were passed out in their carseats.

J's thumbs up.

So excited!

It doesn't end there!  Sunday morning we woke up and decorated eggs which is so entertaining with a four year old and two year old.  Luckily Brett set up some pretty strict rules that were followed loosely.  ;)  When the eggs were done we loaded up the kids and headed up to my parent's for a second Easter egg hunt and lunch.  Delicious!  The kids had a blast with their cousins and family and were exhausted.  Today I believe they have a sugar hangover.  I hoping it is out of their system tomorrow.  If you can't tell - they are very spoiled!  We are so thankful for all of our family and friends.

E's in on the action.

Hope you all had a great Easter as well! 

Haircuts

Let's face it people, I am no good at cutting hair.  Well, that's a lie, I am really good at the ever popular buzz cut but anything else turns out pretty horrific.  With that said, I refuse to pay $20 a month to have Jameson's hair cut professionally and with a second head of hair growing on Emmett's head as we speak, that would be $40 a month dedicated to kid haircuts.  No way.  So, I'm learning. 

Attempting to do a "fade" on Jameson's hair while he is screaming and batting at my hands is a challenge for sure.  I was really proud of my latest attempt until today when I noticed that all of my efforts were wasted...it looks just like a buzz cut.  Ugh.  The best part?  Brett thinks that I am capable of cutting his hair...then he complains when I am gouging his scalp with the clippers.  Did I mention that I don't enjoy my new task?  I am so desperate I found myself looking for YouTube videos on how to cut hair. 

I am not posting pictures now because we are getting family pictures on Saturday.  Yep, pictures with my awesome haircuts.  Wish us luck!  

Five Months

Well, it's here, Emmett is five months old.  I have said it before but he is such a joy, so happy.  His voice has reached new heights but instead of a wounded seagull, it is now the sound of pure glee.  He will make this crazy high pitched sound and then laugh and laugh and laugh.  He still thinks he is the funniest little guy on earth.  He is still huge and finally over the non-whooping cough, cough.  Whew.  Here are some pictures of our big little guy.  Look close and you can see hair.  It's fuzzy and white blonde but it is there and sticks straight up.  We'll see how that turns out. 

Not the cutest - but HAIR, he has HAIR!

Yes, I am still a little redneck with the months on paper.  I should really invest in the cute onesie stickers or something cuter...

Tummy Time!

Emmett's first playdate, they gossiped the entire time.  They are one day apart so they had a lot in common.  I am pretty sure they were talking about the latest sport stats.  ;)

"I Eat It"

The sun peeked out from behind the clouds long enough that the kids were able to go outside for a few  yesterday.  Hats and coats were still required, but once they were out, I couldn't get them back in!  They were filthy and eating worms.  Yes, eating worms.  Okay, not both of them, just Jameson.  They are both OBSESSED with worms, to my dismay.  I can only deal with worms long enough to get them on a fishing hook.  You know, a means to an end.  Sorry PETA.  So, yesterday, while collecting worms Jameson holds one up for me to see then, as if in slow motion, says, "I eat it" and just drops it right in to his mouth.  I expect it to come right back out.  Nope, he liked it.  I had to then explain that we don't eat worms.  Really?  I am so not ready for all of this boy stuff.  It doesn't help when Brooklyn exclaims in the middle of the backyard "I love worms!  They are my FAVORITE animal!"  This proclamation was followed with what has now been identified as the worm dance.  Awesome.

All-inclusive Worm Spa

The Worm Boat.

It's a complicated operation.

Such a girly girl.

Could they be any cuter?!?

Naptime

Well, Emmett has adjusted well to nap time in his crib.  He naps for two and a half hours in there, in the afternoon.  This makes me sad and happy at the same time.  Now I no longer have an excuse to nap!  And, it means he is growing up.  Tear.  I should be happy, I accomplished so much during nap time today...but here I am getting all emotional.  Pull it together Tamara!

Sneaky Diapered Thief

Last Thursday, I made an angel food cake.  What?  It's fat free therefore it is totally acceptable for my healthy eating plan. Fine, it's not healthy at all but I am weaning myself from sugar.  i.e. I keep sugar in the center console of my car instead of in the house so if I want it I have to go outside, in the rain, to get it.  It is working so far.  Be right back, I need to run to the car.  Man, I'm funny. 

Back to my story.  Made the cake only to witness this the next morning:

Hasn't caught on that I have caught him.

Oops, I'm caught.

I don't care because it's delicious!

 So, we had angel food cake for breakfast.  Mmmm.

Weekend of Firsts

Emmett had his first five month birthday, we celebrated our first six year anniversary and we survived our first mudslide.  Yep, Emmett is five months old.  What?  Excuse me?  You want to hear about the mudslide?  Well, you'll have to wait and read the longest blog post ever.   

On Friday Brett and I headed out on a mini-staycation to Whidbey Island for our six year wedding anniversary.  We decided a few weeks ago that Brett works too hard and I have the vocabulary of a toddler (i.e. not enough adult conversation) so some time away from the kids would do us both some good.  We didn't want to spend a bunch of our hard earned money so after a short search on the ol' internet (love vrbo.com) we found an adorable beach cottage on Whidbey Island.  We dropped the kids off Friday afternoon (thanks Mom & Dad!) and decided to drive around to see the sights on the way vs. just hopping on the ferry. 

Our first stop was the Deception Pass bridge.  It was Brett's first time over the bridge and I was so delighted that he wanted to pull-over to check it out.  Sike.  I have been over this bridge many times and frequently have nightmares about it...I really dislike any bridge and this bridge is the extremest most extreme bridge EVER.  So, we park and walk on over to check it out.  There is a trail to the left that you can hike down.  Two steps down and you are greeted by encouraging signs.  What a great way to start our vacation.  Did I mention that it has been raining and is pretty slippery? 

So we hike around until my stomach can no longer bear it and head up to walk on the bridge.  Brett wasn't too in to it at this point because I had just mentioned that every time I encounter a ledge I get the feeling that I'm going to jump.  What?  It came out wrong.  I meant that I felt unstable and that I felt that I would fall at any minute.  But I was so nervous (sweaty palms) that words came out wrong.  We made it 1/8th across the bridge until my feet wouldn't move anymore so we decided to head back.  I strongly recommend the Deception Pass bridge as a tourist destination. 

Next stop was Deception Pass State Park, a favorite of the Dennis Broughton Fam growing up.  Driving through brought back so many great memories and made me get the camping bug.  I can't wait for a little warmer weather so we can pack up and head out! 

Back on the road we stopped for a quick dinner in Oak Harbor and continued down to the southern tip of Whidbey Island, Maxwelton Beach.  We drove up to our adorable cottage and instantly loved it.  It was really a ramshackle of a shed converted in to a "cabin."  Right up our alley but totally unacceptable to the vast majority of the population.  We (Brett) built a fire in the stove and headed out to the gorgeous backyard (seriously gorgeous, no sarcasm here) to build a fire in the pit as well.  We tried to live it up around the bonfire but the rain soon ended that party.  We headed back in and talked forever, you know, lectures and life plans and watched The Fighter.  Decent movie but didn't live up to my expectations. 

Saturday morning it was drizzling so we headed out to breakfast at an awesome restaurant in Langley called The Braeburn.  Brett noshed on a Cowboy Breakfast Burrito and I enjoyed super yummy Applebread French Toast.  If you are ever in Langley make The Braeburn your destination for breakfast (http://www.braeburnlangley.com/).  After bfast we visited Whidbey Island's best thrift stores and garage sales.  An awesome way to spend your anniversary!  We found some sweet treasures. 

The rain stopped so we headed back to cottage to gear up for a beach walk.  Remember, this is a vacation with Brett so there is no relaxing.  He is allergic to relaxing.  We load up our recently purchased thrift store backpack with a few snacks, a shovel for clam digging (not too sure if they are in season but what the heck) and a bottle of water incase we get parched.  Raincoats on we head out for our romantic beach walk.  All starts out good and pretty soon the hoods come off.  I think it might be a balmy 50 degrees.  We see many sights including beached crab pots (we need to inspect all to see if they are salvageable), a dead seal (ew), many landslides, and awesome mutli-level waterfalls. 

Brett modeling our awesome $1 backpack.

Our walk started at the north end of a huge bay and we soon find ourselves over halfway to the otherside of the bay.  Just doodling along.  We decide that our end destination will be the other end of the bay.  I keep glancing back because it seems that the tide might be coming in.  Nah, it never reaches that rock line according to my guide (Brett).  So we trek on and soon reach a challenge...a soupy, clayish mudslide of sorts.  I have tried and tried to figure out how to describe this obstacle but have come up with nothing.  We gingerly maneuver our way through it and as we step out we hear this sick, weird squishy noise.  Oh, how cute, the mudslide is making little mudfalls that sound like moving farts.  I seriously can't explain how weird it was.  The only thing I can think to compare it to is lava.  It was like cold, grey, lava that made farting noises.  So, we laugh and move on thankful that those tiny mudfalls didn't hit us. 

"Poopy Point" aka The Mudslide.  Looks cute and harmless.  Yea, right.

We make it to our destination and watch for wildlife in the water for a bit.  We see lots of birds and a cute seal that was "following" us by water.  Man could the seal move.  Really fun to watch it swim up and down the shore.  I glance back the direction that we came from and note again that it seems that the beach is gone.  Nope, it's all about perspective.  My guide is full of intelligent tide lessons.  However, we decide that we should probably start heading back.  Our five minute break is over.  As we do so I notice that things that were on the beach on the way there are now in the water.  No, couldn't be, the tide isn't coming in.  Hmmm, the beach appears to be much smaller.  We start to joke.  Hey, pick up that Styrofoam cooler, we can use it to float.  Oh, hey, an old dock, remember where that is in case we need to build a raft.  Ha ha ha. 

Hey, is that the cute farting mudslide?  It looks a lot deeper now.  Oh, because it is.  Much deeper.  Why?  The tide is coming in.  The first time over we crossed inches of soupy mud.  After trying to cross this time, we are working with feet of soupy mud.  I have my rainboots on so I try to recon (word of the day) our path.  I make it to a fallen maple (i.e. victim of recent mudslide) and see that there is no beach because the tide is now in.  Brett laughs.  We'll just build a landbridge out of driftwood over this mud and then go from there.  Sure, sounds great.  Half-hour builds a sufficient landbridge for Brett to cross..I am still clinging to my fallen tree starting to panic because I am on a tree, in the middle of an active mudslide.  Brett makes it to my tree and hops up onto the branches I am in.  Whew, we made it.  Then Brett yells, "BEAR DOWN!"  I think he's lost it until I turn around and see the entire hillside of mud headed our way.  Brett laughing hysterically and yee-hawing while I am yelling curse words, lots of them.  No exaggerating, we are going to be hit by a mudslide.  Our fallen maple tree over the mud becomes a fallen maple tree in the mud.  Mud in front, under and now over us and ocean behind us, nowhere to go.  You are reading this so we obviously survived but man, I was thinking mud was going to do me in.  So ridiculous.  Who does this?!? 

This is the mudslide "material."  It does it NO justice.

After we recovered from the fact that we just survived a mudslide, we look up the bay to realize that we have nowhere to go.  I glare at Brett repeating that the TIDE IS IN.  I ask Brett if is it too soon for him to tell me that I was right that the tide was coming in.  I am now laughing a hysterical crazy person laugh.  Brett calmly tells me that once you tell yourself there is not a way out, you will not find a way.  I say, yeah because there is NOT A WAY!  More hysterical laughing.  While I am scoping out ways to climb higher so we (me) aren't swept out to sea Brett hops, skips and jumps his way to the next root ball.  Well, duh, we'll just scale these trees and cliffs in my clearance rainboots (me) and Romeo's (Brett).  Fear leads to a little, just a little of anger.  I tell Brett while I am climbing in tree root balls dangling over the water I am dreaming of myself at a romantic candlelit dinner for two.  His response, won't this make for a great story?  Sure, if we make it.  More laughing.  After I calmed down and Brett promised me that we would get home safely (just like he promised the tide wasn't coming in) I decided that I just needed to follow my guide.  Several HOURS later of climbing over landslides, trees, massive rocks and waterfalls, we make it back to civilization just as the rain starts to pour down again.  Did I forget to mention that the bay we were on was a wildlife protection area so there were NO homes or people?  Oh, weird.  It was probably illegal for us to even be there.  Hmm.  We hadn't told anyone where we were going, forgot our cellphones and hiked down an uninhabitated beach while the tide was coming in.  Smart, real smart.  In the words of Brett, remember honey, we are on an adventure.  Funny, I thought we were on vacation.

Anyhoo, after returning safely we decide to head out to dinner.  Better late than never.  We enjoyed super yummy pizza at Village Pizzeria back in Langley.  Good food again.  Although we had hiked the entire day so we were starving.  Dinner done we grab some junk food to celebrate the fact that we are alive and laugh all night about the fact that we survived a mudslide.  A real mudslide.  We head out early Sunday morning, catch the ferry and pick-up the kiddos. 

These things always happen to us.  I'll have to share the story of the woman Brett helped save on our Honeymoon, the 10 mile walk we took in Vegas to see a pawn shop, the hike we took to a stinky hot spring while super pregnant, our Honeymoon beach walk that ended with us both seeing mirages or the "cabin" we stayed at in Forks that was being used as a backscratcher for cows in the morning.  Oh, vacation, I already miss you.  But, really, how boring my life would be without Brett.  Love you my faithful and trusty guide.

Yep, That Just Happened

Yesterday, after cleaning up after an infamous Triple Threat episode, I picked Emmett up to burp him and WHAM spit up shot directly to the ear.  It was funny because it didn't even phase me.  I just thought, "Wow, I can't believe that this is the first time this has happened."  I mean, I have had three kids how has this not happened?  Don't you worry, as soon as it was convenient (approximately six hours later) I was able to shower and remove all spit up from my ear canal.  

Dirt Cake

On Saturday I headed to Renton to attend a baby shower for one of my best friends.  She is expecting a baby boy in July and I can't wait.  It's about time!  I brought a dessert that is crowd favorite.  You can class it up by serving it in a clear glass bowl (parfait style) or keep it campy by serving it in a plastic planter with flowers.  Either way, it is a fantastic dessert!

DIRT CAKE
1 Package Oreo Cookies

12 oz. Cream Cheese (room temp)
1 1/2 Cubes Butter (room temp)

1 1/2 Cups Powdered Sugar

1 Large Vanilla Instant Pudding
1 Large Chocolate Instant Pudding
4 Cups 2% Milk

1 Large Tub Cool Whip
1 Bag Gummy Worms (Optional)

1.  Put the entire package of Oreo cookies through food processor until fine.  If no food processor is available, you can put the cookies in two ziplock bags (double layer the bags) and hammer until fine.  Set aside.

2.  Mix both packets of pudding, in one bowl, with the milk for five minutes.  Set aside.

3.  Cream butter and cream cheese.  Add powdered sugar.

4.  Add pudding to creamed mixture.  Mix.  Add tub of Cool Whip and mix until all ingredients are combined.

5.  In a plastic planter, bucket or clear glass bowl coat bottom with a layer of processed cookies.  Top with a layer of creamed ingredients.  Repeat layering until the bowl is full and end with a cookie layer.  Add worms, bug gummies or flowers if desired.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Out With the Old, In With the New

Hello 18 month clothes, welcome to Emmett's closet.  Your predecessor, 12 month clothes, lasted two weeks.  I would appreciate it if you try and stay around for a little longer.  I am sick of rotating this closet. 

Thanks a million,

Big Mama T

Landmines and Mobile Duck Buffet

This morning I completed my third 5K training run.  I use the term "run" very loosely.  I did finish and I did run (jog) almost 90% of the time.  I seem to have contracted Emmett's "whooping cough" i.e. cold, so my chest was a little achy and my nose was like a faucet.  I despise excuses so instead I got furious.  I didn't know I had this kind of anger in me.

Let me back up a bit.  When I started my training I started on the treadmill and dreaded every loud, angry stride.  It was so unnatural for my already unnatural gait.  Picture all arms and legs.  After getting really frustrated my trainer (Brett) suggested running around the lake across the street from the gym.  I was skeptical but ended up really liking it.  Training outside made it much more enjoyable.  For instance, if you run in the morning, just after it has rained, you are presented with the challenge of dodging landmines.  Landmines are all of the worms, snails and slugs that coat the path.  On training run two, there were an unusually large amount of landmines on lap one.  Lap two I started to notice a decrease in the number of landmines.  Hmm.  I glance up and see that I am now following a mobile duck buffet.  Ducks are in a row covering the entire path eating every slimy creature that they find.  As I approach, they part just enough for me to squeeze through and then fill in the gap as soon as I am past.  Mmm, mobile duck buffet.

Wow, I am a little distracted this evening.  Back to the training update.  Today the run was less than enjoyable.  My legs felt like they weighed five hundred pounds and I couldn't catch my breath.  I guess that is what happens when you get the stomach flu twice in one month.  Anyhoo, today I found out when I can't push myself to not stop running I get furious.  FURIOUS.  When I had to take a breather today I told my trainer that I wanted to start hurling the ducks.  I was blind with rage.  Don't worry, I didn't touch the ducks.   I hope my next training run is a little less full of anger.

Guy, Man-Guy, Man

Jameson has a plethora of his own personal terms and recently has added guy, man-guy and man to his vocabulary.  I first noticed this when a teenage boy rode by our house on his bike and Jameson yelled out, "man-guy!"  To make sure I had all the terms right I pointed to the little boy playing across the street and asked Jameson who that was...his response, "guy."  He piqued my curiosity so I asked him what Daddy is and after responding that his Dad was a firefighter he explained that Daddy is a man.  So, there you have it, boy, teenager and man are out.  Guy, man-guy and man are in.

Negative!

Surprise, surprise...Baby Emmett does not have whopping cough.  Yay!  We are in the clear.  He will still go in tomorrow morning for a follow-up appointment because he is still coughing.  But no infectious disease in this house!  We all celebrated with a family nap hour.  Zzzzzzz.

Waiting, Waiting, Waiting

Still waiting on results from Emmett's test.  After talking to what felt like a million people yesterday it was determined that we should have results back from three to ten days.  I also talked to a pediatric nurse and she does not think Emmett has Whooping Cough based on what I explained to her on the phone.  Next step is to go in for a follow-up appointment Monday morning at 8:30 a.m.  Woo Hoo! 

Happy Weekend!

Bubble Boy

Have you seen Bubble Boy?  It is Jake Gyllenhaal at his finest.  Still don't understand why there were no Oscar nominations for that sweet movie.  Why am I plugging this movie?  Because I have decided that we will become Bubble Family.  Meaning I am going to seal us in this house and never leave.  I am so sick of sick. 

Today I spent two hours at the doctor with Baby Emmett.  He has been coughing for quite awhile but it has gotten much worse over the last several days.  To rest my worried head I wanted to make sure his lungs were clear, etc. so I could try and get a good nights sleep.  Instead of trekking to our usual pediatrician I tried to get in to a local one but they didn't have any morning appointments so I was referred to someone in the family practice. 

I dropped Brooklyn at school and headed to the appointment with Emmett, Jameson and about 100 snacks and cars to keep the latter occupied.  We checked in at 9:10 a.m. and checked out at 11:02 a.m.  That is a LONG time to keep a two and half year old occupied in a tiny room.  Thankfully, Jameson did awesome until about the last half hour.  I just kept telling myself that if I remain calm, the boys would too. 

Why such a long appointment?  Well, once the ancient doctor hobbled in to the room he got really paranoid and determined that Emmett either had pneumonia or whooping cough.  I was thinking bronchitis, worse case.  He needed a chest x-ray of Emmett to rule out pneumonia.  Have you ever seen how they get chest x-rays of babies?  No?  Well, consider yourself lucky.  It required a lot of calm, deep breathing on my part to just get through it.  The contraption reminded me of the torture devices we saw in Germany at the Museum of Torture (yep, we went there).  I am not sure I can accurately describe a mental picture.  He basically had to sit upright on a tiny plastic horse saddle and then get completely strapped in a plastic straitjacket with his arms above his head.  It was awful.  His adorable chubby legs didn't fit in the leg holes...at all...so the lady just shoved them in there.  Shoved.  Broke my heart.  Meanwhile, Jameson made friends with Jake, the x-ray assistant.  He even hugged him when we left.  Hilarious.  Ooh, I found a picture of the device:

That is not baby Emmett.  Duh.  So, the x-ray came back clear.  No pneumonia.  The diagnosis?  Whooping cough.  I thought we were vaccinated against it?  Well, he is but that doesn't mean he can't get it.  Say what?  Of course this would all happen while Brett is on shift.  We have picked up a prescription and am awaiting results.  Hopefully we'll hear back by tomorrow.  If he has it, we all get to go on antibiotics and be quarantined.  In my gut I don't feel that he has it but I have been wrong before.  A lot.  Stay tuned. 

Ooh, the positive of the day?  Emmett got weighed...20 1bs. 8 oz.  At four months we need to already get him out of his infant carseat.  Fantastic.  

Pancake Sandwiches

When I asked the kids this morning what their favorite dish/recipe I make was, they replied Pancake Sandwiches.  I had no clue what a Pancake Sandwich was so I asked them to explain it.  I give you the illustrious Pancake Sandwich:

Very complicated.  Pretty sure I don't need to include the recipe.  :)