The Life and Times of Amy Elizabeth Gholson Pikula

I just wanted to take a moment and reflect on the most important woman of my life. In thinking about all the things I love about her, I've compiled a quick list:
- She is the funniest person I know without trying to be. Someday I will compile a list of the funniest things she's said. Her timing is impeccable.
- She is a wonderful mother.
- Her breathe smells good in the morning.
- She gets her country accent back everytime se talks to her family.
- She loves The Neverending Story(see earlier post)
- Whenever she tries to smile, she can't(see above). But when she doesn't know it, her smile radiates the cosmos.
- She gives her all in everything she does.
- She is my best friend.
-She doesn't tell anyone that I cry while watching Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (I'm comfortable with my manhood, ok!)

So that is just a few things I thought of, but the list cannot contain ALL of the reasons of course. I edited the playlist on our blog to play, in order, the songs that most closely portray my thoughts of her.
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Kurtis Birth-day!!

This is my first time trying a slide show, these are all photos of Kurtis through the years as its his birthday I thought it would be neat to see him growing up. Yes I did tear up and cry when I put this together!!

Kurtis Birthday Party

Today was Kurtis 3 year old birthday party and he was so happy he started the morning at 6:15 AM which is kind of early for him. He was jumping up and down and talking about going to his party the ENTIRE morning. It was the perfect day at the park. We had amazing weather for mid-November, good food, and we were surrounded by great company. Thank you to all of our family and friends for celebrating with us, we love and appreciate you all so much!

He helped make his cake, which was Bob the Builder of course, did you have to ask?

Yes that is chocolate icing all over his face!!

All the children playing with Water Balloons!

Derick set up fun stations for the children to play with. They all seemed to really love the fireman and policeman outfits.

On Sunday he finally got to play with some of his presents.

My Guys....

So just a little note that I have the two cutest guys in the world. Here they are in their suits on Sunday....so handsome!! Kurtis looks really grumpy because he did not want to go to church. We had an exciting weekend and he just wanted to chill at home!

Halloween Fun

So Kurtis finally decided on being Bob the Builder for Halloween. The fall festivities were in full swing last week starting with our Ward's Trunk-or-Treat event. To cap it all off, Kurtis went trick or treating last night in our neighborhood and had a blast, although he was a little overwhelmed with all the kids in the streets. He was happy to come home and hoard all his candy! Here are some pics:

Isaac and KurtisMia, Nic, and Kurtis

They had a ton of fun games:Kurtis and his loot:

This could seriously be a commercial, Kurtis LOVES Kit Kats!

Falcor and Friends

Ok- So did you ever hear the story of how Amy and I were getting to know each other and I found out that Neverending Story was her favorite movie! I said to myself- "Calm down Derick, if you tell her that it's your fave too then she will just think that you are trying to con her into this 'we are so compatable moment'. So consider this blog entry as an ode to The Neverending Story- quite possibly the worlds greatest movie. You can learn all of life's lessons from watching The Neverending Story and Braveheart, in my opinion.
Feel free to scroll down to our playlist and find the Neverending Story theme song and take a one minute dance party break from whatever you're doing now... Seriously.

Pumpkin Carving

Last night we were able to have Family Home Evening since Derick was home!! We decided to carve pumpkins and make Halloween shaped cookies. Kurtis was so excited, the two of us had carved a baby pumpkin which quickly spoiled so he was happy to have a new one. Our friends Brit and Steve came over and enjoyed the festivities with us!! It was a lot of fun, and the pumpkins came out pretty good too!I know both are similar but he looked so cute I had to put them both up!! He posed himself, so cheesey and too cute!!

Kurtis and our first baby pumpkin!Brit and Steve's Nightmare Before Christmas Pumpkin, Angry Big Pumpkin and Crying Baby Pumpkin.

(Kurtis wanted an angry pumpkin and a sad pumpkin???)Kurtis with all three pumpkins.

Our friends Brit and Steve!!

Just like Mommy!!

Kurtis has a new love....SMORES!!! Just like his mommy this kid loves sweets! We like them with peanut butter on graham cracker, add chocolate chips, and then marshmellows on top! It was a lot of messy fun!

Our little Winona Ryder

While Amy and Kurtis were shopping at the mall, a funny (or troubling) incident occurred. They stopped in a toy store to purchase a birthday present for a friend's party, and without much of the usual asking for toys by Kurtis, they went to a clothing store where Amy found some clothes to buy. When she went to put her bags under the stroller, she noticed a heap of toys from the previous store hidden there. “Did you put these things here?” Amy asked sternly.

"I wanted to take them home", Kurtis responded bluntly. Momma then raced back to the store, explained to the worker what happened, and then Kurtis got a lesson in the proper way of taking items home!

Too bad for me, I was on my way to teach the lil' man the art of thievery! I'd be Finnigan to his Oliver Twist! We'd run the streets I tell you!!!

Singing Songs

So when Kurtis is with Derick he is an active ball of energy which is the way he is with most males, and then with me he is either talking (constantly) or singing (also still a little ball of energy). Recently he has really started singing. Sadly in public I have started to just tune him out waiting for him to say "isn't that beautiful mommy..." then I quickly pipe up.

Just last night in the LONG line waiting for someone at JoAnn's Fabric Store to cut our material we had picked he was singing Row Row Row Your Boat but just kept singing in a round. I was really trying to figure out what was taking so long so I was not even phased by his singing, but the couple in front of me thought it was the cutest thing. Once Kurtis realized they were giggling and laughing at him he just kept going and going and going. Then the gentleman sneezed, and everyone in line said "bless you", of course then Kurtis saw his opportunity for a laugh and quickly faked a sneeze just like the man's. Everyone was laughing, he is such a cute little Derick!! At least he keeps my annoyed frustrating times filled with laughter and joy!! We love him!! Here are some videos of him singing for you, the beginnings seem to be cut off a little bit, sorry!

Little Man Started Pre-School!!

So Kurtis started preschool last week and he was a very excited boy! Even though it’s only once a week, it is a small taste of a long, adventurous career as a student! We are so proud!

He has already met a bunch of friends, some familiar faces and new ones as well. School starts with some songs and movement, followed by circle time, then a story, lunch, and free play- What Fun! Kurtis loves his teacher Judy and wants to go everyday if he could- soon enough young man, soon enough.

New Toys

Kurtis is so blessed to have the Catalano Family who gave him this very cool power wheels truck. We are waiting for a new battery to actually drive it but he loves giving it a "car wash" and pretending to drive around.Kurtis also loves this cool castle set that his awesome cousin gave to him. What a lucky boy!!

Thank you all, we really appreciate the love and support!

Kurtis Haircut

We shaved off Kurtis' hair, here are the photos of our cute little boy!!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Chicken Enchilada's- Honey and Lime??

So I found this recipe on this blog, and thought I should try it. I love my friend Anne's chicken enchiladas and thought the photo looked similar so it was worth a shot. Here is how they turned out:
I served them with Spanish Rice which turned out wonderfully and sweet white corn which was delicious!!


Here is the entire recipe:
6 tablespoons honey
5 tablespoons lime juice (1 large lime)
1 tablespoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 pound chicken, cooked and shredded
8-10 flour tortillas
1 pound monterey jack cheese, shredded
16 ounces green enchilada sauce
1 cup heavy cream


Mix the first four ingredients and toss with shredded chicken. Let it marinate for at least 1/2 hour . Pour about 1/2 cup enchilada sauce on the bottom of a 9X13 baking pan. Fill flour tortillas with chicken and shredded cheese, saving about 1 cup of cheese to sprinkle on top of enchiladas. Mix the remaining enchilada sauce with the cream and leftover marinade. Pour sauce on top of the enchiladas and sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes until brown and crispy on top.


My thoughts: The enchiladas were good, but the honey (which is not a taste you are really used to having in your enchiladas) kind of over powered the rest of the flavor. I will try the recipe again incase I did something wrong, but everything else about this recipe was really good!! The missionaries loved it, but what do they not like??

Super Kurtis...Our SUPER HERO

Derick's sister brought over this adorable costume that her little one (who is really not little anymore) wore when he was Kurtis' age. Kurtis loves it. He has worn it a few times and tries to fly off of all the furniture!! He is so funny, his favorite super hero is ICEMAN and Derick is usually Spiderman they both get really into character, and have such GREAT imaginations!! I am glad he took after Derick in that way!!