Happy day to you!

My excuse: we've been traveling and just got home yesterday. So this post is 2 in 1.

My dear husband had a birthday yesterday- which we celebrated by being in the car all day, driving home from his parents house... and of course, we can't forget Father's Day. He probably won't like this picture- but I think it's cute. This is his outside working hat. I think he looks adorable in it and I like it when he puts it on because it means he's going to get something great done in the yard!

(don't worry, we have plans to have a real birthday celebration tonight, and something else tomorrow and then something else Friday and even a little something on Saturday- phew, that's a lot of celebrating!!)

I just want my husband to know how thankful I am for him. He is an amazing father and husband and I can't imagine our life without him. The best time of the day is at 5:30 when we hear his key in the door. We all love that sound! I love him more than I could ever say- and am thankful that Heavenly Father put us both in Rexburg, ID in September of 1995 at Craigo's Pizza. Since that day, I knew I met the man for me. I am glad we can celebrate these 2 special days and let Aaron know how important he is to us!

We love you- Happy Father's Day and Happy Birthday
to the best, best, best Dad and Husband around!

you want it, you need it

I just have to give a plug to one of my new favorite healthy foods. It all started with their granola bars... I was looking for a healthy granola bar, with protein, fiber and also that tasted good. My sister told me about the Fiber One Bars, available at Costco. I decided to try them out- and yummy, the are delicious!

Since then I have tried almost all of the Fiber One products and I have yet to be disappointed. Their stuff is scrumptious! And the kids love it, too!

The granola bars are definitely favorites of ours. They have 9 grams of fiber! That's amazing. (warning: some members of my family have found that the bars give them some "gas issues". But that hasn't been a problem for me!) The cereal is amazing- coming in at 13 grams of fiber. You are supposed to get 25 grams a day- so that's a great start to meeting that goal. Today we tried the Pop-Tart type snacks, and they tasted just as good as the regular ones. Yum! The kids were in heaven- and in shock that I let them have such a yummy treat for snack- I'm mean and don't let them have"treats" for a snack- but these are healthy!So next time you're at the grocery store, try out the Fiber One stuff and let me know what you think! Check out this link too. It is full of yummy recipes that use Fiber One products.

yummy in my tummy

After mentioning, on Facebook, that my children and I were watching a movie and enjoying Peanut Butter Popcorn- I had some requests for the recipe. So tonight, pick out a movie, put on your jammies and enjoy the yummiest popcorn ever. You're welcome!

(ps- I am not a peanut butter fan and I still had to "hide" this from myself so I wouldn't eat the entire bowl. Just a warning)

Peanut Butter Popcorn

1/2 c. popcorn kernels
1 c. light corn syrup
1 c. sugar
1 c. peanut butter
1 t. vanilla
(I threw in a handful of chocolate chips just to be crazy, but it did make it harder for the kids to eat it and keep our NEW and CLEAN couch unscathed. And it did raise my stress level substantially higher- just saying...)

Pop popcorn. Bring sugar and syrup to a boil and boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add peanut butter. Stir until melted. Add vanilla. Pour over popped corn and mix. Makes 6 servings.


I got the recipe from this new book. I love cookbooks- and this one does not disappoint. Just made my grocery list for Saturday and there were many recipes on my list from this cookbook, including: Drizzled Lemon Muffins and Pecan Crusted Chicken Tenders and Salad with Tangy Maple Dressing. Can't wait to try them out!

my little beautician

How I love my little Addie!She is always wanting to paint nails or have a tea party. So that's exactly what we did- in jammies and before doing hair. . .obviously! She is so funny and took her job of picking out the polish very seriously. Her little face was priceless as she was pating my nails. She was so deep in concentration, she didn't even notice I was taking her picture. She worked so hard and I think she did a wonderful job- don't you??

Then it was her turn- it's hard to believe she is such a girl with 3 brothers- but she loves having her nails all pink and pretty. She's priceless.

crazy for dominoes

Maybe it's just me- but often, I find myself in the guest room searching for a game or activity to keep my boys occupied in the afternoon. I know this won't really be a problem next year, when Tyler is in 1st grade. (Ahh!) So I jumped all over this domino set I saw in the HearthSong magazine. If you've never looked at their magazine, you should check it out. They have really cool toys- nice, quality and different.

We got this set for the boys for Christmas and we've all really enjoyed it. I only let them play it in the afternoons when the little ones are sleeping. It's REALLY frustrating to get it all set up and then one wrong move- and you're toast. Believe me- we let Addison help us once and I just had to laugh because she knocked it down SO many times. I love seeing what creations the boys come up with- they are so much more creative then I am. I always do the dominoes in a circle and they get crazy and build the coolest stuff!

dear carter,

Just so you never doubt how much I love you . . .
I love your big, clear blue eyes.

I love the way your head always smell sweet, even when you've been outside playing and are dirty.

I love the way your eyes get big and you talk in a really suprised voice, when you are excited.

I love your stocky bowed legs.I love that your fingernails are dirty EVERY day, even though I clean them and clip them all the time. You are happiest playing in the dirt.

I love the way your skinny little body feels in my arms.

I love the way you put your head on my shoulder when you get shy or sad.

I love the way you look at me when you toddle up to my legs and put your arms up, when you want to be held.I love how whenever anyone opens the back door, you walk as fast as you can to get out into the fresh air and sunshine.

I love the way that I could just stare at you all day long- even after 13 months together!
I love that just writing this and thinking about you upstairs asleep in your crib snuggling with your blanket, brings tears to my eyes.

I love how you have made me the mom of 3 boys- 3 BOYS!!

I love you. Every hair, finger, toe, eyelash, foot and sweet dimpled hand.

I love you, Carter man.

sss

*update: I do know about the spiral bound book that the church has out- but I prefer the GAK because you can take the pictures out and also use the story on the back. To me it's worth the extra money to have the box with the pictures in it. But the book is a great idea, too!

We call is Scripture Story Sunday- and we love it!

Every Sunday evening, in place of our regular scripture reading/study time, we gather together and I tell the kids a scripture story. I go to my trusty GAK (gospel art kit) and pick out a picture and then I tell the kids that scripture story. Right now we are doing stories from the Old Testament. Tonight it was the story of Abraham and Isaac and oh my- the boys were all ears. They asked lots of questions and were hanging on every word. Last week we covered the David and Goliath story- and what story could be more interesting for a 5 and 6 year old boy??
Anyway- the point of this post was to give a shout out to my GAK. I love it! I use it at least once a week, for Family Night, scripture study, Primary stuff or just when I am telling the kids a story. At my last stake primary board meeting, our stake primary president told us that these kits are being discontinued. So I hurried home and ordered mine from the Distribution Center. Here is the link if you are interested. They are $30 and worth every penny. They come in a nice, sturdy box and are all organized by numbers, with a table of contents. I just thought I'd share that tidbit with you. I know the church libraries are stocked with them, but after hearing that they won't be making them for long, I thought I'd pass the word along. The kids love the pictures and I love being able to share quick, entertaining and fun scripture stories with them.