Ready to go!

 I am all set for my first Sunday as Primary chorister tomorrow!

I found these great mini candy bar wrappers on Sugardoodle. They are going to be my super singer awards! (I made sure to remove all of the special dark bars and set them aside for myself!)

We are going to play music mail!

I filled these enveloped with songs and I am going to deliver them to the children and let them open their "Mail" and announce our songs.

I am excited to spend my Sunday playing and singing with the little ones!

Pull Apart Cheesy Onion Bread

I am totally working this into my weekend!

Recipe HERE

Happy Friday!

New Calling

I was called to be the primary chorister in our ward and I am totally overwhelmed!

I have never been in the primary and while I am excited about a new adventure I have no idea what I am doing. I have spent most of the morning on sugardoodle.net and I have information overload!

I am excited to be able to help the children learn the songs and I hope that they will learn to love music.

I am willing to serve and I am ready to give it my best effort. Wish me luck!

Mid-Week already

I think we may finally be done with the cold dreary weather! I am hoping the spring sunshine sticks around and turns into summer. 

The kids are all feeling better this week. I have a cold that I can't seem to get rid of! I was at my mom's house yesterday eating oranges trying to fill up on vitamin C!

Today while Max is at school I am trying a new brownie recipe I found on Tasty Kitchen

Dark Chocolate Fudge Brownies with a Crumbled Pretzel Topping

It sounds interesting. The recipe uses boiling water which I have used in a cake but never brownies.

I hope everyone is having a great week!

Easter Morning

 I came downstairs this morning and started a fire so that the family room and kitchen would be nice and cozy when the kids woke up.

 I had set out all of the Easter baskets last night so they were ready to go!

Max and Mia got colored paper, chalk, jump ropes, squirt guns, and candy.

 Zackary had a basket full of goodies too, but he was really excited about his little green garbage truck.

 Nothing else mattered!

There was New York style Crumb Cake for breakfast. I thought it would be fun to have cake for breakfast on Easter. It was a very happy start to our Easter Sunday!

Happy Easter!

He is risen and He lives!

Cookies and Eggs

 I have been really bad at taking pictures lately and we have been doing some fun things too!

This week we made Easter sugar cookies to decorate and give to our friends. The kids did a great job. I only took the one picture of Max decorating his great big heart cookie!

This morning our neighbors came over to decorate eggs with us. I meant to take pictures of all the action, but after I took this one of Mia getting ready in her apron I forgot. Oh well... The egg dying went well. Only two eggs were broken during the process and most ended up looking beautiful!

Spring Carnival

 Yesterday Max's school hosted their spring carnival.

My brother Jamison came down from school for Easter weekend so he and my parents were able to come out and join us. It was a beautiful evening and we had a great time!

They had the "planet" walk. It was kind of like musical chairs meets the cake walk with a planetary theme.

 Max played twice and both times he won!

I made him share his candy with me!

 There was bowling, using tennis balls and water bottles for pins. Max knocked 3 bottles over and got a prize.

I got Ty and Jamison to do the potato sack race with Max. Ty won! Max started out okay, but after his first fall he was discouraged and tried to walk. It didn't turn out so well! The kids got to try cotton candy for the first time. Max and Zackary loved it, but Mia was skeptical to eat a pink cotton ball.

Can't wait for next year!

Indefatigable

The Pioneer Woman has a homeschooling section on her blog. One of the features of this page is the word of the day. Today the word is :

Indefatigable

The definition being : Persisting tirelessly. Unable to be fatigued. 

I wish I was a little more Indefatigable. Maybe chocolate will help! 

Today.....

Zackary woke up this morning struggling to breathe. The humidifier had been on him all night so I was surprised. It was worse than I have ever heard him or any of my kids. I was scared. I quickly got everyone into the car and we drove down the road to Urgent Care. Almost as soon as we arrived we were hurried into the back. The doctors and nurses told me that Zack would need to be taken to the nearest hospital and that an ambulance was on it's way. I was shocked and totally unprepared! I called my parents and quickly explained that they needed to come pick up Max and Mia so that I could go with Zac. This was my very first time in an ambulance and I would rather not repeat the experience! At the hospital they were able to stabilize Zac pretty quickly. They did some tests and took some x-rays and determined that he had some pneumonia. Ty was able to leave work and join us at the hospital. Zac was able to come home with antibiotics and steroids. I am glad that he will be getting better soon. We picked up Max and Mia from my parents house. They enjoyed a day full of fun and had no idea of the crisis that was going on without them! I am thankful for my family and all of the help we received today. I am so glad that we are all home safe now. I know we have been blessed. I am looking forward to a not so exciting rest of the week!

Dinner Tonight!

The weather is still chilly and gray, but I am trying not to complain because hot chocolate season has been extended!

I was working on my dinner plans for this evening and came across this Pioneer Woman recipe for braised short ribs. It will be a perfect cozy meal for us. The recipe calls for 2 cups of wine, used for deglazing. I run into this problem a lot. I don't want to cook with wine. I have been assured that the alcohol cooks off during the cooking process, but I don't want to send the wrong message to my kids by buying the stuff and having it in the house. I usually substitute a combination of stock and vinegar. Things usually turn out okay! What do you substitute for wine when cooking or do you use the real thing? Thoughts?

Muffin Monday!

We woke up to lots of thick fog this morning!

The kids are still a little sick with colds so they were snuggling under blankets watching Blue's Clues while I baked up our favorite muffins!

Peanut Butter Banana Muffins with Chocolate Chips

3 ripe bananas (mashed)

1/2 cup butter

1 cup peanut butter (creamy)

2 eggs

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups flour

1 cup chocolate chips

1. preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Mix the mashed bananas with the butter. Add the peanut butter, eggs, and cream all together with the sugars.

3. Mix together the baking soda, salt, and flour. Mix into the wet ingredients. Fold in chocolate chips. Scoop into muffin tins (I use an ice cream scoop to measure my scoops)

4. Bake for 15 minutes!

Summer!

 That's what it felt like today! A beautiful breezy summer day!

We took the kids to my parent's house in Redlands for some pool time. They got to play and Ty and I got to run away for lunch!

 Mia and Zac prefer to play in the little pool just next to the big pool. I think the water is warmer!

Everyone had a great time! It was so nice to soak up some sun.

Thursday Musings

All day yesterday I thought it was Thursday and now that it is Thursday I keep thinking it's Tuesday.

Does anyone else get all mixed up with their days of the week?

Even if it feels like a Tuesday it is indeed Thursday! Thursday is always a happy day because it means Friday is almost here and the weekend is just around the corner.

I made muffins yesterday. Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins. My kids are very picky eaters, but they will eat these muffins as fast as they can get their hands on them. Max ate 4 this morning for breakfast. I would like to make these muffins more often, but we usually eat all of our bananas too quickly and there are never any around to turn all brown and mushy. I thought about this problem while at the store this morning and I decided to buy double the bananas I usually buy in hopes that we can make more muffins!

Max has decided that he wants to join the Running Club at his school. This means that I am also joining the Running Club. Today will be our first time attending. Wish us luck!

Fav Granola Recipes!

This is a post dedicated to some of my favorite granola recipes out there! my sis-in-law has been looking for some more granola recipes so this is for her!

5 Ingredient Peanut Butter Granola Bars from How Sweet Eats

I just crumble the pan into bite sized chunks and eat it as granola rather than bars.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Granola from Multiply Delicious

I substitute 1/2 batch of my own chocolate chip cookie dough for the store bought.

This one is a favorite for car trips or plane rides with my kids.

Oatmeal Cookie Granola from Cheeky Kitchen

You can find coconut oil at health food stores

And here is the granola recipe from BAKED that I couldn't find a link to and I had to use one of my own crummy pictures, but the granola is awesome!

Easy Homemade Granola
from "Baked: New Frontiers in Baking" by Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito

Ingredients:
2 cups rolled oats
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/3 cup whole almonds

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, toss the oats with the cinnamon and salt.

In a medium bowl, stir together the oil, honey, brown sugar, and vanilla. Whisk until completely combined.

Pour the honey mixture over the oats mixture and use your hands to combine them: Gather up some of the mixture in each hand and make a fist. Repeat until all of the oats are coated with the honey mixture.

Pour the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Spread it out evenly, but leave a few clumps here and there for texture.

Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and use a metal spatula to lift and flip the granola. Sprinkle the almonds over the granola and return the baking sheet to the oven.

Bake for 5 minutes, then remove from the oven and use a metal spatula to lift and flip the granola.

Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven. Let cool completely.

Hope you find a favorite!

Morning Madness and My Little Ones!

Today is a minimum day at Max's school. He usually doesn't start his school day until 10, but today he needed to be there by 7:50. It was quite the hustle at our house this morning, but good practice for next year! I made a quick batch of banana muffins and we were out the door. Traffic around the school was crazy! Like I said, we usually arrive much later, and all of the morning kids are already at school and there are hardly any cars around. This morning was much different and I had to drop Max off in a different spot than he is used to. I was just about to drive off when I saw Max running to the car with tears in his eyes. I left the car running and jumped out to rescue him. Forget the no stopping any time sign that was right next to us. I held his hand and walked him to his classroom. He just got a little turned around and needed a little help.

Mia and Zac and I had a quick prayer for Max before we left. I hope his day gets better soon! It can be so hard to be 5!

A Few Things

My kids are loud. 

Mia loves the sound of her own voice. Sadly...Max does not. He yells at her to be quiet. He tells her that she is hurting his ears. Poor Mia. Poor Max.

I made some candied almonds from my Ad Hoc cookbook. They are delicious and are keeping me energized today.

My new neighbor is totally awesome. All day today she brought over clothes for Mia and Zac that her kids had outgrown. I love hand me downs! I want to do something for her. I think I will make her a batch of granola and put it in a pretty mason jar. That's what I do. I deliver baked goods.....

Also....the neighbor....I invited her to come to church with us. Her kids came over yesterday as we were all getting dressed for church and wanted to play. I told then we were on our way to church so we couldn't play. Later that day she told me that she wanted to start taking her family to church. She told me that they were catholic and had been looking around at different churches for a while. I was hesitant at first, because I was worried she would have a negative reaction, but I did it! I told her about our church. I told her about primary for the kids and that they were welcome to join us anytime. I felt really good about the invite and I think we can still be friends!

The Front Yard, and the Drive Way

 It has been a long time since we have had a yard to enjoy. 

Yesterday afternoon the kids brought their little vehicles outside to play. They love to ride them up and down the drive way and along the sidewalk.

 Zackary pushed his little car up to the top of the drive so that he could sail all the way down right into the street. He didn't seem to hear me saying that he was not supposed to go into the street.

 Sometimes his car got away from him and he would have to chase after it!

 Mia is finally riding on her little trike and it is much too small for her now. She has a bigger bike that my parents got for her, but she prefers her too tiny trike. Maybe by the end of the summer!

 And here is our house from the front. I absolutely love it.

I am happy every day to be in this house.

I know we have been blessed!

Ty has been busy working on the yard. We had a lot of weeds and old plants to pull out so that we can put in some more grass. It will be beautiful soon!

Sundays

Sundays are a wonderful blessing to our busy lives.

A day of rest where we can focus on the Savior. A day when we can attend church and take the sacrament. We can spend time with our families and enjoy a good meal together. 

I try very hard to make Sunday a special day. I want my children to know that is a day set apart from the rest. 

What do you do to make Sundays special and sacred in your homes?

Fudge Puddles!

My mom bought a little baking set for Mia. It came with a set of mini muffin tins. I found this recipe for Fudge Puddle Peanut Butter Cookies and thought they would be a perfect use for the little tins.

It's really just a different take on peanut butter kiss cookies, but we thought they were pretty yummy and Mia had fun measuring out ingredients with her little measuring spoons and cups.

Happy Saturday!

Saturday with the fam!

Ty and I had planned on taking the kids out for a special breakfast this morning just for fun. We rarely go out to eat and it is even more rare that we bring everyone along with us. I was looking forward to a relaxing morning that didn't involve me washing the dishes!

We got everyone dressed super warm! It snowed last night! In California! In April! It was just a dusting, but still!!!

We ate at this funny little country restaurant called the Farmhouse. It looks just like a big red barn. The kids all had pancakes, Ty had trout (it was so good the kids helped him eat most of it.), and I had raisin toast. I have never been a big breakfast eater. We are working on helping our kids have better manners. Max and Mia did great. Zackary tried very hard to be good, but couldn't resist wandering a bit, and crawling under the table, and stacking all of the creamers, and yelling very loudly No! Oh well. We still like him.

After breakfast we stopped by my parents house on the way to Costco. We just bought a freezer and we now have an income. It was Costco time. We bought apples, onions, juice, butter, macaroni and cheese, and chocolate covered acai berries. The kids tried every sample that was available. We should have skipped breakfast and gone straight to the store.

We think we will probably make it to Costco once a month and we want to make the breakfast outing a tradition as well.

 I so loved spending the morning out with my family. They are the best and I am very lucky to have them!

Nutella Sandwiches

Zackary loves nutella!

He will eat almost anything if it has nutella on it or in it. His most favorite nutella creation is a grilled nutella sandwich. He likes to break the sandwiches apart and make a huge mess, but the meal always ends with a very happy little boy.

Splish Splash

 We didn't even bother to look for the rainbow after the rain. Everyone was just excited to get in those puddles!

 Little socks and pants were soaking wet.

After the puddle jumping we all came in for warm baths and chocolate chip cookies!

When life gives you rain....bake bread!

Our spring time weather has gone away leaving rain and cold!

I have been running around all day to dentist appointments and school. At home I have been catching up on laundry and other chores. This afternoon I want to slow down and get cozy so I am going to spend some time in the kitchen baking up these Lion House Rolls. Sounds cozy!

Sharing is Caring!

Does anyone have any fun Easter traditions or ideas they would be willing to share?

This will be our first holiday in the new house and I am looking for some inspiration?

Happy

I had the windows and doors open today to let in the beautiful warm air and cool breezes. The kids and I have been in the backyard since we got home from picking up Max. 

I love spring.

It is grand!

Petersburger Streuselkuchen

Tomorrow night will be the first relief society activity I attend in my new ward.

The night is all about spring cleaning and organization and I am really excited!

I signed up to bring a dessert. I found this recipe for Petersburger Streuselkuchen cake on the Caffe Ina blog and thought it looked amazing!

 The original recipe makes a 9 inch cake, but I made it into cupcake sized desserts.

 It came out super moist and delicious.

My taste tester approved!

Newmans in the desert

 Ty's parents came rolling into town last night and this morning we headed into Palm Springs to spend the day at The Living Desert, a zoo dedicated to desert dwelling animals.

 Near the entrance is a giant model train set-up. It was really amazing.

 I think Zackary could have spent the entire day looking at these trains. He wanted to climb into the exhibit and experience everything first hand!

 After the trains we took Max and Mia to ride the camels. We had been talking about the camel rides at the Living Desert all week long and they were really looking forward to it.

 We thought that they might want to ride together, but they each wanted to ride alone. Max went first.

 The camel was named Gregory. He was very nice.

 Max did great!

 Mia was next. I loved watching her ride away in her pink sparkly top! Such a little Cleopatra.

Zack loved the petting zoo. Camels and zebras are great, but don't we all just want to pet a goat or two??

 We kept putting water in his hair to cool him down. His little face was bright red!

 There were giraffes.

 and ostriches. We got to see the ostrich eggs. You can feed 12 people with one ostrich egg. Would you eat an ostrich egg omelette?

 The kids loved this little hedgehog that they got to pet. He was cute and cuddly.

It was a great day! We all had a wonderful time and we want to go back again sometime next winter when the desert cools down a bit!