Awards

 Yesterday was the first awards assembly of the year at the kid's school.

Mia received an award for being kind to EVERYONE and for always doing great work.

 Mia's friend, Owen (that cute smiley little guy on the right!), from school and church got an award as well.
(btw: it was brown day in kindergarten. That is why Mia is dressed so very brown.)

 These kindergartners were so happy to receive their awards. It is such a small thing, but it means so much to them!

After Mia's assembly and a quick smoothie break I was back at the school for another round of awards.

 This time it was the second graders and Max being honored!

 Their principle is totally awesome :)

Good job Max!

I am so glad this year is off to such a great start!

(also....I am blaming the terrible pictures on my camera and not on myself.)

I can only imagine

This song has been a favorite of mine for a long time.

When the day is so busy and full of life it gives me a moment to remember my Savior.

I always cry when I hear it, and then life goes on :)

Nutella

Granola!

Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch Granola!

(recipe: HERE)

I made it to snack on because I want to avoid this situation:

Happy Snacking :)

Little Men

Zack is having a playdate with a friend this morning.

 I set them up with some cheetos.

 Boys love cheetos.

 And Toy Story.

They brought the toys out themselves.

This should keep them occupied for the next 5 minutes or so :)

Have a Lovely Day

I need to buy some perfume!

More Things

1. Zackary and Zoey were both up at 6 this morning. It was still dark out and very cool. They each had a drink and went back to bed. Their own ideas not mine! They woke up at about 7:30 in the happiest moods :)

2. Ty got a pre-paid credit card from Verizon for some reason. I am sure he knows, but I didn't ask where the free money came from. He gave the card to me and I bought BOOTS! 

3. I drank my first hot chocolate of the season this morning. It made me very happy. Inside and out!

4. Max and Mia had dentist appointments yesterday. They did fabulous. The only bad part was when the dentist pointed out to me in his x-ray that Max's grown up teeth will be coming in seriously crooked. No time like the present to start saving for braces!

5. Mia is singing with the school choir, the Sundance Singers. Their first performance will be in October and they will be singing "Ghostbusters"! I can't wait :)

Happy Wednesday!

Monday

1. The weekend flew by and Monday is here with it's to do list and laundry piles!

2. I think Zoey is getting a tooth. It's either that or she is possessed.

3. Trader Joe's honey tastes the best of all the honey.

4. Max and Mia were both very disappointed with their lunches today. I feel like they should eat a nice variety of foods, but all they want is pepperoni pizza lunchables.

I stopped by the store after dropping them off so that tomorrow I can be a hero.

5. I need to bake some cookies. 2 batches. One for Ty

I used to think pumpkin cookies were a Utah thing, because I had never had them or heard of them before I moved to Utah for college. I think, however, they are just a Ty thing :)

(recipe HERE)

and one for the kids and I

York Peppermint Patty Cookies (HERE)

because, Yes. 

Happy Monday.....and last week of September.....and hopefully cooler weather!

Zackary Turns 3

 Today is Zackary's 3rd birthday!!!

We started the day with donuts. I put a candle in his and we sang Happy Birthday.

He was so excited to have a day just for him :)

We had a little get together in the evening. We put on some music and party hats.

 Even Zoey ;)

 Mia, Max, and Zack, waited for their grandparents to show up, because really, Ty and I are just not exciting enough on our own.

I put together a little spread of chicken nuggets, cheeseburgers, and pizza...because this party was all about Zac.

We made a sign so that everyone would know.

I covered the dining room table with craft paper and set out little jars of crayons. It was a big hit and made cleaning up super easy.

 There was cake. I used THIS recipe to make a chocolate-pumpkin cake frosted with cinnamon buttercream. It was a mess, but tasted awesome.

I decorated the cake with characters from Cars and Toy Story.

 I absolutely love this picture, because of Zack's sweet little face. I didn't know he was so excited.

 We sang Happy Birthday again.

Zac blew out the candles and then I had to hurry and wash off all of the little toys so that he could start playing with them while the rest of us ate cake.

Happy Birthday Zac!

Facts about Zac.....

Zac's full name is spelled zacKary. I chose to spell his name with a "K" and not an "H". I stand by my decision even though no one else seems to be aware that this is the case.

Zac always says thank-you. 

Zac loves to say the prayer at dinner.

Zac loves going to bed at night and asks to go to bed. (I just wish we could get him to stay there. Most nights he wakes up and wanders out to the couch at some point during the night.)

Zac does not enjoy nursery.

Zac does enjoy nutella.

Zac loves his toys and he loves to watch movies.

His favorite books are "No David" and "David Gets in Trouble". He could listen to them all day long!

Zac is a wonderful boy. He is learning and growing every day and I am so thankful for him. He has been very challenging at times, but I am glad for the opportunity to help him become all that he can be. I love you Zac :)

Friends

 Today we get to have our little friend Mya over for a playdate.

Mya is Mia's friend, but she is actually Zackary's same age.

They were born less than one week apart.

Mya turned 3 on Tuesday and Zac will be turning 3 on Saturday, so Mya is the older one of the two!

I just find that kind of hilarious!

Thursday Things

1.  THIS granola from Sally's Baking Addiction is probably my most favorite granola recipe.

It calls for peanut butter, but I like to use almond butter....really shakes things up!

2. Last night, before her dance class, Mia was dressed and ready to go. She came into my room and asked if i could help the little princess (referring to herself) get a toy down from her closet. She then proceeded to curtsy and twirl. I love her girliness!

3. There are far too many fabulous recipes on the internet. My pinterest boards are bursting and I am trying to keep my jeans from doing the same. That being said....

I pinned THESE cookies this morning

Bittersweet chocolate chip cookies!

(from top with cinnamon)

Surely there is room in my day for one or two :)

4. Max wants to be one of the Ninjago ninjas for Halloween. I keep trying to convince him that he wants to be a jedi (because I have the costume). So far ninjago is winning.

5. Zackary is turning 3 on Saturday. We are celebrating with a little party at home. It seems to be all things Pixar....Cars, Monsters Inc., and Toy Story.

Happy Thursday!

Another Day

1. Walls are being painted and the house is looking great!

2. Max is loving karate. Today he watched the original "Karate Kid" for inspiration :)

3. Zoey has moved from her private tub in the laundry room, into the big tub with Mia. Babies get big so fast!

4. Zackary still loves "Cars", but he has recently developed a great joy for the "Toy Story"movies. He loves Buzz Lightyear and Woody, who he calls, Howdy!

5. Mia is really enjoying school. Each day when she comes home she opens her backpack and shows me all of her work and then we read together. I love her!

6. I wish there were a few more hours in the day, or maybe if I didn't need sleep.....

Tomorrow is another day!

Another Kitchen

I love kitchens!

The kids and I spend a lot of the day in my kitchen. There is always cooking and snacking going on. The kids like to do homework at the little kitchen table. Zoey likes to pull everything out of the cupboards and pantry.

It is a happy space :)

This kitchen looks amazingly cozy. If we ever live somewhere with cold weather I think our kitchen should look something like this one.

Taylor Swift - We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together

 

This is a fun one :)

Smoothing it out

To be perfectly honest...It's been a rough week.

I am planning to end the week on a smooth note tomorrow. I am keeping our schedule simple with some light housekeeping during the day and some friend time in the afternoon.

Also, Even though it is STILL hot....it shall be a baking day!

Homeade Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop-Tarts

Because they are delicious and Max loves them (well, he loves the boxed kind, so surely he must love these more!)

Recipe: HERE

 Peanut butter balls that I meant to make early this week and send with the kids to school.

I am sure they will be a happy weekend snack as well :)

Recipe: HERE

 Cinnamon Swirl Wheat Bread, because when wanting to have a happy day, homeade bread is a must. The smell alone will make life better.

Recipe: HERE

 Mini Pumpkin Cinnamon Sugar Muffins that were also supposed to be made earlier in the week.

Hopefully everything freezes well and everyone can enjoy happy lunchboxes next week!

Recipe: HERE

Sending Happy Friday wishes all around!

9 years ago today....

We got married!

Happy Anniversary to us!

To celebrate I am making dinner at home. Ty wanted shrimp diablo and he said that I would be able to make it better than anywhere we might go out to. I guess that is a compliment :)

A Fun Find

I recently discovered that the Barnes and Noble website features an online storytime.

It is a terrific resource for when you really need a minute (or two!)

Zackary sat and listened to 4 stories today while I did a little cleaning. 

Give it a try!

Find it HERE

Happy Monday!

1. Ty has a week off starting next Monday and I am busy planning all sorts of fun projects for "us" to do together.

2. Some of these projects include: painting walls, painting furniture, buying furniture, cutting wood, sanding wood, etc....

3. I am getting ready for project week with a few projects of my own. I am getting organized, buying cleaning supplies, and getting rid of clutter.

4. It's like a big fall cleaning really.

5. This weekend was crazy. The kids had friends over all day Saturday and on Sunday we forgot all about Stake Conference and I ruined 2 meals and 1 dessert. The weekend did end on a high note. We had a fun visit with some friends and then we decided to watch a movie with apple cider and caramel popcorn :)

6.  Max will have his first karate class tonight. I hope it's everything he has been imagining it to be.

Have A Great Week!

Today

We made some caramel!

And then we dipped some apples in it :)

I drizzled a couple of the caramel dipped apples with chocolate.

I made a batch of turtles with the leftover caramel.

I think we all have new cavities now.

Happy Saturday!

Washing Windows

 I absolutely love it when the kids get excited about doing a little job or chore around the house.

I will take any and all help I can get!

This afternoon Max and Mia were washing windows.

I hope it stays fun for a long time!

Painting

 This is one of my go to warm weather activities.

 I fill large cups with water and add a paintbrush.

Voila! Sidewalk/Patio Paint :)

Please excuse Zackary's lack of clothing. 

He is always fully dressed when he leaves the house.

Ninjago

It's all about Ninjago.

Max is pretty obsessed. These drawings are up on his board right now and he took this picture himself.

Almond Butter

I decided to give peanut butter a break today.

Today it was all about the almond butter.

Almond butter is the star of these:

Gluten-Free Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies  from Eat Live Run.

These are some seriously yummy cookies.

Super Heroes

 The boys were being Iron Man. Or Iron Men, I guess....

Just a typical morning at our house!

Forest Falls

 We are loving our long weekend! Ty has been home for all of it. (extra smiles!)

My parents recently moved to a small mountain community called Forest Falls. Today we went to see the new house.

 We took advantage of the surroundings and enjoyed a little hiking.

 This is Max enjoying the shade.

 The older 3 went exploring over the rocks and into the water.

We got Zack and Mia to take their shoes off first, but Max just walked right in, shoes and all.

 This is the very bottom of the waterfall.

We weren't really interested in taking the kids to the top.

 Max climbed all of the trees he could.

 Zoey was once again a carry-on item in a backpack.

She was great!

(I love this happy little picture of her!)

 I guess Max did eventually take his shoes off.

 We were worried that Zack was going to fall in.

My dad was actually wading in with him to keep him safe :)

 I love this picture of Ty. I made him smile.

I think we have quite a few pictures now of Ty with carrying Zoey (or Zack when he was smaller) in this backpack.

 The cameo shot of Ty and I.

(proof that I was there too)

After our nature walk we headed back to my parent's cabin.

They have a pretty awesome view through some beautiful windows.

 Zoey had her face pressed up against the windows and watched all of the cars go by.

 All of the rocks for the fireplace were local. My parents picked out a few themselves while they were out hiking.

 My mom's new kitchen is beautiful!

I envy her stove.

 and her copper farmhouse sink.

and the beautiful tile backsplash that she insists is very manly, but I think is gorgeous!

We had a nice Labor Day BBQ and then drove back down the mountain to the heat of the valley.

Congratulations Mom and Dad!

We love the new place!

Christmas is going to be awesome ;)