FHE Exchange

Well, the Family Home Evening packet exchange went off last night and it was a great success. The kits I received in exchange are really amazing and I can hardly wait to do FHE next week with the kids!! We'll know better next time to warn people that they might get costly. I managed to do mine for about $35-$45 (not including the software I bought to pull resources from), but it seems like most were $60 plus, some over $100. It was my fourth packet, so I was probably at an advantage, knowing some trade secrets. Plus, it probably cost more than what I'm estimating too, because I printed absolutely everything at home instead of making copies, and I fail to include the cost of ink.

So, after a week of not sleeping because I felt like everyone was completely mad at me for how time-intensive and costly they turned out to be...the entire group elected to IMMEDIATELY start another round, this time focusing on a scripture story. And much to my surprise (and moderate horror), they didn't even want to scale them back at all! I promise I'm not pushing the intensity and neurosis of these little packets! I don't mind, as long as no one is mad at me for it! I'll go along for the ride; I don't think you can have too many FHE kits! And really, if you saw these that we exchanged last night...they were really top-notch. I'm so impressed and so excited!

The topics last night were: The Holy Ghost, Scriptures, Sabbath, Reverence, Temples, Prayer, The Creation, Word of Wisdom, Forgiveness, Obedience, Prophets, The Sacrament

Time for another round! AAAAaaaaah! What am I thinking???

Ready for Kayla's!

Kinley is ready to spend the weekend with her Auntie Kayla! She has already packed herself into a suitcase in anticipation!

This weekend is one of our favorite weekends of the year and we look forward to it all year long! Justin and I drive up to meet the Schwartzes and the VanOrdens for a weekend of cabin-fun in Island Park (which is located just outside of West Yellowstone). We generally spend the weekend eating, relaxing, playing Cranium, visiting with one another without children climbing all over us, sleeping in, seeing a production/play at the Playmill Theater in West Yellowstone, and did I mention eating?

We're much obliged to Kayla for allowing Kinley and Tanner to stay with her family in Rexburg while we're away. THANK YOU!

Justin and I are in charge of breakfast Saturday morning. We are going to be making some delicious (America's Test Kitchen) breakfast burritos, the recipe for which I will share with you. Enjoy!

Breakfast Burritos
Ingredients:
8 large eggs
1/4 cup half-and-half (or milk)
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
2 tps vegetable oil
6 ounces chorizo sausage (or breakfast sausage)
1 red onion, chopped fine
1 red bell pepper, chopped medium
1 jalapeno chile, minced
t tbs unsalted butter
6 ounces (1 and half cups) cheddar cheese shredded
3 scallions, sliced thin
6 tortillas
1 cup sour cream (optional)
1 cup salsa (optional)

Directions:
Whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, salt, and pepper.

Heat the oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the sausage and cook until lightly browned, and 1 and half minutes. Add the onion, bell pepper, and halapeno and continue to cook until they ahve softened and are beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer the sausage mixture to a medium bowl and cover to keep warm.

Wipe the skillet clean and return to the heat. Melt the butter in the skillet, swirling to coat the pan. Add the eggs and cook while gently pushing, lifting, and folding them from one side to the other until they are nicely clumped, shiny, and wet, about 2 minutes.

Quickly fold in cheddar and scallions, then remove the mixture from the pan. Fold in the sausage mixture. Distribute mixture to warm tortillas and serve immediately. Top with sour cream and salsa.

Picnic

Kinley had some friends over last Friday. Due to a lack of seating availability in the Bradshaw Cafe, we ended up having a picnic in the livingroom, which they all loved. This was also the day that Kinley decided that she does, in fact, REALLY like watermelon. I have to remind her every summer...

Thoughtful Big Sister

I was upstairs folding a mountain of clothes while the kids finished up their lunch downstairs. Kinley came upstairs after about 30 minutes and I told her to go potty and get ready for nap. I asked her what Tanner was doing. "Sleeping." "SLEEPING?!!" "Yes, Mommy, he's sleeping on the couch. But it's ok. I took off his shoes."

Is she not the most considerate little thing? Now, whether she wanted him to be more comfortable (I always take off their shoes when they fall asleep in the car or wherever), or she didn't want him getting the couches dirty with his sneaks (no shoes on the furniture!), I don't know. I suspect the former, but either way, I could just munch her little face off!

Not So Cute

Ok, so there are some phrases that sound perfectly normal and acceptable until you hear them coming out of your 4 year old's mouth. I stumbled on one this afternoon.

It's: "So what?"

That's the delightful response I received from Kinley today when I told her she was being really obnoxiously wild.

I've Lost My Mind...Again

It's that time of year again. The time of year when I find myself somehow YET again involved with a Family Home Evening Packet Exchange. WHY, I ask you?!!

It involves about 2 months of anxiety, culminating in the final two days of total upheaval and frenzied packet compilation, thanks to my great propensity for procrastination. Every time I sign my name (It's Sucker Bradshaw, by the way) to commit to doing one of these things, Justin gets so frustrated because he knows that all hell is going to break loose about 72 hours before the deadline.

*Sigh*...that being said...I'm almost done! It may be after midnight, but that still leaves me more than 17 hours to finish up the one little activity I forgot to have laminated this afternoon. I'm in excellent shape! They are all assembled, lined up like obedient little soldiers on my book shelf. Labeled, completed...this, sadly, is a record for me. What, oh, what shall I do for the next 17 hours and 36 minutes? Oh, I know...maybe I should do some dishes...

This has definitely been less stressful and intensive than the previous exchanges I have been involved in. We didn't have to round all laminated corners this time, after all! And there were no stipulations of how many stories we had to have. or how long they must be! And a few other blessed deletions from the requirements of past exchanges. Nevertheless, they are still pretty intense, I've heard complaints pretty much across the board about one thing or another.

Hopefully in the end everyone will be happy with all the wonderful new kits they are getting, probably up to a year's worth of FHE lessons and activities. I'm excited to finally have some age-appropriate kits in my collection. I have a closet full of packets for children ages 7 on up, but nothing for my Kinley and Tanner. We generally make do with the primary manuals and a little book Courtney sent me for Christmas, but this will make it much easier, and much more fun!

I can't tell you how happy I am to be so close to being finished already!

Les Miserables

Yesterday Justin and I saw Les Miserables! It was an absolutely fantastic production; It was the only movie/play/production of any sort that I have ever watched and not wanted it to hurry along to the next part. I just wanted to enjoy every moment, and I sure did! Justin loved it too, even though he was tired and fell asleep briefly during "Bring Him Home".

I grew up on the music of this production and knew every word to all the songs. It was so amazing to finally see it live on stage. The actor who portrayed Jean ValJean played the role on Broadway for many years, replacing Colm Wilkinson (the absolute original). The rest of the cast exceeded my expectations as well. It was a great performance. I'm not surprised that they keep selling out, and keep extending the performance availability just "one more month".

Next up? Miss Saigon! Ok, that's at least next on my list of desires, but the closest venue is currently in Los Angeles! I also want to see Wicked, though I am not yet familiar with the music from that production. I think I'll enjoy it more if I love all the songs in advance.

Backfire

When we were at the doctor's office for Tanner's immunizations and check-up, he mentioned in passing that they don't recommend any television whatsoever for children under 2, which I already knew. However, the fresh reminder made my wheels spin. Any tv for him then, is too much. Kinley wasn't present at the time, so with a smile upon my face, a sassy little plan formed.

I decided that whenever Kinley complains when I turn off the tv, or won't let it go on in the first place (which she does every single time, of course), that I would tell her, "Kinley this is good for us. The doctor says we watch too much television."

I felt so smart. It worked almost perfectly.

I didn't foresee (why? I can't tell you.) that she would begin announcing to everyone we came in contact with that "the doctor says we watch WAY too much television!"

Mortifying.

Tanner doing MORE Laundry

I scrapped this from some pictures that are about 7 months old. He's still just so cute. :)
Kit by Ana Mara, "Little Boy"

Happy Thursday

Kinley has declared today "Panty Day". In the interest of preserving her modesty, I won't post any pictures of her today!

I spent the wee hours of the morning really sick, throwing up. Now I feel better, no longer nauseas, just weak and tired. And my eye is stinging, probably resulting from the fun trips to the bathroom this morning, so I'm giving my naughty cornea a time-out. No clue why I got sick; I probably ate too much veggie dip and brownies at Kirsten's house late last night. I should drink something now. I feel dehydrated. I hate drinking.

Now, setting that stage, you may understand why I accepted "panty day" without a fuss and why today was the day I decided to see if Tanner could feed himself oatmeal. I am VERY PROUD of him! Look and see what a great job he did!!!!! Most of it actually landed in his mouth! Then he got a bath...


Tanner does NOT like to see his hair spiked up after a good towel-dry. I snapped this picture a few days ago just as he was getting his frown on. It turned into a good, healthy, unique (and extremely adorable) pout.
Today he totally bypassed pout and went into full-blown meltdown. Where as the last few days he has pouted and then cheered up when I combed it, this morning he was inconsolable until...well the next picture below.
Hair is done, clean jammies are on (hey, I don't feel well, cut me some slack), and Bambi is in hand. All is right in the world.

Tanner Trying and Apple

This is my fruit-eating kid. Nice to finally have one. That picture of them watching television one morning together made me LAUGH!!!

Kit by Sarah Jones of the Digichick, unnamed.

Burrito Baby Redux

I love this (free) kit from Gina Cabrera, called "Lucky Star"! I redid this page of Tanner's. I really didn't love the one I did before, back when I was heavily medicated. :)

Metal brads by Scraphouse, "Simply Love"

Tanner Egg Hunting Revisited...

Kit by The Shabby Princess, "Two Soon"

Eye Schmye

Eye looks good, but the good doc wants to take no chances. I'm sentenced to wearing this obnoxious contact lens for another 4 weeks. But then hopefully I'll be done for good!

Prayer Panic

We were called to few days ago and asked if Kinley would say the opening prayer this morning in Primary. Kinley was very excited and we talked a lot this weekend about prayer. She had a great many ideas of things she was thankful for and blessings she might ask Heavenly Father when the moment came. She agreed to do as much as she could on her own and then ask me for help if she needed it.

Well, as soon as she got up to the podium, she turned to me and asked for help. I encouraged her to do what she could on her own and she panicked. Here is the rest of the conversation, carried on at top stage-whisper volume (at least on her end):

Kinley: No, you have to HELP ME!
Me: Ok, say 'Dear Heavenly Father'
Kinley: You have to tell me what to SAY!
Me: Ok, I will. Say 'Dear Heavenly Father.'
Kinley: Mommy, you have to HELP ME!"
Me: I AM trying to help you! Say "DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER!!"
Kinley: Mommy, you have to whisper in my ear!

I leaned forward the additional 3 and a half inches so that my nose was actually buried in her hair and whispered in her ear, at which point she began the regurgitation of the prayer I was feeding her.

Like Kirsten said, Kinley kept repeating herself to me, but what she meant to say was, "Mommy, I see your lips moving, but all I hear is WHITE NOISE! HELP me get control of myself!!!"

Throughout the prayer, she was utterly unable to keep her eyes closed or her hands from roaming all over the podium. It was (almost) funny.

"Boy Eyes"

This morning while we were getting ready for church, Kinley announced that she was positively mortified to have to stand up in front of the Primary to say the opening prayer because she has "boy eyes" and everyone would point and laugh at her. I assured her no one would point OR laugh and then asked her what in the world boy eyes were.

She said, "Mommy, my eyes are BLUE and blue is a BOY color. WHY can't my eyes be PINK like Kaden's when he's sick?"

Mommy, Make it Better

This morning I took Tanner to the doctor for his immunizations. Yes, I know it's a Saturday, but apparently they have office hours on Saturdays sometimes. Anyway, he was not very brave and extremely angry and upset about the whole affair. He remained so very pathetic when I brought him home.

I thought he needed some special comfort. He's been using a sippy cup for months, but every once in a while (when the sippy cups are dirty and Daddy isn't looking!) I'll sneak him a bottle, which he still enjoys with freakish delight. Today, I introduced him to the wonders of Nesquick (quik?). Chocolate milk in a bottle cheered him immensely...

Did I mention that he no longer uses the high chair? One morning a few weeks ago he simply climbed up to the table and waited for his breakfast. He's been joining us for meals at the table ever since. What a big boy!

Someone's Been Sleeping In MY Bed...

Kinley came to me this morning, even before lunch, and said, "Mommy, I need a nap." She climbed up onto Daddy's side of the bed and when next I peeked, this is what I found. She's just so CUTE!

Need Motivation...

Ok, so, if you were paying attention to the recipes I posted this week, you may have figured out that my great plan to dive into a healthier lifestyle completely failed. Didn't even kinda sorta happen. But man, that buttery, sugary grilled pineapple was great! At least it was a fruit, I say!

I've tried a variety of (theoretically) motivating reward systems. Looking for fresh ideas! What crazy mental shenanigans have you put yourselves through? I'm in the place of knowing what I need to do (I LOVE Slim in 6) but being completely unmotivated to exercise, or to eat anything that doesn't come with cheese!

MMmmm.... I Love PBJ Sandwiches...

I've been letting Tanner try to feed himself recently. It's taken a great deal of self-control on my part because I hate to clean up the mess. On the other hand, maybe I won't still be feeding him when he's 4 years old!!

Kinley didn't want to be left out of the photo-fest!

7 years!

This weekend is our anniversary! Seven years, and not too itchy! I thought I’d take a brief trip down memory lane to mark the event.

I technically met Justin while we were both in the MTC at a culture night, but neither of us remember the encounter. We served in the same mission (Lithuania, Vilnius) and arrived in the field at roughly the same time, me a Latvian speaking missionary, he Russian. I had lived overseas before and felt rather maternal toward this brand new missionary, quiet and reserved as can be, straight off the farm, almost 4 years younger than me. Our first memorable interaction was on one of my first p-days in the field: we were at the beach, ostensibly playing soccer. Justin was sitting on a rock writing a letter to his girlfriend back home. My opening statement was, “so, elder, I hear you have a shrine to your girlfriend.” He wasn’t the least bit impressed and it didn’t make for a lasting friendship.

We served in the same branch for 11 months, both in Riga and in Liepaja, but didn’t have as much interaction as one might suspect. I didn’t have much to do with Russian speaking missionaries, particularly elders, and if any of you know my Justin, he’s not exactly chatty! I do know for a fact, however, that he used to have long meetings with the branch president (a fellow missionary) about that wild and bossy Sister Ahroon and how unrelenting I was about...well, everything. Justin still plays basketball weekly with that old mission buddy and we all chuckle about the past. Funny the way life works out.

A few months before returning home, a mission companion asked me which of the elders in our zone I would make time to hang out with some day after the mission. I said (and I directly quote), “Well, probably any of the 12 of them, I'd like to see again. They are all so amazing. Except maybe Elder Bradshaw. He’s not my type. He’s way too quiet and we have nothing in common.”

Fast forward 8 months…

We ran into each other at our Mission President’s homecoming July 14, 1999. His girlfriend had just become engaged to someone else. He was very new in town, and I was still hopelessly emotionally attached to the mission. He needed local friends and I had roommates and acquaintances I thought he might be interested in. I wanted fresh news from Latvia, as I hadn’t been in the Baltics myself in almost 6 months. He looked like he could use a home cooked meal, and he wasn’t one to turn down free food! It began as a friendship of convenience, if you will! I didn't view him as a romantic candidate, and as far as Justin will admit, there were no hearts dancing in his eyes over me at that reunion either.

That pesky boy came over every single day for the next 5 and a half months. By September it became increasingly apparent to me that he was interested in more than just my enchiladas. I still wasn’t interested in him, and even turned him down flat for the first several dates he asked me on.

I completely underestimated his determination, as well as his devotion! He became more creative and began asking me to go out to movies with Kevin (my very best friend and much appreciated guard dog), just the THREE of us. That felt safer (didn’t want to lead him on, after all) and thus the three of us dated for a couple of months. We spent most of our free hours together as a threesome. We went to the movies, we went out to dinner, I fed them both at my apartment several times per week. Looking back, it’s even funnier now than it was at the time! When Kevin had better things to do, Justin and I took interminably long walks all around Provo, usually ending in some veiled conversation about how I wasn’t interested in him and how we would never be more than friends. He had become a trusted confidante, beloved friend, and the official favorite apartment pet. Therefore, he couldn't possibly be "the one", right??

Alas, Kevin couldn’t stay in Provo forever. He returned to Latvia to propose to his girlfriend over Thanksgiving break and left me alone with my beloved stalker for 2, maybe even 3 weeks. A girlfriend invited me to go to Idaho for Thanksgiving and, in the spirit of putting some distance between my hopeless suitor and myself, I agreed that I needed to get out of town. I didn’t realize she lived 1 mile down the road from that very same suitor! He showed up one evening and took me out; something about the magic of the Blackfoot movie theater broke down my defenses.

Friends became kissing friends...became boyfriend/girlfriend...la la la.

When Kevin returned from Latvia 2 weeks later, I released him from his protection services. Just after Christmas, Justin (and Kevin) went shopping for my ring, I was hopelessly smitten with this man who had proven his love for me so unrelentingly, and we were married in May 2000. I found the man I always wanted, but never dared hope for. I’m so glad he didn’t walk away when I told him to so very many times!

Incidentally, Kevin and Anda ended up accidentally moving into our married student ward a few years later. We had babies 6 weeks apart and lived 2 doors down from one another. Life is so funny sometimes!

Here we are, 7 happy years and 2 beautiful children later. I always say, “I had to go to the other side of the world to find the boy next door.”

Playing Alone

Kinley is an extremely social little girl. I love it when her little friends come over because it gives me a break from entertaining. If I'm not doing something with her, she hounds me for a cartoon. Once in a while I can keep her busy with activities like puzzles, stickers, or coloring, but we don't have enough of those kinds of things to keep her busy for longer than 10-20 minutes. Sometimes she'll play in the basement if she can drag her brother down there with her, but it doesn't last long. Once he comes up the stairs looking for me, it's all over.

Well, I took some advice I got from Mindy a few weeks ago to try to help Kinley play more independently. We have a sticker chart! I set the timer for 20 minutes; if she plays all by herself, using her imagination ,without whining for a cartoon or a song and dance from mom, she gets a sticker. Once she even volunteered to earn THREE stickers in a row! I actually had a chance to MISS her face after 60 minutes without her!

It worked really well for a couple of days before we went to Idaho. I need to try it again, and I hope it still works so magnificently! Thanks, Mindy!

Eclipse Pre-Orders Available Now!

You can pre-order Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer on Amazon, to be released August 7th! This is the sequel to Twilight and New Moon, and I'm so excited!!

Grilled Pineapple

Here is a delicious summer treat!

Grilled Pineapple:
Ingredients:
One Fresh Pineapple
1 cup melted butter
1/2 cup brown sugar

Directions:
Slice pineapple into long slices. (If you need further pineapple slicing advice, email me!) Combine butter with brown sugar, and mix well. Marinate the pineapple in the butter/sugar solution for about 30 minutes. Grill for 3-4 minutes on each side. Serve immediately.

YUM!! Thank you, Tucanos!

Double Standard

I TRY to run a house that is not chock-full of double standards. I loathe the hypocrisy of the all too rampant parenting concept "do as I say, not as I do".

That being said, I'm struggling with one such double standard. I think that, as the mother/adult, I should be able to call to the children to come to me from wherever I am in the house. "Kinley! Come take a bath!" "Tanner, come downstairs so I can change your diaper!" "Kids, come pick up your toys!" etc.

However, when Kinley does it, it raises my blood pressure. "Mooooooooooommy! I need a driiiiiiiiiiiiink!" or, "Moooooooooooooommy! Tanner hitted me!" or, "Mooooooooommy! where are we going today?!" or my personal favorite, "Mooooooooommmy! Come here! I want to tell you something!"

I hate it. Few things rile me up faster or more intensely. It's right up there with incessant whining. I feel that with this particular concept, I should be able to pull rank and say, "If you want something, you COME to me, you don't call to me like your slave or your pet dog. Don't you dare make me come running to you or make me yell a response back to you. It's completely disrespectful."

But, I feel perfectly justified in being able to demand their presence front and center when I want it without having to hunt them down or traipse up and down the stairs myself unnecessarily when they are so young an spry :)

When I call to them, I want them to either answer me immediately or come without delay to my presence. I hereby arrogantly assert that whatever I'm doing, be it in the kitchen or upstairs, it's more important than whatever game they are playing, toy they are breaking, cartoon they are watching, or mischief they are making. Besides, there is only ONE of me! I can't get over it. It's certainly a double standard, but I absolutely cannot come to terms with the alternative. It's becoming a real source of contention!

After writing this, I feel utterly selfish and am partially convinced that the fault lies within this ol' broad. But still...

Eye Update

Some people have requested an update on the eye sitcheeyation. I still have a contact lens in, and we're coming up to about a month since my latest surgery. I have a follow-up appointment next Monday, at which point we'll decide what the next step is.

I'm back to using drops every 10-30 minutes, and it's feeling relatively stable. I had a few frightening early warning signs while up in Idaho over the weekend. I had a few moments that scared me enough to elevate my adrenaline and cause high-blood pressure numbness in my arms and fingers!! Now, that's one uptight lady!

As of now, it feels slightly weak and irritated, and tired of wearing a contact, but overall in a mostly-stabilized condition. I'm hoping my eye is like the stronger bush that grows bigger, and more beautiful because it's the one who gets banged up by the garage door opening and closing every morning. Am I the only one who knows that analogy?

I'm trying to exercise greater faith and hope for a successful resolution to this drama. Every day I am praying that we are one step closer. Kinley prays too, and she's probably got more faith than any of us, so hopefully she can pull us through down the home stretch.

Speaking of Kinley, sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night because she has come into my room. She just comes in quietly and kisses my arm (or whatever she can reach). If I wake up and open my eyes, she says, "that's to help your eye feel better" and then she turns around and walks quietly back to her bed. It is UTTERLY adorable.

Sloppy Joe Recipe

I love this recipe for Sloppy Joes. It's slightly altered from Better Homes and Garden (curtesy of Hilary). I made it this afternoon; it's in the crock pot right now. This picture is right when it goes into the pot. Don't let the green peppers scare you! They soften up and hide!

Maybe we'll eat it tonight, but probably tomorrow. I bought makings for grilled chicken, grilled pineapple, steamed broccoli and mashed potatoes (I'm going to try hard to get the potatoes right this time, Kayla! Wish me luck!) and that's more what I'm in the mood for today. The sloppy joes will be better for a quick meal after work tomorrow night anyway.

I'm so ready to start COOKING again! We've been eating fast food, sandwiches, and canned spaghetti for far too long!!! I'm BACK!

Great! Kim tried it when it was finished! She said it was absolutely amazingly delicious!! Then again, she was pretty hungry :)

Sloppy Joes
2 and 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
4 cloves garlic

In a large skillet cook ground beef, onion, and garlic till meat is brown and onion is tender. Drain off fat.

1 and 1/2 cups ketchup
1 cup chopped green pepper
1 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup water
4 tbs brown sugar
4 tbs mustard
4 tbs vinegar
4 tbs worcestershire sauce
3 tsp chili powder

Combine all the other ingredients in a crock pot. Stir in meat mixture. Cover; cook on low-heat setting for 6-8 hours or on high-heat setting for 3-4 hours. Spoon into toasted buns, topped with cheese.

What The Heli?

While slogging through the chore of unloading groceries and putting them in their proper places, I received a phone call from Hilary, telling me I better race on down the park because there was a HELICOPTER parked right smack in the middle of it, not more than a few hundred yards from the playground!

I briefly considered leaving Tanner at home (he had fallen asleep only 10 minutes earlier), but in the end decided that he's a boy's boy and that I couldn't justify leaving him behind when there was a real helicopter to see! We didn't get there in time to take a tour of the inside of the helicopter, but they were able to see it from a short distance and watch it take off. It sure was windy!

Al Capone

I finished reading "Al Capone Does My Shirts" by Gennifer Choldenko. I found it light and unique. The little details of life on Alcatraz island for the guards' families were very interesting as well. I had heard it was hilariously, uproariously funny, though I disagree with that assessment. However, that probably comes from growing up with an autistic brother, and I was more caught up with the dynamics surrounding the main character's sister's life than anything else!

All in all, I give it a B+, maybe an A-.

Down On The Farm!

We just returned from spending four days up in Blackfoot with Nana and Papa Bradshaw. Kinley has been asking to go to their house for months. I wasn't sure whether Tanner would remember his last trip up there 6 months ago, but it didn't take him long to get acclimated. He's a different little kid this time, slightly more obedient and a whole lot more mobile! They had an absolutely grand time visiting, and Justin appears more relaxed from having a fresh infusion of farm air into his lungs!

Here is a photo-tale of our adventures in Idaho this weekend:

Daddy is leading the way out to the farm from the house.

You can't see it well, but Tanner is bending over, growling, and shaking with excitement to see a tractor so large! He was so surprised and so happy! He's such a boy!

That little sweet face was walking down the path to me; I couldn't resist taking a picture!

My handsome men...

While most of the cattle were out on the desert for the summer, there were plenty still at the farm for the children to ogle.

This bull had a nose as runny as Tanner's this weekend!

Kinley is an animal lover. When she was Tanner's age, we took her to Yellowstone Park. She screamed the most ridiculous hissy fit because we wouldn't let her touch the bison. About that same time frame, she tackled Nana's dog (4 times her size easily) and licked it right on the snout! Tanner on the other hand, is not such an animal lover. This is what he thought of the bulls....

I've always loved this particular pathway on the farm.

Kinley just pet one of Papa's horses. One small pat is enough for her for one day. While she loves animals, her appetite is easily satiated with the larger variety!

Washing off dirt and rust from a cable at the feeders.

Daddy initiating Kinley to some of the exciting features of life on the farm.

Watering the flower garden with Nana.

Getting some fresh air with cousin Adalyn (Kayla and Adam came down Saturday afternoon).

Tanner chumming up with cousin Mieley.

I forgot to pack pajamas for Kinley to wear this weekend. Nana was gracious enough to loan her an old t-shirt. Kinley decided she was a pink ghost!

"Healthy Living" Support Group Call

So.... if anyone wants to make a fresh start this week and get into shape with whatever exercise and eating plan you may prefer, email me! We can support each other!

I'm on the Slim in 6 plan (which works wonders if you actually oh, say, DO it!!) If I can refrain from being so hopelessly naughty with my eating habits and actually get myself into the workout groove, maybe I'd post pictures of myself instead of just my kids?? Nah....

There are several choices of really cute capris at Old Navy, but I want them in a smaller size!

If Life Were Easy...

I'm adding a new book to my list of favorites. I just finished reading If Life Were Easy, it Wouldn't Be Hard, by Sheri Dew. I should say, I just finished reading it for the second time in the last 10 days, I enjoyed it so much. I bought it sometime last year but hadn't gotten around to reading it quite yet. After the disappointment of my most recent eye drama, it seemed as good a time as any :) It's great, really great. I highly recommend it.

Happy BIRTHDAY, Dear JUSTY!, La la la!!

Today my handsome man turns one year older. He turns 29 today, which sounds so very young!! He has requested Panda Express for dinner (yuck) and a footrub while he watches the Jazz game...And a dramatically tidier office. He'll get two out of three :)

Apparently Kinley and Spencer have been making birthday cards all morning at Bethany's house.

In other news: I've contacted two out of three sisters (not Courtney, who is something like 27 months pregnant) and twisted their arms into joining me back on the healthy eating/exercise bandwagon, starting next Monday. At the beginning of the year-- just as tax season was getting under way, prior to the Great Candyland Incident (B.G.C.I)-- I was so focused, so impressively determined. I've started up again twice since then, both times being almost immediately derailed by major disasters with my eye, episodes that disrupted the entire balance of our home and life.

At this point, I am so painfully unmotivated to even make the slightest effort, that I dare say Lyndsey and Heather will have to drag me along. I hope they're up to it!

Today the office is still closed, but I've been busy, so the time has gone by fairly quickly. We're headed up to Idaho tomorrow afternoon, spending the weekend in Blackfoot. I hope the weather is decent; the kids will benefit from the farm air. Tanner took his first steps during our previous trip, at Thanksgiving. He'll be running all over the farm this time!

Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits

I LOVE the biscuits at Red Lobster (the 2 times I have had them). I just tried out this copy cat recipe. They turned out beautifully and they tasted authentic. Delish! Kinley enjoyed eating the batter raw, which I thought was disgusting, but I allowed it since there were no raw eggs involved!


Here's the recipe:
Ingredients:
2 cups Bisquick. baking mix
2/3 cup milk
1/2 cup cheddar cheese -- shredded
1/4 cup margarine or butter -- melted
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions:
Preheat oven to 450. Mix baking mix, milk and cheese until soft dough forms; beat vigorously for 30 seconds. Drop dough by spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8-10 min. or until golden brown. Mix margarine and garlic powder; brush over warm biscuits before removing from cookie sheet. Serve warm. Makes 10-12 biscuits.

Tanner at the Park

It felt so great to get outside today and enjoy some fresh air! I haven't been to the park in SO LONG!!