Stromboli

This was dinner last night. Want the recipe? It was a hit at our house.

Garden Update

Look how much our garden has grown in just one month! We had to plant it twice (since the flood). The first time we planted it - somewhere right after the new year - it was dug up by a cat (notice some random plants sprouting?). So, we added an oh-so-attractive cage. Which has been FANTASTIC. The only problem is that we wrote what we planted on the side and now the cage is covering up our writing. Oh, just lift the top, you say? Yes, normal people would have just placed the cage on top. Not us. More particularly, not my husband. It is screwed into the bottom. Yes, we can unscrew it, but that's too much work.

All I have got to say

is that I have one fabulous, hardworking, talented husband (if you do not believe me - see photos below). With his recent job loss, we weren't sure what would happen. How were we going to find another job? Where would his skills be put to use? Etc. We just had to have faith in our Savior, know that we have been obedient to the prophets' counsel and that we would be blessed. Blessed indeed have we been! Thanks to some fantastic people who trusted David, he (and Jared) have been super busy. Here is some of their recent work.

Re-roof



Skylights



Chimney repair



Bathroom tile

Before

After

Roof repair

Believe it or not the shingles they replaced (the light ones) is the correct color of the roof. Can I say: 'A pressure washing job coming up.''? That is what Florida weather will do to a roof after 15 years.

Crown molding


Now, do you believe me?
If you need work done - you know who to call.
We have references.

We have a little Mommy in the house...

Kylie tells me that she wants to be a Mommy when she grows up and that she will have 100 kids. We think she will be able to handle it.

She loves to bake and is very good at detail.

She loves to teach others especially Ashlyn and Spencer (and Mommy & Daddy).

She loves to take care of Spencer. She carries him everywhere (which freaks us out since it is our first time with this, but it does come in handy) and she can handle him well.

She does her chores with style.

And she is a great leader.
Or are they just great followers?

We've been ATTACKED!!!!

Heart Attacked that is....

Thank you. We love it!

Proof that the Little Man is on the Move

Nothing is left untouched. And paper does not stand a chance. He also cut his first tooth last week, so he can really rip into things now.

Time With Ashlyn

(we love this dress on her, but it does not fit her personality at all)

Ashlyn always keeps us on our toes and says (or does) the funniest things.

1. The other day I asked what she wanted to eat.

Me: Ashlyn, do you want yogurt?
Ashlyn: No.
Me: Do you want applesauce?
Ashlyn: No.
Me: Do you want crackers?
Ashlyn: No.
Me: What do you want to eat?
Ashlyn: (pausing and shifting her eyes, thinking) uumm...Mama milk (smiling)

She seemed pretty serious yet also looking for a reaction. Which she got as I laughed hysterically.

2. She has been pseudo-potty training and each time she goes to the bathroom on the big potty, she always beats us in giving her praise. She praises herself with, "Good girl, At-in (how she says Ashlyn) (in a high-pitch sweet sounding voice).

3. I have started doing 'pre-school' 2-3 times a week with her and I. The first day we did it, I asked her if she liked it. She smiled and said, "Again!". I guess that means yes. She has done so well with this. She sits down in her chair; listens intently and participates. She is so much fun.

4. Since it has been cold this last week, she has been itching her belly a lot. So I asked her if she was me to put lotion on her. She, of course, said no, but I did it anyway. And she just laid there with her eyes rolling to the back of her head in pure relaxation as I lathered her belly and back. She is so yummy!

5. When she hurts anything, she comes to me for a kiss. And I have to kiss her on the EXACT spot of the ouie. I will have had kissed her hand all over, but if I have not gotten the EXACT spot - it is still not better according to Ashlyn and we go through the entire routine again until I get it right.

Mommy, Let's Make Doughnuts

What started as an idea that we could do together ended up as something I did by myself while they did this:


Well, at least they never fought.

A Good Way to Get Your Kiddos to Eat Veggies

Ingredients: Green Peas, Corn Oil, Rice, Salt
BAKED not FRIED

Though they contain a bit more fat than fresh green peas, I feel okay when they eat these that they have had some veggies for the day.

At last!

Spencer is falling asleep without having to be wrapped up and without his binky. We just lay him down and cover him up. He eventually finds his thumb or falls asleep without anything. Hip, hip, hooray! I never thought I would see the day.