Thursday, December 15, 2011

Day At The Museum

A few months back we got a really good deal through LivingSocial.com for passes to a new local Children's Museum.  I hadn't heard great things about this place... but I figured for a family of 5 to get in for $7, it was worth the risk. 

We had a really fun time.  Since Daddy had to work, Aunt Ruthy came with to get in on the fun;)  All the things I had heard about the place were true though.  It was small.  It didn't have too many activities.  And it is expensive (if you are paying full price obviously). 
However, it was a fun activity to get the kids out of the house on a rainy day.  Luckily it wasn't very busy and the kids played at each center a few times so we were there for a while. 

Ok, now for the photo explosion!






















Like I said, the kids had a blast.  But when I reminded them of the other Children's Museum that we have gone to before, they said they would much rather go there.  So I am thinking another museum trip is in store for us soon:)

Monday, December 12, 2011

My Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday!
We started the day off by going out to breakfast.  Then headed to a local farm to pick out and cut our Christmas tree.  The kids have been so excited to get a tree, yet when we got there they seem to want to fight more then focus.  Despite the bickering we all had fun and ended up all agreeing on a tree.


Exploring


Baby C found a "his size" tree


Cutting it down


Trying to get a picture of the three... pretty much impossible these days!


Off we went.

We then headed home to set up the tree.  After getting it in the stand and watered, Daddy and the older kids wanted to go outside to play.  Fine by me... Baby C and I napped:)

Usually on any occasion (b-day, Christmas, anniversary, ect) I don't expect much in gift form.  Mainly because if I want something I typically go buy it, but also because I like spending money on our house/property instead of myself!  But Daddy surprised me in the morning with a few small gifts... and then in the afternoon with a big one!  He took me (and everyone else) shopping for a new camera. 


I love my new camera:)  I feel slightly bad, because I have been neglecting my kids today while I play with it... oh well.

We finished the night up with a little Cold Stone Creamery.  Yum! 

There were a million other little moments that made this day awesome also.  It was truly the best birthday I have had in a long time!

BTW... It was my 25th!



 

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Do you hear what I hear??


Yup, that's right.  A heartbeat!  A very distant, yet strong and steady heartbeat.
We are having another baby!!!!

I am a little over 10 weeks pregnant.  We had our first midwife appointment on Monday and after a little searching we finally heard that sweet sound:)




So while I have my 12 month old on my hip, I am growing another in my belly.
I swore I would never have kids that close together again, but God has other plans for us!

My Babies

My three sweet "babies" at Bubba Love's Christmas recital.
Words cannot express how much I love these kids!


Monday, October 31, 2011

Late Night Carmel Apples

Last night after the other two kiddos were in bed, Daddy and Buddy Boy made some carmel apples for us to enjoy!  


Funny thing.... Buddy Boy didn't want to eat them, just make them.  Then off to bed:)


Yay for Daddy / son bonding time!

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Dairy Free

Buddy Boy has been really sick (again).  He had another trip to the ER via ambulance less then two weeks ago due to an asthma/panic attack.  I finally said enough and contacted his ear, nose and throat doctor.  We did allergy test and have scheduled a sleep study... but whatever the outcome of those, we are taking his tonsils out!  This will hopefully help with all his issues.

Anywho... his allergy test came back and he is officially allergic to dairy.  Shocker, right?  Well since he has never drank milk before, I didn't think it would be too much of a change for him.  Except the poor kid LOVES cheese, and yogurt, and butter, and ice cream, ect.  So we are slowly trying to substitute and replace what he once loved. 

This morning he asked for his favorite breakfast... Banana cinnamon pancakes:)  Yum!
So this is the recipe I had and altered to work for him.  Hope you all enjoy!

1 1/2 cups flour
3tbsp sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 cups almond milk (unsweetened original)
3 tbsp oil
2 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 bananas, sliced 

In a small bowl, mix together the dry ingredients. 
In a larger bowl, mix together the wet ingredients. 
Add the bananas and let sit for 10min. 
Mix wet and dry.
The cook like regular pancakes:)


If you have any yummy dairy free or vegan recipes, I would love for you to share. 

Friday, October 28, 2011

Pumpkin Farm!

We have gone to this pumpkin farm since Bubba Love was one, and every year we have a blast!  This year we were lucky enough to get a pass from LivingSocial.com to save some money, which made it even better;)


All the kiddos... and then Buddy Boy!  He wanted to take a solo picture, then tried to act like he was too cool for school.  Silly boy.


Of coarse there was face painting.


This was super cute and the kids LOVED it.  They were each given a rubber ducky to put in the race tube and then had to use the old fashion hand pump to make it GO!


Oil drum horses.  They also had "roping" and Daddy was showing us his skills from high school days.


Baby goat that the kiddos got to feed.


Bubba Love trying to kiss the cow.  She is such an animal lover!  Sweet girl.





Baby C, he turned 11 months this day... where has the time gone?  Wish he would stay this way!!


The kids enjoyed this "tractor" ride.  Daddy got out of it since he was too tall to fit, so I got to ride by default.  It was bumpy.



Oh, and we can't forget the pumpkins... or the homemade fudge!

*Note- my camera sucks ans is acting up ALOT lately.  But rumor has it that I may be getting a new one soon!

Thursday, October 27, 2011

First Year of Blogging

I have officially been blogging for a year, but if you haven't noticed already... I have been missing for the last 5 months!!!
Where have I been?? 
Well for starters, my laptop took a dump in June and I was without a computer for over 8 weeks.  Then I just got out of my blogging groove. 
I'm back though:)
I find that when I blog, I make everyday a little more special (so I have something to write about).  And I remember all the little special daily moments that makes being a stay-at-home-mom seem worth all the hard times.  
Yay!  I am looking forward to sharing our lives with you all again!

Monday, June 13, 2011

5 Years

Yesterday, Daddy & I celebrated our 5 year anniversary.

5 years have flown by.  We have packed a lot into them.
4 houses, 3 kids, 2 businesses, 1 happy family.

I feel so blessed to have Daddy in my life.  We have been through a whole lot together and seem to only get stronger.... I know lots of people would have given up.

He is the man of my dreams in so many ways.


This is us after we got married.  

Did you know Daddy & I were never engaged??
Thats right, we just went down to the courthouse and got married.
It was awesome.  Very low key and no stress at all.  Just lots of love ;)
Months later, we did it up and had a big wedding... but honestly, I could have done without that one.  It wasn't nearly as fun!

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Our Ladies

Daddy came home from work today and finished up the coop because we found someone selling hens less the two miles away.

The coop might seem "ghetto" to some people, but can I tell you how much we spent on building this??
$0.
That's right, we spent nothing!  The pallets were given to us, and the rest of the stuff was laying around the property, waiting to be used.


Here are the ladies!  We got four Plymouth Rock year old hens.
Aren't they pretty?


The kids already love playing with them.  I am sure they will be named tomorrow.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent

I am new to making my own detergent, but I have tried a few ways and this is the one I like the most.
It is really easy and cheap, and it makes a lot from a little.

Ingredients:
2/3 of a bar of Castile soup.
(I used the other 1/3 to make two batches of kids shampoo/wash)
1 cup of Borax
1/2 cup of Baking Soda or Baking Wash
Water
5 gallon bucket



Grate down the castile soap.


Melt it into 5 cups of simmering water.


Add three gallons of hot water to the bucket.
Add the Borax & Baking Soda to the hot water.
Once the Castile soap is fully melted, add it to the hot water mixture. 


Cover and let it sit for at least 24 hours.


This is the final product!

You use 1/2cup per load, so the batch will wash approximately 64 loads. 


Enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday


Bubba Love taking the diapers off the line.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Chicken Coop

Daddy was working with a fencing contractor a few weeks ago and brought home six pallets.  These things are awesome because they are big and sturdy, but also have already served a purpose and are looking to fulfil another need.  So what did we convert these fence pallets into??  A chicken coop (well almost, it isn't done quite yet)!!




It's more like a chicken palace!!  Not only will they have lots of space inside, but they will be able to roam free during the day while we are around. 
My hope is to be done this weekend and to get a few local laying hens soon after.  Then we will be raising (lots of) meat chicks this summer, to butcher and freeze for the colder months.
Exciting new adventures!