I finally finished Mitchell's first year photo book and got it in the mail this week! Now to start with the family photo books from the year we were married - ack! Too many photos - that's the evil of digital photography!! But then again I have most of them (last 5 years at least) on computer and not printed so saves space there, so now to get them in hard copy form in books!
Anyway, wanted to share one of the pages with you - the photos of mom, dad, sister and Mitchell at 5 months old. It is fun to see who looks like who. Who's genes get passed on to who...I wonder if there is a connection with blood type as I think Shayla looks more like Jon and she has his blood type and I think Mitchell looks more like me and he has my blood type? Hmm, anyone else care to weigh in here? People see Jon and they swear the kids look just like him, but if they have not met Jon they swear they look just like me (: I always say if the kids are smiling they look like me and frowning they look like Jon (: What do you think?
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KELSY!!! I know I don't always put recognition of all my siblings birthday on my blog and I may be remiss for that (and I do know they know I love them all equally), but after featuring my dog who has the same birthday as my sister I knew I had to recognize her birthday and she is my BABY sister - yep - the youngest of the bunch! She turns 22 today! I remember the day she came home and I grabbed her out of her car seat to hold and meet the newest member of our family! We have loved having you as our little sister Kelsy and cherish our relationship with you!
Our puppy is 9 years old today! Not a puppy anymore, in fact, a senior in dog years! Jon and I got him back in 2002 after researching the breed of dog we wanted with our Boxer, Joia, and deciding on an Amstaff (American Staffordshire Terrier). His name is Tyson Chompers Nelson (Tyson because he was the victim of being bitten on the ears often by our boxer and Chompers because he wanted to put anything in his mouth!!) He and Joia grew up together and were best friends until she passed away from cancer a few years ago. He has been a very sweet puppy and really is a gentle teddy bear thinking he is a lap dog and trying to sit on your lap when you are on the floor or thinking he is a puppy and still trying to bounce on you when he gets so excited to see you. He has had his share of follies over the years mostly relating to him eating random things - such as my skates and various things - or things that made him sick like a bottle of aspirin, bag of charcoal, etc. Anyway, he has brought lots of joy to our lives and Shayla and Mitchell love him tons as well! So Happy 9th Birthday to our Tyson pup!
It's video Sunday! Here are a few videos from the last week! First is Mitchell's walking skills - he is finally doing it on his own (although still only a few times a day). But we almost have a walker on our hands!
I did a Summer 2010 Favorite things list so it makes sense to do one for Summer 2011. As mentioned before, I love to see what other people's favorite things are and get ideas of new things to try and new things to do - so hope you enjoy this as much as I enjoy reading about yours!
WEBSITES: Counting Coconuts- Such a creative fun learning website with ideas for teaching tools for kids - My favorite from her site are the Mini Units and the Continent Bags!
Spotify. Part Website, Part App - As described, “Spotify is a new way to listen to music. Millions of tracks, any time you like. Just search for it in Spotify, then play it. Just help yourself to whatever you want, whenever you want it.” A blend of itunes and Pandora, you get to choose and change songs as you please, and even scanning through them like in iTunes. Can it get any better than that. Sign up for an invite now so you can be a part of this! On that note, some of my recent favorite bands/artists I have been listening to are: Adele, Fleet Foxes, Ryan Bingham, One Republic,
-Heartsy - Okay I am sure you all know about Etsy.com and if not then add this to a favorite site to check out - you can find just about any handmade item out there around! Anyway there is a deal a day site that offers discounts for Etsy sites! Yes the best of both worlds and I am not sure I want to even share this if I miss out on a deal to one of you - but love you all! You get $5 if you sign up on my link (:
-Amazon Mom - I think I have extolled the virtues of this site before but how can you beat a website that has the best prices of anything around AND free 2-DAY shipping! If you have not signed up to be a member then you must because it is so awesome! I probably get 2-3 deliveries a week from UPS man from here including Laundry Soap - see above, food, and various things like this $6 Ipad case and stand (since Shay bent my expensive one) !!!
THINGS: -Charlie's Soap - I started using this for my cloth diapers but now I wash all my clothes with it and it is great! Perfect for babies and those with sensitive skin. Charlie's Soap has no perfumes, no fragrances, no chemical brighteners. No build up and so natural for your clothes and kiddos! And bonus - it is on Amazon Subscribe and Save too so great price and never have to go to the store to get it!!
-DEO DRY Non-aluminum deodorant! I have been looking forever for a good non-aluminum deodorant and have never found one I really like or that worked very well, until now! Yay! Three cheers for The Body Shop's Deo-dry - I love the scents, the feel, the protection and that it actually works! Decent price at $5 and you can buy refill for $3.
FOOD/RECIPES:
Justin's Almond Butter - YUM - any flavor - I love nut butters especially in my oatmeal, spread on rice cakes with raisins, or straight on the spoon!
Blender Watermelon Sorbet Recipe LOVE using frozen watermelon and this is such a refreshing summer recipe! 2 cups frozen watermelon chunks (you might need to let sit a few minutes to soften a bit depending on power of your blender - I have vitamix so mine can handle it) 1/2 cup raspberry, lime or other flavor sorbet 1 (6 oz) container lime or vanilla yogurt 1 Tablespoon lime juice or lemon juice (or more to taste if you like tangier)
Throw all together in blender and blend until desired consistency! You can add more liquid such as lemonade or lime juice and water and make it into more of a smoothie too! 2 Servings
Microwaved Baked Oatmeal - I LOVE the ease and healthiness of a baked oatmeal breakfast - the kids love them too and I can customize it by adding chia seeds, cocoa powder, nut butters, coconut, blueberries, etc. Here is an easy recipe for one serving or you can double or quadruple and put in loaf pan in over at 350 for 15 - 20 minutes.
1 ripe medium or large banana, mashed 1/2 c dry oats (or a little more if you have an especially big banana) 1/4 c brown sugar or 2 packets Stevia 1 Tsp Cinnamon (more if you love it)
Optional: Dash of Vanilla Extract, 1 Tbsp of Chia Seeds, 1 Tbsp of Coconut Flakes, 2 Tbsp of Cocoa Powder for a chocolate banana cake
Directions:
Mash the banana
Add everything else to it and stir to combine
Spray a clean bowl or glass ramekin or I like to use glass small loaf pan with cooking spray and put the banana mixture in it
Microwave for 2.5 minutes to 3.0 minutes. You will know when it’s done because it will not be “juicy” looking anymore. And will have some “holes” on the surface. See first photo below.
After mircowaving, allow to rest for a couple minutes. Eat in that bowl or easily invert/remove from bowl and re-plate it, or take as a to-go snack.
Top with syrup, jelly, agave, nut butter, raisins, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, or nothing.
Shayla has had fun the last few weeks with her butterfly kit! For her birthday she got a butterfly cage and we received the caterpillars by mail - all 5 of our caterpillars survived to make the journey from caterpillar to butterfly before our eyes! It was neat to watch and such a testament to the beauty and magic of God's creations!
Here are the caterpillars upon arrival in a cup (The stuff on the bottom of the cup is all the food they need to survive)
About a week later - here they are in their chrysallis form - cocoon - inside their cage. Another week or so later - The first one emerges Pretty butterfly... Here they are in their cage - we are about to set them free! They have a short life span of around 10 days so I really did not want to have them die "in captivity"
Holding the butterfly in my hand and Shayla's hand - ready for release! Goodbye butterflies!
Another fun holiday for the books! We enjoyed a hot, hot, fun 4th of July this week!
Our family
The kiddos Started the day with our church's annual pancake breakfast with Jon as one of the cooks...
Kids enjoying pancakes and oranges...
Followed up with a trip to the car show downtown - low 90s here - hot! Back at our house for some food and fun with family and friends!
(Will not forget to mention that afternoon as I was putting a tablecloth on my outdoor glass patio table, the umbrella fell onto it shattering it into a million pieces so I spent about 2 hot hours sweeping and picking up teeny glass particles from the backyard! Ugh! That was the unfun part of the day!!!) Note to others: Never buy glass patio tables! Our neighbors had the same thing happen to them too!!
On a walk after a yummy BBQ dinner with Doug and Sheelah
Dad and Shayla doing sparklers. Mitchell was in bed before fireworks.
I am a daughter... I am a wife... I am a sister... I am a mom... I am a person who loves to travel... I am a person who loves the outdoors... I am a person who is dedicated to her family and friends... I am a person who love to learn new things and try new adventures... I am a Mormon...
I think most of you do (or should) know this! Being a Mormon is a big part of who I am. The easy definition of a Mormon is someone who is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints. This morning before church I was watching a few videos on YouTube called "I am a Mormon" which shares stories of people who are Mormon. I think it was a great idea because there are often so many misconceptions about Mormons and so when people watch these videos or realize someone they know is a Mormon you realize that we are normal (well as normal as people can be) like everyone else. So for those of you who don't know or want to know a bit more, being a Mormon to me means...
...I believe in God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. Yes, we are Christians. ...I believe that the most important thing in life, next to faith, is our family and that we can be together for eternity. ...I believe that we have a modern day prophet who leads and guides us as the prophets of old (Noah, Moses, Isaiah, etc). This is one of the big differences between our religion and others, we believe that God still has a designated prophet as his mouth piece on earth today - why would he keep us from those blessings and revelations? He does not! ...Yes, we are allowed to use electricity, eat pork, and wear makeup (although by choice unrelated to my religion, I am a vegetarian). However we are cautioned against things that could keep us from having an open mind to the spirit such as drinking alcohol, smoking, caffeine, etc. I do believe this is inspired doctrine that keeps us healthy, strong and wise! ...I believe that serving others is an integral part of life! ...I believe that there is life after death and that one day we can return to live with God and have our families with us forever. ...I believe one of the greatest gifts that God has given us is our ability to have the freedom to make our own choices. I am also so grateful to live in America where we can use this freedom in our lives.
These are just a few of the beliefs that I have personally and as a Mormon, there are so many other things that make up my faith and who I am and help me find happiness in my life!
To hear some great short stories about other Mormons, like the one below, and read about or answer any questions about what else we believe, check out http://mormon.org/people/. And, please always feel comfortable asking me anything about my faith and you are always welcome to join me at church as well!
Sparkler fun!