Getting our Wiggles out at Gymnastics!

My friend, Jan has been trying to get me and Brady to come with her and her son to an hour long gymnastics open session. Finally the other day Brady and I went and I'm glad we did (except for the major meltdown that he had when we had to leave!) It was great for him to explore this new realm of being "allowed" to jump of things and run around and I know it was great for his cabin fever. He has NOT done well this winter with being cooped up inside so much since he's such an active outdoors boy! Now we just need to continue to reinforce the rules of no jumping off the couch (and other things) and no climbing in the house!

Brady's first experience on a trampoline (that he can remember!)

Getting ready for the "big jump" off of a 3 foot block into the foam pit! (I tried to get an action shot of him jumping but wasn't seccessful and he finally said, "Mommy! No more pictures!")

I was truly envious of all of the soft foam- wishing that I could take a dive into it as well!

Climbing through the tunnel of the "elephant trunk" in the jungle room!

I also wasn't able to get a picture of this but in the jungle room there was also a "hippo slide" where you enter the "mouth" from the second floor and then you slide down the tunnel to the first floor and land in a pool of foam blocks! When we were upstairs brady said he wanted to go down it so I said okay, thinking that as soon as he actually did it an experienced te 4 foot drop into the foam that he's be upset, but I figured "Why not?" So I ran downstairs so I could be there when he came out and my friend stayed up there with him. I yelled the okay and down came Brady! He LOVED it! WOW! I really never knew he was so adventurous! He did it several more times and actually that was the source of the meltdown because he wanted to do it again but we didn't have time because our "hour" was up!

Anyhow, I now know that I need to get this boy involved in some active things! I'm thinking gymnastics class, clogging or some other kind of "toddler" activity program. Any suggestions!?

Easter Story

This is the little program that I found and revised to use for our Easter FHE with Brady. I love the simplicity of the message and the songs that I put with it to help bring in the spirit and tell the story of Christ to our children. The following pictures are ones that I free-handed to go along with the program and play a short matching game when talking about the Savior's Resurrection and how all new life is a symbol of his great sacrifice and triumph over death!

Children’s Easter Program:

Song: “He Sent His Son” Children’s Songbook, 34-35

Narrator #1 (I chose to include my parents in this so we had 4 narrators)

The Easter story is a story of love. Heavenly Father loves us so much that He sent His Son to earth to atone for our sins. Jesus loves Heavenly Father; He was willing to obey Him. And Jesus loves each one of us. He gave His life so that we may be forgiven when we do something wrong and repent.

Narrator #2

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

Song: “Did Jesus Really Live Again?” Children’s Songbook, 64

Narrator #3

Jesus died and then was resurrected, which means that He lived—and lives—again. We do not fully understand how Jesus can live again, so we think of it as a miracle. There are many miracles all around us that help us understand the resurrection of Jesus.

Wintertime is long and dark;The flowers and seeds are sleeping.They wait for the light of the sun to awaken them.The warmth of spring brings them to life again,Like a testimony of the Easter story.A wonderful thing happens in spring—The birds sing, the grass becomes green,The world is awake with the promise of life,Restoring the earth in its fullness.


Song: “On A Golden Springtime” Children’s Songbook, 88

The Miracles of Springtime:

From a cocoon comes forth a beautiful butterfly!

Dry bulbs (and seeds) pressed deep into the earth come forth a bloom again!

A little egg inside a nest becomes a bird!

Tiny brown buds become blossoms on a tree!

These tiny miracles help us to understand the greatest miracle of all, the Resurrection. When the stone was rolled away that Easter day, Jesus had risen from His tomb.

“He is not here: for he is risen” (Matt. 28:6).

Narrator #4

Many people saw Jesus after He was resurrected. However, we do not need to see Him to know that He lives. As we keep the commandments and remember Jesus, we feel good. And that good feeling is the beginning of a testimony.

Narrator #1

“A testimony of Jesus means that you accept the divine mission of Jesus Christ, embrace His gospel, and do His works” (Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, May 1982, page 62).

That means that you believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that you will try to be like Him by making good choices!

Narrator #2

For a long time the world was in darkness; The hearts of men were sleeping. There was no spiritual light upon the earth. Then at last the heavens were opened, and the light of the gospel awakened the world. This was a glorious testimony of the Resurrection. A wonderful thing happened one spring when Joseph saw the Father and the Son. The world was awakened, and the priesthood was returned to earth-restoring the gospel in its fullness.

Narrator #3

Joseph Smith tells us about the vision he received: “I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!“ (JS—H 1:17.)

Song: “This is My Beloved Son” Children’s Songbook, 76, verses 3 and 4

Narrator #4

We are blessed to have the gospel restored in our day. As we learn more about the teachings of Jesus, our testimonies will grow.

Narrator #1

I know that Jesus lives and that He loves me. Do you know that Jesus lives and loves you?

How do you feel His love?

Narrator #2

Who was the first prophet?

I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that through him the gospel was restored.

Narrator #3

How do we feel when we make good choices and keep God’s commandments?

Song: “Choose the Right Way” Children’s Songbook, 160

Cabin Fever!

This winter in Maine we have broken snowfall records, recieving over 16 feet of snowfall!! We've had at least 1-2 major snowstorms a week for most of the winter which has left us with an accumulation of several feet of snow which has FINALLY started to let until today...when we recieved another couple of inches! AAAHHHHH! These pictures were taken about a month ago at the peak of our snowpack here where we live!


This is my parent's Dodge Ram inbetween two snow bankings- as you can see the snow is taller than the truck!

The walkway from the driveway to the front door!

The back door of the house- we don't use it right now obviously!

HAPPY EASTER!!!

This Easter I really thought a lot about what traditions we wanted to establish and how we wanted to teach our children about Easter. How much commercialism to take part in and how best to explain about the scarifice and miraculous resurrection of Our Savior.

After much contemplation we decided that we'd enjoy our baskets and candy and a special Easter breakfast on Saturday and then spend Sunday focusing on the Savior. In introducing our Easter festivities at breakfast we also explained to Brady what we would do on both days and that even though it's fun to get candy and have egg hunts that those things aren't the real meaning of Easter. Those things can help remind us of Springtime and how the whole earth is reborn with new grass, flowers and baby animals- but it's really a reminder of how Christ died and was reunited with his body again, and still lives today!

This Easter has meant more to me than any other because I've spent a lot of time learning more about Christ's life during the last weeks before his crucifixion and resurrection and finding ways to teach a child so that they might start to understand Jesus' love and sacrifice for us!

This is the beautiful "egg" basket that Brady made with his Grammie Morgan! It has brought "sunshine to our souls!" If you look carefully you'll see a nest and a feather that Brady found and some eggs in it in the middle of the basket!

Our Easter breakfast:

Scrambled eggs: a symbol of new life

Fresh fruit: fruits from the earth

"Resurrection rolls" symbolizing the empty tomb after the third day (we made these with crescent rolls, butter, cinnamon and sugar and a marshmallow in the middle. Bake at 375 for 10 minutes and when they're done the marshmallow will have melted and left the inside of the roll empty!)

Hot cocoa with a bunny marshmallow!

Then we had our "eggcellent" scavenger hunt! This year was a little different; usually we just do some eggs with candy and an easter basket filled with a few toys and inexpensive games. A few days ago I happened to be trying to return a toy at a store when I noticed an awesome train table on sale for half off! There were only a few left so I decided to jump on the deal and get an early start on Christmas shopping! Well, it's been a LONG winter (check my next post!) and Brady has gotten very bored with all of his toys and is driving me CRAZY with his selective hearing, inability to stay entertained and whining! It's very hard to find things that will keep him busy and we haven't been able to go outside very much at all...so after discussing it with Chris and "stewing" over it for a few days we decided that our (MY) sanity was well worth it and we'd give Brady the train table early and give him something that will entertain him until the snow melts and the grass dries (hopefully!!!!!)

So, needless to say, we had a great scavenger hunt with Brady with fun "clues" for him to follow with each egg that he found! It was great (and we got it on video too!)

Clue #1: You like to help mommy cook- go get your whisk!

Clue #2: Follow your nose to where we keep the cheese cold!

Clue #3: Mommy and Daddy tell you to close your eyes when we are in this place getting "squeaky clean!"

(This led him to the shower in the bathroom where he found his Easter basket that had some candies, some "Croc" clogs, and a game! We didn't get a good picture!)

Clue #4: This is the cozy place where Baby Olivia will snuggle in a few months!

Clue #5: "Buzz" and "Zerg" (his goldfish) think that your cool! Bring them their food!

Clue #6: Ready, set, find your favorite hiding place! (an empty cupboard in the kitchen)

Inside the cupboard he found a "Marble Run" which we really think he'll enjoy!

Clue #7: Show us how and where you wash your hands!!!!

Clue #8: Sometimes you drive us BANANAS!

(Like today!)

Clue #9: We like to visit Grammie and Grandpa and sometimes we open this bog door to find a snack! (Their pantry)

He was so cute! he knew right where to go and led us all downstairs to my parent's house and when he opened the pantry door he had the hugest smile! He was like, "Ah! Wow! A Train!"

So, hopefully all of my hard work and preparation was worthwhile and that he'll love this and play with it ALL THE TIME!!! HAPPY EASTER! (we'll do our "spiritual Sunday post tomorrow on Easter!)

Putting together all of the pieces!!!!!!!!! (no small task when your 3 year old is trying to "help" and won't stay out of anything! Poor Chris, he exhibited "much patience!")

And the finished product! WHOA!!!! This thing is double the size that I thought it was....goodbye livingroom! Hello "fashionable" train coffee table!

Goodbye "Recipe Blog!"

Okay, I have to say I was super excited to start my recipe blog and was whipping up "culinary masterpieces" (yeah right!) and taking foodie pics for a week or so....what I actually discovered through this endevour was that I LOVE to find new recipes and try them NOT to take the time to take pictures, post them etc! So, if I do ever come upon a truly FANTASTIC recipe that I'd want to share with ALL them I'll surely post it HERE!!!

Yes, less complication in my life! Why do I always complicate things more than they need to be?! So, bye-bye food blog, you won't be missed! =)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

It was fun to celebrate St. Patty's Day this year because Brady is old enough that I could explain to him why we have this day (and learn some new things myself) and make some fun treats with him. Brady's name is actually Irish, meaning "spirited" (quite fitting I think!) and I do have some "Irish blood" somewhere in me so I always think this is a fun holiday to celebrate!

I tried a new recipe for pistachio pudding sugar cookies. They were okay but I won't be making them again! I'll have to learn how to make my mother-in-laws fabulous sugar cookies!


Brady and I also made a rainbow cake so the leprechauns could hide their gold at the end of the rainbow! It cam eout really cute and was a big hit with the whole family! It was fun coloring shamrocks and pots of gold and having traditional Irish food! I was going to post a picture of Brady but he's been sick...so it will have to wait for another time!
I'll leave you all with an Irish Blessing I found:

"May your blessings outnumber

the shamrocks that grow!!!"

OKAY- I just spent the last HOUR working on the TAG POST that my sister-in-law Nickie has posted and "tagged" me with (3 in all) and when I went to upload it it was all CRAZY! I'm sorry Nickie, but I'm NOT taking the time to re-do all of that! I had good intentions!!

www.tried-n-true-recipes.blogspot.com

My new "cookbook" recipe blog is now up and running! I'm going to TRY and do a post a day (or more depending on what I cook) as I try some new recipes and make some "oldies." I hope you enjoy the recipes as much as my family does! Check it out!

Snowshoeing in Winter Wonderland

I do have to say that one good thing about living "way out in the country" is the opportunity to walk out the front door and go for a nice long walk in the woods! There's an established snowmobile/ATV trail that runs from the front of our yard, back through the woods and around again (the trails goes on in other directions as well) but it provides us the chance for some winter fun!

Saturday we went out and got some fresh air as a family. My parents used their cross-country skis and Chris and I snowshoed. Brady walked and was pulled along in his sled. It was so great to feel a part of nature and get some exercise! All in all we guess we went between 2 and 3 miles!

Calling ALL recipes!!!

So, I've visited many of my friends blogs lately in search of great recipes! Many of my friends post their own recipes on their blogs (thanks guys!) or have recipe swaps or sites on their favorite sites lists! I have found quite a few recipes that I'm excited to try! I am trying to be "healthy" and fairly frugal. As a pregnant wife and mommy right now I desperately feel the need to change up our dinner "routine" and try some things that are new....so why, you may ask am I telling all of you this?

I would like your TOP 5 FAVORITE FAMILY MEALS!!! If any of you care to share I'd love it if you emailed me your VERY VERY favorite (fairly easy and healthy) meals to my email address! I've been going through PILES of recipe clippings that I've been saving for years and just haven't tried...so in order to get inspired and have some fun I'm going to be starting a little side blog about my search for GREAT FOOD!! I'll inlcude the recipes and pictures of meals that my family tries AND LIKES and of coarse I'll give a shout out to where ever the recipe came from!

So friends, help me out!!!! Send 5!!! Thanks!

Cowboy Brady!!!

Brady the real Idaho cowboy! He is pretending to be WOODY from TOY STORY! Dress-up clothes are the best! I remember having so much fun with the big box full of play clothes that we had as children!

Yee-Haw!!! Giddy-up cowboy!!! (Riding "BULLSEYE!")

Happy Birthday Brady!!! 3 years old!!!

Brady's 3rd birthday was on February 5th! He was a super bowl baby so we usually have a birthday party and then a superbowl party! This year we had BIG plans to go to a local indoor kid's place called Joker's (like Chuck E. Cheese but way bigger) however, we got snowed out on the night we planned it...and haven't had the chance to go yet. Brady has been very patient waiting to go!

We did have a fun night as a family though. Brady helped me make these yummy cupcakes and then we had pizza, popcorn, ice cream and watched a movie.

Brady loves Toy Story and his Aunt Nickie and I were thinking the same thing because we both got him a BUZZ LIGHTYEAR costume! It was pretty funny when he opened up two of the same presents in a row and was like, "Hey, why do I have 2 Buzz's?" But he LOVES playing dress-up and we'll get a picture posted soon!

The big present was the new "pets!" Brady has been wanting some fish for quite some time. We went out and we all picked out two fish that he named BUZZ (fantail goldfish) and ZERG (the calico fantail goldfish). He loves them! He picked out the little plant and the green, blue and clear "rocks" for the bottom. Every day he helps to feed them and we clean the bowl together at least once a week! We look forward to when we have a bigger place and can get an aquarium with all sorts of different fish!!! They are so pretty to look at!

Bowling!

These pictures are from a month ago, but better late than never! We went bowling as a family the day before Andrew left on his mission. Brady loves bowling and was so excited to have his very own set of special shoes!

He did a great job bowling without bumpers and was able to enjoy his own lane and as many balls as he wanted! Hey, a score of 23 isn't so bad for a 3 year old!

Our Valentine's Day!

Brady and I made up a few pictures for family and friends. The plan WAS to have them posted on Valentine's Day morning so everyone could see them and KNOW that we love them and were thinking about them! Well, we all know how plans go sometimes! Anyhow, here they are now and we truly do hope that you all know how very grateful we are to have you as family and friends in our lives. We have been truly blessed! This picture is hard to see but each heart has people's names in it that Brady wanted to put in a heart! He named each and every one!


This was a picture that Brady and I drew for Chris and suprised him with in the morning after we made the bed! We cut out lots of hearts and had gotten his favorite candies! Chris and I don't get each other very much right now for Valentine's Day. I won't let him spend money on flowers because they just die in a few days (Trust me, when we make more money he knows he'll be buying them then!!!!) So usually what we do every year is save the gift card that my Grandparents gave us for Christmas to a restaurant and we go out for dinner and a movie! This year we tried out the LOnghorn Steakhouse! It was good, and VERY expensive! Thanks Grammie and Grandpa Morgan, however, Texas Roadhouse still trumps!!!

We also suprised Brady with some hearts and some chocolates and we got some cards and chocolates from my parents (my mom snuck up in the middle of the night and left them on the table!) We didn't get pictures of these things though...we also got a package in the mail from Grammie and Grandpa Graf!!! It had a special "Book of Mormon Heroes" book for Brady and some candies! (**Thanks **) and we got the cutest card in the mail from Aunt Nickie, Uncle Nick and Lexi!!

Here's Brady showing Chris his "suprise!"

Chris managed to sneak in a suprise for me as well by whipping up a breakfast while he was getting ready for work!! At first I was confused by the "glob" of jelly on top of the peanut butter toast, but then I realized it was a heart! Awwwwwwwww!!!! How creative!!

The VERY exciting news!!!!!!

So, we were so excited when we found out that we went right out to dinner to celebrate and then we went shopping and bought the "first outfits!" Yes, there are two outfits, but don't get too excited, we're not having twins! (I just liked both!!!) Here's me on Sunday (18 weeks: 4 1/2 months for those who don't speak "pregnancy talk!")

Here's our wee little one (profile of head)! Chris was so excited to be there and we both were so happy to see such a healthy, active baby!

We are having a GIRL!!!!!!!!!

Olivia JulieAnn Graf will make her debut around July 13th!!!!

Be patient everybody!!!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!! XOXO Okay, many of you know that today IS the day!!! That we find out what we're having (hopefully all goes well with the ultrasound!!!!) Chris and I took the opportunity to get out for the afternoon and evening to have a special night together, so just be patient, hold the phone calls and when we get home tonight (LATE) I'm going to be posting my bloggin' brains out!!! =) So early tomorrow morning or very late tonight you'll have many exciting new posts and news!!! WE LOVE YOU ALL!!!