Funny Face.

I've been meaning to do this post for a while now, like months, literally.  When Chris first got his i-phone he was obsessed with this App for making Funny Faces!!!  He and Brady had quite a good time once when they were out getting the car an oil change!!!  I had to post them because they really are too funny!!!

 

Chris- all I have to say is if he really looked like EITHER of these we would NOT be married!!!

Brady

Olivia

A Bicycle Built fo Two

I was "cleaning" out our picture files and found a few "long lost" pictures of Brady!!!  The first one is of Brady and one of his dear little friends, Annie back in Twin Falls.  I figure he was about 5 years old here and Annie was 4...so cute!!!

This picture is of Brady with his Grandpa Graf!!!  Grammie and Grandpa have this awesome attached bike that they hook up when the grandkids are around!  It is so fun to see Brady and Grandpa tootling around the neighborhood on this contraption!!!  One time they even rode it for several miles up in Sun Valley!!!  Brady was 5 in this picture as well, and he's wearing gloves because it was still a bit nippy outside!!!

Clean Your Dishwasher! Who Knew?!?!

Thanks to my new friend, Pinterest I have also recently discovered that you can clean your dishwasher, and not only that, but you SHOULD give your dishwasher a good cleaning every few months or so for optimal results!  I have been pretty frustrated with the dishwasher at the house we're renting.  It's not a low quality dishwasher, but I couldn't figure out why it wasn't cleaning well.  

Sidenote: I have recently switched detergents from Cascade (never thought I'd ever use something else) to the Melaleuca brand Diamond Brite.  This is NOT a sale's pitch, but if you've never tried it, let me know...it's AMAZING and I'll never use anything else, well as long as I live here in Idaho Falls where Melaleuca is headquartered anyway!  It's a plant-based formula with the same enzymes that are in food- makes sense in order for the food waste to break down to have the correct enzymes.  The first time I used it I felt like I'd gotten brand-new silverware and glasses (previously covered with a "film" of calcium deposits from about 8 years of use!!!)

Back to the dishwasher- After changing detergents I was 80% happy.  The other 20% was due to the fact that there were always "crumbs" blown up into my glasses.  I had tried wiping out the inside and the sides of the washer before, but still couldn't figure out where the little buggers were coming from!  

This is what my basin looked like BEFORE:

Ewwww...that yellow/orange is non other than gross bacteria growth, and even though you can't really see it in the picture there was a thin film of this across the entire bottom!  DISGUSTING.  Yeah, lets stick our dishes in this filthy machine and expect them to come out clean!!!

How to clean the dishwasher:

1) Take out the bottom rack of your washer and inspect the gasket area, making sure there are no large chunks of food, lost silverware or dishes, or other particles that need to be removed.

2) With the bottom rack still removed, fill a dishwasher safe measuring cup with vinegar and place in the middle of the top rack right-side up.  When the dishwasher runs the water will go into the cup, overflowing the vinegar and spreading it throughout the machine.  Run a normal cycle on the highest heat with the dishwasher empty, other than the cup filled with vinegar.

3)Once the cycle is done, sprinkle the bottom of the basin with about 1 cup of baking soda and run another cycle with high heat.  This can be a light cycle.

4) If you had mildew or bacteria in the bottom of the machine (like I did) next sprinkle in 1 cup of bleach into the bottom of the washer (do NOT do this if you have a stainless steel interior).  Then run another light cycle with high heat.  Once this cycle is done your dishwasher should be spic and span and looking more like this!!!

BEFORE:                        AFTER:

REMARKABLE!!!!

AND, after my washer has been run several times since I cleaned it there is NO TRACE of any mildew/bacteria in the basin anymore!!!!  Happy Cleaning!!!

Happy Birthday DR. SEUSS!!!!

Brady wrote a "Seussical Story" at school:

"I do not like green eggs and ham. 

Would you in a bag?

Would you do it with an ostrige (ostrich)?

No I would not eat it with an ostrige.

I would not eat it in a bag. 

Would you just leve (leave) me alone!

Would you with a cook, or a book, or at a school?

No, I would not eat it in a school or with a book or with a cook,

or in a bag or with an ostrige.

Would you just leave me alone?

Fine."

I thought this was cute- the inner workings of a child's brain!

Chris was out of town for several days so I decided the kids and I would throw our Dr. Seuss Happy Birthday Party then.  Liv and I went to the library earlier in the day and checked out several Suess books that we'd never read before.  Then we made green eggs and ham (dye-free, thanks to my friend Charlotte's recipe which calls for blended spinach with a few T. of milk!)

I also tried out a recipe I got from her blog for whole wheat buttermilk biscuits!  These were fantastic and so much better than I could have even imagined!  I'll be posting about those later when I post about our meals over the last few weeks....

Olivia was skeptical about the eggs, but with some encouragement from Big Bro she ended up finishing hers almost all the way gone...and this is a "family-style" plate, not any of our portions!

After dinner we enjoyed the rest of the evening cuddled up in bed reading our books.  Brady shared his story with us and then we read until our eyelids were droopy!

Welcome to our family Sydnee!!!

My cousin, Chaz and his wife, Dessie just welcomed their second little girl into their family on February 21st!!!  We are so excited for another beautiful, healthy little girl and can't wait until we can meet her (and her older sister, Rylee)!!!  

Dessie and baby Sydnee!!

February 21, 2012  1:36 p.m.

6 lbs. 14 oz., 19" long

PRECIOUS!!!

Welcome to our family Triplets!

My cousin Alden, and his wife, Ana just welcomed the birth of their TRIPLETS!!! on Valentine's Day!!!  All three babies are healthy and doing so well that they have already been home for a week!!!  

Beautiful babies:  Samuel Alexander, Elizabeth Ana and Victoria Alice

We can't wait to meet them!!!!

Welcome to our family Audrey!!!

Within a 9-day period we have had 5 new little cousins born into my side of the family!  The first sweet addition was little Miss Audrey Hubbard!!!  Born to my cousin Ben and his wife, Rachel on February 13th!!!  She is cute as a button and so sweet!  I have only gotten to hold her once the day after she was born at the hospital because we've had sickness at our house, but I can't wait to see her again soon!!!

My Aunt Donna, new Grammie was so excited to be able to meet her grand-daughter at the hospital!!!

Three generations!!!  

Rachel did a great job laboring all day before they had to deliver by C-section due to the umbilical cord being wrapped around Audrey's little feet like a bunjee cord!!!

Audrey Kristine

8 lbs. 12 oz. 22" long

Meeting my sweet little cousin!!! On Valentine's Day!!!

                                       

                           

                                               

While I was oohing and aahing over Audrey, Zach got some male bonding time in with cousin, 

and new Uncle, Josh!!!

A few days later, my Uncle Jim, new Grandpa was able to come down and meet his grand-daughter!!!

We met up with everyone and after holding Audrey we headed over to the hotel for a swim before dinner at our favorite, The Pizza Pie Cafe!!  

We finally got Liv and Brady in the pool with Daddy!  Swim lessons here we come....I don't want kiddos afraid of the water and we've got lots of swimming ahead of us this summer!!!

Liv liked floating around with cousin, Megan

30-Day Photography Challenge. Day 5. From a High Angle.

I've had this done for over a week now...cute eh?

Zachary. 4 months.

I just can't believe how quickly babies grow.  It is so fun to watch Zach grow and develop but so sad to see him leave the newborn stage behind.  He is still such a happy, smiley baby who loves to have attention and be held.  He has such a sweet special bond with each of us, but he especially lights up whenever Brady or Olivia smile and act silly with him.  Olivia can get him laughing harder than anyone!

Some things he has learned to do:  Blow raspberries with his tongue and stick it out.  He thinks this is funny and laughs and smiles when he does it!

Tummy Time:  Zach has been super strong right from birth, just as Brady and Olivia were.  Aside from the normal "newborn bobble-head" they all have been able to hold their heads up and look up and around with no problem.  People always commented about this with each of my babies.  Zach has no problem laying on his tummy and holding his head up.  He could probably do this indefinately, but he would much rather flip himself back over onto his back!!  That's right folks....we'll have a roller anytime soon!

I left the room for 2.5 minutes to switch the laundry over and before I knew it I heard some unusual movement upstairs...that's right, he rolled/scooted about 5 feet off from his blanket onto the cold hardwood floor!  Poor baby was only his in diaper because I was running to get his pj's!!!

Zach likes it when his big brother sings to him and lately Brady has been holding him in front of himself like this and "dancing" with Zach, who of course, thinks it's hilarious!!!

Look who is sitting up in his Bumbo!!! 

(For the record, we tried some oatmeal cereal this week...not a hit...yet!)

Weight:  He had weighed 17 lbs, but has been sick for over a week now and is down to 15.6 lbs.

Height: 25 1/4" 

Disposition: Happy!

Loves to:  Hold mommy's finger while being fed, laugh, kick his feet, grab anything near to him (mommy's hair, earrings, necklace...) watch colorful TV shows, look at himself in the mirror and snuggle
with daddy in the recliner

I decided to start a birthday interview with the kids each year.  My SIL and several friends do this and I thought it was a fun way to see them change through the years!

Brady.  Age 7.

1. What is your favorite color? Blue and green

2. What is your favorite toy? Legos and Nintendo DS
3. What is your favorite fruit? Banana

4. What is your favorite vegetable? Green beans

5. What is your favorite tv show? Sonic Underground

6. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? PB&J

7. What is your favorite outfit? my Star Wars shirt and sweatshirt and Marvel heros shirt

8. What is your favorite sport to play? Basketball

9. What is your favorite snack? Pringles pizza sticks

10. What is your favorite animal? Fawns because they are cute little baby deer and also dogs

11. What is your favorite song? I an a Child of God

12. What is your favorite book? Lemony Snicketts A Series of Unfortunate Events

13. Who is your best friend? Aiden and Daeson

14. What is your favorite cereal? Cocoa Puffs and Lucky Charm Mix (new Malt O ’Meal cereal)

15. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Ride bikes, play catch with daddy and play in the snow

16. What is your favorite drink? Chocolate milk

17. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas

18. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? my blanket, a stuffed animal and a cup of water

19. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Cinnamon bagels with cream cheese, chocolate chip 
pancakes and waffles

20. What is your favorite dinner?  Spaghetti and meatballs 

21. What do you want to be when you grow up? I want to work at Enterprise like my dad

22. What is your favorite game? Scene-It and UNO

23. What is your favorite movie? Cars 2, Harry Potter, Star Wars and the Never Ending Story

24. What is your favorite scripture story? Nephi’s courage and faith when Laman and Lemuel tied him up 
on the ship

25. Who is your scripture hero? Abinadi- because he was a really good man who tried to stop the King from 
being so wicked and to help others repent

26. Where is your favorite place to go? Blast-Off, Montana, Maine and Grammie and Grandpa Grafs

27. What is your favorite place to go out to eat? Pizza Pie Café

28. What is your favorite school subject? Math, because I like to figure out the hard problems

29. What activities are you in? Clogging

30. What are your favorite things to do as a family? Go out for dinner, play games, and have Family Home 
Evening

31. What do you like about yourself? I am a good friend, I like to learn and I’m a good helper

32. What makes you laugh? Knock-knock jokes, Daddy’s jokes and funny videos

33. What makes you sad? When some people that I love pass away

34. What are you scared of? Sleeping in the basement where my room used to be, the ghost named  
Mr. Nobody

33. What are you thankful for? That I have a mom and a dad and a family who love me

34. What are your goals? Be a good friend, become a better listener, not to argue

35. What is your testimony? That I know that President Monson is a true prophet, that my family loves me a
nd I love them, and that Jesus died for us.  I know the scriptures are true because they help me learn and 
they make me feel good inside.

Apparently Brady has too much free time on his hands at school!  For the last week he kept 
coming home with "monster masks" that he made after his work was all completed!  Silly boy!

He also made himself a "gnome beard"

(he reminds me so much of my brother, Andrew in this picture!)

                                                     

And then we have Scooby Doo!!!!................

New Years Resolutions

This post is WAY behind...but better late than never!

I have a few minutes of peace and quiet all to myself so I thought I'd take a moment to write down the things I've been pondering over the last couple of weeks.  As I've been thinking of my New Years goals I began with "my usual"...Lose weight....Simplify....Read my scriptures...say my prayers....

And not that any of these aren't great goals and that I should definately be working on, but I realized that there is a reason why these four goals are perpetually on my New Years resoltuion list...it is because I have made them a chore.  I am changing my thinking up a bit this year and this is what I have decided:  I just had a baby a few months ago.  It is okay to give myself a little slack (not TOO much slack) but just enough that I am not pressuring myself beyond my actual capacity to be successful at accomplishing things and feeling good about myself.

I've realized that most of the time the reason why I fail at achieving something is because I set the sights too high or wanted to accomplsih something too quickly.  I am, afterall, not perfect (*sigh*).  It has only taken me 28 years and 3 children to realize this. 

Back in the summer, my good friend, Rachel told me that I might as well learn to give-up on some things now, and essentially let go of so much control in my life because having three kids is a whole new ballgame.  You can maintain a sense of control with two children, but as you add more you just need to learn to go with the flow more.  At the time I agreed but thought inwardly, that it wouldn't be that much different, would it?  Well, 10 weeks after baby #3 I have JUST BEGUN to learn that yes, it is okay to let go of some things.  It is okay to make some things priorities and let other things slide.  It is okay to be behind on my blog (do that many people read it anyways?)  It is okay to not be the best cook, have the cleanest house, or make the craftiest crafts!

I am still very orderly.  I like my home clean.  That IS part of who I am, and I do find that I function better in a well-maintained home.  BUT, I can also ease up and make more time for my kids.  Drop everything around me and give them my time. 

I am lucky to have a clean and orderly husband who I don't have to clean-up after.  I am lucky to have a 7-year-old who is willing to help and who is accepting more responsibility around the home.  I am lucky to have a 3-and-a-half year old who reminds me to SLOW DOWN.  To sit and read or cuddle or sing.  I am lucky to have a sweet baby who makes me smile every time I look at him.

So.  I still intend to lose weight...simplify...read my scriptures....and say my prayers, but in doing so they will not become a thing on my list of daily to do's.  In simplifying I will ALLOW myself some time each morning for myself to sit and read and reflect.  This is perfect as I have a baby to feed and must sit down and be idle anyway.  I will continue to strive to live and eat healthily.  I will allow myself my favorite foods but in small portions.  I will not deprive myself and then over-eat later.  I will not stress myself out with hard work-outs at unreasonable hours.  I will be a busy mom, taking care of my children, teaching them to love themselves and in doing so, re-teach myself to accept who I am at this time and in this season.  I will be a wife who shows her husband she loves him at the end of the day instead of allowing the daily stress to make me on edge. I want to be softer, kinder...

I figure that as I live my life this way the other goals that I've had that I've never been good at keeping long-term will fall more into place...wish me luck folks!  And good luck with your resolutions!