Pancakes

We love pancakes! Tyson could eat pancakes every meal of every day if he could. I got this recipie from Abby of at A Feathered Nest. I swear if Abby lived in St. George we would be friends. I love her idea's.

We have made these quite a few times. It's a healthy version of pancakes. They have oatmeal and wheat germ and the kids don't even know.

Try them, I promise you'll love them. We love to put in chocolate chips!! I love to eat the left overs for lunch with peanut butter and jelly. They are also super good with Nutella (Heaven in a jar). Another ideas I stold from Abby. Anyway's everyone have a good day!!!! Love ya!

The Best Pancakes Ever

1 c. unbleached flour
1 c. whole wheat flour
2 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
3/4 t. salt
3 T. sugar
1 c. quick oats (or less)
1/2 c. wheat germ

whisk to combine Separately, mix together:

3 1/2 c. milk
1 c. sour cream
4 t. melted butter
2 large eggs, beaten

Combine all ingredients together, without overmixing.

Okay, I do have a few substitutions. I use 1/4 cup sour cream powder in place of the sour cream and I have been substituting the wheat germ with 1/4 cup ground flax. I also grind up the oatmeal so the kids don't notice. I also half the recipie most of the time, because it makes a ton of pancakes.

Worth Watching

Okay, so I have been blog hopping today through the blogs of all my high school friends. It has been so much fun. One of my friends, Candice had these two links on her blog from quite a while back, but I had to share them. The first link is hysterical. It's a comedian singing a song about all the things that a mom says. I had tears of laughter rolling down my face. The second one had me crying my heart out. It's an amazing story of a fathers pure love for his son.

Watch them, I promise you will get your daily laugh and be edified and knowing that Heavenly Father loves all of his children.


http://youtube.com/watch?v=anSpBUxsgAU


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS596VsNEOE

This is the only way I could get them on the blog. Sorry to all you computer wizzes out there but this girl is technologically challenged.

Facebook

I just found out about an awesome website and most of you probably already know about it, but it is called facebook.com It's kind of like myspace, but it looks like it's a little less well-known and it seems to be a little more regulated. It's free to sign up and it's a great way to network with old friends.

I went on and signed up tonight, because I heard about it from my sister, who heard about it from Malinda, a girl I went to school with. Well anyways, to make a long story short I signed up because my 10-year reunion is coming up and within 5 minutes my friend, Lacy contacted me. So cool!! We played basketball together and I haven't seen her since I graduated. I haven't seen anybody since I graduated, unless they live in Piute County still and I see them on occassion when we go home.

Check it out. It was funny because it automatically showed people who might be in my network area and I saw a ton of familiar faces. I saw you Maggie,Heather, Kim, Eric, and even my little brother Danny was there!!

I am excited about this!!! So cool!

What a Week!!

We have had a full week. And that is an understatement. We have been watching J.D.'s friend Noah and his little brother for a couple of days. The first day we went on a picnic in the park. The next day we went and watched a monster truck and the next day we went to the splashpad!! Whew, I'm tired.



Here is J.D. at the Orchard assignment we went
to last night. We had fun thinning the apricots.

The kids loved throwinng them at each other.

Peanut Butter Muffins

Ignore the messy table behind J.D. and focus on the YUMMY muffin!! Oh my goodness!! I am a peanut butter nut and this muffin is just like eating a little piece of heaven. I have wanted to try this recipie forever and on a whim mixed up a batch to cook next to the blueberry one's I also made this morning.

It was so easy. I made it out of Alisons Pantry Creme Cake and Muffin Mix. I made the mix as directed and then just added 1/3 cup peanut butter. Follow the Alisons Pantry link and go the customer section, and then to the recipies for a made from scratch recipie. I prefer the lazy mans way. I'll use the mix!!!

The Carter Boys

It doesn't always take blood to make you family. The Carters are defiently family!! Aaron's birthday is April 28th so every year we have a joint birthday party for me and Aaron. Here are a few pictures from the night.

Here are all the boys with all of our little kiddo's. Grandma Victoria is in the middle!!

Spring Pictures

Tyson was most uncooperative. I threated to cut off his nose!!! It's hard to be 3 and have so much going on around you. I just wished I could of got some more of him looking at the camera.

J.D. is cute as always. He was such a good help and was trying so hard becuase he could tell I was getting very frustrated.

This is my favorite picture of the day!!! It's beautiful. Kids at this age are the perfect subject matter because it's all natural. They aren't posing, they are just being candid. Gorgeous!

Handsome Little Man

Need I say more???

Reflections at 28

Happy Birthday to me!!! Hard to believe it's been 28 glorious years. J.D. told me yesterday that he was sad that he now had an old mom. Made me feel great about myself! Good thing I luv him.
Am I happy with the past 28 years? Most defiently. The last 8 years being fabulous and wonderful. I never wanted a career for say, unless you count the career path I am on, that of being a wife and a mother. I hope that I am successful in my career choice, the consequences for failure are unthinkable. I love being where I am right now. I love Josh more and more everyday and my kids are the frosting in my world. They bring me so much joy and happiness.

I have a book that I bought for Piper before she was born. It's called Someday. It talks about all things that a mom would wish for her daughter. It's amazing the things you want your kids to go through, to learn, and to grow from. It's amazing how grateful I am for all that I have been through, cried from,laughed my way through and learned from. Amazing that I have made it to where I am. Thankful that I have made it to where I am.

I am truly thankful for every year and every lesson learned. I am thankful for my mom and all the ways in which she has endured me and loved me as her child. The women is a saint. I am thankful for my brothers and my sis. For the friends that they have become. I am thankful for all of the good friends I have and thankful that every now and then life throws me an occassion to have a cold Pepsi!!

I am thankful that I have love in my life and that 3 little people call me Mom and one good lookin' guy calls me honey. He is all that I ever dreamed of and more. I am thankful for all of you who have touched my life. I am especially thankful for Heavenly Father and his love and the evidence of all the ways he has touched my life. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured.

Snapshots of Our Life

Look at all that frosting. Tyson did nothing but lick the frosting off the top and leave the cake. J.D. on the other hand devoured the whole thing and asked for more. J.D. kept the Tinkerbell ring to give to Baylee. Tyson wore his all day yesterday and all day today and showed everyone his ring. This kid steals my heart because he is just so Tyson!!

This little girl is going to be so vain, but she is really pretty!! Here she is blowing raspberries at her daddy. She is so silly and she sure loves Josh. She has him wrapped around her finger.

Look at J.D. all alone with the ball!! This little guy has some natural talent. He's very athletic and I am not just bragging because I am his mom, but he's pretty good. He loves to be the goalie, which is funny because he just dances in the goal box like he's itching to be out there, but he said he likes being goalie. I think it's because he can use his hands. In this picture he is getting to kick in, yet another goal. This game he scored every single point for his team the Owls.

Hafen Farm

This is one field trip I am glad I missed. J.D. wanted Josh to go with him and was so excited to have his dad hang out with him. Tyson went to and had a blast. However, it was a cold and extremely windy day. Apparently little ones were sick because of the smell. My boys loved it. I myself love the smell of manuer. Strange as that sounds it reminds me of home (Marysvale). The town that has a dairy on all sides and cows all around.

J.D. & Noah

Tyson and the pigs

Checking out the chics!!

Quick Update

Okay, my life is hectic, out of control crazy!! Two more soccer games this week (J.D. is awesome), gymanstics and then I taught this crazy enricment class on food storage for Mandee's ward. J.D. had a field trip, and good old dad went, thanks Honey!! Luve ya!! And then it's order week for Alison's Pantry and my order was due today. And I hate wheat. That's all I have to say about that!

Other than all that it's been a pretty average week. I will try to post sometime this weekend.
Love ya all!!!

General Confrence

What a great General Conference!!! I loved all of the talks I heard, although with kids you have a hard time catching all the talks. I especially loved the talk on mothers by President Ballard. I love to hear that we should be appreciated. Being a mother is the hardest job I have ever had!!! Like I have said before, it's a bit like being pecked to death by chickens!

It was a little sad to not see President Hinckley. I am so glad that he is with his sweetheart, but it still was a little bitter sweet. I know he was watching from above and thought it was wonderful.

President Monson was so awesome. He has such a fun sense of humor and he is deeply spiritual. He will be an awesome Prophet. My favorite part was when they sustained President Monson and did the Solem Assembly. The air was electric!!! I don't think I have ever felt the spirit so strong. I had goosebumps from head to toe! I am so thankful that I was able to witness such an event.

I also wanted to share this awesome link that I came across. Check it out here http://ce.byu.edu/cw/womensconference/archive/sharing_stations.cfm. It is archives from the past six years of Womens Conference. It has some neat articles and ideas. I love to be uplifted and spiritually fed.

Hope everyone enjoyed conference and had a wonderful weekend.

What A Week!!!

Piper is Pure Happiness!

J.D. had 2 Soccer Games

Tyson's First Day of Gymnastics

Bed Full of Fun

Doesn't this look like a bed full of fun?? I somehow managed to sleep on the left side of Piper and I woke up and wondered what the heck was going on, well here you go. The only one missing was Tyson. I guess he could have slept at the foot of the bed. I think MoJo thought I was crazy taking pictures of everyone sleeping. What a night!!!

More Pictures

Tyson & Piper

J.D.

Tyson & Josh

Uncle Haunie & Piper

Fun at the Gateway

Okay, so I have a ton of pictures from this weekend. We went to this awesome place in Salt Lake called Discovery Gateway. Check it out at this link http://www.discoverygateway.org/

My kids had so much fun. They wanted to stay longer even though we were there for almost 3 hours. I promised to take them back this summer. It is this fun, educational, hands on museum that the kids can just play in.

My kids loved the crane and building area. J.D. & Tyson would have played there all day if we had let them. They had this awesome dome that had clear tubes and you put colored balls into at diffrent points all over inside the dome and the ball would get sucked up into them and the kids could watch the progress of the ball.

The water center was way cool and Tyson really liked that. The climibing wall and the farm activity place were our favorites. Piper had so much fun moving potatoes from one cubby to the next.

What was so fun about it was that the kids enjoyed it, but so did the adults. It was awesome! I will post some more pictures later this week, as I have about a few hundred to choose from.

Piper in a box w/ Uncle Adam

Here are a few pictures of us riding the Tracks.

My kids would have been happy doing just this!

Corbin & Caleb

Quinton

ISN'T HE CUTE!!! This is Quinton Carter, he's the son our friends Lindsay and Adam Carter. This weekend we went to Salt Lake for his blessing and had the chance to stay at Adam and Lindsay's house. He is so cute!!! Just had to let everyone see our new little cute cousin.

Wondering why is their a camera in my face?

Josh & Quinton snuggling

Paint Balling

My boys love to go paintballing with their dad. Here are few pictures from the other day when they went out. Their cousins Corbin and Caleb went with them. They had a lot of fun watching their daddies and shooting the guns!!

Caleb, Corbin, & Tyson

Corbin & Tyson

J.D. & Tyson in their gear!!

Green Sunday

HAPPY EASTER!!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter. We had a lot of fun getting baskets and doing the Easter Egg hunt here in Ivins yesterday. Today is just kind of lazy. We watched the Living Scriptures version of the Easter Story this morning and this afternoon we are just hanging out. Somehow, unknowingly, all the boys ended up in green shirts. Kind of funny! Totally unplanned!

Tonight we have one of Josh's customers that he has befriended coming to dinner. He is a cute, little old guy who is all alone. He has been widowed twice and his kids all live in New Mexico. It should be fun!!!

But let us remember what Easter is all about and remember to thank Heavenly Father for the gift He gave us in His Son and our Redeemer!!! We are truly blessed that we have a Heavenly Father who loves us and wants us to return to live with Him agian. Have a Happy Easter!!

Airplanes

Isn't it funny how boys can be entertained with a simple paper airplane? J.D. and his grandad Ward used to play with paper airplanes every Sunday when we go and visit him. Grandad would save the advertisements out of the paper and build airplanes for J.D. I hope it is something J.D. will always remember about him.

Mine probably are nowhere as cool as Grandads. After several failed attempts to make a plane that would actually fly and withstand a 3-year-old, Mommy finally got on the internet to find out how to make one that would fly. And amazingly enough these did fly very well. The boys spent the whole afternoon playing with their paper planes. For all you other moms who have boys and want to impress them with your airplane flying abilities, check out this link for a short little video that walks you through the process step by step. http://www.buildpaperairplanes.com/videos-projects/01/index.html You'll be the coolest mom on the block!!!!

Temper Tantrums

Piper is the funniest girl. This is a picture of her sleeping in her crib. She is sitting up, well kind of. She throws these temper tantrums where she will throw herself forward and cry with her head on her knees. I put her in for a nap and she wasn't happy about it. I went to check on her after a few minutes and this was how she was sleeping. Silly girl!!!

Welcome to our Blog

We are so excited to have a blog. I must admit, I have been feeling a little behind the times. I just didn't think I had time to blog, but it is a great way to keep all of our family up to date on our wild bunch!!!It will be so much fun to share our lives with you. I just wanted to post a few pictures for everyone to see my pride and joys!!!! There was once a quote I read that said "Lord grant me the patience to endure my blessings." My other favorite one goes something like this, "Raising children is much the same as being pecked to death by chickens." How true!!! All you moms know what I am talking about.

Raising kids is hard work and it does require a lot of patience, but I love my kids so much. I would never trade them for anything in this world. So take a minute to check out my cute babies!!!

J.D is almost 6, I can hardly believe that he could be that old. He is in Kindergarten this year and is such a little stud. He just started soccer and he loves it. He so is athletic. He loves all sports. He told me he loves horses, rodeo, the guitar and girls!! What a little ladies man already. He is a joy to have around. He is so bright and happy most of the time! He is also my big helper. He loves to help me with Piper and he is such a little mother to Tyson. It's kind of cute.

Tyson or Tootie-Bootie as he is affectionately known, turned 3 in December. Now this kid may look all innocent, but don't let his good looks decieve you. DENNIS the MENACE!!!!!! He even has the blonde hair to prove it. Tyson is so much fun. He's our little dare devil who is all crazy and wild. He loves Spiderman. He has a little obsessive compulsive behavior when it comes to Spiderman, the boy is still wearing his Halloween costume about 3 days a week.

And this is our little baby girl!! Isn't she pretty? Piper Hermione or P. Herme (Josh hates that nickname) is so much fun!! Girls are so much fun to buy clothes for and she has a lot. She is so spoiled and loves to play with her brothers. She wants so badly to walk, but doesn't dare to quite yet. I bet she will be walking in the next few weeks, but she is pretty stubborn so don't quote me on that.

Well this should be a fun little adventure!  Let's see how we do!