Beautiful day at Brian Head

We spent the first half of the day at Brian Head. We haven’t been up there once this year. We decided it was time to try the tubing hill. The kids really had a lot of fun. As you can see from all the pictures, even Jack enjoyed it. We weren’t quite sure he would go since they don’t let you ride double. We got him to go once and couldn’t stop him after that. His head barely pokes out of the tube so it couldn’t have been too scary. They let you ride in two hour increments. We figured it was going to be very busy because of the junior races this weekend, so we headed up early for the first session at 10:00am. To our surprise it actually wasn’t all that crowded, even the ski hills didn’t look too bad. After tubing we went up to the Lodge for lunch and watched the skiers for a bit. It only made Kennedy feel real bad. She wanted so badly to get out there and ski. I really think it is something she will always love so we need to get her up there more. That is our goal, even though I’m not sure when it is going to happen. Soccer has begun and the next two Saturdays we will be out of town. But we promised to make it happen before the end of the season. (She may be missing school) I think we picked the best day to go. The sun was shinning and there wasn’t any wind. I really don’t think it could have gotten any better.

Just the beginning of "Big Talks"!

The big talk wasn’t as big as I thought it would be. Not nearly as scary either. I didn’t go into detail about the actual sex and actually from the questions she had I didn’t feel I needed to discuss intercourse at all. She is still my innocent little girl. She is mainly concerned about boys. Not in a sexual way but in a like way. We talked about all the changes she is going through and also puberty for boys a little. She mainly said ooh to most of it. I am so happy she knows that she can talk to me about anything. There will be many more of these kind of talks in the future and both of us will be ready for them. We had so much fun just being girls. Having one on one dates are definitely important for children. They need to know that alone they are special as well as in the family. Thanks for all the advice from my friends. I took it all to heart and it helped me so much.

1 WEEK UNTIL THE BIG TALK

Kennedy and I have planned a Mother/Daughter date for next Tuesday. It is the big talk time. I never remember my mom sitting down with me and explaining sex to me. I guess it just wasn’t talked about then or for some other reason that I don’t know but I always knew that I wanted to be open with my children. I never thought it would come this soon. She has expressed to me on several different occasions that she knows about the “S” word. The other day she even said that she knows how babies are made. I cannot put it off any longer. I am desperately seeking advice from others on how is the best way to go about it. Per the advice of a friend I have decided to make it into a big deal. Not the actual talk but the time spent together. After school, she and I will drive to St. George, for a little shopping, dinner, and a movie. I definitely want it to be a memorable and wonderful experience for her. She is very excited. She is counting down the days. It is actually making me a little more excited than scared. She is growing up way too fast. I miss my little girl, but I love the young lady she is turning into.

I have been doing a lot of research so that I have all the accurate information. If you have any advice please help me out with this difficult subject.

Tagged... 5 Addictions

1. I’m addicted to morning workouts. It’s almost impossible for me to make it through the day without a good sweat.

2. I’m addicted to achieving my goal on the Biggest Loser Cedar City. Six weeks ago two of my friends started a Biggest Loser Cedar City and Steve and I signed up. We had to make a weight loss goal of at least 10 pounds. We each put in $50 and if we make our goal we get $40 back. The winner gets the rest. I have 2 weeks left. Therefore, for 2 more weeks I will be completely addicted to seeing a loss on the dreaded scale.

3. I’m addicted to peppered jerky. I eat it all day long, even in the morning. Gross, I know.

4. I’m addicted to having on-going projects. I have to always have something in the works. Whether it is a craft, a sewing project or something to do with my house, there is always at least one thing ½ done.

5. I’m addicted to my family. They are my life and I would be nothing without them. They truly define me. That may sound a little pathetic but that's ok with me.

Puppy Pics

We have PUPPIES!

Niki had three beautiful, healthy puppies beginning at 11:00pm Friday night.


Shiba Inus normally come in three colors; black, sesame, and cream. We were really hoping for at least one to take after Niki and be cream. However, we got 3 sesame. I guess the daddy was just too dominant. Sesame is the traditional color of the breed. They are cute as can be. We've sold two and my children are continually begging to keep the third. (we'll see)

Healthy Eating

So it has been over a week now that me and my family have adopted a healthier eating menu. It is not the easiest thing in the world. As a matter of fact it is really hard for me. I have tried to cut out sugar all together and it’s not working so well. The first 7 days I did really well however my energy did not seem to be up to par. On Sunday I taught the sunbeam class and I brought snacks; crackers, marshmallows and fruit loops. It was really hard to feed them and not myself so I did sneak some fruit loops. Now the past two days I have found myself snacking on cold cereal several times throughout the day. I’m not sure how to stop. I haven’t had one piece of candy or chocolate and that is a huge feat. Were doing somewhat ok but of course it could be better. We eat a lot more vegetables and mainly chicken or fish. We’ve also cut out table salt. We use a lot of Mrs. Dash. It’s got to be healthy right?! I’m actually really proud of Steve I did not think he would be able to keep it up this long but he seems to be doing really well. Of course I sneak cereal so who’s to say he doesn’t sneak as well.

I’ve also got Steve exercising every day. Exercising is a lot easier for me than the eating part of this whole scenario. It’s not so easy for Steve however. The lack of time is a big factor. There’s usually less than an hour of time for him to spend with the kids at the end of the day. And if you factor in a workout there is no time, which has left him to exercising late at night. I am exhausted by the end of the day and I can only assume it is the same for him, but he has been a good sport and has continued each day.

So the reason that I put up this post is to add a few recipes every so often. I’m trying new, healthier recipes and I thought I would share those I liked.
This soup is one of my favorites. It is so easy and so good.



Tuscan Vegetable Soup




Ingredients
• 1 (15-ounce) can low-sodium canellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 large onion, diced (about 1 cup)
• 2 carrots, diced (about 1/2 cup)
• 2 stalks celery, diced, (about 1/2 cup)
• 1 small zucchini, diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried)
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 32 ounces low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can no salt added diced tomatoes
• 2 cups chopped baby spinach leaves

Directions
In a small bowl mash half of the beans with a masher or the back of a spoon, and set aside.
Heat the oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, zucchini, garlic, thyme, sage, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, and cook stirring occasionally until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
Add the broth and tomatoes with the juice and bring to a boil. Add the mashed and whole beans and the spinach leaves and cook until the spinach is wilted, about 3 minutes more.

Christmas Pictures

I know that it is well past Christmas but I thought I would throw up a few pictures anyway.

Christmas Eve! Jack is a goof ball and it's really hard to get a serious picture of him. This is the best I could do that night.

Here's the kids spreading food out for Santa's reindeer. We were lucky, it snowed on Christmas Eve.


Here's Jack fighting off kisses from the girls.

Unlike most of you who's children slept in until 6 or 7am, Kennedy and Rylee were up at 3:45am. I made them stay in their room until 6am. I know I'm a mean mom but that is just too early for me.




This is my gift to Stephen, a pullup bar. However Kennedy and Rylee love it more than most of their own gifts. They use it more too. They both do a few pullups everytime they walk by it.


Rylee loves to let everyone know that in Gymnastics her nickname is "Muscles".

Kennedy loves to show off her muscles as well.

Gregory, Mimi and Max came to Cedar a couple of days after Christmas to visit. Grandma Janet came over as well.



Kennedy, Rylee and Jack love it when their older brothers and sisters come to visit. They are all so much fun and give them a lot of attention. Here they are deliberating over a game. Gregory and Kennedy were on a team against Mimi, Rylee and Jack.


We all sat down for a tea party one afternoon.



My family is continually blessed. We had a wonderful Christmas. We gave to a family who are currently not as fortunate as us. I feel bad we didn't do more. There are so many people in our own communities who are hurting because of the failing economy. One New Years Resolution I made is to become more aware of those in need and actively be engaged in service. My family has been given so much and I would feel very ungrateful if I din't give back. We live in a wonderful neighborhood and have so many wonderful friends around us. I am blessed to be the receiver of much service and I am very grateful to all those who have helped me and my family throughout the past year.

Tagged by Rachelle

This post is all about belief. Here are the rules --some of your answers can't be religious. You should include at least one belief about food and one belief or unbelief that reflects your philosophy about life.

6 Things I Believe:

1. I believe that with God all things are possible.
2. I believe that family is most important.
3. I believe that not forgiving will mostly hurt you.
4. I believe that you can live on candy. (for a day or two)
5. I believe that being a good person will make you happy.
6. I believe that everyone needs love.

6 Things I don't Believe:

1. I do not believe that the grass is greener on the other side.
2. I do not believe that one woman can do it all.
3. I do not believe that just being a good person is enough.
4. I do not believe you can judge a book by its cover.
5. I do not believe my body will ever be the same as it was before kids.
6. I do not believe in worrying about the things you can’t change.

6 Things I am not sure about:

1. I’m not sure if I can ever become really organized.
2. I’m not sure if I can ever teach Jack to behave.
3. I’m not sure if I can ever have the sex talk with my kids.
4. I’m not sure how children from the same family can be so different.
5. I’m not sure if Steve will be Hawaii ready by next November.
6. I’m not sure why I am so blessed while other people around the world are less unfortunate.

Now I am tagging: Shanna, Holli, Brandy, Jenise, Jamie, Holly

The Girls

It’s so nice having another woman in the house. However, it’s a little hard to think of Megan as a woman. We love it when she comes to visit. We don’t get to see her very much anymore now that she is off to school and in Young Ambassadors. It’s hard for her to get away with all that goes on, but the times she is here she is so much fun. I'm very lucky to have her in my life.