It must be spring

I dont care if the groundhog saw his shadow, at my house it's spring. I have a much better, although slightly more annoying, gauge of the seasons arrival. Long before I can see the flowers bloom and feel the warmth of the sun, I HEAR springs long awaited advent. It isnt the glorious song of a blue bird, or the soft breeze blowing through the trees, its FROGS. And the sound really isnt pretty, and its quite loud-no actually, it's extremely loud. And they are the worst at night. They seem to sense the exact time I lay my head on my pillow after a long day anxious for some R&R and some peace and quiet. As if listening to my groaning kids all day wasnt enough, I get to listen to croaking mating frogs all night for the next several months. I am actually tempted to put bleach in our ponds this year. I know it seems so inhumane, but after several MONTHS of croaking frogs all night, you would do the same. So as grateful as I am for the arrival of spring-I could really do without the frogs.

It's Time...

...to choose a new paint color for the house.

Spring is fast approaching and bringing with it a host of outdoor projects that need to be done. We have been putting off painting the house for a couple of years now simply because it is so expensive. But this is the year that it has to be done, no matter what the cost. So as the time quickly approaches I am perplexed as to what the PERFECT color is for our home. It is such a daunting task to pick the color that I will have to live with for the next-I dont know how many years. When we painted our last home I didnt get the color quite right, and I was not happy at all, but was not about to pay another $2,000 to have it redone. So I'm a little gun shy on this one, considering it is a much larger house, and a lot more money. AHHHH the Choices!!!

Magic in a Bottle

Spray paint truly is magic in a bottle. Who knew you could do so much with it. I have had so much fun this week turning trash into treasure, and making old new again. It is amazing how far $7.49 can take you. Here are a few of my latest projects.

Old terra cotta pots that came with the house when we bought it 2 1/2 years ago. Definately needed some serious help. I have been wanting new ones forever but could not justify the money for new pots, they are so expensive.

Voila!! New pots for only a fraction of what it would have cost me to replace them. Gotta love it. Only 4 more to go.

Lamps that I really did not care for the color of, but I got them at a great price on closeout at Lowes a couple of years ago. They look fabulous now and i cant wait to put them in my living room.

More new adventures tomorrow. I plan to spray paint a chair, several baskets, and the front of my ugly gold fireplace. Hopefully it works. I'll let you know later. Happy painting to all.

My New Quest

I am on a quest. A quest to learn how to make rolls and homeade bread. It is my one cooking nemesis. I can bake and cook practically anything except, bread and rolls. And who doesnt love a nice ward piece of homeade bread!! Actually I may love it a little too much. The love turns right into love handles!!! Well good news-I think I have finally cracked the code. I know some of you will probably laugh at my new found discoveries, but for me it is huge. After all how can I be a proper Mormon Mom if I cant even bake a fresh loaf of homeade bread. So, I searched through many recipes until I found a few that I absolutely love and work for me. So for all of you who may be on the same quest, here are a few things that I have learned:

1. A Kitchen Aid mixer or similar machine is a must.
2. Knead, Knead, Knead-nearly 12 minutes in one recipe(of course this is what the mixer is for)
3. Dough enhancers-Vital wheat gluten, potato flakes, and vinegar
4. Rise, and Rise again.
5. Bake for the exact time given

Now here are the delicious recipes that I told you about. For my new favorite crescent roll recipe visit http://www.jamiecooksitup.blogspot.com/. The directions are really long, so I wont even attempt to re-copy it all, so look it up and print it out. It seems like alot, but it is really easy and they taste delicious. The second recipe is for homeade bread that really tastes like store bought bread, courtesy of my favorite website http://www.everydayfoodstorage.net/ vist this site, you will not regret it. She even has videos that will show you step by step how to prepare it. I am so happy to feel confident in my bread making skills, and am excited to share it with others.

HAPPY BREAD MAKING

EZ Whole Wheat Bread

1 1/4 cup warm water

1 Tbsp active dry yeast

1/4 cup honey or 1/3 cup sugar

2 3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/4 cup wheat gluten

1 tsp salt

2 Tbsp nonfat non-instant dry milk

1 Tbsp butter

1 Tbsp vinegar

1/4 cup potato flakes
Mix ingredients in order listed in mixing bowl of mixer with dough hook attachment for 12-15 minutes. Let rise until double, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Punch down, and shape into loaf or rolld. Let rise again until double and bake at 375 for 20-30 minutes until golden brown and sounds hollow when lightly tapped.

Six Months and Counting

Six months old and Autumn is growing like a weed. She now weighs about 16 1/2 pds and is finally wearing 6-9 months clothes. As you can see, she loves her baths and cant resist splashing water everywhere.

The doctors say that her hemangioma is almost done growing and should start shrinking soon. (For those of you who dont know, that is the big red spot on her chest. It has slowly grown and raised since the day she was born, and it is quite large now. They were a little concerned because it is so close to her neck, but the specialist looked at it and didnt seem too worried. Great news!! It will now start to shrink over the next 3 years and should go completely away.)

She has also finally decided that solid food really isnt that bad. It took her forever to even try eating off of a spoon. She is still not great at it and wrinkles up her nose at anything that is not bananas, or sweet potatoes. We also learned that she is allergic to oatmeal. We had tried the baby rice cereal and she hated it, so we decided to see what she would do with the oatmeal. Well lets just say a nice red rash all over her face and 4 bouts of violently throwing up, told us that oatmeal is not such a good idea. Poor little girl.

She also thinks that she is pretty hot stuff now that she has

learned to drink out of a cup.

He favorite place to be is in her johnny jump up. She could jump in there for hours. Abrianna likes to help her jump-although sometimes to her detriment. She thinks that it is so funny to see how high she can get her to go, and to see how quickly she can un-twist after she has wound the whole thing up. I am amazed we have not encountered any broken body parts...YET!!

Why I love this girl

How do I love thee let me count the ways...

1. I love your personality!!

(Seriously-its crazy how funny she is)

2. I love your strong will and spirit.

Although it is a challenge at times it will serve you well throughout your life.

3. I love your determination.

Even when you choose things that are wrong you go for it with all you've got. Now we just have to get you to channel all that determination into doing what is right!!!!

4. I love your raspy little voice that tells me, I love you Mommy!

5. I love the way you love with all of your heart.

I am so blessed to be your mommy, and I love you with all of my heart.

Happy Birthday Parker

Here are a few highlights from the big day.

WE LOVE YOU PARKER!!

Parker and his birthday cupcake on Thursday night. Mom had to do teach an enrichment class that night so we had a quick party with Nana and Papa. His favorite present was his Indiana Jones Lego T-Shirt and Lego set.

Parker and Dad filling up the pinata for his Friend Party on Saturday.

The whole gang at the Party.

Brigham, Spencer, Abrianna, Corinne, Gabe, Macy and Parker

Taking a whack at the pinata in the back yard.

The Birthday Lego Cake. I gave it my best effort!!

Not the greatest but the 6 year olds didnt care. Nana and Papa at the Party.

The Wonderful World of 6

I can hardly believe I am blogging about this!! My Baby turned six last week. I know it's sappy, but it seems like just yesterday we were bringing Parker home-scared to death to be first time parents. Time sure changes things. Now he is Six and becoming quite a special young man.
There are so many wonderful things about being six (or almost six-most of the pics are from last year). Here are a few.

1. You loose your first tooth.

Actually I think we are up to 3 now.

2. You get to go to School.

Parker started Kindergarten this year and is loving it.
3. You grow your first Zucchini!!.

He was so proud of his gardening skills.

4. You are only 2 years away from getting baptized.

He reminds us of this all the time.

5. Being Crazy is COOL.

6. You get to be a big brother again.

He was just slightly dissapointed it was another girl.

But loves her just the same.

7. You learn that LEGOS are the coolest ever. THANKS BEN!!

8. You are becoming more and more like your DAD!!!