Tuesday, January 31, 2012

10 on Tuesday

1. I think I post about the weather every week in my 10 on Tuesday..... :) CRAZY nice out.. well except that wind!

2. I took this picture on the 15th and I really love it. Eli being natural.
Peek-a-Boo

3. And a couple of my favorites from my class I am in the midst of right now....
Strong Shade Edited
Backlight Edit

4. Poor Lucy was puking Sunday night and Monday.

5. I found our box of dress ups a week or so ago and MAN have then been used so much lately!
Sidelight Edited
Strong Light EDIT

6. Since starting Project Life I have been paying attention more again to the scrapbooking world. I've still been scrapbooking here and there. But really until two months ago I wasn't doing it consistently. But now I've started a baby book for Oliver (remind myself to show you some of it soon). But anyways, my point is that I've found some great SB blogs again. Like this one and this one.

7. I love having women over for lunch! In the past two weeks I've had three groups of people. Some as couples and some just moms and kids. I think it is a great way to get to know people and cook food that my kids would hate :)

8. My friend Chelsea has a great blog that makes you think a lot and gives a spiritual boost and she linked to another site I love reading now.

9. Oliver has blown out a LOT lately.

10. can you believe it is the last day of January????

Monday, January 30, 2012

In the Craft Room: Project Life

Well I revamped my Project Life. So here is the new title page. (you can see the original I did here.)
Project Life: Title Page

Week 1 Page 1:
Project Life: week 1 pg 1
Page 2:
Project Life: week 1 pg 2
And then inserts in between those pages. I decided that I wanted the ones the kids ACTUALLY filled out so you could see their writing in all it's messy gloriousness.
Project Life: week 1 inserts

Week 2 Page 1:
Project Life: week 2 pg 1
Page 2:
Project Life: week 2 pg 2

Week 3 Page 1:
Project Life: week 3 pg 1
Page 2:
Project Life: week 3 pg

I am much happier with it all now. I made some smaller prints, added some quotes and a lot more life stuff. Still have some journaling to do but I have that all done on my flickr photos - I just have to decide how much to actually write in my album.

I found lots of printables and templates make right for the PL online that I used too. Like these and these and these and these and these.

This post is participating in



Sunday, January 29, 2012

Spiritual Sundays

“The togetherness of technology is no substitute for the family.” - Neal A Maxwell, GC Apr 2001


23 January 2012

Every morning at nap time when I am nursing Oliver in his room before nap I notice the light coming into his room. And every day I think I should capture it. And I finally did. Love this little ear. And this little man. And these quiet moments we share together in the midst of all the other kids and all the noise. Just the two of us together.

Mummy DOES love Oliver



Friday, January 27, 2012

Foto Fridays: Our Year in Photos

ouryearinphotos
Month 1 Week 4: Height.

For the fourth week of each month we'll focus on details.

To know more about this project you can read my first post here.

I had visions of making a cool height chart like all the ones you see on pinterest but then I realized this wasn't about that. It's about my kids and our family. sooo here they all are.
All four kids
Alden's Height
Lucy's Height
Eli's Height
Oliver's Height

You can see all my other entries for this project here

Go check out Brooke's over here!


Please tell me if you have a link somewhere for playing along and I'll add the links.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Listography: List 56

listography

List 56: Least Favorite Smells

1. Coffee.
2. Smelly Feet.
3. Sports Equipment.
4. B.O.
5. Dirty Dish Towels
6. Rotten Potatoes
7. Cigarette Smoke

YUCK.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

In the Kitchen: Stuffed Pork Tenderloin

Stuffed Pork Tenderloin

I looved this! It was so good and looks fancy but really easy to make!

It comes from this book, which is a great book!!

1/2 cup golden raisins
8 ounces farmer's cheese
1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary leaves
1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
1 tsp fresh chopped parsley
1 cup chopped toasted walnuts
2 tsp salt
One 4-pound boneless pork loin
1 tsp ground black pepper
2 tsp unsalted butter
1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs

1. Preheat oven to 400.
2. Plump the raisins in 1/4 cup hot water (the recipe calls for walnut liqueur but water works fine)
3. Saute raisins & left over water and cook for 3-5 minutes or until all water is gone. Transfer to a bowl. Add cheese, rosemary, thyme, parsley, walnuts and 1/2 tsp salt and mix well.
4. Cut the fat of the roast. Slice down the middle of the roast and fill it with filling. Tie shut with bakers twine.
5. Season all over with salt and pepper.
6. Melt butter in saucepan and add breadcrumbs. Cook until golden brown. Sprinkle on roast.
7. Roast in oven until thermometer registers 140-145, about 35-40 minutes. Allow to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

I simplified the instructions. Try it out!

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

10 on Tuesday

1. Yesterday Regan, me and the two littlest boys went into Lethbridge to do errands. For lunch we stopped at Fat Burger, the newest burger joint in town. Regan had taken Eli over to fill their pop cups up and I was sitting in my booth with Oliver. Behind me two young adult age guys were sitting and having a chat that was about one guy's girlfriend. I overheard... "and I was on the phone with her saying hey did you hear the new Ihop is almost open?" And she was like Ihop, isn't that the pancake place? I don't even like pancakes. And I said WHAT. I almost broke up with her right there, I mean what kind of person doesn't like pancakes, right" and the other guy's response "don't you HAVE to like pancakes if you are Canadian? Seriously what kind of person doesn't like pancakes??" As soon as they left I had to tell Reg about their conversation. It was hilarious! :)

2. Last week on Friday for my Linked project I shared this picture and the recipe for the waffles on my photo blog. You should make them. They are soooo good.
Linked: Week 3: Breakfast

3. Eli is doing terrible at night again. This morning at some time around 5am he came into our room to announce "I don't like sleeping."

4. We did a HUGE grocery shop yesterday. I love that we can buy food without concern of not having money for food. I think growing up in a lower income family has made me very thankful for having more.

5. This weather is playing with our minds. One week of ridiculousness and then crazy wind. My kids keep saying that it's spring and ask when it's going to get nicer... we still have quite a few months that could be coooold!

6. I love having a garage to park in. It's the BEST.

7. Last night one of the times I went in to get Oliver and he was laying there on his back (which means he rolled over) and kicking wildly with the blanket just on his face. When I pulled it off it scared him and he started to cry. It was kind of funny.

8. I want to do some sewing. But between Eli, my back and Oliver I really am not getting very much sleep. But I have all these great things pinned to sew! I just don't have the energy to do it. I wish I did but I just want to sit around and read books or pin things or visit with friends.

9. I am back on with my menu planning. Got one for two weeks ready. (Hence #4)

10. I love this poster and I want to hang it in my home somewhere.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Oliver at 4 Months

Can you believe this little man is 4 months already?!!
sooo serious
It has gone by so fast!!!
At 4 months Oliver...
Tummy time
• loves to baby talk but it comes out sounding more like gargling most of the time
• is very very social
• squirms around a lot in his crib when he wakes up
• is a noisy sleeper
• now in his own room (since he is a noisy sleeper)
Big eyes
• smiles at ANYONE who pays him attention and even if we aren't paying attention - he'll just look at us and smile
• has a smile that lights up his whole face
Big Grin
• can burp REALLY loud
• spits up a lot less than the first two months but still spits up a bit
• loves to look in the mirror
• puts up with a LOT of "love" from Eli and really just smiles at him... most of the time (he looks scared here...)
17 January 2012
• sleeps on his tummy
• loves his soother
• slobbers a LOT
• swings his arms at toys that are above him and can even grab them sometimes but then can't let go
• has the BEST laugh and sometimes even snorts
DSC_3354
• is sitting up in the Bumbo Chair
• is getting a semi regular schedule
• taking longer and longer naps
From below
• slept last night from 10pm-7am but normally sleeps from around 830pm to 3am then eats and back to sleep til 7am
• loves the jolly jumper especially if one of the kids is sitting in front of him to look at
• finally loves bath time
• has realized he has feet and hands and stares at them
Oliver & me.
• is a great breastfeeder
• is very ticklish
• loves to jump in your arms
• thinks it is sooo funny if you bouncy him around but that often ends up in spit up
20 January 2012
• turns to see us whenever he hears dad or mom's voice
• never really cries much unless he is tired or hungry
• gets lots of attention from his siblings
DSC_3318
• is very content to just sit and look around especially if someone is holding him
• wears 3-6 months clothes
• has dark hair growing in and quite a bit of it
• sucks on two fingers of his left hand often
Oliver @ 4 months
• pretty much always goes to sleep in vehicles
• often has his eyes WIDE open staring around
• is such a joy to have in our home!
DSC_3313

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Spiritual Sundays

“It is this principle [of faith], my brethren and sisters, that points us heavenward, that gives us hope in the battle of life. When we become confused, and find ourselves confronted by obstacles we, seemingly, cannot overcome, having faith in the Redeemer of the world, we can go to Him and know that our prayers will be answered for our good.” - Pres. George Albert Smith
August 1 – Hope

Friday, January 20, 2012

Foto Friday: Our Year in Photos

ouryearinphotos
Month 1 Week 3: Mealtime.

For the third week of each month we'll focus on time of day or season.

To know more about this project you can read my first post here.

I narrowed in on breakfast time. I think because of my other project I am doing on my photo blog here and the theme this week is Breakfast so I was thinking that way for this project too.

Eli always gets up first. He gets up rrrrreally early has a pre breakfast breakfast and then watches a cartoon on the computer while I sleep a little bit more. Some days if it is before 6 then I try and make him go back to sleep but that only works on some days.
Pre-Breakfast Breakfast

Breakfast round #2 for Eli. Wrapped in his blanket and he is smiling (which never happens for round #1). He sits on the bench and roams up and down it while he eats.
He only wants cereal for both breakfasts. Sometimes he'll go for Oatmeal.
Breakfast for Eli


1. She is rarely dressed for breakfast so it's funny she just happened to be dressed the day I took the pictures.
2. She always gets some of her breakfast on her clothes. (Which is why #1)
3. She doesn't like cereal and would rather have scrambled eggs and hash browns (her favorite) or pancakes.
4. She gets distracted very easily at breakfast and half the time doesn't finish whatever she was eating. Mostly cause she is talking.
5. She normally sits right beside Alden but this morning she was sitting where I usually sit. She moves the most out of the family. Everyone else kind of sits in the same spots every meal.
Breakfast for Lucy

1. He is normally the last out of bed in the morning.
2. He is totally into breakfast. Unaware of everyone around him.
3. Usually eats two bowls of cereal or oatmeal.
4. He would always pick cereal over eggs or pancakes or anything like that.
5. Thinks you should NEVER get dressed before breakfast.
6. Always squats on the chair while eating.
7. He ALWAYS sits in the same spot and gets upset if someone takes his "special" spot.
Breakfast for Alden

Here is Brooke's this week. Go check it out!

Please tell me if you have a link somewhere for playing along and I'll add the links.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Listography: List 55

listography

List 55: Favorite things to do while I am Alone
1. Pinterest. Pinterest. Pinterest. The only better thing would be if we owned a lab top or an ipad so I could pin while laying in bed :)
2. Read.
3. Scrapbook
4. Eat chocolate.
5. Sleep.
6. Watch tv shows

And since a post is more fun with a picture... here's Alden enjoying the HUGE train track Regan built on our ping pong table.
12 January 2012

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

In the Craft Room: Valentine's Day Mantel

So here is my new mantel all decked out for Valentine's Day.

Valentine's Day Mantel


At the top is this heart, that I made a couple years ago and I still love it!
My Ruffly Heart

For a month this mailbox sits out and we all write love notes to each other or draw pictures or whatever and then on V-Day we'll open them all together.
Valentine's Day Mailbox

My banner made from old book pages, some embroidery thread, patterned paper and my Silhouette.
The papers I used were:
Webster's Pages ting-a-lin Collection "Candied Apples"
Echo Park Paper Dots & Stripes Ruby Red Large Dot
Little Yellow Bicycle Elizabeth Park Lacy-Lattice Grey
Simple Stories 100 Days of Summer Endless Summer
the girl's paperie by Margie kitch
V-Day Banner

For FHE we talked about Charity and how this time of year is a great time to think of things and people we love. So we made hearts (Lucy cut most of them out) and we all wrote on things and people we love. We do this every year and it always makes me smile the things the kids write.
Hearts

Are you decorating for Valentine's day??