Push, Pull, Twist,Yank

{ He's just hoping that something grows in before Corn-on-the-Cob season arrives!}

Baseball

Tanner started baseball this season and it has been so much fun to watch him play. He is in a machine pitch league and seems to be catching on to the fundamentals of the game. He loves to have Bryn cheer him on, and he looks stinkin' cute in his uniform

Tanner loves playing catcher.

Hi Mom! (now leave me alone, there's a game going on!)

Batter Up!

Tanner's Cheerleader

Create!

This past Sunday we had a great lesson on using our talents. In her lesson the teacher mentioned that she had always wanted to learn how to make bread. Once she was finally able learn she talked about how much Joy she feels with the bread comes out right. Well, it inspired me. Monday night I made some raspberry freezer jam and Tuesday morning I started in on my bread. I do have to say that this batch of freezer jam is the best batch I've ever made... but I have to give credit to my little apprentice. Bryn was the best stirrer ever! (and the cutest too.) It was so fun to watch her get so excited about helping me out. I love the little conversations we have when we work together like this. She is my baby girl and I love her.

Notice the small evidence of taste testing on her cheek.

Now as for the bread. The positive: it tastes great. The negative: it looks horrible, so no pictures will be shared. :) But I do have to say, no matter what it looks like, there aren't many things better than home made bread and raspberry jam!

Testing

This week Tanner's grade is going through the dreaded 'TESTING.' Tanner didn't talk much about it when he got home from school, but he did disappear into the office and came out with a test of his own. He created a test for his TEACHER to take! I thought it was awesome. Paybacks are a bugger, right?

I thought his test was pretty cool. Then the next day, while looking through Tan's backpack I found the test, and this time it was completed by his teacher! I absolutely love his teacher.

(I had to scan the test so I could keep a copy of it. I think he'll enjoy this story when he gets older.)

I then received this email from his teacher:

Amy,
LOVED THE TEST!!!! Such a joy to my day…and a first in my many years of teaching…just darling!
d

Gotta love this kid!

Don't mind the hole in the knee of his pants. As much as I love this kid- he is SO rough on clothes. Just this week I noticed 2 more pair of pants have holes in the knees. I am praying warm weather comes quickly, and decides to stick around.

Bryn's New Do!

These pictures break my heart a little bit. But seeing how excited Bryn is about it, I just can't help be a little excited for her too. After all, it will grow again.

I was so proud of her. In the past she has been really nervous to sit in the stylists chair, but as soon as we went in she climbed right up and got a huge smile on her face. That smile didn't leave her face the entire time she was getting her hair cut. I love this girl!

Before:

After:

My 18 Month Old Buddy

I just got another bin of Tanner's old clothes down for Kade to use and I love the memories that come back when I see certain shirts, pants or shoes. When I put this outfit on Kade this morning, I knew I would have to go back through the pictures to find this specific one of Tanner when he was wearing the same thing. It was my Mom's birthday, and we were ready to go out to dinner with her and the rest of the family to celebrate. Amazingly enough Tanner and I were ready early so we went into the front room of our house in Utah (my favorite room in the house) and watched out the window for my parents to arrive. Tan was being so dang cute I just had to snap a few shots. Although I love the 6 year old Tanner so so much, it definitely makes me miss my alone days with my 18 month old buddy.

And here are some shots of Kade, my 18 month old buddy.

I love these two.

Homemade Granola

I've promised a few of you the recipe for the Homemade Granola I've become slightly addicted to. I first tried this tasty treat from a wonderful friend in Utah. She gave bags of this to all her friends for Christmas. I recently fell in love with it all over again.

Homemade Granola

6 cups Old Fashioned Rolled Oats

1 cup Wheat Germ

1 cup Coconut

1/4 cup Sesame Seeds

1 cup Chopped Almonds

1/2 cup Sunflower Seeds

1/2 cup Oil

3/4 cup Honey

1 tsp. Almond Extract

2 tsp. Vanilla

1. Mix grains, seeds and coconut
2. Pour oil and honey over- stir
3. Spread on lightly oiled cookie sheet- I actually divide it into 2 cookie sheets. It seems to cook better this way.
4. Bake at 400* for 30 minutes
5. Add Vanilla and Almond Extract. Do this by sprinkling over granola while it is still on the cookie sheets.
6. Bake an additional 5-10 minutes.
7. Cool in Fridge

Greg likes to add raisins to the mix, but enjoy it better plain. It is so yummy and I don't feel guilty snacking on it!