Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

I am giving the blog a mini update with these photos from our family pictures in October and our Instagram feed over on the right.  I'm not sure what happened in 2013, but I hope to be back here a little more in the coming year. :) 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!

{Colton, Olivia, Julia & Peyton}

Summatime, Summatime

 

Life is happening faster than I can blog about, but I still feel pictures serve as sweet landmarks when I can't blog my heart out.  There is always so much going on in the summer- I love it!

 

Peyton and Olivia were rewarded during their early outdoor chores one morning with baby killdeer- so cute! 

Peyton chasing the baby killdeer to show me



 

::  Home ::

 

 :: David is my hero and true love ::

He detests chickens, but built me the coolest chicken coop in the old barn.

Everyone enjoyed the project!

Tough farm girl helping us pulling wires.

We now have lights!

 
 

 ::This guy is his Daddy's main man ::

He is intelligent and creative.  Most days he can't empty the dishwasher without turning a lid into Buzz Lightyear's mask, or making "bird feeders" out of plates and cups.  He is constantly inspecting things with his unique perspective.  This summer he is learning to read, and will be reading proficiently by the beginning of kindergarten this fall.  He loves to snuggle and asks to read a chapter out of his Jesus Storybook Bible every night.

:: Our now seven-year-old ::

 She wanted to celebrate her birthday playing dress up, visiting the chickens, and by getting a new bike.  She is still an avid horse, pioneer-loving girl, so we surprised her with a covered wagon set on her birthday morning.  I don't know how many little girls carry their Bible everywhere and highlight it, but she does.  She also takes her baby doll to children's church- thankful for her innocence! 

 

 

 

 :: 9 months! ::

 

We are crazy with love for him.  He is so happy, snugly, and precious!  He is crawling, pulling up on everything and says about 10 words.  Both of my boys talked at 9 months!

First apple

Learning to crawl

Patiently letting me try fall clothes on him

 

 

:: Our Miss Bright ::

  

  Someone on Instagram rightfully named this picture, "summer face"

These two play so well together and say they are 'best friends'

The stuff that comes out of her mouth cracks me up!  I wore a swimsuit cover up to the pond the other day and she looked at me and said with her high, excited voice, "You wore a dress; good job, Mama!".  She is so girly, and loves to sing and dance.  She is probably more interested in shoes and jewelry than me!  We started potty-training this week.  Today she remembered a man at church that has a crooked neck and wanted to know his name so we could pray for him. 

 

Singing her little heart out on our way home after a pond day

  

For the 4th we went to the parade and hosted a barbecue and fireworks.  My Uncle from Japan was here, as well as David's sister from Bend, so we were extra blessed with family!

 

That's all for now!  I hope you and yours are enjoying a wonderful summer! 

Much love~

 

 

 

 

 

 

Family PIctures...

 

Finally!  We went last weekend during nap time and had some family pictures taken.  With four tired littles, and one feeling extra ornery that afternoon {go ahead and take a stab at which one it might have been- ha!}, I'd say it was a success!  My sweet cousin, Angie, told me about Randi three years ago and I have been wanting to have her take our pictures ever since.  She actually moved away, but was in town last weekend by chance, so we jumped at the opportunity.  She was fun, fast, sweet, and a miracle-worker!

 

 

 

In the Kitchen & LIfe

I could easily spend my day in the kitchen; couldn't you?  There are the three meals a day to prepare and tidy up after, the time it takes to make things from scratch, and the investment of time to learn new things.  Yes, I could definitely just camp out in the kitchen!  I mentioned a couple posts back that we are eating different.  When we got home from Hawaii I was inspired by my friend, K'lyn {pictured below}.  I should mention that I was first appalled, I mean, c'mon, food is emotional, right?!  But after the initial shock, I was inspired, and challenged.  She is one of my everyday heroes. 

To make a long story shorter, we did the Paleo diet for a few months, and needed it.  I had become so addicted to sugar!  I had to have my chocolate after breakfast, Hot Tomales after lunch, ice cream after dinner.  Sheesh!  After the initial pain of cutting the sweets, it wasn't that hard.  I have found the more you eat the more you crave.  Hot T's don't even sound good.  I am reaching for dried fruit or making homemade ice cream for treats now- way healthier!  We've also greatly diminished our processed foods, really, you should see our pantry!  I love that we are eating more veggies.  I refer to Nourishing Traditions a lot.  My desire is to feed our family nutrient dense, nourishing foods.

The reality is, I can't spend my  w h o l e  day in the kitchen, so I keep it simple and try new recipes, foods and techniques as I can. 

I was quite pleased two weeks ago when I made: bone broth, Kombucha, soaked beans, cooked liver, and made an array of baby food.  I spent a lot of time in the kitchen that week.  It was an accomplishment to make those things in addition to everyday cooking.

Bone Broth for the freezer

Kombucha doing its thang

Kombucha bottled and ready to drink

Now for Life in Pictures.

A country walk with cousins. 

At the end of this year my parents will have 10 grand babies.

My family spoiled me with plants and flowers for Mother's Day.

I am having so much fun getting to know this new little person.

My Dad/Grampy:

Peyton laid out Colton's clothes like this one morning.  What a crack up!

The tribe dressed up to meet their new cousin.  My little brother had a baby girl, Emma Joy this week!  Congrats Patrick and Deb! 

I recently moved furniture around with my sis-in-law, so this is the living room right now. 

I will end this abruptly as our beautiful ballerina has her recital tonight. 

Time to get a move on!  Luvs~