Talent

My husband has a little talent.
He calls these "Eden" and "Taj". Someday.

The good news is....

that the zoo is still the bomb (are the kids still saying that?). We drug ourselves to SLC last saturday and we're so glad we did. It was a beautiful day and Taj was super excited about all the animals, unlike last time.

The Hogle Zoo has a train too, which made Taj's lifetime.

Can't you just see the excitement on their faces? They were in heaven. Ha. The kids really did have fun. Promise. Oh, and those aren't ghosts on that big elephant up there. It's me and Eden. That huge elephant is awesome. It snores, and sneezes, and spuirts water. Taj was a little scared of it, which is why he's not in the picture.

And Happy Earth Day, Earth. I finally did a couple of things I've been meaning to do: signed up at greendimes.com and am putting an end to junk mail and getting a few trees planted. Not sure if it works yet, but Ellen (from t.v. said it will). I also got some reusable grocery bags. I hate-HATE my collection of plastic grocery bags, and can't bring myself to just through them out, so I bought my own reusable ones. Yeah, Earth!

Growing Up!

My kids are growing up, and I love it! Don't get me wrong, new babies are wonderful, amazing, soft, cuddly, and just plain adorable. I just don't see growing up as a sad thing like some moms do. I love love love the fact that Taj and Micah plan outings together like golfing. It's not just taking his boy along either, it's doing stuff together now. It's the best! Eden has had a big week too. She is sitting up for minutes at a time on her own and cut her first tooth! I swear her sense of humor has grown up this week also. She's getting into peekaboo like never before. She's getting the whole object permanence thing, which makes going out of the room to use the bathroom for two seconds much easier. I love that the kids are growing up!

Bryce Canyon Rocks!

Every once and a while we have to get a change of scenery. Last week was one of those times, so when Friday came around we packed up and headed south to Bryce Canyon. That place is amazing.







With the little ones in tow we only took on a few scenic points and one hike. We saw some wildlife, and saw some breathtaking views. We felt like we were in a different world. Heavenly Father is so creative.

We feel like we're doing something right when Taj tells us how beautiful it is and that he likes to hike. (He was in the pack 90 percent of the hike, so of coarse he likes to hike :) The kids are great travelers, and that's a good thing since we definitely like to get out.

"Check Your Shoes For Souvenirs"

We left the house one afternoon not knowing what we were going to do, but knew that if we didn't leave then we never would. We found ourselves at "Farm Country" at Thanksgiving point, and had a great time.

At $3.50 per person, two and under free, they'll be seeing al ot of us this summer.

the big 6 MO's

I love
this little
girl!!!

I wish it felt more like spring; cleaning

Part One:

A few days after the Easter candy overload, while I was feeling particularly gross, I caught myself offering Taj "Easy Cheese" and crackers as a snack. I had a moment of self disgust. I remembered a recent negotiation I had with Taj that went something like, "You need one more bite of your chicken nugget before you can have french fries." As if the chicken nuggets were a better option. What and who had I become? Me, the ex-vegetarian that still insists that a salad is a full meal, and thinks that the raisins in raisin bran is a little too sugary for breakfast. I had hit rock bottom.

I took that moment in time as my wake up call. I've had a few of those moment in my life where something had to give. In this instance it was my eating habits, which directly effect the eating habits of my family, and the state of the organization in my house. I'm proud to say that since that moment I've begun a cleansing process. I've been eating way better... fewer Easter treats, and have done a major overhaul on the toys. They were accumulating way faster than I had places for them. They now all have homes which Taj has been happily returning them to after playing with. I know it's a long way back up, but I also know that I can't use my six month old as an excuse anymore. Rather, I need to use my children as part of my motivation.

Part Two:

Whenever I try to eat better, I become obsessed with food and cooking. New neighbors: I need to make cookies. In laws just back from a two day trip: invite them over for dinner. Saturday morning: make banana bread like my Dad used to. You get the idea. I don't think it's a bad thing. It shows that I am being more conscious about what is going into my body. I know that banana bread is not necessarily healthy, but it's not that bad either. It's one of my comfort foods. Please try this recipe and enjoy the comfort and wonder of good homemade love, I mean food.

Best Banana Bread

1 C. shortening or butter

2 C. Sugar (1 white, 1 brown)

4 C. flour (1/2 whole wheat, 1/4 wheat germ, or just reg. works fine as well)

2 tsp. baking soda

12 banana's (mashed well)

2-3 eggs

2/4 C. walnuts (optional)

2 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. salt

*Cream sugar, shortening and eggs first

* Bake at 325 degrees for 55 minutes or until done