Anna soccer video

Recipe Blog up and Running

A big thanks to everyone who responded to my interest in a recipe sharing blog. I think that it is going to be just great! My good friend Maurisa went ahead and organized the blog and it is great. Each month we are going to have a theme that will be emailed out and/or posted on the blog. ie: Chicken, soups, appetizers, beef ect. Feel free though to share a great tip, kitchen gadget or recipe anytime no matter what. The blog is www.diningasadomesticgoddess.blogspot.com I have a link on by blog as well under "browsing." I encourage everyone to sign up as a contributor. I know that we all have things to share even if it isn't that often. :) To be signed up as an author please email maurisa at maurisawalker@mac.com. Enjoy and check back often.

Happy 4th Birthday Anna

Feedback Please

Dear fellow bloggers,

Cooking is one thing that I really enjoy. Before we had kids I would sometimes spend all day trying a new recipe. Sense our little rascals have come though, my time is understandably short. I have been mulling over this idea in my head for a long time. For selfish reasons mainly. I want to create a menu/menu planning, fun kitchen gadget, shopping strategy, cooking tip, healthy short cuts or secrets,etc. BLOG where we can share things with each other that make our "job" as the chef's in our homes a little easier and enjoyable. I love when I come across a great recipe and think, "wow, my sister could sure use this recipe. I bet her kids would love it." or "I wish that everyone knew this trick or about this great product and where to find it." I know that we have so much kitchen/home knowledge as a whole that if we had a blog where whoever wanted to participate, could be added as an author to the blog. Then whenever you came across something that was Fabulous, all you would have to do is log on and post your tip/recipe/idea! Even if you didn't want to be added as a contributor, let me know if you would still like to visit the site. I just don't know if this is something that anyone else thinks would be interesting/beneficial. I'm trying to gauge interest, if any :)

Clip Holder

Lately I have been frustrated with our "bow and clip situation" in the girls bathroom. I've been storing them in a lock and lock (literally the best storage containers EVER! Can you tell I'm enthusiastic. They are airtight and watertight and I use them for everything, you can check them out here) Ok, back to the bow situation. I've been wanting to find a better way to store the clips because I was spending money on clips and bows and then they would get smashed or lost because there were just too many in the storage container. Well I got crafty this weekend and decided to try my version of something I saw on Etsy. (I am in love with that site lately as well but that's for another post)They were selling for around $15 a piece, and this week-end I got the two letters, paper, ribbon, mod podge, and an exacto knife for $17. Well I just had to share the finished product. Aaron was a huge help in the hardware department, even though he said I didn't need to list him as a contributor on this post. I'm not very crafty so I am pretty proud of myself.

My little "carrots"

Today when I took the girls to the library, they were insistent on getting a drink at the drinking fountain.(A ritual we have to do each time we go) Usually I have to lift each one up while simultaneously trying to push the button, and balance them so they don't get drenched from water dribbling down their faces. Today Anna informed me very matter of factly that she could do it by herself. She walked over pushed the button, got on her tippy toes and got a drink. I started to get emotional. I don't even know why. (Side note: I've been getting emotional a lot lately, when I see the flag, hear the national anthem, the Olympics is a bad combination for me, or hear a sappy song. and no, I am NOT pregnant) Anyways, the simple act declaring her independence was scary to me. As a mom I worry so much, too much Aaron would say, and I am scared about her growing up. Granted, it would be nice if she could wipe her own bottom, but secretly I want her to stay my little bubbly, snuggely, red head. She is very smart and assertive and isn't afraid to tell me exactly what she thinks. She has a temper sometimes to match her hair, and I just hope as a mom I can teach her the things she'll need to make good choices and to be able to navigate this sometimes tricky world. I love her and Brooklyn more than words can say and feel truly blessed to be a mom!

Beavers Game

Baseball

Aaron's work had a baseball night the day after we got home from California. The girls were excited to ride the train (which was extremely crowded I might add; I wish I could bring my camera to show you the "interesting" people that you encounter on the train) and to meet dad at the game. There was a big dinner and a great game. The highlight for the girls was the cotton candy! It was a great night together before Aaron had to leave to Seattle for work. He has been traveling pretty often lately. I hope it isn't a long term trend.

California Trip

Trip to California

The girls and I had a great trip to California. The girls were pretty good on the plane. Brooklyn was a little wiggle worm and didn't really want to sit still with her seat belt on but we survived. I was excited that my brother Brandon and his family were able to drive up to see us that first week-end. I've never seen their youngest boy Jason and he is 18 months old. My Sister, John and the girls were also there and Anna and Brooklyn had so much fun playing with their cousins. We filled up the rest of our time with a trip to the beach, swimming in the pool, eating too much, shopping and watching the Olympics (Go USA!) We missed Aaron very much and were glad to get home to see him. He stayed very busy working and told me he was glad to have me home so he could have some decent lunches. Glad I'm good for something! :) I was so happy when we arrived home at 10:30 pm to a spotless house. Thanks Honey

Leavin' on a jet plane

On Saturday the girls and I are leaving to California for a vacation to see my dad and step mom. We are so excited, but I was wondering if anyone has any traveling with toddler tips that may be of benefit to me. I want to be as prepared as possible so anything that has worked for you that may help ease my airport/plane stress would be greatly apprecaited.

Back to my roots

As some of you may know, I have been making our families bread for several months now. I think that it tastes so much better than store bought bread, plus I can make bread that is much healthier for the price than what I can buy in the store. Well, during our vacation to Idaho, my sister in law Jenny told me that she saved me a "blender" that she inherited when Aaron's Grandpa passed away. Its not really a blender. It can grind wheat, make peanut butter, make soup, shred veggies and cheese and so much more. This thing can do anything. It is called a vita mix. This one has to be at least 30 years old. It looks very retro and is very very heavy. I was a little skeptical but so grateful that Jenny was so thoughtful to save it for me when she was able to upgrade to something else for her family. (She makes at least 1/2 a dozen loaves a week, while being pregnant with her 5th baby. She's amazing!) It will make my bread making so much better because I can grind the wheat fresh from the stored wheat our family already has. Well today I was able to grind wheat for the first time and it worked great! I couldn't believe it. Anna thought it was so neat to pour the wheat in and then in 3 minutes.... we had flour! Thanks Jenny for the Vita-Mix! I know I'm getting a little excited over bread, but I don't really have any talents like my other friends, so I have to show off my semi-impressive homemade bread!

Idaho Vacation

Tim McGraw

Before we left on our vacation, Aaron and I were able to go to a Tim McGraw concert. It was awesome! He sounded just as good live as he is on his CD's. He didn't look half bad either. :) Jason Aldean opened for him and was very good as well. A big thanks to Michelle for watching the girls so late for us.

Neat-o!

I came across this great website that will turn any photo into an antique that looks 100 years old. Its FREE so check it out
Here

He Passed!

A huge congrats to my awesome hubby who found out today that he is done with his CPA tests. Yeah!!! Technically he can't call himself a CPA until he passes an ethics exam, but the largest hurdle is done. What a huge relief for all of us, that these long months of studying has finally paid off. Great job Aaron. We are so proud and thankful for all your hard work. We love you!

The fruits of my labor

I know that my freezer jam will probably never compare to my mother's or my mother-in-laws, but when our ward had the chance to buy already washed, hulled, and sliced strawberries, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to make jam. I split the 30 pounds with two other friends and boy and I glad I did. 10 pounds for our little family was plenty. Aaron is always trying to figure out a way to smuggle jam back from his mom's when we visit Idaho so I hope he'll settle for his wife's substitute.



Before

We had some left over so I guess we'll use the rest for smoothies.

The weather is finally starting to act like summer. We have some fun things planned. I am looking forward to spending time together as a family and making memories. Tomorrow night we are going camping over-night with some friends. Then next Wednesday Aaron and I are going to a Tim McGraw concert. Woo-whoo! I am so excited. We are on the 19th row, front and center.
It is my first concert ever if you can believe that and it should be a blast. Thanks ahead of time to Michelle for watching the girls so late for us! :)

Then on Saturday the 28th we leave for the Holy Land,(as Aaron calls it) I mean Idaho for a two week vacation. Yeah! We are so excited to see our friends and family!

Children's Museum

Last week I took the girls to the Children's Museum. We had a great time and the highlight of the day was when the girls were able to paint their faces. Cheese!

Hea-ven!!

Aaron's work sent out this ice cream treat to all their employee's and we are in Heaven. 6 pints of ben and jerry's ice cream, three toppings, and an ice cream scoop. I wish the weather was more like summer. Today was a high of only 56! Oh well :) I call the strawberry... and chocolate.. and ... :)

Family Hike

This past Saturday we went with some friends on a 2 mile "kid friendly" hike. We had a great time getting out enjoying a nice day and letting the kids burn off a little energy.

Brooklyn, Anna, Sterling, and Sage

Yummy snacks after a long hike

Daddy and his girls