Wednesday, October 24, 2012

The baby bump

These are posted by request. 
 I am growing and a few people who don't get the joy of seeing me all the time wanted to see these.  
So I am 20 weeks along. 
I am feeling good. 
I am trying to run 1-2 times a week, and bike once a week. 
I said... try... it doesn't happen all the time. 
My big goal is to just walk the 1 mile round trip to and from Tyler's school every day.  If I can keep up doing it... I will be in good shape. 
Ella typically rides her bike up the hills to the school and I just cant keep up with her anymore since her little legs are so strong.  She doesn't need me to push her up the hills anymore.  
GOOD THING!



Monday, October 22, 2012

A great UEA break

We had such a nice UEA break.  
Thursday we just relaxed around the house while Darren was at work. 

Friday we drove up to Logan and picked apples at Grandma and Grandpa Balls home.  This was only half of what we picked.  Darren, Tyler and Ella trimmed, mowed and pruned while I finished picking.  They kids loved the thought of surprising Grandma and Grandpa when they flew home from Minnesota the next day.  
Life is never dull with Darren around.  After all that we hiked 1.8 miles one way UP to the wind caves.  My kids our troopers.  They didn't complain, and it is a steep long hike.  By they time we ran/walked back down the 1.8 miles... my legs were pretty shaky.  



We stopped at the Center street Grill for dinner and that promised ice cream cone.  
As we drove home, Ella didn't like the music we listed too so she fell asleep with her ears plugged.  

Saturday. Darren had a cyclocross race.  It was so much fun. 

The kids raced after him.  Tyler is in the stripped shirt and Ella in the back with the red helmet. 

Ella rode with the big kids.  2 miles on a crazy bike course, just like her daddy had done!

They both rode so well!  Tyler is a strong rider.  and Ella peddled like crazy into that finish line to get her treat. 

Darren did give her a few pushes up some steep hills. 

The kids came home and helped clean and shine their bikes.  They loved using water and a sponge to scrub down daddy's bike too. 
Sunday was just as great.  Peaceful, quiet.   We had a simple dinner with hotdogs on the grill and cobb salad.  Then played games till bed time.  I love and treasure good family time!

Sunday, October 14, 2012

It's a ....


Its a cute little girl.  She is the size of an avocado.  

It is amazing to me what technology is out there.  We got to watch her in 3D and 4D live.  Like the top picture, moving around and sucking her thumb.  It was so real.  not just a black and white hard to see photo, but a real live little baby.  She was kicking away and moving like crazy.  I couldn't feel any of it, but she was going to town. 
It was so real and amazing to see her.  A sense of realness.  Not just a big growing tummy... but a cute little baby in there. 

You can see the little cavity where her heart was beating in the bottom picture. wow!


This next stuff is just so I can remember what it was like to be pregnant. 

So I was sick until 11 weeks.  I spent a lot of time laying on the couch and had to take a nap almost every day.  I struggled to eat, and most everything made my stomach sick and bloated. I felt like I had a cloud around my head and didn't think well.  The house was a mess all the time and I dinner only got ready sometimes. I pushed through exercise and kept very active.

From 11 weeks until 18 weeks, I continued to feel tired and still didn't feel like I could think straight.  I didn't exercise much during this time. My body was so fatigues all the time.  My midwife suggested I have more protein.  This helped a bit.

After 18 weeks, I felt pretty normal.  Growing belly, I finally gained some weight and really popped out at 18 weeks.  My climbing harness didn't fit after 19 weeks.  I haven't worn much maternity clothes yet.  I am trying to hold out. Back pain started pinching about week 18.

On a personal note- When the tech said we were going to have a girl, I was excited then the thought came to me, Now we have to have one more and it will be a boy.  I will leave it at that. And see how we feel about 4 kids.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

A little of this and a little of that...


I have so many pictures of Ella because Tyler is in school all day. I need to take more of him. 
Quick update..
Ella started Zumbatomic class. She loves it~
She still paints her finger nails twice a weeks.  Thanks Aunt Nellie. 
I have made her do it outside on the sprinkler box because I have little drops of red and pink nail polish all over my counter tops. What will we do in the winter time...

A nice fall hike up Little Cottonwood canyon

Tyler rock climbing... he made it all the way to the chains for the first time ever!


Ella made it 3/4 of the way up.  And repelled down amazing!

Tyler helped Ella dress up for a Alice in Wonderland party we went too. 
Ella loves to have Tyler help her pick out clothes to wear. 

This is my pretty girl.  

No school--- Tracy Aviary. 
A day of fun with my kids

Tyler got a package in the mail.  
Legos
The kids were so excited!

Tyler wasn't interested in playing on the park toys... he was more interested in playing on the musical toys at the park. He loves music. 
Ella loves learning right now. She loves preschool.  She was reading me a story the other day. 

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Zucchini goodness

I like Zucchini. Grilled on the grill, sliced thin is the best.  yum.  Put it on a hamburger. Yum... Just not in a stir fry. But I found several other great things to do with Zucchini this summer.


I also found you can freeze zuchinni.  Shred it and put it in muffin trays in your freezer.  Pop them out and put those great frozen circles in a zip lock bag.  We have added a little zucchini to sloppy joes, manicotti, lasagna, soups, meatloaf... about anything.  why not...


Zucchini Soup

This is a recipe from the Lion House Cookbook
You can make double and triple batches but cut back on seasoned salt and chicken soup base.  Six times this for one crock pot.

3 cups (1 lb.) sliced zucchini
1/2 cup water
1 Tbl. fresh or instant onion
1 tsp. seasoned salt (scant)
1/2 tsp. parsley flakes or 2 Tbl. fresh parsley
1 tsp. chicken soup base granules (scant)- 2 buillions
Combine and cook until tender and most of the water is evaporated.  Mash and puree and set aside.
(At this point you can freeze in containers and then use in winter and defrost and make the following.)

In saucepan melt
2 Tbl. butter
Add
2 Tbl. flour
1/8 tsp. white pepper
Blend and add 1 C milk
1/2 C  cream
Simmer until thickened
Stir in pureed vegetables
Garnish with paprika and sour cream

http://o-yummy.blogspot.com/2011/08/zucchini-soup.html
http://hungryhomemaker.blogspot.com/2009/12/zucchini-soup-and-homemade-dinner-rolls.html


Zucchini Ribbon Pasta with Creamy Lemon-Basil Sauce
Recipe by Our Best Bites
Ingredients
½ lb (or 8 oz) fettuccine
1 medium zucchini
2 tsp olive oil, divided
10 ounces grape tomatoes (about 2 cups)
kosher salt
black pepper
3-4 cloves finely minced garlic
1 cup low sodium chicken broth
3 ounces fat-free cream cheese
1 cup very loosely packed basil, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice, more if desired
Instructions
Prepare a pot of water and cook pasta according to package instructions.  Cut ends off zucchini and slice along the long direction, cutting the zucchini into about ⅛ inch slices.  Cut each of those slices into long pieces, about the same size as the fettuccine (see photos above for explanation).  Set zucchini aside.
Heat a medium size skillet to medium heat.  When hot, add 1 teaspoon olive oil.  Add tomatoes and give them a little sprinkle of kosher salt and a few cracks of black pepper.  Cook, stirring frequently, for about 3-4 minutes. Just until they start to burst and look blistered.  Remove tomatoes from pan and place in a small dish, covered, and set aside.
Add another 1 teaspoon olive oil to the empty pan and add garlic.  Stir constantly on medium-low heat for about 30-60 seconds.  Add chicken broth.  Bring to a simmer and use a spatula to scrape any browned bits off the bottom of the pan.  Simmer for 1-2 minutes and then reduce heat to low.
Place cream cheese in a microwave-safe bowl and soften for 20-30 seconds, until it can be easily stirred smooth.  Ladle in a couple spoonfuls of the chicken broth mixture into the cream cheese and stir to combine.  Once the mixture is smooth, add it to the pan with the remaining broth mixture and whisk until smooth and creamy. Add chopped basil and lemon juice and stir to combine.  Taste sauce and season with salt and pepper to taste.  (Lemon lovers can also squeeze in extra lemon juice at this point.)
When pasta is just about done, add zucchini strips to pot (so they’re cooking with the pasta).  Boil for about 2 minutes, or until tender.  Drain zucchini and pasta and combine with sauce.  Gently toss in tomatoes, or simply add them on top of each serving. Garnish with additional basil if desired.
http://www.ourbestbites.com/2012/07/zucchini-ribbon-pasta-with-light-creamy-lemon-basil-sauce/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ourbestbites%2FdjLu+%28Our+Best+Bites%29&utm_content=Google+Reader


Zucchini muffins
4.75 ounces whole-wheat flour (about 1 cup)
3 ounces all-purpose flour (about 2/3 cup)
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/3 cups shredded zucchini
1/2 cup fat-free milk
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 tablespoons honey
1 large egg
Cooking spray


I liked putting a soft frosting glaze drizzled on top... but you could also put 1 tablespoon sugar and 
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 400°.

2. Weigh or lightly spoon flours into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine whole-wheat flour and next 6 ingredients (through salt) in a large bowl; stir with a whisk. Combine zucchini, milk, oil, honey, and egg in a small bowl; stir until blended. Make a well in center of flour mixture; add milk mixture, stirring just until moist. Spoon batter into 12 muffin cups coated with cooking spray.

3. Combine 1 tablespoon sugar and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon; sprinkle over tops of muffins. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes or until golden. Remove from pans immediately; cool on a wire rack.



Monday, October 1, 2012

Tyler's 1st birthday party ever

I am not good at celebration holidays and birthdays.  So yes... Tyler just turned 7 and had his first ever party.  Wow.  It was so fun. I was so excited for it. The planning and time to prep for it was unbelievable.  but it was still exciting.  
The theme: Spy Animal Rescue 

They needed disguises. 
The party started with making a spy glass (toilet paper roll) and a goodie bag. 

When all 18 kids were there... 18.... wow... 
(it never would have worked unless I had Darren. He was great)
But when they were all there we sat down for Spy school.  (yes the teacher in me came out)
They were going to have to pass some tests... observation, listening, sneaking, physical, and a final test. 
Each time they passed a test they could rescue a poor animal and take it to the animal rescue center. 

First get code names.
one jar had adjectives in it, the other nouns
Tyler's spy name for the party was "White Glove"

They got their mustaches and sunglasses with funny eyebrows and headed outside.  
Picture time as spies!

First test:  Observation. 
Objects on tray, take some away and as a group they had to figure out what was gone. 

The animals were slowly all rescued through out the whole party

They had to decode clues between each activity.  
This one was in font so small you couldn't read it.  Also in spanish.  
So they used their magnifying glasses to help. 

This was my favorite photo... Sid is a little too young to read, 
but he was determined to be like a big kid.  
He was really studying those words.  

Then off to the next skill test. 
One group was inside doing a physical test.  The laser beam challenge.  

Super fun.  and it got harder and harder

Darren was outside doing the obstacle course. 



Then they all played an I spy game at the table. 

The last clue was a mirror image code.  

They had to get outside and find five clocks. when they found all five they could read the clue on the back. There was a bomb in the backyard they had to deactivate. 

yes... it was in its former life ... a cute orange pumpkin piñata sold at Walmart for Halloween! 
Now it was a BOMB!
So all in all... the party was  a huge success.  
Why was I so happy... because this cute boy was so happy!

I told him when he is 10 he can have another one!


Here a couple pictures I loved!








And I am adding my itenerary so I wont ever forget... that was a lot of work!
Most of the ideas were from others blogs on line. So I just copied them here...



  1. Make  homemade binoculars in the piano room. http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/toystomake/a/blbinocr.htm
Make brown bags with names on them at the kitchen counter
  1. Do I spy puzzle on floor
  2. take a picture

  1. Next we chose our spy code names.  nouns in one jar and adjectives in another.  
    1.  NAME TAGS- markers
      1. A=1, B=2
      2. Green and Yellow group- go to Kitchen table 7, 18,
      3. Purple and Blue Group- outside on patio 16, 21

  1. TEST OBSERVATION SKILLS- Put out several objects on a tray, let them study it for a few minutes, then had them close their eyes while I took 3 or 4 away.  They then would try and write down what was taken.  Each time I added new things.  We played for 4 or 5 rounds.  
    1. paper on table outside with crayons
      1. In EASTER EGGS
      2. Green and Blue Group- move to the garden box
      3. Purple and Yellow Group- move to the shed
      4. Earn one animal each time they do it right

  1. TEST SNEAKING AND LISTENING SKILLS- "guard dog".  One child sits with their eyes closed and their back turned to the rest of the group. We put an object behind them that they were protecting.  Then the chosen super spy would try to sneak up as quietly as possible and grab the item.  The guard dog had one chance to spin around and catch them, so they couldn't repeatedly turn around to try and catch the spy.
    1. Printed very small - need magnifying glass
    2. Green and Purple Group- upstairs for the laser challenge
    3. Yellow and Blue Group- go outside for laser challenge
      1. Earn one animal each time they rescue an animal successfully

  1. TEST OF YOUR PHYSICAL SKILLS - Laser beam challenge.  Start with just 3 laser beams, and after the whole line had a turn, I added more.  By the end the hall was covered in streamers and it was very difficult to get through.  
    1. Earn three or four animals if team is successful

  1. TEST OF YOUR PHYSICAL SKILLS- Obstacle Course-
    1. walking on balance beams;
    2. carrying an egg on a spoon or balloon between knees
    3. pressing Tyler’s water gun into the ground & spinning around it three times
    4. crawl/roll under a hammock
    5. Climb up rock wall
    6. Spiderman tunnel and fortress
    7. nerf gun practice
      1. Earn three or four animals if team is successful

  1. I spy with my little eye search- Do until both groups are finished on back patio.
    1. also can work on puzzle
      1. http://www.upsidedowntext.com

    8.   The Bomb Squad  -- all of the guests  -- find five clocks in front yard

    9.   end of scavenger hunt get pinata
http://crackofdawncrafts.blogspot.com/2011/06/spy-party-make-pull-string-bomb-pinata.html