Happy Happy Birthday Hunter Dear!

Hunter turned 7 on the 11th of May.  This is one of our months for Birthday.  Hunter had his first friend party.  He invited 4 of his friends and they had a great time.  For some reason I can't find all the pictures from the party.  When I do I will add them.  He is growing up to be a sweet young man.  I can't believe in one short year he will be baptized.  He is our curious question asking child.  He loves to do things with hands and is very creative.  I love watching him blossom into the man he is becoming.  He is sensitive and sweet and loves to give hugs.  We love you Hunter!

Graham Turned One

Graham turned one on the 5th of May.  The year has flown by!  He is still such a baby to me.  Being our caboose he will stay the baby for a long time.  He is 17 lbs, loves to play with toys, crawls everywhere, and has the biggest smile ever.  He brings so much joy into our lives each day with his sweet little spirit.  We love you Graham!

Easter

We did so many things this year!  It was so much fun and really stress free for once.  We did a lot of talking about the meaning of Easter.  We dyed eggs, filled up plastic eggs with goodies, did our Saturday Easter egg hunt with a family cookout.  Then Saturday night we did our Easter Cookies and the story.  Then Sunday morning we opened the oven and finished the beautiful story of our Savior.  We gave the kids chocolate bunnies and spent the morning together before church.  We don't do the whole Easter bunny at our house, but we do lots of fun things.  The kids really enjoyed Easter and all that came with it.  I can't believe how fast they are growing up.  Holidays are becoming such a joy with this bunch!  We even had the privilege of witnessing 4 baby chick hatch out.  Their mother had 4 other babies and left these eggs.  So my sweet husband took them under his wing and keep them warm in our dehydrator and hatched them.  Watching the miracle of their entrance was so neat.  The kids loved every minute of it.  From the first little crack to the hole getting bigger and bigger and then the little beak poking out.  It was amazing!  Easter was wonderful this year.  What a blessing my family is to me.

Easter Cookies

I found this idea on one of my Favorite Blogs and thought I would share. We will be making These Cookies Saturday night.  I just love Easter and what it means to me and my family.  I can think of no greater blessing then to be able to be with my Family Forever in the presence of our Heavenly Father. Without Christ's atonement and resurrection that would not be possible.  To know that there is someone else who has felt everything I am going through in this life is a blessing beyond measure.  I am so grateful for my knowledge of the plan of salvation and what Christ has done for each one of us. Having children at home there are so many things you can do to teach the meaning of Easter.

What is a favorite tradition in your family??

Happy Easter to you and your family!

Spring Break Day 3-5

Spring Break this year was the BEST!  My friend Melissa and her kids came for a few days.  Our kids had the best time ever!!  The played in the water, made friendship bracelets, the boys made a wooden car, we ate lots of yummy food, we watched movies that made you almost pee your pants, we went shopping at Beals, we crochets, ate chocolate, the kids jumped on the trampoline,  and whatever else you can think of!  We decided this will be something we do every year!  

I first met Melissa when we moved to Morenci about 8 years ago.  She was the first to welcome me and we become fast friends.  Since then we have both moved and now live about 3 1/2 hours apart.  But you wouldn't know it!  She is the kind of friend you might now talk for months, but you pick up right where you left off.  We can talk about anything and everything together and she inspires me in my motherhood journey!  I have truly cherish her friendship all these years!  Everyone needs a friend like her!

Mini Triathlon

{Activity Day Girls}

The girls have been "training" for this event for the past couple months.  They both were pretty excited to participate in it.  Their leaders put a lot of time and effort into planning and making this happen.  Every girl finished and did very well! In our church children from 18 month through 11 years of age attend Primary.  For girls 8-11 they attend Activity Days twice a month.  I love that the gospel of Jesus Christ provides these girls with activities to build them as daughters of God and bring them closer to their Father in Heaven.

Blossoms & Babies

We are so happy to see blossoms on our fruit trees.  The kids went wild when they saw them.  They now know that blossoms mean sweet yummy fruit in the future!  I love Spring!

We went out and found that our Mama hen has had 4 babies hatch so far.  They are the sweetest little babies.  The mama hen is very protective and such a good mama.  The kids are loving the babies.  New life is always so wonderful to witness.  I think it animals teach children in many areas of life & love that we live where my children can have that experience.  What a blessing!

Make It From Scratch Monday: Homemade Yogurt

{Family Favorite}


We make 2 gallons about every two weeks.  It has saved us a ton of money and is healthier then the store with all the High Fructose Corn Syrup or Sugar.  We don't add sugar, just fresh or frozen fruit when eating.  I have added the option at the end though.  My Friend Melissa adds 1 can of Sweeten and Condensed milk and said it was delicious!  


Ingredients


*1 gallon of milk

*1 cup yogurt starter(you can use a small cup of plain Dannon , or you can use a cup from your previous batch.)


1. Place four quart glass canning jars, four lids, and four screw-tops in a large pot. Fill with an inch of water; cover with lid and heat to boiling. Boil for ten minutes. Leave the lid on the pot and move it off the heat until you are ready to use the jars.

2. Pour one gallon of milk into a large, heavy bottomed stockpot. Heat the milk to 180 degrees Fahrenheit.


3. Turn off and let the milk cool to 120 degrees fahrenheit(50-55 degrees celsius)


4. Stir one cup of yogurt starter into the cooled milk, using a whisk. Stir well to ensure that the starter is thoroughly incorporated into the milk.

5. Pour the milk into jars, and put the lids and bands on. Place them into a dehydrator (or other source to keep warm) and keep at 115 degrees.


6.  Leave in a warm place for four hours. When the four hours are up, place the yogurt in the refrigerator.  


{Enjoy!}

To make a delicious vanilla version of this yogurt, add 1/2 to 1 cup of sugar to the four quarts of milk when it’s cooling. Then stir in 1-2 tablespoons of vanilla, depending on your preference, and proceed as usual with the recipe.