March Outdoor Fun

This Month has been gorgeous outside and we have enjoyed every minute of it… We have been working on our backyard making it fun for the kids and adding a garden. We have been talking about doing it every year but this year we followed through and created it in time. I am usually far behind in planting to late but this year I broke that streak. We are excited about it.

So we moved the trampoline back a little bit and created a spot for our little garden.

 

We started with using cinderblocks and then went from there… We could’ve made it bigger but I am a little intimidated by growing a garden.. I’m afraid I will kill everything so I figure we’ll start off small and see how we do… baby steps!

   Then we built a little shade for the plants… the sun can be a little intense in the summer time so maybe it will help a tiny bit… we just used old PVC pipes we had in our shed.. Kiel did a good job putting that together. and then we went to a nursery and bought some plants!! We have 2 different types of tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, celery, onions and of course my Favorites Bell Peppers!! I don’t know if i gave everything enough room but we’ll see how it all works out… and then the over flow of plants went into the pots! We think it’s cute and I really hope we get some fresh produce from it! I would be happy if I got 1-2 things from it! I really want to succeed especially now that the kids are old enough to help out. It’s been fun. Thank you Kiel!! 

It’s been a fun month so far… Nothing too major but here are some random pics from the past couple of weeks…

           

Chloe helping Kiel mow the grass.. of course in her Hello Kitty skirt and shirt… She hates me whenever I make her wear something other than a Skirt…. My little DIVA, Yikes.

We took the kids to Connor’s school for their Spring Festival Fundraiser. The kids had a blast on all the bouncy houses and slides and Chloe loved riding the ponies!! She was in heaven. It was a fun night.

   

Connor’s last game of the season was last weekend. This season he was the Tigers. I am happy that he is improving and enjoying being apart of a team. It’s good for him and he really enjoys it.. I don’t think he’s as… uh…… cutthroat as his momma… but maybe someday he’ll get there. :)

    And of course just some random pictures of my silly kiddos! Enjoy :)

Happy Spring!!

February Update

I have been bad lately about keeping up but honestly there hasn’t been anything major to blog about… but this is the latest….

*The first Saturday in February Kiel and I went to go see the Brian Regan Show. We took Sean and Michelle with us. It was really fun, a great show. He really is a funny guy.

*The following Monday I challenged myself to go entire month without eating sugar. It started off with no cookies, candies, cakes, ice cream etc.…. then it slowly morphed into nothing with more than a couple of grams of sugar in it… The only real thing I have had is honey and agave nectar. I thought it was going to be a real challenge but here we are on week 4 and I really haven’t struggled… so I am thinking about extending it to a year long thing. (taking each month at a time**) but I am proud of myself and I really have seen an improvement on how I feel. Along with cutting out sugar I also started to juice… I posted a couple of pictures of my pretty juices on Facebook… here are a couple.. I just love the colors. Some I really have had to choke down and just suck it up but I have really started to enjoy them and I have had one every morning for 3 weeks now!

Juicing VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Even the kids have enjoyed them… well some. Chloe usually comes over and tries each one and with a  smile says “yum” but she never takes another sip… (Beet juice!)

but Connor will usually ask what’s in it before trying.. He’s hesitant with the green ones…it’s understandable. But I have to say with all the sickness going around and all of my children having this annoying cough I haven’t felt it at all.. So maybe it’s helping!!

* One part of Arizona that I love is the winter time!! It’s so beautiful and we just love the weather. The kids are outside playing most of the day and we enjoy our family bike rides. Both Connor and Chloe are great riding their bikes and they never complain about a bike ride being too long so it’s fun taking them out!

Arizona’s Winter VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

* we had a fun and exciting Hail storm last week.. and ever since the kids keep asking me to make it rain ice again… wish I could but I’m glad we were able to enjoy it! It only happens every 3 years or so… so until the next time..

*Kiel’s beard it out of control and he’s driving me crazy… but I am sure that when it starts to hit the 100’s it will magically disappear… at least that’s what I am hoping!!!  (yes, that’s popcorn in his beard, sorry babe.. had to do it.)

* I made my first successful batch of whole wheat rolls…. I say that only because all of them were eaten… Nah.. they were pretty good… always room for improvement but still not that bad… *not as good as Libby’s I’m sure…

*Just a random shot of one of Chloe’s masterpieces… she loves to color, draw and/or paint. she is pretty creative and has an amazing imagination… if only we could just get her to listen… sheesh. one of our greatest challenges.. (don’t laugh Mom and Dad… I know I’m the same way.)

 

* Something that is a little bitter, sweet.. we are selling Ol’ Blue. Well hopefully. Yesterday we gave the truck to another vendor that knows Kiel. He is “renting” it from him this month to see if it’s going to work for him and then he wants to purchase it. So Kiel put in the money for 6 new tires and had a couple of things fixed on it so it would be in good shape for this guy… Kiel is sad to see it go for sure but it’s been…….. a……. interesting 6 years. I don’t think I have prayed for any of vehicle as much as I have prayed for that old truck. Either way it’s been a blessing to have had it for this long.

Well I guess February has been more eventful than I thought… it just seems like I blink and another month has flown by…. I guess that’s just life. On to the next month. We have St. Patty’s Day.. I made a new wreath for my door… and then Easter. Happy March!

Primary Challenge

Almost 2 weeks ago I did my very first Sharing Time for Primary. I have loved being in primary as the secretary but this is entirely new thing. I feel like after being a secretary for a year I finally figured things out and was comfortable… then they have to switch things up.. of course : ) I am happy and excited about being the 2nd counselor and I am excited about working with new people. It should be fun.

So the entire week building up to my first sharing time I helped Connor and Chloe with the challenge of the month (every month there is a new challenge for each Jr. and Sr. primary) which was to memorize part of the proclamation to the family. It took Connor just a couple of tries and then he had it.. Chloe took a little longer but we were both really impressed she did it!!

So Sunday I asked everyone who completed the challenge and both Connor and Chloe came up. Connor first and then Chloe. I wasn’t worried about Connor but when Chloe came up I was worried that she was going to get a little shy and not do it.. but she was wonderful. I didn’t even help her once!! So proud and happy with my little munchkins!! It was great way to shake my nerves a little. So here they are saying it…. at home..

Proclamation to the family

My Sharing Time went pretty well.. Always room for improvement but getting more comfortable in front of the kids will be the first thing and then I’m sure things will flow much easier. It was a great day .. .but so relieved I don’t have to do it every week : )

Happy Birthday Curtis!!

Our Day started off with Connor’s first Soccer game of the season..

 

A little chilly.. The high was 50 (Yea, yea, yeah I know… but for Arizona)…

it was a great game. Connor started off as the goalie, which I think is more stressful as the side line parent helper than it is for the kids…

 

I am always relieved when time is up and he can come out of the goal. But their team won 6-1 with Connor almost scoring a goal! So close bud!

When we got home it was time for Curtis’ Party! We had everyone come over and we had dinner and Cake Pops! The kids ran around and played and the adults just hung out and chatted. It was a simple birthday but Curtis was “happy happy happy!!”

I spent 2 days working on these cake pops… They were pretty simple just a little time consuming. They turned out pretty cute. Something a little different and I thought it would be fun for the kids to eat.

Curtis was excited when I handed over his very own cake pop and we sang him Happy Birthday!! He was in heaven. I can’t even describe… this is how it went….

Yea!! Yeah!!

After Curtis went straight to the tub and then shortly after that off to bed.

*Cake Pops* VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

I still can’t believe Curtis is already one. It really seems like yesterday that he entered our little family. He has been such a sweetheart. From Day One. Before he gets older and more out of control I have to say he’s been my easiest. He snuggles with me, he comes and “checks” on me while he’s playing.. randomly he’ll come up and give me a nestle. He’s goofy and playful. As Grandma Miller says, he’s a Kiel Jr. It always makes me emotional to look at all my children’s baby pictures, just because I’ll never experience that again but the wonderful memories of those days. Curtis went from all this….

to this in just  one very quick year. I am so proud of this little guy. He’s walking, kinda talking and really becoming a little kid. We’re still working with only 2 teeth but we’re doing just fine with that for now.

Happy Birthday my sweetheart. Our little BubbaMan. **Love you**

Winter Break part 2

After being home my main goal was to get better in time for the fiesta Bowl…. Who has time for that? We got home and Chloe immediately discovered her new LaLaloopsy Bike!!

I thought it was going to take a couple of days for her to get the feel of things on her bike… nope.. she was ready to go. This girl never ceases to amaze me. She is such a tough little girl… She has fallen off a couple of times and instead of crying and making it a dramatic event (like another child… cough*cough**) she laughs and gets back up and leaves. We have already gone on 3 family bike rides to the park and around the block. She’s a trooper… with her 2 lalaloopsy’s and all. Uh. Love that monster.

Thursday…. my day to be better… ** Kiel bought us tickets to go see our Oregon Ducks play at the Fiesta Bowl.

It was perfection!!! A Beautiful day, the kids were with Theresa and Mark all night. We got there in time to walk around the arena and see all the “happenings”.

I can’t say that I have ever been a huge football fan… but when it comes to College football (The Ducks ) and my sweetheart, I’m all in!

We had a great time!! I was a great season. We were able to see the ducks play twice this season, Once at ASU stadium and then here at the Cardinal’s stadium (The toaster oven, as Eric calls it.)

It was a great game… the first kick off the Ducks returned with a touchdown. First 5 seconds of the game!!! That was a great start, at least for us.. since we were sitting by mainly Kansas State fans… Go Ducks!!!  And just when I thought I was regaining my voice…. uh… it’s gone again. Well worth it though! 

We ended up winning the game and we were able to see Coach Kelly win his last game with the ducks. Kiel and I had an amazing night. I love being with that man and no matter what we are doing I know it will be a good time. Love you babe and thank you for a great night!