Why, Yes, that is Miley Cyrus!

Just in case you were wondering about my new song on my blog...yes, in fact, it is a Miley Cyrus song! ;)  Last weekend we went and saw the new Hannah Montana movie with the kids.  Before it started, Brian and I briefly contemplated leaving the kids there and sneaking out and seeing our own movie - I am so glad we stayed.  It was such a great family movie.  I know you are thinking I am nuts, but I am dead serious.  I laughed, I cried...there was no foul language or any part that embarrassed me.  I thought it was great, and a must see by all families.  And her new song, "The Climb".  Is just as great!  What a perfect song for those of all ages...so turn it up and listen to the words!

I feel so special...

Okay, you know when you are in 7th grade and the most popular girl in school says "Hi" to you??? That is how I feel today! :)

Jen at Edens Bouquet made a post on her blog from a recipe I posted here. I feel so special.

This girl is freakin' amazing. I mean, she has soon-to-be 9 children. They just built their dream home (you HAVE to check out her posts under Categories - Ranch Life) with their own hands. They came from pretty much nothing and made a beautiful life for themselves and their children. Isn't it like one of the ten commandments not to idolize? I am guilty. ;)

And did I mention her absolutely extraordinary clothesline that she created and sells? Anyone who knows me knows that I don't have a trendy bone in my body, but I love to dress my children up (when they do get dressed...LOL!). I found out about Jen when she was just starting out on eBay. Talk about coming a long way. Basically Edens Bouquet and Simply to Impress started the same way...and look at both of them today! :) Who would have ever guessed? I bought some clothes from her for Mackenzie to wear to our rehearsal dinner for our wedding...and that was it, I was hooked! Natalie was blessed in an Edens Bouquet gown. To die for!

Visit her site: http://www.edensbouquet.com/

And make sure to follow her blog: http://www.edensbouquet.com/blog


* And of course, in this post there are pics of TJ in some fabulous clothes Jen sent me when he was born. Too cute!

Learn things from the little people in your life...

Here are 11 things children can teach you about healthy living:

1) Everything can be a game. Why slog through the same workout routines in boredom, when you can add a little fun? Make up rules, shoot for personal records, and regain your competitive spirit.

2) Don't walk when you can run. Every day is full of opportunities to increase your fitness. This rule is closely related to "don't drive when you can walk."

3) If you don't like it, don't eat it. Chances are, your eating habits won't stick around long if you hate what you're eating. Healthy eating involves balance and moderation.

4) Laughter feels good. Kids seem to inherently know that laughter can ease blood pressure, help your brain function, give you energy, and help you reach your goals.

5) Playtime is important. We get so caught up in work, and "have-to's" that we forget to take time for ourselves. Not only does relaxing make life worthwhile, it has real health benefits.

6) The world should be full of color--especially on your dinner plate! Splash it with as many colors as possible; paint it like a rainbow with food. It's more fun to look at, the most colorful produce options often pack the most nutrients, and chances are you'll be eating a healthy, balanced meal.

7) It's always more fun with friends around. Children tend to gravitate toward other children. It gives them spirit and makes them want to play all day. Working out with other people is almost like having your own little playgroup.

8) Adventures are found outside, not inside. Every kid knows that the good stuff is in the great outdoors--fresh air, wide open spaces, limitless possibilities. You can't find those things cooped up in a tiny, stale gym. Open the door and start a new adventure every day.

9) It's important to use your imagination. You can be Major Fantasia or Stupendous Woman any time you want. Give yourself permission to believe in your own super powers and let your mind take you wherever it wants to go.

10) Anything is possible. No fear, no self-doubts, no negative self talk, no self-criticism, no worries, no destructive anxieties or thoughts of failure. To a child, he/she can do anything. And do you know what? They're right.

11) You have your whole life ahead of you. Here's your chance to do it right.

homemade bubbles & free range chickens

It was so nice outside today...almost 70 degrees.  Just gorgeous!  We put the little chicks outside for the first time.  They are loving it.  They just stay right by the deck.  I put their food and water out there and they are happy.  Brian is like "they just stay there?" and I was like "yep".  Hope they don't prove me wrong! ;)

I made the easiest homemade bubbles.  So easy and cheap to boot! (not that bubbles are expensive, but ya know).  Here is the recipe (and for "parts" I used 1/8 cups)

Stir together:

6 parts water

2 parts Joy dish soap (this brand tends to work the best)

3/4 part light corn syrup

Have lots of springtime fun!

Ran another mile

I ran another mile without stopping.  Again, I know this isn't much for some, but I am so thrilled.  It took me, once again, a little over 10 minutes...but you know what?  I think it is getting easier?  I didn't feel SO much like laying down and dying when I got home... :)  Maybe tomorrow I can think about speeding it up a bit.  Or not. ;)

To die for appetizer recipe!

So good...and very easy to make!

Bacon Asparagus Roll-Ups

12 slices white bread with crusts removed
1 container (8 oz.) soft cream cheese
2 T. chopped green onions
8 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
24 fresh asparagus spears
1/4 C. butter, melted
3 T. grated Parmesan cheese

Flatten bread with a rolling pin.In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, onions and bacon.

Spread mixture over bread slices. Cut asparagus to fit bread; place 2 spears on each bread slice.

Roll up bread slice and place seam side down on a greased baking sheet.

Brush with butter; then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Bake at 400º for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve immediately

Makes 12

3 big sisters + mom with a camera = too much fun!

Or, we think that TJ should go back to the 80's...he would look great in one of those hair bands!!!

My new favorite smoothie!

I was very proud of myself today. I ran a mile. I was as slow as molasses, but I DIDN'T stop! This was the first time I have ever ran a mile without stopping once. It was a 10 minute mile, but I don't care!

Anyway, back to my post, I made the most awesome smoothie. Here it is:

1 1/2 c. cold fat free milk
2 cups coarsely crushed ice
1/2 c. water
1 package (1.4 oz) sugar free instant chocolate pudding
1 tbsp vanilla extract

Blend it all up in the blender. Makes 3 LARGE servings. 167 calories if divided by 3. If you did 4 servings (still plenty) then it would only be 125 calories. This was so filling that it ended up being my dinner with a side of green beans (I know, lovely combo!)

Easter Morning

The Easter Bunny does the craziest thing at our house...he leaves a trail of Jelly Beans throughout the entire house and the kids have to follow the path. It leads to little presents that he leaves behind for everyone. Great fun...the kids look forward to it every year!

Easter with Uncle Bob and Aunt Theresa (& Chris and Matt too!)

Yummy Italian food that Aunt Theresa made at her home in Algoma. It was delicious!

Breakfast and Egg Hunt at the zoo!

Because we are ZOO pass members, we had a special invitation to celebrate Easter at the zoo. They had a breakfast full of pancakes and sausage (I ate a not so yummy slim fast bar instead) and then there was a fun egg hunt!

Pictures from the Weber's land

Today was a busy day. We had breakfast at the NEW Zoo and then had an Easter Egg hunt there as well. Then we went to Aunt Theresa's for (early) Easter dinner. While we were there we went and visited Uncle Bob's land where they go hunting and such...great place to take great photos! :) Of course, Mackenzie was my little model. The boys would have rather ran around the land, and I couldn't even get Natalie to sit still for very long!