Regrets...

I can't NOT get in on the fun when my sisters are all over it, right?

It seemed like a good idea at the time...

...but on second thought...

...don't look at me!

First Freebies

I'm officially in!

Couponing is awesome!

Yes, it's quite labor intensive.  

At least I find that to be true now.

But the rewards are so, so sweet!

{Sometimes literally so!}

Happy Smart Shopping!

The Good Quiet...

Fountains Time Again

{One: Isabella}

First the worst?  No way!

This is MY girl and I love her to pieces!

She is a big help in so many ways, no more so than to her momma.

{Two: Ava}

Loves to run, jump, and play!  

Will pause for photos and always has a winning smile.

{Three: Iris}

Never caught without a headband and a hair clip of some kind, no matter how scraggly the hair.  And no matter what, the band almost always sinks down over one eye!  Sharp, sweet pea, sharp! 

{Four: Owen}

I love you son!  

I wish I had  you're picture but somehow you eluded me!  

I'll catch you next time!

That's a promise!

{Five: Gabriel}

Stuck on the sidelines with mom, but content to watch the action from afar.  Thanks for keeping me company on the bench, son.

Yum!
You're just like your momma sweetheart!
If we're not running around,
we're EATING!

This is bliss...

I Read For Happy Meals ONLY!

So, everyone once in awhile, 

you're kids say something and 

you really get a peek into what's really going on in there.

When Ava completed her reading log for school and earned a meal at the Spagetti Factory, she was thrilled.  She patiently kept reminding me what a wonderful idea it would be to eat there, and so, after some time, we made plans to...

"go out"!

The menu comes and everyone's happy, 

except Ava soon starts to frown.

I say, 

"Ava, do you want Spaghetti & Meatballs 

or the Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce?"

{We don't do the chicken nuggets or grilled cheese options 

which I could easily make at home while standing on my head, 

blowing my nose, and

singing a sea shanty-

and for FREE, mind you!}

Ava replies,

"I don't want Spaghetti.  

I wanted a Happy Meal.  

Where's the Happy Meal?"

Well, after informing us that she reads for Happy Meals only,
a little heart-to-heart rectified the misunderstanding,
and she chose the  
MEATBALL!

Gabriel positively gobbled the noodles and french bread...

...and we enjoyed some great family time!

Yes, 

it's possible to find happiness even 

WITHOUT 

McDonald's!

So Close!

Gabriel Dodge,

Son, you are so close to crawling!

You manage to scooch all over this house,

but the actual getting up off of that belly eludes you!

Keep it up son!

You're labors, I promise, will be rewarded!

It is a joy to watch you grow!

All my love,

Mom

{Who yes, sometimes wishes she could go back to crawling!}

The Dreaded Letter...

You know, 

the one you get from the school 

that informs you that you and your family are now truants 

for being late to school one too many times?

Yes, we got one of those this year.

I felt so bad, 

and maybe, quite possibly, 

I implied to my girls that we were all going to 

JAIL 

if we didn't do better!

And so,

every morning, 

we scrambled like wild chickens 

to make it out the door on time.  

I'd like to report that we did it.  

That we learned our lesson.

And we paid our debt to society.

 But unfortunately,  

I can't!

But we did send in this nice letter of apology to the girls teachers!

Maybe they'll be some mercy extended?

"I'm a Boat!"

If there's ever want for Family Home Evening topics, look no further than any General Conference.

In Elder Holland's address, "Safety for the Soul", he bears powerful-and I mean, POWERFUL-witness of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, and of it's message which invites all to, 

“Come unto Christ, 

and be perfected in him.”

Samuel taught this principle to our kids using a favorite method of teaching in our home:

An Object Lesson!

We learned about how we're all like boats at sea, and when the waves start to crash, and the winds start to howl, where can we turn for safety?

Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Who, of course, is our safe harbor from danger.

Owen talked about this lesson for days, the boy couldn't stop saying, "I'm a boat!", and everyone was extra-excited to take a bath too.

A win-win if there ever was one!

Cilantro Cream

This cream sauce is the perfect topping for grilled meats (we love to top our fajitas with the stuff).  Or, if you fancy, use on rice, or as a dipping sauce for flat bread or pitas.  

You have to love something that works with everything!

Cilantro Cream

Makes 1 1/2 cups

Ingredients

1/2 c. light sour cream
1/2 c. plain greek yogurt
1 tsp. lemon pepper
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. chile powder
1/2 c. roughly chopped cilantro
Freshly ground black pepper

Directions
Blend until smooth and refrigerate until ready to serve. 

For a thicker sauce, refrigerate 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving.

Enjoy!

Gabriel...10 Monther

Handsomer than all get out!

Gabriel, I love you!
And I can hardly believe that in two short months you will be one!  Crawling eludes you, though you're ALMOST there, and you are a champ at eating with eight teeth!  You a delight in every possible way, and though you squirm, I still love to hold you close!

I'm excited to see you grow son...

Love,
Mom