Friday, March 31, 2017

Instagram: March 2017

So today I start my "March Madness" of reading the entire Book of Mormon in the month of March. That's just 17 pages a day, and is one of my favorite traditions. Join me? It's an awesome way to gear up for General Conference.

Here's an easy schedule so you can keep track of where you need to be. Let me caution that catching up is not easy. Reaching 80+ pages in one day is HARD (ask me how I know).

This is what my basement currently looks like. The aftermath of plugging up a sink to ask some stained clothes and then walking away for about 30 minutes. Flooded laundry room, water in the basement and a waterfall over all of my yardstick. I haven't been that frustrated at myself in a log time.  All is well now, water is mopped up, fans are blowing, and we wait to see how much drywall damage I did.

Dr. Seuss week is lots of fun! Today was wacky hair day for Devynee and dress up like a character day for Kendree. No blue wig meant that she got crazy hair too.

Brynlee is a very good mama to her babies. Today, one baby needed cream with her diaper change.

Miss Hallee is 5 months old! She is such a happy baby. Strangers love her in stores because when they peek their head over to look at her she rewards them with a giant smile. She rolls both front to back and back to front but hasn't really figured out how to get anywhere with it. Hallee has decided that she needs to wake up during the night. She loves the bumbo chair, high chair and swing where she can survey the scene. She likes to chew on anything she can get her hands on, even her own clothes. Perhaps she'll be my easiest teether?

Easton was honored at our last pack meeting for earning his Wolf and various other loops as well. We are proud of our Cub Scout!

Another craft day! Two more options for my "home" sign and several back to school decor!

Brynlee painted her own nails today. She thought she was pretty hot stuff. I'm not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing that my most independent child (which is saying a lot if you've met Kendree) came as number four when I am more relaxed (or tired, you choose).

This little thing is such a joy! Love her!

The T-Rex Family by Devynee.

Of course the first meal we eat in Utah is In N Out.

A little sheep crossing to keep us awake on our drive to Star Valley. I think I loved it as much if not more than the kids. Who wants to be a sheep farmer with me?

While in Utah, we got to spend time with my grandparents. We sure do love our Grammy, Grand Dad and Grandma Great!

Hallee is six months today and got her first taste of rice cereal. She is definitely a fan!

It was so great to catch up with friends from our law school das! Thanks for making the time, Carolyn and Johnathan.

Missing one of our 8!!!! kids, but it sure was a party while we were together.

When your friends own an old bowling alley, you get to take home a bowling ball. Easton was thrilled to pick out our new (to us) ball.

Best cousins watch the iPad on the stairs.

Ten new little chicks on their way to our house!

Because no one just wants to see a picture of the box....

I finished my March Madness reading of the Book of Mormon today. This week is Spring Break and while I still read every day, it was hard for me to get my 17 pages in, which led to over 70 pages to read and 2 days to do it. I powered through and loved it (as usual). I am so grateful for this book. The truths it teaches. The comfort it gives. The peace I feel. The changing of my heart. The lessons I learn. In these verses, I loved this reminder that the Book of Mormon was written for US. This time right now. The Lord loves us and is guiding us if we turn to him. Please, if you haven't read this book before, do it. Contact me and I'll send one to you.

Videos from March 2017

Devynee reads her T-Rex story.


Hallee eats food.



Hallee Laughs

Random Pictures: March 2017

A little dad/Hallee time. Bald baby sporting the Angels hat.


Kendree sass.


Sunday, March 12, 2017

Cheddar Ranch Potatoes

You can find this recipe here: https://www.buzzfeed.com/merleoneal/these-cheddar-ranch-potatoes-are-delicious-and-super-easy-to?utm_term=.ngOpve9g7#.cc9pD3knw
But, I wanted to put it on the blog incase it disappears someday.
9 red potatoes
½ cup ranch dressing
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 cup cheddar, shredded
¼ cup chives, chopped

PREPARATION

1. Preheat oven to 400°F/200˚C.
2. Slice the potatoes in half, lengthwise, then slice each half lengthwise three times and across four times, to cube. 
3. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and drop in chopped potatoes, cook 10 minutes. 
4. Drain potatoes and mix in ranch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
5. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until nicely browned.
6. While still hot, mix in cheddar and chives.
7. Allow to cool for 5 minutes.
8. Serve warm and enjoy!

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Videos from February

Hallee does not perform for mom - so you get to listen to her annoying voice.


A roll! Kind of.


Hallee talking, laughing at and shrieking at her daddy (who is standing right in front of her).


Kendree's birthday!


Kendree shoots!


I love that Brynlee whispers "love you" when I whisper it to her.


Devynee at her friends birthday party.

Instagram: February 2017

Got the next 4 months of my HOME sign done this week. SO cute that I almost want time to pass quickly.

The girls and I did our Jamberry nails! I will forever love my wraps.

Is there an age when things in rainbow order don't bring you joy? I certainly hope not. #halleescribbedding #usingmyiron #sewingistheonlytimeipullitout

When you are the 5th child, sometimes your arms get stuck in the leg holes of your walker, and your mom doesn't even notice because you are just chillin'.

A little sisterly coloring. Spoiler alert: the white blanket had a red marker mark about three seconds after this picture was taken.

Mobile baby! Miss Hallee decided to roll from back to front today. She gets stuck on her stomach and doesn't love it so I expect her to figure out front to back rather quickly.

Hallee is 4 months old (2 weeks ago). She is joy and adores attention from anyone. She is still sleeping through the night but only naps in her swing or car seat (life of a 5th child). She loves her bumbo chair and walker because she can look around.  She laughs and giggles and it is the cutest!

Here are some Hallee squeals, laughs and shrieks. She is the best.
Yes, she is on the counter.
Yes, we were standing right there.
Most of the time she was smiling and shrieking at Ronnie who was standing right in front of her.

A few weeks ago it was the pinewood derby. The highlight of every cub scouts year. Easton did a BYU car this year and took 3rd out of all the Bears. he had a lot of fun. The best part of the night was when the opened up the track and the boys got to race whomever they wanted, over and over and over and over...


Days like today get me excited for summer (too bad we aren't even close...)

Happy Birthday to our sensational SEVEN year old! Kendree is the greatest 7 year old we know and we were thrilled to celebrate her today! #thecakeispink #itlooksbrownthough

Before and after the big event of the day...piercing her ears! She was so excited and was a camp, even when we had to do one ear at a time.

I finally finished Hallee's crib bedding this week. Rainbow crib bumpers for the win!

Kendree's basketball season is over. She excelled at defense (which is what this video highlights). She improved so much this season!

This video is the best I got at Easton's last game. Someone (Devynee) was perfecting her selfies for most of the game. Easton learned a lot this season as well. He loves any sport he plays, but definitely has a special love for basketball.

As requested...
Selfies, a portrait series
by Devynee

The weather is warm(ish) and daddy got their Christmas present built this weekend. They are in love! I love that it fits 7+ kids and they have been outside all morning! Thanks Chelsea for the recommendation and Karen and Ray for the gift!

We took up one entire side at our dentist this morning but it was good news, no cavities!

Devynee LOVES to draw with sharpies. This picture of the 5 kids is my favorite. Especially Easton's spiky hair.

Getting invited to a birthday party with a face painter means that your siblings are green with jealousy. Devynee the kitty was pretty thrilled with her face paint.

Random Pictures February 2017

Easton had his second pinewood derby.  He loved hanging with his scout buddies.

At the end of the night, the boys got to race each other and it was the highlight for every one of them.


Cute Brynlee with her daddy.


At the pack meeting, Easton was awarded his Wolf.



My clothes folding buddy.

Kendree got to go to Denver with her class.  My friend chaperoned and sent me a few pictures of the day.


Devynee was invited to a birthday party at a local party place.  She loved the face painting, piñata and carousel the most (her face is blocked by the pole).



After church one day, I introduced the kids to my father's delicacy. Ritz crackers with cheese and ketchup on top.  They all love them and Ronnie gags if he is ever in the room when we eat them.

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Brown Sugar Muffins

1/2 c. melted butter
1 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
2 c. flour
1 c. milk
1 T vanilla

Cook at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.  Makes about 18 regular muffins.

Saturday, February 18, 2017

Kendree is SEVEN!

Kendree's birthday was on a Friday this year, which was also her last basketball game.  She continued to excel at defense that night. (Kendree is number 11).


Kendree has been begging and begging and begging to have her ears pierced. We went to Claire's in the mall and she was thrilled to hold the special teddy bear and get it done.


After.  Getting a good picture of pierced ears is harder than you would think.

We opened presents with Grandma and Grandpa Lindstrom.




Kendree wanted a troll cake and mom tried for pink frosting that looked brown in all pictures.



Kendree's loot.

She was spoiled rotten and loved her special day!