Dusting off my camera for teapots and chubby hands.

Life has been busy.  It always is but lately it has been a little busier than normal.  It's been so long since I took any pictures so I decided to snap a few of our day.  

It all started when my girl asked if she could have tea party.

It was supposed to be for her teddy bears,

but her brother heard there was REAL food and that was all it took.

She was being a sweet sister,

and I was loving his chubby hands holding these delicate teacups.

Then the unthinkable happened...she took away the Cheerios.  Just thought I'd keep it real since I already had the camera in hand. :)  

Please don't mess with my boy's food.  He takes eating VERY SERIOUSLY.

It's a good thing he can turn it off as quick as he can turn it on.

Oh and this guy decided he would join too.

He doesn't take his food quite so seriously.

That was about 10 minutes of our day but I'm happy to have captured a little snippet of it.

Happy Birthday Daddy, Love Savannah

Kent turned 40 yesterday and Savannah made him this adorable video.  

What have we been up to?

Celebrating birthdays- Rylee's birthday at the American Girl store.

Celebrating Christmas

Making crafts

Sewing Lessons

Riding bikes inside

Enjoying the fireplace.

Wearing layers

Snow days with daddy

Kissing these cheeks

Making a few birthday presents. Workbench for Jake

Doll bed for Reese. Rylee made with quilt. (with my help)

Another birthday. They are cooking Marshmallows not peeing.

Jake picked 3 friends to "camp in" for his birthday.

And one more birthday.

Getting pretty at the Groovy Pad

A few highlights of the last few months.

We have also been home schooling, disciplining, taking care of sick kids, crying -mostly me, many doctors appointments. But I don't have pictures of those things.

.blessed.

Cousins.  We are blessed with cousins and I am so grateful.  I didn't grow up with a lot of cousins but my kids sure are.  I love it!  

Here is a recent photo of almost all the cousins (except Hope & Ameena).  Sadly it's a little blurry, but at least everyone is looking!

And while I LOVE all these dear kids let me point out one.  Savannah Grace.  She is a total joy and excellent help.  I tell Allison I could sell her door-to-door.  I'm pretty sure all I need is an 11 year-old to make my life complete. :)  I thank God all these girl cousins have such a great example in her.  Here she is cheesin' it up for the camera.  Love you Savannah!

.even on gloomy days.

The rain started today just as we were about to leave to run errands which made me THANKFUL for these:

As we drove home this afternoon the sunset was breathtaking.  The sky was painted an abundance of colors.  Sadly I didn't have my camera.  But I got a quick shot in my backyard before the last of the light when down.

And finally I am thankful for online shopping!  Shopping with 3 small kids is no small feat.  So it makes me excited to see these presents being delivered to my door!

.thankful.

My friend, Laura, is taking the week to photograph things she is thankful for.  She invited others to join with her so I thought I would give it a shot.

Today, I am thankful for peek-a-boos.  Even peek-a-boos that color their belly green and are covered in the chocolate chip cookie he stole off the counter.  The peek-a-boo represents the many sweet moments I get to enjoy with my kids everyday.  And this photo helps me to stop and remember to be grateful for those precious times.  It also helps during those times like today when I was scrubbing my white velvet curtains that had been splattered with pomegranate juice.  You take the good, you take the bad! :)

Life Changing

Want to know two words that have changed my life?

olive oil & sea salt

ok so that may be a little dramatic but they have transformed our dinner time.

Suddenly my kids are devouring their vegetables. All it took was some oil and salt and a hot oven.

Here are our favorite veggie recipes at our house. Sometimes my kids eat the whole pan before we get the rest of the food on the table. I admit our kids have always eaten veggies. But now they actually ask for seconds. Or at least 3 out of 4 but that is still good odds. I hope you enjoy them too. All of these recipes are from Elanaspantry.com my favorite healthy food blogger.

They all call for celtic sea salt. Which I use but I am sure you can use regular salt as celtic sea salt is about 10x the price as regular.

Lemon Kale Chips - The first time I made this my kids thought I said kettle chips and they were mad when I pulled it out of the oven.

1 bunch kale (washed and dry)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
¼ teaspoon celtic sea salt

1. Preheat oven to 350°
2. Chop kale into ½ inch pieces
3. Place kale in a large bowl
4. With hands massage oil, lemon juice and salt into kale
5. Place kale on parchment lined baking sheet
6. Bake at 350° for 10-15 minutes until kale is dark green and crispy
7. Cool and serve

Oven Roasted Broccoli-- This is my favorite!
1 bunch broccoli
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ teaspoon celtic sea salt

1. Wash and cut broccoli into smallish pieces with long stems
2. Toss broccoli in a large bowl with olive oil and salt
3. Spread broccoli out on a parchment lined baking sheet
4. Bake at 400° for 12-15 minutes until tender and slightly browned
5. Serve

Baked Carrot Oven French Fries - these taste like sweet potato fries
6 large carrots- I use baby carrots and cut them even smaller.
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ teaspoon celtic sea salt

1. Cut each carrot into 2-inch long sections
2. Cut each section into thin sticks
3. In a large bowl toss carrot sticks with olive oil and salt
4. Spread out carrot sticks on a parchment paper baking sheet
5. Bake at 425° for 18-22 minutes until carrots are browned