My Life

He's FIVE

and as you can see quite proud of himself.

He said, "Mom, really, TODAY I'm five?"

"I am so big!"

I was feeling crummy, so we stayed at home.

He proceeded to celebrate the day by reading Sam Sat while getting a back massage and wearing his birthday crown!  Life just can't get any better. 

At lunchtime he asks, "Are you making me a special birthday lunch?"

"Ummmm how about a special peanut butter and jelly sandwich?"

"No!"

"How about special birthday mickey mouse chicken nuggets?"

"No!"

"Ok how about we make cupcakes for dessert?"

He liked that idea!

Later, I brought his present in.

His eyes were wide.  I don't think he was expecting a present today, since we are having his party tomorrow.

Brandon says with furrowed eyebrows and bit of attitude "Where's MY present?"  That's coming next month dude :)

He got a remote controlled car, and he loves it.

I'm going to miss Kade when he is gone everyday to school next year.  He's my little bud and makes me laugh everyday!

Not Much Slows Him Down

He's doing much better today.

We hope to take the splint off tomorrow :)

Tonight

• I spent the evening at Urgent Care
• Brandon injured his wrist.  Well, actually Steve injured Brandon's wrist.  Accidentally. 
• They were walking at the t-ball game holding hands and Brandon decided to grab the fence, and Steve heard a "pop" 
• Brandon was pretty inconsolable. 
• I took him straight in knowing I was going to have to wait at least  3 hours.
• While there, a man came in with a gunshot wound to the chest.  I knew I was getting dangerously close to the ghetto, but honestly! 
• THANKFULLY, I saw no blood they ushered him back pretty quickly. That might have sounded insensitive.  Really and truly I hope that man is alright.
•  Triage nurse asked if there were any other recent injuries... 
• Actually, Monday (two days ago) he stepped on a rusty nail in our backyard.  He acquired a pretty good sized puncture wound on that foot and hadn't been walking on it until just this evening when he was playing at the park. 
• She inquired whether or not he is current on his immunizations. 
• Doctor was super friendly, and actually so was all the staff. haha! 
• Doctor investigates his very dirty foot with the nail wound. 
• He determines antibiotics are in order. 
• I think to myself....I am so white trash right now.  But in my defense, we came straight from the park.  You  know how dirty your kids get at the park. 
• Tons of x-rays were ordered.  
•  Brandon continually cried to go home NOW   
• Doctor returns asks about the fracture on his finger.  Oh yes, when he was 18 months he broke the tip of his middle finger.  That's all the x-rays showed. No broken bones, but it didn't explain the extreme pain he was in.
• Arm was wrapped in a splint with directions to follow up with regular pediatrician tomorrow. You know I'm just gonna see how it goes.  What exactly will my regular pediatrician tell me that you didn't in the 3 hours that I waited.
• He yelled at the nurses that he didn't want it. 
• He has stopped crying about it and doesn't want it off now.  I guess we know what's good for him:) 
• I predict he will be a grumpy old man!  

Just keepin it real! 

Bread Recipe

We started making our own bread in December and haven't bought a loaf at the store since.

It was an investment to get all the equipment, but well worth it.

I have had several people ask for our bread recipe.

This makes 4 loaves.

Put this in the bosch (or your preferred mixer):

6 cups warm water

2/3 cup canola oil

1 cup honey

2 T salt

3T flax seed

Blend on low for 2 minutes

Add:

1/4 c. wheat gluten

4 T. powdered milk

2 T. yeast

2 cups freshly milled whole wheat flour

3T dough enhancer

Blend on low for a couple of minutes.

While the mixer is on, add 8-12 cups of wheat flour.  I usually end up adding close to 12 cups.  You know you have enough when the sides are clean and no dough is sticking.

Knead for 10 minutes

While your mixer is doing the work, turn your oven on for just a minute or two and then turn it off.  You need it to be warm enough to make the bread rise, but not too hot that it will kill the yeast.  Prepare your bread pans, spraying Pam in the insides.  When your dough is complete, put it on a floured cutting board.  I usually spray Pam on my hands too.  Cut it into four even sections and form the loaves.  Place in pans.  Put them in the oven.  I then take a piece of plastic wrap (enough to cover 2 pans), spray the tops of the bread with Pam as well as the wrap.  Let rise in the oven for about 60 minutes.  Remove plastic, turn your oven on to 325 and bake for 30 minutes.  Take out of the pan to cool, otherwise they get soggy. Once they are cooled, wrap them up and freeze them.  

I usually make 2 batches and if we are lucky it lasts us 2 weeks.

Also we had this yummy tortilla soup this weekend.  Thanks Erica for sharing!

Finally....

I made it out to Town Square.

Cool location.  Worth the drive.

Got to meet a couple of ladies that also took Wendy's photography class.

Lesli coordinated everything and invited Kristin and I out to photograph a cute family.

Such a good time.

We really need to do that again.

Still working on editing.....

but here are a few that I loved.

Beautiful people make the job that much easier :)

Spring Break

We had an event filled week even though we stayed in town.

Our family went on a hike (Calico Tanks) at Red Rock.

It was a big step up from the children's hike.  Lots and lots of climbing.  Brandon insisted on being held and he would only let ME hold him.  Let me tell you, my body was aching the next day.  What a difference packing 30 extra pounds can do to you.  I was certainly happy that I left the heavy camera at HOME!

We spent a day at the park, playing with cousins and finding turtles in the pond.

We went out to Nelson, Nevada.  A little ghost town out there.  Perfect location for photos.  I wanted to check it out, so I talked Steve into coming along.  The kids enjoyed themselves.....

Hung out at the Springs Preserve and let the kids climb all over the rocks in the playground area.

Saturday, Steve had the kids help him plant in the backyard.  This is the 3rd yard we've put in.  He's getting to be a pro.  We are working on getting that in before it gets to be too hot.  Boy will we all be happy, because less dirt will be brought into the house :)  They were good little helpers and had a great time.

Sunday we had an Easter hunt at my parents' house.

The kids love getting together.

There were actually extras :) one's that aren't related.

Leave it to us to have a Spidey egg hunting.

I Can't Seem to Get it Together

But I did get to photograph this newborn....

Is there nothing sweeter?

Almost makes me want another.....

Photo a Day

We've had some technical issues, but we are back in business.  Check it out.

He is...

trouble!

• He likes to hold my "ear loves" (ear lobes) when he is snuggling.  If he can't have mine, his will do.  
• He also likes my "chubby arms"   thanks bun!
• Only sippy cups will do.  I need to break him of that bad habit.  
• He thinks there is nonstop TV.  That he needs to be watching something all the time.  As soon as something is over he says.  "Watch it more again mom" 
• I have been concerned about this excess of television viewing.  I was relieved the other day when I was changing him, he pointed to my shirt and correctly identified an o, n, a, s and c.  Blew me away.  He has been pointing out B's and O's like crazy but not the others.  
• He thinks he is a lion.  He runs like one, growls, jumps across furniture.  The running part is the funniest because he gets down on all fours and it looks more like a monkey but he can get around that way FAST! 
• He is a royal fit thrower and very stubborn and persistent.   
• He's one of a kind. 

Red Rock

We took the kids out last week to do the children's hike at red rock.

We mainly wanted to see if Brandon could hang.  I did NOT want to have to carry him the entire way.

The kids had a blast.  It was a nice cool day, they explored the wildlife, got some exercise and enjoyed the outdoors.  Brandon was in heaven.  He took off and we didn't have to hold him at all.  There were times we had to hold him back because he was so excited!

Lauren wondered out loud why I had to take my camera and take her picture:)

Kyle was grouchy because the hike wasn't longer!

When we arrived back at the car, we were enjoying our sandwiches and noticed bighorn sheep across from us on the mountainside.  Too bad I don't have a working zoom lens.

Since this is the last week of track break, and I feel like I can finally focus on the family, we will be returning to red rock to do a more challenging hike.  I think all the kiddos will be happy campers.  I have been debating whether or not to bring the camera.  I think I just might.  So I can irritate Lauren :)