Our Buckets Are Full

And we love it.

Yummy Hot Sandwiches

For about a month and a half I've been trying something new. Rather than just eating peanut butter and jam every day(still on whole wheat bread and with healthy peanut butter), I decided to try my hands(and mouth) at something new. I really wanted to get more vegetables into my day besides what I put in the dinner(I always load up on veggies in whatever I make!). So, I thought it might be fun to just add to grilled cheese. I've varried depending on what I have in the house, but these sandwiches all have these two things; Tomato and Yellow Onion(I found out yellow and shallots are the healthiest kind). So basically I just grill the sandwich open faced while grilling the veggies(just enough to make the onions almost clear-tomatoes are healthier when cooked!) on the side. When everything is done I just pile it all together and sprinkle pepper on it. SO GOOD!!

For this one I had left over turkey from easter dinner, and since in the past I'd have mayonaise with my turkey sandwiches I tried putting that on the outside of the bread instead of having butter AND mayonaise.

Here I just added fresh organic baby spinach. No meat, and I have to say this one's my favorite!

And for this one I had left over pot roast so I added that to it. I have to say this was fine but my least favorite.

I just thought I'd share in case any of you wanted to try one too. I know the butter and cheese don't make it the healthiest possible, but right now I'm satisfied that I'm getting more veggies.

She almost made it!

Well it's been several days now since we moved Sydney to her 'big girl' bed. It's really just the mattress for now but that's ok. She's been doing really well. Sure she has fallen asleep on the floor most of the time...

but she hasn't been fighting it and staying up so it's alright. I just move her to her bed before I turn in for the night. And we have David take his naps on the couch so they won't play during nap time. Looks like this day, though, she found the dirty clothes basket to play with. lol

Fun with Parker

Parker went from not holding his head up at all while on his belly, to holding it like a pro in less than two weeks. I knew he would too. He's just changing so fast!

We have been able to get Parker to laugh so easily, and it has been so much fun. I don't remember David or Sydney laughing until they were a lot older. Three times, actually, Parker has laughed after I have burped out loud(oops). He acts like he thinks it's hilarious! Oh dear. Don't worry that's not in this video. =)

Barbecue

Tonight we were invited last minute to do a barbecue with some friends from our ward. Half the people there were couples our friends knew from something else but it was great fun to meet them. We had a great time roasting hot dogs and marshmallows and just chatting and laughing. David got to play with a long stick in the fire(first time) and got to roast his own and Sydney's hot dogs. It was so cute how excited he was.
My friend Janelle helped make their dogs once David was finished with them.

Enjoying the outdoors. I think Parker really likes being outside.

He also played happily in the stroller for quite a while!

I gave David a marshmallow which he stuffed into his mouth. If you look close you can see it. lol. And as you can see he found the chocolate on his own...

Luke made a really big s'more so they shared it!

New Life

Every Spring here in Idaho the city lights fires along the sides of the many canals. We have one running right behind our apartment and David had fun watching them. When we went walking soon after I noticed the little green shoots of grass coming up through the ashes and I had to stop and take pictures. They've done this every year but I've never noticed the new grass until it was grown in a lot. Anyway, I just thought it was beautiful.
There are two other posts below, but they're mostly for family who I know love to see pictures of us.

Picnic in the Park

aka my first time walking from our house to the park with all three kids. I've driven there, but that's different because the kids can just run from the car to play and then Parker can be in a single stroller. Friday I put the older two in the double stroller and carried Parker on my hip to walk to the park. Now that David is old enough to understand needing to stay still and eat, and because Sydney follows his lead, we had a great time eating and talking together.
Pointing out one of the many planes that were flying around. That's one of my favorite sounds of summer!

After we ate my friend joined us with her baby stroller(she's about to have her first) and we put Parker in that and were able to get our walk in.

For the ride home I decided to let David try walking with me and put Parker in the stroller instead. David did an AMAZING job. He never ceases to amaze me. He held on and helped me push the whole time. I feel like as long as I explain things to him calmly, matter-of-factly, and nicely, he understands and listens every time. Love my kids!

Enjoying the Warm Sun

Last Thursday we took the kids out to play a couple times. What fun!

First time making jam

And it was freezer jam and so easy! I can't believe I waited this long. I had some on pancakes this morning and it was amazing.
David got to help push the button on Hilary's awesome cuisinart. He loved that. He also got to help pour in the sugar and mix a little bit.

Sydney helped a little bit too!

Wow, sorry about my crazy hair! eek

We're going to do it again soon cause we want more!

Helping in the Kitchen

The kids love to help me in the kitchen. They especially love to help me when I'm baking. I let them do things like dump the ingredients in, crack the eggs into it(more like smash but we'll let it pass), and stir with wire wisks or spatulas. It's great fun! Also, for atleast a year now David has been helping me make his PBJ's and just recently he has finally been able to cover the whole piece of bread with out making too much of a mess. Go David! Sydney has just in the last couple months started helping me. She loves it and is making great progress.

Sneaking a taste.

Proudly showing off his masterpiece.

It better be Spring for real now!

Yesterday was really nice so we took the kids to the park. It was great! And today is supposed to be even warmer! Hallelujah!

Parker is 3 months old!

I can't believe my baby is already 3 months old! It feels like high school took forever, college took forever, and now that I have kids the time is flying! But anyway, Parker is an absolute joy. If I'm remembering correctly he is the most smiley baby we've had. All you have to do is look at him and he let's you know he loves you. I've also already made him laugh! He is still going to bed pretty late(guess he takes after me in that department) with the exception of tonight. He fell asleep at 8:30! That is a first and I'm hoping not the last. He wakes up about once a night to eat and goes right back to sleep. He's much easier to hold now that he's not so floppy which makes it easier to do things one handed. He doesn't mind belly time but does not even try to lift his head up, even though his neck is really strong in other positions. He's still to pass that milestone. I think he's a little spoiled because he hasn't really enjoyed being put down much when awake. I admit I held him a lot on purpose so he was getting the same love and attention the other two got as babies. It has been a little better, though, just in the last week and a half or so since he's started being able to play with his toys more. And he's also found his little fists and joyously sucks on them constantly. A few weeks ago he was 12 1/2 pounds when he was puking a lot so I'm sure he's at least 13 now. He seems so long to me and is so aware of everything around him!! The kids still love giving him kisses and Scott and I are loving him to death as well. He is so adorable and such a wonderful blessing!