A Big Day

Today is a big day for us.  Mason finally gets to go see the neurologist.  We are praying that we can find some answers and possibly get a diagnosis.  Truthfully a lot is riding on this appointment so we are kind of nervous.  Wish us luck!

pure joy ...

I love photographing new babies!  They are so pure and precious! 

Whole Wheat Recipes

I have been trying to use my food storage items more and in particular my wheat.  So this morning I made whole wheat blender pancakes, whole wheat bread, and am now making whole wheat cookies.  Shh...don't tell the kids or Lonnie that they are make with wheat flour!  If you and your family are just starting to use whole wheat introduce it slowly.  We have been eating the whole wheat bread for quite a while now.  Anyhow, here are the recipes...

Whole Grain Blender Pancakes

1          cup milk

1 1/4   cups wheat kernels, whole and uncooked

2          eggs

2          teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2   teaspoons salt

2          tablespoons oil

2 1/2   tablespoons honey or sugar 

Put milk and wheat kernels in blender.  Blend on highest speed for 4-5 minutes or until batter is smooth.  Add the rest of the ingredients.  Blend on low.  Cook pancakes as normal.

Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies

1           cup butter, softened

3/4      cup white sugar

1           cup brown sugar

2          eggs

1           teaspoon vanilla

3           cups wheat flour

3/4      teaspoon salt

3/4      teaspoon baking soda

1           12-ounce bag chocolate chips

Cream together butter, sugars, and vanilla.  Add flour, salt and baking soda.  Beat well.  Stir in chocolate chips.  Drop onto cookie sheet by tablespoons.  Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes.  

* If you use all wheat flour you can tell, next time I will probably do half and half.

Down on the farm!

Yesterday I spent some time with Saige, Gage, Kristen and my mom.  It was so much fun to just hang out for a little while.  We took them to a local farm and then did some shopping and got some grub!  Saige really enjoyed the farm, however, Gage didn't as much as we thought he would.  Oh well.  We tried!  Thanks mom and Kristen for a fun day!

{Camping}

Lonnie and I adventured out into the deep dark woods with Michelle and Mason for a couple of nights.  It was fun and the kids really enjoyed it.  It was so nice to get away from it all. Although I did miss my warm house.  During the day it was about 55 degrees.  Heaven only knows how cold it got at night.  Here are the two happy campers!

...and the "little couple" as Aunt Kristen calls them.

I love this next one of Mason he was looking at the smoke. 

 and then he saw the camera!

Here's what you get when you ask Michelle for a silly face...

These next two are priceless to Lonnie and I.

Michelle and Mason were big helpers by throwing wood into the fire!

We went for a little walk in the meadow that our campground backed up to.  

Michelle just had to have a picture by the "net" aka the tent.

Lonnie picked a great location to camp.  It actually bordered an area where the Rodeo/Chediski fire came up to.  It was sad to see all of the devastation.  It was still pretty nonetheless.  

While sleeping we got to hear this beautiful river flowing.  So relaxing.

Thank you to Jenni, Kristen, mom and dad for helping out with Saige and Gage!  We appreciate it!  

Almond

shaped eyes that is! Yep. It's true. Little Miss Saige has them and will soon be sporting her new glasses! The crazy part about it is that had she not been so clumsy we wouldn't have thought anything about her vision. Dr. Cassidy stated that it is genetic and runs strong and recommended bringing in all of her biological siblings. So it is probably obvious what we will be doing after we get referrals.

AND

Mason and Michelle are so excited to finally be going camping tomorrow night. This has been months in the planning and we are stoked! Mom is a little bit nervous about oh I don't know bears, elk, livestock and murderers. Paranoid?...yep just a little! Oh well, I'm sure it will be loads of fun and beautiful!

the totals for this week are in and an update!

This morning I did the grocery shopping while the children were at school. There are some really good deals out there right now. So here are the totals I spent $158.99 and saved $149.94. I bought a lot of meats so the figures are a little bit more this week. Also, I did update the Deal It Up blog. Have fun shopping and saving!