Thursday, April 30, 2009

Downtown

This morning we had planned on going to play group at the park, but it turned out to be a rainy, kind of chilly day. Instead we headed to Trader Joe's! We have not been in quite a while. I stocked up on all of our favorite things and Max and Mia got balloons. When we got home we had a picnic on the patio.

Musical Bowls


Once again the Max and Mia band gives a spectacular performance.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Happy Early Birthday!


My birthday is not for 2 more months, but today I got an early birthday present! Ty got some sort of rebate for an old car warranty he had purchased and he said that he would use it to get me a treadmill for my birthday. We used to have one when we lived in Utah and I loved it! I have so missed having one. I have been watching craigslist and I found one that was very affordable and in great condition. We picked it up today and I have already taken it for a test "run" :). This may not be super exciting for everyone, but I am pretty jazzed about the whole thing!

Monday, April 27, 2009

Snacktime


For snack today Mia ate teddy grahams and peanuts. She was happy to share with the world.

Service Day

President Ostermiller and some of the lil ones

This is Stake President Ostermiller entertaining some of the primary children at Saturday's service project.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Service Project and Sunshine

Today was our ward service project at Moss Wright Park. Ty left early to join in the heavy labor with all of the other strong men. I came later with the kids after we had picked up chips for the lunch. We so enjoyed the sunshine and outside time. The primary did such a good job entertaining the kids. They brought drinks and snacks and bubbles. Everyone had a great time! At noon we had a big bbq with delicious salads and lots of cold watermelon. When we came home Max was ready to go swimming. He is the cutest little sun kissed boy!
Mia took a three hour nap this afternoon. I think all of the sunshine wore her out. After she woke up she wanted to play with her dollies. She loves playing mommy and tucking them into bed. We are planning a quiet evening and getting ready for Sunday.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Hot Stuff!

It was almost 90 degrees today! I so loved it. I took Max and Mia to the fountains at Indian Lakes and let them play and play. It was the perfect opportunity to debut Mia's new swimsuit (which cannot be seen because I need new batteries for my camera :(...maybe tomorrow) She was so cute. I very much enjoyed sitting in the hot sun. It was great to be warm all over. I am still very California in that way.

Early Morning

This morning I woke up early to go to the gym. I have been missing more days than I would like because being in bed seems so appealing, but this morning I was determined to go. I was so glad that I did. There is no better wake up call than a quick work-out. I also love the quiet mornings I come home to after the gym. The kids are still asleep and I can read my scriptures and get a shower. This morning I read Jacob 5. I love that chapter. I am always so amazed at the Savior's love for us. He truly gives His all for us. When I read this section I am always inspired to work a little harder in my own life. I am inspired to keep trying despite the obstacles. Today I am taking the kids to Opry Mills. None of my clothes fit and I am planning on getting a cute pair of maternity shorts. Hopefully such a thing exists! I am looking forward to the sunshine and the weekend!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Pink or Blue?

It is warming up! Today was 70 degrees and tomorrow it should get up to 80! We are celebrating with trips to our favorite parks. Today we went to the Hendersonville, "Rocket Ship" park. It is Max's very favorite, and as long as there are swings Mia is happy! After the park I had a doctors appointment. I had both of the kids with me and I was a little worried about how it would go, but they were so good! As for me...I am almost 18 weeks pregnant and I get to schedule my ultrasound to find out if we are having a pink baby or a blue baby. I had to reward the good behavior at the doctor's office so I took us all out for ice cream at the Marble Slab Creamery that I have heard so much about. I got the double dark chocolate with strawberries and whipped cream. It was delicious! hmmmm...can't imagine why the weight is coming on so easily this time around. It was a very happy day for us.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Mia's Hat

Mia found her winter hat and decided to wear it while she watched the Wiggles. She thinks she is hilarious.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Monsters Vs. Aliens

Today we decided it would be fun to get out and take the kids to the movies. This is something that we really hardly ever do. We went to see Monsters Vs. Aliens at the Regal Cinema at Indian Lakes. Max was very excited to see a movie on the "really big tv". We got popcorn and picked out some great seats. We were the only ones in the theater. It was perfect! Mia got to run around and we could talk. It was the best movie going experience we could have hoped for!
After the movie we went outside to see the fountains. Max stayed near the edges at first, but Mia dove right in. Before long she was completely soaked and we had to take her clothes off so that she could play in her diaper. Hurray for warmer weather. It was a great afternoon.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Ice Cream Stimulus Package

In celebration of tax day, Maggie Moo's ice cream was giving out free scoops to all of their customers. I took the kids over after Mia's nap. Max always picks out the blue kind of ice cream, even though cotton candy is by no means the best flavor, the bright blue color just draws kids in I guess. I had the dark chocolate and I paid for some mix-ins (marshmallows and pecans, gotta love rocky road!) It was way delicious and it was free, except for the mix-ins. Mia ate all of Max's waffle cone. That was what she really wanted. They are giving out the free scoops all day today until 10:00. I highly recommend it!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

A Little Piece of Heaven at our House


Early this afternoon I found Max sound asleep on the couch. I was so excited! I was able to convince Mia that she was tired and needed a nap as well ( I tempted her with her binky). While they slept I made hot chocolate and read Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I even got a little nap myself! While we all got some rest I had a loaf of bread in the oven and when we woke up we had homeade bread with butter. It was seriously such a fabulous afternoon!

Super Easy Delicious Homeade Bread

2 1/2 teaspoons yeast
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons melted butter
1 1/2 cups buttermilk (room temperature)

1. Add the yeast to the buttermilk and allow to rest 5 minutes. Add the honey and melted butter. Mix in the flours and the baking soda and salt.
2. Knead and place in a warm place to rise for 1 hour.
3. Punch down dough and shape into loaf. Let rise in pan until doubled in size 30-45 minutes.
4. Bake loaf at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes.


Sunday, April 12, 2009

Easter Glam!

I got everyone all dolled up for Easter, but nobody was very willing to participate in picture taking. Ty held Mia so that she would not run away and cry (but I think she is cute anyway)
Max refused to be in a picture so I asked if I could have a picture of his stuffed dog. He was willing to hold it while I took the "dog's" picture :) Church was great. I taught Relief Society and I am always so relieved to be done with my week! We had dinner with the Johnsons in our ward. They invited us last minute and we were more than happy to attend. After dinner Max and Mia got to play in their big back yard. It was a great day.

Happy Easter!

Easter morning came to our house and so did the Easter Bunny! Mia got a little pink baby chick.
....And Disney princess socks! She was very pleased and demanded to wear them right away.
Max also got socks, but the dinosaur variety.

Max got a whistle that he play with much concentration, and a pop-gun. For breakfast we had leftover hot cross buns and ham. We read the Easter story from the book of John, and we are having a very nice Easter Sunday!

Saturday, April 11, 2009

The Easter Festivities Begin!

We had our big Easter dinner and egg hunt with friends today. After everyone arrived we had the husbands hide eggs and we got the kids ready with their baskets. Mia was very excited to have a little basket of her very own.
It was Mia's first egg hunt and she had great fun doing it. Ty helped guide her to the eggs and she was thrilled to find each one. Max is an expert egg hunter now and I had to stop him from finding more than his fair share.
After the egg hunt we had our delicious dinner. I made a ham and hot cross buns and matzo toffee. Jenna brought potatoes and rolls. Stephanie brought my favorite green bean casserole. It was all very delicious and we were all very full. It is always so fun to get together and celebrate. Tomorrow is Easter Sunday and what a wonderful day it will be. It is wonderful to know that our Savior lives and because of Him we too can live and grow forever.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Dinosaurs and Baby Chicks

Today we went to the Tractor Supply Store to see the baby chickens and ducks. They have them right now for Easter. Mia especially enjoyed them. It just so happens that the tractor supply store also sells great toy dinosaurs for $1.99. Max had to have one, and I decided it was okay!
The day turned out to be beautiful. The air here in Nashville smells so good in the spring. We spent the afternoon at the volleyball courts digging. Max was looking for dinosaur bones. He did not find any.
As usual Mia is the cutest ever.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Lunch with the girls

Today I had the chance to visit a friend that recently moved to Gallatin. Liz moved from our apartment complex into a great little house. It is decorated beautifully and I was very jealous! Jenna brought some delicious potato soup and I brought cornbread. We had a yummy lunch and it is always great to sit and talk! The kids had fun playing. It was good to get together and think that one day we will be in a house too!

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Sunday Morning

This morning I made our very favorite breakfast, crepes with nutella and strawberries! I thought that conference weekend was a good excuse to have them. Max and Mia slept in so Ty and I almost had a breakfast to ourselves! Max is debuting a fabulous new outfit that my mom got for him while she was here. Max was very excited to get dressed this morning and wore his new outfit until he found his Ninja Turtle shirt and had to trade it in.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Opry and Goodbye!

We had such a great visit with my parents! We went to the Opryland resort and had a fabulous time. We ate at the Crackerbarrel and had some delici0us catfish. My mom and I went shopping and found some great deals! We got to watch conference and enjoy a little more sunshine before it was time to say goodbye. Max and Mia adored having their grandparents here. We will miss you guys!
(I had just done Mia's hair for the day and she brought me the camera so that I could take a picture...so cute!)

Thursday, April 2, 2009

California comes to town

My parents are visiting until this weekend! We are having so much fun with them. Yesterday we went to Centennial Park. It was a gorgeous day with tons of sunshine.
The kids had a great time feeding the ducks. After the park we had the best barbeque in the world at Jack's. I wanted to save some of my ribs to take home to Ty, but sadly I ate them all.

Next we were off to Phillip's Toy Mart to see the bunnies and do some spoiling. Max had a grand time picking out toys for his Mama and Papa to buy him. It was a great day!