Going Green

and red and orange and white, and yellow, All the colors of fruits and veggies and whole natural foods. I have read so many things lately about this subject and with Kayelee (her illness was not caused by food just helped me become aware of whats out there) being in the hospital and learning and seeing how so many illnesses can be avoided and with some understanding of what kidneys and other organs do for us I have tried to go a little more green. I am not a freak about it or anything and I still eat sugar and stuff like that (my kids would protest if we didn't) but I have just made a resolve to avoid some of the processed foods (we still eat them don't get me wrong, but in moderation though) there are so many ingredients added to so many foods we don't even realize and our bodies don't even know what to do with it. I have noticed in the short time I have made a concious effort I personally have felt so much better. I know it is good for my kids and will help them make life long healthy food choices. I really have so much to share about this topic but will save some of it for another day (when I have more time). Maybe I'll give a tip here and there as part of my so cool stuff that I have totally abandoned since Kayelee was in the hospital. So there is a little tip for you for today... Go green (or whatever color it is) eat the raw form of the food.

Happy Father's Week

We started this tradition 6-7 years ago. The whole week before Father's Day we celebrate what a good Daddy we have. It is so fun. On Monday we always start off with posters and each of the kids tell me what they love about Joe and then I type them up, I type one too of all the things I love about him, the kids decorate them and then tape them on the wall (see photo below). Then everyday we have one of his favorite treats on the table for him when he comes home. We try to do a fun activity with him but Kyle had baseball on Monday and Joe had church meetings Tues. Wed. and tomorrow so we haven't gotten to do any fun activities with him yet. I will take him out on the weekend on a hot date and then on Sunday we will spoil him with presents and his very favorite Sunday dinner. It is so fun and the kids get into it with me and we love it. We love having the opportunity to just express thanks to him for all he does.
Joe is the most amazing Husband and Daddy for us. We love him with all of our hearts. He works so hard for us everyday so we can have the things we want and need. He is such a giving man he gives to everyone not just his family. I could list all his qualities but it would go on for so long. He really is a giant of a man a real hero with a heart of gold. He is a wonderful example of pure goodness in all that he does. I love him so much.

Happy Father's Week Joe!!!

The posters

One of the daily treats

Brother?

Kyle-- "if I don't ever get a brother will you adopt one for me?" Before I can say to much "well atleast I have dad he's My brother." He's resorted to the adoption option, I think he is getting a little worried:)

He has a good daddy thank goodness.

Green Machine

This is one of our favorite smoothies and it is so healthy for you

1 orange (cut off the peals to leave the white part of the orange, this part is really healthy for you)
1-2 handfulls of fres spinach
1 or so cups of fresh pinapple
1 large cup full of ice
1/2-3/4 cup of water

blend and you will see why it's call the green machine (it is not an ugly green color though it is pretty. Note: I do have a blend tec so it blends up the orange and spinach so fine you don't taste chunks you might want to peal the orange all the way if you are worried about chunks.

This is so yummy one of our favorites

Alvacado Salsa

This is to die for... Joe and I could eat the whole bowl and it is super healthy for you. (thanks Chaelaine for the recipe)

3 Alvacados (cut up into chunks)
3 tomatoes (cut up into chunks)
1 can shoepeg corn (drained)
1 can Northern beans (drained)
1 can black eye peas (drained)
1/2 bunch of cilantro
6 green onions cut up
Juice of one whole lemon
1 pkg italian seasoning (dry)

Throw it all in a bowl and mix well serve with tortilla chips, carrots, cut up veggies etc. Whatever you want to dip in it.

It is so yummy if you try it tell me what you think.

I wish I had a picture to show you but we keep eating it to fast:)

Time Flies...

I am so glad I get her forever but she will only be little once... After being in the hospital you realize some things you thought were important aren't really that important anymore and the things that really matter the most are the little things that are growing right before our eyes... Days go by then weeks, and then months and before we know it, it is years. So cherish your babies they really will only be little once.

1st Birthday

Some 1 year milestones:

She can say Ma Ma, Da Da, Uh Oh, Nu Nu (nurse), Mi Mi (binki)

She has 7 teeth

She is not walking but can take about 3-5 steps, she is really close

She loves her Mama and Daddy has now become cool too. She is his little buddy

Every night in Kyle's prayers he thanks Heavenly Father for a sweet baby sister who makes us smile and laugh. It is so sweet The kids really do love her so much and have so much fun watching her grow.

She is such a sweet little girl we love having her in our family!

Austin Family Staycation

Below are pictures of our Staycation, below the pictures is the explanation... you can tell I haven't been blogging much lately:)


Foam Puppets

Welcome home fiesta for Kayelee

Pinata at My cousin's Chaelanie's house. She did a welcome home party for Kayelee and we had a blast.

Bowling

Spa time with the girls

Breakfast at the Restaurant

Over memorial day we had an Austin family Staycation. I got the idea from the Family Fun magazine, there website is a great resource for fun activites and ideas of things to do, make, cook, create all with kids in mind http://www.familyfun.com/. I created this schedule and we did it like a small family reunion at our house with just our kids. It was so fun our kids loved it and it was just what we needed after our long stay in the hospital and being apart as a family. It was great just taking a whole weekend and focusing on the kids. I think we will do it every year. Above are some highlights of our weekend.

1st Annual Austin Family STAYCATION (stay at home vacation)
May 2010

Friday night:
- Daddy gets home begin the party
- Chicken nuggets and Pizza
- Sleepover, Sleeping bags, movies, and popcorn

Saturday:

- Happy Late Birthday Lizzie
- Open Brittlee’s presents Sing Happy Birthday

Breakfast:
The Red Restaurant aka Austin family kitchen: Mom and Dad are the cook and waiter
Menu—order what you want
Eggs
Toast
Hot Chocolate
Oatmeal
Pancakes
Waffles
Cereal

Cupcake decorating – decorate cupcakes for Britt’s birthday

Free Play
Mom reads stories

Lunch: Indian Fry Bread
Clean up

Spa hour for the girls/ wood making project Kyle and Dad… you guys get BrittJ

Cool off with popsicles and rest

Bowling

Dinner: Something goodJ Maybe out to eat?


Sunday:

Mom work on sharing time, Dad has meetings. Kids free time, focus on the Savior, read Friend, watch Jesus Movies or family videos.

--Everyone baths and ready for church. Clean up and help where needed

Church

Make a treat together

Play games—Hide and seek, Charades, Bingo, Hot potato, Mother May I, Uno attack,

Eat Popcorn and have egg sandwiches

Monday:

Breakfast: Menu (see first breakfast)

Show and Tell—Everyone gets their “favorite thing” and they get to share it with the family.

Craft—foam animals/puppet show

Lunch: sandwiches/smoothies

2:00 FIESTA—at Chaelaines, Piñata, BBQ, fun with cousins.


Come home, End of Austin Staycation. Put all Austin tinies in bed.

Great Teachers

These are Kambree and Kyle's teachers Kambree was in 1st grade this year and Kyle was in 2nd. They had great teachers, I am so grateful for great teachers who teach my kids.