Picture Challenge: Day 21

Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget.

In all honesty? Our wedding reception. Our ceremony was absolutely amazing and perfect. Our Pro pictures were great and turned out so well. When it came to the reception, the venue was so unorganized and there were many disrespectful guests. We were both so frustrated and had NO fun at all. We left so early.  We are already saving for a trip to Hawaii in 7 years to renew our vows with just close family. It's sad but I'm already looking forward to it. :(

Picture Challenge: Day 19 and 20

Day 19 - A picture of you when you were little.

I have to skip that one because sadly enough, I don't have any.

Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel.

 

Australia!!! I have always been so interested in their history and culture and the gorgeous landscapes! And all of the stories I've heard about it sound wonderful. I WILL go there one day...

 

Picture Challenge: Day 18

Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity.
Okay, I'm not going to post a picture of my extra skin (gross!) So I'm going to post a picture of what caused it.

Because this is what they do all day...

... Eat food and lots of it!!

Cheerios.

 

Oranges.

Pancakes and Bananas.

 

Yogurt and Blueberries.

 

 

 

 

 

And a Recipes for "baby" pancakes derived from  Easy Pancakes. My girls love these with pureed fruit spread on top.

 

1 cup Whole Wheat flour

2 tablespoons baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 egg yolk, beaten

1 c. milk

5 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce

Follow directions for the easy Pancakes recipe.

Picture Challenge: Day 17

Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently.

 Loneliness...
Chad was here for a month over the Christmas break. My mom had not been working for a while.  We had so many visitors over the holiday season.

Early January, Chad went back to Gagetown for more training.  Mom started to work again. The -30 degree weather has returned.

But somehow, everything turned out just fine. The  kids and I are spending more quality time together again. We are reconnecting with friends from the past and getting out of the house to meet new ones. All of the loneliness I've been feeling lately has forced me to be more independent and it feels great! I hate feeling the loneliness but I love the changes it's making in me, my family and our life.

Picture Challenge: Day 16

Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you.

Rachael Ray... I love the cooking part of her show but the rest of it, I don't usually watch. She inspires me in the kitchen! I like cooking and trying new things.

Picture Challenge: Day 15

Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die.

 An African Safari!!!! I think it would be so amazing! I may have to find a girlfriend who want to go with me though because I don't think my husband would like to go!

Picture Challenge: Day 14

Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without.

My mom... She has been there for me through so much in the past 6 years. I can't imagine going back and doing it all without her. She's an incredible source of strength and support. Especially since Chad has been gone. It's wonderful to see how much she cares for my kids as well. And I love the relationship they all share. Thanks mom!

Picture Challenge: Day 13

Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist.

The Backstreet Boys! Ahhhhh!!! I love them! I grew up with BSB but of course I still love them. AJ was my favorite. And my babies absolutely love to dance to their music. We listen to them all the time since hubby`s not home! LOL

A small vent and some looking on the bright side...

We accomplished grocery shopping today. My goodness is that ever a work out! Not to mention how many times I actually have to go to the store in order to get everything we need. By the time all of the kids are in the cart, there is hardly any room for groceries! I'm taking a mental note to take a picture of the cart next time we go...
Some days we go and it takes us an hour or less to get it all done, packed, and kids back in the van. This time, it was three hours to go through the store!!! Now, this is where the rant comes in. I don't have time to answer question ALL.DAY.LONG!!!! Yes, I realize that  my kids are very cute and they smile and wave and coo when you talk to them but please keep the questions and baby babble under two minutes!!! Is that so much to ask?!

I need a sign stuck to the stroller that states;

 I strongly dislike that walking away doesn't work either. If strangers still have questions, the will walk with me and keep talking!!! Maybe if I teach Atticus to say "Please leave us alone, my mommy is trying to shop." They will listen?! All the moms out there know how challenging it is to shop with kids in the first place, try taking a quiz while you  do your grocery shopping... UGH!

Well, on the positive side of things, the girls are going to be models for an amazing local photographer! I've been looking to book another photo session for them soon so this comes at a great time!

AND!!!

The runner up gift pack for Calgary's cutest baby contest will be ready for pick up in the next few days!!! I'm excited!

...and exhausted...

Picture Challenge: Day 12

Day 12 - A picture of something you love.

 I love tiny babies! Aren't they just so cute!? I just want to cuddle them... And I have to throw in a picture of my cuddly little boy too... :)

 

Sooo adorable! Love, Love, Love!!

Picture Challenge: Day 11

Day 11 - A picture of something you hate.

Winter weather is so gross! It's something I dread every year. Especially now that I have kids. I hate it!!!

Picture Challenge: Day 10

Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most messed up things with.

My Mr. Atticus Moodle. I wouldn't say we do "messed up stuff" together... Just weird stuff. He has a crazy sense of humor and so do I. He is so much fun! 

Picture Challenge: Day 9

Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most.

 This guy will probably be a repeat quite a bit in this Picture Challenge. LOL My husband... The only person who has never let me down and has been there through every tough challenge since I've known him. Thank you for being so supportive Chad!!!

Baking day!

Atticus and I spent the day baking on Saturday and everything turned out AMAZING!! I don't know if it was my awesome little helper or my new stand mixer... I just love everything we made. Poor hubby is living with awful Military food. LOL I tried not to mention the baking day to him! So anyway, I want to share all of the recipes so here goes...

My trusty Banana Bread Recipe 

Changes:

I used whole wheat flour, added extra Banana and cut the sugar by half. Instead of making two loaves I made some mini muffins. They only needed to bake for 30 mins. Both the bread and the muffins are so moist and tasty and make a great snack for Atticus!

Applesauce Spice Muffins

This is my first time trying this recipe. The muffins are just amazing. They have just the right amount of spice and apple flavor. I find apple spice muffins generally have too much of one or the other.

Changes,

I used whole wheat flour, used 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon,  used white sugar (all out of brown) and cut it down by half, used chopped pecans for the nuts and did not make the spice topping. They are sweet enough without it!

These will go on my regular baking list. I think I'll try mini muffins next time since Atticus loves them so much. He also loved eating the batter... lol

Bagels

I have never made Bagels before but thought I'd give it a try! They taste much better than the store bought bagels and are so light and fluffy! I did not take a picture of the bagels because they change shape alot when you boil them so they look kind of crazy! Next time I will pay more attention to the way they are shaped before they go in the water! I guess it doesn't matter because they taste great anyway!

Whole Wheat Bread 

Yes, the loaf looks a little wonky but this bread is good!  I use this recipe about  twice a week. It makes a huge loaf and it's so easy to do in the bread maker! The only changes I make to the recipe is doubling it and using only whole wheat flour. I think the loaf would probably look more normal if I didn't double it. I've never done that before though!

Apple Caramel Pie 

 This is the last recipe I want to share with you today. I made this for Sunday dinner with my family. We all pitch in and do a potluck kind of thing every Sunday. This was my contribution this week and it was a total hit with everyone! I wish I would have taken a picture because it even looked really good.

The changes I made were a homemade pie crust (I just wing it.) and I didn't use any nuts. I also did a basic crumb topping consisting of brown sugar, butter and flour instead of pie crust on top. 

Picture Challenge: Day 8

Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh.

 

I always laugh when I see this picture... This is my 37 week twin belly picture. It really wasn't funny at the time because I was so freaking huge! My back was killing me and there was  NO bending over happening there! It's very funny to think I was ever that round and sticky-outy. I have to share my friend's response when she saw this picture,

"bahahaha you're HUGE!!"  LOL

 

Picture Challenge: Day 7

Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item.

 Definitely my laptop! I use it ALL.THE.TIME! End  of story.

Picture Challenge: Day 6

Day 06 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day.

 

My husband Chad! He has been away doing military training for almost 6 months now. He's not really very good at explaining any aspects of his training or any of the people he works with on a daily basis. I'd love to switch places with him for a day just to see what he actually goes through.... The army is definitely NOT for me! But it would be interesting!

Picture Challenge: Day 5

Day 05 - A picture of your favorite memory

When we went for our ultrasound with second pregnancy after many many weeks of wondering. There were TWO healthy twin GIRLS in there. I can't even begin to describe what it was like... Amazing, emotional, Incredible, unbelievable, wonderful, exciting... A miracle.

I remember looking over at Chad and seeing the tears in his eyes along with the stunned look on his face. It was just amazing. I will never forget that feeling.

Picture Challenge: Day 4

Day 4- A picture of your night.

I do At least 3 loads of laundry every day. With pukey twins who eat solids and slide spend their day on the floor, a 2 year old who is potty training and a mommy who can't seem to stay clean... This is what I do every night. I wish it were less but no matter what I do, I just can't seem to cut it down at all. I really love it when my husband is home and helps out! Some nights I'm tempted to just throw it all in the kids' droors and be done with it! LOL I don't think It will ever come to that though!

Picture Challenge: Day 3

Day 03 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show.

Friends! I grew up watching this show... When we were first married and had no cable, it was always on. LOVE IT!

Picture Challenge: Day 2

Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been close with for the longest

Amy, we met in 2005 while working at a summer camp! Best summer of my life! We are both busy and live far apart but we seem to always pick up where we left off. She's such an amazing friend!

Picture Challenge: Day 1

30 Day Picture Challenge
Day 01 - A picture of yourself with fifteen facts.
Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been close with for the longest.
Day 03 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show.
Day 04 - A picture of your night.
Day 05 - A picture of your favorite memory.
Day 06 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day.
Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item.
Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh.
Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most.
Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most messed up things with.
Day 11 - A picture of something you hate.
Day 12 - A picture of something you love.
Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist.
Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without.
Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die.
Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you.
Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently.
Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity.
Day 19 - A picture of you when you were little.
Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel.
Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget.
Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at.
Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book.
Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change.
Day 25 - A picture of your day.
Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you.
Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member.
Day 28 - A picture of something you're afraid of.
Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile.
Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss.




Day 01 - A picture of yourself with fifteen facts.

15 facts
1. I love things that most people hate. Dishes, laundry, scrubbing the floor.
2. I love being pregnant.
3. I love drama. As long as I'm not involved.
4. I hate flying.
5. I don't like chocolate or ice cream very much.
6. I want to live in Australia.
7. I always wanted to marry someone in the army.
8. I can't stand the taste of mint since the first time I was pregnant.
9. I don't drink.
10. I just learned to drive last year.
11. I have more "me" time than I think I should.
12. I have a really good memory. Especially when it comes to numbers.
13. I hate dancing.
14. I don't like traveling.
15. I'm a cat person.

A little introduction...

Writing a Blog has been a New Years resolution of mine since I was pregnant with my son. This is the first time I have even made an attempt! I suppose that's a step in the right direction. However, with my husband away doing training, I have so little time! To start off, I am going to do a recap of 2010 in photos followed by a 30 day photo challenge just to get into the habit of writing.

New Years Eve 2009/2010. 24 weeks pregnant with the twins.

Atticus in our new Triple stroller. February 2010

Anxiously awaiting the twins. 36 week belly picture. March 2010.

They are finally here!!! After being induced and a perfect labor and delivery, Avah-Lynn and Hadley arrived healthy and went home with us the next day! April 2010.

 

Their one month photo shoot, Done by my sister! May 2010.

Father's Day 2010. 

Playing in the Ocean on our first family vacation. July 2010.

Our first day without Daddy. He left for Basic Training. August 2010.

Atticus and his cousins at his big 2nd birthday bash! September 2010.

The first time all of the kids went Trick or Treating. October 2010.

After Chad's Graduation Parade. We're do proud! November 2010 

The babies in their Christmas dresses. So cute! December 2010.