The Petersons: July 2008

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Our Family

On Tuesday, we had our family pictures taken. It was so much FUN! The photographer (my very talented cousin) thought it would be fun to capture us doing the playful things we do as a family. It was so nice not to worry about coordinating outfits or exhaust ourselves with trying to get the kids to look at the camera and smile. I love, love, love how the pictures turned out. Here is a little taste...

p.s. click on the Green Apple Photography link under my Favorite Peoples to see more...Enjoy!

A Little Bird's Nest

Today, my neighbors and I discovered a little bird's nest in one of my hanging flower pots. We peeked inside to see four little light blue speckled eggs. We kept hearing the mama bird every morning, but couldn't quite figure out where the noise was coming from...but today the mystery was solved. However, a new problem has arised. My poor flowers are drying up and wirthering away, since I haven't watered the pot since I discovered the eggs. Oh well, we are excited to welcome the new little baby birds!

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Glaittli Family Fest 2008

We had a fantastic family reunion this weekend with the Tim's Glaittli family. We went camping up at Washington Lake in Heber. The kiddos had the time of their life running through the forest, playing in the dirt and being outdoors. Now, there is something you must understand about the Glaittli's family reunions...they go ALL out (sometime themed) and always including lots of FUN! The closes thing I can relate it to is my McDermott Family "themed" Christmas parties (I'll have to dedicate a post to "The McDermott's Christmas Party" this December, so you can get a taste of what I am talking about). Anyway, we had a Hat Hop, we did LOTS of crafts, we had movie nights, went hiking, the kids marched in a parade (well, kind of...you'll see), and ate AWESOME meals all day long! Oh...and I almost forgot my favorite part....the Dance-Off! Avery and George stole the show with their fancy dances moves and unique styles. I cherished every moment with giggles and smiles as they entertained us all! I love my little babes! The man who started it all and is responsible for our awesome Glaittli family...Grandpa George!

Craft time...working with the beads. Aunt Jessie and Timmy are helping Avery make a bracelet.

Tim working on the wood burin part of all our walking sticks and I did all the leather and bead work. I'll have to post a picture of them...they turned out pretty cool.

Avery showin' off her fancy bracelet...lucky girl!

Here is a little leather purse I made for Avery. She loved it!

George kept entertained with some licorice...can ya tell? I believe it was his first time eating licorice and he seemed to enjoy it a little too much...

Parade Time...Avery made a hat and some musical instrument craft for the march...

but she didn't end up marching after all...Daddy had to carry her. Looks like he had all the FUN! Avery was in a bit of a sour mood. She had just woke-up from a nap.

George didn't march either, instead he enjoyed being strolled around in the excitment by his awesome cousin Matt...thanks Matt, for taking such good care of George!

Some how Matt managed to convince George to stretch his legs for the second round of the marching parade!

The sand, dirt, and toys...were a lifesaver! All the kids enjoyed hours of entertainment in harmony, since there were plenty of toys for everyone! Seriously...there was no fighting over sand toys...it was AMAZING!

The Hat Hop. And NO, I'm not ruinning my boy, this is the only hat George would wear, let alone keep on his head. The girls thought it was cute and snagged him for a picture with them. But it's pretty cute though!

Our little Dancing Queen!

The Hike. It was beautiful.

The Glaittli Clan.

Avery fell asleep on our way back...she was exhausted.

Until next year!

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Dilly Dally Photo Shoot #2

We had a few more pictures taken along with some of our product for our website. We are slowly making progress...really just baby steps. Here are a few of my favorites...

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Cruisin' the Green Court

Avery loves to take her bike for a ride around the green court, usually Conner (our neighbor) will join her for a morning cruise. The only thing that slows her down is the handle bar getting loose and twisting to the side. If only we cold figure out how to make it stick. Maybe it's just time for a new bike...I know Avery has had her eye on some bicycles... While Avery is cruisin', George enjoys his new hobby...ant watching!

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

The Taste of Paint

I'm not sure what water color paint taste like, but I'm sure George could tell me all about it...silly kid!
George enjoyed his first experience with painting...it lasted about 10 minutes.

Avery & George's Quotes of the Day

Now that George is starting to talk. I have added him to the quotes of the day. Here is a little intro to welcome George to the talking world of kids! He can say several words, but here are my favorites: Georgie, mama, dada, Avery, one (he'll tell you how old he is as he points his index finger), Nemo, whale, juice (sounds like juu-juu), elephant, thumper, outside, nin nin (what he calls his binkie), ni-night, bu-bye, hi, hello, shoes and all the car noises. George is very loud and gets excited about the littlest things. He loves to play with his food, line up his cars and say "choo-choo", he loves to go outside and find bugs, especially ants. George can now open & closed doors. For some reason he really likes all the doors to be closed. I love his curly hair and big belly. I've been told by people that he has a "santa belly", but nonetheless people love his gut and it currently is one of his defining features. George loves to be silly, laugh, wrestle and get tickled. I love my Georgie! 10.12.08
So today I asked Avery if she would like to call Aunt Jessica and sing Happy Birthday. She responded "sure, mom how old is Jessie?" I told her Jessica is turning 33. Avery said, "mom, Jessie is going to be three like me?". I explained to her that she has a 3 in her age, but she has 30 years on Avery. Then, Avery got a little upset and in a cute whinny voice said, "but I want to be older than Jessie". I told Avery...maybe in another life. That seemed to appease her for the moment. 10.10.08
Avery calls the crust of bread..."crunch". I've tried to correct her, but I just decided to let it be for now...it's her own special thing...and one of the very few things that helps me remember that she is only 3. Anyone that knows Avery well knows that she is very ariculate (she can pronounce words better than I can), she has an incredible memory and a brillant understanding of relationship (all kinds). She sure keeps me on my toes. Thanks Avery. 9.29.08
George is starting to talk more. My favorite moment was while I was away at my tradeshow, George said to me over the phone "I wove oooo" (translation: I love you). I almost cried. It made my whole day. Thanks Georgie! 9.10.08
Today we went on a nice morning walk. As we were headed home I suggested to the kids that we stop at a park. Avery responded with "That's a Fantastic idea, mom!" I just giggled to myself. I sure love her responses 8.06.08
When we were in the car this afternoon, I put on some new lotion. Avery instantly said, "mom, I smell something...sniff, sniff...something good. Did you clean the car?" you gotta love that little mind of hers! 7.23.08
Tonight, Tim had to take a phone call for work and went outside not to be interputed. I told Avery and George that Dad was on an important phone call and they needed to stay inside (as they were desperately trying to get out the door). Then Avery grabbed her princess phone and headed towards the door as she said, "Mom, I need to take an important phone call and I need to go outside, so George can't hear me."...really! 7.22.08
We were talking about missions and Avery said she wanted to go on a mission. I asked her where she would like to go on her mission, she replied "to the princessess" 7.16.08
While I was saying a prayer on our lunch today, Avery looked at me with one eye slightly opened and said, "mom, I love you"...I cherish the random "I love yous" I get throughout each day. 7.16.08
Avery freaked out when she saw a spider on the porch this morning and screamed at me, "hold me RIGHT now, young lady"...excuse me Avery? It was actually too funny that I couldn't get upset. 7.14.08
Why this? Why that? Why when? Why how? Why who?...Why?, Why?, Why? Avery has officially hit the "why" stage of childhood. Any advice? 7.11.08
When I got home from the dentist this afternoon, Avery had a whole lot of questions about where I had been. I explained to her that I had my teeth cleaned and as I smiled to show her, I asked if they looked nice? She said, "yah...(pause)..they're yellow!" I told her they must not have cleaned them very good. I love the honesty. 7.10.08
This morning Avery was examining her scabbed knees that were healing and said "I want my cousin Ashty to pull me down again, so I can get more bruises" ...huh? What a silly girl! 7.10.08

Heathly Living

Tim and I are striving to live a more healthy lifsetyle. We have been exercising more frequently and also making better choices when it comes to eating. We are trying to eat more whole foods, sweets in moderation and the tough one...to eat meat sparingly. So, I thought it would be fun to post some of the new recipes I am trying out. Some of them are absolutley fabulous. Enjoy~

This salad has been refered to as the "famous salad" amongst our neighbors. We eat it about once a week. It's one of our recent favorites. Once again, compliments to the "Original Fast Food"

Oriental Salad
1 1/2 cups carrots, shredded
1 zucchini, cut into thin matchstick slices
1 1/2 cups mung bean sprouts
3 cups Napa cabbage, finely chopped
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1/2 lb whole-grain pasta

Combine salad ingredients into large bowl.

Peanut Dressings for Oriental Salad
1 tsp fresh garlic minced
1 inch fresh ginger root, peeled and finely chopped
1 tsp chicken bouillon
1/3 cup natural peanut butter
1/3 cup honey
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 cup Braggs Liquid Aminos
2 Tbsp rice vinegar
1 tsp chili-garlic sauce

Combine dressing ingredients into a blender. Blend until warm. Pour dressing on salad, toss, and serve. Enjoy!

After making this recipes several times. I think have it down and it's a fantastic bread recipe...thanks to the book "Original Fast Food"

Whole Wheat Bread (yield: 4 loaves)

1/2 cup warm water
2 Tbsp yeast
1 Tbsp honey
4 1/2 cups hot water
13 cups whole-wheat flour
1 cup honey
1 Tbsp salt

Combine warm water, yeast, and 1 Tbsp honey in small bowl. In separate mixing bowl combine 4 1/2 cups hot water with 7 cups flour and mix well. Add honey, salt and activated yeast mixture and mix again. Add additional 5 to 6 cups flour and knead until smooth and elastic. Divide into four oiled pans. Allow to rise double original size. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes. Enjoy! It's delicious!

Whole Wheat Pancakes/Waffles Recipe
2 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder (non-aluminum)
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Pinch of salt
2 Tbsp applesauce
1 1/4 cup coconut milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cup water
1-4 Tbsp honey

Add all ingredients into mixing bowl and mix batter. Cook on a non-stick or lightly greases skillet or waffle iron...and enjoy!

*I usually put yogart, honey, or Grade B Maple syrup on them instead of the sugary yummy syrup. My kids loved the pancakes, which is my way of testing recipes. If my kids love them, I love them!

This past weekend, I was able to attend a "Original Fast Foods" cooking/food prep class. I loved it! I learned so much and have been striving to implement the healthier choice of foods in our diet. I will share some of the info soon!

The Petersons