LOVE!

Elliana is pretty much being loved to death!  The kids can't get enough of her.  One day she was very uncomfortable with a tummy ache.  I had tried feeding her, bouncing her, walking her but nothing was helping.  I laid her down to change her diaper and started massaging her legs.  All of the other five kids surrounded her on the floor.  Lexi started rubbing her tummy, Tanner started massaging her right arm and Anna had her left.  My instinct was to shoo them all out and let Elliana have a little peace and quiet but I looked around at each of them as they were all singing her primary songs and massaging even just a limb that they were all trying so hard to help little Elliana in whatever way they could.  I realized that this was a moment that I didn't want to ever end.  Our little home has been overflowing with love this summer.

Girls' Getaway

I've found a new blog I adore - 71toes.com - and in it she talks about getaways with her sisters.  Their sisters getaways (more here) are MFME: Mothers and Future Mothers of Eyrealm (their family).  I adore this idea.  Getting together to laugh, eat delicious food, enjoy sunshine (ideally) and discuss how to improve ourselves.  I know we are all very busy, so it would be difficult to orchestrate, but who would really be up for a weekend away?  Maybe St. George or California or Bear Lake?  I could do the planning (at some point Events Planning became part of my job title...) if everyone is up for it.  I know that means arranging husbands' work schedules, your own work schedules, extracurricular activities, etc.  Work, but worth it?

Thoughts?

Baby Animal Days!

Sisters!!!

All of you should plan to bring your kiddo's up (or yourselves!) and come to baby animal days with Dusty and I! We will be going on Friday, April 3rd and will probably get over there around 11:30AM. It is $7 for kids 3-11 and $9 for 12 and up. If you bring a canned good you get a dollar off each ticket.

They have all sorts of fun things going on- check out the website and please comment or text me if you're interested so we can figure everything out!

:D

We were thinking that we could also do a picnic lunch by our house at a fun park or on Old Main. Let me know if you'd be interested in that as well :)

https://www.awhc.org/index.php/babyanimaldays/

Cruise Pictures

I bought these gems from the cruiseline.  They cost a mint, but really - how could I not?  What fun girls we have in our family.  I love how much fun they make life and how often they crack me up.  I can't look at these without grinning (especially picture #1). 

:)

Special Dates

So!  Check out what I added right over in that sidebar.  -->  A quick little list of all birthdays and anniversaries, as they are hard to track!  I am missing a few anniversaries, so if you can let me know yours if it's missing that would be grand!  Also, let me know if you see any errors.  :)

-Rachel

Dr. Suess!

LADIES!!!

Yesterday was Dr. Suess' birthday so I found this AMAZING deal!!!! This is everything I got for FIVE DOLLARS! I think the sale doesn't last long and that is a steal of a deal so if you want it- sign up quick!!!

The website it www.funbooks1.com
Use promo code: 010315

The Tooth Book Go, Dog, Go! Ten Apples up on Top! The Cat in the Hat Mr. Brown Can Moo!	$5.95
Dr. Seuss Activity Book Dr. Seuss Stickers	FREE
Dr. Seuss Growth Chart Seuss Book Stickers Seuss Reading Stickers	FREE
Shipping and Handling	FREE
Tax	$0.00
Total	$5.95

Protein Cookies- soo yummy :)

Sisters!

My boss, Julie, is super great with nutrition and she recently gave me this recipe for protein cookies. There is just over 100 calories in one cookie and lots of protein. I made them today and they are yummmmmy. Give them a try :)

Protein Cookies 
1/3 cup unsweetened apple sauce
2 Tablespoons almond paste
          -(I don't want to pay for it so I just one ounce of cream cheese and it tastes great)
1 Tablespoon flaxseed oil
          -(I also didn't want to pay for this so I just use 1 Tablespoon of olive oil)
10 packets of Truvia
1/4 cup agave nectar
1 large egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla
3/4 cup whole wheat flour (white flour works just as well- just not as healthy)
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/2 cup vanilla whey powder

combine all these ingredients- mix with a hand mixer.

Then add and mix in:
2 cups oats
1 cup dried cherries (any dried fruit- I've used cranberries and they were delicious)
1/2 cup sliced almonds
*I add some chocolate chips as well or Dusty won't eat them ;) I think they taste really good with just the cherries instead of chocolate chips though.

Spoon onto a lightly greased cookie sheet.
Bake at 325 for 12 minutes or until the tops are light brown.