Though I am extremely excited for Spring and the upcoming warmer weather I was very grateful to have another snowy day with enough snow for snowman-building and snow playing. We didn’t get as much snow as I thought we would this winter and it seemed that every time there was a good snow we already had something planned. I felt so bad my kids never really made it out for a good snow play day. So when it snowed last Friday we made sure to get out.

Our day started with a cute note from Daddy to check for a surprise on the front porch…

Graysen was excited to make snow angels, but for some reason kept calling them sun angels. Carter first said snow was bad to eat, but for almost the entire time could be found face first in the snow-covered ground taking bites of the snow.A couple years ago, Chad’s sister gave us this cute snowman making kit with all these cool wooden painted peg-like pieces I could never find it when we wanted it, but now always store it with our winter gear. We found it quickly this year and all enjoyed using it!

We made a great big daddy snowman (here are the kids holding his hands):

Then later added a two more little snowmen:

Graysen was a great snowman maker and could really make some nice, big, round body balls and head balls!

Carter enjoyed making his own little haven:

and eating more snow of course…

I pulled them around in the sled:

Then Graysen gave it a try:

It was a perfect snow day, because the weather was so nice. The kids were warm and having a blast and though I was done, I could not get them to come inside even with a bribe of hot chocolate. Finally they consented and we enjoyed some mint hot cocoa and buttery popcorn.

Pretty soon afterward, as Carter sat on the couch his head bobbed up and down, then finally he gave in and gave himself a nap. Our snow play must have really worn him out since his napping days are mostly over.

Only four days later this is all that is left of our snowmen…

but we don’t mind. We just hope Spring comes to stay soon.

*Funny kids

Carter says, “I wanna be a Dad,” so he puts on one of Chad’s hats and walks around blindly saying,

“Look! I’m a Dad!”

*Well-mannered, happy kid moments

I finally made it to the DMV after finding out my license was way expired. After waiting in line, frantically filling out paper work, sitting and waiting some more, then finishing up at the counter, we finally left the DMV. As we drove away Graysen said, “Thanks for taking us there mom, that was fun.” I’m glad I could make her day!

*Finding deer out our back window

*Saturday morning snuggles with Daddy

*Playing with my Carter and seeing his sweet, adorable face and lovely lashes 

*Watching my kids dance and prance around in costume

*Carter’s boyish adventuring spirit showing as he rides his power-wheels backward

*When my kids have those heavenly moments of being kind and loving to one another

Loving big sister arm

Best friends

*Picture reminders

I’m grateful I have these pictures to remind me that my kids don’t always fight and there are so many fun moments to love every day.

Have you ever heard of “Popped Wheat Treats”?

Cinnamon-sugar Wheat Snacks

The other day I was flipping through Basic Food Storage Cookbook a recipe and tips book from the LDS Lindon Home Storage Center when I came across “Popped Wheat Treats” I hadn’t ever heard of such a thing before, but as I read on it intrigued me. I am one who loves partially-popped popcorn kernels, corn nuts and all sorts of other yummy, crunchy treats.

Here’s the recipe:

Boil whole wheat kernels until they are plump, tender and begin to split. Drain wheat and rinse. Remove excess water by rolling wheat on a cloth or between paper towels.

(Side note: I cook my wheat on low in a crock pot for about 8-10 hours with 3+ cups of water for 1 cup of whole wheat. Then I’ll just store it in a large container in the fridge. We love to eat ours as a hot breakfast cereal: just use a slotted spoon to drain any extra water, warm in the microwave, mix in some honey and maybe a little salt, pour on some milk and enjoy a yummy, healthy, filling cereal. I also love to use cooked whole wheat in ground beef and also in salads.)

In a short sided pan heat vegetable oil to about 360 degrees F. Put a small amount of wheat (about 3/4 cups) in a wire basket or mesh strainer and deep fry in hot oil for about 1 and a half minutes or until popping slows or ceases.

(Next time I might try baking them in the oven with a little EVOO for a healthier alternative.)

Drain and then transfer to a paper towel.

I seasoned mine with:

Dry ranch mix and a little salt.

Mmm.

I also tried:

Cinnamon, sugar and a little salt (results pictured at top of post).

Both kinds are yummy. It was really great with just plain salt too. The seasoning possibilities are endless! The recipe mentions using this crunchy wheat as salad toppings, in trail mix, dessert toppings or just as a snack.

Let me know if you’ve heard of these or had them before or if you will be trying this fun, unique, yummy, crunchy snack. Enjoy!

Thanks for all your guesses and comments on my previous pregnancy post. It was a lot of fun to read what you thought and why. Some of you seem to know me and my pregnancies or just understand that usually with a third it all shows sooner then with your first pregnancy and maybe even sooner then with a second pregnancy. It also might have helped you to know that though I am normally tall and thin this is the size to which I will most likely grow…

3 weeks before Graysen was born

One Month Before Carter's Due

The Day Carter was Born

Once you get that huge there is no more “normal-sized” pregnancies. I’m blessed that I really don’t get very sick in the first trimester, though I did feel more stomach pains and such this time around then I remember before. My pregnancy reality is a giantly huge, superly uncomfortable, stretching, tearing, hurting belly. Here’s more of my reality: a post I made about all my funny attention soon before Carter was born.

So seeing that and reading that do you want to change your guess? Well some of you were pretty close and don’t need to change. Someone even guessed exactly right on, one guessed in the right range, one guessed a week ahead and one the week after. The lowest was 10 weeks and the highest guess was 24 weeks.

The exact on winner is… my cousin RACHEL, who guessed 14 weeks! Also my friend Brittany Renshaw gets winner credit for guessing 14-15 weeks. In the picture in question (and shown below, right) I was exactly 14 weeks pregnant, taken Feb. 13th.

With my first I was just starting to show at 14 weeks, but with my third it looks like I should be at least starting my third trimester. Sadly to say I am now just over 15 weeks and have recently only finished my first trimester. I am not looking forward to the next 5+ months of being huge and pregnant; I am already having trouble sleeping and lugging around my belly. I am, however, looking forward to finding out the gender of our baby the end of March and more especially meeting our newest addition the beginning of August.

My official due date right now is August 14th, but seeing how for some odd reason my belly gets so big and my babies do too, my new doctor is planning to induce me about a week early. I am praying to have a smaller baby this time so that my belly won’t hurt so bad and recovery afterward will be much better then with my 8 pound daughter and my 9.5 pound son, that would be a nice reality.

Here’s a little idea that might be fun for you and your family tonight or soon:

Last Monday, Chad made an Olympic Torch and Cauldron. He let Graysen and Carter help with the cutting and join in the fun. They also drew pictures of the United States Flag and the Olympic Rings. Then for Family Home Evening he put a little flashlight inside the torch and tea light in the small cauldron and with the lights off we had a short family Olympic Torch hand-off and lighting ceremony.

Next we turned on the Olympics and watched together as we drank some Olympic Smoothies. (We made my cousin’s spinach smoothie recipe and called them Olympic Smoothies since they were super healthy, yummy and for our Olympic watching night.) It was fun to see the kids get excited about it and cheer on USA. They were great at finding the Olympic rings and the USA flag on TV during the games. Even when we ran errands after they had done their flag drawings they were great at pointing out the flag.

The next day both kids wanted to wear their American flag shirts and watch more Olympics. (Though we didn’t have time to watch more that day with me being in charge of Young Women New Beginnings and needing to get ready all the last minute things.) We have watched more here and there. We aren’t big TV watchers or sport watchers, but watching the Olympics is definitely fun and worth tuning in when we have an evening free or little time during the day.

We’ve kept Chad’s homemade torch and cauldron sitting out all week and will until the Olympics end. I’d love to try some more Olympic traditions, what are yours? Enjoy fun Olympic Spirit at your house! Go USA!