Myles

Sweet little baby boy.  What a precious gift from God!

Always such a happy baby and such a blessing that you were added to our family!

Starting to gain your independence and loving to play with some "big kid toys"

That mischievous grin on your face always makes me smile and wonder what you're thinking of doing next. 

You've grown to be such a wonderful toddler.  Always exploring the world around you and loving life to the fullest.

I thank God every single day that you are a part of this family.  I am so glad that I get to be your mama.  Love you so much!  

Happy Birthday Myles!

Mama

Baking Bug

I woke up the other morning with the baking bug.  We were planning to make Barrett's teacher's gifts this morning (cinnamon and sugar pretzel nuggets), but I've already made Honey Oat Quick Bread and Maple Whole Wheat Bread.  I'm thinking about making loaves of Peppery Onion Bread and White Bread too.  Those might wait til later on :)

The cinnamon and sugar pretzel nuggets are so fast, easy and sooooooo GOOD!  I got the recipe from my mother-in-law at one of my bridal showers (almost 9 years ago!).  They are a wonderfully easy gift to make or a good last minute thing to bring to a party.  In this house we're lucky if they make it out the door.

Here's the recipe...
15-18 oz bag of pretzels (nuggets are best, but I've used twists, rings and sticks before)
2/3 cup canola oil
1/3 cup sugar
2 tsp cinnamon

Dump pretzels into large microwave safe bowl.  Pour oil, sugar and cinnamon over the pretzels and mix well.  Microwave on high for 2 minutes.  Stir.  Microwave on high an additional 3-4 minutes until oil is absorbed (stirring every minute).  Let cool before serving or bagging up to give away.

And here's a picture of the Honey Oat Quick Bread.  The recipe can be found here.  

It's so easy and amazing... you have to try it!

Yes, that is Batman and the Joker in the background.  

In case you want to try it (I didn't take a picture before it got eaten) here is the recipe for the Maple Whole Wheat Bread.

Hope the baking bug bites you sometime soon!  

Megan

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!  

I hope everyone had a wonderful day celebrating the birth of Jesus!

Megan

Living Nativity

Last night we had our first annual Live Nativity at Messiah UMC.  I thought I would share a few pictures with everyone.  These were taken by wonderful people at Messiah who have great talent!

Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus (not a real baby... it was too cold)

Camel

The Three Wise Guys

Beautiful Angels

Early Christmas Eve Service

Myles didn't want to stand for a picture and Barrett wouldn't let him go.

If you would like to see more pictures go here and you can see them all.

It was a wonderful evening full of friends, family, laughter, and reflection on the true meaning of Christmas.  

Rejoice!  A Savior Is Born! 

Megan

Spinning Round and Round

Does anyone like to spin?  I don't.  I did as a kid, but I really don't like feeling dizzy anymore.  Several months ago I picked up a couple of sit and spins from the thrift store.  I haven't regretted it yet.  The boys love to sit (and spin).  I caught some pictures of their most recent spin-a-thon and thought I would share with you.

Here they go, side by side.

I love the look on his face here.  Trying to keep concentration.

The smile is still able to been seen even through the spin.

Just so you could see how fast he goes... he about flies off of there!

I hope you enjoyed these as much as I do.  They have so much fun playing downstairs and it's so nice to have a place indoors to let them burn off some of their energy!

Megan

Wonderful Day

What a wonderful day we had today.  We got up, got ready and went to church (both boys went to Sunday School, which doesn't always happen).  After church my parents took the boys back to their house so my wonderful hubby and I could get some Christmas shopping done.  I have to tell you, I didn't realize how much we needed the afternoon together.  We got almost everything completely done.  There are just a few things left to get.  What's better than getting most of the shopping done?  I got to spend an entire 4 hours of uninterrupted time alone with my husband.  It was amazing!  We really needed it.

It is as obvious to everyone else in this picture that he's a foot taller than me?

What's your favorite thing to do on a date with your significant other?
Hoping that you get to spend some quality time with the one you love!

Megan

Double Peppy Pizza with Boz

(source)

My kids have recently found a new love (as far as watching tv goes) in Boz the Green Bear. If you haven't heard of this, you really need to check it out. It is an awesome preschool dvd series that combines faith and education. I even love watching this. If you've been around us during any meal you've heard Barrett say grace. The prayer he prays he learned from Boz the Green Bear. His version goes like this...

"Thank you God for my family and my friends.  Taking time to sit and pray, thank you God for this great day."  

And then he goes on and thanks God for whatever is on his mind that day.  Lately that's been letters since we got a new Boz video (B-O-Zs and 1-2-3s!).   Myles talks along with him and they do a joint "AMEN" with hands in the air (which they learned from Carol- our fantastic Children's Ministry Director at Messiah UMC).  It's adorable... I really should video tape it sometime so everyone can see it.

The first video we got was Bananas, Bubbles and Busy Bodies.  Boz makes "double peppy pizza" with Drew, Grace and Mrs. Baxter.  Barrett has been asking to make this for weeks (maybe months).  So, we finally did.  

They had so much fun adding peppers, onions and tomatoes to their pizza's.

Here's the finished product, pre-baking.

Put them in the oven.  (Ignore the dirty oven)

Final product.  They were delicious and so much healthier than pepperoni (which is usually Barrett's choice).  I'm so glad they made dinner for us and hope they do it again!

Maybe you'll have some double peppy pizza for dinner tonight!

Megan

Holy Yoga

I've been wanting to take yoga for a long time.  I searched to find the right class for me.  I finally came across Holy Yoga.  This is the place where I relax and renew myself every week.  I take the Gentle Yoga class.  We stretch and pose while listening to christian music and praying.  The instructor, Crystal, reads bible verses and a has a message every week.  Last time it was right on the money for what I needed to hear.  

It's amazing how God works like that, don't you think?

Here's what it's all about...

Mission Statement- Holy Yoga is an experiential worship created to deepen people's connection to Christ.  Our sole purpose is to facilitate a Christ honoring experience that offers and opportunity to believers and non-believers alike to authentically connect to God through His Word, worship, and wellness. (source)

You can also check out Holy Yoga: Twin Cities on facebook.  This has all of the                                         class times available in the Twin Cities area.

Here's to making a Foundation in Christ.

Megan  

Daily Three

Does anyone else have some blogs that you check daily?  I have three and I have them all delivered to my email every day (that they post).  I look forward to the little ding of my blackberry telling me that they've arrived.  I'm always looking for something new to read, let me know if you have a blog!

The Small Things Blog

Kate has some awesome hair tutorials that are really easy to follow, a few decorating tips, some cooking, fashion and gives me a good laugh every once in awhile.  She also has an etsy shop with some cute jewelry she and her sister make.

IHeart Organizing

Jen has a super organization blog.  She has three boys (which I can relate to, well I have two) and likes neatness and order... aka organization.  I think she might be my organization twin living in a different state.  She's just better at it than I am.  She also has an etsy shop with some great organizational tools.

Schilling Times

This is one that I just found.  Kenzie's story is amazing!  The strength she finds in her faith is inspiring.  I look forward to following her blog about being a stay at home mama with three kids.

Happy Blogging Everyone!

Megan