Visitors!

Last week my Mother and Sister came to visit!  I haven't seen my mother in 9 months.  This was her first time to Idaho and her first time meeting her grandson!

 

Little Lady was ready to greet her at the airport.

 

Welcome to Boise!

 

After picking her up from the airport, we took her to see (per Colette's request) Cabela's and Costco.  But of course.

 

 

She got some good baby cuddles in that first night.

 



 

The next day, Kathleen flew in.  We picked her up after our church play group.

That night I made us a nice holiday type meal with turkey, parsnips, Brussels sprouts and delicious paleo pecan bars.

 

 

Kathleen got some cuddling of her own in too.

Saturday, we had a sleigh ride planned!  It was at Idaho Sleigh Rides in Garden Valley, so about an hour drive. 

 

Everyone was nice and bundled up for the ride!  We've had an inversion for a couple weeks now.  It keeps the cold air in the valley, so it was actually warmer for the sleigh ride (out of the valley) than we've been in Boise.  All the smog and cold temperatures get stuck here - it was in the single digits while they were visiting.  The temps are finally going up into the 30's, but the smog is still here (think thick fog) - I'm ready for it to move on, I'd like to see the mountains again!

 

Everyone hopped on board and got ready for the ride.

 



 

He was more interested in being cuddled - I obliged.

 



 

Sisters!

 

 

Sun glasses are ESSENTIAL!  Gotta love that Idaho sun!

 

 

She had fun!  It was a nice simple ride.  Not the best we've had, but a good deal for the price. 

 



Now my Mom and Kathleen can say they've gone on a horse drawn sleigh ride in the snow!  My Mom was very interested in how the sleigh was built and all that fun stuff.

 



 

Afterwards, we all enjoyed the wood stove and a warm drink!  Mom looks totally gray right here - misleading.

 

We decided to drive back home a different way, showing them some of the Idaho scenery.  Seriously, isn't that awesome?

 

We all got to see a bunch of cow (female) elk in different areas!  My first time seeing them.

We did a little detour to the hot springs we visited on Father's Day.

 

People were enjoying them!

 



 

Mom dipped her feet in.....while wearing her boots.....

 

They opted for the fully clothed tour.  Can you see the steam?

 



 

Of course, little lady being the free spirit she is - she wanted to get her toes in there!

 

Take a close look at the picture above and then check out the next one.

 

 

Same spot!

 

 

And she wanted to do it again.

 

The steam had frozen to the trees.

 

We then drove the rest of the way home - a long, happy, cramped car ride home.  Yay.

 

And then we went to Outback.

 

The next day......Canyon got baptized!  We did a nice little ceremony after mass.  Deacon Mike did the honors.

 

There is a little chapel on the side of the church and that is where they do baptisms when they aren't done during mass.  Kathleen is the Godmother and my Mom stood in as the proxy for the Godfather - Gene!  Some of our friends from church stayed after mass to attend and Deacon Mike got all the kids involved, having them help bless the water. 

 

 

It was awesome to be able to have them here for the baptism.

 

He wore the same gown that Colette wore - and that my Mother and all her siblings and at least one of my cousins wore.

 

It was a good day.

 

Happy Papa.

 

We then had brunch and took Kathleen to Cabela's (per HER request).

 

The next morning I got up ridiculously early (before 4am), after Little Man had been waking up every hour, and took Kathleen to the airport.

 

I then made an awesome paleo breakfast for my Mom, Colette and me and we enjoyed my Mom's last day here.

 

Cauliflower scrambled eggs in red pepper, bacon and kiwi.  Mmmmmmm.

 

I treated my Mom to a massage and took Little Lady to play at Bodies in Motion while she was getting it.

 

I really don't think they had play places like this when I was a kid.

 

Let's her get her inner monkey out when it is super cold outside.

 

Trying on her glasses - like I used to do when I was a kid. 

 

She used that final night to get lots of grandkid time in,

 

and some good grandbaby cuddles in.

I took her to the airport bright and early the next morning.  It was a good visit.  She seems to be doing really well and I'm hoping things work out well and she continues to do even better.  Colette LOVED seeing them.  Hopefully she got in enough cuddles to last 'till we are able to make it out to Maryland this summer! 

 

Going Paleo

Have you heard of the paleo diet?  AKA Hunter Gatherer, Caveman, Paleolithic?  It is basically a style of eating that is basically "if cavemen didn't have access to it, don't eat it."  I'd heard about it before and thought it was interesting, but never went further.  Chris actually brought up that he wanted to give it a try.  It is supposed to have a significant impact on many aspects of overall health and naturally correct certain issues such as high cholesterol, high triglyceride levels, and high bp, just to name a few.  It is also supposed to help prevent plaque caused diseases, like atherosclerosis and alzheimers amyloid plaques.  I said we'd give it a try for a month, see how we feel, see if it is doable and go from there.



So, we've gone Paleo.



And I think this is going to be a permanent change.



What does it entail? 

Well, no grains. So, no bread, no pasta, no rice, no oatmeal, no quinoa. No dairy, no butter.  No soy either.  No sugar.  No beans.  No legumes.

 

Paleo coffee (I know, it's a stretch).  No sugar, no creamer.

Yes to meats, fish, veggies, fruits, nuts and seeds and honey.

So steak and bacon and eggs......hmmmmm, wonder why Chris was so willing to try it. :)




I'm not as strict with Little Lady, kind of easing her into it, but I have been rather surprised by the changes in her.  She hasn't been having massive tantrums.  She isn't putting up huge fights to go to bed at night.  I'm a rather skeptical person, but I'm realizing there might be something to this whole gluten thing.  She has been super "lovey" - giving hugs and wanting to cuddle.  It was an adjustment at first, but she is actually eating her veggies now - there is no other option.  This girl is also a steak eater - she loves her red meat - so that is working out just fine for her.

 

Enjoying her cauliflower and red pepper omelet with mango and kiwi.

We also have a freezer full of grass fed beef and venison - just right for the paleo lifestyle.  I had mentioned we were going to buy a 1/4 cow.  We did.  We went with Hardtrigger Canyon.  A nice, family run local place.  We've been pleased. 



I will say it takes a good deal of prep.  I get bulk fruit and veggies and process them - freezing some and having some cut and ready in the fridge.  Chris got me an awesome dehydrator for Christmas and I'll be using that to make snacks we can have on hand while we are out and about.  I actually just made my first batch of venison jerky! 

There are lots of things you can use to replace things.  Like almond meal replaces traditional flour.  Coconut oil can replace butter.  Tamari replaces soy sauce.  Almond milk and coconut milk replace milk.  Not a cheap way of eating though....


So far, we're feeling good.  I'll let you know how it goes.  Chris is finally off soda.  That is huge.   He said this is the longest he has gone without a soda in over 15 years.  I haven't had soda in several weeks.  Seriously, that stuff is a drug.  Sugars too. 

 

Getting creative with it.  A good way to get Little Lady to eat her greens....

Chris will have blood work done in a couple weeks and we'll see how everything looks and go from there!  I do think we will be doing this, or at least most of this, lifestyle for the long term.  We'll keep you updated!

I shared two favorite recipes we've come across on my other blog, craftymamak.blogspot.com.  I've gotten it put together a bit better now.  Feel free to share it! 

Just had to share....

I was looking through pictures Chris uploaded from his phone and came across a couple I had to share......

 

My little girl is growing up. 

 

 

Seriously.  Where is the time going?

 

 

Have I mentioned she loves to sing?

 

 

Like, REALLY loves to sing.

 

 

She is also a goof.

 

This was in the lodge at Bogus on Christmas Day.

My monkeys.

 



 

 

Silly Monkeys.

 

 

My Men.

 

 

My baby.

 

 

These made me smile.  Hope you did too.

 

 



Family Hike Night: WINTER EDITION Camel's Back

Okay, so this wasn't exactly a hike and it wasn't at night, but we did return to Camel's Back park for some family fun.  This was Chris' last week before school starts up again and we got some good snow this week, so we decided to give sledding another try - at a closer, smaller hill than Bogus.

 

We broke out the good old Ziffy Whomper and put it to use again.

 

He was all bundled up and ready to observe.

 

 

This was her first trip down.

 

She got seriously into it!  She would tuck her head down and lift up her feet, reducing drag as much as possible!

 

 

Such a big girl!

 

She got a work out in that day!

 

Some people were doing the big hill, but it wasn't really snowy.  Since it is basically sandy, I guess the snow doesn't stick around there very long.  People weren't having much luck on it.  I was very impressed - any trees that were at the bottom had bales of hay strapped around the trunk, in case anyone got up close and personal with them.

 

 

A reminder of how it looks in the summer.

 

 

So, sledding was a big success!  Papa even took a couple trips down!

 

 

 

Sew much fun!

I think I can officially say I have a hobby now.  Almost a year ago, a friend from highschool posted on facebook that she had upgraded her sewing machine and was selling her old one.  I jumped on it, with the bonus of a free lesson from her on how to use it!  Erin gave me a clear, concise, beginners lesson that jumpstarted me into something I had wanted to try for a while!  Thank you Erin!  I started in March of last year.  Here are some of my projects since then.

 

 

This was my first sewing project.  It is a wet bag (for cloth diapers or really any wet clothing).  It was a very ambitious first project, with the zipper and everything.  Lots of lessons learned.  The zipper does not move very smoothly.

 

 

This was my second project, my diaper bag.  I had the fabric and everything for almost two years before I actually made it.  Once Erin showed me how to use the machine, I attacked it!  Zippered pocket, magnetic clasp, several pockets and a liner!

 

 

Just between you and me, I totally screwed up the handles on this bag.  Wasn't paying enough attention when I put it together....

 

 

That looks better!  I am a remnant bin shopper.  This bag is perfect for using scraps.

 

I made an owl pillow for Little Lady for her transition to a big girl bed.  Lots of different textures.

 

 

I made a replica of my diaper bag, different patterned fabric, and just sent it off to my cousin who is expecting her first son!

 

This bag is so easy, I keep making it.  I'm playing around with it and adding a liner now.

 

I made little lady a pair of pajama pants for Christmas.  The remnant bin is GREAT during the holidays!

 

I made stockings for the kids.  They have beautful red liners too.  Again, awesome finds in the remnant bins.  These cost less than $5 total in the end!

 

I made a cloth cube for Little Man for one of his Christmas presents.

 

I made a fabric turtle for a friend of ours.  He has a fun striped belly!

 

This was Little Man's other present.  Cloth rings to hold onto and gnaw!

 

It is something that keeps me challenged and producing something and I like to share this stuff with others.  I've also decided to start another blog with crafts, kids activities and household ideas.  I'm still putting it together, but it is craftymamak.blogspot.com.  Take a look and consider following it.  I have lots of projects to add already.  It should be a good site for Mom's with kids at home or anyone that likes homemaking. I might venture into some homesteading as well.  I'll let you know when it is ready and I'd love if you would share it or specific posts that look fun.

 

Thanks!

2012 in Review

Happy New Year!  2012 was a crazy year for us.  We tried to fit as many life stressors into one year as possible - just get 'em all over with at one time.

 Let's see, January started out with good old family craziness that seemed more Jerry Springer than I ever would have imagined would have been possible in my extended family - although the last couple years have just been crazy in that sense.  I am really hoping 2012 has seen that influence wrapped up.  Things are looking promising as far as that is concerned, but you never know.  No need to go into the details, many of you know and we'll leave the past in the past.  We also found out in January that Little Lady was going to be a big sister!  We also put our condo and house on the market in our process of getting ready to move to Boise.  We had announced to our families we were moving in November of 2011, and this was just the continuation of that plan.  I also began the process of wrapping up my home daycare business. 

 

She was so tiny!  And still at that point she was giving herself bruises all the time, hence the shiner.  She was my helper, getting everything ready for our move!

We got an offer on our house a week after it was listed and an offer on our condo about a month after it was listed.  We had invested a lot of time and a bit of money getting them in tip top shape and it paid off.  Our house was a short sale, our condo was not, but we were out the entire down payment we put on it.  Times are tough and, in all reality, I don't see the economy getting any better.  Times are probably going to get much tougher, but us being in Idaho has made things much easier on our family financially.  Not having those mortgages over us with properties that were loosing value and property taxes that were going up is a lifesaver. 

The next couple months we just got ready to move.  Chris had been doing job search stuff, looking into possible travel nursing.  I finished up my daycare in March, right when Chris headed to Boise for a week to do a hard push on the job search - a month before we were slated to move out here.  He had three interviews while out here.  He got a good feel with the interviews, but didn't get any offers before heading home, leaving him feeling rather defeated.

After being home for about a week his first offer came in.  It wasn't great.  It was at St. Luke's, but it was in a different department than he had worked in and it was night shift.  He was ready to take it to do what he had to do.  He did go ahead and give the other place he interviewed at a call to let them know he had received and offer and asking if they had been interested in making one.  They were and asked what they needed to give him to get him to work there.  Ummmmm - how 'bout $250k a year?  Yeah - he didn't ask for that and that would have stopped that deal right there, but it was nice to hear and helped encourage him after his initial disappointment.  So finally, a couple weeks before our scheduled move, a job was lined up, we had a house lined up and we were really doing it! 

Of course, this whole time I was pregnant.  I had gone on the zofran again for the morning sickness but was thankfully able to get off in March.  I was still exhausted though.  This pregnancy was much more tiring.  Of course, I'm older than I was last time, but we also had a whole different world of stress on our plate this time and I'm sure that was a factor.  I tried to pack up the house as best as I could, but it was really hard with a not-yet-two year old and a growing baby.  At the end of March we had a going away/early birthday party for little lady so we could see everyone before we left.  It was a great gathering, I even splurged on a face painter for the kids.  Most of my daycare kids were able to make it and my Grandmother and Aunt even made the trip from Rehoboth! 

 

Little Lady got a lady bug.

 

The kids all seemed to have a great time.

 

The face painter requested to work with Chris' amazing canvas.

 

 

We spent our last Easter in Frederick.

 

Took our last strolls through Downtown.

 

Said goodbye to landmarks.

In April we were busy wrapping up any business we had in Maryland.  We got our settlements done and made the rounds to say goodbye.  We also found out we were having a boy!  Then our moving trailer was dropped off and some AMAZING family and friends came to help us pack it up.  We are really blessed to have such great people in our lives.  Dave and Lorraine even came by the following day to help again.  They are such wonderful people and Lorraine helped watch Little Lady several times leading up to our move, which was a lifesaver.  I miss them.  Our neighbors were also awesome.  They busted their tails helping load it up.  Hopefully they didn't just want us gone..... ;-)  It of course took us a day longer to get packed up than we planned, but I had given us an extra day in our schedule to get to Idaho.  I know how things go.  My sister stayed the night before we left, having a sleepover with Little Lady, and my Mother came that morning to say goodbye.  Then we were off and our journey began. 

From that point on, our year has been pretty well documented on this blog.  I really do hope you enjoy it.  I do wonder who my readers are sometimes though.  I have enabled comments from anyone for now, so if you have a minute, leave one saying hello!  With your name though, so I know who is reading!  No need to have a blogger account to do so. 

We miss our friends and family, but we really have no regrets.  This has been the right move for us and we really like it out here.  The people, the area, the landscape - it all feels right. 


We are also now taking reservations!  My Mother and Sister will be here in two weeks. My Mother hasn't met Little Man and hasn't seen Little Lady in 9 months. 

Spaces are filling up fast!  Make your reservation today!  :)