some recent pictures..

I love Reid in his rash guards. He and Mason have gotten closer the past 2 weeks. I often find them playing together..or Mason just following him around. I finally get a break from being followed by him..
Vara is getting in her Teeter-Totter all by herself now. She climbs up and hangs out for a bit. She's getting better at rocking and bouncing herself, too.
Court, here's one of the new diaper covers I found. Like the puff balls? Talk soon, love you!

Hibiscus Flowers

I found something new(to me, anyway) at Trader Joes the other day. Sweet and Tart Hibiscus Flowers. They are sweetend and dired and so good! They make a great snack and salad topper. Last night, I topped my Goat cheese and Nut Salad with the flowers instead of cranberries. These taste alot like dried cranberries except less tart and a little more chewy. So, if you are at Trader Joes, look in the dried fruit and nut isle...they cost about $2 a bag. Enjoy!

Vara's scoot..

Vara is walking around alot now, so this is something I'll soon miss. I am always amused by her method of getting around..what creativity!! Im am thankful for the sweet touches God gives to our children's personality. This memory will always be a treasure to me. Dont grow too fast Sister!!

Carob Cake..as requested

Just remeber, it's not Betty Crocker, it's healthy!



Carob Layer Cake (from Mothering Magazine)



1 cup whole wheat or spelt flour

1 1/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 cup carob powder

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 cup melted butter or corn oil

2/3 cup water

1 1/4 cups maple syrup, agave nectar, brown rice syrup, or honey

1 tablespoon apple cider or brown rice vinegar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 eggs, separated


Preheat oven to 350º. Oil and flour 2 8-inch cake pans. Sift the flours, baking soda, sea salt, carob powder, and nutmeg together. In small bowl, beat egg whites until firm but not dry. In large mixing bowl, beat butter or oil, water, sweetener, vinegar, vanilla, and egg yolks until completely blended. Beat flour mixture into wet ingredients. Gently fold egg whites into batter. Divide the batter between the two cake pans. Bake about 30 minutes, or until tester inserted in center of cake comes out dry. Cool 10 minutes in pan, then turn out onto wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
Serves 12



*I used Whole Wheat Flour and Unbleached Wheat flour with the Germ...it turned out fine

*I also chose Maple Syrup



For the frosting... (from Nourishing Tradtions)

8oz Cream Cheese, softened

1/4c butter, softened

1/2T vanilla

1/4c raw honey



Blend all ingredients together very well,until smooth.





I chose to put strawberry(blackberry sounds good, too) "All Fruit" in between the cake layers along with some frosting. I then spread the remaining frosting on top. You could put fresh fruit on top to go with the fruit spread flavor.

Enjoy!

Reids birthday celebrations!

I woke up to Reid calling my name. He usually comes right into our room, but he was a bit shocked by all the balloons around him. Mark and I usually fill the kids room with ballons for their birthay morning. He stood around asking "what these 14 balloons doing there for?!?!" He was, of course, very excited. We jumped and played with those a bit ... Vara joined us soon after.

We had a birthday breakfast (no cake until saturday) of Banana Nut muffins and grapes.
We let Reid open his gifts from us. Vara got him some cool stickers. We got him a wooden farm you put together. It was a hit until Nana and Papa arrived... They blessed him with a Trashman!!! He has been asking for a "trashmam" for months! He continued to play with it for hours.
Daddy came home early (yay!), so, after nap we went to B&N to play with trains. This is one of Reids favorite outings. We got burgers to finish off a great day.

I had to include this...Reid put these gloves on his feet.

Reids Party!!

Clara and Anderson joined us. Reid loves his friends. They spent time playing in the sprinkler and eating yummy foods. Thank you friends for you company!

Some action shots...
Anderson had great moves!!
Gift time..
The cake. It was a Carob layered cake. Reid loves carob stuff, so I thought Id give it a try. It wasnt too bad...everyone ate it. (oh-if you are interested..Micheal's sells these train letters for 50 cents each right now) Happy Birthday Reid!!

playing catch up

This is a bit out of order. I wanted to post some happenings that have been flooding my camera...enjoy!







Monday, we headed to the beach. I usually clean on that day, but the weather was TOO perfect after so many hot days. Vara waiting to leave..
Reid TRULEY braved the water this time. We all sat in it together for a while and when I headed to clean up our things, he stayed enjoying the waves.
This is our dirty little girl at work.

Here are some shots I thought were fun. Reid and Vara love to wrestle together. Really, they are just rolling around each other and Vara sometimes lays on him...its sweet to see them getting so close.

Mark turned 27 earlier this month. We celebrated with family and friends. We hung out till late and ate crabs (mark's been craving them!)

That weekend, Mark flew to Seattle. I missed him SO much, but it was a great weekend. I had a chance to have a day date with Reid...Lori took Vara overnight. We had the best time together! I loved getting that alone time with him. We went to the Heritage for lunch (skipped nap! woo-hoo!), then to an art show at Chick's Beach. Reid loved running around through all the trees and hunting for ducks.

Oh--the first shot is that morning...we were getting Vara to practice her walker. She now is walking around about 40% of the time. Very exciting!!

Reid loves a cactus for some reason. I told him not to touch it, but he did. Ouch!

Happy Birthday Reid!!

Reid is younger here...this is him taking pics of himself.

Toady my boy is THREE!! I almost cant beleive it. I went to bed last night and couldn't get to sleep, my mind was filled with thoughts of him.

Dearest Reidy, I am beyond thankful for you. God has made our lives so much richer when He gave you to us. I love your spunk and your creativity. I love how silly you get and your excitement for simple things. I am always entertained by our conversations and your re-phrasing ofthings I say to you. You are a beautiful boy! I love the face you make when you are listening to me...such big eyes and full cheeks!

Thank you for being so sweet and obedient. I see your love for God creeping out more and more. I hope you enjoy this year of your life. I hope your love for the Lord will grow rapidly as you gain understanding of His kindness. Thank you for your patience with me as I seek grace to train you up. And thank you for being sweet to sister, you know she looks up to you!!

For now, you belong to us, and I am honored to mother you. Praise God for His creation in you!

Love you to peices, Mamma

* * * Reid has more birthday pictures to come, look out!! * * *