Getting ready for winter

Who doesn't love a cute winter hat with ear flaps??

Confessions on a fast Sunday

In my first ward at BYU, the bishopric had little "get to know you" interviews with everyone. During my interview, I remember being asked what the one calling I DIDN'T want would be. I told him that I didn't want to be a teacher because I hate being in front of people. Little did I know that those words would come back to haunt me. The next week I was asked to accept a calling as a Sunday school teacher. Ummm, okay. In EVERY BYU ward thereafter (both singles and family wards) I was called to be a sunday school teacher or a relief society teacher. The big guy sure does have a sense of humor! But, I actually learned to LOVE teaching and it became easier for me to speak in front of groups. I liked that it made me go out of my comfort zone and that it gave me so many opportunities to study the gospel and bear testimony.  During my summers at BYU, I worked as an EFY counselor and loved having the chance to teach the gospel and bear testimony to the youth. I also served a mission, once again, LOTS of opportunities. For about 8 years of my life, I never really had to seek out opportunities to bear testimony, they always just presented them self in various ways. And, I never really bore my testimony on fast sundays because I figured everyone had already heard enough from me. Well, for the last couple of years I have gotten out of the habit and it is getting harder and harder for me to find the strength to get up and bear my testimony. The longer I wait, the harder it gets. I don't feel that my testimony is weakening, but I do know that it is not being strengthened from the blessings of bearing it. Why am I telling you all this? because I wanted to let you know (and remind myself) that the pit in your stomach you feel before you go up to bear your testimony is nothing compared to the pit that remains after you ignore the promptings and don't get up. I may not be eloquent in speech or have amazing faith promoting stories to tell, but I do have a testimony of the restored gospel and it needs to be heard. Maybe not by you, but I need to let the Lord know that I know that He knows that I know!

Snap Happy

Ever since Avery was born, I have been really snap happy (as most moms are). As a result, my computer is LOADED with 1000s of pictures. The other day I was having so much fun looking at all the pictures and reminiscing. I started scrapbooking when Avery was born, so I have a few of the favorite pictures in there, but I realized that I loved looking at the "out takes" or not so perfect pictures as well. I have TONS of pictures just sitting on my computer, doing nothing. I've never been good at getting them printed, so I feel really overwhelmed by the idea of printing and putting them into albums. But I need to do SOMETHING with them. I need your advice. What do YOU do with your pictures? How do you organize them and stay on top of it? Do you leave them all on your computer or delete them? Where do I even start? Please share all your picture organizing tips!!! I need HELP!!!

A TRUE Ingersoll, a new love, and a funny

Andy had a dental convention in Columbus this weekend, so we all decided to tag along for a fun little getaway. Here are a few pictures from the Columbus Zoo. 5 bucks for the first person to say which picture shows the sign of  a true Ingersoll :)



And for my new love. I don't think I have ever seen a Lion up close like this before. They are Amazing, Beautiful creatures. They are so powerful and yet have such a calm sweetness about them. I seriously could have stared at the lion all day!!

Now for the funny


The other day Avery and I were cuddling in bed and talking. She randomly started naming of letters in the alphabet. I couldn't quite figure out what she was saying. "KLPQTULV!" she repeated. I finally asked her what she was saying and she said "I'm spelling out letters like you always do to Daddy!" I couldn't help but laugh!

Feeling a little blue

On Wednesday I noticed a little red rash on Avery's face. I thought it was maybe a reaction from her Barbie Makeup she had been playing with. But, when she woke up on Thursday morning, this is what she looked like (the picture really doesn't do it justice).

Her face swelled up and the rash was spreading quickly so I decided to take her to the doctor. I had No idea what it was, and I was a little worried. The Doctor walked in the room and said "What happened to your face?" took one more look and asked us where we had been. I said we went to the lake on Monday. He immediately knew that she had come in contact with some poison ivy. Are you serious??? We had been to that exact spot the weekend before and the kids totally played in the bushes more then with no problems. We went with 2 other families and none of the other kids got it. So weird.

So, all day yesterday everyone was staring at Avery and asking what happened to her face. Every time Drew looked at her, he would just walk over and give her a hug. By the end of the day she was feeling really sad about it. She has been such a trooper though and is trying really hard not to scratch it and is being good about taking her medicine. I read that the rash can last 2-4 weeks. Poor girl!!

School girl

Today was a bittersweet day. Avery started preschool and I couldn't help but get a little teary eyed as I drove away from my baby girl. Andrew and I wandered around the house aimlessly trying to figure out what to do without her. Why do thy grow so fast? I feel like such a dork, it is only preschool. What am I going to do when she starts kindergarten? Oh, lets not talk about that yet! Live in, and enjoy the moment! right?!

Avery has been so excited for weeks thinking about going to school like her Daddy. I have never seen a little girl more excited to go school shopping and pick out a new outfit.  And, lets not forget that she had to pack her Dora backpack just like Daddy too. So cute!

The first day went well. Her teacher said that she was a total chatterbox and wouldn't stop whispering and talking to her friends. They also did some testing and when the teacher would ask another kid a question like "what letter is this?", Avery would stop what she was doing to tell the other kids the answers. She is such a little know-it-all!

Here is my spunky, stubborn, tenderhearted little preschooler on her first day of class!

Mission Impossible!!

I have been wanting to get some cute pictures of Drew, but he is IMPOSSIBLE to photograph.  It takes 200 shots to get 1 of him looking. sigh. And yes, those are FALL LEAVES in the background. What??? It's not even September!! I can't believe it!

Soaking up the Sun

Last week was beautiful and I tried to take advantage of the warm weather because I know that winter is just around the corner. so sad. We did as many outdoor activities as we could. Here are a few pictures from some of our new favorite places. I'm trying to appreciate snapshots of my kids again. Learning photography totally ruins you!

the BoTaNiCaL GarDenS are so beautiful and so much fun. Avery and Drew had a blast! I couldn't belive how much they had for the kids to do!

It was Mudpie Monday so the kids got to make little MuD PiEs and stick fresh flowers from the gardens in them. look how hard Drew is concentrating

     They also have this big atrium FILLED with butterflies. It is so cool! They just fly all around and a few even landed on us. We bribed this one with an apple. This Butterfly was HUGE and the inside of its wings are an amazing blue which you can see in the second picture. I had never seen anything like this before. Loved it!

There were these cute old school water pumps for the kids to play with. Drew is filling the watering can while Avery pumps it.

There were also ponds throughout the whole place. The kids could just go and play in them, try to catch frogs, fish, turtles, whatever. Drew loved the ponds and watching the fish... until he fell in. He wasn't too happy after that.

And no kid friendly place is complete without a sandbox. Drew was in Heaven with that tractor. He is all boy, totally obsessed with trucks, cars, tractors, etc.

And, a cute little playhouse
A fun hidden treasure in the middle of downtown Cleveland. Who knew?!

We also went to FARMPARK with some friends. My kids usually love animals, but they were both being big wimps that day. Drew would not even get close to ANY of the animals. He screamed when I started to walk towards the Llamas. silly kid. At least there were some Tractors to redeem the day!

watching the sheepdogs heard the sheep
cute Trevor in the tractor wheel

Just chillin' by the smelly pigs


I can't believe summer is over. It feels like it just started to warm up! We have had some good times though. I hope you have too!

tHe BowMakEr's DaUghTeR

I went in to Avery's room the other day and she was neatly laying out all her headbands and bows. I asked her what she was doing and she said she was going to sell some bows. I said okay and left the room for a minute, and this is what I came back to! She thought she was So funny!

Tasty Tuesday

Another Must try for those tomatoes. This is seriously SO GOOD! Let me know what you think!

Garlic Ranch Chicken Pizza

by: Erika

1 large pizza dough, uncooked (fresh, frozen, or whatever you like best)
3/4 c. ranch dressing (*see recipe below or the homemade ranch dressing recipe)
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 c. Mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 c. bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 c. chicken, cooked and cut into strips (**I like to rub the chicken with olive oil and generously sprinkle with Montreal Chicken Seasoning on both sides. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.)
2-3 tomatoes, sliced

Mix ranch dressing and crushed garlic together then spread evenly on the pizza dough. Sprinkle a little cheese over the ranch dressing then add chicken and bacon. Sprinkle more of the cheese over that, add the tomatoes, then add the remaining cheese. Put in the oven at 350 degrees for about 12-15 minutes (or until crust is a nice golden-brown). Top with parsley flakes to make it look fancy and serve!

*Ranch Dressing:

1 packet TRADITIONAL Hidden Valley Ranch mix (not BUTTERMILK)
1 c. mayonnaise
1 c. buttermilk

Whisk ranch mix and mayo together, slowly add buttermilk. When well blended, cover and refrigerate.

Tasty Tuesday...a day late :)

For all of you growing tomatoes in your garden, this one is for you!  We BBQued the chicken and it was so good. The only change I would make is to dice up the chicken and mix it with the tomatoes, so You can get more on the sandwich. The tomatoes kept falling off. But either way it is a great meal for those homegrown tomatoes! Enjoy

Garlic Toasted Balsamic Chicken Bruschetta Sandwich

by: Jenny at Picky Palate

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts from above recipe
Pinch of salt
¼ Cup balsamic vinegar
¼ Cup extra virgin olive oil

4 Roma Tomatoes, seeded and diced (or whatever is growing in your garden)
8 fresh basil leaves, stacked, rolled and thinly sliced into chiffonade
3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
Pinch of salt
1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar

8 thin slices fresh mozzarella
4 ciabatta rolls, or other rolls of choice

1. Preheat a grill pan over medium heat on the stovetop. Spray with cooking spray. Combine balsamic and olive oil in a bowl.Season both sides of chicken with pinches of salt and place on grill.Brush top sides of chicken with balsamic mixture. Cook for 4-5 minutes and flip chicken. Brush with additional balsamic and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes or until cooked through.

2. In a large bowl combine the tomatoes, basil garlic, salt and balsamic. Toss gently to combine. Set aside.

3. Preheat same grill pan over medium heat and spray with additional cooking spray. Place 2 slices of cheese on bottom rolls then layer with chicken breasts, spoonfuls of tomato mixture and 2 more slices of cheese. Place top rolls to close sandwich and grill both sides on hot grill pan until toasty and warm. Serve warm.

ToTaLly BaBy HuNGrY

I have been SO NOT baby hungry lately, but this little cutie made me actually think twice about having another one. She is 1 month old and still only 6 pounds, so tiny and perfect. I could have taken pictures of her all day.

I just couldn't resist

snapping a picture of these cute buns. Andrew loves to run around naked after his bath and I have to chase him down to get a diaper on. He's going to hate me later for posting  this! Ha

Plus, I thought I would give you a sneak peek of the bathroom. The green tile is the old stuff, the floor is the new tile that Andy put in. 

Did you miss me? ;)

I hope you are all having a great summer! The kids and I just got back from a fun-filled trip to California. Once again, I didn't take any pictures. :( I really need to invest in a regular camera to take places with me!!! Here is a little glimpse of what went on in California:

   1.  There was an EARTHQUAKE!! I haven't been in one of those in a long time. It really got my adrenaline pumping.

   2. Many visits to the beach, lake, pool, and park. Andrew LOVED the ocean. Everyone says he looks like he belongs on the beach with his bleach blond hair and tan little body. Now I know he really did get my California blood in him :)

   3. Lots of Avery burritos. Avery just adores her cousins. They are so good to her! One of her favorite things to do is to have them roll her up in a blanket like a burrito.

   4. Andrew is now a toothless wonder. I posted a while back about how Drew chipped his front tooth on the bathtub. Well, the night before we left California, we went swimming at my sister's house. Drew was having a blast running back and forth between the spa and the pool. He tripped and hit his mouth on the side of the spa. There was so much blood that at first glance I freaked out because I thought his teeth were totally knocked out!! But after cleaning him up a bit, we could see that he had bit through the bottom of his top lip and his teeth were still there, just HALF the size they used to be. Poor little guy :(

   5. Trip to Legoland with the cousins. The kids had a good time and it was a fun change from the regular Disneyland trips. Drew wanted to go on every ride and cried when he couldn't. There were a few rides he could go on, like the airplanes and choo choo train, and we went on them at least a dozen times. Avery loved the roller coaster, the horsie ride, and driving the cars. 

   6. Mini photo shoot. I got to practice on my cute nieces and nephews. I have a ton to edit, but here is a sneak peek.

 

   

And, guess what we came home to??? A new bathroom!! I have the best husband ever. He worked all day and night to remodel the bathroom while we were gone. We still have a lot of work to do, but he got the hardest part out of the way. He had to shower at the gym and in the backyard with the hose for a week. What a guy. Thanks hon! I love it!! I'll post pictures when we finish.