Sweet & Spicy Pumpkin Seeds...

I thought I'd share a yummy recipe that I found a few years ago on Martha Stewart's site, for all those pumpkin seeds you'd hate to waste:) I was surprised at how yummy they are! The only thing I don't remember adding was the cayenne pepper. Our kids loved them too! Enjoy...

Sweet and Spicy Pumpkin Seeds

Ingredients:

1 medium pumpkin
5 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
Pinch of cayenne pepper, to taste
1 1/2 tablespoons peanut oil

Makes 1 cup

Directions:
Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut pumpkin open from the bottom, removing seeds with a long-handled spoon. Separate flesh from seeds, and reserve the flesh for another use (see Pumpkin Pie). Pumpkin should yield 1 cup seeds. Spread seeds on parchment in an even layer. Bake until dry, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour. Let cool.
In a medium bowl combine 3 tablespoons sugar, salt, cumin, cinnamon, ginger, and cayenne. Heat peanut oil in a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add pumpkin seeds and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar. Cook until sugar melts and pumpkin seeds begin to caramelize, about 45 to 60 seconds. Transfer to bowl with spices, and stir well to coat. Let cool. These may be stored in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Let me know how you like them!!!

Micah's Dance Party:)

I hit a major mile marker in the pregnancy timeline today! I am FINALLY 34 weeks! Just one more week on bedrest and I am good to go! I'll spare you the photos since I'm sure you're all sick of them by now, and grace you with a funny story...

It was WAY passed bedtime for our kids, and I could hear someone in the laundry room. So, I walked in there and saw Micah looking through a little photo stash I have in there. I asked, "Ummm...what are you doing?" "Nothing..." Then, he stood up...and was wearing an ORANGE TUTU over his pajamas. I was trying SO hard not to laugh!!! He said, "Mom, I just REALLY wanted to have a dance party in my room!" How I wish I had a picture. Not just of the outfit, but of the silly little smile he had on his face after telling me what he was up to! It's still makin' me laugh!!!

Appointment and Cracks...

I had another appointment today...and I am now at a 2 and 70%. Not much of a change from last week...but a change none the less! The reason I had her check me today is because...for me...I NEED to know where I am! When I was pregnant with Bria, Damon and I were sitting in the parking lot of our apartment complex, trying to decide whether or not to go into the hospital. I was having Braxton Hicks contractions every 4-5 minutes for a good 2 hours. The contractions didn't hurt at ALL...plus...I was only 37 weeks! So, we decide...Better safe then sorry...went to the hospital, and I was at 6 1/2 cm!!! She was born a few hours later!!!

Then I think about the fact that Micah was 5 weeks early...and Colton 4 weeks early. Anyways, it just scares me that I really don't know when I'm in labor or when it's gonna happen! That's why I had her check me. My goal is still October 17th (not to favor anyone in the giveaway), so we'll see what happens!

On a totally different note...my cute friend Andrea took the boys for the morning to play. When she brought them home, she was laughing at the fact that Colton's underware had ripped in the back...so...when he bends over, you can see crack! It was SO funny I had to take a couple pictures! Of course he was running away from me, so this was the only one that wasn't blurry:)

And...he tried to hide from me in his "house" made of pillows:)

He is such a cute little man!

Janna, Janna, Janna...

There is a girl I Visit Teach named Janna. She is such an amazing woman! Infact, today Suzette and I were supposed to do our Visiting Teaching, and Janna came over to MY house so I didn't have to get off the couch. How sweet of her huh!?!? We are calling this "Drive-Thru Visiting Teaching":o) As we were talking, she noticed my enormous foot...and later this evening, knowing how much I LOVE chocolate and getting massaged, she brought me this...

Fuzzy socks, lotion for my tummy and the Yummiest chocolates from Costco...What a girl!!! Thanks Janna!!!

My BIG Helpers...

I just came across the following pictures, taken about 3 weeks ago...I just thought I would let you all know that our kids are the GREATEST helpers around the house!!! Bria came down stairs on this particular morning, made EVERYONE breakfast. After everyone was done eating her wonderful bowls of cereal (so cute huh), she put all the dishes in the sink, wiped off the bar and barstools, then asks if she can wash the dishes. So, she filled up the dishwasher...

...took the trash out of the trash can and tied the top...

...And Micah took the trash out.

They are such great helpers! Great helpers with wonderful smiles:)

Pregnancy Update...

I went to my doctor on Thursday for a normal check-up on the pregnancy, and things seem to be going great! My body hasn't changed in the last 2 weeks!!! WOO HOO! I have still been taking it easy, thanks to our neighbors who are absolutely wonderful!!! I'm still having quite a few contractions and lots of cramping, but my doctor said to hang on for 2 more weeks and she'll give me the "green light" to do whatever I want! 2 WEEKS! It better start hitting me soon that I'm gonna have another baby. I think being on bedrest, and not being able to "prepare" for the baby's arrival, makes it more surreal to me...and Damon.

Our cute Bria wanted to take pictures with my camera...and she took some of me. So here I am at 33 weeks.

One of the pictures she took of me REALLY showcased the beauty of my leg!!! So sexy...don't you think? Looks like a "leg-o-cheese"...seriously! After the baby comes I'm going straight over to a vein specialist to have that taken care of:)

So, right now we're trying to decide on names for the baby. If it's a girl, we'd like to have a name with "Lyn" in it...after my mom:) Names we've thought of so far include...Ashlyn, Shaylyn, Lynea, and Lynae. If you can think of any others...PLEASE let us know!!! For a boy...we'd just like a name that is extremely UNcommon! Why are boy names so much more difficult to come up with? Please help! Any ideas????

My Soccer STARS!!!

We began our morning at Micah's soccer game. Seriously...it is SO entertaining to watch him play! He told me today that the sole reason he scores goals is for ME! I had no idea! Talk about making my day!!! I did wonder though because the ONE game I didn't go to, Damon said he cried and didn't want to play at all! Makes more sense now!!! He must really love me, cuz he scored 5 goals today!!! After each goal he makes the cutest face, like...'did you see what I Just did?' It's so great!!!

This picture just cracks me up. The kid with the ball is even bigger than Micah (surprising, I know!). Then, the little kid behind him is so small that you can't even see his legs! Made me laugh!!!

Then, we headed over to Bria's game. We only saw her play the last quarter of the game (car issues), and I got her on video scoring a GOAL!!! Yay! It was beautiful:) Here she is socializing after the other team scored.

Here's Micah, Bria, and Eliza after playing hard.

And...MY soccer stars, showing how many goals they made at their games.

I had to throw one in of Colton cuz he's such a cutie!!! Even though he hasn't been feeling well, he still manages a smile:)

Protect Our Children!!!

Did any of you watch Oprah on Monday? The entire episode was shocking and disturbing, but necessary...to open our eyes to the evil that is going on all around us...right here in America! I could NOT BELIEVE some of the specifics that were being discussed! From pedophiles going online to seek tips for getting closer to children...to videos of brand-new babies being abused and video taped!!! I couldn't watch a large part of the show, and actually fast-forwarded through most of it...it was heartwrenching!!! The focus was on sexual abuse of children and that, due to the lack of resources, law enforcement is unable to follow up on most of their "abuser" leads! On Oprah's website, this was said..."Last year alone, U.S. law enforcement identified over 300,000 criminals who were trafficking in movies and pictures of young children being raped and tortured. Experts say that one in every three of these criminals has local child victims. Child pornography trafficking over the Internet has given us a trail of evidence that leads straight to their doorsteps, but the vast majority of these children will never be rescued because investigators are overwhelmed, outnumbered and underfunded." Can you believe that??? 300,000 pedophiles located, but not taken into custody because investigators are underfunded!!! It just makes me mad...really! There is a way for us to help! Click HERE to write your state Senator and ask him to please vote YES on senate bill 1738!
Wonderful things about this bill include...
-Helping to fund law enforcement "to investigate child exploitation"
-Rescue children who are being abused
-Provide "high-tech computer software that can track down Internet predators".

This bill will be voted on at the end of September, so it is so important that you contact the senators in your state as soon as possible!!! It is very simple!!! Click on the link above and locate your local senator. Copy and paste the provided letter and send! It's great to know that we can all come together to do something that will benefit our children!

Learning to Read, Staring Micah...

Yesterday was Bria's Library day at school, and she brought home this book...

This is not the normal reading material she brings home (cuz she is a fantastic reader), but it worked out well cuz I'm trying to teach Micah how to sound out different words.

Just to give you a "taste" of the book, here are a couple of the pages...

Super easy right? So, I would point to each letter, have Micah figure out the sound, and help him put the sounds together to form a word. It was great to see how excited he would get when he got a word right!

Then we came to this page...He looked at it for quite awhile cuz he thought it was a "boat", but realized that the word started with an 'S'. He looked completely confused!

Me: Micah did you know that "sh" put together says "shhhhh"?

Micah: Oh, it does? Ok mommy.

Me: Let's try this word.

I put my finger under the 'sh'...

Micah: Shhhh

I put my finger under the 'I'...

Micah: says the 'i' sound, then...totally excited and innocently says, "Shhhhh...iiiii....I KNOW MOMMY!!!...SHITS!"

Me: I am DYING of laughter! Seriously I almost fell off his bed! Of course he has NO idea what that word is. It was seriously the funniest moment!

We continued on to the other pages, after I corrected him. He really is turning into a wonderful reader! Bad words and all:)

72-Hour Kits...

Damon was SO excited about Family Home Evening last night! After Colton's doctor appointment (it was just asthma), Damon went to Walmart to pick up the goods for some 72-Hour kits. We had a little lesson about disasters, and what to do incase of an emergency. The kids had a lot of fun practicing what to do if there was an earthquake...since one is predicted to happen soon around here, we thought that was a good one to go over!

Then, we got out all the "stuff" and had the kids pack their own bags.

Incase any of you would like to start your own kit, here are the items Damon purchased... Flashlights with batteries (smaller ones for the kids), lightsticks, hand warmers, canned juice, bottled water, Power Bars, chili, canned meat, tuna packets, trail mix, dried fruit, and granola bars. We have one backpack that has "adult items" in it...pocket knives, a can opener, and an axe. We still need to get medicine, clothing, and blankets, but putting the packs together really helped us feel more prepared!

The kids were SO excited to have their packs packed! Our fun adventure will come in April when we'll go camping (either in the backyard or in our family room) to switch out all the items in the pack for new items. Can't wait!

This Family Home Evening was great! Even though there are still a couple things we need to get for the kits, we feel a little bit more prepared...and that makes a big difference for us!

More Trip Pics...

I have been terrible at taking pictures and posting lately! But, I did come across some more pictures from our trip that we went on last month, to California. I WISH these were taken from a recent trip...but no...I'm still on bedrest:)

The very last day of our trip, on our way back up to Utah, we stopped for the night in Primm, Nevada. We spent the afternoon at the pool. The kids had a blast and the pool was amazing! Colton loved playing with Damon and me. It was so fun to see him so happy!!!

Bria and Micah had so much fun on the waterslide! The best was that they were dumped into 3 1/2 feet of water. So, they'd swim to the side and do it all over again. They were in heaven!

After swimming, we headed over to the Outlet Mall for some "back-to-school" shopping, then went to a buffet for dinner...YUM!
The next morning, before heading off to Utah, we went to a breakfast buffet. The kids were so excited and their personalities were showcased during the meal:) I love this picture of Bria with Damon.

I don't know why he does this, but Colton likes to make "creations" with his food when he's all done eating. Here's his plate of waffles, pancakes, and french toast...topped with chocolate ice cream:) Looks delicious!!!

On our way out of town, we made a stop in Las Vegas to surprise my Grandpa. It seemed like forever since I had seen him...or even talked to him! Infact, he saw me, looked at my belly and asked, "Where the heck did THAT come from?" Apparently, he had NO idea that I was pregnant! Woooops! It was SO funny!

We returned home the night before Bria started 1st grade, and had such a memorable vacation!

Officially 32 Weeks...

I made it another week and am officially at 32 weeks today:) Another 4 weeks on bedrest, and we'll be good to go. Here's what I'm lookin like...just for the record.

For some reason I look a LOT bigger than I did 2 weeks ago. It must be all the chocolate doughnuts and ice cream...but who can resist!!! The baby is kickin' me like crazy, pretty much 24 hours a day! I love that feeling:) The best is when Colton comes up to me, lifts up my shirt, gets to my bare belly, kisses it, and loves the baby...then...re-dresses me! Makes me laugh every time!!!

And...seriously...you all must know how wonderful our neighborhood is!!! One of our neighbors has taken it upon herself to set up a daily schedule for our kids. From playdates to Preschool carpools, she's thought of everything!!! It has truly been a blessing! I know that the longer the baby "cooks", the healthier it will be! SO...Thanks again to all our amazing neighbors!!! I couldn't endure bedrest without you!!!

And...to everyone who entered the giveaway...it was SO fun to read your guesses! Time will tell who the winner is...so...keep checkin back! Some of you asked about the test I took last Monday (the Fetal Fiber Nectin...aka FFN). It came back negative, which means that there's a 97% chance that the baby will stay in my belly for another week (from tomorrow). I'll have another test on Thursday...so cross your fingers:)

My First GIVEAWAY!!!

I am going to have

my very first GIVEAWAY!!!

WOO HOO!!! Here are the rules...

-Leave a comment letting me know whether you think we're going to have a BOY or a GIRL.
-Also include the day you think our baby will make its grand enterance.
-What do you think the baby will weigh...
-And...what will the length be?
-Also, leave your email address so I can notify the winner!!!
-The comment posted that is most like "my reality" will win!

*Edit: The prize is still "in the works". Since (hopefully) the baby won't be here for a little while, I figure I have a little time to think something up.
*Only one entry per person please!*

Since my family and close friends know my "pregnancy history", I decided to make the giveaway fair...so...here are some facts that may affect your answers...
-4 weeks ago I was not dialated at ALL.
-Today I am at 1 1/2 cm and am 70% effaced.
-And...My doctor put me on strict bedrest!
-Bria was 3 weeks early, Micah 5 weeks early, and Colton 4 weeks early.
-They all weighed less than 7 pounds.

-My "actual" due date is November 9th.

*All comments need to post by September 14th at 11pm. Have fun:)

*And YES...I keep changing the final posting date because my sisters won't get on the computer and make their predictions!!! Common people...it takes 2 seconds:)

Bedrest SUCKS!!!

I feel sooooooo lazy!!! Man! All I do all day is sit on the couch. It is SO annoying! It's especially annoying when I'm sitting there and see paint that needs touch-ups, or a floor that needs to be vacuumed...and I can't do anything about it! (BTW that's NOT a cry out for someone to come vacuum my floors!) I am just soooo grateful for neighbors that see beyond my "laziness" and are willing to help me with the kids:) The hardest part for me is that I feel completely capable of taking care of my kids, and cleaning my house...but know that if I overdo it, just the tiniest bit...I'll have this baby WAY too early! My neighbors have been wonderful! They've taken the kids for hours at a time, brought meals, cleaned my bathrooms, picked up the boys from preschool...and do it "just because" they want to help! It's really hard for me to sit back and watch, but to all our neighbors...THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! You are the best and I am grateful for all you're doing to help me...and our family!!!
Now I'm just hoping, that at my appointment next Thursday, my doctor will give me the "green light" to do a little more. Please pray that the next month goes by quickly:) I don't know if I can stand to be "lazy" for very much longer!!!
And...if you haven't entered the giveaway...you only have ONE MORE DAY!!! Good luck:)

Hospital Visit...

On Thursday, I had a rough pregnancy day. I was walking around Costco and got SO crampy that I had to stop in the middle of the isle to rest. I was talking to my sister, Blythe...and telling her that I could TOTALLY feel my body changing. Kind of the feeling I get when I'm in labor.
Anyways, I had my normal check-up on Friday. Just me telling my doctor that I felt "wierd"... like my body was changing...was enough to have her check me. I am almost at 2 cm. and am 70% effaced! So scary because when I was 4 cm and 70% with Micah...I was in labor! Anyways, my doctor put me on "strict bedrest", so I could only get up to pee. It's so hard cuz I feel SO helpless! I look around and see SO many things that need to get done, but aren't...because I'm down and Damon's occupied with the kids!
Well, this morning I was having contractions every 6-7 minutes for 3 hours, and decided I better go in and figure out what's goin on! My wonderful friend Suzette came over to drive me to the hospital, so Damon could take the kids to their soccer games. She stayed with me the entire time! What a sweetheart! Thanks Suzette!!!
I was monitored at the hospital for about 4 hours...and would you believe I hardly contracted!?!? Why does that ALWAYS happen? Anyways, I got my second dose of steroids for the baby's lung development and an injection to relax my uterus and help stop my contractions. Apparently I have an infection, am a little dehydrated, and haven't been eating enough...so...all those things could have caused my contractions.
I'm hoping to go in on Monday to have an ultrasound and a "fetal-fiber-nectin" test done. Sounds like a drink huh! It's amazing because it can predict with 98% accuracy whether your baby is coming in the next 2 weeks...and...I'd kind of like to know the results of that! They would've done that test at the hospital, but I can't take the test within 24 hours of getting "checked". So, Monday it will be:) Any ideas on how to make my kids happy and content with one another? I am at my whit's end... and I've only been on bedrest for a day!

Finally...Some Cali Pics!!!

Very last minute, Damon and I decided that we needed a vacation before the kids started school. So, after my doctor gave me the OK to go...we were off. We drove all the way to my parent's house in California (in one shot), and surprisingly...we survived:) I can't find one of my discs, so I'll have to post more pictures later...

While we were in the big ENC...we had a BLAST!!! One day 3 of my sisters, and my parents were able to meet us at the beach.

We had a lot of fun! The best was that the kids were completely entertained for HOURS digging holes, so we were able to relax:)

Bria and Hannah also had a lot of fun finding sand crabs. My sister Crystal took the biggest one and put it in my bathing suit top...freaked the crap out of me!

The other great thing was all the "people watching" we did. We really wanted a picture of this guy...and Damon volunteered to take it. We thought he'd get just a little closer and take the picture, but what did he do instead? He walked right up to this guy (he was doing his tai-chi at the time) and asked if he could take his picture. The guy said, "NO"...then you just see Damon pointing to all of us girls. We were laughing SO hard! We ended up sneeking a picture anyways:) And...yes...he needs to pull up his super tight speedo!

This just made us laugh:) Who does this anymore???

I love this picture of Damon with Colton, and here's one of me and my sister Crystal...

We had soooo much fun with the family!!! Thanks guys for coming to the beach...even though it was a little chilly:) We had a blast!!!

The next day we went with my little brother and parents to Hard Rock Cafe in La Jolla.

Then went down to La Jolla Shores to find some shells. If you haven't ever been to this beach...you NEED to go! It is a little piece of heaven!!!

When the kids were done, we headed out to Crystal's house. The kids swam, made smores and played. It was fun. On the way out there we had front row seats to a High Speed Chase!!! Craziness I tell you! About 15 coppers and a helicopter!

Would you believe that we went to the beach 5 out of the 7 days of our vacation?!?! Here's me with the kids the following afternoon...

And Damon with the kids...

I think Bria and I had the most fun finding shells on this day! Look at our treasures...

I asked the kids while we were there, "would you rather play with your cousins or play with Spike?" Micah then asked, "Well, isn't Spike our cousin?" They LOVED playing with Chuck's dog!!!

And with Uncle Chuck...

This is one reason why I like to visit my parents...this is the view from their street...of the beach...

Sadly, the ocean was staying, and we had to head back to Utah...but...not before spending time with my sisters Darcy and Blythe (and their hubbies) at dinner.

We hung out all night and even had a slumber party with these guys...

What a fun time! We're so glad we went on this trip and look forward to seeing most of you in November for Thanksgiving and a baby blessing:) Love you!!!