Baby Ella

This is Laurie and Ryan's niece Ella. I couldn't help but take pictures of her energetic cuteness.

Laurie's Tiny Birthday Present

Aunt Laurie

We haven't seen Aunt Laurie and Uncle Ryan in a year. So, we jumped at the chance to see them at the beach this week. We headed down early Sunday morning and spent the afternoon in the sand.

Warning: Future Movie Star!

We went to the Pasta Grill for dinner. It was delicious and everyone had a great time. All of Ryan's family came down to the beach as well. So we were a party of 12 for dinner.Aunt Laurie entertaining Annagrace on the beach. We were trying to do a photo shoot (her birthday present) but the timing didn't work out. Maybe next time?!?Giving Bye-Hugs

Crazy Cute

Some cute things Annagrace has said recently:

While I was talking to her on the phone, my Mom kept talking to her in the background - prodding her to talk more.
A: Be quite Grandmother, I'm talking on the phone.
I couldn't stop laughing. My mom was so shocking she didn't say a word.

Today she was carrying around a paperback Book of Mormon that I told her she could have.
Tyler: What book do you have?
Annagrace: It's my book.
Tyler: Is it the Book of Mormon?
Annagrace: No, it's not the book of Morgan!
(I just babysat a little girl named Morgan last week. Annagrace was making sure that we weren't confused on the fact that it is her book not Morgan's!)

Tyler went to McDonald's for lunch today. He gave her some fries on the way home
A: These are terrible!

Nature Walk Part I

We were invited to go on a toddler nature walk yesterday.
The weather was perfect!

We hiked all the way to this creek. The kids (and dogs) all loved playing in the water.
Then we enjoyed a picnic lunch.

Jacob got brave and ventured out onto the rocks but they were way to slippery!Baby Will got worn out looking at all of the trees!

Happy Mothers Day

Happy Mothers Day to a great mother that shows so much love both to her daughter and also her husband. From both of us we love you and hope you have a great day.

Being Frugal and Crafty

I finally did it! I made my own Laundry Soap. It was really cheap and easy. I'm super excited to start using it but I have to finish up my last bottle of my regular stuff.

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap- Front or top load machine- best value
4 Cups hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup Washing Soda
½ Cup Borax
(The best place to get all of this is Publix - Walmart didn't have everything so I had to make another stop.)

- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.
-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)
-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.
-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.
-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)
-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)

My next project TO DO:

http://thekitchenpost.blogspot.com/2009/05/how-to-have-happy-mothers-day.html

I don't know that I'll get them done in time for Mother's Day. I mainly just want them for myself anyway =).

Ocean+Pool+Sand = FUN

Grandmother came along this weekend on our trip to Grandma Betty's. We had a blast. The older Annagrace gets the better the beach gets. She is falling in love with the sand AND the ocean!!
We couldn't believe that she was actually in the water!

We made a sand turtle,

chased a bird,

and admired the beautiful view.

We took a glass bottom boat out to shell island

where Annagrace found a feather and a lot of sea shells.

On the way back from the island, Annagrace got to drive the boat!

We also took a choo-choo train ride

and a horsie ride.

And of course, we started our days with the breakfast of champions: huge cookie and eclair.

Potty Time

We started the three day potty training method last week. We were off to a great start: She enjoyed her lunch while seated on the potty and shortly after this photo was taken, she did actually pee in the potty!! I was very excited. We didn't end up having the full three days at home, so we were unsuccessful, but we are going to try again this week. Since then it has started clicking in her brain and she is getting the concept. We just have to cement it in and put all of the knowledge to work!

Our new addition

We now have two little girls in our house.

No, we didn't hide a pregnancy!

This little cutie patootie is Calli and she spends three nights a week with us. Her Mommy works nights with me, well at the same place. She does the same job as me on the nights I'm off. So, it worked out perfect . . . we never actually work together so I'm always home to watch her baby. It has been such a joy to have her in our home it's like we have a part-time 2nd child. It's a nice trial run at having two kids. Annagrace LOVES her and hops to the door, chanting "Calli, Calli, Calli!" when she comes. I'm very impressed with her helpfulness and gentleness.