Farmer Shopping

I forgot an important part of our "real food" resolution for the New Year - farmer's markets! Yes, as part of trying to eat more "better for you" kind of food, we're trying to shop more with our local farms. Plus, I just like the added benefit of supporting local people and communities. I actually found a decent market near us that happens on Saturday mornings-(I then also discovered that we need to get there before 10am, as a lot of vendors sell out!) It ranges from all sorts of different foods to farms to food trucks to arts/crafts that people make. They also just started a face painting station for the kids. It's very family friendly, people even bring their dogs.

So anyway, below are a few pictures from recent trips!

First trip - got local eggs, juices, fruit, grass fed beef, five ingredient bread, lettuce

Today's trip - fruit, bread, lettuce, broccoli, green onions, sweet potatoes, little chilies (I'm stoked to try those out), more beef and local pork! I was excited for that. I've never seen "organic"/local pork for sale in stores or at the market yet before.

I'm pretty elated about it. Some items are even cheaper than the store. I wish I could one stop shop but my goal is to try and get most of our meat/fruit and vegetables from here. Here's to healthy eating!

S**t Happens

Time for another humorous (now that I've had some happy juice I'm finding it funny)  round-up of something Aaron has done.Before I go any further, my post is a bit gross, so I wouldn't recommend it at the moment if you are eating...

So...it all started when I put Aaron down for his nap/rest time today. He was fine for a while, but once an hour or so hits and I can tell he's not sleeping I usually let him out of his room. I was on my way to do that when I got a whiff...I knew before I opened the door that something was up.

Ta-da! Poop!

 That would be poop on his FACE, hands, clothes...and in his room : dresser, wall, floor, cars, nightlight and humidifier!! (I spared the graphic pictures of his room) What a (not so) pleasant surprise! I would certainly like to think I'd remember such an occasion if Nate did this, but I don't think he did. Boys will be boys?!

New Year 2014

Happy New Year ! We hope everyone had a safe and fun evening. We started New Years Eve with a hike (the boys and Josh's mom did, anyway) while I visited and  cuddled with my good friend's three month old baby. The boys then spent most of the day outside before we met my whole family for a nice dinner out. It was a lot of fun!

"Ringing" in the New Year!

Even our waiter wanted in on the fun!

We had dinner nice and early so that we could do more fun stuff at home before the boys went to bed, like playing a game Nate got for Christmas. Then the kids went off to bed and hubby and I enjoyed some drinks, movies and games. We fell asleep by 10:30, however.... :( (I know I know, but we had been up with Aaron a few hours the night before) Our neighbors were sure to let us know when it was midnight, I think this has been the year with the most firecrackers around! Thankfully the boys didn't wake up at all with the noise.

Now for the good stuff : what are our goals for the year, you ask? Well, sort of boring, perhaps. The same as last year (and like many others, I'm sure!) : generally good health by working out and eating clean. We did pretty well, I think, for our first year trying to eliminate some processed stuff from our diet. Some being the key word. Nate is pretty stubborn with trying new foods (a little better than the beginning of last year perhaps, but still pretty resistant). If I can't cut out a processed food completely, I at least try to buy a healthier version of it (like his chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese). But my goal is to make those things from scratch and have everyone eating it. Well, generally making most everything from scratch by year's end! I'm definately, definately doing better in that regard than what I was doing in 2012. I just need to turn it up a few notches in 2014 :) However, we will still eat out, maybe not have the healthiest things sometimes...that's just life, in my opinion. I believe in the 80/20 rule.

I'd say another reason I believe in the 80/20 rule, is because we're active. Last year Nate started soccer, and I continued to work out - a lot of running, mostly. I was in a few races, including a half marathon and full marathon. I've already signed up for my first half marathon this year, first week of March! There's not much room for slacking in the New Year :) I think I will do one more half in the fall, but doubting I will do another full this year. Break! Looking forward to being able to mix up work-outs again.

Wishing you all a healthy, happy 2014!

Holly Jolly Day

We had a wonderful Christmas this year - biggest gift to us all was health! No one was sick and I was super grateful not to spend Christmas Day morning in Urgent Care (unlike last year). So really, everything else was just icing on the cake.

Christmas Eve we spent the majority of the day with Josh's family - his oldest brother came into town for it, so it was nice to have everyone around. After opening gifts we had a nice meal and went to our niece's Christmas program at church. Then we headed home, left out cookies and milk for Santa, and some sugar for the reindeer. We love Christmas Eve because the boys are so anxious to get into bed! Wish it was that way every night :)

Nate got a few things he asked for and yet has enjoyed the ones he didn't ask for just as much. Daddy even built the boys a sandbox!

 

Nate was really into being the "present passer outer" this year. So anxious to see all the gifts.

 

After opening gifts we headed over to my family's home to celebrate the day there. We opened gifts first and then had a super yummy prime rib lunch. Delish! I always look forward to this meal every year. 

Aaron loves his new art easel! Between art supplies and new cars, he was a happy boy.

 Wonderful few days. The boys are sure enjoying playing with all their new toys, reading their new books....

 

Eddie the Elf and RACK's

This last month we have done some fun Elf on the Shelf ideas as well as Random Acts of Kindness...I'd say the RACK's were easier to stick to than deciding what the elf was going to do each night :( The days I had extra energy I did it, but sadly most days the elf just sat on different shelves. Glad the kids didn't mind! But, here are the few things Eddie was up to...

Sleepy elf

Driving cars

Reading time

Sticker fun

Only a few pictures from our RACK days -

Placed a few dollars in a children's book at the bookstore

After seeing a movie, passed a bunch of candy canes out and placed them on car windows in the parking lot

We also donated money to the Salvation Army red containers, gave extra money to waiters, opened doors for people,etc. We're currently going through all the boys' toys to give some away...good stuff. Stuff that really should be done all year round.

Baskin Robbins Birthday!

No, not that I went to Baskin Robbins for my birthday, it is just my "31st" birthday this year! Lots of fun celebrations with friends, family, and I went out of town with my boys over the weekend. I'm really proud of my cake that I had with my parents and siblings-a running themed cake! (I left this one to the professionals, my first cake with fondant!)

It was yummy, I'm looking forward to using the same place for Nathan's birthday.

This past weekend the boys and I went to Sedona for my birthday. I even got a cool birthday present- snow! It snowed on the way there and while we were there. The boys were stoked. We played in it for a while, saw model trains, Josh and I even went wine tasting...it was a fun weekend.

Snowball fight!

Gloomy

They LOVED the snow! This was Aaron's first time. Unfortunately we didn't find a hill for sledding.

Holiday Time, Week 2 !

This past week was Nate's last week of school - he had a special last day, as they made Christmas trees out of waffle cones (and mommy received a special homemade ornament) and also had a pajama/bring your stuffed animal day. The last day of school I decided to make the boys holiday lunches -

Aaron's lunch : candy cane shaped fruit, grilled cheese tree, marshmallows for dessert and Ho Ho milk (I cooked/strained some strawberries to make it red)

Nate's lunch : Santa PBJ, snowman string cheese, snowman milk, snowmen marshmallows and Grinch shaped fruit kabobs

On our first day of winter break I dished out some holiday crafts -

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Making snowflakes using tree branches

Santa slime

Hot chocolate paint

Mmmm...you almost want to drink it off the page!

Hot chocolate play

Overflowing!

 

That evening we went to the Polar Express event at our local recreation center - this year was even more fun because we ran into a bunch of friends!

Aaron and his friend Miles - they bargained and switched each other cookies

Always enjoy craft time

We love Santa!

I also spent the week finishing shopping and wrapping, and kinda some baking...darn, for all the cookies we received at our cookie exchange, I still have more to do! Looks like I'll be scrambling to do that tomorrow. Merry Christmas!

Holiday Party and Cookie Exchange

We've been looking forward to this morning all week long - getting to visit with friends and exchange goodies! A variety of treats without having to bake them ;) Now I just need a hand to jump out and slap me when I eye those cookie containers....

Drew snowman faces on marshmellows to go in our hot chocolate

....and there was additional toppings too!

Mugs for the mama's to take home

Cinnamon roll tree

Aaron helping mommy

Which cookie do I want?!

Making pinecone ornaments

Pin the nose on the snowman

 December is my favorite month (Christmas my favorite holiday, go figure!) so I was happy to host a party with friends. Even happier that it pooped Aaron out and he took a good nap this afternoon ;) Here's to more fun parties!