Thursday, May 15, 2014

Mother's Day

This was what I was gifted with on Mother's Day. 
SAND VOLLEYBALL. Not sure if I can actually can it BEACH VOLLEYBALL since were not on
the beach, but we do have a lake. Does that count??

Setting up camp for the day

The boys always bring digging toys and play on the sides

Eric and Jim's pre-game warmup

Eric was sidelining while a 2 vs 2 game was going and watched baby Lincoln, (1 month) while 
his mama played.

Kind of melted my heart seeing my husband hold a baby again, on Mother's Day, no less.

Silly selfie. 

Our group. It was a fun day!

Tired out boys after bath time watching cartoons with their pipe cleaner glasses. 
They're creative little boys.










Monday, May 5, 2014

Photo Galleria


There's been so much going on the past month or so. I've tried to capture the highlights: I'll let the photos speak for themselves:

Lots of scooter riding


Throw in a kids fun run (for a REAL medal)

Both boys made the local paper!

Eric's first 5K run...The Daffodil Run in Penn Valley

boys and friend Hanna cheer daddy on

Closing in on the finish line. The boys ran along side of him cheering him on. (He placed 4th)
Not bad for his first 5K

SPRING BREAK! Kaleb had 10 days off so.......

My mom flew into Sacramento on April 16th and we drove to Monterey for 4 days. The weather was cool and damp and overcast, but we still had fun.


Sand bombs, of course

Spotting seals

Kaleb and Nibbles on the 17 mile drive 

The weather certainly didn't detour these two toughies!



Warming up at Starbucks with a steamer and cake pop

New hats

Very tired buddies


We went on a whale watching tour. (Quite possible the worst experience in my life)
I was so sea sick and didn't get one picture of a whale. So you'll have to take my word that we saw a total of 21 humpback whales. It was AMAZING, but I couldn't fully appreciate it. The boys and my mom did great but I believe this was a once and a lifetime experience for me!




It turned out to be sunny and we only had 1 hat, but my mom had a sparkly visor which ended up becoming the source of contention because both boys wanted to wear it. 


As you can see, taking turns with the visor. Silly boys.
A walk along the coast line....beautiful! 

Me and my two favorite boys


Taking In the salty air

I should blow this one up. Stunning! And, see the homes on the right, some are vacation rentals. How fun would that be!!??? Maybe someday.



Crashing waves behind the rocks.

Once home, we decided we didn't have enough going on in our lives so we rented a new house and can move in at the end of May. We are right on schedule: moving every year. This house is 2 doors up from our current house but offers us more space and a better yard and a 3 car garage! 
We are so excited!!!

Eric also managed to get himself to the top of Shasta in ONE DAY. Crazy guy. He climbed with a group of men from a local church. Here's the evidence and one heck of a view. May 3, 2014. 
















Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Spring in Gold Country

Jaxon and I took a little stroll around our subdivision yesterday and looked for signs of spring. Besides the 65 degree temps, the trees our leafed out, daffodils are up and lizards are out running around.






We have so much vegetation - stuff that I've never seen before - beautiful and unusual plants. 
But along with the beauty comes Poison Oak and ticks and rattle snakes.... a few things we have to be on the lookout for. <gulp>










Tuesday, February 25, 2014

The NutriMagic

I consider my smoothies magical. They taste GOOD, are GOOD for you and produce RESULTS.
I've tried many recipes since I've been the owner of the Nutribullet, but I've become monogamous with one recipe. It's my Old Standby. I did get burned out on it only because I drank it for approximately 8 months - everyDAY for lunch. It was only recently that I took a break from the Old Standby and experimented with something different (shown below).


But now I'm back to the Old Standby.
And I'm sharing it with you. I would like you to try it and share with me what you think!

A little about my smoothie process: it has been a process! I've fine tuned over the months because I want it to be easy and economical and I don't want to be running to the store weekly for fresh ingredients.

Enter the ice cube trays. I pickedthese guys up at the dollar store and freeze EVERYTHING in them. 
Greek yogurt, pineapple, butternut squash...endless possibilities. 
So for example, I will buy 2 butternut squash, bake them, cool them, scoop them, put the squash in the Nutribullet with some water and purée it, then spread into the trays and freeze overnight. 
Then simply transfer to freezer bags and viola! Easy, hassle free, mess free ingredients that are PACKED with nutrients. 


I know, you think it's genius :)

Where the MAGIC happens:
Start the Old Standby with:
1/2 c. almond milk (I use sweetened vanilla) you could use unsweetened, or use coconut water and
1/2 c. Water

Add 1/3 - 3/4 c. mixed frozen fruit. I like the frozen fruit because it produces a colder, frostier smoothie. You can use fresh fruit though and add crushed ice.
For the standby, 1/2 c. Blueberries, 1/8 c. Raspberries and 2 frozen peach slices 
Then add 2 cubes (1 oz. each) frozen Greek yogurt ( I prefer the honey vanilla but have used plain nonfat. If you go this route, you might want to add some Agave Nectar to sweeten it up a bit) remember you want to be able to actually ENJOY this drink!)

Then add: 1-2 oz. of veggies, like a large carrot or a cube of squash - anything your little heart desires!
Finish it off by adding 1 tsp of almond butter, 1/2 tsp. ground flax, and 1/2 tsp toasted wheat germ

BLEND
If you find it's too thick for your liking, add a little water.

I use this as a meal replacement for 1 meal a day (sometimes 2) and the goal is to not snack in between meals. I can always make it from breakfast to lunch without snacking, but lunch to dinner tends to be tougher, so, I try to choose a HEALTHY snack, but something that's going to gold me over until our 6pm dinner. 
ENJOY!

The Old Standby
1/2 c. Almond Milk or Cocnut Water
1/2c. Water
1 c. Greens - spinach, kale, Swiss chard (I prefer spinach)
3/4 c. Frozen fruit of choice (blueberries, raspberries, mango, strawberries, peaches)
2 ounces or 2 cubes of frozen Greek yogurt 
    (my fave: The Greek Gods, honey salted carmel or honey vanilla)
2 oz. veggies of choice (carrots, squash, sweet potato)
1 tsp. almond butter
1/2 tsp flax seed
1/2 tsp toasted wheat germ