Twice the Fun in Lake Powell

We got to go to Lake Powell twice this year. In June with some friends and again 3 weeks later in July with the annual Thomas family trip. We can never tire of that place, just the long 7 hour drive there. Here is Ella and her bestest friend ever, Madeline. Nate entertaining the kids.The muscle men tightening the anchors after a near break from the strong winds.Our family picture, minus this cute little dude, he was back on the boat sleeping.Trip with Grandma and Grandpa. Shirts they gave all the grandkids!We couldn't get Andrew out of the water. He has become a "water junkie" and would do anything from kneeboarding, wakeboarding, and skiing on one he got up surfing this time too.

Stockton and his best buddy Cole.

Taylor and Gramps getting involved in the "minute to win it" gamesElla even was brave this year. On the kneeboard with dad.

The 3 pink amigos

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Our Little Leprachaun We had a fun day of Green. I was out of eggs that morning, so no Green Eggs and Ham, so I made green milk instead. Ella and Stockton didn't really go for it in their cereal , it kind of looked gross. For dinner I made the traditional Corned Beef with cabbage. I love that stuff and apparently so did everyone else! They ate it all up. Maybe it was because we had rainbow cupcakes with pot of gold jello after dinner.
It's amazing what a little food coloring does, I swear they tasted better than just plain old white cupcakes! They sure were cute and pretty easy to make.

Pancakes

So who doesn't love pancakes! I made these pancakes a while ago and Nate said they are his favorite. Very hearty and good for you too.

These pictures don't do these yummy pancakes justice, but trust me they were divine! I took a couple different recipes and did my own take. One was from Bobby Flay and the other was Giada De Laurentis. So here is my version:

Lemon-Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes

4 cups whole wheat flour, or 1/2 white and 1/2 wheat

6 Tb sugar or 4 Tb xagave

3 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

4 eggs (2 separated)

4 Tbs oil

3 cups buttermilk

1 Tb lemon zest

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese

Blueberries; or my favorite: huckleberries

Mix together the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, combine 2 eggs and 2 egg yolks, oil, buttermilk, lemon zest and vanilla. Add the dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Gently stir in the ricotta cheese. In a small bowl, beat the 2 egg whites until soft peaks form. Fold into the batter just until incorporated. Let sit for 15 min. Cook on hot griddle, add berries as desired.

These were great with a more mild syrup so you could get all the different flavors. I used a honey syrup. 1/3 cup water, 1/3 cup sugar, 1/3 cup honey, Heat water and sugar over med heat until sugar dissolves. Stir in the honey, set aside and keep warm.

6 Weeks!

So Canyon is 6 weeks old already! Time flies. He has already started smiling at us. I have been waiting to get it on film but seems to be rather difficult. Night time is still not great. He did better for a few nights. I found this wonderful Snuggle Me blanket and it keeps him so tight he can't move and he has been sleeping a lot better at night with that on. He is also getting so chubby. See those cheeks! His legs are bigger than any of the other kids at that age and he is getting little rolls on them, so cute!
Here he is after his first Bath. He was more excited to be out than in.Mom and Dad trying to catch up on some sleep. It works best if he is in our arms.Here are my attempts to catch the smile. Stock did a good job and got him to smile at him, you just can't really see it.Ella was the big helper and decided to bathe with Canyon and help hold him!

He's Here!!

So here I am on Sunday the 27th of December and I thought for sure this was it! I was ready to have this baby. But I guess he wasn't quite ready because he held on for 3 more days.

Here I am in the hospital. Nate loves to get me when I look my best and having a contraction at 8 cm. I was walking around trying to get things moving a little quicker. I decided to try and do it naturally and really it wasn't bad at all until the last 5 min when you are complete and start the pushing process (which luckily for me was maybe 5 pushes and it was over, even with shoulders stuck and the doctors hand in there trying to turn him, OUCH!). So all in all I loved the natural delivery, the recovery has been wonderful and so much quicker. I felt so much better.
Yes, He is finally here! On December 30 at 3:30 pm our littlest bundle of joy joined our crazy family. Canyon John Chugg 8lbs 7oz. 20.5 in long!

No children are allowed in the hospital anymore for health reasons. So the kids didn't get to see their new brother until we were home. Taylor came in and saw him on the couch and started saying "he's here, he's really here!" They really couldn't believe it.

The boys admiring him for the first time. Stockton really loves to hold him and is always the first one to ask.

Taylor and Ella loving their new little brother.

We are so blessed to have a healthy baby and so many friends and family to help out. Thank you everyone for the love and support we have gotten already.

Baking

So I haven't posted recipes for the longest time, but I have been baking and trying new things. I just tried these delicious little morsels today and they are great, especially if you like dark chocolate like I do. I got the recipe from the back of the Hershey Kiss bag and it was a hit.

Chocolate Meltaway Brownie Bites. I tried them with the mint truffle kisses and the meltaway kisses and the meltaways won!! So go get a bag and try them for yourself. I won't bother putting the recipe on the blog since you have to get the kisses anyway and it is on the bag.

Tis the Season

A silly picture, but the kids were so excited to get the tree out. I let them decorate it this year. They had a blast at putting all the ornaments on and finding the ones they have made in school years past. I thought I would rearrange and add things but I've decided it's good enough this year and they did a pretty good job!