life as i see it

Foto Fridays: Our Year in Photos

2012-02-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

Month 2 Week 1: Just the Parents.

For the first week of each month we'll focus on relationships.

To know more about this project you can read my first post here.

My remote is having some issues. And Eli broke my tripod. soooo I was left with handing the camera over to one of my kids. I picked Alden. I set up the camera with the right settings, taught Alden how to move the little focus points, told him how close to stand and he got this. :)

I love love love it. Us.
Some others he got too....

I sure love this guy. He is so so good to me. And we have such a happy comfortable marriage.
My current favorite thing about him is the love notes that he writes me and leaves for me in random places.
I am a lucky girl.

Thanks to Alden for the great photography :)

You can see all my other entries for this project here

Go check out Brooke's over here!

Please tell me if you have a link somewhere for playing along and I'll add the links.

List 59: What I love Most about Home

2012-02-09T06:00:00.000-07:00

About my current home:

1. The size
2. My glorious bookshelves
3. The amount of kitchen cupboards
4. The HUGE downstairs family room
5. The large lot it sits on
6. The pantry
7. That each kid has their own room
8. The big Garage
9. My photo wall
10. Who I share it with :)

Today

2012-02-08T13:21:00.001-07:00

Found this on pinterest today and thought I'd share it.
It's good to remind myself of this.

10 on Tuesday

2012-02-07T10:00:00.000-07:00

1. Doesn't this just make you SMILE?!!!

2. I put a new post over on my photo blog from a trip we took as a family last Saturday out to Waterton. It was SO windy and cold. The kids stayed in the van the whole time and Regan and I took turns getting out to take pictures.

3. Speaking of my photo blog look at this and scroll down to the bottom photos that caught their eye last week. That's kinda fun.

4. I finally finished my plate wall in my dining room. I love it. And i need to show you a picture some time!

5. I have been looking for curtains for my living room for a while.... still haven't found some i LOVE that there is enough panels of.

6. At our craft group we sewed pillows last week and i loove mine in my living room. Speaking of my loving room it is almost all done and then I'll how you a picture of it all. Before and After.

7. I feel like am beating a dead horse with this sleep thing. He. is. RIDICULOUS. I don't understand why he can't sleep regular hours. He doesn't for so long and then his body literally gives out on him and CANNOT wake him. Cause of his level of exhaustion.
I feel a bit baby bluish lately and when was talking to Regan he said are you sure it isn't three year old blues?? I am struggling with this child lately. His sleep (lack there of), his eating (and lack there of) his obsession with computers and tv. Heaven help me! Three is tough!!

8. We took a walk after school last week on a nice night and it ended in half of my children crying. Pretty sweet - i think so!

9. Tuesday at our house means it's cubs night!

10. I got called into my ward Relief Society Presidency this past Sunday. I am the first counselor. Should be fun and challenging.

In the Kitchen: Salmon & Spinach in Phyllo

2012-02-06T08:27:00.000-07:00

from Pampered Chef Cooking for Two & More

1 tsp olive oil
4 cups fresh baby spinach leaves, coarsely chopped
Salt & ground black pepper
8 sheets (9x14 inches) thawed, frozen phyllo dough
Cooking spray
2 skinless salmon fillets (4-6 ounces each) about 1 1/2 inches thick
2 Tbsp garlic and herb cream cheese spread

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Heat oil in Sauté pan while hot. Add spinach; season with salt and pepper. Cook and stir until spinach is wilted, about 1 minute. Remove spinach to paper towel lined plate. Squeeze out all excess moisture; set aside.

2. Lay one sheet of phyllo on large work surface and spray with nonstick spray. Place second sheet on top, pressing sheets together to sea. Continue laying down and spraying phyllo sheets to create a stack of four sheets of phyllo. Repeat with remaining phyllo and additional cooking spray to create another phyllo stack.

3. Season salmon fillets with salt and black pepper. Spread each salmon fillet with half of the cream cheese spread and top with half of spinach. For each phyllo bundle, place salmon, spinach side down, on phyllo stack 2 inches from bottom edge of short side. Fold long sides oh phyllo in toward center. Gently roll up phyllo from bottom to top . Place both bundles on a cookie sheet with seam sides down. Using a bread knife, make three diagonal slits across the top of each bundle. Spray bundles with cooking spray. Bake 11 -13 minutes or until centers of each salmon register 130 degrees and phyllo is golden brown. Remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Makes 2 servings.

Some of my thoughts on this recipe:
1. I made this last week and it was soooo good. Even my kid ate it (well not Eli but he never eats anything so he doesn't count in this instance :) )
2. The Sister Missionaries loooved it
3. I made 5 bundles and we easily had 2 left over. We could split one bundle for 2 people.
4. I totally forgot about the slicing the 3 slits and it didn't really matter :)
5. I think thawed out and drained frozen spinach would work just fine in a pinch
6. We had it with ancient grains and brown rice for a healthy meal.

Spiritual Sundays

2012-02-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

Foto Fridays: Our Year in Photos

2012-02-03T06:00:00.000-07:00

Month 2 Week 1: Playroom.

For the first week of each month we'll focus on a room in the house.

To know more about this project you can read my first post here.

I wanted to give a good feel for our play room. The kids use it A LOT. Like a lot a lot. And I wanted to give a spread of things they do there on a weekly bases. So these pictures are not all from the same day.

Lots of dumping of toys happens down there thanks to Eli (and neighbor kids)

I just got my old trunk that was in my room when I was a kid and I have filled it with dress up clothes and MAN do they get used a LOT. Like almost every day a lot.

In one closet sits this big old doll house. It was also mine as a kid. I wanted to fix it all up to give to Lucy for Christmas but I just didn't get to it. So it's a future project waiting to happen. But the kids play with it all the time anyways. It ends up being the house for little pet shop and barbies and superheros and lego men and all sorts of characters.

(this one is my favorite from all of these)

The tv and wii are down there too so that gets used as well.

The ping pong table I got for Regan for Christmas is down there. And some days that is a train table space too.

Lots of reading goes on down there too... in the background you can see the dress up trunk better.

We love our big open downstairs! It is a great place for all these activities and more.

You can see all my other entries for this project here

Go check out Brooke's over here!

Please tell me if you have a link somewhere for playing along and I'll add the links.

List 57: Lesson I'd like to take

2012-02-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

1. Singing Lessons

2. Some sort of Art Lessons again ie. Painting or something

3. Photography (A weekend Seminar thingy)

4. Pottery again.

And a picture to share that Regan took of me with his iPhone.

10 on Tuesday

2012-01-31T06:00:00.000-07:00

1. I think I post about the weather every week in my 10 on Tuesday..... :) CRAZY nice out.. well except that wind!

2. I took this picture on the 15th and I really love it. Eli being natural.

3. And a couple of my favorites from my class I am in the midst of right now....

4. Poor Lucy was puking Sunday night and Monday.

5. I found our box of dress ups a week or so ago and MAN have then been used so much lately!

6. Since starting Project Life I have been paying attention more again to the scrapbooking world. I've still been scrapbooking here and there. But really until two months ago I wasn't doing it consistently. But now I've started a baby book for Oliver (remind myself to show you some of it soon). But anyways, my point is that I've found some great SB blogs again. Like this one and this one.

7. I love having women over for lunch! In the past two weeks I've had three groups of people. Some as couples and some just moms and kids. I think it is a great way to get to know people and cook food that my kids would hate :)

8. My friend Chelsea has a great blog that makes you think a lot and gives a spiritual boost and she linked to another site I love reading now.

9. Oliver has blown out a LOT lately.

10. can you believe it is the last day of January????

In the Craft Room: Project Life

2012-01-30T12:00:00.000-07:00

Well I revamped my Project Life. So here is the new title page. (you can see the original I did here.)

Week 1 Page 1:

Page 2:

And then inserts in between those pages. I decided that I wanted the ones the kids ACTUALLY filled out so you could see their writing in all it's messy gloriousness.

Week 2 Page 1:

Page 2:

Week 3 Page 1:

Page 2:

I am much happier with it all now. I made some smaller prints, added some quotes and a lot more life stuff. Still have some journaling to do but I have that all done on my flickr photos - I just have to decide how much to actually write in my album.

I found lots of printables and templates make right for the PL online that I used too. Like these and these and these and these and these.

This post is participating in

Spiritual Sundays

2012-01-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

“The togetherness of technology is no substitute for the family.” - Neal A Maxwell, GC Apr 2001

Every morning at nap time when I am nursing Oliver in his room before nap I notice the light coming into his room. And every day I think I should capture it. And I finally did. Love this little ear. And this little man. And these quiet moments we share together in the midst of all the other kids and all the noise. Just the two of us together.

Foto Fridays: Our Year in Photos

2012-01-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

Month 1 Week 4: Height.

For the fourth week of each month we'll focus on details.

To know more about this project you can read my first post here.

I had visions of making a cool height chart like all the ones you see on pinterest but then I realized this wasn't about that. It's about my kids and our family. sooo here they all are.

You can see all my other entries for this project here

Go check out Brooke's over here!

Please tell me if you have a link somewhere for playing along and I'll add the links.

List 56: Least Favorite Smells

2012-01-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

1. Coffee.
2. Smelly Feet.
3. Sports Equipment.
4. B.O.
5. Dirty Dish Towels
6. Rotten Potatoes
7. Cigarette Smoke

YUCK.

In the Kitchen: Stuffed Pork Tenderloin

2012-01-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

I looved this! It was so good and looks fancy but really easy to make!

It comes from this book, which is a great book!!

1/2 cup golden raisins
8 ounces farmer's cheese
1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary leaves
1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
1 tsp fresh chopped parsley
1 cup chopped toasted walnuts
2 tsp salt
One 4-pound boneless pork loin
1 tsp ground black pepper
2 tsp unsalted butter
1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs

1. Preheat oven to 400.
2. Plump the raisins in 1/4 cup hot water (the recipe calls for walnut liqueur but water works fine)
3. Saute raisins & left over water and cook for 3-5 minutes or until all water is gone. Transfer to a bowl. Add cheese, rosemary, thyme, parsley, walnuts and 1/2 tsp salt and mix well.
4. Cut the fat of the roast. Slice down the middle of the roast and fill it with filling. Tie shut with bakers twine.
5. Season all over with salt and pepper.
6. Melt butter in saucepan and add breadcrumbs. Cook until golden brown. Sprinkle on roast.
7. Roast in oven until thermometer registers 140-145, about 35-40 minutes. Allow to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

I simplified the instructions. Try it out!

10 on Tuesday

2012-01-24T09:03:00.001-07:00

1. Yesterday Regan, me and the two littlest boys went into Lethbridge to do errands. For lunch we stopped at Fat Burger, the newest burger joint in town. Regan had taken Eli over to fill their pop cups up and I was sitting in my booth with Oliver. Behind me two young adult age guys were sitting and having a chat that was about one guy's girlfriend. I overheard... "and I was on the phone with her saying hey did you hear the new Ihop is almost open?" And she was like Ihop, isn't that the pancake place? I don't even like pancakes. And I said WHAT. I almost broke up with her right there, I mean what kind of person doesn't like pancakes, right" and the other guy's response "don't you HAVE to like pancakes if you are Canadian? Seriously what kind of person doesn't like pancakes??" As soon as they left I had to tell Reg about their conversation. It was hilarious! :)

2. Last week on Friday for my Linked project I shared this picture and the recipe for the waffles on my photo blog. You should make them. They are soooo good.

3. Eli is doing terrible at night again. This morning at some time around 5am he came into our room to announce "I don't like sleeping."

4. We did a HUGE grocery shop yesterday. I love that we can buy food without concern of not having money for food. I think growing up in a lower income family has made me very thankful for having more.

5. This weather is playing with our minds. One week of ridiculousness and then crazy wind. My kids keep saying that it's spring and ask when it's going to get nicer... we still have quite a few months that could be coooold!

6. I love having a garage to park in. It's the BEST.

7. Last night one of the times I went in to get Oliver and he was laying there on his back (which means he rolled over) and kicking wildly with the blanket just on his face. When I pulled it off it scared him and he started to cry. It was kind of funny.

8. I want to do some sewing. But between Eli, my back and Oliver I really am not getting very much sleep. But I have all these great things pinned to sew! I just don't have the energy to do it. I wish I did but I just want to sit around and read books or pin things or visit with friends.

9. I am back on with my menu planning. Got one for two weeks ready. (Hence #4)

10. I love this poster and I want to hang it in my home somewhere.

Oliver at 4 Months

2012-01-23T06:00:00.000-07:00

Can you believe this little man is 4 months already?!!

It has gone by so fast!!!
At 4 months Oliver...

• loves to baby talk but it comes out sounding more like gargling most of the time
• is very very social
• squirms around a lot in his crib when he wakes up
• is a noisy sleeper
• now in his own room (since he is a noisy sleeper)

• smiles at ANYONE who pays him attention and even if we aren't paying attention - he'll just look at us and smile
• has a smile that lights up his whole face

• can burp REALLY loud
• spits up a lot less than the first two months but still spits up a bit
• loves to look in the mirror
• puts up with a LOT of "love" from Eli and really just smiles at him... most of the time (he looks scared here...)

• sleeps on his tummy
• loves his soother
• slobbers a LOT
• swings his arms at toys that are above him and can even grab them sometimes but then can't let go
• has the BEST laugh and sometimes even snorts

• is sitting up in the Bumbo Chair
• is getting a semi regular schedule
• taking longer and longer naps

• slept last night from 10pm-7am but normally sleeps from around 830pm to 3am then eats and back to sleep til 7am
• loves the jolly jumper especially if one of the kids is sitting in front of him to look at
• finally loves bath time
• has realized he has feet and hands and stares at them

• is a great breastfeeder
• is very ticklish
• loves to jump in your arms
• thinks it is sooo funny if you bouncy him around but that often ends up in spit up

• turns to see us whenever he hears dad or mom's voice
• never really cries much unless he is tired or hungry
• gets lots of attention from his siblings

• is very content to just sit and look around especially if someone is holding him
• wears 3-6 months clothes
• has dark hair growing in and quite a bit of it
• sucks on two fingers of his left hand often

• pretty much always goes to sleep in vehicles
• often has his eyes WIDE open staring around
• is such a joy to have in our home!

Spiritual Sundays

2012-01-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

“It is this principle [of faith], my brethren and sisters, that points us heavenward, that gives us hope in the battle of life. When we become confused, and find ourselves confronted by obstacles we, seemingly, cannot overcome, having faith in the Redeemer of the world, we can go to Him and know that our prayers will be answered for our good.” - Pres. George Albert Smith

Foto Friday: Our Year in Photos

2012-01-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

Month 1 Week 3: Mealtime.

For the third week of each month we'll focus on time of day or season.

To know more about this project you can read my first post here.

I narrowed in on breakfast time. I think because of my other project I am doing on my photo blog here and the theme this week is Breakfast so I was thinking that way for this project too.

Eli always gets up first. He gets up rrrrreally early has a pre breakfast breakfast and then watches a cartoon on the computer while I sleep a little bit more. Some days if it is before 6 then I try and make him go back to sleep but that only works on some days.

Breakfast round #2 for Eli. Wrapped in his blanket and he is smiling (which never happens for round #1). He sits on the bench and roams up and down it while he eats.
He only wants cereal for both breakfasts. Sometimes he'll go for Oatmeal.

1. She is rarely dressed for breakfast so it's funny she just happened to be dressed the day I took the pictures.
2. She always gets some of her breakfast on her clothes. (Which is why #1)
3. She doesn't like cereal and would rather have scrambled eggs and hash browns (her favorite) or pancakes.
4. She gets distracted very easily at breakfast and half the time doesn't finish whatever she was eating. Mostly cause she is talking.
5. She normally sits right beside Alden but this morning she was sitting where I usually sit. She moves the most out of the family. Everyone else kind of sits in the same spots every meal.

1. He is normally the last out of bed in the morning.
2. He is totally into breakfast. Unaware of everyone around him.
3. Usually eats two bowls of cereal or oatmeal.
4. He would always pick cereal over eggs or pancakes or anything like that.
5. Thinks you should NEVER get dressed before breakfast.
6. Always squats on the chair while eating.
7. He ALWAYS sits in the same spot and gets upset if someone takes his "special" spot.

Here is Brooke's this week. Go check it out!

Please tell me if you have a link somewhere for playing along and I'll add the links.

List 55: Favorite things to do while I am Alone

2012-01-19T08:11:00.000-07:00

1. Pinterest. Pinterest. Pinterest. The only better thing would be if we owned a lab top or an ipad so I could pin while laying in bed :)
2. Read.
3. Scrapbook
4. Eat chocolate.
5. Sleep.
6. Watch tv shows

And since a post is more fun with a picture... here's Alden enjoying the HUGE train track Regan built on our ping pong table.

In the Craft Room: Valentine's Day Mantel

2012-01-18T12:00:00.000-07:00

So here is my new mantel all decked out for Valentine's Day.

At the top is this heart, that I made a couple years ago and I still love it!

For a month this mailbox sits out and we all write love notes to each other or draw pictures or whatever and then on V-Day we'll open them all together.

My banner made from old book pages, some embroidery thread, patterned paper and my Silhouette.
The papers I used were:
Webster's Pages ting-a-lin Collection "Candied Apples"
Echo Park Paper Dots & Stripes Ruby Red Large Dot
Little Yellow Bicycle Elizabeth Park Lacy-Lattice Grey
Simple Stories 100 Days of Summer Endless Summer
the girl's paperie by Margie kitch

For FHE we talked about Charity and how this time of year is a great time to think of things and people we love. So we made hearts (Lucy cut most of them out) and we all wrote on things and people we love. We do this every year and it always makes me smile the things the kids write.

Are you decorating for Valentine's day??

10 on Tuesday

2012-01-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

1. I am glad you all liked yesterdays idea. I did too. That's why I copied Heather and did it too! If 15 is too much you could say the 5th starting in Feb and do it until next february! Or it doesn't have to coincide with the date. Just do 10 pictures in one day. Or five. I was really trying hard to do horizontal pictures too. I just naturally take vertical. My eye just sees them easier.

2. I am starting an online photo class again with the lovely Wendy Schulz today. Coolio. Could be tricky in the winter but it's a go.

3. I love that I can say to this girl, "please will you come out onto the deck even though it's cold out - the light is SO nice right now and I'll just take a few frames???" And she'll do it. And look cute at the same time.

4. Eli loves to make up songs. Especially about Oliver. This is what I hear ALL DAY long........

5.I've decorating for Valentine's Day. (Regan says a little bit too early and a little bit too much.) I'll share my mantle and banner and all that tomorrow or Monday. (I know you are on the EDGE of your seat for that :) ha!)

6. One of my very favorite shots from yesterday was this one of Alden. Because it is SO Alden. He is a big goof and I love it.

7. Nichole noticed there was lots of reading in our day. And it's true. Normally there is lots from me too, just no pictures of it!

8. Did I mention that our computer is having troubles lately. Like worrisome troubles. We might end up getting a new one sooner than we thought! I am glad we have Time Machine and that it backs everything up often.

9. I just found out this week that NONE of my emails from my photo website get through to me. CRAPPY! And I am not sure why or how to fix it. Bummer!

10. Some of you have mentioned that you wanted to play along in the our family in photos idea that Brooke and I are doing on Fridays from my friend Jenn. We'd love to have you play along. Email me (steedr@gmail.com) for the list. And would you like a linky thing that you can link up to too or no thanks on that??

15 on the 15th

2012-01-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

So I have all these amazing photographer friends and they inspire me in soooo many ways. One of my good friends Heather (whose blog is private so you can't see it but trust me AMAZING. Pictures and everything else). She did this thing that on the 10th of each month this year she's gonna take 10 pictures of her family during the day. And I wanted to do it too. All her pictures were so inspiring and awesome. She's gonna do b&w too. And since I wanna be like her when I grow up I'm doing it too.... but it was past the 10th. So I am doing the 15th. So yesterday's pictures.

I took a LOT of pictures today (in fact Regan announced to the kids that mom was going overboard with the camera.) He sure is a good sport (and so are my kids) to put up with it constantly in their faces :) I have lots of today that I loved but all these are my favorites. And there is a big break in the middle since we were at church and that isn't the place to take my camera.

Spiritual Sundays

2012-01-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

"Motherhood is the greatest potential influence either for good or ill in human life. The mother's image is the first that stamps itself on the unwritten page of the young child's mind. It is her caress that first awakens a sense of security; her kiss the first realization of affection; her sympathy and tenderness, the first assurance that here is love in the world." David O. Mckay

Foto Friday: Our Year in Photos

2012-01-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

Month 1 Week 2: Group Shot

The second week of the month we'll focus on relationships.

To know more about this project you can read my first post here.

For the second week of each month we'll focus on relationships. This weeks assignment, group shot, I took it as all my kids but looking now I should have done my whole family... whoops. I'll have to take one of those on the weekend! But here are my kids two days in a row.

They were playing in costumes today. I had just found a container of costumes (I knew it was here SOMEWHERE - but of course I found it waaaay after Halloween!) I told them to all get together and Lucy picked out a crown for Oliver. I love that these kids love to play together!

You can check out all my other entries for this here

Go check out Brooke's!!

List 54: Things to do this Winter

2012-01-12T16:24:00.002-07:00

1. Send Regan snowboarding.
2. Try snowshoeing
3. Do some indoor photography with kids and lights
4. Go on a family drive to Waterton
5. Build a snowman
6. Make Borax snowflakes with the kids
7. Take my photo class

In the Craft room: Project Life

2012-01-11T17:33:00.001-07:00

Sooo I thought I'd share what I am doing with my 365 pictures this year. Using Becky Higgins' great Project Life to make an album as we go.

The great thing is that now I have a great printer, my awesome new Silhouette AND project life. Am I spoiled or WHAT!!! So today I did this....

First I designed my journalling cards in Photoshop and printed them on my Canon PIXMA MG5220 printer. I used some digital scrapbooking paper from Erica Hernendez. I just used the rulers (although I have to say rulers in the Silhouette program would be REALLY helpful!!) and lined it up. Yes it took a few tries but I did then get these about each member of our family. (I wrote whatever my kids said so yes there are some silly answers!)

So here is my title page.

All Project life stuff plus some American Crafts cardstock that matched and another little journaling card I made about our family. The top picture will get replaced with a family picture as soon as I take one this year!

And here is my inside spread.

I got the 2012 card from here and I just changed the color of 2012 to what I wanted (aint photoshop GREAT!) and then all the cut stuff I used my Silhouette for. The Butterfly is a font I have.

From now I am doing week at a glance spreads. But I liked this to give a snapshot at where we are right NOW starting the year.

10 on Tuesday

2012-01-10T10:00:00.000-07:00

1. I got a Silhouette Cameo. And I loooooooooove it. So much fun. So far I've only done scrapbooking pages but I'll share some tomorrow. I want to get vinyl soon and get designing my own designs on it instead of cutting out theirs. (not that theirs aren't cute :) )

2. We are on day two of school's back in. And I was ready for school to be back in.

3. This child is a goof.

4. I shared this picture with the Christmas pictures but never told you about it. We had each of the Steed grandkids paint themselves and grandma got them all. Alden painted himself a small guy (funny since he's the biggest of all the grandkids) and the momma's painted the babies for them.

5. Loved this shot.

6. Snow. Finally!

7. Oh how we miss our good friends the Wilde's!! We were all soooo excited to get together for a small visit in the Christmas break. The Wilde's were with us in Medical school and residency. And they've moved away for one year so their dad can do an R3 in ER Medicine. In 6 months they'll be back and the kids can all have their best friends back.
My favorite things to notice in this shot:
• Anise has lost a sock (happens EVERY time they come over)
• Maggie has an iPhone to keep her still
• Eli is of course covering his face cause it's a picture
• Lucy and Alden are both SO happy to be seeing their best friends.

8. Oh my how this little man brings me joy!! Before I had Oliver I told myself that no matter what I would enjoy the baby just in case it is my last. And really I have. Even in the middle of the night. Almost everything he does just brings a smile to my face. :) Love him.

9. This month I am working on the Living room. Getting it all decorated up. Just bought curtains and rods. But decided that I need just plain white ones so I'm gonna go back to Home Depot and switch. That is what I had a first and then I wavered. I always think I shouldn't like just white as much as I do. But it's what I LOVE!

10. Next up for the living room... pillows!! Gonna sew some on our craft night!

Spiritual Sundays

2012-01-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

Foto Friday: Our Year in Photos

2012-01-06T08:57:00.002-07:00

I'm starting a new project today. With my great friend Brooke. And I got it from another photog friend named Jenn. Jenn came up with and explained it best so I'm just going to quote her here:

"Earlier this week I posted how I've been thinking a lot about the kinds of photographs I want my kids to have of their childhood. Not all the posed "let's go out into this beautiful field and take some beautiful smiling photographs", but the actual "I have the coolest room and I love playing lego on the floor" photographs.

But that led me also to thinking how great I am about starting projects and not so great about finishing them. Which got the wheels turning in my head about a great project that would require a minimal time commitment and still get me exactly what I want.

And so the Our Year in Photos Project was born. One photo a week for a year. Each capturing a specific part of our lives and of my kids' childhood that I want remembered.

Once I started writing the idea down, I couldn't stop. I couldn't stop thinking about everything I wanted captured, everything I wished I had photos of from when I was 4, everything I wished I had photos of from when my kids were 4. So I planned out the entire year. And I am so excited for every single week.

Here's how it's going to work. Every Monday I'm going to post a prompt. You have to take one photo for each week. That's it....just one photo a week. This is not a time-consuming project. There will be some weeks where I take 2 photos (one of each kid) but not more than that, for this project . The prompts aren't going to be difficult - think "a photograph with my little peanut wearing her favourite shirt".

By the end of the year, I - and you too if you play along - am going to have an album of images that really show what our everyday life is all about - where we live, what we love, who we love.

Because it's just the way I am, there have to be some rules. And know these are really more for me than you, in an attempt to overcome my perfectionist tendencies.

You may not quickly change your child into matching clothes right before you take the photo because it's going to actually be printed and put in an album. Whatever they're wearing goes.
You may not rush around and pick up all the toys on the floor and put away the jackets, shoes, whatever is lying around before you take the photo. Whatever your house looks like at that moment goes.
There will be the occasional prompt that requires you to be in the photo. You may not skip over those ones. Obviously your kids know that you're there every day, but 10 years from now will they see it in the photos?
Do it. It's only one photo per week."

Sounds great HEY?!! Join us. We'd love to have you.

Month 1 Week 1: The Vehicle

The first week of the month is a photograph a room in our home.
This week's "room" may not technically be in our home but it's somewhere we spend a lot of time together.

So go check out Brooke's shots this week!

Listography 53: Favorite Books of 2011

2012-01-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

I read 65 books in 2011. I know cause I keep track on Good Reads.

My 10 favorites were (in no particular order)

1. The Mountain Between Us by Charles Martin
2. Plate to Pixel: Digital Food Photography and Styling by Helene Dujardin
3. The Ladies Auxiliary by Tova Mirvis
4. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver
5. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls,
6. To the Rescue: The Biography of Thomas S. Monson by Heidi S. Swinton
7. The Family Dinner by Laurie David
8. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
9. The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels by Ree Drummond
10. Within the Frame: The Journey of Photographic Vision by David duChemin

Overheard

2012-01-04T09:00:00.000-07:00

This child is so funny.

On Christmas Eve he was ~~kind of~~ grouchy. He didn't want to leave Grandma's house to go home to bed.
To which I, of course, replied that we had to go home to bed so Santa could come cause he only brings toys to good kids.
Eli: "Well I don't like Santa."
Me: "Why not?"
Eli: "And he doesn't like me."
Me: "Yes he does"
Regan: " He likes all kids"
Eli: "Nope. Not me. He doesn't like little boys."
Me: "How do you know that?"
Eli: "He told me"
Me: "When?"
Eli: "2:30."
Alden: "Yeah, well where were you?"
Eli: "In the North Pole" (said in a tone indicating obviously)
Alden & Lucy start laughing.
Me: "Eli he likes you and he'll bring you some presents tonight."
Eli: "I don't want them. You can give them to Oliver."
Me: "What about the train set you asked for?"
Eli: "Our baby can have them. I don't want to go to bed."

And he CAN NOT stop kissing everyone. But especially Oliver. I am worried it is going to scar the poor child.

10 on Tuesday

2012-01-03T21:58:00.000-07:00

1. I took a break on blogging. And then I went back and added some posts. :) Cause I'm tricky like that. They have LOTS of pictures. Feel free to peruse them and comment on them.

2. We took down all Christmas stuff today. And it was great.

3. Regan took some days off this week and it is great too.

4. We took some family pictures the other night. This is one of the treasures in the bunch.

5. I looooved seeing the clouds hugging Chief Mountain like this.

6. Regan and I (along with some help from Matt and Shannon) tiled our fireplace. Still have to grout it. Should have done that tonight but I didn't.

7. I am doing Project Life this year. Heard of it? I'm excited and ready to go!!

8. I am starting a GREAT photo project I am rrrrrrreally excited about!!! I'll be sharing my first on Friday!

9. Is this weather not the strangest!! Just let the wind stop!!

10.Happy New Year from the Steeds!!

Christmas 2011

2012-01-02T21:48:00.000-07:00

for our family looked a little like this....

List 52: favorite photographs from 2011

2011-12-29T11:03:00.000-07:00

Spiritual Sundays: Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T10:46:00.000-07:00

from our family to yours

“We all can make the choice to give thanks in prayer and to ask God for direction to serve others for Him—especially during this time of year when we celebrate the Savior’s birth.”
—President Henry B. Eyring, First Presidency Message

10 on Tuesday (on Thursday)

2011-12-22T22:07:00.000-07:00

1. I haven't been posting because my back has been so badly lately I just can't sit that long at the computer. And I've just been sitting around trying to get comfortable or getting Christmas stuff done!

2. Speaking of Christmas, it's almost here!

3. I hung up some stuff in my house again and I looove it. I'll have to take a picture and share! I did a plate wall.

4. Another crazy happening this past week, was Lucy trying to walk home from school, getting lost and someone we go to church with finding her in a ditch playing in the snow. After I had been to the school and multiple people were phoned, multiple teachers were driving around to find her. It was just GREAT.

5. I got Regan a fun present.

6. We finally caved and the kids are getting a Wii for Christmas.

7. Oliver is sleeping AMAZING lately.

8. I need a massage so I can sleep but none of the massage therapists in Raymond can fit me in til at least next week.

9. I love paper snowflakes this year.

10. We've done lots of other Christmasy stuff that I didn't put up on my blog.

On the Bookshelf: Advent 2011

2011-12-19T14:57:00.001-07:00

Since I am not keeping up with posting my books each day, instead I'm gonna list all the ones we have and reuse each year!

1. Snowmen at Christmas
2. Sam's Snowy Day
3. Fluffy's Christmas
4. Follow the Star
5. I spy a Candy Cane
6. Cinderella's Fairy Tale Christmas
7. What star is this?
8. Russell's Christmas Magic
9. Mary Engelbrett's The Night Before Christmas
10. Merry Christmas Little Critter
11. I've seen Santa
12. My First Story of the First Christmas
13. Snowmen at night
14. The First Night
15. Christmas Trolls
16. Father and Son
17. This is the stable
18. The story of christmas
19. Gingerbread Pirates
20. Mr. Finnegan's Giving Chest
21. Christmas Wishes
22. The Polar Express
23. When Jesus Christ was
24. Come and see

Other good ones we've got that go along with the season:
Usborne's Christmas Activities
Usbonre's Preschool Christmas Fun

Spiritual Sundays

2011-12-18T13:50:00.002-07:00

10 on Tuesday

2011-12-13T09:33:00.000-07:00

1. I am working on Blurb books today. Something I should have done like last week, but I didn't :).

2. Yes my shelves are AWESOME :) Thanks be to Brad for building them, DAve for painting them and Abby for designing and dreaming them up!

3. I love that it snowed now that Christmas is close.

4. I wrapped one present last night. Yep. All done that ONE. HA!

5. Me and my friend Jodi went down across the border to pick up packages and we came back across and didn't have to pay any duty. :)

6. Did I mention I want to fill my shelves but I'm trying to be patient?

7. Oliver is super duper cute.

8. Eli is sleeping horrible again.

9. When my shelves were getting painted I had Dave paint my bedroom dresser too. and I lloooooooooove it white.

10. I am obsessed with white painted things!

Monday Madness

2011-12-12T11:30:00.000-07:00

Whoops there went a week hey?! We have been in a bit of shambles around our house. Things are in piles all over the place and we can't put them away. And we couldn't decorate for christmas, so all the containers with decorations were sitting around the house too. Perfect. All cause some painting and building was being done.

It was all thanks to these lovely shelves my talented brother was building and someone named Dave was painting. So now they sit waiting to be filled but I can't yet because the paint is supposed to harden. Technically it's supposed to be for a month. But technically I can't let them sit there looking all nice and white and not decorate for Christmas. So I am going with a week.... that should work.... right? Until then I want to do my tiling around the fireplace... but I need a wet saw - anyone know someone who has one I can borrow?? No I don't know how to tile but I expect someone on you tube does and they can show me!

I did add our stockings just cause i HAD too.... although I need to get some names embroidered on them. Although Regan says I should do that by hand and I say no way. That's what machines were invented for!

Our tree is finally up and decorated!

This wall is in progress too.... My prints are done now and ready to pick up and I have to add a few more frames. I love it.

I did decorate the railing. Cause nothing is changing on that. We have been keeping up with Advent things and books. I'll update all the books we've read and the activities we've done that I missed. Since I KNOW you all are on the edge of your seat :)

PS won't my living room look great when my shelves are finished, fire place tiled, curtains hung, frames filled? Yep. Love a talented brother and a talented Abby who suggested the idea of the shelves that I hadn't even THOUGHT of doing!

Advent Calendar days 3, 4 & 5

2011-12-05T20:06:00.001-07:00

I just not going to be able to keep up posting our books & activities every day. But that is okay.

Our books we've opened in the last three days (well including today) were...

And I couldn't find the other book's image but it's called the Christmas Story and it's a huge board book.
The crafts and activities were....

...a snow man pizza (yeah the one on pinterest looked way cooler but this one my kids would actually eat!)

... writing stories in Christmas shapes. I just found some christmas shapes that were empty and let the kids pick which ones they wanted and let them free to write whatever stories they wanted. Alden's was called Yoshi's Christmas. And Lucy wrote one called the Snowman.

....Eli decorated his Santa face instead of writing a story in it.... for obvious reasons!

... Lucy's Paper plate Christmas tree from a couple days ago that I forgot to take a picture of

We all hung around the table for quite a while and relaxed and the kids did crafts. It was great.

On Sunday night we hung out with family and enjoyed a baby blessing.
Tonight we had a short Family Home Evening using this idea from latter day homeschooling.

Spiritual Sundays

2011-12-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

"Oh, parents, we would plead, give good and happy memories to your children - not pampering or overindulging, not satisfying everything they take a fancy to - but memories of love, encouragement, of peace and harmony and happiness at home - memories that will bless and lift their lives wherever they are, always and forever." - L. Tom Perry, Dec 1970

Advent 2011 Day 2

2011-12-02T22:11:00.000-07:00

Today's books were:

Well yesterday Shannon's comment was how do you remember to take pictures of all the stuff and haha I forgot to take pictures of their crafts.
They made paper plate Christmas trees and wreaths. (like these and then just a plate with the middle cut out and painted green with red dots on)

Then we attended Raymond's Old Time Christmas. They served donuts and hot chocolate, lit the tree outside and sung christmas carols, had a wishing well, and Santa came to town on a Fire engine.

Here's THE tree.

My older kids were okay with Santa, but Eli no way! Although right before we got up to him (after waiting in line for WAY too long) Lucy turns to me and says, "but mom, won't we actually be sitting on a stranger's lap?"

It was a good day. And we ran into Lethbridge and Regan picked up my birthday present. An old vintage camera to add to my collection :) LOVE it.

ADVENT 2011 Day 1

2011-12-01T21:00:00.000-07:00

Our Advent activities this year are a little adjusted. Well it seems each year I do that a bit. But this year we are going again with the 24 Christmas books all wrapped up (I forgot to take a picture so I'll take it today!)
We had two books today since we've got more than 24 - some are wrapped with 2 in the package. We opened these two books...
Polar Express and Gingerbread Pirates

And then this.

This year instead I put all the activities inside the jar and each day the kids pick out two or three.

Our craft pulled from the jar was this. A very simple santa hat. Red construction paper and I wanted to use cotton balls but I couldn't find them, and these cotton pads worked just as well!

My kids plus two neighbor kids who were over while we did our Christmas craft today.

And then we opened some pjs and went driving around town to see all the lights.

They also have a Lego Christmas Advent Calendar all the kids are sharing and one of those chocolate ones each. That way they always get to open one with chocolate and each third day they get a small lego guy.

What are YOU doing for your advent calendar this year?

34 Things to do before 35.

2011-11-30T13:49:00.001-07:00

Since today is my birthday, I've come up with a list of things I'd like to do before I turn 35.

1. Read 65 books. (I've read 63 so far this year)
2. Go on a family vacation.
3. Start a food storage. Including 72 hour kit for the whole family.
4. Sew a quilt for Eli and one for Alden.
5. Get family pictures done.
6. Take a class.
7. Learn to crochet.
8. Finish my last 4 recipes from MSBH (sad to say I've had those 4 for like a year!)
9. Go to Arizona with Regan.
10. Build something wooden by myself.
11. Get the living room & dining room decorated how I want it.
12. Get a fence around our yard.
13. Plant and harvest a garden.
14. Lose 10 - 15 pounds.
15. Run a race.
16. Finish at LEAST 10 already started projects.
17. Volunteer somewhere in my community.
18. Go two months without any library fines.
19. Take a picture of our family every month for one year.
20. Learn to make a budget and USE it!
21. Read the Book of Mormon again from start to finish.
22. Have a pedicure.
23. Alter a piece of clothing for myself.
24. Paint a picture.
25. Do a photo shoot of my parents.
26. Do a fashion photo shoot.
27. Decorate my bedroom.
28. Sing 2 duets or in a choir.
29. Attend a concert or show of some kind.
30. Make 4 mini albums.
31. Enter a contest.
32. Write a children's book.
33. Take a series of photographs along my "idea". (it's a secret :) HA)
34. Fill every frame I have and hang them on my walls.

10 on Tuesday

2011-11-29T09:43:00.001-07:00

1. Yesterday Crystal commented about a raymond story about sports. Yep, it's a sports town. Who knows if our kids will ever be fully involved or not. We'll never push them to sports but if t hey want to play we'll support them. But in a completely normal way.

2. My friend Carlye made this for me... isn't it AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!! I looooove it!!

3. I finally hung up a few things!!! This is in the basement with spots for my kids to hang their art up and a chalk board and a white board.

4. I love this little man. And I am enjoying him so much!! My Aunty Ilo sent this outfit plus another to Oliver! (And a book to all my other kids!)

5. Sunset. Just down the road from my parents house!

6. To me this is the essence of Southern Alberta.

7. My Grandma lives with my parents now which means my kids have a great grandma. Something I always had and always loved!

8. I never really felt nervous about the fires. They were far enough away that we were totally okay. But I did want to go closer to take pictures BADLY! Wish I could have taken some of the fire fighters and such. Cool! Takes me back to school when I took photography for newspaper stuff.

9. Eli plays with Nathan literally every day. We love having him over. Too bad they are moving soon! BOO!

10. We have a Christmas work party tonight and I need to make something tasty!

Wildfires

2011-11-28T08:27:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was an insanely crazy weather day! With winds blowing like crazy!!!
First we noticed the smoke - but we thought it was top soil blowing away....

Then the flames started getting bigger.

The fire trucks

The fire was spreading like... well wild fire.

The horizon.

I am glad every one is safe!!

Spiritual Sundays

2011-11-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

"Listening is an essential part of praying. Answers from the Lord come quietly, ever so quietly. In fact, few hear His answers audibly with their ears. We must be listening so carefully or we will never recognize them. Most answers from the Lord are felt in our heart as a warm comfortable expression, or they may come as thoughts to our mind,. They come to those who are prepared and who are patient." - H. Burke Peterson, Oct 1974

Foto Friday

2011-11-25T12:42:00.000-07:00

At our new house we get to see GREAT sunrises and sunsets. I love that I can see the paint brush of God every morning!

I love love love Heathers!!!!!

List 47: Things to be thankful for

2011-11-24T09:12:00.001-07:00

1. Running water

2. A dishwasher

3. A warm house

4. Vehicles that work

5. Lots of yummy food

6. A stable job

7. The temple

8. Freedom

9. Friends and family (not really things but I had to add them!)

10. My camera and lenses.

10 on Tuesday

2011-11-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

1. Yesterday I went to Costco. And my trip there involved a H-U-G-E blowout from Oliver. As in to use a lot of wipes. And then someone (maybe me) ran a cart full of food over poor Eli's foot. Causing MAJOR screaming and ending an X-Ray to make sure it wasn't broken. Sweet trip to Costco.

2. I am glad my husband is a doctor. It sure comes in handy.

3. I've been toying with the idea of taking a week or more to unplug. No internet. And then I think okay maybe just emails and that's all. I think it'd be good for me.

4. Oliver is so lovely.

5. I have some great ideas for taking some pictures of kids. Just for fun.

6. In the middle of FHE tonight one of my kids said "blah blah blah" while I was talking. That made me feel... um... mad.

7. I read a GREAT book in the last two days. Easy fast read with a great love story! Check it out!

8. My living room is now filled with 8 foot bookshelves. They just need to be painted. And they are cool. I'll be sharing before and after pictures some time soon. (as soon as they get done.) My brother Brad made them. He's great :)

9. I am going to actually decorate my house. And my dad gave me a whole pile of tools. As in a sander, nail gun, all these saws. I am going to use them and make my house MINE. :) And I got at least 25 frames from my mom. Yes my parents have all these things to give away and I love that finally after all these years my parents have something I want and I get it. That sounds selfish and funny but I mean we didn't grow up with a lot and I'd never ever thought I'd be wanting anything they had. And now I do. And my mom is kind and shares with me. And my dad too. It's nice.

10. If I took an internet break, just think how many of these projects I could do. Or these. Come to think of it, I think an actual USING pinterest challenge would be great!

Lucy at six

2011-11-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

I always like to do a list of things about my kids at their birthdays and I never got around to it, so this is a make-up post!

At six Lucy is....

• a great reader! Reads above her grade level and finds it quite easy to do.
• has decided that she needs to read the scriptures each night as personal scripture study (we have Alden do it since he turned 8).
• still has major flip outs from time to time (more often than you'd imagine for a 6 year old!)

• loves wearing dresses and skirts but finally can be convinced on some days to wear pants
• favorite foods are chicken nuggets, fries, Hawaiian pizza, smoothies and cranberries
• seems quite interested in boys lately (constantly talking about some in her class and how smart and funny they are)

• loves to give a scowl look at you when you tell her anything that isn't what she wants to hear
• loves to play with barbies, littlest pet shop and also lego with Alden
• Alden is truly her best friend
• has asked if we can go back to Lethbridge since that is where her REAL friends are
• loves having her picture taken
• every night at bed she has Regan do a reciprocal quadruple Eskimo kiss
• loves to hold Oliver and thinks it is hilarious when he does baby cooing

• thinks her teacher, Miss Jensen, is hilarious!
• loves to be read to
• has an insatiable thirst for knowledge. She drinks it in. She loves to learn anything about anything.
• she asks a LOT of questions
• she loves to help in the kitchen
• has to make at LEAST one art project a day. But usually it ranges a lot higher per day.
• wants to keep everything. Has trouble throwing anything out.
• has an up and down relationship with Eli. Either they are having tons of fun together or they are fighting.

• has very sensitive feelings
• has the loudest cry of anyone in our family
• has her own unique sense of style in clothing
• loved playing basketball at the elementary
• is a very social child. Always learns people's names and loves to say hi to everyone
• loves to giggle and laugh and can really brighten the room with her smile
• is taking tap dance and looooooves it
We Love Lucy!

Spiritual Sundays

2011-11-20T06:00:00.001-07:00

Foto Friday: Week 46

2011-11-18T12:29:00.001-07:00

And last week's (which I took but never edited and got up)

And a make up one for a missed week....

list 46: People I love

2011-11-18T12:25:00.001-07:00

I thought I'd add some pictures of people I love... and I obviously couldn't add everyone... but here's some I love...

Regan

Alden

Lucy

Eli

Oliver

My parents.

All my Davis family.
My in laws.

All my Steed Family.

Spiritual Sundays

2011-11-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

Today's topic is gratitude. The first two quotes are insightful but more on the ills of ingratitude so I added a third quote that is a bit more on the positive side and describes well the blessings of living a grateful life.

“Comparatively, we are so much quicker to return favors and to pay our debts to mortals — and we should be responsive and grateful. But what of Him who gave us mortal life itself, who will erelong give us all immortality, and who proffers to the faithful the greatest gift of all, eternal life? We are poor bookkeepers, indeed!”
- Neal A. Maxwell, General Conference, October 1988

“Our society is afflicted by a spirit of thoughtless arrogance unbecoming those who have been so magnificently blessed. How grateful we should be for the bounties we enjoy. Absence of gratitude is the mark of the narrow, uneducated mind. It bespeaks a lack of knowledge and the ignorance of self-sufficiency. It expresses itself in ugly egotism and frequently in wanton mischief. We have seen our beaches, our parks, our forests littered with ugly refuse by those who evidently have no appreciation for their beauty.”
- Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, August 1988

"Mercies and blessings come in different forms--sometimes as hard things. Yet the Lord said, 'Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things' (D&C 59:7). All things means just that: good things, difficult things--not just some things. He has commanded us to be grateful because He knows being grateful will make us happy. This is another evidence of His love."
- Elaine S. Dalton, General Conference, April 2007

List 45: Things I've lost or broken

2011-11-10T00:00:00.000-07:00

My first thought was hearts. hahahahah But that's not true at all. So.....

1. I've broken almost all of my toes at one time or another.

2. Lots of glass in picture frames.

3. A few weeks ago I was cooking with a pyrex dish (which aren't supposed to shatter) and I put it into the sink and it shattered in the sink.

4. I used to have a cool ring that was given to me as a gift. Who knows when or where I lost it.

hmmm I'm having trouble remembering anything else!

And here is (that I missed too):

List 38: People I'd love to meet:

1. Jesus Christ

2. President Thomas S Monson

3. Jesh de Rox

4. Becky Higgins

5. Tara Whitney

And here is another Foto Friday picture to make up for one I missed a while ago...
Week 29: Flower

In the Kitchen: Pumpkin Muffins & On the Bookshelf

2011-11-09T21:40:00.000-07:00

This recipe comes from a great cookbook all about baking from Sarabeth Levine called "Sarabeth's Bakery", From my Hands to Yours."

It is a great cookbook that I want to buy now that I've made a few things out of it. A few recipes that have caught my eye already (besides the pumpkin muffins!) Pains au Chocolat, Chocolate Babka, Banana Streusel Muffins, Maple Muffins, Rosemary Focaccia, Mrs. Stein's Chocolate Cake and Lemon Raspberry Cake.

Now on to the muffins! Here's a snapshot of one in yesterday's morning sunlight coming into my kitchen.

3 2/3 cup pastry flour, sifted
1 Tbsp plus 1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp fine sea salt
8 Tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into cubes
1 1/2 cups superfine sugar
4 large eggs at room temperature, beaten
One 15- ounce can solid pack pumpkin (which is almost 2 cups)
1 cup seedless raisins
1/4 cup hulled unsalted sunflower seeds

Preheat over to 400. Brush insides of 12 muffin cups with softened butter, then brush the tops.
Sift the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger and salt together in a medium bowl. Beat the butter in the bowl of a heavy duty mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on high speed until creamy, about 1 minute. Gradually beat in the sugar and continue beating, scraping the sides often until the mixture is very light in color and texture, about 5 minutes. Gradually beat in eggs. Reduce the mixer speed to low, Beat in pumpkin, the mixture may look curdled. In thirds, beat in the flour mixture, scraping down the sides of the bowl often, and mix until smooth. Add the raisins. Increase the speed to high and beat until the batter has a slight sheen, about 15 seconds longer.
Fill muffin tins. Sprinkle with sunflower seeds.
Bake for 10 minutes. Reduce oven temp to 375 and continue baking until tops of muffins are golden brown and a wire cake tester comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely.

Note: I shortened the writing (since I'm lazy and a slow typer) the the basics. And using lots of softened butter on the pans gave a nice crispy outside to the muffins!

10 on Tuesday

2011-11-08T13:32:00.001-07:00

1. Sweet weather lately!

2. I did a photo session of Alden (finally!) for his birthday. We tried an indoor studio session for something new and fun. My favorite from the day....

You can see the rest over here.

3. This little man slept last night SO GOOD. He's had a few great nights lately. And I am soooooooooo thankful!

4. I have a yawn picture of everyone of my kids now :)

5. Being true Raymond-ites, we've put our kids in sports :) Here's Alden playing basketball.

6. oh how i looove when my babies start cooing to me :)

7. Oliver is 7 weeks old now. Crazy!

8. i've been thinking lately about how sometimes the last kids in the family get less pictures taken of them than the beginning ones (right Brooke?).... and I don't think that's the case at our house.... since most of this post is pictures of Oliver :)

9. Yes I am nerdy. But this picture just seemed like he was yelling at me.... something along these lines...

10. I made some yummy pumpkin muffins today. I'll share the recipe tomorrow. Tasty!

and

11. How are YOU all out there... WHO are all you out there?

Spiritual Sundays

2011-11-06T10:18:00.001-07:00

Our beloved prophet Gordon B. Hinckley has promised: “If you have any doubt about the wisdom, the divinity of observing the Sabbath Day, … stay home and gather your family about you, teach them the gospel, enjoy yourselves together on the Sabbath Day, come to your meetings, participate. You will know that the principle of the Sabbath is a true principle which brings with it great blessings.” 17

Foto Friday

2011-11-04T14:47:00.000-06:00

This week's was hard! I apparently don't have very smokey candles!

and i am trying to make up the ones i missed... so a few weeks back was doorway.So here is the doorway to our new house!

list 44: the best desserts

2011-11-03T12:17:00.001-06:00

I could make a LONG list here :) Dessert is my favorite course! So I'll just stick to categories of them.

1. Chocolate anything. Like these and these and this... I could go on but I'll stop there!

2. Pumpkin anything. Like these (that I made last Saturday night but didn't take a picture of) or these or these and a whole lot of all these

3. Carmel or Butterscotch. Like this and this and this

4. Cookies. I love them. All sorts and we usually have some around our house.

5. Ice cream. My very favorite is homemade vanilla bean. Y.U.M. (And look at this one!)

10 on Tuesday

2011-11-01T11:22:00.000-06:00

1. I'm glad Halloween is over.

2. At the school here in Raymond they have a costume parade. Where the parents and family sit in the gym and then each class comes through and parades their costumes. Great idea. :) Lucy was too worried about keeping up with her class to stand still for me to take a picture of her. But here is Alden aka Mario.

3. We split up the trick or treating. I took them around our block. Alden did our street with a friend.

and Regan took them to his parents street. Which provided more than enough candy!
Halloween at Dusk on our street.

4. We went to two dress up parties. One for adults and babies on Friday night. My nephew Oscar.

And mom and kiddos one on Saturday. I actually kind of dressed up as an angel. :) I'll have to show you some pictures from Nichole to prove it! Having a small baby makes it hard to take pictures during events so I didn't get many of my own!

5. mmm sunday dinner. Pork loin stuff with goat cheese, raisins and fresh herbs.

6. My throat feels TERRIBLE.

7. I am trying to get back into the habit of taking just every day shots again. Like this one. Cause it 20 years these are the ones that will really represent our life now.

8. Did you notice the wall color? It used to be red like the background in this one.

Thanks to Derek it looks way better. Some things are getting done on our house! And I got my new chairs! Note to self to take a picture of them so you can see them and the current living room look.(in the middle of the changes.)

9. We tried two different times to get a few shots of Sage. Newborn shoots are hard work. Add in two newborns and two new moms and wow. I feel lucky with the ones we got!

Oliver and Sage

10. Oliver was up every 2 hours last night. wowzers! I sure love snuggling that little boy! In fact I think I'll go do that right now!

Spiritual Sundays

2011-10-30T07:52:00.000-06:00

"A wife may love her husband, but it is different to that of the love of mother to her child. The true mother, the mother who has the fear of God and the love of truth in her soul, would never hide from danger or evil and leave her child exposed to it. But as natural as it is for the sparks to fly upward, as natural as it is to breathe the breath of life, if there were danger coming to her child, she would step between the child and that danger; she would defend her child to the uttermost. Her life would be nothing in the balance, in comparison with the life of her child. That is the love of true motherhood—for children. … I have learned to place a high estimate upon the love of mother. I have often said, and will repeat it, that the love of a true mother comes nearer being like the love of God than any other kind of love." - BY PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH

Foto Friday

2011-10-28T07:34:00.002-06:00

List 41: 10 Halloween Costumes I've had

2011-10-27T19:49:00.002-06:00

To tell the truth I can't even REMEMBER 10. My mom was NOT a fan of halloween. She still isn't (funny I married someone with the same feelings about the holiday!).

Instead I will list things I remember about Halloween as a kid at our house.

1. My mom made donuts and handed them out. Since we lived in a small town (not even big enough to be a town - it's actually a hamlet!) you could hand out things you made. And you ate them.

2. Our costumes were always made from things around the house. A plaid shirt and jeans made a farmer or a Hutterite. A white sheet over you made a ghost. We didn't buy costumes. That went against everything my mother feels about halloween!

3. I think there are two pools of thought about candy and kids at Halloween. The parents that ration out the candy their kids collect and the ones who just let their kids eat it all and then it's gone (usually ending up in stomach aches for the kids.) My parents were the second type. Eat it all at once and get it done. Although me and my brother Justin usually hid pieces around our rooms to save for later.

4. I remember one year when my brother Bryan had an eye patch. (from an icicle falling into his eye. Seriously. And I was standing with him. It was FREAKY) ANYWAYS, he was a cowboy with an eye patch. Makes perfect sense.

5. We ALWAYS used our pillow cases to collect the candy.

6. My mom thought that once you reached 12 going trick or treating was not acceptable.

7. We carved pumpkins but never decorated in any other way.

8. I remember learning that if you went to the "rich" houses you got GOOD candy.

9. I've never liked the yucky part of halloween. Especially as a kid. I don't like being scared. Some people find it funny. I never have. Ask Reg :)

10. I've never seen either one of my parents dress up in a costume.

Spiritual Sundays

2011-10-23T07:52:00.000-06:00

‎"Greatness is best measured by how well an individual responds to the happenings in life that appear to be totally unfair, unreasonable, and undeserved. Sometimes we are inclined to put up with a situation rather than endure. To endure is to bear up under, to stand firm against, to suffer without yielding, to continue to be, or to exhibit the state or power of lasting." - Marvin J Ashton

Foto Friday

2011-10-21T11:09:00.003-06:00

Three things.

1. I couldn't find my remote and then I found it and the battery is dead. Sooo this had to happen with a timer. Sooo this isn't TOTALLY in focus. But I DID it.
2. My color looks all funny and off next to Heather's great shot of her kiddos and her.
3. Oliver is just so cute.

List 42 : Things I Wish I was better at

2011-10-20T12:21:00.002-06:00

1. Parenting. There is a lot I could say about this. But I'll just leave it as that.

2. Knitting / crocheting (Easier to be better at it when you don't even know how to do it!) :)

3. Photography. I want to improve more.

4. Accomplishing things. Lately at least. But then I realize I've got a 4 week old.

5. Not caring what people think.

6. Sending thank you cards. It's my goal lately. I've sent out a few. I LOVE it when people take the time to say thank you to me, so I'm trying to do it for others.

And since I missed a few.... here is List 40 from two weeks ago....

List 40 : Things that Inspire Me:

1. My faith

2. this blog

3. Reading good books.

4. Stimulating conversation with great people

5. A good night's sleep.

6. Great photographs.

10 on Tuesday

2011-10-18T09:38:00.000-06:00

1. Oliver throws up a LOT. I changed my clothes multiple times last night. And may have even fallen asleep in some throw up clothes.

2. And the blow outs have started. Needless to say we both needed a bath this morning (although I haven't gotten to mine yet!)

3. I am itching to get things done in my house. I mean badly. I'm trying really really really hard to not focus on it and just get little things done here and there. Sure did find the chairs I want from the livingroom. Regan doesn't agree so I haven't bought them. But MAN do I loooooove them. :)

4. I have this idea of a photograph in my head. But I need a laundry room with windows in it (like great light) and a little girl to model for me who is like 3. Anyone have that for me?

5. I've decided I'd love to shoot commercial children's stuff. Kind of like I did with Lucy but for a clothing company. Wouldn't THAT be cool?!

6. There are a few events I haven't blogged about yet. But I am going to. Like when we went to the Pumpkin Patch with Brad and Whitney and their family. Regan was the photographer for part of the day and these two he caught make me smile.

7. When I was out shooting Lucy's 6th Portraits she took this picture of me. She always asks at the end if she can take some of me so I let her every year. Kind of a fun part of our tradition.

8. Oliver's Day's 26-29 (30 is still on my camera and not downloaded yet!)
day 26

day 27

day 28

day 29

9. Someone (I think Kathy) asked what dinner club is. It's a group of friends, who all love to cook, and we get together each month to eat good food. The hosting rotates and the person who hosts picks a theme and then everyone else brings some thing that goes along with the theme for their course. (you rotate courses each month too.)
We are hosting this month and our theme is this....

10. Good thing THIS kid is cute... cause he keeps us up at night lately almost as much as Oliver.

Alden's 9th Birthday Party

2011-10-17T09:04:00.000-06:00

For his "topic" as he kept calling it, this year Alden asked for a Mario party. I asked him if he wanted us to borrow a Wii and just play Wii games the whole party or do real life sized Mario games and he picked the latter. I was kind of hoping this time for the easy route, but he really wanted this so we did it.

So we made an obstacle kind of course with the things being loosely based on the Mario Bros game. (Which speaking of that Alden always says Bros not Brothers and it cracks me up every time). So we timed the kids for a little healthy competition :)

First you fished for Cheep Cheep fish. (This is Ben fishing)

Then you did the Boo Bean Bag toss. (Dane tossing)

Then you jumped over the "pipes", grabbed coins off the floor and hit each hanging block. (Alden looooved this part! He made all the pipes :) )

Then pinned the mustache on Mario. (Carter pining)

Then you were supposed to stomp the Goombas....

But most boys just did this cause it was faster.

Then outside for Yoshi's egg hunt.

He had asked for a pinata, but I frankly just didn't get to it. At first he wanted a Bowser one, which I quickly said no too! Then we switched to boo then lastly to the chain chomper which would have been good to do but I just didn't get the time. That and he wanted Mario hats for all the boys. Both which I had all intentions to do but I just didn't. (I explained to Alden that I just didn't have the time and he was fine with it. And then LUCY right after the party said to me, "Wait where are all the hats you were going to sew for all the kids??" )

The cake was an item box.

And with all the candy I had bought for the pinata, I came up with this instead and for their favors they filled bags with candy to take home.

And all the other food....

All the guests...

To end the party, we borrowed our neighbors Wii and the boys played a little bit.

I am glad it is over :)

Spiritual Sundays

2011-10-16T06:00:00.000-06:00

"How sweet is the assurance, how comforting is the peace that come from the knowledge that if we marry right and live right, our relationship will continue, notwithstanding the certainty of death and the passage of time. Men may write love songs and sing them. They may yearn and hope and dream. But all of this will be only a romantic longing unless there is an exercise of authority that transcends the powers of time and death." - Gordon B. Hinckley

list 41: things I like to wear

2011-10-13T18:49:00.000-06:00

Things i like to wear:

yoga pants.
jeans
shirts that aren't tight on my left over baby belly.
cute earrings.
cute necklaces

Lucy's Art Party

2011-10-12T20:48:00.000-06:00

Lucy's party was great. I had planned a girlie party since she has only ever invited girls... but this year she wanted a couple boys. I asked her multiple times if she was SURE she wanted those two boys and she always said yes. So we went with it and made some last minute adjustments.

When the kids first showed up, they started drawing on the paper that was covering the table.

First art project, was making people. I had at first called them dolls... but with boy guests we had to switch the name. We used pre sewed muslin dolls with fabric markers and fabric paint.

While Grandma Davis took each guest to do a melted art craft. Each kid did this and they all thought it was GREAT!

Then each guest painted a canvas.

The food for the party... colored popcorn.

Rainbow jello.

Fruit

And the cake.

The inside of the cake...

For the goodie bags I made these in my printer and filled them with the popcorn. And then all their art crafts and the supplies they used to make them all.

Lucy blowing out the candles...

All the guests.

It was an easy fun party. And the best part was Lucy and two of the other kids telling me it was the BEST part EVER since they love art :)

10 on Tuesday

2011-10-11T16:56:00.000-06:00

1. It was Lucy's birthday this past week. I did throw her a party which was lots of fun. I took lots of pictures. So I'll try and do a post all about her party and one about her at six. I had planned on posting all about her on her birthday but I didn't get around to it!

2. I did do a photo shoot with her though. It was last night. This is one of my favorite images from it. You can see the rest over here.

3. Alden announced to me that he wanted to have a bake sale. I asked him what he wanted to raise money for. And he looks at me with a look of are you serious? and said "so I can have money mom." I'm not opposed to helping him have a bake sale. But we'd have to donate some of the money and he'd have to help me bake some of it. I have no idea where I'd do it though, cause summer is gone and making a cute booth to go outside just isn't going to happen.

4. Still doing my 30 photos of Oliver. Haven't posted them up here yet.
day 13

day 14

day 15

day 16

day 17

day 18

day 19

day 20

day 21

day 22

day 23

day 24

day 25

5. We had a great Thanksgiving. Even hosted my family at our house. It worked great that we don't have much furniture yet. :)

6. Speaking of furniture, we bought a couch. And I LOOOOOOOOOVE it. Its' this one.

7. My brother in law is painting my living room wall for me this week and I am sooooo happy about it.

8. We are hosting dinner club this month and I am trying to come up with a theme. I wanted to go with Chinese but Reg thinks that is too boring soooo we are trying to think a bit more exciting. One time he picked the letter R as our theme :)

9. I love eating left over thanksgiving food.

10. Oh pinterest. You've got me. I need to make a goal to actually MAKE some of the lovely things I've pinned. BUT with a newborn, that frankly just isn't going to happen any time soon. Wait. i did make some food I've pinned on there.... a few times. Like these lovelies for Lucy's class.
Found right on my dessert pinboard.

Spiritual Sunday

2011-10-09T06:00:00.000-06:00

“Comparatively, we are so much quicker to return favors and to pay our debts to mortals—and we should be responsive and grateful. But what of Him who gave us mortal life itself, who will erelong give us all immortality, and who proffers to the faithful the greatest gift of all, eternal life? We are poor bookkeepers, indeed!”
- Neal A. Maxwell, General Conference; October, 1988

10 on Tuesday

2011-10-04T09:25:00.001-06:00

1. The Blog has fallen to the bottom of the chart as far as accomplishing during the day. I think about it sometimes, but frankly holding Oliver and trying to act like I'm not totally exhausted is above it.

2. We have only had cable for a very short time in our marriage. We've just always thought of it as a waste. And now that we have a new tv with on channels... it kind of makes me want cable. NEVER thought I'd say that. Reg told me I'd get over it :) Maybe if we at least had a dvd player so we could watch movies. We do have Apple tv and that is totally cool but I tell you Netflix needs to step it up.

3. It's good to have a doctor around. Like so handy. Just write up a prescription for oh... let's say if your child has pinworms. (i had ringworms at first - but that was the wrong worm)

4. I did a photo shoot yesterday. You can read about it on my photo blog. One of my favorites from the shoot.

5. I think last night was the WORST yet for lack of sleep. So if this list doesn't make sense... that's why.

6. Lucy's party is this Friday. And next Saturday I need to do Alden's. Lots to plan and do.

7. Eli is up a LOT lately. Like I want to strangle him a lot. Apparently insomnia is a symptom of pinworms. Huh. Who knew.

8. I want a personalized fitness plan to get in to shape.

9. This is a brilliant idea that I want to do for my kids.

10. I want to buy this and hang it in my kitchen. I loves it!

Oliver (days 7-12)

2011-09-28T06:00:00.000-06:00

I'm keeping up on taking these.... :)

Day 7: Night time in his crib

Day 8: Our doctor who ended up being out of town for the delivery so Oliver was actually delivered by someone else :) But this was a dr the whole pregnancy and after.

Day 9: Lucy and Oliver. You might notice Lucy's face and that it looks like she was crying... well she was. Huge fit right before this. Got her to settle down by asking if she'd hold Oliver in a picture. oh my!

Day 10: Alden & Oliver.

Day 11: Dad and Oliver after church.

Day 12: The swing. Aunty Whitney lent us the swing and does Oliver ever like it!

10 on Tuesday

2011-09-27T09:49:00.001-06:00

1. Regan has this week off. I am enjoying it by taking naps in the afternoon and having him help me in the night with little things with Oliver. It's nice to have him around and spend time getting to know our new little man.

2. Thanks to my friend Abby from Metz Designs we have a plan for the living room now. So I want to buy furniture this week and get the wall painted pronto. It's kind of driving me crazy not having living room furniture!

3. I have been amazed at the kindness of people since Oliver was born. So many meals and treats and gifts. Lots driven out to my house from Lethbridge even. People are too kind!

4. We bought a tv. Not big news for a lot of people but around this house that IS A big deal. We can't get any channels on it since we are a non cable household but Apple TV sure works good on it and it looks purdy :) Now Alden can stop saying that everyone he knows has a flat screen tv except us.

5. I found out a couple days ago about a friend of ours being sick with a brain tumor. And every waking hour they have been on my mind since finding out. They have two small boys. The husband (who has the tumor) went through medical school with us and I just feel sick about it. I have been praying and worrying about them ever since. During my nightly feedings they have been on my mind. Some people have such hard things happen in their lives. And sometimes I get caught up in minor little annoyances that i think are so hard.

6. Regan took this one i love!

7. I've got two birthday parties in the planning stages. Lots of great ideas and I've ordered some stuff online already to help out.

8. Alden really has started helping out more.... and it's great!

9. Oliver isn't doing so hot at night.

10. I love not being pregnant anymore :)

Spiritual Sundays

2011-09-25T06:00:00.000-06:00

When your life is filled with the desire to see the holiness in everyday life, something magical happens: Ordinary life becomes extraordinary, and the very process of life begins to nourish your soul. Rabbi Harold Kushner

Oliver days 3-6

2011-09-21T06:00:00.000-06:00

I am off and running with a picture a day of Oliver for the first 30 days.

Day 3:

Health nurse came over today and checked him out. He is down to 8 pounds 11 ounces. And doing good.

Day 4:

We finally got a small peek at his eyes. He is still pretty sleepy!

Day 5:

Reading with dad and a little extra love from Eli too.

Day 6:

Eli is In LOVE with Oliver! He asks to hold him many times a day. And I have to be careful not to leave the room or else Eli will be "playing" with him. He made a tent for Oliver by putting his blanket over the swing, he brings him toys, and gives him big pushes in the swing. All of which just make me nervous!

Welcome to the World Oliver!

2011-09-19T06:00:00.000-06:00

Well last Thursday the newest member of our family decided it was the day to join us. And we couldn't be happier!

Oliver Smith Steed born Sept 15th in Lethbridge at 11:50am 9lbs 5 oz 22 in. long

I thought I'd write down the details here of his arrival. For weeks before hand I had been having lots of strong Braxton hicks. Too much for my liking! But so much of it had me thrown off since I never really had that many with my other kids. But with Oliver I seemed to be having lots of them ahead of time. The two nights before I had had serious contractions and we thought we were going to have a baby, but then they'd stop and I'd be upset and tired and have nothing to show for it all.

So Thursday morning I woke up at 420am with contractions. They were strong but still not consistent. So I just laid in bed and tried to sleep. Until about 6am when I REALLY wanted to eat a ding dong :) So I did. Then I laid back down, Eli was up and the kids had to get ready for school and Regan was supposed to be on call that day out here in Raymond. We weren't sure if things were just going to end again or if things were actually going to become real labour. So Reg got the kids off to school and he got off to work. Eli started watching cartoons so I could lay in bed and be uncomfortable. The contractions got closer and a lot stronger. So I called Regan at the hospital at around 830 and said that I think we actually were going to have a baby today. So he needed to figure out where Eli was going (his mom had gone on a hike that day) and he needed someone to cover for him at the hospital here. I called him again a few times after that.... He got home at 930 and we got into the car. Dropped off Eli to Grandpa Steed (who luckily had the day off) and drove like crazy into Lethbridge.

When we got there and into the hospital it was about 10am. Got right upstairs and into a room. (Saw a few people we knew at the hospital on the way :) ) My doctor went out of town the night before and so Dr Dave Stewart was covering for him instead. He was at the hospital, so he came in right away and checked me and I was at 5 cm. So I said I want an epidural and he said he'd come back after all that. Around 1130 or so I got my epidural and 15 minutes later Dr Stewart was back and checked me again. I was at 9.5 cm. So he broke my water and said "actually I think you can just push now." So I did. And surprisingly enough it was little boy that came out. Well not too little, 9lbs 5 oz 22 in. long.

We really were expecting a girl. Not for any reason in particular. But we were. We literally had no boy names. So we didn't name him that day. Or that night. We had talked about a middle name in case he was a boy. And decided we would use Smith. Smith is Regan's mom's maiden name and my grandma's maiden name. All of our kids have middle names that have family meaning. Alden Ryan - named after Regan's oldest brother who passed away, Lucy Ann - named after my sister who passed away (Kelly Ann), Eli Davis - named with my maiden name, and now Oliver Smith. Regan's middle name is also his grandmother's maiden name. (Carlson)

When Regan came back to the hospital to pick me up the next day he came with a list of names. And it made me laugh...so I thought I'd include it here for you all to enjoy too....

Lists of names:
Rhonda's:
- Oliver
- Isaac

Names maybe we'd both like:
- Ashton
- Bram
- Lincoln
- Linus
- Martel
- Miller

Names I like but I don't think you will (but if you do that would be great):
- Abel
- Abraham
- Clement
- Gabriel
- Hugh
- Moses
- Neal
- Walt

Regan did a great job taking some pictures of us in the hospital. And I've taken a few so far too.

He is doing well and I am too. Tired but good.

The kids came to see Oliver and me the night he was born and Alden and Lucy left me these little notes on the room white board. :) Pretty cute hey!

We sure are happy to have him here. I've decided I'm going to take a picture a day of Oliver for the first 30 days of his life. Might be kind of a fun project to do :)

We've already been asked about how the kids feel.

Alden - loves him. A lot. More interested in Oliver than he has been with any of the others. And a lot more able to be helpful and hold him safely :)
Lucy - apparently when Regan called to tell the kids that Oliver was a boy, Lucy's only response.... "Dangit". But she loves him and is smothering him with kisses.
Eli - loves him a little too physically. I will be having to keep a close eye on Oliver when Eli is around. He tried to dog pile him this afternoon and is always trying to share his blanket with him and cover him with it.
We sure love him a lot!

Day 2.

Welcome to the world baby Oliver!

Spiritual Sunday

2011-09-18T06:00:00.000-06:00

“The things of God are of deep import; and time, and experience, and careful and ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find them out. Thy mind, O man! if thou wilt lead a soul unto salvation, must stretch as high as the utmost heavens, and search into and contemplate the darkest abyss, and the broad expanse of eternity—thou must commune with God.”

Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3:295; as quoted by Howard W. Hunter General Conference April 1975

Spiritual Sundays

2011-09-11T06:00:00.000-06:00

“There exists a righteous unity between the temple and the home. Understanding the eternal nature of the temple will draw you to your family; understanding the eternal nature of the family will draw you to the temple”
- Elder Gary E. Stevenson, GC Apr, 2009

10 on Tuesday

2011-09-06T06:00:00.000-06:00

1. We can't find the parts for Eli's bed. So he's still sleeping on the mattress on the floor. And it's an Ikea bed which makes getting the parts hard since we don't live that CLOSE to an Ikea. We might have to try and rig something up to make it work!

2. Regan loooves this song and so we have hearing it a lot lately at our house. Lucy looves it and asks for it over and over. It's a little quirky and it totally gets stuck in my head.

3. We have no hot water. And have had none since Saturday night. Some part needs to be replaced on our fancy environmental constant hot water heater. Totally awesome :)

4. Over at Kristen Duke Photography she is having a great series this month about decorating with pictures. Go check it out. And leave her some comment love!!

5. I really want to go see this movie.

6. I am done being pregnant. I am feeling frustrated that I can't move well, I walk like an OLD lady and it hurts every step, I pee a million times a day and at night, I am not sleeping well at all, I feel huge, I can't lift anything to put anything away at my house, I am exhausted constantly. I just want to get this kid out. I was saying something to Regan about all this (well complaining) and he said "do you remember one of the first things you said after you had Eli? I feel so much BETTER!" Yep. I do and I have a feeling that will be the case again :) Now if it'd just hurry it up!

7. Five different people have brought over treats or food to us since we got here. My MIL, Lindsay, Tisha, Christal and Whitney. Now ain't that nice! That's a welcome to town :)

8. I have an itching to craft. But you should SEE the craft room. Boxes, boxes and more boxes. It might be a while!

9. I need to break in my kitchen and bake something. Cookies tomorrow. Maybe donuts soon.

10. I am sooooooooo grateful that we moved onto a street where there are ton o' kidlets. My kids run up and down the street and play play play. It is lovely!

Lately

2011-09-05T05:00:00.000-06:00

We are settled. Well mostly. There are piles of boxes around. But most of the kitchen is put away. Our bedroom is put away. There is still lots to do and I am sure there will be for a while. Lots to do around the house to make it say "THE STEEDS" live here. But that is what happens when you move. No land line yet. (Way to go Telus!)

Some people kind of gave me a hard time about moving here. "Why would you want to leave Lethbridge..." "Living the dream..." "Small town living..." etc. And I admit some of it totally makes me nervous. I had a good group of friends in Lethbridge. Lots of wonderful ladies I will miss seeing as regularly as I did. And lots of people we saw every week at church that I will miss seeing every week. (Good thing we didn't move far and that all those people can still easily be seen.) Yes getting used to the store closing at 6pm will be hard. No late night runs to Safeway for Regan (although really he could still run into Lethbridge easily!).

We moved in on Thursday and Friday Regan was on call. On Friday after the kids were home from school, Regan showed up for lunch. And then after we had all gone to bed around midnight or so, Regan crawled into bed with me. THAT is why we live here. For the past six months (or more) him being on call just means no Regan and that I am completely on my own. It's true there will be some days of on call that the kids might not see him. But at some point he'll come home in the middle of the night and crawl into bed with me and we'll talk. My mother in law told me that she learned long ago that the kids could go a few days without seeing dad better than she could go without seeing her husband. And I totally agree. Even if I only see him when I am half asleep and i am mumbling about my legs being sore or whatever, I saw him. And that's what I need. Regan.

As for everything else, I've got a family session and two weddings to finish editing and a house to put together. And have a baby. Somewhere in there it'll all get done. I have lots of ideas of things I want to do with our house and all that. But in reality I need to just make it livable for a while, get my editing done and then have a baby. Hopefully sooner than later on all accounts :)

And since a post is more fun with a picture..... I haven't been keeping up on my 365 lately.... things have been a little um... crazy... here's an oldie but a goodie. The kids with Reg on Father's Day.

Spiritual Sundays

2011-09-04T09:51:00.000-06:00

"One thing is very clear: the safest place and the best protection against the moral and spiritual diseases is a stable home and family. This has always been true; it will be true forever. We must keep that foremost in our minds. The scriptures speak of 'the shield of faith wherewith,' the Lord said, 'ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked' (D&C 27:17). This shield of faith is best fabricated in a cottage industry. While the shield can be polished in classes in the Church and in activities, it is meant to be handcrafted in the home and fitted to each individual." - Boyd K. Packer, "Do Not Fear," Ensign, May 2004, 79

Spiritual Sundays

2011-08-28T06:00:00.001-06:00

“We invest a great deal in the acquisition of stuff. Companies bombard us with slick, relentless propaganda as to why we must have their stuff and judge an individual’s success by their stuff’s sheer quantity and supposed quality. I like stuff. I especially like the word stuff. But consumption never was creativity; it brings few lasting satisfactions and can bring burdensome debts. Stuff beyond our basic needs does not liberate. Consider the overall investment of your time. You have to shop for stuff. You have to clean, maintain and organize stuff. You lose stuff. You look for stuff. You polish stuff. Secure it against theft, trip over it, recharge it, upgrade it, accessorize it, pack it, move it, unpack it, insure it, fix it, and eventually sell, trash or bequeath it. Stuff has no use beyond this life and it takes a lot from us. Very much unlike stuff, knowledge has few such liabilities. Knowledge does not depreciate but grows deeper, stronger and more valuable with each use.”
- Shawn W. Miller, BYU Devotional, August 3, 2010 (punctuation my own)

10 on Tuesday (on Wednesday!)

2011-08-24T11:59:00.001-06:00

1. Well I've been too stressed to post. :) But things are looking to work out. So I'll just update as to how things are now and skip over all the stress that has happened in the past month! We are moving to Raymond next week. Bought a house. Renting out our house.

2. Shot two weddings this past weekend and it just about killed me. :) A couple shots from each.

3. One of those weddings was in Cranbook BC so Regan and I made a weekend of it and stayed there for a couple days. And seriously I sat around and did NOTHING since I could barely walk the next day.

4. My friend Nichole took a few pictures of me when I was taking her family pictures last week. I was going to do a full photo shoot with my other friend but frankly I have no idea WHEN that would have worked out.

5. I have been on hold at various utilities places for almost 2 hours now..... now THAT's a party!

6. Did I mention I was done being pregnant? Not actually done, but feel done. I have been having BAD Braxton Hicks contractions. Like keeping me up at night bad. So this morning when I couldn't sleep I got up and ate half a deep and delicious cake. With milk and a banana. You know, to balance it out. Well maybe it was only 1/3. But I've only gained 24 pounds so far this pregnancy. So let me eat my cake!

7. I am really behind on Foto Friday. Two pictures I did take but never posted from past weeks of it....
Water

and Bubble

8. She has taught her self to read. She thinks that in Grade one you should read. So she just did it. This morning I had taken her to the library and got a bunch of those level 1 and 2 readers and she sat on the couch for 2 hours and read them all. I tested her on the words you need to read by the end of grade one and she read all but 8 and then promptly sat down and studied them so she'd know ALL of them.

9. The kids and I were going a little mental with dad working so much. Sooo I enrolled them in a cartooning class at the Bowman Art's center here in town. They LOVED it.

10. My inlaws garden at 6am. thanks to Eli :)

List 33: Ten things I'd Tell my 17 Year old Self

2011-08-18T06:00:00.001-06:00

1. Treasure every moment with Kelly ever more.

2. Your mom will be one of your best friends one day.

3. You will find the best man for you - don't waste your time on all those others.

4. Dressing modestly is always in fashion.

5. You are skinny.

6. Advertising and Public Relations is the right program for you.

7. Nothing is important as the gospel.

8. Your hair looks terrible.

9. Be wiser with your money.

10. You are beautiful.

List 32: Best Days So Far

2011-08-11T22:03:00.000-06:00

1. August 18, 2000: Wedding Day

2. October 15, 2002: Alden's Birthday

3. October 5, 2005: Lucy's Birthday

4. June 28, 2008: Eli's Birthday

5. The day we found out we were in MEdical school. I can't remember the date exactly. (although if I looked up in my journals I am sure I could find it)

Spiritual Sundays

2011-08-07T06:00:00.000-06:00

“Love is one of the chief characteristics of Deity, and ought to be manifested by those who aspire to be the sons of God. A man filled with the love of God is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race.”
- Joseph Smith, TPC-JS, pg 330-331

List 31: Favorite Websites

2011-08-04T06:00:00.000-06:00

1. Pinterest

2. Eighteen25

3. Think Garnish

4. flickr

5. Clayton Austion (Really I could do a whole list just on photographers I love! But he's my newest find that I LOVE!)

6. The Creative Mama

7. Under the Sycamore

8. Brooke Snow

I think that's enough ;)

10 on Tuesday

2011-08-02T06:00:00.000-06:00

1. It was Regan's birthday yesterday. He was on call. Soooo we'll just pretend it's today and I'll bake him a cake and some food he loves. :) Happy Birthday to him!!

2. I haven't been posting as much lately. And YOU haven't been commenting as much lately.

3. Our house has sold. Let's all pray the financing and all that jazz goes through. Cause things are getting cut close here.

3. Speaking of yesterday, we spent the entire day in our pjs. (well not Reg, that'd be WERID in the ER!)

4. Our AC in our van died. Again. And the fan belt is making sweet loud noises. AND the electrical has some serious problems (which means we can't tell how much gas we have.) (which means we've run out on the side the the road.) (which means someone had to come and rescue us.) (which was TOTALLY awesome.)

5. More pictures to see on my photo blog. Go on now, go see and comment.

6. This baby moves A LOT. Like nothing I have experienced before in my previous 3 pregnancies. AT ALL. More movement than non movement.

7. Regan is a working doctor. It'll take me a while to get used to saying that.

8. My belly sticks out a LOT this pregnancy. Like a lot a lot. Haven't really gained a lot other places. Pictures to come soon!

9. I feel like everyone is off doing fun things are we are here at home doing a whole lot of nothing (except waiting and growing a belly.)

10. I'm going to need to start packing soon.

Spiritual Sundays

2011-07-31T06:00:00.000-06:00

“[A person may have] a strong desire to be led by the Spirit of the Lord but…unwisely extends that desire to the point of wanting to be led in all things. A desire to be led by the Lord is a strength, but it needs to be accompanied by an understanding that our Heavenly Father leaves many decisions for our personal choices. Personal decision making is one of the sources of the growth we are meant to experience in mortality. Persons who try to shift all decision making to the Lord and plead for revelation in every choice will soon find circumstances in which they pray for guidance and don’t receive it. For example, this is likely to occur in those numerous circumstances in which the choices are trivial or either choice is acceptable. We should study things out in our minds, using the reasoning powers our Creator has placed within us. Then we should pray for guidance and act upon it if we receive it. If we do not receive guidance, we should act upon our best judgment. Persons who persist in seeking revelatory guidance on subjects on which the Lord has not chosen to direct us may concoct an answer out of their own fantasy or bias, or they may even receive an answer through the medium of false revelation.”
- Dallin H. Oaks, Ensign Oct 1994; pg 13-14

List 30: Places I'd like to Go

2011-07-28T06:00:00.000-06:00

This could be a long list... but I'll try and keep it brief :)

1. France
2. Egypt
3. Hawaii
4. Africa
5. Arizona
6. California
7. Ireland

Spiritual Sundays

2011-07-24T06:00:00.000-06:00

“Our promised blessings are beyond measure,” President Thomas S. Monson declares. “Though the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our hearts as we walk uprightly and keep the commandments. There will be nothing in this world that can defeat us. My beloved brothers and sisters, fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith.”

foto Friday: Week 28

2011-07-22T06:00:00.002-06:00

List 29: Super Powers I wish I had

2011-07-21T06:00:00.000-06:00

1. The ability to be happy and function on very little sleep.

2. Flying. Seriously, how cool would THAT be!

3. Photographic memory.

4. The ability to take away people's problems.

10 on Tuesday

2011-07-19T13:37:00.000-06:00

1. Wow it is hot.

2. Still haven't found any where to rent in Raymond OR sold our house. hmmm sounds perfect hey? :) We might end up renting out our house here in Lethbridge - not that I know who too. Or where we'd go in RAymond. But those are just minor details people! Minor.

3. We took the kids over Logan's pass yesterday. You should have HEARD how excited they were about being in the United States. It was funny. Even made the border crossing guard smile. And if you've ever been over the border you KNOW how unusual it is to make the American guards smile at you!

4. I am slowly getting caught up on my editing. Only 3 shoots left to do :) Yipee!

5. My belly is getting big.

6. One of my favorite shoots I've done is posted right now on my photo blog. Our good friends Abby and Shaun and their 10 year wedding anniversary. Go check out the rest!!

7. Last week's Foto Friday....

8. I've been wanting to bake but it's just too hot to bake anything. But I WANT cookies. I just can't bring myself to buy cookies. There just so..... plastic tasting! The minute we have a cooler day... COOKIES will be made at this house!

9. What a sweet little smile this boy has.

10. Did I mention it was hot?