Random Christmas Photos

Teacher Christmas gifts of homemade toffee.
For his classroom teacher I also got a "Chamber Bucks" gift certificate.

We made salt dough ornaments.

We did the "adopt a child" thing this year in effort to get the kids to think about GIVING on Christmas instead of just getting. We adopted a child through the Friendship Baptist Center in DSM. His name was Fernando and he was 7. We went shopping and dedicated our whole night to him. It took awhile, but Grant finally started to think of Fernando and other "not as blessed as us" people. He even had the idea that we should buy someone a car that didn't have one. Oh, how I WISH we could do that!!!! This was a good start, but we are already thinking of how we can do better next year b/c as much as we tried to guard against the "commercialism" of Christmas, it still happened!
Anyway, this is them helping to wrap Fernando's presents.

Our tree.

The kids' nativity set.
They LOVED playing with this and even Brynna can tell you who all the people are!

Grant's school Christmas Program

Here is a picture/life update.

Grant's school Christmas Program!
The Christmas Wish List
December 15, 2011

While theatre/performing may not be in Grant's future, the fact that he is up on stage, singing and doing the actions is AMAZING!
It was a little funny b/c he had to watch the other kids to know exactly what to do, but as I reminded Lee, Grant is the only one that goes 1/2 days and the rest of his class has music in the afternoon! So, he did GREAT!

This was the same day that Owen got a baby brother, so he got to come with us. He was VERY excited to see Grant sing :) Brynna was excited to have someone to TALK to during the performance.

Thanks to Papa, Grandpa Brian and Grandma Paula for making the trip down to watch him.





Owen's new baby brother, Elijah (Eli) Douglas Welsh.
(Matt and Tiffany)

Healthy(ier) kid lunch

I have found that the kids eat everything better if it's on a stick.
I guess it works for the State Fair and it works here too :)

Turkey, pepperoni, apple, pear, and string cheese kabobs, with a a side of carrots/pb, and a homemade biscuit (with whole wheat flour).

This one is strawberries, cold chicken breast, and grapes.


Again, use your imagination and whatever is in your fridge!

Avocado Toast

This one isn't for the kids, well not MY kids, but I LOVE this for lunch or a snack.

Toasted bread (pumpernickle here), 1/4 avocado spread onto the toast, halved grape tomatoes tossed in a bit of olive oil, sprinkled with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. So good and SO quick/easy.
(Notice the smoothie too, that one had blueberries and spinach)

Smoothies

This is the easiest way to get more fruit and veggies into our menu.

I use fresh spinach, frozen bananas, frozen mixed fruit, frozen juice concentrate and water.

This tip saves time and makes the consistency of the smoothie SO much better! The almost too ripe bananas on my counter, get sliced/chunked up, placed on a plate in a single layer, and then placed in the freezer. Once frozen, I pry them off the plate and put in a ziploc. Then I can just throw a few in the blender. I used to just use the bananas from the counter, but the consistency is so much better when they are frozen.

Pre-blend.
Spinach leaves on bottom, then frozen fruit and bananas, a spoonful of frozen juice concentrate and fill about 1/3 full with water. This is NOT an exact science, the smoothie comes out a little different each time. I have put carrots in before, I've experimented with various fruit/veggie combinations, and they almost always come out good. You can add yogurt, different flavors of juice, the possibilities are ENDLESS. Just find what works for you. Blueberries make it a great blue/purple color, but their little seeds don't grind up well, so sometimes Grant won't drink those, but I think they are great!

Breakfast for the kids....who knew they'd LOVE spinach for breakfast :)

YUM!

Food

I'm REALLY behind on the blog AGAIN, obviously! Someday I may get you updated with our life, it just seems to be moving along at lightning speed and it's all I can do to take care of my family, house, church, and Bible study obligations. SO, forgive me that the blog has taken a back seat for now.

One thing I'm focusing on right now, is FOOD! I really had been slacking on providing HEALTHY food for my family. My goal is to add more fruits, veggies and whole grains for Lee and the kids, and I'm trying to cut down on the fat/calories for myself as well as the above.

I've been posting a few pictures to Facebook an Pinterest, but my SIL Steph has been suggesting I put them on the blog as well. So, I'm going to try to do that, as time allows. Maybe with the blogger app on my phone, I'll be able to do quick food updates, b/c a lot of typing won't be required. We'll see....but here comes some recipes/food ideas. I find a lot of my inspiration on Pinterest, or just by searching the internet. I find a recipe/idea and then use it as is or "personalize" it!

First REAL haircut!

She did awesome!!!! Climbed up in the chair herself and sat still the entire time, totally opposite of Grant's first haircut. I think the bangs are a little short, but it will grow out.