Temple Fun

Nolan loves the Temple!! He had a lesson on Temples in sunbeams and we occasionally sing the "I love to see the temple" song and he always asks... Can we go to the temple?!  Well, finally we went.   We decided to see the Mount Timpanogos temple.  It was so beautiful.  We walked around and admired all the pretty grass and flowers.  Nolan  was very well behaved and happy to finally see this wonderful place we always sing and talk about.  There is definitely a sense of peace when your on temple grounds and our family left with a good spirit which stayed with us through the day.

Trip up the canyon...

Living in AZ I never really knew what autumn meant. It always looked the same as summer the weather was just a tad cooler. And when people would use the phrase "fall colors" I was usually confused. Well now I understand....

It is SO beautiful... Today we took a drive up the canyon. Its literally just behind our neighborhood.. There are all sorts of camping spots and a few lakes. The trees are just starting to change color and it's stunning! We walked a trail that goes around a small lake. Nolan had a blast playing in the leaves and throwing rocks in the lake.   Joe rummaged through some foliage for a few cat tails.. Nolan had carried his around the whole time!

kids first bath together!!

 

Nolan and Shyloh's first bath together!!  I remember taking baths with Summer and Shane when we were little.  I hope these kiddos will enjoy many fun baths together in the future.  Shyloh is getting SO big! Her neck is very strong! When I hold her against my tummy while she's facing out she can now hold her torso up instead of just being draped there.  She is so alert and intrigued by things.  Yesterday I was tinkering in the kitchen and she started fussing in her swing so I told Nolan to go sing to her..... She just stared at him and smiled. He gave her three good songs and she was happy the entire time!  Nolan is so sweet! He gets really stressed out when she is crying.  He loves to call her "Sweet girl"  He must get it from me but its still so precious!

On another note.... My sweet sister summer put in an order for a stash of diapers and also some cloth pull-ups for her older kiddos! I am so excited!!  If these turn out really cute I may start up a little business selling my diapers.  I'm also experimenting with toggle elastic diapers.   The elastic will be adjustable so they will fit a wide range of sizes! How cool is that!?!?

Thank you Dad and Dianne for funding Summers diapers! She's going to LOVE them

Pictures to come!

Sweet baby smiles

Baby smiles are the best thing in the world.  Shyloh has been smiling for about two months now but every one still melts my heart. I remember the first time she smiled. It was 4AM and she was wide awake with no sleep in sight. I felt like a zombie and wondered to myself if She would ever get her days and night back in order.  I had just change her when I sat on the bed with her and faced her towards me.... I wasn't even trying to get a smile out of her I was actually half asleep but when I turned her to face me and her eyes met mine she gave me the biggest smile.  It in no way could have been misconstrued as gass this was an ear to ear, mouth wide open grin! I looked over but Joe was sleeping soundly so I just enjoyed her sweet smile and was tickled pink that her first one was for me!  Joe got a smile out of her the next morning and since then she hasn't stopped!  She's just full of grins for any face she sees.

gotta LOVE that face!!!

Dejavu

Shyloh is not a bink baby like Nolan was. At three weeks old Nolan latched onto his binky and didn't let go until he was about two. Little miss Shyloh on the other hand wants absolutely nothing to do with it. Around two monts old I offered it to her and she actually gagged on it. then a few weeks later I tried again and she gave me this very disgusted look and just tried to push it out of her mouth with her tongue.... She's stubborn already! I have only tried giving it to her when she's hurting or upset... I don't want another bink addiction on my hands!

Now let me get to my story... the other night jsut as She was dozing off Joe got her to take the bink.... I walked in and it was totally like dejavu! It was suddenly like no time had gone by and my little tiny Nolan was laying there on my bed. I started to teer up a little and promptly went to find some baby photos of my little man. I just can't believe my baby is going to be four next month! Time has slipped right through my fingers. Sometimes I forget to be the best mommy I can and I just do the bare minimum but moments like these pull me back to reality and remind me to cherish every moment.

Shyloh

Juice Fast

While in Washington Joe and I were inspired to do a Juice fast.  My dad has been doing them for years so I asked my grandma about it and she gave me the Dr. Christopher juice fast plan.....

16oz of Prune Juice first thing in the morning.
(a packet of emergency really helps it taste better)
Then every 30 minutes you alternate between 8oz of apple juice or water.
(for better results use high quality organic juice and spring water)
When you start solids back Dr. Christopher recommends foods that are easy to digest like fruits and veggies. 

And that's it.... No solids just the juice.   The protocol calls for doing the fast for 3 days but my dad does it for 6-7 days with better results.

So The first day of my fast was like any other... I wasn't very hungry, my body was just getting used to not eating.  Anytime I would feel a bit hungry I would just have some extra apple juice.
The next day was amazing... I had so much energy... I had lost two pounds... My stomach was flatter and my mood was much more pleasant.
The third day was much the same as the second. I couldn't believe how good I felt.
I started eating solids half way through the fourth day.  And by then I had lost 5 pounds and I felt amazing.  Best of all my sugar and carb cravings were completely gone!

Home is where the heart is

Joe's parents have asked us to stay here until they get back from their next Mission!! They may not be leaving for another year but I guess they are willing to put up with us until then ;) We are so grateful and excited! When our house was being foreclosed on I never imagined we would be living here in this beautiful house and in such a lovely state. We would have ended up in some shabby apartment probably. Look how blessed we are! We are truly grateful to them for their sacrifice. Joe is still job hunting but were hopeful that he can find something close enough to commute to. Thanks Mom and Dad, We love and appreciate you both!!

Worlds best wheat pancakes!

Granny Smith’s whole wheat pancakes
Get your blender ready!
Add 2 cups of wheat flour and 2.5 cups of milk
(Blend 1 minute)
Add 2 Tbsp of honey and 4 eggs
Add any fruit that is desired
Banana’s and strawberries are great!
1 tsp of Vanilla
2/3 cups of virgin oil (coconut or olive)
(Blend for 30 seconds)
Pour into large bowl and gently stir in
2 Tbsp of Baking Powder
Cook on griddle and enjoy!

These pancakes are super delicious!!! They come out even fluffier and yummier if you use soft white wheat but any wheat will do. My sweet Grandma Smith perfected this recipe and its by far the best I have ever tried!!! I brought some batter to our ward campout and a few people asked for the recipe.... They were delicious!

Here is Joes variation if you have an awesome blender and like useing whole kernels
 
            Granny Smith’s Whole Wheat Pancakes (Joe Hartzell Version)
            1 cup of soft white wheat kernels
            ½ cup of spelt
            ¼ cup of millet
            ¼ cup of golden flax seed meal
            2 ½ cups of milk
            Blend together until creamy, app. 1 minute (if your blender isn’t powerful enough, you may need to grind your wheat first)
            Mix together the following ingredients prior to blending wheat and milk
            2/3 cup extra virgin raw olive oil
            2 Tbsp of raw local honey
            4 eggs
            1 banana
            6-8 strawberries or any other fruit as desired
            1 tsp vanilla
            Blend together for app. 30 seconds with wheat and milk mixture
            Pour mixture into large bowl and add 2 Tbps of Baking Powder and mix with wire whisk until powder is well mixed
            Now cook on a flat surface, add flax seed on top and cinnamon for additional flavors, we love putting chocolate chips in as it cooks