9/52

{ Loved that little man and his sweet reflection on a rainy Sunday morning }

{ My little alfalfa girl helping herself to some bath toys. Nom nom. }

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Melting

It has been a GORGEOUS winter. I've loved feeling like we were living in a snow globe. Little flurries could constantly be seen outside our windows...snow covered every branch of every tree...the mountains looked like they had a thick, white blanket tossed right over them...for a few weeks there were giant, stunning icicles lining every roof in sight...and when evenings came the snow would turn a lovely orange-y pink color from the sunset, then at night the streetlights and moonlight make the snow almost glow. 

But over the last couple weeks, the snow covering our yard has been melting, we can see grass starting to peak through, and tree branches everywhere are bare. To say I am excited to soon go to the park with the littles and play outside in the fresh air more often, well, that would be an understatement. But at the same time, my snow-deprived-childhood-heart is sad to see it go. 

So call me crazy, but even near the end of this crazy-long winter that has pounded us with the snow, I still love this white stuff. I may not be a fan of driving in it, but it makes me grateful for a warm home and the time I get to stay inside all cozy with our little family. And knowing how much my Dad would love to get some powder back home in Washington, makes me appreciate it even more.

Anyone else out there love snow??

My favorite snowy memories this past winter here, here, and here.

This chapter...

I loved this quote my awesome team teacher gave our Sunday School class:

"No matter how bleak the chapter of our lives may look today, because of the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we may hope and be assured that the ending of the book of our lives will exceed our grandest expectations."

-- President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

And then the Relief Society's message was 'Be of Good Cheer' so it got me thinking... I feel beyond blessed that I can look at this "chapter of my life" and know that it is such a wonderful one. Brooks and Ava are still my babies (what am I saying...they'll always be my babies right? Right?), Adam is working and finishing school so we make it even more of a priority to make our time together count, and I have a young, healthy body that has more than enough energy [most of the time] to take care of those two littles I mentioned. I truly love it, and I'm trying not to take it for granted. But there are days and moments that seem "bleak"...especially when I struggle with patience and being selfish, and I feel like I'm failing at this balancing act of being an individual and being a mother and being a wife. No matter how big or small my low moments are, I know that Jesus Christ understands what I'm going through and He is waiting for me to confide in Him. And then, He has promised that if I stay faithful and follow in His footsteps by doing my best to lose myself in the service of others, the ending to my book of life will be incredible, and better than anything I could hope or dream!

I really needed that today...

8/52

{ Brooks calling out for "Baby red biiiirrrdd!" with his magical rainbow mittens. After seeing a episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse he wanted to help out his friend Mickey find that little bird. ;) No such luck...I'm sure we'll look again today. }

{ Ava rocking some sweet, one-sided bed head. }

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

** This photos are giving me dejavu....okay they're almost identical to last week's. Oh well. :)

Cookies and "Bow-ken" Eggs

Last Friday was a sunny, but snowy day outside...so we took advantage of staying cozy, inside and made oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. With Ava on my back and Brooks as my helper, we had an extra sweet afternoon baking together. Brooks had a fun time stirring the flour, and would add each ingredient to the mixer after I measured them. But he was not a fan of cracking the eggs, and got sad that they were "bow-ken." ;) He quickly cheered up, though, after the dough was finished and he got to enjoy the little bit left on the mixer's paddle. He even shared some with Aves, which says a lot since just recently his favorite word has been "mine" and he's got a wicked sweet tooth like his mama.

My friend recently perfected her recipe and was kind enough to share it on facebook, so I was excited to finally try it out. They were DELICIOUS, rich, chewy, cookie perfection. Thanks Emily! And thanks for letting me share it here too. :) 

Thick, Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
by Emily Tawzer

2 1/4 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 - 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

2 cups brown sugar, packed

1 cup salted butter, softened (room temp)

2 cups rolled oats

2 eggs

2 Tablespoons thick maple syrup, honey, or molasses (I used molasses)

1 Tablespoon milk

1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (I used milk chocolate...dark chocolate would be incredible...and so would white chocolate with craisins)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In regards to the butter and eggs...room temperature butter is important, it needs to be soft but not too soft, and cold eggs straight from the fridge are just fine. Whisk together flour, soda, and baking powder in medium size bowl. Cream butter and sugar in mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add oatmeal, syrup, and milk, mix but do not over beat. Add dry ingredients (all at once) and mix until just combined. Add chocolate chips and mix briefly. Spoon HUGE 1/4 cup size cookie dough balls onto cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for exactly 11 minutes. The edges will be lightly browned and they may not look done, but that's the trick to the chewy cooke! As they cool, they become the perfect, chewy cookie. Enjoy!

Yields: 2 dozen large cookies

His 27th Birthday Weekend

The man of the house had a birthday over the weekend! Even though the majority of it was filled with homework, we sure had fun filling in the gaps with celebrating and showing Adam how much we love him and how glad we are he is ours!! Breakfast in bed ... 27 balloons with 27 reasons why we love and appreciate him ... lots of birthday kisses ... dinner at Market Street Grill with Mama and Papa Kjar ... Sunday brunch of German pancakes ... the birthday boy got a long nap while Brooks, the sous chef, helped me make lasagna for dinner and the birthday cake for dessert ... and 27 candles were lit and blown out. Wishing this next year is the best of your life so far love!!

^^ As you can see, the kids (especially Ava) thoroughly enjoyed the whipped cream frosting ^^

And part of Adam's birthday is two tickets to see The Piano Guys in May. One of the things I love about Adam is his appreciation for music...The Piano Guys are brilliant and beyond entertaining, so we are so excited for a date night out to see them live!

7/52

{ Last Friday it was extra sunny and rather warm...so when Brooks wanted to get outside and take his shoes off to feel the grass on his feet for a few minutes, I was more than okay. It's been a looooong winter for that boy. }

{ Sweaty hair and dimpled knuckles...that little Aves is sweet dream perfection. }

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."