Canning

These beauties were canned by none other than... (DRUM-ROLL, PLEASE) ... Kit! Kit is into pickling and canning lately. For his birthday he got a canner, rack, tools (tongs, etc.) and book-o-canning by Ball. It is a huge book!! He has been perusing it faithfully and looking for produce in season so he can affordably can. I'm thankful for his interest in cooking, recipe finding and preserving since I get to taste the yummy results!!! He even finagled my boys into helping so I could run a couple of errands and work on my sharing time (what a wonderful Daddy!). Gavin was a little work-horse. He loves to help in the kitchen, especially with his Daddy. Be forewarned, however, of stinky breath. Kit pickled garlic ('cause I love it!) and tomatillo salsa. The Applegate household will have pungent breath in a few weeks when it is ready to devour!

Here's the video Kit captured of the boys...I know we've added quite a LOT of videos lately, but bear with me, I can't help but show off my boys!

Beach Time!

Yes, down South we're enjoying the sun! I did something spontaneously (yes, me!) and I took the boys to the beach. The sun was hot, but with the breeze wafting through and the cool water, the beach was so perfect and fun! My boys splashed and dug in the sand and little Gunner rolled around on our designated sand blanket. I tried to get a cute picture of him, but between the big green hat and his chubby little body...well, you get the idea.

Happy Easter!!

Happy Easter everyone! Steph, Phil and the kids left on Saturday. We had such an enjoyable visit with them. I love moving around, but it is hard for me when my best girlfriends live far away. There is somethings about having my mom and sisters close by. To make up for the empty feeling in my house we decided to invite our friends Camden and Amber and Mike (Kit's 2nd counselor) for Easter dinner. Saturday was spent at the store (literally) buying supplies for the meal. I also had to prepare a last-minute sharing time on Easter. I love the one I found. It went well with the kids and I think they could picture the Easter Story a little better.

The Easter Bunny hid the eggs while we were home. Josiah couldn't believe it! The bunny sure must be tricky to hide the eggs while Mom and Dad were in the kitchen starting dinner. The boys had fun looking for eggs. Gavin would get so excited when he found one. Dinner was yummy - just traditional fare - ham, mashed potatoes, corn, deviled eggs and carrot cake for dessert. Yes, Kit cooked the meal (although I did the potatoes and eggs). My husband is wonderful! Of course, I did the dishes.

We have FHE on Sundays due to my class on Mondays. This one was focused on the Easter Story. I just went through the sharing time again. Sometimes I want to give up! It is often a struggle to even attempt a FHE. Maybe I get points for trying! I will say my boys were listening by the end, however, so maybe they learned something!

Our Attempt at FHE (caught on film by Kit) ...

Easter Egg Hunt

Easter Outfits (note: Jos is holding a dino)

Typical of my boys!

I've Been Tagged! (hence you will be tagged)

You all have my friend Annie Emmertson to blame for this! She decided to start this one, but don't worry it is fairly simple. Here are the ground rules:

1. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.

2. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names.

3. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Here goes...

1. I LOVE pink mints-you know, the little pink disks that are wintergreen flavored. They remind me of road-trips as a child. I love them so much I could eat an entire bag myself. Yummy!
2. I don't find "potty" humor funny. It grosses me out, so you won't find me giggling at jokes with anything to do with body fluids or gas expulsions. (I'm kinda out of luck with my little family)
3. I can suck my toes...if I ever wanted too. I don't, so I won't, but I could!
4. I put my lipstick on before I put on mascara. I know it is normal to put your lipstick on last, but for some strange reason and habit, I don't. Mascara is the last thing to go on.
5. Maybe some have heard me say this: my favorite fantasy (NOTE: meaning will never come true) is of my boys (usually Jos or Gav) duct-taped to the wall, spread eagle, with a large piece covering their mouths. They are literally up and out of the way. I could vaccuum around them, pick up...the list is endless! It isn't done in violence, in my mind it is all cartoony, but it just makes me giggle and relieves tension.
6. I love emeralds. Kit bought me some small studs when we were first married that I love, but I really crave a beautiful emerald stone ring. Ahhh! Something about the freshness of green...
7. I haven't always been as perfect as I am now. (HINT: you should be chortling, it's a joke) When I was in kindergarten I bit a boy named Eisie for trying to kiss me and picked a mean neighbor's flowers and threw them away in her own garbage can. Awful, I know!!

I tag...Carly, Annie Simms, Sandy, Ashlee, Jill, Heidi and Coty

A Moment

**scroll down to bottom of blog to pause music player**

(Push pause button twice)

A friend of mine did this on her blog and I thought it was a fun idea. The video clip is a sample of a moment at my house. The boys love the Hampster Dance and whenever they hear it they can't resist dancing! Note the couch "castle" in the background and the fact Gav has no pants. In case you were wondering, Gunner is sitting on my lap After reviewing this clip, I wish I had picked-up first, but I guess it wouldn't be an acurate moment if you didn't see Jos's flip flops and etc. on the foor! Oh-the clip is kind-of long. Jos insisted on being taped until the song was completed. Feel free to skip through as much as you want!!

Happy Half-Day!

Happy half-day to Gunnison, happy half-day to you!!! We are so blessed to have this happy little boy in our family. He is six months old tonight (6:58 pm) and it seems to have flown by in a flash! His little spirit is so sweet. The best example is this: poor little man has full blown pink-eye (courtesy of Josiah), a rotten cold and a fever-don't worry we've been to the doctor!!! He is sick and I can tell he doesn't feel good at all, yet he has been smiling at us all. He lifts his arms to be held and giggles at his big brothers' antics. His blessing has been coming true already-his sweet spirit has been a blessing to our home. He truly has brought the spirit of love into this house. I wasn't prepared for him, but he has been a wonderful and well-loved surprise! We love you Gunnison Michael Applegate.

Day after he was born

His Blessing Day

Sleeping

Showing his natural personality

The "Ov-Glove" & Random Pictures

So, I don't know if any of you have heard of the Ov-Glove, but Gavin has. I guess it is this heat resistant glove that is used as a oven mitt. Anyway, Gav was wearing around this sock on his hand. I asked if it was a puppet or something like that, but was firmly told no. "It is my Ov-Glove...you can get one at Target." So, if any of you are interested in the Ov-Glove, you can purchase it on TV or at Target! *Sigh* One would think my boys watch TV all day, every day!!

Gavin and his Ov-Glove

A cute picture of Gunner, I couldn't resist!

The boys playing with their friend, James in the dinosaurs sandbox

(Thanks Aunt Sydnee!)Gavin and Jos playing "pony"-Cracks me up 'cause Gav weighs only 10 lbs. less!