"Live with Less" Challenge

I didn't catch this Oprah episode last week, but I heard some people talking about taking on the challenge. My sister sent me a link that brought me to the following letter.....I am going to challenge myself this week to try to do as much as possible to "live with less" There are some things I just don't know if I could ever get in the habit of doing, (unplugging appliances, and giving up my paper towels....it's gonna be tough) but I'll do my best. Anyone else up for the challenge, join in......I'm also going to miss that weekly Target run where I end up with way more than what I went in for. The two families that were on Oprah didn't go back to any of their habits once they succeeded with the challenge for the week, so there's my hope. Good Luck!


Dear Family,

Thanks for agreeing to live with less for a week. Your challenge starts now!

This week, you will be eating at home every meal. No more eating out, no more takeout. And you have to eat your leftovers. If you throw food in the trash, you've got to 'fess up.

For one week, you're going to give up the bottled water habit. Get a water filter—time to get to know your tap.

No more disposable plates, cups, napkins or paper towels. Try cloth—you might like it!

For entertainment, you'll have to rely on each other. For one week, I'm asking you to give up your iPods and video games, and your computers only get turned on for homework. TV is limited to one hour per night—one TV only.

That thermostat is going way down…to 69 degrees. If you get cold, put on a sweater.

Give your washing machine a break—try to wash only clothes that are TRULY dirty.

When you leave a room, lights out. Ditto for fans. When you're done using an appliance, unplug it. Don't forget your computer and cell phone chargers too.

Showers are going to be shorter—eight minutes max. Use a kitchen timer to help you keep track.

Want to go shopping? Head to your closets. That's your wardrobe for the week. The mall is off-limits.

You final challenge—no buying anything other than food for seven days.

Good luck,
Oprah

I love to see the temple!

Allie is just to cute these days....she is at such a fun age where she is taking everything in and processing the information. It is so fun to see what she's taken in and absorbed and then able to communicate back.

She has learned from looking at pictures of "real" temples what they are. As we have driven around Boise the last couple of days......anything with a steeple, spire, anything up in the sky is a temple. Most churches that we drive by, I hear Allie say, "Mommy....temple." Yesterday we were driving downtown by the Capital Building and it is now a temple in Allie's world; someday when she's older I'll straighten this all out and hopefully she'll know there is only 1 temple in Boise.

One more cute story that I have to write about Allie. We are trying very hard to hold F.H.E. on a weekly basis, and lately we have done a good job. So, on Monday I was telling Allie that we were going to have F.H.E. later on that evening. Our conversation then went like this

Mom- "Allie, do you know what we are going to do for F.H.E.?
Allie- "Jesus"
Mom-"Anything else?"
Allie- "Temples"
Mom-"Anything else?"
Allie- "Rosie" (Ring-Around the Rosie-A favorite for Allie and a must at every F.H.E)

I know that they always say when you don't think your kids are really listening, (especially a 20 month old) they really are. I guess it just shows how important it is to continue and endure teaching your kids the gospel no matter what age because they really get it. I love their sweet and simple spirits!

A fish, a deer, a snake....oh my!

Well we had a wonderful Saturday enjoying our friends and a record high of 80 degrees! To bad the weather isn't going to last. We first headed off to the MK Nature Center in the heart of downtown Boise. The kids loved the fish! There are little benches for the kids to climb on, so they can get a great view of the fish through the glass. While we were on our stroll, my husband, (leave it to him -he seriously can spot deer ANYWHERE) spotted a deer. The great wildlife you see while living right in Boise.

After the Nature Center we headed out for a hike that led up to Table Rock. We didn't go the whole way, but made it to the landing right below Table Rock. We still got some great views of downtown Boise. On our way back down my worst nightmare came through. I really don't have any fears in life, except one. SNAKES! I know out of all the hikes I've done through the foothills I have gotten pretty lucky by never encountering one. I am always expecting it to happen, and today it did. I am really glad it was this little, and not a rattlesnake, but it still scared the pants off of me. It darted right out at my foot as I walked by and I jumped about 5 feet forward freaked out. Our friend Jon ended up picking up the snake and made it quite the attraction with the kids.

Dad and Allie in MK Nature Center

I just love this photo....not quite sure what Cam is doing...but the girls were sure loving it

Dad and Allie getting ready for the hike...what a nice way to ride

I love how Allie is poking her head around for this photo.....downtown Boise in the distant background

Allie finally touched the snake....she was very hesitant.....I wonder where she gets this from

Here Comes The Sun...

Well, it's finally warming up around Boise....hopefully the sun will stick around. Today Allie and I had a crazy filled day. I woke Allie up at 7:30 am and we raced off to a kid's consignment sale....I love the bargains these sales have.

We also briefed Target to check out anything new.....Lately Allie loves to ride on the outside of the cart and hang on. I stopped to look at some clothing on a rack and in a split second, for the first time ever, she was gone when I turned around. It freaked me out and then I finally heard her. Well as you can see from the picture below....Allie found a great hiding spot.

In the afternoon I packed away the winter clothing... I really hope I didn't jinx myself. I left out some long sleeve T's and sweatshirts, just in case. Allie had a great time playing dress-up, as there a few piles of clothes to choose from. She has great fashion sense already :)

Allie had climbed under the display of the strollers and cribs...she was down under with the boxes running around. I sure couldn't squeeze myself under there to get her so I had to coax her out.

Allie walked around forever with this hat and one mitten....we have one mitten M.I.A.

Allie is showing off these great shoes that are way to big right now, $1 at the consignment sale, this cute dress we got, and another winter hat that was getting packed away

Oh the fun!

The Little's and Uncle Jeremy Come To Visit

My sister, her kids, and my brother came to visit over their Spring Break. We love hosting people at our house and were so glad they chose Boise for their destination. We had a great time over the fast week that they were here.

Sunday-March 30- We spent the day bumming around the house

Auntie Lara with Allie, and Ainsley

The cousins watching a movie

Monday March 31-We hung out around the house until Papa and Grandma made their way back from McCall. Once they got back to town, they headed over for some scrumptious tacos by Blake

The kids wanted to make a train....Allie loved all the fun ideas these kids had and loved playing with her cousins

Papa with his "girls"

Tuesday April 1-Despite a couple of the kids getting a little sick, we canceled our plans for a sleigh ride, and we went to the movie "Horton See's A Who." Highly recommended....It's been a long time I feel like since a good kid's movie has made it's way out. Tuesday night we had a birthday party for Blake, Uncle Jeremy, and Auntie Lara....all with April birthdays. Papa and Grandma were able to make it over for the party; Grandma Barb was missed and was sick at home.

The birthday bunch

Wednesday April 2-We headed down to the Boise Art Museum for their monthly art craft...this month was painting on canvas. Not really painting, like we thought, it was coloring with pastels....still very cute. My sister and the kids went to hang out with one of her good friends from High School during the afternoon. In the evening I made "pasties" for dinner, a family tradition and favorite for everyone. We put the kids to bed a little early and had a game night playing Hand And Foot; my favorite card game at the time.

Adam and Ainsley working on their art

Papa helping Allie with her picture

Ainsley with her finished product

Cute Adam helped Ainsley snuggle right up with her baby, bear, and blanket in the chair

Thursday April 3rd-We headed off to story time at the library. Following this, we headed out to Graples-a home decor store in Nampa....then I had to go into work for the evening.

Friday April 4th-We went to a puppet show this morning.....then went to play at Ann Morrison Park for a little while before lunch. Papa was able to come with us during the morning. When we got home and had lunch, Grandma Barb was finally feeling better and was able to come over for the afternoon. That night, the boys all went to a Steelheads Hockey Game and the girls went shopping at the outlets. We really only made it to Carters and Oshkosh since the Boise Outlets for the natives know they are not the greatest outlets

Allie going head first down the slide

Adam playing at the park

Allie has found "the monster"-I wish I would have gotten this picture from the other angle, it was too cute