First's

First Steps!

Charly has recently learned how to stand and knows that she can do it. She has also taken a few steps on her own but usually gets nervous and sits down.

Now that she has pretty good balance she has been trying new things.

Like climbing;) She also has started to help Mom lots by cleaning out the cupboards on a daily basis. It's so fun to watch her learn and explore. She has gotten really good at climbing up the stairs and often follows us but if we go back down it makes her mad cause she has not quite figured out how to come down. We are trying to teach her so she will be able to go up and down and we won't have to worry about her falling.

The other day she noticed she could push the chair around the Kitchen and walk behind it! She thought that was a pretty good way to get around.

We thought it was just cute!

First Trailer!

We all enjoy camping but Mom has never been big on tent camping. (something to do with being to cold and trekking to the bathroom in the middle of the night;) So we have not gone near as much as we would like to. In fact last year with Mom being pregnant the only camping that happened was the boys going to the father's and son's so we are really ready and anxious for some camping.

So for the past little while we have been searching for a trailer to fit our family. This week we came across this one and snatched it up. (They go fast around here!)

We were all very excited and trying to figure out how soon we can use it! (Even Mom! Camping will be nice with a warm bed and a close potty;)

Yay! Even Charly is excited!

First really good ranch dressing since we gave up dairy;)

I recently came up with this recipe and I know some of you have been wanting it so here ya go! ENJOY!

(NOTE: The picture is of a "Mexican pizza" it is just a whole wheat flour tortilla fried in some olive oil and topped with refried beans, olives, tomatoes, sauteed mushrooms and onions, lettuce, Cheezy sauce, and of course the Ranch Dressing!)

Just Like Mom's Homemade Ranch Dressing

1 cup of Sunflower Seed Sour Cream (recipe below)

1 cup Vegenaise

3 teaspoons apple cider vinegar (more if you like it really tangy)

1 Tablespoon Parsley

Chives (optional)

Dill (optional)

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/3 teaspoon garlic

salt & pepper to taste I usually use about 1/4 teaspoon of each

Blend all ingredients in blender until nice and smooth. It will be dip like consistency and great for carrot sticks etc. To make more dressing like consistency add some water or rice milk. Also it will thicken a bit in the fridge so keep that in mind.

MMMmmmMMMmmm, CREAMY, & Delicious

Sunflower Seed Sour Cream

1 cup raw sunflower seeds
1 cup water
4+ Tablespoons lemon juice
1 garlic clove pressed or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
3/4 teaspoon onion powder
3/4 teaspoon salt


Place ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.