Tummy Time

Dallin is practicing his tummy time, we try to do four minutes in the morning, four minutes in the afternoon and four minutes in the night.  Usually by minute three he is over it. 

Recycle Day

We are recyclers!  I do not like throwing away anything that can go in the recycling bin.  After this Christmas we had so many cardboard boxes and paper, I filled up mine and 3 of my neighbors blue recycling bins, it was great to see it all go!  It's funny because I could go a few weeks between the trash man picking up, but I need the recycler every time he comes!  Obviously even more some weeks.  Makes me happy to be nice to the earth.  :)

Meeting the Teachers

It's a new year and new primary teachers! Today is the meet and greet at church, when the kids get to go to church and meet their new teachers!  The most exciting part is that now Harrison is in primary yippee! These pictures are great summaries of each of the kids...Harry - not so sure and a little grumpy.  Carson - a little goofy, partially excited for his teachers, but mostly for his friends and of course - distracted already.  Emma - totally excited and ready to be the best student this teacher has ever had. 

2012 Christmas Tree

we get a real tree every year, I love the smell and it reminds me of when I was kid. here is our tree from this year... even though it was cut about a month ago it's still beautiful! I just took down the decorations and I'm about to take down the lights. so long little tree, thanks for the fun!

A Few of My Favorite People

For New Years Eve we went down to Provo for "First Night" it was a fun activity for the kids and we had a great time also.  They had a magic show, comedy show, dog show, dance club, laser tag, a few big jumping toys, balloon animals, face painting, eating contests, karaoke, crafts, scavenger hunt, princesses walking around and tons more.  One of the activities to do was the photo booth, we dressed up and took photos together, so fun. I love these guys. (PS Tim isn't in the picture because he met us back at the house for the end of the night because he had been sick that day.)

First Bite

Tonight I gave Dallin his first taste of rice cereal. As you can tell from his face he loves it!  This is just part of the attempt to get him to sleep a little longer... feed him as much as I can before you goes to bed.  We'll see how successful was tonight.

Having a big talk with Dad

Dallin has become quite the talker.  He loves when any of us will sit and talk to him.  He laughs at what we say and then adds in his thoughts.  He really is so funny.

2012 In the Pratt House

Emma (7) started 1^st grade this year! She is quite the student!  She is one of the top readers in her class and loves that she can now read chapter books.  She also started piano lessons and we love to listen to her practice everyday.   Emma played soccer this year and had a ton of fun on her team.  Over the summer she finally became an official swimmer!  Once she got it, there was no stopping her and she spent hours and hours every week in the pool and jumping off the diving board.  She keeps busy playing with her friends, dancing, singing (always) and running after her brothers.  She is a very tentative big sister, always ready to help out with the boys and keep them happy.   She will be baptized in November 2013 and to prepare as a family we made a goal to read the Book of Mormon all the way through.  She keeps us on task and we have enjoyed the blessing this goal has brought us.  We are so blessed to have her and are grateful that her brothers have her as an example to look up to.

Carson (5) continues to be a busy preschooler!  He is an awesome student!  He enjoys reading, writing, painting, being creative and he LOVES to dance.  It is one of our favorite activities to turn on iTunes and shake it! Carson also played soccer this year.  He loved playing with his friends and his cousin Logan on his team! Over the summer he took swimming lessons and found his confidence under the water - he is the cutest little fish you will ever see! Carson is growing so quickly and this year started learning to ride his bike without training wheels. He did not master it yet, but he is very close and we are pretty sure once it warms up again that he will be zipping around in no time.  He continues to improve with his speech and is quickly becoming an awesome little talker. We love our little guy; he has a great sense of humor and always strives to make everyone smile. 

Harrison (3) brings us new adventures everyday!  He is a great learner. He is starting to write his ABC’s, he can spell and write his name beautifully and loves “writing letters” with his sister at his side.  He loves playing on the computer and iPad, playing pretend and being a train conductor with his Geotrax collection.  He is a huge fan of his older brother and sister - he   looks forward everyday for their return from school.  Harry is very athletic and enjoys any type of ball playing!  He loves playing outside in any weather and often times has to be dragged in to avoid hypothermia.  This last month Harrison has FINALLY started potty training - it has become a special time for he and Mom - we are proud of him for the progress he has made and proud of her because he is still one piece.  :)

Dallin (3 mos) is the newest addition to our family.  He was born in the early evening of September 7^th, at 8lbs 11 oz and 21 inches long - our biggest baby yet! It was a slow labor, but once he wanted to come, he was serious, his doctor even missed the adventure and his Dad nearly missed it also because they both decided to step out at the wrong time.  He had a rough start and had to hang out with the NICU team for the first few minutes of his life, but quickly showed everyone he was a tough little guy and nothing was going to stop him!  He has grown very quickly - weighing over 14 lbs already!  It’s no wonder because his favorite hobby is eating!  He is a great smiler and is always loves to brighten Jared’s day with an excited grin when he arrives home from work.  We are so blessed to have his sweet little personality in our home.  The whole family has wrapped themselves around his little fingers.  His brothers and sister are addicted to holding, hugging, kissing and playing with him. 

We couldn’t be happier to have him in our family!

Summer loves being a stay-at-home-Mommy!  She keeps busy running after the kids and trying to stay sane.  She has taking redecorating to a whole new level - redoing the kitchen cabinets, sewing curtains, reupholstering our kitchen chairs, painting anything and everything to fit the color scheme and adding new furniture and rugs to our house for a finishing touch.  It has been quite fun and she really finds joy in the projects and planning for future projects for 2013.  Together Jared and Summer joined a co-ed soccer league. Along with 10 other friends on their team they have weekly games where they are run over by co-eds that look to be half their age with double their energy levels.  It has been very fun for us to participate in and fun for the kids to be our cheerleaders.  Summer is the Activity Days Leader and really loves her group of girls - they keep her young!

Jared continues to love his career with Patterson Dental.  His job is a wonderful blessing in our home, but it also brings a few laugh - the kids are convinced that Daddy’s job is going out to lunch with his friends and picking up “Daddy’s Drink” (Dr. Pepper) on the way home.  Jared calls it a job, Summer calls it a vacation. :)   Jared enjoys playing golf, soccer, racquetball, basketball and hiking. This year over Labor Day weekend he, his brother Steve and a few friends did a “rim to rim” hike of the Grand Canyon.  He says it was an amazing and challenging adventure.  Jared is now the Webelos leader and has had a great time with his young scouts. All of these adventures came together making him “The Most Interesting Man in The Ward” for our Ward Talent show.  He grew out a nice beard and with the help of some great friends and neighbors put together 3 awesome commercials to show at the talent show.  It got a ton of laughs and secured his legend in the ward.  If you would like to check them out - please feel free to look up “most interesting man in the ward” on youtube.  It is awesome!

We have had an amazing 2012 and are so grateful! We hope that your 2012 has brought you the same happiness!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Love,

The Pratt Family

Jared - Summer - Emma - Carson - Harrison - Dallin

Selling a few things...

 This is a great set for $150 OBO! Great condition! The set includes... a sofa that has two large removable back pillow, two large removable bottom cushions and 4 accent pillow. Also a over-sized super comfortable chair that has one removable cushion and one removable back pillow. This matching set is a light plaid of different shades of beige and easily goes with other furniture and any room. All cushions and back pillows have covers that are removable and washable. So it is easy to keep this set clean and nice. This has been a great set for us and we are only selling it because we recently upgraded and it doesn't fit down our poorly designed stairs. :(

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=20418653&cat=43

 
 This is an amazing machine! The 938 elliptical from Nordic Track, features 10 workout programs, heartbeat monitor, built-in fan, adjustable resistance settings, light-up display screen, and water bottle holder. It is easily moved with back the wheels that you can see in the picture and includes the Fitness mat to go underneath it. I am embarrassed to say it is RARELY used and LIKE NEW! :)  We are asking $200 OBO!

 http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=20419733&cat=416

 

This has been a great TV for us! It is a great working condition, great picture, no problems at all. You won't be disappointed!  A great deal at $20!
 
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=20418757&cat=27

Cinnamon rolls - I love these!

Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

***Warning: these are super yummy, but really not good for you!***

Rolls
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cupwater
1/2 package instant vanilla pudding (1/2 of a 3.4 ounce box)
1 cup of milk
1 beaten egg
1 T sugar
1/2 tsp salt
4 cups bread flour
1 1/2 tsp yeast

Filling
1/2 cup butter softened
1 cup brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1/4 cup raisins (optional)

Frosting
4 ounces cream cheese softened
1/4 cup butter softened
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp milk

Rolls: Place ingredients in machine following manufacturer's instructions. Set for dough cycle. After the cycle is done remove from machine and roll out to approx 17 x 10 inch rectangle.

Filling: Mix together brown sugar and cinnamon. Spread softened butter over rolled out dough. Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon mixture over top.

Roll tightly from long end, pinching edges closed when rolled. Slice rolled dough into 1/2 inch slices. Place into greased cake pan (9 inch round is best - you will need 3 of them). Let rise until doubled.

Baked 350 for 15-20 minutes, until golden... you don't want to over bake!

Spread frosting over very warm rolls.

Best fresh, but can be reheated in the microwave for 10-15 sec.

ENJOY!