Breakfast

This boy loves breakfast! He usually eats two servings of whatever we are having. His preference is cereal (Honey-Nut Cheerios or Wheaties) or Pancakes. When he gets done with his pancakes he is quick to see if his sisters have finished theirs.


I've always wanted to make wholesome pancakes for my kids, but it has taken me a while to find the perfect recipe. The Spiers family can't make the blender whole wheat pancakes because 1) I can't make them taste good and 2) We can't have the blender going for 5 minutes early in the morning - it's just too much even for those of us who are morning people. Luckily I have found the perfect recipe for us. It is good for my kids - or at least better than the Aunt Jemima just add water + it is easy. I make this mix up:
*Makes 10 cups of dry mix

3 1/2 cups rolled (quick) oats
3 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons baking powder
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 cup vegetable oil

Add the oil to the dry ingredients. It seems strange, but it will make a sort of crumbly mixture. Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks at room temperature or indefinitely in the refrigerator or freezer.

To make the pancakes: whisk together 1 cup of mix, 1 cup buttermilk (a combination of half plain yogurt and half milk will also work), and 1 egg. ** I have used 5 cups of freshly ground whole wheat instead of using the all-purpose flour and my kids ate them up. ***For those of you who know me well and my love of organic coconut oil - I also substitute 1 Cup coconut oil for the vegetable oil.

A Busy Weekend

Friday Richard and I participated in the Primary activity doing a little presentation on our mission and had to miss Cardyn's game. Saturday, we made up for it with the girls having back to back games so we spent the afternoon at the soccer field. Savannah ended up playing goalie for the first half of her game. She did a really good job and since we sat right behind her I got a few shots. She wasn't overly happy at us yelling right behind her so we had to assure her that we thought she did great - she just hadn't played goalie much before. We had to get clear back in the woods for Cardyn's game just to get a little shade so I guess that is why I didn't get many shots of her game. We hurried home and packed the car up to go down to visit Richard's parents for the weekend. It was nice to see everyone and eat good food - fresh lobster **Edit to say Crab** Sorry to mislead you Erin! from Alaska! It is a rare thing for all 5 boys to be home, so we made them pose for pictures. Even in their 20's and 30's they still complain. I can't imagine what picture day might have been like when they were little. We attended Sacrament Meeting in the 1st ward and got to see many old friends we probably only get to see once or twice a year. I love seeing former Young Women and am so amazed at how much everyone has grown! We drove back late in the rain and are exhausted today! I did get further into "The Hunger Games" after listening to it on the way home, but today I have been unable to get much done. The rain was supposed to bring cooler weather, but it is just not cool enough for me. I am waiting for that really cool Fall weather to energize me!

Soccer

This past weekend was the start of Soccer season! Here are my two cute Soccer Girls:

The Big Al

We spent the weekend of September 11th with our friend Scott and his two boys Daniel and Dillon and my brother-in-law Stephen and our nephew Jordan. The girls were so excited for their friends and cousin to come up. We lived next to the Dubee's in Warner Robins and Daniel and Savannah used to play all the time together. I was curious to see how they'd act together since our move 3 years ago. They are such good buddies though, they seem to just get along no matter how much time has passed. Daniel showed us his jump roping skills and wowed us with his interest in politics - such a smart little guy. Dillon was cute to try to play with Porter. They sat by the rug and played with the train set and cars most of the afternoon. That evening we went to a pizza place near Richard's work to order the "Big Al" - a 30" pizza!

Spiers Kids 9.10

8.8.10

I just realized I never got Savannah's birthday pictures on our blog. She had a fabulous 9th birthday sleepover. We squeezed it in the Friday before school started and 2 days before her actual birthday. We had ice cream cake and made cute flip-flops. We danced - and yes, that is Richard in the mix. He couldn't believe Isabelle could beat him! When it came time to go to bed we told ghost stories and then they let me read them to sleep and . . . let me sleep upstairs with them! We love you Savannah! I hope your 9th year is as fabulous as you are!

Overseen

Actually, I was shown this, so I cannot be called a creeper. Entry in a journal type book belonging to one of our daughters:
Describe your Dad:______________________

Daughters entry: Nice, Strange, Hunky!
I agree. I know she listens to me so I will keep saying, "I hope my daughters marry someone just like their dad!"