Energy Bites

 You really need this recipe!!  It's easy, versatile and pretty darn healthy, too.  :)  I got the original here, but here's our favorite way and in a big batch version.

Cherry Chocolate Chip Energy Bites

1 c. almond butter

2/3 c. honey

2 c. rolled oats

1 1/2 c. shredded coconut

1/2 c. whole wheat flour

2 T. flax seed (I'll do more next time)

1-2 tsp. vanilla

1/8 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 c. chopped dried cherries

1/2 c. mini chocolate chips

I seriously dump it all in and mix it up.  There might be a benefit to mixing the nut butter/honey first, but this isn't chemistry here.  Just mix it up however you like.  :)  Put the bowl in the fridge for 30 minutes, then roll into balls.  You have to smash it together a little and then roll it in a little whole wheat flour so they don't stick to each other.  Keep them in your fridge for a great snack. We love them after working out, after school or when I need a little something late afternoon.  They taste a lot like cookie dough, but without the fat and sugar.  Yum!

Meanwhile

It's lots easier to just post a couple cute, edited pictures of Ivy than to try to recap the whole family's comings and goings.  But I do have 4 other children.  :)  So here's an (unedited, less beautiful) recap of what's been going on with all of the rest of the Howell family!

 Family walks on Sundays.  I go when the weather's nice and it doesn't mess up Ivy's totally erratic nap schedule.  I loved that Grace was following in Ellie's footsteps!  I love all those happy sibling moments.

The kids ran in a race on the trail behind our house.  It might be one of the redeeming parts of being stuck in our little house forever.  I LOVE this trail.  And the kids had a great time in the fun run.  Best of all, they loved picking their own numbers and decorating them.

This is Grace posing with her friend, Lucas.  We should all be very worried that she immediately threw her arms around him.  Poor kid.  ;)

My mom, Grandma Eucker, came to visit and it SNOWED right away.  There was a 2 hour delay, so we sent the kids out to play.  They threw snowballs at Grandma through the glass, which is lots more fun than being cold.

I think the fun in the snow lasted 15 minutes.  Then they dumped their gear and demanded hot chocolate.  And I pretty much counted down the minutes til school started and the snow melted.  But it's also very pretty, even in March.

We got to meet a new cousin, Andrew, for the first time.  We had a VERY quick visit (just time for a picture and some hugs) and then they were on their way back to Pullman.

Grandma and Carver playing in cornstarch goop.

Grandma helping Lydia build her rocket for Camp Casey next week.

Grandma and Carver playing a new sight word game that he LOVED.  

(Thanks to pinterest!)

Snapping a quick picture on our way out the door, the kids off to school and Grandma off to the airport.  Carver didn't feel much like cooperating.  Somehow I didn't get a single picture of Ivy with my mom, which is sad.  She'll just have to come back!!  New York is much, MUCH too far away.

Last week Ellie was in a 3rd grade musical as narrator #3.  I think there were 25.  :)  But she was delighted to have a part and it was fun to see her on stage.

We've had snow off and on with very few sunny days, so we try to make the most of it when the sun peeks out.  I love it when my kids ride bikes and then do chalk.  It's so funny to see them wearing protective headgear while drawing!

This funny picture of Ellie pretty much sums up spring in the Pacific NW.  We just pretend it's warm and make the most of what we've got!  It's been a busy, happy time around here.

4 months

I really think I'd forgotten how sweet babies are!
I sure love this one. :)

Ivy is all about sucking on her fingers, gagging occasionally on them even. She hasn't narrowed it down to any fingers in particular (thank goodness!) but loves to make a slobbery mess with ALL of them, if possible. She also makes the most wonderful baby speeches, all vowels and gurgles. She's kinda wiggly and talks the most when we put her down in her bouncy seat or on the floor. She's rolling from back to tummy consistently, which is a rather unfortunate milestone since she doesn't really like being on her tummy. :) I love squishing her legs and kissing those cheeks. Mmm... baby cheeks!!