B is for Baked goods. and a happy Bunch. and Beautiful life.

Christmas for the kids

2011-11-12T18:16:00.000-08:00

Hello Loved Ones!!

These past few weeks I have been pondering thoughtfully as I have rounded up the kids toys deciding what will stay and what will go. This is the conclusion I have come to; Christmas this year for us, is about simplicity, meaning I won't have to spend an hour trying to convince the kids to scour the house for all their toys. So I have compiled a list of things that would be acceptable and appreciated for the kids as Christmas gifts...

~books

games like twister or slip n slide

lessons ( soccer, swim, piano, dance, karate, etc.)

bubbles

twistable crayons ( no cheap please)

coloring books

bikes

medium trampoline w/ net

sidewalk chalk

art supplies

blu-rays (movie)

zoo passes, etc.

play ground equipment

etc, etc, etc.

Please refrain from small item toys/gifts. Call me if you have questions.

Love,

Aubray

clean home, dirty home

2011-06-09T17:03:00.000-07:00

My everyday motto is: "It's easy to keep a clean house clean." But lately I have felt so lazy, it's not like I'm 30 weeks pregnant or anything like that. Recently for the past little while 4:30 rolls around and I think to myself 'Hmm, what can I get done before Michael gets home?' Is it like that for anyone else? Anywhoo... Michael just got home. Mmm mm I love that man! We are going strong with 6 years and almost four children under our belt. Life is good.

2010-12-03T11:19:00.000-08:00

My girlfriend took some pictures of Harrison while she was babysitting the children while Michael and I were on a date. Here they are...

New Haircut!!

2010-03-07T21:52:00.000-08:00

I got a new haircut in time for my brother's wedding. Yay for me!! I love it!

Phoenix Zoo

2010-02-22T10:54:00.000-08:00

Giraffes' from the overlook tower

Four little speckled turtles, sitting on a speckled log...

Komodo Dragon in the 'Land of Dragons'

Harrison watching the ducks and geese.

Sweet Baby!

We were really that close to the monkey's.

Ginger and Braxton holding hands, walking together on the zoo path.

Sarah, Braxton, Bella, Ginger and Ransom in the petting zoo.

Petting the goats with brushes.

Stinky creatures, goats are.

Ginny just after the wallabies

Ransom at the 'Wallaby Walkabout'

Ginny and Ransom at a park in the zoo.

Ginger

Ransom on the oversize spider webb.

Handsome boy posing by this meerkat statue.

Just before we enter the zoo.

Closer take on my kiddos.

Harrison "Oh my goodness"

A glimpse of some of the vegetation.

Wallaby Walkabout

Yikes!

2010-02-18T17:46:00.000-08:00

For all of those thinking I've been cheating on my blog, it's not true. Actually it was quite frustrating not having a way to post updated pictures. But, when there's a will, there's a way!
Ransom is talking so well and has grown so much, he's such a dare devil. Harrison is motating all over the place and he won't hold still for anything. I think he'll be walking in the next month. Ginger is a little mommy to the boys and sings all the time. She has fashion sense at such a young age.
Michael is working at the census bureau and has a couple of girlfriends. Of course they are mothers' with children his age, and they are always heckling each other. I'm thankful he is enjoying work and school.
As for me, I'm happy to be back in Arizona making friends and going on adventures with the children. Michael built a fence to divide the front yard from the back. So at last I can send the kids outside with out worrying they'll run off.

Ginger's First Daddy-Daughter Date!!

2010-02-18T17:31:00.000-08:00

Cutie!! I was so excited for them. Michael and I had talked about dates' with our kids for sometime. Then the friday before Valentine's Day, Michael came home and said he wanted to take Ginny on a date. I had fun getting her all ready for her date, and Ginger was so excited!! I made that bow in her hair which I think turned out really darling.
Just look at them! You can't tell at all that Ginny's excited about her 1st D.D.D.

Loading into the Yukon for their date at Burger King. Chicken nuggets, Play Palace and fun time with Daddy.

Valentine for you and you and you!!

2010-02-18T17:04:00.000-08:00

Harrison and Bella playing and having lots of fun.

The kids and I had so much fun at our friend Sarah, Braxton and Bella's house on friday before Valentine's Day. We had fun decorating and eating heart cookies.

The only person missing in the pictures is Braxton.

Ransom is gonna break hearts.

Ginny licking frosting and eating cookies.

Sarah and Aubray. We mommies look so beautiful.

2009-12-12T11:57:00.000-08:00

i did some updates on my blog. so if your name got deleted from the friend and family list its because i didnt have access to your blog anymore. Just email me if you want to change that.

Today I watched 'Julia and Julie', Cute movie! It inspired me to start blogging again. I'm going crazy with three children who can move about on their own (2 out of 3 soon to be 3 out of three) Aaah! got to go! PICTURES SOON! love ya! aUBRAy

THE MOVE

2009-10-11T07:18:00.000-07:00

So as most of you know by now, we are moving to Arizona!!! Despite popular belief, it's not to escape the cold winters of Idaho, we rather enjoy all four seasons. Michael has realized his passion for alternate energy and ASU has a program for that. We are really excited for the coming years even though we will miss our friends and family in Idaho. Plus, Arizona gets super hot in the summer.
Aubray is excited to be around her brothers and mom again, but also sad to be leaving the home we made in Idaho. We are greatful for everyone we've met and the friendships we've made here.

We would be down there already except that Michael hit a deer two weeks ago and our Yukon is finally done and ready to go so are our plans.
Here are some updated pics of the Fam...enjoy!!!

This One's for You!

2009-07-08T21:07:00.000-07:00

Ok so it's been a while...ok, ok a looong while. I miss all of you whom I call friend. Julienne 'wink''wink'(I'm glad we got some time to talk:) Life changes so much sometimes, I know that is said for everyone. Here I have a three month old son who was born yesterday. Ginger and Ransom have changed so much, they are such great and wonderful siblings to Harrison. Michael and I love each other so much. Mmm, mmm so much. THAT will never, never change. To you loved ones, pictures are coming soon. Choa!

2009-04-07T10:11:00.000-07:00

Hello all,
This is Michael and I'm trying to figure all this stuff out. I had fun posting the blog about our son Harrison last night and want to give praise to my beautiful wife who does such a great job with the family and house. So here is a tribute to her and the children

We are going to celebrate 4 years together on the 9th and I couldn't be happier than I am with her. It's funny to think that we have 3 children in 4 years of marriage, but I love all my family and wouldn't trade them for anything.

Now that the boys out number the girls, mama and Ginger will be the best of friends and have to stick together. Ginger loves to be with mama and learn from her (the cosmetology background helps). I love all of you and look forward to having a lovely and prosperous future together.

Michael Belnap

IT'S A BOY!!!!

2009-04-06T20:05:00.001-07:00

Introducing Harrison Gilbert Belnap!!!!
Harrison was born April 1, 2009, yes, for all of you funny people out there that is April fool's day. He was born at 7:51 A.M. at Mountain View Hospital. He weighed in at 9 lbs 10 oz!!! and measured 22 in from head to toe.
Mamma was a trooper making the nurses laugh when she said that 'the contractions are not very strong.' The labor was different than the other two. The contractions were very sparatic so it was difficult to judge when to go to the hospital and when to start pushing. When it did come time to push he came pretty quick. I did get to catch him this time, you really have to pull to get them guys out of there, which was cool.
All in all, we have to say that hospitals are ok, but we did feel like a prisoner there. Harris had a tag on him, if we left the maternity ward alarms would sound and the whole place would shut down. But we were treated nicely and given meals on time (not bad tasting either). Now we can actually, with more conviction, say that home births are the bomb and everyone should try it!!
WARNING: Don't call him 'Harry' infront of Aubray unless you are bored of your existence!!! His nickname is Harris.
For your viewing pleasure are more pics below...enjoy!!!

2009-04-06T20:03:00.001-07:00

2009-04-06T20:02:00.001-07:00

Chiro adjustment

2009-04-06T19:48:00.001-07:00

Harris getting adjusted at 2 days old. He loved it!!!

'Our children are a testament to Love'

2009-03-05T10:47:00.000-08:00

Ginger being a great older sis, giving Ransom a massage when he wasn't feeling the best.

It was the best of times.

2009-03-05T09:10:00.000-08:00

Oh my goodness!!! We are getting closer! My due date is April 1st, but actually this baby could come at any time. I've been having strooooong braxton-hicks contractions. This pregnancy has been good to me, but much different than the other two.
Let me give you a little history...Ginger, my daughter, was born on June 30th, in Arizona. We birthed her at a free standing birth center. I was in control of my birth experience! It was Rockn' Awesome! My room was set up just like a bedroom except there was a jacuzzi tub in my bathroom (which I labored in!) I enjoyed the whole process of birth, it was really cool to feel my body make changes and so on (yes it hurt, but still very exciting!)...We opted to birth Ginny all natural. I figured women have been birthing naturally since Adam and Eve, I was gonna do my best to have that experience. Although I wasn't stupid, obviously I had never had a baby before, so I knew if I needed them, there would be local anesthetics around. We had such a positive experience with our daughter!
With Ransom, our son, we wanted to birth him at home. It's a good thing we planned it that way, because he would have been a home birth regardless of what our plans were. Again! It was the best experience! Ransom was born on August 18th. I loved it, I was in my domain and no one was telling me what I could or couldn't do. I was so at peace. And of course Ransom was an all natural baby too!
I highly recommend to all you woman who are exploring your birth options (yes, you do have options!) At least meet with a midwife, or a couple if you have more than one in your area, consider a birth center or even home birth. Be open-minded to your opportunities and get the facts. This is my opinion. But how many woman do you know that can say they actually enjoyed everything about their birth experiences.
Midwifery care is very affordable compared to paying ob-gyn doctors' and hospital fees. Some states even cover out of hospital births with Medicaid.
This birth is, as I said before, very much different than the other two pregnancies. A number one reason being, to save cash we are using our Medicaid insurance to pay for the birth, and because we live in Idaho, we have to birth in the hospital (which is changing soon!) Idaho is realizing the costs of midwifery care and out of hospital births as a good thing. We are sticking with a midwife, and I now feel this birth will be somewhat similar to our birth center experience with Ginger.
It has been a difficult transition. For these last 8 months, we have been planning another home birth. Through prayer and process of elimination, Michael and I decided, that this decision would be the best for our current situation. This decision was not decided 'stress free', it felt like we were taking a step in the direction we didn't want to go. I have pondered on this unforseen change a lot. I feel good now about our decision, due mostly to the fact that we are continuing with a midwife, Michael has given me blessings and Heavenly Father has blessed us with calm reassurances.

We love and miss you all, God bless you in all your endeavors.

Love, Aubray and Michael and Ginger and Ransom and Baby

2009-01-31T16:38:00.000-08:00

Hello All! Phew! Sorry about the huge delay in my blogging efforts, we've been pretty busy here. I'm very pregnant and happy, the children are doing fabulously. I'm potty training Ginger. I've been told to wait after major events, such as having a baby, to potty train. But Ginny is excited about it, we are always praising her and making fools of ourselves when she goes on the toilet. Ransom is going through a growth spurt and is ginormous and such the charmer. Michael and I are still working away at our Primerica business and we are getting good results. Anywhoo... Congratulations to my dearest friends, Aaron and Shannon on their pregnancy! Yay!! We hope everyone is doing beautifully and we love you all. Love,
Aubray

Guess What?

2008-11-02T20:28:00.000-08:00

So...Did you guess!? We are pregnant again!!! Yay!!! I d0n't have all the details, I know we're expecting about late march/early april. Who know's maybe we'll have a double birthday on the 14th of april, Michael's birthday. I'm about four months along and already showing. But we are surprising ourselves with the sex of the baby, so ya'll can take a poll and when the baby comes...it'll be a 'Tada Da Da' moment. I'm expecting lots of comments so keep bloggin'!

Love you all~ Aubray, Michael, Ginger, Ransom and Baby

Ransom: brand new baby pics

2008-10-09T22:06:00.000-07:00

(Ransom 1 day) Ummm, Can I help you?

(Ransom 1 day) Couldn't you just eat his cheeks?

Baby pics of Ginger

2008-10-09T21:53:00.000-07:00

Ginger 3 weeks, The Cowardly Lion's "Put 'em
up, put 'em up!"

Ginger 2 weeks, This picture...it's just...I can't, too cute for words!

2008-09-23T11:58:00.000-07:00

Today is September 23, 2008, the beginning of fall right? Well today is a blustery day with temperatures at about 60 degrees here in Rexburg, Idaho. What I would classify as an Arizona winter (minus the wind, which makes it feel much colder)! Inside my house it is 69 degrees with a space heater on...Now for some that is not a big deal, BUT! I am a native Arizonan, so what do you think? COLD! Thankfully we acquired a wood burning stove from my in-laws, and I'm so excited to use it this winter. Michael is installing it next Saturday. These stoves are great for creating a darling atmosphere with a blanket and snuggling up to your sweetie. I'm excited! Any way, we are still without a camera, but when I get one I am carrying it with me EvErYwHeRe! Adios, Aubray

First Haircut

2008-08-26T17:04:00.000-07:00

Ransom's first haircut consisted of clippers and a number one gaurd. All Michael's doing! I balled like a baby!

Happy 2nd Birthday Ginny!!

2008-08-26T16:23:00.000-07:00

A day for Ginger, she is such a sweet little angel girl. Michael came home from his j.o.b. (just over broke) rather late and didn't have time to do much. So we took Ginger and Ransom to Taco Bell for dinner and then for dessert we went to Dairy Queen. I know, lame, but we all had a good time.

2008-07-23T17:28:00.000-07:00

It's Ginger and Ransom vs. The Chicken Pox!
Actually Ransom just ended his battle, and won! The brave good Belnap's always conquer! By the way, this photo was taken in April/May '08 months. We traveled home from Arizona with the chicken pox!

Our Arizona Trip in April '08

2008-07-23T16:54:00.000-07:00

Ok, these next couple of posts contain pics I was able to take on my camera phone. So Enjoy!

This is my cousin, Melissa, who is totally awesome! Her and Ransom are hangin' out at the park in this picture!

This Cute little Boy enjoyed his time at Grandma & Grandpa Young's house!

Ginger was taking notes and being her charming self at my cousin, Maxwell's baptism.

Our trip to Arizona served many purposes: Hunter's homecoming, Maxwell's baptism, visiting family and friends AND it was Michael's 25th Birthday!!! Happy Birthday Honey! I Love You!

There is Beauty All Around...

2008-07-09T10:37:00.000-07:00

These flowers, when I saw them I fell in love with them! I'd like to get them in the ground before to long, so that they will grow next year. The season is to late for them to grow now, I wonder and truly hope they will grow in zone three (3)

Long time coming...

2008-07-07T13:04:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I've got some good posts coming soon! Love you all and have a good one...Love Aubray

Bahamas!!!

2008-06-11T11:16:00.000-07:00

WooHooo!! Our company, Primerica, is taking us on an all expenses paid vacation to the Bahamas baby! Yeah!! We'll be staying at the 5 star hotel, Atlantis Resort! Notice all the exclamation points? Yeah We're really excited... We'll be there for a week and ya know we could take our children too, but we're not going to. So Mom we'll be needing a babysitter...
Those are sharks!!!

A New Look!

2008-05-21T09:04:00.000-07:00

I hwacked my hair off and colored it! It's a razored cut and spikey at the crown with lots of layers. Just above my shoulders. I went back to being brunette (3G). I have no working camera yet... but take my word for it, Yummy! I look good! :) My hair looks real similar to my hair in this picture

Mother Dear I Love You So!

2008-05-13T12:29:00.000-07:00

Your happy smiling face is such a joy to look at, you make home a lovely place.

Happy belated Mother's day to my MOM and GRANDMA and all the wonderful mothers in the world!

Michael is always so wonderful to me, but on mother's day he was especially helpful and kind. I was not able to go to church on sunday because Michael had two lessons to teach and we couldn't take Ginny to church with the chicken pox. So I had to stay home, but it was a wonderful day nonetheless. When Michael got home from church he made me brunch (waffles with buttermilk syrup and scrambled eggs) Yummy! And he kept the place tidy and chased after the children. It was a great day, and that's all I can say.

Chicken Pox season!

2008-05-13T12:11:00.000-07:00

Michael and I and the kids were recently down in Arizona for a little family vacation and while we were down there Ransom broke out with chicken pox. No Fun! I didn't think Ginny was going to get them, because she was exposed to the chicken pox the same time Ransom was and she had no sign of them. I spoke to soon, Ginger did get the chicken pox and she was having a horrible time of it. Our camera broke while we were in Arizona so I haven't had any pictures to show. I'll post some pictures when I get my camera up and running.

He's My Man!

2008-04-28T12:10:00.000-07:00

(Michael's first kill with a bow)

What is his full name? Michael J. Belnap

How long have you been married? Three years and almost three weeks.

How long did you date? 6 months exactly (including engagement)

Who eats more sweets? Me, guilty as charged.

Who said I love you first? Funny story, Michael did.

How old is he? 25

Who is taller? Michael

Who is smarter? We both are geniuses

Who can sing better? I do, but I love it when Michael sings.

Who does the laundry? Most of the time Michael does.

Who pays the bills? Again most of the time Michael.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Michael, closest to the door.

Who mows the lawn? Michael does, he's such a manly man:)

Who cooks dinner? I do most of the time.

Who drives? Michael does when we are together

Who is more stubborn? It's a toss up.

Who kissed who first? I kissed Michael on the cheek first, after that, he made the next move.

Who asked who out first? Michael asked me, we went four wheeling.

Who proposed? Michael did, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Who has more siblings? Michael does by three

Who wears the pants? Michael is the head of our family, but I am the neck and the neck can turn the head any which way she wants.

Tag! You're It! I tag anyone who wants to take a turn!

Ha Ha!...Warm weather here we come!

2008-04-11T10:17:00.000-07:00

You are 86% Arizona!

Congrats! you're a real arizonan!! you know how to survive the heat and what it's like to live in the beautiful (and difficult) state of ours

How Arizona Are You?
Take More Quizzes

Stickin' to my roots. Hunter just got home from his mission on Thursday from Cali. So guess where we'll be for the next week? Yep! You got it. Arizona here we come!

How Idahoan Are You?

2008-04-10T10:21:00.002-07:00

You are 82% Idahoan!

Pretty darn good! You may actually call yourself an Idahoan because you know enough Idaho facts to be proud!!

State of Idaho Quiz
Create MySpace Quizzes

Take the test if you dare!

Updates!

2008-03-20T07:01:00.000-07:00

This week has been Blah! I have the flu. Last week was a sick week also, I had strep throat, Ransom had strep throat and the flu and Ginger had a cold. No Fun! None the less, look at these cute baby faces!

So Sweet...

2008-02-17T15:43:00.000-08:00

My two little angel babies.

Heeerrre's Ransom!

2008-02-17T15:00:00.000-08:00

What I've been doing lately

2008-02-17T14:47:00.000-08:00

This bread is soooo scrumptious! Also fun and easy to make. YUMMY!

Recipe is: One cup scalded milk; stir in 1/3 cup sugar, 4 tsp salt and 5 Tbls oil. (I use olive oil)

Measure 3 cups warm water; sprinkle 2 pkg yeast and stir, mix in with milk mixture. Add 6 cups flour to milk mixture, beat until smooth. Add enough additional flour to make dough stiff. Knead until smooth and elastic (roughly 10 minutes) Place in greased bowl, turning to grease top(just to keep from sticking to bowl.) Let rise until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch the dough down, let rise again another 15 minutes. Divide dough into 3 pieces, shape into loaves. Remember to get the air pockets out. Place in bread pans and let rise a 3rd time til doubled. Bake 30 min at 375 (all ovens vary, so use best judgement when baking bread) If you like the top of your bread soft, run butter stick over the top right out of the oven.

Never give up, Never surrender!

2008-02-15T10:50:00.000-08:00

No I'm not giving up. What I'm trying to do is figure out how to redecorate my blog. And I've been busy studying to get my Life Insurance license. Michael and I started our own business with Primerica, a financial services company, and we are really excited! I'm taking my test tomorrow. Any way... Happy Valentine's Day to all! I'll keep you posted.

2007-11-13T15:59:00.000-08:00

All of us have a Father in Heaven, we are all His children, and He does love us.
Photo taken by: Aubray Belnap

Pictures I Love

2007-11-13T14:07:00.000-08:00

Presto chango!

2007-10-26T10:36:00.000-07:00

Fheeew! I have finally put away my maternity clothes. It's really exciting to be able to fit back into my pre-pregnancy jeans. Yay! Although they are a little more snug than I really like, my jeans fit comfortably.
Last week I started a dance aerobics class, which has been a total blast. I only go once a week and so I feel the effects of it the next morning still. I'm looking for a way I can go walking in the mornings, any suggestions?

2007-10-25T09:46:00.000-07:00

AUBRAY's Interesting facts:

I graduated from cosmetology school.

I have two slightly webbed toes on each foot and

I have been influenced by good people through out my life.

Snow in October

2007-10-17T13:56:00.000-07:00

"Snow is falling all around, on the house tops on the ground. Snow is falling on my nose, on my head and hands and toes." Man it's coming down hard. From what I hear this is unusual weather for this early in the season. But it's very exciting okay.

'A moose.'

2007-10-15T11:40:00.000-07:00

This one's for all you moose lovers out there.

Our Family Now

2007-10-13T23:13:00.000-07:00

Introducing!...du na na na! The Michael & Aubray Belnap Family! We live in Idaho. Livin' in a house that we bought repoed, it needs a lot, a lot of work. We're sitting on a pritty, little four acres and we have the most beautiful view. We see lots of deer and moose. We have gotten up to 8 moose and 25 deer, at once, in the field across from our house. We also see owls and cranes. It's totally sweet to watch them from our living room.

Michael works for his brother who owns a vinyl fence and deck company, it's a nice set up. And as you can see he's preparing for the winter, growin' out his 'mountain man' beard. I like to stay home with the children, I keep myself pritty busy with Ginger and Ransom and all the other fun, creative things to do. We go into town quite often also. I still cut & color hair. I usually switch services, I'll do a color for someone and that person will babysit a couple of times for me in return or give us some garden goodies. I like it that way. (Just as a side note, we live in the land where canning and hunting is a way of life). But first & foremost my job is being a mother. And Ooda Lolly! I love being a wife & mother!

Idaho is about 15 hours from Arizona, and as you can imagine I'm missing my family and friends. No worries though, we will be down in Arizona to visit in April 2008. My little bro (ha huha...'little') is coming home from his mission,Yay! So we'll see ya'll then. Ya I said "ya'll", that's the redneck comin' out.

Welcoming Ransom

2007-10-02T21:16:00.000-07:00

Michael, myself and Ginger welcomed Ransom Seymour Belnap into the world on August 18, 2007 at 3:36 am. Literally born in our home, by way of natural child birth. After my water broke at 3:13 am, Ransom took 23 minutes to come. He weighed 8 lbs. 9 oz. and measured 21.5 inches long. What a joy and a blessing he is! Happy birthday to Ransom and also to Hunter, my brother, whose birthday is also Aug. 18.