three things..

ONE//By this time of year the snow has usually set itself as a nice blanket across the valley. Unbeknownst to me I woke up to rain this morning (the whole family was already reveling in its wonder by the time I got up)...go figure. Not very noteworthy if you're not from Montana. If you are a Montanan you know how much we cherish every snow"less" day. Even if this "warm" spell only lasts for a few days at least we can take in all that Fall has to offer before Winter makes it often long visit.

TWO//John also fixed my computer, oh that guy can be a miracle worker when the need arises.  Let's just say I have been trying to be extra nice to him since I didn't back up my pictures of Addison and he was able to retrieve all of them.

THREE//On Saturday we braved the elements to take our family pictures. I have only seen one picture so far and I am totally in love with our photographer Amy. If you have a chance check out her facebook page and website. Girl, has some serious talent--and she's freaking gorgeous too!

THREE.HALF//My favorite instagram app right now VSCO

Peach Pulled Pork

The inevitable finally happened--my computer finally died. I tried to wrote a post on my iPad and it was TORTURE! Complete and utter torture, I tell you!  Please tell me there is an easy way to do it, because so far all I have been doing is pulling out my hair--and let me just say I don't have a lot of hair to spare these days with my raging postpartum hormones. In the meantime here is a recipe I have been meaning to post ten days. Enjoy!

Peach Pulled Pork

7lb. pork shoulder

1 peach

2 cups brown sugar

2 cups apple juice

dry rub:

1/2 cup paprika

1/4 cup onion powder

1/4 cup lemon pepper

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 Tbs black pepper

1 Tbs garlic powder

1/2 Tbs chili powder

1/2 Tbs kosher salt

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp curry powder

yields 8 servings

Directions:

Mix dry rub ingredients together and generously slather over entire surface of pork shoulder. If there is extra rub it can be put in an air tight container and saved for future use.

Wrap pork in plastic wrap and refrigerate for an hour.

While the shoulder refrigerates warm smoker to 225 degrees.

Once the smoker has reached desired temperature upwrap pork and smoke for three hours.

After three hours remove pork shoulder and put in tin pan with apple juice. Cover shoulder in brown sugar and top with sliced peaches.

Cover with tin foil and cook for an additional 9 hours.

 Once finished, remove tin foil and peaches and allow shoulder to cool for 20 minutes.

Use two forks to shred shoulder.

Serve with toasted buns and your favorite barbecue sauce.

 If you don't have a smoker the pork shoulder can also be cooked in the oven as well. Here is a great recipe from The Pioneer Woman that I use regularly.

Toddler Boy Favorites

1//2//3//4//5//6//7//8//9

The tale of a stroller ( a real nail biter)

Let me preface by saying this is in no way sponsored post, but rather, this is just one mom speaking to other moms on how her life became a little easier. We could all use that once in awhile, right? With that said let's talk strollers. They're an investment, a small investment if you are the Kourtney Kardashian's of the world, and a big investment if you are saving pennies each month to buy the perfect stroller.

Stroller hunting has been a battle in the Bishop household. Two forces going at each other, one saying a double stroller was necessary for everyone's sanity the other bantering back that a stroller is a want not a need. I am sure you can guess who was on each side of that argument.

When determining what to get a few major factors played a role in making my decision. I wanted a stroller that came with the necessities and wasn't ale carte' in terms of cupholders and a sunshade. I also needed a double jogger that would be adaptable to pavement and gravel--I live in Montana and gravel roads are all over the map. While having a swiveling wheel was most desirable I also needed the flexibility to make the front wheel stationary. I also happen to live in an area that is windy so having the option to tilt the sunshade all the way down was also a vital necessity. Ultimately, I wanted a double stroller that allowed comfort for my children and the ability to get around town with ease without being too hard on my checkbook. In the end I finally settled on the Schwinn Turismo Swivel Double Jogger. 

 Made of lightweight aluminum this stroller boasts easy handling with the option of pushing it with one hand while talking on the phone (if you do that sort of thing). The swiveling front tire can easily be made stationary by the push of a lever on the handlebar. And speaking of the handlebar, it is adjustable which makes it easy for both John and I to use it, seeing as there is a foot discrepancy in our heights. Each child also has their own sun shade which allows adjustments based on their needs. And if that wasn't enough Schwinn also built two MP3 (or iPhone/iPod) speakers into each sun shade which allows ample volume for the kids to listen to their favorite music. Plush cushioning, adjustable back straps, and reclining seats also provide additional comfort and versatility based on the age and needs of each child.

When it came to the nitty gritty I was also wildly impressed. A spring suspension system allows the stroller to move effortlessly over gravel, and sixteen inch tires provide a smooth ride across pavement as well, pivoting food trays with individual cup holders give each child their own space. Two additional cup holders and a small storage box are also located near the handles of the stroller to provide easy access for Mom and Dad.

Overall, Schwinn has exceeded all my expectations and needs. However, as with most things there were a few small issues. While I love the rims and size of the tires I am not particularly fond of the fact that they are air-filled tires. While rubber filled tires are expensive and frankly not the practical, air-filled tires have the risk of popping. Secondly, the adjustable handlebar is a little shaky. Not so shaky that it risks fall off, but more annoying than anything. With that said, when I run I don't even notice the shake because my weight is bearing down on the handle. Finally, the storage space in the undercarriage is very limited and is often hard to access, but what it misses in that area it definitely makes up for it in all areas of the stroller.

In the end, this stroller is amazing. It can easily be folded up and while it can't fit in the trunk of our Subaru it fits fine in our pickup bed. That being said, while reading some reviews I read that it often was too wide to fit through doorways--I haven't had this issue and it fits through our front door easily. Aesthetically the fabric is clean and crisp, and the additional padding is great for young babies to provide extra protection and comfort. While this stroller may not carry "the name" of other brands it certainly makes up for it with extra bells-and-whistles.

Hope this helps and thanks for stopping in!

Something on Guarantees

Earlier tonight I ran into Brecken's room all Mother Bear like intending to bring the wrath down upon him for still being awake. Instead, I caught him sitting in bed reading a book. Can I really punish a kid who is looking at a book in bed? It's not unusual to find him like this and it's also reassuring as well. Brecken has reached a milestone where there are certain guarantees that come along with his age. 

He's a slobbery kisser. Not the bulldog-kind that licks your face to death. No, he's worse. He's a snot-nosed-need-a-tissue kind of kisser. And let it be known--he likes to kiss me. all. the. time. 

Blue Clues. Oh my holy hell (excuse my french), can I just say baby crack. He could watch it all day. All night. All month. All year! If I let him.

Drawing. We draw a lot. Actually I don't even think that describes how much we draw. Specifically, kites, balloons, helicopters. If I had a nickle...

He's a park goer. Parks are still fun, right?  Slides and swings are great, but an even better game is called "let's see how fast I can run away from Mom." It's his favorite game--and we play it daily.

Inside my child is a Mini-Hulk. He appears sporadically throughout the day; usually around nap time, public outings, photo ops, and bath time. Mini Hulk is strong. So strong in fact, that he has mastered the art of back  flipping out of my arms while simultaneously screaming bloody murder. 

He loves to read or be read to--however, you see it. Dr. Seuss is a favorite in our house. That "doctor" knew his audience well. Job well done Theo, job well done. 

He dances. Little bit of bum shakin' mixed with some Macarena moves. I know ya'll just said, "HEY! Macarena!" Try not to dance. Stop it! Stop it now! ;)

Church. It doesn't matter where we are, when he enters a church building the vocal chords go up a few notches and a monster is born. A true trial of my faith, I tell you. 

...And if Blues Clues was considered baby crack my iPad would certainly the drug of choice. 

When it is all said and done for every crying session there will be an equal number of movie dates with the best cuddling partner a girl could find and laughter that is so contagious that the room glows. And even with all those happy moments I still would not replace any of those snotty nose moments either. Because what Mom ever has a clean shirt anyway?