My Pockets Full of Sunshine

Another January...

2012-01-31T12:42:00.000-08:00

...has come and gone! WOW! This year we had A LOT to remember about the January we had last year. Our HUGE, but AMAZING news...January 10th we found out we were expecting twins. Bringing our family of 7 to 9 in just a few short minutes. It was so overwhelming but such wonderful news.

Since we were outgrowing our Excursion, which seated 8, we had to upgrade (not sure if that's the proper term for that one) to a 15 passenger van! Still not too thrilled about it, but it does fit our entire family! CRAZY!!

And this year on January 14th marked 8 years since Tad and I went on our first date! January, every year, will be a memorable month.

So many changes, but such wonderful blessings :)

Looking into the coming months...
I still have to take a double take every morning when I get the twins out of their cribs. I guess just to reasure myself that there really is 2 of them. Everyday is a challenging day, balancing being mommy to so many little ones, a wife, sorta keeping a house all intact, girl scouts, and me time (me time really is non existant)! I wouldn't change it though! Every day my kids teach me something new! My husband teaches me a thing or two, too :)

6 Months

2012-01-08T15:47:00.000-08:00

How is it possible that the twins are already 6 months old? Time just goes by WAY TO FAST! Slow them down so I can enjoy them (or maybe I need to slow down, hmmm...)!!!

William is very, very, energetic...he is so hard to keep still....

...and Natalee, she LOVES her toes! Trying to get a picture of her without her toes in her hands was impossible!!

As I look back on the past 6 months since they have blessed our lives, it makes my heart feel full. They have been such a blessing to us and they are so loved! I wouuld not want to give up those sleepless nights for anything and the days when I feel like I have gotten nothing accomplished except for babies fed, lots of diapers changed, endless bottle making and lots of spit up cleaned up (and I smell by the end of the day)...those are the days that I know I am doing my job well.

Nothing says it better than the lyrics of this song...I absolutley love this and listen to it daily (for real :)!!

This fits my life, exactly where my life is right now!!

Lately...

2011-12-10T14:59:00.000-08:00

It has been 2-1/2 months since my last post! I tell ya, it seems there is not much time for the computer anymore. Life has been crazy busy. I forgot how much work one baby was then when there is two of them....wowza!! There is no routine, everyday is flying by the seat of my own britches!! It is a blast!

As the Christmas holiday is vastly approaching, I decided it would be an amazing accomplishment if I could read, start to finish, the BOM. I started my challenge on Wednesday, December 14th, which means I need to read atleast 21 pages a day to get it done before January 1st. So Far, So GOOD!!

Thanksgiving came and went...we spent that holiday in Starr Valley, NV at my Brother-in-Law and sisters ranch. It was wonderful. Having all the kids together with thier cousins, being with family. Could not ask for a better holiday!

I am spent pretty much my entire day trying to get my bowtique blog updated. Before I started my BOM challenge I found myself making bows at night....now I have my nose stuck in a book. But, I am planning on doing a give-away on Monday so...the blog REALLY needed to time and attention.

I have to include a few random pics that I LOVE!! I love nearly all of them but these are some favorites and of course I must share...

Where has these 3 months gone to??

2011-09-30T19:59:00.000-07:00

Yesterday and today the marks the 3 months since thier arrivals and BOY oh BOY, this has been the quickest 3 months of my life! They are growing, growing, growing and such precious babies. Yep, even William, who is a total Mama's Boy and does not sleep well at night :( We are working on it. One day he might get there! Or not :) Natalee on the other hand...well, she has this sleeping through the night thing DOWN!! Thank Goodness. Not sure how I would function if I had 2 waking in the night at this point.

These babies are so worth every minute that they take up my day...A LOT OF MY DAYS!! They have big brothers and big sisters that love them so much! Our family is complete and I could never ask for any more than what I have - An amazing husband who provides only the best for his family, treats me like I am his precious jewel, and 7 - Yes...7 amazing children. They are growning so fast!! It hit me today that Tate is 10 and his time left at home is more than half gone already. It is going by oh so fast!!

Dame & A Dish...

2011-08-18T12:48:00.000-07:00

All of the recipes on this blog are (SLOWLY) being moved to Dame & A Dish - A blog only for recipes and cooking :) Follow it today...lots of recipes to come!!

Recipe Blog...

2011-08-12T20:32:00.000-07:00

I have had the past 5 days kid free, with the exception of the twins. A few weeks ago I decided I wanted to create a new blog with just recipes...BUT...Before I can create that blog, I need a name for it. This week would have been the PERFECT time (being almost kid-less) to get that blog up and going, but I still have no name!! I want something fun and creative, but I just don't have anything...SO - does anyone out there, who follows my blog, care to help me out??? HELP/COMMENTS are MORE THAN WELCOME!! Thank You!!

7 years and counting

2011-08-12T07:51:00.000-07:00

So today is Tad and mine 7 year wedding anniversay. I cannot believe it has been 7 years...they have gone by sooo fast!! Sure there are has been some rough spells, but they have all been well worth it!! Tad is one amazing man, an incredible dad, and the hardest working man that I have ever known!!

Last year I made this post... "Mr. and Mrs. Moats....Our Wedding Day". Well, the ending is in some need of being updated. Since that post we have moved 2 times. March 2010 we made our move to Elko, NV to a small 900 sqft house with only 3 bedrooms (and 5 children) and literally had a bathroom floor that was falling in. And the heater...oh the heater that was HUGE and in the middle of the kitchen floor. That was an adventure. Then in October 2010 we made our move to Eagle Mountain, UT. The move here was a very good decision. We have room for our family, thank goodness...since it increased from last years post by 2 :) So, incase you are keeping track...that is 2 moves in 6 months.

I no longer have that Ford Excursion...nope (and I miss it dearly)! Now it is a 15 passanger Ford Van. CRAZY....I still have to take a double look when I see it sitting in our drive way!! Also, last year when I made that post we were a cozy family of 7...NOW we are a even cozier family of 9! What Great Blessings have been brought upon us :)

Our Wedding Bands

We still have our $20 and $10 wedding bands, although mine needed to be retired this year...it was wearing VERY thin!! Tad's was retired a couple years ago, when he discovered it was cutting off circulation and his finger was turning purple. Too much good cooking :)

And YES...This is our Wedding Picture :)

Long Over Due...

2011-07-30T16:04:00.000-07:00

Major case of the PUFFY feet 5 days
before our precious arrivals :)

WOW...it has been an entire month since I have updated this blog and SO much has been happening and summer is already coming to an end. Hard to believe school is right around the corner. Tate has been gone the entire summer and will return home mid August. I don't like that he has been gone so long. I cannot wait for him to come home!

I would have to say that the "BIGGEST" news of our summer thus far has been the birth of the twins, William and Natalee. What a HUGE relief and a wonderful blessing :) They have brought so much joy to our family...even if mama is lacking in a little bit of sleep.

I finally went into labor all by myself on Wednesday, June 29th. I was never so happy to not be pregnant anymore. WOW...I have always loved being pregnant, but this go around was so much harder those last few months and weeks. I used to always say "I cannot imagine having more than one baby". That has now changed. I now cannot imagine having more than 2 and 4 other kiddos at home (Tate not included since he is not, and has not been here since they have been born). It is definitely a balancing act. Trying to get out the door is a chore too.

The last two weeks of my pregnancy both babies were head down but somewhere along the line Miss Natalee decided to go breech in there. Not sure how in the world that happened. Who knew there would be enough room in there to do anything but BAKE. But, so managed it. Luckily the doctor did a quick ultrasound before breaking my water to make sure both babies were head down. So, the next step was to decide how we were going to deliver these babies. With that being said...I immediately opted for an epidural because no matter what it was going to be more painful than any other pregnancy...Trying to get her turned in the womb was no easy process and it did not work so she was delivered breech. My doctor was awesome!! See, I had an epidural with Tate, 10+ years ago, and since then every other one of my children have bee completely natural...even my almost 10 pounder. Then to have an epidural with these two made things such a breeze...Why did I not have one with Shaelee, Emilee, TJ, or Kaylee...NOT SURE!!!

William Joseph arrived at 11:52 pm on Wednesday, June 29th and wieghed 6.9 pounds and 18.5 inches long. Natalee Marie finally came along, after about 12 minutes of trying to get her turned (which did not work)13 minutes later making her arriving at 12:05 am Thursday, June 30th. How are we going to explain those birthday's?? So, Natalee weighed 6.3 pounds and 18 inches long. They both were perfect in every way :) Our hospital stayh was short and we could not wait to get home.

Heading Home!!

Once we got home we were welcomed by my sister Tammy, my niece McKenli, my nephew Dallin, Shaelee, Emilee, TJ and Kaylee. What a home coming it was!! Having my sister her for a few days was so wonderful and we all, myself and kids, cried the day she left! We were quite bummed out. And I was a bit overwhelmed with the thought of flying solo with all these little kiddos. It has been an expierence like non other. Just to get an idea how crazy it has been...this is only the 2nd time in a month that I have made it on to the computer.

Welcome Home!!

So...With all that being said...we are just truely blessed to have to VERY healthy babies!! Our family will feel quite complete when Tate comes home. And I just have to say...7 kids still seems UNREAL!!!

One Month Old
July 29, 2011

25 Days Old
July 25, 2011

Upper Case Living Vinyl Signs...

2011-06-28T10:33:00.000-07:00

I have added a few Upper Case Living Vinyl Signs to my "Bowtique" blog. All are for sale if interested...Take a look! LOW PRICES!!!

http://sweetbeebowtique.blogspot.com/2011/06/upper-case-living-vinyl-signs.html

These are just a few...there are several more :)

New Accessories for My Girls...

2011-06-13T07:55:00.000-07:00

With 3 little girls in my house and another on the way, it is time (way over due) to make some new hair accessories for my girls...FINALLY!! Well, deciding to close my shop and taking a 6 week break from school has allowed me to do just that! So here is what I have done in the last few days...

I have a 5 year old that will only wear streamers, a 4 year old who LOVES bows (she's momma's girl), and a 15 month old who tries to pull everything out of her hair. And one of our twins on the way is a girl..SO...bows, streamers, and flowers are always welcome in our home :)

34 + Weeks and Counting...

2011-06-12T19:36:00.000-07:00

Today we are 34 weeks and 2 days!! Yep, we made it to the mark in which my doctor said I must make it to...34 Weeks :) Now that I have reached that mark, labor will not be stopped when ever these babies decide to come. That is a HUGE relief...especially concidering that my belly is measuring 44 weeks. I knew my belly was getting rather large but not quite that large. But concidering 98% of my materninty clothes are no longer fitting me... the next few days to weeks I am going to be lounging in my husbands 2XL t-shirts... hopefully those will fit. His solution is a TOGA! He is so sweet :)

After the news that I recieved from the doctor on Friday, being 3 cm dilated and 80% effaced already, I became quite certain that I am not quite as ready for these babies, or family, as I thought I was. So, with the boys gone to Northern Nevada to spend time with family and take part in all the yearly branding, the girls and I decided we were going to clean, clean, clean. That is how we spent our Saturday, while my husband worked a 15 hour shift, the girls and I worked our tails off, and I thanked them with a trip to Sonic...which is a big deal since it literally takes 20 + minutes to get to it. Needless to say, once I was winding down last night around 9:30 or so, I was feeling the like I was 44 weeks preganant!! SO SORE!!! This morning...I felt like a freight train and done me in and then some...OUCH!!

Today we ventured out into Provo Canyon since the weather was so beautiful. We took a few walks in a few different parks, took some roads we did not know existed, and enjoyed lunch and the beautiful scenery...

34 Weeks and 2 Days....Looking 44 Weeks!!

Just The Girls!

It was a great day, and the only way it could have been any better would have been to have our boys with us. But we know that they are having a great time :)

So, as we continue to prepare for these babies...even though I am not sure how much more we can prepare for...I would love for them to make it to 36 weeks in the womb, but not sure that is going to happen. That would most likely require me keeping my feet up and not doing a whole lot in the next 12 days...Not sure that is possible. I do have another ultrasound scheduled for this coming Friday, but my doctor does not seem to think I will make it to that one...I would not mind seeing them on the screen one more time :)

First Girl with Stitches...

2011-06-12T19:35:00.000-07:00

It has happened...Emilee is our first girl with stitches. 12 to be exact!! Of course it is bound to happen, but when you combind Big Brother Tate, Miss Emilee, and a Baseball Bat...it can't be pretty! Of course it was an accident and after it was all said and done, he (Tate) felt terrible and all Emilee could say was, "It's ok Tate, it was just an accident." Talk about a tear jerker moment for a very hormonal mom. Emilee was quick to tell the doctor at the IntaCare that her brother would be making her bed for a VERY long time :) Such a Cutie...

Emilee was such a trooper, so of course Daddy had to get her a special treat after we were all done. Hopefully this is the last set of stitches that we have to deal with, for our girls at least, for a VERY long time!!

Family Pictures...

2011-06-12T19:28:00.000-07:00

Left to Right
Mom, Gibson Family, Moats Family, Myers Family

In April (yes, I know that was a few months ago) we headed to Northern Nevada to my neices baptism and to spend Easter. My husband actually took off Friday, Saturday, Sunday, AND Monday. HUGE rarity!! This has been the first time in at least 3+ years that my brother and his family, my sister and her family, and our Moats clan have all been together. With that being said, my sister thought it would be a great time to take a family picture, which was a great idea...I admit...HOWEVER...there is a reason we have never gotten a family picture done of just our family...TOO MUCH WORK with SO MANY small kiddos. I have to say...all in all, they turned out well. These pictures are all courtesy of a friend of my sisters who takes great pictures :) Huge Thanks to Sara for putting up with us! It may take another 3 years or more to do this again!!

Moats Clan

My Mom with her Kids...
Gus, Tammy and I

Ophir, UT - AND...30 + weeks and counting (and then some)...

2011-05-21T20:51:00.000-07:00

So it has been a while for pics...but it seems that even though I am not currently taking any classes, I am still staying very busy. Trying to get some scrap booking in before the babies come, along with trying to get everything washed for babies...plus stay on top of my daily "Martha" chores. The days may seem longer outside but my energy level cannot keep up.

Last Sunday after church we took a drive to Ophir, UT. My husband had already been up in there and explored around a little bit, and figured it would be a nice Sunday drive. It was really nice and fun. Neat Old, Little Mining town. Due to all the flooding, we were only able to go up so far before the road was closed. We had a fun time exploring and checking out all the cool buildings.

This was the little furry creature we had seen when we were loading up to leave. This little badger was, at the most, 15 feet from the van. The kids were going CRAZY!!!

This is 30 weeks and 2 days. At this stage, my husband is very paranoid about me doing ANYTHING and is insisting that I use a walking stick when we are out on adventures.

The next day was my doctor's appointment...30 weeks and 3 days. It was an ultrasound appointment which are always my favorites. Something about seeing two babies and and two very healthy heart beats, really makes my day!! At this appointment Twin "A" weighed approximately 3-1/2 pounds and Twin "B" weighed just a little over 3 pounds. They are both growing VERY well and both have great heart beats.

30 Weeks and 3 Days

30 Weeks and 3 Days...and GROWING!!!

I am to the point where nearly all of my maternity clothes are getting VERY snug. I have to wear layers to keep from showing any skin ;) Fun Times!! So, I am VERY round and keep getting larger as the days go on. Today I am 31 weeks and 1 day. I am on the count down to the arrival of our babies. I am now on to my weekly doctor appointments. I cannot believe how quickly time is going by!!

I still have A LOT to do to be ready for them, but I am working on it day by day. Preparing for twins, plus trying to get as much mama time in with the other 5 kiddos, and taking care of the home....It is no easy task. Not to mention that my wonderful husband has been traveling A LOT for business...makes me kinda worried as time draws closer.

As the end of the school year draws near, Tate is planning on making a trip to Northern Nevada to spend time with our family there before departing to Pahrump, NV for about 6 weeks of his summer. Oh yes...he came to me tonight and told me that he has a brochure and a map due this coming Monday about a county in Utah that he has to have done. I tell ya... He has no research done on it, knows nothing and has no idea where to begin...so, tomorrow after church guess what we (Tate and I) will be doing! Not my idea of how I would like to spend my Sunday....BOYS!!!!

Shaelee tells us nearly every day that she cannot believe that she is almost in the 1st grade. Actually, I cannot believe that she is going to be in 1st grade. Last week she was working on her home work. She was supposed to write a sentence about that she is excited about this summer. I was coming up with ideas like - being excited for a new brother and sister, looking forward to being moms helper with the babies...She was quick to reply "no, I think I am excited to pick flowers". WHAT!!! She will be happy to know that she is going to be helping :)

Emilee and TJ are now sharing a bedroom, in hopes that they will some day learn to get a long. Emilee loves her bed but does not like the idea of TJ wanting to sleep with her everynight. I am looking for some sort of reward idea to bribe him to get him to sleep in his own bed. Something has to work....right?

Kaylee will be moving in with Shaelee within the next month or so. I really am not ready to move her up stairs...I like having her close by. She is growing up so fast. Kaylee will be in going into nursery next month...just in time for the arrival her baby brother and sister. As I have been busy washing clothes, bedding, carseats, and so much more, Kaylee has begun to realize that all of the "stuff" is for the babies. So...when I am putting stuff away, she runs the carseats and says "bebe". It is so Cute!!!

So, as I said, I am on the count down....but really would like to slow down time. I just need time to get so much more done before they come.

Easter Egg Coloring Fun...

2011-04-26T17:04:00.000-07:00

We spent our Easter in Starr Valley, Nevada at my sister and brother-in-law's ranch. It was a great time. Before we left we colored our Easter eggs to take with us... What fun that was :) Talk about patience...

Welcome Home Banner

2011-04-26T16:58:00.000-07:00

I made Tate a WELCOME HOME banner when He returned home from his Spring Break trip to Las Vegas...It turned out cute (I mean Cool). I am looking forward to making more for birthday's and holidays! Fun way to use up some scrapbook paper, which I have a HUGE abundence of!!

Swaddling Blankets and Shopping Spree from The Pioneer Woman

2011-04-13T09:35:00.000-07:00

Ok expecting mothers out there, or mothers, or who ever would like to do some shopping for any special baby...The Pioneer Woman has an awesome giveaway going on right now, only through tonight, SO HURRY!! She is giving away 5, yes thats right...5 $150.00 shopping sprees...Go and check it out!!

Great Deals...

2011-04-12T09:03:00.000-07:00

I thought these were some rather good deals to take advantage of...

I got this email from some baby somethin' rather website that I subscribed to and they had two offers for free items, just pay the shipping. One of the items was a Baby Sling and the other was a Nursing Cover.

Here is the link to the sling... Seven Everday Sling. I ordered the Black Magic, and it looks really cute. I have not taken it out of the package yet, but I really like the print. I also really like the Green Vibe. Looks really fun! Now if there was just something to accommodate two babies :) So these work out to be $11.95 each.

Here is the link to the nursing cover... Udder Covers. I do believe you can only get one per check out but as many check outs as you'd like. Each cover works out to be only $9.95. Not bad, I don't think!! This is the one that I am waiting for... Carson. I am thinking about ordering one more :) Maria.
The coupon code for both links is EASTER. I am not sure when this expires...but check it out before it is too late!!

Kids Pictures...November 2010

2011-03-19T06:33:00.000-07:00

I know, I am a little behind, but...Hey, better late than never!!

Shaelee Lynn
Kindergarten
Age 5

Tad Edward Jr.
Age 2

Emilee Rose
Age 4

Wyatt "Tate"
4th Grade
Age 9

I know, I know...Kaylee Jane is missing! Soon...I promise :)

Time to stock up... 21 weeks and counting...

2011-03-12T11:11:00.000-08:00

So, you might remember this post back in September of 2009 "Diaper Stock Up". Well, when I started out buying all those diapers, I knew a few gals who where pregnant so I decided diapers were always GREAT baby shower gifts and always great to have on hand for gifts. Low and behold not too long after starting to buy them I found out I was pregnant with Miss Kaylee Jane. So, I decided to keep going with diapers and doing all the good sales that I could possibly find. That post showed just that...I had quite a bit stocked up in September which was 3 months before my due date. By the time Kaylee arrived, I such a supply that I did not need to buy diapers until she was nearly 7 months old. What a great feeling that was!!

Needless to say, now expecting twins, I have started again with the diapers. This time, just buying a small pack here and there, but this latest Costco Coupon Book the offer for $5.00 of Kirkland Diapers and the $4.00 off Kirkland wipes, it is really time to start buying diapers and stocking up!! So, I have started...I have a long ways to go, but I will get there!

These days I don't seem to watch the sales as closely as I did over a year ago, nor do we have any CVS around here to get great deals on diapers at...but I really need to get back on top of it! Especially when I think about when the twins get here I will still have one in diapers and no where near ready to potty train for atleast 6 to 8 months after thier arrivals... Three in diapers...HOLLY COW!!

So, Yesterday I reached my 21 week mark. I swear I am as big if not bigger than I was at 36 weeks with Kaylee. It is CRAZY how round my belly is! It just keeps growing, and growing, and growing... and will continue...

36 Weeks Pregnant with Kaylee Jane
November 2009

We finally got our 40' semi trailer here from Northern Nevada and one of the first boxes my wonderful husband got out for me was a box (or 2) of maternity clothes. After washing them all and being so excited to finally have them, I have quickly discovered that A LOT of them are not going to fit me too much longer!! I still have a ways to go, too. Scary thought that my maternity clothes won't fit too much longer. My sweet husband says, "it's ok, you can just wear a sheet, or we can make you a toga". Now isn't that GREAT!!

Last night was a picture night...

So as I continue to grow...I must say, this is like no pregancy I have ever expierenced before. This is WAY different from any of my others! With being so tired...ALL OF THE TIME, I decided I needed a little break from school. So, I am taking off through April 11th and then, back for 7 weeks and then off for 3 to 4 months. However long I decide to make it. Seven children and school full time and a home to run, might just do me in.

During this time off I plan to do some scrapbooking. Out of the 5 children that I have right now, only 3 of them have scrapbooks started! So, that is my one HUGE Goal, along with diaper shopping, and buying baby boy clothes.

Yes, you would think that after the last boy I would have kept my boy clothes, and I did...until I found out that Kaylee was a girl, then we said we were done. We were sure that we were stopping with a baby girl. I quickly changed my mind and knew that we were not done. I had already given all of my baby boy clothes through like 12 months away to friends of mine who where expecting boys. So, now that I am having another boy...it have been shopping for good deals looking for baby boy clothes. I think I have plenty now from NB to 0-3 months, now on to the next sizes. Did I mention that we have an abundance of girls clothes...we do! We have enough girl clothes for quadruplets...(not that I would ever wish for a miracle such as that).

Oh yes...and we have changed baby boy's name. We started out with William Joseph (will for short). His name sake would be after my grandpa, William Jay, and Tad's grandpa, Joseph Edward. But with some more concideration, we have decided on Joseph Ross. My grandpa's name at birth was Norman Ross. When he was adopted he, his adoptive parents gave him the name of William Jay. So, when he enlisted in the army he stuck with William Jay and has ever since. However, I really want to bring the name Ross back into our family (kinda wierd, I know) but out baby boy will go by Joseph Ross and nickname will be either Joey or Ross.

As for our baby girl...her name still remains the same...Natalee Marie. Sticking with the "lee" endings for our girls. Not sure what my deal is with that, but it is what it is. Our family is still in awe with the fact that there are 2 babies growing in this HUGE belly. What a blessing and a miracle :)

Felt Flowers...

2011-03-10T13:58:00.000-08:00

Ok, I have really been wanting to make some felt flowers for my girls...but really did not want to have to take the time to hand cut all the flowers...so, I googled "Cutting Felt with Cricut". Low and behold...it can be done :) I found this blog...JoysLife.com and she has all the info about cutting out felt with her Cricut...and it works!! So, lots of felt to come from this house. Good thing there are almost 4 girls here to wear them all :) I am selling these ones...well except for the 5 layered one becuase I made more for my girls...

Check out Sweet.Bee.Bowtique blog and Etsy for all the details :)

...the VERDICT is in...and 18 Weeks and Counting...

2011-02-19T10:42:00.000-08:00

The impatient person that I am, talked my husband into finding out what these babies are a few weeks earlier than expected. I was so excited when I contacted to ultrasound place and found out that I could find out as early as 15 weeks. I immediately made the appointment for 17 weeks and 1 day, (I was 16 weeks at the time). Remember... my doctor told me we would not be doing the next ultra sound in the office until 21 weeks and that is when we would find out the genders. Well, I am a few weeks up on him :)

So my appointment was February 12th at Fetal Fotos in Murray. Great people and extremely friendly. I cannot wait to go back and get some 3D ultrasounds done once these babies start to get chubby :) Oh yes...so we found out we are expecting one of each!! PERFECT!!! I have to say I was honestly relieved that there was only 1 boy. We were all very excited. Tate's response was "we are still out numbered". I told him to get used to it. Daddy's 1st instinct was right on!!

We were quick to find out that "Baby A" was our Baby Boy. At that same time we also found out that his sister was not going to let him get his moment in the spotlight alone. Nope...all the pics of him had her in it. Poor boy!

Baby Boy with a Half Profile Shot and His Sisters Leg Above his Head.

Once again...Baby Boy and his parts and his sisters head in the pic.

Baby Girl and Her Profile....Notice that she is Solo.

Baby Girl and her parts...Solo again :)

So the names are William Joseph. William is after my grandfather and Joseph is afte Tad's grandfather. We plan on calling him Will. And our baby girl is Natalee Marie. We are sticking with the "lee" ending for the girls.

NOW...

Comes my moment in the spotlight.

Tad came home from work yesterday and insisted it was a picture day. Only because I looked bigger than ever in the dress that I was wearing. So these pictures are exactly 18 weeks. These could be the half way point :) And I REALLY am looking BIG, BIG, BIG!!

15 Weeks and Counting...

2011-01-29T17:57:00.000-08:00

Well, no better time than now to start the pictures of the vastly growing belly. Better get as many as we can while it will still fit in the camera window. It is deffineatly getting bigger and bigger each day (or at least I think it is.) Let me just mention this...I just ate a steak dinner, with some awesome garlic roasted potatoes before taking these pictures. Not sure that that accounts for much, but no doubt about it....these babies are well fed :)

Today we are 15 weeks and 1 day. My official due date is July 22, but my doctor has assured me that these babies will be delivered no later than 38 weeks if I have not had them before then. That was a big relief. Do women who carry twins or more really deliver on or near thier due dates? I am just seriously worried that I will not fit into much anything...not just the camera window, but the van door has got me worried. My husband has informed me he will be watching for the day that comes that I try to squeeze my way into it...camera in hand. That day, I am sure will be sooner than later :)

All the kids are just as excited as they were the day that they found out, not to mention Tad and I are too. We have all taken polls as to what we think the genders are...

Shaelee and I think that there are two little girls baking away.

Tate, Emilee and TJ think there are two boy being wild.
(Please help me if there are 2 TJ's in there.)
Tad thinks there are one of each.

Thursday I starting to feel the little fluttering movements....love it!! I really enjoyed the day and spent it not doing a whole lot. Speaking of which...I am slowing down, I think more and more everyday. There is so much I want to do, but I have to think about not just one, but two babies, and my body.

How CRAZY is this....It already hit me that when these babies finally enter this world, I will have 5 children under the age of 5. Shaelee does not turn 6 until August. Very scary thought....but even more scarier is the thought that I will have 7 children before I am 28 years old. What in the heck??

We will just ease everyone's minds now, especially my family...if we are blessed with one of each, most likely we are done, BUT if we have 2 boys or 2 girls...chances are we are not quitting there. We'll just see how well I handle 7. And lets not forget we have plenty of room....we traded in our Excursion that seated 8 for a 15 passanger van...NO JOKE!! I sometimes do not believe it, but I know when these babies arrive they will be well taken care of and we will be able to travel as a family in one vehicle...not two. Big relief.

Well....as I continue to GROW to be HUGE....I am not sure there will be many more pictures I will not want to share. That may be your clue that my belly and I no longer fit into the camera window :)

Amazing News...

2011-01-11T10:44:00.000-08:00

So, even though it has not quite sank in yet...we are expecting TWINS!! So exciting and shocking, but such a blessing. Yesterday I went to the doctor expecting the worst and got better news than I had ever imagined. I never was expecting him (the doctor) say "you're carrying twins". They both had very health heart beats yesterday and everyone in our home is just so excited about the news.

Now we are anxiously waiting to find out what we are gaving....2 boys, 2 girls or 1 of each...

No matter what, we know that we are blessed and they will be welcomed with lots and lots of love!!

Kaylee's Birthday Cupcakes....

2010-12-12T09:27:00.000-08:00

So these cupcakes turned out so darn cute!! And they were good. Well worth all the work that went into them. They looked like actual ice cream cones and they were good, good, good!!

I got the idea from this blog... unleash your inner cake diva. The only thing I did different was instead of baking the merguine for so long, I only baked them for like 45 to 50 minutes. I did not want the topping to be crispy, I wanted them to be soft.

Of course the little cupcake was for the birthday girl herself and she had no problems getting it down. It was quite cute ans she dug right in!!

So these cupcakes turned out so darn cute!! And they were good. Well worth all the work that went into them.

Days 3 & 4 Food Network's 12 Days of Cookies....

2010-12-02T09:33:00.000-08:00

So day 3 of Food Network's 12 Days of Cookies is Barefoot Contessa's Coconut Macaroons. Now Coconut Macaroons are right up my ally....mmmm, yummmm!! I do have one Coconut Macaroon Recipe that I really like, but I am going to give this one a dry.

Day 4 (today) is Anne's Dried Cherry and Almond Biscotti. I do not recall that I have have tried any sort of Biscotti, and not sure that I am going to attempt to make it. I have seen it made and does not look too difficult, but maybe one day.

You Must Check This Out!!

2010-11-30T20:19:00.000-08:00

I just downloaded the NEW Rascal Flats Album for just $1.99....yep! Check out this link to Deal Seeking Mom and you can get it too. A NEW release for just $1.99. Thats a sweet deal (to me).

Food Networks 12 Days of Cookies

2010-11-30T06:50:00.000-08:00

I love the holidays and baking. I especially love the Food Networks 12 Day of Cookies. Great recipes. There was one year that I actually managed to make 10 out of the 12 Days of Cookies recipes. It was great. I loved it as did the kids and the hubby....Check them out and you can even subscribe to have them emailed to you everyday :)

Yesterday (Monday) was Day 1 and the recipe was
Paula's Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies.
Now, don't those sound yummy? Mmmmhmmm :)

Today (Tuesday) is Day 2 and the recipe is
Aarti's Gingerbread Cookies‏.
Who does not love good gingerbread cookies.....I know I do.

I just wanted to share this, cause I love getting new cookie recipes. Happy baking!!

Chocolate Swirl Muffin Cake

2010-11-18T14:43:00.000-08:00

Although I am not planning to have this on Thanksgiving day, I do plan on making it one of the days during the Holiday weekend. This recipe came from a Betty Crocker Thanksgiving book 2005.

Filling -
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla

Cake-
2 boxes (16.4 oz. each) Betty Crocker chocolate chip premium muffin mix
1-1/3 cups water
1/2 vegetable oil
4 eggs

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Generously great a 12-cup fluted tube pan. (I will be using a bunt pan.)
2. in 2-quart saucepan, cooking filling ingredients over medium-low heat 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until smooth. Remove 1/3 cup filling for glaze., set aside. Freeze remaining filling 15 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, in large bowl, stir together cake ingredients. Spoon half the batter into pan. Remove filling from freezer. Carefully spoon filling in center of batter to within 1/2-inch of pan edges. Spoon remaining batter over filling.
4. Bake 50 to 65 minutes or until top springs back when touched. Cool 15 minutes. Remove from pan to wire rack. Spoon reserved 1/3 cup filling on cooled cake. (Microwave filling on high 10 to 15 seconds of too thick.)
16 Servings

Raspberry-Topped Eggnog Cheesecake

2010-11-18T14:32:00.000-08:00

Doesn't that just sound heavenly? MMMMM...Yumm! So, this recipe came from a Betty Crocker Thanksgiving book from 2005. Be sure to plan ahead for this one :)

CHEESECAKE
1-1/4 cups crushed shortbread cookies (21 cookies)
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
3 packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
1/2 cup eggnog
1/2 teaspoon rum extract
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

RASPBERRY SAUCE
1 package (10 oz.) frozen raspberries in syrup, thawed, undrained
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1-1/2 cups fresh raspberries

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. In small mixing bowl, mix crushed cookies and butter. In ungreased 9-inch springform pan, press cookie mixture over bottom. Wrap foil around outside of the pan to prevent drips. Bake crust about 10 minutes or until set.
2. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees. In large bowl, beat cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Beat in eggs, one at a time, on low speed until combined. Beat in eggnog, rum extract and nutmeg just until blended (do not overmix).
3. Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until set but center still jiggles slightly when moved. Cool 15 minutes; run knife around edge of pan to loosen cheesecake. Cool in pan on wire rack 1 hour. Referigerate at least 6 hours or overnight.
4. In food processor, place raspberries. Cover; process until smooth. If desired, strain to remove seeds. In 1-quart saucepan, mix pureed raspberries, 2 tablespoons sugar and the cornstarch. Heat to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly. Referigerate sauce 30 minutes to cool. Stir fresh raspberries into sauce. Before cutting cheescake, carefully remove side of pan. Serve sauce over wedges of cheesecake. Store cheesecake covered in refrigerator. 16 servings.

Granola Streusel-Topped Sweet Potatoes

2010-11-18T14:18:00.000-08:00

I found this recipe in a Betty Crocker Thanksgving book from November 2005. It is a little different from the other one that I usually do, so I thought I would give it a try. I love sweet potatoes, but my husband is a mashed potatoes kind of guy so we will be having both :)

Ingredients:
6 meduim dark-orange sweet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1-1/2 pieces (7 to 8 cups)
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 Nature Valley maple-brown sugar crunchy granola bars
2 (more) tablespoons butter, melted

1. In 4-quart saucepan, place potato pieces and add enough water to cover. Heat to boiling; reduce to medium-low. Cook uncovered 15 to 20 minutes or until tender. Drain and return to saucepan.
2. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 8" sq. glass baking dish with cooking spray. To potatoes, add whipping cream, 2 tablespoons butter, the maple syrup, and solt. Mash with potato masher or electric mixer until smooth. Spoon into baking dish. In small bowl, mix crushed granolabars and 2 tablespoons melted butter; sprinkle over potatoes.
3. Bake uncovered 25 to 30 minutes or until thoroughly heated and topping is crisp. 10 servings (1/2 cup each).

Thanksgiving Favorites...

2010-11-18T14:03:00.000-08:00

These are recipes I have posted before, but I am defineately making them again this year :) and probably for Christmas too. (I love good, yummy recipes.)

Fresh Cranberry Salad

Cranberry Stuffing Balls

Thanksgiving Day Menu....and then some!!

2010-11-18T12:52:00.000-08:00

For some reason I am really in the mood for Thanksgiving even though it is just my husband and I and only 4 of our 5 kiddos. I have been searching for recipes and then debating and thinking how I can change them. OH YUMMMM....thats all I got to say.

Of course, we are going to have a turkey. Since Turkey is such an inexpensive meat we usually cook atleast 4 turkeys over the course of the 4 Day Thanksgiving Weekend. Then we freeze the meat. It's great to pull out turkey to use in soups, casseroles, and good ole turkey sandwiches.

I have so much stuff on my list, you would think I was cooking for an army, but I just want to enjoy the COLD weather with my little family and some good food and relax...well, relax in between eating :) and unloading our 45' semi trailer. So excited to completely be moved into our house. Not to mention the Christmas decorations that will be coming out...YAY!!!

So, the next several posts are going to be recipes I have tried or ones that I am planning on trying next week. No breakfast items are on my menu cause I am not a breakfast eater or a breakfast cooker. My wonderful husband takes care of that part for me...and the turkeys :)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING and HAPPY COOKING!!!

Sugarland - Stuck Like Glue

2010-11-08T18:19:00.000-08:00

This is such a FUN Song....LOVE IT!!!

Blueberry Breakfast Bars

2010-11-07T15:05:00.000-08:00

Over the summer, or more towards the end, I bought some blueberries and I made this to use some of them up, because I bought a whole flat. It was good. Very good warm.

Farmgirl Susan's Blueberry Breakfast Bars Recipe - From Farmgirl Fare

Makes 12 to 16 large bars
Bottom Layer -
2 cups old-fashioned oats
3/4 cup all-purpose flour (I use Heartland Mill organic)
3/4 cup (packed) light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
10 Tablespoons (1 stick + 2 Tbsp/5 ounces) butter, melted
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Top Layer -
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (packed) light brown sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick/four ounces) butter or natural vegetable oil sticks (I use Earth Balance)

Middle Layer -
3-1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
1/2 to 1 teaspoon pure almond extract
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (1/4 tsp. if freshly ground)

For the Bottom Layer -
Heat the oven to 425 degrees F. Grease a 9" x 13" pan. In a large bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Stir in the melted butter and vanilla until thoroughly combined. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan with your fingers. (I also use the bottom of a stainless steel measuring cup to help make the crust flat and even.)

For the Top Layer -
Place the flour, brown sugar, and butter or vegetable oil sticks in a small bowl and use a fork, pastry blender, or your fingers to combine until the mixture resembles large crumbs (some pea-sized clumps are okay). Set aside.

For the Middle Layer -
Place the blueberries in the bowl you mixed the Bottom Layer in and toss them with the almond extract. Pour them evenly over the Bottom Layer in the pan. Combine the sugar and flour and sprinkle it evenly over the blueberries. (Even when wet or frozen, the sugar/flour mixture wouldn't stick to my big fat blueberries when I tried tossing it with them. If yours will, just toss the sugar/flour mixture with the blueberries and then pour the whole mixture over the Bottom Layer in the pan.)

Sprinkle the Top Layer evenly over the blueberry mixture. Bake at 425 degrees F for 15 minutes, then lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees F and bake for another 20 to 25 minutes, until the top is golden, and the edges are starting to brown. Let cool in pan on a wire rack. Store in a cool place or refrigerate. Bars may also be frozen.

Spicy Cocktail Meatballs

2010-11-07T14:56:00.000-08:00

Now, these turned out GREAT!! Oh man...I will never make any other kind of meatball...ever!!! So Good, but the next time I do these I will do them in the electric skillet instead of the dutch oven.

Spicy Cocktail Meatballs - Food Network
Ingredients -

For the meatballs:
1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground pork
1 cup plain bread crumbs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2 eggs
1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, finely chopped
2 tablespoons adobe sauce (from can of chipotle peppers in adobo)
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon canola oil

For the sauce:
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 cup finely chopped onion
2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
2 cups ketchup
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

Directions

To make the meatballs: In a large bowl, mix together all the ingredients, except the canola oil. Shape heaping teaspoons of the mixture into 1-inch balls. In a Dutch oven, heat a tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Working in batches, wiping pan in between, saute the meatballs, turning frequently for even browning, until cooked through, about 4 to 5 minutes. Place on a paper towel-lined plate.

To make the sauce:

Heat oil in the same Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onions and saute until golden brown, about 8 minutes. Add the crushed red pepper and cook 1 minute. Stir in the remaining ingredients and reduce heat to low.

Add the browned meatballs to the Dutch oven and toss gently to coat with sauce.

Funnel Cakes

2010-11-07T14:48:00.000-08:00

I have tried a few funnel cake recipes and one has been good, but I found this one and like it better...

Funnel Cakes - Alton Brown, Food Network

Ingredients -

1 cup water
3/4 stick butter (6 tablespoons)
1 tablespoon sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup flour
1 cup eggs, about 4 large eggs and 2 whites
Vegetable oil, for frying
Powdered sugar, for topping

Directions -
Boil water, butter, sugar, and salt together in a saucepan. Add flour and work it in until it is all incorporated and dough forms a ball. Transfer mixture to the bowl of a standing mixer and let cool for 3 to 4 minutes. With mixer lowest speed, add eggs, 1 at a time, making sure the first egg is completely incorporated before continuing. Once all eggs have been added and mixture is smooth, put dough in a piping bag fitted with a number 12 tip. Heat about 1 1/2 inches of oil in a heavy pan. Pipe dough into oil, making a free-form lattice pattern; cook until browned, flipping once. Remove cake from oil, drain on paper towels, and top with powdered sugar. Continue until all of the batter is used.

Brown Sugar Oatmeal Pankcakes

2010-11-07T14:42:00.000-08:00

Now...this has become a GO TO recipe in the mornings....WE LOVE THIS ONE!!!

Brown Sugar Oatmaeal Pancakes - From Taste of Home

Ingredients -

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk

Directions -
In a small bowl, combine the oats, flours, baking soda, salt and sugar. In another small bowl, beat the egg, oil and buttermilk. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.

Pour batter by 1/3 cupful onto a greased hot griddle. Turn when bubbles form on top; cook until the second side is golden brown. Yield: about 10 pancakes.

***My Variations - I always double this recipe for my family. They are very filling, but the kids love to snack on them too. I like to add about a 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips to these. Also, I don't always have buttermilk on hand and a VERY good substitute for buttermilk is milk and lemon juice. Yep... I use about 1 cup of milk and 1 tbsp of lemon juice for my buttermilk (so this recipe, I double that).

Emilee's Cupcake Cake - 4th Birthday

2010-11-07T14:34:00.000-08:00

So, here is what I wanted to make for Emilee's 4th Birthday cake...

And here is what I made for her 4th Birthday cake....similiar, but not quite it :)

I had to add a little bit of a TinkerBell Twist into it!!

Mummy Face Pizza's

2010-11-07T14:26:00.000-08:00

So for Halloween (or maybe it was the Friday night before hand) I made these fun pizza's. Perfect for the occation.

Mummy Face Pizza's from KraftFoods.com

This recipe is for 2 little kids or 1 big kid :) So, you know I really had to make A LOT!!! It was fun.

1 plain bagel (3-1/2 inch), cut horizontally in half

2 Tbsp. pizza sauce

2 sticks KRAFT STRING-UMS String Cheese

4 slices black olives

HEAT oven to 400ºF.
SPREAD bagel halves with sauce. Pull cheese into thin strips; place in random criss-cross fashion on tops of bagels to resemble mummy bandages. Trim ends with kitchen shears. Add olives for the eyes.
PLACE on baking sheet.
BAKE 10 min. or until bagels are crisp and cheese is melted.

**I bought the bagel thins (I think they are called) from Costco, and the Pepperoni, and string cheese. The string cheese could easily be substituted with shredded mozzerela cheese. Which means, since I bought in bulk I have been making these for easy lunches :) The kids don't mind.

Last Chance Halloween Bows....

2010-10-26T09:39:00.000-07:00

I would really like to Clear Out all of the Halloween Bows...BEFORE Halloween!! So...Today's Deal is this.... Buy 1 Halloween bow regular price get 1 free...Only good through today. All bows bought today will ship out today or tomorrow!! HURRY!!!!

$5.00 + $1.50 Shipped

Buy all 5 Bows for just $13.00 + $2.00 Shipping

$5.00 + $1.50 Shiping

$5.00 + $1.50 Shipped

$5.00 + $1.50 Shipping

Single Korker $4.50 + $1.25 Shipping
Korker Set $8.00 + $1.75 Shipping

If more than one item is purchased shipping charges will be combined.

We did survive...

2010-10-23T23:40:00.000-07:00

Ok...so yes, we moved...AGAIN!!!! Yep...Good Bye Nevada, Hello Utah. We are loving it here each and everyday. The kids are enjoying school, well the school age kids are enjoying it :) We are enjoying the site seeing and the shopping and the country. Beautiful mountains and crisp morning air is so nice. Loving it. Not to mention I am loving the room that we have in this house. It is so nice, AND...I have a craft room again!! YAY!! I can't wait to get it all the way set up. Bows are calling my name. Speaking of which....with this move and all, Sweet.Bee.Bowtique has been busier than ever. Bow orders keep coming in...which I totally love!!

Well, I have LOTS of new recipes that I hope to get posted soon...not tonight. It is WAY past my bedtime and the kids have the primary program in the morning.

Oh yes...speaking of primary...we have 140 kids in our primary. WOW!! Big change from Elko.

I am here...

2010-09-13T19:34:00.000-07:00

Ok, so maybe I have kinda been neglecting this blog. I have been a little busy with lots of bow orders and school and kids. My oh my!! Now I am going to lookforward to moving....AGAIN!!!!! I am hoping to get some new recipes and menus posted in the next few days.

Crochet Headbands...

2010-08-23T14:07:00.000-07:00

Sweet.Bee.Bowtique crochet headbands have been reduced for a limitied time only. YEP...how about this...$1.00!! Get yours today, while they last!!

New Bows...

2010-08-21T21:09:00.000-07:00

You must visit my Sweet.Bee.Bowtique blog and check out all the new bows that I have added along with the awesome back to school special. There is something for everyone :)

Yesterday brought lots of Purse Notebooks...Look How Cute!!!

2010-08-20T14:02:00.000-07:00

Ok....so yesterday was my birthday and I decided I was going to spend a very good portion of my day working on fun stuff...not laundry, cleaning, or more cleaning. So, I finally got to a project that I have wanted to do for quite sometime...Purse Notebooks.

My Mess...I miss my old crafty table...now it is the kitchen counter.

Shaelee's Notebook

McKenli's Notebook

Emilee's Notebook

McKenzi's Notebook

Jordan's Notebook

Savannah's Notebook

Maple Mustard Chicken

2010-08-17T15:04:00.000-07:00

Another Taste of Home Recipe

Ingredients

6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (6 ounces each)

1/2 cup maple syrup

1/3 cup stone-ground mustard

2 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca
Hot cooked brown rice

Directions

Place chicken in a 3-qt. slow cooker. In a small bowl, combine the syrup, mustard and tapioca; pour over chicken. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or until a meat thermometer reads 170°. Serve with rice. Yield: 6 servings.

Dinner Menu Week of August 16th

2010-08-17T14:55:00.001-07:00

I got a new kitchen gadget so this week it is all about using my slow cookers (except for last night)...Love It!!!

Monday	Taco's
Tuesday	Chipotle-Lime Chicken with Jamaican Rice Hot Fudge Sundae Cake Apricot-Glazed Carrots
Wednesday	Tangy Pork Sandwiches with Spicy Slaw Macaroni and Cheese
Thursday	Maple Mustard Chicken Baked Potatoes Maple Sauced Pears
Friday	Crock Pot Pizza

I Love Costco...Happy Birthday to Me!!!

Crock Pot Pizza

2010-08-17T14:50:00.000-07:00

This recipe is a Taste of Home recipe but for some reason my links never work for thier recipes....so here it is -

Ingredients

1 package (16 ounces) wide egg noodles
1-1/2 pounds ground beef or turkey
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 jar (26 ounces) spaghetti sauce
1 jar (4-1/2 ounces) sliced mushrooms, drained
1-1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 package (3-1/2 ounces) sliced pepperoni, halved
3 cups (12 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
3 cups (12 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

Cook noodles according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the spaghetti sauce, mushrooms and Italian seasoning. Drain noodles.
In a 5-qt. slow cooker coated with cooking spray, spread a third of the meat sauce. Cover with a third of the noodles and pepperoni. Sprinkle with a third of the cheese. Repeat layers twice.
Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or until heated through and cheese is melted. Yield: 6-8 servings.

Shaelee's Birthday Cake

2010-08-17T14:34:00.000-07:00

Here is Shaelee's Birthday Cake. One day I really wish to take cake decorating classes...but until then, I will keep plugging away at it. It was fun and she loved it and so did the neighbor girls :)

Phone and Water - Don't Mix

2010-08-10T10:59:00.000-07:00

Last night I was sitting on the edge of the bathtub bathing my Kaylee girl, when a sudden splash occurred. My cell phone had fallen out of my back pocken right into the tub. OH GREAT!!! Less than 2 months ago I got myself a DROID....and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!! So I immediately took it out of the water, removed the battery and the SD card, dried off any water that I could see, then started to cry. Not really, but I wanted to!! Needless to say, when I got up this morning I hurried to my phone to try to salvage it- Hopefully!! NOPE...it did nothing. So I called Verizon to activate my old phone and the gal who helped me told me that she had heard from other customers that putting the phone in a ziploc bag with dry rice would help to absorb the moisture. So here my Droid sits on the counter in a bag full of rice...hoping that in a day or two it will work!!!

Pound Cake...YUMMMO!!!!

2010-08-10T10:50:00.000-07:00

My husband and I have become Alton Brown Goo Roo's...literally!! So, one of my days in bed after my surgery I was watching recorded episodes of Good Eats. When I seen this one I had to make it...Pound Cake. Very good choice. I made it in 2 bread pans and froze one to keep on hand for trifle's or just toasted with some jam.

Banana Cream Bars

2010-08-10T10:44:00.000-07:00

These are like HEAVEN!!! So, so, so GOOD!! My husband says they are cross between carrot cake and banana bread. The frosting is like that on carrot cake and cake like banana bread.

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, at room temperature
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla

3/4 cup sour cream
2 cups flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda

2 large, or 3 medium-sized, very ripened bananas, mashed

Frosting
3 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
8 Tbsp. butter, softened
1 Tbsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups confectioners sugar
1/2 cup chopped nuts, optional

1. in a large electric mixer bowl, cream 1 stick of butter and 1-1/2 cups sugar together.
2. Add the unbeaten eggs, one at a time, beat each one throughly. Add 2 tsp. vanilla and sour cream.
3. In a seperate mixing bowl combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Add alternating with mashed bananas to the creamed ingredients. Mix well after each addition.
4. Spoon into a greased 15 x 10 x1-in. baking pan. bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes, or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool on wire racks.
5. Meanwhile, make frosting by beating together cream cheese, 6 Tbsp. butter, milk, 1 tsp. vanilla, and confectioners sugar. Spread over cooled bars and sprinkle with nuts if you wish.

Dinner Menu Week of August 9th….and Las Vegas/Henderson Bound :)

2010-08-10T09:56:00.001-07:00

Monday	Tuna Cakes** VeggiesTin Foil Potatoes
Tuesday	Spaghetti French Bread Caesar Salad
Wednesday	Left Over Tuna CakesSaladCorn on the Cob
Thursday	Polish SausagesHot DogsFrench Fries

Friday we are Las Vegas/Henderson bound. Home here we come!! I am so ready to visit GREAT Friends and do some much needed shopping. Saturday night we plan on eating at Lucille's to celebrate Shaelee's Birthday (tomorrow, August 11^th), Our Anniversary (August 12^th), and my birthday (August 19^th). Nothin like killin 3 birds with one stone!

**Last night when I made the tuna cakes and after I shaped them into patties I coated them in Panko Bread Crumps, and then cooked them up in the skillet. They were so good!! Panko Bread Crumbs are AWESOME and are something I keep on hand.

Lamoille Canyon Picinic

2010-08-10T09:42:00.000-07:00

So I had my gull bladder surgery on Thursday the 29th of July and Saturday (July 31st) my husband decided we needed a family outing. I agreed to it...I was feeling pretty good. So we headed up to Lamoille Canyon to let the kiddos play in the water. It was so nice and pretty we decided to go back and spend Sunday (August 1st) up there and pack a picnic. My husband made some AWESOME Fried Chicken...so good :) It was a true picnic with sides of potato salad and watermelon and lemonade. It was a great weekend and good food :)

Saturday

Sunday

Dinner Menu Week of August 2nd

2010-08-10T09:23:00.001-07:00

Monday	Papa Murphy's Pizza
Tuesday	Pork Rubbed Chili Tacos with Avocado and Cucumber Salsa (I decided to switch it up from the beef….very good choice)
Wednesday	Pork Chimichanga's – Left Over Meat from last night (added some rice and beans)
Thursday	Sweet and Hot Drum Sticks** Veggies Sea Salt Dinner Rolls
Friday	Tacos

Not sure why but I have been avoiding blog posting for a while...but here is last weeks dinner menu...VERY LATE!!!

** Hot and Sweet Drum Sticks...I actually took the skins off of the drum sticks, seasoned them with salt and pepper and broiled them turning them once to get them crisp. Then I pour the sauce over. I double the sauce recipe.

No Dinner Menu This Week...

2010-07-27T11:36:00.000-07:00

Because I have a bit much going on this week, I am not going to post a dinner menu. After tonight, I am not cooking for the rest of the week, but....here is what I made last night...
Chilli-Rubbed Steak Tacos with Avacado and Cucumber Salsa
and tonight I am making...
Skillet Lasagna with some french bread.

It is easy to see that the Chillie Rubbed Steak Tacos have become me go to recipe every week. They are a HUGE hit in my house and I do the meat in the crockpot, so it can be any tough piece of beef, cause at the end, it is nice and tender.

Also, this past Sunday I made the ever so rich Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle for my Brother-in-Law for his birthday. This go around I made it full blown peanut butter as the recipes calls. He says it is great, I did not have the sweet tooth to dare try it. I also made a chocolate eclair cake for my family. It is trusted favorite, can't go wrong kind of thing. It is so yummy....

Chocolate Eclair Cake

2010-07-27T11:35:00.000-07:00

Family Favorite!!!!

1 box graham crackers
6 oz instant vanilla pudding (2 - 3 oz or the 1-5.1 oz works too)
3 Cups Milk
8 oz Cool Whip, Thawed

Fudge Frosting
1 Cup white sugar
1/8 tsp salt
1/3 c. cocoa*
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup butter*
1 tsp vanilla

Liberally grease a 9 x 13-in baking dish and line with graham crackers. DO NOT CRUSH :) Mix together the milk and pudding; fold in Cool Whip. Pour half of this mixture over the graham crackers, then top with another layer of graham crackers. Pour the remainder of the the pudding mixture over graham crackers. Lay a third layer of graham crackers over the pudding mixture. Frost top layer with Fudge Frosting or other chocolate frosting.
Fudge Frosting: Combine Sugar, salt and cocoa and milk in a small sauce pan. Heat slowly; bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat; add butter and vanilla. Cool. Beat until smooth and spread over crackers.
*If using salted butter I would omit the salt. If using non-salted butter use the salt called for.

Look at her go...

2010-07-27T11:23:00.000-07:00

My Kaylee girl...she is something else. She has mastered crawling....from one end of the house to the other. There is no stopping her, and when the front door opens she is out to the porch. I keep saying she looks too small to be crawling, but today she started pulling herself up....yep!! I can't believe it...she is almost 8 months old. Where does the time go?? Check her at...she is one cute, sweet, jumping baby :)

If I could figure out how to flip this...I would :)

Dinner Menu Week of July 19th….YEP, late again!!

2010-07-27T10:54:00.001-07:00

Monday	Buffalo Chicken (Sandwich Style)…We headed to the park for FHE and a game of kick ball, so I made this chicken then through it on some toasted hoggie rolls and with Mayo and Blue Cheese! YUMM!!! Potato Chips Watermelon
Tuesday	Chilli-Rubbed Steak Tacos Avocado and Cucumber Salsa
Wednesday	Chicken Parmigiana (I not make this the week before as planned) Garlic Bread Cesear Salad
Thursday	Relaxing Night….My husband was not home, so it was a quick dinner of mac and cheese for the kids and I then a movie.
Friday	Leftover Chicken Parmigiana

Weekend Recipes

2010-07-19T08:37:00.000-07:00

So over the weekend we tried some good, yummy recipes. Definately some keepers. Saturday night Tad cooked up some salmon fillets with some really good lemon, dill rice. We also had some crab fritters. We have become Allton Brown Goo-roos, so of course the crab fritters come from him. Oh...we used imitation crab :)

I also found a new recipe I was dying to try Chili Rubbed Steak Tacos with Cucumber & Alvacodo Salsa....YUMMO!!! Thats all I can say. I wanted it to be ready when we got home from church yesterday so, instead of grilling the steak I tripled the rub recipe and through the meat in the crock pot with about 1/2 cup of water and then...when we got home it was ready and smelled so good. We shredded the beef and then added it back to the juices in the crock pot so it could soak them all up. It was GREAT and I will definately be making them again...soon rather than later. The salsa is soooooo refreshing!! Oh yes....I used more like 2 pounds of meat.

Dinner Menu Week of July 12th

2010-07-11T20:52:00.001-07:00

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Monday	Hot Dog On A Stick & Sausage Buns Homemade French Fries Fresh Fruit
Tuesday	Chicken Parmigiana Caesar Salad Roasted Red Garlic Potatoes Garlic ToastTiramisu Delight
Wednesday	Tacos (Homemade taco shells)
Thursday	Caesar Chicken Salad Squares Corn on the Cob
Friday	Pizza (Papa Murphy's)

So much to do and so much on my mind…

2010-07-11T20:32:00.001-07:00

Well, with another week vastly approaching, I am lost!! Yep….LOST!! I am trying to make plans for Tad's Birthday…not just any Birthday but his 40^th birthday. I think it is a big deal….he does not! So, trying to plan a nice dinner, decorations for the house….thinking black but also bright colors, balloons, streamers, 40 cut outs all over. Then for the cake. Not sure what to do there. Then I had this crazy idea to compile a book of 40 birthday wishes from friends and family…I really wanted to have a surprise birthday party but since we are in no mans land, a nice quiet birthday at home will have to do. Which is fine with him. And….I still have not contacted 40 people about the wishes…only 31!! Yikes!! Oh…32 I guess, cause I do count as 1. So, I am throwing this out there to anyone who has any ideas as to what I can do for the big 4 O, please let me know (even though I don't think anyone but 1 person even reads my blog)! Well, I am going to put one more good hour into my birthday planning then I am off to bed. I need good rest to get me through this week that lies ahead.

Father's Day Soda Bottles

2010-07-07T09:41:00.000-07:00

Here are the Father's Day soda bottles I made. Such a FUN idea :)

Twin Falls Trip and 4th of July

2010-07-07T09:30:00.000-07:00

I finally got my husband to go to Twin Falls for the weekend. Thank goodness I did, cause he loved it. We left here early Saturday morning and we got to Twin Falls and the first stop we made was the Dollar Tree. Being in a town where you can actually shop felt so good. So good, that after we went and visted the Shoshone Falls, which were awesome, we headed to the hotel to unload our bags, then Costco, then mall. Yep...the mall. We went to Sear, JC Penny, Eastdown Basics, Claires, then to dinner to a reall restraunt. I was in heaven!! After dinner it was back to the hotel room to get ready to do some swimming. It was so relaxing. After the pool, we were off to Fred Meyer...what a great store. Sunday morning we went to Target, then to a really nice park down town, to let the kids run around. Then we just went and did some sight seeing through the farm countries. It was such a nice trip. Oh yes...somewhere in there on Saturday we got Sonic in there, can't forget about Sonic! And of course, we Tad and I hated to come home. But we got home just in time to unload the car and head out to watch the fire works with my sister and her family. Comparing Elko to Twin Falls...well, there is no comparison. Needless to say, we are looking to move out of here. Moving again....uggg! But....a better place....it is worth it. All we have here for shopping is Walmart, Kmart and Home Depot. Twin Falls...I got to go to all my favorite stores - Dollar Tree, Costco, Target, but we did not make it to Micheals :( but next time!! So now the job search is on for something better. No jumping in, until we know it is a good thing!! Now, I am trying to figure out when we can make a trip to Henderson.

Dinner Menu Week of July 5th

2010-07-06T08:12:00.001-07:00

Monday	Tequila Lime Chicken Pico de Gallo and GuacamoleRefried Beans Spanish Rice Corn on the Cob
Tuesday	Turkey and Swiss with Herbed Greens Beer Battered Onion Rings
Wednesday	Hot and Sweet Drum Sticks Twice Baked Potatoes
Thursday	Skillet Lasagna French Bread Green Salad
Friday	Chicken Piccata Caesar Salad

Turkey & Swiss with Herbed Greens

2010-07-06T07:53:00.001-07:00

This is another Taste of Home recipe. For some reason I am having problems linking to their recipes.

Turkey & Swiss with Herbed Greens

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
4 cups torn mixed salad greens
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
16 slices multigrain bread
3/4 pound thinly sliced deli turkey
8 slices Swiss cheese
2 large tomatoes, sliced

In a large bowl, whisk the vinegar, oil, oregano, garlic powder and basil. Add salad greens and onion; toss to coat. On eight slices of bread, layer the turkey, cheese, tomatoes and salad greens. Top with remaining bread. Yield: 8 servings.

Dinner Menu Week of June 28th…Late Again

2010-07-06T06:41:00.001-07:00

Monday	Orange Chicken Fried Rice
Tuesday	Margarita Chicken Salad
Wednesday	Fruited Tuna Salad Pita Corn on the Cob
Thursday	Papa Murphy's Pizza (feeding a lot of kids)
Friday	Szechuan Beef Fried Rice (left over from Monday)

Fruited Tuna Salad Pita

2010-07-05T21:00:00.001-07:00

Very fresh tasting and light. It is another good one from Taste of Home.

Fruited Tuna Salad Pita

Ingredients

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon honey
1 can (12 ounces) white water-packed tuna, drained
1 can (11 ounces) mandarin oranges, drained
1 medium apple, chopped
1/3 cup chopped pecans
1 celery rib, thinly sliced
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/8 teaspoon salt
4 whole wheat pita breads (6 inches)
2-3/4 cups alfalfa sprouts

Directions

In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise and honey. Stir in the tuna, oranges, apple, pecans, celery, cranberries and salt. Serve on pita breads with sprouts. Yield: 4 servings.

Grilled Margarita Chicken Salad

2010-07-05T20:44:00.001-07:00

Now this is a GREAT salad!!
Grilled Margarita Chicken Salad

			1/2 cup frozen (thawed) nonalcoholic margarita mix
			1/4 cup olive or vegetable oil
			2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
			4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (1 1/4 lb)
			6 cups bite-size pieces assorted salad greens
			1 cup sliced strawberries
			1 medium mango, peeled, pitted and sliced
			1 medium avocado, peeled, pitted and sliced
			1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1.	Heat coals or gas grill for direct heat. To make dressing, in small bowl, stir margarita mix, oil and vinegar with wire whisk until well blended. Measure 1/4 cup dressing for basting chicken; reserve remaining dressing for serving.
2.	Cover and grill chicken over medium heat 15 to 20 minutes, turning and brushing occasionally with 1/4 cup dressing, until juice of chicken is no longer pink when centers of thickest pieces are cut.
3.	Cut chicken into slices. In large bowl, toss salad greens, chicken and strawberries; divide among 4 plates. Arrange mango and avocado around each salad. Sprinkle with cilantro. Drizzle with reserved dressing.

Finally….a clean car (well, half way there)!!

2010-07-01T23:14:00.001-07:00

Well, I could not handle it anymore. My car was so stinkin' dirty there was no way we could drive it to Twin Falls this weekend with it looking the way it does/did. I have simply been spoiled living in the city. We have owned our Excursion for almost 5 years and not one time in those almost 5 years have I ever washed my car myself. Spoiled or lazy?? I like to think spoiled. Living in a large city you have all the amenities in the world….like a guy who will come to your house and wash your car in your driveway, while you tend to you 5 children. Or before there were 5 children, you could drive into Green Valley and drop your car off, walk to a restaurant to get a bite to eat and return to a nice clean car. Well, living in good ole Elko, NV….those amenities do not exist!! Nope…only one guy in town who does car washing and he is totally unreasonable. So, I have not had my car detailed since Kaylee's baby blessing in February. Now, in all the snow, rain, and dirt that it has been subjected to here, you can only imagine what a mess it must be. But to top it all off, when I was heading out to the branding, on a not so nice road of nothing but poof dirt, and drove further than what I needed (cause I got lost), it was a great big moving dirt pile. So, today I cleaned the inside. I started around 2:30 and did not finish until close to 5:00 this afternoon. It looks so nice…so tomorrow I am going to venture to the carwash and work on the outside. I really do miss the guys who used to come to my house to clean it. They were so great to my car!!

Dinner Menu Week of June 21…better late than never

2010-06-28T08:34:00.001-07:00

Ok, so here is my menu for last week. I had it all planned out but things were a bit hectic around here with dr. appointments, dentist appointments, girl scouts, cub scouts, Tate leaving for the summer and, of course, the everyday life J

Monday	Tequila Lime Chicken Pica de Gallo and Guacamole beans All Served Burrito Style
Tuesday	Sloppy Joes French Fries
Wednesday	Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese
Thursday	Tacos
Friday	Enchilada Casserole – I used this recipe, but instead of rolling them I just layered it all as a casserole and last Friday when I made the enchilada's I made extra meat and just froze it.

Tad made dinner Saturday night and it was so good. He made his famous shrimp which are my favorite, favorite, favorite and I made my favorite chopped blue cheese sald and the amazingly great Buttered Rosemary Rolls. It was a great dinner :)

Dinner and FHE…

2010-06-21T22:03:00.001-07:00

Well, I am behind on the menu planning for the week. I stayed up way too late last night and today was a little bit hectic!! But all in all…it was a good day. Tonight for dinner I made the Pioneer Woman's Tequila Lime Chicken along with Pico de Gallo and Guacamole. All I can say is YUM, YUM, YUM, and then some!!!! After the chicken was cooked, I sliced it and served it on tortillas burrito style. Very good!!

Tate was in charge of FHE tonight. He did a really good job. It was on the Creation. And dessert was Raspberry cheesecake bars. Unfortunately…there is no recipe for those!

Father’s Day Menu…and then some

2010-06-18T14:52:00.001-07:00

So this coming Sunday is all about Dads, right?? Well, here is what I have planned for breakfast, dinner, and dessert…

Breakfast – Huevos Rancheros
Dinner – Shrimp Pasta, Cesar Salad, and Garlic Cheese Toast
Dessert - Tiramisu

Here are some fun crafts the kids and I are working on…
Father's Day Pop Bottles
Popsicle Stick Puzzles

More fun ideas…
Father's Day Frame…DAD
Father's Day Photo Album (we might get to this)
25 Things We Love About Dad

Dinner Menu….Week of June 14th

2010-06-18T09:21:00.001-07:00

I decided I needed to start planning a weekly dinner menu. I figure it saves time and money, and taking only 20 to 30 minutes Sunday evening is not bad either. Then I do my grocery shopping on Monday and I am done for the week (besides the cooking part). I am not planning for Saturday's and Sunday's cause those are the days Tad does most of the cookin' or leftovers are in order. So here it is…my dinner menu for this past week.

Monday (picnic at the park)	Hot Chicken Salad w/Croissants Potato Chips Fresh Fruit
Tuesday	Sweet & Spicy Pork – Served Burrito Style w/Tortillas, Sour Cream, Onion and Cilantro Chips & Salsa
Wednesday	Chinese Hamburger Casserole Green Salad
Thursday	My Cajun Chicken Pasta Cesar Salad w/Homemade Cesar Dressing
Friday	Beef Enchiladas Beans

Of course…I am planning a Father's Day Dinner….just have not gotten that far yet. By the end of the day today, I will have it figured out.

My Cajun Chicken Pasta and Homemade Alfredo Sauce

2010-06-18T09:15:00.001-07:00

Ok…this is my knock of recipe of Chili's Cajun Chicken Pasta. It may not be as good, but it is still pretty darn good and a hit in my home. Not to mention…it is rather quick and easy (right up my ally)!!

1/2 pound penne pasta
1 jar alfredo sauce (or homemade sauce; recipe below)
5 chicken tenders
1 tomato
Cajun Seasoning

Cook pasta according to package directions. While pasta is cooking, sprinkle chicken tenders on both sides with seasoning and grill them. I grill mine on a simple stove top grill. Drain pasta and put it back into pot with the jar of alfredo sauce (reserve a little to go on very top) and I sprinkle a little of the Cajun seasoning to give it a little kick. After it is heated, place pasta on plate top with chicken cut into strips, a little more alfredo sauce, and diced tomatoes. Enjoy!

Homemade Alfredo Sauce – After making this you will never use the jar stuff again.

1 8oz cream cheese, room temperature
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 to 1-1/2 cups parmesan cheese
2 cups (give or take) milk
season with garlic powder as desired

Add cream cheese to a large skillet on medium heat until melted, stirring frequently to keep from burning. Add soup and cheese until well blended, and then add milk about ½ cup at a time to ensure perfect consistency.

I have also made this recipe with shrimp in place of chicken. Instead of grilling, I cook my shrimp in a small skillet with butter, garlic and Cajun seasoning. This is a very yummy fix also…and linguine or spaghetti is good, too in place of the penne pasta.J

Hot Chicken Salad

2010-06-18T08:56:00.001-07:00

This is sooooo good….especially with croissants
2 Cups Cooked Chicken (diced)
2 Tbsp green onions
½ Cup slivered almonds
1 Cup mayo
1 Cup crushed plain potato chips
2 Cups diced celery
½ tsp salt
2 Tbsp lemon juice
½ Cup cheddar cheese
Mix cheese and chips, set aside. Mix all ingredients (except chips and cheese). Put in 9 x 13 pan. Top with cheese mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. I also like to add crasins when I have them.

Yummy, Yummy!!!

More Desserts...

2010-06-16T22:31:00.000-07:00

How could I possibly forget these?? My oh my!! So Smith's has had blackberries on sale for $1 lately. I found this very easy and delish Blackberry Cobbler recipe, and the best part is the fruit is on top....not the bottom :)

1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup flour
2 Tbsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup milk
1 - 1-1/2 cups blackberries
1/4 - 1/2 cup sugar
1 cup fruit juice or water

Beat butter and sugar until well mixed. Stir flour, baking powder, and salt; stir into shortening/sugar mixture. Add milk and beat until smooth. Pour into a greased 8 x 8 baking dish, greased. Spoon blackberries over the batter. Sprinkle sugar over the fruit. Pour fruit juice or water over sugar. Bake at 375 degrees until golden brown, 35 to 45 minutes.

Also...I made my first fried ice cream and they were so good!! Good and easy!! Here is what I did...
Lined a cookie sheet with waxed paper then scooped out soften ice cream to desired ball size and placed on lined cookie sheet. Place back in freezer for a good hour or two - until the ice cream balls are frozen pretty hard. Then I took some egg whites and rolled the ice cream balls into the egg whites and then into crushed cornflakes. Then back to the egg for a second coat and then back into the cornflakes. Then back ont the cookie sheet to freeze for another hour or so. Then...heat oil in a large pan or frier to about 375 degrees. Fry coated ice cream ball in oil for 3 to 4 seconds, until it has achieved a golden brown color. I then had a bowl lined with paper towel and placed the fried ice cream in the bowl before serving with chocolate syrup and whipped cream, sprinked with cinnamon sugar. These are so great!!!

Fun Times - Random Pics

2010-06-16T21:59:00.000-07:00

These Days...

2010-06-16T12:33:00.000-07:00

Things are going good here in Elko. School is out, and activities go on :) Tate is having a blast in scouts. June 5th he participated in day camp and had a blast. Lastnight was pack meeting and he was awarded with 6 belt loops that he has earned to add to his collection. This upcoming Saturday he is looking forward to going to the branding at our family's ranch in Starr Valley. He is not sure if he wants to be a motorcross rider or a cowboy...or a combination of the two :)

Speaking of the upcoming branding....GRRR!!! I was looking forward to going riding with my brother-in-law yesterday, all day!! I was so looking forward to it. I had to leave the house no later than 7:15 in the morning, with all 5 kids. I did it, got dinner ready and cooking and we headed out the door at exactly 7:07. Got all the kids buckled in and got ready to get in myself and BOOM!!!! I have a flat tire on my excursion....it was great. Needless to say, I did not get to go riding because they needed to leave around 8, so I finally left my house at 10:30 yesterday morning and when I got to Starr Valley I kept track of my 5 kiddos plus 2 of my sisters. Oh yes...I was cleaning the camper when I was informed that the horses were out. Not just a couple....more like 20...give or take a few!!! So I got them rounded up....all on foot, got the kids lunch, solved a few problems between the kiddos and then back to cleaning the campers so people have places to stay when they come for the branding. It was a great day. So we got back home only to find that the dinner that I had started at 6:30 that very same morning was not finished!! WHAT!!! I was so mad...so, we headed to eat dinner then off to pack meeting. It was a great day. Nothing went as planned!!

The flat tire occured when my great husband took us for a drive Monday evening, on some not so nice roads. It was so much fun (sarcasticly speaking), especially when we came across this nice, nasty friend....

and he wanted to have a picnic up here. I said no and we ended up at the park having our picnic. Much better :)

With summer here, so many things going on. Tate and I are doing the Scripture Reading Challenge, we have chose the BOM...and we are doing quite well :) Shaelee is now in Girl Scounts and is so excited about it and I have decided to be a Daisy leader. Not sure what I was thinking, but its all good :). Oh and how could I forget Abby?? Yes, we got a new dog....her name is Abby and she is so sweet. I am a sucker for blue heeler pups and she reminds me of one I had years ago. She is wonderful and the kids love her and she loves them. For some reason I find it neccessary to get puppy's while potty training....Yep....TJ is potty trained!! He is doing great!! Such a big little man :)

On top of all that, I have several projects I am trying to tackle...once I get them done I will be sure to make posts :)

We all continue to get settled in here and tryin to fit in. We love our ward. It is great and so inviting. Yet...we have not been asked to speak yet nor have we been given any callings....which is fine by me :) This little house is still very cozy, and the yard is coming together, slowly but surely.

Oh....and school....school for me is still rollin' along :)

More Yummy Recipes

2010-06-16T12:12:00.000-07:00

I have been trying so many new recipes, it is hard to keep track of them all. And yet, there are so many more I want to try. My organization skills these days have gone out the door, unfortanetly!!

I have tried several different Sloppy Joe recipes but this was was really good....Sloppy Joes. Same with Mac and Cheese....there are two I have found to really love (I am sure I have shared at least one). Baked Macaroni and Cheese and Macaroni & Cheese.

And then...You gotta try these - Fried Mozzarella Sticks (I found Planko bread crumbs at Smith's).

A few more fav's:
Twice Baked Potatoes
Chicken Piccata - VERY YUMMY!!!
Fiesta Beef Bowls
Buffalo Chicken and to keep things cool with Sweet Cucumber Salad.
Oh yes....with the Buffalo Chicken I replaced the provalone cheese with crumbled blue cheese.

Happy eating :)

Fiesta Beef Bowls
Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds boneless beef top round steak
1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes and green chilies
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cans (15 ounces each) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
3 cups hot cooked rice
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
6 tablespoons sliced ripe olives
6 tablespoons thinly sliced green onions
6 tablespoons guacamole

Directions
Place round steak in a 3-qt. slow cooker. In a small bowl, combine the tomatoes, onion, garlic and seasonings; pour over steak. Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours or until meat is tender.

Remove meat from slow cooker. Add beans to tomato mixture. Cover and cook on high for 30 minutes or until beans are heated through. When cool enough to handle, slice meat. In individual bowls, layer the rice, meat and bean mixture. Top with cheese, olives, onions and guacamole. Yield: 6 servings.

Buffalo Chicken
Ingredients

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (5 ounces each)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 eggs
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
3 tablespoons canola oil
1/4 cup buffalo wing sauce
1/4 cup shredded provolone cheese
1/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Directions
Flatten chicken to 1/2-in. thickness. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. In a shallow bowl, whisk eggs. Place bread crumbs in another shallow bowl. Dip chicken in eggs, then coat with bread crumbs.

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook chicken in oil for 7-10 minutes on each side or until chicken juices run clear, adding wing sauce during the last 2 minutes. Turn to coat chicken. Sprinkle with cheeses. Cover and cook until cheese is melted. Yield: 4 servings.

Sweet Cucumber Salad
Ingredients

3 cups thinly sliced quartered cucumber
2 teaspoons minced fresh cilantro

DRESSING:
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 green onion, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions
In a salad bowl, combine cucumber and cilantro. In a small bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients. Drizzle over salad and toss to coat. Serve with a slotted spoon. Yield: 4 servings.

Desserts, Desserts, Desserts...

2010-06-16T11:41:00.000-07:00

Here are few GREAT recipes that I have tried. Memorial Day we went to my sister's house for a BBQ, and she has a friend whose family is doing a sugar fast (staying away from sugar)....not something I think I could ever do. I volunteered to bring the dessert, so I had make a sugar free dessert. I chose to make the Wave Your Flag Cake...but making it all sugar free. Therefore, I could not buy the pound cake that it calls for, I made it. I found a Splenda Blend Sour Cream Pound Cake. Now I am no Splenda fan, but this was not bad at all. So, I made the cake, I used sugar free Jello along with sugar free cool-whip. It was a very good sugar free dessert....I WAS IMPRESSED :)

Now...these are nothing but sinful....mmmmhmmm!! Check out these yummy cupcakes - Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes. I made these especially for my brother-in-law who loves anything peanut butter. Besides, I needed some reason to make them :)

Oooooo.....yes!! Remember that Taste of Home Cooking School I brag about so much...this great recipe is from there. How about an Orange Chocolate Tart. Yep!! It was so delish....

What you need is -
6 Tbsp. Butter, cubed

7 oz. semi sweet chocolate, divided

1 sheet refrigerated pie crust
2 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. orange extract
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 cup whipped topping
Orange Peel, Optional

How you do it -

In a microwave safe dish, melt butter and five chocolate squares. Cool for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, line 9-in. fluted tart pan with removeable bottom with pastry. Line pastry with a double thickness of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Bake at 450 degrees for 5 minutes. Remove the foil; bake 3 minutes longer. Reduce heat to 350 degrees.
In a small bowl, beat eggs, sugar and orange extract until thickened, about 4 minutes. Stir in cooled chocolate mixture. Beat in flour, mix well. Pour into crust. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick interted near the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.
Meanwhile, line a baking sheet with waxed paper; set aside. Melt remaining chocolate. Pour melted chocolate into a ziploc bag; cut a small hole in the corner of bag. Pipe eight to ten small hearts onto waxed paper. Refrigerate until set. Spread whipped topping on pie; garnish with chocolate hearts and orange peel if desired. Refrigerate leftovers.

What I changed....I used a pie plate because I do not own a tart pan. It worked just as well. Then...for the orange extract I used the one I made....mmmmm, so good :) Then I used freshly whipped whipping cream in place of the Cool Whip for the whipped topping. If using whipped cream you could add the orange extract in place of vanilla!!

Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle

2010-05-27T14:01:00.000-07:00

Now...if you like peanut butter and chocolate...this is a dessert for you :) I made a few changes to it and it was still great, very rich, but very good...Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle. I used whipping cream in place of cool whip, I did not add the peanut butter that it called for (adding the peanut butter to the vanilla pudding). Also, when I made the brownies I used the peanut butter chocolate chips. As I said, it was rich...and my brother in law has a major sweet tooth for peanut butter so half of the dessert went home to him. Of course, he said it was great and not rich at all :)

I had pictures....but they are on my memory card that I am still having issues with!!

Ingredients

1 fudge brownie mix (13-inch x 9-inch pan size)
1 package (10 ounces) peanut butter chips
2 packages (13 ounces each) miniature peanut butter cups
4 cups cold 2% milk
2 packages (5.1 ounces each) instant vanilla pudding mix
1 cup creamy peanut butter
4 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cartons (8 ounces each) frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions
Prepare brownie batter according to package directions; stir in peanut butter chips. Bake in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with moist crumbs (do not overbake). Cool on a wire rack; cut into 3/4-in. pieces.

Cut peanut butter cups in half; set aside 1/3 cup for garnish. In a large bowl, whisk milk and pudding mixes for 2 minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft-set. Add peanut butter and vanilla; mix well. Fold in 1-1/2 cartons whipped topping.

Place a third of the brownies in a 5-qt. glass bowl; top with a third of the remaining peanut butter cups. Spoon a third of the pudding mixture over the top. Repeat layers twice. Cover with remaining whipped topping; garnish with reserved peanut butter cups. Refrigerate until chilled. Yield: 20 servings (1 cup each).

This is a Taste of Home recipe but I could not get the link to work.

Yummo Desserts

2010-05-27T13:38:00.000-07:00

These Sweet Lemon Tarts are wonderful!! The phyllo dough is a bit treatise to work with but the final product is well worth it. My favorite part...wait, my favorite parts are the meringue and the chocolate :)

There is this wholesale produce place here in town and they had a great deal on strawberries. 8 lbs for $7....awesome!! So I made chocolate covered strawberries one night....Simple and big hit :)

Homemade Extracts and Sugars

2010-05-27T13:07:00.000-07:00

Now...I have decided to make some homemade extracts and flavored sugars...and I am so glad that I have. The extracts can be used in anything that calls for vanilla extract of other flavors and the sugars can be used in baking, topping cookies or cupcakes. Basically anything you would normally use sugar in.

For the Sugars:

3 whole lemons or 2 large navel oranges

2 cups of white sugar

Grate the peels of the chosen fruit (I used the smaller grate on my grater). Add fruit gratings to 1 cup of sugar in a food processor. Process for a couple minutes until well blended and the grating has been well combinded. In a medium size mizing bowl add the fruit gratings to the other cup of sugar. Mix mell then our out onto a backing sheet to dry. I mix mine around several times during the drying process. I let mine sit for atleast 3 hours. After drying I store it in a mason jar, closed, in the fridge.

I pulled the lemon sugar out to use it on my blackberries and I decided to run it all back through the food processor to make it all fine. It turned out great and smells wonderful. I need to so the same to the orange sugar.

I still want to make cinnamon sugar as well as some vanilla sugar...but those are still to come :)

On to the extracts...I made lemon, orange, lime and coconut. Very simple and great tasting. Ten times better than the store bought stuff.

For the citrus extracts:
2 Limes, 1 Lemon or 1/2 Large Navel Orange Peel
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup vodka

Roughly chop the peel, put in a clean jar. Add water and vodka. Place lid on and give it a good shake. Store 3 to 5 days in a dark, cool place. After about 10 days I removed the peels. They smell great :) These store for up to 1 year.

Here is the link to the Coconut Extract that I made. It smells really strong because it is straight vodka so I think I am going to only use half of what I normally would. Also, when I mixed it I placed it all in the blender to really combine the coconut and vodka. I also strained out the coconut about 1 week after making it.

Vanilla, Cinnamon, Mint, and Cinnamon Nutmeg extracts are still on my "to do" lists. One day I will get to them :)

Angel Food Cake

2010-05-27T10:56:00.000-07:00

Well, after trying the Heavenly Coconut Cake I have become an Food Network - Alton Brown fan. So, before we moved to Elko, I was watching that show one night and seen him make an Angel Food Cake...OH YUMMMMMM was my exact thought. So, finally I have made it and I can tell you...I love Angel food cake but I will never buy another store bought one after making this one. I decided if I can master the coconut cake I can handle just about anything....YEP, I can handle this one.

Last week Smiths had blackberries on sale10/$10. I stocked up and I made lots of blackberry goodies. After making this Angel Food Cake I decided to use the lemon sugar that I had made and toss with the blackberries. Then I made up some whipping cream and used the homemade lemon extract that I had made. Oh, and in the cake I had used the homemade orange extract where extract was called for. Then I layered it all up and made blackberry short cake type things. They were really good :) A must try dessert!!

Oh yes....I almost for got...I used a bunt pan because believe it or not...I do not own a tube pan. That is something I need to invest it.

Recipes for the extracts and sugar coming very soon :)

Breakfast Recipes...

2010-05-27T10:15:00.000-07:00

Now this is sooooo good. I have made it for breakfast the last 2 Sunday mornings. Cinnamon Baked French Toast...it is so good and easy.....very, very good :)

For some reason I fealling like I needed to be a good, nice mom and make my kids Funnel Cakes for breakfast. They were a huge hit and there were none left over. I sprinkled them with powdered sugar and served them with warm raspberry preserves :) MMMMM....yummo!!

Now...a few weeks ago I was able to attend a Taste of Home cooking school here in Elko. It was a lot of fun and they gave everyone a Taste of Home Cooking School Magazine with lots of new recipes. This is one of them that I could not wait to try... Jimmy Dean Maple Breakfast Casserole.

1 package Maple Flavor Jimmy Dean Pork Sausage
10 eggs, lightly beaten
3 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups (2 large) Golden Deliciouse apples, peeled and chopped
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
6 cups cubed bread
8 oz (2 cups) shredded mild cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium-high heat, stirring frequently until throughly cooked and no longer pink.
In a large mixing bowl, combine beaten eggs with milk and vanilla; stir well. In a small bowl, toss apples with sugar and cinnamon.
Distribute half the bread evenly in buttered 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with half the sausage, half the apples and half the cheese. Repeat layering using remaining bread, sausage, apples, and cheese. Pour egg mixture evenly over the casserole.
Bake uncovered for 55-60 minutes, or until eggs are set. Tent with foil if top begins to brown too quickly.

Editor's Note: The casserole may be assembled ahead and refrigerated up to 12 hours before baking.

Oh yes...I also made Raspberry-Filled Poppyseed Muffins...they too are really yummy and kid approved (atleast in this house) :)

All these breakfast recipes have been tried and will defineately be made again, and again, and again :)

Oven Ham Sammies and Mac & Cheese

2010-05-27T10:12:00.000-07:00

Last night I decided to make dinner easy and simple so we could have a picnic on the family room floor (cause it was raining outside) and we watched the 2 hour of American Idol. Yes...for 2 hours we sat and watched American Idol. It was fun and the food was good.

I made these Oven Ham Sammies....MMMMMMM!! Thats all I can say about them. They were really good!! When these came out of the oven I put horseradish on Tad's and my sandwiches.

I also made Macaroni and Cheese. Another yummy that I like to make often. I do the baked version.

Oh yes...and I got corn on the cob from Wal-mart yesterday for 19 cents so that was also included in our picnic. Our pincic was fund and the food was yummy.

Hot & Sweet Drumsticks, Roasted Potatoe Wedges, Blue Cheese Biscuits

2010-05-27T09:53:00.000-07:00

Well, for some reason I have been trying out A LOT of new recipes and spending a lot of time in the kitchen...more than usual. Many have turned out rather well and of course I have had to make my own changes to a few of them :)

Oh yes...the other night I made these Hot & Sweet Drumsticks. They were sooooo good and drumsticks are rather inexpensive. The few simple changes I made: before I started baking the chicken, I first broiled it...turning it once and crisping up the skin. Then instead of pouring the sauce over the chicken, throughtout the baking process I kept basting the drumsticks with the sauce. Then when they were done baking, I once again broiled them again to crisp them up some more. Oh yes...and I doubled the sauce. They were really good. My sister is going to try grilling them and basting them along the way.

Along with these yummo drumsticks I served them with some simple Roasted Potatoe Wedges. When I pulled them out of the oven I sprinked them with parsely and shredded parmesan cheese. They were a good side to the drumpsticks.

Also, that same night I had tried these biscuits. The recipe came out of one of my World Wide Ward Cookbooks (I love them all). They are Blue Cheese Biscuits. The recipe calls for:
3 cans refrigerated biscuits
4 oz. crumbled blue cheese
3/4 cup melted butter

Cut the biscuits in quarters. Melt butter, stir in blue cheese crumbles and mix until cheese is melted. Pour over biscuits and mix well. Then...bake at 400 for 15-20 minutes in a 9 x 13 baking dish. Yeild: 15-20 servings.

The serving size scared me so I only used 1 can of biscuits, and 1/4 cup butter. I baked mine in a pie dish and stired half way through so I got alot of the biscuits browned.

I like them...not sure that the kids did. Well, TJ did, but her eats just about anything...

Finially Finished....

2010-05-25T11:16:00.000-07:00

Well, a few weeks ago (before Mother's Day) I sat out to make a Mother's Day gift for my mother-in-law. I decided on an exploding box. So I got it all cut out and layers placed and had my pictures sent to Walmart to be printed. Got to Walmart the next morning and got the pictures. Did a little shopping that needed to be done...all with 4 little ones. Then we finally got to the car, I opened up the pictures and they were TERRIBLE. I was so upset. This was like Wednesday before Mother's Day so I needed to get it out that afternoon, but not with these pictures. I was so bummed. I called my Mother-In-Law and told her I was making her gift but it was going to be late and I explained what had happened with the whole picture mess. So...I sent the pictures to Winkflash and got them back and they were so much better. So...lastnight I got all my stuff out and sat down to get it done, but Kaylee was not having any part of it. I hit it again this morning and I finished it!! Thank goodness!! AND....I love it. I think it turned out great. Now, it will be sent out first thing in the morning :) Wooohooo!!!

Thanks for your help Kira :)

Tomorrow is a BIG day!!

2010-05-13T18:59:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow is almost here and I could not be more excited!! Sweet.Bee.Bowtique is going to be featured on My Give Away Today. We are going to be giving away 6 bows and discounted shipping on two items. I could not be more excited!! So, tomorrow morning be sure to visit My Give Away Today to enter to win bows, bows, bows J You can also check out my Etsy store for special promotions happening only tomorrow, so be sure to take advantage of great deals J

Chunky Bling Party

2010-05-12T09:59:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!! It’s party time!! I am hosting a Chunky Bling Party. Talk about cute stuff and the great thing about this party is that it is all done online. Yep…you can check it all out from the comfort of your computer and comfy chair (no catalogs to flip through)!! So…to get started you can visit My Party Page and check out all the great stuff there is to offer, not to mention the prices are great too. My party starts today, Wednesday, May 12, 2010 and runs through Tuesday, May 19, 2010. When you shop online at My Party Page you can receive 15% off just for shopping during the great party week. Now what other party gives you that kind of deal…you shop and you save…just like that. So when you check out you want to make sure and enter Lacie15 in the promo code to get your 15% off. And…you don’t have to wait for me to deliver it to you…Chunky Bling sends it right to your door step!! Sweet, Right?? So make sure you check out MY PARTY PAGE and take a looksy. I recently purchased the Golden Skies Watch Band… Love it and talk about versatile. So have fun shopping and enjoy the 15% off at check out.

Thanks So Much!!

So much to do...

2010-05-10T09:27:00.000-07:00

Ok...so as usual, the days seem to keep flying by. Before I know it, school will be out! Where does the time seem to go?? We spent the weekend doing yard work and then my allergies got me good. It pretty much stinks (oh wait...I can't smell cause my nose is plugged solid)! Mother's day was great. Tad made breakfast (he does every Saturday and Sunday) but yesterday it was more special because it was Mother's Day. He made biscuits and gravy and cilantro, mushroom and cheese omelets...YUMMY!! Then for dinner it was Chicken Marsala, potatoes and a ceasar salad...which I made the dressing for. It was so good. I will have to post the dressing recipe later today. Then I cleaned up the kitchen...usually how it works, but it was all really good.

So this week I have so much I want to get accomplished. I have a goal to have 20 new bows made by Friday and posted because Friday is the big day for Sweet.Bee.Bowtique to be featured on My Give Away Today. Very exciting!!

Then, I am going to make some extracts - You know....Vanilla, Lemon, Orange and maybe cinnamon. Along with the extracts I am going to try flavored sugars. I am excited to give it a shop.

I also have some new yummy sounding recipes I want to give a shot. One tonight is Sweet Lemon Tarts...they look great. Be sure to check back for the recipe and pics of those :)

Oh yea...can't forget that I have homework to keep on, too, and whatever else comes my way. So this is my week in a quick glance... How about yours??? Happy Monday Everyone :)

Chunky Bling…

2010-05-05T22:49:00.001-07:00

Ok…So, I am going to be hosting a Chunky Bling online party. You have got to check this out…ChunkyBling.com. They specialize in interchangeable watches. I love them and I am always wanting more (of course I want more…I only have one). You have got to check out their selection of beaded jewelry like bead bracelets, Swarovski Pearl rings, and interchangeable charm necklaces. The price is great, too. Guess what…you can host an online jewelry party, too…and earn FREE jewelry. I have a few favorites…Love at First Sight (really cute interchangeable watch band) and cute, cute, cute chunky bracelet Fashion Passion Pink, Oh My!! Check it out and I bet you can find some favorites too J

A Few More Good Ones…

2010-05-05T22:17:00.000-07:00

Gotta try this…Lemon Water. It is really good…

Big Batch	Small Batch
5 Quarts Water	2 Quarts Water
3 Cups Sugar or Splenda	1-1/4 Cups Sugar or Splenda
1 Tbsp Citric Acid	1 Heaping Tsp. Citric Acid
1 Tbsp Lemon Extract	1 Heaping Tsp. Lemon Extract

Boil 1 quart water (or really hot water), add sugar or Splenda; dissolve. Add citric acid, lemon extract and remaining water. Chill. Add lemon slices to garnish.
This is really good water. I was able to find the lemon extract at the dollar store. The citric acid I borrowed some from my sister and I sweeten mine with Splenda. Also..I have to add a little more cold water because I don't like it too sweet….subtle is good for me J

These next few recipes I was planning on making for our Friday night movie night…BUT, my sister and brother-in-law asked Tad and I if we wanted to go on a double date and they would provide the babysitting (my nephew and niece). Of course we accepted the offer (eagerly)…we ate at Toki Ona's…and boy oh boy…it was so good. So then I decided I was going to make these Saturday night, but we ate a late lunch at this Mexican restaurant downtown and we were too full for dinner. So…this ended up being our Sunday dinner. It was good…just not what we usually plan for Sunday dinner JThe Ultimate Chicken Wings (of course it is a Kraft recipe) and I made Pepperoni Pizza's on Flatout Bread. Those were really good…I made these the other night too and they were really good with pepperoni, Canadian bacon, and fresh cilantro. Oh My!! Oh yea…back to what was supposed to be a movie night dinner…Sangria Punch and Creamy Carmel-Peanut Dip. All perfect movie night goodies.

Tuesday night I was very fortunate to attend the Taste of Home Cooking School with my sister and a couple of her friends. It was here in Elko…and it was sooo much fun. I cannot wait to go again next year. I will be posting a lot of yummo recipes as I try them out. I can't wait!!

And now…I have been working on a Mother's Day gift for 3 days now and it is still not done. Better luck tomorrow I hope J I hope someone enjoys all these recipes!

Lots of Yummy Recipes…

2010-04-29T15:16:00.001-07:00

Well, I had a lot of pictures to go along but I am having serious camera issues!! I have tried A LOT of new recipes these past few weeks and all have turned out well and are worth repeating!

Hot Cocoa Mix
10-2/3 Cups Instant Non-Fat Dry Milk
6 oz. Powdered Non-Fat Dairy Creamer
2-1/2 Cups Powdered Sugar
3 Cups Nesquik

Mix it all together and store in airtight container. Make adjustments as needed. Makes about 3 quarts and is a BIG hit in this house. Goes great with these homemade marshmallows (next recipe).

Ok…I have tried several different homemade marshmallow recipes and this one by for is my favorite!! You gotta try these… Homemade Marshmallows.

I made Tate this cool Motorcross Cake for his birthday (I have pictures, but the whole camera issue…not going there) and this is the chocolate cake and chocolate frosting recipe that I used. It was really good too… Hershey's "PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE" Chocolate Cake with "PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE" Chocolate Frosting.

Here is what the cake was like…very similar, and hopefully one day I can retrieve the pictures and share them J Family Fun Motorcross Cake. Perfect cake since he got a 150 for his birthday…big jump from a 50. He loves it, too!!

These are the cupcakes I made for Tate's class, but I made the homemade Hershey's Cake above…way good J Mini OREO Surprise Cupcakes.

Since moving I have been busy trying to get the house together and unpacked and our storage container is 30 miles away I go out there and sort through stuff to bring in and then having 4 helpers with me makes it take a while so I had to come-up with some quick meals…therefore, I turned to Kraft Recipes.

Easy Chinese Stir-Fry… This was good... and the hubby and kids liked it. It was quick and easy too. I served it with these green beans that I found in a recent Taste of Home.

Sesame Green Beans2 lbs. fresh green beans, trimmed
2/3 cup finely chopped sweet onion (I think I used green onions cause I had them on hand)
3 Tbsp. canola oil
¼ cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp. pepper
1 Tbsp. sesame seeds, toasted
Place beans in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Cover and cook for 4-7 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain and immediately place beans in ice water. Drain and pat dry. In a large skillet, sauté beans and onion in oil until onion is tender. Add garlic, cook 1 minute longer. Stir in soy sauce and pepper. Transfer to serving dish; sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.

As my sister and I were unpacking my food storage/pantry items, I was checking out expiration dates on the cans. I noticed I needed to start using up some tuna. Again, I turned to Kraft Recipes. I found Fish Cakes… I did the tuna one and replaces the carrots with green onions. I served them with potatoes and a salad. TJ loved them. He had at least 3.

I have tried a couple new breakfast recipes. I have posed a few recipes from the Worldwide Ward Cookbook that I love so much but there is a new one out...Worldwide Ward Cookbook - Mom's Best Recipes. From there I have tried these recipes and they are good too.

Bilini (a crepe-like pancake)
1/2 Cup milk
4 Tbsp. sugar
1-1/2 Cup sifted flour
Dash of salt
3 eggs
1 Tbsp. butter, melted
1-1/2 Cup milk
1/2 Cup flour
Powdered sugar for garnish

Combine milk, sugar, flour, salt and eggs. Add melted butter, and remaining flour. Mix well and fry in butter. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve with jelly or fruit.

I like to take cool whip or whipped cream (whatever I have in the fridge) and add strawberry preseves to it and serve these cakes like an omlet. I fold it over and have the cream mixture in the middle and then I slice fresh strawberries to go on top.

Budin de Pan
8 slices white bread, torn into small pieces
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1-1/2 Cup milk
1 Cup sugar (By accident I used 1-1/2 cups...whats a little sugar for breakfast?)
1/2 Cup raisins
1/2 Cup flour
3 Tbsp. butter, melted
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350. Combine all ingredients and pour into greased 1-1/2 quart baking dish. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes. Allow to cool, cut into squares and serve warm or at room temperature.

This is not breakfast but out of the same cookbook...this falls into the easy category!
Chinese Noodle Hamburger Casserole1 10.75 oz. can cream of mushroom soup
1 10.75 oz. can cream of chicken soup
1-1/2 Cup water
1 lbs. ground beef, browned
1 medium onion chopped
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 Cup uncooked rice
1 Cup peas
1 Cup chow mein noodles.

Combine soups and water. Stir in all remaining ingredients except chow mein noodles, and pour into greased casserole dish. Bake covered at 350 for 30 minutes; uncover and bake 30 additional minutes. Stir in chow mein noodles, cover and continue baking for 15 additional minutes.

I am making a Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle tonight and will post the recipe tomorrow with a picture of the finished product.
Happy Eats!!

Where to begin…

2010-04-07T12:20:00.001-07:00

These past few weeks have kinda been a blur. With the whole move, getting Tate in school, now tryin' to get moved into the house, and the kids….oh my, the KIDS!! I am not kidding or even exaggerating when I say that since I have been here it has snowed at least 10 days. It's been great!! So today it is nice out, all the snow is melted and the sun is shining and birds are chirping, it really is a nice day! Well, I got the kids bikes out and scooters out and do you think I can get them to go outside and play. Heck No!!! PLEASE….I need them to go out for just an hour and I could get so much done inside…especially while Kaylee is napping. So, I am going to try again after lunch. While they were outside a short 5 minutes Tad Jr. managed to climb over the fence in between us and the neighbor's house. So I got him back over the fence and headed in to shower and luckily I was turning the water off when Shaelee and Emilee came into tell me that TJ was in the car. I proceeded to ask what car and they said "Your Car"!! I freaked!! I told Shaelee to stand by the front door and watch him while I got dressed. Then I rushed out to get him. So, he unlocked the door, climbed up on the bench in the dining room and undid the chain and walked his happy bottom out to my car. When he seen me he knew he was in big trouble. Of course I lectured him all the way to the front door. Not sure it did any good!!

The kiddos have said some funny things lately and I would like to share themJ

The other day I was putting wood on the fire and Shaelee asked where the toy room was and I told her we did not have one. From now on the toy room was the bedrooms and they would have to be cleaned up daily. She did not like that idea.
Yesterday morning I had Kaylee in the bath tub and TJ climbed up on the toilet and leaned over the tub and said "Hello Fatty"!! It was so stinkin' cute! I had to let him know she was not fat, she is just chubby J
We were at my sister's house yesterday and my nephew Dallin was talking about Grandma Candy…Shaelee says, "Hey, I have a Grandma Candy too." Then Dallin explained to her that they had the same Grandma.
Then today, once I got my son in the house I headed back to the bathroom to blow dry my hair and TJ comes in and says, in the cutest voice I might add, "I am sorry for getting in your car". So maybe the lecture on the way to the door did do some good.

So, the boxes are slowly but surely getting unpacked, beds are getting assembled and my husband is working his tail off. So far Elko has not been too bad…even if we did hunt Easter eggs in the snow. I know it could be a lot worse. I am still enjoying every minute being closer to my sister and having my kids around their cousins. I am tired of eating on paper and plastic so I am off to get a set of dishes. Our are still packed far away in the front of the trailer. It could be a while before we see them.

Another Great Day…

2010-03-31T09:32:00.001-07:00

Ok…so the wind blew all day yesterday. It was getting a little scary but we handled it J I went and seen the house yesterday. All I can say is "OH MY"!! Seriously…it is OLD, OLD, OLD and very small, small, small!! But it is going to have to work for a while. In some sense I feel like we are going completely backwards but it is so much different here than it is from Henderson. I have not said I miss Henderson yet, but I am sure the time is coming.
We have had a great morning! I woke up at 4:00 am to check on TJ cause he was coughing a lot…so he I go to check on him and give him a drink of warm water. As he finished the last drink he threw-up all over the sheets that I just washed 2 days ago because he had thrown up on them then. Great times, right?? So I get him back to sleep and climb back into bed and I am thinking it is pretty chilly in here. Tad's alarm goes off at 5:00 am and I tell him he needs to switch the propane tanks cause the furnace is not staying on and I think the propane is empty. He says he will take care of it. He comes back in and says, "Lacie, both tanks are empty." I proceed to tell him he his crazy and he tells me it is snowing out!! Of course I did not believe him and had to look out the window to see for myself. Yep…it was snowing and it is still snowing. CRAZY, CRAZY, CRAZY!!! That's all I got to say about it!!
I got the kids up at about 6:30 and told them to get some warm clothes on and coats, I was taking them out for breakfast. No way are we going to sit in a cold camper and eat cold cereal. So we headed to Burger King. They were happy…me on the other hand…not so much!! Now…there are only 2 places in town to fill propane tanks. At the one place they have to call someone to come to the store to fill it. So, decided to wait at Cal Ranch until they opened, which was 8:00. I got the propane, got Tate to school and then back to the camper to get some heat going, or so I thought!! I get here, hook the tanks up and I hear a leak in one of the hoses, SO NOW….the kids are still bundled up and I am going to make beds, gather laundry and wait for Tate to get out of school so we can head to my sister's where it will be nice and warm. It has been a GREAT morning to say the least.
Oh yes…Tate's first day of school was GREAT!! He really likes the school and has made some friends J Happy Wednesday!!

We Have Arrived to Elko…

2010-03-31T09:06:00.001-07:00

This post was meant to be posted yesterday....but with the wonderful windy weather we had ALL DAY the WIFI at the RV park was down :( Great Times!!!

We made it! The kiddos and I arrived in Elko last Thursday (very early) mornin'…2:19 am to be exact!! It was a good trip…Kaylee girl slept the whole way which made the trip that much better. So we made it and all the kids were so excited to see daddy, I was especially happy to see him, too. Its one thing when he is gone and I know he is comin' back but when he is gone and I know he is not comin' back…it was hard to stay behind! I was just leavin' Ely Wednesday night (it was still Wednesday) heading to Elko and Tad calls me to check on us. He proceeded to tell me he bought me a present. I was thinkin'…"wow he got me some sort of welcoming gift or something". He did just that…A Welcome to Elko gift…my very own ice scraper for my windshield. So sweet if him J Lucky for me I have only needed to use it once since being here, thank goodness.Today is Tate's first day of school. He was pretty nervous. Poor boy, but he is a pretty friendly kiddo so I am sure he is doing great. The school is about a half a mile or so from the house we will be renting, so he will be able to ride his bike (of course not in the snow).
Speaking of the house…I have yet to see the inside, only the outside and all I can say about is "HMMMM"!! Tad and my sister have both seen it and all they can tell me about it is that it is OLD…I can see that from the street, but today is the day. I will see it this afternoon. I tell ya…rental properties around here are few and far between.
The RV park has served us well….LOL!! I like staying in this camper. It is easy to keep clean and the space thing is not bad. The kids and I go for walks, play lots of games and read several stories. When the wind is not blowing we spend time at the awesome park downtown. It really is awesome!! But right now…the wind is blowing so hard it is starting to worry me. We may need to venture out of the camper and go sightseeing or something. There is a jacuzzi and a heated outdoor pool, but we have yet to try them out.
Tad is working as hard as ever. Trying to get things running the way he wants them. Long 12 to 14 hour days makes him really enjoy the weekend. It is a bit rocky right now, but once he get a good crew together and makes the changes he needs, it will all work out great for him.
I am not seeing Elko as a long term residence, unless it really grows on us. I don't dislike it…YET, even though I have already encountered issues with the post office. I love being close to my sister and having my kids around their cousins more. That really is great. I am looking forward to the slower pace of life, the country life and the four seasons.
But as I said…the kiddos and I are going to get out of here cause it is very windy and the camper is really rockin' J

The Move Is On….

2010-03-22T07:20:00.000-07:00

Yep….the time has come to say goodbye to Henderson. We are on the move to Elko, Nevada. Rather excited I must admit. A little overwhelmed…it has all happened so quickly. One day we are in Elko and Tad is interviewing for a job, 10 days later this Henderson home is packed up and Tad is there, ready to start bright and early this morning. I am really going to miss this place, but I am really looking forward to this journey…even if we did just move 7 months ago. Never thought that packing this house up in 10 days was possible but my husband is amazing….superman he is!! So, the kids and I are going to take off out of here Wednesday afternoon. By then it will be nearly a week on the air mattress (way too many nights). So ready for the four seasons, change of scenery and back to country livin'. When we were at my sister's house 2 weeks ago, my brother-in-law told me he was excited for me to be closer, then I could go ridin' with him. I really do miss those days…even though he fears I have been in the city too long. To have my kids closer to their cousins is going to be a blessing too. We are all going to miss the friends we have made (and I am going to miss the shopping) but we will be back to visit. Until then...we are so ready!!

My Pockets Full of Sunshine

Another January...

6 Months

Lately...

Where has these 3 months gone to??

Dame & A Dish...

Recipe Blog...

7 years and counting

Long Over Due...

Upper Case Living Vinyl Signs...

New Accessories for My Girls...

34 + Weeks and Counting...

First Girl with Stitches...

Family Pictures...

Ophir, UT - AND...30 + weeks and counting (and then some)...

Easter Egg Coloring Fun...

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Swaddling Blankets and Shopping Spree from The Pioneer Woman

Great Deals...

Kids Pictures...November 2010

Time to stock up... 21 weeks and counting...

Felt Flowers...

...the VERDICT is in...and 18 Weeks and Counting...

15 Weeks and Counting...

Amazing News...

Kaylee's Birthday Cupcakes....

Days 3 & 4 Food Network's 12 Days of Cookies....

You Must Check This Out!!

Food Networks 12 Days of Cookies

Chocolate Swirl Muffin Cake

Raspberry-Topped Eggnog Cheesecake

Granola Streusel-Topped Sweet Potatoes

Thanksgiving Favorites...

Thanksgiving Day Menu....and then some!!

Sugarland - Stuck Like Glue

Blueberry Breakfast Bars

Spicy Cocktail Meatballs

Funnel Cakes

Brown Sugar Oatmeal Pankcakes

Emilee's Cupcake Cake - 4th Birthday

Mummy Face Pizza's

Last Chance Halloween Bows....

We did survive...

I am here...

Crochet Headbands...

New Bows...

Yesterday brought lots of Purse Notebooks...Look How Cute!!!

Maple Mustard Chicken

Dinner Menu Week of August 16th

Crock Pot Pizza

Shaelee's Birthday Cake

Phone and Water - Don't Mix

Pound Cake...YUMMMO!!!!

Banana Cream Bars

Dinner Menu Week of August 9th….and Las Vegas/Henderson Bound :)

Lamoille Canyon Picinic

Dinner Menu Week of August 2nd

No Dinner Menu This Week...

Chocolate Eclair Cake

Look at her go...

Dinner Menu Week of July 19th….YEP, late again!!

Weekend Recipes

Dinner Menu Week of July 12th

So much to do and so much on my mind…

Father's Day Soda Bottles

Twin Falls Trip and 4th of July

Dinner Menu Week of July 5th

Turkey & Swiss with Herbed Greens

Dinner Menu Week of June 28th…Late Again

Fruited Tuna Salad Pita

Fruited Tuna Salad PitaIngredients

Grilled Margarita Chicken Salad

Finally….a clean car (well, half way there)!!

Dinner Menu Week of June 21…better late than never

Dinner and FHE…

Father’s Day Menu…and then some

Dinner Menu….Week of June 14th

My Cajun Chicken Pasta and Homemade Alfredo Sauce

Hot Chicken Salad

More Desserts...

Fruited Tuna Salad Pita

Ingredients