Tuesday, November 17, 2009

I Love my Crock Pot...

... especially when it's cold outside!
This is what we are having for dinner

Image
I saw the recipe here and it's really good and quick.

You use Chicken (I use 3 large breasts), 1 can cream of chicken, 1 brick cream cheese, 1 packet Italian Dressing mix & 1/2 cup water. Throw it all in the Crock Pot and cook on high for the first hour and 1/2, mix it all up with a spoon making a sauce. Put the lid back on and cook on medium for another 2 hours or on low for 4-5 hours. We've had it with rice and a veggie, but it would be yummy with potatoes or noodles too!

Image
This might be what I make tomorrow, Yum!

Image The cutest thing ever... I just asked Jess if she wanted mashed potatoes or rice with it. She said I want "smashed matatoes." hahaha! She started talking pretty young and talks very good. That was so cute! :-)

Monday, November 16, 2009

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Although I would rather be singing that around Christmas time!
The kids were so happy it snowed on Saturday! Josh and Jessica were out there the longest. Jaren was only out the first 15 minutes and I didn't have my camera out then. Josh made a mini snowman, then he asked if he made a snow fort could he sleep in it... Matt said sure! So Josh made 2 layers with the block makers then they came in for lunch and when they remembered to go back out it was almost dark. Maybe next time, when we have a little more snow.

Image
Image
Image

My fall decorations look a little out of place, don't they?

Image
Image

I went down the road to the craft fair and got a few things. They still had 40 min until it was over, but a few were starting to put things away, which was a little annoying, but they were marking down the prices... that was nice!

Image

and a few bows for Jess. Look at the white/purple and red, a lady crocheted them!

Image

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Our Halloween...

Halloween was great! A week before Halloween our ward put on a Carnival. What kid doesn't love games, candy and seeing all their friends in their costumes. {sorry no pics from that night... dead battery} On Thursday, the boys had a Halloween Party at school and got to wear costumes. {I helped in Justin's class, pictures below} Thursday night we drove to Idaho - the kids didn't have school Friday and Matt took the day off! G-ma & G-pa's ward had a Carnival/Trunk or Treat on Halloween during the day, so we got to go to that! {This is where I took some pics - but was only able to get a few on the internal memory because I forgot my memory card!} Then we drove around to Trick or Treat/visit with my family.

{Note to self... take more pictures!}

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Justin's class Party. They sang a Halloween song, played games and had green slime {juice} and a cookie!
Image

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Shopping...

...with coupons. It is pretty fun, I have to admit. I started clipping coupons about 4 or 5 months ago and am always excited after I see how much I save. I haven't done very good the last couple of months with summer/kids being home/being gone more than usual. On Monday I decided to check this coupon blog that got me started and I also go to this site too. I'm glad I did because Albertson's has a good sale this week.

This is what I got today...


Image 12 boxes of cereal + 3 boxes fruit snacks = 23.40
They were $2 each, I had coupons for everything & the total came to $30 before my coupons, so I got $15 to spend on my next shopping trip! Part of their sale going on.



Image 7 bags of Chex Mix + 5 Mayo + 3 boxes fruit snacks + 2 cans of Almonds (not included in the $30) =12.03
I had coupons for everything... used $15 coupon from last order & got another $15 coupon



Image10 Natural Skippy Peanut butter + 4 packs Klondike ice cream bars = 13.90
only had coupons for the ice cream, but with the Peanut butter for every 2, you get a $1 coupon that prints out. And for the ice cream a $4 coupon printed too!
so I used the $15 coupon and got $24 in coupons!!!

Saturday, July 18, 2009

A Day to Remember!

As you can probably tell by the pictures, we were sealed in the Rexburg, ID Temple. It was a georgous day! The sun was shining so bright... it was hard to keep our eyes open in the pictures.
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Trip to Idaho!

We celebrated quite a few things while visiting this time... Krew's 2nd B-Day, Cole's Blessing & my B-Day. We left Saturday afternoon and stayed until Monday night! We got to visit both sides of the family and I had a great B-Day!! The kids went off track Friday, so we didn't need to come back for school and Matt took a day off work! He got up before me (Monday) and cooked breakfast, later we went to lunch while G-ma & G-pa watched the kids, then Matt & I went to Derma Chic with G-ma to have a microdermabrasion (me) and get Lasered (Matt's first time hehe). Then we went bowling! Then dinner at G-ma's and yummy Ice Cream Cake! It was so much fun and I'm glad we stayed the extra day! :-)


Image

Image

Image



Image



Image



Image

Do you see him?

G-ma and the kids made these bird houses at Christmas time! I'm sure the squirrel is thanking them!!!
Image

Thursday, February 26, 2009

hApPy bIrThDaY!!!

I asked Matt what he wanted for dinner, he said Lasagna. Why Lasagna? He said because that's what he would ask for when he was little (weird) because he didn't want to be like every one else and say Pizza... So Lasagna it is. Homemade might I add! It was late since he had to work and he was at the church for 2 hours for a meeting. I had the kids wrap a shirt and gum... he got to open a X-box 360 a couple weeks early and he got him a nice pair of running shoes the day before. And I made a "Better than Disney Land Cake" (yes we changed the name)...
Here he is thinking he's pretty hot stuff because he blew all the candles out... I didn't even put 28 candles on it. So, it doesn't count!

Image


I like this picture... see Jessica and Josh looking at him.

Image
Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Field Trip!

Justin's preschool class went to Treehouse Museum for a field trip. It was a lot of fun.. for them! It was tricky to keep an eye on them since they went from one thing to another so quick. Here's a few pictures I got of them playing...

Monday, February 16, 2009

Happy Valentines Day!

The boys had a party at school, Justin on Thursday - Josh & Jaren on Friday. They played games, decorated cookies and brought home lots of candy. They thought it was the best! Friday night I picked up a heart shaped Pizza from Papa Murphy's and a movie for Matt & I. I got Fireproof because I didn't know what to get. We liked it, it was a good Tara-Valentine's Day-flick. Before the kids went to bed we played Don't Eat Pete! Jess wasn't so sure about it. She couldn't figure out why we were yelling Don't Eat Pete and did not want to play! Saturday was pretty normal... we cleaned, drove to SLC to visit G-ma & G-pa because they missed their flight, then we went grocery shopping. We've been spending more time at home with the kids and not so much going out. So that at the end of the month we don't wonder where all the money went. Just like the chocolate (best chocolate ever) and flowers that we don't need, 100 bucks goes quickly between a babysitter and date. So we are finding fun things to do at home with each other! The kids are playing, since there isn't school today. We'll probably go play in the snow in a bit, clean up the house, give the boys a haircut, make dinner and have family home evening. Unfortunately Matt didn't get Presidents Day off, so he's having a boring day at work...

Monday, February 2, 2009

:-)

E G a N20
Fe/Male letter A m14 i L DSCN3145
I found this website today, you can create any word you want.


We are doing good! Josh & Jaren have early out at 1:15 each day this week for Parent - Teacher Conference. Friday their school announced they will be switching to the Traditional schedule next year. We were getting use to having little breaks, to take swimming lessons or a family vacation. But we're happy with traditional too. We are excited to be able to have a longer summer and not be off for a month during the winter! I'll try to write more later when I have more time.....

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Am I a Fireman Yet?

My friend emailed this to me. I wanted to post it on here, it's a really cute story. You might want to grab a tissue....

In Phoenix , Arizona , a 26-year-old mother stared down at her 6 year old son, who was dying of terminal leukemia. Although her heart was filled with sadness, she also had a strong feeling of determination. Like any parent, she wanted her son to grow up & fulfill all his dreams. Now that was no longer possible. The leukemia would see to that. But she still wanted her son's dream to come true. She took her son' s hand and asked, "Billy, did you ever think about what you wanted to be once you grew up? Did you ever dream and wish what you would do with your life?" Mom, "I always wanted to be a fireman when I grew up." Mom smiled back and said, "Let's see if we can make your wish come true." Later that day she went to her local fire Department in Phoenix , Arizona , where she met Fireman Bob, who had a heart as big as Phoenix. She explained her son's final wish and asked if it might be possible to give her son a ride around the block on a fire engine. Fireman Bob said, "We can do better than that. If you'll have your son ready at seven o'clock Wednesday morning, we'll make him an honorary Fireman for the whole day. He can come down to the fire station, eat with us, go out on all the fire calls, the whole nine yards! And if you'll give us his sizes, we'll get a real fire uniform for him, with a real fire hat - not a toy -- one with the emblem of the Phoenix Fire Department on it, a yellow slicker like we wear and rubber boots. They're all manufactured right here in Phoenix, so we can get them fast." Three days later Fireman Bob picked up Billy, dressed him in his uniform and escorted him from his hospital bed to the waiting hook and ladder truck. Billy got to sit on the back of the truck and help steer it back to the fire station. He was in heaven. There were three fire calls in Phoenix that day and Billy got to go out on all three calls. He rode in the different fire engines, the Paramedic's' van, and even the fire chief's car. He was also videotaped for the local news program. Having his dream come true, with all the love and attention that was lavished upon him, so deeply touched Billy, that he lived three months longer than any doctor thought possible. One night all of his vital signs began to drop dramatically and the head nurse, who believed in the hospice concept - that no one should die alone, began to call the family members to the hospital. Then she remembered the day Billy had spent as a Fireman, so she called the Fire Chief and asked if it would be possible to send a fireman in uniform to the hospital to be with Billy as he made his transition. The chief replied, "We can do better than that. We'll be there in five minutes. Will you please do me a favor? When you hear the sirens screaming and see the lights flashing, will you announce over the PA system that there is not a fire? It's the department coming to see one of its finest members one more time. And will you open the window to his room?" About five minutes later a hook and ladder truck arrived at the hospital and extended its ladder up to Billy's third floor open window ---16 fire-fighters climbed up the ladder into Billy's room. With his mother's permission, they hugged him and held him and told him how much they loved him. With his dying breath, Billy looked up at the fire chief and said, "Chief, am I really a fireman now?'' Billy, you are, and the Head Chief, Jesus, is holding your hand," Billy smiled and said, "I know, He's been holding my hand all day, and The angels have been singing." He closed his eyes one last time.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

The smell of home made bread...

Image

For the last few months Matt and I have been making bread. We use his Mom's recipe, which we love. It's so good and the best part is... it's easy! Especially right out of the oven! yum.... Warm bread with butter & home made frozen strawberry jam! One batch makes 4 loaves and normally lasts us a week. My bread pans are my Grandma's, that's what I wanted when she died. We first bought a wheat grinder, then some wheat and we had to get a Bosch since there is no other way to make bread (easy that is) with out one. Now I need to get creative and make something other than Honey Whole Wheat Bread and Banana Bread. :-)

Honey Wheat Bread

5 1/2 c. hot water

2/3 c. oil

2/3 c. honey

2 Tbs. salt

3 Tbs. Instant yeast

11-14 c. whole-wheat flour

-Optional -

The bread turns out a little less crummy if these are added...

2 Tbs Vital Wheat Gluten

2 Tbs Dough Enhancer

Mix first 4 ingredients. Add 1 or 2 cups of flour before adding the yeast, in case the water is to hot - so it doesn't kill the yeast. Add flour until the dough pulls away from the sides of mixing bowl. It is better to have dough a little sticky than too dry. Turn to speed 2 and mix for 10 - 15 min. I grease the pans with Crisco while the dough is mixing. Oil the counter top, divide dough, shape into loaves and put in pans . Cover with a dish towel and let rise on counter for 30 min or until doubled in size. Bake at 350 for 30-40 min.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Sledding!!!

Saturday we went Sledding at Monte Cristo with some friends and neighbors. We had a great time and the kids wanted to stay longer! It was a really nice day too, not to cold.

Friday, January 9, 2009

One more Christmas Pic...

Image
Our Christmas Jammies! Matt's Mom took this, so I

stole it off her blog!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Sledding at the Park!

Josh made it down the hill without falling!

Jessica having as much fun as her brothers! The hill was perfect size for all of them, not to big and not too small. I got to stand and watch most of the time. :)

Justin was hilarious!!! Watch at the end when he rolls.

Justin again... jumping on his board, then rolling!!! Funny Kid!

Jaren found a little jump:)

Pictures...

Hi Mom!
Image

Jaren showing us some moves!

Image
I took this when we were leaving.
Image

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Our Christmas...

Image

The Saturday before Christmas we went to Temple Square with Matt's little brother and family, Nate, Sara & Krew. Jessica was cute... she said this is a 'differenter' temple. We always drive by the Rexburg Temple when we go to Matt's Parent's house and that is when they know we are just about to Grandma's. After a cold visit to temple square we watched a movie with Nate and Sara and hung out the next day. Sara & Krew went home Sunday night and Nate stuck around so he and Matt could head to San Diego Monday Night. They braved the icy roads and made it in time to watch the Boise State game then turned around and headed back to Utah, where they picked the Kids and I up and we headed for Idaho to spend Christmas with Matt's family.

~Click slideshow to view bigger pics~

G-ma & G-pa drove the grandkids around to look at Christmas lights. We opened our Christmas Jammies, and after the kids were in bed we played a white elephant gift exchange. Christmas morning, Grandpa was up shoveling the driveway before the kids woke up! We had fun hanging out, eating and playing with new toys:) We all went to watch Bedtime Stories at the movie theater that night. It's a really cute/funny show. We went sledding the next day, it was cold! I'm pretty sure it wasn't above 10 degrees and there was a lot of snow! Before we knew it, Sunday came and after church it was time to head home.

* Sledding Videos *