Wednesday, March 3, 2010
We are ready to cook!(My husband always takes blurry pictures)
My sister and I were completely out of all of our freezer food from the fall and kept meaning to have another cooking day, but life has been a little hectic for both of us. We finally came together on Saturday and stocked our freezer. Each time we learn a little more and this time I even put together a menu and shopping list to keep on my computer, thinking if we do about 4 rounds of menus and shopping lists, we can rotate and then we don't have to figure out the food (that takes a while and accuracy isn't 100%). Since our Mom has taught us "army cooking" as we call it, we did end up with 6 pounds of spaghetti sauce and 12 pounds of shredded beef--um seriously? So we took notes of CORRECT quantities next time we shop.
Counter of foodThis wasn't everything, I still had stuff already in my freezer!
So 5 hours of cooking we each got:
- 4 pans lasagna
- 2 batches of chicken pot pie filling
- 2 stromboli's (like big calzones)
- 6 huge chicken cordon bleu (ready to bake)
- 3 pans shredded beef enchiladas (+ extra meat to make more)
- 10 lunch bag burritos
- 50 meatballs (good for about 2 dinners or more)
Usually I use about 3 dishes a week and fill in with the rest (sandwich night, go out to eat night, and Sunday dinner with the family)-so this will last a month and when I am stuck in front of the computer on a deadline for 10 hours, our family can have real food. I think it is totally worth our time. I do want to find some easier dishes to make. The burritos and lasagna seem to be staples.
A new recipe called stromboli, I think it took too much work and was hard to handle.
Party time-we always decorate a little for parties-the kids enjoy it
We had a small family party for him this year (we try and alternate from friend and family parties so I don't go crazy). He really wanted a 799 piece Lego set and he sat and built that thing for the next day and a half. I can't believe how well he builds things.
We had pizza, a chocolate cake with white frosting and strawberry filling (all his choice) and he got another Lego set from his cousins and LOTS of cash from grandparents. I scored a sweet deal on Heelies (those shoes with wheels in them) and he has been practicing those.
The boys were great at helping him assemble.
We also decided to get him a desk. It wasn't really a birthday present, he just needed one to do his homework on and have some space to work in his room. Him and Mike got it all put together by the end of the day.
There's my big 10-year old with his new desk. That night he organized his room and had the desk filled up with his stuff. He is really careful about his things and how his room is. It cracks me up.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Basketball time! Taylor is in the black shirt by ref-the tallest oneFebruary didn't start out too great with my Grandma's funeral but I did learn something I can appreciate. It is amazing to have such a wonderful family that I can laugh with, that doesn't expect too much of me and a place i can be myself (and that is NOT defined by the baby sister-you older siblings out there reading this!).
Rob and Sean celebrating Rob's birthday
Sean's biggest fan
Rob, Trina and baby Kiera
We clean up pretty well...
Who's idea was it to take these pictures with the stupid bulletin board behind us?
Robb's birthday was a perfect excuse for a prime rib dinner (and I didn't mess it up)-yum!
My brother Geordie, wife Tia and baby Elizabeth
Hannah took this a picture-apparently this is how parents look like to a 7 year old (Dad looks a little menacing)
My mom with her three grandbabies
Kiera
Karsten and Kiera
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
I just finished my personal and business taxes and found out a little secret I didn't know the past 3 years that gives me quite a little bump in my refund. So thank you IRS, I will enjoy this year and the years to come and ALL the {legal} DEDUCTIONS I can muster.
On a more fun note, I have lots of pictures to load of my darling nieces and nephew babies. Although the past 7 weeks have been difficult, they have been a shiny bright spot. I took my oldest brother to the airport today, along with his girlfriend and 6 month old daughter, to go back to Alaska. My older brother Sean went back to Japan on Sunday. I am going to miss having all my siblings here, plus I got to see my little brother twice the last couple months. Although our hearts have been sad, it has wonderful to spend time with my fabulous family.
Now back to work and a regular schedule. Blah. Did I mention the kids get a 5-day weekend this week? Oy.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Joyce Boatwright 1928-2010For the past two months my family and I have had to watch a wonderful woman battle the ravages of cancer. We've gathered to make her comfortable, tell her how much she means to us and work together as a family to conclude a full life. My dear Grandma went home to be with the Lord on January 29th. I sat beside her and watched her breathe her last breath. It was beyond difficult, but it was also amazing to watch how the Lord prepared her, cradled her and took all of her pain away. Her last moments, she was saying " give it away". She understood that she need not bring anything, that He is the supplier of all. He ministered to her heart those last moments and what an incredible thing to witness. Two days before she died she said, "Now I understand, now I understand how I can leave." What amazing things she must have seen.
She left all of us with so many loving memories, her family was the center of her life. She took care of me as a little girl (I spent LOTS of time at her house) and no matter what was happening in my little life, she took the time to listen, to care, to make me feel like I was a special person in her life, and continued to do that as I grew older. She loved spending time with my kids and Hannah and her had the same bond I did when I was little with her. I will miss her so much but I have those memories of a wonderful, strong woman who was always telling me how pretty I was, what a good Mom I was, always listening. When I asked my son what he loved the most about his Great-Grandma, he said "I just liked to spend time with her". I think that sums it up right there. She had a full life of people that enjoyed the same thing, just spending time with her.
I love you my dear sweet Grandma, thank you for being everything a Grandma could be: loving, encouraging, thoughtful and understanding. I know you are in Heaven with your husband and family, and one day I will see you again.
My Mom and Grandma,summer 2006
Thursday, January 21, 2010
I just haven't had a moment to get on here to post.
Life has a way of happening and lately there has been too much happening to even catch my breath.
But on we go to Hannah who lost her first tooth, started ballet/tap classes and turned 7! She is a busy girl these days.
Mike decided to torture her and a week before her birthday told her we had a special surprise for her. She was out of control asking every waking moment. Since she loves clothing so much (oh the color and pattern combinations!), my mom suggested I take her to the mall for a shopping trip just the two of us and let her pick out what she wants and take her to lunch. Well, it sounded great, but maybe in about 5 years that will be a better idea. She had a cold and only made it until 2pm and she didn't want to try on anymore clothes. But she did enjoy the morning and picked out a neon green outfit that looked like she belonged in 1985, some cute boots, plaid bermuda shorts, lots of shirts and Hannah Montana slippers. It was fun to see what she liked, Gap was her least favorite store (is this MY daughter?). We ended up with lots of new clothes.
a lovely college of green outfit, leggings, new boots and that sweater she lovesWe got Panda Express for dinner (her choice) and went to Mom's, who was recovering and couldn't drive. She opened more gifts-a Hello Kitty watch, PJ's, a sweater she won't take off from her Grandma Carol and from my mom a scarf and hat, a new dress from Aunt Laura, a shopping trip to Build a Bear, and some dollhouse people from us (thank you Ebay!).
Kids are so easy.
So without further ado, I will now post a million pictures.
Ballet time-look at those long, skinny legs!
Hannah wearing the new sweater, scarf, hat, party dress and slippers..all at once while playing with the new dollhouse accessories.
New PJ's yeah
She loves having a watch!
Before we set out shopping.I can't believe she is 7!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
That's right, every new year I think of goals and things I want to accomplish, things to change, BUT this year brings none. I will just be enjoying my life, living every day to the fullest and appreciating all that I have. Whether I lose a few extra pounds or finally get around to playing the piano sitting in my living room is not going to make or break me.
Ahh, now I feel better. Boo to you resolutions.
Happy 2010!! Here's to a NEW decade filled with possibilities!
I can't help but think back to 10 years ago: I was sitting in a new apartment as a newlywed, one month away from having a baby. Although Mike and I were on a roller coaster of life changes that most people experience over the course of a few years and not MONTHS, my life was about to be changed forever, and more dramatically by a cute (and not very little) baby boy. Since then we have pursued careers, bought two homes and restored one, had a baby girl, moved out of state and watched our children grow. How short time is, how fast things change and what a thrill it is to watch it all.
Can't wait to see what happens in the next 10 years!
