Thanksgiving 2010

Eating Thanksgiving dinner and talking to the boys...probably saying, "Eat yo' greens!"  ;) Alan's cousin, Erin, and her hubby, James came with James' dad. We moved our table to the living room to have enough room. :)

My porn...my silly husband doing dishes after our large meal. grrrrrrr... ;) The food was pretty darn good if I do say so myself. And I DO say so myself. ;)

We played the Wii...Rock Band II was a blast. :D

The boys were so cute trying to play the drums together. :D

And at the end of the night Erin read to the boys and helped put them to bed. It's just what guests do in our house. :) We chatted for a couple hours before they left. It was a really fun day. :D We're grateful to have family so close to us! :D

"Why I Can't Make Mommy Friends" Video

THIS VIDEO is funny as heck. Especially for Mommy's. :D

Me? Picky??? Nooooooooooo...

I've always been told I'm a picky eater. I didn't like odd textures or flavors as a kid. I swear I lived off peanut butter and honey. But as an adult I'm much less picky...

Indian. mmmmm....yummy.

 Italian is always delicious! 

 And I looooove Mexican. :)

Chinese is good, when I'm in the mood and it's got some hot kung fu kick...

And Korean, every so often.

 I've never tried Puerto Rican, but it sure looks scrumptious!

But American is my favorite. I eat it every day. :D Sooooooo delicious!

See how much more diverse I've become? Now please, don't call me picky again. ;)~

Happy Halloween!

 So I guess around here they assign different areas a date and time to go trick-or-treating. I guess they don't want the whole state out collecting candy on the same night. ??? So our time was yesterday, Oct 28, from 6-8 p.m. We drove to a neighborhood we'd heard was good and man! It was a fun time.

Everyone was so nice and they loved to see the boys' costumes (Christian was a robot and Miles was a giraffe). :D That made it great. I love this area for that. It's got a small town feel and everyone is nice, courteous, and notices you. It's so refreshing!

 We've been loving this fall weather. There are tons of leaves from the maple trees outside and the boys have been having fun in them (maybe me, too....a little). ;)
In Provo we got a couple weeks of fall before winter hit. I'm excited to have a real fall again. A whole three months, just like where I grew up in good ole' Modesto. :) Yipee for fall!

Gap Casting Call ~ VOTE PLEASE, EVERYONE!!

So GAP is doing a casting call (for more info click here) and I entered the boys. I know it's a long shot, but the thought of $1,000 worth of GAP clothes was way too tempting. Clothes are expensive and Christian just keeps growing and growing!

They encourage you to tell friends and family to vote EVERY DAY. Yes, my friends. Every day. ;) That's the only way we have a chance. We really appreciate your support! Here are the entries:

If this one tickles your fancy, Fun in the Fall Leaves, click here.

If you love this one, Mr. GQ Christian, click here.

If this is the most precious, Mr. Tongue, click here.

If this is your favorite, Sweet Smiles from Miles on the Swing, vote here.

First Field Trip

 

A couple weeks ago Christian had his first field trip for preschool. Here is his class (minus one kid who was late). :D They're sure a bunch of cuties. ;)

Here a farmer talked to the kids about different types of pumpkins. Fun times.

  I was so happy Alan came with us. :D

Here we are after the hayride. :D It was a fun time. Christian loved it! I bought a long neck pumpkin at the end and made some yummy pumpkin bread. Click here for the recipe.

HOMOwhat? I can't believe it. I'm outraged. blah blah blah...

A lawyer friend of mine made a blog post about a hot issue I had no idea was even warm. An Apostle of the Lord touched on the issue of homosexuality during a session of General Conference.
I guess some people are angry about it. hum...Go figure.
Here is what I took from his blog:

"For whatever reason, I don't normally comment on Mormon matters on this blog. I am, however, making an exception to quickly comment on the reaction to Elder Packer's talk "Cleansing the Inner Vessel" from the Sunday morning session of conference. His talk has generated protests from some individuals because they argue Elder Packer was unduly harsh on gays (i.e., he said homosexual relations are a sin), because he said homosexual unions are not ordained of God, and because it intimated gays can change through the power of Christ's atonement. News organizations have covered this story. Protests have been launched. General mayhem has ensued.

Heres my initial reaction to such reactions:

Of course Elder Packer, and Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ said homosexuality is a sin. Jesus, as Jehovah, said the same thing through his Old Testament prophets. He said the same thing through His New Testament prophets. He's said the same thing through his modern-day prophets. In fact, every prophetic utterance on this subject in Mormon scripture (which includes from the beginning of time to the present) states homosexuality is a sin. This isn't new stuff. It's old stuff. Old as the hills.

It's equally normal that Elder Packer would say people with same gender attraction would be able to change. Since Mormon scripture states innumerable times the atonement of Christ can change you, your heart, and your actions, then it is without doubt you can change. Elder Packer's assertion is absolutely consonant with 1 Nephi 3:7:

And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things the Lord has commanded, for I know the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."

Puddles

It had rained and rained and rained and rained here in Hershey and when it finally stopped we had some pretty fun puddles in front of our apartment.

 

I was showing Christian some videos of volcanoes erupting (thank you, youtube) and realized a few minutes into it that Miles was being very quiet...I looked around to discover he had dragged a stool over to the front door and unlocked the deadbolt...and was out front playing in the puddles with a neighbor girl. :D HA! Naughty baby!

 

So I decided to let them play for a bit...

 

 Christian had a blast making big splashes. :D Just like a good kid should.

 Miles loved it, too. :D Of course! I grew up in a valley and I remember having fun in the flood areas. My street was completely covered in water once. It's such fun!

They're so cute. They love each other so much. They fight a ton, but when there's love, there's LOVE. :)

Discarded

I call this one "discarded". Miles has officially learned how to take off his clothes, including his diaper. I found this diaper one day, innocently lying on the floor. Miles!
I found the little 21 month old it belongs to running around half naked (only his shirt on), laughing and thinking he was sooooo funny. :D HA! He has been taking his diaper off more and more and the other day he peed on the couch. That's why we bought leather! HA!!!

Butterflies make butter

The other day I was outside with my boys and we saw a beautiful monarch butterfly flutter by. Christian said, "Guess what, Mommy? Bees make honey and butterflies...make butter. Right?" :D HA! I couldn't help but laugh, it was too cute. :) He repeated it again today, and although I had told him that NO, butterflies do not make butter, he apparently will not be swayed.
So butterflies don't make butter but it got me thinking...What DO butterflies make?

They pollinate flowers. Well that's important, too.
Oh butterflies. You may not make butter, but you are beautiful to look at and don't bite or come inside our homes. You give us our space while allowing us to look upon your splendor. Thank you. :)

Shopping with a stocking on your head

This man went shopping with a stocking on his head and it's hilarious to see people's reactions! Only in Australia, he would've been shot straight up here! :D It's funny to see in this context, but those poor people!!
See the video here.

Empowered

My friend once said he went to the movies by himself and it was really an empowering experience. I think that's the word he said, anyway. I thought, "Wow, what a good idea."
A couple days later I drove by the movie theater, by myself, with nothing else to do. I hesitated, wanting to try the experience. I thought it may better myself, if only a little. However, as I imagined people looking at me, sitting there all by myself while waiting for the movie to start I decided I didn't want to be such a depiction of loneliness. What a chicken!
So a couple weeks ago my hubby got a free pass to Hershey Park, a huge amusement park 5 minutes from our home. We were going to get two more tickets, one for him and one for our four year old (and our one year old is still free). Last minute my husband decides it's not "worth it" to buy two more tickets. WELL, I didn't want the ticket to go to waste!
This is the last weekend it's open for the season so yesterday I decided to go by myself. Yes folks, I went to an amusement park by myself. I stood in line by myself and paired myself up with others for the rides, declaring I was a single rider. (It helped me get ahead in line..hehehe...)
It was a much bigger deal than going to the movies, I think, and in the end I feel it helped me not care what others think of me (D&C 30:2), which to me is really important. I had fun, talked to a lot of new people, and was able to do exactly what I wanted to do. It was a life-changing experience, if only a little. ;)

"Anal People"

My friend got me watching "Hoarders" and every time I watch an episode I'm consumed by two things. (1) They excessively flash a screen explaining the problems and (2) I want to shout, "CLEAN UP and ASK QUESTIONS LATER!! My fingers itch, wanting to pick up, and my vocal chords ache to want to shout at them. How could they STAND to live in that mess! CLEAN IT UP! And although it bugs me I think such a project would be fun. I love getting things done, especially when there's a noticeable result. :D
I have the opposite problem, I'm an anti-hoarder. I want to throw things away until we have minimal things to survive. It's easier to stay ORGANIZED when you have less things and I feel it would make me HAPPIER.
So the other night, after watching an episode of "Hoarders" I decided to make this little video. I was in my jammies and everything...and the boys were in bed, hence my hushed voice. :D It sounded like a good idea at the time. ;)
It's dorky, I know...and I'm dorky, it's true. But I hope I can make at least one person smile. :D

Props to Carell and Arnett

I just wanted to say I LOVE Will Arnett and Steve Carell. I appreciate their humor and my dream would be to hang with them both for a day (and their wives, of course). :D
The end.

Gold's Gym

So I joined Gold's Gym in Hummelstown, PA two days ago. They gave me a sweet deal: $20/month including everything (even childcare). SA-weet! :) The place is a little dirty (they only have the locker rooms cleaned 2 days a week!) but otherwise it's a nice facility. My first day working out was yesterday. I did arms and I kept waking up last night from the pain! :D I did shoulders and back today, not looking forward to those side effects. I'm really happy though because it's been almost two years since I was last at a gym working out regularly.

I love to do 20-30 minutes of cardio, weights, then swim some laps to cool down then soak in the hot tub for a few minutes.

I always go focusing on the positive mental and emotional aspects. It helps me to stay motivated and happy. The physical benefits are just a huge bonus. :) I won't miss you, extra baby weight! Get thee hence and come back here no more! ;)~

HERE'S THE GOLD'S GYM WEBSITE

Recipe: Scone Glaze

So back on April 25 I listed a recipe for chocolate chip scones...well PA-LEASE excuse me for not finding a glaze to go with it because it makes a HUGE difference! Super easy and you can whip it up while the scones are baking. Makes the scones that much yummier!

Scone Glaze

1/2 c sifted powder sugar
1 tbsp melted butter
1 tsp milk (plus some)
1 tsp vanilla

Stir powdered sugar, melted butter, milk, and vanilla in a small mixing bowl. Add more milk, 1/2 tsp at a time, until drizzling consistency. Spoon or baste over warm scones. Serve immediately.

Fire Station

So today I took my boys to the fire station and invited my friend, Danielle, and her son who's Christian's age. I'd never taken the boys to a fire station before and they were SO happy! Especially Christian! :D His mouth was wide open most of the time and he said, "Wow! They're so big!" the whole time! :D And he wore his fireman dress up outfit, of course. It was too precious.

Just two hot mamas. :D

They went inside of EACH and EVERY fire truck! HA! :D Cute kiddos.

They were so cute in the fire fighter's uniforms! :D

My cute little pip squeak. :D

I guess some firefighters from the Hershey station went and helped out at ground zero. Here's a piece of the Twin Towers, my friends. A sweet memorial to a not so sweet piece of history...

OCD

Sooooo, I'm pretty sure I'm OCD...at least to a small degree. I always thought I just had an "architectural eye," but being a homemaker and mother has proven it to be a bit more.
The picture above DOES bother me! Everything needs to look nice and be in its place! :D My friends tell me I'm a good homemaker because I like everything to be clean and picked up...which is important to me. I'm happy to have a nice home, but what about the chillin's?
They need to make messes and explore and get into things and I do let them...to an extent. Until I can't handle the mess and have to clean it up. I don't think I'm too hard on them, but I also know Christian loves going upstairs, where they're allowed to take toys out of the toy room and they have soooo many things to play with...Well I may just make a sign that says, "Love me, love my OCD."

I also suffer from this type OCD:


And this one:

heheheeeee...

Green thumb, folks!

So back in June I planted a garden and I was nervous about being able to keep it alive. :D Well, it seems I do have a green thumb (I'm sure the super fertile Hershey soil helped...a little). :D My garden has flourished and the flowers have filled out and grown to mammoth size! Here's a picture of Miles helping water them. :D Such a cute baby.

I was out one morning and saw this big, beautiful butterfly fluttering around my flowers. I was so excited that my handiwork could attract such a gorgeous creature. :D There were also some bumble bees bumbling around and a dragon fly comes by every once in a while. Hooray for nature! :D

Recipe: Taglairini

I have no idea where this recipe came from, but it's been in our family for a while. :) It's very tasty and a good variation from normal marinara sauce. I don't usually like olives, but in here they just go! :D It's a fun, yummy, easy pasta dish. :D
ENJOY!!

Taglairini

1 lb. Hamburger
2 Tbsp butter
1 small onion, chopped
1-8 oz can tomato sauce
1 can corn, drained
1 can tomato soup-1 soup can water
1 can pitted olives, drained
2 c uncooked noodles (I like elbow macaroni)
1 c diced or shredded cheese

Melt butter in soup pan over medium heat and fry onions until tender, about 5 minutes. Add hamburger and cook until done. Add remaining ingredients except the cheese and cook until noodles are done. Stir often while cooking. Add cheese and stir until melted.

Recipe: Mexican Chicken and Black Bean Soup

Mexican Chicken and Black Bean Soup

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 Tbsp butter
1 garlic clove, minced
2 (14.5-oz) cans stewed or diced tomatoes, cut up
1 (15-oz) can corn, undrained
1 (15-oz) can black beans, drained
2 c chicken broth
2 c salsa
1/2 c chopped fresh cilantro
1 tbsp ground cumin

Shredded Monterey Jack or pepper Jack cheese
Tortilla chips
Sour cream

1. Melt the butter in a soup pot over medium heat. Cook and stir the chicken until slightly browned and no longer pink. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
2. Add the tomatoes, corn, beans, broth, salsa, cilantro, and cumin; bring to a boil. Decrease the heat, cover, and simmer for 20 min.
3. To serve, place a scoop of cheese in a soup bowl, then tortilla chips, and soup. Top with a dollop of sour cream.
Serve with a green salad or fresh fruit and additional chips and salsa.

Variation: Put cooked chicken pieces and remaining ingredients (butter to cumin) in the slow cooker and cook for 4-8 hours.

It's soooo easy and sooooo good and quite healthy! :D ENJOY!!!!