Halloween 2010

Taison - Grave Protector
Daimon - Alien
Jaison - Puppy

Taison and Daimon loved picking out Jaison's costume. I loved having a the chance to finally dress one of my kids up in a costume that wasn't scary, or didn't have masks.
But, my kids are set on "being cool"
Taison and Daimon specifically pick out costumes that are cool.
"cause we don't want the other kids to make fun of us, mom..."

I'll get a few more years from Jaison that i will get to pick out cute costumes instead of "cool" ones.

First Hair Cut

Jaison's First Haircut.
Poor kid.
Only 7 months old...
he didn't seem to mind though

County Fair

The Knox County Fair comes around once a year...(duh)
And we go every year.
The fair here is nothing like the ones back west.
At least in both Idaho Falls and Coeur d' Alene
They are way way bigger and better then the one here.
but, we still go.
and we still have a good time.

This year the boys got to milk Elsie The Cow. They each rode a few rides, played a few games and they actually brought home a pet... I don't have pictures of the pet quite yet...
Normally if you bring home a pet from the fair, it's like a gold fish they win at a game... Oh NO. Not this family. We go all out! LOL.
Stay Tuned for more info on Zeke...

Here are just a few pics I snapped while at the fair. I didn't get near as many as i would have liked... but, oh well.

Using all the Garden Leftovers

Last nite for dinner I made Pierogis with Kielbasa sausage. This is a favorite of mine. I think that my brother, Dave and I made it up while we were in college. We often ate dinner together (do you know how much easier it is to cook for two instead of just one)It was just one of those things that we threw together that worked well.

This recipe is great for using all your leftover summer garden veggies.


Kielbasa and Pierogi

1 Kielbasa link sliced in 1/2 inch rounds
1 box of Pierogi (you can find these usually in the freezer section by the ravioli)
1 medium onion diced or sliced
3 tomatoes, or 1 can of diced tomatoes
1-2 zucchini diced (depending on the size. last nite i actually only used a half of one because it was one of those ones that you missed while picking so it was extra large)
1/3 cup of mushrooms (fresh or a small can will work)
1/4 cup bell pepper diced (i used half of a green one. i didn't want to overload the taste with pepper)
2 TLBS of garlic finely diced
salt
pepper
season salt


In Large sauce pan saute onion, garlic, green peppers and mushrooms.
Boil diced zucchini in salt water for 5 mins
Add the zucchini to the saute
Add Kielbasa
Simmer until meat is heated through, and the veggies are fork tender
Boil pierogi in separate pot until they float to the top.
Add pierogi to veggies.
Add Tomatoes
Cook for additional 10 mins or so.(just until pierogi can soak up some flavor from the veggies)
Sprinkle with salt, pepper and season salt to taste (i usually just use season salt. about at TBLS worth)

Serve
Enjoy!

Zipping!

My family and I went zipping last sunday... yes... on sunday. My brother, Brian, and his girlfriend, Christina, work as tour guides. My cousin Jesse also works there. So, mid summer i went down with them and went zipping over the tree canopy. It was so much fun. But the rest of my family wanted to go as well. So, sunday we took a trip down to Gatlinburg to enjoy the day as a family. Dave was in town so he was able to go as well. We stopped first at a watering hole. we had a picnic lunch and played in the water. Then we went to the zip line place. It was so much fun. Taison and Daimon were able to strap on with an adult and go as well. Daimon is apparently the littlest one to go ever. so he was excited about that. We had such a good time. Such a rush... And what a beautiful view! You look out right over the Smokey Mountains. Dave took a few pictures of everyone. If you have never been zipping before... you should go! it's worth every dime!

Utah

As i quickly mentioned before, we made a impromtu trip to Utah this summer for my grandfather's funeral. The reason for being there of course sucked, but what a great chance to see family that i haven't had a chance to see in years. I had such a good time. I wanted to stay another few weeks... but, work is work... My mom, Steph, and my kids and I drove my van out. We hit construction and bad weather both ways... but, really it wasn't a bad drive.... and that's with 3 boys...

At the funeral and the lunch afterwards was when the whole family was together. i can't believe i'm related to so many people that i don't know!!! everyone looked familur... and i could usually guess who's kid went to what parent... but, there just wasn't enough time to catch up with everyone.

My favorite times while we were there is when we would sit around my Grandma's back deck and visit. That's when I felt like i really got the chance to get to know everyone so much better. Kim and Matt are about my age... but, we've never really spent much time together since we've been adults. It was so nice being able to bond with them and get to know their kids a little more. We have so much more in common then i thought we did. It was so much fun rememinsing the old days and hearing stories of their families. I was able to spend a little time at Debbie's house as well. I went to her house for a tour. But, in each room I was able to hear a different story about her, or her family. it was fantastic! Of course, we stayed at Julie's house. because they lived the closest to us for so long we know their family, it seems, the best. It was so good to see them, and see how old Julie's kids have gotten, but how young Julie still looks. We were able to spend a little time with Dan's family and Lori's family. I spent not near enough time catching up with Brooke (who was always my bestest cousin.) Dave and Jon were able to come into town as well. It's always so much fun to spend time with both of them. i don't get to see them as much as i would like. I'm so glad that my siblings and i are so close.

And then, of course, Grandma. She is such an amazing woman. She has raised such a fantastic family. She held up so well at the funeral and throughout that week. She was so funny. She would tell a story about Grandpa from years ago. She would have us all laughing so hard, and then she would end up with tears. Laughing to crying and back again in a matter of seconds.

She has such a fantastic heart. She spent one evening playing board games with a few of the great grandkids. they loved it so much. Grandpa and Grandma were so happy for so many years. Grandpa was such an amazing man. He was funny and extremely smart. The only problem was that as kids we knew he was brilliant, but he would tease us so much that we didn't know whether or not to believe what he was telling us. He had such a strong testimony of the gospel. Of family, and the importance of it. He left behind an incredible legacy. He did so many things in this world. Did the world know who he was? no, but, they should have!

These are some of my favorite pictures that were taken that week.

Crazy summer

This has been one crazy summer. the time has flown by. July we moved our work location. (that was an ordeal!!!) Then my grandfather passed away so we made a impromptu trip to Utah. Then we had major flooding at the new work location. (even a bigger ordeal) before i could blink, the kids were starting back to school!
I'm working on several blog entries, but i wanted to at least post something saying that we survived the summer and there will be lots of pictures and stories coming soon! (not that anyone reads this blog but me... but, its my poor excuse for a journal...)

my first link party

i just linked to my very first link party... big step for me in the blog world...
to check it out, click on my very first button....
( i think... man there is a lot to learn in this whole blog world thing...)

Flag Decor

I so wish I had time to make this today! It is so cute and would look so good with my table decor for tomorrow. I'm so impressed Jamara. you are so crafty.

Oh well, there is always next year.

"I'm bored!"

If you have kids like mine, by now all you are hearing is: I'm Bored! There's nothing to do..."
So, i thought i'd try out a list. (i'm a list freak. i make lists for everything)


I made it very simple. that way they could decorate it if they wanted to. (of course they didn't want to)
Then i laminated it so they can check off with a dry erase marker what they've done so far.
Then, everytime they are bored, they can look at their list and see something that they wanted to do this summer, and do it!
I'm not sure if it's going to work or not, but for now, it's keeping them occupied!

In My Next 30 Years

When i Turned 30 (wait, what? i'm still 29!) I had a bit of nastalgia. Looking back seeing what i've accomplished in my life... and what i want to accomplish in my next 30 years.
A friend of mine is turning 30 so i made this little book for her.



On the inside i copied the words to the song "in my next 30 years"
Then just left blank paper.
This is where she can write her "bucket list" all the goals that she wants to accomplish. all the things she wants to do and see.


If someone only made me one of those... i might of done something more exciting with my life... well, probably not...

Silverware caddy

I've always wanted a silverware caddy. You know, one of those things you use to put silverware in when you are having a BBQ or outdoor party. or a get together...
well, I have enough parties to justify the cost of one, but i just can't find the right one.
Well, for the 4th of July i'm having a get together with my family, and i needed something for the silverware... not to mention something patriotic for the table. so, this is what i came up with.




I used Mason jars that i have for my canning. I had some scraps of red ribbon, an old pair of jeans, and some burlap left over....
Not bad for a free silverware caddy!!!

Silly Bands

Silly Bands, Silly Bands, Who's Got the Silly Bands???



My kids are obsessed with them. I hope they aren't the only ones. (I doubt they are though since just about every kid i see has them lined up their arms)

My kids just got a few more of them with their own money this weekend.

They decided to be nice and share with their little brother. He didn't seem to care about them either way. (though, he's only 4 months so i wasn't expecting a huge response to it. lol)

But, here they are, posing together showing the camera their bands!!!

Does that mean i'm a part of the "in crowd" since they gave me the "dumb girly ones" to wear????

Stuffed Squash

It's Summer Time!!! Yellow squash from the garden.... I can't wait for the tomatoes and zucchini to be ready. I made this for dinner the other nite... It was fabulous! I thought I would share. Normally I wait and make stuff zucchini, but this worked just as well!

Stuffed Yellow Squash

(the amounts of each item just depends on personal taste and the amount you want to make)
Ground Sausage (Breakfast or Italian)
Onion
Garlic
Green pepper
Tomato
Egg
Croutons
Yellow Squash or zucchini
Cheese
Salt and Pepper

Brown sausage in skillet until cooked through.
Dice onion, garlic, green pepper, tomato, and half of small squash. - approx all the same size
(you can peel the squash a little if you feel you need to.)
Put all together in Large bowl.
Add an Egg, and crushed croutons to the mix.
(i crushed mine pretty small, but you could do just a rough chop to get little pieces or use small croutons. you could also use bread crumbs if you didn't have croutons)
Stir in shredded cheese
(this time i used a combo of Parmesan, mozzarella, and cheddar because that's what i happened to have.... but, play with this. a few different combos could be really good.)
Season the filling with salt and pepper.
(this time i also added a few crushed red pepper flakes and some season salt. play with the seasonings that you like)
Put the bowl aside.
Cut the squash in half lengthwise, and with a spoon hollow out the middle.
(Mainly just getting the seeds out, leaving a bowl shape.)
see pic below:


Sprinkle a little olive oil over them and season with a little salt and pepper.

Take your mixture of veggies and meat and spoon as much as you can into each squash.
(I pack mine as tight as possible cause i really like the filling)


Place in the oven at 375 for about 30 mins.
(keep checking. the smaller ones only took about 25 mins. The larger ones needed a little extra time to get soft enough to eat. You want the squash to be soft enough to put a fork into.)



The last 5 mins I pull it out and sprinkle a little more cheese on the top.


Perfection.
This recipe is great for changing around. I like to add different things in there depending on what is ready in our garden... You could certainly change up some of the seasonings to make it taste a little Italian. Add or take away flavors depending on heat preference and veggie preference.
I think next time i might had a little rice to the mix and make it more like stuffed peppers...
We'll see how that one turns out.
I think i prefer it with the zucchini... but, the yellow squash was great this way.

Father's Day Present

This is my version of this Father's Day present.
I showed that site to Christina, my bro's girlfriend, and we decided to do it our own way.

I actually wanted a round one. (like a small hat box) but i couldn't find one anywhere. (there isn't a craft store around me...) But this one worked fine.



We used sand paper to rough up the outside. Then i modge podged the paper around the container. Christina and I used my cricut to make the letters. One side says Nuts. and the other side says Shells. (this is the part that would've looked better had the container been round.) Then I modge podged over top of it all.

For the lid I used sand paper, then actually spray painted it first before adding the paper. That way the edges would match instead of the green it was.


On the inside i just cut some cardboard to make the separation. Then i modge podged the matching paper on it for good measure...
I just used glue dots to secure it down and keep it in place. That' was totally Christina's idea and it worked great!

it didn't turn out like i wanted, but it works for the purpose it holds...

Good thing my dad isn't too picky!

Eating for Real

Jaison is 4 months. Yes, he is eating. Yes, its real food. Yes, he is a mess...
This is his first time eating out of a spoon.

He's not sure if he likes it yet. sometimes he is okay with it. other times he just wants a bottle!