Baylie's first competition

Saturday Baylie had her first competition. They did so awesome! They took first place in their division!! I was so proud of her and the rest of the angels!!

It's been awhile!

I can't believe how long it has been since I have posted!!! Here are some updated on the Fam... Zander turned one on the 6th of this month (can you believe it?) He has been walking since September and has become a real pro at it. He is still as cute as ever and has such a funny little personality. Baylie was made cheer captian and is pretty excited about that. She just got her performance outfit and it only cost us $320.00 (gag, choke!!) Kylie is getting pretty excited for Halloween and is going to be a fairy princess, Zander is going to be a turtle :) I will post some pictures! Not much else exciting going on around here, sorry we are pretty boring.

Crawling!!!

Well, Zander is now mobile! He started crawling last week. He was pretty spastic there for a couple of days but now he has the hang of it and is zooming around the house. His favorite thing to do is chase his big bouncy ball around the kitchen floor, it is so cute. He is alot more self-entertaining now too since he no longer has to depend on us to get him from point A to point B. He sure is growing fast, he will be 8 months old on Saturday. And best news of all..... He is sleeping through the night consistently....we are on 11 nights in a row now. He has woken up a couple times in the night but we just leave him and with 5 min. or less he is back to sleep. It has been heaven!!

So boring!

I have been a terrible blogger lately! There just isn't anything exciting going on these days. We had a little set back with Zander and the sleeping through the night thing. He did so good for about 2 weeks then he started waking up around 1 or 2 and would NOT go back to sleep. We would get him out and rock him and he would just fight us the whole time so we would tell him night, night and put him back in his crib and walk out and he would scream for 1-2 hours. So I decided that I wasn't even going to get him out of his bed, I was just going to walk in, pat him on the back and say "Go back to sleep, I love you." and walk back out. The first time I did this he cried for 15 min. and went back to sleep until 6:45, (yeah! I have to say I did not expect that) and the next night he slept through the night. Than last night he woke up at 5, I patted his back and walked out and he cried for 40 min, than fell asleep until 8. I hate letting him cry! But I know that if I keep giving in I will never get any sleep. I hope one of these days he will start sleeping through the night consistantly, I never know what to expect from him when I go to bed at night. Baylie was really sick all last week, she had a really bad cough and would cough through the night. Every time she coughed I would just cringe and hope that Zander didn't get woken up. She is all better now thank goodness. She missed a whole week of school and wouldn't you know it was the week they did core testing so now she has lots to make up! Poor kid.

Cinco de Mayo

It was five years ago today that my dad passed away. I can't believe it has been that long! It still seems so weird that he isn't here with us anymore, I still miss him so much. I love you Dad!

Great fettuccini recipe!

I found the best fettuccini recipe, it is so so yummy! And the best part about this recipe..... you make it in your crock pot! And it is super easy!

Chicken and Mushroom Fettuccini Alfredo

Ingredients
1 1⁄2 pounds chicken breast tenders
2 packages (8 ounces each) mushrooms, cut into thirds (i used canned mushrooms and they were just as good.)
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper
1⁄4 teaspoon garlic powder
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, cut into chunks
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, cut into pieces
1 1⁄2 cups grated Parmesan cheese, plus additional for garnish
1 1⁄2 cups whole milk
1 package (1 pound) fettuccini


Directions

Spray inside of 5-quart CROCK-POT® slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Arrange chicken in single layer in bottom of CROCK-POT® slow cooker. Top with mushrooms. Sprinkle salt, black pepper and garlic powder over mushrooms.
Stir together cream cheese, butter, Parmesan cheese and milk in medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk constantly until smooth and heated through. Pour over mushrooms, pushing down any that float to surface. Cover and cook on LOW 4 to 5 hours or on HIGH 2 to 2 1⁄2 hours. Serve over fettuccini noodles.

Crying it out (Warning: long post.)

So I finally got up the nerve to let Zander just cry it out in his crib, in hopes that he would finally start sleeping better! He has been the worlds worst sleeper lately! We would put him to bed at 9 and by 10 he was awake again, and no matter how many times we got him back to sleep he would always wake right up the minute I tried to put him back in his crib. So I would always end up putting him in bed with me and nursing him to sleep. (I know bad idea, but I was too exhausted to keep fighting him.) Than he would wake up at least every 2 hrs, and usually more. Last Saturday night there was a 2 hr. period when he was waking up every 20 min. and the rest of the night he was up every hour. By Sunday morning I was ready to jump off a cliff, I had had it! So when I put him down for his nap and he woke right up, I just left him in there. He cried for an hour and finally fell asleep. I decided to just keep with it and see what happaned. So Sunday night I gave him a bottle instead of nursing him and he actually slept til midnight. Weird huh? Than Mark got him back to sleep ( I told him if he didn't start getting up and helping me he was going to have to call the little white wagon to come haul me away) Of course when Mark put Zander in his crib, he woke up so Mark just told him night, night and walked out. Zander cried for one hour and than fell asleep (1:30) and slept until 7. YEAH! Monday night he woke up at 11:00 and we did the same thing. He cried for 18 min, fell asleep and slept until 8!! This was the first time in months that I have had 8 straight hours of sleep, I can't tell you how alive I felt!! Than Tuesday night he slept from 9-6:30! Victory!! Since than he has done so good, and he hasn't been in my bed for an entire week!

Cutting teeth

Zander is cutting his first tooth! What fun we are having... Staying up half the night, getting bit because he is constantly wanting to gnaw on something (usually me),carrying him around all day cuz he is super grumpy and doesn't want to be set down.(Those of you that have held my fat baby know that this is no simple feat, my back is breaking!) This morning I caught a glimpse of the little pearly white poking through. So hopefully the end is near. Only a mouthful more to go. Bring it on! :((

Amber Alert

My mom sent this text to me this morning. It may not do much good to post it on my blog but I know that if one of my children was taken, I would want the help of anybody and everybody.

AMBER ALERT:
7yr old girl was taken by a man driving a newer silver truck in Idaho Falls. The license plate reads 72B381.

I believe this happaned just this morning, so everyone pass this on to everyone you know, and keep your eyes open. I can't imagine the pain and anguish those parents are going through. And that poor little girl!

WAY EASY Recipe

My mother-in-law gave me this recipe to try. I know it sounds a little strange but it is seriously good and it takes less than 15 min. from start to finish. Even my picky little Baylie loves it. The tortillas end up tasting like soft yummy noodles(which is what Mark thought they were the first time I made this.) This makes enough for four people so if your family is larger you may want to double it.

BEEF TACO SKILLET

1 lb ground beef
1/4 onion (diced)
1 cup salsa
1 can tomato soup
1/2 cup water
3 lg. tortillas (cut into 1 in. peices) I stack them on top of each other and cut them up with my pizza cutter.
1/2 cup shredded colby/jack cheese

Cook beef and onions together, drain grease. Stir in soup, salsa,water and tortillas, heat to boil. Reduce heat to low and cook for 5 min. Stir and top with cheese.

From the mouth of Kylie

Kylie's birthday is coming up soon and she has been planning her party for months. This morning she says to me.....
Kylie: Mom, you need to call Brooke's parents so they can get to know you so that they will let Brooke sleep over.
Me: How are they going to get to know me from one phone call I could be a serial killer and they couldn't tell over the phone.
Kylie: That's just dumb mom, why would you want to kill the cereal?

KISSES!

Fun Weekend!

Last weekend my mom came up and stayed with us. We love when she comes for a visit, we always have so much fun. We went shopping, out to dinner, to the park (twice) out to lunch, got Zander's pictures taken (they turned out soooo dang cute!) watched Twilight and just hung out. I love you mom!!!! Thanks for all you do for us. I can't wait to see you again next friday!

Fun at the park

A Hint of Spring!!!

It was so nice today so we went for a walk as a family. It was so nice to get out of the house!!!! Zander fell asleep in his stroller. You can't see it very good but he has a toy in his mouth, he fell asleep while playing with it. It was so funny I just had to take a picture.

No School for Kylie

Kylie was out of school Thursday and Friday for parent teacher conference, so poor Zander got tortured for 2 days.

Random Cute Pics

Friends and Family at Old Navy!

It's time for friends and family at Old Navy again! So if you would like a coupon for 30% off your entire purchase let me know and I will bring you one or email you one if you live far away. The coupons are good from March 12 to March 15 and you can use them at gap, banana republic, old navy and piper lime.

Sitting up already!

Colds, Sleepless nights and Teeth!

Well, Zander has his first cold and he is a miserable little guy. He looks so sad, his little eyes are all red and watery and you can tell he just doesn't feel great. He hasn't been sleeping much either which makes mom pretty miserable too. The first 4 nights he was up every hour. I thought maybe he had an ear infection cause he wasnt really waking up stuffy so I figured something else must be bothering him. Nope, no ear infection but apparantly he is teething! I was sure hoping he would hold off on that for a few more months but I guess he is determined to do everything early. So that night I gave him some motrin right before bed and he slept from 9:30 pm to 7:30 am. Hallelujah! It was so good to finally get some sleep, I felt like I was turning in to a zombie.

Vacation memories

A flyer for Get away today came in the mail the other day and it made me think about our vacation that we took to California a couple of years ago. We had so much fun!!! We went for a week... we did the 3 day park hopper thing to Disneyland and California Adventure than we went to Universal Studios and Sea world. (My friend Marni and her family met us at sea world (they live in CA.) and we hung out with them the whole day. It was awesome!)We were all amusment parked out by the time the week was over but we had a blast and can't wait to do it again someday. I posted some of my favorite pictures from the trip. I had to do it in a couple of different posts cuz I'm too dumb to figure out how to do it all in one :)

Kid update

I took Zander to the doctor Thursday and I can't believe how fast he is growing. He is now 4 months old and weighs 18 lbs 5 oz. and is 26 1/2 in. long. He is such a little tank. He is such a happy little guy and his smiles light up his whole face. He is already sitting up too! He still falls over alot so we have to always have something soft behind him. I don't think my girls started sitting up until they were closer to six months. I really hope he doesn't walk early. A good portion of my main floor is tile and I'm a little worried about the bumps and bruises thats going to cause. We will have to put a helmet and knee pads on him :) Baylie is taking a cheer/tumbling class right now and LOVES it. She gets so excited on the days that it is her turn to "fly". She is a natural at cheering/dancing/gymnastics. She picks up on all of it so quick. She is hoping to try out for the high school cheer team next year. (guess I better go get a full time job, I hear it's expensive:)) Kylie is also taking gymnastics at the same place and really likes it. She passing all of her stuff off really fast. Both girls will be starting soccer in the next month or so and are so excited. Kylie has been wearing her soccer jersey around the house and keeps saying " I wish it was time for soccer already!"

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Kylie strikes again!

This is for you Cara!

I make english toffee every year for my neighbors for christmas. My friend Cara asked me for the recipe last year and I am such a slacker that I am just getting to it now. Sorry it took me so long!


English Toffee

1/2 cup coarsely chopped toasted almonds
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 T. light corn syrup
3 T. water
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup finely chopped toasted almonds

-Line a 13x9x2 inch (cake pan) baking pan with foil, extending foil over edges. Sprinkle the 1/2 cup chopped nuts in pan. Butter sides of a heavy 2-quart saucepan. In saucepan melt butter. Add sugar, corn syrup and water. Cook and stir over medium-high heat to boiling.
Clip Candy thermometer to pan. Cook and stir over medium heat to 290, soft-crack stage (about 15 minutes). Watch carefully after 280 to prevent scorching. Remove saucepan from heat; remove thermometer. Pour mixture into prepared pan. Let stand 5 minutes or till firm; sprinkle with chocolate chips. Let stand 1 to 2 minutes. When softened, spread chocolate over mixture. Sprinkle with chopped almonds. chill till firm. Lift candy out of pan; break into pieces. Store tightly covered. Makes about 1 1/2 pounds.

Homeade French Bread

I have had 3 different people ask me for my french bread recipe in the last few weeks so I thought it would be easiest to post it on my blog.


1. Dissolve 2 pkg. (4 t) dry yeast in 1/2 c warm water
2. Allow to stand 10 min.
3. Combine in large bowl:
2 c. hot water
3 T. sugar
5 T. oil
1 T. salt
3 c. flour
4. Stir in yeast
5. Stir in mixing well- 3 c. flour
6. Leaving spoon in batter allow to rest 10 min.
7. Stir vigorously- allow to rest 10 min. Repeat #7 3 more times
8. Turn dough onto floured bread board. Divide it in half
9. Roll into a 9 x 12 rectangle. Start at long edge and roll loosely as for jelly roll. Seal edges. Repeat with other half
10. Place seam side down on one large baking sheet.
11. Use a sharp knife and slash top 3 times.
12. You can either brush the tops with a beaten egg before you cook it or brush them with melted butter after you cook it. (I prefer the butter, it makes the crust softer).
13. Raise for 30 min. Bake for 35 min. at 400


I use the leftover bread for yummy french toast the next day.

I love my crockpot

I love cooking meals in my crockpot, it makes life so much easier to make dinner earlier in the day when there is not so much going on. Evening time gets a little crazy around here... the girls need help with homework, Zander gets a little grumpy, the girls need to be run to gymnastics, young women's etc. It gets kinda frustrating to try and find time to make dinner so I use my crockpot as much as possible. If any of you know any good crockpot recipes send them my way, and here is a yummy, easy recipe for you.

Crockpot Lasagna

1 1/2 lb.Hamburger 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
1/2 onion chopped 1 can olives, sliced
1 (26 1/2 oz.) can spaghetti sauce (I use Ragu traditional)
1 pkg. Lasagna noodles 1 cup Mozzerella cheese, grated
1 lb. container cottage cheese 1 TBSP. Parmesan cheese
1 TBSP. Basil 2 TBSP. Sugar


Brown hamburger and onion together. Combine hamburger, spaghetti sauce, basil and sugar. Layer ingredients in crock pot as follows: Sauce mix, lasagna noodles, 1/4 cup water, sauce mix, cottage cheese, lasagna noodles, 1/4 cup water, sauce mix, cheddar cheese, lasagna noodles, 1/4 cup water, sauce mix, olives, mozzerella cheese, olives and parmesan cheese. Cook for 3 hours on low.

Stinkin computer!

So it turns out I'm not really a dork after all (what a relief) ! It's actually my computers fault that I couldn't figure out how to change my background. When I sign in, I don't get that little bar on top of my blog that lets me customize, and when I sign in to blogger I can't get the page elements to come up! What a pain, looks like it's time to take my computer in and have it cleaned up. Thanks Kristen for helping me, I love the new look!

Help!!

As I look at all of your blogs I am becoming extremely jealous of all of your cute backgrounds!! I am such a dork and have no idea how to change mine. I like the one that I have ( thank you Jealin) but it has been my background since June and I think its time to switch it up. Someone give me a course on what to do. PLEASE! I have tried to figure it out on my own. But like I said I'm a dork.

This is what happans when kylie gets ahold of Zander